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Filmsi - A not so serious look at films and film reviews

Anything film =D

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Filmsi - February 2011

The Oscars 2011: The Low Down

So it's Hollywood's night of nights where the good lookin' folk come out in their best all glamorous to honour the very best in film. That is the very best in American film and only slight mention of other films (usually from Europe). The Oscars every year to me seems to honour classical Hollywood, all those movies that people like quote from. Fair enough it's always fun to reflect of times gone by but didn't they do that last year? I mean when they hit the 100th Academy Awards I think the impact of looking back won't be as exciting as they do that like every year. Being a self-professed film buff the opportunity to watch the Oscars was something I wasn't going to miss. The appeal of the Oscars for me was never the entertainment value of the hosts because let's face it, they usually hire an actor to do it. It's surprising that even though they are actors it feels so forced and scripted and totally not natural. The Oscars for everyone is not about how funny the hosts are because all the jokes are crossed checked making sure they are PG-rated and non-offensive to everyone. Thus loses all humour plus unless you are a comedian the jokes just don't flow out of you as well. Needless to say I wasn't overly impressed by Anne Hathaway and James Franco's hosting abilities but I do really like them so I'm going to ignore their mediocre performance. To be honest none of the other presenters were that flash either except for Billy Crystal.

As for the award giving itself which will be placed in the back seat to the annual ‘lets objectify women for what they are wearing rather than their talent’ list of best and worst dress. Since I don't like this list I'm going straight to the most important stuff. I know most people don't watch the Oscars for the awards that are given to the other people in the film industry like the sound directors and the art directors and costumer designers but for me I have always been so glad that they make such big deal of them because honestly without these people all the films that I love and enjoy may not be as fantastic.

The big movers and shakers in this year's Oscars were The Fighter, The King's Speech, The Social Network, Inception, Winter's Bone, Black Swan, True Grit and Toys Story 3. Out of all of them I have not seen 3 of them (True Grit, Winter's Bone and The Fighter) I was impressed with myself for being able to say for the first time I have seen most of those films. Out of the ones I have seen I have to say Inception was my favourite although I enjoyed every single one of them but there was something about Inception that just blew me away. Disappointedly for Inception, it had to compete with tough contenders in The King's Speech and The Social Network. Ultimately The King's Speech took out top honours in Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director. While The Social Network got its honours in Best Adapted Screenplay (deservingly I believe) and Music (Original Score) and other awards for the artistic expression whilst Inception got most it's honours in all the technical stuff like Visual Effects and Sound Editing and Mixing.

While on the actors front I was disappointed to see that all the Australians had missed out on their category I particularly feel for Jacki Weaver and Geoffrey Rush. I don't like Nicole Kidman at all so I'm not disappointed that she didn't get it anything. But really disappointed for Weaver especially since she got nominated for an Australian film and let's face it's probably her first and last chance. I thought Rush was amazing in The King's Speech but I guess Christian Bale was just better in The Fighter.

As for the whole show and awards no real surprises and no upsets just your typical Oscars.

Cheers everyone!

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February 28th 2011 @ 13:15

Posted By: Samira - Category: No Category

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The King's Speech, 2010

In amidst of much Oscar hype and talk many have already caught a screening of The King 's Speech. Unlike it's other contenders The King's Speech seem to be a little known movie that only hit it big when it won a Golden Globe and is now in serious contest for an Oscar or two. The lack of hype or lack of information about the film made me a little concern to watch it. Yes I knew that it had received numerous awards and recognition and that did have a bearing on my opinion but this of course did not guarantee that I was going to enjoy it. Luckily for me I did, but before I tell you the review I shall let you know what the general outline since some of you might not know about it.

Directed by Tom Hooper The King's Speech begins with Prince George or Bertie (Colin Firth) as he is about to address the nation but is struggling to articulate himself. Having problems with a speech impairment Bertie seeks help from a number of different doctors and physicians but nothing seem to be able to help him. Disheartened Bertie gives up but his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) still wishes to see her husband succeed. After searching Elizabeth seeks out an unusual speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Logue's therapies are unusual and unconventional but Elizabeth is desperate to find a solution and therefore she asks the help of Mr. Logue. Bertie grudgingly adhere to the practices of Logue although refuses to talk about the possible psychological and family issues that could be the cause of his speech impairment. The movie not only follows Bertie's journey to recovery but also the events that took place that eventually leads to Bertie to become the King.

I understand why there is much talk about how good this film is and I have to say it I really like this movie. Although I haven't seen all the other movies that in the contention for best picture I'm not sure if I would give it to this one. Don't get me wrong The King's Speech was an amazing film and is definitely worth a nomination. But I'm not sure if it's worth the award. But hey that's not up to me.

The King's Speech is one of the those quiet little films that is simple and pleasant to watch and it was carried by the excellent performances. Much of the entertainment of this film was the characters and the script. Although it was a drama piece it was surprising funny this is of course credit to the screenwriter David Seidler. And of course the excellent character development and brilliant performance to match. Firth's depiction of King is honest and raw - a interesting insight to a person that should be an image of confidence but is not necessarily is.

Rush as the speech therapist was was excellent. An odd sort of character the unconventional therapist was extremely likable. But I guess the winning element of the film is the relationship between Logue and Bertie. A relationship that at first based on patient-therapist dynamics develops into a deep and caring friendship. And it does seem like at first that the friendship is carried by Logue despite this it truly feels that the two are equal in their interactions. Soon Logue is more like a close friend rather than just his therapist. It's actually interesting because until you think about I don't really notice their relationship develop so naturally and how much it has come. This I have to give credit to Hooper for being able to subtly show this natural progression.

I really liked this movie and even though I was concerned that I might not like it or that it might be so slow that I would find it boring but I was so wrong.
Rating: 8/10

Link to Trailer

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February 20th 2011 @ 05:00

Posted By: Samira - Category: No Category

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Gigi, 1958

Ah its Valentine's Day today and what better way to celebrate it with a lovely review of a romance. A little old school Hollywood romances are always good because really they don’t quite do it like that any more.

Gigi is a little known movie for people who are not movie crazed but not unlike it's other more famous counterparts such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and Casablanca (just to name a few). Like many in it's time Gigi was a musical. A romantic comedy of the 50's possibly. The film centres on early 1900's Paris with a wealth playboy Gaston. Being Paris and being French Gaston is a rather charming and romancing socialite. Gaston much like his uncle is not in search for love. Being the "Paris Hilton" of the time Gaston's adventures are reported daily to the local Parisians. But of course the story isn't just about Gaston and his womanising ways; it is after all named Gigi. Gigi is a poor daughter of an unsuccessful opera singer who is more concerned with her dying career than raising her daughter. Gigi's main carer is her grandmother. Gigi is young and child-like in her essence thus seemingly innocent and playful. Gaston an old friend of her grandmother is well acquainted with Gigi but unlike his other conquests Gigi for him is more like a little sister whom he spoils with gifts and trinkets. But Gigi's life isn't all that rosy - every Tuesday Gigi is to visit her grandmother’s sister Aunt Alicia.

Here Gigi is to learn the proper behaviour of a lady who wants to charm her way into a wealthy man's heart. Although subtly suggested at the beginning of the film; Gigi is actually about Aunt Alicia and even Gigi's grandmother training young Gigi into being a mistress for such wealthy men like Gaston who aren’t the marrying type. Although the relationship between Gaston and Gigi is at first glance purely Plutonic but a weekend away to the beach of course accompanied by her grandmother Gigi and Gaston's relationship develop further. Of course this not unnoticed by Aunt Alicia thus with her suggestions Gigi is pushed into more training. Gigi grudgingly adhere to their requests but she is never truly successful in her lessons and maintains her childlike behaviour. Whilst Gaston is outraged and angered by the suggestions made from Gigi's grandmother that maybe Gigi and Gastons' relationship isn't as innocent as one might think. For Gaston Gigi is just a child, right? Could he see her as more than a sister?

Gigi is a sweet little thing and I mean the movie as whole not just the character. I wouldn't call it an epic love story but it’s certainly an enjoyable piece. Although its pretty obvious from the beginning that the relationship between Gaston and Gigi would be more than friends despite her being childish. Although Gigi is very much playful and childish but she never looked younger than 17 or 18 thus it wasn't that weird that Gaston who is definitely lookinh like he’s in his 20's. It wasn't like she was 12. Plus it was the 1900 god knows what the age gap between lovers was. But it was suggested that her grandmother was the one keeping her in a state of child-like innocence.

I believe the likability of this film is really due to the characters, Gigi and Gaston was rather charming little couple. The character of Gigi wasn't like the classic melodramatic wishy washy character of the typical female lead. There was a sense of reality with Gigi like she was blunt but sweet. The whole movie made me very reminiscent of My Fair Lady although a much lesser quality version of it. My comparisons really derive from the fact that the leads although different felt very out of place. But of course with My Fair Lady that was basically the central theme while in Gigi it wasn't quite the main plot. And of course the whole ugly duckling turned swan premise is quite evident in Gigi as it is in My Fair Lady. AND of course they are both musicals as well.

Gigi is not as tragic as My Fair Lady and is a lot more cheerful. And true to it's time Gigi was made when movies basically was light hearted and glossy. Thus the serious nature of the fact Gigi is being groomed to be a mistress or courtesan is kind glossed over and not really obvious until later in the film. But what can you say it is a movie released in 1958. Gigi is a delightful and rather pleasant film to watch and a little too glossy but that can be definitely forgiven. Gigi for me gets a deserving 7.60/10.

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February 14th 2011 @ 14:10

Posted By: Samira - Category: No Category

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Black Swan, 2010

Everyone is talking about Black Swan and therefore it is only natural for me to want to get in on some action, yea that's right. Anywho moving away from unrelated inappropriateness - Black Swan. What a hell of a movie that was. Like whoa. I know I'm incredibly articulate today.

Black Swan as most of you have figured out is about ballet but clearly from the trailers it's not just your typical dance movie. Couldn't be further from the truth, Nina (Natalie Portman) is a rising ballet star who works for a New York ballet company and has been chosen for the part of the Swan Queen for the company's production of Swan Lake. I have to say I have never seen proper ballet in my life but I think everyone is aware of Swan Lake. To be honest it wasn't until this movie I found out the actual story behind it, the story is about girl who turns into a swan and falls in love with a prince. The prince falls for another swan, broken hearted the swan kills herself. That was the dump down version. Nina is determined to prove to the director and company owner Thomas that she can not only dance but play the part of Swan Queen. Nina is clearly talented but is she able to embody both the White and Black Swan? For Nina the White Swan is pretty much her in real life - delicate, innocent and introverted but beautiful. But can she really be the Black Swan? Can she be the carefree, sexy, seductive evil sister? *Cue the dramatic music*

In all seriousness Black Swan is intense; actually I don't think I have seen anything more intense than Black Swan. It's one of those movies when you feel constantly like you're holding your breath not only out of anticipation of what's going to happen but just out of fear of the intensity. Constantly having close-up of everyone menacing faces was enough to bring shivers down your back. It's strange because Black Swan was a frightful experience despite it not being a horror movie nor a horror/thriller either.

I wouldn't call it scary like The Ring scary. Yes it did have the elements of horror and it’s definitely a psychological thriller but for me it was like going on a rollercoaster. It was a scary (not like a horror movie), exhausting and exhilarating sensation. It’s interesting to see that most of the intensity was built by actions rather than dialogue. For me whenever I think back to other intense movies I felt that constant dialogue drove the intensity. But Black Swan wasn't like that it didn't actually have loads of dialogue but it did have lots happen in it. This wasn't necessarily from the words being spoken. The tension between the characters and tension within Nina was enough to carry it.

This is of course to due to the fantastic cast, everyone in the film was wonderful. But much credit goes to Portman. As the lead she brought every little emotion that could be displayed without the use of much dialogue and convey with such subtlety and precision. She was just amazing but I have say I really enjoyed the character of Erica Sayer - Nina's mother. Barbara Hershey as Erica was pretty amazing. Although I wasn't sure if I thought she was good for Nina or if she herself was one of the people that lead to Nina’s problems. Other honourable mentions would be Mila Kunis as Lily the "villian".

As fantastic as this movie was there some parts was just a little unnecessary. A lot a movies do this I never understood why. There are some scenes that could have been edited out and would have made little to no difference in the film. The scene when she was on the train with the old man was oddly placed and redundant. Also another scene which was anticlimactic and oddly placed was the scene when one of the minor characters randomly said hey. Also the constant close-up although highly affective made me feel really uncomfortable but I suppose that was the point.

Black Swan was an intense, wild adventure into the world of ballet; a look into the dark side of ballet. Black Swan is one not to miss, definitely deserving 8.45 out of 10.

Link to the Trailer
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Leads - Natalie Portman & Mila Kunis

Here are some cool other international posters of Black Swan in addition to the one on top which is also an international poster that isnt seen in the US and Australia.

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February 8th 2011 @ 05:02

Posted By: Samira - Category: No Category

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Is it just me?

Is it just or the votes going down? I'm not usually the one to notice these things but I was looking at an old posts and I had a lot more votes. Is there some thing going on that I missed? Any one else notice? Or I'm over thinking it and my writing has down hill.

Anywhos just wonderings

Samira =D

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February 4th 2011 @ 12:00

Posted By: Samira - Category: No Category

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