Hey readers. How did October turned out for you? Me, I’ve been deciding a quite big decision. Noticed that I blog less lately? It’s because I have been quite exhausted. Hopefully after this I’ll blog more in the future, I hope you’re staying with me (noticed the quiet atmosphere here). October was definitely interesting, and in the end very relieving. I’ll tell you more next time
Your Sister’s Sister (2011)
Psycho (1960)
Rushmore (1998)
Unlike many Wes Anderson movies I’ve seen (they are released in 2000’s too) , Rushmore focuses more on a boy’s turning point rather than the aesthetic. Interesting enough to know that Anderson made the script with Owen Wilson, said they inserted a little bit of their teenage boy life in Max (Jason Schwartzman). I find it a little odd that an overachiever boy neglect his academic learning and score to be busy with extra curricular activities. But it happens with Max that he had to switch school. He’s best friends with Herman (Bill Murray) and both compete each other winning a beautiful woman, Max’s previous teacher, Rosemary (Olivia Williams). Truth to be told, the story didn’t win me but I get the feeling that the movie is based on a true story or experience (of Wes Anderson, of course). Maybe the story would be more of an impression for a guy It was entertaining, but the ending’s a little bit bore. I did love the soundtrack. Score : 7
Wish I Was Here (2014)
Zach Braff was known to make quite drama films, and the soundtrack usually quite impressive. Wish I Was Here have some things I hate and love. The beginning, everything seem to be out of place. Braff plays a dad, Aidan, who pursue’s his life dream as an actor, but he’s struggling to get big roles and therefore the family is supported by his wife, Sarah (Kate Hudson) and his father pays for his kids private school. But when his father, Gabe (Mandy Patinkin) diagnosed of cancer, he couldn’t pay his grand kids’ school. The changes made an affect on the kids, especially the eldest, Grace (Joey King) who’s far more spiritual than his parents. The kids choice is homeschooling, taught by the dad. Apparently Gabe have been an awful father that Aidan’s brother, Noah (Josh Gad) refuse to reconcile.
Aidan mostly can be valued as a sloppy dad, but he teaches great life lesson. Hudson, out of ordinary, being a tolerant, selfless and loving wife and mother. But because of fear of neglecting her family, she stays in the job she dislikes and feel far from her dreams. I love how Hudson picks more humble role like Sarah, and it adds more color and range to her filmography. Ashley Greene appeared in few scenes, I just realized how attractive the girl outside her Twilight look. The story managed to show a family gets to be closer and solid with this had situation, in their own way. What I don’t like is the story seem to be more fit to people with the same religious view that some dialogue might can’t be understood with others. But the climax seem successfully gave me some tears. Score : 6,7
Shaun of The Dead (2004)
Here’s one horror movie I wanted to see. Shaun of The Dead gives a more realistic and funny side on dealing with zombies. It was refreshing, laugh-out-loud funny and thrilling. Smart and creative, have guts to be bold and different in horror genre. Every character successfully made the movie felt rich. It’s funny to see Bill Nighy as zombie, when before I see him in About Time he is a wise dad. There’s friendship, love triangle and family story. What made it more funny is that Shaun (Simon Pegg), the lead and his underachiever best friend, Ed (Nick Frost) didn’t even realize the existence of zombies around them, not before the audience is. They are shown in the streets and even buses. Funny how they make it funny how slow the zombie walks. More importantly, the ending was quite a shock but at the same time very sweet. I would recommend this to everyone to see. Score : 8
A Lot Like Love (2005)
I have seen this movie back when 2006-2007 I think when my sister saw it on DVD, I just didn’t see it from the start so it doesn’t count. I just remembered how this two people seem to be on and off, between friends or lovers and they comfortable enough to be goofy to one another. You didn’t think that Ashton Kutcher can look so nerdy, but he did. Both Ashton and Amanda Peet were great, but I find that it needs to have more depth to make a stronger impact. Like, at one point, why the girl all of the sudden search for the boy after she acted like the boy aren’t his type or good enough for her? That factor made this movie unfortunately sweet but aren’t different from most romantic comedy. You know I love Aqualung’s Brighter Than Sunshine because of this movie. Score : 6
Maleficent (2014)
Sleeping Beauty (1959) was one of my favorite movie as a kid, and I picked it to be one movie I won’t get tired watching over and over again. So it was interesting how Maleficent adapted it now. Some character were born to be antagonist, but maybe we judge them too soon. Maleficent born to be a helpful and generous angel, but she’s betrayed by the person she loved. The man chose ambition over her, therefore she take revenge by putting his daughter, Aurora, an unbroken spell (you should know what the spell is). Aurora (Elle Fanning) grow up to be a lovable and beautiful girl, kind and innocent. Quite a contrast with Maleficent, which ironically Aurora thinks as her fairy godmother. Aurora proven to grow up just like one other spell she get as a gift; every person would love her, including Maleficent. The evil angel turned out to be aren’t so evil. But just as you know, once people label you as a bad creature, it’s not easy to gain trust again.
Interesting adaptation, but do we really need the twist, especially the kiss that should break the spell. (SPOILER) I think it might gave a better story and would make a relevant to the classic story, if Maleficent stayed evil. If she does need to change to be a forgiving angel, she could just be and covering her good gesture to Aurora from public. Maybe the audience need a far kinder ending. Elle Fanning was truly a candy to the eye. Score : 7
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What If (2014)
It is quite obvious when a woman and a man become besties, they could easily be a couple. But if remain friends, that is always a question. Unless maybe one of them have different sexual orientation. In Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe) and Chantry’s (Zoe Kazan) case, Wallace is attracted to her but he can’t do much since Chantry have a 5-year-old relationship with her boyfriend, Ben (Rafe Spall). Chantry seem to look at Wallace more than a friend, when she is reluctant to the idea of her single sister, Dalia (Megan Park) wants to make him as the target of a one night stand. Wallace’s situation is a contrast to his best friend, Allan (Adam Driver) who happens to be Chantry’s cousin, who sees a girl she attracted to, Nicole (Mackenzie Davis) in the same party when Wallace and Chantry met. Allan flirts with Nicole and be her boyfriend, which automatically ended her relationship with her current boyfriend. And not for long, they are engaged and getting married. While Allan suggests Wallace to be clear with his relationship with Chantry, Wallace seem to pick the safest way; waiting Chantry to break up with Ben. Ultimately, their relationship is like a ticking time bomb.
This case is pretty common these days, and it seems to struck people who are afraid to confront their feelings and hurt others, which is understandable. The person is Wallace, the type of sensitive kind of man who will be loyal to their girlfriend no matter what. Chantry and Ben also deal with classic case of choosing their relationship or their career, which could make them drift apart. It seems better to support our spouse’s dream, but it isn’t that simple. Watching What If isn’t making me pleased, since I thought, why human make things so complicated (LOL). Sometimes it’s just as easy as following your heart. I loved the quirky Zoe Kazan, also the awkward and lovable Radcliffe as Wallace, but this isn’t the best romantic comedy I’ve seen. Score : 6,5
Obvious Child (2014)
How some people can make their real life shown and to be laughed at on stage on a stand up comedy is pretty brave, since we let ourselves to be exposed. Could be laughable, but I can’t possibly do it for myself so detailed like that. But I guess that is Donna’s (Jenny Slate) thing. After being dumped by her boyfriend who confessed that he’s having an affair with her own friend, right after her stand up comedy, left Donna shocked and heartbroken. But while she’s burying herself with alcohol and have fun to forget her misery, she met a decent man, Max (Jake Lacy). Both spend the night together despite Donna’s messy state. While Max clearly is attracted to Donna even after their night, Donna seem to push him away. That is until she found out she’s pregnant.
Obvious Child tells a phase of a comedian woman deals with heartbreak and changes. How the things they thought would work isn’t working, and the things they thought won’t work is working instead. Many times we make bad choices and reject the things that are good for us. And that is how I saw Donna, working her way to new level of maturity. Somehow I didn’t feel sympathetic to her, since she showed her obvious mistakes and sometimes she’s being insensitive to a situation. Her stand up comedy did quite different from what I usually, combining awkward reality and comedy. Score : 6,5
Let’s Be Cops (2014)
While maybe a police duo crack down on crime isn’t a new thing in movies, but what about two nobodies having a time of their life acting like a cop? Let’s Be Cops turned out to be one movie that made me laugh so hard, unexpectedly. I thought it was going to be cheap comedy, but how they have fun with their police costume and the label actually have a solid background; being 30 years old with no prospective career and promising future. The duo is Justin (Damon Wayans, Jr.) and Ryan (Jake M. Johnson) who you probably recognized from New Girl series. Different from their TV show characters, Damon plays obedient game designer who couldn’t refuse his best friend, Ryan’s crazy influence. Ryan spends his day just playing soccer with teenage kids, and a pretty annoying one. While Justin can’t make his ideas to be appreciated in his office. Watch the duo escape their bitter reality by playing cops, where people are scared and obey them, and girls are all over them. This solid comedy actually have quite an important lesson; to be persistent with your dreams. I’ll watch the sequel if they want to make one. Score : 7
Carrie (2013)
Just last year I watched the original Carrie (1976) and it immediately being one of the best horror I’ve seen. Making a remake of something that is already been a masterpiece surely is tough. But making cash is what movie industry sometimes more focused on. Unfortunately, this Carrie doesn’t have flying colors. I did love how Julianne Moore as Carrie’s mother shown more affection, but she seem in between a Christian fanatic and supportive mother. Ansel Elgort as Tommy, as the good boyfriend who agreed to ask Carrie on a prom was pretty dreamy. Judy Greer as the sport teacher was okay, and others quite too. But I agree with lots of people saying Chloe Moretz was invulnerable as Carrie. She’s much more suitable as someone who bullies rather than the object of bully. She should just be Hit-Girl in Kick Ass. Some adjustments and addition twist isn’t helping. They turned out to be exaggerating and a little out of logic. One hideous thing was creating the splash of blood with 3D effects, making it the opposite of scary. Also, the addition story might be added to have a sequel possibility, but I don’t think they should make another one. Score : 6
The One I Love (2014)
I continued my curiosity towards Mark Duplass with the movie he starred and produced, The One I Love. I’ve never seen any relationship or drama movie like it, and it certainly have potential. It could easily be a thriller or horror, but it chooses to be romance and drama, and a little bit fantasy/fictional. It’s about a married couple going through hard times, consult to a marriage psychiatrist and he suggests them to go to a cottage which lots of couples successfully reunited there. Oddly, Ethan (Mark Duplass) and Sophie (Elizabeth Moss), the couple, met the other version of their couple in the guest house. A fun and more refreshed version of them. One won’t exist if the couple is in the guest house in the same time. First scared of the incident, both eventually decided to go back and explore. As it turned out, Sophie seems to fall in love with the other version of Ethan. If you feel confused with my review, you should check the trailer and watch it yourself.
It definitely give a little perspective on how some couples do changed after several years. They are not the same person as they used to when they first met. Therefore, in the past when you are new with each other, everything is exciting and you feel awesome since it’s the effect of attraction or fall in love. It feels like revisiting the past, only it’s in front of you. Perhaps, after you’re secure with the relationship, you could eventually stop maintaining things that are important. Like get in shape, or looking pretty, or simply appreciating your spouse. At one point, maybe some people are looking for perfection that does not exist in their couple. I do love the concept of the film, and it could be bigger and give some more thought, until they forget to explain why and how the other version of the couple exist. It certainly aren’t happening in real life, but when it happened in a movie, there’s always an explanation. Score : 7
Top 3 in October 2014 :
Well in terms of classic horror, who could beat Norman Bates especially on Halloween mode? Probably some other, but I just saw this one. I also loved Shaun of The Dead, quite entertaining. But on third place, I have to hand it to Let’s Be Cops, since it is quite hilarious.
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Readers, watched any good horror films? Or, what other films you love in October?