Extras – Page 4 – NZ Film Freak

Au revoir, 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

’tis 2014… That’s a scary thought.

This year has been a huge learning curve for me; my writing has improved and how I critique movies.

I have been accepted into my journalism major which I hope will get me closer to my dream of travelling the world and writing about what and who I discover.

Since the beginning of my blog – exactly two years ago today – filmfreak.co.nz has received 70, 000 hits. So thank you for paying an interest, I am very proud of this accomplishment. The United States have been my biggest audience, with New Zealand, France and United Kingdom close behind! A huge thank you!!

This year has been a year of the superhero. Batman, Superman, Thor, Wolverine, Avengers… I’m not complaining though. Superheroes are an awesome trend to have.

I have certainly noticed films have been getting longer though. Three hour long films are becoming popular. Although, like 3D films, I am hoping the excessive length will move along too.

I have joined up with Fiverr, so my indie films, and many of my song reviews, have been via that site. Not only has it helped fund my blog, but it has introduced us to many emerging artists from all around the world. These are inspiring and ambitious people – so well done to all of you! The list of their films are at the bottom of this post.

Keeping with my tradition, I shall present to you the film reviews of 2013. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty being the hugest accomplishment of the year, with Movie 43 being at the bottom of the heap.

Please enjoy reminiscing over these films released or viewed by my good self, Jodie, during 2013:

Gold, Jerry, Gold!
10/10 (Revised to 8/10 in 2014)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

9.5/10
Gravity

9/10
The Prestige
The Conjuring

Hoochie Mama!
8.5/10
Cemetery Junction
Dead Poets Society
The Butterfly Effect

8/10
Bridesmaids
The Help
The Blair Witch Project
Made In Dagenham
Chocolat
The Breakfast Club
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Elysium

7.5/10
Thor: The Dark World
World War Z
Easy A
The Jane Austen Book Club
Walk the Line
Iron Man 3

7/10
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Morning Glory
Gangster Squad
Megamind
Man of Steel
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Midnight In Paris

Giddy-Up!
6.5/10
The Great Gatsby
Water for Elephants
Jack the Giant Slayer

6/10
This is the End
Django Unchained
Burlesque

5.5/10
The Wolverine

5/10
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Super
Now You See Me
Wreck-It Ralph

Yada, Yada, Yada…
4/10
Oz: The Great and Powerful

A Show About Nothing!
1.5/10
Movie 43

—

Indie Films
Tamla Rose
Beer & Seed
My Brother Lives in China
Locked (Short Film)
Agophobia (Short Film)

PLUS over 40 song reviews!

Thank you for sticking with Film Freak. I have really enjoyed this year, and I hope 2014 will bring more incredible movies to enjoy and critique!

I would love to hear from you; I read every comment you write – even the spammers’! So keep getting in touch, it means so much to hear your feedback. Let me know what movies you want reviewed!

My Facebook and my Twitter :)
Jodie.

A Great Speech: Shrinking Women

This is a beautiful articulation of the differences between the societal expectations of men and women.

Lily Myers is a student who performed this spoken word poem in CUPSI 2013 – The College National Poetry Slam at Bernard College, New York.

I wanted to say: we come from difference, Jonas,
you have been taught to grow out
I have been taught to grow in
you learned from our father how to emit, how to produce, to roll each thought off your tongue with confidence, you used to lose your voice every other week from shouting so much
I learned to absorb

It is about a woman’s relationship with food, and how it reflects self worth.

I’ve realized she only eats dinner when I suggest it.
I wonder what she does when I’m not there to do so.

Maybe this is why my house feels bigger each time I return; it’s proportional.

The beautiful use of words. “the house feels bigger” rather than “my mother gets thinner“. The house feels bigger because her mother doesn’t think she deserves to take up much space. It is spine tingling imagery.

Fantastic! No wonder this has gone viral.

Jodie.

A Great Speech – Gay Rights

The Greatest Speech Ever Made, by Charlie Chaplin is my favourite speech. Although, it is sad how relevant that speech still is to modern society.

The second speech that has really hit home is this one by Preacher Phil Snider. His 2012 speech creates shock and gives a fresh perspective on the pro-gay rights scene.

If you don’t have time to watch to the end of this speech, here is the surprise ending:

…the liberals leading this movement do not believe in the bible any longer. But every good, substantial, bible believing, intelligent, orthodox christian can read the word of god and know what is happening is not of god.

When you run into conflict with god’s established order you have trouble. You do not produce harmony. You produce destruction and trouble and our city is in the greatest danger that it has have ever been in, in its history. The reason is that we have gotten away from the bible of our forefathers.

You see the right of segregation I’m sorry, hold on.

The right of segregation… is clearly established by the holy scriptures, both by precept and example.

I’m sorry I brought the wrong notes with me this evening. I borrowed my argument from the wrong century. It turns out what I’ve been reading to you this whole time are direct quotes from white preachers from the 1950s and 1960s, all in support of racial segregation. All I have done is simply taken out the phrase racial integration and substituted with the phrase gay rights.

I guess the arguments I’ve been hearing around Springfield lately sounded so similar to these that I got them confused. I hope you will not make the same mistake. I hope you will stand on the right side of history. Thank you.

Good on yah!

Jodie.

My Favourite Character: Miranda

I. Love. Miranda.

Not only do we share the same last name and similar place of origin, but we share the awkward and embarrassing everyday situations. The only difference being, the actress who plays the character of the same name, has made her life into a comedic series… While I simply digest my cringe-worthy days on my 40 minute bus journeys home…

Bear with… Bear with…

Miranda is the slightly more casual and relatable version of Bridget Jones. She makes my everyday situations become not an “embarrassing moment” but a “Miranda moment”. Which simply means my life is television-worthy. In my mind.

Miranda Hart has the ability to find sexual innuendos in most conversations, yet the inability of saying certain words.

I also give myself freely to others… I don’t mean ‘s-x-ally’.

A great series, a fantastically comical actress and an awesome character!

Such fun!

Jodie.

Coming Soon!

So excited to see the following films:

~~The World’s End~~
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!
UPDATE: https://nzfilmfreak.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/the-worlds-end/

~~Now You See Me~~
It reminds me of The Prestige; hopefully it will be just as epic.
UPDATE: https://nzfilmfreak.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/now-you-see-me/

~~The Conjuring~~
I love a good, creepy horror!
UPDATE: https://nzfilmfreak.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/the-conjuring/

~~The Hunger Games: Catching Fire~~
Too excited!!
UPDATE: https://nzfilmfreak.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/the-hunger-games-catching-fire/
http://youtu.be/keT5CRhhy84

~~The Way, Way Back~~
Can’t go wrong with a coming-of-age film. Juno and Little Miss Sunshine are two of my faves

~~Gravity~~
George Clooney. I rest my case.
UPDATE: https://nzfilmfreak.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/gravity/

~~World War Z~~
I know this has been released for yonks, but I still really want to see it.
UPDATE: Seen it! https://nzfilmfreak.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/world-war-z/

Byzantium
Gotta love those decent-looking SCARY vampire films. I’m not holding my breath though. It could be super lame.

Jodie.

I’m still alive! Reviews are coming…

Hey guys!

So I am swamped with uni studies at the moment and I am afraid my conscience won’t allow me to watch movies as it makes me feel too guilty, when I know I should be writing 2000 word essays on pointless crap.

However! I thought I should write a post to remind you that I am still in existence – I bet you’re relieved – and tell you the list of films I am going to review in about a week’s time…

1. Jack the Giant Slayer
2. Once
3. The Devil Wears Prada
4. The Cove

Please comment to this post if you wish to put something on the list :)

I have been using my twitter account @NZFilmFreak a little more often since getting an iPhone! Ah! Scandal. What a techno person I am; all up to date and shizz. So feel free to follow!

It’s great to have so many fans of my blog…

*crickets chirp*

…and I am pretty sure that people will begin to recognise me in the street and congratulate me on my talents of blogging and pay me to write about films in the near future…

Jodie.

Cheer up! Watch this:

My Favourite Scene: The Perks of Being A Wallflower

I love this scene in The Perks of Being a Wallflower! The song is Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners.

It is such a contagious song and has that sound that makes you want to get up and dance. Or at least put a smile on your face.

I love Emma Watson’s dancing in this too. Friggin’ awesomely hilarious.

I don’t mean to brag, but I have mastered her choreography for this song…

Jodie.

Looking Forward to: The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

— Here is my review of The Perks of Being a Wallflower —

I am so, so excited to watch this movie. I had never heard of the books before, but recently stumbled across the trailer.

The script seems awesome with hilarious lines. With the popularity that the books have gotten, I hope that the movie will live up to the hype.

I guess I am looking forward to this film because it explores a very relatable subject of fitting in… Or not… In a free spirited and fresh way.

“I am below average!”

According to flicks.co.nz, The Perks of Being a Wallflower will reach New Zealand cinemas by April 2013. But having checked both chains of New Zealand cinemas, TPoBaW is not on the “coming soon” list… Suspicious much…

Hopefully I will be put out of my misery soon because I feel like I am getting a little overexcited and hyping up the movie a teenie bit too much, increasing the likelihood of being disappointed if it turns out to be below my now very high standards.

The music is awesome – I have looked up some of the tracks already. Very cool indeed.

Let me know if you have seen it and what you reckon. I have read very good reviews so far.

Jodie.

My Favourite Character: Maggie Jacobs

The ditsy character in the Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant TV series, Extras, is Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen).

Would you rather be you, with your face and your legs, and the brain of a chimpanzee...Andy Millman: Brilliant.Maggie Jacobs: ...or would you rather be a chimpanzee, but with your brain? — “Would you rather be you, with your face and your legs, and the brain of a chimpanzee, or would you rather be a chimpanzee, but with your brain?”

I like her because she is so innocent and naive. It makes a huge change for one of the leading characters to be so honest and unaffected by mainstream beliefs. She is fresh-faced but average, similar to Bridget Jones but even easier to relate to.

I guess because she’s in a dead-end job, single and struggling as a extra on television shows, rubbing shoulders with fame and fortune yet never coming close to it, like how much of society feels as they slave away at work. But Maggie never strives for any of that. She just plods along.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying that I look up to her, but I do draw inspiration from her because she is so honest to people. Plus, she always does something to embarrass herself but lets it go – she never dwells on bad experiences or holds grudges.

She’s funny, loyal and doesn’t lie to anyone… Which gets her into trouble sometimes. Her Scottish accent is amazing, too!

Jodie.

Classic naive Maggie:

My Favourite Scene: Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan (1998) “…and I find that marvellous.”

I had first heard of Edith Piaf when I saw Inception (Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien). She is a famous French singer from the twenties through to the sixties, and I adore her music.

Since learning about her songs, this scene in Saving Private Ryan jumped out at me. It is a bonding scene between the soldiers that begins with a conversation about Piaf’s song (Tu es Partout), like most of my other favourite scenes, it’s slower paced and one of the quieter moments of the movie.

I just really enjoy one of the more sensitive soldiers translating the song to the others.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Yes Man

Yes Man (2008): I got blisters on ma fingers!

This scene jumps out from the otherwise somewhat average comedy as Jim Carrey’s character, Carl, talks down a reluctant suicidal jumper via sing-song. A song called, rather appropriately, “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind (jump to the start of the song at 1.17 in you’d like).

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine (2006): “Life is just one big beauty contest after another”
Just a fascinating moment of reflection by a character who is longing to become a pilot despite being colour blind, and a writer who attempted suicide.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Up in the Air

Up In The Air (2009): “I stereotype, it’s quicker”
A story about the lives of people who have been made redundant during an economic crisis, told by the man who is hired to fire them on behalf of their bosses. A very comedic look by Ryan (George Clooney) regarding people in airports:

“Everybody needs a co-pilot”
A heavier scene about the point of life, with quite an insightful answer by Ryan.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Scent of a Woman

Scent of a Woman (1992): “An amputated spirit, there’s no prosthetic for that!”
Al Pacino plays a blind Colonel who stands up to the system. I love this scene because he is shaking this deep rooted college by the shoulders, waking them up! It gives you chills! He says that schools need to teach the practicality and values that are important in real life and for your soul, not necessarily reputation or how much money one has. That won’t always help you in life.

“If you get all tangled up, you just tango on!”
This scene is incredible! I put this scene on repeat after I first saw it. It’s a metaphor for life, to just try things! Donna is a beautiful and elegant woman who I think is such an awesome character, even though she does not appear in it for very long. A beautiful piece of music too.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight (2008): “What doesn’t kill you, simply makes you stranger”

I love the Heath Ledger joker. The best there ever was. Here is one of his best scenes. Perhaps not the one that sticks out for you, but I’m sure we can all agree that it is certainly a scene that shocks you and makes you hold your breath. By the end of this seen you have exhaled a sigh of relief and the total coolness and amazment of what this scene entails hits you. So well written, shot and performed.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Quotes from “Bartlett’s”

This scene always jumps out at me. I tend to forget about it until I find myself getting sucked into it when I watch the film. It’s a quiet moment away from all of the chasing going on in the background. It’s a time to reflect and gives you a breath after all of the panic going on.

Unfortunately I can’t find the scene on YouTube anymore, but here’s part of the dialogue:

Mary (Kirsten Dunst): Anyway, the quote goes “How happy is the blameless Vestal’s lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot: Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each prayer accepted, and each wish resign’d”.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Made In Dagenham

Made In Dagenham (2010): The beauty of doing something unexpected of you

Okay, I can’t believe it took me so long to write about this movie! This is based in the sixties (which obviously gives it an instant thumbs up from me) about women getting equal rights in the workplace. These are two of many clips that I could have chosen that really inspires me in this film.

In the first one, I love how Lisa (Rosamund Pike) is such a beautifully elegant woman who is socially acceptable in this era, until her opinion is asked of her. Instead of smiling and nodding, she blurts out exactly what she means even though it is totally unacceptable for her to do so. It is true, knowledge really is power. I just love the reaction of somebody doing something unexpected, it’s a fantastic way of demanding respect and getting attention from others. Lisa uses her knowledge as if she’s giving society the middle finger. She’s such a heroine!

“Please, keep going! Don’t give up.”
In this second clip, I love how Lisa is Rita’s (Sally Hawkins) beam of light reminding her that although she is personally very low, she is actually making history! Lisa, clearly my favourite character in this movie, tells Rita who she really is, which once again shocks another character. She is so empowered and is able to empower others.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: The Boat That Rocked

The Boat That Rocked (2009): The meaning of life = Rock n Roll!

You know that feeling of just wanting to get up and dance? A song where you just can’t sit still listening to? This is a scene about that feeling.

This is actually a deleted scene from the incredible film, The Boat That Rocked which shows the deeper meaning of the effects of music. Rock and roll just makes sense to people.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger Than Fiction (2006): You miscreant!

I love Ana Pascal’s (Maggie Gyllenhaal) vocabulary and anarchist values expressed rather articulately. This entire movie was filled with many scenes that are fantastically written and performed. But I have to say, this first encounter with Ana was uplifting and inspiring. A character I certainly adore, and this scene is her best one.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Moulin Rouge!

Moulin Rouge! (2001): Roxanne dance

Roxanne! This is the clash of all negative emotions performed through the incredibly perfect song Roxanne by The Police. A theatrical version that parallels the heartbreak and betrayal that is occurring.

It is an absolutely incredible scene. The best song on the soundtrack, the best dance in the movie, the best performance, the best lighting. Amazing.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Sherlock Homes A Game of Shadows

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011): Running through the forest

This is where the characters are running in slow motion while being shot at. It captures every tiny detail and the sheer panic. Throw in some Inception music and you got the most epic scene in the whole shebang.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 (2010): Hermione & Harry dancing

In this scene, Hermione and Harry dance to a very emotive song called O’ Children by Nick Cave and the Black Seeds as they mourn Ron’s absence and the bitter situation that they have found themselves in during the war and the search for Voldemort’s horcruxes. It seems to be the quiet time before the storm, but after much destruction, loss and heartache.

Jodie.

My Favourite Scene: The Pianist

The Pianist (2002): Playing piano for a soldier

In this scene, a German Soldier, Captain Wilm Hosenfeld (Thomas Kretschmann), discovers Władysław Szpilman’s (Adrian Brody) hiding place. Instead of killing him, he helps him survive.

But before leaving after their first encounter, the German Soldier asks what he will do after the war is over. “Play the piano again” he answers. “Show me” the German soldier replies.

After two years of not being able to do the one thing he loves, Władysław does so, happily. He looks like he is healing himself after the battle to survive the war, which is slowly coming to an end.

I think this scene intrigues me because I believe the soldier just wanted the hurt of the war to end. After watching the whole film showing the destruction German Soldiers brought, he makes us remember that they are only human too. He seems to be thinking about the actions of his soldiers, what is right or wrong, perhaps his loss of faith in fighting… Music can provoke many feelings.

Wilm Hosenfeld did in fact make a habit of helping Jewish people survive in labour camps, before dying in a POW camp himself, possibly after being tortured.

I think, in this scene, both parties are united by music; healing together and making peace.

Jodie.

My Favourite Character: Bridget Jones

What do you think of when somebody mentions Bridget Jones?

“A verbally-incontinent tragic spinster who smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish?”

Yes, although a somewhat blunt description of the Bridget Jones’ character, I do feel like that she is also a role model. She represents a group of women in their thirties with a career but no partner, with bad habits and frequent input in their love life from “vulgar mothers”.

Suddenly I realised that I was going to live a life where my major relationship was with a bottle of wine…

Sure, I can’t really relate to Bridget’s generation or situation… Yet. But like many young women, struggling to succeed in life, Bridget Jones acts as a role model. Particularly when making the right decisions in relationships, in Bridget’s case, between tempting (Daniel Cleaver) and sensible (Mark Darcy) choices.

“[I like you] just as you are”? Not thinner? Not cleverer? Not with slightly bigger breasts or a slightly smalls nose?
-Bridget’s friends discussing Mark Darcy’s comment.

If anything, watching/reading Bridget Jones’ Diary makes you feel better about making a total arse of yourself in public. It’s sort of comforting in a weird way knowing that a lovable and fun character also does stupid things and everything still tends to work out fine her anyway.

…you seem to go out of your way to try to make me feel like a complete idiot… and you really needn’t bother. I already feel like an idiot most of the time anyway.

The film adaptations were convincingly played by American Renee Zellweger whose English accent was flawless. The dreamy Colin Firth played Mark Darcy, and quite appropriately, the stuck-up and smug Daniel Cleaver was effortlessly portrayed by Hugh Grant.

A down to earth, bog standard, nothing-special woman who makes every painfully average woman feel a little better about themselves. It’s okay to be ordinary, clumsy, chubby and single, thanks to Bridget.

Jodie.

Love 80s Music? – “ThePleasureDome.co”

Hey guys!

I love music as well as movies, so I would like to share a site that I have discovered with you.

The Pleasure Dome offers a convincing throw back to the 1980s era. Great ’80s hits played in the format of a radio show that you can listen to in the background while working.

Check it out at: thepleasuredome.co
And their Facebook Page.

Where it’s summer all year long!

Hope you enjoy it!

Jodie.