A [long-than-a-week] weekly round-up of what I have been watching, listening to and
discussing. Rather than just posts about film, this is a bit more
all-encompassing as I think my interest in cinema and art crosses over and
between a variety of sources...Ouch! The last time I wrote a 'Weekly Review' was back on 15th July! Nearly a month away. So this is going to be a big edition and, indeed, many things have happened since July 15th... End of the school year ... Ibiza ... New York ... the list goes on-and-on-and-on-and-on...
Highlight of the "Nearly-a-Month"I proposed to my partner of 7-and-a-half years! Briefly, we finished teaching for the year and set-off on Holiday to Ibiza (strangely enough, mentioned in The Dark Knight Rises when Selina Kyle can't pronounce the name, Bruce Wayne says "It's pronounced I-beeth-a") whereby we did the usual clubbing and beach-ing for a few nights. We came back for one day and then, unknown to Sarah, I whisked her away to New York and proposed to her in Central Park. The fountain - "The Belvedere Foundtain" - as I recall, features heavily in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Since then we have seen many family-members and friends and are already planning the big-day so unfortunately, films have taken a bit of a back-seat. Then again, when you are on a 7-hour flight, all you have is films...
DVD's/Blu-Rays/Cinema:The Dark Knight Rises: Watched, day of release, at 11:30pm, I was incredibly excited. During the evening I had the making-of's playing in the background for the previous two-films. Nolan truly is a gifted filmmaker. But remember to drink lots of red-bull when watching a midnight screening!
Ferris Bueller's Day Off: Ryan of The Matinee will be happy about this one. Whenever I have appeared on the Matineecast, he reminds me how my blind spot is eighties. All those John Hughes and Molly Ringwald films mean nothing to me. The Breakfast Club I've seen, but this was my first viewing of Broderick's breakout film and yes, it is amazing. Home Alone meets Woody Allen. A shame Broderick peaked at this point in his career.
The Muppets: Sarah was never interested in this film, and I wasn't desperate enough to see it on my own. But on a plane, for free, sure - why not. Great film though and my favourite joke (like most people) is Chris Cooper's "Maniacal Laugh". Travelling by map. We need a montage - kind-a ripped of from Team America - but hey, why not.
Jeff, Who Lives At Home: I've wanted to watch this for a long time as I was told that m Night Shyamalan's Signs is a really important film to the lead character Jeff (Jason Segal). I didn't realise Ed Helms was in it either, but the film truly is brilliant. I think anyone who discusses fate and likes the idea of things happening for a reason, will love how this film explores the themes. It does not preach the case of Signs too much, but is more realistic. Optimism, it seems, is an incredibly important attribute.Role Models: A few friends recommended this to me and, personally, I was only interested in Sean William Scott and how he was doing post-American Pie. I love all the role-playing jokes but I have a feeling that all the stuff which is about children and, helping children to behave (the entire Ronnie/Sean William Scott plot) is written by someone who hasn't got a clue about challenging-behaviour.
50/50: 80% good. 20% crap. All the cancer story was great - Seth Rogan and Angelica Housten were brilliant. I especially loved how Joseph Gordon Levitt's Dad was incredibly ill too. What I hated was the flat 2D-characterisation o Bryce Dallas Howard and Anna Kendricks. Bryce Dallas Howard is bad. Anna Kendricks is good. Nothing more complicated. More importantly, you know this the moment you see them. And Anna Kendricks breaks a bunch of rules in her training to become a doctor.The Dark Knight Rises (at Imax): Yeah, It's worth seeing in IMAX.
Music/Podcasts:Now Playing: They covered all three Batman films by Chris Nolan. Shockingly, Arnie did not recommend Batman Begins. Personally, I thought this was so strange because the more I watch it, the more I appreciate it. I have a feeling Arnie has some deep issue witht he film which he can't get over because it really is a brilliant film. Definately not a "not recommend"
/Film: Adam shocks us all with his apathy towards The Dark Knight Rises. How controversial. I personally feel more and more drawn towards Devindra's opinion - I think he can be much more thoughtful about what people want and what people expect.
TV/Theatre/Art Galleries/Books/MiscCommunity: I love it so much. And series 2 is so much stronger that series 1. I think I recall /Film talking about it and noting how they clearly worked out - due to the success of the paintballing episode - that specific episodes that focus on a film/genre works really well. The 'Armageddon' episode, the 'Lord of the Rings' episode, etc. Absolutely great!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: A huge building with many collections within. I just stuck to 'European Paintings' and 'Modern and Contemporary Art' galleries. I loved the impressionists work - and I constantly thought about The Thomas Crown Affair. Interestingly, the 'Monet' which features in the film, isn't in the Met. But I think the room which the film 'uses' (They had to re-build it on a set) includes a Van Gogh.
The Guggenheim Collection, New York: Interestint fact: The Guggenheim has a very small 'permanent' collection on display. Everything, is constantly changed and moved around - probably between all four galleries across the world. On the one hand, it means the gallery is always relevant and intersting. On the other hand, when I go to the gallery and get excited about seeing a specific Kandinsky, it is a bummer to find that the panting isn't on display and, potentially, sits in a storage room without anyone seeing it. What is fascinating though, is the building itself by Frank Lloyd Wright. A brilliant design that manages to display the work in a way that is modern and calming - as all the walls are curves and rarely consist of a stright, sharp line. I may try and write a review of the 'Art of Another Kind' exhibition, but it really depends whether I have the time!Chaplin: The Tramp's Odyssey by Simon Louvish: I have been trying to read this for weeks but I am such a slow reader. I had it with me in Ibiza but I had to stop every couple of minutes to (a) appreciate the stunning views in front of me and (b) jump into the sea. I mean, c'mon! if you have a hot beach and a stunning sea to jump into - you jump in! Ideally with snorkels. Which I did. With pride.
Wow, congratulations! How romantic of you to whisk her away on a secret trip. She must’ve known something was up!
ReplyDeleteMovie related: I also LOVED Jeff, Who Lives at Home. It’s definitely one of my favorite films so far this year. I’m glad that you watched Ferris Bueller although you are way behind! It’s such a great film so good thing you liked it.
Thanks Jess! My romance is exceptionally rare, but I do try. She did know something was up during the 7 1/2 hour flight which I had to remind her was merely a birthday present.
ReplyDeleteYeah, JEFF... is great. A recommend for many people methinks. And Ferris Bueller is one of many, many 80's teen-comedies I was due to watch. 1 down ... many more to go.