Lightly Toasted

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/

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The place is Tokyo, Japan — the land of the rising Sun. The era: 1960s, a time during which a lot of Japanese students protested established order. Japan was going through a change, resistance, aftermath of the horrifying nuclear holocaust. Toru Watanabe, the narrator who is often called Watanabe by his peers has a strong voice and is a very likeable character despite his highs and lows and his scholastic mediocrity. I particularly like his interest in American literature given Japans past with the US in that timeframe.

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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!

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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.

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Given the love we have for food and dining out its almost impossible to pass up an opportunity and given we hadn’t seen John, Tanya and Pam in such a long time it was only fitting we caught up nice and proper.

We did pose for a quick snap, unfortunately it was long after dinner and coffee. The Ginger Room, 165 Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay.

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The Line of Beauty , appropriately named or not, or am missing the link still, sure makes for an enthralling story that takes place in the Thatcherian UK — early 80s when Britain is experiencing the winds of change. Reading the reviews in the newspapers the other day I wondered if this would go wayside but soon caught my attention as I started watching the drama on ABC last night. The story starts with Nick Guest(Dan Stevens) moving in with Toby his best mates family — the wealthy Feddens. All through his graduation years at Oxford Nick has fancied Toby but moving in with the affluent Feddens at their London home brings about a sea change in the young heart of Nick. He experiences his sexual urges, falling in love head over heels after losing his virginity, drug induced highs and lows… dysfunctional and dramatic living, till things start to heat up. Amidst the euphoria of the champagne and parties, Nick witnesses political scandal, the deception and hypocrisy of the rich and desperate tragedy of the outbreak of AIDS. It truly makes for a gripping family drama. I’d say its a must watch if you’re reasonably broadminded. Here is a review from The Guardian Unlimited.

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.

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Hairspray — watch the trailer.

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.

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The Bourne Ultimatum film poster

Brilliantly crafted. Astutely mastered story. A sequence of heart throbbing action. Exhilarating! A masterpiece sequel and supersedes its predecessors Bourne Identity and Bourne Supremacy. I was totally thrilled right through the entire movie and if you ask me it puts James Bond movies to shame. Hands down!!

The film continues the long saga of Jason Bournes survival of the car chase in Moscow, Russia, and follows the character as he travels to Paris, London, Madrid, Tangier(Morocco) and New York City to uncover his real identity, while the members of the very bureaucratic CIA continues to send assassins after him Bourne Ultimatum is all about Jason Bourne a.k.a. David Webb’s aka Matt Damon home coming where all of his life as Bourne began… its been a while I have thoroughly enjoyed a movie so much. I’ve to say I’d gladly give Bourne Ultimatum 8.5 stars out of 10. This probably will stand out to be one of the best movies of 2007, and here is one more reason why:

The film was released on August 16, 2007, in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Singapore.

By the end of August 2007, the film was said to be on track to exceed the international box office gross of the first two films in the trilogy.

Have you watched it yet? You might like to watch the teaser?