The Artist

Nostalgic, cheeky, sweet, charming, bittersweet, thoughtful-- the list of adjectives could just go on and on; still nothing can really describe what a pleasure it was to watch this film!  Even in its darker moments, "The Artist" is a gift wrapped in celluloid black and white goodness!  

It's funny the reaction this film gets.  A silent movie, this day in age?  Are they serious?  Even when I went to buy my ticket, the clerk felt it important to inform me about the film... "are you aware that this is a silent movie?"  Yessssss... that is why I am here... I was thinking, geesh!  Are we THAT far removed from the past that we can't enjoy the purity of film?

After experiencing this, it reminded me of my adoration for simplicity.  The scenery and sets were uncomplicated, allowing the expression and enchanting efforts of the actors to shine through.  Jean Dujardin is absolutely wonderful in his role as George Valentin, a silent movie star at the top of his game.  He is all twinkle, smiles, and charm in his dapper tails and top hat.  Peppy Miller played by Bernice Bejo is equally charming in her role as a spunky, happy-go-lucky dancer looking for her big break in the business.    

This film reaffirms the magic of non-verbal communication, reminding me of phrases like "A look is worth a thousand words" or "silence is golden".  In a world where we are so plugged in, turned on, and tuned out, this was a refreshing and highly entertaining film!

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

This film, just like Swedish design, is beautiful in its simple and stylish scenes, sets, and acting.  Because of its simplicity, the production and complex story line had to be tight and perfect; and that is exactly what this film delivers.  

The performances on every actor's part were exact, stylized, and played with perfection.  I was curious if the Swedish accent would come off well with American and English actors and it really did--so well in fact that I didn't even recognize Robin Wright-Penn at first.  Daniel Craig is wonderfully cast as Mikael Blomkvist, a discredited journalist out for redemption and a paycheck.  Understated and comfortable in his role, he fits it like a comfortable pair of fine leather shoes, and his intensity and vulnerability are fun to watch.  

Rooney Mara's performance is beyond words.  As Lisbeth Salander, a punked out and pierced computer hacker, she is barely recognizable.  Her world is a microcosm of all things horrific to befall womenkind and what she has lived through is only a part of her mystery.  Mara's performance is reminiscent of Glenn Close's in "Fatal Attraction" in its reality and vivid intensity.  She is enigmatic, quiet, and cognitively alert.  Amid the chilling winter landscape and quietness, it's as if one can hear her brain clicking faster than her fingers stroking the keys of her laptop.  Oscar nods should definitely go to Mara for her interpretation!  

Not to be forgotten are the wonderfully amazing performances of the supporting Christopher Plummer and Stellan Skarsgård.  Plummer's character, Henrik Vanger, exudes the gentle warmth of a hug in contrast to the coldness of the crime that is being investigated.  Stellan Skarsgård is Martin Vanger, the brother to the missing girl Mikael and Lisbeth are investigating. Unlike his Uncle Henrik, he is cool in his warmth, polished and charismatic; he is too friendly and too helpful.

The other star of this film is Sweden herself.  Director David Fincher and Director of Photography Jeff Cronenweth beautifully capture her dressed in dark gritty Stockholm or the elegant monochromatic stillness of her countryside.    

I left this film very intrigued--eager to read the trilogy.  A must see!  Very thrilling from beginning to end, it is one of the best films I have seen this year!

Young Adult

Apathy at its best is the way that I would describe this film.  Like Seinfeld was a show about nothing, this was the film about nothing.  The dark humorous possibilities seem endless in the hands of director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody, but it just ended up a story of stereotypes lacking connection and emotion.

Almost everyone dreams of reconnecting with their first love in one way or another, but Mavis takes it to a whole new level in this new dark comedy.  Set on getting her high school boyfriend back, she heads back to her small town with the intent of saving her old beau Buddy (Patrick Wilson) from what she sees as a sad life with a wife and newborn child. 

Charlise Theron IS mesmerizing as Mavis and she plays her well enough.  Although they rely too much on her golden glow and natural beauty (afterall, she was the prom queen), I feel they could have used that in a more creatively sympathetic way.  The most they could give her was a hair pulling habit... something I think they could have easily expanded on and used to show her vulnerability.  Her transformations from depressed drunk to glam gal are fun to see, as is her trip to the salon to pick her daily personality via color.  Unfortunately for the film, I found these details more interesting than the story itself. 

The only real voice of the film is Matt, played very well by Patton Oswalt.  Stereotypically nerd, Oswalt steals every scene that he is in and is the only character I found myself caring about or being interested in.  His delivery is flawless and heartfelt.  

Cody's writing took me only so far, and as the credits rolled I found myself where I was two hours ago.  It's not that I didn't enjoy this film; it had its moments.  It just didn't move me or connect with me as much as the other Reitman/Cody collaborations.  Where "Juno" and "Up In The Air" had emotion, understated sweetness, and raw vernacular, this film had apathy and lots of booze.  

Like Crazy

Director and co-writter Drake Doremus and cinematographer John Guleserian, deliver elementally, a film depicting first love. "Like Crazy" is so delicate and natural it was truly a joy to watch.

It has been my experience that first love can be the best thing to ever happen to you and will most likely be the worst. This film, like first love, subtly grabs you before you know what's happening and you are in it until the last scene.

It is beautifully quiet, as is it's dialog, appearing intentional and lovely realistic. So often in films these days it feels like conversations are forced and we miss the little treasures of a glance, the touching of hands, or the way the light moves. The ability to deliver without overstating the obvious or spoon feed feelings is refreshing and endearing to say the least.

Serenely delivered, we see a young couple fall in love with one another and then have to deal with the real world issues of visas, rules, life, sacrifices, and careers. The cinematography was beautiful, although I found the handheld a little jarring at first, I lost sight of it and it became very natural very quickly. I caught myself many times getting lost in a scene and then another... I take that back... not lost... absorbed. It's spaces are filled like moving snapshots and among them beautiful emotion. 

Although there has been quite a bit of good criticisim regarding Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones' breakout performances (which ARE really really fantastic), I was pleasantly surprised about the supporting performances of her parents (especially her mum, played by Alex Kingston) and Samantha (played by Jennifer Lawrence). Again, not a lot of dialogue was used, but it is in their exchanges and their tender delivery that say so much more and really deliver a brilliant scene.

I found "Like Crazy" to be an engaging collage of emotion and a must see! Much like first love, I immensely enjoyed the first two thirds of the film and was sad to see it end.

Crazy Stupid Love

Let me start by saying that the best thing that Steve Carell ever did was leave "The Office".   I have enjoyed almost every movie that he has been in... and, might I add, COMPLETELY to my surprise.  I don't know if it's his puppy dog eyes, his goofy smile, or his insane vulnerability, but he draws me in every time... and this movie is no different.  When he chooses roles that allow him to play from the heart, he is a powerful force that very few actors in Hollywood can pull off.      

In the vast ocean of summer blockbusters and 3D this and that... this film is an island... an oasis to the heart and the head.  Witty, intelligent, stylish, and charmingly written, it takes us through life's journey to the meaning of soulmates, relationships, and love... and imagine this... it is OH so crazy and stupid.


I LOVED this film and look forward to adding it to my collection!

For the love of film!

Since I can remember, film has been a part of my life.  My parents have always been avid moviegoers and shared this love with both my sister and me.  Film became not only a means of entertainment, but inspired us to see the world and be the persons we dared to be.

There is always that first movie that changes your life... and that movie for me was "When Harry Met Sally..."  It was 1989.  I was a senior in High School.  It was two hours that changed my life forever!  As dramatic as that sounds, the styling of the set, the costuming, the writing, and the setting of New York City-- all caught me up in its magic.  Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, "When Harry Met Sally" tells the story of Harry Burns and Sally Albright (great names, no?) and deals with the all important question--"Can men and women really be friends?"  I have lost track of how many times I have seen this movie; but let me just say, I have worn down and gone through not one but two VHS tapes and have the entire movie memorized.

After seeing this with my best friend, we were convinced that THIS was the way relationships should be.  In search of my Harry Burns, which by this time had covered Michigan, Massachusetts, and back to Michigan again, I had compared every man I had ever dated to Harry.  Imagine my surprise when I sat down after finally having it come out on DVD, sooooo excited to have the movie extras... the interviews with Nora and Rob and the video of Harry Connick Jr!  There I am, on the sofa... mental notebook in hand waiting for the genius that is Nora Ephron... and what fabulous advice does she have to share?  One of the very first tidbits of wisdom to come out of her mouth was something to the effect of, young girls everywhere are coming up to me and asking me how to find a Harry Burns... and I have to tell them he doesn't exist.  WHAT?????   World crashed!

My fashion sense was also affected by this movie.  You see this hat? I bought a hat almost identical to it that Christmas with my Christmas money.  I should also mention I never once wore it outside of my bedroom.  As for Meg's hair in the movie or Meg's hair in general, I have been trying to replicate it for years and years... long and curly to short and shaggy.  I even went as far as getting a perm... A PERM!

Moral of this little story?  Never ever watch the extra material on a DVD... EVER!

The Big Year!

"The Big Year" with Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson quietly arrived in theaters amid lame wannabe blockbuster action and horror movies for the Halloween season.


It's a story of three men--all avid birdwatchers and all at different critical points in their lives.  Normally, with the comic powerhouse of each of these funny men, one would expect a slapstick festival, especially when you add chasing birds all over North America.  Surprisingly and beautifully, it is quiet with its grace in the thoughtful moments and exchanges in dialogue between friends, fathers, mothers, and wives.

Although it was not a film one would probably be talking about for years to come, it has staying power and is a reminder of what life should be--a real sweet, honest gem!