I am hopeful for November as I heard there are two festivals coming up (JIFFEST and French Film Festival), then I realized that it’s almost the end of the year. Wow! I really hope my schedules will be more friendly to me (cross fingers). I think I saw some of the best already, and it’s a new great feeling. You can check the latest list of movies I recommended released in 2013.
Films watched first time this month :
Rush (2013)
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
The Past / Le Passe (2013)
Carrie (1976)
Prisoners (2013)
Disconnect (2012) – review soon
About Time (2013) - review soon
Working Girl (1988) – review soon
Gravity (2013)
Beautifully shot, visually stunning, although I didn’t get the chance to see it on wider screen (IMAX/3D). It was nice to see Sandra Bullock back and with a role I’ve never seen her doing before. She have no trouble acting panic and terrified, great background to be lost in the galaxy. Loved Clooney’s laidback performance and I agree he’s far better choice rather than Robert Downey, Jr. Amazing music score as well. But aside from that, I am very sorry to say this, this movie is very overrated. But I’ll agree if it gets a nomination/win Best Visual Effects in Oscar.
3,5 StarsStrangers on a Train (1951)
I haven’t seen any Hitchock since child, since I saw his TV series.
Strangers on a Train was quite intriguing, without being too complicated. Natural performances by leading actors, especially Robert Walker. It’s a classic thriller and crime that is simple but still interesting to see until the end. The actor Farley Granger looked like Matthew Goode, such an eye candy. Have quite a ‘spinning’ climax.
3,5 StarsEscape Plan (2013)
It’s not my choice to see this, I repeat, it’s not my choice to see this. As predicted, it’s an action movie for you Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger fans. I never knew there’s such job to test a prison if it’s strong enough to break out (or is it just a fiction)? But Stallone’s quite the fit as the lead. It’s a good action movie, just as usual, not my cup of tea.
2,5 StarsThe Way Way Back (2013)
There’a s lot of coming-of-age movie for teen boys this year, like
Mud and
Kings of Summer. And then, there’s
The Way Way Back (2013). How can you beat a couple such Steve Carell and Toni Collette in a drama movie? It was the main thing that made me check out this movie. Unfortunately, their part wasn’t as mind blowing as I expected. The spotlight of the movie is for Liam James as Duncan and Sam Rockwell as Owen. It’s mainly about Duncan’s awkward phase as a teenage boy and his role in his own world, his friendship with laid back charming guy, Owen, and his acceptance to Trent (Carell) as her mother, Pam’s (Toni Collete) boyfriend. Maya Rudolph starred as well, but she wasn’t appeared much. Allison Janney was quite a fun addition as Trent’s neighbor and Anna Sophia Robb as Duncan’s love candidate. I loved the cast, but they seem too big for their roles.
3,5 StarsThe Swell Season (2011)
I should cut a cake or something as I finally watched
The Swell Season (2011), it’s been forever since they announced that there’s a sort-of follow up after Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová won Best Soundtrack in Oscar. A chance to get to know the duo better after repeatedly amazed with the song
Falling Slowly and watched Irglová’s inspiring speech at the Oscar. Somehow though the movie made me appalled more to Irglová rather than Hansard. I’ve heard Hansard’s album and it’s not as magical as
Once soundtrack. Perhaps Irglová is his muse, or perhaps he felt the pressure too much after winning Oscar. His stress showed in this documentary, as he’s a little bothered by his mother’s proud of him (too much for him) and Irglová’s a little bummed with his attitude. Somehow the documentary showed their process as a team, the Oscar as their golden ticket to be more noticed but afterwards they still need to carry on as a struggling artist. And their humble and modest souls felt very pure than the show-off celebrities, showed that they are just artist inside. I also love how they made the movie with black and white color. They did wonderful deep meaningful shows in here. The documentary felt like one little phase in their long artistic career. Read also My Top 10 Romance Soundtrack of all time.
3,5 StarsTop 3 in October 2013
Watching
Carrie in the spirit for my readers in Halloween mode, is a great decision. It’s such an excellent horror (even for me who generally avoid horror). I watched it at night before sleep, such a wrong decision. But the ending do stuck in your mind, amazing. And,
Working Girl is a delightful comedy drama, inspiring in a way. Melanie Griffith’s sexy voice and adorable look, Harrison Ford was such a handsome guy back then. And Farghadi’s
The Past is twistful drama you just can’t forget. Great job for the director and Berenice Bejo.
Other posts you might’ve missed :
Soundtrack Pick : Working Girl (1988)
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What about you, readers? What’s your favorite this month? Any must see films for halloween?
Happy halloween for you who celebrates it, I hope you have a great night. Now, it’s time to recap the last 30 days. I think in general I had a pretty good month, but still have some movies I wish I can see and hope they are still there in the cinema until I have the time (The Butler, Captain Phillips). But aside from that, the movies are generally great. I finished Nostra’s The 5 Obstruction blogathon (new feature alert!) and compiled Sofia Coppola films. I also picked Stoker (2013) for Fashion feature and posted Special mini-reviews for Halloween.
