Rara Avis

Droogie, thanks for the recc...it was completely ludicrous and just so hilariously bizarre!

This movie completely engrossed me, I haven't seen anything this emotionally rivetting in a really long time. It's one of those films that if it can hit the mark, it does...without mercy.

Of course, those of you who detest subtitles....beware! 'cause it's another foreign film, this time it's Russian.

I've not heard of any of these actors before, and this review is probably fricken' biased...but who cares...let's get on with the story!

It's about a little boy, Ivan [affectionately Vayna for short] Solnestev who is one of the numerous children in a little orphanage in some little town in Russia [I'm presuming]. Anyways, so the film begins with a nice young Italian couple coming by to check out this little boy deciding on whether or not they would like to adopt him and give him a fulfilling life in Italy.

Regardless of this fantastic offer, the little six-year-old is still in a dilemma as after his good friend Alesha Mushkin is carted off to another family a short while before...finally, his birth mother shows up distraught looking for him fervently. Instead, the director of the orphanage kicks her out and threatens to kill her. After drinking too much vodka sitting at the bus stop she waits until Vayna, his friend Anton and an older girl Natasha who went shopping come back and asks little Ivan to sit and talk to her about Alesha.

Later on we learn that 'allegedly' Mushkin's real mother threw herself onto the train tracks...although the older kids swear she just drank too much and fell and that starts Vanya thinking. 'What if when I'm in Italy and my real mother comes looking for me?' As his friend Anton says, 'Once they change your name, that's it. There's no hope of them for ever finding you again.'

Determined to find out about his birth mother Vanya takes on a lot of very brave, and sometimes quite foolish tasks that included breaking into the director's safe for personal files, stealing from Nikolai [who being one of the older kids takes advantage of the younger ones by having them work for him and give him all their money], and eventually leaving the chances of Italy far behind him.

The hardships that he faces seem a little bit surreal and unrealistic for a six-year-old to deal with but once engrossed by this film we stop and wonder 'how the hell do we know what we would do in that situation?'

The amazing quest that Vanya sets out on is something of a dream which he struggles to make a reality, facing various [dangerous] obstacles, kind people, neglect, apathy, escaping the authorities and so forth. Eventually he learns that the world isn't altogether necessarily a safe and happy place and that sometimes although the brain is yelling at us to stop our heart beats on stronger and louder drowning out any warnings that the brain utters.

I discovered this after discussing with someone who found it accidentally on one day...then flipping through onto TLN..what should I find but this.

The story itself is quite intriguing...and rather endearing.

While playing outside one day with his friends, Michele loses his sister's glasses...and when going back to find them...he discovers something quite extraordinary.

A shief of metal covers the ground, and when lifted up reveals a hole that conveys a body of a young boy hidden by blankets.

Putting his fears in the backseat, he goes home to discover his father home and can't stop thinking about his astonishing discovery. Getting in trouble for running away for hours on end and making his parents worry Michele edges on towards the hole in the ground.

Time and time again, he discovers the body of the young boy is not dead...but very much alive. He helps him by handing down fresh water, and spending 500 lira on some bread. After time, he becomes friends with this young boy and when getting home one time realizes that things aren't exactly as they seem.

This becomes apparent, when his father's friend Sergio comes to visit...and his curiousity gets the better of him, when he hears things he shouldn't. His fears are confirmed when he learns that the local badboy in town Felice is sniffing around the hole as well.

When his best friend, Salvatore, shows him a collection of toy cars his uncle sends him Michele asks him if he can have the one van Salvatore isn't fond of. After much deliberation, he tells the secret in exchange for the car. Thinking he could trust Salvatore with such a secret, Michele goes back to see the little boy and eventually carries him out of the hole to spend a day in the sun.

Yet, once placing him back in the ground Michele gets caught by Felice. And Felice gets mad at him, throwing him to the ground and eventually leading him to his car where Salvatore sits. In exchange for that information, it seems Felice allows Salvatore to drive his car.

When they get back, Michele gets his whole family in trouble. His mother tries to proteact him but ends up getting beat on by Felice...and when Michele tries to tear the man off his mother his father and Sergio come in to set things straight.

The adults are not happy with his discovery, and send him to get sleep...telling him to forget the whole thing ..but he can't. As Michele can't stop thinking about Filipo, why's he's in that hole and why he can't come out of there. Again, his bond with the young boy gets him into trouble again and again once he tries to figure out what is the right thing to do in such a situation.


This was a lovely interesting story about a young boy who learns what right and wrong is and what he chooses to do in such a situation. The acting was incredible, and I didn't mind the fact that it was subtitled at all. The music really set the theme for each scene as well, adding drama and a sense of intrigue at various times.

Review TBA.
:]

I freakin' love this movie...the cast is just perfect...and the alternative endings? A treat!

Clue: making murder fun.

:]

Damn, is Guy Ritchie ever consistent with his films or what? I swear this guy is becoming my new favourite director...and I know, I know. I still need to see Lock, Stock...lol on my way!

Yet srsly, whomever was good enough to mention this flick to me gets a banana sticker - I hear they're highly coveted-


Lol.

AND YES, Statham has hurrr. I think it adds to the characters he portrays this time around.

More on this later.
:]

This movie really surprised me, I'm not sure whether it was the way the younger kids interacted with each other...or the language which they used so casually was what completely intrigued me. It seemed to be a darker version of what being a twelve-year-old in modern day society entails.

It starts off with two mischievous brothers being chased by bullies, one is up the ladder to their treehouse and then the other [submissive, shy and quieter] one eventually follows. Rudy [the impulsive one] ends up dumping a pail of urine onto the two which results in a series of wretching...followed by many death threats.

The two brothers are quite different, one is outgoing, completely social seems to have the entire world at his fingertips. Whereas Jacob, the introverted one wears a hockey mask [like Jason Voorhees because he's badass] to cover up the large birthmark on his face.

Their father keeps getting requests to sell the land, but refuses seeing that his kids play there and feels there is no price for something like that. Finally, a number comes up that catches his interest...and when Rudy relays this information unto their friends Malee and Leonard he has an idea to save the treehouse...sit in.

Malee decides not to indulge her best friend's wishes, yet Leonard is pulled in instantly - peer pressure? Rudy sneaks off in the middle of the night, while Jacob quietly watches from the top bunk. His brother insults him as he finally leaves and explains that it's his fault that the two bullies are always following them around. You need to stick up for yourself, stop being such a pussy!

Regardless of his brother's tauntings, Jacob stays...and Rudy leaves. Rudy and Leonard camp out in the treehouse, whilst sleeping soundly they are oblivious to the fact that Jeff and Kenny are throwing flaming cocktails at the structure.

Jeff misses, but Kenny doesn't...and only when they hear screaming does Jeff take off...but Kenny stays and sees as Leonard falls from the ladder. He goes towards him, realizes they messed up and runs away.

Leonard earns a second chance, and with that...he tries to fix things to make his family healthy...and goes to extreme measures to do just that.

As Rudy is not so lucky, his death takes a toll on the entire community...especially all his friends and brother. Jacob seethes with rage, quietly...and questions why his parents are so quick to move on. He doesn't really get over or tries to, his brother's death for that matter.

Meanwhile, Malee is the daughter of a psychiatrist who doesn't seem to have the best of relationships with her mother. She meets one of her mother's patients and begins to develop very strong feelings toward him - that is perhaps how Rudy's death had effected her?

This is the story of how the remaining kids learn to deal with tragedy...and the terrible process of growing up. This is when they learn to be unlike their parents, and being placed in different situations...they grow into the people they might one day become.

It's a very interesting head on collision of parenthood and being a pre-teen combination. It's humorous at times, but it's quite relatable as well...especially when the children try to find themselves while their parents remain being lost.

One of the very reasons I like those under the radar telefilm canada flicks.

More on this later. It's different, it's sad...and it's got a lesson in it...more or less.

What the hell does normal mean anyways? See: Mersault...re: L'Etranger.

There was just something about this story that was brought to my attention.

Darren aka Pig [Murphy] and Sinead aka Runt [Cassidy] are two of a kind, born on the same day in the same hospital...just several minutes apart. Since birth they become friends, first by reaching their tiny baby hands through the cradle bars to comfort each other and then 16 years old they do the same.

They almost seem to know what they other is thinking, just because of that very reason and because of this are nearly almost always together...in some way. Completely disregarding what society says, they rebel in various mischievous sometimes even malicious ways. 'Pig and Runt - against the world.'

Their idealistic world seems to shift when 17 days before their 17th birthday when Pig develops feelings for his other half and becomes jealous of anyone invading their private little world.

Their parents agree that their relationship is unhealthy and learn that although Pig can't be helped, Runt has a chance to be 'fixed'. They cart her off to some kind of special school while Pig slowly travels further into himself and their world not knowing what to do with the loss of her.

Finally, his mother informs him of where to find her and he sets off desperately in need of finding her for their 17th birthday to find that palace where they can be King and Queen. As he travels various roads to reach her, he becomes steadily more violent spreading his anxiousness through destruction and pain wherever he goes.

Then, when he finds her and they run off together to celebrate their birthday...Pig has a plan and Runt follows if not with a bit if apprehension. The events of their joint-birthday steadily grow more and more out of hand and that connection begins to waiver.

Cillian Murphy once again puts on a brilliant performance as Pig who grows wild with each passing moment without his Runt. Elaine Cassidy also puts on a rather convincing performance of his other half. Seeing that the film is centred on solely these two...they definitely capture your attention with the strang ways they spend their time together and the things which they do for fun and enjoyment.

It seems to be this dark, almost morbid version of a childhood that progresses slowly into adult-hood in a twist of emotions and events that show us what kind of people these two are.

This was bloody brilliant.

Okay, I know what you're thinking 'What the hell is Harry Potter doing in the outback??" But seriously, you guys should give this a chance...I know not everyone would prefer such a film...but I really really really liked it.

Yip, JBitBop...another aussie film that gets a shining gold start from moi. ;]

Some background, perhaps?

This is the story of Maps, Spit, Spark and Misty...four orphans who all happen to have been born in December. Because of this very fact is the basis of their friendship, all of them living in a catholic convent in the outback in about the 60s.

They watch as other little boys get happily adopted into families, and silent seethe with jealousy...knowing deep within themselves that it'll never be them smiling with two new parents. Since it is their birthday, and the convent seemed to have set aside some money to take the boys on a holiday to LadyStar Cove.

After a long road across the arid scenery, they finally get to the sea where they are welcomed by an older couple named Bandy and Skipper. While there, they swim, splash about, climb over the rocks and simply have a good time.

When passing by towards the cove they come across a fair where the 'Fearless Forte' jumps his motorcycle through hoops of fire and death-defying stunts. Being in total awe of this, he discovers that this fearless biker lives just next door to the place they're staying. And meet the couple who are unable to have children, learning that they are looking into adopting one of the four as their own when their holiday draws to a close.

Maps, being the oldest, doesn't seem to worry much about being adopted and instead sets his eyes upon a girl named Lucy.

While the other three compete to show who would be the most likely candidate for adoption. Things happen that test their friendships and then the feelings of rejection seem to drive a bit of a rift between them.

Eventually, these ties become stronger what with the various events that happen in the cove...where they learn what being a December Boy is really about.

The scenery in this simply stunned me, it was vibrant and lively...drawing one further into this endearing story of a bamd of orphans. The acting in here was quite decent, as each Boy portrayed what their names meant behind their titles.

To be honest, the story sort of reminded me of Les Choristes...so therefore anyone who enjoyed that type of story...would enjoy this as well.

Good news avid bookfiends! It's a novel by Michael Noonan...which I have already added to my list as well.
:]

I really loved this flick and believe that Spike Lee just went and did himself MUCH justice making such a movie in the first place. After wanting to see it forever...finally did and was quite glad that I did.

Especially alllll the hype I got from everyone. The strategies in here are so intricately developed, it's like they're dealing with a criminal mastermind. Wow. It was insane.

Clive Owen made the perfect criminal, and this movie just went and reminded me why I like him as an actor in the first place.

Jodie Foster as this secretive, cold bitch...she was amazing for such a part as well. Only doing things soley for her gain.

And Denzel Washington as this detective who is lazy, being all no rush. Oh, hostages? Really? Call me when you do something. Talk about apathy, only until does he push the criminal's buttons...does he seem to actually think things through and find out the reasonable whos, whats and whens.

Willem Dafoe was really good in here as well, seeing that it's been a while since I've seen him play a 'good guy'. He was perfectly rude to the detective until he realized, OH SHIT I'm supposed to report to this guy.

A very enjoyable film, total mind games alll the way through...and then?

Well, then you'll see. ;]

Charming...and really, really underrated.

Not for everyone though.

Nifty futuristic idea.

This was so ludicrous!

Review TBA.

Review tbc.

Totally strange, quirky and so profound...we find a philosopher in the body of a misfit who seems to be a nomad more than anything else and all he wants is to find a home where he belongs it seems.

Review still not up yet?
Oy.

Dude, I can't believe I've not seen this flick till now.

It was freakin' awesome!


I miss reading comics. Hahahaha.

Review...TBA.

First of all I'd like to thanks David for putting up a review for this flick and incidentally placing it in my sights. I wasn't sure what to think at first, but actually sitting down and watching it, it completely awed me. Joseph Gordan-Levitt continues to grow a s an actor as movies like Brick as opposed to his beginning in Third Rock from the Sun.

This story is about a hockey player who was at the top until a horrible car accident renders him with a head injury where he has memory issues. The intentions that caused the car crash are beautiful and symbolic however others may view it as juvenile and idiotic.

So, as Chris goes on with his life a specific exercise at school makes him question himself as he always seems to get stuck on 'I wake up' in his sequencing class. Next thing you know he runs into a dude named Gary Spargo who takes him into his 'gang' with open arms and ends up introducing Chris to Luvlee.

As Chris becomes friends with this group of people, he realizes that they're planning on robbing a bank...where surprise surprise he works. Thinking this is totally bogus and unethical he questions motives of his new 'friends'. But, the arugement slowly gets into how he once had everything and now he has nothing and how shitty his life is, isn't it time he took it all back? 'Whomever has the money has the power.'

As he has a problem with remembering things - bad short term memory he must rely on his notebook where he writes down everything from where he puts things to advice his room mate gives him.

Chris is very fortunate to be able to live with Lewis, who is a blind man played by Jeff Daniels, who helps him with cooking, reminding him to lock the door and going to work on time. One time, he ends up going to Thanksgiving dinner at his family's place and brings Lewis along with him. There he learns how shallow everybody is, being concerened with their wealth and good jobs while shunning the black sheep of the family by saying he can move back home and they'll take care of him and so forth.

Although all he wants in his life is to regain independance and be able to live like somebody who can do anything for himself. This is where Chris becomes invovled with a group of thieves, his 'friends' where he begins to question his beliefs and become independant.

Jeff Daniels does a stunning job of playing his blind room mate who looks out for him almost as a brother. Matthew Goode becomes this believable guy who brainwashes Chris into thinking like him and Joseph Gordon-Levitt does this outstanding performance of Chris Pratt.

This story is as intriguing as it is profound, making us question ourselves thinking If we were ripped from our normal lives would we go to extremes to get them back?

This is a rather unconventional movie, not only in its ability to bluntly make fun one of the toughest subjects to ever come across but at the same time to turn it into something that can genuinely make you smile.

The story follows Zia, a young guy who seems to be completely and utterly happy. He lives in a place by the ocean with a caring and loving girlfriend but things aren't always as they seem. The beginning of film shows Zia waking up and cleaning the atrocious mess of an apartment only to go into the bathroom for what we think is a shave...that turns into a sink full of blood. Naturally, a movie with this title starts off with Zia 'offing' himself as they affectionately refer to it throughout the story.

Regardless, he's narratating us through this journey which then finds him in this place that is 'exactly the same but even worse'. Life seems alright, working at Kamikaze pizza and hitting the bar every now and again. He then meets Eugene who explains to him how he ended up in the afterlife with his family. After visitng Eugene's house Zia begins to miss his parents and even his dog.

Going out after work becomes monotony so much so that Zia says 'I'm not going out tonight. It makes me depressed.' Eugene answers, 'So what you gonna do? Kill yourself?' Zia counters with, 'Maybe, I dunno.'

Along the way he runs into an old buddy whom he owes money to and finds out that his girlfriend offed herself a month after he did. That's what happens this insane notion of the word, road trip where Eugene and Zia pile in a car crosses almost deserts to find her.

Driving along, we find out the interesting parts of the afterlife how for example, Eugene's passenger seat contains a black hole where things get lost and never found. Where people never smile and get arrested for vandalizing signs as opposed to drinking and driving. They then pick up Mikal who is looking for 'folk in white coats' or 'people in charge' about her case. It turns out she never meant to off herself, it was a mistake.

The film goes through various conversations amongst the people in the car, and what sort of obstacles they have to come across until they can find Zia's girlfriend, Desiree.

I would say, first of all as this is a really touchy subject I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. Yet, those with enough of that dark sense of humour and intrigue of the morbid may find this delightfully charming.

There's so much symbolism in here, that after the movie's over there can be ten different variations of what it means. It's kind of like art, everyone understands it in a different way.

The atmosphere is so barren and miserable that the scenery she becomes unbearable if it wasn't for these fascinating characters than this would easily be a movie that may make you feel depressed. It's interesting, in turn how it actually makes you ponder and just smile at the situations Eugene, Mikal, Zia and Desiree get themselves into.

I found that most of the actors in here were able to portray these characters as people who seriously did these things for a reason, and made it believable enough for the audience to either relate and not dislike them for their decisions.

Regardless, if you're in for something totally unconventional and perhaps borderline offensive...or just totally light-hearted and funny you may enjoy this film.

Why can't ALL movies possess such qualities?!
Foreign films usually possess this sense of je ne sais quoi. Review TBA.

I've heard about this movie time and time again from one of the people I work with and now only today I understand just why it's such a delightful flick. To think! PEOPLE LIVING WITH ZOMBIES IN HARMONY...what madness!

***

So, the story goes like this it takes place in a little 50-esque town called Willard. What happened was that years ago that the earth passed through a cloud of space dust that stirred up chemicals in the atmosphere initiating the dead to rise. And yes, they didn't just rise...but they arose with a bloodthirst for human flesh.

Then what happened was a war broke our where the live humans were forced to fight against the living dead. People were torn, killing aunt Jenna and having to shoot poor ol' Grandma Dorothy in the head. It was traumatizing...so how did they solve such a problem? Why, by inventing a way to co-exist with the zombies by installing collars about their necks. The collars have lights and when the lights are red, that means your zombie is okay to re-integrate inside society...but when that light goes out...well now you're in for a doozy!

The company is called ZomCon and with careful control over their zombies, then people can co-exist peacefully with them...but what happens when one certain zombie's collar malfunctions...and he eats Mrs Henderson? That's when all the hijinx ensues...and when people learn from the zombies about their selves and are able to re-evaluate their lives.

Meet Timmy Robinson, an eleven-year-old that is quite inquisitive and intellectual for his age...he doesn't seem to agree with ZomCon's way of keeping their zombies in line...but when Mom brings home Fido...it's a whole different story.

****

I muchly enjoyed this movie, to watch one where zombies are the most natural thing in the world is just fun within itself. Carrie-Anne Moss plays Timmy's mother whose father, Dylan Baker is so absorbed in buying everyone a proper funeral he won't spend enough time with his wife and kid. K'Sun Ray is quite a believable eleven year old who seems to know a lot more than he should..and does a wonderful job of protecting his good pal, Fido.

This movie is really something else...it's amazing how there is no need for special effects of any kind...and how repeating certain things can really get under your skin. The actors are amazing in here, regardless of how well known they are/aren't.

But really...and the certain events in here are SO IN-YOUR-FACE....and you wonder what the hell happened....jump back and then tune in anticipation wondering if that was just now...what's going to happen next.

It seriously scared me, intensely. Just wow.

The sad thing was...when it ended...it stopped making sense...and I didn't get it. Maybe it's something that needs to be watched again and again to get it...but overall the atmosphere was just phenomenal to really make you think.

More review...later.

It's a bit bizarre but not totally regretful at all to see one's favourite author hit the small and big silver screen. It's strange, he's got a show on the telly, is a successful author and now this...a screenplay turned movie. Enough chatting about Coupland...more of this film...yes?

So, it starts out with Ryan who works at a mediocre job doing well 'a mediocre job' until the company finds his poetry on the computer and suspends him for his 'dark images' which they would happily help out by 'paying for a therapist'. Completely, dumbfounded he goes to pack up his stuff and then gets a strange call from his parents. His mother is telling him, 'you've got to come home now!' Hearing shouting in the background he inquires as to what's going on only to hear, 'we've won the lottery! Come home now!' Completely ecstatic he throws his junk off his desk and tells his cubicle-mate to have whatever the hell he wants 'cause he won't need it anymore.

When he gets home, his house is in a state of disarray everyone is searching frantically for the winning ticket his father misplaced! Finally, after much searching it comes up and they ring the lottery line to hear that unfortunately they didn't win? To make things stranger, he gets offered a job from the guy on the phone.

His brother - scamming the real estate business hooks him up with a building no one lives in, and he sets off for his job interview. On the way over, he hears on the radio of a beached whale and makes a giant detour to check out the scene. At the same time, he meets a girl who ruins his photo-taking skills and the two start talking. After much interesting conversation, he realizes he's LATE for the interview! And scrambles over there as fast as he can, and strangely enough gets the job by just sitting in a chair and smiling like an idiot.

If you don't think it's pretty intense already, wait until what happens when he starts working there and all the sort of hijinx he gets up to by just associating himself with certain people.

This is truly Coupland, through and through. Poignant, complex [yet simple] and completely profound with the strangest sense of humour.

This is a story of how to literally say 'FUCK THE SYSTEM' and then learn...maybe that's too big of an idea for anyone to take on without consequence.

Review TBA.

Stunning in its quirky, neglected way.

***

Review TBC.

AND YES! That -is- Jerome from Flight of the Concords.
;]

For some odd reason I am just hugely drawn to movies of this calibre. They intrigue me to no end, even though I may only know one actress who...is from one of my favourite philosophical movies. Of course, I'm talking about Franka Potente...aka the Lola in Run Lola Run....which is a blatant ploy to make you lot check that movie out as well!

Regardless, as I watched this film it started out to be something I just wouldn't have expected it to be and I love the fact that it was in its original language with subtitles. I'd rather read than want to listen to some poorly dubbed version [ though most of the time one might want to question the translations ].

Back to the movie; it's a story about two half-brothers Michael and Bruno. When they were younger, their mother completely ignored them and didn't even let them find out about each other until well they were in early highschool at the latest. Both were left in care of their grandparents while she was into that 'hippy schieze' Bruno always complains about.

Bruno seems to be an english teacher in highschool who has fallen out of love with his wife and fails time and time again to find someone else to fill that void. Although, after much searching she basically falls into his lap and then the real interesting stuff starts to happen. His returning to 'the clinic' is not uncommon and he is always invited back there with all the lithium he wants with basically open arms from the nurses and Dr Schafer.

Michael is one of those really silent and extremely brilliant people who grows up to become molecular biologist who is still socially awkward after all those years. One day he leaves his work in Germany for a tenure and wants to return back to Ireland where he almost finished his other work. During this time he receives notice of his grandmother's grave having to be moved and coincidentally runs into his childhood sweetheart whose letters he had just read earlier.

It's interesting how something so sad can become endearing and even funny at some parts. All the actors do a wonderful job fulfulling the roles of these characters that become so believable that we can't help but want to help them out in some way.

An interesting tale that begins when a young man (Elijah), Jonathan S. Foer takes up the past time of collecting things belonging to family members. His grandmother gives him a photograph from his recently departed grandfather for his 'collection'. The photograph is a picture of his grandfather with a mysterious woman before WWII.

This amazing addition to his collection takes him overseas from the comfort of America to Odessa, Ukraine. Where he meets a family whose business is to show Jewish families where their family members once resided.

Alex, an unorthodox young Ukrainian goes on a trip with his grandfather to escort the young american to find out who the woman in the photograph is. The language barrier is enough to keep one in stitches, and the way 'the prime translator' translates everything literally is quite hilarious.

Alex seems shallow, and is distant with his grandfather and all it takes is one young american to help them realize there is more to life. Alex learns more about life that exists outside of the time period he's living in Ukraine, and perhaps they all learn something from each other.

The cinematography is amazing, the light plays on everything. The Ukrainian country side is absolutely beautiful and the story itself is enlightening and endearing.

A beautiful story, that I recommend to everyone.

I think that I am simply drawn to these quirky and equally charming movies. There is much sarcasm that dwells here with some excellent and witty quotes.

The story is this, a young strugging actress named Reese is the daughter of two presitigious authors. Her mother passes away and editors can't help but pester her with the chance of money in exchange for publishing the famous letters her mother and father exchanged with another.

Her father hasn't written for a very long time and has instead begun to keep to himself harboring two very strange roomates.

Of course Reese, with the prospect of money sets out to find these letters which leads to a rather bizarre and awkward reunion with her father.

She learns of many things, aquaints herself with the roomates and begins to take a different approach on things since she travels from NYC to Michigan.

I suppose this is another film that teaches us about ourselves. I don't think everyone will enjoy this film, but it's worth a try.

I was anticipating seeing this movie for eons and was glad that I waited. The atmosphere makes it appear to be based on a true story...so I was a little shocked to find out it was based on a book instead.

The story of two siamese twins plucked from their quiet country life and plunged into the music business. Their father practically signs them off to a label despite the sister's protests.

It is a dark, gritty, sometimes painful but also extremely beautiful in all its strangeness. The music itself is raw and full of human emotion as they turn their anger for the world into song.

As I'm quite biased when it comes to IFC films [as in I love almost all of them...], it may not be just for anyone.

Regardless, I do think you lot should check it out...just don't expect sunshine and lollipops.

WOW.

[better review tbc]

I caught this purely incidentally after a long day at work it was the perfect movie to get away from reality for a bit. This is what happens when a little girl's mother dies of an overdose and her dad takes her on a journey to the old house her grandmother lived in.

She is friends with several dolls' heads, and the friends she makes in the country when she discovers an interesting realm.

The pure innocence and naivety of a child's wonder at the world.

Based on a book, too by Mitch Cullin apparently.

The whole film had a bit of that Big Fish charm by Burton...though it's definitely Gilliam behind the camera.

Jodelle Ferland seemed perfect for this part after always playing that eerie little girl. Jeff Bridges seemed to fit quite naturally and Brendan Fletcher was amazing as Dickens.

Quite an interesting film, based on a book that is apparently not that bad either. This reminded in some parts of The Da Vinci Code...but executed in a much more believable fashion with a plot that unfolds that may actually not be quite as ludicrous! ;]

Daniel Craig, although you can say 'thank you' in Russian flawlessly...you must work on that accent! Hahaha, though most of the translation was accurate...within reason.

Altogether the story itself is quite intriguing, when a westen professor is met by an old man who was a former bodyguard of Stalin and tells his story. The story leads to something invaluable to [history] that needs to be found and of course it sets off Fluke Kelso (Craig) on journey discovering some of the most confidential and dangerously kept secrets.

What an interesting take on Stalin, and keeps you bound to your seat...wondering where the next lead will bring you to. Definitely much like the
'holy grail' of sorts for Stalin's secret legacy.

So after not being able to see the full thing, I was finally able to and was completely delighted by the entire movie. It not only gives one an inside look into the whole Punk Generation, but it also lends some perspective as to how one would view the entire topic.

Sometimes, even punks need to grow up.
Fantastic film, peppered with humour, sarcasm and wit.

I'll be honest, this movie was pretty quirky and strange but also quite interesting. At first, we meet the character of a pretty mild businessman that is a little disappointed with having a meeting being pushed back to a certain time.

Enter the odd little fortune-telling place he encounters with those same digits. Then the odd cards he receives in his tarot reading. Which causes him to go home and leave his wife, after he realizes how boring it all is.

Then, after going to the bar and meeting quite a character that seems to brainwash him about things. Things get really weird, a whirlwind of events that seems to spiral out of control. A story of a lonely man trying to fill the emptiness he feels.

William H. Macy does a wonderful job of portraying such a mild-mannered soul that suddenly goes out of control and does so many things that are looked down upon in society.

Getting a hooker is expensive, street card gaming people are cheaters and pimps apparently want to kill you. Even after all this he still continues to search the streets for something. Well, after that the boredom kind of disappears.

I noticed when watching this piece that Edmond seemed to be a little obsessive when he spoke about certain things. He also seemed to be reiterating the words spoken to him at the bar and then adding on. Spiralling into madness that leads to other events that only seem to get him in trouble.

There is one part in the movie which is almost heartbreaking when he's discussing things with the priest. And then, somehow it kind of winds down and things begin to settle.

Well, so I read this book just a few months ago and loved it. And guess what? It stayed very true to the book, I mean they cut out some parts but the story in its entirety was there. The characters were simply perfect and the dialogue was still as hilarious as it bit through the misery the family went through.

Robert Carlyle played the part of the drunken father with good intentions so well and Emily Watson just seemed to fit Angela perfectly.

Granted, the little children at the beginning of the movie were well how children usually are in movies. Yet, as they brought the older actors it showed how well they could portray such a difficult era in history.

I laughed, and cried. And would recommend this movie to anyone interested in the depression of Ireland or anyone who has read the book. Quite enjoyable, considering the author was heavily involved in the creation of this film.

Simply stunning!

What a beautiful story, the invention of Peter Pan...and it was really lovely to watch.

Depp, as usual was a very good quirky Barry. Freddie Highmore is proving his abilities to act. Kate Winslet was very good in here as well.

Stunning.

When a rather unorthodox crime touches the border between Ontario and Quebec, police squads in each province are forced to work together.

Two cops - as the title suggests, one 'bad' and the other 'good'. Throughout the movie they learn to annoy the crap out of each other, watch each other get beat up, learn a few things from one another and somehow even how to co-operate together.

In between all that the dialogue is just severely hilarious, showing the obvious differences between the two.

However, as the movie progresses each one seems to adopt a bit of the other's style.

Cinematography prepares us for a crazy 'cut to the chase' kind of movie, sometimes even eerie at times whereas hearing the two bicker back and forth at each other...you become completely engrossed in the story.

Over-the-top ludicrous but damn clever. Was most enjoyable!

So, I heard about this movie and since it sounded so intriguing I had to find out why. What's the story, you say? This dude who's going to Harvard gets expelled from Harvard. Runs away to England where his sister lives and then incidentally meets his brother-in-law's brother and is basically flung into his world.

This world revolves around football and what many do to honour their teams. Matt [the yank who fled to Englang] was never a fighter but byt befriending Pete and his crew learns how to stand up for himself and becomes more confident.

I found the story quite compelling, and quite intriguing. The various events that trigger from Matt's first fight leads into another sequence of events which just make the story more gripping. It also has the characters coming to terms with their friendship, who to trust, and who they would fight for.

The fighting scenes I found were very well done, each having a different sound to back up the emotions that iniated the conflict in the first place. Elijah Wood is pretty decent in here, as is Charlie Hunnam and Leo Gregory. All in all the acting is quite good, and definitely a film I would want to own someday.

Intriguing, endearing, quirky....and also quite yummy.