American Graffiti [1973]

mels

We watched this movie yesterday as it’s part of the list I’m going through.

I like the way George Lucas tells the story, the continued action, the silliness of high school dreams, the silliness of the so called “adulthood”. The set, the cars, and the wardrobe are all spot on.

I was afraid it would get boring—with old movie slowness—but it didn’t. The 112 minutes go by in a flash of fast cars, horny teens, and ‘baby-boomer’ Americana.

Trailer:

What We Do in the Shadows [2014]

what we do in the shadows poster from wikipedia

We saw this movie last weekend.
It’s a New Zealand production filmed as a (mock) documentary. It follows the lives of four modern vampires living in Wellington.

All characters have their appeal but Viago, with the way he looks at the camera, is particularly hilarious.

A must see if you like good humour and vampires.
96% on Rotten.

Trailer:

Under The Skin [2013]

I liked the mood of this film.

The beginning is very exciting, with her assembling and all the rest. (trying not to spoil it for you)
By the end I was happy I watched it but I found it simple. Too simple.
Yes, it’s a quiet thriller about what makes us human, which is nice. It’s not the invention of the wheel.

And it’s always a pleasure to see Scarlett Johansson, specially in something independent.

Rotten gave it an 85%. *shrug*

Here’s the trailer:

The Searchers [1956]

I vaguely remember watching this film on TV all throughout my childhood. It was one of those movies that filled Sunday afternoon’s programming of one channel or the other—yes, we only had two TV channels back then.

We finally got to watching it properly last Friday night.

Considered by many as both the pinnacle of John Ford’s films and the unfailing inspiration to all other Western films, it has a spotless score of 100% Fresh on Rotten.

It’s also part of The American Film Institute list of films to watch, coming up at number 12.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with this fellow.

Is this a trend in romcoms?

I was home alone for a few days so I got the opportunity to watch some romcoms that I refuse to cram down my husband’s throat–you are welcome babycakes!.

I ended up watching Take This Waltz [2011] and Blue Valentine [2010], which have respectively 77% and 87% on Rotten.

If you don’t want spoilers stop reading now.

I liked the performances (mostly). To be honest I think Seth Rogen, whom I usually love, did a poor job on Take This Waltz but it’s okay. My problem was not with the actors, or the writing, or the photography of each movie; It was with the bland endings.

I don’t particularly like romcoms. Some are fun (few), some are just relaxing to watch when I’m alone, but both these movies had a dark underline of pseudo-realism that made me think.
I don’t need characters that always end up stupidly happy but to end in miserable relationships is too uncomfortable. Too boring. More boring than Happily Ever After. I don’t watch romcoms to reflect on life’s cruel/ironic streak. Bloody hell…

(Now for real spoilers:)

In Take This Waltz, Michelle Williams’ character chooses to go with her gut and ends up regretting it and looking back onto her previous relationship with remorse.

In Blue Valentine, Ryan Gosling’s character is a good guy. A VERY good guy. Yet–you guessed it–Michelle Williams’ character grows to hate him despite him being a good guy, and longs for the BAD BAD GUY that left her pregnant and alone.

I know that in reality good guys that raise someone else’s child don’t rank high in the attractiveness scale but COME ON! Since when have we become so jaded that this is what we like to watch in our free time?

Is this what kids think romance is? A distorted look into the hardships of relationships? Yes, relationships are hard but do we have to strip all the complexity out of a story and present the naked ugliness of what remains? As if presenting “truth”? Bullshit.

I guess that the fact that the female characters in both movies were played by Michelle Williams, and the fact that they have the same sort of visual feel to them, left me disturbed with the whole concept. Is this a thing now?

Good Will Hunting [1997]

Good Will Hunting poster

Finally saw this one on account of Robin Williams’ death. I was perusing his movies and noticing the fact that although he stared in one of my favourite flicks as a teen–Dead Poets Society–I didn’t really watched that many of his movies. Basically because I’m not into movies with funny men doing voices. No hating, it’s just not my preference.

Apart from Dead Poets Society, I remember loving Good Morning, Vietnam. I also remember a couple of movies I really disliked. I guess I have mixed reviews about his choice in scripts but hey! Not everyone is into what I write either and that is all right. As long as you are happy doing what you do, good for you.

So, yeah, I saw Good Will Hunting yesterday and it was all right. I didn’t love it but I understand these movies are a bit dated, or at least done for a specific audience. I don’t know how Dead Poets Society would fare in my eyes have I just seen it yesterday… The age and time in your life when you watch or read a piece of work is very important.

Did I cry? Yes. I don’t know if this is something you guys know about me but I’m a sucker for a good cry. Sad things, happy things, true things, injustice, justice, puppies, you name it: If I’m Alone I Will Be Crying My Eyes Out.
If I’m with someone, I’m more like: This Doesn’t Bother Me, Pfff… (while letting the tears just tumble down my face and hope nobody notices).

Yeah…

So I cried but I didn’t feel the connection. Probably because I should have seen this in my twenties, when it came out.

I did like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s performance (so young!) and think the rougher scenes added plenty to the colour of the whole movie.

La Grande Bouffe [1973]

poster at wikipedia

We saw this French oldie two days ago and I loved it.
This film is dark, funny, sad, grotesque, caricatural, over the top, and very, very different from today’s blockbusters. A real treat!
(Thank you M. For the recommendation.)

From the wikipedia page:
The film tells the story of four friends who gather in a villa for the weekend with the express purpose of eating themselves to death. Bouffer is French slang for “excessive eating”. (the Italian abbuffata means “great eating”).

Links:
Rotten Tomatoes’ audience gives it an 84%.
La Grande Bouffe at Wikipedia

Trailer (in German because I couldn’t find one in English or the original French):