New York, I Love You

A scene from Natalie Portman's short film

Ok, I'm feeling a little hesitant about reviewing New York, I Love You because I see it as a bit of a challenge. So rather than bailing on it, I'm going to give it a shot (this could very much be my worst review, but I'm willing to take a risk).

What makes this so difficult is the fact that New York, I Love You is made up of a bunch of short films. For those of you who have seen Paris, Je T'aime, you will be familiar with the concept. Much like the short films set in Paris, France, New York, I Love You, does the same only in the city of New York (obviously). I loved Paris, Je T'aime, so eagerly awaited to see the same concept taken on in the city of New York. And surprisingly, it seems I prefer love stories told from New York. I actually enjoyed most of the love stories that were shown to me, particularly the ones directed by Brett Ratner, Natalie Portman, Faith Akin and Joshua Marston. Natalie Portman's short film was the one that stood out to me the most though. Her film felt like it was directed by the likes of Sofia Coppola. The shots are beautiful, focusing on the beauty of Central Park, through the eyes of a young girl and her father.

As a single girl, it is somewhat depressing to watch a film(s) like this because it only makes you long for what's on the screen. At the same time, however, I could only kind of laugh at how spontaneous and unbelievable a few of these characters were. So many of them easily approach the other character and talk so openly about sex and whatnot. I wasn't buying it all the time but still found it to be enjoyable viewing nonetheless. As someone who is travelling to New York at the end of the year it only made me want to leave even more, not to find someone, but rather for the beauty that is New York City. The actual city is something you can fall in love with and I think that was something that was portrayed in the film through the way the settings were shot. Natalie Portman's film is of course a huge example of this.

Don't be put off by the fact that the film is made up of a bunch of love stories, they are far from cliche so you won't be rolling your eyes too much...

Rating: 3.5/5

Zodiac

Jake Gyllenhaal & Chloe Sevigny in a scene from the film

I have literally just finished watching Zodiac and I am buzzing so much after it that I don't think I'll sleep at all tonight. Don't be put off by it's 2 and a half hour length, it moves so quickly you could have sworn you sat down to watch it for an hour.

I am a big fan of murder mysteries. My cousin Bree & I lived on documentaries and films on true murder mysteries when we were growing up and are still watching them now. Of course it scared us but we were so drawn in by it that we couldn't stop watching it. We followed stories such the Frankston murders case, the Cromwell St murders, the Ivan Milat murders and more. But I had never once heard of the Zodiac murders on which this film is based.

The Zodiac murders case spans over a number of years following a few killings made by this man who goes by the name of the Zodiac. He promotes himself by writing letters to the newspapers as well as ones in code which people must decipher to find out more about him. I really don't want to give anything away though and I recommend not doing any research before the film because it will only spoil it. Just do what I'm going to do, which is reading about it after! (Something which I do far too often i.e. after I saw Changeling, I was reading about those murders for a few weeks. It's just so damn interesting).

When you have a cast starring actors as brilliant as Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr and Chloe Sevigny it's highly unlikely you'll be left disappointed. One key thing that really drew me in was the Director being David Fincher who brought us other great films such as Fight Club and Se7en. The cast really don't disappoint, the performances are superb. There is also one scene which truly frightened me, I was hiding behind my pillow in parts, (this rarely happens with me).

I could not recommend this film anymore! Save it for a rainy day when you've got some spare time, or better yet go and hire it right now and watch it immediately! (I am writing this at 1am in the morning though, so am thinking of you readers who are reading this during video store hours).

Rating: 4.5/5

Note: My last 3 paragraphs ended in bracketed sentences, hmmm.

A Single Man

Stills from the film that show Tom Ford's use of experimentation with colour

What drew me into seeing this film was the unusual trailer that was playing on the loop DVD at my work. I think if my review isn't enough to make you want to see Tom Ford's film debut, at least check out the trailer and be amazed. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aypyJtHzC70

The film is just as hypnotic as its trailer. Ford's use of colour and camera angles/shots are absolutely mesmerizing! And being a fan of Mad Men now, I appreciated the setting being in 1960s America. Ah I just love the fashion, cars and furniture in this film. After seeing Julianne Moore apply eyeliner to her eyes the way she did, I am determined to try it out myself!

Aside from the beauty of the look of the film, the storyline is somewhat lacking. I did thoroughly enjoy the acting by all actors (and if you're not a fan of Colin Firth's usual 'Mr Darcy' role, you'll be quite pleased by this alternative role) and the story was rather intriguing throughout, until the end though. I felt like it was missing something but I just don't know what. A Single Man was originally based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood, so I don't know if it was him that gave up near the end or Ford with the screenplay. I am intrigued to find out if someone else agrees with me on this but unfortunately I don't know anyone else who has seen it. If you have, please let me know what you think!

Despite this though, the film has done very well for itself, receiving Oscar nominations and rave reviews. I should also mention, Nicholas Hoult, who you will recognise as Tony from Skins, makes for a very sexy gay man. I feel kind of weird for saying that, but I am just hoping he is a straight man in real life so it makes me look less strange.

Rating: 4/5

Mad Men

Apologies for not posting anything recently. I honestly haven't been watching many films, and the ones that I have seen I feel are not blog worthy.

Jon Hamm pictured centre and Christina Hendricks in the green

Lately, however, I have been watching a TV series called Mad Men which I am very much addicted to. The series is set in the 1960s focusing on a fictional advertising agency called Sterling Cooper. The title of the series comes from the name given to men who worked in Madison Avenue. They were called Mad Men, obviously taking from the name Madison.

There are so many reasons why I love this series. For one I love the look of the 60s with the fashion, furniture and of course the kind of advertising they did back then with happy housewifes and the ideal American family. The show glamorizes this era with men and women wearing fancy outfits, smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, drinking scotch at 12pm and having scandalous affairs. But of course life isn't always glamourous when we are shown characters' deep and dark secrets and the reality of this 'rich' lifestyle.

The actors are all really spectacular in this series with worthy mentions going to Jon Hamm as the mysterious Don Draper and Christina Hendricks as the voluptuous Joan Holloway.

I'm only halfway through the second series but it should be mentioned there is also a third series available on DVD and the fourth series will air on TV soon.

Rating: 4/5

Bright Star

Abbie Cornish in a scene from the film

It's when I watch a film like Bright Star that I want to runaway to England and fall in love with an English boy. That or I want to be taken back to the 19th century so I can have a boy speak to me in such a gentlemanly manner and woo me with his poetry.

I love period pieces. There's nothing like listening to people speaking so politely, viewing beautiful scenery and handsome men to admire. I'm a huge fan of the BBCs version of Pride & Prejudice, so anything set during the same period will naturally draw me in.

Bright Star tells the true story of the romance shared between poet, John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and student of fashion, Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Both are delightful in their roles and the romance shared between them is so believable, you feel your heart race when they share their first kiss and when he proposes.

God I'm such a sap for this type of thing, but this truly is a gorgeous piece of work. It's so moving, it even got some tears out of me at the end. That being said though, films are the main source of my crying these days.

This is a beautiful film that I will highly recommend to all that enjoy a romance film with quality.

Rating: 4/5

Tenure

Luke Wilson in a scene from the film

After watching Tenure I feel really happy and content. What made me feel this way was quite possibly the locations in which the film was shot, (after some research I discovered the film was shot in Pennsylvania - now adding it to my list of travel destinations).

It seems this film isn't getting the credit it deserves after being only filmed in a few festivals before going straight to DVD. Coming from the producer of Rushmore, I definitely got a Rushmore vibe. With the whole location being a place of education and also the characters in the film were quirky and original. Of course the guy that always provides us with laughs, David Koechner, is our main source of comedy in Tenure.

There's nothing overly fabulous about the storyline but it provided some laughs and overall joy. Luke Wilson is rather mundane as Charlie Thurber, but surprisingly that didn't frustrate me all that much, but some might find this to be a pain, (I think I was in a very good mood when I watched this).

This film's great to watch if you're not in the mood for anything too heavy nor something that is stupidly funny. It somehow fits in the middle and is just a good movie to chill out to.

Rating: 3/5

Black Dynamite

Dynamite!

I have been introduced to the blaxploitation film genre not through a 1970s classic but through a film made in 2009. Black Dynamite has tried to take everything from the blaxploitation period and take you back to the 1970s with it's use of editing, afros and pimping suits.

I am seriously getting onto this genre! I have a slight obsession with black people and after watching 'Good Hair' I have been trying my luck with a few black films but now I have finally hit the jackpot. This film has so many one-liners, I just want to quote it forever!

i.e "You know he came around here about a week ago, with some cats that I had never seen before. Man, I mean these cats looked mean! Meaner than two fat motherfuckers wrestling over pork chops and greens, can you dig it?" -- amazing shit.

I wouldn't even know where to begin with the whole storyline of this film. It is so wack. There is one scene where Black Dynamite is trying to help his crew figure out this whole mystery and the stuff they came up with is ridiculously funny!

I think it's best I just say go out and see it and also give the trailer a watch to get you into it. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Rating: 4/5