Showing posts with label Happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Happiness. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Movies and SXSW 2019

I never know if I will get to see any movies during SXSW. It's all based on my schedule and whether I feel like leaving the house if I don't have to work. There were some exceptions, but I was also watching movies that I had gotten from the library.

Captain Phillips - Tom Hanks stars in this true story of a Haitian Pirates taking over a ship. It's intense and very powerful. Great cinematography, made me think of Das Boot a little as some of the film is shot below deck in close quarters.

Her Smell - Elizabeth Moss of Mad Men and The Hand Maid's Tale stars as a singer battling a drug problem. Her Smell is the name of the club where they perform, but it also has a lot to do with why she tries to turn her life around because of her daughter. That was my take away from the movie. There are some unique cinematography techniques that seem to be creating a new trend as far as flash back scenes. The screen gets smaller as if we are watching 8 mm footage for the flashbacks and goes back to full screen for the present scenes.

Boyz in the Wood - This was my absolute favorite. I was just going on a hunch and what I had read on imdb for those of you not familiar, that is the Independent Movie Data Base. Luckily there was a synopsis and it seemed very interesting. The film is set in the Irish hills as four kids who are sort of the misfits are brought to learn about skills of working as a team. The audience has no idea what type of thrill ride they are about to embark on. It is funny, suspenseful, trippy with a great original hip hop sound track. There are some cool visual effects and the scenery in the hills is breath taking. I highly recommend seeing this film if you can.

Extra Ordinary - Another movie set in Ireland that features Will Forte of Last Man on Earth. The movie uses the same technique as Her Smell when we see the flashbacks. It's a comedy about death, witch craft, good and evil. There are many surprises to keep one guessing and laughing. I was also lucky that this was on imdb as well since this was a Buzz Screening which didn't give a title.

Citizen Kane - This is considered a classic. By some it is considered one of the best films ever made. The first time I saw the film I wasn't that impressed. Although now I'm older, I feel its an interesting body of work, but some of it seems dated. The make up isn't the best in some areas. The cinematography is still great. The writing is excellent as well as some good acting for a lot of first timers. It's definitely worth a look for anyone interested in the art of film making.

Jezebel - This movie is based on a true story. You get the impression that you are peeking into someone's life. The story follows two sisters who live in an apartment with a brother and the older sister's boyfriend and daughter. The older sister makes her living via phone sex. Her mother is in the hospital and she passes away leaving everyone to have to seek employment. The younger sister is introduced to the world of Internet sex. Once she is making money she is asked to move out of the small apartment. She seems to enjoy what she is doing especially when she meets a client that is helping her become very popular on the Internet Site. She deals with a few issues that don't become that important. She learns to adjust even though there are some other opportunities that pop up. She manages to get a raise and possibly meet the guy that has really become her meal ticket. Of course we never know how the date goes or if it even happens as the movie ends once she gets dressed.

Thanks for stopping by; keep and open mind and do come back again.


Monday, May 11, 2009

Movies, movies, movies

I am a film lover, but there are still many, many movies that I have not had the chance to see. Of course some films I haven’t seen because I really didn’t want too or there was someone in the film that I just wasn’t a big fan.

I've been watching films that I haven't seen before. There are still a lot of films that I haven't seen. I really had no interest in seeing them or I didn't like who was in the film. That's always a big factor. There are certain stars I will go to see in a film and others I won't bother.

This weekend I watched, Grease, I wasn't a big fan of John Travolta or Olivia Newton John and I wasn't interested in the storyline. After watching the film its okay. It has moments, but some of the songs slow the film down. I am a fan of Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway, but their musical numbers didn't work for me. Stockard Channing has made some films that moved her up in the acting world, but Jeff Conaway after Taxi seemed to only worked downward. He appeared in a few films one which I liked only because it dealt with fashion was Covergirl. Jeff Conaway plays a guy where money is no expense and falls in love with a cover girl. John Travolta’s career escalated with the success of Grease and he’s till on top of his acting game.

The other film I watched was 9 to 5 with Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman. Ren Woods has a small non speaking part in this film. I decided to watch this film since its been turned into a musical. I saw a preview of one of the numbers on The View. Someone gave the movie to me last year so I opened the wrapper and gave it a look see. It was a good movie and made me think about the work place. It’s been almost 9 years since I’ve been a part of corporate America. I may have to step through those doors again.

Next up was Happiness, This was somewhat a disturbing film that starred the then unknown, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Lara Flynn Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson, Louise Lasser, Ben Gazzara, Dylan Baker and Elizabeth Ashley. The film captures the illusion of what some people consider happiness and what it really is all about. The film shows how some people are just so caught up in themselves that they don’t see what’s happening right in front of them. The film makes you think about the people around you. There are some disturbing images, but the film is worth a look. This is my third time watching the film. It is a part of the collection on VHS.

The last film I watched rounding out the weekend was The Patriot which stars Mel Gibson and the late Heath Ledger. It's a long film at 163 minutes, but it moves which is always a good thing. I really enjoyed the film which revolves around the battle between the Blue coats and the Red Coats. The film also stars Chris Cooper, (American Beauty, Adaptation) Rene Auberjonois, (The Lloyd Bridges look alike, The Eyes of Laura Mars) Jason Isaacs and Tom Wilkinson, (The Governess, The Full Monty).

Thanks for stopping by and do come back again.