The Great Gatsby

And just like that you can make a girl's night - dinner and a movie - but dinner and 'The Great Gatsby' = 10 Brownie Points! Well, what a treat for me, I finally got to enjoy this 2013 film by Aussie master-mind Writer/Director Baz Luhrmann. Based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this cinematic masterpiece is now the holder of 6 nominations and most likely a score of Oscar nominations this year. Starring 'Somebody-give-him-an-Oscar-already' talented and determined Leonardo DiCaprio, English-rose Carrie Mulligan, Scottish A+ drunkard Jason Clarke, Muscatian-born, Aussie-raised Isla Fisher, American mellow-man Tobey Macguire (whom I loved in 'Cider House Rules') and Aussie Joel Edgerton whom you may remember from 'The Thing' or 'King Arthur'. 

This film was 'mind-glowingly good'; it made for an exquisite night of fun, awe and wonder at the greatness that can be achieved with a solid team, real professionals and hard-work. If the soundtrack doesn't get you…the powerful love story certainly will. With a budget of $105 million USD, the film has grossed a cool $128 million USD back within just it's first week. Backed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and scores of others, it's easy to see why everyone knew the prize presented to them. It was 142 minutes of unadulterated vivid brilliance! The cars, the wardrobe, the opulence and details down to the coffee pots and flowers were all very precise and thought-out. The audience's jaws' hung open by the peerless cinematography and poetic and tender dialogue. It was a luscious story about hopeless infatuation and longing, excruciating adversity and the sad delusion that comes along with it. It unfolded like a pleasant day-dream and switched to a wistful truth many can relate to.

Our wonderful actors, starring and parading all performed in synchronized symmetry. The direction is undeniably seamless, as it's close-shots, and ebbs melted into our viewer's palettes in the most charming way. This drama-romance is certainly now on 'Journey with Jair''s list of favourite films. It's inspiring, satisfying and magnificently made. Certainly a film to be admired and studied for years to come. Don't wipe away your tears…feel the magic… :))

Bachelorette

2011 brought us the hit-comedy 'Bridesmaids' and in 2012 Leslye Headland who wrote and directed this film thought it'd be smart to make a film very similar to it and cash in on it's crazy charm. What makes a film that's already been done just as decent? Star actress' of course and maybe also a crazy airplane scene! This 2012 comedy-romance gave us American beauties Kirsten Dunst and Lizzy Caplan, Aussie funny-gal Rebel Wilson and Omanian-born Aussie-raised wacky red-head Isla Fisher.

Amid the expected chaos, our main characters learn more about themselves and what they truly want in life. Becky's (played by Wilson) big day puts things in perspective for her friends and pivots them into taking a closer look at their lives. These girls were joined with other cast mates like, Hayes MacArthur whom you may remember from 'Life as We Know It' and 'She's Out of my League', Kyle Bornheimer from 'You Again', the handsome and talented James Marsden who's film career is too much to mention as well as Adam Scott whom you may remember from 'Step Brothers', 'Knocked Up' and 'The Aviator'.

Rated R for it's similar sexual content, pervasive language and extensive drug-use as brought the giggles in 'Bridesmaids', this $3 million USD budget did not make it back at the box-office. Good attempt at trying to make another genius film - but unfortunately - that was already achieved and achieved rather brilliantly. Though good acting, 'Bridesmaids' was genuine improv and fantastic chemistry on screen with friends; I felt that 'Bachelorette' was more acting and a tad bit 'teen-shallow'.