*White Christmas

These musical-type movies have really grown on me. Sadly enough, the wholesome nature of the song and dance really threw me off. I think that modern day movies are full of sensuality, violence, suspense or drama and I sub/consciously think that those characteristics are requirements for a movie. This movie, esp since it is a holiday movie, is more light-hearted and family oriented. Bing Cosby has an amazing voice! I could listen to him sing for hours and sometimes, I do wish I lived in the 40s and 50s as I love their dresses and clothes. Will thinks their bras are too pointy which is kinda funny and true. I think 'A Christmas Carol' got me more into the Christmas mood than this movie. After watching all these Christmas movies, I do wish for snow! Just a little...

*Ray

What a beautiful story and amazing acting job by Jamie Foxx. This story of Ray Charles, his triumphs and struggles blew me away granted I did not know a thing about him and honestly do not know if I have ever intentionally sought out his music. Even as he is a musical genius, Ray is more impressive for his ability to overcome both racial prejudice and physical handicap. When he refused to perform at a concert in Georgia because the concert hall discriminated against African-Americans, he executes his greatest performance.

At the same time, I am particularly disgusted at his behaviors as a husband as Ray fathered 12 children by nine different women! Even if you are blind to the world, the world is not blind to your actions. This is not a judgment his promiscuity but on his infidelity during marriage. On a positive note, having 11 other siblings would make for a colorful childhood. Either way you feel about him, this movie is a must-see not only to learn about this tremendous musician but also to hear his tremendous music.

*Eat, Pray, Love

I have a difficult time appreciating books that are made into movies. Not sure if it's because when I read a book, I am actively engaged and my imagination creates vividly the cast of characters, scenery, etc. If I already have a vision for what the visual interpretation should look like, the actual movie would then conflict with the movie in my imagination and then I don't like it. Also, I think part of it too is that the movies don't have enough time to tell the full story so pieces, ones that I may have really liked, are cut out so the movie is not a faithful true adaptation of the book. This goes for EPL and for the Twilight movies.

Overall, I thought EPL (the book) was entertaining because when I picked it up, I was unemployed, thinking about my next move (stay in NYC, move to Asia or SF), etc. I found it inspiring - shouldn't we all take an introspective journey and develop ourselves in different aspects of our lives? She took it to an extreme but it was entertaining.

Quote: Tis' better to live your own life imperfectly than to imitate someone else's perfectly.

It's a Wonderful Life

You might be asking yourself, why did you watch this classic American Christmas film in the late summer/early fall? Well, quite honestly - it was the next movie in the queue but this movie couldn't come at a better time for me - just like James Stewart's character, George Bailey, I too have been thinking about finances and dreaming about traveling the world. In this movie, Stewart's character, George Bailey, desires to travel the world but is tied down to his hometown to run the family business. After one particularly stressful Christmas Eve, George is driven to kill himself. A guardian angel who helps George see the true richness of his life and all ends well.

The following points struck me about this movie:
1) Even though this movie did not do well when it was first released, it has since been well received. The plot and theme of this movie has been copied in modern day movies - ie. Family Man.
2) The raven, Billy's pet in the movie, is in many of Frank Capra's other movies!
3) Many of Frank Capra's other movies follow a similar and sentimental theme of championing the common man.

Definitely a Christmas movie and definitely a must-see.

Memorable line: [In book inscription] Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.

On the Waterfront

In this black and white film, an ex-prize fighter turned longshoreman, Marlon Brando, struggles with his conscience after he witnesses the murder of another longshoreman, a murder that was ordered by his mob leader boss. As this movie was filmed in 1954, I wondered why the director decided to film this movie in black and white. I think part of the reason why this movie is filmed in b&w is to enhance the gritty and dark nature of the story. The working and living conditions appear bleak when the sun does not sparkle as it is reflected off the water or the flowers and lush vegetation appear monotone in front of the apartment complex. Depicting the rough living conditions of the longshoremen is a key element of the story; this helps explain why the longshoremen comply with the D&D (dumb and deaf) rule – they have to keep their jobs to survive and feed themselves and they turn a blind eye to the corruption of the mob union leaders.

Overall, a powerful movie with a few dramatic shots (the one where Brando and the girls are running down the alley and the truck comes around the corner!).

Quote on repeat in my head: I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley.

The General

Again, I am impressed with silent films and their ability to keep me engaged (See post on City Lights). With all the special effects of modern day movies, how could a movie in which no one speaks and the only special effect is the music played by the orchestra compare?

In this movie, Busty Keaton, actor and director, plays Confederate locomotive engineer who attempts to recover his two loves stolen/kidnapped by Union spies. His two loves are his train, The General, and Annabelle Lee. His lonely pursuit of these two across enemy lines is hilarious! Actually Buster Keaton’s sense of humor originally reminded me of Charlie Chaplin. I thought, “Who is this copycat character and what makes him so special?” Quoting from Entertainment Weekly’s website:

Charlie Chaplin was perhaps the most famous person on the planet for the first half of the 20th century; since then, Buster Keaton has slowly risen in esteem, to the point where he's now regarded as Chaplin's superior in filmmaking (true) and in comic genius (endlessly arguable). What's undeniable is that Charlie's sentimental sensibility was rooted in the music hall and vaudeville of the past, while Buster was a poker-faced modernist who pointed to the future.

Watching the movie, I saw that the two are very different and I prefer Buster Keaton. The humor is more developed and sophisticated in nature (not just dropping anvils on people’s heads). The scenes that I thought were funny required some choreography and I think that it's important to a modern day audience that is accustomed to movies with tons of special effects and drama, ie Transformers, Avatar, Titanic. Let me know what you think when you see it.

Vertigo

I don't usually like Hitchcock movies because they are super suspenseful and psychologically too thrilling. I can't handle suspense - I often times have a pretty good sense of what is going to happen in the movie and I really dislike it when I don't. But that's just me... this movie was so shocking to me but I thought everything about it was so well done. Just like the movie Chinatown, the last scene in this movie sold it for me.

In short, this movie is about an old San Francisco detective, suffering from acrophobia, who investigates the strange behavior of an old friend's wife. During his investigations, he finds himself dangerously obsessed with her. The second time Kim Novak appears in this movie, I thought either I was going mad or the producers were too cheap to hire another actress. Simple-minded me. It was this twist that blew my mind.

Memorable quote: And if you lose me, then you'll know I, I loved you. And I wanted to go on loving you.

*Lust Caution

I was so blown away by the music in this film – there is something so powerful, restrained but beautiful about this original score by Alexandre Desplat. Something I’ve noticed in my movie watching - when I remember the music from a movie, it is usually because the same music is played over and over during certain key scenes throughout the course of the movie. I think this technique of associating the audio and visual really heightens the viewer’s experience. For me, it brought to the current scene, emotions and thoughts I had about the prior scene with this same score. The movie, Vertigo, uses this same technique.

The risque scenes in this movie are a bit too graphic for me. Call me a grandma, but it was really uncomfortable for me to watch. I know actors are professionals but seriously, how did Mr. Yee and Mak Tai Tai film these explicit sex scenes? I imagine the average Chinese audience was pretty appalled by seeing the two butt-naked going at it several times throughout the movie. While these scenes certainly added to the drama of the movie and the development of the characters, I am not sure if they were necessary. In one of the scenes, the audience sees for the first time, Mr. Yee’s vulnerability but this same characteristic is brought out in Mr. Yee in the Japanese geisha scene. Sex for story-telling purposes or for controversy and PR?

This movie was incredibly powerful and I really liked it. I am biased though - I tend to think more favorably of Chinese language films when I can understand what they are saying.

The Searchers

Who knew I would love a Western film so much? But I do and I love John Wayne. He has a rugged bad-boy aura which is universally appealing. What I like the most about this film is the psychological struggle of an anti-hero Civil War veteran who is on a quest to find his kidnapped niece. The niece, who was captured at a young age by Native Americans after her family was killed, has begun to assimilate with her new 'family'. Ethan, her uncle, harbors a deep hatred for Native Americans and must decide whether or not rescue his niece or kill her. The same struggle occurs with the audience as the audience must decide whether or not they like John Wayne's character. Initially, he is edgy and dark but during his quest to find his niece, another side of Ethan surfaces - one that is softer and that is passionately committed. Hate him or love him?

Quote: Let's go home, Debbie.

Sunset Boulevard

What a creepy movie - and it gets additional creepiness points because it was filmed in black and white.

Sunset Boulevard recounts the story of a unsuccessful screenwriter (Joe Gillis) who becomes the lover/pool boy to a wealthy former silent screen star (Norma Desmond). Norma, a recluse living in a large but crumbling mansion with one butler, incorrectly believes she can make a comeback to the movies and commissions Joe to write the screenplay with which Norma will make her comeback. In this movie, Norma reminds me a lot of Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians. Long sharp nails, thin red lips, expressive eyes.

One thing I liked about this American film noir is that the story starts at the end (dead body in a pool) and then starts at the beginning of the story which eventually ends with the dead body in the pool. Films like this and Vertigo are too dark and cruel for my liking and they always leave me with an uneasy, shocked feeling. Apparently, film noir is a visual style as well as a story type so perhaps the visual approach is contributing to my unsettled stomach. Either way, I definitely won't be voluntarily re-watching these movies.

Quote: I *am* big. It's the *pictures* that got small.

*The September Issue

The glamour and the glitz. The high fashion and the low patience levels.

In this documentary about the largest issue of Vogue's year, I learned about magazine production as well as the world of haute couture. Designing clothes is no easy task especially when so many distinct interests and perspectives are considered and also considering that trends appear to be invented on whim. There was one scene of a group meeting where the editors were trying to come up with content for the Sept issue and one woman says something along the lines of 'What's in? Should we make it ______ in?'. Is that really the trend forecast? I always though it was more of an industry standard. From what I gather from the movie, it's not really so planned out.

This documentary is a bit disjointed at times (jumping from topic to topic) and I definitely didn't feel the sense of urgency that I thought would be there given the high profile nature of this job as well as looming deadlines and a catty nature of fashion. Magazines are planned so far in advance and changes/edits/additions happen as close to print time as possible. Maybe it was for the image of Vogue portrayed in the movie, but these girls weren't running to put things together last minute. It wasn't as chaotic as I was hoping or imagining.

Honestly, after a huge dose of fashion, I am always re-inspired to pay more attention to how I dress and to invest more money and effort into my image. I guess deep down, I'm just not that kind of girl. I don't think I am interested in that line of work but I think this documentary opened up my eyes a little bit about the world of magazine editing and fashion. I would have done fine in this world without this movie though.

*500 Days of Summer

Hipster boy meets hipster girl. Hipster boy loves hipster girl. Hipster girl DENIES hipster boy. (hipster boy becomes hipster emo boy?) Their relationship is painfully awkward at times and I can't tell if it's Zooey or Summer, her character. Is Zooey a bad actress or is her character supposed to be flat and spacey?

Another question: Why do Tom and Summer always go to the movies? Is it because they want to escape their life together and are yearning for a romance that only happens in the movies like 'Sleepless in Seattle'!?? I have not seen 'The Graduate' so I am missing that reference in the movie.

It took my bf and I a while to figure out in what city this movie was filmed. We thought it was a more urban, older city, like Philadelphia or Chicago, and we were a bit surprised to find out it was LA. This movie doesn't show the typical LA shots - the beaches, plastic girls, the 'Hollywood' sign - and it was completely refreshing to see another side of the city.

My favorite scene was towards the end of the movie and it was the rooftop party scene that compared 'expectation' and 'reality' side by side. You have to see the movie to know what I am talking about.

Wise words from the 12 yr old: Look, I know you think she was the one, but I don't. Now, I think you're just remembering the good stuff. Next time you look back, I, uh, I really think you should look again.

*Dreamgirls

I don't like musical films. I don't understand what significance the songs add to the plot and I don't like that the plot is basically put on hold for 2 minutes while people are singing and dancing. What's wrong with silos? Broadway musicals for the song and dance entertainment and movies for their storyline. Is that too difficult?

Eddie Murphy did a great job playing Jimmy Early. His character is my favorite in this movie because his character was surprisingly dynamic and vulnerable. Fame is not easy nor is it always glamorous and his character experiences the full emotional spectrum. In the last 30 minutes, Jimmy shows his depth and you see that he isn't invincible and my heart broke for his character.

Fav line: Jimmy want a rib! Jimmy want a steak! Jimmy want piece of yo chocolate cake!

*Sleepless in Seattle

Including this movie, Nora Ephron has a great resume (Julie & Julia, When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail) for light entertaining, romantic comedies. I love that she has a distinct style that makes it easy to recognize her work. I wonder how much she works with her sister, Delia Ephron (who attended Barnard College!), who is also a writer. Movies must be in their genes - their parents also wrote and directed movies.

This is a movie about the impossible love & the 'love at first sight' type romance that only happens in the movies and true to form, it also happens in this one. The ending is predictable but I think it is entertaining to watch how the story unfolds. I think all the actors in this movie did a fantastic job.

There are some movies I would rewatch because they are plain awesome (The Godfather), and there are some that I would rewatch to catch the cinematography (Citizen Kane). This movie falls into a different category - light easy and a bit mindless.

Cute line: H and G. Hi and Goodbye.

Gone with the Wind

I love the overture in this epic tale of white Southerners during and after the Civil War - after I watched the movie, in two parts because it is so long, I found myself humming the overture to myself. It is beautiful and I think perfect for this movie. I also love the costumes (the dresses, the hats, the petticoats) in the movie. Prob hot as heck in one of those velvet dresses but I think it would be fun to try one on! Prance around! Sweep the floor with the hem!

Another beautiful BUT heart-breaking aspect of this story is the relationship between Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled selfish and shrewd eldest daughter of a plantation owner, and Rhett Butler, the suave 'bad boy' from Charleston. On so many levels, they appear to be a perfect match but they, both self-centered, have a hard time really connecting and committing. Scarlett does some pretty awful things during the movie (married her sister's fiance!) so its hard for me to root for her. Her character, though, is timeless - another one of those pretty girls who is mean to everyone but still really popular. Some types of people never change...

There is one interesting story I read about Clark Gable (Rhett Butler) and Hattie McDaniel (Mammy). In the movie, Rhett and Hattie don't initially get along but towards the end, Hattie sees that Rhett has changed since his first child was born and they become good friends. It turns out that during the films premiere in 1939, Jim Crow Laws prevented black actors from attending the event. Clark Gable threatened to boycott the event when he found out that Hattie was barred from attending! She eventually convinced him to go but it seems like a bit of the loyalty they had for each other in the movie manifest itself in reality.

My favorite line and the line that everyone knows is: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

2001: A Space Odyssey

What a weird movie and definitely too artsy for my taste. I have a Kubrick collection at home and I am trying to watch them all although he's tough for me to appreciate. There is a tv commerical about GPS that makes a reference to HAL and its slow voice that says 'Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that'. HA I get the reference in the commercial! I was so proud of myself!

My favorite shot in this movie was the transition from the monkey time period to the 2001 time period. That was simple but profound and I think you have to watch this movie if only for that one scene. Crazy that in the 60's, ppl thought that there would be so many more advancements in technology by 2001. Alas, we did not meet their expectations...

The extended musical score at the beginning of this movie reminds me of the long musical score at the beginning of "Lawrence of Arabia". Wonder what that adds to the film. Any thoughts?

Memorable quote: I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.

Lawrence of Arabia

This epic based on the life of a poet TE Lawrence was really visually amazing. Shot on location in the deserts of Jordan and Morocco as well as in Spain, it shows well the heat and brutal sun of the desert. (Reminded me of one scene from 'The Hurt Locker' where the American and British teams are stalking out snipers and are waiting out the day with no cover. Got so thirsty watching it!) But amazing to think about the production of this movie in the 60's without the advanced technology that we have now. Some of the fight scenes look a little low-budget but I can understand why - there were SOOO many moving people and horses and camels involved in the scenes and there was no 2nd chance to edit with CGI. The sand and wind prob did some major damage to the cameras and equipment so this must have been a tough movie to film. PLUS this movie is epic long - almost 4 hours!!

I liked the film for its depiction of Lawrence's emotional struggles - with the violence of war, with his divided allegiance. I see a similarity to 'Avatar' in that regard but unlike 'Avatar', I'm not sure if I would watch it again.

Fav quote: Young men make wars, and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men: courage, and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace, and the vices of peace are the vices of old men: mistrust and caution.

*Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist

One of the thoughts that kept reoccurring throughout this movie was "High school kids do that nowadays?" Oh mannn I'm either a prude or getting old. I love the setting of this movie! It shows a part of New York that I had the opportunity to experience too many times - the late nights, the bar scenes, Penn Station, Times Square, LES. The character Tristan reminded me of the mean girls from the movie of the same title (which I rewatched this past weekend - such a funny movie!) as if she was a reject from that movie. I also dont understand why Nora dated that Tall guy for 3 years while she was still in high school! I thought he totally looked like the late DJ AM. Dont you think?

Awesome quote: You don't have to yell. It's not a train station. We're in a tiny car.

*Julie and Julia

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

1) Although this movie made me soo super hungry, I dont think they showed enough recipes or food! Still, BIG KUDOS to the chef and the prep team for the delicious looking food. Just thinking about it makes me hungry...

2) I didnt think this blog would be around still but I found it!! http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/2002/08/25.html my next goal is to read it.. sounds just like amy adams in my head although I know julie powell wrote it.

3) who doesnt want to wear a pearl necklace paired with a charm necklace now? i know i do.

4) i also want to read julia child's my life in france! her life out there seemed so butteringly delightful.

5) im totally inspired to cook and i actually made something similar to this recipe i found on the footnetwork uk site: http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/-ru331565.html

BON APPETIT!

Singin' in the Rain

I think this is the first Gene Kelly movie I have seen but it was Debbie Reynolds who really caught my attention in this black and white film about the advent of 'talkies' - movies with sound. She can really dance and sing - I thought she was a shining star in this movie and she is soo beautiful.

Jean Hagen's character is so ridiculous/hilarious and she reminds me of modern day celebrities! Lina Lamont - great name. I love the scene where Jean's character is fitted with a microphone under her dress and she keeps turning her head away from the mic - the sound obviously comes in and out and she just does not get it. Simple comedy amuses me.

Did you know that this movie has been parodied and included in many domestic and international movies, tv shows and even commercials? I certainly didnt - check out the list on Wikipedia!

Funny quote: What's wrong with the way I talk? What's the big idea? Am I dumb or something?

FILMS TO WATCH

I just found this on SF Station:
http://www.sfstation.com/films-to-watch-now-a6431

let me know if you see any and can recommend!

Casablanca

This movie is full of A-listers and some of the dialogue is iconic and still quoted to this day (here's looking at you kid). The torment of a man still in love with a woman he did not know was married, the setting in casablanca, the war, refugees seeking freedom - it is all so romantic. This is a propaganda film so understandably, the whole movie is dramatic and inspiring (esp the ending). It also ends with one of the most quoted endings to a film - Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Its a classic - I totally understanding why this movie is in the top 10 - it is moving and beautifully filmed. Movies that are most meaningful to me are the ones that make you think and that you feel connected to emotionally, so I've come to realize. Casablanca does that perfectly.

Favorite quote: Here's looking at you, kid.

Raging Bull

Never heard about this movie until I saw the list. Raw and disturbing but excellent - you should see it. I definitely cried at the end of this film knowing that it is based on a true story. Boxing is such a brutal world and De Niro plays the role of a boxer so well. One thing I really liked about this film is that although it was filmed in 1980, Scorsese shot it in b/w. With more modern technology, this movie has a classic b/w feel but with clarity and and special effects.

Best quote: You didn't get me down, Ray.

Citizen Kane

I really don't know much about cinematography because I cant figure out why this tops the charts as the #1 American film of all time. Yes, I do understand there are some really awesome technical elements to the cinematography (deep focus shot, low angle shot). And I do like the narrative structure. Like most of the top 10 films I've seen, I definitely went through an emotional roller-coaster ride with the protagonist. But #1? Someone please explain.

One thing I must keep in mind is that technological advancements have really spoiled the modern movie goer - we have such amazing computer graphics now so they had better use them! Many movies on the AFI list are there because they were revolutionary for their time. (Take for example 'Lawrence of Arabia' which was shot on location!) I guess when I compare earlier films to more modern films, the plot takes back-seat to the auteur (in earlier films) and the CGI team (in modern movies).

Last point, I am impressed with actors who also write screenplays so kudos to you, Mr. Orson Welles!

Memorable quote: I suppose he had a private sort of greatness, but he kept it to himself.

City Lights

This movie is regarded as one of Charlie Chaplin's greatest films. At an hour and a half, I thought it was pretty long for a movie made in the 30’s. He actually wrote, acted, directed and produced this film. I had no idea Mr. Chaplin was so talented - I honestly thought he was just a goofy, slap-stick humor kinda guy - I saw some of his short films over the summer and his slap-stick humor tickled me.

What amazes me about silent films is that they are so entertaining without saying much at all. The audience can still get a full sense of the story and the plot without the dialogue. Like most movies with vague endings, I wish I knew what happened at the end of this one. This movie is about a blind girl who sells flowers on the side of the road and Charlie, a broke tramp, falls in love with her. This is a tale of his adventure to raise money for the flower girl so she can get an eye replacement surgery as well as pay rent. Along the way, Charlie meets a wealthy patron who takes a liking to him. It is so silly but clever!

Favorite quote: Tomorrow the birds will sing.

Reel Talk

I have always loved movies and photography. I think there is something magical about capturing a moment on film for all eternity. We can look back at photographs or old family home videos and INSTANTLY go back in time. Real moments, whole people frozen in time. Life goes on and people grow old but film ensures those precious memories stay with us. In this blog, I will watch movies and try to capture a few of the thousand words that each picture is worth.