The Spectacular Now

High school was and is still is the best time of my life. The Spectacular Now captures that daunting last moments of the most awesome teenage years leading up to graduation. The main characters of the film, the popular jokester and the nearly invisible nice girl, are aware that youth is fleeting and tries to make the most of high school by living in the NOW. While one welcomes change and the future, the other just wants to prolong the present and refuses to move on to adulthood. It depicts that scary moment trying to figure out what you want to be for the rest of your life.

Deeply affected by the disappearance of his father, Sutter hides behind a mask of pranks, jokes and hedonism. In his drunken stupor from being dumped by his dream girlfriend, he meets an impressionable nobody named Amy. Told in a brilliant pace of storytelling using cuts at just the right moments, the film shows the development of Sutter and Amy's relationship while at the same time delving into a character study of these two individuals. The plot may not be amazing, but do not be fooled. This is an astounding powerhouse film! 

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Ender's Game

I was really putting off watching this film for the simple fact that I expected it to be no different than the brainless explosion-after-explosion kind of Hollywood movie. I was very much surprised to find that I enjoyed this movie a lot. The visuals are great especially with the big atmosphere soundtracks. I love watching child actors who seem much much smarter than their years. 

I wasn't familiar with the novel from which this film was adapted. But the film does hint at more thought provoking points such as genocide, child soldiers and the morality of war. Though I would enjoy a sequel, the film reminds me a lot of "The Golden Compass" situation. The film could have done a lot better in the box office if it was given better marketing. Being that the novel was written in 1985, it didn't exactly pick up Twilight or Hunger Games fan fare. It is still a good watch though. 

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Populaire

What a delightfully charming little French film! I'm in love. Step into a time machine into the 50's. And watch a small town girl in the likes of "My Fair Lady" take on France as the typewriting champion. When has typewriting become such a suspenseful sport? The film manages to do so beautifully. From a nobody to a star, Rose Pamphyle is the ideal modern woman of the 50's. And behind her success, is a tortured mentor named Louis who won't pursue her despite his apparent love for her because of his insecurities. A story not far from the truth about most men who are too dumb to notice a good thing when they see one. Or about men who won't notice you when you're nobody and suddenly showers you attention when you're a star. Or of men who are afraid of commitment. Tell me about it, girl. 

Oh the music, the costumes, the camera work, the set, and the dance numbers bring you back to a time where films were shot in studios. It works, works and works for me. Plus there's always something indescribably chic about French films. I have nothing but praise for this film. It is such a delight. A gem of a movie which if it weren't for subtitles, I would not be able to understand. The film makes you google the romantic comedies of the 50's and watch them all. Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly move aside. There's a new sweetheart in town. 

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Filth

Drugs. Sex. Lies. Debauchery. James McAvoy is a despicable shit starter. Hallucinatory in many parts, the film spirals out of control. WTF was I watching? McAvoy shows it's not easy being bad. It takes a lot of effort and sinister planning to just fuck everyone around him up. Definitely stylish, it is a dizzying spell that is not for the faint of heart. Graphic in its' cinematography and art direction, it is surreal as surreal can get. The imagery can linger in your mind for weeks. Story wise, there is not much to it. McAvoy wants a promotion and in the process fucks up all his competitors in perversion. The film relies more on McAvoy's character as he sinks deeper in psychosis than the plot. But I do love it when characters break the wall and address the audience when they talk to camera. There are twists and turns in the film that makes one exclaim: WHAT THE HELL!!? It's one of those films which you either hate or love. A younger me would definitely fall over this art house film. Unfortunately, drugs and hallucinations lose it's charm once you get older. But to be honest, the film will get a cult following. 

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The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman

Welcome Frederik Bond to the world of Hollywood films. As a big fan of Frederik Bond whose works I greatly reference for my own commercials, his first transition from the advertising world to the big screen isn't that bad. I think I'm quite partial since I've looked up to him since he is responsible for the great ads of this century. In the advertising world, he is a legend. 

A dark love story with not much depth. This film is a visual and audio treat. With a smashing techno soundtrack that makes me bleed coupled with the use of colored flares and lights, the effect is dizzying and beautiful. I feel like I'm punch drunk watching the whole film. And I love it. Set in a seedy but beautiful underworld of Bucharest ( not Budapest ), Charlie finds himself in love with a dangerous woman. With a psycho boyfriend, played by none other than Mads Mikkelsen, Charlie fights for love and for his life. Beautiful to look at, there's really nothing much else to it. I think I pretty much revealed everything in the last two sentences above. But gosh darn is it stylish.

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I'm So Excited

Hey, I'm a big Pedro Almodovar fan. And imagine my surprise when a small little film that takes place in an airplane in a course of a few hours wherein the plane is stuck between limbo popped up in the internet. ( I'm a big pirate. Oh shame. ) The premise is quite interesting. A plane can't land and is flying over South America burning fuel purposely. The characters on the plane are quite interesting. We have a psychic, a hitman, a bondage queen, a runaway banker, a playboy actor and a group of gay stewards and pilots. All drugged up, sexuality is one theme that pops up again and again in all of Pedro's films. So does Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Paz Vega in minor roles. I have to be honest. This is not one of my favorite Almodovar films. It does have its' funny moments here and there. But I kind of miss the dark, twisted beauty of his previous films. Not that all of Pedro's films must be like that to be considered great, but I do welcome Pedro's deviation to something light. Maybe it's just me. 

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Frances Ha

Must suck to dream of becoming a dancer if you can't dance. As the Meryl Streep of mumblecore, Greta Gerwig ( my new heroine ) plays the part to no fault. I am convinced that she and she alone could have brought the character and this film to life. Oh my god, I love you Greta. Sometimes difficult to watch, Frances' career, financial, social, and love life swan dives into the worst. But what is admirable is how Frances' optimism surpasses all this. I have to admit that this can be my new go-to-movie when life just serves you a plate of shit. It reminds me of the difficulties of growing up and figuring things out in your late 20's. It's not supposed to be simple AT ALL. It's easy to sympathise with Frances as she finally gets herself together. It is a real satisfying moment to watch her achieve a little bit of the dream she aspires. Though we know she never will become a full-fledged dancer because she is god awful, we find her settle into something somewhat close to it. And watch her become comfortable with that fact. 

Frances Ha is a charming little film shot in black and white. With cinematography made timeless by the New York buildings and streets, the film evokes nostalgia as well as modernity at the same time. It is wonderfully confusing the effect it has on me. At times, I feel like I was Frances myself. Oh man, I wish I thought of this film first. A simple and very very good film.

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