Saving Mr. Banks

I know. I'm totally late to the game. You've probably all seen it.

If it had not been for the annual last minute scramble to put together a Mother's Day gift, I'm not sure I would have seen Saving Mr. Banks anytime soon. Thank goodness for my mom's unfailing love for Disney and Tom Hanks. Because this film is probably one of the best things I have see all year. 

It's ironic that it happened to be a day of celebrating mother's since at the heart of this exquisitely told story is the relationship of a daughter and her beloved-ly flawed father. The effects of which can be seen in her icy, rigid exterior, yet warmly felt in the whimsical details of P.L. Travers' famous novel, Mary Poppins. The film shares the embattled journey of Disney and Travers to bring everyone's favorite nanny to life on the big screen. The peak behind the curtain of filmmaking is depicted as hilarious and lighthearted, while the flashbacks of Travers' childhood are deeply heartfelt and increasingly heavy. 

This movie should be seen by everyone. And I'm not just saying that because I am going through an obsessive phase like I do with everything that I fall madly in love with. I'm honestly saying it because I think this is one of those movies that has the ability to transcend the likes and various tastes of moviegoers everywhere. At it's core is an intense sense of relatability. Saving Mr. Banks connects with the human experience. We have all loved. We have all lost. We have all had parents (or parental figures), whether our relationships with them have been good or bad, our time with them has shaped us into the people we find ourselves being today. 

By now, you've probably heard all about Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, who star as P.L. Travers and Walt Disney. You totally should have because they were excellent. But it was Colin Farrell portraying the father, who absolutely punched me in the stomach with his goodness. Besides being one of my life long crushes (American Outlaws anyone?), this offers major proof of his talent. Somehow, he finds ways to make you laugh and break your heart all in one swift moment. It's beautiful. 

So, there you have it. SEE THIS MOVIE. Rent it, buy it; I don't care just see it! Don't forget tissues. You may find yourself in the middle of an intensely ugly cry. I meeeeaaaan ug.ly. I'm pretty sure while my mom may have teared up, I was on the verge of sobbing into my couch cushion. I also lied about having to go to the bathroom just so I could sit on the toilet and cry again. And that was 20 minutes after the movie ended. It was soooooo good.

So good. 

Photo via screenrant.com

Oscar Nom #1: American Hustle

Batman, Lois Lane, Katniss Everdeen, Hawkeye and...Bradley Cooper starring in a Goodfella's remake? I'm there. This was my thought process when I first saw the trailer for American Hustle. Heartbreakingly, this movie has nothing to do with Joe Pesci. But that doesn't stop it from being fantastic.

Because that's exactly what it is.

American Hustle begins its approx. 138 minutes with Christian Bale carefully and quite beautifully creating the best toupee arrangement ever to grace the screen. It's both disgusting and awesome. Bale stars as a man who seems to always be wearing some sort of velvet, Irving Rosenfield,  a professional, you guessed it, HUSTLER *DING* Irving (don't you just love that name?) partners up with Sydney (Amy Adams) in a successful money making scheme. If you don't count financially, no one is getting hurt, and these two are getting RICH. Enter Richie (Bradley Cooper) a dude with a serious perm and a big plan to use Irving and Sydney's hustling talents to take down some corrupt politicians, which includes kind, sweet and completely clueless Mayor of the people, Carmine Polito. (Jeremy Renner) However the biggest and best player in this game is the wild card, Irving's wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) She's annoying, unbelievably loud and is kind of a pyro. No one knows what she will do. Does she even know? And it is very possible she could get someone killed just by being..herself.

That's the basic run down, I hate spoilers and want you be at least a little surprised if you haven't seen it!

American Hustle flows together pretty evenly. Amid all of the twists and turns, who's hustling who, the audience is never left confused. (Were you? I wasn't.) Even the slightest plot holes seemed to be covered by the end and in a good way! At it's core, the overall story is fairly basic. I think it's unique to the time, because I'm not sure what other mainstream film has been made with this particular kind of vibe since the 90s. It's impressive, but perhaps not spectacular. The actors are what make this trip to the past a truly worthwhile investment. The individual performances were amazing and the chemistry of the whole ensemble is absolutely phenomenal.  Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper were great, but as much as I love them, they weren't necessarily my favorites. In my opinion, it's easy to see why Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence were nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. I mean, come on. The Dark Knight was transformed into a pudgy sleaze. Just watch him fist pump to music. It's the best. But it's not just his appearance, but the depth of character transformation he brings to the table. But hands down, Jennifer Lawrence steals every single scene she is in! She could have easily been a Real House Wives rip off on speed, but she put everything she had into this performance, therefore creating something on an entirely new level. She totally and completely blew me away. She won last year for being crazy in Silver Linings Playbook and I'm pretty sure she will win again for being even CRAZIER in American Hustle.

Okay, so all in all, American Hustle was pretty darn good. It was super fun and well worth the million dollars it costs these days to see a movie. Will it win the Oscar for Best Picture? Maaaaaybe.

Other awesome thoughts about this film:
*David O. Russell should make movies with J. Law and Bradley Cooper FOR-EVER.
*The soundtrack will make you want a time machine to take you back to the 70s so you can be this cool. 
*I wonder what Clark Kent feels about his lady working soooo closely with the old Bruce Wayne.

Gotta Catch 'Em All

Thanks Pokemon, for providing the words I needed when trying to describe the sense of urgency I've been feeling lately. But no matter how cool it is, I'm not looking to collect little animals with names that sound like a sneeze. This is bigger. The achievement of this goal is the only way I will have an informed, well rounded, honest opinion come March 2, 2014.

I will see all nine Oscar Nominated films. (Best Picture)

Ha, were you expecting something life changing? I suppose it could be, depending on the way you view movies. I'm a nerd, so this is a goal I've been setting for myself for the past few years. The closest I've come was back in 2008. But then again, there were only 5 films nominated. I saw 4. Out of 9, I've managed to see 7. Last year, my sister and I scrambled and almost missed seeing Zero Dark Thirty on the DAY OF the Oscars.

As you can see, movie watching is serious business in my family. (My last nightmare was about not being able to obtain at least ONE copy of Captain Phillips.What the heck is wrong with me? )

This year, to make this even more fun for myself, I've decided to blog about this goal. Every time, I'm able to catch one of these films, I'll write about it.Ya know, whether it's great or crappy, fun or unbelievably lame. I've already seen 2 so I've got a tiny head start. Perhaps it will increase my determination to achieve such an important feat. The Rocky music should be playing right now.

It's the eye of the tiger, baby. And I'm about to watch the heck out of these movies.

THE LIST

American Hustle*
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity*
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
12 Years a Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street

*already seen them, already love them.

Inside Llewyn Davis

If you're looking for a cheerful movie, a real sugar-coated picker upper...this is not it.

But one should expect that from anything by the Coen Brothers. Weird levels of sadness and humor are almost always woven into the fabric of their finished products. Hey, remember the man-bob sporting murderer in No Country for Old Men?...Haircut =hilarious. Murder= what the heck? 

Llewyn Davis is a couch hopping folk singer just trying to make it in 1960s Greenwich Village. He's got no money, no coat and he may or may not have just lost his friend's cat. Llewyn can't seem to catch a break of any kind and bad luck of all kinds keeps throwing obstacles in his way. Armed with his guitar and decreasing determination, we walk alongside him from gig to possible gig as he battles the grueling cold of winter and his career. 

The film swells with the beautiful, melancholy sounds of the heart performed by Oscar Isaac himself along with Marcus Mumford and of course some Punch Brothers thrown in there too. Llewyn describes it perfectly to his audience, "If it's never new and it doesn't get old, it's a folk song." Every song lingers beautifully as it transports us back in time to cafes filled with smoke and dreams. 

But with all of its beautiful sounds and hilarious moments, a current of heartbreak runs strong beneath the surface. The tone is appropriate and fitting for the theme of the film as Lleywn struggles and questions what he's really doing. Oh and can I just say Oscar Isaac is absolutely fantastic? He's witty, sad and deepest of all... tired. (And if I may also add, ruggedly cute. But hey. *shrugs*) Actors can act those things...but he makes you believe it. The close up scenes of his eyes tell you everything you need to know about Llewyn. He makes the film. However what is understandable in the beginning seems to carry on a bit too long, leaving in its wake feelings of depression and dullness. As much as I liked the colorization of the film, it too is bleak and cloudy.The story is told in an unconventional format. Things feel unfinished as the credits role. The characters are introduced to us as they are and it seems by the end they remain just that. No one changes. The title says what the film is. In 1961, this is what it is going on Inside Llewyn Davis.

It's funny. It's sad. It's life. Keep going.

Catching Fire

Well, that was a lot better than the first one.

Let's be serious. The first of what will eventually be four films, was nowhere near as phenomenal as the book. (I know, I know people always say that!) It's just my opinion...but it's true. In fact, as Haymitch even says in the trailer, "Last year was child's play." It was like the director read the Cliffs Notes and said, "Ok, guys. Let's do this!"

Fast forward. New year. New director. And we have Catching Fire. First of all, I'll warn you that you should definitely re-watch The Hunger Games before going into this. Catching Fire wastes no time catching you up. Which, I'll admit, was a little annoying. I like for a film to remind me of it's predecessor while leading me into the next stage. There's an art to it. Don't try to hard. Just remind me. However, this was easy to forgive. Why, you might ask?

Uhhh because of Katniss Everdeen. That's why. Listen up teenagers. Do you even know how lucky you are to have Jennifer Lawrence in this role?! DO YOU?! She continues to blow my mind with her evolving range of acting. She's protective. She's emotional. She's fierce. She knows who she is. She's the coolest of the cool. Basically, I want to be Katniss Everdeen. The film and books rest on the shoulders of this girl. It was apparent from the beginning that whoever filled her shoes on screen would have to carry the same presence or it would screw it all up. Lucky for us, we have J-Law (I kind of hate the nickname, but I wanted to use it just once.) It is through her eyes that we see the world of Panem. It's deeper, darker and even more disgusting than we ever could have imagined. The Games are just surface problems. President Snow is still a bloody creep (see what I did there) posing as a threat to all that Katniss holds dear..and for what? Over some lousy berries? Her actions in the last Games have caused him huge problems when it comes to "leading" the nation and he's willing to change the rules of the game just to keep her quiet. And I always thought that Elizabeth Bennet's dad was a nice guy...

Even though this definitely feels like a "middle" film, the audience is offered a fair amount of time to get to know new and returning characters. Peeta is still Peeta. Sensitive,wounded, and named after some bread.*yawn* Sorry guys, but I still kinda sorta maintain my belief that Josh Hutcherson is all wrong for this role. I refuse to fall into the trap of picking a "team" TEAM GALE! Ahem...I HATE movie love triangles. But for some reason,  I accept this one. Thankfully, Gale actually has something to do this time around, besides watching the TV. And I am not saying that because he's Liam Hemsworth. I swear. (I'm much more of a Thor kind of girl.) His fighting spirit is introduced in Catching Fire as well as Katiniss' not-so-catatonic mother and the subtle bravery of her sister Prim. The Capitol is it's own character, as we see it's residents in all of their flamboyance and superficial glory. And did anyone else have the same reaction of excitement I did as Phillip Seymour Hoffman waltzed on screen as Plutarch Heavensbee? He's the perfect person to be in charge of running this madness. I mean have you seen Mission Impossible 3?

The film flows fairly well from scene to scene, with great editing and special effects, unlike in The Hunger Games, which fell completely flat. These effects are on full display during the this year's Hunger Games and at the unveiling of the Girl on Fire's wardrobe. Lenny Kravitz...err...Cinna is a genius. Make me a dress! These Games are different. New. Improved. Physically AND psychologically terrifying. I jumped and squealed several times even if I knew what would happen next! I was very impressed with the writer and director's translation from page to screen. With it's grand ending, I am even more excited to see the next film, Mockingjay. However I am NOT pleased about it being split into two films. I'm over this Harry Potter nonsense now.  

So have you seen it? Tell me what you thought! Do you want to be just like Katniss too? Do you find Peeta annoying?? Let's talk movies.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

All of us are guilty of it. Drifting off into our own minds. Creating vibrant stories and images larger than the ones that we actually live day to day. Daydreaming. Walter Mitty does that. He does that a lot.

Ben Stiller fills the shoes of the title character. I know, in the eyes of many, he is still the world's most famous male model, but this may be one of my favorite roles of his yet. Here, he captures the cautious, life-yearning heart of Walter Mitty. A man who leads a life that looks just like the gray jacket he wears. To make up for it, he frequently escapes into his own world, where he has the guts to say and do whatever he wants. Ironically, he works at LIFE magazine, a place who's business is literally to see the world and all of it's dangerous places. Walter is crushin' a super cute, surprisingly tame Kristen Wiig and dealing with a horribly bearded, bully of a boss played by Adam Scott. (Seriously, this is NOT Leslie Knope's kind of dude.) When a crucial photo goes missing, Walter's job is in jeopardy. He's faced with a dilemma; will he be brave enough to chase the answers or will he safely let the chips fall where they may?

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty welcomes the audience into action-packed daydreams and the fear and adventure found in reality. The cinematography is phenomenal, living up to the standards of LIFE photographs. Watching the film allows the viewer to step onto some of the grandest landscapes in the world, exploring not only the beauty of nature but a life truly lived. While the film is funny and certainly has its quirks, overall it has the power to remind us of who we are, who we once dreamt of being, and who we can become. LIFE magazine was a fantastic backdrop choice to a film that intricately weaves life and dream together. However, at times  the two elements felt a bit blurred and I found myself sitting up in my seat, wide eyed like that dentist kid, yelling "IS THIS REAL LIFE??" I didn't sign up for A Beautiful Mind 2. But with it's beautifully indie soundtrack, Walter Mitty doesn't try too hard. As we hear in the film, "Beautiful things don't ask for attention." It's a moving photograph; an homage to the world around us, quietly calling us to wake up and take notice. The film extends it's hand to welcome us into more that just two hours in a theater. It calls us to step out of our daydreams and into our lives. 

So. there you have it. I highly recommend this film! It's not out until Christmas, but it's perfect to see with the family during all of the festivities. Or, ya know, just take yourself. You might have some reflecting to do afterwards. ;) 

Gravity-one heck of a story.

Okay, okay OKAY! I have to calm down. I just got home from the movies. It's been a month so I have been itching to be in a theater once again. It's like going home. Tonight's movie...GRAVITY. 

Here's the thing. Gravity may be one of, if not THE most beautiful, tragic, and emotional cinematic journeys I have been on this year. It. Is. Breathtaking. It is also terrifying. I could not find words after the credits rolled. If you have seen the trailer, you kind of know what to expect. But even that only captures a small percentage of the depth and weight Gravity carries with it. Ha. Irony noted. 

It's hard to imagine this movie being anything but real. That sounds silly now but see it and you'll know what I mean. The visual effects will make your heart skip several beats as you float (or in some cases spin) through space with Earth and the stars as your background. When the film first begins, you are able to take it all in. You can almost feel the peaceful weightlessness of your own body as you watch a group of astronauts do their normal work. Turns out, George Clooney is charming, EVEN IN SPACE! But come on, what did you expect? Sandra Bullock is serious and sorta nervous. It's her first time. I loved this fact about her character. Since the average viewer is probably not an astronaut, it makes it easier to relate. Her first exploration is OUR FIRST exploration. It is everything you have ever dreamed of...until everything you've ever feared about being in space actually happens. 

It is during these dizzy, terror filled moments that the film begins to show its most impressive qualities. It places viewers directly in the shoes of these astronauts. At one point we are seeing everything through someone's helmet which may or may not be the moment you throw up. But it is Sandra Bullock's character, Dr. Ryan Stone, that we are tethered to the entire time. Where she goes, we go. And she does an AWESOME job carrying the film. It is her emotion that allows us to feel the gravity (pun most definitely intended) of the situation. We are really with her...if she loses oxygen, WE lose oxygen. If she feels hopeless, we feel hopeless. She's that good of an actress. With such a gender neutral name, Clooney could have easily been cast as Ryan Stone while Bullock plays Kowalski. But as charming and handsome as he is, I'm glad he wasn't. My inner feminist is pretty proud of that. Woot woot! It was so amazingly performed that I cannot imagine it any other way. 

SOOOOOO...I am serious when I say, GO SEE THIS MOVIE! It's not too long, not too short. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time with a sense of impending doom. But in a good way, ya know? But not in a typical action movie kind of way. This is an incredibly realistic film in a setting that often seems beyond our imaginations. Some of the most beautiful moments are simply taking in the vast amount of space that fills the screen. But it's about so much more than all of that. It touches on the human will to survive of course. Where does that will come from? What keeps us from simply drifting away?  So existential! lol

PS. I HIGHLY recommend seeing it in 3D Imax. I know, I know. It's super expensive these days, but I promise you, this is one of the rare films that it is completely worth the money. I have a great appreciation for 3D when it is used appropriately. And THIS my friends, is appropriate. :) 

A+