Remaking Interiors!

The LAMB (Large Association of Movie Blogs) is doing another edition of "LAMB Casting" where we propose new casts for older films. This time we are remaking Woody Allen's "Interiors". Head over there and vote for your favourite cast. One of them is mine!

Click here for the poll: http://www.largeassmovieblogs.com/2012/05/lamb-casting-interiors-voting-time.html

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HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Edward Scissorhands

This week on Hit me with your best shot, we looked at the first Tim Burton-Johnny Depp collaboration – "Edward Scissorhands". This was my 2nd time watching this film and I loved it even more. On my first viewing, I almost dismissed it as a light, quirky film. This time however, I found the story to be incredibly rich and detailed. I won’t get into review-like details since this is about our favourite visuals. As we have come to expect from a Tim Burton production, this film is impeccably designed. The sets, costumes and makeup/hair are perfection and they serve a purpose to the story. This film is definitely a good choice for this series. With regards to the story, I definitely picked up on some very prominent themes throughout. For my favourite shot, I will highlight the theme of friendship.

Click below for my favourite shot...

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TOP 10: Best Actresses Relay Race

Earlier this month, Myfilmviews started a fun blogathon called "The Ten: Best Actresses of All Time". It's a relay race where bloggers contribute by removing and adding an actress to maintain a running top 10 list. This race continues by passing it on to another blogger and now it's my turn! Here are the previous legs of the race:

Myfilmviews
The Velvet Cafe
Martin Teller
The Movie Review Warehouse
Benefits of a Classical Education
Just Another Movie Blog

Now here is the list as I received it from Steve:

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MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Kinky Boots

I didn't get around to much movie-watching this week, but I did find something that I enjoyed well enough. "Kinky Boots" is a light comedy featuring a stellar performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor. For my money, it's his best performance to date. It may not be the most brilliant screenwriting, but I recommend this film just for him. He plays a drag queen with ease and confidence without resorting to caricature. If you liked "The Full Monty", I'm sure you'll enjoy this as well.

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HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: The Exorcist

This week’s pick for Hit me with your best shot was "The Exorcist". This movie is seriously disturbing and I kinda hate Nathaniel for making me watch it again (not really). The film definitely has lots of shocking images to choose from for a best shot. Apart from the iconic scenes with the possessed Regan, there are some subliminal flashes of the demon throughout that are truly terrifying. What I found most interesting in this viewing was how the characters adamantly refused to believe that she was actually possessed. In a recent interview, director William Friedkin said that he wanted the film to focus on this mystery of faith (rather than the horror aspects). As I watched the film I thought this concept really came across perfectly. In the early part of the film, Regan goes through some really intense tests in an attempt to figure out her illness (they often reminded me of those brain-washing scenes in "A Clockwork Orange"). They just couldn't put their faith in this notion of a demonic presence.

In real life, I think people would freak out if there were such blatantly obvious signs of a supernatural presence (furniture moving on its own, spinning heads etc). In most horror movies the monster initially appears to only a few people, resulting in an understandable "false alarm" situation. This demon however, is one bad mofo and wants the whole world to know it. My favourite shot therefore touches on this innate desire for rationality in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

Click below for my favourite shot...

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2012 LAMMY AWARDS: Nominate Me!

Are you a current member of the LAMB (The Large Association of Movie Blogs)? Do you enjoy reading my blog? Then nominate me for the 2012 LAMMY awards! Check out my FYC Poster below to see which categories I am specifically campaigning for. Then click here for the poll: http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/557532

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MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Catch Me If You Can

"Catch Me If You Can" is a fun, entertaining movie from Steve Spielberg. It features a fine cast and an amusing plot which seems almost too incredible to be true. At times it's actually "laugh out loud" funny. Leonardo DiCaprio is perfectly cast as con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., putting his charms to good use. It's one of his best performances (although I think he's always great) as he uses clever ways of embodying a teenage spirit even while the character (and he himself) are more mature. As expected from John Williams, the film also boasts a strong score, in addition to some nice period details in the costuming and set design. This is popcorn entertainment done right.

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Best of 2003

Normally I wait until I find at least 20 personal 5-star movies to do a "Best of the Year" list, but I guess 2003 was just a weak year for me. However, 2003 does include my favourite film of all time - "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King". Here are my top 10 films of 2003 (from #1-10):




The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Mystic River
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
The Last Samurai
Big Fish
Holes
Elf
School of Rock
Cold Mountain

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HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Pariah

Hit me with your best shot is back-to-back this week, as today we look at the Sundance hit – "Pariah". This coming of age tale is an excellent vehicle for the talents of director Dee Rees and a shining breakthrough performance of Adepero Oduye in the lead role. In this study of sexual expression in urban society, the film highlights the concepts of appearances and perceptions.

Click below for my favourite shot...

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HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Raise The Red Lantern

"Hit me with your shot" is back again this week showcasing a phenomenal film – "Raise The Red Lantern". If you are reading this and you haven’t seen it, I strongly urge you to do so. The film tells the story about a wealthy man and his concubines all living under one roof. The story is all about traditions and customs, mainly surrounding the red lantern and foot massages and to a lesser extent, the selection of the dinner menu. These 3 things determine the brief balance of power among the mistresses of the household. To obtain these things, the women play a constant series of mindgames to gain the upper hand. In order to succeed, these women must realize their own unique talents that will please the master. The 2nd mistress gives great massages, Mistress #3 is a former opera singer and the newly arrived Mistress #4 (the lead character played by Gong Li) brings her youthful beauty. The aging Mistress #1 knows she is past her prime and stays in the background. She is very wise however, giving Mistress #4 the most useful advice upon their brief meeting – "Get on well with your sisters. Serve the master well." The other women know this and ensure that a peaceful co-existence is maintained. They know the trick is to engage in subtle sabotage, but Mistress #4 becomes power-hungry and takes it too far.

Click below for my favourite shot...

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