Most Anticipated Films of 2014

There are a ton of films I am looking forward to this year, including some that were scheduled to be released in 2013 but didn’t quite make it out for some reason or another. I am still waiting to see NYMPHOMANIAC (which is apparently a two part film now), THE GOLDEN SUICIDES (still in development according to IMDb), and all three new Terrance Malick films that are pending. My most anticipated film of 2013, HORNS is promised to be released this year and I am on the edge of my seat for that one. It tested very well at TIFF last year. I also cannot stress how much I want to see ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE either.

I’m really interested in UNBROKEN (directed by Angelina Jolie and written by the Coen brothers), LUCY (the latest film from Luc Besson), and CHILD 44 (starring Gary Oldman, Bane, and Lisbeth Salander).

As far as big budget, mainstream films go, I would like to see INTERSTELLAR and TRANSCENDENCE. I also want to catch the new CAPTAIN AMERICA film; I wasn’t too impressed with the first one, but this one looks promising. I also can’t wait to see the new Terry Gilliam film, ZERO THEOREM which has already received much praise at last year’s Fantastic Fest.



Here is my list:

10. A MOST WANTED MAN

A Chechen Muslim illegally immigrates to Hamburg, where he gets caught up in the international war on terror.

Anton Corbijn is mostly known for directing music videos. He’s created some of the most iconic videos for bands like Depeche Mode. In 2007, he directed his first feature film, CONTROL about Joy Division’s own Ian Curtis. CONTROL was visually stunning as well as captivating. A MOST WANTED MAN has a strong cast with notables like Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Willem Dafoe, and Robin Wright. I look forward to seeing Corbijn grow as a film director, after all David Fincher started out as a music video director and look where he is now.



9. BIRDMAN

A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is a much revered director in his home country of Mexico for films like AMORES PERROS and BIUTIFUL which both garnered Oscar nominations. You may even recall his English language films like BABEL and 21 GRAMS. It will be interesting to see how he handles an actual comedy film. Edward Norton and Michael Keaton both have supporting roles.



8. INHERENT VICE

In Los Angeles in 1970, drug-fueled detective Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.

I am a huge proponent of Paul Thomas Anderson, but I must say THE MASTER did not impress me one bit. I’m hoping he redeems himself with INHERENT VICE. Once again he teams up with Joaquin Phoenix. Jenna Malone, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, and Benicio Del Toro also star in this film based on a novel by Thomas Pynchon. This will also mark PTA’s first time working with his real life wife, Maya Rudolph.



7. HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER

A single mother is swept into a dark underworld, while her teenage son discovers a road that leads him to a secret underwater town.

Hey Girl is often stigmatized for his good looks and Disney past. I think he’s a truly incredible actor who dives into roles wholeheartedly. HOW TO CATCH A MONSTER is his first foray at writing and directing. Christina Hendricks, Eva Mendes, and horror legend Barbara Steele star in this fantasy thriller. I’m sure this film will gain much attention since it also stars Matt Smith aka The Eleventh Doctor. JGL proved himself with DON JON last year, let’s see if Hey Girl can match him.



6. BIG EYES

A drama centered on the awakening of the painter Margaret Keane, her phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.

I know I said Tim Burton was dead to me after that abomination that was DARK SHADOWS, but he somewhat redeemed himself with FRANKENWEENIE. This is literally his last chance to restore my faith in a man who created some of the greatest films of my childhood. Fortunately, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter will not be apart of this production. Christoph Waltz and Jason Schwartzman star alongside Amy Adams and Krysten Ritter. As per usual, Danny Elfman will be handling music duties. Longtime Burton collaborator and Oscar winner, Colleen Atwood will helm the costume design. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.



5. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.

Wes Anderson continues to delight audiences with his quirky, sentimental, and whimsical films. His last film MOONRISE KINGDOM was received with much praise and even nominated for an Oscar. He’s got a formula that seems to work every time. All the usual suspects will be apart of this ensemble cast including Bill Murray. Another thing I love about Anderson is that he has a beautiful way of incorporating the perfect music into his scenes. His soundtracks are nearly as synonymous as Tarantino’s. This is definitely a must see for all.



4. DEVIL’S KNOT

The savage murders of three young children sparks a controversial trial of three teenagers accused of killing the kids as part of a satanic ritual.

After four documentaries, a couple books, and extensive research into this case I am still completely engrossed by it. Even with the 2011 release of the wrongfully convicted West Memphis 3, the story does not end there. There are still so many unanswered questions and child murder(s) on the loose. Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth star in this small budget picture. It will be interesting to see how the key players will be portrayed on film.



3. CESAR CHAVEZ

A biography of the civil-rights activist and labor organizer Cesar Chavez.

Growing up in a Hispanic household, I was made aware at an early age that Cesar Chavez was a great civil rights leader. I always thought it was such a shame that a film had not yet been made about his struggles. We have films about Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Abraham Lincoln. I’m so glad Diego Luna took on this project because I know it will be made with plenty of passion and love. Michael Pena, Rosario Dawson, America Ferrera, and John Malkovich star in this depiction of a real American hero. Sí, se puede!



2. GONE GIRL

A woman mysteriously disappears on the day of her wedding anniversary. Based on the novel, "Gone Girl."

Gone Girl is one of the best books I read last year; I could not put it down once I started reading. I am so excited to see that David Fincher will be directing the film adaption of this amazing read. Author, Gillian Flynn is even writing the screenplay in case any one has any misgivings about book to film adaptations. In fact, all three of Flynn’s incredible novels will eventually become films. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike star as the tragic couple, Nick & Amy Dunne. I can’t stress enough that you should read this book (and the other two) before watching the film.



1. VERONICA MARS

Veronica Mars returns home -- just in time for her high school reunion -- in order to help her old flame Logan Echolls, who has been accused of murdering his girlfriend.

The first and only time I have ever donated money to Kickstarter was for VM. I’ve been anticipating this film almost as much as Kristen Bell has. I loved this series so much when it was on; it helped me cope when BTVS ended. However, I never felt any closure when season three ended. Thank you so much to Rob Thomas for never letting go of this idea. I was fortunate enough to attend the Kickstarter party Rob Thomas hosted last spring here in Austin. The surprise guest was none other than Logan Echolls himself! And yours truly got to meet him. I know this film will be everything I love about VM and crew. I only hope that Rob Thomas goes on to make that Party Down movie.



HONORABLE MENTIONS

It’s very difficult to narrow down this list so I need to add a few honorable mentions.

ROSEWATER

A journalist is detained in Iran for more than 100 days and brutally interrogated in prison.

Directed by Jon Stewart and starring my boyfriend, Gael Garcia Bernal.

MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT

The latest Woody Allen film starring Colin Firth.


SOLE SURVIVOR

In the history of aviation, there have been only 14 of them: sole survivors of a commercial aviation disaster. Most have never spoken publicly about the loss, the guilt, the immense pressure of feeling "spared." Who, after all, could ever truly understand? The answer is only each other. Sole Survivor brings four of them together (George Lamson, Cecilia Cichan, Bahia Bakari and Jim Polehinke) to share their very complex, personal stories for the first time. They revisit the most harrowing moments of their lives in an effort to heal and overcome their most perplexing questions.

There it is folks, my most anticipated films of 2014. All synopsizes are courtesy of IMDb.com so don’t sue me or anything. What are you looking forward to this year?

Best FIlms of 2013

A new year is upon us friends! As tradition dictates I thought I would share my favorite films of 2013. I saw so many fantastic films this year.



For me, 2013 might be the year of the documentary because I watched some really good ones. I also saw some really huge turds like SPRING BREAKERS and PASSION. Alas, I’ll save that list for another post. I absolutely loved AMERICAN HUSTLE, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, and BLUE JASMINE. Even big budget blockbusters like IRON MAN 3, PACIFIC RIM, and THOR 2 were pretty enjoyable.

Here is my list:

10. DRINKING BUDDIES
I missed this film in theaters, but caught it on DVD. I had not even heard of it until it was mentioned by QT. I saw director, Joe Swanberg in YOU’RE NEXT and he was my favorite character. I love the cameo by director Ti West; he even reps a Lawrence Arms t-shirt! At a distance, looking at this film nothing really stands out. However, the whole film was completely improvised with no script. A vague outline was given to the actors much like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Anyone familiar with acting or performing knows that improv is not an easy task. The acting in this film was fantastic and the characters were very relatable. DRINKING BUDDIES reminded me of my early 20s. Much like this film those years were very carefree and fun.



9. FILMAGE
This is a documentary that really hits close to home. As a long time fan of The Descendents, it was heartwarming to finally see a documentary about them. We all know the songs, but we don’t know the stories behind the songs. I once got the chance to sit and have some beers with Stephen Eggerton and he was one of the most delightful people I’ve ever met. He indulged all my asinine questions about ALL and Descendents. Watching this film, I still gained so much more knowledge about this amazing band. This documentary is a love letter to such an influential band that will never cease to be an important part of my life.



8. BEFORE MIDNIGHT
Typically, sequels are never as good as the original film. Nonetheless, I loved BEFORE SUNRISE so much more than BEFORE SUNSET. Now I love BEFORE MIDNIGHT more than SUNSET if you can believe that. This is a perfect trilogy that chronicles the ups and downs of a true relationship. Life and love is not like THE NOTEBOOK, it’s disagreeable and uncertain. The chemistry between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy is electrifying. MIDNIGHT really exudes their wisdom as actors and the comfort they feel among each other. MIDNIGHT is a great end to Richard Linklater’s wonderful trilogy.



7. STOKER
While Spike Lee was busy butchering Chan-wook Park’s masterpiece OLDBOY, Park was exhibiting his first English language film. STOKER made very little splash here in the US which is unfortunate because Park is one of the best directors currently in the game. The themes and color usage in this film were very subtle but absolutely important. Park has an understated way of telling his story; he makes you work for it and I am always happy to oblige.



6. THE COUNSELOR
I cannot for the life of me understand why this film was so critically panned. I truly loved it and I am the last person to support a Ridley Scott vehicle. Read my previous review and simply give it a chance. No spoilers, I promise.



5. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
This film should be called THE WOLF OF HOLLYWOOD because Leo is thirsty for Oscar blood. To tell you the truth, he deserves it. I feel like Leo has paid his dues for his teen heartthrob past and now he needs to be respected for the amazing actor he’s become. Scorsese brings out the best in Leo. I love the Leo/Scorsese team almost as much as I love the QT/Uma team. Normally I despise Jonah Hill, but he is ridiculously funny in WOLF. It’s as if his character from SUPERBAD grew up and became a stockbroker. This film pushes the envelope; it’s smart and funny. Just give Leo an Oscar already.



4. BLACKFISH
The greatest thing about this compelling documentary is the impact is has had on society. It has really opened the public’s eye to the cold hard facts that SeaWorld is a truly evil corporation. Several musicians have cancelled pending performances at SeaWorld parks as a direct result of this film. This is a small victory for an important issue.



3. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Joss Whedon is flawless and so is this film.



2. 12 YEARS A SLAVE
I understand a lot of people don’t want to watch this film. It’s uncomfortable, heartbreaking, and difficult to watch. Remember that the topic at hand is slavery. There’s nothing pleasant about slavery. Having said that, I think the story of Solomon Northup is especially important and one that everyone should know.



1. THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
I watched this film without knowing much about it other than the fact that it was directed by Derek Cianfrance who blew me away with BLUE VALENTINE. It’s a great story with a really unique format. Hey Girl is in top form and Eva Mendes poured her heart into this role. This film really flew under the radar, but now the rumor is that Mike Patton might get an Oscar nod for his amazing score. Take that Trent Reznor!




HONORABLE MENTIONS
Some films that barely missed the cut:

DON JON
JGL is no doubt an incredibly talented actor. His directorial debut really showcased his skills behind the camera. Let’s talk about how awesome Tony Danza was in this film! I really hope JGL continues to write and direct because he has so much potential.



ONLY GOD FORGIVES
I’ve been on the fence about Nicolas Winding Refn because I enjoyed BRONSON, but DRIVE fell very short for me. With ONLY GOD, I feel like he’s really coming into his own style as a director instead of just mimicking Gaspar Noe. You either love this film or you hate it; there’s no in between. I just couldn’t take my mind off this film after initially watching it. That is what makes a good film, something that stays with you days later. The cinematography is just gorgeous and I cannot say enough about Kristin Scott Thomas’ role. If you’re looking for a Hey Girl jerkfest, look elsewhere because he speaks only 17 lines total. There’s not much dialogue in this film because it’s meant to keep you guessing.



STORIES WE TELL
I really commend Sarah Polley’s courage to take on this project. To turn the camera inward and document the hard truth about your own family is a really brave thing to do. She tells the story of her life with a nonpartisanship that most others would find impossible. I look forward to other projects from Polley.



There it is folks, my favorite films from 2013! Thank you for another year of faithful readership, it is much appreciated. I hope you continue to enjoy my posts. Feel free to share your favorite films and let me know if I missed any.

Happy New Year!

2013 Wish List

As Christmas rapidly approaches, an even more important holiday lurks not too far behind. My birthday! Yes, that's correct with the New Year, my lovely parents ushered in a new baby. Did you know Amadeus and I share the same birthday (January 27th)? Anyway, my point is that I thought I’d make a little wish list in case you felt so inclined to get me a gift for my birthday or for Jesus’ birthday. Here goes:

The Clash - Sound System
I probably already have most of these recordings, but this set is too cool to pass up. I still remember how stoked I was when I bought The Clash on Broadway boxed set at Tower Records on The Drag. Now that collection pales in comparison to this beauty.



Black Milk Clothing
http://blackmilkclothing.com/
This online store has the best leggings of all time. They also have some pretty awesome swimsuits. They change the inventory a lot, but the Jaws swimsuit is amazing. Although, I’m not quit sure I’d ever wear a white swimsuit, the concept is great. Seriously, peruse their website. There’s something for everyone.



Clarisonic
http://www.clarisonic.com/
I’m not totally sold on this thing yet, but I’m willing to try it out. I’ve always had sensitive skin and no luck with fancy cleaners/creams. This sounds like a pretty good idea to me. I also have a hard time finding skincare products that are good quality and cruelty free. I keep coming back to this brush as my next option.



Cheese of the Month Club
I was joking the other day how I wished someone would buy me a membership to the cheese of the month club. The more I thought about it, the more into it I am. I love cheese so much! I’m talking about a fou de fa fah cheese club, not some Wisconsin cheddar bullshit from Hickory Farms.



Macaron of the Month Club
In keeping with the food theme, I also love French macarons. Good macarons are hard to find. A macaron of the month club is a perfect idea.



Dyson DC41 Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner
I have two dogs, one is a pug, and they shed like crazy. The vacuum cleaner I have right now is just not equipped to handle that amount of fur. I need some heavy duty shit and after extensive research I think Dyson is the way to go. You know you’re old when you ask for home appliances.



60” Flatscreen TV
As they say, go big or go home. My 45” TV looks itty bitty in my much larger living room. It was fine for our tiny loft, but now I think we need an upgrade. On average, I watch about five films a week so I feel like I should have a larger TV to do so.



French Fry Holder
This sounds totally ridiculous and unnecessary, but if you knew how much I love French fries, you would understand. I know French fries are bad for you, blah, blah, blah, but I love them so much. About 80% of the time I am eating them in the car. This would be perfect for me!



Replacements Reunion
This is a doozie I realize. Three shows in September and not one anywhere near me. I was prepared to fly somewhere, but the timing just wasn’t right. And with having just adopted a new little one, it just didn’t seem feasible. I watched all the footage of the performances and could not believe how amazing they sounded. It’s like The Mats never missed a beat from their glory days. From what I understand, they had special lighting, laminates, and merch for three shows? That sounds to me like a full on tour is in the works. If anyone can make this happen, I pray to the whiskey gods that they do. I really really need this.



There you have it folks, my Christmas/Birthday list. Of course this is all in good fun. I really only wish for a safe & happy year with great friends & family. Except for that Mats reunion, I’m dead serious about that shit. Someone make it happen!

Merry Christmas to all of you out there!

Thanksgiving Dinner

Now that the holiday season is upon us, I wanted to take some time to reflect before chaos ensues and we all end up going ape shit at Target after hearing WHAM’s “Last Christmas” for the 10,000th time. I have a very small immediate family that I can count on one hand so our holidays were always really low key for us. There are never any cousins, crazy aunts, or rowdy grandchildren running amok (there are always dogs running amok). Sometimes I miss that experience, but for the most part I’m perfectly happy with our close little family. There are less people to offend.



I got to thinking about my ideal situation for a formal Thanksgiving dinner. What would it be like if I could invite anyone I wanted? I thought of ten people I would love to have over for my Thanksgiving dinner party. My guests are listed in no particular order and are narrowed down to real people living or dead. I left off fictional characters otherwise this would be the Whedonverse edition of Thanksgiving (that’s for another post). I left off Tarantino as I feel like he would dominate the dinner conversation. I also excluded Gary Oldman as I feel his staunch Republican ideas would be much too taboo for this crowd. It was really hard to narrow down my list to just ten people. I could name ten directors and actors alone. Anyhow here goes:



Gullermo del Toro
Del Toro is one of my favorite film directors hands down. He brings a beauty and awe to the fantasy genre that others only dream about. He also brought to life one of my favorite comic book characters, Hellboy. I’ve watched countless interviews with del Toro and he is so affable. His projects are made with such love and care because he is a fan first and foremost. His passion really shows through in his work. He would be the perfect person to carve the Tofurkey.



Elvira
Elvira is such an icon. Her beauty goes beyond her signature black dress and wig. I read a book by Pamela De Barres with a chapter by Elvira. She speaks candidly about her experiences with musicians including Elvis. After this short read, I was even more fascinated by the Mistress of the Dark. As a big animal lover, she is also a strict vegan. She would be responsible for bringing some vegan sides.



Joe Strummer
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than ten years since Joe Strummer left this Earth. I remember that sad day like it was yesterday. A little bit of the light in the world ceased when Joe Strummer died, but fortunately his amazing words and music live on. Growing up in the 80s I was well aware of The Clash, but I had yet to figure out what punk rock was. Once I made the correlation, it was like a spark went off in my head. I can never put into words how much The Clash affected my life. Even now, when I feel like a boring ass sell out, I just listen to London Calling and I still feel that same spark.



Patty Hearst
I have a strange fascination with Patty Hearst, much like John Waters. When I first heard the story of Patty Hearst, I couldn’t believe it. Imagine if someone like Paris Hilton (not to diss Patty like that) was kidnapped today and subsequently robbed a bunch of banks before the public realized she was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. That’s pretty much what happened to Hearst. She was born into more money than 99% of us will ever know. My fascination also lies within the afterthought. Hearst dabbled a bit in acting, but mostly led a relatively quiet life after her short prison term. I recently came across her Instagram page and it’s mostly pictures of her grandchild & dogs, such normal things for an extraordinary life.



Bruce Springsteen
You either love The Boss or you hate him. I choose to love him. I indeed enjoy his music as I have a soft spot for almost any 80s music. However, The Boss is a rock icon. For all his success, he seems like such a down to Earth man. The kind of guy you can grab a beer with and just shoot the shit as evident with his cameo in HIGH FIDELITY. He’s also a great philanthropist who always contributes to charity. He’s a true working class hero who believes in power for the people.



Clive Barker
Barker has been one of my favorite writers as long as I can remember. When kids my age were reading Goosebumps, I was reading The Books of Blood. He’s created some of the most frightening yet intriguing characters in the horror genre. Where I feel like greats like Wes Craven have fallen from grace, Barker has been consistent with his films and books. He is still very active in the art world; his Tumblr page is filled with racy art photos. Sometimes it catches me off guard as I;m scrolling through pics of dogs then, BAM pics of dicks. Barker is still very involved with the Hellraiser comic book and writes another storyline (which I read regularly).



Bill Murray
Murray is hands down the funniest man alive. From stories I have heard, he also loves to party. Murray got pulled over in Switzerland a few years ago for driving a golf cart drunk. He just seems like a really fun guy to hang out with. Even after all these years of success, Murray doesn’t even have a publicist or a cell phone which makes him sort of an enigma. He would be on bartending duties at my dinner party. If anyone is keeping it real, it’s Bill Murray.



Robert Smith
Robert Smith has got to be the most wonderful person in the world and he’s written some of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. I would love nothing more than just to sit & talk and maybe hug Robert Smith. Robert and I could eat cranberry sauce and trade pie recipes. He just seems so happy and pleasant to be around. In middle school, I had, “I heart Robert Smith” written on my shoes in permanent marker. I also had the lyrics to “Lovesong” scribbled on my binder. Seriously, he’s perfect and after all, he did save the world from Barbara Streisand.



Joss Whedon
You’ve heard me go on endless rants about how much of a genius Whedon is. It’s true; he’s brilliant and he has brought so much joy to my life. His charming sense of humor really shines through in his writing. However, since catching a glimpse of his interworkings via twitter, I’ve come to realize he’s as dorky as I am. I feel like we would be best friends. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but I know Joss Whedon would be awesome to hang out with and have over for Thanksgiving dinner.



HONORABLE MENTION
My Dad
My dad died when I was 16 years old and I still think about him almost everyday. In some ways, I’ve never gotten over that. I would just love to see what he thought about me now and the person I’ve become. I’d love for him to meet my dogs. I just wish I knew what he thought about everything. I still miss him very much.

There you have it folks, my ideal guest list for Thanksgiving dinner. My family isn’t as crazy as a lot of others so my actual guest list will be almost comparable to this one. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. No matter how you celebrate or where you go, remember to be grateful for your loved ones and the time you share together.

Happy Holidays

The Counselor

So I want to talk about THE COUNSELOR. I have heard nothing but bad reviews and negative remarks regarding this film. Even the Austin Chronicle gave it the same rating as the nü CARRIE remake which baffles me. I saw it and I enjoyed it! Before you call me biased, I will admit I am a Fassbender superfan. I can still offer a nonpartisan review without being clouded by his devastating good looks. For the record, I still have not seen X-MEN ORIGINS which starred Fassy as a young Magneto. Not even he can sell me on that shit.



I was excited to see THE COUNSELOR because I love Cormac McCarthy’s brilliant writing and with him behind the screenplay how could you go wrong? I generally despise Ridley Scott films (with the exception of ALIEN which is flawless), but for once he actually got it right. I’ll go ahead and accept this as an apology for PROMETHEUS. The cast of THE COUNSELOR is fantastic. I was a little unsure of Cameron Diaz, but she really put it all on the table (to say the least).



The film mirrors many of the same themes of NO COUNTY FOR OLD MEN (also written by McCarthy). It even takes place in Hell Paso, Texas. The film highlights a botched crime/foiled plan. In this picture, Fassy exists as the man with no name a la Javier Bardem in NO COUNTRY.



Many complaints I’ve come across claim the film is too dialog heavy which confuses the hell out of me. Do these people realize it’s based on a book filled with dialog? These are the same people who complain when there’s not enough dialog like with ONLY GOD FORGIVES (which I also enjoyed immensely). There are several scenes featuring various soliloquies which I think adds to the mystery of each character. Some questions are answered, but many more questions are raised. I really loved the whole perplexity of this film.



I’ve also heard people criticize the character development in THE COUNSELOR. I feel like this was intentional. This film centers on Fassy’s character; all other characters are secondary. The film presents the total descent of one man. We virtually see Fassy’s character go from a confident, charming, cunning man to a scared, broken, shell of a man in less than two hours. Watching Fassy take on this transition was really fascinating and I could not picture a better actor taking on this role. Again, I am biased as I would watch him act in a Wheaties commercial but that’s neither here nor there.



Diaz has been accused of overacting; again something I believe was intentional. Her character was meant to be over the top and extremely exaggerated. Her pronounced movements and monologues were intended to be hyperboles. I also like the parallel metaphors with the cheetahs. The symbolism of the hunt & chase was really beautiful. Similarly, Penelope Diaz’s character was very one dimensional, another calculated move by the filmmaker. Cruz’s character exists as a symbol for purity and the utter corruption that destroys that purity as a direct result of Fassy’s greed. As much as I detest Ridley Scott, nothing he does is unfixed (even if it does not make sense) and I really admire the way he unraveled this mesmerizing story.



One of my favorite writers, Bret Easton Ellis also enjoyed THE COUNSELOR. He said,

“I liked the bloody feel-bad nihilism of Ridley Scott's THE COUNSELOR, a much-needed rejoinder to "noble" and "humanistic" movies everywhere. There's so much self-righteous hatred aimed at THE COUNSELOR because it dares to laugh darkly at the "Victims Are Our New Heroes" culture...”

If anything, go see this film for the car fucking scene alone.

12 Years A Slave

Let me begin by saying that 12 YEARS A SLAVE was by far one of the hardest films to sit through. From beginning to end, it is completely horrifying. I watch a lot of films that would easily make others uncomfortable. We’re talking everything from IRREVERSIBLE, THE BRIGDE, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, DANCER IN THE DARK, and A SERBIAN FILM. None of those compared to the utter heartbreak I felt watching 12 YEARS. Having said this, I feel like this is the most important & powerful films of the year if not the last ten years.



12 YEARS A SLAVE tells the unbelievable, true tale of a free man (Solomon Northup) kidnapped and sold into slavery. I feel like this is far more appalling than being born a slave. For example, some would rather never know what it feels like to be rich than to have been rich then become poor. It’s the whole “ignorance is bliss” theory.



The film is based on the book written by Solomon just a year after his harrowing experience. It eloquently describes the life of a true slave in the Deep South. As you can imagine, there are not many accounts of day to day life as a slave. Sadly, many people did not live to tell their story or did not have the skills to translate into text. However, Solomon was not born a slave. He was a well educated, sophisticated family man who moonlighted as a talented musician. Yet, none of this matters when you are born with the wrong skin color at the wrong time.



The acting in the film is phenomenal as well as a beautifully written script. I’ve been closely watching director, Steve McQueen because I believe he is poised to become a force to be reckoned with. He was unfairly snubbed a few Oscar seasons ago with his controversial film, SHAME (also starring Fassy). I think 12 YEARS is a big “fuck you” to the Hollywood blowhards who run the film industry. I only pray this film receives the accolades it deserves.



Chiwetel Ejiofor who portrays Solomon Northup deserves an Academy Award, not just a nomination. He captures the pain and suffering of Solomon so vividly it’s scary. The most gut wrenching part of the entire movie was that Solomon never gave up hope. In a position when most people would beg for death, he continued to look for an escape. Although, we see a bittersweet ending, I was more disturbed by the afterthought. What became of Solomon? Can one really just go back to their old life? How does this mentally affect a person? Did his family search for him? How did they adjust and cope? None of these questions may ever be answered as the whereabouts and/or death of Solomon are still unknown. I think this is far more haunting as it leaves another story untold. This film will no doubt become the SCHINDLER'S LIST of our generation.



For once in my life, I am at a loss for words. The last time I felt really emotional watching a film like this was when I saw MILK in the theater. Without getting into a longwinded social commentary, I think this film comes at a time when it is the most relevant. Slavery may not exist anymore, but prejudice and inhuman conditions continue to thrive. Everyday I wake up with the intent to be the best person I can possibly be without coming off as a total asshole. I’m often discouraged reading or hearing about the pitfalls of humanity that constantly occur around the world. I hope that people watch 12 YEARS A SLAVE and realize this disregard for humanity is still prevalent. I hope it will make people think about the choices they make. We need to stop treating others like disposable property.

Gravity

I want to keep this as short and sweet as possible. I watched GAVITY a couple weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. I also watched it in 35mm as opposed to 3D which I thought was gorgeous. I felt like posting a brief review since I’ve come across so much hate and shit talk about this captivating film. I had been looking forward to GRAVITY since I really admire and respect Alfonso Cuaron. I’ve been a fan since Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN. I really wanted to see how his passion for life and brilliant way of exuding deep emotions translated into space. I must say I was pleased.



Some negativity I found was in the inaccuracy of the film. It’s funny how I did not see anyone breaking apart the inaccuracy and atrocity of ARMAGEDDON. So why scrutinize GRAVITY? There’s a reason why the genre is called Science Fiction. So what Sandra Bullock’s hair did not float in space? I did not pay money to see a scientifically accurate film based around mumbo jumbo that I could give a shit about. I paid money to see a film that said something. Who fucking cares which way the debris was supposed to be rotating? If you’re that concerned about accuracy, you need to stay home and watch shuttle launches on PBS by yourself.



I honestly do not think this film is about space. It exists in a separate category from 2001 and MOON. This film is meant to highlight the fear and isolation one experiences when faced with imminent death. GRAVITY does an amazing job of capturing this idea. MOON & 2001 do a similar job, but they take it to a different direction. Bret Easton Ellis said,

“the basic story in any movie is always, again and again and again and again, about one thing: loneliness.”

It’s meant to unfold the triumph of the human spirit. It’s about making a choice to carry on and the will to live.



I’m not crazy about Bullock or Clooney, but their performances were really great. I read an article how Bullock and Cuaron discussed in great detail (and rehearsed) her character’s breathing patterns. The goal was to translate her emotions through breathing. Details like that are incredibly subtle yet extremely important. Yes, it seemed mundane that Clooney would be instructing Bullock (a trained & seasoned physician) on oxygen conservation. Let’s think about this realistically. How many people are going to remember every single bit of training WHEN THEY ARE FLOATING AROUND IN FUCKING SPACE?!?!



What I enjoyed most about GRAVITY is that it centered on a woman which is sadly something you do not see very often in space or Sci-Fi. It’s about a strong courageous woman who not only survives extreme circumstances, but discovers a new lease on life. GRAVITY is the ultimate survivor story and probably one of the most suspenseful films I’ve seen in years. I watch films that make me feel something and GRAVITY did just that. I came away feeling anxiety, fear, relief, and dazed. I generally find myself fighting on the same side as science, but in this case they got it wrong. GRAVITY is truly an interesting and entertaining film.