Sunday, May 29, 2011

Picture Moment

I had a dream last night, it wasn't in black and white though...


She reminds me of Liv Tyler in this picture.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

The Tree of Life - Rachelle's Review


I thought I should simply say – “I saw it.” Sometimes words are really needless. I didn’t have to say anything about this film but just felt it. (But at the same time there's so much it can be said about this film, I won't even say half what I could discuss.) But I had my moment, it won’t happen again and I encourage you to have yours. But I’m a masochist so I write about it! “Habits die hard when you got a sentimental heart” (lyrics from She and Him).

What is life, asks Terrence Malick. He created his point of view and he tells us what life to him is. He tells us through images, he tells us through his own god. He tells us through O’Brien’s family, he tells us through children. He tells us trough ways of subtle and sensibility of human flaws.
This film isn’t about reaching perfectness, it’s about telling us something. The author wants to tell us something about life. I can say the story has been already told. You must have heard already “Unless you love, your life will flash by” or “to forgive”.  What matters the most in here is that he can tells us something we already been told but he tells us with his voice. I think it’s never enough to hear about what are you made of. This film reminded me of ‘Into the Wild’. I know that they are two very distinctive worlds but they have some things in common - Its pureness and humanity; its society and the family who lives in it. Still, The Tree of Life is a rare creation by a group of people who worked by trust and some instinct to help telling a simple point of view so people could believe it. I don’t think you see something like ‘The Tree of Life’ neither this often nor at least every five years and I don’t think you’ll actually see it again.


To think of the sensibility of each single word, I have to say that every single detail comes to your mind, especially because they all are relevant. It’s because of every single detail that makes the essence of the story be so clear. The photography reaches raw senses that often pass you by. They shot so close to the men and women and children in the scenes positioning you so close to them. After there’s a long moment representing the universe there’s the representation of human lives. These were the moments where the shots were so close to the newborns, I was so close to them it seemed I could hear them breathing. You’re so close to the mother and the baby. Then they start to grow up and it’s even more magical.


Everything about The Tree of Life doesn’t actually need words. It’s there in the two hours film. Terrence Malick doesn’t need to talk to us about it; he already said what he had to say. What could we ask him? Where did you find inspiration? I guess he should say life. What about the dinosaurs, why were they so subtle? What did you intend to say when one dinosaur puts his foot over another?  How did you direct those kids, how did you make them so believable? How did you communicate to them what should they feel in that moment, how did you make them cry that way, how did you make that kid transform and become so mad that way? Where did Jessica Chastain or Brad Pitt search in their souls for tremendous courage and willingness. What did you said to make the images be so well drawn and consistent through every new shot. Which leads me to ask what about the timings, how did you work them so precise with the director of photography? Finally, how did you make the film be one solid piece of work? I should say with lot of work, sweat, willingness, and a gifted little touch of genius! I’m sure he just went with his own rules, he created the environment he wanted for the film, some things he must have sacrificed in order to achieve others, he made the young actors be free, he made most of the scenes be improvised and through his own rules he was able to make an unique piece.



The essence of life is taken here by its deep roots and even knowing this story I still found myself fascinated by it. 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Picture Moment

Can you imagine?
Keira Knightley is doing a comedy. I mean, it's actually a romantic drama. (I thought it was a comedy). But she's playing it alongside Steve Carell. That's what I really couldn't picture!
This film is called "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World".

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Performing - Who's rather shy?



I'm rather shy; I'm rather...no I'm rather shy! Not a dependable word then!
Tipping the Velvet, have you heard? A mini-series inspired by the book of Sarah Waters.
It's always an entertaining amusement to watch actors perform, sometimes it's entertanining, sometimes it's too deep, sometimes it's too revealing and sometimes it's the moment of the film. So I'm going to explore it.

Monday, May 23, 2011

A Moment in a Film


 Paris, Texas by Wim Winders
Throughout "Paris, Texas" you ask why, you have a constant question in your mind about what happened in the life of the protagonist Travis. That's what makes you be in the film even though being a really slow paced one. The scene I've chosen above consists of approximately twenty minutes of Travis telling a story, a monologue so to speak; this is the moment when you finally get the answers. I could watch the scene an entire afternoon. I could actually be hours just looking at her (Nastassja Kinski) face. Those lips, I mean...I could write an essay about her lips! Yes, that's how much women inspire me and I admire them.


(This is the best quality I could find).

Cannes Days - End of 2011

As every pleasure in life, they end fast.
Cannes Film Festival finished yesterday eleven days of celebrating the Seventh Art and everything she drags.

Here's a quick summary:

The Tree of Life - Palme D'or

(This thursday I'm inside the theater, first sit!)

Best Actor - Jean Dujardin for his role in The Artist.

Obviously Madame Deneuve was there.

I'm really looking forward to see this film, it's seems such a loveble one (and I think I gained a crush on the actress...)



Best Director Award - Nicolas Winding Refn for his film Drive.

His speech was so "humble"...but funny!


Palme d'or for Best Short Film - Maryna Vroda

She was shaking so much, I started shaking too!

Best Screenplay -Joseph Cedar with  Hearat Shulayim (Footnote)


The cámera D'or (For First film) - Pablo Giorgelli for his film Las Acacias.

Jury Prize - Maïwenn with her film "Polisse"


I was a little affraid of what she was going to say. Her life is already an intense dramatic film.

Grand Prix - Tied - Nuri Bilge Ceylan for "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" and Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for "Le Gamin au vélo" (The Kid With a Bike).




Best Actress - L'Amérique Kirsten Dunst.
She was shaking too! What an experience right?

AND I left you with the best treat possible (at least for me) - it's a Christophe Honoré film. The cast is simply dreamy (mother and daughter fiction -non fiction Catherine Deneuve and Chiara Mastroiani). Enjoy.

Les Bien-Aimés

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Cannes Days

L'apollonide (Souvenirs de la maison close) 
The dawn of the XXth century: L'Apollonide, a house of tolerance, is living its last days. In this closed world, where some men fall in love and others become viciously harmful, the girls share their secrets, their fears, their joys and their pains... [Synopsis - Cannes Film Festival].

I've mean mentioning this film several times, so take a look and I hope you enjoy.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Cannes Days

This is my only tune these days: Cannes. Hearing Press Conferences...a Couple that seems The King and Queen of...something, they probably are The King and Queen of Cinema; Then there's people falling down stairs and well life is so "Melancholic", right Lars Van Trier?


First of all, let's face it. The film by Lars Van Trier is called "Melancholia", which means a depressing mood. Then you are watching the press conference and it seems like we were in a Judd Apatow press conference. What a laugh I had through out. It was hilarious and then obviously completely controversial. I never thought I would recommend you to watch a press conference, but there's always a first time. It is worthy it. People were laughing in the audience, the actors didn't know how to react or well they were amazed by Trier's words. Let me tell you, it end up talking about Hitler and understanding Hitler. Then there's a final sentence by him "Ok, I'm a Nazi". Right, at this point he cracked!!!
We could ear Kirsten Dunst by the end of the press, "Oh Lars that was intense".

While Charlotte Gainsbourg tried to be as serious as possible, Trier on other hand couldn't. She was commenting on how he met him better and then he said "Oh, I’ve gotten to know you very well and from every possible angle".

Then he didn't really knew if he liked his  film, "I'm not really sure...maybe it's crap actually. Of course I hope not, there's quite a bit of possibility this is really not worth seeing". 

“We had fun doing this film, but I would like to talk about my next film which is - as Kirsten insisted - is going to be a porn film. Kirsten and Charlotte want a really hardcore film and I’m going to do my best,” he said with a straight face, adding, “I said there should be a lot of dialog in between [sex scenes] but they said ‘no. There should just be a lot of unpleasant sex.’ And this will be three or four hours long and that’s only because it will 
make this press conference later [next time].”

The "Tree of Life" press conference was to a bit controversial for the simple fact that the press didn't appreciate Terrence Malick's shyness. He didn't show at this Festival and they were somehow offended. About the film itself the reviews are mixed. The thing is, the film is universal, like Brad said "The film is Universal. Terrence Malick wants to speak to all cultures", so you can be mesmerized by it or doubtfull just like films are. But this one is really special and must be appreciated.

Brad Pitt's performance is worth of an Oscar, they say.

And let me tell you, Jessica Chastain is only getting started. Her down to earth look is making me belive she will achieve a great carrer. Besides, she has nine films whether coming out, screening, or coming soon. Her favourite actresse is Isabelle Hupert.

And she actually went to "The Tree of Life" premiere. Chastain didn't know, but was really happy that she saw her work. If she knew Huppert was there would make her even more nervous, because she was shaking throughout Cannes including the rep carpet. She thank the guys for holding her!

One thing I'm sure, I will love this film...even if I don't have a clue what he is trying to say.

 
Aren't they like King and Queen? What can I say right?

 
Jodie Foster and her personal films. And, with The Beaver. 

Nadine Labazi and her new film. If you haven't seen her film "Caramel" ("Sukkar banat") you must do it right away. It's lovable.

Stand up, De Niro! (Bad joke)...

Unfortunate! I guess he was trying to perform a stant.

And the premiere of "L'apollonide". Indeed, that's a lot of girls.

Beautiful Adele! The press conference was interesting enough and I'm really looking forward to see the film. When asked if one of the actresses had something to add about working in the film one of them said right away "Adele. Adele loves to talk"!

Really nice black dress.

Eh lah! I heard the chemistry on set was intense as if they were like an army. This is a film in a women's point of view.

Laetitia Casta! Great to see you!

 I mean, the guy I deslike the most in tennis...in Cannes! Ironic. Let's see what he got for Roland Garros. I hope at least Nadal wins!

And again, Lars Von Trier and his show, not to be forgot! For fuck sake!
And let's keep up with the fun! See ya.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Cannes Days

Weekend Update.
Don't have much time to read reviews, so there's only photos!

Cannes Fait Le Mur (I think it's a Cannes Exibition and that's Diane Kruger).

Guess who??

It's Johnny Depp (the guy has to hold him)!

Can you say 'Martha Marcy May Marlene' straight forward? I can't, I always forget what comes in second or in third!

She is...Martha!

Hold on!

 Very emotional young woman, she's Actress Writer Director Maiween competing with the film "Polisse".

ADEEEELE (She'll be in "L'apollonide (Souvenirs de la maison close"). 

Portrait of a Lady: Clémence Poésey ("Jeanne Captive").

Laugh to the strangeness of flash!

Chopard Trophy Prize - Cute couple, really cute!
Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Niels Shneider.

He cut is hair! If you know what i mean...
("Les amours imaginaires" A film by Xavier Dolan).

Actress Berenice Bejo, works in a black and white silent film called 'The Artist', so 'Shhh', be quiet. 
It's one of the favourites, heard it's a delight.


That takes courage, though you're not the first (Paz Vega back in 2002)!

 Le Petit (Left) "Michael" and "The Kid with a Bike" Photocall.


Cécile De France; I heard she's the one who brings light to the film "The Kid with a bike":


 So, there you go! The brothers and directors thank her.

Coming next:
The Couple.
"L'apollonide (Souvenirs de la maison close)".
The stars from Melancholia.
Jodie Foster and 'The Beaver'...and much more. They are always ready to shoot!