Au Revoir, Monsieur Vampire

The bookstore in my dead-end town is so depressing. All I wanted was something enjoyable, perhaps inspiring. Classic even. Instead, there's more vampire romances than you can poke a crucifix at. There's something really wrong with men when women begin fantasizing over graveyards and the undead.


But sometimes, some stories are better told onscreen. The lovely, delicate character of Amelie would no doubt be shadowed amongst the browing papers of a forgotten book. Not to mention the breathtaking and heart warming aesthetics that make this feature a cinematic gem. Forever a classic, touching the hearts of millions.

Film Count: 92 out of 365

Au Revoir, Monsieur Vampire

Play or Pass

Contrary to the title of the film, The Score barely rated above mediocre to me despite its incredibly talented all-star cast. Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando and Edward Norton are all favourite actors who I hold in the highest regards but I suppose this film just proves that without a suspenseful story to glue audiences to the very end, no amount of Hollywood A-Listers can save what will ultimately be a safe attempt at a white-knuckled thriller.

Film Count: 91 out of 365

Play or Pass

Room Service

There's really nothing more blissful than being in a cozy bed with a good book (thankyou Jean-Pierre Léaud and Claude Jade for demonstrating this), unless of course, it is watching a French film by one of your favourite directors.


Bed and Board is the 3rd installment of the adventures of the spontaneous and mischievous Antoine Doinel, a fictional character created by the amazing Francois Truffaut who formed a 20 year friendship with Léaud. The film takes a peek into the life of the now married Doinel who spends his days dying flowers while his wife gives violin lessons. He struggles to settle down, the image of maturity frightening him away from his new bride and into the arms of a Japanese model.

Film Count: 90 out of 365

Room Service

Bellissimo!

Sundays are best spent passing the time sweetly by in the presence of lovely people. I bid my darling Roxanne goodbye and met Robbie for coffee as we checked out some very strange stalls on display at the local market. This was followed by lovely italian woodfire pizza in the afternoon with the gorgeous Anna, who always manages to bring a smile to my face! We visited a chocolatier and discussed big dreams. It was so wonderful to recharge from the previous night. It's a shame it all went too quickly! The bus I caught was playing Michael Jackson hits - a bittersweet salute to the king of pop's one year passing.


Arriving home, I watched the marvelous Pan's Labyrinth. I am constantly astounded by the beauty and gothic feel to this film, with some of the characters looking like they belong in a Tool video clip.

Film Count: 89 out of 365

Bellissimo!

The Key to Happiness

Inbetween packing my bags and getting ready for a big weekend, I watched The Skeleton Key which didn't sit very well with me. Interestingly, Kate Hudson had removed herself from the romcom stigma and experimented with a darker film exploring a mysterious family secret buried within an old mansion. Sounds a little old hat doesn't it? Well before you completely disregard this one, the story was actually quite unique, drawing on superstitions and voodoo magic. However, it's delivery was the downfall. Perhaps it was around the time that Caroline (Hudson) threw herself into a canoe that just so happened to be lying in the front yard and frantically paddled down a river to escape the gunshots of a senile old woman. That or the sprinkling of red dirt on doorways that actually prevented the bad guys from entering a room. I'll have to remember that next time I'm writing a script and can't figure out how to make it trumps for the good guy.


My weekend instantly picked up the moment I hit the road though! Some nights are just brilliant from start to finish, forging memories that will forever remain in your mind and instantly bring a smile to your face. We hit the city tonight to celebrate the birthday of gorgeous Kelly with cosmopolitans, sponge cake and a whole lot of laughter! Roxanne and I then joined the que at Britpop to indulge in beers and Oasis tunes all night before being snapped up by the photographers and conversing with a quirky bunch of boys from all corners of the globe.

Film Count: 88 out of 365

The Key to Happiness

White Flag

While on the topic of Al Pacino of late, I must mention the film I watched today, Dog Day Afternoon, which has instantly shot up as a favourite. I was blown away by the sheer magnitude and energy of the pint-sized hot headed Pacino as young Sonny who decides to rob a bank in Brooklyn one hot summer afternoon in 1972. Based on a true story, the movie won an Oscar for Best Screenplay (1975) which formed the springboard for Pacino to dive in amongst the confused, frustrated outsiders that reflected his society of the time.


Skipping a formal introduction, we find our hero at the Brooklyn Bank, only finding out small details of his past as the film progresses. A Vietnam vet trapped in his own mind of frustration and the feelings of being an outcast, Sonny directs his actions towards the minorities he connects with and against the authority he despises.


He's funny and outlandish, taking care of his hostages like family. Feeding them pizza, fixing the air conditioner and letting them watch television highlights his good intentions. He is awe of his sudden fame, showboating to the crowd of admirers as he deflects his inner problems crying "I'm dying. Everyday I'm dying."


Pacino is amazing.

Film Count: 87 out of 365

White Flag

Seeing Red

Today Australia greeted their new Prime Minister Julia Gillard. In a striking entrance to power, she challenged the current leader Kevin Rudd who stepped aside in a matter of hours. She is the country's first female Prime Minister. I don't exactly want to discuss politics on my blog but lets just say she was met with very mixed receptions. It will be interesting to see what changes this shall bring about!


Power and vanity is no doubt an excellent motivator and when that dangerous combination titled The Devil's Advocate involves a splash of Al Pacino, it couldn't get anymore fine if you tried! This husky voiced star is magic onscreen and a dear favourite of mine. Though not my favourite Pacino movie (I found it much too drawn out and wishy washy in terms of flow), he is the flame of the film, despite Keanu Reeves persistently steely gazes.

Film Count: 86 out of 365

Seeing Red

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I feel a little bad for interrupting my peaceful evening consisting of vanilla lattes and Cat Stevens songs by throwing on Brothers, a tragic tale of a young man returning from the war in Afghanistan and his younger brother returning to society after being released from jail.


But I was pleasantly surprised. Given the touchy nature of a subject matter that is no doubt still alive and burning within the hearts of thousands of soldiers and their loved ones, the film already bears the weight of representing the countless men and women and the losses they face in the way of war.


Brutal and gripping, the roles are formed by Jake Gyllenhall, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire as the tormented Sam Cahill, no doubt aiming to shake the shadows of Spiderman and release himself into the dark world of personal battles. Tobey is truly terrifying as the gun swindling Cahill who increasingly becomes more erratic as he struggles to reconnect with reality.

Film Count: 85 out of 365

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Schwing!

Above: A still capturing one of cinema's most memorable moments.


Ages ago, I bought one of those Saturday Night Live DVD's where they select an actor (in this case, Mike Myers) and show their best appearances. The hilarious Wayne's World segment proved so successful that it lead to it evolving into a full length feature that was actually a shitload better than the 2 minute skit. Normally a risky venture to cash in on what could have been a passing fad to a fickle audience. But the film was so jam packed with 90's grunge and pop culture goodness that it instantly became timeless. And ironic.

Film Count: 84 out of 365

Schwing!

Flying High

Today was fabulous for a number of reasons. But mainly, it was because I handed in my very last assignment for the semester. Hello, holidays!


Today's movie was escapism at it's best. I wanted nothing more than to set fire to my textbooks and throw the laptop out the window. Rioting or celebrating, you take your pick. But popping Moon instead seemed a lot less damaging and wouldn't exactly create a criminal record. Basically, it was win from the start.


Directed by Duncan Jones (that's David Bowie's son for all you non-hipsters) as his debut film, Moon charters the loneliness surrounding Sam Bell, a curious character played by Sam Rockwell, who is nearing the end of his 3 years of solitude in space, farming a precious resource used to sustain energy on Earth. His only company arrives in the form of satellite messages from his wife and daughter, and that of onboard computer GERTY, voiced by the legendary Kevin Spacey.


I don't want to expand on this anymore as I'd hate to spoil any of the magic that Jones has delivered. Rockwell is amazing, considering he is the life and soul of the entire film, able to carry and sustain our focus for the films duration. His character explores the depth of loneliness, paranoia or playful quirks such as miniature model making and tending to his plants. Though Sam quickly becomes to suspect GERTY and he learns more about his mission and himself than he ever thought possible.

Film Count: 83 out of 365

Flying High