Jeopardy

by: Shoos Off

Interstellar (2014) / Gone Girl (2014)

Since I saw Interstellar (2014) this past Saturday, the movie has been lingering in my head.

I didn’t know what to make of it right away. I mean, I acknowledged it was good from a technical standpoint, beautiful shots and soundtrack and amazing performances (specially from Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain) and that I had a great time watching it… but couldn’t figure out if it was worth the outrageous score on iMDB and all that incredible praise it’s been getting.

There were a few things about it that raised some uncertainty in my decision… mainly the big thing for me was that the movie tends to over complicate things that could easily be a lot simpler - even Michael Caine said he was confused! Sure, it can appeal to the intellect and imagination but even so... you take the chance of losing the audience and on top of that you might be perceived as pretentious or even silly at times. I’m not even sure if what I wrote just now makes sense, but I hope that at least for those who have watched it already, this can resonate in some shape or form.

Nonetheless, after I saw it with a group of friends, a discussion followed as we were leaving the room. Things became clearer and other ideas came up to mind. All of the sudden, it had become more enjoyable after we cleared the air and talked about Nolan’s intentions as a director managing a complex, yet fascinating script.

Some can argue that debate after a movie - in order to fully comprehend the plot - is a great thing, because it adds more to it… others might see it as a bad sign since you should be able to get the plot on your own and if you didn’t, well… either the director did a bad job or you might be seen as not very bright (there's always that someone who's afraid to admit that they didn't get it or didn't like it, when something is almost unanimously good).

Unfortunately, I’m more inclined to say I really didn’t keep up when I should… I want to blame the director, but it’s hard for me to doubt Nolan’s abilities. He’s one of the best directors out there without a single bad movie in his repertoire, which leads me to be quicker doubting myself than actually questioning Nolan’s decisions. Despite poor audio mixing in the first few scenes, I'm pretty sure I didn't miss out on important parts of the dialog. 

That said, and with days gone by since I last saw it and after much consideration I can now stand my ground and say it’s a terrific movie. In fact, one of the best I’ve seen this year. It still doesn’t top Gone Girl as my favorite of 2014 (check my post on the subject) and I think it certainly doesn't deserve the high ranking it holds at the moment on iMDB.

With an amazing script, great directing and all around performances, Gone Girl just made a bigger impression. Even though Interstellar is the kind of film that will live longer in history and will be more appreciated as a cinematic experience within all its majestic beauty and powerful details, this novel turned movie still remains the most enjoyable film I’ve seen in 2014.

David Fincher is a master at messing with people’s emotions. You find yourself getting into these psychological traps, where things are not as they seem and you are constantly doing U-turns to your opinions. I really found it to be more appealing and entertaining... but, as you know, these things are highly subjective.

In a nutshell, Interstellar is a timeless cinema work of art - which I recommend people watching it in a big screen. Gone Girl on the other hand is a movie that I urge people to watch it, knowing that it doesn't really require a mandatory trip to your local cinema since it doesn't hold up to the same sort of visual standards as Chris Nolan's latest feature.

The Vertical Hour

To anyone living in London, I recommend you to go to the Park Theater in Finsbury Park and watch the play "The Vertical Hour", written by Sir David Hare. Very interesting and well acted! 

Gone Girl (2014)

Gone Girl:

One of the best things I’ve seen this year! Hands down!

I remember leaving the room and tweeting right away: 

“My head is still spinning! I mean, what a ride!! By far one the best things I've seen all year! My heart is still pacing”

It’s funny… 24 hours later I still feel the same way almost as the adrenaline is still being pumped into my body.

David Fincher, like he so often does, play with your head… over and over again, until you don’t know who you are any more.

The key to its success (or part of it) is the script based on Gillian Flynn novels, who actually ended up helping Fincher with the adaptation.

Add fantastic performances by Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike (as well as the supporting cast with Tyler Perry, Neil Patrick Harris, Carry Coon, Kim Dickens) and you have a masterpiece in your hands.

It's hard to give it a full-on review without entailing crucial moments. I for one, prefer to just state whether its worth it or not... and trust me… it will leave you on the edge of your seat. It will flip you upside down more than once… it will build anxiety, anger, relieved with occasional laughter and some sense of rightness. But ultimately, it will linger long after the credits roll. You will talk about it afterwards. Discuss it, digest it and then talk some more.

It is that good!

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Saw it very recently and it is exactly as its referred to: A must see classic!

Directed by the legendary Blake Edwards, with Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard (yes, the actor who played John "Hannibal" Smith on the 80's TV show A-Team), it still remains fresh and entertaining up until this day.

In other words, a timeless masterpiece!

Force Majeure - Trailer

Looks "super"

Love Is Strange - Trailer

The End Has No End

by: The Strokes

My Old Lady - Trailer

Born to Run (cover)

Frankie Goes to Hollywood perform a fantastic Bruce Springsteen cover

"Breaking Bad" - Mr Men style

The Judge - Trailer

Wish I Was Here - Trailer

Desperately want to see this!

Alemanha, Portugal e Brasil

Há aí muito Português ressabiado que ainda não recuperou da derrota com a Alemanha. E que pior, guardou rancor contra os Brasileiros (uma nação de milhões) por causa de uns patetas que gozaram connosco através comunicação social. Acham por isso que o Pais tem de pagar... e hoje vejo as centenas comentários a dar escáfia neles (os Brasileiros isto é).

Não percebo!

Eu falo de quem está no Rio a cobrir a Copa...

A grande maioria dos Brasileiros que conheci e vejo cá, adoram Portugal, veneram o Cristiano e apoiam a nossa Seleccão quase com a mesma paixão que apoiam o Brasil.
Depois penso nos meus amigos Brasileiros (que são muitos). Mais uma vez, grande maioria apoia Portugal...

Como se isso não bastasse, penso nos vários Brasileiros que jogaram em Portugal e que representaram os nossos clubes. Naturalmente como Benfiquista, não posso deixar de pensar no David Luiz que ontem teve a infelicidade de usar a braçadeira na derrota mais pesada do seu Pais. O David, alem da pessoa extraordinária que é, é também um craque que deu muito ao Benfica, e como tal, só quero ver a carreira dele cheia de sucesso... quase como se fosse uma forma de o ver compensado por tudo aquilo que fez de águia ao peito. Diria que o mesmo se aplica ao Hulk que tanto deu ao Porto e a outros quantos que deram alegrias ao Sporting ao longo dos anos.
Fim ao cabo, acredito que não deveria deixar de apoiar ou perder o respeito simplesmente porque uns otários da Folha de S.Paulo ou o que quer que seja, andaram a dizer coisas que não deviam. Eu também fiquei maluco de raiva quando vi online... mas não posso cair no erro de condenar milhões por causa de uns patetas.

Eu cá sou fã do Brasil... adoro os jogadores, adoro o futebol, mas acima de tudo adoro o País, a forma como me receberam e os amigos que fiz pelos anos fora.
Sinceramente, no meio de tudo isto, mais do que o lado desportivo, fico triste pelas repercussões a nivel emocional que isto vai ter... numa altura em que mais do que nunca precisavam de alegrias e não de uma derrota tão pesada (que no País do futebol é tão sofrida).

Enfim, não que vos interesse muito, but these are my two cents on it.

Força Brasil!

The Raid (2011)

Amazing action flick. 

Yeah...

A-ma-zing!

Strasbourg Saint Denis (Live)

by: Roy Hargrove Quintet

Short Term 12 (2013)

Short Term 12 (2013) is a movie directed by newcomer Destin Daniel Cretton. It was based on his own experiences working at a group facility for troubled teenagers, which lead him to write and direct a short-movie produced in 2009, eventually inspiring this long feature. 

Like always, I do not wish to give much away… especially with this one. I would prefer if you would experience this movie the same way I did, which was by not knowing anything whatsoever about the storyline. Please try your best to not watch the trailer and just rely on pure faith that this movie will have an impact. 

Those of you who trust my judgement and taste in movies, please watch this. Terrific indie-film with talented young cast, wonderful directing / scripting and awesome soundtrack. 

You will not regret this.