January 27, film 16: Juno

Trailer is full of spoilers, but actually it doesn’t matter much for this movie.

What?
Juno quite literary, fucks up during sex with her friend, and gets herself pregnant. She now has to decide how to deal with the consequences and make decisions that generally only adults need to make.

Where?
Parents’ place.

With?
My mom

Why?
Because I watched Whip It! a while ago, I really wanted to revisit that other movie with Ellen Page in it. I really loved it the first time I saw it, and wanted to see if it is still as good the second time I see it.

Worth it?
For some reason the market for teenage pregnancy films has been more or less cornered by cheesy dramas about hopeless white and black trash that get impregnated by people that don’t care for them. The great thing about Juno is that this for a change is a movie that is really about people that care for each other. The stepmom is not an evil witch, but instead is a really warm and caring person, and there is a great scene scene where she stands up for her “irresponsible stepdaughter.” Last time I saw this film, I hadn’t seen The West Wing yet. Now I have seen it, it is even more awesome how Allison Janney uses some of the attitude that CJ has in the West Wing to convincingly portray a nail technician instead. And it is not just one or two characters that carry the movie, but it’s all of them together that make the film an organic tale about real people. This film may have some flaws, but it really brings a smile to my face.

8/10

January 26, film 15: The Darjeeling Limited

What?
Three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other — to become brothers again like they used to be. Their “spiritual quest”, however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray), and they eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine. At this moment, a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins.

Where?
Parent’s place

With?
My mom (until she walked out) and the dogs.

Why?
I must admit that this was an Anderson film I hadn’t seen yet. When I talked to Alex about my movie project, she told me that I should see this one and that she loved this one most. Naturally I had very high hopes that this would prove to be more Wes Anderson genius to love and enjoy.

Worth it?
Frankly, I must admit that this movie is the strongest disappointment that I have seen up to now this year. While there were some moments of pure genius, and most of the production design was awesome as usual, there were too many moments that I just saw a bunch of jerks that I couldn’t care less about doing things I don’t really give a damn about (I tend to tune out when people start talking about spirituality).

Mostly it was once more Wes Anderson doing his absurdist thang with dysfunctional families, and this time around it really didn’t work for me.

5/10

January 21, film 12: The Royal Tenenbaums

What?
All the Tenenbaum children were child prodigies in their own ways. Now they have grown up into very troubled people. Now the family is coming together because the father, Royal Tenenbaum has announced that he has cancer.

Where?
At home

With?
On my own

Why?
I was discussing with a former colleague, Alex how I was doing this movie project and that I had revisited The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, an old favorite. She told me that that film never did much for her and that she prefers The Royal Tenenbaums, so I figured it was time to revisit this film too.

Worth it?
The main strength of The Royal Tenenbaums is that it has an amazing comedy cast that hardly ever jokes around. Their strong comedic timing is always around, and manages to make pretty sad situations actually funny. Also the set and costume design is amazing, and Wes Anderson is doing the thing that he is really good at: he is portraying dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, for some reason I feel much less of a connection with this film, than with The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, that still reigns supreme in my humble opinion.

7/10

January 7, film 6: Whip it

What?
Bliss is a misfit. She likes punk rock, but her mother takes her to pageants. She lives in a sleepy town called Bodeen, TX, but prefers Austin. When she discovers roller derby (think: girls racing around a track, while shoving and punching each other), she discovers something she truly loves.

Where?
Parents’ house.

With?
On my own.

Why?
It was recommended by my mate Dave McManus

Worth it?
A resounding YES! is appropriate in this case. I effing loved this film! Ellen Page is awesome as ever as the vulnerable, yet kick-ass Bliss. The whole roller derby scene, is funny (I must admit I had never really heard of roller derby before, so I really liked the cheesy team names and call signs like Hurl Scouts, Smashley Simpson, Bloody Holly, etc. etc. The best thing of course is that this movie is not only fun, but, that at it’s core this movie has a heart. I hadn’t pegged Drew Barrymore as a director type, but this is a very good début. Highly recommended.

8/10

January 5, film 4: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

What?
I will try to write synopses that are a bit lighter on spoilers from now on. Steve Zissou, a world famous oceanographer and documentary maker with cheesy music, loses his closest friend at sea to a Jaguar Shark. In a Moby Dickian quest for revenge he sets out with a pregnant journalist and a Air Kentucky pilot who believes he is Steve’s son.

Where?
Parent’s house.

With?
On my own.

Why?
I love this movie, and need to see it again every once in a while. What is not to love about it. It has dysfunctional families Wes Anderson style, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, amazing production design and is very funny to boot.

Worth it?
I loved this film the previous three times I saw it, and it still doesn’t disappoint. Bill Murray is great as the grumpy, self-absorbed, nature loving oceanographer who doesn’t really understand people at all, Owen Wilson is actually bearable in a movie for a change, Cate Blanchett is amazing like only she can be. I fracking love this movie and there is nothing that can change it apparently. If you have never seen it, be ashamed, buy the DVD and watch it now!

9/10

January 3, film 3: Zombieland

What?
It’s a zombie comedie, so the story is pretty straightforward. The main character is at home, minding his own business, playing World of Warcraft, trying to keep the world at bay as best he can, and then all of a sudden lands in the middle of a zombie-acapolypse caused by a bad burger that has hit America. He hooks up with Tallahassee (played by Woody Harrelson) who is extremely good at killing zombies, and takes great pleasure from it too. His main purpose in life that’s left is the search for the last Twinkie.

Where?
At parent’s

With?
On my own

Why?
io9 said it was a cool movie.

Worth it?
Yes! It’s a zombie comedy, so, of course, it’s pretty much popcorn, but it is also a LOT of fun. The characters are cool, the dialogues are great, and most of the zombie killing is pretty much hilarious. Bill Murray has an awesome cameo (which is only natural, Bill Murray never fails to be awesome).It helps that this movie has lots of heart too. Loved it.

8/10