thelastaerie's Journal

So Adam Lambert kissed his MALE musician on stage at the American Music Awards and 1500 complaints filed in.

But certainly, when comparing to the 542,000 public complaints that Nipplegate generated, this is actually - as

def_fr0g_42 would say - PROGRESS!

I have a few friends who are avid fans of Adam Lambert, I would just like to say, this is waaaay hotter than Madonna with Britney.

LoveFilm.com is doing a poll on Films of the Decade and the leading number one movie at the moment is Moulin Rouge - what's wrong with people?!!?

Drawing close to the end of 2009, I found that I actually have at least 25 movies that I've watched but haven't logged. Time for some one-line movie log:

Butterfly on a Wheel
I tried to remember why I watched this film. Probably because of the cast: Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler, Maria Bello. All solid actors, right? So it's a bit of a waste when this drama/thriller turns out to be the very definition of mediocre. There's twists, too many of them, in fact, there's some suspense. However, on the balance of things, the film tips over to the frustrating "what the hell is it now" suspense and kind of disconnect the audience. Or rather audience give up - like, whatever - will you give me the ending now?

Good Luck Chuck
Two questions: 1. why would people cast Dane Cook as a romantic lead? 2. has Jessica Alba ever been in a good film? So if you sleep with Chuck (Dane Cook), you'll meet your future husband next. I am not sure that's a good enough motive to sleep with Chuck. But what do I know? Cos the fundamental belief of this movie is that: ALL women ever wanted is to get married.

Transsiberian
Not a bad thriller. And the barren landscape of the railroad between China and Moscow creates the perfect atmosphere of desolation and desperation. There are some plotholes and it could have moved in a quicker pace, but over all, not a bad journey. And there isn't any ethnic group that Ben Kingsley can't play...

In the Loop

If it's not the best political satire you'd see this year, it will definitely be the funniest.

A spin-off of the BBC series "The Thick of It", this film still has a TV-episode format feel to it, but it's so maddeningly quickfire, you would never have the chance to pause.

The Plot: The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war. But not everyone agrees that war is a good thing. The US General Miller doesn't think so and neither does the British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster. But, after Simon accidentally backs military action on TV, he suddenly has a lot of friends in Washington, DC. If Simon can get in with the right DC people, if his entourage of one can sleep with the right intern, and if they can both stop the Prime Minister's chief spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker rigging the vote at the UN, they can halt the war. If they don't... well, they can always sack their Director of Communications Judy, who they never liked anyway and who's back home dealing with voters with blocked drains and a man who's angry about a collapsing wall. (source: Loop Film Production)

Loop Film Production's brilliant plot summary says it all. Dumb and Dumber would not be the appropriate description, but the film wouldn't be this funny, if the foul-mouthed, manic British Whitehall staff aren't in the same room with their crazy-in-a-different way Washington counterparts.

Fast and furious - it's probably the funniest political satire I've watched this year or even longer. It's also terrifyingly scary - yes - your country is run by foul-mouthed, manipulative, self-important, ego-maniacs.

Have I got news for you?

Signs that I am really out of touch with the current music scene - I've only got 3 out of the 10 Best Albums of the decade - granted - voted by the magazine that I've stopped reading, err, almost a decade ago.

1. The Strokes - Is This It

2. The Libertines - Up The Bracket

3. Primal Scream - XTRMNTR

4. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell

6. PJ Harvey - Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

7. Arcade Fire - Funeral

8. Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights

9. The Streets - Original Pirate Material

10. Radiohead - In Rainbows

But com on... The Streets!?!? Oh well, at least it's not the album with this worst song of the decade...

Chloe

Call it "The Indie Fatal Attraction" or, err... "The Canadian Fatal Attraction", Atom Egoyan shows he can do commercial and perhaps, with just a bit more sophistication than his American peers.

Armed with money and support from fellow Canadian Ivan Reitman, Egoyan got a solid Hollywood cast with Liam Neeson as the graceful, charming husband, Julianne Moore as his aging beautiful wife and a very impressive Amanda Seyfried as the mysterious Chloe.

The Plot: Catherine (Julianne Moore) and David (Liam Neeson), she a doctor, he a professor, are at first glance the perfect couple. Happily married with a talented teenage son, they appear to have an idyllic life. But when David misses a flight and his surprise birthday party, Catherine's long simmering suspicions rise to the surface. Suspecting infidelity, she decides to hire an escort to seduce her husband and test his loyalty. Catherine finds herself 'directing' Chloe's encounters with David, and Chloe's end of the bargain is to report back, the descriptions becoming increasingly graphic as the meetings multiply. (source: imdb.com)

Family secrets, sexuality and trust - Atom Egoyan is still dealing with his favourite subjects, but there are apparent efforts to make the film mainstream and accessible. The script is written for this purpose, and the result is a bona fide commercial thriller that is gripping and highly sexually charged.

If you didn't sorry at all for Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, you might think differently of Chloe, who looks more like the victim here than the psychotic home wrecker. Even with a fairly predictable ending, Egoyan adds poignancy and mockery to it. Catherine and David have the perfect house, the perfect son, holds the perfect parties, all these rich middle-class trappings can't hide the fact that there is vast distance between family members, the house is cold and they aren't exactly the people that deserve audience's sympathy.

While I still don't know why all historical characters, like a Persian, should have an English accent, Jake's English accent sound generic but convincing.

The trailer is typical Jerry B blockbuster style, no mention of any actor's name until the credits, except Jerry B's. You know who's the boss. But still, with Jake flying up and down in sweaty form and that accent, there are better chances that I won't fall asleep like I did with "Pirates of the Caribbean"...

Special thanks to WDW

A Serious Man

Trust the Coen Brothers to make a black comedy out of an everyday man's despair, who "didn't do anything" to deserve the unfair treatment life keeps throwing at him.

The Plot: A black comedy set in 1967 and centered on Larry Gopnik, a Midwestern professor who watches his life unravel when his wife prepares to leave him because his inept brother won't move out of the house. His son Danny is a discipline problem and a shirker at Hebrew school, and his daughter Sarah is filching money from his wallet in order to save up for a nose job... (imdb.com)

So Larry can't catch a breath and amongst all the chaos, he seeks guidance and answers to his misery. In come Rabbi #1, 2 and 3, all with abstract but irrelevant advice ("When the truth is found to be lies, and all the joy within you dies"). The best help Larry ever gets is some attention and distraction from the foxy housewife next door who sunbaths in nude... if all these doesn't make a quintessential Coen Brothers comedy, I don't know what else.

It's a hilarious look at human condition and Larry's "truth seeking" action offers more than a few laughs. The film, really can be seen in very different light - you can ponder serious life questions embedded in the film, or you can just sit back and laugh at Larry's misery. Without a doubt, it is a personal film for the Coen Brothers with their Jewish roots (self-loathing or not). If I have any problem with the film, it's that one probably needs to be Jewish or at least understand that culture very well to get the best out of this film.

Coen Brothers - setting example of what to do next after an Oscar win.

An Education

The best bit of this film is that they've managed to turn a supposedly distasteful, creepy affair into a delightful coming-of-age story. Nick Hornby's script makes it almost whimsical.

The Plot: an intelligent, Oxford-bound teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, being lured by the glamourous life of an older, successful business man...

OK, we don't have to focus on the queasy image of an older guy seducing a virgin-16-year-old, because the point of the film is more about: what's the value of a (higher) education, if one can take a short-cut and get to the final destination? That's the puzzling question inside young Jenny's mind. When she's courted by the charming David, who treats her as equal, wows her parents, talks his way into her life (and her pants), she reckons she's living her dream life, without working hard to get into university.

Jenny is smarter than everyone else in her school, but intelligence and artistic taste won't make up for the lack of life experience, so she's cheated; made foolish choices for herself; failed to see the deceptive side of people... all part of growing up and finding your own identity.

Even lovely and innocent Jenny has dark edges and pretty much, every character in this film is good natured but at the same time, all flawed. Perfect casting as well, as Carey Mulligan's Jenny is a 300% more believable teenager than "Juno"; and Peter Sarsgaard's David is convincingly charming with just a hint of hidden sleaziness.

If I have to say any negative thing about this film, it's that even with its very light tone, the preaching of its message is loud and clear by the 2nd part of the film. Nonetheless, it's still a very funny, unexpectedly moving film.

A Single Man

You know when I heard Tom Ford (the man who single handedly saved Gucci?) was going to make his directorial debut based on a Christopher Isherwood novel, I was not holding my breath. Fashion designer turns movie director usually ends up in one form: self-indulgence.

One thing for sure I never doubted though was - it's going to be beautiful film. And a Christopher Isherwood story will only enhance this, that's a world Tom Ford would thrive in.

So, it's more than a pleasant surprise that the film turns out to be: rather good. In fact, very good for a debut.

Plot: A story that centres on an English professor who, after the sudden death of his partner tries to go about his typical day in Los Angeles. Except it's not a typical day for him, he has a plan how he's going to end the day...

A very affecting story about grief, love and loneliness, and Tom Ford apparently poured his heart out to deliver an emotional journey for the audience, but without being overly sentimental. The main character, George Falconer, helps as well. His slightly cynical and disdain view of the world makes it sad but with a wry sense of humour.

The original book is told in Falconer's internal monologue style, something I think it's suicidal for filmmaker to attempt (except maybe Woody Allen...), so cleverly, Tom Ford only uses this form of narration at the beginning and the end of the film. He also shows great self control, delivers in a restrained and confident manner. There's no doubt that Tom Ford got his inspirations from other art-house masters. Many see the influence of Wong Kar-Wai, in terms of the film's mood and colour palette, I see a lots of Tom Kalin in it.

But of course, the film's success owes a lot to Colin Firth's flawless performance, I believe I have watched 80% of the films/TV he has been in and this must be his top 3 if not best performance. Especially in a few heavy scenes which were shot in extreme close-up and in one take, absolutely stunning.

And Colin Firth's wardrobe in the film - by Tom Ford Menswear. That certainly doesn't hurt my eyes :)

Matthew Goode, Colin Firth & Tom Ford at the screening.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasuss

Terry Gilliam gave a Q&A after this screening and mentioned how difficult it had been to raise money for this, even after the then newly Oscar-nominated Heath Ledger signed onto the film. The fortunate/unfortunate fact is that he is likely to have such problem, no matter what cast he has. He's the director who make wonderful eccentric films which in most markets - are limited to arthouse audience. And Hollywood studios are not interested in making those these days.

Plot: A traveling theater company gives its audience much more than they were expecting. Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. Long ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr Nick, in which he won immortality.

A modern day morality tale, there are numerous reference to other classic old tales. It's like a bedtime story that would give your kid a sleepless night. What makes the film stand out is of course, Gilliam's own unique brand of surrealism. In this film, it's more than a peek into his wonderful head. Abundant in colours, eccentricities and dark secrets.

The story itself is straight forward - daddy made a deal with the devil on his own daughter, daddy tries to find a way to beat this. However, the execution proved to be more complicated, especially after Heath passed away, most films could not recover from such tragedy. So Gilliam made a lots of changes in editing and the storytelling sequence to get around it (and with the help of three selfless actors). Since we don't know the original version he had in mind, I can only say that I didn't find it awkward when suddenly Heath's character morphed into Johnny Depp/Jude Law/Colin Farrell - that part is almost seamless. Although overall, I find the story lacking a bit of dramatic pull and appears to be chaotic in times.

In terms of performance, that is a solid cast with surprisingly good newcomers like Lily Cole and Andrew Garfield. Heath handled the charming liar role effortlessly well, I could only imagine this is fun and relaxing one for him after The Joker. Christopher Plummer is well cast as drunken Dr Parnasuss who is both kind and pathetic. And of course, Tom Waits plays the devil is a golden touch.

Enchanting and wonderfully weird, I doubt this film would make Gilliam's next project any easier to find finance, but it's a return to form for him. And as the final film of Heath Ledger, it's a respectfully good one.

I've been on Twitter more often than here lately. Partly due to the unseasonal busy schedule. The second half of 2009 I found myself going on trip at least once every month. Just back from Stockholm a week ago. This week is Greece. Next month, Hong Kong. Frequent economy flyer, yeah, that's me.

London Film Festival
Oktoberfest time! I have no holidays left, so I can only catch evening screenings this year. No sight of Sheridan and Jake's "Brothers". But Atom Egoyan will faithfully show up and this time with a Hollywood cast (Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore) in Chloe. Also have Coen Brothers' "A Serious Man" and just for fun to see Tom Ford's "A Single Man" - I am expecting at least a beautiful wardrobe there.

And then some other film I've watched:

Passengers

Wasted a fine cast.

Plot: A grief counselor working with a group of plane-crash survivors finds herself at the root of a mystery when her clients begin to disappear. (imdb.com)

It's like Sixth Sense with a lesser director and a very weak script. And clearly the director has mistaken ambiguity with boredom and suspense with minimum dialog. In any case, nothing new to offer.

Observe and Report

This is a bit of an odd ball.

Plot: Bi-polar mall security guard Ronnie Barnhardt is called into action to stop a flasher from turning shopper's paradise into his personal peep show. But when Barnhardt can't bring the culprit to justice, a surly police detective, is recruited to close the case. (imdb.com)

The film progresses a bit like race car driven with its brake on. It looks like it wants to go fast and go wild and dive into that gross-out, offensive, almost black comedy, but then constantly putting a brake on it. So one minute, we get self-mocking intolerant joke (but funny!), the next minute, it's back to a safe mode of uncomfortable mediocre comedy.

I'd give extra credit for Seth Rogen's poker face comedic performance, especially when some of the supporting acts have failed him, and I getting tired of Ray Liotta keeps playing everyone's favourite jackass villain.

Gordon Brown's public spending cut plan is probably too depressing to deal with, so the Brits and media here embrace the "Look at those racists across the pond" news that dominates the US healthcare reform. I think this New York Times article speaks the issue well.

Meanwhie I am still baffled by how Obama could be accused of being a fascist AND a communist at the same time. Mmmm...

Back to movie log, I watched this:

Knowing

The Plot: A teacher opens a time capsule that has been dug up at his son's elementary school; in it are some chilling predictions -- some that have already occurred and others that are about to -- that lead him to believe his family plays a role in the events that are about to unfold. (source: imdb)

It's not that it's a badly made movie, but more like - what does any of these have anything to do with the main plot? Yes, I am talking about the "knowing" bit (ie. to know when and where the next big tragedy will happen). It is supposed to be the hook, but in the end, it's a big "HUH?" The ending nearly has nothing to do with, yeah, KNOWING...

On top of that, we have pedestrian characters, even the special effects aren't anything special - not after watching all those end-of-the-world movies that have graced our cinemas in the last 10 years.

Frankly, the world is ending in the movie and I can't wait for it to happen.

I feel that

def_fr0g_42 should be posting this, but since I got it from 3 different sources today and none of them from my LJ friends. I guess I should post this here.

via littleoslo

The tagline of this (rejected) WWF ad: The tsunami killed 100 times more people than 9/11

Made by an ad agency in Brazil, rejected by WWF. But of course, somehow it is leaked on the internet. Thus the uproar.

More to that. Rumour has it that it's been submitted to complete in Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Oh... and it has a video version.

My first thought: is this a hoax? too perfect timing.

My second thought: wow, no wonder Americans need a visa to go to Brazil.

My third thought: shock but rather irrelevant message.

Panda power bigger than Osama. Think what you like.

(From the previous post) P.S. Highlights:  Met my lovely friends from Chicago. Two of them showed us around, so we could dine like savvy locals; and the lovely Chicagoan nuclear family who brightened up our last day in NYC. Miss you all already :)

I don't believe one should change their interest or personality just because you're in a foreign country. So I went to the cinema instead of Broadway.   And watched this:

District 9

Producer Peter Jackson's name is A LOT bigger than the director's name.   And rightly so, you do see some Peter Jackson's signature there, especially when it comes to King-Kong-style gore and blood splatter.

Even though it's backed by big studio, it is a relatively low-budget, spec-fic flick with unknown actors. It's Peter Jackson's Starship Troopers. He also shows Cloverfield the correct way to do sci-fi in reality show style.

The Plot: An extraterrestrial race forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth suddenly finds a kindred spirit in a government agent that is exposed to their biotechnology. (source: imdb)

Of course, the irony is not lost that the story is set in a city with an apartheid past - Johannesburg, South Africa. There's also bold reference of the violent witch crafts, discrimination and exploitation that mirror the real world. So who's the bigger monster? Less than 20 minutes into the film, you know the answer is likely to be humans.    Throw in corporate ruthlessness, a reluctant human hero, and an alien who just wants to go home - you got yourself a nice plot.

With sharp editing and smart use of special effects, the film is a great ride.

Best of summer sci-fi flick.

I am back and have brought a little common cold with me on my last day in New York. I blame exhaustion and humid weather causing the break down of my immune system... NY is pricy, tall and rather hot.

Highlights:
Dos Caminos in SoHo. Granted I know nothing about good Mexican food, but I like the food there. And the margaritas...

Lowlights:
INA Nolita: there's not enough free designer clothes there for me to want to give those rude and bitchy sales persons any kind of business. Sadly in NY, I found most non-tip-earning service workers not up to standard. But of course, this would open the heated debate of the tipping custom in US, I'd rather not go into. I confess I am spoiled by services in Japan, and probably comparing apples and oranges here. But would it kill them to like their job just a bit?

Not-so-Fun Note:
Did not get into any argument about healthcare reform. But the NY friend I was supposed to meet fell ill and couldn't meet up. I asked if she has seen the doctor yet. She replied, "I am looking for a job at the moment, I have no health insurance". Case closed.

*Room in St Regis Hotel* - old school grand, marble bathroom, all very nice. I am just not sure I'd pay such price if I were the one paying...
There's a giant plasma TV at the foot of the bed - I suppose you can't get more American than that.

*Beck's beer - 0.5% alcohol, so it can safely claim to be non-alcoholic*

- We found this "divebar" by accident in East Village. I asked the bar manager what they have in bottle, she said Brookyn Lager, Heineken and Beck's. I replied "Beck's, please". And she brought me this non-alcoholic beer, which tastes like beer filtered with water. I don't think the Germans would approve.

I am off to New York tomorrow for a few days, have some good S&E and meet some lovely friends from Chicago and NY (note to self: try not get into argument about healthcare reform).

Could be on twitter if I get free wi-fi, if not, you won't miss me :)

squirrelizer courtesy of

def_fr0g_42

Wrestler

To say it's like Rocky with a sad ending is partly true. Although Randy the "Ram" is hardly the underdog in the wrestling scene, and it's not a movie about underdog triumphs against all odds.

More like, an ex-hero coming to terms of all the mistakes and glories in his life and shining one last time before signing off.

What impresses me the most, apart from Mickey Rourke's "going down history book" performance, is how well the film paces itself. There's a near-documentary like laid back opening, then tensions slowly build up and accelerate, emotions start flying (but never overwhelming) and finally comes to an ending that's almost - inevitable.

While it's poignant to see the ex-hero trying for a ordinary life, trying to reconnect with his daughter, The film makes it clear right from the beginning, where "The Ram" belongs. Wrestling is the only world where he excels, it's his family and his final resting place.

This one is a smackdown to the heart.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Probably the most beautiful film Fincher has ever made.

Carefully crafted and atmospheric, the 166-min film is surprisingly engaging and certainly easy on the eyes. No doubt the film allows Fincher to show his technical prowess. But the nagging problem is - despite the obvious philosophical questions and bewilderment the lead character must be experiencing - the importance (or the point) of it fail to transfer to the audience. There is a sense of detachment when I watch the film, while I want to know what will happen to Benjamin, I don't care for him like I should...

It's shame, it's a film that one "wants" to love.

As for Pitt's performance, mmm... I would say seems like he learned a lot from Forrest Gump, I'm just not sure if that's suitable for this role. *g*

Friends from the 80s, I think you should know that John Hughes has just passed away.

While he wouldn't be on my top 5 favourite directors or writers, he's a big part of my American cultural influence when I was growing up. I think I picked up more (American) English from his movies than in school.

A "John Hughes Movie" is usually a movie written by him, he has only directed less than 10 of them. While his earlier "teen angst" movies were my auto-rental, I think his best works are his later comedies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles (which has my favourite John Hughes character Del Griffith in it) and the lesser known "She's Having a Baby".

And of course, there's Pretty In Pink and Andrew McCarthy.

source: cinematical

There's EU smoking ban and then there's Greece smoking ban...

This summer when we arrived Greece, the new smoking ban has just taken effect (from 1 July 2009), making smoking illegal in many public places, including schools, hospitals, vehicles etc.

So... did I notice any difference?

Err... no.

If anything, the new "limited" smoking ban might have made it even worse for non-smokers who want to go out and eat in "cozy little Greek restaurants". A twist of this ban (a last minute amendment) allows small restaurants - less than 70sqm, which there are still plenty all over Greece - to choose either to be "totally non-smoking" or, erm, "totally smoking".   While larger restaurants can choose to have a "sealed off smoking area".

So what would you expect the Greek small restaurant owners choose? In the city where we went (Thessaloniki, 2nd biggest city), over 95% of them choose "smoking". They call it "banning the non-smokers".  Talk about weird defiance, stubbornness and political incorrectness, all alive and kicking in Greece.

In case you don't already know: Greece is the heaviest smoking nation in Europe, 40% of its adult population are smokers.

And of course, there's still another obstacle to overcome in terms of enforcing law in Greece, as their Health Minister has pointed out: “We will show -- demolishing a myth that exists in Greece -- that the country can adopt laws that are applied and applied by all.”

Note: for the record - I welcome smoking ban in restaurants, even though I still smoke occasionally. Cafe is one thing but food do taste better without tobacco smell around.

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