zondag 31 mei 2009

Evan Almighty

Evan Almighty is the sequel to Bruce Almighty, and in some early versions it was simply called "Bruce Almighty 2". Unfortunately it is nowhere as funny as the orginal movie which starred Jim Carrey. The only actor from the old movie that shows up (albeit very briefly) is Morgan Freeman. No Jennifer Aniston or Philippe Baker Hall, just Steve Carell as a modern-day Noah.

The plot is lifeless and not very funny, Steve Carell and Lauren Graham have no chemistry and Morgan Freeman obviously only showed up for the money. A missed opportunity, as I quite liked the orignal Bruce Almighty.


Favourite Quote from Evan Almighty:

God: Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

Short Summary : Buffalo newsman Evan Baxter is elected to Congress with the slogan, "Change the world." He lucks into a huge house in a new Virginia suburb. His Capitol office is also fantastic, but there's a catch: he's tapped by the powerful Congressman Long to co-sponsor a bill to allow development in national parks. In steps God, who appears to a disbelieving Evan and gently commands him to build an ark. Tools and wood arrive in Evan's yard, animal pairs follow, his beard and hair grow wildly, nomad's clothes and a staff appear. Long grows impatient, Evan starts building, his family leaves him, reporters gather, and drought grips D.C. Still, Evan believes. But will he change the world?

Revolutionary Road

After leaving the cinema my first thought was: 'I just watched Titanic all over again, only this time without any water'. And the more I think about it, the more I feel i'm right. Just like Titanic it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as two young people in love. There is the same kind of tragedy, only the other way round (I hope I'm being cryptic enough). There's Kathy Bates again, there's romance and it goes on and on and on...which is not necesarilly a bad thing in case of Revolutionary Road (but it was in Titanic...come on, DIE...was my thought).

Those of us who thought we would see the life of a young bohemian couple going through the 7-year-itch with some famous events going on in the background (hence the title Revolutionary Road) were disappointed, as the Revolutionary Road refers only to the street the young couple lives on. Revolutionary, it ain't. Interesting? Well, the members of BeWelcome.org and Couchsurfing who chose this movie over "Frost/Nixon" were a bit divided about this one. If you are someone who loves Ingman Bergman's "Scenes from a Marriage", then you will love the scenes where all the hatred comes oozing to the surface. But if you (like me) have a natural problem with conflicts and fights, you will leave the cinema distraught. Maybe that is what director Sam Mendes really wanted.

It's 1955. Frank and April Wheeler, in the seventh year of their marriage, have fallen into a life that appears to most as being perfect. They live in the Connecticut suburbs with two young children. Frank commutes to New York City where he works in an office job while April stays at home as a housewife. But they're not happy. April has forgone her dream of becoming an actress, and Frank hates his job - one where he places little effort - although he has never figured out what his passion in life is.


Quote from Revolutionary Road:

April Wheeler: So now I'm crazy because I don't love you, right? Is that the point?
Frank Wheeler: No! Wrong! You're not crazy, and you do love me. That's the point, April.
April Wheeler: But I don't. I hate you. You were just some boy who made me laugh at a party once, and now I loathe the sight of you. In fact, if you come any closer, if you touch me or anything, I think I'll scream.
Frank Wheeler: Frank: Oh, come on, stop this April.
[He touches her for an instant and she screams at the top of her lungs before walking away. He chases after her]
Frank Wheeler: Fuck you, April! Fuck you and all your hateful, goddamn -
[He breaks a chair against a wall]
April Wheeler: What are you going to do now? Are you going to hit me? To show me how much you love me?
Frank Wheeler: Don't worry, I can't be bothered! You're not worth the trouble it would take to hit you! You're not worth the powder it would take to blow you up. You are an empty, empty, hollow shell of a woman. I mean, what the hell are you doing in my house if you hate me so much? Why the hell are you married to me? What the hell are you doing carrying my child? I mean, why didn't you just get rid of it when you had the chance? Because listen to me, listen to me, I got news for you - I wish to God that you had!
DVDPost - a review

I have just started my subscription to DVDPost, and it is working wonderful so far. For every new member that registers through me, I get points, which I'm more than willing to share with you

DVDPost ships you DVDs directly at home
With DVDpost, you choose online the movies you would like to watch and you receive them in no more than 24 hours by post. There are no late fees and you can keep your DVDs as long as you like. Shipment costs are free both ways and formulas start at 2,35 € per DVD, all inclusive. Moreover, rentals are guaranteed and your unused credits are automatically passed on to the next month.

Free shipment both ways
After suscribing, you choose your movies and they will be shipped to your mailbox within 1 working day. When you're done with the movies, put them back in the prepayed envelope and drop it in any red mailbox from the Post. As soon as DVDPost receives your DVDs, they will ship you the next available titles from your wishlist. Shipments are free in both ways and there are no hidden costs.

Over 19400 available titles
DVDPost have the largest catalog in Belgium. As a member, you can choose amongst 19352 titles, including new releases, cinema classics, musical concerts, TV series, documentaries and so on. Our site is 24h/24 open.

Costs
Their most popular formula is 8 DVDs a month for 22,95 euros (2.8 euros per rental). There are no additional or hidden costs.

If you want to try it, why don't you just contact me. For every subscription I get points. And I have no problem in sharing half the points with you.

zaterdag 30 mei 2009

Gadjo Dilo - The Crazy Stranger

One of the funniest movies to come out of Romania is undoubtedly Gadjo Dilo, translated into English as 'the Crazy Stranger'. The story is so crazy and the actors so "expressive" (you have to see it to believe it). And the music...oh la la, what beautiful music.

This is the third movie of Tony Gatlif's trilogy on the Rromani people. It was preceded by Les princes (1983) and Latcho Drom (1993). Latcho Drom (the Safe Journey) has of course a bigger following, but try this movie and let those gypsies bite you!


Stéphane, a young French man from Paris, travels to Romania. He is looking for the singer Nora Luca, whom his father had heard all the time before his death. Wandering along a frozen road, he meets old Izidor, a member of the Roma (Gypsy) and tells him of Nora Luca. Izidor seems to understand and takes him to his village. Stéphane believes that Izidor will take him to Nora Luca when the time has come. So, he lives in the Roma(Gypsy) village for several months. The other inhabitants dislike him at first (as he comes from those who call them thieves and attack their folks) but when they as they get to know him better, they grow to like him

Seven Pounds

I remember seeing Will Smith for the first time as a young boy in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, a sitcom that needed an actor with his kind of comic drive. And when you look at his later blockbusters, they are mostly comedies (Men in Black, Wild Wild West, Hancock) and action movies (Independence Day, I, Robot, I am Legend, Enemy of the State). But recently he has started to dive into the realm of drama and character movies. Ali was his first try, and more recently we had the Pursuit of Happyness and now 7 Pounds.

The less you know about this movie, the better. They already give away too much in the first 2 minutes of the movie, and it would have been so much more interesting if they hadn't explained why the main character was calling who he was calling. Maybe just plug your ears during the first 3 minutes and you'll have a great movie that will keep you guessing till the end. Otherwise, it is a very predictable (but well-played) movie that will slowly drag on till the end.

So, what can I tell you about the movie without spoiling the fun.
- First, it is too long. It would have been perfectly possible to cut 15 minutes and save some film.
- Secondly, Will Smith is excellent and so are all the supporting roles. Especially Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson shine as Emily and Ezra.
- Finally, if you like a good tense drama, and manage to stay in the dark till then end, you will love it. Otherwise you might be disappointed.

An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.


Quote from 7 pounds :

Ben Thomas: [From trailer] In seven days, God created the world. And in seven seconds, I shattered mine.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

This weekend we watched Girl with a Pearl Earring, nicely cuddled up with my wife and a friend, while the fireplace was gently crackling. And I can tell you the setting of the movie was just as appealing: the beautiful paintings of Johannes Vermeer were brought to life by using similar techniques of colour, light and contrast.

The story itself was not particularly captivating, but the beautiful images created a unique atmosphere. In the end I would have liked to see this movie in the cinema, as the scenery would impress me even more on a big screen.

He had a vision no one saw as clearly as she. In a house where everything had its place, where every image had meaning, he gave her the power to see the light. She gave him a look that would last forever.....


Quote from Girl with a Pearl Earring:

Griet: [enters the room, where Maria Thins and Catharina sit quietly by the fireplace, and curtsies]
Catharina: Yes?
Griet: Madam, shall I wash the windows?
Catharina: [Scoffs] You don't need to ask me about such matters.
Griet: It's just...it may change the light.
[both Catharina and Maria Thins stare at Griet questioningly]

vrijdag 29 mei 2009

Top 100 Movie Quotes - 77

77. "Soylent Green is people!", "Soylent Green," 1973.