"Impossible" Not To Cry...

Last week I was able to catch "The Impossible" before it slipped away quietly in the Theatres here in Taiwan....   it did not get as much attention here, I suppose due to the subject matter...  after all, who wants to be SAD in the midst of the Chinese New Year celebrations...

 

But I am sooooo very glad I saw it upon my return to Taipei... already not playing in many theatres - as most movies here have a lifespan of 1 week or so only....  seeing it in the BIG SCREEN made the TSUNAMI effects all the more real and devastating....   I swear, I have not cried this much in the first half hour of a film since the Disney Pixar Animation Film, "UP"....   I have read so much heartbreaking stories about the TSUNAMI in 2004 that claimed so many a Vactioners' lives in Thailand...  but seeing all of these on film, based on a Spanish family's real life ordeals from this disaster, was just too much to take in without shedding tears....  and to happen in the midst of the Holiday Season....  Oh what they went through - physically and emotionally.... one would not even want to imagine, really....  

(ABOVE PHOTO: The real family the movie is based on.)

 

The acting were all top notch....  well deserved Oscar Nomination for Naomi Watts...  and Oscar's Biggest Snub and Blunder, in my opinion, is failing to reward novice actor, Tom Holland with a Best Supporting or Best Actor nod...   he truly carried the film...  such a heavy task for a young actor and he did it all....   he made you feel every struggle, every tear, every heartache...   and most of the time without even uttering a single line.... Good thing the critics all over the world were smart enough to single his acting out and rewarded him with Breakthrough Performer of the Year awards....   Big Future in the movies for this boy, that's for sure....  Am already a Fan!

At the end of it all, the movie is a Great Tribute to one's family's flight for survival, to all the lives lost, and the compassion of the Thai People.  MUST SEE FILM!!!

 

 

Silver Linings

Just caught this last night on DVD....  I had no idea what this film was about, really - bought the DVD simply because I heard the 2 main actors are Oscar Shoo Ins - as well, as the film itself...  and of course, since the main actor is a FAVE HOTTIE of mine: Bradley Cooper.   Let me tell you, sometimes it is BEST not to expect anything, then one can just go with the movie and enjoy it so much more for what it is!

 

The movie is very well written....  the family drama, the conflicts, even the light moments all makes sense.... of those films that pretty much ran the gamut - from heavy drama to comedy...  which is why I understand now, why the movie and all involved were lumped in the  MUSICAL/COMEDY category in the recent Golden Globes - the drama was subtle but packs a wallop.

 

BRAVO all around to all actors - principal and supporting.... much deserved OSCAR Nominations - yes, even for the Mother! Bradley Cooper is just getting better and better as an actor....  I do not often get to see him in dramas - but he can totally carry the weight of it all...  he is cvery much so, a capable actor and given the right roles - he can only shine so much more....  and ma how handsome and sexy he is.   Jennifer Lawrence, for me was a revelation.... as if am watching a different actress from the one who played Mystique and Kat of Hunger Games... and then there's Rober DeNiro - what more can one say about this guy...   truly one of the best actors of all time - he never misses!!!

 

MORE INFO HERE: Silver Linings IMDB

ROCK ON!!!

It is suffice to say that all my friends pretty much know that am sooooo into  MUSICALS....   I must have even stated it here, in a few blogs about Theatre and Movie Musicals....   so when the movie, from the 2006 Broadway Musical, ROCK OF AGES came out - pretty much everyone assumes that I will be there opening night...  but I was not... even  with the idea of seeing Tom Cruise doing his take on AXEL ROSE (writhing around stage half naked!)  being  soooo enticing  - not forgetting to mention Academy Award Winner Catherina Zeta Jones back in a Musical movie)...  somehow, I was afraid it would be too ROCK for me...as in Heavy Metal Rock... a GENRE of Music I never really got into....  Boy was I wrong!!!

I actually knew almost all the songs used for the film - and the storyline was nicely held together by the song choices....  it all worked for me - even found myself singing along to a few of the numbers....   sorry moviegoers...  :) - proving a point that a MUSICAL PERSON can actually appreciate all GENRE as long as they are GOOD MUSIC!!!  Stand out songs of course are "More Than Words" by Extreme and "Waiting For a Girl Like You" by Foreigner - but there are other Great contributions too from Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Journey, REO Speedwagon, etc...

 

 

The movie itself was by the numbers - simple, straightforward - and even the surprise regarding Catherine Zeta Jones' character close to the end was predictable....  still, all is forgiven as all the actors in the movie were just great...  to a point that you can actually feel them enjoying playing their characters - a bit exxagerated but just so that it is not too out of the place....  The young leads, Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta are both capable, and had such a nice chemistry that you root for their love to overcome all the excess of the Rock and Roll world/scene in the 80's Los Angeles....

 

The small town girl and the big city boy's worlds collide.

 

 Catherine, if were given a bit more to do, could easily walk away with another Oscar.....  Paul Giamatti is one wickedly delisciou A**hole of a manager....   the tandem of Alec Baldwin and Russel Brandt were soooo unexpectedly hilarious (the whole movie house was in such roaring laughter with their revelation for each other!)....   and  Tom Cruise...  well, what can one say?  Take away all his private personas - this guy is one hell of an actor....  he can actually do it all - believably!  Special Mention goes out to Miss Mary J Blighe - truly one DIVA of a performer....  all eyes on her when she is onscreen belting out her musical numbers...  what a voice!!!

 

I would actually reccomend this film.... one surprisingly fun and entertaining musical of a movie....  just the right kind of film you want to see on a rainy Friday night...  well, any night for that matter, really... .   :) 

Of course this W Magazine cover was enough to interest anyone into seeing the film - but TRUST me - this is quite TRUE...   plus so much more!!!

 

L O V E * AI

Was fortunate enough to be able to catch the VIP Screening of this Taiwan made film....   LOVE....  I believe it came out around Valentine's Day - so I was surprised to get a Pass for a special screening just last nite.....  Thanksto Lyn and Shaun - for not wanting to see it - I got to go.... hahahahahahahaha....

Almost did not go for a few reasons:

-so last minute..

-it was a rainy nite so being lazy was more on the agenda...

-was afraid it will not have English Subtitles like most Chinese films released here...

am sooooo very glad I had a changed of heart and actually got myself to go.....  it helped that the rain subsided a bit when I went (even stopped altogether on my walk home!)....  from the poster alone, I knew I was interested in seeing the film....  too many familiar faces that I like - Mark Chao, Ethan Ruan & the MONGA BOYS, Zhao Wei, A-Shin's Eddie Peng and the main draw for me: SHU QI...  and the movie was sprinkled by special appearances of other familiar faces.....   plus filmed all throughout Taipei that I recognized and even a bit in Beijing.....   the director & producer and star of the film, Doze Niu even made an appearance before the movie commenced.

I knew that with the subject matter... and all the intertwined stories, i knew that even without the English subtitles, it will be easy enough for me to comprehend....   it was an added plus, that I was treated to English Subtitles.....    not at all expected.....    and yes, the stories were simple enough and even somewhat, predictable, as most love stories go: "she loves him, he loves another" variation, "man who cannot feel falls in love", young love, middle aged love, old love, etc...; ....  but the way there handed down to us - was quirky, funny, touching.....     the actors all delivered....   all as charming as can be....  maybe it helped that there were many of them to watch - one does not tire entirely of just one actor's acting.....most of the IDOL DRAMA actors are better watched in small dosages....   and SHINE they did....  they made me laugh, cry and feel.... which was a bit weird as I was seeing the movie on my own....

Shu Qi, to me is incomparable.....  so understated in her acting but can make you feel so much with just a glance....   she is, like most of us, is getting on in age but still, as luminous and as commanding a presence, as ever....  when she is in the screen - everyone else disappears.....

IMMORTALS

What a GREAT way to spend another rainy day in Taipei....   watching IMMORTALS in the big screen!!!   it was worth every penny and every effort from navigating through the rain....   ADD this to my list of FAVE movies for 2011 - and Henry Cavill as a certified HUNK and leading actor...  always knew he would fit right in on the big screen.....

Knowing that this is from the same creators of the movie 300 - one is certain to expect Great Visuals and Great Action Sequences....  well, IMMORTALS has all that and so much more....  not as dark as 300, especially the sequences in Mount Olympus, where Zeus and the other Gods (Athena, Poseidon, Ares, etc..) discusses what's going on down below...  this world is very Pierre et Giles in looks and feel...  colorful, sparkly & sensual...   not that the scenes below are not sensual - it was that but Gritty as well....   every frame will hold you captivated....  actions sequences or not....

It helps a lot that the actors fits the movie quite well....  with Mickey Rourke providing real acting chops as the baddie...  he did not need to be totally enhanced as was the baddies in 300 - his acting alone was enough to chew up every scene he is in....   the supporting casts of familiar faces (Stephen Dorf, John Hurt, Freida Pinto, Isabel Lucas as Goddes Athena, Kellan Lutz as Poseidon, and most notably, Luke Evans as Zeus...) were all pretty good, as well....   again, they fit right in...  one forgets that these are just actors playing parts....   I was totally engrossed in the film... 

and Henry Cavill totally delivered on the promised seen in the HBO Series The Tudors....  now am even more soooo looking forward to seeing him fly in the screen as the Man of Steel!!!

Never mind that, most likely the director and producers of the film, butchered up the whole Mythology of Theseus - you just go in for the ride and come out Visually Satisfied!!!  Very much recommended - rainy day or not....

THE SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE

The Sorcerer and the White Snake is another retelling of an old popular Chinese film - updated, infused with so much CGI that thrills and sadly, overwhelms the poignant love stories....  just as it did the retelling of A Chinese Ghost Story - shown a few months earlier....

This visual delight of a movie is a Chinese tale about the romance between a human, herbalist XuXian (Raymond Lam), and a demon in the form of a white snake which can take human form (Eva Huang). Between them comes a crusading monk and sorcerer Fa Hai (Jet Li) whose mission it is to fight demons, and of course, to his sensibilities, this liaison is not acceptable.

Overwhelming the love story are the elaborate fight sequences, amazing to watch but it did get tiring after a while as one would like to see more of the main characters' emotional story. And as an added bonus, familiar faces decorates the film throughout: Miriam Yeoung, Vivian Hsu & Charlene Tsoi as the Green Snake.   Nonetheless, it is an entertaining film under the direction of famous action choreographer turned director, Tony Ching.

I totally recommend this film - the younger generations would not be disappointed by the colorful & amazing graphics and the older ones will be touched, even just a bit, by this modern take...  

but of course, for me, the one I saw many years back, White Snake/Green Snake, is still a better film - after all, who can forget and resists the charms of both Maggie Cheung & Joey Wong as the snake sisters..... and the super Hottie Hunk, Wu Shing Kuo as the Sorcerer Monk...  and as a TREAT for you all - here's the trailer for the Original with Maggie Cheung and Joey Wong...

HP7.2 & the Ladies.....

okay okay, am probably going to get STONED for this but admittedly, am probably one of the few who did not get on the Harry Potter Bandwagon.... did not read a single book.... saw parts 1, 3, and last year's Harry Potter 7 . Part 1...

Though I did enjoy the first one, i just did not get hooked like most... so I skipped 2... but was dragged to 3.... and saw the 7th one just because there was nothing else to see at that time..... but this time, I really opted to go with the girls (Juliana, Sue & Cecilia - now, they are REAL FANS!)) to see what is to be the end - but then again, is there ever an end to something that just keep on making money??? am sure Hollywood will still find a way to bring back the franchise... in one form or another....

The movie delivered.... I actually enjoyed it very much and was entranced by all the things that was going on.... I was glued to the screen all 2 hrs plus of it.... even when that creepy snake was slithering about - and you know I cannot stand snakes... so many characters died - and not just minor ones... and though it is to be expected that GOOD will TRIUMPH OVER EVIL - you actually HOPED for this throughout.... this is nothing like the first kiddie one I saw many years ago.... it is more mature, darker, and much much more emotional... now I wish there would be a follow up....

Seeing was a total experience too.... so many people lined up to get tickets for the early show - under the heat of the beating sun.... still, you see nothing but excitement in their faces.... and in the theatre - you see how they really get into the film.... clapping, agitated and yes, crying.... I have not seen so many audiences get this emotionally involved since ET phoned home... LOL..... NOTE: TWILLIGHT SAGA does not count - another franchise I never got into... LOL....

THANKS FOR TAKING ME, LADIES!!!

THOR in 4D!!!!

LOL.... I already cannot stand 3D versions of movies - somehow they give me a headache... but 4D!!! Okay, okay a little exxageration on my part.... actually went to see the regular version of the movie @ the Warner Viewshow movie house - almost halfway into it, the movie theatre started shaking - for almost a minute.... and it happened during the part where the EVIL BROTHER was picking this box that caused a lightning tremors in the film... so we were all a bit confused for a sec - till we realized it was a real Earthquake, and at that point many of us got up and some were too shocked/scared to react.... but it was not that bad and there were no aftershocks so it was on with the entertainment.... The Movie house went all out and even had a THOR greeting movie goers on this, premiere weekend - albeit in a cheesier costume... hahahahahaha...

I LOVED THE FILM!!! It was fun, entertaining and a feast visually... the CGI Graphics were phenomenal... so it was almost SAD that the entire movie was not filmed in Thor's realm... Thank God, the present day storyline has Natalie Portman -she was/is always a feast for the eyes.... and no matter how cheesy her lines were at times - she delivers.... a TRUE ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTRESS! Do not really know much about Chris Hemsworth, who plays the God of Thunder - but he is pleasing to the eyes... and he embodies Thor, rather nicely.... just do not care much for how he delivers his lines.... One of those, Beautiful Hunk but please do not speak.... LOL! And the supporting cast were pretty strong, as well... in Thor's realm, as well as, modern Earth....The storyline is pretty good... am not familiar with his origins too much but if this is MARVEL produced then it should be pretty close to it... satisfying both in story telling as well as graphic detailings... it had some snappy lines - especially those given to Kat Dennings, who plays Natalie Portman's assistant... action scenes are GREAT - never enough when builing character backgrounds.... so we can only HOPE for a SEQUEL - for bigger fight scenes....

THOR: Official Movie Site & Trailer:
http://thor.marvel.com/

The Fighter

The Fighter was not on my list of movies to see, really... am not one for BOXING or any movies that's got to do with Boxing.... all that punching... all that bleeding... hmmm, just not my kind of escapism.... As much as I like Robert De Niro, I have never seen Raging Bull... probably his only film I never got to see.... and probably never will... I did see Million Dollar Baby just because I like and respect the kind of movies Clint Eastwood directs....

The came The Fighter, with it's top notch cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, et al... already tempting but still the subject matter did not attract me so... that is of course, I saw the trailer and just could not believe my eyes when I saw Christian Bale... how gawky and sickly he looked; and how it looked like it was going to be one of those really nuanced performance, once again... and it was.... anyone who goes to see this movie will just be Blown Away.... and will probably say exactly what I did after finishing the film: "Give the guy an OSCAR, already!" And if they had switched up the storyline and made it really all about his character, he would be a shoo-in for Best Actor, instead of Best Supporting Actor.... He Truly is just getting better and better with his craft... and sooo unrelenting and fearless in what he does for his movies....

Not that am saying Mark Wahlberg was not good - he was... he also did his role justice and has also evolved into a very fine actor... and you will be BLOWN AWAY by his built - quite the opposite of Christian Bale, he is beefy to the max.... even Hotter than his Calvin Klein days.... and not sure what it is, he actually looked younger here that he has looked in years... His character is a man of not many words but you can see all the emotions in his face... his eyes expresses so much that you just feel for him...

The two supporting actresses, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo are TOP FORM too... if I am the Academy, I would have such a hard time who to pick between them to give the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress to... Amy Adams, maybe just by a hair, just because I have never seen, nor would I have even imagined her, in a role such as this... trashy, tough talking, and raw... so for me, her acting was a revelation and had so much depth...

There were other characters in the mix - and all the players did a wonderful job embodying the roles they were all playing... like I sad, TOP NOTCH PERFORMANCES ALL AROUND.... and as an added bonus, the movie really was NOT just a BOXING movie... yes it dealt with the life of boxing brothers - but dealt in so much more than that... the family drama was heart wrenching in so many parts, even when the family is being happy - you still feel sorry for them as you know deep down, they were all living such a sorry life... now am not sure if the real family was so - especially the many sisters, as it was not dealt with much - but in the movie you see and feel it all..

I cannot wait to see how the movie will fare at the Oscars come Sunday nite... and I can tell you this, will not look at Boxing movie the same way ever again....

with "Amphetamine" - who says Friday the 13th is UNLUCKY!!!

Have always been told to watch out come Friday The 13th.... so many superstitions.... so many things to avoid and look out for.... overall it is to be a very UNLUCKY Day... so most of the time, I try to do little - especially if it involves being out and about... take extra precautions and all...

Well, what could have been a boring nite turned out rather nicely when I decided to see the Premiere showing of AMPHETAMINE on my own.... a brand new, Gay-Themed, movie from Hong Kong director, Scud.... Normally, I do not go run out to see these types of movies when they first come out, often I get disappointed... but after seeing the oh-so-artsy preview a couple of times - I knew I wanted to see it in the big screen....


...and am so very glad I did!!!Not only was it a very nice film.... I got to meet and hang with the leads and the director... YOWZA!!!

A little backstory on how the Nite unfolded for me: I was really hoping my friend would get us tickets for this film, but that did not happen... so later that nite, I decided to still go and see the last showing anyway - not even knowing the Showtime.... I decided, if I get there on time, I get to see it... if not, I at least, can feast on Burger King, which happens to be next door to the cinema... I did not only get there in plenty of time, I was able to treat myself to my Fave Chicken Sandwich at Burger King.... and I got there early enough to ENJOY the Press and Fan Personal Appearance of the movie's director and two male leads.... A COMPLETE SURPRISE, as I knew nothing about it.... I was just ushered into the room... Director Scud was funny and gave insights to the film... and the two male leads are just as charming (and HUNKY!) off screen, as they are on screen.... so this was an added treat, indeed...

MOVIE SYNOPSIS (From the Official Site)
Kafka, a straight fitness trainer meets Daniel, a passionate executive who happens to be gay. The young men fatefully fall in love and believe that their love can bridge anything, even their difference in sexuality and Kafka's drug habits.
Daniel does not regret his love for Kafka, who tries to love him back against his nature. But a dreadful memory from Kafka's past makes it difficult for their relationship to work. It turns out that their addiction to love proves more fatal than the drugs they use to explore the boundaries of their friendship...

The movie was artsy indeed.... great images especially on the dreaming/hallucinating scenes... the storyline was well written enough, and very compelling... I was truly moved and wanted to know more and more about Kafka.... why he turns to Amphetamine? why Daniel, a successful, handsome financier, could stay with Kafka and his addiction? Little by little the story unfolded and all questions were asked.... and keeping true to the movie's TAGLINE: "There is no way to quit a fateful love" - the movie chronicled their love affair: from their fateful meeting, their happy & adrenaline pumping adventures, and right down to their relationships' bittersweet ending...

Don't want to have to give away more of the story... rather, I will just recommend you go out and see the movie... and experience for yourself this emotional roller coaster of a relationship...

OFFICIAL SITE

Complete Photos Here

"Blood Brothers" Revisited...

This whole week, as I work , I have been watching a whole lot of DVDs.... it is good to have them on the background - for company... catching up on TV seriese am so behind in (Vampire Diaries, LOST); checking out what everyone else is talking about (TRUE BLOOD); and re watching some movies I like... Atonement, What Dreams Are Made Of, & Blood Brothers... love love love them all....

and then I came across this ENTRY of mine (Pre Baxter-Ramblings days) in "and the Beat Goes On", dated Aug 19th, 2007 (almost 3 years to the date!!!!) over on FRIENDSTER after seeing Blood Brothers - so I decided to add it here, too:
--------------------------------------------


Blood Brothers
Since it is still non-stop rain here in Taipei and am adjusting to my Chinese mode once again - what better way to while away the SUNDAY afternoon than a Chinese film…

"Blood Brothers", starring basically all my Chinese fave actors and actress that you have heard me write about many times over (Daniel Wu, Tony Yang, Chang Chen & Shu Qi ) proved to be a GREAT CHOICE…

Set in the 1930’s - the movie told a tale of 3 friends from the countryside of China who went to decadent Shanghai to seek fortune and Paradise… literally as they end up working for a MOB BOSS who owns and runs, Paradise Club….

In true gangster style the trio ends up working for the Mob Boss… one falls for the Mob Boss’ gal, one becomes thoroughly corrupted by power and bigger dreams, and one becomes the innocent victim of it all… the sets are great and so is the costuming… Shu Qi, whose role was expanded during the film is so luminous as the Club’s star performer and the object of the men’s desires….

Overall, the acting from everyone is just right on…. and the story - though simple and predictable at times - still delivers all the emotional impact needed to make one memorable film….

For a bit more back story on the film - click here:
Blood_Brothers_(2007_film)
and for the TRAILER with ENGLISH subtitles:

Love You 10,000 Years

What a Night!!!

On Friday the 6th, I was LUCKY enough to be invited to attend the Special Media Screening of this brand new movie, Love You 10,000 Years, starring Taiwanese Actor Vic Chou of Meteor Garden Fame (also of the boy band F4) ... it was such a FRENZY - with so much media.... A FUN movie... and the Japanese Actress Youko Kato....

At first I was not sure about going - since am not a biiiig FAN of Vic Chou, the movie's main star.. I was never into Meteor Garden... in fact I think, I only got to see one episode ever... in my life - though it seems it is always on TV.... But being the starstruck person that I am, I decided to go anyway.... what the heck, I would at least get to see beautiful people...

The story is quite simple: Japanese Girl leaves her native Japan for the first time, goes to Taiwan for 3 months to hone her Chinese, so she can move to the Shanghai's office of her company... of course, she falls for a Taiwanese boy - not just an ordinary boy - but a ROCKER with so many issues, including the fact that he has never had a relationship past the 3 month mark... so Perfect for them, right? WRONG! as all CHEESY love stories aimed at teenagers go: they fall deeply, madly in love in the midst of their fightings and cross racial adjustments.... Typical story, predictable & just mindless fun, really...

What makes it work for me are the colorful visual images the directors kept feeding the audiences.... the great Taipei locations used..... the familiar personalities sprinkled throughout the movie.... and the title song itself - I was hooked - very catchy and cheesily done in one segment of the movie... I loved it!!!! hahahhahahahahah

I actually liked the Japanese actress Youko Kato - do not really know her... she was soooo natural and it helped that she is not your typical Gorgeous starlet that makes it believable the role she is playing..... she handled her Chinese deliveries quite well - coming from a fellow foreigner trying to get by with his Chinese.... as for Vic Chou - well, am not too sure here.... again, I was never a fan.... never see what others see in him.... Yes he is not bad to look at... and looks good in clothes but that's about it for me.... I have never seen him in anything he's done that I can actually believe him in... and him playing a ROCKER here...well, I could think of many other Taiwanese actors more suitable for the role.... but anyway, am sure the movie will see - just because of his star appeal alone.... Actually when we got out of the cinema after the screening, I was AMAZED at how many people were outside - thousands really - all lined up for the next showing.... and to get a glimpse of this Taiwan Heartthrob...

The Movie's Theme Song

Big Thanks to my friend, Carry Lee, for knowing that this is just the kind of things I love attending.... here's hoping I did not get giddily excited that I will get invited again soon.... hahahahahahahahahaha

MORE PHOTOS HERE

an ExtraOrdinary Love Story

...that about sum's up the film "Do Comeco Ao" (From Beginning to End) from Brazil, for me.... this unapologetic, sweet and gentle love story between half-brothers, yes, you read it correctly... HALF BROTHERS... was a complete surprise for me in many ways....first of all, I was not aware this was the film we were about to see.... was told we were going to see a Chinese Gay Art film, Amphetamine, but all INFOs were crossed - so it was not that one but this one... first I was disappointed... then when the movie began and found out there was no English subtitles - then I was even more in an iffy mood.... the movie is in Portuguese with Chinese subtitles.... and though both, David & Carry, were kind enough to verbally translate for me - it was actually a nuisance, more than anything.... having someone speak to your ears as you try and watch a film - lols... so I relied mostly on just watching the film and understanding through all the acting and facial expressions... and yes, from time to time, catch a bit of Spanish in there...

anyway, the story is simple enough.... but done in a very sweet & gentle way.... the first half focused on the half brothers young family life.... how close the whole family is.... how everyone is so loving.... and how at an early age you can already see signs how deep the bond between the half brothers are... (I actually found this part so sweet - it will make you cry and laugh... and wish to be with your family...) You see the boys act with so much love and admiration for each other... but not with malice.... you see them happy living in their world with just the family, and just the two of them as playmates.... and it was enough....

All these carried on, to their adult years.... with people in their lives coming and going.... in particular the devastatingly death of their sweet mother - in which one of the characters narrated - "with her gone.... all that is left is love and desire".... love and desire for each other in which they succumbed to (heard a few gasps here from the audience).... then it was all about their life as a couple... happiness... sharing.... and the pain of being separated as the younger one had to go to RUSSIA for 3 years to train for SWIMMING in the OLYMPICS... you will witness the strain of the separation and what they did to overcome it all....

So, the three of us had mixed feelings over this movie.... David still cannot get over that they are half brothers.... Carry, wished that they showed more how they did with the outside world knowing about their relationship... and for me, it was enough that it was actually told this way... with not much more explanations.... that their love was pure, intense, deep, and bonding.... unapologetic and need not explained to anyone else... they only had each other to answer to... care for... love with....

The stars of the movie are all beautiful.... just as you would IMAGINE how the Brazilians truly are.... and everyone is just soooo natural.... as if you are not watching a movie but truly a family life unfolding before your every eyes... the older brother in particular is the one that caught my eyes.... soooo EXPRESSIVE his eyes.... reminds me of a young Daniel Day Lewis or Jim Cazaviel....
The Official Trailer for the movie:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED GUYS..... catch it if you can.. truly, you will Laugh, Cry, Fall In Love, get Frustrated and Confused.... but no matter, you will come away with a good feeling.....
Jaoa Gabriel - the older brother:

"Hot SUmmer Days" : The Movie

This is TRULY a FUN FILM to ESCAPE the HEAT of the SUMMER DAYS about people trying to escape/deal and find LOVE over a period of Hot Summer Days...

Intertwining 5 separate stories, the movie worked well, as the audience is left to laugh, cry, salivate, sweat, love and even feel the heat of the summer days... something for everyone... standout for me were a couple of the story lines: 1) young love set in the 40's China... the young stars from China are both captivating to watch... and possibly the best actors in the bunch... 2) has to be about the photographer who goes blind... and this story line ties in really well with the characters of the young lovers.... this is not to say that the other stories are not entertaining, as they were... and that they come as snippets is an added bonus to the viewers - makes us welcome them more when and as they appear... and we are able to overlook the flaws of the storyline - which would have been more apparent if shown in their entirety all at once....

The eclectic cast are all familiar faces - from Hong Kong, China & Taiwan: Nicholas Tse, Daniel Wu, Barbie Hsu, Jackey Cheung, etc.... even Pau Mei, the legendary Kung Fu star of Hong Kong... plus added surprise cameos by many: Charlene Choi of TWINS, Shawn Yue and most surprisingly, a personal fave, Maggie Cheung...

So if you are looking for a fun escape movie - give this one a chance.... you will definitely be able to deal with the summer heat a whole lot better.....

Brothers

Not ever having seen the Original Susanne Bier film, I knew NOT what to expect from this film, Brothers (released in 2009 in the US, and just recently in Asia).... we (David, Liya & I) were all second guessing what's to come... and what we all thought as predictable turned out to have been unpredictable all in all...

The movie with it's subtleness could very well have been a TV MOVIE, in my opinion, but the outstanding performances of the three leads, Tobey McGuire (creepily lanky and so intense); Natalie Portman (luminous and as always, emotionally beautiful to watch); and Jake Gyllenhaal (he just keeps getting better and better with each movie)... as well as the supporting cast...

At the beginning of the film, one is lead to believe that this simple, normal, loving family's life (Young Couple Tobey & Natalie with their two kids) would be upsetted by the arrival of Tobey's bad boy brother, Jake - newly released from prison... but it was to be sooo much more once Tobey's character goes to Afghanistan as a young captain in the US Marines, where he was captured by the enemies and was presumed dead by the Marines and the family...

Harrowing sequences of Tobey & friend's capture... and tortures.... not for the soft hearted (Liya actually had to scream and walk away a couple of times!) ...and what was to happen in captivity, set off all the drama of the movie....

When I first saw the poster for this film, and see the three leads, I knew I wanted to see it... and now am very glad I did.... again, the director Jim Sheridan did not go for the full blown drama... nor did the actors do over the top performances... but it was all the subtleties of the film and the actors that made the movie even more worth seeing for me... All three actors, I PREDICT, will sooner or later, walk away with their own OSCARS - if Hollywood would just really take notice....

NINE

Just got home from seeing this film.... been waiting for NINE with bated breath ever since I so the first PREVIEWS a few months back.... what a cast and helmed by the same director of CHICAGO -- so right away one has HIGH HOPES... not to mention, the fact that I had seen the play many years ago with Mr Antonio Banderas in it and loved it... so am a bit familiar with the songs....

okay, i think you all know where am going with this one... Yes, I was a bit disappointed.... not that it is BAD... it was NOT... actually the production numbers are pretty good... the actors - every single one of them did well with their parts and musical numbers.... most exceptional for me is Penelope Cruz... I did not even know she could dance and sing -- another well deserved Oscar Nomination,as her part was much more developed and explored -- and she did it all oh-so-seductively!.... Fergie in her little role still stood out... truly a belter!!! and Kate Hudson's number was KICKY FUN... was also a TREAT to see Sophia Loren up in the big screen.... and what can one say about Daniel Day Lewis and Dame Judi Dench - they are actors ALL THE WAY!!!

Having Nicole Kidman as the director's muse could not have been any more RIGHT on... she is as luminous as ever..... SADLY, and this is one of the biggest DISAPPOINTED for me, her song was cut up by intertwining it with dialogues -- which is a bit annoying through most of the musical numbers.... unlike CHICAGO, one does not get to witness the musical numbers as they should have been - to the fullest... most especially, Nicole's lament to a love that never saw its fruition number... a wonderful, subtle, and emotional ballad - and actually my FAVE song from the musical... by cutting back & forth between the song and the dialogues - it lost it's EMOTIONAL IMPACT....

So, though it was entertaining to see the wonderful cast in the musical... see beautiful parts of Italy.... and see another Broadway Musical get a movie treatment - am afraid the movie, as a whole just did not do it for me... Still, it is always GREAT to see Musical Numbers in the big screen as they are meant to be seen... afterwards, just go on YOU TUBE and watch & enjoy each of the numbers, in full, again and again...

...because every relationship is different..

On this rainy Sunday afternoon, we decided to take a break and see a movie... with nothing really exciting out here now (ASTRO BOY is still not out yet) - we went to see Dieta Mediterránea on the basis of the poster alone... the food theme enticed David, and for me, the draw is that it is a SPANISH film... so, if nothing else, I knew I would at least enjoy hearing Spanish...

The movie was absolutely DELICIOSO... it was TRULY more than a movie about someone with a PASSION for food... for cooking... so much was thrown into the film that it satisfies you in every way... from the three main characters, right down to the supporting casts - the acting is all superb... the relationship between the three characters was borderline unreal - and yet, the actors and the director, made you feel otherwise... it's so real that I was even rooting for the three of them to stay together!!!

Truly a well written, well acted film... very much recommended...

If You Are The One - Movie Review

Am awfully glad to finally have seen this movie right from the Poster itself, not even knowing anything about it. After all, Taiwan's Shu Qi starring as an Airline Stewardess - surely, could not be bad at all. Alas, it was not in the cards for me, as I was away on a trip when it first came out. So glad for the 2nd run movie house as am able to catch up on some movies missed.

If You Are The One is a smart romantic comedy that become the highest-grossing Chinese movie of all time. Directed by popular and world reknown Chinese director, Feng Xiaogang, the movie follows Ge You (a staple in numerous Xiaogang films), plays Qin Fen, an inventor who strikes it rich thus making him free to basically just do whatever he pleases. What's next for him? Find a wife. He promptly puts up one of the most hilariously on-line ads you’ll ever see/hear. “To avoid mutual disappointment, no PhD’s should apply. Don’t be too young. Don’t be too complicated.” It would be a sexist screed if he wasn’t also devastatingly honest about his own lack of charms. After spending a decade overseas he reports that he’s a three-strikes returnee. “No company. No stocks. No degree.” What follows is a series of 5 to 10 minute, funniest blind dates one will ever witness. The along came the ever- radiant, and a personal FAVE of mine, Shu Qi as Smiley Liang, a flight attendant with whom Qin shares a disastrous first date - but not until aftetr they shared a few drinks and confessed sob stories with each other - thinking that neither one of them will ever see each other again. WRONG!!! As later on, they happen to all be on the same flight - along with Smiley's married lover and his wife.

The two meets again when she’s at rock bottom, suffering through a tortured break-up with her married boyfriend (Alex Fong) who promised her 3 years, but can’t bring himself to leave his wife. The two wounded romantics decide to become friends & lovers, watching each others’ backs as they travel the road to romance in the beautiful city of Hokkaido. A place that holds dear memories to Smiley, as it was a place where she strarted her affair with the married man, and wehere she would like to say goodbye to it all - literally.If You Are The One pulls you in with its charms - flirting and seducing its way into your heart -- until finally, you fall head over heels in love with it. Clever storytelling, witty dialogues, luscious locales, and both leads pulling you into all sorts of emotional entanglements. You feel what they feel. It is one of those films that in lesser hands and inadequate actors - would have been just another Chinese film. But it is more than a film. Under Feng Xiaogang's direction, it gives you hope that one's past doesn’t matter. That no matter how screwed up it might be, the present is, and will always be, full of possibilities and the future looks brighter all the time.

in the mood for love

Recently, I got to see again one of my ALL TIME FAVE movies ever, In The Mood For Love... Released in 2000, this movie, IMHO, is an instant classic... no reviews can give it justice... Visually Stunning, ... Emotionally Driven.... Exquisite Costuming.... and Pure Subtle Emotional Acting from the two leads, Tony Leung (who won a Best Actor Award for the Film in Cannes) & Maggie Cheung (one of my all time fave actresses, very underrated and underused, ; also nominated in Cannes but instead won for a different film, CLEAN, a couple of years later). From director extra-ordinaire, who has such a HUGE CULT and INTENATIONAL following, Wong Kar Wai.

The JIST of the Story:
Wong Kar-Wai returns with his most accessible work yet. Chow Mo-Wan (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) and his wife move into their apartment on the same day that Mrs. Chan (Maggie Cheung) and her husband move into the apartment next door. At first their relationship consists of passing pleasantries and mundane mahjong games with the neighbors but soon a sneaking suspicion bubbles its way to the surface. The increasing absence of their respective spouses arrives at the same time that Chow sees his wife carrying the same handbag as Mrs. Chan. Mrs. Chan, in turn, notices that her husband sports a tie similar to that worn by Chow. The two begin a clandestine friendship, and soon discover their desire turning from revenge to genuine passion.

What sounds like a typical weepie LOVE STORY is elevated to amazing levels by the principal players... even without much dialogue - the main actors, Maggie & Tony, conveys so much emotions throughout the film. Longing, Betrayal, Hurt, Revenge, Defeat, Happiness, Passion, etc... all emotions, sappy viewers like me, will feel and share throughout and long after the movie has ended... A MUST SEE!!!

This is one movie I will be watching over and over and over again....

Benjamin Button

Now and again, a movie comes along that touches me in so many ways, it is so hard for me to put it all into words.... I have to watch it again, and again, just to get the full jist of what the movie is about FOR ME!

Benjamin Button is such that I must have seen it 4 times already.... it was such an emotional journey of a movie -- touches all sorts of aspects of life: relationships, aspirations, fate, life journeys, loss, love, death, ageing and everything else in between....

Brad Pitt chalks up another notch in his MUST SEE MOVIES.... his acting, IMHO, just gets better and better as he gets older... he brings so much emotions to his character even when not saying anything... he remains, to me, as the ultimate Hollywood actor of his generation - looks, acting chops, smarts to pick the right movies to make, and last but certainly not the least, compassion for the world he lives in...

So, instead of me going on and on about this movie (and about Brad!) - as am sure most of you have seen it by now - I will leave you with some of my FAVE PASSAGES:

*People whom we seldom meet are are the ones that give a big impression to us.

*Be whoever you want to be. There is no time limit. Stop whenever you want. You can change, most day's the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best of the worst. I hope you make the best.

*Along the way you bump into people who make a dent on your life. Some people get struck by lightning. Some are born to sit by a river. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim the English Channel. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people can dance.

*we're meant to lose the people we love. How else would we know how important they are to us?

...and my MOST FAVE of all:
***Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.