Side Notes : Argo

This one has been on my "to watch" list ever since it won Best Picture and a few others at the 2013 Academy Awards. Ben Affleck has done an amazing job with this film acting and directing.

Based on the 1979 raid and hostage situation of the American Embassy in Tehran, Iraq, it tells the story of a plan devised to remove 6 that managed to escape during the raid.

I read a little bit about the start of this film and how they wanted to jump right into the start of the invasion on the embassy. Affleck decided to take the "building up" approach and give us reason as to why there was the raid in the first place. We are given a brief overview of the situations leading up to the protesting and tensions that were building at the time. I feel this did help us as viewers be able to more understand where the protesters were coming from and not necessarily have a view of them just being "barbaric". It also helped play up the severity of the situation and understand the need to get out the 6 as quickly and stealthily as possible.

The tones of the film are very high tension with the delicate handling of the plan and making sure that everything goes to plan. I really liked the counter balance with John Goodman's character and Alan Arkin's with their humorous tone.

I read a few reviews that said the movie was predictable and built up to a few scenes where "nothing really happened" and they didn't feel any type of climax. I would have to disagree. I was pretty much on the edge of my seat figuratively, wondering if they were going to make it out without any issues. I know the outcome of the situation from history, but still there was a lot of tension and fear from the characters not knowing if one false move or inaccuracy would result in them being captured and tortured. It was high risk and I don't know if I would have been able to maintain the same level headed-ness that they all had. I can't imagine how terrifying the whole situation was and even being in that area during that time.

Overall I really liked it and thought it was a wonderfully done film. I like the use of an "older" style of shooting and how it wasn't overly 'advanced".  Well deserved Oscar, Mr Affleck.

# 47 IMDb / #11 AFI - City Lights

I'm back! I finally have gotten a chance to sit down and watch "City Lights" starring Charlie Chaplin and Virginia Cherrill. This was the first time I have watched a truly silent film. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, or that it might be difficult to follow but it actually captured my interest from start to finish.

With a heartwarming tale of love and hijinks, Charlie Chaplin steals the show as the lovable tramp who meets a blind girl selling flowers in the big city. She mistakes him for a wealthy gentleman and after the tramp learns an operation can restore her sight, he befriends the actual wealthy man and through some wacky adventures, including a boxing match. he finally is able to do so.

I think it's amazing how much that actors back then had to convey their characters without talking or sound. Charlie Chaplin was wonderful at this with his facial expressions and gestures. He truly was a master of the slapstick as well. I was worried that I would get bored or lost with the film, but I was actually quite involved and noticing all of the little reactions and humorous antics.

There is a quality about this film that still holds true today. There's humor, friendship. hope, despair and then at the end, absolute joy and love.

I've seen numerous reviews saying that this is one of the best films ever produced. One person in the comments mentioned that in Charlie Chaplin's hands, this story was able to move his audience and make them laugh without ever saying a word. There's many a film out there right now that struggles to do that with all of the technology and "witty" dialogue we possibly can get thrown at us.

Really looking forward to checking out more of his films in the future!

Side Notes: Rush

I had heard when this film was starting to be developed and I was instantly excited about it. I really enjoy what Ron Howard can do with a film and being a Formula 1 fan, I was interested to see his take of the 1976 Niki Lauda and James Hunt "rivalry"

First off I think Daniel Brühl was right on point with his portrayal of Niki. I had read a bit about how he was very determined and very good at the mechanical aspects of driving and how his approach to Formula 1 was very methodical and precise. He was a good counterpoint to James' non chalance and I love how Ron used these two as a ying and yang of each other. I also liked how he bounced between the narrative of each character as well. It wasn't just the telling from James' side or Niki's. I liked the balance and I felt the flow of the film was absolutely smooth.

The biggest part I loved about the film was the cinematography. Very cool shots of the mechanical bits, the pedals and the shifters and a pretty good viewpoint of what drivers saw back then. It's interesting to see just how much less they had in terms of safety and how simple everything was back then as opposed to now. I could totally get into how back then drivers were more of a part then they are now, but that's for an F1 forum post. I think Niki got it too with a few of his quips to James in the film and the constant reference to how much risk and how "close to death" drivers were at that time.

Anyways, being an F1 fan and a Ron Howard fan I really liked this movie and all of it's parts. I saw a little more edge and growth as a film maker from Ron in this and am really excited to see what he has in store next. I'm disappointed that Rush didn't make it into the awards circuit but sometimes the community will help bring light the great films that don't get as much national attention.

Updates and Oscars

Well once again I prove to myself how flighty I get and sometimes can't stick with something. I have every intention of sitting down and completing my task to watch these movies but I find myself waffling about it. I WILL get back on task.

I was discussing the movies that have been nominated for the Academy Awards (Tomorrow!) and realized that I have seen exactly 2 of all of the films in all of the categories, Star Trek: Into Darkness and as watched last night, Rush. That's pretty sad for me. I find myself every year not getting to at least watch a few of the best picture or actor/actress nominated films. I shall do better next year, I promise!

My good friend and fellow movie understander/lover, Heather and her husband are hosting their 4th annual Oscar party tomorrow night so I'm really excited to share the excitement with some good friends and yummy food.

Side Notes: The Social Network and Wreck It Ralph

So I know I have been doing more "Side Notes" lately but I promise I am getting back into the actual lists. I finally watched "The Social Network" which has been my DVD from Netflix since about March. Oops. I did return it and now I have "City Lights", one of Charlie Chaplin's films. I am very interested to watch this film as it will be my first Chaplin and my first silent film!

Anyways,  so on to the two "Sides Notes"...


Side Notes: The Social Network -

I will have to say I was a bit surprised by this film. I sort of broke it down into two parts as I was watching it. I focused on the events itself and then the portrayal of said events.

So for the story and the events that had occurred, I actually didn't realize how much really went down. I had heard that Mark had "stolen the idea" for Facebook but if he really acted as they showed in the movie, that was really a slap in the face to the Winklevoss twins and let's face it, a real jerk move. I am sure that everything is not 100% accurate but I can see why there had been law suits involved. And with Saverin? Wow. He was really just trying to drive the company forward and Mark put him into the whole situation and then just sort of used him. I didn't know either that Sean Parker got involved. Now that's a whole other rant, but I really think there is something mentally wrong with Parker. It was solidified during this movie and he just really needs help. He's a brilliant kid and has blown open the way we share and handle music and social media, but he's paranoid and very much out for himself. I read an article and have seen interviews with him during the Napster days and feel like he was portrayed well in this movie.

For the actual film: the acting and the story telling, I felt like it had the potential to really get me confused with the bouncing around of the story and between the flashbacks and the present, but I think it worked. I like how we were put into two different boardrooms with two different visualisations so we knew which lawsuit we were discussing. They were a great way to drive the story and I really liked that progression.  Jesse Eisenberg plays sort of the same role, but I absolutely cannot think of anyone else that would have played Zuckerberg the way he did and have it come off the right way. And I really liked Andrew Garfield in his role as well. Good choices for actors and I didn't feel like anyone was out of place.

Overall, a great film and sort of opened by eyes to how Facebook came about. It's not all updates and fake farming.


Side Notes: Wreck It Ralph -
This was such a cute movie! Can Disney do no wrong? I have loved all of their films and of course no exception. I think it's a very interesting idea to think of things from the "bad guy" side. I loved the references to games, the witty banter and the overall message. One thing I found interesting, in reading up on how they made the film, they said the voice actors were all in the same room during recording which quite often led to some improvising. I think we see a lot of that between Ralph and Vanellope. I love the commitment that Disney films do as well. There were so many little things added in, like keeping with the movements of the Nicelanders in the traditional 8-bit motion, seeing a lot of recognizable characters, and references. Anyone notice Skrillex? :-)   Overall a great film with beautiful animation, a great story, lovable characters and excellent humor. (I love Jane Lynch and her one liners!)

Side Notes: Pitch Perfect

I wasn't really sure what type of movie this was going to be, a Glee-esque tribute to all things "show choir" or something actually funny and entertaining. I have had a few people quote the movie and say it was good but I wasn't 100% sure of their choices is movies overall.. But..

Turns out it was the latter!  I think Rebel Wilson is underappreciated. She didn't have a huge part in the film but when she was there she was pretty frickin hilarious! I read somewhere too that most of her lines were ad-libbed and she would sometimes go off for like 20 minutes and have the cast in stitches. Very refreshing to see someone be actually funny and not have to resort to really cheap humor. Now, there were some uh.. explosive scenes if you will and honestly I cannot stand to see someone vomit in movies, it's such a killer for me, but I sort of forgave it on this movie since they pretty much needed it as the story line.

Anna Kendrick has a great voice and very good with comedic timing so overall I thought this movie as pretty good. I was entertained and well I do have a bit of a soft spot for people that can sing well. Sometimes they aren't given a very good vehicle but the bus had a full tank for this cast.  ;-)

Side Notes: Harry Potter Series - In Progress!

So I'm finally joining the party and finished reading the entire Harry Potter series and I loved them! I can absolutely see why everyone has been very much involved with these books. I find that it isn't really "childish" either. There are a lot of adult situations that Harry has to deal with at a young age and I think that can transcend any age group.

Now, what does this have to do with movies? Well..  I am watching the movies now! I will put up a more detailed post later regarding the films mainly because I do think they deserve it, and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) is on the IMDb list!