Away We Go (2009)

This movie was alright. I liked the story, and I REALLY liked John Krasinski's beard.
The story of a couple (and soon-to-be parents) trying to figure out where they want to raise their family, and how to properly nurture them to be healthy individuals, while at the same time stay attracted to each other, is really sweet, and isn't seen that often. This film represents stage two of romantic love in film. 99% of films deal with the first stage where two characters find themselves attracted to one another, and are trying to figure out how to communicate this lust for one another, but also trying to avoid potential heartbreak (which happens regardless, and then couple hook up at the end). So it's refreshing to see a film that starts after all that drama has happened and is done with.
John Krasinski is probably the man of most girls' my age dreams. He always plays a charismatic down-to-earth chap that is not afraid to tell the woman he loves, hey, I love you (dude, you're making all the other guys look bad, ha).
There are also a few awesome brief supporting actors that steal their scenes: Catherine O'Hara, and Allison Janney.
In the end this movie might be worth checking out. The execution is decent, but I don't feel like it stood out. I suggest watching it if you want something light, and also doesn't suck ass.

Avatar (2009)

It`s hard sometimes to write this blog without having other people`s impressions sway my thoughts on the film. This is an instance where I walked into this film with many preconceived notions because there has been a lot of hype built-up around it. It`s a made-to-be 3D adventure, and I decided it would be the first 3D film I saw at the theatre.
In film synergy, it would be Terminator 2 meets The Lion King. It was definitely cool to see, and I`m glad I saw it in 3D, but I didn`t leave the theatre feeling like the film changed me at all. In sum, it was a spectacle for the eyes, and really let me recognize attributes of James Cameron`s films that flow through Avatar. Cameron works very strongly with the theme of man`s dependancy on technology, and the inevitable demise that this dependancy results in (for those of you thinking exclusively of his sci-fi films, don`t forget this theme is extremely obvious in Titanic).

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

It's been a few years since I've seen this movie, and I've been feeling recognizably contemplative lately, so it seemed like a proper time to revisit this existential masterpiece.
2001 is one of those films that I don't think I can ever quantify how amazing it is. A guy I met once said that Kubrick's films are like a well-aged brandy, and I completely agree. People can acknowledge that they are highly revered, they're not for mass consumption, and you don't want to overindulge in them because they so rich.
A scene that stood out to me during this past screening: The part where Dave is running loops around the space ship. The cinematography depicting his isolation is spot-on, and chilling.
While I can more fully appreciate the slow pacing of 2001, and what each scene contributes to the overall film, the more times I see this film the less of an impact the climax has on me. It's still an amazing ending of philosophical proportions, but that bang on oh-my-god moment is not there anymore (or it at least wasn't there during this screening).
I definitely want to revisit 2001 again sometime to see if watching it twice in a shorter timespan will give me more perspective on it. What can I say, you should watch it!

Smiley Face (2007)

This is the third time I've seen this film, and second time I've blogged it, and I decided to reblog it because it still hits me as a great film. From start to finish this film keeps my attention. The pacing is so well timed in terms of story development, and editing. I think what makes this a strong film is that it takes place in a single day. Rarely do films convey such a short period of time during the length of the film. I think a story has to be very solid in order for it to hold up taking place only over one day, and Smiley Face stands this test of "time".
Also what I like about this film is that it's portraying pretty idiotic actions, but it does it very smartly. Other stoner-comedies such as Dude, Where's my Car? and Harold and Kumar, don't try hard to be profound (and not that Smiley Face overtly does), but here, there's this level of intelligencia (specifically the scenes where economic, and marxist theory is debated). I find it more realistic to include such dialogue in a stoner comedy, because it acknowledges that many "academic" individuals also enjoy smoking pot.
Another device I thoroughtly enjoy in Smiley Face is the fantasy vs reality sequences that we find Ana Faris in. In her head Ana Faris' character delivers a magnificent and moving speech about labour rights, but in reality she's mumbling profanities, and speaking completely untelligibly, awesome!
The soundtrack is also remarkable: REO Speedwagon, Ladytron and Chemical Brothers.
For these reasons, and many more I really think this movie is greatly underestimated because of what it portrays at it's surface level. It's definitely meant to be a light-hearted comedy, but I think it deserves even more attention.

The Proposal (2009)

This movie met my expectations, it sucked. I was willing to watch it with an open mind, but it really had nothing new or different about it, that I hadn't seen in a billion other romantic-comedies. A lot of people have said they liked this movie, and that I would like it too, but I don't see what they're getting at. Two people who hated each other for 3 years, are not going to fall in love in less than 3 days. Maybe if they just suddenly want to get it on, granted, I might be able to see that. But to decide over one weekend that they want to spend the rest of their lives together is bunk. I have nothing good to say about this film. I've never been a fan of Sandra Bullock, and Ryan Renolds was alright, but he's becoming predictable and I was really grossed out when Oscar from The Office plays a Stripper/Maid/Grocer.
The whole film also played it too safe. The whole being deported to Canada was lame, and no immigration officer would go to the extent that this one did (unless someone is paying for his expensives, and he really has nothing better to do?)
I regret watching it, and don't recommend it.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

This movie was great. I really enjoyed it.
I liked how The Beach Boys were on the soundtrack twice, and was surprised how well the animation worked. I originally thought the film would look primitive as stop motion, but vintage at the same time, but it actually flowed very well and naturally.
I really like Wes Anderson films in general too because you can easily pick out the forms and conventions that he uses consistently in all his films. The dysfunctional. father/son relationship. The male protagonist trying to avoid death by finding something exciting in his life.
Also visually his conventions are consistent. The titles disbursed throughout the film. The static close-up shots of the characters' face. I guess I almost thought Anderson wouldn't be so obvious about his visual techniques since he was using a different medium, but they were all evident. One of my favourites is the shot he uses that's far away and captures the whole room, as if it was a dollhouse. Total borrowing of Godard's Tout Va Bien, and I get excited everytime Anderson uses it in his films.
Since it was a different medium some different things that I thought were cool, and vintagy. When the characters were either absent-minded or knocked out, they would have spirals on their eyes, or x', so awesome. And there were shots with the camera moving with the character, which looked like it was probably elaborate to set up, due to the nature of stop-motion cinematography.
So all things considered this movie is definitely worth checking out, as it's original, and very accessible.