Obsessive rewatching of movies is as satisfying as a heaping bowl of ice cream. You want more, you appreciate every bite and you know exactly what you’re getting. 1981′s Clash of the Titans is one of those that has to be watched over and over again. The retro computer graphics, Medusa and actors in smedium clothes all adds to the kitsch. Not to mention the memorable performances from Burgess Meredith, Harry Hamlin and Laurence Olivier. It is a such a fun retelling of a classic Greek mythology. So how could I resist the remake? Even if it scores one star out of five or is terribly over done…I HAVE to see it. The trailer:
Or ‘Ode to San Francisco’. Most of the hour and 28 minutes gives the viewer a literal ride through he hilly city. Its neighborhoods, the city, its art, its night life. By the end of it you feel like you have gathered a fabulous list of places to visit. The couple, Micah and Jo, are supposed to be the urban love story. A one night stand that becomes a 24 hour date. A Sunday walk and talk through the city. But their ‘love’ fails to manifest itself. The director’s love of the city remains.
But as Micah says “I love this city. I hate this city but I love it.” and his dialogue becomes the real message. Outsiders, like Jo and the viewer, get a lesson in race and the social ills of San Francisco. A misplaced scene from a meeting about the gentrification of part of the city, makes you want to do some research about the topic but makes no sense to the story itself.
What is the story? Why does Jo engage with Micah? They have little in common besides their shared night of passion and their complexions. Actress Tracey Heggins has the most beautiful smile which dots the movie often but her intial sadness is never really explained. Micah’s layers become apparent as the film progresses but at first his awkward corniness makes you wonder why Jo did not send him away from the off set. Its not neat and tidy and that is usually OK with a film like this. Mainly because the characters and their story is often so powerful that that alone is enough. Not so with this film.
In the end Micah and Jo are just the background music. San Francisco and its many angles is the real tale. If so I am intrigued by the city, its history and its story. That I suspect is exactly what Barry Jenkins wanted.
Jill Scott was the stand out performance (followed closely by Tasha Smith) in Tyler Perry’s Why did I get married? Though a huge fan of her music I had no idea if her acting would be another one of her of her talents. She has been going from strength to strength ever since.
The film itself is the only one of Tyler Perry’s writer/director pieces that I actually enjoyed. I kept waiting for it to verve onto a crazy or crass course as his films tend to do. But maybe in this case Lions Gate Films’ gave him some brakes.
Should there be a sequel?? The original tied things up nicely, in my opinion. So what else could there be to tell? The trailer leaves me feeling that Tyler Perry’s taste for the over dramatic may have been allowed to go wild this time. It also looks scarily similar to the disastrous Couples Retreat. And sorry, but the name of the film is ridiculous. A simple use the number 2 (instead of ‘too’) would have worked better.
Unfortunately the rule in Hollywood seems to be that if a film did well/ made enough money, there has to be a sequel. Hence the reason there is Saw 2,3,10, 11; Bad Boys 2; etc etc
Jill, Janet, Tyler and the rest of the cast attended the premiere in New York City on Monday night. The film opens in the US on April 2. When the bootleg will hit the UK is anyone’s guess. The Trailer:
It was difficult critiquing SJP’s style at the Oscars, when I usually have such a great appreciation for her dresses. So when I saw her wearing this piece of art at the Showest event this week, it made me smile. Marchessa did an excellent job. The little star details and the whisps of black shaped like tuile is whimsical and beautiful. It is a Carrie dress. And what else could be more suitable to promote the new movie? I had mixed feeling about the first film. Which leaves me with even more apprehension about this new outing. But I am a die-hard fan and will be watching. Probably not in the cinema, like last time, but I will be watching nonetheless. Look out for my review!
The name is apt. Alicia Florrick is the epitome of the good wife. Her husband, a powerful District Attorney, is accused of sleeping with high end call girls and taking bribes. He loses his job and is jailed for his alleged crimes. Alicia’s life as she knows it, changes at a speed she has no control over. She is forced to go back to work as a corporate lawyer. This is after thirteen years of being a stay-at-home mother.
These events fuel this hour long drama. Alicia’s children, her mother- in- law and her work colleagues are also major players in the story. Why is it good? The turmoil that Julianna Margulies’ character is going through with her marriage and her family is only part of the weekly story. It could very easily have been a soap opera about her life but instead these events become the backdrop. Every episode Alicia and her colleagues fight a new court case. Each case is unique and its outcome is never predictable.
We watch her confidence growing as a working mother and the turmoil and embarrassment she feels as the wronged wife. Chris Noth is perfect as her politician husband Peter Florrick who is trying to get his life back. He exudes the charm and ego and remorse with just enough balance. You start to see him as Alicia does and wonder whether or not he can be trusted. The mutual attraction she experiences with her boss and old friend Will Gardner (Josh Charles) is subtle but very endearing.
My critiques are minor nuances. Sometimes you wonder where the children are in the later episodes. I assume we are to believe they are asleep as it is usually late when Alicia comes home. But after having them as such major characters in the first ten episodes, I find myself missing their presence. I am sure this will soon change. Also, and feel free to laugh, Alicia’s hair become an obsession. Has Julianna Margulies thick hair been tamed into bone straightness? I have my doubts because her hairstyle on this show often looks like a wig. Yes very minor and silly observation…but I have become obsessed with solving the mystery!
Julianna Margulies has already won an Emmy for her portrayal and the show continues to get great reviews. American TV is notorious for getting rid of great shows because of viewing numbers. Fingers crossed this will not be the case with the Good Wife and 2nd season can be expected.
So start from episode one (should be on 4OD) and see if you too get caught up in the world of the Good Wife.
Comedy is back. Just when its seemed that Glee and its all-singing-dancing-band-of-misfits was getting the crown for laugh out loud episodes, along comes Modern Family. The name is not deceiving – the show is based around Jay and his two adult children, Claire and Mitchell, and their families. Each character, from the children to the adults, is memorable. Claire and Phil and their three children are the ‘traditional’ family. Phil thinks he is the cool Dad, which automatically makes him embarrassing (poor man thinks WTF means What the Face!) whilst Claire is the uptight Mum trying desperately not to have her children become the wild child that she was. Pure hilarity ensues with the clueless teenager, brainiac middle child and awkward son. Jay is on his second marriage to the much younger Gloria, a beautiful Colombian with a young son named Manny. Gloria is so much more than her sex kitten persona and Manny is a 30 year old romantic stuck in a little boy’s body. While Jay is the irritable middle aged man. What a combination! Last but definitely not least is Mitchell and his boyfriend Cameron and their Vietnamese baby daughter. Mitchell like Claire is terribly uptight whereas Cameron bursts with personality. ‘Cam’ is practically every type of gay man wrapped up in one loveable bundle. The show is taped like a docu-drama, with everyone talking directly to the camera sporadically. Its is a fun, quirky and revealing style. With Christopher ‘Back to the Future’ Lloyd producing and the creator of Frasier being at the helm the show was always going to be funny. Sometimes the documentary style can interrupt the flow but the gags are plenty. Every episode has a memorable line and/or event. It is a fun hour, so go ahead and give it a try. Where to find it: Thursdays at 8pm on Sky 1
When I saw this trailer on BGLU I knew I would be posting it here. I saw the pictures of Common and Queen Latifah filling the movie Just Wright but honestly did no research on it. I was expecting a feel good TV movie type film about the community (I have no idea why). Instead I am pleasantly surprised to discover it is a romantic comedy. And the girl-next-door really does look like your attractive neighbour. As opposed the the usual gorgeous actress that has been scrubbed down and nerdified (new word!) and experiences a Cinderella type transformation! So I am looking forward to checking this out and seeing if Common, as handsome as he is, can truly carry a film as a lead actor. He has yet to convince me with his acting ability so this film will be the deal breaker. Have a look and see what you think:
Musings, so far, has been a place where I come to say whatever is on my mind. And without doubt it has been a lot of fun. But it’s a new year and its time to get organised. Which is why I have created two new blogs. First http://picturemusings.tumblr.com/ to show my pictures. And now there is http://fictionmoments.wordpress.com/ where I will be posting my creative writing pieces. Some will be old stories (already posted here) and others will be new. And most will be unfinished, as always! (I promise I am trying to change) So what will happen here? This will be a place to read my reviews on movies, TV shows, books and occasionally fashion. Yes the TV addict is back! It is a great time to watch TV again. And the UK is now so up to date with showing programmes currently on in America (usually just one week behind), that I know longer feel like I am missing out. So expect reviews for some of my TV favs eg Modern Family, Friday Night Lights, Greek, and 24. Movies like Notorious, An Education, Hurt Locker and Avatar. And books such as The Thing around your neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Never fear though, I will keep giving my opinions on life. I can’t help myself! I hope you like the changes. My blogging life has just become much more exciting, and in the process my social media knowledge is increasing. But anyway you take it, I will keep on writing.
This video manages to combine two of my favourite things. Sesame Street and Law and Order SVU! A Sesame Street love fest post is still to come but I will say this, is it not amazing the way they teach children about a letter? It is one of the many beautiful shows from my childhood. Enjoy the comedy created with muppets, SVU characters and the letter M!
After four hours of sleep, I am up and bright and ready as the sunlight today. It was a lot of fun last night watching the Academy awards. It was another night curled up on the sofa my living room but I had my ipod and twitter account to keep me occupied. I read other people’s updates and furiously typed my own. It was interesting giving a running commentary via text. Why do I make this an annual event? I love movies. It really is that simple. Loving movies means that I love most of what goes with it. The production, direction, cinematography, the actors, red carpets and interviews and the ‘what are they wearing?’ critiques. I hate the seedy underbelly and promotion of looks over actual talent but there are always cons. But as someone who has read enough about old time Hollywood, the truth is that not much has changed. They just knew how to hide it better then. The studios were the equivalent to Gods of that age whereas now publicists and agents have taken over the charade. But enough of that… I had a fun 3 plus hours.
The Good:
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were great. Nice opening monologue and they turned up enough during the show that they were sometimes missed. Jokes made me chuckle every time.
The set made me think of 1940s musicals. Rodgers and Hammerstein and George Gershiwn came to mind.
Hurt Locker and Up won awards. I was a happy bunny.
My favourites Sandra Bullock and Jeff Bridges went home with the gold man.
The contemporary dance performance was amazing! Will post as soon as its youtube.
The speeches were short and sweet.
The Bad:
I have no patience with the new trend of having past winners and nominees on the stage. It happened at the opening and before the best actor/actress award was announced. As I said last night: I hate this thing they started last year with ex winners waxing poetic about the nominees. Its over the top and gratuitous
The audio and camera work were ‘off’ from the opening scenes. Looked and sounded sloppy at times.
I love Doogie Howser but his opening dance sequence feel flat for me. Maybe it came too early?
Best Dressed Woman:
Because she was sexy and elegant and confident and exuded movie star pizzazz. Pity Amanda Seigfried’s dress was the same material. They both wore Armani Prive.
Best Dressed Man:
I love 3-piece tuxedos. When Bradley Copper walked on stage he just stood out immediately. Honourable mentions to Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Ford.
Best Speech:
As I tweeted last night: Funny, poignant and loves her husband. Great speech. Her genuine speech about her mother Helga alamost made me cry. But Sandra is a true comic. Only she could cry, joke and give heartfelt tributes at the same time.
Best Dress at the after parties:
Loved it. Simple yes but the design and pattern detail that looked like fine mesh was gorgeous. Whatever your opinion on Posh her dress designs have been fabulous. Recently Sarah Jessica Parker (SJP) wore one her dresses to the White House. She is just one of many who have been wearing Posh’s clothes.
Worst Dress:
SJP will forever be a fashion icon for me. The styling of Patricia Field in Sex and the City was amazing. However last night SJP and her stylist got it wrong. I can see what they wanted to achieve but it did not work for me. Maybe on someone else? Because the dress, and accessories were a work of art. But SJP was swallowed up by it all. And her hair? I’ve said enough really. Still love her.
Honourable Mention:
Marchesa stepped up to the challenge and produced a winner!Gabourey Sidibe looked beautiful. Her personality is so infectious. Her quote to Ryan Seacrest made my night “If fashion was porn, this dress is the money shot.” I wonder of she is on Harvey Weinstein’s select list now? His wife only designs for his proteges on the red carpet. Good luck chick, make that money!
Best ‘I wish they were a couple’:
Rachel McAdams’ entire look was beautiful. I will forever associate her with Ryan Gosling but seeing her with Jake G made me see the potential of that pairing. Its time Jake found a relationship that sticks.
There were more dresses and parties and couples that I could really talk about for the rest of the day. In the end I give the night a 9 out of ten. Maybe one day I will be a seat filler or standing in the crowds outside. A girl can wish right?
