Tokyo!

Just finished watching this brilliant film, Tokyo!, made up of three mini stories by three brilliant directors, which takes place in well....Tokyo. The first short film and also my favorite, was directed by Michael Gondry who is the director of the Science of Sleep and Eternal Sunshine of an Endless Mind which I'm sure many of you have seen. This comes HIGHLY recommended. Go and rent it now!

Film To Watch: Phoebe In Wonderland

I'm writing this post immediately after watching the new film Phoebe in Wonderland on Netflix (it's available on instant). I was not expecting myself to be so moved with the film, based on what I got from the trailer, and I found the experience to be quite therapeutic actually.

The story line combines the rich literature of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with a look at mental illness, specifically in children with Tourette Syndrome, within the household and society. In researching the film a bit I noticed that it has developed quite a following of people with neurological disorders themselves who related to Phoebe's struggle. I personally am effected by a mental disorder and as I watched Phoebe deal with fear and her parents try to cope, I felt comforted in a strange way.

Point is YOU NEED TO SEE THIS FILM!!! Oh and p.s. the casting is brilliant.

It seems like the movie can actually be watched in parts on youtube. Click here for a clear video of part one.

Films To Watch: The Real Dirt on Farmer Joe & Eagle vs. Shark

So last weekend I saw some pretty cool films from Netflix. One, The Real Dirt On Farmer Joe, was a documentary about a farmer who's struggling to make things work during a time when farms are suffering and the locals are calling him a Satan worshipper. It's a very inspirational film and really brought me into a culture that I'm completely removed from. Watch it! 

If you're a fan of Flight of the Conchords, you'll love Eagle vs. Shark. This New Zealand film featuring Jemaine from FOTC, is a quirky, hilarious romantic comedy about two of the most awkward people I've ever met falling in love. If you're looking for a weekend film to watch for a date night or with friends this is the perfect film. Plus, if you have Netflix you can watch it instantly on your computer! Enjoy!

Bab'Aziz: The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul

You MUST see this movie! I watched it last night and was absolutely mesmerized by the beautiful language, cinematography, and music. Bab' Aziz is filmed in Iran and Tunisia and is basically an allegory illustrating the mystical religion of Sufism. I've developed a real respect for their poetic practices and the general serenity that their faith embodies by watching Bab' Aziz and I really hope that you'll take my advice and rent it. 

Recommendation: Read up on the Sufi religion on Wikipedia before watching the film because there were some basic terms that were used often that unless you know what they mean the film will be a bit harder to follow. Specifically focus on dervish and the concept of Love.  

You also might recognize "Sufi whirling", a dance where dervishes twirling around, from The Fall. This film reminded me a lot of The Fall because of the whole "story within a story" plot. So if you liked that film I would strongly suggest you see this one as well. Yay!

Documentaries For A Rainy Day

So I'm a huge documentary film lover. In my opinion, documentaries have evolved for the better over the past few years to cater to the ADD culture of today. Firstly, they are usually a lot shorter than regular films. They usually run from 60 to 90 minutes, which produces a tight little ball of excitement, never boring. 

Another benefit is that with the current film industry getting a little repetitive, documentaries tend to focus on the obscure facets of life. Watching just one can provide you with great "awkward-moments-of-silence" fillers. 

Basically, this post is designed to introduce you to the documentary genre if you're not already familiar. I hope to overthrow the stereotypes associated with them and just maybe you'll be as in love with them as I am!

Films I've seen and recommend (just top 5 otherwise list would be too long:

1. The Great Happiness Space *only available on Netflix*

2. Protagonist 

3. Kicking It

4. Born Into Brothels

5. Wordplay

Films currently in my Netflix queue or I'm waiting to be released:

1. Please Vote For Me

2. To Be And To Have

3. Confessions of a Superhero

4. Blindsight

5. Beautiful Losers

Actor Timeline: Gad Elmaleh

Alright...so he's only been in two films so far (well at least only two films on Netflix), but he has the most magnetic onscreen personality I've witnessed in a long time. Gad Elmaleh is a goofy french comedian whose film The Valet, I just bought...

Oh! before I forget...Netflix has decided to stop selling their previously viewed DVDs so they've all been marked down! Get them while you can!

...so yeah don't really finish like finishing that thought anymore. Anyways, enjoy the trailers including Priceless, a Breakfast At Tiffany's semi-remake starring Audrey Tautou! I recommend watching these on a night when you need some cheering up. Ta Da!

Priceless (2006)- comes out on DVD Nov. 18th

The Visitor (2006)

Uschi Obermaier: Eight Miles High

A film that supplies the whole package: Eight Miles High.

So amazing. Why wasn't I born in the 1960's? I'm bitter.

So this is a film about the famous German model/muse Uschi Obermaier. A sexy rock and roll vixen with a gorgeous head of hair. She seduces men like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, travels the world wearing the most beautiful clothes or sometimes none at all...it really doesn't matter, and she dances like an ethereal goddess of music.

The real Uschi Obermaier:

Kicking It: The Homeless World Cup

I now have a new film added to my top five documentary list...Kicking It. Kicking it follows teams of homeless men and women who are vying for a spot to represent their country in the 4th annual Homeless World Cup in South Africa. From each country, there is a focus on one person from the team including Afghanistan, Kenya, Dublin, Madrid, and North Carolina. Each of these people tells their sad tale of living on the streets and tells of their struggles with overcoming addictions, past regrets, and their hopes for a better life. 

It's so inspiring to see the healing process that soccer can provide. Soccer holds so much hope for redemption in these people and the Homeless World Cup gives a voice to those who are so often ignored. 

Some stats on the Homeless World Cup:

In 2006, 48 countries competed in the 4th annual Homeless World Cup.

One year later...
92% players have a new motivation for life
73% have changed their lives for the better
93 players successfully addressed a drug or alcohol dependency
35% have secured regular employment
44% have improved their housing situation
39% chose to pursue education
72% continue to play football

If you're moved by this amazing grassroots organization, I would really encourage you to check out Global Giving's Kicking It film section where you can donate money to any of the teams featured in the movie! Each of the donations are super specific to each team for example, $10 to the US team will buy a weekly bus pass for a player to use to get to soccer practice, $10 to the Kenya team will buy a player food for a week, and $10 will also buy a soccer ball for the homeless populations of Ireland, Afghanistan, UK, Russia, or Spain. 

Young @ Heart

I just finished watching the documentary Young @ Heart and I'm completely in love. Who knew old people could be so sassy? 

The documentary follows a rock music cover group made up of men and women with an average age of 80. They tour the world singing Coldplay, the Ramones, David Bowie and draw audiences in with their overwhelming  joie de vie. And the film interlaces these crazy badass music videos of the chorus that will bring a smile to your face that can't be helped.

Ugh...I give up on trying to sum it all up. It's too unique and too...well...more than all that. Basically just watch it. You'll see what I mean. 

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

So...wasn't quite sure whether or not this film would fit in with my movie tastes but I added it to my Netflix queue anyways...the other day I finally received it and watched it.

Ever since I have been listening to all my jazzy 1940's music and being all romanticy. It was such a FUN film and very touching. Just an all around summer feel good film filled with a bubbly (but not in an annoying way) wanna-be starlet, and the unabashedly handsome Lee Pace (star of the TV show Pushing Daisies and one of my favorite films The Fall). 

The costuming and set was GORGEOUS and the characters very intriguing. Plus if you're into vintage lingerie like I am, you'll love the lingerie fashion show scene. 

Actress Timeline: Anna Karina

What can I say about Anna Karina? She was a very VERY beautiful woman...

A Woman Is A Woman (1961)

Band of Outsiders (1964) 

Pierrot Le Fou (1965)

Actor Timeline: Romain Duris

I am going to do this very quickly because it's time to sleep BUT I must spread the word about the brilliant Romain Duris who has captured my heart most recently on film. Not in a physical attraction way of course....I imagine he might smell kind of funny for some reason...but he just has such a soulful way with words. 

L'Auberge Espanol (2002)

Moliere (2007)- I just bought this film...and a script from the original playwright!

Dans Paris (2007)- I love hearing a song so beautiful in the middle of a film! 

Actor Timeline: Ryan Gosling

Alright let me clear this up....Ryan Gosling IS a good actor. He gets such a bad rap because of The Notebook but not many know of all the other brilliant films he's done! All these films have, in my opinion, this beautiful slow dialogue thing going on. It's really amazing to just listen to. I really hope that you all will take my advice and watch them because I love you all and know that you will be so happy you did.  

The Believer (2001)

United States of Leland (2004)

Half Nelson (2006)

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Actress Timeline: Bette Davis

Let's even it out with a little lady lovin'. Bette Davis the most seductive, captivating woman ever to appear on screen....

1939- Dark Victory

1942- Now, Voyager

1950- All About Eve

Actor Timeline: Michael Pitt

So...decided to start a series of posts that run through the best movies of a chosen actors career so that you can look them up if you haven't seen them and rent away! There are so many actors that I just see time and time again in amazing films. And the first that comes to mind is Michael Pitt.

2001- Hedwig and the Angry Inch (by the way...my favorite movie of all time)

2004- The Dreamers (watching this films introduced me to a lot of new films)

2005- Last Days 

2006- Delirious (finished watching it just 5 minutes ago and that's what inspired this post)

Protagonist

I don't know what to say...I just finished watching this film Protagonist. I really can't put into words the ways in which this film moved me. I hope all you who read this blog will rent it because it causes you to take a second look at yourself and your life in a deep and meaningful way. 

After the watching the trailer again afterwards I realized that the director also did The Realms of the Unreal which was a wonderful documentary as well you might want to take a look at. Love you all! Enjoy. 

Film Parfait

As it is too tempting to leave trailer posts for all the films I've watched over the past few months in addition to all the film trailers of the present, I am hereby making you a film rental list......

My Netflix Rental History (in no particular order)

- The Kite Runner, 2007
- Moliere, 2007
- Black Snake Moan, 2007
- Into the Wild, 2007
- The Valet, 2006
- All About My Mother, 1999
- Helvetica, 2007
- This is England, 2006
- Talk To Her, 2002
- Paprika, 2007
- The Great Happiness Space, 2006
- Unconscious, 2004
- Into Great Silence, 2005
- Dark Victory, 1939
- Now, Voyager, 1942
- Fur, 2006
- Queen Christina, 1933
- Avenue Montaigne, 2007
- Sweet Land, 2005
- Sex and Lucia, 2002
- Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles, 2005

Okay......this is where I stop......if I kept going, the computer and I would become one...enjoi....oh and no matter what you chose these are all my favorites so you can't go wrong...

I Love You, Alice B. Toklas!

Okay so I just found this film randomly on Netflix this week and it ended up really cute. Think The Graduate mixed with Harold and Maude...it rests on more of a superficial plot line than those...but it IS filled with a Simon & Garfunkel-esque soundtrack, pot brownies, and flower children. Check it out if you're not a hippie hater!