Into the Wild

Im sitting here with mixed emotions trying to find a way to describe this film...or trying to write down my opinion. But its really hard. This is a film I pretty much wanted to see because of Sean Penn. I hadn't seen any of the other films he directed and Ive always liked his acting. He was brilliant in 'Mystic River' and I loved him in 'I Am Sam'...So when my sister asked me to go see this one with her (I think perhaps she developed a crush on Emile Hirsch after Alpha Dog...) I gladly came along.

When I decide to go see a film I avoid the reviews and critics and I try not to read much about it at all. I want to make up my own opinion first without being influenced by other peoples views. However, if the film sparks an interest (good or bad) I'll look it up and read anything I come across regarding reviews and interviews and all the other 'views' out there. So when I sat down in the theater to watch 'Into the wild' I had no idea this was a true story. I had no idea what it was about. The only thing I knew was that Sean Penn directed it and Emile Hirsch would appear in it.

I know you are supposed to give a synopsis when you write a review...but I guess this blog is no film-review site...it is just my opinion of various films...so I wont write the required synopsis. I'll just sum it up in one sentence; A young man (Emile Hirsch) is tired of society and the constant craving of things, and decides to leave everyone and everything behind and live in one with nature...in the wilderness of Alaska.

It doesnt sound like a very interesting synopsis...you probably think; "oh, not another one"..."Didnt Tom Hanks do that 'all-alone-far-away-from-modern-society'-kind of movie a couple of years ago?" But 'Into the Wild' is no 'Cast away'...It is a bold choice made by a young man...and the way this story ends rendered me sleepless for days. And thats why its hard for me to sit here and tell you exactly what I feel about this film. I cannot remember the last time a movie made this kind of impact on me...I just couldnt shake it. The rest of the evening I was quiet to the point where my boyfriend (who had just come home from a week of travel) thought I was angry with him...and the morning after I woke up feeling blue and just a general sadness I could not shake.

I guess telling you that the movie made me blue is not the best kind of advertisement...but sometimes a film can leave a mark...perhaps trigger an emotion you havent felt in a while...and in my opinion...any film that leaves an emotion in you that sticks even after you have left the theater...whether it is a feeling of happyness or sadness, is a good film.

-And 'Into the wild' is that film.

Be Kind Rewind

As I mentioned in my main blog last week, I was facing a bit of a dilemma...watching the Oscar's or finding out what the surprise screening of the film club would be. Well...it turned out that the Oscar show had been moved to a channel I dont recieve, so the choice was no longer a choice. I ended up at the movie theater. -And I have never been happier about missing a TV show in my life! I sat down in the dark without any expectations what-so-ever, and I was excited to find out, after about 2 minutes, that the film I was about to watch had not only Jack Black (one of the funniest people on the planet) but also Mos Def in it.

Normally I dont like comedies...mostly because I find the humor a bit forced. I do have a sense of humor and I love to laugh, but American comedies tend to be more slapstic than actually funny. This film is an exception. Yikes!

There were times when I had to look away due to severe lack of air in my lungs (one such incident was the fantastic camouflage outfits in one of the earlier scenes...). I cannot remember the last time I laughed this hard and long during a movie. The jokes came when you least expected it and they were at times so odd that you had to laugh. Laugh hard. I know I had my jaw resting on my chest more than once...in total befuddlement and complete joy.

The synopsis is as weird as the movie itself; Mos def working in a VHS video store, Jack Black getting magnetized (dont ask and it takes too long to explain), VHS tapes erased, Mos and Jack making their own versions of various blockbusters in order to save video store from complete ruination. They call their verisions "sweeded" as they are special editions coming all the way from Sweden...

It may have been the fact that I had absolutely no expectations of what I was about to watch, or it may just be that this movie rocks. Either way, I loved it and I tend to watch it again when it premieres here in Norway April 18th.

I suggest you do it too...if you like to laugh.

Excited about...

Cloverfield!
I first heard about this movie a year ago or so...I watched a trailer that was made before the actual filming had started. The trailer is filmed with a handheld digital camera and the footage is raw. A group of kids is filmed at a "going away party" when the party is interrupted by a massive roar outside. Next scene shows an explosion at what looks like Manhattan and the head of Lady liberty lands in the middle of the street. We are talking major monster movie, and the secrecy surrounding this film has created a huge buzz around the world wide web. Some said remake of Godzilla, others said alien invation. The hype surrounding it reminds me a great deal of the "Snakes on a plane" hype...and unfortunately high expectations usually result in high levels of disappointment...although I personally loved Snakes...you have to take it for what it is. See the irony in it and you will love it too.

Ofcourse Cloverfield has already premiered in the US but I have purposefully avoided the reviews the past couple of weeks. I dont want to know what this film is about. I want to figure it out as I am watching it. And I am planning to do so this weekend.

Ghost (1990)

Early last week I was sitting in the lab waiting for my cells to get fixated/dehydrated/embedded..the works. I was bored out of my mind and surfing the net trying to figure out which version of Live Free or Die Hard to get, when I stumbled across an online DVD sale. As I was scrolling through the list of cheap movies I found my favorite sob flick from the early 90s; Ghost. I have always loved this film and I am today shocked that I didnt already own it. Meaning; I ordered it, and it arrived 2 days later.

I am not going to write a synopsis, as I assume most people know the film (and if not you can visit imdb.com). But I can tell you that Demi has never been prettier and Patrick Swayze has never been more tolerable. I personally do not understand how Patrick could ever become a sex symbol...but I guess one womans mold is another womans truffle...and he does have very pretty eyes. His dramatic acting seems a bit off at times...looking a bit more constipated than frightened, but then again, I am no expert. -And I love the story. Shame on you Bruce Willis for turning down this part. Whoppi is fantastic and that oscar was well deserved. She brings so many laugh out loud moments to the film. I cannot imagine how it would have turned out if they had actually cast Tina Turner...who did audition for the part.

I was watching the film with the boyfriend and at the end he hogged all the tissues...It is a very moving ending...and I personally felt the need to be good afterwards. Dont want those scary shadows to come get me when Im done with this life...

So if you are wondering why I decided to bring up an 18 year-old movie, I will tell you that I did it out of respect. This film needs a bump so that the younger generations will pick it up and get inspired to do good...even if it only lasts a brief moment.