Blue Valentine (2010)

Since its release in 2010, Blue Valentine has been growing through word of month and gaining a cult reputation that keeps increasing as times goes by.

I have been meaning to see it for a while now, especially after a few people raved about how good it is. Kind of strange, considering it was so low-profile... But now after watching it, I feel like it doesn't make any sense for this feature to have remained so "hidden" for such a long time, especially if you consider its leading cast, composed by two of Hollywood's brightest stars: Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

Taking us through flashbacks that reveal different stages of each characters life and how their paths came to cross, Ryan and Michelle develop this amazing chemistry that later falls in to despise and contempt reveling how different they are from what they used to be. I guess that happens to all of us really... As we grow older we develop different ways of thinking, of reacting and feeling. For good or for worst, we are constantly changing, which leads me to think of that cliche phrase - of sorts - "People don't change". That's got to be one of the boldest and inaccurate statements of all time. But that's a whole different argument.

Moving on...
 
Both talents alone make the film worth it. They drag you into their personal dramas, leaving the audience to feel anxious and sometimes remorseful, while on other occasions taking a u-turn by making viewers to share the same love and happiness that the characters experience, such is the contagious way they portray it. You can even almost make their joy your own, which is remarkable! I mean, what a great thing to have from movies! In this artistic and even magical way, you get thrown  so deep into the plot, that you feel like you are part of it. That's at least one of my favorite parts as a movie goer. 

I have to say thought... this can be quite terrifying, depending on the intensity level to which you involved. Depending on what you experienced, you may be forced to revisit your past and look down on things that are better off making part of ancient times... Nonetheless, there's always good things to take out, if you have the right attitude.

Anyway... A lot of credit is due to the director Derek Cianfrance, who struggled to make this project happen mostly due to funding - or lack of it. The movie-maker waited a few years since the script was ready to go, until the actual filming took place, but the wait paid-off... at least that's my take on it,  along with many other critics who came out expressing their admiration towards this piece of work.

But there's more to it than the actors, the script or direction... 

Like always, when I'm truly impressed by a movie, its usually because all elements that come to play have made an impression and one of those elements that I give a great deal of importance is of course, the soundtrack.

Believe it or not, one of my favorite bands actually composed it and I wasn't able to spot it. I was highly into it and I said to myself: "first thing after this is over, I'll get my hands on the album". As soon as I started doing some research I came across the Brooklyn based band, Grizzly Bear, who were responsible by most of the tracks. But not only the indie rock band makes the music soar... Ryan Gosling - a musician himself - has one of the film's best moments when he plays the Ukulele singing "goofy" - as he puts it -  for Michelle Williams's character. Terrific scene and great track. There's also room for a classic of which I am a great fan: You & Me by Penny & The Quarters. 

There you have it... More than enough reasons to get the soundtrack.Combining all of which I've stated in this post, you can easily conclude that - at least from my perspective - this is a well worth 2 hours of your time to spend any day of the week.

Great film all around!

Dance Tonight

by: Lucy Pearl

Oceans

by: New Navy

Ordinary Dreams

by: Valleys

Official Paramount 100th Anniversary Photo Shoot: Behind the Scenes

Unbelievable

Blood

by: The Middle East

Drifting In And Out

by: Porcelain Raft

Looks really good

"That's what she said"

From arguably my favourite comedy show.

LINK

Money City Maniacs

by: Sloan

Fort Lean

by: Beach Holiday

Kill for Love

by: Chromatics

While my guitar gently weeps (Live @ Bangladesh)

by: George Harrison

Greatest Euro Moments - Lego

ENUI MAG - Marty Was Right

O meu artigo mais recente na EnuiMag sobre Marty Was Right, aqui!

4 movies in 2 days

Crazy Stupid Love (2011) is the sophomore film by duo Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, who previously directed I love you Philip Morris, one of my favorite movies in 2009. Their new romantic comedy is a light heart movie, with a soft and funny approach to the basics of relationships and the idea of "true love". With an amazing cast and a nice, fresh script, you are sure to get entertained while also being remembered about some of the most fundamental things in life. Definitely a crowd pleaser.

Goon (2011) seemed to have everything to be a bad movie, but if you look closely enough, you can see some elements that will upgrade your expectations towards the 2011 comedy. It is written by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg, this last one, being one of the minds responsible for movies such as Superbad (2007) or Pineapple Express (2008). That kinda offers comfort, because you know its in good hands. I'm a big fan of Sean William Scott, so that made everything look more appealing.
Based on a true story, Goon hits you in the face with unexpected and sometimes ludicrous humor... without going way over the top. Bottom line, its funny, but its a credible funny. Like I said... Based on a true story. It has happen. Oh and the choice for Sean William Scott's antagonist... is perfect. Liev Schreiber in a role you never thought you would see him.

Citizen Kane (1941) is movie directed and starred by Orson Welles, a man who became a legend in the film industry much to the success of this cult classic. It is regarded by many as one of the finest works to ever be seen, and after watching it this weekend, I can pretty much vouch for that as I'm sure it will go on from generation to generation always with the same appeal. Made in 1941, you can tell where a lot of what is done nowadays draws inspiration. Yet, even having movies resembling Welles masterpiece, it can still be seen as something almost new. That's the sort of feeling "timeless" movies hand out. This is surely one of them...

I had long waited for Prometheus (2012) to hit the screens in the U.K. Sunday, I couldn't resist it. The hype was too much for me to bare...

Ridley Scott was taking helms of a project that whether he likes it or not, try as he might to avoid comparisons, it is was always going to be heavily associated with the Aliens saga which he started back in 1979.
He has said this was not a prequel, but I can tell you it sure feels like one. The story has so many link with its original that it makes it impossible to avoid any connections.

Be it as it may, never thought a story with such potential could be so disappointing. I mean, its watchable... But with all the marketing and hype and with the expectations created by myself - due to the combination of a great cast with a legendary film-maker - it just seemed like this was going to be one of the best movies of the year. Hate disappoint you on  this, but that is miles away from being an accurate statement. Besides being visually great - not outstanding or breathtaking - it looked like a lot was missing. And don't even get me started on the 3D technology. What a waste of money and resources! Anyway, there might be some salvage for Prometheus. As the movie comes to an end, something is revealed that leads to a probable sequel. Hopefully they can work things out in to making this franchise more interesting...

New Year

by: Beach House

Probably my favorite track from their latest album Bloom (2012)

#UncleDrew

11 por todos e todos por 11

Já parece Verão por estes lados

Sure Thing

by: Saint Germain

A class chill out song taking inspiration through Blues legend John Lee Hooker (from which a sample is taken)

No Reservations @ Lisbon, Portugal

Anthony Bourdain goes to Lisbon, capital of the country I call home: Portugal.

Ex Factor

by: Holly Miranda
(Lauryn Hill cover)

This was my Sunday

400 Coups (1959)

Hunger (2008)

Chelsea FC - Champions League Winners 2011/2012

And so it is... Chelsea are the new European Champions after winning a dramatic Champions League final against the Germans of Bayern Munich. 

Many would say the "Gods of football" had planned this unbelievable outcome all along. 

I am now a converted believer to this idea.

Since Roman Abramovich took over the London club in 2003, he was able to win everything at his reach, except for that coveted trophy to which all of Europe have their eyes set on. I'm talking of course of the Champions League trophy. 

The Russian owner has then put a lot of effort to win that cup and they came close a couple of times.In 2007/2008 they reached the final, only to be beaten in the penalty round by English rivals, Manchester United. A day that skipper John Terry will never forget, being the one to miss the crucial kick from the spot. One year later, against Barcelona, they were knocked out of the final in one of the most controversial games that I remember watching in the elite competition.

Nonetheless, Chelsea were still restless and eager to complete their trophy shelve. The bringing of AVB was a sign of that desire, but with a new approach. The idea was to remodel, restructure, reorganize, however, that idea never came to full practice as it was not applied in the right way. AVB was soon sacked and assistant manager Di Matteo was left to try and minimize damages. 

He did much more than that... He transformed what seemed to be the worst season of the club after the billionaire owner took over, to one that will go down in history as their first big European accomplishment.

Little skill or technique was applied to this formula of success, but a lot of heart and luck seemed to do the trick. We all know these are vital ingredients that can change the course of any game... If football has taught us anything is that nothing is to be taken for granted. Even the most unpredictable events take place every so often... and you must be ready to react when they come.

After their miraculous come back from a 3-1 result against Napole, Chelsea were still considered to be a doomed team. No flair, no skill... no chances! Their next opponents were the Portuguese side Benfica, a team that on paper seemed like quite an easy challenge for the Blues, but ended up being the opposite. The giants from Lisbon played better than the Englishmen, with more possession, more shots on target and if not for the referee's big mistake at the Stadium of Light (Estádio da Luz), Chelsea wouldn't live to tell the tale. But again, luck and other unpredictable details make football the sport it is. 

Chelsea won both legs and proceeded to the next round were they would find arguably the best team to ever play the game: FC Barcelona. 

Again, the crowd were everything but optimistic. There was no way a team so average throughout the season could go head to toe against such a powerhouse of talent.

But to much big surprise and against all odds, Chelsea won the Catalans with less one man, in one of the most exciting matches of their history, putting a "V in Vendetta" for that semi-final to which they were highly damaged by a poor refereeing. For this match a solid defence, big  heart and of course, Ramires... were all the Blues needed to overcome the Spanish powerhouse. An ironic sense of justice came to play I guess...

And so comes the Final, in Munich... The town of Chelsea's opposition: Bayern.

With a better team and playing in front of their home crowd, Bayern were favourites. Chelsea were said by most to be an easy target. Specially because the likes of John Terry, Ramires and Raúl Meireles couldn't play due to being suspended. It almost seemed too easy.

But when you reach a stage such as the final... there are no favourites. It's anyone's game!

Like a movie script about any underdog, you see the hero take a lot of hits and blows. You see them go down over and over again, only to then see them rise powerful and levelling the balance. And by the end, when you actually don't know who will win, everything is left to that one big finale.

A lot of twists and turns take place before unveiling what you feel you should have seen it coming from the beginning...

Chelsea were Champions!

Didier Drogba was the main character with his decisive goal (what a finish!) and penalty - although I must say, Ashley Cole was the best player on the pitch.

The final outcome - and not how the game's action took place - immediately lead me to remember what happened in 2004 , when Greece won the Euro. 

It wasn't even considered to be a possibility, but Greece worked their way up into the final where they faced the favourites Portugal, who were playing in their home ground. (See any similarities?)

The difference is that, as long as Roman is around and they maintain the high level structure and the "big bucks" flying around... They are likely to repeat this in years to come. That is my belief!