La Grande Bouffe [1973]

Posted on 2014-07-18 by gigi

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):

The Wrestler [2008]

Posted on 2014-07-15 by gigi

Brutal and honest, The Wrestler is a film that gives you a glimpse into the life of an ageing wrestling champion from the eighties that continues his career way beyond his prime.
It got 98% in Rotten Tomatoes and this time I have to agree with the hive mind. Brilliant, stupendous film!
Everything is right with it: the writing, the actors, the lighting, the colours, the sounds, the way it progresses. It is entertaining even though some of the scenes are excruciatingly gruesome.

The Grand Budapest Hotel [2014]

Posted on 2014-04-1 by gigi

The Grand Budapest Hotel Poster
Saturday we went to the movies and because my brother-in-law mentioned it, I suggested we go see The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson.
Wes Anderson is one of those directors that always makes beautiful movies. Unfortunately, they fail to entertain me sometimes. (Didn’t really like Moonrise Kingdom… Meh!)

But The Grand Budapest Hotel was super fun!

I loved the structure of the movie, the writing, the performances, the sets, the colours… Everything really.
Whimsical as always, Wes Anderson delivered a simple story about loyalty and love without being sappy or dull. Quirky and delicious!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel [2012]

Posted on 2012-11-7 by gigi

Marigold Hotel poster The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a British comedy-drama filled with great actors. It’s sweet, without being overly so, and I really enjoyed it.
The story is about a group of retired English people who go to India to live at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The Dark Knight Rises [2012]

Posted on 2012-08-8 by gigi

Dark_Knight_Rises

At last I got to see the last Batman movie, and I loved it.
Good writing, great visuals, very good action scenes, amazing actors, and the only superhero that makes my heart flutter. Doesn’t hurt that the Batman is such a libertarian hero.

Good Night, and Good Luck. [2005]

Posted on 2012-06-11 by gigi

"Good night, and good luck." poster

A simple story set in the McCarthy years about the dangers of persecuting ideas and the roll of the information media. Very pertinent topic these days. Humanity seems to learn nothing from history.

Written and directed by George Clooney. He also stars in it.

Black Swan [2010]

Posted on 2012-06-9 by gigi

I know I’m (very, very) late but I finally watched Black Swan and loved it.

Natalie Portman once again surpasses my expectations.
Brilliant atmosphere and interesting storyline.
Professional ballerinas are fascinating by themselves. Add to that the magnificent Tchaikovsky music, a beautiful cast of girls and a nice story about lack of mental health and this is what you get. A very entertaining and somewhat sad one hour and forty five minutes.

87% on Rotten Tomatoes and worth it.