Hey, I thought I’d post this recap before Oscar, just because. Thankfully, I manage to catch up some Oscar nominated films. Also went searching for movies about pregnancy and having a child. Can you believe the best one I can find was Knocked Up (which I re-watch this month)?
The weather is quite rainy and chill in the city, makes it cozier just to stay at home and having a hot meal (also I ate all the time these days, eating for two). Anyways, here’s the recap :
Room (2015)
Definitely the best movie I saw this month, or possibly best in 2015. I hope Brie Larson will win the Best Actress award, not only because she mastered the role very natural but I saw her performances previously and I know she’ll be big. I might gave this movie a high rating because I am entering motherhood phase as well, so I couldn’t help but felt the horror and the nurture feeling of Larson’s character. It also unusual to have such story told from kid’s perspective, kept in a room since little like that. Also, I loved the movie’s simplicity, telling the plot and mother-and-son connection so pure and straight. There’s also some troubles and layers of emotions you get from such experience that need to be sorted out, turned out to be an obstacle in the future. Score : 9
Spotlight (2015)
Spotlight has an excellent and solid ensemble cast for sure, and none of them selfishly stole the spotlight. They are journalists with idealism and high curiosity to search for truth. It is amazing how system could be covering for something that is so large and damaging, especially for the poor abused kids. Quite disturbing and haunting, knowing how large the numbers of victim and how the government didn’t do anything to solve the case. The root of the problem was seeing God’s servant as God himself, which is wrong in the first place and it’s an easy mindset to fool people. I love how the movie told it what it is, like mentioning why Baron the new editor interested to brought the case. Excellent script and story. Score : 8
Brooklyn (2015)
From all the movies nominated in Oscars, I was most interested to watch Brooklyn. Seems like a low key and non-ambitious story to tell. It is a great transition movie for Saoirse Ronan from teenage girl to a woman. She’s very suitable as Ellis and I loved her wardrobe. I surely can relate being always close with family suddenly must move in to a whole new place, and being the last child and all. It was good, but not quite surprising story. I loved how pure Saoirse portray the naive mind of a newcomer. Emory Cohen as Tony had such great chemistry with Ronan. Ellis is quite straight as a person and a dedicated woman. Score : 7,5
The Intern (2015)
I never intend to watch The Intern so soon and it looked predictable, but a friend of mine told me it is about online shopping business which I am into. The business background surely very 2015, where online shopping can grow within seconds. The business owner is young and filled with energy and potential. In this movie, it’s Anne Hathaway as the big boss and Robert DeNiro is the intern. I’m amazed how human relation can see seniors could be a good potential for an intern, with reasons I can understand. I loved the energy of the office. Like many business woman with demanding job, Hathaway faces challenges in her personal life. I think somehow this movie’s a bit too good to be true. Score : 7
The Song (2014)
I didn’t saw this movie from the start but the conflict was enough to kept me watching. I thought it’s one of Nicholas Sparks movie, but it wasn’t. This must be what every wife of rocker would face, having her husband away most of the time and probably with worse conflicts. But it is a movie about your commitment with married life and juggling with your own dream that requires you to be on the road all the time. The chemistry between Alan Powell and Ali Faulkner was great. Score : 7
Baby Mama (2013)
This must be one of the firsts movie of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler together in a movie before Sisters. I wouldn’t watch it if I am not pregnant perhaps, but it isn’t the best comedy I’ve seen of them. Their chemistry together was almost effortless. Score : 6
The World’s End (2013)
Another Simon Pegg’s hilarious movie, looked common at first but it was actually quite crazy. The cast was excellent. The imagination was awesome and not following the Hollywood formula is a big plus for a surprise. But I still loved Shaun of The Dead more. Interesting to see Simon Pegg as a reckless drunk though. Score : 7
Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
Something’s Gotta Give is a perfect lazy Sunday movie for me. You’re guaranteed to see effortless-but-good performances by the two senior leads; Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. I saw this movie actually months before, but never from the start. Keaton’s a lucky old woman for getting with Keanu Reeves, as a younger man who dates her and not threaten by her success (wonder if he exists in real life). But loved Nicholson and Keaton together. The set was relaxing; beaches, beach house, and Paris. Score : 7
RKO 281 (1999)
I never knew there’s such thing as a documentary drama, but apparently it does exist. RKO 81 is about the making of the movie Citizen Kane, which I just saw last year. I didn’t quite get why the movie was so big and such a legend, but seeing the making and the motives of why the movie exist gave me an insight. This gives a little view of how filmmaker can be very idealistic that a script could take years and movie executives would control everything. Score : 7
She’s Having A Baby (1988)
I am looking forward to see a good movie about expecting a child and thought John Hughes must have it. But something’s missing from this movie, though it is quite a stand out portraying a man who is not quite ready to be a husband and a dad in a shell. This movie was quite honest displaying how a newly wed transitioned to be a married couple, though maybe it doesn’t apply for everyone. I think the ending’s a bit flat and lack emotional essence. Score : 6
*******
Any you have seen too? Have a great Oscar watching! May the best one win and have a great March.