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nathalierubic
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Almost Famous (2000)
Almost Made Me A Lesbian
I just realized I've wasted 7 years of my life when I missed the chance to watch this movie on its premiere.
The reason? I thought it was that boring Mark Whalberg movie about metal rock. I almost dropped dead then and there in Ate YR's house when I learned that it's a Cameron Crowe movie about genuine rock n' roll music and journalism. Yes, I'm a sucker for his films. But that's not the point.
Aside from the fact that it's written and directed by the uber-awesome Cameron Crowe, the film held a great cast. Kate Hudson is SO amazing. Dare I say it? Yes. She has surpassed her mom in this one.
When that camera slowly focused on her character, Penny Lane, as tears fell down her face before she asked, "What kind of beer?" to William (the young journalist who fell in love with her) after he confessed that Russell (the Stillwater band's main guitarist) just sold her to Humble Pie for 50 bucks and a beer - I could have sworn that for a minute there, I became a lesbian.
Another gem discovered in this film is the young Patrick Fugit. Adorable and very talented for a guy to be supposedly just fifteen.
PLOT: Superb. CAST: Amazing. SOUNDTRACK: Even better. THE FACT THAT IT'S DIRECTED BY CAMERON CROWE: Priceless.
So I say, don't waste any more of your time. See this movie if you haven't already.
Music and Lyrics (2007)
Forgivable
There may be cheesy parts here and there but they're all forgivable because this movie totally works... for the most part.
Mark Gamaya did a good (not Sleepless in Seattle / Say Anything good) job with the overall plot. Alex Fletcher being a washed up 80's pop star would sound so familiar to the music industry - with has-beens always out looking for comeback hits to keep up with the endless strings of new, shiny and fresh so-called talents Hollywood keep popping out with. Plus, the constant references t the music market ploys and happenings are priceless.
The characters are believable. There's always an Alex Fletcher in every pop group or boy band such as there always will be a Colin in each one (Justin Timberlake, Robbie Williams, etc.). Cora, of course, has Britney Spears spot on.
Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore are, of course, veterans of romantic comedies so there really is no surprise in their acting. It seemed like the characters were tailormade for both celebrities. Drew Barrymore is certainly no stranger to dating musicians having been dating (my fave garage rockers) The Strokes' drummer, Fabrizio Moretti for four and a half years. Another veteran comedic actor , Brad Garrett (of Everybody Loves Raymond fame) added that extra something to the flick.
Being a film about music, one would think that it would sell most with its soundtrack. But the only big hit was the main song, Way Back Into Love... although Pop! Goes My Heart also made a subtle impression of itself. And Briteny's lyricists would certainyl be proud of Cora's: "Mama says I can't, Daddy says I can. But again my body just wants to slam..." Editing were a bit off but, like I said, forgivable. Tsktsk, Mark Lawrence.
What I love most about the movie is the message that came with the title: The melody is like the physical aspect of a relationship... sex. The lyrics is the story underneath... getting to know each other. It's the combination of both that makes it magic.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
A Little Satisfying.
The Da Vinci Code movie was, in a way, satisfying but if you were a fan of the book, I doubt this would have anything new to give you. I guess the movie is not as awesome as the book as is the case with the other books-turned-to-movies. The movie certainly can't be credited as a "work of art" but it certainly is a huge blockbuster even if it was rated R-18. Who can resist a controversy? The cast is amazing! Audrey Tatou (being one of my favorite actress) is perfect as Sophie Neveau (also one of my favorite fictional characters off all time). Paul Bettany (another of my favorites) played Silas (another fave F.C.) flawlessly (not to mention I got to see him stark naked ::PervertMeTalking:). Sir Ian McKellen (yup, another of my veteran favorites) is greatly convincing as Sir Leigh Teabing (another fave F.C.) and, as always, Tom Hanks plays his character Robert Langdon almost to perfection. Kudos also to Jean Reno for an amazing job playing Fache.
I guess my only complaints are that, if you weren't able to read the book, the plot would confuse you (but I guess that's not much of a problem guessing as almost everybody on this planet HAVE read the book). Plus, it's such a shame that the movie didn't show the reunion between Sophie and her brother. That scene in the book did, in fact, almost made bawl like a baby.
However, I think that the final scene in the movie (when Langdon fell down on both knees on the Louvre after going through the supposed Rose Line) is deeply moving.