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Reviews
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008)
In LOVE with the Ladies of Botswana
NOTE THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE SERIES NOT JUST THE FIRST FILM
Where do I begin? I haven't read the books though I know they are wildly popular. I don't like the mystery genre that much but when I saw this DVD I picked it up. So glad I did! Oh Botswana I love how they play the national anthem and how Africa isn't "prettied" over they do show the gritty side of it.
They also show the amazing awesome side of Africa too. The people and their warmth and the language. They all take time to greet each other. How often in North America do we actually take time to greet others instead of just rushing through it or just doing it as a formality? The author has gentle insights into the people there and especially into women. The main character Precious is not perfect yet she learns from her mistakes and has a positive attitude. We can't not help loving someone who runs away at the sight of a snake, yet calmly recalls her dignity at finding a snake and calmly dealing with the situation when in fact she just ran. I love how other's keep saying she's fat and she calmly says in Africa men appreciate a fuller figure.
The eyeglass pushing neurotic assistant who scored 97% at the ladies typing college adds humour as well, in one episode she starts of a phone message with eh ma don't panic which Precious promptly erases.
I can't wait for the next season to be released. This is a great show to watch when you are in need of cheering up.
I love that this show is set in Africa there are far too shows that reflect the daily life of Africans. For instance the graveyards there are so different from North American ones. I can't wait to visit Botswana! It seems like a cool country and it's above South Africa which I want to visit anyhow as well.
Good plots and good character continuity in the series. I love that Precious ends up with her "good man". But what does the vengeful gum-chewing Nemesis former housekeeper of the good man have planned? Hats off to Alexander McCall for creating the original books.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Extra's poor acting - Is it a kids movie? Or repackaged adult movie?
This is a movie that included pan shots of the extra actor's in the background. Pity that the many, many extra's didn't seem to be given much training or guidance in how to act that time period. Very poor acting by extra's, and bored looking extra's ruined a host of shots for me. Also for the love of god why does every single background have peeling paint. Is peeling paint supposed to symbolize the grimness of Industrial England? The whole film was too saturated with dark colours for atmosphere it was like the sun never shone for Holmes. And the casting... boring insipid lazy casting, RDJ is simply not a good actor, he has all of three expressions. Trite casting job of an older male with younger female interests. Sherlock Holmes is English yet there were so many references to America, and too much American casting with faked accents. I cheered for Holmes to die, sadly my wish wasn't granted. All Jude Law did as Watson was stare daggers at RDJ because he wanted to be caste as Holmes and JL's sole expression was a frown. Also this movie seemed to oscillate between being an adult movie and being a children's movie. There were cheap scenes like Holmes blowing his nose loudly into the handkerchief offered by a policeman that would appeal to potty humour little kids. Rent it so you can fast forward the boring slow parts and fight scenes. Not recommended, I went into this expecting a movie with a sense of fun, instead it was underwhelming, and RDJ couldn't even smoke a pipe properly. I want my time back.
Avatar (2009)
Pretty movie yet over-hyped, 6.5 for effort
Perhaps due to the hype I had higher expectations for this movie. I saw this in Real 3-D. From the trailers I thought it would be something to do with video games, which wasn't the case.
My favourite part of the movie was the luminescent glow in the dark night scenes. I also liked the scene where they accept Sully as one of their tribe and they link and touch each other with him in the centre, very symbolic of a network.
I was expecting more out of the 3-D but even the flight scene on the dragonesque animal wasn't as good as an Imax flight scene. Also despite the prettyness of the planet Pandora I've seen more awe-inspiring footage in normal non-fiction IMAX films.
I like Sam Worthington, this seems to be his year as he is in a host of films lately. I'm not quite sure why others have hyped the special effects to me this seemed like a normal 3-D movie...
What I disliked about this movie is the lack of attention paid to the wardrobe, WHY was everyone dressed like they were in the 1990's or 2000's. More functional and futuristic clothing would have been appropriate.
Also what was the use of the mineral being mined was it an energy source? And where was the mined mineral being sent to? Earth? How many other planets were overtaken by human's? In some ways this movie reminded me of the cowboys and indians genre. Except the alien's were using low-tech weapons like horses and arrows and bows while fighting advanced war equipment. Overall the plot and writing is good though.
I like James Cameron's work. Recommended just don't go to see it expecting a mind-altering or innovative experience.
Gossip Girl (2007)
Frothy entertainment
I started watching this on TV and really liked it. I love movies about teenagers so maybe that's why I liked this so much. Unlike other reviewers I found that the writing was a strong point to this show, it's a literate show and the writers clearly have an English lit background. I love the gorgeous clothes the girls wear. As for those saying there is no storyline, I would say there is a storyline revolving around their high school and university years and the changes that accompany the characters as they grow? At heart this show has a sweetness to it and is reminiscent of Jane Austen's work set in modern times. I love that it's set in New York. Yes it portrays rich kids, but Nate is almost a poor rich kid due to his father's fraud, Dan and his sister aren't rich. Fun escapist funny entertainment that has better writing, continuity and production values than a soap opera.
Weeds (2005)
Better than expected, love that it's short 30 minute episodes
This show is flat out entertaining. I didn't really know what to expect before watching it. The city I live in is riddled with grow-ops and pot dealers so it's not as if I wasn't aware of the issues surrounding this. The writers did a good job in not portraying pot as glamorous in fact the main character's life spirals into a pit of endless problems which adds drama to the show. I liked the interactions between the characters and the show flows well. Nothing is forced. The short 30 minutes or less episodes work well here as lots happen and it's entertaining. I fast forward the little boxes song though, can't stand it now. If you're sensitive about swearing, or graphic sex scenes then you should skip this one though.
Parks and Recreation (2009)
Utterly uninspired and boring
I spent money on this DVD. I wish I'd read the reviews on here beforehand. What I dislike about the office is that the characters look directly at the camera with a knowing look as if sharing in the joke with the viewer. This was okay as a plot device for the first season of the Office when it was new but it's wayyyyyyyyyyy overdone now and simply annoying. This simply feels like an extended episode of the office, and lacks in humour, writing, or character development. There is nothing fresh or inspired here, and it's not worth your time. It's painful to watch the characters just talk and talk with minimal action, nothing much happens. Also the original UK version of The Office was much better than the UK remake. So this Parks & recreations show is an imitation of an imitation. Time for new ideas, networks take chances with your TV Shows. The death of TV is well on it's way and with networks that broadcast this lowest denominator formulaic crap it's just speeding up the process.
The September Issue (2009)
Vogue is THE fashion bible
I've been collecting the hefty September issue of Vogue since I was 16 years old. It's great having this reference to look back at as fashion is cyclical. For me because I love Vogue it was a treat to catch some behind the scenes workings of the September issue. The main motivation behind Wintour's participating in this documentary is probably primarily commercial, as she want's Vogue's circulation to increase. Don't view this with an expectation to gain insight into her character. I found the documentary too short but it's because I loved the subject, for casual viewers unfamiliar with the Septemeber issues it's a good length. So why do I love Vogue's September issue? The trends brought up in September will echo throughout the fashion year and for years after. This magazine marries culture albeit a more high-browed, selective, snobbish, commercial culture with genuine talent and artistry. Plus there are actual articles to read in small font throughout the magazine. It's not just a fluffy magazine full of photo's. Through the documentary the viewer can see that the people running Vogue are ageing. These people also refreshingly wear very little make-up and let their wrinkles show. A lot of the documentary features Grace, who has wild untamed hair, at the beginning I wished she had used product or a straightening iron but Grace is the crone archetype, while young she was beautiful and now at old age is again comfortable in her own skin. The September issues of Vogue under Wintour's leadership are memento's of the current golden age of fashion and design. It's interesting that Wintour is of English origin as her sensibility is so French and conservative. In fact London is one of the cities where fashion begins from the individual and fashion there is chaotic and unique and frankly follows no rules. The world we are familiar with where fashion trends echo throughout every country is ending. The timing of this documentary before the US economic meltdown was lucky, there is no doom and gloom in this documentary. A must see for those interested in fashion.
Bright Star (2009)
Beautiful cinematography
The material was handled differently than I would have by the director. Not much happens in this movie, yet it's the small mundane day to day events that touch the viewer and are the strongest aspect of the film. For example the relationship between Toots and Fanny is very sweet. Her brother Samuel also struck me simply because in the clothes of that period he embodied that in-between awkward stage between a child and a man. His clothes hung awkwardly on him but this makes him more endearing to the viewer. The main actress Fanny (Abbie Cornish) has a striking resemblance to Katie Holmes, especially her expressions. At moments the period piece seemed jarringly modern. Especially when Fanny sits with her legs crossed, or the shots where her hair is loose from her bun while she is at home. This is a historical piece however Fanny's character seems far too out-spoken than the real Fanny would have been, I doubt in that age and time she would have the personality portrayed. As for the costume design for some scenes the clothing could have been Prada. For instance there is one shot where Fanny is sitting in a chair and we see her sheer brown blouse with the black shirt over it, and this looks modern til in a later scene we see that the shirt is actually a long shirt and the blouse has ribbons at the cuffs. The hat's also are too sheer and structured and modern to be the era this movie is set in. The clothing was beautiful and flawless however the style's sensibility seemed a bit too modern almost. Having gone through English Literature courses, I had a passing acquaintance with Keat's works. However to be completely honest I did share some of the opinions of the reviewers of his time, some of the lines of poetry offered in this film wasn't that great. However it does seem that every poet has one or two poems that they are "famous" for and the rest of their work may be mediocre or forgotten however they still get praise and admiration. Also if you spend all day, every day writing poetry you are bound to come up with something good despite yourself. He was 25 when he passed away sadly and perhaps with age his poetry would have improved. Also at 25 what you think love is actually is often infatuation, and is vastly different from when you are 50 or even 75. I think he was sentimental but I doubt it was true love between Fanny and Keats. With the harsh realities of poverty, I didn't quite understand why Keats chose to give up medicine and be a poverty-stricken poet... could he not have done both? The other part of the story that didn't make sense was the character of Fanny's mom. At only one point did she express concerns about Fanny's relationship with Keats, overall she was supportive. I think more could have been done with her character. An odd fact not mentioned in this film is that Keat's had a sister also named Fanny who was alive (or maybe it was mentioned in the film yet I missed it) and after his death both Fanny's became friends. There is no wikipedia entry for Fanny Brawne at the moment, somehow it seemed odd that she would not move on with her life after Keats death. In that time period illness and death were a part of life, her father had passed away as well. I don't know why the director focused on their having a platonic relationship, as Fanny was apparently promiscuous. Also Charles Brown seemed too jealous of Fanny spending time with Keats, and Brown stated that he loved Keats, was there something more than platonic friendship between the two? Having written this long, meandering review I do have to admit that I enjoyed this movie. I love period pieces and this movie does bring a freshness to the genre. And yes, the love scenes did bring tears to my eyes. I liked the title Bright Star. An unusual love story, involving real people who have long passed and taken the true secrets of their relationship to the grave. For those of you planning a vacation to the UK, Keats House is now a museum in Hampstead, North London and artifacts include a lock of fanny's hair as well as the engagement ring Keats gave to her.
Paper Heart (2009)
Is she mentally slow?
The best part of the movie was the section with the young kids at the playground towards the latter half of the movie, when she asked them about their thoughts on love and dating.
For the first 15 minutes of the movie I could NOT get over how mentally slow that Charlene character was. Was that an act? I know that hipsters are supposed to talk slower and walk slower, but that just seemed like her mental synapses were firing at a glacial speed.
On the other hand perhaps her slowness is due to an overuse of pot or other drugs.
Her facial expressions were awkward and some of her reactions just showed that she was beyond immature and some of her reactions just did not make sense. If she was teleported back in time to the 1950s people would think she was "special needs". There is such a contrast between the people she is interviewing and her.
Also I know that hipsters are supposed to be all quirky and individual (even though like all sub-cultures they all dress alike etc.) but I cannot stand hipster dialogue. How does sprouting random nonsense make someone "edgy" or "cool" or "deep".
We all always wear masks, Charlene's may be an outwardly quirky, performing one yet somehow her character seemed more like a 1950's housewife then a liberated modern females. She was just playing roles others expected of her, without discovering who she is. It's like she just wants to be anything but her. She wants to be a boy not a girl. Perhaps she will do a movie/documentary in a few years that is more accepting of herself, and perhaps when she looks back at this documentary she will cringe at her naive, immature self.
When they are in France in her hotel room and the director (who seems like a semi ass-hole)turns to Charlene and says something like I would ask you to shower and all that but I know you so I won't.
Up til that point when I was watching that movie I was sort of wondering if she had any personal hygiene... guess not.
And what is with NOT combing your hair.
And what is with hipsters and creativity, so you make little puppets that a 10 year old could make, does that automatically make you "creative"? If she was trying to be all cute, artsy and folksy she failed.
That song she sings about him smelling like Christmas wins the award for worst song lyrics of all time.
Overall I found this movie disappointing, perhaps if it dragged less and was cut down to an hour it would have been better. And the Cera-Yi relationship part would have impressed me more if there hadn't been that nonsense puppet ending with the police bullets and the Harley.
There were a few moments of humour, and some of the stories were romantic, but why was it always the women talking about how they knew it was love with the men sitting beside them with blank disinterested looks.
And the wedding chapel where the pretty young oriental girl marries the old almost-dead white guy, that kiss between them seemed too fake, it was like the girl was kissing him and going at it like the groom was Brad Pitt.
Essentially the subtext of this movie isn't that positive about love.
The movie is positive about motorbikes though.
And how would I answer her question what do you think love is? I would simply say that she needs immense amounts of therapy. That girl has issues. Also she seems to be a closet-lesbian, she dresses like one. Perhaps she will find love with a girl.
La face cachée de la lune (2003)
What is it about?
Seeing the recent 2009 sci-fi movie Moon, reminded me of this movie which also has Mooon in the title. I'm giving this a 5 rating because it's a Canadian movie, set in my favorite city of Montreal. I saw this movie when it was released and there were two others in the theater including me. After it ended we all looked at each other, and simply shrugged as we were so confused about what the movie was even about. It was one of the few times I've spoken about a movie to total strangers spontaneously after seeing it. Apparently it was a play adapted to a movie setting, yet the special effects were too cheesy, like the rope moving the moon across the scene was visible. Also the main character of this movie is just not a good-looking man, and for one of the twins he plays he looks extremely bad. This bad-looking twin is unfortunately the star of this movie and he wasn't a sympathetic character. He is working on his master's and works as a telemarketer, and is miserable. This movie was too disjointed, or maybe I don't get the philosophical message underlying it. I just saw someone miserable who is perfectly willing to stay miserable and avoids positive change. I whole-heartedly support Canadian films, yet this is the worst Canadian film I've ever seen. (And that is saying a lot, as there are many mediocre Canadian films.)
Moon (2009)
Quiet, meditative, yet plausible scenario
A film exploring the dynamics of hope, faith, morality, and greed. Above-average script-writing, a refreshing lack of overdone clichés, decent leisurely pacing that didn't rush the film and excellent acting put this heads and shoulders above other films from the get-go. I liked this movie more than I expected I would. The theater I watched it at was almost full so it seems good word of mouth has gotten around about this film. I liked the space base setting other recent sci-fi films have shiny surfaces that are mechanistic with impossibly perfect technology, I liked the almost retro chunky technology feel of the set it really humanized it. I loved Gerty's simple low-tech emoticons, it added to the film. The two Sam's interacting with each other was compassionate and almost brother-like especially when the "older" Sam teaches the new Sam to carve. Surreal moments like where the two Sam's play Ping-Pong helped lighten the mood. I loved the ending with the media as I cheered for the Sam that made it. Slight Biblical references with names like Eve, and the mining machines are named Matthew, Judas etc. but this is a Western movie so it is to be expected. To put my review in context I hate the latest Terminator Salvation movie, but loved the Star Trek movie.