The Film @ MindSay 
Tearjerker Express: "The Messenger" (2009)
Last night I saw a film that utterly and brutally got to me: The Messenger (2009/I). It was so well done.
Basically, it is about a Sergeant and a Captain assigned to personally deliver the news of fallen soldiers to their families. In the film, they said that during Vietnam, families were notified of their sons' death through a telegram. In this day and age, why not an email or a telephone call? Every "delivery" was a stunning revelation of human behavior.
Steve Buscemi plays the father of one of the soldiers who has died. His reaction is unexpected and intolerable. This may be a spoiler, but, I'll say it anyway: he does not go away. He comes back later in the film and wow.
In the preview, it seems like this may be a romance between Ben Foster and Samantha Morton. It should have been developed that way possibly, or not promoted as a romance, and maybe more of a bromance between Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster. One of my friends thought that this was completely deceitful. However, if Hollywood is able to overlook that this film is semi-related to the Iraqi War, then maybe, just maybe it could be a contender for Best Picture. Maybe some of the actors will be nominated. It IS a longshot. However, the quality completely exceeds any misconceptions I had about the movie.
On a personal duty, my brother did two tours in Iraq, and volunteered for a third. Everytime my mother called during those two years (approximately), I would be jumpy. And she called a lot! I can just imagine getting the news and being as destroyed and incredulous as some of the people in the movie. At least two of the women in the movie screamed their guts out upon finding that their sons or husbands had been killed.
It's highly recommended. However, if you don't like emotional dramas, this is not for you. I can say that I haven't loved any other of the Iraqi war movies. I liked Lions for Lambs, but it did not do well at the box office, and Tom Cruise gets on my nerves. The Kingdom wasn't that great, with the exception of a few performances. Grace is Gone was a tad boring, kind of alright, but definitely not to die for.
However, this film isn't about the Iraqi War, per se. It's just about humans. The movie has the perfect imbalance of humor and drama. From the beginning, it's a tearjerker. When it finally lets up, and I mean finally, there is a scene or two of intense humor. I have to say the ending might be a letdown, however, I have already explained that Ben Foster and Samantha Morton's relationship is not the focus.
See it or don't. If the Academy ends up nominating it, take their word and not mine.
Last night I saw a film that utterly and brutally got to me: The Messenger (2009/I). It was so well done.
Basically, it is about a Sergeant and a Captain assigned to personally deliver the news of fallen soldiers to their families. In the film, they said that during Vietnam, families were notified of their sons' death through a telegram. In this day and age, why not an email or a telephone call? Every "delivery" was a stunning revelation of human behavior.
Steve Buscemi plays the father of one of the soldiers who has died. His reaction is unexpected and intolerable. This may be a spoiler, but, I'll say it anyway: he does not go away. He comes back later in the film and wow.
In the preview, it seems like this may be a romance between Ben Foster and Samantha Morton. It should have been developed that way possibly, or not promoted as a romance, and maybe more of a bromance between Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster. One of my friends thought that this was completely deceitful. However, if Hollywood is able to overlook that this film is semi-related to the Iraqi War, then maybe, just maybe it could be a contender for Best Picture. Maybe some of the actors will be nominated. It IS a longshot. However, the quality completely exceeds any misconceptions I had about the movie.
On a personal duty, my brother did two tours in Iraq, and volunteered for a third. Everytime my mother called during those two years (approximately), I would be jumpy. And she called a lot! I can just imagine getting the news and being as destroyed and incredulous as some of the people in the movie. At least two of the women in the movie screamed their guts out upon finding that their sons or husbands had been killed.
It's highly recommended. However, if you don't like emotional dramas, this is not for you. I can say that I haven't loved any other of the Iraqi war movies. I liked Lions for Lambs, but it did not do well at the box office, and Tom Cruise gets on my nerves. The Kingdom wasn't that great, with the exception of a few performances. Grace is Gone was a tad boring, kind of alright, but definitely not to die for.
However, this film isn't about the Iraqi War, per se. It's just about humans. The movie has the perfect imbalance of humor and drama. From the beginning, it's a tearjerker. When it finally lets up, and I mean finally, there is a scene or two of intense humor. I have to say the ending might be a letdown, however, I have already explained that Ben Foster and Samantha Morton's relationship is not the focus.
See it or don't. If the Academy ends up nominating it, take their word and not mine.
Hairspray
Hairspray
(Original 1988 John Waters film, 2002 Broadway Musical, and 2007 Musical film)
1988 actors John Waters, Ricki Lake, and Jerry Stiller return in the 2007 film playing different roles—Waters plays a 2007 neighbor-flasher (instead of 1988’s Dr. Frederickson), Lake plays a reporter (instead of 1988 Tracy), and Stiller plays ‘Hefty Hideaway’ proprietor Pinky (instead of Tracy’s 1988 father, Wilbur).
The Broadway musical premiered in 2002, but previously had a practice run in Seattle, WA.
MadTV’s Paul Vogt also played Edna Turnblad in one of the Hairspray musical circuits.
Tracy Turnblad: Ricki Lake (1988) / Marissa Jaret Winokur (2002) / Nicole Blonsky (2007) ● Edna Turnblad: Divine (1988)/ Harvey Fierstein (2002)/ John Travolta (2007) ● Wilbur Turnblad: Jerry Stiller (1988) / Christopher Walken (2007) ● Penny Pingleton: Leslie Ann Powers (1988) / Kerry Butler (2002) / Amanda Bynes (2007) ● Amber Von Tussle: Colleen Fitzpatrick (1988) / Laura Bell Bundy (2002) / Brittany Snow (2007) ● Motormouth Maybelle: Ruth Brown (1988) / Mary Bond Davis (2002) / Queen Latifah (2007) ● Velma Von Tussle: Debbie Harry (1988) / Linda Hart (2002) / Michelle Pfeiffer (2007) ● Franklin Von Tussle: Sonny Bono (1988) ● Mr. Pinky: Alan Wendl (1988) / Jerry Stiller (2007)
The story is supposed to take place in 1962, Baltimore, Maryland. The 2007 film was filmed in parts of Ontario, Canada as well as Baltimore and Los Angeles, CA.
It took four hours for John Travolta to put on his 2007 fat suit and makeup.
Divine and Sonny Bono are deceased (each died at a different time since appearing in the original 1988 film).
February 26, 2008 will be the 20th Anniversary of the John Waters film release.
A 1957 GMC transit bus was cut up into 9 pieces to facilitate filming for the 2007 “Run and Tell That” dance number.
Kelly Osbourne claimed on British TV in early 2005 that she had been offered the lead on Broadway, but this was never confirmed.
The Corny Collins Show is based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show in Baltimore.
The amusement park shown at the end of the 1988 film has since grown considerably in size; Dorney Park (opened in 1884), near Allentown, Pennsylvania, is also featured in the 1968 comedy film Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows.
Rancette Interviews Sofia Coppola (At Cannes)
Rancette: So Sofia...
Sofia: Yes!
Rancette: I'd like to talk about your new film Marie-Antoinette.
S: It's not really my film. I mean, I'm just the director.
R: Are you not taking responsibility for its failing then?
S: I'm actually just really humble and I think a movie is a collective effort. I mean, it's a tragedy that people aren't responding to this. I mean, it's a great film.
R: It's "apolitical". Explain why you chose to not get into the gritty details.
S: Well, I really wanted to have fun with this movie. I didn't want to have to do research, because after I'm stuck at the library for so long, I tend to lose interest in a project. I wanted this film to be fresh and exciting.
R: Apparently, it's too "fresh".
S: Well, whatever. The reviewers are just jealous, because their father isn't Francis Ford Coppola, so they'll never be able to make it in the film industry.
R: True, but hasn't being Francis' daughter had some set backs?
S: Not really. I have had it pretty easy.
R: Don't you think you're being unfairly attacked for your movie? That they're just trying to undermine you, because you've reached where you are through no hard work of your own?
S: True they're jealous of me for being Francis' daughter. Untrue that I haven't worked hard. I mean, it's a bitch working with Kirsten now that she's famous. But I mean she has star power, and I want my movie to sell tickets! That'll make it easier to fund my next movie. But I mean, I totally understand Marie-Antoinette. That's why I made this film.
R: What do you understand?
S: Oh, I dunno, just that she was a rich girl like me and came to a place of power... and I mean, I feel like Marie-Antoinette sometimes. They're dissing my movie and all I want to do is free France. Oh no wait, that was Joan of Arc. What was that famous line of Marie-Antoinette's again? Something about eating cake. Oh, well you know what I mean. It was so fun working on this feature. Maybe I'll do another French film sometime. No matter what anyone says, they love me. People will see my film. Even if it's crap. That's what I love about Hollywood and being a Coppola!
Sofia: Yes!
Rancette: I'd like to talk about your new film Marie-Antoinette.
S: It's not really my film. I mean, I'm just the director.
R: Are you not taking responsibility for its failing then?
S: I'm actually just really humble and I think a movie is a collective effort. I mean, it's a tragedy that people aren't responding to this. I mean, it's a great film.
R: It's "apolitical". Explain why you chose to not get into the gritty details.
S: Well, I really wanted to have fun with this movie. I didn't want to have to do research, because after I'm stuck at the library for so long, I tend to lose interest in a project. I wanted this film to be fresh and exciting.
R: Apparently, it's too "fresh".
S: Well, whatever. The reviewers are just jealous, because their father isn't Francis Ford Coppola, so they'll never be able to make it in the film industry.
R: True, but hasn't being Francis' daughter had some set backs?
S: Not really. I have had it pretty easy.
R: Don't you think you're being unfairly attacked for your movie? That they're just trying to undermine you, because you've reached where you are through no hard work of your own?
S: True they're jealous of me for being Francis' daughter. Untrue that I haven't worked hard. I mean, it's a bitch working with Kirsten now that she's famous. But I mean she has star power, and I want my movie to sell tickets! That'll make it easier to fund my next movie. But I mean, I totally understand Marie-Antoinette. That's why I made this film.
R: What do you understand?
S: Oh, I dunno, just that she was a rich girl like me and came to a place of power... and I mean, I feel like Marie-Antoinette sometimes. They're dissing my movie and all I want to do is free France. Oh no wait, that was Joan of Arc. What was that famous line of Marie-Antoinette's again? Something about eating cake. Oh, well you know what I mean. It was so fun working on this feature. Maybe I'll do another French film sometime. No matter what anyone says, they love me. People will see my film. Even if it's crap. That's what I love about Hollywood and being a Coppola!
Foreign Language Nominees
I had seen Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (#3) and it was just okay. Like I mentioned before (in my January movies post), the star of the picture (Julia Jentsch) is Germany's "it" girl right now and this picture is a favorite of a lot of people. I wouldn't be too surprised if it won, considering its World War II theme. However, I certainly was not that impressed with it... not enough to say it's the "best". It is not.
Oh yes, the guests were to be announced. And all 5 directors showed up to talk about the films! This was a treat, because there is so much more to the movie than the actual movies themselves. A lot of stars of the films were actually present, except for Julia Jentsch (stuck in a snowstorm in Frankfurt, Germany. She was supposed to be there. Just my luck :( )! Also the stars for Joyeux Noël weren't present. That's sad, because even though I didn't think it was the best film, the hottie Guillaume Canet appears in it!!! I would have totally gone nuts if he were there:
As it was, I did go nuts over director Christian Carion's accent! Yum. But I left him alone, because he mentioned he had a girlfriend. (Also, I strongly recommend his previous film The Girl From Paris). Okay, here are my problems with Joyeux Noël. To make another war film, I feel a movie has to justify its cause. All I could see were things getting blown up. Plus some weird stuff like cockroaches uh....mating. And this seems to inspire ... moments later... (SPOILERS POSSIBLY) him kissing his dying friend on the mouth. It just seemed out of place and very weird. Of course the same guy who did the kissing was also attentively watching the cockroaches doing their thing. So I'm really not sure if I'd shell out $ to see this weird disjointed film.
Bestia nel cuore, La AKA Don't Tell was also a very strange film. The director (the only female director in this category) seemed very interested in the story. It's about abuse and the snippets that they showed weren't even that tasteful in fact. If you want to see a great film about abuse, see Bad Education (Mala educación, La) or heck, even Sleepers. It's not the subject matter... it just seemed like a terrible film. The worst of the lot. I think part of the reason was that the director is a daughter of a very famous director (Luigi Comencini-haven't seen any of his films though). I don't think she could make the cut if she were "nobody", but then again, that's entirely my opinion.
Next, Tsotsi (pronounced "TOW-see"). I was very surprised by this film. I heard a lot of great things about the film, but I didn't know why it was so good. I might compare it to City of God (Cidade de Deus), in the way that most of the actors were unknown but it was very intense and kept your attention. And surprising. I'd probably actually see this film. If not in theaters, definitely sometime when it comes out on DVD. If my personal favorite doesn't win, I really think this one will.
And the #1 movie according to me is: Paradise Now. I was tickled by the story that there is a petition with over 50,000 signatures to have this movie removed from the nominees. Palestinians & people in the Middle East found this movie extremely unnerving and offensive. That is what makes this movie the very best! In fact, a location scout was actually kidnapped (possibly several times???) throughout filming, and the actors who played suicide bombers were at serious risk at all times. Let me say, I am not into Middle Eastern films at all. There was some reserved seating marked for "Palestinian Territories" and I misread it as "Palestinian Terrorists" and freaked myself out for a half second. The plot amused me upon first hearing it, "Childhood friends grow up to be suicide bombers." Yet, the logline didn't really draw me in enough. Until I actually saw part of it. Now I want more and will probably see it right away. Oh, on a final note, you can't see how hot these guys are from the poster:
Actually I only think one of these guys is hot.
Oh yes, it's the guy climbing up the rocks. This picture doesn't really even do him justice. But the part of the film I saw (no spoilers ahead) these two guys are in suits! And that is just so hot. Because they are hot themselves.
Now, unless you think the fact that I think the one guy is really hot taints my opinion, do not think so. I think Guillaume Canet from Joyeux Noël is extremely hot and gorgeous, yet he couldn't save the movie. Ah, let me end from a quote from Christian Carion, the director of Joyeux Noël: "I wanted to shoot in France, because I'm French and it's a French movie." Heck, why not another one. This guy was kind of amusing. "I respect cats, but human beings too."
This morning I attended a "symposium" led by producer Mark Johnson at the Goldwyn Theater at Beverly Hills, CA. They showed clips from all five nominees for best foreign language picture and I went in with a relatively open mind (thinking the French picture would obviously be best). I was in for a great surprise. Sometimes you see the nominees and have no idea if they're good at all or what you should see. I will tell you exactly what to see and who to vote for, and you can read the rest of the post if you'd like. From 1 to 5. 1 being the best and 5 being the worst!
1. Paradise Now (Palestinian Territories)
2. Tsotsi (South Africa)
3. Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (Germany)
4. Joyeux Noël (France!!!)
5. Bestia nel cuore, La AKA Don't Tell (Italy)
I had seen Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (#3) and it was just okay. Like I mentioned before (in my January movies post), the star of the picture (Julia Jentsch) is Germany's "it" girl right now and this picture is a favorite of a lot of people. I wouldn't be too surprised if it won, considering its World War II theme. However, I certainly was not that impressed with it... not enough to say it's the "best". It is not.
Oh yes, the guests were to be announced. And all 5 directors showed up to talk about the films! This was a treat, because there is so much more to the movie than the actual movies themselves. A lot of stars of the films were actually present, except for Julia Jentsch (stuck in a snowstorm in Frankfurt, Germany. She was supposed to be there. Just my luck :( )! Also the stars for Joyeux Noël weren't present. That's sad, because even though I didn't think it was the best film, the hottie Guillaume Canet appears in it!!! I would have totally gone nuts if he were there:
As it was, I did go nuts over director Christian Carion's accent! Yum. But I left him alone, because he mentioned he had a girlfriend. (Also, I strongly recommend his previous film The Girl From Paris). Okay, here are my problems with Joyeux Noël. To make another war film, I feel a movie has to justify its cause. All I could see were things getting blown up. Plus some weird stuff like cockroaches uh....mating. And this seems to inspire ... moments later... (SPOILERS POSSIBLY) him kissing his dying friend on the mouth. It just seemed out of place and very weird. Of course the same guy who did the kissing was also attentively watching the cockroaches doing their thing. So I'm really not sure if I'd shell out $ to see this weird disjointed film.
Bestia nel cuore, La AKA Don't Tell was also a very strange film. The director (the only female director in this category) seemed very interested in the story. It's about abuse and the snippets that they showed weren't even that tasteful in fact. If you want to see a great film about abuse, see Bad Education (Mala educación, La) or heck, even Sleepers. It's not the subject matter... it just seemed like a terrible film. The worst of the lot. I think part of the reason was that the director is a daughter of a very famous director (Luigi Comencini-haven't seen any of his films though). I don't think she could make the cut if she were "nobody", but then again, that's entirely my opinion.
Next, Tsotsi (pronounced "TOW-see"). I was very surprised by this film. I heard a lot of great things about the film, but I didn't know why it was so good. I might compare it to City of God (Cidade de Deus), in the way that most of the actors were unknown but it was very intense and kept your attention. And surprising. I'd probably actually see this film. If not in theaters, definitely sometime when it comes out on DVD. If my personal favorite doesn't win, I really think this one will.
And the #1 movie according to me is: Paradise Now. I was tickled by the story that there is a petition with over 50,000 signatures to have this movie removed from the nominees. Palestinians & people in the Middle East found this movie extremely unnerving and offensive. That is what makes this movie the very best! In fact, a location scout was actually kidnapped (possibly several times???) throughout filming, and the actors who played suicide bombers were at serious risk at all times. Let me say, I am not into Middle Eastern films at all. There was some reserved seating marked for "Palestinian Territories" and I misread it as "Palestinian Terrorists" and freaked myself out for a half second. The plot amused me upon first hearing it, "Childhood friends grow up to be suicide bombers." Yet, the logline didn't really draw me in enough. Until I actually saw part of it. Now I want more and will probably see it right away. Oh, on a final note, you can't see how hot these guys are from the poster:
Actually I only think one of these guys is hot.
Oh yes, it's the guy climbing up the rocks. This picture doesn't really even do him justice. But the part of the film I saw (no spoilers ahead) these two guys are in suits! And that is just so hot. Because they are hot themselves.
Now, unless you think the fact that I think the one guy is really hot taints my opinion, do not think so. I think Guillaume Canet from Joyeux Noël is extremely hot and gorgeous, yet he couldn't save the movie. Ah, let me end from a quote from Christian Carion, the director of Joyeux Noël: "I wanted to shoot in France, because I'm French and it's a French movie." Heck, why not another one. This guy was kind of amusing. "I respect cats, but human beings too."
Writer's Block >_<
Isn't it typical? About three days ago, I knew what I wanted to do with the final few tracks on my album. Now, I've got no clue whatsoever. I should've jumped on Dance 3 then, instead of now.
Basically, I've just dumped two WIP tracks. One was progressing quite nicely, until I tried to add bass. After realising that nothing could fit nicely, I had to dump that. There aren't many Dance-made tracks that have bass in them, so I was trying to put it in, and I couldn't.
Track 2 was a disaster from the off, in all fairness. I'd tried to do it as a proper song, that would work with vocal samples. Now could I find some? Yes, yes I could. Could I find some that actually fit the flow of the song? No.
Now, the somewhat easier solution would be to just buy a microphone and do some myself (hell, if I tried, I reckon Save could've fit there, somehow), but the actual track itself bored the shitter out of me when I played it back. 3:38 of boredom. So, that got trashed too. I'm going to leave it for a day or two, and then go back and see if I can finish the album off then. If not, I'm gonna have a problem getting the album done in time for the 6th March (unless I just leave two tracks off and go with what I've got currently, which would seem to be the most likely solution. I am NOT delaying this again).
In other, somewhat joyful news, I've made the cover art for Let Yourself Go, due for release on Monday (details about how to download it over the weekend, I need to finalise one or two things first). And here it is:
It was pissing me off when I made it, as the outline of the girl was doing my nut in. To explain (cos I think I'll probably need to), that's supposed to be a mirror. If you don't get it, don't worry, Mena didn't either to begin with. Talking of my baby, she helped out to clean the girl's outline so it looked neater, so thanks a lot gorgeous, it's appreciated :D
Ooo...Monday, how exciting!!! You best all download it, we don't want to see an unhappy Gavvie now, do we?
It's a shame Meph can't figure out how to check how many people download files, else I'd be able to tell you all how many people did end up downloading it. The more the merrier, but if we get into triple figures...fucking hell, success story of the year then :P
Anyways...moving onto other things I was going to mention in my previous entry (but forgot), as well as some other "gems":
Till next time
-=Gav=-
Basically, I've just dumped two WIP tracks. One was progressing quite nicely, until I tried to add bass. After realising that nothing could fit nicely, I had to dump that. There aren't many Dance-made tracks that have bass in them, so I was trying to put it in, and I couldn't.
Track 2 was a disaster from the off, in all fairness. I'd tried to do it as a proper song, that would work with vocal samples. Now could I find some? Yes, yes I could. Could I find some that actually fit the flow of the song? No.
Now, the somewhat easier solution would be to just buy a microphone and do some myself (hell, if I tried, I reckon Save could've fit there, somehow), but the actual track itself bored the shitter out of me when I played it back. 3:38 of boredom. So, that got trashed too. I'm going to leave it for a day or two, and then go back and see if I can finish the album off then. If not, I'm gonna have a problem getting the album done in time for the 6th March (unless I just leave two tracks off and go with what I've got currently, which would seem to be the most likely solution. I am NOT delaying this again).
In other, somewhat joyful news, I've made the cover art for Let Yourself Go, due for release on Monday (details about how to download it over the weekend, I need to finalise one or two things first). And here it is:
It was pissing me off when I made it, as the outline of the girl was doing my nut in. To explain (cos I think I'll probably need to), that's supposed to be a mirror. If you don't get it, don't worry, Mena didn't either to begin with. Talking of my baby, she helped out to clean the girl's outline so it looked neater, so thanks a lot gorgeous, it's appreciated :D
Ooo...Monday, how exciting!!! You best all download it, we don't want to see an unhappy Gavvie now, do we?
It's a shame Meph can't figure out how to check how many people download files, else I'd be able to tell you all how many people did end up downloading it. The more the merrier, but if we get into triple figures...fucking hell, success story of the year then :P
Anyways...moving onto other things I was going to mention in my previous entry (but forgot), as well as some other "gems":
- Can somebody start a Wiki Page for me? I can't be arsed to do it myself, so you've got free license to do whatever the bloody hell you want with it. Go all out, have a laugh, I don't care. If it gets offensive though, I will care and delete it, so stay on the right side of offensiveness please :P
- For all those who are probably wondering whether or not to buy Star Wars: Empire at War, allow me to help you out. If you're a massive fan of Command & Conquer, don't. If you're not really into RTS games (like me), look into it. It's a lot more casual than games like C&C. Plus, if you buy it from Game, you get a nodding C-3PO for free (assuming they have some in stock). They're wicked ^_^
- Why does it have to be so friggin cold? I'm sat here with a fan heater on, despite the fact that I'm also sat next to a radiator. Also, said fan heater keeps turning itself off when it gets too hot, and usually when I'm still cold. Grr. Doesn't help that my radiator isn't working properly either.
- It's probably an old song, but I recommend you listen to Can You Touch Me? by The Film. I heard it on FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup (Xbox 360) and I thought it was pretty good, however Mena says it's been out for around a year. If you've not heard it, go get it.
Till next time
-=Gav=-
Quick Links
Latest Comment
Re: Actually, a survey instead.:: - DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE ROCKS THAT I GOT
| Terms of Service
| Privacy Policy
