by: Sonny and Cher
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Friday, April 06, 2012
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Intouchables (2011)
Intouchables (2011) is a French movie - based on true events - written and directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano.
In both these fields (writing and directing), Olivier and Eric performed gracefully with great taste, not only aesthetically - with their fine direction - but also with the narrative which never seems to cross the border into cliche territory. Quite a task considering the nature of the script and how now a days film makers try hard to fabric tearjerkers.
You can say this feature almost fits that "genre", depending of one's sensibility... but being an over sensitive person myself, I can tell you that Intouchables while being able to move you, doesn't bring the saddest emotions from you. It offers a balance between comedy - in a smart and genuine way - with the finest of human nature, one where love, respect and compassion are big assets.
You can say this feature almost fits that "genre", depending of one's sensibility... but being an over sensitive person myself, I can tell you that Intouchables while being able to move you, doesn't bring the saddest emotions from you. It offers a balance between comedy - in a smart and genuine way - with the finest of human nature, one where love, respect and compassion are big assets.
As the movie starts, the opening scene gives away a mysterious beginning with two men (Philipe and Driss) with a great piano track serving as soundtrack. Immediately I was drawn... not only because I was curious about the relationship between the two men in the car, but the music was gripping and very familiar. I remember watching various NBA Playoff commercials (ex: 1) with the same song. Soon after, this piano theme gives room to a more funky upbeat, September by Earth, Wind and Fire.
Come to think about it, the French film is exactly that... a mix of the piano theme with September. While intense and beautiful, it's also fun and cheerful. Having a lot of qualities that define and describe Intouchables, one that becomes obvious is the relationship between both main characters. In their individual aspects they are great, having a lot of depth and interest, but together they provide a brilliant chemistry, one that alone makes the movie worth it. It's beautiful to see such a comrade between two men, outside the typical male environment. A love between two man, resembling in many aspects the friendship between Andy Dufrane and Red (Shawshank Redemption) with the settings being completely different, but equal in terms of principal. For those who saw the "DVD extras" of Shawshank, the way most of the cast describes their relationship, can easily match what is seen on-screen with François Cluzet and Omar Sy (Philipe and Driss).
From start to finish, what you see - and hear (try and listen to this soundtrack with mix of classic and funk music) - is excellent, making justice to the hype created around this movie. One more successful European venture, reminding us that French cinema is alive and well!
Monday, April 02, 2012
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
The Young Friends
Another group with New Wave influences and a sound that immediately reminds me of an alternative version of The Drums... They go by the name of The Young Friends and the following tracks are taken from their album Hella (2010)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Shade and Honey
Years ago, when I started digging in on everything Christian Bale had or was working as an actor, I came across a movie called Laurel Canyon (2002). It had a cast of which I was very fond of, but again, the reason that lead me to watch it was the Welsh actor.
After seeing it I became fan of other actors who were almost (if not entirely) anonymous to me. I'm talking about Kate Beckinsale and Alessandro Nivola, this last one performing one of my favorite moments of Laurel Canyon.
Nivola portrays a rock star, trying to get his album done and for that, he isolates himself in a studio owned by his girlfriend, played by Frances McDormand (by the way, this is not the synopses, just one of the character's background).
During his music sessions, he plays a track that instantly came across as a sweet and heartfelt ballad.
I was hooked!
Those next weeks, the song was on loop and to this day, I still hear it from time to time. In fact, listening to it recently inspired me to share the the song, the movie and the story behind it.
Nivola portrays a rock star, trying to get his album done and for that, he isolates himself in a studio owned by his girlfriend, played by Frances McDormand (by the way, this is not the synopses, just one of the character's background).
During his music sessions, he plays a track that instantly came across as a sweet and heartfelt ballad.
I was hooked!
Those next weeks, the song was on loop and to this day, I still hear it from time to time. In fact, listening to it recently inspired me to share the the song, the movie and the story behind it.
While doing some research to write about it, I found out that the song Shade and Honey was taken out of the album Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain (2006) by Sparklehorse. I also found out that the lead singer wrote the song for Nivola to sing it in the film.
As for the film directed by Lisa Cholodenko (who also directed/wrote The Kids Are All Right), to simply put it, is an emotional drama of mixed emotions, twists and turns... It goes deep into messed up relationships, be it regarding love, lust, passion... or even between family and friends.
It wasn't a success, but it's definitely one of my favorite movies!
It wasn't a success, but it's definitely one of my favorite movies!
I could look in your face
For a thousand years
It’s like a civil war
Of pain and of cheer
But if you was a horse
I could help you with your chains
I could ride you through the fields
By your fiery mane
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes
Where the sun will be
Made of honey
I'll cry gardens while you burn
'Cause no one here can save you
She’s returning to the Earth
But one day she’ll be silver
The stars are dying in my chest
Till I see you again
She was born with the wings of a hawk
Where she combs her hair with blood
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes
Where the sun will be
Made of honey
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes
Where the sun will be
Made of honey
May your shade be sweet
May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes...
May your shade be sweet
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Carnage (2011)
Roman Polanski...
But truth be told... with a director and cast like this, It couldn't go wrong...
All four of them are nothing short of amazing!
Jodie Foster / John C. Reilly
x
Kate Winslet / Christoph Waltz
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Senna (2010)
Even though I was never a big Formula 1 fan, I can say it was present all my life!
My Dad is an hardcore fan of the sport! He would - and still does - spend a lot of his weekends making sure not to miss any training, tests or other events related to the motor-racing sport, regardless of the time its being broadcast!
When I was a child, I remember Ayrton Senna's name coming up too often, but I was ignorant to the fact that he held a place among my Father's heroes!
I also remember my Dad being really sad with his passing! Can't really say I was aware of the situation though... Don't even know how to situate that day into a specific time! Don't recall the year or what I was doing... Just remember the tension in the air without fully understanding what it was all about!
Then... for every other F1 race that followed, came millions of comments unrelated with was going on the track! How Senna was this and that, how he was missed, how back in the day there was nothing more exciting then watching that generation of drivers slugging it out for a pole position!
A lot of negative comments started to come as well. Mostly towards Benetton's driver - going on to becoming a Ferrari pilot - Michael Schumacher.
Again, I was confused! Why would my Dad had such hatred towards a man who was conquering the motor-sport world, becoming probably the best driver til this day? I was then explained that in 1994, when Senna crashed, Schumacher celebrated his win in the San Marino Grand Prix... And my Father never forgave the German driver for that! He considered that celebrating act as a major contempt of Senna's legacy, but even more so, as a total lack of respect for the human being that was the Brazilian icon!
These were my recollection of memories and moments related to Senna and the times that came after his death!
Fast forward a few years later, I was still oblivious as I ever was to what came to F1! Much to my Father's disappointment, it was still one of his big passions that none of his children came to possess as their own!
It was only until my coming to the United Kingdom that I started getting involved. My line of work required that and fortunately enough, I had great access to footage, information and even some of the drivers themselves. Plus, having around in the office a man of great insight who would give away a lot of his knowledge on a day to day basis, it would be right to think there was no way I could end a day without learning anything!
That man goes by the name of Don Riddell and he is probably the main reason why I saw this documentary! When the movie was getting out, he made his best to follow the story while gathering what he could for the piece he was pulling together.
After attending the screening for the feature made by the hand of director Asif Kapadia, Don made his best to put into words the feelings that emerged by watching it, but eventually ended up just saying to everyone in the room that we all needed to see Senna (2010). And not the international version which is 1h47minutes, but the actual extended version, almost reaching a total of three hours!
It took me a while, but finally I invested the time after getting my hands in the director's original cut, much to Don's will of me seeing a full and accurate portrait of a sporting legend!
It took me a while, but finally I invested the time after getting my hands in the director's original cut, much to Don's will of me seeing a full and accurate portrait of a sporting legend!
Those three hours went flying by, such was the way I was completely sucked in to this whole other world, losing perception of space and time. The year was no longer 2012, but 1984... and I wasn't viewing a documentary, but instead a F1 spectator in the stands! And keep in mind, I am til' this day, not a big fan of F1 (although I just became increasingly more after watching Senna)!
Even for those you don't have any sort of interest for the sport, there is a human component of such magnitude, that easily draws the audience. Through testimonies of several people who were close to Ayrton (from a personal or professional perspective) you get to have a taste of the entire system and the people who run it. More importantly, you get to get acquainted with the fastest and most skilled racer, in a time where more than everything, it was the driver who made the difference rather than the car and its technology components!
Meanwhile, coming to the end of the movie, when you know just exactly how and when things are going to take place, you still can't fight the anxiety taking over your whole body when the San Marino GP is being shown. You almost want to turn away your eyes in order to not witness that deadly moment, one that left marks not only in the F1 community, but throughout the world!
Coming to the funeral scenes, I couldn't help myself to avoid shedding a few tears... and as I think about it now, I get emotional and instantly start to collect some of my favourite moments, being my favourite the scene where you see Ayrton calling his Dad after he just finished a race with massive injuries on his shoulders, saying: "don't touch me, just lean on me". One of the most endearing moments I ever witnessed. No script, no Hollywood producers, no acting... just one of the most plain, simple and genuine moments you will witness on-screen!
Having said all of this, I will conclude with the following:
People say there was no one like Ayrton Senna... This documentary indeed shows that! From all levels...
People say there was no one like Ayrton Senna... This documentary indeed shows that! From all levels...
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Tower Heist (2011)
Great cast providing great fun!
Directed by Brett Retner and starring an ensemble cast with Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Tea Leoni, Michael Pena and Gabourey Sidibe, Tower Heist (2011) is a very entertaining movie with good acting (especially from a vintage Eddie Murphy), great chemistry between its performers,well paced rhythm and a suited ending!
Definitely not be the best movie around in recent times, but nicely done within the genre... and I even go as far as saying this might gain the status of a cult film.
Definitely not be the best movie around in recent times, but nicely done within the genre... and I even go as far as saying this might gain the status of a cult film.
Don't know why... its a feeling!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Bully - Trailer
Can't really say if its gonna be good or not...
But at least it got me to think a bit more on the subject! We all witnessed it and we did nothing of it...
Like they say "kids will be kids".
But there's a very thin line between what does no warm and what scars you for life!
Friday, March 09, 2012
Patrick Watson - Closer To Paradise (2009)
It's again one of those examples in which I come to a big disagreement with the Chicago based music website, Pitchfork.
They gave the album a review that was barely positive, when I believe it's way above average...
Obviously, music is a tricky subject... an opinion is what it is... and it should never be taken too seriously! It shifts and changes, thanks to many factors that are attached to our personality, background, influences and so on... Nonetheless, as most people that are made of strong convictions, when we highly disagree, it's hard to react like we didn't care.
So this is my - civilized - way of saying to Pitchfork: You should get your act together! Patrick Watson, of whom I'm a big fan, did a great job with his sophomore album Closer To Paradise (2009).
Among the thirteen tracks that make this project, I chose The Great Escape and The Drifters as my favorite songs! In fact, these two alone... make the whole album worth your while!
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Monday, March 05, 2012
Sunday, March 04, 2012
ENUI MAG - Venham daí os Festivais... Venha daí o Verão
O meu último artigo sobre o concerto dos The Drums e os Festivais que aí se aproxima em Portugal.
Fim ao cabo, é um artigo que tudo tem haver com o Verão
Saturday, March 03, 2012
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