Wristcutters: A Love Story

What an interesting movie. This is a beautiful love story set in one of the most creative settings for a film I have experienced in a long time. The majority of the film takes place in a world not unlike our own where suicides are sent to reside after their 'offing.' This world is very similar to ours, only worse. This indie film was a very refreshing look at brilliant directing and writing. In a movie about suicides, one would not necessarily expect much hope, but one would be wrong. This film gives a vividly dull glimpse at a purgatorial world in a story of love and hope. The journey the main characters find themselves on is funny and insightful. We see friendship and betrayal as well as love and moments of pleasure in a land where one cannot even smile. I was really taken with this movie and I think that there is a lot here to be analyzed and appreciated. This movie brilliantly pulls off a balance between lighthearted love journey and deep substantive solemn voyage. Suicide has always been a very touchy issue in my life and I rarely can handle films dealing with it, but this movie shows a reverence and realism in its depiction of the issue that puts it forefront without fixating on it. Add all these elements in with some pretty stellar acting and this movie is a winner in my book for sure. Please check this out when you are in a solemn mood for a fun film. Someday I hope to watch and study this movie more.

Seven Pounds

I finally saw 'Seven Pounds' starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson. This movie is so desperate to maintain its mystery that it leaves the viewer with too little information to actually care about the main character. I believe this beautifully sentimental story could easily have been told in a straight forward and understandable way. The plot for the first 45 minutes jumps from various points in the past to the present in such a way that confuses more than expounds. There is actually quite little that can be said about this movie that does not give away too much of the plot. Rosario was grand and saved the film for me. Her performance was real and her character had depth and beauty. Woody Harrelson's character even gave me more to care about than Will Smith's. I guess that isn't very fair, but I just wish this film could have been better in very small and fundamental ways. In this blog, it has been established that I cannot cry, but even if I were able to, I am not sure this very emotional and sentimental movie would have been able to bring it out of me. If you have not seen this movie and ever do watch it, please pay attention. You will be able to pick up pretty quickly on the mystery of the movie and you might even be able to enjoy it after that. I did figure out what was going on quite early, but was still unable to connect with the main character. I think I was distracted by the filmmaking choices. I guess that is all I have to say about that. Will Smith is getting pretty close to it, but he still has not been able to make a truly bad movie. Maybe someday he will slip up.

Ponyo

'Ponyo' = adorable film. This Japanese film by Hayao Miyazaki is a simple and tender story with beautiful themes and very pretty art. Though I really did enjoy the voice actors in the English adaptation of this movie, I think I would have enjoyed the film just as much in the original Japanese with subtitles. Maybe that is just me. Regardless, I really liked this cute little film. The premise is a little more complicated than it needed to be, but the messages were pretty clear: humans are only mostly awful and don't judge based on appearances. The second theme was predominant in the film, thankfully. Early in the plot, Sōsuke's mother tells Sōsuke not to call the man she just referred to as a 'weirdo' because, it's not right to judge people on the way they look. Her words and this message are brought up again a few times throughout the film and then are revealed to be the basis of the test that Sōsuke must pass in order to save the world (for the most part). It is a very simple theme for a very simple movie. I don't mean this in a negative way at all. The plot held together well and I found myself laughing out loud at times and emotionally vulnerable at others. This is the point of this sort of film. All in all 'Ponyo' wins for me. I highly recommend a viewing of this adorable film when the opportunity arises. It is short and very sweet. Please enjoy it someday.

(500) Days of Summer

My interest in this movie since I heard about it months ago was more of a roller coaster than the film, which made me sad. After seeing it, I can say that I am happy I did. This was a funny telling of a story I had heard about a million times before. The telling of the story was pretty creative and the characters and acting helped make it worth it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was adorable and Zooey Deschanel played the part of the highly desirable young woman quite well. It always frustrates me when a movie tells me that the leading lady/man is gorgeous beyond measure and other fawn at the sight, because often the actor/ress or character cannot live up to that hype. Zooey/Summer pulled it off. I was enthralled with her beauty and presence. She did end up breaking my heart, but isn't that always the way. The music was pretty rockin'. Two Regina Spektor songs give a movie quite a bit of cred, IMO. There was even a impromptu choreographed dance break in the middle of the film. It made my heart happy. I recommend renting this one with your current date/signif. other sometime. It made me wonder if maybe someday I might meet my Autumn.

Were the World Mine

This film was recommended to me by Netflix a little while ago and I noticed its title elsewhere in my life recently as well. So, I thought I would give it a view. It is not very well polished and I know there are plenty of things that critics and cynics could pick apart about the acting, directing, editing, writing, etc., but I thought it was a very beautiful little movie. I must admit that I have never read 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' nor do I know much about the story. I now feel that this is a tragedy in my life. The plot of the film revolves around a young gay man in an all boys school whose life becomes swept up in the fantasy world of the high school's impending production of the aforementioned Shakespearean play. I really appreciated many things about this tender story. I really enjoy it when parents overcome their own struggles to fight for their children. That device always endears a movie to me. The singing was another shining element in the film. Overall, I would be willing to recommend this little movie to those looking for a tender musical with quite low production value, but very high sweetness value. Now I just need to ready 'AMSN'sD' someday.

Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

Snape: "You can't use my spells against me. I'm the half blood prince." Me: "Wait. What? Is that supposed to mean something?" People who wrote HP6 the movie: "Nope."

So I got to see the newest Harry Potter film last night. All in all I highly enjoyed myself. I thought this was Daniel Radcliffe at the top of his game. I could not help but think back to his performance in 'Extras' every once in a while. This made me happy. He got the chance to be a normal person in this film. Maybe he did not act like Harry Potter should, but I think he was pretty great as a character. Emma was also great as was the rest of the cast. I mean, for what they were, they were good performances. Having not read the books I did find myself confused by some plot devices in the flim. Luckily, they are not all necessary for just enjoying the movie. I feel bad for people who love the books, because they expect so much from the movies and I am convinced it is impossible to deliver all they desire. So, I feel like this film was highly successful (as many previous have been) in trapping the die-hard fans into seeing it as well as making it accessible to people with lives . ;) jk. I am not sure what else there is to say. This is the one HP movie that would not pain me to watch multiple times. It does give me some interest in reading the books to see all the tiny and vast plot holes I am missing. Maybe someday I will do some HP reading.

Oh yeah! Dumbledore died.

My Sister's Keeper

I am not sure how many words I have about this movie. I was moved. I didn't cry. I came close to almost feeling like I might a few times tho. I felt mislead by the trailer, which actually pleases me a great deal. I appreciated the acting. The father was pretty amazing. I liked the brother, but I don't think I fully understood his character. Joan was absolutely amazing as was Alec. The strong points held up for me. I enjoyed the story. The film making choices were a little shaky for my tastes. I wish they would have committed to the style and given everyone a voice-over or none at all. Some shots confused me, but maybe I missed something. The family dynamic was a little odd, but also oddly believable. I love it when people have fights and get over it and love each other. That is what being a family/friends is about to me. Being able to hash it out and yell and confront, knowing that you love each other and you can get past it and it will be alright. That scene did not seem contrived or unrealistic to me. Might have been the most real moment I have seen in film in a long time. I have not read the book, so I can't say how it is different. I can't judge the decisions made to change the story. Just based on the movie, I thought the story was strong for a film. It definitely gets me thinking about death and how someday I may end.

Up

I finally caught 'Up.' Get it? Ha! It was a very tender and enjoyable film. I don't really have too much to say about it. I think it holds up pretty well with other Pixar flicks. I still think that 'Wall-E' is the tops, but 'Up' certainly ranks in the top half. There were some pretty hilarious moments and some pretty tender times as well. Based on a post I read before seeing the film on Monkey See, I would say that the film would have stood up almost as well had Carl passed and Ellie taken the adventure without him. In concurrence with the author of the post, I would love to see Pixar give us a film with a female lead driving the plot. Regardless, I loved the characters. Carl was a sweet man who takes an emotional roller-coaster of a journey throughout the film. Russell provides some great comedy, conscience, and cunning. Doug and Kevin make a great team. I can't help but wonder if Pixar got enough crap about the lack of dialogue in 'Wall-E' and decided to give voices to the dogs to make up for it in 'Up.' I nearly lost it at the end when Carl shows up for Russell. The film certainly made me think, laugh and feel. Thanks, Pixar. Now, maybe someday we will see a female lead (who is not a princess) in an awesome Pixar movie!