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January 7, 2013

Goodbye

It seems appropriate that I wanted to write about goodbyes today. Not only am I leaving China, in fact I'm probably in the air as your read this. But I am also taking a little hiatus from Weekend Fat. Not long hopefully, just enough to get adjusted to being back in the States and a new schedule. So here are a few of my favorite, and most devastating movie goodbyes....prepare yourself for a little cheese.
I always forget about this age difference.
Fried Green Tomatoes
"Tell me a story Idgie..." And she does. Idgie knows her best friend Ruth is dying, and even though it seems ridiculous and trite in the moment, she complies and tells her a story. I'm sure she wanted to say important things, more substantial things, but honestly, when you're best friends with someone like Idgie and Ruth are, there's nothing you can say that the other person doesn't already know. By the time she's done with her story, Ruth is dead. From there she collapses beside the bed and cries. It rips my heart out every time.

Beaches
Sticking with the BFF theme, another one that kills me is this last scene. I love the way that C.C. uses her overpowering personality to get Hillary released from the hospital so she can take her to the beach, which is also where they became friends. At that point Bette Midler's anthem, Wind Beneath My Wings, begins and we see the two of them sitting in chairs during a beach sunset. C.C. glances over at Hillary and we can see in her eyes that Hillary is gone.

Titanic
Try to ignore the LIE that Rose tells about never letting go and try to pretend that's a metaphor, not literal. Just listen to what Jack says to Rose. He speaks survival into her future, and by doing so, he acknowledges that one of them, him, might not make it alive. The moment is the climax of a movie so well acted by Winslet and DiCaprio that you can't believe they'd make it through all they have only to end up have the frigid death separate them. This goodbye is so horrible that there are entire websites dedicated to theories of how these two could have kept Jack alive.
He's far enough gone to talk to a volleyball, but not far enough gone to chase one.
Cast Away
Admit it...when Wilson floats away, you cried. Tom Hanks' screams after his only friend in the world and even though it's a volleyball, the audience is so invested in the relationship that you can't help but feel for them as the ocean separates them. Even knowing that this probably means rescue for the cast away...it's hard to watch him go.

Father of the Bride
You think she's gone...that she's already moved on, but then the phone rings, and this moment between Kimberly Williams and Steve Martin is short, sweet, but totally touching after a movie full of hilarity and turmoil, giving us the full range of emotions that accompany the transition that is watching your daughter get married.

Say Anything
When Diane says goodbye to her father in prison, you expect it to be more emotional. But then...why should we? Diane is not the overly emotional girl in this movie..she's level headed. After her father's betrayal and lies, she confronts him and hands him a pen which is sentimental and not all at the same time.
This exact moment.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
You might argue that this is not a goodbye, but it certainly feels like one to me. Joel and Clementine spend this movie running away from what will be an inevitable goodbye...and when it finally comes in the form of a relived memory of their first day together, they express wishing they could change the way it went the first time. As a house and the memories crumble around them, Joel walks out the door, wishing he'd stay...Clementine tells him to stay this time and make a new ending. Before the last piece of the memory is gone, she whispers to him "Meet me in Montauk." Of course, he does...and they unknowingly begin the whole thing again.

The Sound of Music
The Von Trapp children make saying goodnight fun!

Honorable Mentions
ET-I will be...right here.
Casablanca-Here's looking at you kid.
The Empire Strikes Back-I love you. I know.
Gone With The Wind-After all...tomorrow is another day.
Truman Show-Good morning. And in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, & goodnight.

See ya!


Which goodbye brings you to tears every time? 
Which one is the most memorable for you?



January 5, 2013

27 movies in 4 days....ready...GO!

Here's a list of what I watched during my hibernation. Due to the amount of movies I have watched, I will keep my reviews to a few words. If you want more information, leave a comment here or on Facebook and we can discuss further. And thanks for your suggestions! I took some of them, but mainly I watched whatever I could get for free!

Day 1:
Bernie-Jack Black. Based on a true story. What more do you need to know? Seriously, this is dark comedy at its best and lands somewhere along the lines of Grey Gardens. Plus, Shirley MacLaine kind of reprises her role as Ouiser. Watch it!

Butter-I am calling this my favorite movie of the year because it’s hilarious but has a lot of heart. Jennifer Garner, Ty Burrell, Hugh Jackman, Ashley Greene, Alicia Silverstone, Olivia Wilde, and Rob Corddry among others. They are all great, but hearing Jennifer Garner in her Palin-esque personality say the F word so hatefully and frequently is perhaps the funniest thing I’ve heard all year. Do not miss this movie. 

Dark Knight Rises-I know, I was late to the game on this one. I liked the movie, it was well done, though kind of long in some parts, but then that’s just Christopher Nolan. Speaking of which, did anyone else feel like they were watching Inception part 2? I mean, he definitely has his favorite actors. My basic thoughts are: Predictable. Not enough banter. Anne Hathaway will never be as mean or as sexy as Michelle Pfeiffer was as Catwoman. Do we have to see a Robin movie or can we just imagine it? And I could use more of Tom Hardy’s beautiful face. I’m glad I saw it, but I’m also glad that trilogy is over.

People Like Us-Predictable but sweet family drama. I kind of love Elizabeth Banks. And the kid in it is adorable. Worth watching.

Day 2: 
Your Sister’s Sister-Complex relationship entanglement drama complete with frustrating cliffhanger. Rosemarie Dewitt is great in this, but I wanted more from Emily Blunt. It’s a decent watch.

Requiem For A Dream-Watching people spiral downward can only be more horrible if you feel like you’re spiraling with them. Well done Aronofsky. Depressing. As. Hell. Watch at your own risk.

Sinister-Dear all ladies who are in horror films...by the time you have actually moved into the new house, it’s too late to argue about moving into the new house. Does no one communicate in advance anymore? That argument should have taken place months before boxes were packed.  You know I like scary movies, if you do too, watch this one, but keep your expectations in check. 

Being Flynn-Based on the book, “Another Bullshit Night in Suck City” by Nick Flynn, this movie is legit. The story is about a distanced father and son who connect (or don’t) over their mutual love and talent for writing. The premise is good, but the movie was slow. DeNiro is wonderful, and I can never say no to Julianne Moore. Great soundtrack. Sidenote...I had no idea that Nick Flynn and Lili Taylor were married. Awesome.

Jeff Who Lives at Home-Best opening ever. Jason Segal is growing on me just because I’ve started watching HIMYM. The movie has very little direction...like Jeff, who lives at home. Susan Sarandon’s storyline is probably the most interesting of them all. I think I just hate seeing movies with potential, not reach it. It’s supposed to build up to the end, but the ending is so meaningful compared to the rest of the movie that it’s like if The Hangover had the ending of Shawshank Redemption or something. I wish you could slap a good ending on a movie and call it a good movie. At least it wasn’t the other way around. That’s the worst! Watch it for the last 20 minutes.

Hick-Chlöe Grace Moretz is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses. Everything she does, she does brilliantly. And she’s the best part of this movie, though Blake Lively does impress after her Gossip Girl history. This movie is just mediocre. It’s good enough, but nothing really that unique or great happens. And when something does happen, it seems like everyone is too young in the movie for it to be happening to them. Meh.

All Good Things-Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst, who by the way have NO chemistry play a married couple in this movie. Kristen Wiig has like one line though that steals the movie. Because, even though it’s not a comedy at all, ANYTHING Kristen Wiig says is going to be hilarious. Seeing Ryan Gosling play an old person and a woman is more disturbing than the events that take place in this movie. It wants to be The Life of David Gale or Primal Fear, but instead it’s just...old Ryan Gosling! It’s based on a true story, which mostly just proves that Texas is weird.

Day 3: 
Midnight in Paris-I’ve seen this one before, but I needed something dialogue driven while I was packing some things, so I put it on. You can’t help but pick up on the Woody Allen in it, but I love the premise and literary references, so I would definitely recommend it.

Jesus Henry Christ-Toni Colette is usually enough to make me love a movie, but this one fell short for me. It had a few cute moments, but it’s like one of those movies that is trying to out-quirk other movies. It really doesn’t ever go anywhere either. It kills me that writers think they can try to put a small little full circle moment at the end of a movie and think we will all swoon and call it brilliant. This is kind of like that. 

In The Loop-Aside from the angry British cursing, this was a nice little mockumentary. But in all fairness and honesty, I fell asleep during it. It was drawn out and I wasn’t sure what or who I was supposed to care about. Sorry, I’m not perfect.

The Five Year Engagement-I actually really loved the start of this movie. It feels more honest than a lot of Rom-Coms do. Emily Blunt and Jason Segal actually manage to have some chemistry in this, which is shocking if you think about it. I think it’s totally representative of what a lot of people in this generation go through with relationships, especially once you get into your career. I liked this a lot. It was painful at times, but good with a cute ending. Also Van Morrison songs play throughout the movie, so that’s a win.

Day 4:
Wanderlust-The hippies are the best part of this movie. I’m never that impressed with Jennifer Aniston, and I haven’t loved Paul Rudd since Clueless. This starts off pretty legit, but descends into the usual Paul Rudd movie madness and silliness. If you like old naked people and predictable endings, this one’s for you.

The Words-I love movies about writers. And there are a lot of them. Funny how hard it is to actually make a living as a writer, yet it’s Hollywood’s go to movie profession. This movie is kind of like Inception is that it’s a story within a story within a story. It’s well acted. It’s a solid premise that brings up a few ethical questions about how to live with the choices we make. The ending is rather abrupt and leaves something...anything...to be desired considering the build up.

Skyfall-Meh...James Bond movies are some of my mother’s favorites. And there is something fun about the formulaic, though each movie likes to act like it’s going to be different, it’s going to throw you off course. My favorites are Live and Let Die, Die Another Day, and A View to a Kill. This one is lacking something I love about the others. The bad guy didn’t really have a “lair.” And cyberterrorism is just not that fun or intense to watch on a movie. Not enough gadgets, the bad guy wasn’t bad enough, the Bond girl was really no where around for over half the movie, and honestly, I was a little bored. I liked when he took his jaw out...more of that please. I might have to give this one another shot when I’m in a James Bond mood.

Looper-Futuristic movie about time travel where everyone has a gun and drives like they live in China. BUT aside from Joseph Gordan Levitt’s exaggerated eyebrows, this movie is pretty good. The premise is slightly convoluted, but it’s not even that essential to the plot. That’s probably blasphemy in some Sci-Fi realm, but I’m just telling it like it is. The kid in it is creepy, and Emily Blunt with a backwoods accent is also a little strange. Still, worth watching.

Day 4:
End of Watch-Blair Witch style police movie. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena are amazing, and I always think Anna Kendrick is adorable. But this movie has impending doom all throughout, so when it finally happens, it’s expected but still sad...and there’s a little surprise in there too that makes it even more tragic. This is a seriously good movie though. Worth watching.

Anonymous-The story explores the idea that maybe Shakespeare didn’t really write what he is believed to have written. It’s obvious that this movie was someone’s darling project that they edited and formed over time before finally being able to flesh it out. And the way it plays out is in broad strokes where it almost seems to BE a Shakespearian play. The thing is, I was hoping for something differently. I was hoping for a mystery surrounding whether or not Shakespeare wrote his plays. This is much more about royalty and romance and murder and betrayal. It’s not too bad, but it’s not what I’d hoped for either. If you like history, the Turdor period especially, then you’ll like it. But if you were hoping for more literature, sorry. Also, WHY do period pieces have to be extra long and have 800 characters in them? Just...focus people.

How To Steal A Million-Audrey Hepburn reading Hitchcock in the movie is perhaps one of my favorite moments in an old movie...almost meta, definitely clever. Peter O’Toole always looks like a woman to me. In short, the movie is about art forgery, an art heist, and romance. But don’t think Thomas Crown Affair. This is just a cute movie with a good plot and some good dialogue, though it goes a little long for the amount of stuff that actually happens. Still, it was a nice break from all the intense modern movies I’ve been watching!

The Kids Are All Right-I’ve been putting this one off for a while because someone gave me some spoilers, but I love Julianne Moore so I figured it’s time. I think what I love about it is that so often our culture sets apart heterosexual couples and homosexual couples, but this movie shows that people are people, relationships are relationships. We can hurt and betray and make mistakes no matter our sexuality...simply because we are human. I’m not gonna lie, this movie made me uncomfortable on several levels, mainly in the way it shows how easily people can be swayed. But I really loved the movie all the same. 

Day 5:
Liberal Arts-Ted from HIMYM is 35 and kind of falls for the younger sister of Mary Kate and Ashley Olson, who is really into literature and that’s exciting for him. The story is a good one, but not a new one. Facing the questions...when is it time to grow up, what does that even mean? And is age just a number? My favorite line in this movie revolves around the idea that someone 16 years younger than you could motivate you to growth. People are so often closed minded about younger generations, but I love the idea that we all fit together like a puzzle, and our ages complement each other.

Back to the Future-I mean, I’ve seen it hundreds of times, but it’s been a while. The trilogy was cheap on iTunes and I couldn’t resist. I cannot believe how much this movie has held up over the years. It is just so good at every turn. I watched this today to give my brain a break from all the other deep movies I’ve been watching, and so I could also watch the snow outside of my window and not miss anything major in a movie I haven’t seen. Classic.

Cosmopolis-The premise of this movie is that a rich guy wants a haircut from his preferred barber across town, but with the president and a warning of an assassination attempt on his life, it’s going to take all day for him to get there in his limo. He insists, and we get to watch him as he interacts in his limo with everything from advisors to women to his doctor. The movie seems to have been made to show the ridiculousness of the 1%. But Robert Pattinson is too young to pull off what they were attempting here. His face and mannerisms are refined enough, but it’s hard to imagine that someone that young would navigate the world in that way, even if they are a billionaire. Maybe I’m naive. I hung in there, and parts were fascinating, but overall, this movie was too proud of itself or something. Plus, another non-ending ending makes me frustrated.

Taken 2-I was cynical about this one going in, thinking...really...like his daughter could get taken AGAIN? So I was pleased to find out that the premise was slightly different than the first movie. It was a good old action movie. 

Beasts of the Southern Wild-Morgan Freeman might have some competition for narration gigs after this movie. I could listen to this little girl talk all day. And every line she says sounds like the greatest piece of wisdom you’ve ever heard. The movie itself is eye candy, aesthetically pleasing even as it depicts some of the poorest people in the country. This movie will rip your heart out, I’m just warning you. 

So listen...I could go on about movies I’ve got on my list, but I pretty much plan on watching more stuff right up to the end of my time here in China (which is just over 24 hours), and this has to publish at some point. If you were on the fence about watching one of these, I hope my “short” reviews helped you make a decision!

January 1, 2013

Anne Hathaway Is Growing On Me

This might upset my friend Romelle, but lately, I find that Anne Hathaway is slightly more  bearable than she was a few months ago. Of course by bearable I mean that instead of hating everything that comes out of her mouth, I only hate every other thing that she says.
I am a serious actress.
Annaway...can we call her that? Anyway...Annaway apparently lost a lot of weight, like near death ratios on her already thin frame for Les Mis. Now, no one asked her to do this. In fact, Tom Hooper, the director kept telling her to knock it off. But she kept pushing herself. About this decision to lose weight, Annaway says, “No one liked what I was doing. By the end, people were hugging me, and they would get emotional because I felt so frail.” Sigh...oh dear. See, this is the thing that she said that I don’t like. Describing yourself as frail is kind of a no. And implying that other people were emotional because of your frailty is also a no. Now if other people call you frail and express emotion over it, that’s fine. So Annaway says this kind of thing and I can’t help but roll my eyes. Especially because she's being billed as the star of Les Mis when she's not even in it that long and the reviews of her singing is subpar...and NO ONE EVEN ASKED HER TO ALMOST DIE. Geez. Based on the news surrounding the movie, you'd think the movie was about her weight loss.

But then she goes on to say that she lost the weight and pushed herself to improve her career. Now Annaway has been on screen for a while, but she hasn’t done a lot that could make her be considered a serious actress. So after the frail comment she says this, "I see the sort of work that people like Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet can do, and I want to do that level of work so badly...I don't believe I'm as gifted as them. So the only thing I can control is how hard I work at it — how much do I commit to it? How far will I take it?"
Does this make me look cute?
Okay...you guys...I kind of love her for this. I love that she compliments and recognizes these actresses as better than herself. It shows humility, self-awareness. She’s not as cute as Gwyneth so she can’t afford to be blissfully ignorant. But self-awareness can always earn my respect and understanding.

This is not all that Annaway has done lately. She had an awkward moment recently at the New York premier of where someone got a shot of her during a “wardrobe malfunction” (ie. she "forgot" her panties!) Come on. COME ON ANNE! It's the biggest premier/most serious acting job you've had in years...either wear panties or practice getting out of the car for your friends a thousand times to make sure you've got this. Lord.

However, her response to Matt Lauer, who never misses an opportunity to look like an ass, was fabulous. “It was obviously an unfortunate incident and it kind of made me sad that we live in an age when someone takes a pic of you in a vulnerable moment and sells it rather than deletes it. I'm sorry that we live in a culture that commodifies unwilling participants. It makes me think about the character I play in Les Mis actually. She is someone who is forced to sell sex to benefit her child, so let's get back to Les Mis.”
I am totally pulling this off.
Nicely done Annaway! You adequately shamed the person taking the photo, society, AND Matt Lauer, WHILE promoting your movie, which is why you are there to begin with! The score is evened again.

But then I found out that she cried ridiculously when she cut her hair and saw herself after the cut. Inconsolable cries. Did she think she’d look like Carey Mulligan with a cute little pixie? No way. Annaway has ears and pointy elfish features. What did she expect? But tears? This makes her out to be such a princess, so concerned with appearance...and every woman knows that not EVERY woman can pull off a pixie cut! Who does she think she is? Downward she goes again...

See, it's a love/hate thing. And maybe that's ultimately good. She's a real person. She does stupid shit and says stupid things. She also allows herself some self-awareness and humility when appropriate. She isn't perfect and isn't really trying to come off like she is, but she is striving to be better where she can. I can respect that. I'm not sure where her career will go from here, but I hope for her sake she gets a chance to attempt one of those Streep/Winslet roles, and that she rises to the occasion.

What's your favorite Anne Hathaway movie? 
Love her? Hate her? Verdict pending?