Synopsis: Jenna (Keri Russell) is trapped in an unhappy marriage with a controlling, jealous husband and the last thing she wants is a baby, so when she discovers she has fallen pregnant, she’s terrified of what the future holds.
What a suprisingly charming little flick! It kind of reminds me a little of Nurse Betty.
Remember how cute yet disturbing that was? Anyway, I highly recommend it. Don't expect it to be light and fluffy though...It definitely falls under the dark comedy genre.
Synopsis: Per Christian Ellefsen and Sven Nordin play the shy, retiring Elling and the imposing Kjell in this Norwegian movie about two mentally challenged friends who battle adversity and find their place in the sun. The two room together and attempt to create a life for themselves outside the confining, but protective, walls of the hospital. Directed by Petter Naess, Elling was nominated for an Academy Award in the Foreign Language Film category.
What a charming little film. I loved it...so will you! I guarantee.
Enjoy!
My man ran the Bay to Breakers today.
I've never been so it was a great excuse to finally go. To cheer on my man...who actually ran instead what most of the other folks did...Have another excuse to do what San Franciscans do best...Dress up in the weirdest things possible (and in many cases, not to dress up in anything at all) and PARTY! Even if it's at 8 AM.
Unfortunately I woke up late so I didn't really get to cheer him while he raced, BUT I did try to chase him down in my car... but without luck, so I just did the next best thing. Go to the end of the race and wait for him there.
:)
Synopsis: Fans of the HBO comedy series "Da Ali G Show" will be delighted to join one of their favorite characters -- the Kazakhstani reporter Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen, in a Golden Globe-winning role) -- as he travels to America to report on the "greatest country in the world." Camera in tow, the boorish journalist sets off on his cross-country road trip, but his original purpose is soon subsumed by a much greater quest -- finding and marrying actress Pamela Anderson.
I don't know why people didn't think I'd like it, but they were WRONG! "Alyx," people have said "It's not your type of movie. You won't like it. It's too much for you!"
Wow. I don't know what makes people think I'm a film snob. For the record...I'M NOT! I thought it was hilarious. I guess I was expecting it to be terrible. I heard that people walked out of the theaters. Huh? Why? It's not that bad. Sure, I did cringe a few times, and had to close my eyes a couple of times, but come on people...can't you take a JOKE?!
I feel 100% comfortable recommending it.
It's funny! Go watch it..ENJOY!
Synopsis: Has-been and former 1980s pop star Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) gets the comeback chance of a lifetime thanks to quirky lyricist Sophie (Drew Barrymore) in this romantic comedy. When teen singing sensation Cora Corman asks Alex to write a song and record the duet with her, Alex can't refuse -- but he also can't write lyrics. Alex's luck changes when he meets Sophie, and when the two sit down to write, the chemistry turns solid gold.
This isn't the cutest Hugh Grant film I've ever seen. It's probably one of the more cheesier ones in fact. It's a decent light hearted film though so if you're in the mood for cheesy and light, then go fer it!
However, Drew Barrymore looks fabulous in it doesn't she!?!
Synopsis: Nominated for an Academy Award, this dark comedy is the coming-of-age story of a rebellious young girl raised in a repressive Norwegian village. Maria is terribly aware of her burgeoning sexuality and takes solace in long walks and secret readings of the racy text in the Old Testament. While out strolling, Maria encounters a woman who encourages her to test her sexual wings and savor life, but that's easier said than done for the reclusive girl.
It's a bit sexy and unnerving for me personally...and a touch on the slow side. I'm not opposed to sexy, but I am when it's sexiness exuding from a teenager. In a forgeign launguage none the less. Call me square...yep. Maybe that's it.
But still very worthwhile.
Enjoy!
Synopsis: Harvey Fierstein narrates this documentary by Rob Epstein about San Francisco's most colorful -- and unfortunately, tragic -- political figure: Harvey Milk. A staunch fighter for gay rights, Milk helped forge a presence for the city's gay community in city hall, becoming the first openly gay member of San Francisco's combative city council. But his life, along with Mayor George Moscone's, was cut short by infamous fellow politico Dan White.
This is truly one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. Even better because it's about the beautiful people in my most appreciated City. San Francisco.
Watch it, learn from it, love it...as much as I did.
Synopsis: Attending predominantly white Roosevelt High because her mother thinks she'll have better opportunities under the school's successful coach, gifted black hoopster Darnellia Russell puts herself -- and her coach -- through the wringer. Shot in a suburban Seattle high school over a seven-year period, director Ward Serrill's stirring documentary explores the complicated relationship between gender, race and organized sports.
It's kind of like whale rider
I found that I was torn between the two sides. Neither was right, or wrong. I think that I might have felt different if I was in her shoes, or even if it was my own child who was facing the conflict.
Basically, the bottom line is...Parents! Don't let your teenage daughters get pregnant before they are ready! Or at least until after they graduate high school...
trailer found here...
Synopsis: Richard Linklater's fictional tale (inspired by Eric Schlosser's 2001 book of the same name) critiques the junk-food juggernaut that's arguably responsible for America's alarming obesity rates. Don Henderson (Greg Kinnear), a corporate exec of a national fast-food chain, follows beef's journey from the corrals to the slaughterhouses and ultimately to your stomach. The power cast includes Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette and Bruce Willis.
It's the kind of film I wish I never saw. It was kind of sitting through 5th grade Health all over again and learning about where chicken nuggets came from. Only...much...MUCH...worse.
I know this was based on a book so I guess I'm gonna have to go look for it now since I'm confused with how the ensemble cast played out in the novel. I kept thinking of that while watching it, completely convinced that I would have had to reread the book one chapter after another, trying to remember who was who and why he is relevent.
I'll tell you how much I like the film after I read the book.
Synopsis: Stuck in a vicious cycle of dead-end relationships with two-timing men, Los Angeles resident Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Londoner Iris (Kate Winslet) decide to swap homes -- paving the way for romances they never imagined possible. This charming comedy from writer-director Nancy Meyers features an all-star cast, including Jude Law, Jack Black, Edward Burns and Rufus Sewell.
Can you say "OVERACTING!?"
Ugh...I'm usually somewhat impressed by Diaz's ability to come appear to be natural. "Loved the dancing scene in Charlie's Angels!? Hilarious! Her singing scene in My Best Friends Wedding?! Even better!
Although I liked some of the light heartedness of this full blown chick flick...it was by far not one of my top 10's....even The Sweetest Thing was better than this!
Synopsis: Shedding light on the legal system -- and on the media machine that often demonizes the accused -- this gripping documentary follows the notorious West Memphis Three, a trio of boys arrested for the murders of three children found in a creek bed. Appearing on many critics' year-end Top 10 lists for 1996, this film from directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky also won the National Board of Review's prestigious prize for Best Documentary.
It's a terrible thing when you learn about children being brutally murdered. I understand this. It makes me as sick to my stomach as the next person. That is NOT what these documentaries are about though.
I watched Paradise Lost
The following pictures are of the three boys they arrested for the brutal murders of the three eight year old boys.
They may not look like church boys, but they didn't look like harden, cold murderers either...not that Ted Bundy did...but you know what I mean. It was uncomfortable to watch these kids go through what they did, for crimes, I didn't believe they commited.
Jason Baldwin 2006
Damien Echols 2006
Synopsis: Steven (Ben Silverstone) is an average student at his middle-class high school, but he's harboring a big secret: He's gay. His only confidant is best friend Linda (Charlotte Brittain) … that is, until he meets John (Brad Gorton), the school's star jock who's seemingly straight and dating a model. The boys stumble through an awkward affair that sends Steven spinning and has John more confused than ever. Based on a play by Patrick Wilde.
Ohhh....Can you say saucy?
Okay, so it's slightly disturbing that I just said that about these teenagers but really it's a very well done, saucy film. Juicy even.
The actors all did very convincing portrayals of tortured teen souls struggling to find their places in the world. I liked it. It reminded me of myself sorta growing up. Almost a lone Asian girl in a sea of non-Asian people...Always an outsider, trying to fit in...until I moved to San Francisco anyway...
I was thinking of that when I popped in the DVD into the player. "Another gay film!?" I thought, almost as exasperated at myself as I know my bf is with me when he finds out what genre of film I'm currently "into".
With all the gay and holocaust films I've been watching lately you'd think I was a closet gay Jewess...I'm not...But, as I wondered about it last night I came to the conclusion it's because in a weird way I guess it's my own need to know how human (the good and the bad) we really are...and unfortunately I don't often get that feeling when I'm watching the latest Will Ferrell flick.
Anyway, watch the dvd if you haven't already. Sit back and enjoy the human-ness of yet another great English film.
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