(no subject)
So remember that paper of term... yesterday I decided, "I'm gonna pull a Sara and procrastinate muchly." And damn I had some good procrastination because I went on a, Oscar movie marathon with my neighbor!
Movie 1: Notes on a Scandal
Seriously worth it just because it has Judi Dench and Cate Blanchette who are just such phenomenal actresses and sometiems they don't even have to say a word and you just feel what is going on in their heads so strongly. For example, there's this one scene where all Cate Blanchette is trying to remember how it felt to be young again - and she puts on some fishnets, does her eyes in heavy black kohl, and puts on some lipstick. Breathtaking. There is also a scene for Judi Dench where all she is doing is sitting in a bathtub - oh my god. So amazing. Both of them. And Bill Nighy also does a good job as well. It will also squick you out for a week after if you see any gold stars.
Movie 2: Babel
Very interesting study of how many lives get affected by something big and how close a person might be to a tragic occurence but may not even realize it because you're so busy trying to live your own life. It was excellent, with some absolutely stellar performances, it was touching and disturbing as well. For the Tokyo street life where Chieko, a deaf-mute, is trying so hard to get rid of her pestersome virginity. However there is this one scene where she goes out with two friends and a boy she has a crush on and they go to a dance club. Well you can guess how strange that must feel to her. But they don't want you to just guess. She's standing in the club and you feel the silence along with her. Very chilling. That was my favotite of the story-lines. However there were also some scenes that were just so raw and real (Cate Blanchette and Brad Pitt) - it was absolutely gorgeous. However, my one complaint is that it was quite long.
Movie 3 : The Last King of Scotland
Whoa. That Idi Amin was cuh-ray-zi. I also have to say, Forest Whittaker was absolutely amazing to watch. Yes, there were some scenes that you almost couldn't watch - but that was what made it so chilling. For those of you who don't know what the hell it's about ... Nicholas Garrigan is a doctor who recieves a grant to work in any area of the world he desires to be of some assistance. He picks Uganda. He arrives in time for the coup - and Obote was kicked out and Amin takes the stage. Forest Whittaker's performance was breathtaking. He played this charismatic leader that had the word cheering for him. He smiled for the camera and the people loved him. However, after Garrigan becomes his assisstant he begins to see the horrors that are occuring and the insanity that is Amin who is obsessed with the fact that he cannot die. He saw it in a dream. He was a general (and crazy on top of it), so he only understands how to utilize brutality. And he does. He does. So you watch James McAvoy (who did an absolutely superb job - being able to battle with the charisma and screen presence of Forest Whittaker) go through the disillusionment, realizing how he has been used for wrong, and how Amin's regime is terrible. And believe me. It is. Stellar performances - gorgeous cinematography. And a very nice touch of wit as Amin discusses how his soldiers always eat first. However, right after you look into the eyes of a soldier... and they're jaundiced. What was even more interesting was how we were transported into the place of a man who did not realize that he was helping a cruel genocidal dictator.
Movie 4 : Letters From Iwo Gima
Clint Eastwood. You are an amazing amazing man. You follow the lives of about four soldiers stationed on Iwo Gima - as they're forced to hold an island that will be a key strategic point. Told with multiple view points, flash backs, and the narrative of some letters from the soldiers to their mothers or wives and children. So beautiful as well. Really quite artistic. And I have no idea why this one is so short... Eitherway. Excellent movie.
Today we have the possibility of seein Venus and Volver. Wish me luck!
(Also, if Little Miss Sunshine wins best picture I will personally hurt somebody. That piece of shit does NOT deserve an Oscar.)
Movie 1: Notes on a Scandal
Seriously worth it just because it has Judi Dench and Cate Blanchette who are just such phenomenal actresses and sometiems they don't even have to say a word and you just feel what is going on in their heads so strongly. For example, there's this one scene where all Cate Blanchette is trying to remember how it felt to be young again - and she puts on some fishnets, does her eyes in heavy black kohl, and puts on some lipstick. Breathtaking. There is also a scene for Judi Dench where all she is doing is sitting in a bathtub - oh my god. So amazing. Both of them. And Bill Nighy also does a good job as well. It will also squick you out for a week after if you see any gold stars.
Movie 2: Babel
Very interesting study of how many lives get affected by something big and how close a person might be to a tragic occurence but may not even realize it because you're so busy trying to live your own life. It was excellent, with some absolutely stellar performances, it was touching and disturbing as well. For the Tokyo street life where Chieko, a deaf-mute, is trying so hard to get rid of her pestersome virginity. However there is this one scene where she goes out with two friends and a boy she has a crush on and they go to a dance club. Well you can guess how strange that must feel to her. But they don't want you to just guess. She's standing in the club and you feel the silence along with her. Very chilling. That was my favotite of the story-lines. However there were also some scenes that were just so raw and real (Cate Blanchette and Brad Pitt) - it was absolutely gorgeous. However, my one complaint is that it was quite long.
Movie 3 : The Last King of Scotland
Whoa. That Idi Amin was cuh-ray-zi. I also have to say, Forest Whittaker was absolutely amazing to watch. Yes, there were some scenes that you almost couldn't watch - but that was what made it so chilling. For those of you who don't know what the hell it's about ... Nicholas Garrigan is a doctor who recieves a grant to work in any area of the world he desires to be of some assistance. He picks Uganda. He arrives in time for the coup - and Obote was kicked out and Amin takes the stage. Forest Whittaker's performance was breathtaking. He played this charismatic leader that had the word cheering for him. He smiled for the camera and the people loved him. However, after Garrigan becomes his assisstant he begins to see the horrors that are occuring and the insanity that is Amin who is obsessed with the fact that he cannot die. He saw it in a dream. He was a general (and crazy on top of it), so he only understands how to utilize brutality. And he does. He does. So you watch James McAvoy (who did an absolutely superb job - being able to battle with the charisma and screen presence of Forest Whittaker) go through the disillusionment, realizing how he has been used for wrong, and how Amin's regime is terrible. And believe me. It is. Stellar performances - gorgeous cinematography. And a very nice touch of wit as Amin discusses how his soldiers always eat first. However, right after you look into the eyes of a soldier... and they're jaundiced. What was even more interesting was how we were transported into the place of a man who did not realize that he was helping a cruel genocidal dictator.
Movie 4 : Letters From Iwo Gima
Clint Eastwood. You are an amazing amazing man. You follow the lives of about four soldiers stationed on Iwo Gima - as they're forced to hold an island that will be a key strategic point. Told with multiple view points, flash backs, and the narrative of some letters from the soldiers to their mothers or wives and children. So beautiful as well. Really quite artistic. And I have no idea why this one is so short... Eitherway. Excellent movie.
Today we have the possibility of seein Venus and Volver. Wish me luck!
(Also, if Little Miss Sunshine wins best picture I will personally hurt somebody. That piece of shit does NOT deserve an Oscar.)