The lovely people at Toga Hospitality had offered D tickets to watch movies of our choice at the German film Festival that ended in Sydney a couple of weeks back. We had chosen Sommersturm (German for Summer Storm). This has been screened in Sydney on many occasions during the Mardi Gras Film Festivals and by popular demands seems to come back over and over. Its one of those feel good movies that leave you wanting more and is at the same time very realistic.
Tobi played by Robert Stadlober was among the audience and gave a short speech about the movie and also answered questions from the audience at the end of the movie. Seemed like quite a sorted down-to-earth person.
Have you ever watched a movie you really wanted to thinking it would be good or had the possibilities or potential to be a showstopper but… it kinda never happened. Well in a nut shell thats what Duplicity is. Sounds pathetic huh? Well, wait tell you watch it. I’d say save you dosh and time to watch paint dry instead.
We watched Easy Virtue at the St George Open Air Cinema last night. Certainly privileged to go a second time this year. You couldn’t ask for a better backdrop than to have the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour bridge in the one frame with the shimmering vermillion skyline to the left that slowly settles in to the dusk.
D & I were fortunate enough to be invited to the preview screening of “I’ve Loved You So Long” on Tuesday at Cremorne Orpheum. Even though I had done a little research about the movie prior to the evenings preview I was quite blown away by the cinematography, storyline and the strong characters in the movie. Its rewarding watching movies that have oomph and substance intermingled with good cinematography and down-to-earth realism. This isn’t to say I dislike the airy light headed genre but something realistic always has that much more to soak up!
Quite a gut wrenching situation… I would call it a story except that it is not. Its reality in everyday Iran and something that is very discomforting at best. Be Like Others is a short film/documentary that explores the life behind closed curtains of the mostly youngish gay men in Iran and the lengths they go to have an operation to be with another man. It really is an intimate and unflinching look at life in Iran. It is thoroughly disturbing and sad in many ways, you come out pensive and have a lot of respect for your own life as it stands. Its really nice to see someone dared to make the effort to bring this out on film for the world to see.
Below in the synopsis of the movie documentary, visit the site and watch some of the trailers, if you get a chance and are not easily put off by strong adult themes. It isn’t your average movie. It is gut wrenching in more ways than I can think of. Be Like Others was the Official Selection of 2008 Sundance Film Festival, Teddy Award for 2008 Berlin Film Festival, Firresch Prize for 2008 Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.
Having watched Paris Je T’Aime acouple of nights back it brought back memories of our wonderful trip to Paris two months back. How fast is this year rolling by, we’re halfway through April already.
Paris Je T’Aime is a collection of sixteen; from memory, short movies put together by well knows directors from around the globe that came together to portray Paris in a way never before imagined. Each shows the city’s diversity and have in my opinion put into the film what they brought from their rich experience a plethora of scenes that play out in Paris’ neighbourhoods that stand out as being quirky, jovial, inspiring, zesty and full of surprises at times.
You could have a quick preview here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/parisjetaime/
We watched Sea Monsters in 3D a couple of nights back. The story is less than impressive even though the opening banner reads: Its Finding Nemo with a wow factor of about 100! Hmmmmm NOT!! The one thing I did like is the graphic manipulation and 3D rendition of the imaginary mammals. Funny though, one of the female archeologist that show up every now and then between the story line of the movie has the most fake smile you could ever imagine and her hands so perfectly manicured and nails so flawlessly buffed its impossible to think she is an archieologist for a start! Let alone the make up, and the dainty walk along the excavations in the archaeological site. Now, can I just say one more thing, just because you can doesn’t mean you do it!!! Its like putting lipstick on a Warthog!! (Thanks Mary-Anne I love that catch phrase). Just because its a 3D movie and they have the added dimension of making objects jump out of the screen, does it necessarily mean the gigantic monsters in the movie need to go through the middle of your forehead everytime you see one You wonder why people get headaches watching 3D movies? Well, I certainly do! Continue reading ‘Sea Monsters in 3D’
D had won free tickets to the screening of Brick Lane at the Dendy Opera Quays last week. I had heard about the book sometime back but never read it. It was a sheer joy watching the movie last night.
Brick Lane was written by Monica Ali — born of English and Bangladeshi parents. She came to England aged three years and this was her first book which came out around 2003 highlighting the narrative of a Bangladeshi family living in the UK. Brick Lane was also nominated for the 2003 Booker Prize for Fiction and finally made into film in 2007.
England, 1935. A hot sultry day in the huge Victorian gothic mansion of the relatively wealthy and privileged Tallis. Briony the younger sister in the family has a talent for writing. But for some unfortunate reason her talent doesn’t just stop there. She is also gifted with a rather vivid imaginative mind. A keen observer that sees the world through intense scrutiny every passing moment. She notices Robbie — the house-keepers sons undying consumed and amorous love for her older sister Cecilia and is perhaps insecure and grudgingly resentful and desirous or even a little remorse of what she cannot have.
Nikki Blonsky will win your heart no matter what!! Zac Efron plays Link Larkin but his character is pretty pedestrian. Its Nikky you’ll love all the way and of course Michelle Pfeiffers very scheming role Velma. Oh Elijah Kelly does need a mention he is quite an adorable character too along side a slightly subdued role of Queen Latifah. You cannot not love this movie. With cute little phrases like “stricky chicken”, “once you’ve chocolate you never go back”… oh you just cannot love this movie enough. I had mixed feeling going in for this movie as I have seen the original Hairspray and thats just brilliant. But the young hearted Hairspray lived up to my expectations too. Class act. Don’t miss it for the world. Movie like these are rare. Another 8.5 on 10 from me. There is more.
The lovely people at Toga Hospitality had offered D tickets to watch movies of our choice at the German film Festival that ended in Sydney a couple of weeks back. We had chosen Sommersturm (German for Summer Storm). This has been screened in Sydney on many occasions during the Mardi Gras Film Festivals and by popular demands seems to come back over and over. Its one of those feel good movies that leave you wanting more and is at the same time very realistic.
Having watched 
You wonder why people get headaches watching 3D movies? 
Well, I certainly do!
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