A Single Man

I actually had to go to school today, whoa, shocker! I had a lecture about North American culture and literature, and when we started talking about A Streetcar Named Desire, I even started listening. I saw the movie based on the play some years ago, and I remember not liking it. I thought it was boring and anti-climactic. Now, as the lecturer talked about the characters and the themes (with his British accent that almost makes me like the guy. Nah, kidding, he's alright) and so on, I felt like I should watch it again. Surely I have matured enough during these years to understand and appreciate this classic? Eh, wouldn't count on it, but it has young Marlon Brando in it, so I might as well give it another change.

Ok, here's something I'd been looking forward to.

A Single Man (2009)


Directed by Tom Ford. Starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult.

Long story (very) short: George, who has recently lost his partner, attempts to get through another day of his life, which he doesn't really care about anymore.

First observation: fashion designers should make more movies. The look of the film is absolutely fantastic, and quite unique, I could've just watched the film without sound. Every shot and every frame was so carefully planned and arranged. Colours were very beautiful, the way they changed the mood of the scene (and vice versa). The colours made the most common-place settings look almost other-wordly and magical. And whoa, the cinematography, all those strange points of view and croppings. The film is just art!

And now I'm even more disapointed that Colin Firth didn't get his Oscar. Damn you Academy! Alright, I haven't seen Crazy Heart and of course the nomination is a great recognizion in itself. But Colin oh Colin, why have you wasted all these years doing stupid comedies, when you can actually do drama so freaking well?? (No, I take part of that back, my world would be a slightly darker place without him singing Our Last Summer and dancing around in that horrible outfit in Mamma Mia!) And doesn't he look just dashing?


I saw an interview some time ago... He said that when Tom Ford had told him how the film would begin - a shot of him lying naked on a bed - he had obviously been a bit horrified and Ford had added something like: "You know, you're a good-looking guy. But if you want to work out a bit, that would be good, just so that you feel more comfortable yourself." Hah. But obviously he did work out. It's easy to see that Tom Ford likes male bodies, he makes them look so beautiful in this film. Well, he makes everyone look beautiful. Speaking of which...

Mirror mirror on the wall, who in the land is fairest of all? Here's your answer.


Somewhere between About A Boy and A Single Man, something happened to Nicholas Hoult. Just to remind you what he looked like back when he was hanging around with Hugh Grant and singing Killing Me Softly... Behold the wonders of puberty.


Doesn't this give hope to all those poor little boys who are being bullied? Don't worry, love, one day you'll grow up to look like this.


Things are certainly looking good for Nicholas Hoult. I think he was quite compelling in this film, and it's not only because Tom Ford made him look like Adonis. Or at least I don't think so. In fact, I felt the only part of the film that dragged a bit was the scene with Julianne Moore, who wasn't bad, no. I was just waiting for that divine boy to appear again. And I used to watch Skins and think he's too pretty. Hmh.

A Single Man is quite astonishing, indeed. I can't remember seeing anything quite like it before. I haven't really said anything about the plot. Well, time to time I felt that the plot didn't really even matter, I enjoyed what I was watching anyway. But yes - the plot was good, too.

"It takes time in the morning for me to become George, time to adjust to what is expected of George and how he is to behave. By the time I have dressed and put the final layer of polish on the now slightly stiff but quite perfect George I know fully what part I'm suppose to play."

Now... I feel like a very lousy student for being sober this close to Vappu. I promise I'll do my best tomorrow. Maybe a day without movies would be only good for a change. Before I forget how to socialize and actually talk to people. Haha. Oh well. Hyvää vappua, anyways.

My TOP 5 favorite movie couples

I'm a sucker for a good movie romance. Here are my favorite movie couples of all time!



5. Cecilia & Robbie (Atonement)

If I had to name my favorite movie - strictly just one - I would probably refuse to do that because it's quite impossible, but if I absolutely HAD TO, I think I would say Atonement. It is a very beautiful film, both visually and story-wise. It's one of those films I just need to watch regularly. (The book is excellent, too.) Oh, and it really fired up my love for James McAvoy, who's been my favorite actor ever since. The story of Robbie and Cecilia is not the happiest one, quite the opposite, but they are granted their moments: the library scene (just smoldering hot), their hands secretly touching each other in the dinner table, when they meet after a long time in the cafeteria and Cecelia puts her hand in Robbie's cheek... Oh yes. I really want to watch it again, it's been too long!

"Robbie."
"Cecilia."
"I love you."
"I love you."


4. Jack & Ennis (Brokeback Mountain)

First, how awesome are Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger? Answer: very. Movies this slow usually mostly bore me, but this one I can watch again and again. It's really so much more than a "gay cowboy movie", ugh, I hate that term. It has a lot of beautiful moments, which Gyllenhaal/Ledger act just perfectly. When they meet for the first time after four years and just jump on each other... I could watch that scene a million times.

"You know, it could be like this, just like this, always."

3. Celine & Jesse (Before Sunrise/Before Sunset)

This couple stands out, as their story is less epic and dramatic than the rest - they are actually the only ones on this list, who stand a chance to live happily ever after. Sometimes realism rocks! I ADORE these two little movies. They always make me want to pack my bags and go wander around Europe alone. The chemistry between Celine and Jesse is SO REAL, their story feels SO REAL. This is the kind of thing I want to experience myself! They just click! They are not without their problems of course - there wouldn't be a movie if there weren't problems - but it feels REAL (hi, my name is Broken Record, nice to meet you!) and like it could actually happen in real life. YES. It's awesome. They have talked about making a third one, but only when everyone's stopped waiting for it. There was a gap of nine years between the first two, so I wouldn't hold my breath, but... I like where we were left in the end of the second one.

"Maybe we're only good at brief encounters, walking around in European cities in warm climate."


2. Satine & Christian (Moulin Rouge!)

I might be talking rubbish, but I dare say that Moulin Rouge! was the first movie I really fell in love with. It's also, no doubt, the movie I've watched the most times - I can't give you a number, I lost count a long time ago. This is earth-shattering, life-altering, larger-than-life love... and of course it ends in tears. Maybe that's what makes it so powerful. After all, that's what the whole movie is about - Christian telling their story that ended too soon. Ewan McGregor is just dreamy in this film. He's even better as this romantic, poor, sensitive young writer than he is as Obi-Wan Kenobi (and that's saying something!). His singing is just... aah! I just melt away everytime he starts singing Your Song. Or anything, really. Oh, where's that soundtrack, I feel like melting!

"Come what may, I will love you, until my dying day."


1. Rose & Jack (Titanic)

There's really no other option here. Number one has to be the most epic, the most heartbreaking, the most legendary love story of all. (Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler don't stand a chance here, for my opinion they were never meant for each other.) Titanic is just... well, it's Titanic! I don't think I need to explain myself. There won't probably ever be anything quite like Titanic, for me at least. I was just glancing through some of the lines, and almost got shivers just doing that. Jack and Rose just are Jack and Rose, and you can't really beat that. (I feel like saying something nasty about the main couple of Avatar - see, I can't even remember their names! - but I won't, because it would imply that I'm bitter because of the huge success of a film that relies only on special effects and boys and their toys and the greed of JC and because Titanic should always be Cameron's most successful film and it isn't anymore and it's stupid . And I'm not bitter. Eh... Am not! Much.) Titanic is a very special film for me, and 'epic love story' is practically just another way of saying Jack and Rose. Amen. (And Kate Winslet is my second favorite actor, right after Mr. McAvoy. Leo's not terrible either.)

"When the ship docks, I'm getting off with you."
"This is crazy."
"I know. It doesn't make any sense. That's why I trust it."

Brothers

Today I was meant to see The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, but they didn't have any in my nearest Makuuni. Shame, I need to go check again soon! I really want to see it, though I'm afraid I won't like it. Terry Gilliam can do very weird things, sometimes too weird (e.g. a film called Brazil...). But there are at least four reasons to see the film: Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law. Enough for me!

So, plan B was to watch this film that has been on my must see -list for quite a while now.

Brothers (2009)

Directed by Jim Sheridan. Starring Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal.

Long story short: Captain Sam Cahill is captured by the enemy in Afganistan. Back home, his family is told that he has died. Sam's brother Tommy, who's just recently got out of prison, does his best to take care of Sam's wife Grace and his two daughters. Eventually Sam returns back home, but he's not himself anymore. He's messed up, paranoid, haunted by what he did, refusing to tell Grace what happened (and looking like a skeleton, I might add).

So. It's Spiderman, Padme Amidala and Jack Twist all together in this excellent drama about family and war. First I have to compliment the cast. That nerdy Peter Parker is all grown up, I've never seen Tobey Maguire like this before. He's excellent, and I'm a bit surprised this wasn't acknowledged in the Oscars. He's very greepy at times, but also well showing the love he has for his family. Natalie Portman then... Everytime I see her in other films than the Star Wars prequels, I can't help wondering what made her act so badly in those three. Because she really is more than able to channel emotions in a believable and touching way! What was that cheesy, corny, phony "Anakin, you're breaking my heart!" horidness?? My guess is, George Lucas, mostly. With all due respect, George, of course! I love Star Wars anyway. And finally, the wonderful lovely Jake Gyllenhaal with those eyelashes I can't get enough of! Ah. No, but seriously, I liked that he played a bit darker character this time, with a bit of an edge! Those tattoos looked good on him, but despite his bad boy image, he still had warmth in him. But well, no matter what he does, his performance in Brokeback Mountain will always be his best in my book. Can't beat Jack Fucking Twist.

The characters were all great, real and easy to like. I just loved those two little girls! And even Sam and Tommy's dad got some of my sympathies, although he was a bit of an a-hole. The plot was interesting, and I was gripped by it the whole time. I cried a bit, I laughed and smiled, I was shocked, I was nervous... The end came too soon, I wanted to know more. I don't know if that's a sign of a bad ending or a good movie (a bit of both, probably), but I felt too many things were left unfinnished. Despite that, a very good film. I can warmly recommend it to everyone.

"I don't know who said 'only the dead have seen the end of war'. I have seen the end of war. The question is: can I live again?"

I read that they are planning on doing another Ring movie - in 3D, of course, are there other options nowadays... Why am I already sick with this 3D phenomenon? (Maybe because it makes my eyes hurt. I'm afraid my last Harry Potter experiences will be ruined because of it.) What's wrong with 2D? Nothing. Sure, sometimes 3D works well, but come on. If they really are going to re-release Titanic in 3D (and I'm sure they will, James Cameron likes money a bit too damn much. It's a shame he did Titanic, otherwise I could dislike him without boundaries...), I of course have go and see it, because Titanic on a big screen just has to be experienced, but couldn't they release a good old 2D version too? Please? Pretty please? It would make more money, my dearest James!

Hmm. I believe I was talking about the Ring sequel. Although I believe it might be a prequel! Since they kind of eliminated the change of Samara returning in the second one... But well, they said they found a loophole. Great. Anyway, that sweet little girl crawling out of the tv and practically out of the screen too sounds pretty scary. No way I would see it in cinema. Or who knows.

Philadelphia

Need to emprace this pace, I will have to start stepping out of the flat sometime soon, so I won't have the time to watch two movies a day... Shame, though, it's been kind of cool to be a full-time movie blogger!

Philadelphia (1993)


Directed by Jonathan Demme. Starring Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas.

Long story short: Andrew Beckett gets fired from a law firm, and believing the reason for this was him being homosexual and having AIDS, he decides to sue. After hesitation a slighty homophobic Joe Miller takes the case, and they begin the trial, as Andy's condition gets worse and worse.

Well. This was a rather interesting film, but I didn't really fall in love with it, either. Maybe it's the setting - I'm never been too fond of court room dramas (except if it's season four of Ally McBeal starring Robert Downey Jr! Wow, this is my seventh entry and only now I'm mentioning RDJ for the first time? Wow.). I think the purpose of this film was to show the other, human side of AIDS, which hadn't been discussed very publicly by the time the film was released (I'm not sure, but this is my guess). After that, we've had Angels in America and so on...

I thought about why I didn't become more attached on Hanks's character - sure, I felt sorry for him and was on his side, but still - when I came across this review I agreed with. The thing is, the characted is too perfect, flawless. He's a successful lawyer, he has lots of great friends who all adore him, he's the favorite member of the family and he has a wonderful partner who loves him unconditionally. He's basically a superhuman! And that leaves the story a bit flat.

Anyway, like I said, an interesting film, touching too. Hanks's make up was very convincing, man did he look sick and weak! Tom Hanks of course can never do wrong, and the Oscar was deserved. Denzel Washington was great too. I don't know why I don't like him more. Maybe because I never really like his movies. Ha. Not seen too many of them, either. Sorry Denzel, nothing personal! Also - hello Dr. Bailey, nice to see you outside Seattle Grace!

........ This entry drags a bit! Ha ha I seriously need to get back to watching easy romantic movies, since apparently I have more to say about them. Hello, me very shallow.

"In this courtroom, Mr.Miller, justice is blind to matters of race, creed, color, religion, and sexual orientation."
"With all due respect, your honor, we don't live in this courtroom, do we?"

God. Goodnight, this is enough for today. I promise a slightly more inspired writing tomorrow.

...... OR NOT. Wednesday is my official Lost day! Don't expect to get anything sensible out of me tomorrow. Haha. Oh well. Now, seriously, goodnight.

edit// I'll take that back! Lost is on a short hiatus, so I'm going to have to wait one extra week before next episode comes out. Boohoo. It's been part of my Wednesday mornings for quite a while now, how will I ever replace it?? Answer: with a nice and easy romantic film! Ha. I think I have one in mind. Until then... well, goodnight. For the third time. Now I seriously shut up.

On my mark... unleash Hell.

The time has come. I'm going to give the address of this blog to some people, and doing so I'm officially ending this scizophrenic era of monologing! It's been great, really great, and I'd like to thank the one person who made it all possible: me. Thank you, thank you for having too much spare time and being so talented at jabbering away for no real purpose whatsoever. I'd like to dedicate this moment to myself, and also congratulate myself for making this hard, demanding choice. Not everyone needs so much self-encouraging and reassuring before doing something so frightening and reckless as letting someone to read your blog. Thank you, Academy.

Enough sarcasm, hmm? Yeah, I think so too. Here's a lovely little piece of dialogue from a lovely little tv show called the O.C., which I think is somehow comparable to this moment.

"Sometimes I think you talk just to make noise."
"Well, sometimes I do."

Ps. Don't you like my choice of title? I think that line from The Gladiator was a nice touch, not that I think letting people to read this blog has anything to do with unleashing hell.

Pss. Hmh. Yeah, I'm definitely a bit too dramatic. Some people just create blogs specifically for others to read, can you imagine that??

The Damned United

Yesterday, after finnishing my River Phoenix tribute, I found one more quote I'd like to share. This one is by River himself.

"I don't want to die in a car accident. When I die it'll be a glorious day. It'll probably be a waterfall."

I'm not sure how that makes me feel, I'd like to know what the context was. But yeah... It wasn't glorious when it happened. Not a waterfall, no.

Okay, not to be too grim (or a hypocrite, again, since last night I wrote that people concentrate too much on his death), I'll add two more that I liked.

"I wouldn't eat a hamburger for 40,000 dollars."

I wish I could say the same...

"Everything is ironic to me. There are moments I find hysterical, but I'm probably the only one who would find that, except for a few people."

And now for something completely different!

The Damned United (2009)


Directed by Tom Hooper. Starring Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, Jim Broadbent.

Long story short: Brian Clough takes over the management of England's top football club Leeds United, after his biggest rival Don Revie retires from the job. It gets personal, and it gets nasty.

Like I said, completely different, no heartbreaking romances this morning. This is a bit odd choice, as I know nothing about football, but I have my reason(s), and we'll get to that, later.

Based on the research I've done (= I read the first paragraph of a review in IMDb), there are not many good football movies around. The only football movie I can remember is Bend it like Beckham, which I saw approximetely half a millenium ago. So, I just have to take the reviewer's word for it: this was a welcome movie for the football world! Now, from the point of view of a non-football fan, this could have been a very boring movie to watch. It's based on actual events and people, of which I'd never heard of before. I don't understant the crazy passion that the British have towards this game. (I wrote 'the British', instead of 'Brits', because, apparently, it's like calling Americans 'Yankees'. See, I've learned something this year, wohoo!)

However, I enjoyed the film from the very first scene. The reason has to be Micheal Sheen. He's just kind of brilliant! And excellent as this slightly cocky, super über ambitious and confident football manager. He also did couple of tricks on the field himself, and I don't if it was Michael Sheen or stuntman+CGI kicking that ball, but anyway, whoa. (And I'm looooooving that accent, good gracious.) The film was entertaining to watch and easy to follow, and it had flashbacks too, which always gets a thumbs-up from me. Also, I always like when in the end of a movie based on real people, they show how they really looked like and you can compare them to the actors. Michael Sheen was a great choice! He's cool (not so cool as a vampire, though). Oh and we got to visit Brighton! I've never been to that place, but everytime I see a picture I just want to leave right away. It's beautiful!

There, some shameless and beside-the-point Brighton advertising for you!

And... hmm. Do I still have something to say about the topic, I don't know, I got kind of distracted there. Hmm. One intelligent observation: There seems to be no British film without a Harry Potter actor in it. This one had Wormtail (again, named Peter!) and Prof. Slughorn. Maybe everyone in Britain just have been in a Potter film. Oh and the reason I watched this film, I almost forgot! It's silly. I knew Chris from Skins would be in it. And he was, for two glorious minutes, at least! He even had a line, which consisted of at least six words, can you believe it! And he wore a stupid black wig. Ha ha. I just need to settle on waching him on Skins. Too bad.

In summary, The Damned United was a film worth watching, especially if you are a football fan, but even if you're not. (Insert a glance outside the window here.) And if it's supposed to be bloody spring and it's bloody snowing. Sigh. Gotta love this country. Cheers, mates, I'm off to Brighton.

"We're just gonna have to beat him, Pete. Beat him if it's the last thing I do."

"In simplicity there is truth." - River Phoenix

Didn't see any films today... Today was a River day. A good day! (I'm just going to sprinkle these photos everywhere, because MAN was someone a natural in front of the camera.)

I walked to the campus to force myself to finnish my essay (and I did!). Last time I went to the campus there was much more snow the sea was still frozen... Not anymore! It was so pretty there, I love that our campus is by the sea. Sun was shining and it was amazingly warm and I played my feel-good-songs, like Downtown and Walking on Sunshine, in repeat, and I had to fight myself not to smile like an idiot all the time.

At home I dedicated my day mostly to River Phoenix. First, I'm falling in love with that name more and more all the time! God bless the Hippie parents, look at these names: River, Rain, Joaquin, Liberty, Summer... Ah! I would totally name my children like that if I lived in an English speaking country. (Doesn't work here, really.... Joki Jokinen. Sade Virtanen. Vapaus Vanhanen. Kesä Mansikkamäki. Ridiculous. Shame, though.) Where was I...? I've had River by Joni Mitchell stuck in my head half of the day. I bet River sometimes wished he had a river he could skate away on. If not in those words.

I watched a biography/tribute show I found on Youtube. I'll link it here, in case someone's interested. It's in five parts, together about 45 minutes long.

(Damn, I'm a technical genious for managing to do that!) I learned a lot about River. Shame to say, pretty much all I knew before was the same majority of people (those who have heard of him, I mean) do: he was in Stand by Me and he died young. His backgroung is very interesting, the cult and being smuggled back to America... And I so need to find more of his movies! It's not easy, though, in this godforsaken country (sorry. I didn't mean it. Oi Maamme Suomi ja sitä rataa). It was both sad and respectable, how the really HATED being a celebrity. The whole celebrity culture is really very idiotic and so so shallow, and I can't say I've done anything to stop it... Vice versa. But I could say River changed my point of view a bit. That side of the industry is just... ugh. And yes, I love the Oscars and all that stuff, but let's face it. Most of that is just pretending and showing off and so phony and ridiculous spending of money. (Still, I'm watching next year. Again. No doubt. Am I a hypocrite or what... Hah.)

More about River. Watching that biography also made me feel that I should become a vegeterian (not that I will do that, either), stop buying things I don't need (as if) and go pat my roommate's cat on the back (that I might do... as soon as I get up). Point is that he's inspiring. (Not sure if I should write was or is... I'm confused. Sure he's dead, but he inspires me now, so...? Oh, anyway...) And the way he lived his life is/was/whatever very admirable. He had princibles he believed in, and lived according to them. Like when filming some movie he demanded clothes not made of animal skin. Even though at that point he really wasn't in a place where you could make demands, he got what he wanted, because others saw something special in him, even then.

(Lovelovelove that picture! One not so serious. Though he does EXCELENT serious, too.) And then he's death... First I'd like to quote what Leonardo Dicaprio said in an article in Esquire "on the night River Phoenix died":

"When I was eighteen, River Phoenix was far and away my hero. Think of all those early great performances — My Own Private Idaho. Stand by Me. I always wanted to meet him. One night, I was at this Halloween party, and he passed me. He was beyond pale — he looked white. Before I got a chance to say hello, he was gone, driving off to the Viper Room, where he fell over and died. That's a lesson."

I read lots of comments saying that Leo's words were somehow offensive and inappropriate and I sort of get their point. I mean it is kind of wrong that everyone always talks about River's death insted of his life. And sure, it's a bit dramatic and so on, but I really don't mind that comment. After all, it is quite a coincidence that Leo happened to see his hero on the night of his death. World loves drama and stories like that. I can't deny that I had some shivers when I first read that.

Anyway, I don't have much more to say about his death. It was very very very unfortunate and tragic and unfair and wrong and sad. What I understood was that he didn't take that stuff for kicks, he took it to cope. World is unfair sometimes, that's something you can't get over.

Oh and my faith in humanity improved an inch. That paparazzi, who could've taken a million dollar picture, but called 911 instead. "I'm a human being before I'm a photographer." I'd lift my hat if I had one. Not everyone would've acted similarly.

Now I should somehow summarise the greatness and uniqueness of River Phoenix. And... I can't really. Well, you know. But I really need to watch My Own Private Idaho (a great name for a movie by the way!) again, because first time I was just too confused about the story, I couldn't concentrate on River's performance. Here's one more picture, possibly my favorite of those I found today.

I truly am sorry but I will conclude my River Phoenix entry in a very inappropriate way. But come on, girls, take a look at that hair! Next to that, Robert Pattinson is, well, bald! In your face, R-Pattz!!!

(Again, sorry.)

Dogfight

Dogfight (1991)

Directed by Nancy Savoca. Starring River Phoenix, Lili Taylor.

Long story short: It's 1963. The night before a group of young Marines are shipped off to Vietnam, they spread around San Fransisco to play a game called Dogfight. The rules are simple: whoever brings the ugliest date to the party, wins. Eddie isn't doing very well in his hunt, until he finds Rose. They go to the party together, and as the night goes by, Eddie begins to see that maybe Rose isn't so ugly after all...

So. First a few words about the reason I watched this film: River Phoenix. I sort of "discovered" him just recently, as I watched Stand by me for the first time (I know. It was ABOUT TIME!). His silent and subtle charisma is just AMAZING. World is so unfair sometimes. Who knows what he would've grown up to be, considering what he managed to do and be in only 23 years. I mean... yeah. You know. Talents like River just don't come along too often. And yeah, maybe I feel like this because his life has that melancholy jamesdean-y kind of feel to it and maybe he would've grown up to be just someone doing mediocre movies, but I don't like to think that way. He's very unique. (And I'd like a bio pic, please. A good one.)


Now. To the point. When I started watching Dogfight, I knew basically how the plot would go. Meaning, he would pick up a random girl, use her and then fall for her. Knowing this didn't bother me at all. The beginning promised a carefree comedy, but it got much much deeper. As Eddie and Rose spend the night together, he starts talking about being sent to "this little place near India called Vietnam". That's when I really began to get inside the story and care for the characters, knowing what was waiting for him. The characters are very real and I totally related to some situations they got into. At times it was funny, too. (I'll quote the restaurant scene in the end.)

The ending is not for everyone's taste, but I think it was rather brilliant. No words, just... Mm. And the expression on River's face...Mm mm mm. The film left things a bit open, something for the viewer to decide on and to make their own conclusions about. That way is usually much better than obviousness.

I liked this film more than I expected. I liked it a lot. In a way it is similar to Dear John (boy falls in love with a girl just before going off to war and so on), but this one I definetely will watch again. It reminded me a little about Before Sunrise, one of my favorite films ever. It was sweet, genuine, sad, funny... And really worth watching. Watch it. It has Hippies too!


"Are you ready to order?"
"Yes, goddammit. I'm going to have the fucking poached salmon, with the son-of-a-bitching rice, and a dirty bastard salad with a shitload of Roquefort dressing. Thank you. And who knows what this asshole wants."
"Uh, I'll just take a fucking beer."

I had a good day, film-wise. Essay wasn't finnished, but then again, when it comes to essays, there's always tomorrow.

Oh, and I am considering about telling someone about this blog. I mean, so far writing just for the sake of it hasn't been bad at all, but I wouldn't mind a reader or two. We'll see what I think tomorrow. Goodnight, I'm going to try and hunt down some more River films.

Dear John

It is the morning after the evening I had a sudden idea to start writing a movie blog. The idea seems even weirder now, since I'm still not going to tell anyone I know about it, or advertise it in any way. So, I'm very aware that, quite possibly, I'll be dancing with myself (I like Glee, too! And in case I'm the only one here, I'll be dancing with myself is the name of a song they perform on the show). And it's okay, you know! A bit stupid, yes, but hey - I'm a sucker for little stupidities! I don't know how long I'll keep writing here, and how often, and whether at some point I give up one of my wonderfully stupid dreams and tell someone about this. Maybe I get bored and need someone to dance with.

So, yesterday I mentioned this movie I watched and felt embarrased because I wasn't ready to move on yet. It is silly and a bit lame that the first movie I write about in my awesome movie blog is a silly and a bit lame wannabe-tearjerker, which I didn't even like that much. It should have been some life-changing movie experience that inspired me to start writing and sharing my thoughts to the world...! Oh well. You can't have it all.

Oh, and the cat is still alive.

Dear John (2010)

Directed by Lasse Hallström. Starring Amanda Seyfield, Channing Tatum.

Long story short: A young soldier on leave falls in love with a girl. And then he has to go back. Let the correspondance begin!

I honestly didn't expect much of this movie. Since it's based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, I expected an easy, predictable plot, larger than life love, bad-boys-gone-good and some melodramatic heartbreaks. I've seen two movies based on Sparks's novels, I think, The Notebook (blah, I don't get the hype) and A Walk to Remember (another blah, slightly smaller though, because this one is not so hyped). These films are good for a certain kind of mood, exactly that kind I had yesterday. They don't require you to think too much, or to invest yourself to the story or the characters. Easy, careless pastime, in other words.

I was slightly surprised by the plot of Dear John. Sure, it had all the Sparks elements: sweet pretty girl, tough handsome boy, sudden earth-shattering love and the heartbreaking twist that is supposed to make us girls weep like... well, girls. The first half of the film was just this, same old same old. I rolled my eyes, when in the prologue (Tatum's character, what's his name... John! Oh god, right. You genious.) John's voiceover says something like: "You wanna know the last thing that went through my mind before I blacked out? You." Yeah, boo hoo. BUT. This time it didn't go exactly the way I predicted. The movie got better towards the end. It did move me at times, and so help me god but I kind of felt their pain! And one scene between John and his dad actually watered my eyes! Heja Sverige! (Sorry.) Even the horrible cheesy line from the prologue wasn't so cheesy after all. And I kind of liked the ending. And I like Amanda Seyfield's hair. If you read this, send it to me, please. I didn't hate Channing Tatum. The autistic boy was very cute. Lasse Hallström directed Chocolat, too, so a few extra points there. I'm kind of jealous of the Swedes. They have Stellan Skarsgård. Anyway.

To be honest, I will probably never watch Dear John again, but it fitted well in my Saturday. So, if you sometimes have a Saturday in your hands, you're recovering from a stomach bug, are not looking for life altering experiences and want to look at beautiful people, you might as well give Dear John a go. I liked it more than The Notebook. And I definetely need to try that thumb trick next time I see a moon around here. Oh, and why wasn't ready to move on? It set me to this mood. I couldn't have watched anything too different right after.

"No matter where you are, the moon is never bigger than your thumb."

Now. I have a deadline approaching, so next I'll spend some quality time with my essay. And I think tonight is a movie night. I'll report back to you. So...

See you soon then!

You had me at HELLO.

Hello.

This isn't starting very well... I mean, that title. That has to be one of the corniest "best movie lines" ever, I didn't like Jerry Maguire and the way Renee Zelweger delivers that line is just annoying (sorry). But I just had this idea about three minutes ago that it would be cool if every title was a line from a movie. I know, not very original. Oh well.

Where was I? Right. Something about a weak start. Hmm. Still agree. I think I'll get to the point now.

The POINT:

Today, after watching American Idol (they sang Elvis songs, ah!), I sat here on my bed and didn't know what to do. I'm still recovering from a pleasant and thoroughly joyfull stomack bug, so no Saturday Night Fever tonight. (Hmm. I just managed to include another possible title for this entry. Again, one I don't like. Ha! This really is going well.) So I pondered my options: put on a movie, kill time in Facebook, or do something new. Well, I already watched one movie today, and am not quite ready to move on yet (a bit sad, in a embarassing kind of way. You'll know what I mean soon.), so after killing a few precious minutes in Facebook, I... well. I started a blog, obviously. I'm really not sure why, but it just seemed like a good way to spend this Saturday night. I like writing, and I've kept an online journal for many years, but I wanted something different. Since I like movies, too, a movie blog seemed appropriate. Now, I'm not sure yet whether I'm going to tell anyone I know about this blog - I kind of like this feeling of absolute anonymity. The problem arising is, of course, who the h*ll is going to read this blog then?? And... Yeah. Don't know. I'm kind of hoping that someone would miraculously find this blog from the haystack of blogs and then more and more people would come and read my blog and finally some cool magazine or something would hire me. Ha ha. Well, it was quite stupid to say that aloud! Oh well, if there's one thing you should know about me... I am a SUCKER for stupid dreams that never come true! They are quite nice. Even if they didn't come true.

Well well well, look at me go. Sometimes it is too nice to talk about myself. Here's a few more things I'd like to say before... well, I don't know.

• For some reason, I wanted to write in English. As it isn't my native language, please forgive me for making mistakes and spelling like a first grader and time to time, I'm sure, creating new words in English language. You're welcome, the pleasure is all mine. Oh, and feel free to correct me. As someone who studies the language, I'll appreaciate it.
• I forgot what else I had to say.
• Oh right. Like I said, I INTEND to write about movies, but remembering that might become an unbearable challenge. Sometimes writing about the diet of my roommate's cat feels extremely significant. (What the * was wrong with that slimy meat thingy I gave you this morning, huh? ... Oh, boy, I should probably feed you again soon. Whoops. I'm an excellent catsitter, yes.
  
• That should probably be it, for now, I quite like the cat and don't want to starve her too much.

Oh oh oh! The cat can wait a little longer (hopefully...), because I forgot to tell you the epic story behing the name of this blog. So. The first name option was very forrestgump-y: "A Box of Chocolates"... taken. The second one was something silly like "A Chocolate Box", but thankfully that was taken, too. Then I remembered that one awesome ad they showed before trailers in cinemas, in England, couple of years ago. Some car ad, I think, and it's kind of a parody of Forrest Gump. A guy sits on a bench and says to another guy: "Life is like chocolate - playing ping-pong, becoming a hero and running a lot!" For some reason it cracked me up every time. Haha. Still does. So, the last touch was to loose the last 'e' of chocolate and to make the first 'c' a capital letter. Why? You know Chocolat, right? Lots and lots of chocolate, imaginary kangaroos and one very charming Johnny Depp fixing doors? One of those stupid dreams I have and am so fond of, is to be an owner of a chocolate boutique. (I'll take the Johnny Depp, too, please.) And wouldn't it be nice if life was like Chocolat? Or any movie, really? Would it? I haven't quite decided yet.

Only one more thing before that cat gets her dinner. Godfather makes me sleepy. The first one, I mean. I wouldn't know about the rest, haven't seen them. One of my eternal projects.

Ps. (Had to write ps, because I already said, "only one more thing".) Even if I didn't have you at hello, I hope didn't loose you just there. I will probably at some point write about the complex relationship between me and Godfather. But not now. I think the cat is so hungry she began to eat that slimy meat thingy from this morning.

Pps. Bummer! (I love Skins, by the way.) I meant to write about that sad/embarassing movie experince I had today. Aaargh...... Alright, after the cat, girl!

Ppps. I almost begin to annoy myself, too.