War Horse (2011)

This movie wasn't all bad. I went into it thinking it was going to be 100% cliche, and it was, but it was also a very well made film. I like how there was no romance story involved in the film, it was literally, as it is promoted, about the horse.

Hugo (2011)

I liked this film. It reminded me of doing my undergrad in Film Studies. Martin Scorsese really knows how to show proper homage to cinema. Watching this film felt magical, and it really has inspired me to get back into watching films seriously. More reviews to come.

Young Adult (2011)

I was relatively disappointed with this film. It could have been better, but at the same time, I feel like it would have taken a lot more effort to make this film remarkable. It really felt like the director, writer and actor all phoned this one it.

The character was also quite sad to watch. I felt bad that it came out that the female protagonist had mental health issues. It made it hard to watch, because it because evident that it was not going to end too happily.

The Artist (2011)

This movie was enjoyable for what it had to offer. My favourite part of the film, was a scene that looked like it was going to take the film in a surrealism direction, but it ended up only being a one-off scene. It was the scene where the protagonist can hear sound all around him, but he cannot hear himself make a noise. It was quite freaky, and I was hoping it would become of developing/episodic theme in the film. My date to the film said that it wouldn't have made sense if the film went in that direction, because it's a french art film, but I personally would have liked it to go that way. Maybe I was just in the mood for a David Lynch film.
The ending was cute, and overall I did enjoy myself during the film. Check it out if you're looking for a b/w revival feel silent film.
Cheers.

Melancholia (2011)

I liked this movie for what it was. Anything that Lars von Trier releases I will see regardless of what people are saying. This film wasn't my favourite of his, but I definitely enjoyed seeing it.
The sound track was really good. I enjoyed the classical music that was used. The performances were good also.

What I found silly was that the plot actually had the earth being destroyed, I mean come on, really?

50/50 (2011)

This movie was decent, but there were elements that stood out to me.

I really liked how they portrayed Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character as an old man. His character is really 27, but everything about him screams angry old man. For one, he works in Radio. This is a medium that is not considered "contemporary" by any standards. In today's instant gratification social media networking work, his radio piece on volcanoes probably doesn't garner much attention. Another aspect is that he lives in a house somewhere in a more remote area (but probably not too far from downtown). This is not typical for someone his age. Having a house to yourself at 27 is more rare in today's culture. Another, and the most obvious is that he doesn't drive a car. While most young people who don't drive, are like that because they can't afford one, Joseph's character choose not to drive because it's the 5th leading cause for death, which to me sounds like an old man kind of statement.

The aspect of the film that I thought was weak, was that they only gave Joseph's character one guy friend. While it makes sense because it allows for more depth of the character, because you are spending less time describing other supporting characters, I felt like he should have been given one or two cronies at least for maybe some different comedic relief off of Seth Rogen's character. But that aside, giving him only one male friend, paints him more as an old man.

I liked the dynamic between Joseph and his cheating girlfriend. Even though it was sad for the character, I really felt like this added to the script.
I also really like Angelica Huston as the mother. She played this role really well, I wish there would have been more scenes with her.

Visually the film was decent. One scene had a cool split screen going on, when Joseph and Seth were burning his ex girlfriend's painting, that was a funny scene.

Peter, Bjorn and John - Gimme Some (2011)

I had been excited for weeks to listen to this album. It was definitely enjoyable. It didn't floor me, but I got out of it what I wanted.

PB & J have a distinct rock kind of sound that makes them accessible to mainstream audiences, but also keeps them in a niche market.

Definitely good background music at a party, or something to chill out to after a long day.

Tracks that caught my ear on first listen: Dig a Little Deeper, and I Know You Don't Love Me.

I'm debating going to their show in May, not sure if it is sold out or not.

Peace.

Rubber (2011)

This movie is pure shits and giggles. I definitely think it's worth checking out at least for the reason that it will blow your mind literally and figuratively.

On one hand I felt like Rubber was this incredible art film, comparing to Jean-Luc Godard who actively breaks film conventions and goes out of his way to say "fuck you" to his audience. And on the other hand, this film was pure eye candy with a tire literally blowing things and people up.

I don't think I will ever see this movie again, unless someone I know insists I see it with them, but it was definitely worth seeing at least once.

Cheers.

The Kings Speech (2010)

This film was better than I thought it would be. Normally I am not prone to watching period films because I have trouble relating to time-periods where the internet and cell phones to not exist, call me crazy.
Performances by all actors were phenomenal.

Scene that stood out for me was when Geoffrey Rush's wife meets the King and Queen and is speechless and overwhelmed by the honour of being in the same room as royalty, and she is strong enough to extend the invitation for dinner.

Also the soundtrack was really melodic. I thought the music very well complimented the inner struggle King George VI faced with his speech impediment, and the emotional toil it took on him and the people around him.

The story of this film is one that I never knew. I am not very familiar with English history, or lesser known English history, so it was really cool to learn about the King's speech impediment.

I can see why this film won best picture at the Oscars, it definitely deserved it. Definitely worth seeing.

Mother Mother - Eureka (2011)

Album review #2.
I have listened to this album 2.5 times within 24 hours and I have to say that overall it agrees with me.

The album's first single: The Stand is very catchy.
On "Baby Don't Dance", album seems dancy so far.
I'm really digging the bass lines. Not sure if it's just because they are on the same label as The New Pornographers, but they definitely so similiar. Maybe part of that has to do with the fact that they're both based in Vancouver

Something good to listen to in the background at a party - "Simply Simple"
Track "Getaway" mellow, not that strong.

Overall an enjoyable album. I listened to a few tracks off of "O My Heart" after listening to Eureka, Mother Mother is definitely a band that has legs. I don't see them getting huge, but their tracks have a nice edge.