NZ Film Freak

Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? – Bernie Journey

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? - Bernie Journey Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? is a funk/electro track being released by Bernie Journey. He is New York-based and a self-described dance/pop singer-songwriter.

His sound reminds me of a psychedelic/glam 90s band. So certainly not a typical ‘pop/dance’ sound, but a perfect karaoke track. I think a heavier bass and bit more variety would make it the JAM.

Check out the promo for the single here:

The song, produced by Phunk Junk Records, is to be released on December 30, 2014.

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? - Bernie Journey — Bernie Journey

In addition to this single, there are two remixed versions that will be available by Ros Garcia and El Brujo.

P re-order it from Amazon or wait for its release on iTunes.

Jodie.

The One Minute Fly Show (web series)

Uploaded ToThe One Minute Fly Show - Web Series You know what? This animation looks like it could be a really great series.

The One Minute Fly is based on the 2008 One Minute Fly animation. It’s about a fly – with 60 seconds worth of life – and his attempt to accomplish everything he wants before he dies.

If you haven’t seen the original, it’s worth a watch! It’s pretty funny. And weirdly humbling.

The One Minute Fly Show - Web Series The creator, Michael Reichert, is crowd-funding via Indie Go Go here. They are hoping to raise 32,615 Euros (approx. $40,500 USD) by December 22nd, 2014 to produce six episodes over the course of a year. They have raised almost 10,000 Euros so far.

Each of the six episodes will cover the short life of a different character.
The animations will be 2-3minutes long and free to view on their YouTube site.

I’m really keen to watch this! It represents everyone’s life struggle to ‘live it to the fullest’… Whatever that really means… And the race against the clock.

I think this is worth giving generously to. Animation is a fascinating art form, and I think they’ll do it well.

Jodie.

Crazy Film Premiere at Cricket World Cup

Crazy Film Premiere at Cricket World Cup Yeah, this is a weird one!

On Pozible, a film fund raising site, there is a plea for help from a Norwegian cricket team. Their team is failing fantastically and hope to get in contact with a famous cricket player, Sachin Tendulkar, to ask him for his help and expertise.

Crazy Film Premiere at Cricket World Cup I don’t know of Sachin Tendulkar. But I hear he’s pretty famous…

If you’re like me and know nothing about cricket, this may not be of interest to you. However, I invite you to watch the plea they have made. It’s quite humorous.

This amateur team wants to raise $25,000 (USD) for flights to Adelaide where Sachin Tendulkar will hopefully be playing. They plan to present him with a ‘love letter’ in film form to ask for his help and support.

Why does this matter? Well. I think the fact that the failing cricket players have so much passion for the game, practising in the snow and darkness, is enough to realise they deserve the support.

Currently at almost $11,500, they have eight days left to raise the remaining $13,500.

If you want to find out more, go here.

Jodie.

My Idol: Karl Pilkington

Karl Pilkington - head like an orange Yes, we all know he has a head as round as an orange and we know he’s not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed. But he certainly comes out with some very interesting views of the world.

“Parrots have gone a bit quiet since pirates have gone.“

He’s really funny on The Ricky Gervais Show. But my favourite video of him is when he talks about the fridge he has to replace here:

You may have seen him in Idiot Abroad. He’s so comically underwhelmed with everything.

“I came face-to-face with a gorilla which was quite good, but it was a 10-hour trek in bad weather, up hills, covered in mud, with mosquitoes everywhere and when we got there the gorilla’s just sat there doing nowt.”

Bullshit man - Karl Pilkington And he comes up with pretty amazing superhero ideas… Like Bullshit Man (check it out on youtube):

I’d be bullshit man. There’s so many meetings going on where, you know people are bullshitting. I’d just like to walk in. I wouldn’t need a special costume, just dressed like this and I would fly in and I’d go, “Bullshit. He’s talking bullshit.” And they’d go, “Oh. He’s Bullshit Man.” And I’d go, “Yea. It is Bullshit Man. You’re talking bullshit.” And eventually, people would stop talking bullshit. Anything that’s going on in the world: A bloke selling a car that’s knackered, and he’s going to say it’s a great one, and it’s – *whoosh* – “Bullshit!”

You won't get anything done by planning - Karl Pilkington I like him because on the surface, you could say he’s dim. But, I actually think he’s interesting. Plus, he makes me feel better about saying stupid things. He’s taught me that you can get away with saying anything if you’re committed and keep a straight, gormless, emotionless face.

“If you keep talking, your mouth will come out with stuff.”

I like Karl Pilkington. He makes me feel happy. I just want to hang out with him for a coffee. And stare at him while he talks about his ideas and perceptions of the world. He seems like a kind and genuine person.

Jodie.

PS. Here is a photo of my uncle. I can see some resemblance. And before you ask, ‘yes’, he is holding a bag of cheese.
Karl Pilkington lokkalike

Her

joaquin phoenix in Her film poster
Director: Spike Jonze
Writer: Spike Jonze
Released: October, 2013
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde and Scarlett Johansson
—

(Prepare to see a lot of screen grabs with quotes from this film around. The script is so poetic.)

Her is a sci-fi romance, drama hybrid that premiered at the 2013 New York Film Festival.

It’s set in the near future where rather than keeping one’s head down – staring at a phone screen – people now have an ear piece that respond to voice commands.

joaquin phoenix in Her film The operational system – or OS – that performs the requests now have personalities, and for all intense and purposes, are a personal assistant with feelings and emotions equal in complexity to humans.

This new update is something that the main character, melancholy and lonely Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), becomes immediately interested in.

By day, Theodore is a professional personal letter writer, which is an occupation where people who feel unable or unwilling to compose heart-felt and genuine letters to loved ones pay letter writers like Theodore to do so on their behalf.

joaquin phoenix in Her film (I’m really hoping this job gets invented soon. I’d be on that like white on RICE!)

I think his job is an example of how emotionally distant we are becoming as technology becomes the middle-man in human interactions.

It’s also the perfect job for this introverted character, who clearly expresses his emotions best when done so indirectly. I think this is a characteristic that allowed him to get so attached to his personalised OS, named Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).

Before long, Samantha and Theodore have bonded and their relationship grows.

Considering Samantha isn’t a physical character yet still a main character in the movie, Her is fantastically written and shot.

Amy Adams - Her movie OS/human relationships become a common phenomenon, and certainly makes the viewer question what makes a relationship, and what love is.

If you think about it, meeting people online was frowned upon not too long ago. I think the OS relationship story parallels the shift in society’s thinking about online relationships.

Or, a colder interpretation of this story is how we are avoiding personal relationships by hiding behind screens all the time. Where people are ‘being in love with their lap top or phone’. But I don’t think this is the writer’s ambition, according interviews I’ve seen.

I found Her a really thought-provoking film. I enjoy movies that focus on characters, human behaviour and social development, and I think this is quite an accurate depiction of what the future could look like.

Her is an interesting insight into the future of romantic relationships, an interesting reflection on what relationships fundamentally are, what the most important components are, and what the common obstacles are.

It’s a fascinating and compelling analysis of the human heart and its complexities.

Sorry, I know I’m babbling on – I could say a lot more – but my final point is about the clothes. I bet this is accurate of what we will wear in the future. No silver jump suits, but a mix of old fashioned pants and bold shirts.

Oh wait! This is my final point: the music by Arcade Fire is AMAZING.

Her may be a little too abstract or boring for some watchers. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10

Príncipe 69 – A Plea for Funding

This is a humble plea for funding of a feature film about Cuba named Príncipe 69.

A woman named Hannah Imbert is raising money to begin filming her story about Cuba.

It’s a story that will avoid the stereotypical palm trees and beaches. Judging by the description of her feature film, it’s going to be about “an island that is left alone, ageing in time without make-up.”

To be frank, I don’t know exactly what Príncipe 69 is because she speaks in Spanish. But all I’m going on is her written plea, and it sounds genuine and personal.

“When it comes to art, film making is the most expensive one. If I were a painter, I would paint a huge island on every wall of this planet, if were a singer, I would stand on any corner and rise up my voice up to reach everyone. But it turns out to be that I am film producer”

So if you’re interested in contributing to the making on this feature film feel free to donate your spare pesos.

Find out more here.

Jodie

Young Adult

Director: Jason Reitman
Writer: Diablo Cody
Released: December 2011
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser and Collette Wolfe
—

Another classic Diablo Cody script! I love the dialogue she writes for characters who are (for lack of a better word) ‘real’. Jason Reitman is the director of this comedy-drama, who is responsible for the likes of Juno and Up in the Air.

Young Adult is about a ghost writer, Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), who returns to her home town to try and get back with an old flame, Buddy. Buddy, however, is married and has just had a baby and is in no way interested in what Mavis is so obviously implying.

Mavis’ mum: That new baby of his is just darling.
Mavis: Have you seen it? …up close?

Her pessimistic and delusional outlook is something that [unfortunately] I love about her. She is rude, aloof and doesn’t care what people think of her.

Her language is just great though. The way she talks about marriage and children is like she’s talking about a disease that needs to be avoided. Mavis tells Buddy that ‘we can beat this thing together’ referring to his family. I’m tickled by that. This really isn’t a typical comedy at all.

Thankfully, during her crisis, Mavis meets a guy who she also used to go to high school with, Matt (Patton Oswalt).

Matt was severely attacked during high school resulting in him being disabled. But they bond over hating the same things. Mavis projects her hatred outwardly, and Matt eventually realises he has nothing to lose by expressing his anger around her too.

Mavis is such a lost soul though. She tortures herself by forever reminiscing about her high school days, when she was popular. It doesn’t help that she writes a ‘young adult’ series about popularity in high school, which becomes her diary disguised as a fictional teenage novel.

I love this movie because it’s character-based. It’s not fast-paced, just like real life, and hangs on to every emotion of the unstable Mavis, which makes you squirm. She’s so immature… But entertaining because she’s so expressive.

It’s not a movie for everyone. But I enjoy analysing behaviour, and I find the subtleties in this film interesting. She’s entertainingly perpetually disgusted with everything.

Check out my favourite scene in the movie here. It’s when Mavis Gary loses the plot at Buddy and Beth’s (Elizabeth Reaser) baby shower. It’s oddly empowering. Although I feel like I’m doing the wrong thing by taking her side.

I suppose this is a movie where the protagonist is the ‘bad guy’, and you can’t help but support and relate to her.

Jodie’s rating: 7/10

Top 7: Best Movie Meltdowns

Disclaimer: Contains frequent bad language!

I’m sure everybody has fantasised about flipping out. Here are some characters who release their wrath on our behalf.

“I didn’t get to try this F***ING COOKIE!”
I’m sure you all remember Annie’s (Kristen Wiig’s) flip-out in Bridesmaids. I can so relate. So hilarious.

“What is WRONG with you people!?”
Young Adult is a wicked film by the same director who did Juno. Charlize Theron plays her delusional character so convincingly.

“That’s all you’ve got, lady! Two wrong feet and f***ing ugly shoes!”
Erin Brockovich is scattered with sassy one-liners. I love this scene though. Julia Roberts is fantastic in this.

“You were HITTING ON HER!”
Prudie’s (Emily Blunt’s) emotional break-down is so well done in The Jane Austen Book Club. (You’re never gonna get me to shut-up about this movie.) I can’t find the scene on YouTube, but those of you who have seen the movie will know what I’m talking about.

Prudie’s break-down is just after her mother’s funeral where she thinks her husband was flirting with a girl she went to high school with. Just imagine Prudie punching you in the face with emotion as you read the script:

Dean: I talked to her… I talked to her for like five minutes.

Prudie: Longer. Longer, Dean. And with those ridiculous plastic boobs. Is that what you go for?

Dean: Prudie, you know, I was just trying to be nice to your friend. Okay.

Prudie: Chloe Baher is not my friend, Dean. Chloe Baher came to my mother’s funeral to gloat. “Ha-ha! Your mother’s dead.” And you hit on her! You hit on her!

Dean: I was not hitting on her.

Prudie: You know, when I was in the 10th grade, I wrote an entire paper on Julius Caesar in iambic pentameter. And Chloe Baher removed it from my locker and she read it aloud to the whole class. And everyone laughed at me.

Dean: Baby, high school’s over.

Prudie: High school’s never over.

“No dad, what about you!?”
Of course I couldn’t leave out The Breakfast Club. Finding out what it’s like in the Bender family household.

“I’m in the dark, here!”
I love Al Pacino’s character, Colonel Slade in Scent of a Woman. He’s blind and “can’t chew the leather any more.”

“A human life doesn’t mean as much to them as it does to us!”
You know what. 12 Angry Men is one of my favourite movies of all time. Don’t write it off because it’s old or black and white. It’s so powerful. Look it up! This is a great scene:

I’m sure you can think of more. But these are a few of my favourites.

Jodie.

My Favourite Character: Elaine Benes

Sassy, smart, cynical, silly and hysterical! Seinfeld‘s Elaine Benes is just the coolest. She’s confident and crazy, yet successful and feminine.

Seinfeld is my favourite TV series because it is based on nothing. It’s just four people going about their lives, focussing on the odd things that happen from day to day. From these occurrences comes addictive catch-phrases that I’m sure you’ve heard before. “Serenity now!” “Festivus for the rest of us!”

Please refer to this extensive list for the full collection of Seinfeld phrases.

Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is my favourite character because she’s one of the guys, without compromising her femininity. She’s independent, a successful writer with a thriving social life.

Yes, she’s promiscuous, but she always ends up with the upper-hand in every relationship. I don’t think there’s an episode where she is genuinely upset when a relationship ends.

I love her because she is so negative about everyone and everything, yet she still manages to make hilarious, witty remarks about every situation without making herself appear egotistical.

“I had to take a sick day, I’m so sick of these people.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays her SO well. I can’t imagine anyone else doing a better job. She’s versitile and does comedy so well.

Have you seen some of the weird faces she pulls? Or even Elaine’s dancing! Louis-Dreyfus is so talented, and so hilarious.

Also, her hair is spectacular.

I love Seinfeld. I love Elaine. *Sigh*

Jodie.

Lost Angeles

A Leonardo Leon film.

Lost Angeles is an independent film that is looking for funding. It is about a woman who went to Los Angeles in search of a modelling career, but through a series of trip-ups she finds herself homeless.

I was under the impression it was a documentary when I read the summary:

“The City of Los Angeles has the highest homeless population in America. It is constantly growing by thousands of people who are in search of an elusive Hollywood Dream. These people find themselves in compromising situations where work is hard to find and housing is exceptionally high…”

I was a bit disappointed that it wasn’t non-fiction because of the effort the cast and crew went to to make the film authentic; they gave up their apartments to experience homelessness during the shoot.

Looking at the trailer the acting appears quite theatrical. I hope this doesn’t let the film down because it seems like a great way to look into the serious issue of homelessness in America.

Via IndieGoGo, the film makers are asking for $50,000 to complete filming and post production. If this sounds like a film you’re interested in seeing, feel free to donate.

You can also find the trailer here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lost-angeles-the-film

Jodie.

Nightcrawler

Director: Dan Gilroy
Writer: Dan Gilroy
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed and Bill Paxton (the dude from Titanic)
Released: November 2014

This film is by far one of the creepiest films I’ve seen. It’s not so much scary, but it does put you on edge and makes your skin crawl. I guess, hence the film title.

Jake Gyllenhaal with his goggly, baby-bird eyes and sharp cheek bones, is enough to make you squirm. Let alone the control he has over everyone. It is so captivating.

He lost more than 13kg (30 pounds) to play the ‘literally and figuratively hungry’ character, Lou Bloom. Gyllenhaal did so by running a lot and eating only kale and chewing gum. He said the diet was completely safe and healthy.

Lou Bloom, is searching for a job he’s really good at. He soon discovers the media industry where freelance camera operators use police scanners to find car crashes, shootings and what-not, to film and sell to local news outlets.

Bloom dives into this career and quickly makes a sweet sum.

He basically represents the media industry and the control they have over broadcasts and the law. He steps on and manipulates every relationship, smudging the lines of ethical coverage along the way.

Having recently gained a degree in journalism, I found the subject relatable. I don’t think I’ve seen a movie like Nightcrawler before where the story is from the media industry’s point of view.

It’s a fascinating film that is quite difficult to explain. But it certainly gets you thinking. But if you just want to be entertained, you’ll certainly find yourself laughing at Bloom quite often! His intense delivery of lines is sure to give you fits of nervous giggles.

Actually, come to think of it, his character sometimes reminds me of Jim Carrey’s Andy Kaufman character in Man on the Moon.

The only thing I was disappointed about was how there were no consequences for Bloom – which I know is the point because he represents the gigantic conglomerate of the untouchable media. But just when there was a major conflict, the movie ended.

Despite that, I loved it, and I am definitely going to watch it again.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10

My Idol: Paloma Faith

I have always been a fan of Paloma Faith because she was funny on chat shows, and her singles I heard on the radio were catchy. However, I have since become a slightly more dedicated fan.

I have done my research: Paloma Faith Blomfield is 33 years-old and she grew up less than an hour away from where I grew up in England. She also has an overbite like I do. So I’m clinging on to the idea that if I had stayed in England, and despite my crooked teeth, I would have become a pop star. Just like Paloma.

*Heavy breathing*

She seems so humble and so much fun to be around! If I could party with any star, it would be Paloma.

Paloma’s always done what she wanted. I don’t think she’s ever had a boring job, from a magician’s assistant to a trained cocktail waitress. And she never even meant to be a pop star! She wanted to be a movie director.

Yes. We are both huge film fans.

Her voice is spectacular. She almost sounds gospel-like and is influenced by 50s and 60s music. She’s like Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Florence Welch and Adele mixed into one.

Yes. We are both huge 50s/60s music fans.

Paloma loves fashion and always wears bold outfits (like a conservative Lady Gaga). Therefore, I have bought a 40s style hat. That I now wear.

I love her confidence and how witty she is. Also, she sounds like my nan so I just feel a warm wave of nostalgia every time she talks.

I hope to go to one of her concerts one day!

Also, I’m pretty sure we would be best friends.

I feel like I’m sounding like a creepy stalker.

Jodie

My favourite song of Paloma’s at the moment:

Hideaway – Kiesza

This is such an amazing video!

The choreography is spectacular, the costumes are awesome and the four and a half minute video is all done in one shot.

My dad actually pointed this out to me because he likes the song (which was written and recorded within an hour and a half), but the video is twice as cool.

Kiesza danced in this despite having a broken rib! She said she couldn’t move for a month after shooting it.

Kiesza’s brother shot the video in Brooklyn, and it was choreographed by Ljuba Castot. It received an MTV Music Award nomination for best choreography.

Check it out! It’s very 90s.

Jodie.

If you liked that, you’ll LOVE this parody. It has been very well done indeed!

Reza Abdoh – Theatre Visionary (Doco)

This is a documentary about the late theatre director, Reza Abdoh.

The Iranian-born American artist was known for his large productions and the impact he had on the industry in the early 90s.

He died in 1995 at the age of 32. This documentary explores his life with over 46 interviews.

I am personally not interested in this kind of outlandish theatre, but judging by the six minute promo it looks to be a fantastically produced doco. The lighting and sound looks perfect in the interviews.

The film maker, Adam Soch, is currently looking to raise $35,000 via Kickstarter to complete the post production and DVD release. The money needs to be raised by November 30, and is currently up to $12,000.

If you’re into theatre, I suspect you have heard of Reza Abdoh and understand the effect he had on the industry.

If the rest of the production gets funded, keep an eye out for it in Spring 2015!

Jodie.

High – Shid Latta

Right. So I’m not used to this genre of music, so admittedly I had to do my research. I listen to 50s and 60s music, so the popular names of the hip hop scene go right over my head a lot of the time (I’m embarrassed to say)!

So! This song that I was asked to reviewed is called High. It is by a rap artist named Shid Latta, and it features Tove Lo and it’s produced by Hippie Sabotage. So this is a remix of a remix basically.

The original Tove Lo song was remixed by Hippie Sabotage into this song (which I think is pretty awesomely done). And Shid Latta recreated it by replacing the versus with his own.

This is Shid Latta’s first single on his upcoming album: Love + Other Drugs due to be released on 24 November.

Although the lyrics are for the most part quite rude, it certainly matches the subject matter of getting high. His contribution to the song basically frames Tove Lo’s chorus. In all seriousness though, it’s actually quite a sad song when accompanied by the original music video. It reminds me of Requiem for a Dream.

Shid Latta (AKA Rashid Latta) is a hip hop artist from Baltimore. He prides himself on not being a ‘typical rapper with tales of money, drugs, sex and streets’.

I don’t really identify with this music, but I can certainly appreciate the skills Shid Latta has for writing an rhyming. I know it’s not something everyone can do, nor be successful at doing. So I say, good on him!

For those hip hop lovers out there, I think this will be your jam. It’s damn catchy.

Check it out on soundcloud.

Jodie.

Here is Shid Latta’s Facebook, Twitter and website.

My Favourite Character: Jocelyn

I’ve reviewed The Jane Austen Book Club, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I did write a short bio of the characters in my review. But I wanted to expand on my favourite character, Jocelyn.

Maria Bello plays Jocelyn.
Jocelyn has never fallen in love, but she says she’s happy with that:

“…alone is not the end of the world. For as many years as you’ve been married I’ve been quite happily unmarried… I mean, I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind falling in love, but it just all seems like fiction to me, anyway.

She’s a dog-breeder, and if you catch onto her mannerisms early enough, you’ll notice she treats men like dogs – she’s strict, short-tempered and dominant with them. Her use of language when speaking about people is similar to how she would talk about dogs.

“No one I’m interested in. He’s young, compliant, said he might enjoy being in a book club… Do you think Sylvia responded to him?”

Jocelyn is drawn to ‘Grigg’ because he’s “eager to please” and “tries hard”… Sort of like a dog.

Jocelyn is known as the ‘match-maker’, always on the look-out for who she can pair people up with. She partnered her best friend Sylvia up with a guy who is now Sylvia’s husband.

I think Jocelyn is super cool because she’s independent and lives by herself in the country doing exactly what she wants. She dresses quite casual (except for the final scene), in knitted shrugs, jeans, long skirts and turtle-necks.

a19bc551-7228-4b74-915a-b81733a21fe0_detail — Jocelyn and Grigg

In the movie, she hesitantly opens up to change. Starting by reading a book Grigg suggests, which Jocelyn is sure she won’t enjoy.
“I think at my age I should know what I like”
But the more she relaxes and allows him to be a friend – rather than a person to direct – the more she changes into a calmer and happier person.

I love Jocelyn. She’s so pretty (I want her hair), and confident in herself.

Jodie.

My Favourite Character: Louise Sawyer

I recently reviewed Thelma and Louise, which is my favourite movie of all time.

Out of the two main characters, I connected with Louise more because I admire her more than Thelma (who is ditsy, and reminds me too much of myself!).

“Suspect: Louise Elizabeth Sawyer. Red hair, brown eyes, five-foot, seven inches tall, on hundred and twenty pounds…”

Louise is so sassy. In the bar scene at the beginning of their road trip, I love how she doesn’t even give Harlan (a guy at the bar who is hitting on them) the time of day.

At that point, Harlan seemed like just a confident gentleman who approached the pair. But she saw right through him.

Harlan: Hey! Now what are a couple of Kewpie dolls like you doin’ in a place like this?
Louise: Mindin’ our own business. Why don’t you try it.

Despite her straight-up-and-down character, she has a generous side. Like when she left the waitress “a huge tip” at a bar. Sawyer is a waitress by day, so I think she completely understood how far a bigger tip would go.

She drives a green/blue T-Bird convertible, wears well-fitted jackets and western-style boots.

Susan Sarandon does a spectacular job portraying her as a motherly, yet, fiercely independent woman. Louise seems like somebody who you could rely on.

Jodie.

There’s not a lot out there, so this trailer will have to do. However, this is the original 90s trailer which portrays the movie as a straight-laced comedy, which isn’t accurate at all.

Interstellar

Interstellar film poster

Director: Christopher Nolan
Writer: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan
Released: November 2014
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain and Matt Damon
—

If you loved Gravity and Inception, you’ll love Interstellar.

Interstellar movie - watching Earth The time travelling concepts in this movie are easy to grasp if you’re familiar with the sci-fi genre. If you can keep up with Doctor Who, you’ll keep up with this.

It’s set in the future where scientists are aware that crops are failing and the end of the world could be near. NASA is attempting to find another planet so that the human race can continue.

I would love to tell you more, but I’m worried I’ll ruin something! (For the record, the trailer makes it out to be an average film… It’s not.)

Anne Hathaway in Interstellar movie — Anne Hathaway in Interstellar

Gravity movie is similar to Interstellar film — Sandra Bullock in Gravity

I love this movie. I think Matthew McConaughey did a fantastic job, and I have a new found respect for Anne Hathaway.

It did make me wonder if Anne Hathaway was considered for Sandra Bullock’s role in Gravity though. Because the characters are very similar, physically and characteristically.

There are some gorgeous scenes in this movie. Which isn’t surprising, because Interstellar is a Nolan film.

Insterstellar film review My favourite scene is when they are on another planet, a water planet. Rather than regular waves, there are tsunamis that arrive every so often. And every one hour spent on this planet, is seven years on Earth.

There was just one thing I was disappointed about: the ending. It was a little too perfect. I think if it ended with a similar feel to Gravity‘s final scene, which was open-ended but with a feeling of hope.

Whereas, Interstellar ended like a Hollywood drama, the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed, wrapped in glossy paper with a bow.

Despite that, it is worth a watch if you’re fascinated with worm holes, time manipulation, outer space and strong characters.

Loved it.

Jodie’s rating: 9/10

Thelma & Louise

Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Callie Khouri
Released: May 1991
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen and Brad Pitt
—

I can’t believe I haven’t written about Thelma & Louise. This is my favourite movie of all time.

In 1991, Ridley Scott made the genius decision to direct a cinematic breakthrough with two strong female characters, essentially playing traditionally male roles.

Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon were stupendous. Absolutely the perfect actresses to portray Thelma, the naive housewife, and Louise, the hardened but streetwise woman.

If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s about two women who needed a break from their respective husband and boyfriend, and took a weekend away. Except, after getting caught up in a major kerfuffle, the women find themselves on the run from the law. They have never experienced such freedom, and use the lack of rules to their advantage by going on a crime spree. But, they do take moral responsibility for everything they do. They are able to fully explore who they are without the moulding of a man in their lives.

I love films about the characters. Like The Jane Austen Book Club, where you can see a piece of yourself in every character, and the clear development of them.

I’m drawn to this honest movie because Thelma and Louise break through their fears. They learn hard lessons, but ultimately become exactly who they want to be. Reminding me of the The Secret Life of Walter Mitty where he takes off to Iceland and discovers how freedom can shape you. Perhaps part of the same runaway genre.

It’s a road trip film with gorgeous scenery and music that perfectly fits. It’s based in the South as the pair are heading for Mexico. However, the film was actually shot in rural California and Utah – even the Grand Canyon scenes.

On the road in their blue/green T-Bird convertible, the women evolve physically too. Thelma Dickinson, the housewife, starts out with flowing dresses and long hair. By the end, her hair is tied back, she’s wearing a trucker’s black shirt with sleeves rolled up and jeans. Louise Sawyer, the surly, controlling character, starts out wearing an outfit that is ‘just so’. By the end, she’s wearing a loose tank top and jeans.

They strip off their make up and steal men’s hats and clothing. The denim jacket from Brad Pitt’s character is altered by the women by making it sleeveless and using parts of it for neck ties and such. Almost as a way to tear the layers of control and weakness away, and rebuild their characters in the ways they want.

I also see this as their way of dismembering authority. In the same way that a hunter kills fierce animals for its fur, and taking it as a trophy.

The men in this movie play important parts but take a back seat to the development of Thelma and Louise. Sometimes literally. I read that some found the movie to be ‘man-hating’. But I think it’s just unusual to see two strong women convincingly portrayed in films.

Thieving men (Brad Pitt), rude truck drivers, controlling husbands and flaky boyfriends, Thelma and Louise find ways to rebel, and use the men to their advantage. They stop relying on men for protection, and start standing on their own two feet.

I’m so inspired by these characters. They are so independent and fearless, yet they are so carefree and fun despite their situation.

I think everyone can see the naive, open and scared ‘Thelma’ in themselves, and the logical, unwavering and powerful ‘Louise’. Which is why these characters are so relatable and ‘real’.

Thelma & Louise is a profound, freeing and exciting journey. I love this film so much because the women are doing what every woman wants to feel capable of doing. Being in control of their future, going wherever they want, and nobody is getting in their way! Everything is on their terms right to the end.

I’m going to steal what Susan Sarandon said in an interview; it is a comedy and a tragedy with a surprise ending, and political significance.

This is a pretty long review so I’ll stop here. Believe me, I could make it longer!

This is a timeless film that makes my imagination run wild. It’s adventurous and always makes me feel happy and inspired at the end of every watch. However, I don’t want to give it full marks because it is for quite a narrow audience.

Jodie’s rating: 9.5/10

Sunshine (short film)

Director: Michael Tracy
Writers: Michael Tracy
Released: 2014
Starring: Rebecca Hanssen, Colin MacDougall and Julie Martis
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This is an independent short film by Scottish filmmaker Michael Tracy, who also wrote and produced it.

It’s a horror-drama, which, based on the trailer looks like it could certainly be a thrilling watch about an affair that has shocking a twist.

It is a struggle to make a film independently, so there are a lot of things you can forgive. However, it’s a shame the darkly-lit scenes were a tad grainy. If the filmmaker had shot it with more light and then put a dark filter over the scenes in post, I think the final product would have looked higher quality.

Judging purely by the trailer, the acting seems pretty top-notch though – making it pretty creepy and compelling!
I think the best thing independent filmmakers can do is keep cast members low, keep the sets few, and keep the production short. I think Sunshine has ticked the boxes there, so I think this short film has decent foundations to be a scary watch.

I haven’t seen the film, but I am certainly intrigued.

Jodie.

Check out their Facebook page, and trailer:

Tissue (Short film)

Director/writer: Stuart Wahlin
Featuring: North Roberts and Anita Boska
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A six minute film made in a 60 hour film competition about a drinker with a writing problem.

A one-character show with little dialogue, but a compelling voice over script making it seem almost Sin City-esk.

I actually quite enjoyed it. Showing the struggles of somebody who finds a 9-5 job utter hell. The only thing this character enjoys is writing, despite never finishing his projects or having anything published.

With a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, the writer finds himself to be the biggest hindrance. Even more so than the power cuts and constant distractions.

I’ve found that many of these amateur/self funded films with limited dialogue reflects badly on the actors who tend to over-act to fill in the silence. I didn’t finds this was the case in Tissue though. The acting was subtle and believable.

A perfectly entertaining short film.

Jodie.

Check it out on Youtube by searching for “Tissue Stuart Wahlin”

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Chinese Penhold (short film)

Directed by: Gabriel Sunday
Written by: Steve Sanders and Gabriel Sunday

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What a glorious film.

Chinese Penhold premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

I thoroughly enjoyed this five minute gem. In the opening scenes it reminded me of the film Peaceful Warrior. Certainly carrying similar themes of self-competition and distractions in life.

It follows a man Jake Scribner (Jake Miller) whose underlying passion for competition clashes with his girlfriend who isn’t the nicest of people.

Finding himself in a worn-out flat at a grotty party, he plays an intense game of ping-pong. He fights against his inner voice, his distracting girlfriend and struggling to stay focussed on the game at play.

I loved the parallel storyline of the white dog and what he represents. There is so much symbolism and so much thought gone into the use of colour, lighting and a fantastic amount of time put into the editing.

In my eyes, at least one of the morals of this story is: to stay in the game and don’t over-think it. In other words, fight for what is important to you, don’t let anyone stop you, but don’t take it all too seriously, because you’ll overlook the point of it.

(Although I’m sure I’ve barely scratched the surface of unpacking this film).

I really enjoyed this short film. A lot of work and effort has clearly gone into the storyline despite the lack of dialogue.

A delightful watch!

Jodie.

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Love Thy Neighbor (Short Film)

Director: Mika Boorem
Writer: Mika Boorem
Released: 2014
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A short film exploring the dark effects of grief.

We follow a teenage boy, Jonah (Slade Pearce), who has become obsessed with his neighbour. The neighbour (Jaclyn Ferber) is a widow whose husband died in the war. She is grieving and begins to take a liking to Jonah.

Certainly mature subject matter and probably not material I can really relate to.

However, on a technical level, Love Thy Neighbor is fantastically made. The lighting and set design reflects the characters very well.

I think the director/writer, Mika Boorem, achieved her goal of making the story seem ordinary on the surface. That is until you scratch the surface to discover the intricate, dark and twisted lives of the neighbourhood.

I think the best accomplishment was how well the crew has done on limited means. Having a main cast of three, and one location was a great way to take advantage of what they had. It can be easy to let the imagination run wild, but keeping it simple allowed the deeper storyline to take centre stage.

A fantastic production. An example on how high quality a short film can be.

Jodie.

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Lucy

It was a great concept, but it was just so weird! It was simply bizarre.

Scarlet Johansson plays the protagonist, Lucy, who is kidnapped and used as a drug mule. The new drug seeps into her system, which enables her to use more and more and more of her brain.

She is able to manipulate everything from pain tolerence to technology. She even pulls some solid Matrix moves.

It would have been a great as a short film… It’s almost as though it should have been an arty film festival film. The mere fact it ha Johansson and Freeman in it threw it into the Hollywood sphere. I don’t think it belongs there though. It attracts the kind of audience who want an awesome sci-fi film, when it should attract the deep-and-meaningful film analysts.

Some parts of the script were super cool, particularly in regards to how people have evolved, how we think and behave.

Other parts were plain odd.

Basically, this movie isn’t what you think it will be like. The trailer advertises a Hollywood action sci-fi, when in fact it’s mind-bender with a screwed up ending.

Jodie’s rating: 4/10

Deliver Us from Evil

Director: Scott Derrickson
Writers: Scott Derrickson and Paul Harris Boardman (screenplay), Ralph Sarchie and Lisa Collier Cool (story)
Starring: Eric Bana, Édgar Ramírez, Olivia Munn, Sean Harris and Joel McHale
Released: July 2014
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Was this supposed to be a black comedy?

I had been told Deliver Us from Evil was on par with The Conjuring. But I honestly can’t say this was the case. It was a suspenseful, supernatural thriller, but not something that would keep you up at night.

Apparently based on ‘true events’ of a New York cop Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) who encounters demonic forces. The mysterious cases quickly become bizarre and laughable.

Reading up about the true events of this cop, I think the only ‘true’ parts that were used in the film was his name and characteristics. There’s an interview on Youtube where he says most of the “possessed” people he encountered turned out to have mental issues.

In the film we follow Sarchie as he slowly unravels the peculiar happenings of what turns out to be people with demons in their houses. Throwing children into lion dens at the zoo, cat worshiping, scratching at walls, and croaky voices was just some of the fun that ensues.

A tad too typical of a horror, with the characteristics of a scary movie thrown in even if it doesn’t fit. Like when the daughter suddenly has the urge to wind the musical jack-in-the-box before she goes to bed. Because we all know how creepy the combination of children, musical boxes and darkness is.

I couldn’t take it seriously because of the weird choice of music that face-plants you back into reality. Imagine getting into a super tense part in the movie and then have the theme song ‘People Are Strange’ by The Doors blasting. What a way to snap you out of it!

The acting was a bit average, particularly the 6-year-old daughter, whose toys come to life at night. I felt like I was in a mash-up of The Ring and Toy Story.

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Quite frankly, I couldn’t keep a straight face when the demonised people were talking, I wasn’t scared of the dude who ate his own leg either… I was just grossed out. And the final exorcism went on for way too long. I fell asleep toward the end of that scene.

Finally, the religious messages of how non-believers are screwed and your only hope for protection is by converting to a life of God in some form, was a tad over-kill!

A few things will make you jump, but overall it wasn’t scary or creepy… Just weird.

Jodie’s rating: 4/10