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Jan 28 2013
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Must Watch Movies

Must Watch Movie: What a Way to Go!

“Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify! Simplify!”

Source: Google Images

There are films we view in our youth that seem to establish an everlasting impression. Most of the time, these films have spent years creating their own following, easily making themselves a part of the long list of revered classics we devote our time to. However, there are a select few that still remain unknown, that hold a special place amongst our personal favorites, although few know of their striking persona.

We all have that one film in our collection that makes others frown in confusion. “I haven’t even heard of this one!” That makes them curious as to why they’re only finding out about it now. That compels them to be clearly smitten after their first introduction. That makes them silently try to comprehend how it’s been in plain sight all along and they never knew.

What a Way to Go! is that movie.

You need only look at the cast list to understand what I mean.

Shirley MacLaine. Dick Van Dyke. Paul Newman (If you haven’t signed up by this point, I have to question your sanity). Robert Mitchum. Gene Kelly. Dean Martin. Four husbands, one woman desperately searching for the simple life and the epic love story that accompanies it.

More After the Cut!

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Jun 25 2012
6 Comments
Must Watch Movies

Must Watch Movie: Death at a Funeral

“Tea can do many things Jane, but it can’t bring back the dead.”

Source: Google Images

Okay. I’m just going to put this right there on the table. I may ruffle a few feathers, but I believe it’s true. Death at a Funeral is one of the funniest movies of all time. Yes, I said it. This Brit comedy – we all know how much I love those – is one of the few that truly make me laugh out loud. I’ve seen the film countless times, and yet, after each additional viewing I find myself in rambunctious giggles as if it were the first.

This 2007 original production of Death at a Funeral is the definition of a must watch movie; a classic comedy, without being overly silly or ridiculous like so many comedic films seem to be today. Directed by Frank Oz, the film is downright hilarious, but also carries with it a sense of heart.

From the start of the film, you begin to understand that this is not your typical every day comedy. It’s unique; individual. It stands out amongst the crowd. With a plot unlike any other and the exemplary wit from its cast of characters, Death at a Funeral is a timeless farce that will, no doubt, cause you side-splitting laughter.

On the day of his father’s funeral, Daniel (Matthew Macfayden) immediately realizes that things are quickly falling apart, going from bad to worse. At first it’s just a few misguided mistakes – the funeral parlor bringing the wrong coffin and the usual family drama – but the trouble soon escalates, causing a long list of catastrophic events to spiral out of control . . . in a completely humorous way, of course.

More After the Cut!

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Jun 04 2012
6 Comments
Must Watch Movies

Must Watch Movie: Midnight In Paris

Paris, je t’aime

Source: Google Images

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a different time? A different place? To live amongst your literary heroes, taking their advice, being a part of their history? To dine and dance with iconic artists, musicians, and historical giants? At one point or another, we all have. We all have dreamed of being a part of something we’ve only ever read or heard about; experiencing, first hand, a time not our own. Midnight In Paris is a film that answers these eternal questions, in a way that is strangely believable. It does not romanticize, but beautifies a time – a place – our hero longs to be a part of. It doesn’t present an idealized solution, but offers the audience a direct truth; something they can take with them and utilize in their own reality.

What I love about this film, is that it expresses a desire we all have. It let’s us live vicariously through another, without tragedy or glorified finales, but with a sense of realism. The distinct boundary between fantasy and reality is blurred, which is something we haven’t quite seen before. We can identify with the main character instantly.

Midnight In Paris takes that idea of ultimate escape and twists it into something new. Can you live in the past or will the real world catch up to you?

Written and directed by Woody Allen, this 2011 film introduces us to our principal character, Gil (Owen Wilson), an unfulfilled script writer who just wants to write that one great novel. I know how you feel, buddy. He feels a connection to the City of Light, wishing he could spend his days sitting in the Parisian sunshine, writing, walking the boulevards in the rain. His fiance, Inez (Rachel McAdams) . . . Well, let’s just say she doesn’t feel the same. Gil is high-spirited, but has the notion that he doesn’t belong – wanting to be part of a different era; the Golden Age: Paris, 1920′s.

More After the Cut!

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Sep 27 2010
1 Comment
Must Watch Movies

Must Watch Movie: Up in the Air

Empty your backpack, it’s time to catch a flight

“If you think about it, your favorite memories, the most important moments in your life . . . were you alone? Life’s better with company.”

Once again, I’m late boarding this flight (Sorry. Airplane puns are inevitable). I know most of you have probably already seen this remarkable movie (I just saw it the other day), but I figured since it’s playing on your local Home Box Office (HBO) channel, the one’s who haven’t seen it will now have a reason to watch. It is a must watch movie.

There’s nothing I love more than an unformulated, exceptional, and downright enjoyable movie. That’s a rare commodity these days. It seems everywhere I look there are only remakes, sequels, duplicates, and unimaginative scripts wandering through my local cinema.

That’s why I just have to tell you about Up in the Air. I believe it’s my job to tell you about these movies that are sometimes never seen masterpieces. Of course, this one has been seen, a lot. It’s the exception, not the rule.

Up in the Air tells the story of one man. He hasn’t done anything rather important or exceptional in his life. He doesn’t have a home. He doesn’t have any friends that aren’t fellow coworkers, flight attendants, or hotel managers. But, he is happy. He’s Ryan Bingham (George Clooney). He does what others are afraid to do. He fires people for a living and he loves his job.

There is no need for meaningful relationships, children, or anything that can’t be packed in a small suitcase.

“All the things you probably hate about traveling – the recycled air, the artificial lighting, the digital juice dispensers, the cheap sushi – are warm reminders that I’m home.”

The Flight Continues After The Cut!

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Aug 09 2010
1 Comment
Must Watch Movies

Must Watch Movie: I Sell The Dead

Grab your pet zombie and settle in with the horror-comedy I Sell The Dead

British. Comedy. Do I need to say more?

Well, if you need more. Dominick Monaghan.

No? That won’t do it for you? Are you saying you need more than just that? Jeez. Okay.

I Sell The Dead has the makings to be the Murder By Death of its time. What? You’ve never seen Murder By Death? One of the most hilarious satire’s in all of time?! Oh. What am I going to do with you? Alright. Stop whatever you’re doing now, go watch Murder By Death, then come back and we’ll talk. Okay? Okay.

For those who have seen Murder By Death, hello. How are you? Isn’t that a great movie. It’s one of my favorites. Oh, you want me to talk about I Sell The Dead? Not how much I love Murder By Death? Okay. Onwards!

If you couldn’t tell already, I love British comedies (I’m probably an Anglophile). So, it was a little surprising that as soon as I Sell The Dead started, the only thing that came to my mind was the similarities to the American classic, Murder By Death. Just as Murder By Death was a hilarious satire dedicated to murder mysteries, I Sell The Dead does the same to the classic horror B-movies of the 1950′s and 60′s.

Set in 19th century England, I Sell The Dead is the story of grave-robbers Arthur Blake (Monaghan) and Willie Grimes (Larry Fessenden). It seems that the years of stealing the dead have caught up with them, as the movie begins with Arthur sitting in a jail cell, waiting for the guillotine. Father Duffy (Ron Perlman) is set to take down Arthur’s last words, but seems more interested in how he began selling the dead.

Wait! There’s More After The Cut!

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Jul 26 2010
4 Comments
Must Watch Movies

Must Watch Movie: (500) Days of Summer

This weeks movie brings love, hope, and heartache. But, mostly heartache.

I want you to imagine that you are sitting at home, on your comfy couch, and you just put in this amazing movie, (500) Days of Summer. You’re eating your delicious, buttery, and radioactive (Because it’s microwaved) popcorn while the credits roll. After that, the narrator (Yes, there is a narrator. But, it helps the story. It doesn’t ruin it) tells you:

“This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story.”

That’s kind of a bummer, isn’t it: going into a movie and expecting a love story, then being told it isn’t?

Wrong! No matter what this movie tells you, and no matter what the critics tell you, this is a love story. It just isn’t the formulated, wrapped in a silver box love story.

What is love without heartache? And how can you experience new love without some heartache?

I’ll let you think about it for a second. I’ll just go get a soda.

Alright. I’m back. You ready?

You’re right! You need heartache to experience love; and you need love to experience heartache. Well, this is what 500 Days of Summer is about!

So, in a twisted, yet logical way, it is a love story.

Wait! There’s more after the cut!

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Jul 12 2010
1 Comment
Must Watch Movies

Must Watch Movie: Bright Star

For the first Must Watch Movie Monday we get poetic with Bright Star

Source: Photobucket

Bright Star by John Keats

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art–
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors–
No–yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever–or else swoon to death.

I’m writing this as I’m listening to Other Lives, so if it’s a bit dramatic, blame them.

Warning: Spoilers!

Based on the true-life love affair between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, the 2009 film Bright Star is undoubtably worthy enough to be compared to the likes of any Jane Austen novel. Directed by Jane Chapman (The Piano) and starring Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish, Bright Star is the story of love, loss, and separation.

Taking place in 1818 England, the film opens as regarded fashionista Fanny Brawne is visiting a friend with her mother, brother Samuel, and sister Margaret. The oldest of the three children, Fanny begins her journey as a quick wit, but self-absorbed girl. Out of place and forced into tranquility, Fanny only thinks about the superficial, until she is introduced to John Keats. Initially, their meeting is strained. She does not know what to make of Keats, yet he is immediately taken with her. He is curious about how she perceives him and Fanny is curious as to whether he is an “idiot” or not based on his poetry.

More After the Cut!

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