I View Films

Loving Vincent- a very creative collaboration about Vincent Van Gogh

2019-05-31T14:15:00.001-07:00

“I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say: he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.”

This quote from Vincent Van Gogh (VGV or Vincent for short) was shared at the end of this wonderfully creative UK-Poland collaboration. About 100 artists worked on the animation for this film and many of the artists also came from other countries. This animation was inspired by photos and artwork from VGV's life. The artists painted every single frame— 12 frames per second so it was truly a momentous undertaking to create this film! The story that the screenplay was based on was created with his letters, people who knew him and any visual records from his life.

There has been speculation that he didn’t commit suicide and this makes it a mystery story. The plot of this film takes place during the year after VGV’s death. The local postmaster in Arles knew Vincent and was aware of his habit of writing and sending many letters. He gives his son Armand Roulin, the assignment of delivering Vincent’s final letter which was addressed to Vincent's brother Theo Van Gogh. When Armand discovers Theo is dead, he tries to figure out who should receive the letter instead. This leads him to meet a number of interesting characters who knew Vincent.

Those familiar with his works of art will recognize many of the famous pieces that inspired scenes in this film. A few among them are: The Starry Night, Cafe Terrace, Wheat Field, Sower at Sunset, Wheatfield with Crows. Fans of his art will recognize many others including portraits and still life paintings. Even the opening and closing credits are so wonderfully creatively done! There is such Excellent use of light, shadow and colors.

If you are able to get the DVD of this film, be sure to watch the interview with actor Douglas Booth who portrayed Armand Roulin.

Here are some scenes from this film (the first two are from the opening credits and show animation from black & white sketch to full color painting with animation! Quite amazing!):

Here is the official trailer for this film:

Sally Hawkins great actress In 2 films Part 2

2019-02-26T17:08:00.003-08:00

In this post, I'll review The Shape of Water (referred to as TSoW for short!), the second recent film starring Sally Hawkins. Directed by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro who also wrote the screenplay, it's a fantasy film set in the 1960's Baltimore, Maryland with the style of architecture, fashions, cars and civil unrest of the time period.

Elisa is a mute woman who lives in an apartment above an old movie theater and across the hall from her best friend Giles (portrayed by Richard Jenkins), who's a frustrated gay artist. She works nights as a cleaner in a research center. What Elisa lacks in conversation, her co-worker Zelda (portrayed by Octavia Spencer) makes up for with her continual sometimes complaining, cursing and amusing chatter while they work together.

Elisa is fascinated by the creature which she attempts to communicate with while Strickland (portrayed by Michael Shannon) treats it with cruelty and contempt. The creature listed as Amphibian Man is portrayed by Doug Jones who's been in other films by del Toro.

I don't want to say much more about the plot except that it's somewhat based on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.

I really enjoyed it for the humor, creativity, mystery, action, romance and that it also made you think about what's communication, acceptance and connection between people and other living beings.

One thing is that it's somewhat a dark film and most of what happens takes place at night.

Here are some quotes from this film:

“The sirens wake you up? There was a fire. The chocolate factory. Do you smell that? Oh my! Toasted cocoa. Tragedy and delight, hand in hand.” —-Giles ( Richard Jenkins)

“If farts were flattery, honey, he’d be Shakespeare.”—-Zelda about her husband Brewster (Octavia Spencer)

“It’s eternal, see? Tantalus never achieved the escape of death because the fruit on the branches was just always out of his reach and the water in the stream receded every time he stooped down to drink. And so that’s why we say things today like...”Look at those tantalizing pies.””—-Giles, who is also beguiled by the pie seller.

“Oh, God, to be young and beautiful. If I could go back to when I was 18, I didn’t know anything about anything, I’d give myself a bit of advice....I would say “Take better care of your teeth and fuck a lot more.””—-Giles

“Will you look at this? Look. Some of the best minds in the country, peeing all over the floor in this here facility....There’s pee freckles on the ceiling. How’d they get it up there? Just how big a target do they need, you figure? They get enough practice that’s for sure.”—-Zelda

“Oh, no. A man washes his hands before or after tending to his needs. It tells you a lot about a man. He does it both times...points to a weakness in character.”—-Strickland (Michael Shannon)

“They way he looks at me he does not know what I lack or how I am incomplete. He sees me for what I am as I am. He’s happy to see me every time every day. And now I can either save him or let him die.” —-Giles verbalizing Elisa’s signing

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer for this film:

Sally Hawkins great actress In 2 films Part 1

2019-02-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

In this post I’m going to write about one of my favorite actresses, Sally Hawkins and I’ll review the first of two films she starred in. One film titled Maudie, is based on a real person and the other titled The Shape of Water (TSoW for short) is a fantasy based on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. In both films, Sally Hawkins plays characters who are somewhat incomplete but it’s what makes them different that also makes them so compelling. Ethan Hawke plays Maudie's gruff and somewhat abusive husband Everett.

This post includes my review on the film Maudie directed by the Irish director Aisling Walsh. Sally worked together with this director before in the miniseries Fingersmith.

In Maudie, she portrays the real Maud Lewis, a Nova Scotian folk artist.though she was crippled by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, bullied and an outcast, she found joy in being an artist. The tiny home that she decorated with her paintings is in a Nova Scotian museum. See the film about it lower in this blogpost.

Here are a few quotes from this film:

"When I was at the orphanage they put us 6, 7 to a bunk. Elbows in my back. Feet up my arse. If you're too fancy to pile in then you can take your knickknacks put them in the red wagon and get out."---Everett Lewis to Maud

"I'm good. I'm not too fancy."---Maud to Everett Lewis

"Let me tell you how it is around here, all right? There's me, them dogs, them chickens, then you."---Everett to Maud

"You gonna do that? We better get married."---Maud to Everett

"We live together. We lay down together. Then why not get married?"---Maud to Everett

"Just because I don't got women banging down my door doesn't mean I gotta marry the first one comes along."---Everett to Maud

"I don't want for much. you know? As long as I got a brush in front of me I don't care. A window. I love a window. A bird whizzing by. A bumblebee. It's always different. The whole of life. The whole of life already frameed."---Maud to her friend Sandra

"I'm better than a dog."---Maud to Everett

Here are a few scenes from this film:

Here's a video of her art & house in museum:

Here's the official trailer:

The Leisure Seeker - Senior Couple’s Last Roadtrip

2019-02-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

What a great film this is! It’s directed by Paolo Virzi and it stars Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland as John and Ella Spencer, a senior married couple who are both ailing in different ways. They go on a last roadtrip with their old Winnebago RV named The Leisure Seeker. It’s a trip that's entertaining, funny and heart-breaking. they travel from Massachusetts to Key Wesr, Florida.

This film is the Italian director's first attempt at an English language film. The crew was somewhat international. Helen Mirren is British with Russian ancestry while Donald Sutherland is from Canada.

Janel Maloney who portrays daughter Jane, is American and Christian McKay who portrays their son Will is British.

I love the soundtrack with songs like: Carol King's It's Too Late Baby. Janis Joplin's Me and Bobby McGee, Donna Summer's Don't Leave Me This Way.

I also found it very interesting to see real current political events included as part of this fictional story. It was also very touching how Ella and John enjoyed looking at slide shows of their lives together.

If you can watch the dvd of this film it has 2 wonderful special features which are ‘Making of’ and ‘In Conversation with Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland.’

Here are some quotes from this film:

"I think Mom turned off the cellphone we bought her."---Will

"Jane, Mom and Dad are gone. And you won't believe it! So is the Leisure Seeker."--Will to sister Jane on the phone.

"A Happy Swirl! I have no idea what that could be but it sure sounds promising!"---Ella

"Try to understand. And just let me have this vacation with your father."---Ella to her children

"Prose that is poetry is Hemingway's secret. Do you have any idea how difficult that is to do?"---John to the waitress in diner.

"I'm so happy when you come back to me."---Ella to John

"I am so glad to be back on the road again."---John to Ella

"It's so ice when you forget to be forgetful. Too bad it ends so quickly. I just can't get used to it."---Ella to John

"Goodness you've become pricey....When we used to come here with the kids, it was $10 for the day."---Ella to Ticket seller who replies,"When was this, back when we were a colony?"

"I mean, you can't remember the names of your own kids, but you do remember that Jenny was always laughing. I'm speechless. I mean, what goes on in that head of yours?"---Ella to John

"It's so painful when you can't remember anything. I'm sick and tired of having to remember everything for you. "---Ella to John

"I can't believe I'm married to someone as beautiful as you."---John to Ella

'What's going on, old-timer?Thinking about running on me? You two want to end up on "The World's Slowest Police Chases"?"---police officer

"Traveling's very important. Broadening your horizons broadens your mind."---John

"There's no need to get upset just because you don't know grammar. You can learn it."---John

"Good me! I don't want to buy it. I just want to spend the night in it. I've never spent that much on a hotel room in my whole life."---Ella

You my friend? Yeah? Worst friend in the world!"---Ella

"I didn't know anything but I sensed that you returned to me. And knowing nothing, I forgave you."---Ella to John

Here are some scenes from this film:

This is the official trailer:

Shepard & Dark --A Tribute to Recently Passed Sam Shepard

2018-08-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

As I watched this film by Treva Wurmfeld, I felt a bit sad because one of the main people --Sam Shepard (writer, musician, actor & director) just died in 2017, cause of death complications from ALS.

This film is about two men, one who became famous (that's Shepard!) and one who wasn't famous (that's his friend Joynny Dark) and their friendship which spanned over 40 years. During the span of time of their friendship, they lived together, lived apart and wrote many letters to each other. This film includes their photos, film footage, letters and their storytelling about themselves and their lives.

Included in this film, you'll also see clips of their partners: O-Lan Jones, Jessica Lange and Scarlett Jones and children.

BTW, if you get to watch the DVD, you get to enjoy some great extras!

Some quotes from this film:

"We're so different from each other. How can we be friends for so many years and be so different? And then I realized what it is is that we complement each other. You know, it's not that you need to be the same, it's just that you need to fit in some weird way."---Johnny Dark

"....I was thinking, boy, I would never want to be a famous person. You know, I just thought, I don't have what it takes and it doesn't seem like it would be enjoyable. But what does seem to be enjoyable is to be like the best friend of a famous person, so you can sort of come and go, you know. You could just take some of the benefits of being around a famous person and then leave and not have to drag it with you."---Johnny Dark

"John and me have known each other since 1963. 47 years. It's kind of miraculous. You don't know why it is you're continually coming back to this person or this person's coming back to you. You know, why is it that there's this thing going on, you know, over time. Over a lifetime."---Sam Shepard

"With friendships, you're encountering what you'd maybe call moods or sides of a person. And you like some sides, but you don't like all the sides. You know them for a long time in a certain way and then all of a sudden these things start getting revealed that are really difficult. You know once we were at a movie premiere and this woman came over and she said "Sam!" And she was talking to Sam and then she asked who I was and he introduced me as his bodyguard. Well, it's like you're hired. He's introducing you as someone that belongs to him that he's paying for. I got the impression that Sam thought I wasn't appreciative enough. I think he probably has a tendency to equate appreciativeness with obedience. You know I was having a relationship with him for years and years before I realized that the relationship we were having was always on his stage. All the things we do, we usually end up doing in a way that he wants to do it or where he wants to go. And I always thought it was because he just cared more deeply than I did. I feel like he's suffering, you know and I feel like helpless. I just experience him as being lost. Scarlett used to always say he's very lost. And that's kind of sad in a way. And that doesn't mean he's always like that. Sometimes he's in really great high spirits. But I think he has a really rough time of it. I think he has a much rougher time of it than I do."---Johnny Dark about Sam

"I can't do this right now."---Sam Shepard as he's reading one of his old letters to Johnny.

"I like solitude but I also like companionship, you know. But I think that somewhere in between there, is where the modern dilemma is, you know. the dilemma about the dilemma between men and women is this thing of craving solitude on the one hand and also craving companionship and how to make a balance between the two. It would be great to be able to make a balance. Whether it's possible I don't know."---Sam Shepard

"I have nothing against relationships. I think they're fantastic and they're deep, but they can also protect you in a certain way from this vulnerability toward your aloneness.They can kind of build a smokescreen between you and the fire that's causing your work to happen. You don't go at the thing that you're meant to go at, that you know you're destined for, you know.

"I find destiny and fate far more plausible than all this psychological stuff."---Sam Shepard

Also from this film:

7 Things I Learned From You:
#1 Eat whenever the f*** you feel like it.
#2 ...even if it's 5 minutes before dinner.
#3 Have 3 bites and pack your plate away.
#4 Try to get someone else to wash your underwear.
#5 Keep driving even if you forget where you're going.
#6 Never stay more than 30 seconds once you realize you don't wanna be there.
#7 Spend all your money and then get some more.

Here are some scenes from this film:

The official trailer for this film:

Chavela —historical Hispanic singer

2018-07-10T18:29:00.001-07:00

As I heard Chavela singing, I got goosebumps. I didn’t need to understand the words of the lyrics she sang. My heart understood the heartaches, grief & disappointments of lovers leaving or the endings of love affairs. Hearing her sing, it’s like going through the experience again & then cleansing it out. But that’s not the only reason because I know I’ve heard her before....but where?

Watching this documentary by Catherine Gund & Daresha Kyi answered that burning question for me. It also inspired me with the story of this singer whose career had another chance quite late in her life. Not only did she finally get to sing on big stages to large audiences. She also found some famous and supportive friends like Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar. In fact, you'll hear Chavela in his film Volver which features Penelope Cruz.

Here's a video of Chavela performing Volver:

Her second chance at her singing career came after she quit drinking. She gave credit to shamanism for helping her. In 2012, she passed away at the age of 93 shortly after a last performance in Spain. As a woman who loved women, she helped pave the way for other gay women.

This film won a number of awards and if you’re able to watch the DVD with extras, you’ll see an interview with the directors.

Some quotes from this film:

“Let’s start with where I’m going, at my age, it’s more interesting for everyone to ask where I’m going, not where I’ve been. It will make your documentary more impactful.” —-Chavela in Mexico, 1991.

"I remember seeing you on TV as a kid, this lady with a long braid "singing like a man" as people used to say, with her bottle of tequila and her poncho...and a guitar. That was Chavela Vargas. But now I'm more intrigued by your life."--woman interviewing Chavela

"At first I dressed like a woman, with long hair, makeup and high heels. But it didn't work. Dressed
like a woman, I looked like a transvestite. Really."---Chavela

"But suddenly I dressed differently, and things took off. And everyone wanted to know,"What's up with Chavela Vargas? She doesn't dress like a woman, style her hair or wear makeup like a woman."---Chavela

"But I wore pants and the public was stunned. Both men and women were into me. Everyone!"---Chavela

"Chavela created her persona in a very macho world, a misogynist world where a lesbian had no place. To become Chavela she had to be stronger, more macha and more drunk than any other singing cowboy around....She had to be the most macha of all the machos.---Alicia Perez Duarte, Human Rights Lawyer

"She was particularly strong in talking about loneliness and abandonment and it was so powerful that it made you experience all those feelings from their very core. And though that's tremendously upsetting there's a feeling in the end of catharsis and uh, in the end, joy."---Laura Garcia Lorca

"She was like a priestess.She established a deep dialogue, like she was only speaking to you. She asked you what no one else would. In your most profound romances, have you made mistakes? It's good that you made mistakes. It's worth it. It's the most important thing that ever happened to you. She absolved you of your sins. Then she encouraged you to commit them again. "---Pedro Almodovar

Some scenes from this film:

For the Love of Spock - A Son's Tribute to his Father

2018-03-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

This film is a great little documentary about Leonard Nimoy and his character Spock was created by Leonard's son Adam Nimoy.
I don't want to say too much about it except that it was informative, entertaining and touching. Adam was partly motivated to do the project because of the approaching 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek TV series and as an opportunity to get closer to his father.

Here's a link to youtube video about Adam's project:

Here are some quotes from this film:

"...the minute I suggested this to Dad, he was in!"---Adam Nimoy

"My father was truly a renaissance man. He could do just about anything."---Adam Nimoy

"One of my idols was Lon Chaney, who was called the man of a thousand faces in movies, because he's change characters so drastically from one performance to another. And I consider myself that kind of person. I go to the makeup department or the wardrobe department, and get something together and find a character."---Leonard Nimoy

"Leonard Nimoy was the one actor I definitely had in mind. And I thought to myself, "If I ever do this science fiction that I want to do, he's make a great alien. And those cheekbones, with some sort of a pointed ear might go well." I simply made one phone call to Leonard and he came in, and that was it."
---Gene Roddenberry, Radio Interview, 1973

"Prior to Star Trek, I never had a job that lasted longer than two weeks in any television show or movie, never. Two weeks."---Leonard Nimoy

..."When you came on-board with your energy, and a sense of humor, and a twinkle in the eye, I was able to then become the cooler Spock."---Leonard Nimoy to William Shatner about his role as Capt. Kirk

"Has it occurred to you that there's a certain ...inefficiency in constantly questioning me on things you've already made up your mind about?"---Spock to Kirk

Those two characters (Spock and Kirk) are the yin and yang. They are that in fron of the camera, and it works beautifully, magnificently."---George Takei (actor who portrayed Sulu)

You have the cynical wit of McCoy, and you have the swagger and braggadocio of Kirk, and then you have the intellect and cold reason of Spock, he's like the perfect human being all wrapped in one." ---Chris Pine (actor who portrays younger Kirk)

"Dad in his costume, Vulcan costume, it was like, "Wow, this is really cool." I remember it was just such an exciting night for us."---Julie Nimoy (daughter about the premiere of the show Star Trek)

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer for this film:

200 Pounds Beauty --Korean Ugly Duckling Story

2018-01-23T22:22:00.001-08:00

A big-hearted fat girl (played by Ah-jung Kim ) with a great singing voice is determined to change her life for the better. She disappears for a year while she physically becomes a new person. So she has a complete makeover. Plastic surgery is the way and she is definitely a stunner. But she's still the same person inside. It's kind of a modern Korean ugly duckling story by director Yong-hwa Kim.

Though she looks different, she still has insecurities and the effects of the surgeries give her new concerns.

Here are some quotes from this film: To be included.

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the trailer for this film:

Pride - an unlikely alliance

2017-08-13T02:28:00.003-07:00

Pride is a great little British film, directed by Matthew Warchus, written by Stephen Beresford, and based on a true story. It takes place in 1984 Great Britain, filled with the fashion, music and the current blue-collar strikes. This is also the era when many gay men started to contract AIDS.

Young and out Mark gets the idea for an unlikely new alliance. From that crazy idea is born "lesbians and gays support the miners." They start to collect donations of money, food and clothing from other gays and lesbians which they send on to the miners and their families.

This film is entertaining, touching and funny. Veteran actor Bill Nighy plays Cliff, an older man on the miners' side, who finally comes out of the closet. The story is not without conflict as some of the miners take issue with their supporters. But other support comes on board when a fundraiser is organized and proves to be successful.

The cast includes Dominic West (as Johnathan), Imelda Staunton (as Hefina), Ben Schnetzer (as Mark) and Paddy Considine (as Dai), Andrew Scott (as Gethin), Faye Marsay (as Steph), Jessica Gunning (as Sian) and George MacKay (as Joe).

Here's a link to an article about the original Mark --Mark Ashton.

Some scenes from this film:

Some quotes from this film:
"I can't change my style. It has to be a style of firm leadership. One isn't here to be a softie. You're here to be a good, firm leader."---Margaret Thatcher

"Two, four, six, eight, is that copper really straight?!"---protesters' chant

"Give it to the lesbians. They love a banner."---Mark

"We're collecting for the miners and their families."---Mark

"This a gay and lesbian group. And we are unapologetic about that!"---Mark

"This money you've raised, it's all from gays and lesbians?"---Dai

"Truth told, you're the first gays I've ever met in my life."---Dai

"And you're the first miner I've ever met."---Mark

"You know I had you down as many things but prejudiced was never one of them."---Sian

"Listen, if one in five people is gay, then one in five miners must be too, right? So that's at least a fifth of you who's pleased to see us!"---Mark

"If it wasn't for those people over there, your lot would still be in the nick."---Dai

"Listen here see. We don't mind the gays and the lesbians, that's find. But don't you dare be bringing people from North Wales down here."---Hefina

"We could never drum up this kind of publicity in a million years!"---Mark

"When someone calls you a name...you take it and you own it."---Mark

"If we were normal, this is when we'd kiss."---Steph

The official trailer for Pride:

Bert Stern: Original Mad Man

2017-02-24T00:20:00.000-08:00

Mad Men was a very popular series. But this is a documentary film about Bert Stern, who was an original mad man. Before he got into the advertising scene in the 1950s, ads were quite boring. With his creative use of photography, ads became more interesting and his creativity was in demand. He paved the way for others to be more imaginative and creative in advertising.

This documentary produced and directed by Shannah Laumeister (who was also married to Bert Stern from 2009 until his death in 2013) explores his life, career and loves of his life including dancer Allegra Kent who was his wife and mother of his 3 children named Susannah, Bret and Trista.

Bert did work for different companies including Vogue. He's not only taken many photographs for advertising but also of many famous people including Marilyn Monroe. He claimed to have loved her but that it wasn't much more than a 'photographic' relationship. His work with her was the last photo session she had before she was found dead. It also involved him a lawsuit.

It's interesting to note that Bert Stern died since this documentary by his wife was released.What a great tribute to this creative spirit...Bert Stern. BTW, in German 'Stern' means Star!

Anyone who wants to be inspired as an artist whether a photographer or any other kind of artist, will enjoy this film. Some of his photos are so beautiful and even very sensual.If you like photography or are interested in being inspired by some amazing photographs, be sure to see this film.

Here are some scenes from this film:

Some quotes from this film:

"I guess the pyramid was the best picture. Because it was so conceptual."---Bert Stern

"Our relationship in the beginning was more a photographic one that transformed into a more personal relationship. It was taboo. Kind of insane and kind of brilliant."--Shannah Laumeister

"I'm your mentor. You're my muse."---Bert to Shannah

"Beauty is power."---Bert Stern

"As if I throw pictures in the garbage pail."---Bert Stern

"Anything about Marilyn Monroe becomes overblown."---Bert Stern

"There were basically only two women in the world that interested me. One was Allegra Kent whom I was married to and the other was Marilyn Monroe."---Bert Stern

"You want to do nude."---Marilyn Monroe to Bert Stein

"Jean-Paul Sartre said, "Hell is other people."---Bert Stern

"I think success is a problem, huh? Makes you unhappy. You always want more. You always wanna do this, you wanna do that."---Bert Stern

"I shouldn't have been so happy so young. I should have saved it for now. Now I should be happy. When I need it. ---Bert Sern

"So I'm a prisoner of all the things I've done. And you can't undo it."---Bert Stern

"My life has been about discovery. About seeing....I mean that life keeps moving. So it's always over. You look at a guy, he walks by, he's gone. It's over, right? But if you have a picture of it, you have it forever.."---Bert Stern

"I always thought the picture I took was between me and the subject. Not the subject and not me, but the space between us. Because it's an invisible space. It's a space where anything can happen."---Bert Stern
Here's the official trailer for this film:

Note: After this film in 2014, there was a family feud. See this article online.

The Beauty Inside --a Korean love story with an unusual plot

2017-02-10T02:00:00.000-08:00

Imagine waking up every day as a different person? That's the plot of this Korean film about a young man named Woo-jin (played by many different actors listed on this cast page) and best friend Sang-beck (played by played by Dong-hwi Lee who's quite the comedic actor!) Since his 18th birthday, that's how he's lived his life. He could wake as a man or woman, young or old, or with a totally different appearance, even that of a foreigner and even unable to speak Korean but some other foreign language. On top of that he might be a fatter or thinner person or shorter or taller too! All these possibilities have led him to keep a very diverse wardrobe on hand!

The only people who know about his condition are his mother (played by Suk Mun) and best friend Sang-beck. Woo-jin copes with it and doesn't think he could have a steady girlfriend until he meets E-soo (played by Hyo-ju Han).

The other fascinating thing about this film is that Woo-jin supports himself by designing and building custom furniture. Doing business online means he doesn't have to be seen and that's very important for someone who looks different every day.

This film was a surprise sleeper hit at Cannes! I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone so I won't say much more about it. One thing for sure: I will never look at wood or furniture the same way again.

It's funny, sad, romantic and a little kinky too! A good chick-flick or film to watch with a sweetie. Valentine's Day is coming soon...if you want to watch a different kind of romantic film this could be a good choice.

The truth is that even in a so-called normal relationship, people often change. But if you love the person inside, then what they look like doesn't really matter.

The director of this film is Jong-Yeol Baek and I imagine that it was very challenging casting all the different actors to play the different versions of Woo-jin. BTW, Mi-do Lee plays Eun-soo and I found her to be quite a comedic actor too!

Some quotes from the film:

"Yesterday my hand was bigger than my face...I wake up to a different face every morning."---Woo-jin

I can never fall in love because I have a different face every day."---Woo-jin

"You woke up like this today? Shouldn't you be at a PTA meeting or something?"---Sang-beck to Woo-jin

"Just let me see your boobs."---Sang-beck to Woo-jin.

"People say true beauty lies inside but first impressions are equally important."---Woo-jin

"A love chair for the lovers.They must go crazy at night. ---Say-beck as he unwraps a piece of furniture and plays with it.

"You're feeling butterflies. You think it's true love. Then bam! You do it!"---Eun-soo to E-soo

"I promised to see her again. But she's looking for yesterday's me."---Woo-jin

"I feel safe around her. I'm no longer alone."---Woo-jin about E-soo

"I don't ask for much. Please just let me be a man."---Woo-jin

"I tried really hard. I was a grandma."---Woo-jin to E-soo

"Stop staring at each other. I feel like vomiting."---Sang-beck to Woo-jin and E-soo

"He once woke up as a hot girl. I almost did him."---Sang-beck

"Men go. But things remain."---Eun-soo (her sister) to E-soo

"I remember everything. Where we went and what we ate. But I can't remember his face."---E-soo to Eun-soo (her sister)

"Call me back when you're Woo-jin."---Sang-beck to Woo-jin.

Some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer:

Learning to Drive -- a woman transitioning to a new life

2017-02-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed this film with Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. It was directed by Isabel Coixet and based on an essay written by Katha Pollitt.

Wendy (played by Patricia Clarkson) is going through the process of separation and divorce from her husband Ted (played by Jake Weber) to whom she's been married for 21 years. A visit from her daughter Tasha (played by Grace Gummer )leads to her decision to learn how to drive. At the beginning, she's ambivalent because her husband was the one who always drove and she believed that it was still possible that he might come back to her.

Ben Kingsley portrays Darwan, the Indian driving instructor who teaches her to drive. As Wendy goes through divorcing her husband, Darwan transitions into becoming a married man when he goes through with an arranged marriage to Jasleen (played by Sarita Choudhury). It's funny, touching and thought-provoking. Wendy's learning to drive is also a great metaphor for her transition into her new life as a divorced woman. I truly enjoyed this film!

Interesting little facts about actors in this film:

Both Sarita Choudhury and Ben Kingsley are half-Indian and half-English in descent.

Ben Kingsley's current wife Daniela Lavender has a small role in this film as Mata.

Some quotes from this film:

"Remember driving is a freedom. I wish you to enjoy every kind of freedom, as long as you don't hurt someone. Will you promise me?"---Darwan to young driving student

"You inform me in a public place so I can't make a scene, and you thought that would work?"--Wendy to Ted

"Why not? Why can't you drive? I don't understand this."--Tasha to her mother Wendy

"We've weathered this before. Every seven years, the itch comes over him. He gets restless, does something juvenile. So, at 21 years, we're on our third itch. Or it's male menopause. Instead of buying a motorcycle, Daddy decided to give adultery a spin."---Wendy to Tasha

"You like to help? That's impossible. You can't be from New York."---Wendy to Darwan

"What? Nobody likes Delia Kraus?"---Wendy

"She ploughed through half the faculty. We all said Delia Kraus would fuck gravel."---Wendy

"Come sit in the car, the driver's seat. So you'll get used to it."---Darwan to Wendy

"I never learned to cook because I thought my mother would always be there to cook for me. Then there was half a world between us, and so I make my own food."---Darwan to Wendy

"Well, you have to go forward now because I haven't taught you how to back up."---Darwan to Wendy

"I think in your head, you think you're still in prison, Uncle D."---Preet to Darwan

"The driver's biggest problem is everyone else. You can't always trust people to behave properly."---Darwan to Wendy

"Don't talk Wendy. When you talk you don't see. Watch the light."---Darwan to Wendy

"Well Hallelujah, sis. You know, it's about time you started driving."---Debbie to her sister Wendy

"It's way too much work. Oh, my God, why do you think they call it a job?"--Debbie to Wendy

"I am that house! It's like asking me to move out of me!"---Wendy to her attorney

"Every day people try to push your buttons. You don't engage with them, especially when you drive."---Darwan to Wendy

"I think it's time to discuss road rage. You must learn to be clam and relaxed, not only to drive, but in your life as well.---Darwan to Wendy

"Look at me. It doesn't matter what is going on in your life out there, you must shut it out. When you are here, when you're at the wheel of a car, this is all there is.Your life right now. So take care of it, please. ---Darwan to Wendy

"Since when did you become a lap dancer?"--Ted to Wendy

"Please don't make me do this!"---Wendy to Darwan

"It's about time you took the wheel. Look, a car is the greatest thing in the history of human invention. Forget your house. You can move in here."--Wendy's Dad to Wendy

"Look here is America."---Darwan to Jasleen, while driving through a parking garage

"Yes, you are better off! That is why you are alone and crazy."---Darwan to Wendy

"Love is the one road to God. God doesn't want anyone to be alone."---Darwan to Wendy

"I don't know what I believed about marriage. Except that it would always be there."---Wendy to Darwan

"I love these dude dance metaphors coming from a Connecticut matron."---Wendy to Debbie

"You don't know how much I envy you. I'd love nothing more than to live a life of the mind."---Peter to Wendy

"Very good. You only need a little courage and a little gas."---Darwan to Wendy

"When I was 14, my baba took me out of school."--Jasleen to Darwan

"Wendy, don't forget what I know. You are a very determined woman."---Darwan to Wendy

Some scenes from this film:

Here's the trailer for this film:

Gilles' Wife --La Femme de Gilles

2017-01-10T22:58:00.001-08:00

This intense film by director Frederic Fonteyne stars Emmanuelle Devos as Elisa, a woman who does her best to cope while her husband Gilles (played by Clovis Cornillac) is having an affair with her younger sister Victorine (played by Laura Smet). The literal translation of the title from French is "The Wife/Woman of Gilles."

If you want a fast-paced film with lots of action, this is NOT the film for you. But if you want a film that's beautiful (the use of light is amazing!) and sensitively tells the story of a marriage with infidelity, then this is definitely a film for you to see. Emmanuelle Devos is brilliant in this role of a wife who is still loving, devoted and demonstrating much patience while her husband carries on an affair with her younger sister.

Elisa has clues that there's an affair going on. Only when Gilles acts extremely jealous and aggressive at a dance, it becomes clear that he has feelings for Victorine.

Gilles has a full life with a night job at a foundry, his wife Elisa, two young daughters and a third child on the way. But it's not clear if his infidelity is a habit or a phase he's going through because of his own self-dissatisfaction. It might even be possible that he's going through an early mid-life crisis. But her sister is younger, more sophisticated and different. Men passing by compare her to Mistinguett. So maybe Gilles attraction to her is because she's different and not so familiar and available like his wife?

Here's a video which features Mistinguett singing Mon Homme, a song that is also played in this film:

This film was very well-cast, as the two actresses who portray sisters look very similar and the dynamic between them is believable. The cinematography is also quite creative.

By the way, in French, the name Gilles is pronounced without the 's' somewhat like "Jeel" ('J' is pronounced like "Jill") not "Geel."

Some quotes from this film:

"Cover yourself!"---Elisa to Victorine.

"Smoke? Nothing better to kill a woman."---Elisa to Gilles, who is a smoker

"You'll get over your little fling."---Elisa to Gilles

"If I didn't love her, I wouldn't have all these feelings."---Gilles

"If I yell at him, he will leave. I know him. So I can't...Father, I need help.I don't know. I don't know what to do."---Elisa to priest in confessional

"I was a complete jerk to you."---Gilles to Elisa and to which she replies, "Not completely, if you can say that."

"Well, if you knew, you really should have kept your husband at home."---Victorine to Elisa

Some scenes from this film:

Here's the trailer for this film:

The Good Lie --a film about refugees from Sudan

2016-06-09T20:48:00.004-07:00

This is a great film directed by Philippe Falardeau. This film is based on the fact that in 2000, thousands of Lost Boys and Girls were transported to the United States and the story is told through the story of a few of them. These children were orphans from the brutal civil war in Sudan which started in 1983. The screenplaywas written by Margaret Nagle. It stars real Sudanese refugees: Ger Duany as Jeremiah, Emmanuel Jal as Paul and Kuoth Wiel as Abital. Both Ger and Emmanuel were also boy soldiers. Emmanual is a musician and some of his music is on the soundtrack.
Parts of the film were filmed in United States, Canada, South Africa and Kenya.

Mamere is played by Arnold Oceng, the son of a Sudanese refugee father.
Three young men from Sudan named Jeremiah, Paul and Mamere are among those who get to the United States. The young men end up in Kansas City, Missouri while Mamere's sister Abital ends up in Boston.

Viewers of this film see how the children suffered the tragedy of war and the loss of their families and villages. Then there was the long trek to find safety which led them to Kenya and a refugee camp there.

The three young men and young woman lived at the refugee camp until they were fortunate enough to be transported to the United States.

Unfortunately, one of the results of 9/11 is that many remained were forced to remain stuck in refugee camps like the one in the film near Kukuma , Kenya.

Reese Witherspon plays Carrie, the woman who helps the young men find jobs.

While two of them are working at a supermarket, they discover how food resources are wasted in American society when one of their tasks is to throw food in the garbage.

The title of this film is taken from Mamere's class lesson in which the teacher discusses with the class Huck Finn's good lie to save his slave friend Jim. It inspires Mamere's own "good lie."

Some quotes from this film:

"Now we can finally find out what this means."---Abital

"I have courage but all you have is strength."---Theo

"Our elders told us we would be safe in Ethiopia, should anything happen."---Jeremiah

"I want to live. I do not want to die."--children repeated this before drinking urine

"So this is what winter in America feels like.this is frozen water. It's called ice."---American man after handing out blocks of ice

"Be strong, my brother."---Abital to Mamere

"They're from Africa. I'm sure they're not gonna care."---Carrie

"If you do not have a husband, then it is your children who provide for you?"---Mamere to Carrie

"You make our hearts throb for your many kind assists today."---Mamera to Carrie

"Isn't there someone who might want or need this food?"---Jeremiah

"Jim's freedom means more to Huck than the money he might get for giving him up."---Mamere

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together".---African Proverb

Some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer:

Words and Pictures -- a contest between language art and visual art

2016-02-05T18:19:00.002-08:00

English actor Clive Owen & and French actress Juliette Binoche team up together to portray two teachers at a high school. Jack Marcus is the teacher of Honors English while Dina Delsanto is the newly hired teacher of Art Honors. Both are struggling with their own creative projects while also teaching and encouraging their students to be more creative. Jack struggles with alcohol while Dina struggles with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) which makes it difficult to paint and do many other activities.

This film was directed by Australian director Fred Schepisi and the screenplay was written by Gerald Di Pego.

What starts out as a friendly rivalry between two teachers turns into a romance and a creative contest between words and pictures at the school. This is a really great film about the language and visual arts. I found it interesting, touching and amusing.

Here are some quotes from this film:

"What you just gave me was oatmeal when you could have given me a New York steak."---Jack

"The dictionary says "art is human creative skill."---Dina

"I think a picture is a lot more powerful than words."---student

"A picture is worth a thousand words."---Dina

"Words are your Gods and somebody is insulting your religion."---Jack

A picture is worth a thousand lies.---sign of Miss Delsanto's Arts Honors Class

"So you missed me but you greet me so antienthusiastically."---Dina

Scenes from this film:

Here's the trailer for this film:

Happy People - A Year in the Taiga --Documentary by Werner Herzog

2016-01-24T19:23:00.002-08:00

This film directed by Werner Herzog & Dmitry Vasyukov is a documentary on the Taiga. Most of the action takes place in, around and in the wilderness beyond the village of Bakhta. The film footage was actually not shot by Herzog but by Vasyukov. Herzog re-edited the footage, added his own narration and had new music composed and recorded for it. Here's a link to his site promoting this documentary.

Here's a photo of Werner Herzog when he introduced this film at Doc NY festival:

Viewers of this film, we'll see the people hunting, fishing, gardening, building huts, making skis, making boats and other activities.

The cinematography captures the people, landscape, nature and animals with some of it being quite breath-taking! The people do hunt & fish a lot but they also grow their own produce because crops grow very fast during the long summer days. Remember it's very far north so there's lots of light in the summer & very dark in the winter.

Some quotes from this film:

"When I came here, I had a feeling that my dream had come true. You enjoy the beauty of nature, and you do your job at the same time. What's why they all end up by being hunters. Because hunting brings you closer to the taiga than anything else."

"Come to think of it, we are all killers or accomplices. Evne those people who are kind-hearted and tend to pity everything. Why? It's very simple. A farmer keeps a pig...but he knows in advance what he keeps it for. In order to kill it and to eat it or sell its meat. And even the person who is sorry about all this buys the pork from him. And the trapper is the same as that pig farmer...only he is--how would you say it--more honest. Actually, it's not even about honesty. This man knowingly raises--I used to raise cattle, and I could never bring myself to slaughter them. Because there is, say, a bull. You raise him for two years. It comes to you expecting you to show affection or give it some treat...and instead he gets a bullet in the head. In the taiga, the wild animal knows that no good can com from me, from a man. He tries to escape. Here, it's about who outsmarts whom."

"Trappers make a big mistake when they beat their dogs for touching the traps. Of course you have to punish them and show your displeasure...but beating alone won't keep a dog off the traps. It comes to be afraid of the owner. It stays clear of the trap in the presence of the owner...but when the owner looks away, or at night, he is sure to steal the bait. And if it's afraid of the trap, then it will stay away. It's easy to train them. You set up a trap specifically for dogs. Let it spend some time in the trap...and realize that it's not a pleasant experience. Otherwise, it will be endless trouble for the hunter...and he won't get along with his dog. It will be afraid of him and sneak out at night to make the rounds of the traps...and waste the hunter's efforts. In short, you'll have no end of trouble with your dog. If you do it right, your dog loves you and it's afraid of the traps. What more do you need?"

Here are some scenes from this film:

Omar Sharif Died This Year!

2015-12-31T23:16:00.000-08:00

Omar Sharif died in July this year of 2015 I can't believe it!This post is still a work-in-progress but I'm posting it anyway in honor of Omar so something will be posted sooner. This post includes reviews of some of his films.

He was born in Alexandria, Egypt on April 10, 1932 (a very significant date to some people!) and died at the age of 83 on July 10, 2015.With his dark good looks and a charming gap-toothed smile, he was a unique actor who played many interesting roles including an Arab rebel, Yugoslav freedom-firgher, Russian doctor, Persian prince, Indian horse-trainer, etc. Though he grew up in Egypt, he was raised a Roman Catholic. He was also a multilingual actor speaking Arabic, English, French, Greek, Italian and Spanish. This made him a vary versatile actor.

His first big film role (which made him an International star) was the Arab named Ali in Lawrence of Arabia (Warning it's a very long film--well over 3 hours!) which was released in 1962. His co-star Peter O'Toole insisted that Sharif was to attend the American premiere in Hollywood with him. Of course they almost didn't make it because they ended up in jail, no thanks to Peter O'Toole's bad influence!This epic film by director David Lean is sweeping in that it was filmed in the desert and with the current use of technology and CGI, films aren't made like this any more. The very creative and challenged Director of Photography was Freddie Young. It's worth watching for that reason alone!There is much humor in this film too which makes it quite enjoyable.Some of the scenes remind me of the old Western movies. Visually it's stunning and the music by Maurice Jarre is very moving. Lawrence and Ali cross the Nefud Desert to Aqaba. This is the first of many journeys and battles. The biggest one is the journey to and takeover of Damascus. which is in Syria, a country which has been in the news in 2015. Here's a link about the real T.E. Lawrence who this film is based on.

It's well worth it to watch the documentary written, directed and produced by Laurent Bouzereau which is titled The Making of Lawrence of Arabia and is included on the comprehensive Collector's Edition DVD.

Here are some quotes from Omar Sharif about his experiences:

"My costume was extremely comfortable. I mean, they were very beautiful robes and I had twelve of them. The same ones because I never changed my costume throughout the film. I had twelve of them because one used to perspire a lot. And when I used to take them off at the end of the day, they were white inside from the salt that my body lost during the day. I think I lost about 20 pounds, at least."

"When I arrived in the desert, Peter had already practiced a lot riding camels. And I had never been on a camel. It's a very difficult thing to learn because you have no stirrups and the only way to learn how to ride a camel, trotting and galloping is to sit on it for hours and hours and days and days and weeks and weeks because what you have to learn is to get the rhythm. And one day, you just get it but for weeks we couldn't sit down properly."

"We had great solidarity making that film. I mean we had this camaraderie. We lived in tents. ... It can never be made again, you know, you could never put a group like that together again."

"I had not been so long from coming out of school. I went to an English school at that time. I had a proper accent for an Arab. As a matter of fact, Alec Guinness when arrived in the desert he invited me to have a cup of tea in his tent and he talked to me for about 2 hours. He asked me all about my background and all. The next day, when he started shooting we went to watch him, Peter O'Toole and I. When he started speaking, Peter said to me, "Fred" because he called me 'Fred.' Then he said, " he's doing you." I said, "Is he?" He had taken my accent and used it as an Arab speaking English."

"Peter O'Toole called me 'Fred' because when I went out to the desert for a screen test, we were introduced and he had already been out there for a month or two learning to ride camels and all that. They said to Peter, "This is Omar Sharif." He said,"Omar Sharif. No one in the world is called Omar Sharif. Your name must be 'Fred' which wasn't far wrong." My comment: Omar's given name at birth was Michel Demetri Shalhoub.

"I think it's the best of the films I have made....It's a real classic. A great piece of cinema."

BTW, Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif were both born in 1932 so they were almost the same age when they met and worked together on Lawrence of Arabia. Omar outlived him by two years.

Some quotes from Lawrence of Arabia:

"Al Lawrence. Truly, for some men nothing is written unless they write it."---Ali

"Does Auda still take me for one of his own bastards?"---Ali

"It is the servant who takes the money."---Lawrence

"Yet this is a tulip that the Turks could not buy."---Ali

He (Auda) will come (to Aqaba) because it is his pleasure."---Lawrence

"It was excecution, Lawrence. No shame in that."---Ali

"In Cairo you will put off these funny clothes. You will wear trousers and tell stories of our quaintness and barbarity...and then they will believe you.---Ali

"With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me, it is merely good manners.You may judge which motive is the more reliable."---Prince Feisal (played by Alec Guinness)

"Why don't you take a picture?"---Lawrence

"I must find something honorable."--Auda (played by Anthony Quinn)

Here are a few scenes from Lawrence of Arabia:

In The Yellow Rolls Royce (released in 1964), an episode in the history of a Rolls Royce car takes place in Trieste starting in 1941. Mrs. Gerda Millett, a wealthy woman played by Ingrid Bergman purchases the car and sets off for Yugoslavia. Sharif plays the dashing Mr. Davich who is assisted by her. She seems superficial and formal but the circumstances of war show another side of her. Omar's character turns out to be so much more than he first seemed to be!

Here's a scene from The Yellow Rolls Royce:
1:27 is where it sort of starts with Omar

Some Omar & Ingrid quotes from The Yellow Rolls Royce:
"Can I trust you with a secret? There has been a coup d'etat in my country. Prince Peter is now king."---Mr. Davich

"How stupid of me! Naturally, moving as you do in the highest of diplomatic circles, you should've heard of it."---Mr. Davich

"Don't worry, Mr. Davich, we are on the same side of the fence."---Mrs. Millett

"Mr. Davich, I want to know why you threw your passport away."---Mrs. Millett

"One more yap out of that and I'll shoot it."---Mr. Davich

"Flattery will get you nowhere."---Mrs. Millett

"Regretfully it's a matter of life and death."---Mr. Davich

"I happen to love my country."---Mr.Davich

His most famous film in which he starred was Doctor Zhivago (based on the novel by Boris Pasternak who was a poet and tramslator and this novel was somewhat biographical and political ) which was also directed by David Lei Zhivago is a a committed doctor in love with two women, Tonya and Lara. What a romantic and beautifully filmed production that film is! One of the most beautiful scenes is the winter scene at the place in the country. It's almost worth seeing just for that scene alone!! Talk about visual beauty in a film!The theme song was Somewhere My Love (also called Lara's Theme) which you can hear on Youtube where there are many versions by people like Andy Williams, Ray Conniff, etc. The child Yuri Zhivago was played by Omar's son Tarek Sharif.

There are many similarities between the two films Lawrence of Arabia & Doctor Zhivago. The same director David Lean, director of photography Freddie Young, music composer Maurice Jarre. Some of the images are similar too. The first has the image of blood on the sand while the second has the image of blood on the snow.

Here are a few scenes from Doctor Zhivago:

Here are somea quotes from the film Doctor Zhivago:

"He said that poetry was no more a vocation than good health."--Yuevgraf (played by Alec Guinness) quoting Yuri.

"I think we may go mad if we think about all that."---Yuri

It's well worth it to watch the documentary on the making of Doctor Zhivago which Omar Sharif narrated.

In 1984, in The Far Pavilions he played Koda Dad, a great supporting role for him as he plays a man who is a father figure for the main character Ashton, played by Ben Cross.

Here's a scene from The Far Pavilions:

Based on the Biblical story of Esther, One Night with the King (2006)was another film in which Omar acted in a supporting role but his character was an important part in the story as he provided the voice of reason and wisdom for King Xerxes.

"Why thirst you for warfare, when we can drink so deeply of peace?"---Omar as Prince Memucan in One Night with the King.

A scene from One Night with the King:

One of the last films he starred in was Monsieur Ibrahim (2003 which was based on a book by French author Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. In this post I'll include a review of this last great film he starred in. In this film, he is also a father figure for the character Momo.

Those who want to know more about the personal side of Omar Sharif might want to read his biography titled The Eternal Male which he wrote with Marie Therese Guinchard.

Omar Sharif, Jr. is his grandson by his son Tarek and he was born in Montreal, Canada. His mother is Jewish and he is openly gay.

Here are some scenes from Monsieur Ibrahim, which I consider to be one of the last great roles that Omar Sharif played:

Here are some quotes from Monsieur Ibrahim:

"I'm not an Arab, Momo. I'm from the Golden Crescent."---Monsieur Ibrahim

"Water isn't rare, mademoiselle. True stars are."---Monsieur Ibrahim

"Imagine me in a boat with her (Bridget Bardot) and my wife. The boat sinks. What do I do? I bet that my wife knows how to swim."---Monsieur Ibrahim

"Listen to me. You owe me nothing. If you have to steal, I prefer you do it in my shop....Look at me. You owe me nothing."---Monsieur Ibrahim

"I'm 16 you know. I've already done it."---Momo.

"You only have one pair of feet.Look after them. If your shoes hurt you. You change them. You can't change your feet."---Monsieur Ibrahim

"When will you adopt me?"---Momo

"When I buy, I have the money, here and now."---Monsieur Ibrahim

Potiche (Trophy Wife)---a French film about a woman taking power with Catherine Deneuve

2015-12-21T23:59:00.000-08:00

This is a great film directed by Francois Ozon, starring Catherine Deneuve as Suzanne, the 'Potiche which means 'Trophy Wife' of Robert, a man (played by Fabrice Luchini)who runs an umbrella factory.

Her husband has a mistress but she doesn't mind. Suzanne has her own little secrets.When the opportunity comes up, she steps into in her husband's position because after all, it was originally her father's company!Her style of leadership is very different from her husband's. She finds some help from an old flame Maurice, played by Gerard Depardieu.

I don't want to tell you too much about this film's plot but that it's interesting, thought-provoking and amusing. It's great to watch 3 long-time mature French actors work together in this film. Deneuve is very, very fortunate to be able to play anther interesting character as she continues her long career in acting!There's a lovely scene of Suzanne and Maurice dancing at the Badaboum!

Here are some quotes from this film:

"The kitchen's not my place, the Badaboum's not my place...Where is my place?"---Suzanne to her husband

"Think it's fun to be running an umbrella factory with 300 workers? Constantly battling with thge unions, VAT, price freezes..."---Robert to Suzanne

"I'm not gullible, like your wife."---Nadege, played by Karin Viard

"Sometimes even the closest couples experience a lull. Then the sparks fly again."---Suzanne

"Of course I'm happy. I made up my mind to be."---Suzanne to her Joelle

"The last thing I want is to end up like you, a trophy housewife."---Joelle (played by Judith Godreche) tells her mother Suzanne

"Laurent cannot marry Floriane Marquiest. A Pujol marrying a Marquiset...it's against nature!"---Robert

"I have no desire to work at that factory with Dad. I don't want to be a reactionary boss everyone hates."---Laurent, Suzanne's son played by Jeremie Renier

"You're out of touch. Paternalism is dead. You have to be an asshole to succeed now. A slave to unbridled capitalism."---Laurent

Stirring up the past is a bad idea."---Maurice to Suzanne

"Our little tryst clashes with your image as a working class hero?"---Suzanne to Maurice

"I may be a man of the people but I know how to respect a lady."---Maurice

"Did you tell Laurent to forget the Marquiset girl? .....Fine. Your force me to reveal something. Something rather unpleasant. But you asked for it.---Robert

"To think that you didn't buy me a birthday present. This is some gift!"---Suzanne

"It's a sign of the times, Mom. Women everywhere are taking power."---Laurent

"Workers ask too much when bosses give too little."---Maurice

"Some things are unforgettable!"---Maurice

"Who's the bourgeois with the bumpkin?"---women at Badaboum

"Unfortunately , it's 1977 now."---Joelle

"I refuse to be a trophy mistress!"---Nadege

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer for this film:

The Dinner Game - A French Comedy about Idiots

2015-12-09T22:41:00.000-08:00

The original French title of this film directed by FrancisVeber is Le Diner de Cons.

Pierre (played by Thierry L'hermitte) is excited because he thinks he's going to win by bringing the biggest idiot to a friend's weekly dinner party. The idiot he's going to bring is Francois (played by Jacques Villeret who also played the same character in the stage production of the play this film is based on!) whose passion is building models with matches. BTW, Jacques Villeret died in 2005 and he somewhat reminds me a bit of the American comedian Dom DeLuise who died in 2009.

When Pierre hurts his back playing golf, he has to miss the weekly dinner but he still ends up spending the whole evening with his "idiot" and learns that even "idiots" have something to teach him.

This French comedy pokes fun at many aspects of French society including the snobbish selfishness of the well-to-do, tax auditors, and infidelity.

BTW, this film came out in about 1998 and about 12 years later in 2010, an American film with a very similar plot was released titled Dinner for Schmucks. In this film Steve Carell plays Barry, the idiot who loves to be creative with dead mice. There are a few lines that are exactly the same as the earlier French film. Paul Rudd is Tim, the main character whose ambition motivates him to find an idiot for his boss's dinner. His love interest Julie is played by French-American actress Stephanie Szostak and her eccentric, sexy artist client Kieran is played by New Zealand actor Jemaine Clement.
The American film has more characters and more comedy.

Here are some quotes from this film:

"Did your sore back make you deaf?"---Christine (played by Alexandra Vandernoot)

"But he's an idiot! Idiots are fair game."---Pierre

"Icebag and rest. Or you'll be out for three weeks."---Dr. Sorbier (played by Christian Pereira)

"Sometimes I feel like you think I'm an idiot."---Francois

"Pierre, it's Juste. I wondered about the Belgian weirdo. Then realized you're looking for your wife. Ask me yourself without the accent. Bye."---Juste (played by Francis Huster)

"Cheval's no retard. He's our best inspector. Let him loose in this apartment and he'll strip it!"---Francois

"Cheval would audit his own mother."---Francois

"I've worked like a dog so I wouldn't have to drink cheap wine. I only have great wines. Or water."---Pierre

"You're nice. But he's a bastard! One hell of a bastard."---Marlene (played by Catherine Frot)

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer of this film:

The Secrets - Orthodox Judaism & Women

2015-12-02T23:02:00.002-08:00

This film is directed and written by Avi Nesher, an Israeli filmmaker who's made a few interesting films. His co-writer was Hadar Galron.

Naomi, daughter of the head of a yeshiva, requests postponement of her wedding after her mother's death so that she may spend one year in study at a women's seminary in Safed. While studying there she befriends Michelle. They are assigned to bring food to Anouk, a mysterious French woman (portrayed by Fanny Ardant) who is very sick and who carries the burdens of her sins. The two young women devise a form of Tikun for her and become closer as they try to find a way to ease her suffering. They get in trouble for trying to help Anouk.

Their friendship is strained as they both want different things from life.

This film qualifies as a multilingual film with Hebrew, French and a tiny bit of English dialogue. It also has some beautiful cinematography!

I found this film to be an interesting look into the world of Orthodox Judaism and the challenges facing women who choose to go beyond their traditional roles.

I found this interesting link on the history of ordination of women rabbis.

Warning: There is nudity in this film. Unlike some films that have nudity for no good reason, I feel that it's relevant to the story.

Some quotes from this film:

"Accidental contact does not constitute sin."---Michael (played by Guri Alfi )

"No one's more chaste than Naomi. At age 5 she wouldn't go to synagogue in shiny shoes for fear they would reflect her..." ---Racheli (played by Alma Zack)

"Women's idle chat. Like we're a couple of airheads."---Naomi (played by Ania Bukstein)

"Remember when I was little I wanted to head a yeshiva, like father?"---Naomi

"We can't let our emotional state dictate our lives."---Naomi's father

"Believe me, if I sing, no one will be happy here."---Sheine (played by Talli Oren)

"One is prohibited from self-mortification by fasting."---Naomi

"I know who she murdered. I looked it up on the Internet."---Michelle (played by Michal Shtamler)

"My mother, rest her soul, said that immersing herself in the ritual bath taught her to accept her body. Even after giving birth, even while she was ill."---Naomi

"In music, you're always taught to play the traditional way, but sometimes the untraditional way is the right way." ---Yanki (played by Adir Miller)

Here are a few scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer:

Vasermil ---another soccer-related film but from Israel

2015-11-10T19:49:00.001-08:00

Okay let me be honest...I'm not really into sports but show me a film sports-related with a good story about those into the sports then it's likely I'll be into it!!!

Vasermil is one of those types of films. Unlike some Israeli films, two of the main characters aren't your typical Israelis. Adiel's family is from Ethiopia and Dima's family is Russian. These two teen boys represent the diversity of immigrants that have moved to Israeli. At home they still speak the family languages Amharic & Russian while elsewhere they usually speak Hebrew. This film qualifies as a multilingual film!!

Both boys have been missing school and they are given one last chance to redeem themselves. Every day they must report to Matan & attend soccer (European football) practice. Adiel was already on the team but because of prejudice he wasn't able to participate in playing and has been avoiding attending the soccer practices. The captain the soccer team is Schlomi, an Israeli boy who's had issues with Adiel but he also has his own challenges.

This is a great film about Israeli teens and the challenges they experience. Soccer is the segway to having them learn teamwork and get to know and appreciate each other's strengths.

If you like films about soccer, you might also like to watch a Mexican film that I reviewed called Rudo y Cursi about two friends from a small town who get drafted to play soccer.

Some info about the actors:
Adiel is portrayed by Adiel Zamro who has since acted in a number of other films. Funny that his real name is the same as his characters. Schlomi is portrayed by Nadir Eldad and Dima by David Taplitzky (also spelled 'Teplitzky).

Some Quotes from this film:

"You do everything I don't want to do."--Matan to Dima

"Blind is he who chooses not to see."---Dima to Adiel

"We Rastas believe that only serenity brings peace."---Adiel to Dima

"Doesn't Rasta tell you to fuck whoever wants to fuck you first?"---Dima to Adiel

"Don't think I don't see you selling ecstasy and stuff on Fridays."---Adiel to Dima

"Go sit in the stands and watch your brother make a life for himself."---Matan to Schlomi's brother

Some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer for Vasermil:

A Matter of Size - Japanese culture in Israel!

2015-08-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Herzl has a problem. He's in a weight-loss program but he keeps gaining weight. He's also been told that he's a bad influence on the others. On top of that, his boss also told him that he's been demoted from the front of the restaurant to the kitchen.

After quitting his job, Herzl finds a job at a Japanese restaurant as a dishwasher. His Japanese co-workers watch Sumo and they comment that Herzl is like a Sumo wrestler. The boss Kitano is a former Sumo referee. Fed up with the diet club and inspired by Sumo, Herzl is inspired to take up Sumo Wrestling. He enrolls his friends to participate and they all have other issues in their lives in addition to being "big." Aharon has problems with his marriage. Gidi is an in-the-closet gay "bear."

I don't want to say too much more about the plot and spoil it for anyone interested in watching it except that it's funny, entertaining, heart-warming and thought-provoking. I thought it was unusual to mix Israeli and Japanese culture.This is also a multilingual film with dialogue spoken in English, Japanese and Hebrew.

This film definitely deserved to win some awards and it did! It's a very enjoyable film directed by Sharon Maymon and Erez Tadmor. Sharon also worked on the screenplay. Those watching this film might also enjoy the soundtrack.

Herzl (which by the way in German means "little heart!') is played by Itzik Cohen and his love interest Zehava is played by Irit Kaplan. Kitano is played by Togo Igawa who lives in England and was the first Japanese actor to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company!

Here are some quotes from this film:

"Don't forget... with your mouth...we only talk."---Geula, diet club consultant

"Got married. Got divorced. Then got married again, then divorced...gained 10 kilos each time."---Zehava

"You're just a cook at a salad bar. So don't feel so heavy at the heart."---boss to Herzl

"But even on a diet you've got to eat. Do you want to starve to death?"--Herzl's mother to Herzl

"Hey, he looks just like a sumo wrestler!"---Japanese restaurant co-workers about Herzl

"No hot water again! And you call yourself a plumber!"---Aharon's wife

"It's crucial when and how much we eat. Cuz hunger is our slave, not our king."---Geula

"What's the deal? Does everyone have to be thin? You decided that fat is sick and we ate it all up. They're selling us self-hate here!"---Herzl

"So, should we get a little dirty?"---Zehava to Herzl

"Just since you haven't been able to fit in store-bought clothes."---Herzl's mother about her sewing

"Hope you don't like having sex in the dark."---Zehava

"When I was here in the sumo ring, I felt healthy for the first time in my life."---Herzl

"You think I'd cry about such nonsense? I've been hurt so many times before, I've lost count. I've got skin as thick as an elephants's."---Zehava

"I'm not wearing that. I'm no faggot."---Aharon

"My wife didn't cheat on me because I'm fat but because I'm a bad husband."---Aharon

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer for this film:

Hector and the Search for Happiness

2015-08-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hector, played by Simon Pegg, is a London psychiatrist who decides to leave his work and girlfriend Clara (played by Rosamund Pike) to travel around to research happiness.

He heads first to China where he meets and hangs out with Edward, a wealthy banker played by Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard and he also meets Ying Li, a beautiful young Chinese woman, played by Chinese actress Ming Zhao, (she's a soap opera actress in her first feature film role).

His travel leads him to a Buddhist monastery. From there, he travels to Africa where he assists his college friend Michael at a clinic. Then he goes to California where he sees his old girlfriend from college.

Throughout his journey he keeps notes in his journal.

Here are the main points related to happiness that he writes in his journal:

1. Making comparisons can spoil your happiness.
2. A lot of people thinking happiness means being richer or more important.
3. Many people only see happiness in their future.
4. Happiness could be the freedom to love more than one woman at the same time.
5. Sometimes happiness is not knowing the whole story.
6. Avoiding unhappiness...is not the road to happiness.
7. Does this person predominantly bring you a) up or b) down?
8. Happiness is answering your calling.
9. Happiness is being loved for who you are.
10. Sweet potato stew!
11. Fear is an impediment to happiness.
12. Happiness is feeling completely alive.
13. Happiness is knowing how to celebrate.
14. Listening is loving.
15. Nostalgia is not what it used to be.

There are some interesting characters played by a variety of actors. French actor Jean Reno plays Diego. German actress Veronica Ferres plays psychic Anjali who is one of Hector's clients. Toni Collette plays Agnes, Hector's ex-girlfriend from college. Canadian actor Christopher Plummer plays Professor Coreman.

This film is entertaining and thought-provoking. You'll laugh and cry!

Some quotes from this film:

"But I want a penis."---French woman to Hector at a party

"If you're going to do it, Hector, do it totally."---Clara

"Let me show you happy."---Edward

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness. Fuck you!"---Edward

"We're addicted, divorced, dead. What the hell.---Edward

"It's how much you pay who you know."---Doorman at Chinese club

"Oh Hector. The difference between those three ladies and me is that there's no shame in how they make their money. They can show their faces back home. I can't."---Ying Li

"If you look at this plane, you'll notice it's quite old. That means it's never crashed before. Should be quite reassuring."---African female passenger

"Forgive me but if your happiness causes other people's' unhappiness, then how can that be happiness?"---Hector
"What's in it for you?"---Diego

"You're in it for yourself, like everyone else."---Diego

"I bet what I farm makes more people happy than the crap you dish out."---Diego

"If you want to be happy, take care of your own."---Diego

"Excuse me. Excuse me. Take off your IPod. There's a lion really close by."---Hector

"I sometimes feel like psychiatry comes with affluence. You know, the richer the city, the more psychiatrists there are per square mile. What does that tell you?"---Hector

"The mind can hurt as much as the body."---Marcel

"Keep-It-Handy Travel Candy. Nice."---Hector

"It says that the evil you do in this life could cost your happiness in the next."---Hector

"People who are afraid of death are afraid of life."---Jamilla

"Hector wants to know the secret to a happy marriage."--Agnes

"Putting away your socks. Before taking care of every other aspect of your life."---Clara

"You're emotionally squeamish."---Agnes to Hector

"Everything in this world is going up but happiness is going down.---Professor Coreman

"The more we focus on our own personal happiness, the more it eludes us....We should concern ourselves not so much with the pursuit of happiness but the happiness of pursuit."---Professor Coreman

Some facts about this film:

The London parts were filmed in Vancouver, Canada.

It was filmed in Canada, China, South Africa, and America.

The story takes place on four continents: Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

Some of the funding came from Telefilm Canada.

The director was Peter Chelsom.

This film incorporates live action, simple props and animation.

Some scenes from this film:

Here's the official trailer for this film:

Cloud 9

2015-07-14T00:37:00.001-07:00

This German film directed by Andreas Dresen is about romance in old age. The original title is Wolke 9 and the English title is a direct translation of the German title.

Inge, played by Ursula Werner, has been married to Werner (played by Horst Rehberg) for 30 years and he even helped raise her children. While doing her alteration business, she finds herself attracted to Karl,(play by Horst Westphal) one of her customers. More recently, Ursula Werner had a role as the character Hiltrud Schloemer in the German/ Norwegian film Two Lives which starred Liv Ullmann.

I don't want to say much more about the plot because I might spoil it. I found the film funny, sexy, romantic and touching.

Some of the most touching aspects about this film were the little acts of love that the couples do for each other. Watching such a film reminds viewers that Passion can happen at any age. Even old people can still fall in love and enjoy sex!

Warning: Don't watch this if you're grossed out or repulsed by the idea of old folks getting it on!

Here are a few quotes from this film:

"But we still have each other."---Inge to Werner

"If I end up like my father, you can just take me into the woods and shoot me."---Werner to Inge

"Do you know how 80-year-olds have sex?"---Karl

"No living creature can become as large and as old as a tree."---Karl

"The countryside along the train lines is much prettier than along the freeways."---Inge

"After living together for so long, we should be able to talk to each other if something like this happens."---Inge

"Now I understand why you seemed like a young girl."---Werner to Inge

Here are a few scenes from this film:

Here the trailer:

On My Way --Catherine Deneuve a sexy senior French actress

2015-07-07T14:44:00.001-07:00

The French title of this film is "Elle S'en Va" and it's directed by Emmanuelle Bercot

Bettie, played by Catherine Deneuve is a former Miss Brittany. She lives with her mother and runs a small restaurant in a small French town. One day her mother gives her some bad news related to her love life.

The next day, Bettie goes for a drive on her break and doesn't come back. Her search for cigarettes leads her to a club where a few too many drinks lead her to a motel.

Her daughter calls and asks her to pick up her grandson Charly and take him to his paternal grandfather while her daughter goes away to work.

I don't want to spoil the plot but you'll see Catherine Deneuve lying down in bed quite a bit! She's a senior and still quite attractive, funny and sexy!

Some Quotes from this film:

"You'll look fine when she realizes she made dresses for her husband's mistress's mother."---Bettie

"That man was born without balls."---Bettie's mother

"I'm not a child who just broke her Barbie doll. I'm a woman in love who's been betrayed."---Bettie

"I feel like I'm in the U.S.A."---Bettie

"I don't remember a thing. And it's better like that."---Bettie

"Life Goes On!"--motto for seniors

Here are some scenes from this film:

Here's the Trailer for this film: