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.

The Dears - Degeneration Street (2011)

I just finished listening to this album for the first time all the way through. Like most albums I listen, it's hard for me to make judgment to form my opinion.

This album didn't do that much for me, but then again I wasn't expecting it to. Unfortunately everything that The Dears will and have released since No Cities Left will be a pale consideration because of the heavily emotional attachment I had to it. No Cities left is an amazing album, and I listened to it ad nauseum when it came out. That being said I am not capable of listening to No Cities Left because of the memories it represents.

To get back to Degeneration Street, it's still a listenable album. This post represents my first attempt at writing an album review, in change from my strictly film reviews. None of the songs of Degeneration Street stood out to me on first listen either. I will have to listen to it again some time (probably at work where it'll go decently well in the background).

Cheers.

The Kids are Alright (2010)

I enjoyed this movie. The structure, characters and flow felt very traditional and practical, but with the one twist, that the couple are lesbians instead of the run-of-the-mill heterosexual couple added a cool element, but I felt like this really didn't make a difference in how I watched the film. I feel like the film was able to really take this issue and make it very invisible in the narrative. Yes jokes are made about how lesbian couples are not traditional, but I felt like the made draw of this film is about fidelity, and how families deal with it, and how it is important to stick together as a unit.
Good performances by the entire cast. Good pacing of the narrative. Recommend. Even though the formula is very predictable I am glad it is nominated for an Oscar.

I'm Still Here (2010)

This movie really wasn't that good. I was expecting more. I thought maybe this would be a legitimately cool movie. The hype behind the making of the film, and the press being released around the time the film played TIFF and also played in theatres made me think, hmm I really need to check out this film. Instead I found it was pretty lackluster. It did not keep my attention throughout, I had trouble finishing the film for that matter. It felt like Joaquin was acting in a way that made him look contrived. I feel like part of the reason why I didn't like this film is because, because of the hype leading up to the films' release I expected Joaquin to play the character more naturally, but his portrayal felt completely forced, and I didn't believe for a second that he was this guy that just lost it and decided he wanted to be a hip-hop artist.
To give the film at least it's deserved credit, the concept is really cool. I like how everything that was going on in Joaquin's professional life is included in this film. The fact that they didn't have to censor any of this out, and that all of Hollywood kind of went along with it or were at least fooled for a bit. I guess if anything this film was a half-decent prank they tried to pull off. It wasn't worth the 5 bucks I paid to rent it, but I left it feeling at least I made my own opinion.
Scene that did draw my attention is when Joaquin is talking to the spiritual guide, and he is talking about the mountain top water drop. That was a cool speech about taking control of your own life, and knowing that you are responsible for the direction in your life.

Les Amours Imaginaires (2010)

At the risk, and with no guilt my tag line for this film: He's just not that into you, meets Jules and Jim.
This film was fantastic, I loved it every bit about it. I wish more films were of this caliber. Dolan beautifully captured the essence of being in love with someone who is for the most part ambivalent about your feelings. The cast did a great job.

I also really liked the coloring and composition of the film. The pillow talk, although redundant in explaining the feelings of the character, really emphasized the sadness they felt.

The scenes of the expository interviews really added depth (and that's where the He's Just Not that Into you analogy comes from).

Overall amazing film, definitely recommend it. Now if only J'ai Tue Ma Mere was available outside of Quebec I'd be set.

Cheers.

127 Hours (2010)

From when this movie started the only thought I had was "oh god, when is he going to saw his arm off", and I think that might have been the general thought in the theatre. Once the sawing started to go down we were all squirming in our seats, ha.
That being said 127 Hours was alright. I didn't feel like it was a masterpiece. The editing, pacing and general character development was very much done in a music video/ fast-paced style, which albeit worked with this concept, I just feel like it inhibited this film from being a classic.
The film is enjoyable, but it's not a film that will require more than one viewing to get the gist of it.
Definitely a good performance by James Franco, but not the best performance I've seen of the year. I can't take him completely seriously, maybe as a result of his earlier work, but he definitely is working toward getting some dramatic chops. Rock it, dude.

Worth checking out, it is inspiring, Danny Boyle knows how to put together a film, overall.

Sympathy for the Devil (1968)

If you're looking for a clean transition between art cinema and classic rock 'n roll, look no further. A grand combination of The Rolling Stones' hit Sympathy for the Devil, and Jean-Luc Godard zany political monologues, this film really makes you scratch your head, and go huh. I can't say I enjoyed it much past the recording sessions of The Rolling Stones. I zoned out, and websurfed during the political scenes.
It was cool to watch, but probably not something I would revisit.

Knight and Day (2010)

I'm not even done watching this movie and I already need to say it's shit. I was hoping for some ridiculous "crazy" scenes of Tom Cruise. Oh wait, Paul Dano showed up. Nah, he wouldn't be able to contribute enough to save this sinking ship. Weak. Only benefit to this excursion is the business I gave Bay St Video when I rented it.

Stop Making Sense (1984)

I really liked this movie. David Bryne and the rest of the Talking Heads are very talented. I thought the movie was very well shot and the band's performance was really good. Byrne's crazy dancing were really cool, and I like his big suit outfit.

Overall very enjoyable.

Tron: Legacy (2010)

I enjoyed this film. I saw it about a week ago, and it's not like the film particularly resonated with me, I just found it entertaining. It's the 2nd film I've seen in 3D now (the first one being Avatar, which I detested) so I'm still a lightweight when it comes to this medium. I thought the 3D was really appropriate for this film, and was used well in the story framework.

Components that stood out: Daft Punk's OST - wicked choice of group, and definitely made a point to listen to the OST before the film came out, and after watching the film.
Michael Sheen's performance as a backstabbing badass. In the same vein as Alan Rickman as Snape in Harry Potter, Sheen steals all his scenes, I only wish there was more of him.
Awesome scene with the motorcycle game - I think this was meant to be the scene that carried the film. Definitely the scene that I remember most.

Lacking Components: CGI Jeff Bridges - He looked like a friggin Benjamin Button, I hated looking at it.

Couldn't have been bothered to try and connect Legacy with the original Tron from the 80s. I thought Legacy stool by itself. I've seen parts of the original, and had no problem following Legacy with my limited knowledge of the on going story.

Cheers.

Black Swan (2010)

This movie was freaky deaky, and also exceeding my expectations, which is awesome.

Cinematography was amazing. I felt the gritty camera work really brought Natalie Portman's character's inner turmoil to the forefront. Also the quality of the film was exceptional (it probably helped that I was watching a special "digital" print, or whatever it's called).

My favourite performance was Winona Ryder. She's in the film for a total of 10 minutes, but all those minutes are amazing, and I wish there was more. She really plays "crazy" well.

Overall, all performances were great, and I felt like this film had no major flaws. I definitely recommend it. I'm sure I'll want to see it again in a few months.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

I don't know how many times I've seen this film now (a decent number), but this was the first time that I had seen it in the theater, and I have to say the viewing based on this fact alone makes it a stand out screenings.

As always this movie has a profound effect on me, but each screening also has a fractional diminished effect. Truly enjoyable this screening was.

Scenes that stood out: When Dr Heywood talks to his daughter on the video phone, I had only noticed on this screening that there is a moon orbiting Heywood's head in the background (every other time I watched this film, I was focused on the daughter).

Also for the first time was able to appreciate the space traveling sequence right before the end. The visual effect are amazing, and truly meant to be experience on the big screen. Love when they intercut Dave's face randomly, ha.

It's cool that after so many years from when I first saw this film, that I can still enjoy it, and get something out of it. I know it won't be the last time I see it.

Kind Hearts & Coronets (1949)

Very British, very dry. I chose it because it was labelled a black comedy. Check. Enjoyable, but because I've never been the biggest fan of British humour I didn't like it as much as I hoped. I really like how Alec Guinness played half a dozen different characters including a woman, reminded me of awesome Peter Sellers' performances. I'll be watching another Alec Guinness film "Last Holiday". I hope I like it.

Cheers!

Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010)

I enjoyed this film, and it really got me more interested in listening to Rush. I have not too long ago converted my mind, that Rush was a weird band, to Rush is an amazing band. As others will say Rush is different, but they take their own cues, and never sold out. The documentary portrays the band as living legends, and almost revolutionary rock'n rollers. I guess this is true. Maybe it's because I'm not that into the band, but I feel the portrayal was a little too congratulatory. But I imagine that was the purpose of the documentary to begin with.
The presentation of the story was pretty standard fare when it comes to documentaries. It doesn't discuss the band members' personal lives too much, and mostly focuses on the music, as it set out to.
I feel like more time could have been spent on illustrating their unpopular albums, in order to get a more objective view of their career, but the band probably vetoed it out.
Overall a documentary worth checking out if you want to learn more about Rush, and maybe even classic rock in general. Rush has some amazing songs, content alone makes it cool.

This Movie is Broken (2010)

This was a cool movie, and keep in mind that doesn't necessarily mean it was a particularly good movie. This Movie is Broken is a tribute concert/feature film to Toronto and it's hipster native band Broken Social Scene. Now I enjoy Toronto, and Broken Social Scene is one of my favourite bands, so for me, this movie was really cool, and really enjoyable, but it's also not one that I would recommend to everyone I know and meet. It's the kind of film where you need to have an appreciation for the subject matter in order to leave the film feeling satisfied. I definitely left the film with satiation.
I guess to explain myself when I say that the film cannot be rated as particularly good, is that it's unabashedly a low-budget film, with a weak script, and an editing pace that would annoy 90% of people out there. But then again this is mostly a concert film, and then there's a love story that was kind of thrown in there to fill time/make the film more accessible to audiences, and make an excuse to shoot scenes around Toronto's trendy west side (insert gratuitous shot of The Drake Hotel).

Sex and the City 2 (2010)

This movie was what it was. It was no cinematic achievement, but that was hardly what I was seeing the film for. Sex and the City 2 at the most can be seen as an extension of the lives of the characters that millions of people fell in love with during the series. The film hardly does the characters justice though, as it was more of a farce of conspicuous consumption. It was not as over-the-top as I was expecting and hoping for. I was really hoping the film would be completely illogical, and that the characters would not resemble normal human beings (as at this point, they could do anything with the Sex and the City label, and still sell seats). I think this film did what a lot of film sequels end up doing. The story is not as strong as the original film, or the original series for that matter.
I did find myself swept away in the escapism of having more luxury than you need or handle.
In a way Sex and the City 2 resembled a large budget film such as Cleopatra (1963) with Elizabeth Taylor. I can't remember if I have sat through the entire Cleopatra, but the extravagance of that film, and the superficiality that was attached to the film can be transferred onto Sex and the City. I don't find it to be a flaw if the film consciously acknowledges the ridiculousness of itself.
Sex and the City 2 isn't necessarily a horrible film, but it's not something to just walk into with complete ignorance. One should know the cultural relevance of this film, in addition to a vague understanding of the character's back story.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

I was initially very excited to see this film, going into it I had mixed feelings after hearing reviews from friends.
At least the first half of the film excited me. The dynamic and cinematography of the courtroom scene was a surprising standout scene, given that there is no crazy action going on. The dynamic and push and pull tension between Stark and Potts, Stark and his nemesis, and Stark and the senator had a refreshing feel to it. I also enjoyed how this scene was shot in also a cinema verite style. The camera was fluid rather than traditional cut and paste style. I found myself really drawn into the scene. Also the scene where Mickey Rourke and Downey Jr. battle on the race track in Monaco was really cool and well paced.

Around the three-quarter mark though my attention started to wain. I really kind of gave up on a come-back when Rockwell's character is doing the public presentation of his iron man droids. It's funny because during this scene I couldn't help but think how the iron man droids could be seen as prequel weapons to James Cameron's Terminator, except Iron Man is "quirky". Where's Arnold for a cameo when you need him.
The film really fell apart when Downey and Cheadle are preparing for their battle against Rourke. It just seemed like the filmmakers at this point had run out of ideas on how to end the film, and were just looking to wrap it up in a neat package. This fight scene just didn't seem necessary.

Overall, sadly this film really isn't worth seeing. I can say the first half is enjoyable, but the ending neutralizes any recommendation I would have given to this film.

New Moon (2009)

This movie was enjoyable and a crowd pleaser. I feel like I need to comment on the fact that New Moon is part of a successful series of novels turned into films that is getting a lot of positive fanfare, but a lot of criticism directly because of it's positive fanfare. For years I was a teetered elitist cineaste, which when I reflect on now, was pretty lame because I was preventing myself from participating in the grandiose of big-budget blockbusters. I would not have given New Moon a second's glace because it is part of "mass-culture", and therefore of lesser quality. But the past recent years I've been able to at least respect what these big films do, at least for the industry; films like New Moon carry the industry, and in a way are assisting the smaller budget, art-house films, that I for a short time exclusively associated myself with.

I know it's a valid argument that big-budget films are detrimental to small art cinema projects because they take funding away from filmmakers who see cinema as an art form over the fantasy spectacle that has become our dominant cinema experience. But at the same time you need to have a contrast in quality and values in order to fully appreciate what both forms have the offer (and all films in between).

I think New Moon is a good example of a bigger-budget film, that takes advantage of it's mainstream popularity to make good money at the box office. I think the main reason I was deflected from blockbusters for that time-span was because I wasn't acknowledging cinema as a money-making industry. At the time I could only see cinema as an art-form that was supposed to expand your mind and reveal soul-defining revelations. So during that time I did see a good amount of films that followed that criteria, but in the ends, there's not as much "enjoyment" from that type of cinema.

To get back to New Moon as a single entity, separate for the spectrum of movie blockbusters, it was easy to watch. It was digestible, and had good characters and a good story line working for it. I really like the contrast between Bella two lovers; Cold-blooded vs hot-blooded. I think that, even though the contrast is very obvious and seems contrived, it suits the story it is serving.
New Moon is worth seeing if you're willing to invest just over 2 hours in something that's not profound, but decently entertaining. I personally had to pause it a few times over an afternoon. Cheers.