The Cool Amy

"Weird kid," laughed Pike, and Fincher replied, "No, just off." 

From the New York Film Festival press conference. This makes me giggle. 

It is a goodbye to innocent and lovely Jane and welcome "Cool" Amy. 

I'm scared.

I'm also so excited for Rosamund Pike. I can't wait. This is really a unique situation. One is one hundred. Amy not only is a complex character, she's also a pretty rare one to be represented on screen, properly. I can't believe Rosamund Pike is running for an Oscar as a leading actress. You can read Sasha Stone's review of Gone Girl here. I hear it's pretty good.

1,000

Here’s a little personal rant. Every now and then I guess I have the need to make a little point of the situation on my blog. The truth is that I need to knowledge that I am a blogger, I write things and some people from different continents read it.

I understand that some people don’t understand this blog much, they don’t think is anything especial, they are expecting something else, maybe more movies, they say it’s too personal. Personally, this isn’t really going to change much. This is a place where I, as in Rachelle, talk about films, performers, society issues. I’m not going to be informing you about the mainstream films premiering every week though, I don’t think so, this is not what I want to do. I will write long posts about Adéle Haenel, this I will do because it is my passion. She’s a performer I’m passionate about.

I notice that there isn’t much of a response; I think I’m part of the reason why. It isn’t an issue, though. But here’s the thing, I know and I really need to step up the game a little. I started this idea of me talking about films and everything related to films, which means talk about life in general, almost four years ago. I decided to expose something that I’ve already been doing for a while. I am not entirely sure what I can do to step it up right this second, because I don’t have great resources right now; I sure need to reevaluate my values, and I sure need to focus on it more. Lately, I’ve been really off and I don’t like it because this is simply of one my favorite things to do. My dream is literally to watch films as a living. The other day I watched four films in a day…it was a rainy day. What I mean is that the spark is still there.

There’s one thing I don’t mind and that’s your input, I mean, don’t be too mean, because I’m quite sensitive, but please do talk to me, especially about films! Let’s talk about films. You'll help me get better.

Ok, this is an utter mess.

To end this personal post, I’m just going to say I can’t bloody wait for GONE GIRL. I’ll be in the dark room this Thursday and I can’t wait to discuss the endless discussion with you.

This is my 1,000 post.

Happy films.

Locked Men

Sometimes, out of undetermined periods, comes an original film to our beloved screens that actually succeed in that originality. Locke is an example of that kind of success.

Locke might be one of those examples that simplify the meaning of simplicity, straightforwardness and obviously ambition.

Here’s a director/writer/producer that comes with an idea that he believes is interesting and worthwhile. The idea is of a man trying to redeem himself for life choices he made and trying to do what he believes is the right thing. Ivan Locke, (played by Hardy), leaves his work place, at night, walks to his car, takes the car keys, turns it on and drives, as he tries to emend his acts in a forty five minute ride. The entire film takes place in a fort five minute car journey, as he keeps saying to one of the characters, waiting for him. Locke, is the name of the character and the film, and in some strong ways, he’s locked, he’s a locked man.

This one man show locked in one place for the entirety of the film isn’t new, obviously, there are other films, some succeed and some don’t. Locke is a great example of an accomplished one. The film was shot in a week and it is solid as a rock. I would say it’s really good because I could go on talking detail after detail, that the film has done well work. From the brilliant Tom Hardy, the bear on his face, make him harder and more obstinate, his accent choice as well. He’s brilliant. I just keep loving him more and more with each project. The voices of the characters in this film are really good as well, given that it is only Ivan Locke we see, these voices are really credible, authentic and well acted. The cinematography, the tight editing, the credible script, it’s a good film, solid, consistent and pretty tight.

Other film I should add here is the brilliant Starred Up.

Starred Up is another solid piece of work, entertaining as hell, and with another British dude I love more and more since his Skins days, Jack O’Connell. It is one of those films you feel the amount of dedication given to the script and the passion for the project that exudes from the moment it starts. Great phenomenal film.

The use of the word of God

God Loves Uganda

It is the confirmation of what was already known, but from the inside. With a documentary like Call Me Kuchu, you can see glimpses and at the same time direct manifestations of those involved and opposed to the LGBT causes, God Loves Uganda takes us to these people, from their congregations in the US, to the big leader or speaker or whatever you want to call it and the people that travel to foreign countries to do their awful work. I’m talking about these missionaries, from United States in this case, that travel to undeveloped African countries like Uganda preaching nonsense. It is a really upset thing to watch. The fact is that this shit is nothing but economic oriented and then political. They want to spread the word of God, but they’re not really doing that, they’re using these people for their own profit and then adding with retarded and archaic ideas. No one should use the word of God like they do, they’re actually using the word of God for their own profit; they’re taking the word of God to do whatever they want. And they just fuck up the world this way. For example, one of the points the documentary makes is the evident results in a long term that has been hurting Uganda’s society, like the way AIDS is spreading at unprecedented rates and other more directly damaging repercussions.

I mean, people aren’t dumb, including the people from Uganda. Just because their country is undeveloped, in terms of economy or infrastructures, doesn’t mean someone can’t distinguish what’s right and what’s wrong. They’re conscious, there are “normal” people who think straightforward, who respect each other and are actually religious and still use condoms. You know what I mean? Who don’t think homosexuality is a sin. We have to make a strong point about this. We need to remember that.

The older the better

The childish they get.

Is it the end for us? Eleven years after L'Auberge Espagnole? And Russian Dolls?

Chinese Puzzle.

It is a guilty pleasure, only in the sense that, deep down, I know the film is full of the fantasy.

Look at them! They’re all better looking now, as adults. They look like teenagers in An Apartment in Spain and young adults in Russian Dolls.

There’s an interesting contrast in this film. It sort of collides two opposing forces – giggling vs. harsh realities. Isn’t this always a good combination? In other words, the meaning and circumstances of being a foreigner and/or an immigrant in quite an expensive place like New York City and the light approach or the easiness of it all. If you’re looking for a harsh social drama this isn’t it. Now I might say, if you’ve been through those hard realities, some tougher than others, and if you’re able to hide that part in a corner of your brain, this happens to be just about a film for everyone to enjoy!

Cécile de France being hilarious.

There’s this positive membrane that radiates the story with irresistible wit and hopefulness. So, even though it is really hard to come by in a foreign place, I guess if you’re a successful writer that has been making a lot of money like Romain Duris’ Xavier has, and even if you weren’t, people can do whatever they want if they really want to…especially for their kids.

I believe Chinese Puzzle is a really sweet, enjoyable and a great end to this trilogy that started with a group of young adults going through their first life choices in foreign places and trying to study in the meantime. 

Force Majeure

I want to watch this so bad.

Yeah, it seems this blog has become a trailer search... 

I'll eventually talk about the films.

The Tribe

You don't need subtitles...

Wow.

Working, with Xavier Dolan

Why do you keep killing your mother, Xavier?
Here's the trailer for Elephant Song, which he stars (and not directs writes produces etc etc!)

AND here's more news from TIFF - He is hiring Jessica Chaistain for his upcoming English Language debut. The film is called "John F. Donovan" and she's playing the role of an antagonist who wants to ruin characters like the protagonist, sort of. Read it here.

Eden

Yes please and thank you.

On the Set

The Lobster.

This is actually old, from May. But I like it.

It's just a reminder that I really need to watch Alps and Canino from the Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos.