No EMMY LOVE for Sandra Oh!?

I know this blog is supposed to be about films, so I'll make this post short.

OMFG ARE YOU SERIOUS? COME ON! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU VOTERS!? OMG DID YOU ALL FORGET HOW TO TICK THE SANDRA OH BOX OR WRITE HER NAME!? What is wrong with you people!?

This is TWO YEARS in a row that Sandra Oh's Cristina Yang (GREY'S ANATOMY!!!) has been snubbed by the EMMY! In this season, Sandra Oh does not only portray her original Cristina (witty, BAD-ASS and sarcastic, but somewhat LIKEABLE); she EXCELS at conveying a scared and 'ruined' Cristina that suffers from PTSD (post traumatic STRESS disorder). A TERRIFYING DISORDER, even if the EMMYS keep going like this... it won't be traumatic ENOUGH for me to get PTSD. YES, It is THAT terrifying!

I AM TRULY DISGUSTED AND HORRIFIED THAT... THAT TRUTHFUL CONVEYANCE OF PTSD COULD BE SNUBBED AND FORGOTTEN BY EMMY VOTERS! Not many actresses TODAY could give such a refined and accurate depiction that is neither TOO NUMB nor TOO MELODRAMATIC.

Once again I'm horrified and VERY VERY VERY VERY SAD that the Emmy voters do this to me A SECOND TIME. THIS IS WHY I STICK TO THE FREAKEN OSCARS! UGHHH
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

P.S. I AM EXERCISING SELF CONTROL... ALL THE UGH SELF CONTROL THAT I POSSESS, OR ELSE THE SCREEN WOULD BE LIT WITH THE MOST INCREDIBLE AND PAINFUL INSULTS!

Harry Potter, goodbye?

Out of the eight films, this one is BY FAR the darkest and most brutal; it stirs our minds and overwhelms us with a mixture of grief and satisfaction.

Before we do anything, you must know that I LOVE the Harry Potter novels. This is probably why it's especially difficult to 'critique' this film, because I can't judge the film ON ITS own; its loyalty to the novel is EVERYTHING to me. That being said, I am quite 'pleased' with this final instalment.

Warning: this review will be quite long (not tedious)... so IMPERIO! [I'm FORCING you to read the whole review, just so you know]

Alan RICKMAN's portrayal of the morally ambiguous Severus SNAPE has always been excellent, and his final scenes are simply perfect; his eyes and voice are indescribably emotive. His screen time is limited, but time isn't that great a factor when you're the great Alan Rickman; a simple "always" conveys emotions as great as ... I don't want to spoil anything for those who don't read the novels. My point is, Alan Rickman is the perfect Severus Snape; I'll be thrilled if this fascinating character grants Rickman his FIRST Oscar nomination! Yes, he'll definitely be the NEXT to join my HOW AM I OSCAR-LESS? list.

Back on track with... Maggie Smith! Do I need to elaborate? The camera somehow finds its way back to her... her grim expressions... her childish laughter... her undeniable authority. McGonagall, in some ways, has been Harry's 'safety net' [especially in the novels] and she's here till the end; in the same way that Harry turns to McGonagall [for help], the audience turns to her for her emotive response. We love Maggie Smith because she EMBODIES McGonagall, and because... well you know (and this film will truly remind you)!

Helena Bonham Carter is obviously perfect as the perfectly bizarre Bellatrix (yes that creep that kills everyone). OH MY GOD, I know why she has so little screen time-they cut a huge part out! Moving on, Carter playing Hermione pretending to be Bellatrix is WOW-absolutely SPOT ON [in character] and WILDLY entertaining. PERHAPS, if she has MORE screen time... I digress. HOWEVER, the BELLATRIX VS. MOLLY scenes(s) are WAY TOO SHORT... seriously, the Voldemort vs. Harry showdown isn't the only one people want to see!!!

Now... time to discuss the scenes! The 'King's Cross station' scene is quite superb, even though they forget to highlight THAT Pettigrew used Harry's blood to resurrect Voldemort (even so, he's missing huge chunks of his nose hehe). Michael Gambon is actually IN the reserved and cheerful character of Dumbledore in this scene, HALLELUJAH! This film truly brings out the best in the actors, especially Daniel Radcliffe (who is especially great in the 'King's Cross' scene and the few scenes prior to that). Oh, Emma Watson...yes, let's say she stimulates my tear ducts . Actually, A LOT of scenes stand out... so I will stop naming examples.

HOWEVER, I have to mention the Narcissa-Harry scene, for some strange reason the 'maternal instinct' that Narcissa displays really affects me. Strange.

Similar to the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, this film is SUPER theatrical (which maximises the suspense). Though, I must say, dramatisation of certain scenes is 'a little too much'. I think this is my problem with the film, it's so EPIC that sometimes it forgets the 'small and intimate' scenes. HOWEVER, those 'small and intimate' scenes still play a major role in this film, which is why I'm 'pleased'. Do I have to mention the special effects? There's really no point mentioning an element that's been perfected, which is why there is no need to mention the music and cinematography.

Like I said, the film is EPIC and the pace is VERY FAST, which makes us appreciate the power of those 'quiet' scenes. The film is quite overwhelming, but it shows us the war that this is. It is a war, people (in this case, wizards and witches) die and there is nothing triumphant about that. The film's solemn tone is relieved by the perfect 'implementation' of humour, but it never lets the audience forget that this is a war, and when the war ends... we are simply satisfied, not overwhelmed with joy.  

ONE FINAL THING is the final showdown between Voldemort and Harry, these scenes are dramatised to THE MAX (so to say). THAT being said, the 'final' wand duel is quite intimate and is marvelously powerful. I would like to mention that it is VERY VERY VERY VERY DISAPPOINTING that they omit the scene where harry repairs 'pheonix feather' wand, I AM DISGUSTED! That scene would take... 30 seconds... UGH!

Yes, they do omit scenes and some scenes are TOO dramatised and theatrical, BUT the great lines [from the novel] are not omitted (they may have omitted a few, I'm not sure). Also, this 'blood bath' is not glorified... some of those characters that we hold in our hearts die; this end is not in anyway WONDERFUL, it is simply APPROPRIATE. Harry Potter doesn't go out with a BANG, it ends with the RIGHT bangs.

This isn't goodbye, not really. I'll grow old, but I'll never grow up and Harry Potter will never die. NO MATTER how many no-nose Voldermorts 'growing old' will bring.

J.K. Rowling, thank you for painting our hearts with this world and these characters.

P.S. Even with the film being extremely 'BUSY', some scenes still manage to draw drops of tears from my eyes, and that deserves a round of applause.

DEADLY scenes!

I'm sure (well, pretty sure) that everyone enjoys a well co-ordinated fight scene; a scene that is exciting and adrenaline-rushing! THE BEST FIGHT SCENE EVER (in my opinion) is the one between Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, the stunts are clear and easy to follow, and the 'sword' play is absolutely compelling! I say 'sword' because Michelle Yeoh changes her weapon every minute or so, which is why this scene is so original, authentic and EXTRAORDINARY.

See for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OxQ-2gR1DU

Spoilers Alert? I guess... NOT IN THE ACTUAL REVIEW, but in the links...

What people also love are bad-ass KILLS! And this is why Angelina Jolie's Salt truly entertains me:

The first scene is an example of 'extreme glassing'... oh yeah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OAzr_YnA1Q

The second... the most DEADLY use of a hand-cuff! This is (once again, in my opinion) THE BEST KILL... AHHHHHH love Angelina Jolie SO MUCH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrzdB0ickqc

P.S. IF YOU INTEND TO FULLY ENJOY SALT... maybe you shouldn't see those scenes!

Bi Oi, Dung So (Bi, Don't Be Afraid)

Bold, beautiful and provocative.

This film aims to draw emotions and it does EXACTLY that... the ending is strangely inconclusive, but who cares. The cinematography and the setting [of the natural beauty of the countryside of Vietnam] are simply perfect, and they force the audience to FEEL.

Unlike traditional Vietnamese films, this one is fearless, it isn't afraid to show 'flesh' to create the desired effect. The intimate scenes are quite explicit, but their purpose (to provoke) is always fulfilled. Unlike the intimate scenes, the 'truly' sombre scenes are subtle; that is, the sadness is conveyed by quiet expressions and soft cries NOT melodramatic tantrums. I say 'truly' because the 'grey-blue' lighting that persists throughout the film establishes a 'constant' sombre atmosphere.

To wrap it up, the film honestly portrays life, a family and its constituents (three of which are VERY sexual beings). I wonder why it's named 'Bi, Don't Be Afraid', perhaps he has nothing to be afraid of because he's 'emotionally' oblivious to the 'terrors' of the world.

Once again, one of those films that I can't rate.

P.S. You'll ONLY enjoy it if you enjoy films that FORCE you to FEEL. Otherwise the plot and the potentially powerful romance feel completely incomplete.

A QUICK review: PRINCESS MONONOKE

Everyone knows Miyazaki? Well, for those few that DON'T, Miyazaki is one of the greatest and most influential animators of OUR time; two of his MANY great films: Spirited Away (2001) and Howl's Moving Castle (2004), which I still need to SEE, were each nominated for an Oscar (for best animated feature) and Spirited Away actually WON! Phew.. thank heavens! 

Princess Mononoke (1997) is another one of Miyazaki's visionary films. The animation, needless to say, is divine... especially the 'forest spirit' [and its transformations]. A great thing about Miyazaki is that his DEMONS actually freak me out, in this film demons are covered in worm-like things that constantly wriggle... gross; also, he's not afraid to 'use' blood to give the audience that extra 'thrill' that we are thirsty for! 

It is AN imaginative and out-of-this-world film that captures the strange relationship between US and the ENVIRONMENT! Oh forgot about the characters... the protagonists are simply likeable (and BEAUTIFULLY drawn) and that's all you need to know (thank HEAVENS, the romance was not a big storyline... very cute though... and not at all 'Disney' or 'Titanic'). LASTLY, not a BLACK and WHITE story because if we hate the humans then we'd be hating ourselves... and most of us are too proud to do that. Great 'food for thought'!

Final Verdict: I can't rate it; it's just one of those movies you don't rate. It's too unconventional to be framed in a score out of ten. WATCH it with a FRESH mind and you'll love it!

P.S. Think of it this way, it's the THREE-DIMENSIONAL version of AVATAR (not that I don't love AVATAR for what it is). IT'S TRADITIONAL ANIMATION... don't get confused... I'm referring to the storyline not the visual!

BRIDESMAIDS

Simply HILARIOUS!

I guess the humour is 'crude' and sex-oriented, but it's really funny!

Kristen Wiig is truly fabulous as the awkward and inappropriately truthful Annie, who is both smart and very likeable! Her 'physical' comedy (I think can be called slapstick) is so funny, espescially the scene on the plane. 'Drunk' women are funny, but this woman when drunk just makes you laugh extremely loud! She BAKES, in all the reviews that I have read (yes, I do read other people's reviews) I do not recall anyone mentioning her BAKING SKILLS, personally I think that's a nice touch to her character.

Two other performances that REALLY stand out (I say REALLY because the whole ensemble is quite great) are given by Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy. Helen (Rose Byrne) is that OVERLY nice person who flaunts her wealth and connections and tries SO HARD to please everyone, and somehow... I like her! Megan (Melissa McCarthy) is just likeable, she's frank and she's inappropriate... when she crudely said 'I'm going to climb that like a tree' I cracked up!

This film has a plot! Yes, what a miracle. This is a romantic-COMEDY with a heart or whatever, so you'll be sucked in. OH FORGOT TO MENTION, Jon Hamm (from the great show MAD MEN) plays a perfect douche that is so douche-y that you just want to... I digress, point is, he's very funny!

If you can take a bit of swearing and you enjoy those 'dirtier' jokes AND physical humour cracks you up OR you just like an ORIGINAL romantic-COMEDY. This film is for you!

Final Verdict: 8.5 OR 9/10 I'm indecisive that way!

P.S. If you LOVED HangOVER you'll love this too...

Kung Fu Panda 2!

An action-packed sequel that manages to sustain the warmth and humour of its predecessor.

Now... I LOVED the first KUNG FU PANDA, it's one of my favourite animated films, it's fast-paced, hilarious and 'tear jerking' (well, I started to tear up in certain scenes). The sequel is similar. However, its extremely fast pace can be rather draining, which is why we greatly appreciate the calmly paced scenes [of character development]. I'm glad, the film allocates time for the 'emotional journeys'; the 'expected' adoption [of Po] storyline is especially well handled and my eyes definitely got watery in ALL those parent-child bonding scenes (no point denying that). The 'inner peace' issue is a rather nice touch, and is nicely integrated with the demise of lord SHEN, who obviously is a stranger to peace.

Every 'adventure' film NEEDS a villain and Gary Oldman's Lord Shen (the evil peacock) is an interesting villain; he's ruthless, scarred, and 'dead inside', but unlike Tai Lung (of the first film) Shen is NOT a Kung Fu prodigy. All that he has are flashy 'moves', SHARP metal talons, a band of barbaric minions (wolves and gorillas), a secret weapon, which is really just gun powder, and a bunch of hilarious and rehearsed lines; so, I'd say he's your typical sinister war lord... a nice surprise indeed!

Another interesting addition to the cast is Michelle Yeoh (the soothsayer); her 'chemistry' with/ hunger for Shen's silk robe is rather funny and she is essential in binding the destinies of our hero, Po, and lord Shen. In a way, she helps her prophecy come true... so YAY!

Other great voices are from the original cast... Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman obviously get the BULK of the lines, but Lucy Liu (viper)'s line 'Po has DADDY issues' is just too funny to not mention. On another note, Po (Black) and Tigress (Jolie) are 'getting to know' each other... oh yes.

The film is a perfect blend of spectacular computer animations and beautiful [traditionally] drawn animation (for the flashbacks). The action sequences and humour become even more 'accessible' (especially the humour) as the film progresses, and that is 'greatness' indeed.

To wrap this up, if you haven't already seen it... do go watch it; Kung Fu Panda 2, although may not be as GREAT as the first one, is thoroughly enjoyable to both adults and children, and OMG I did not see the cliff-hanger coming... seriously (and I usually do)!

Final verdict: 8.5/10

P.S. DID NOT watch it in 3D... it was AWESOME!

PSYCHO's psycho (JULY)

Okay... if you haven't seen Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO, you may not understand why that snap shot is creepy, but I can barely look at it!

Norman Bates (creepily portrayed by Anthony Perkins) is a psycho. Now for those of you (those few) that may have not heard of OR watched the Simpson's parody of PSYCHO... Norman Bates has serious 'Mommy' issues. He takes the term 'Mommy's boy' to a whole new level, which explains his obsession with taxidermy (reproducing dead ANIMALS for display); being a true 'Mommy's boy', Bates is quite handy with stitches and KNIVES!

Similar to Kathy Bates' Annie Wilkes (last month's psycho), Anthony Perkins' Norman Bates shifts 'modes' with ease. However, 'he' only has two 'modes', and [once again] these 'modes' reflect his undying love for his 'Momma'; notice UNDYING. Why is this psycho special? First of all, anyone living in an 'empty' mansion adjacent to his virtually non-existent motel business... definitely needs to see Dr. Phil. So obviously, even in his 'natural' mode, he unsettles the audience with his strange hospitality and his unexpected outbursts of RAGE. Okay, this is giving me chills... bottom line is... he's psychotic; Perkins' performance is compelling and at times you will be forced to cover your eyes with the remote (especially at the end).

*Shudders*... thinking of 'his' two distinctively different 'voices' and his direct stare... GASP

AH!