Light little movie with a lot of heart. This 2012 drama-comedy is perfect for Mother and Daughter bonding; shedding light on the necessary ups and downs of life and how you should stick together. Written by Hiram Martinez and Directed by Patricia Riggen, this film got 6 wins and 3 nominations for it's positive message.
Running 93 minutes with a $5 million USD budget this story has been told time and time again but this unfolded with a different twist. Latina bomb-shell Eva Mendez stars genuinely alongside talented and confident new-comer Cierra Ramirez. Raini Rodriguez whom many may recognize from Disney and Canadian Comedian Russell Peters also adds passion and humanity.
This story reminds us of how clever the youth are and how they are only seeking for that dwindling attention that goes everywhere except where it needs to be. Presence will always be more sentimental and meaningful than presents. The responsibility of parenthood is one that shouldn't be taken lightly.
One of the stranger movies I've seen, and still unsure about the end; but based on a novel by Scottish Muriel Spark and I must say adapted into screenplay faithfully and intricately so, by Italian Giuseppe Patroni Griffi, and Raffaele La Capria. This 1974 film stars mentally disturbed 'Lise' played by English Elizabeth Taylor, Scottish Ian Bannen (whom you recall from Braveheart and Gandhi) and the everly clever and glamourous Andy Warhol.
Filmed in Germany and Italy and with a run-time of 105 minutes this film is enormously singular and that's because the story itself doesn't make much relevance at all. Film-makers succeeded in confusing the audience because after all it isn't meant to make sense but indeed showcase the parts of the brain that no longer offer logic. It's interesting to see despite it's age how appropriate it's content is today with heightened airport security and even terrorists and the significance of sex-crazed and sick society. I wouldn't admit to splendid cinematography but however most curious and enthralling; for example the opening scene of naked mannequins as well as the bleary forest towards the end.
Written by the infamous Tennessee Williams and directed by Josephy Losey, this 1968 Elizabeth Taylor classic shows how one can have everything except what they really need. Materialism only goes so far and without health and happiness one really becomes the poorest in the world. With a budget of $10 million USD, breathtaking landscapes of Sardinia, and exceptional costumes/wardrobe not to mention the undying chemistry between English Elizabeth and Welsh Richard Burton this film browsed carefully on many delicate questions on life and death.
Running for 113 minutes, the audience is mesmerized every step of the way not only by Taylor's exceptional acting but also by her enormous beauty and grace. Clever dialogue, great transitions and good pacing, Williams left no stone un-turned.
An exciting exploration of memories, the future, true wealth, and poetic dialogue that will keep you posing questions on nothing and everything all at once! :)) Drama, thriller, romance & passionate acting!
One of my favourite quotes from this film was: "Passports expire and so do invitations!"
I might not be the greatest of cooks, but I do fancy baking. I remember day-dreaming as a small girl, when my mother skillfully 'sifted' the flour for the delicious danishes she'd prepare for our family. I watched the cups of flour she poured in, slowly and gently; the flour grains separating to be collected carefully and lightly on the other side. This was how the flour could get air before becoming ready to bake. I feel as though our lives are also about sifting through all sorts of things before being ready to bake and rise to our full potential.
Life may be simple and charming for some, but for those who live truly and with challenge, life is a lot like developing film in a dark room. We work carefully and with meaning and the true beauty isn't born until our first rays of light. Bombarded with negativity and judged by our mistakes, we formulate immense doubt and foreboding. Why do the doors we choose keep being locked? Why do we keep hearing it slam? Over and over again? When what we give is our best and our life. Our vision is spit upon, laughed at, trodden on, and balled into a tight wad of impossibilities.
It is okay to make mistakes. It is okay to be a single voice of hope. Sure it nearly extinguishes our spirit, but our spirit is like a flame that is almost gone and then re-ignites with the kiss of a cool breeze. We must sift through the nonsense that is shot our way. What do they know anyway? They only try to bring you down because they have fear within themselves. We must be graceful, humble, and faith-full because it is the law of life that a brave spirit downtrodden and struggling, one day will be blessed with joyous laughs. We are stronger than we think darlings, channel your hurt and energy into creating the positive your heart sees. You are given desires for a reason and when you don't see clearly, you are being tested on just how great that desire is.
It's always exciting to put on a good 'cult' film. You're able to not only enjoy a decent story, be inspired or learn something, but also study what about it made it such a classic. 1996's 'Trainspotting' was just one of those; based on a novel by Scotsman Irvine Welsh and adapted into screenplay by Glasgow born John Hodge and directed by English Danny Boyle whom you may know from '28 Days Later', '127 hours' and 'Slumdog Millionaire'; this film was a successful and moving 'coming-of-age/boy-into-man/finding-oneself' type of film. Nominated for 1 Oscar, and with 15 nominations and 19 wins, it's plain to see the immense caliber of greatness and influence this film had on it's viewers.
With an estimated $3 million and making well double back, this film was a breakout film for talented, narrative masterpiece of an actor Ewan McGregor. But all actors involved were 100% committed to their characters and what drove them. Scottish Ewen Bremmer whom you may recall from 'Black Hawk Down', 'Snatch' and 'Pearl Harbor', English Johnny Lee Miller, whom you may remember from 'Aeon Flux' and 'Dark Shadows' Scottish engineer turned actor Kevin McKidd, voice from 'Brave and in 'Kingdom of Heaven, Glasgow bad-boy Robert Carlyle whom you may recognize from television's 'Once Upon A Time', 'The Full Monty' or '28 Weeks Later' and 'crazy Scottish beauty' Kelly Macdonald from 'No Country For Old Men', 'Brave' and 'Boardwalk Empire' all can credit this film to putting them on the map in the acting/film world.
Intense subject matter, honest acting, wonderful camera angles and decrepit as well as breathtaking sets and landscapes this film reminded me of 'Saturday Night Fever' in that it's 94 minutes of really 'how blessed you are' and about not being able to be grateful or aware of the beauty around you. Young adolescents/adults always look for something to move them, something to inspire them, something to assist in their rebellious spirit, when really, all you have to do or be is true to yourself.
Heavy-hearted in many instances, but chock-full of comedy and an inspirational message throughout, it is a film I'd recommend for every young person, looking to find themselves. It'd give them a positive perspective and save them a lot of heart-ache and distress. Life is only as hard as you make it - it's not easy, but if you have your best interest at heart, it's the first step to moving into a positive direction.
Set in Scotland with exceptional delivery and pacing; and a wonderful sound-track; certainly 'two-thumbs-up!' :))
