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Short movie reviews by Adriana Popovici

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: John Madden
Writers: Ol Parker (screenplay), Deborah Moggach (novel)
Starring: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, etc.

For more information on “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
This movie can do for you a little bit of what the exotic getaway to India does to the characters. It’s about a bunch of British retirees who, far from the comfort of their home, have to deal with their baggage. Each one has to move on in some way, and life in India will be the catalyst for change. I loved the fact that it all happens naturally, and there are no exaggerations, no artificial drama added to the behavior of the characters. Their western life gets stripped of walls, patterns, expectations, rules, and in this simple, raw state of living, they open up, become more sincere. Then, following their hearts becomes the natural next step in their lives, something they probably wouldn’t have considered back home, at their age. And this is what makes this story beautiful 🙂

Highlights:
It’s realistic in surprisingly heartwarming ways.

Downside:
What worked for Dev Patel in “Slumdog Millionaire”, works against him in this movie.

Would I see it again? – Yes, someday

My Rating (1 to 10): 8.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
I think it’s a good choice for this time of the year.

 

In September & October

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This month I decided to write only about movies I like, including three of my favorite movies of all time, all three rated 10 in my book, all three profound and remarkably beautiful. I’m also debuting a new type of post, which should diversify a bit the content of this blog. It’s coming soon enough, so I’m not giving you any details 😛

In addition to all this, I’ll write about a few other movies, including “The Help” and “An Education“.

I can hardly wait 😀

 

Update (December 13, 2012): Again, I got tangled in other things with a higher priority than this blog. I feel bad about this, but, let’s just go back to movies. I wrote about “The Help” and the three movies I love (Samsara, Les Intouchables, Stalker), “An Education” will have to wait for January (I liked it, but have something different in mind for this month), so will the new type of posting. Now, December 🙂

Never Let Me Go

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2010
Director: Mark Romanek
Writers: Kazuo Ishiguro (novel), Alex Garland (screenplay)
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Kinghtley, etc.

For more information on “Never Let Me Go”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
I started watching this movie with fairly low expectations, not knowing much about it, so when the beauty began I was pretty much blown away. It’s not powerful from the very beginning, but it certainly grows in most ways, and becomes increasingly emotional, just better and better. The idea of the story is great! The movie “The Island” (with Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson) is somewhat similar, but seems immensely silly in comparison with “Never Let Me Go” (and not just “in comparison”). The poetry, the uneasy feeling that spreads throughout the story, the viewer’s sympathy in contrast with the coldness and detatchement of the society that simply uses those like the main characters… I cried. And at the end, I felt my heart breaking. Gazing at the horizon – I know that feeling…

Highlights:
Idea + acting

Downside:
It could have used a bit more polishing around a few rough edges.

Would I see it again? – Yes

My Rating (1 to 10): 9.5

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
I hope humanity resists THAT level of selfishness…

 

Bridesmaids

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: Paul Feig
Writers: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, etc.

For more information on “Bridesmaids”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
When I think of this movie, I always remember the first time I watched it, particularly a point where tears were running down my face and I was out of breath, with pain in my cheeks and chest. I couldn’t stop laughing! I chuckle as I’m writing this. It is a hilarious comedy supported by underlying drama, so it is not just a collection of gags. It’s about friendship, rivalry, relationships, passions, all blended well into a story lots of girls can relate to. Kristen Wiig (who is a genuine comedic talent) plays Annie, a woman in a challenging stage of her life. Her best friend is getting married and also has a new close friend. Her “romantic” life is reduced to a casual “no strings attached” relationship. She has an unsatisfactory job she’s not good at, and a past entrepreneurial failure that haunts her because the baking business she had to give up was her true knack. With a bruised ego and uncomfortable circumstances, she has to act in spite of her damaged self-confidence. Don’t worry, it can keep a guy amused too 😀

Highlights:
It made me laugh to tears.

Downside:
In my opinion, there’s no downside here 😀

Would I see it again? – Yes, and I already did 😀

My Rating (1 to 10): 9

Recommended: Yes!

Suggestion:
Do not eat or drink while watching this movie, and you’ll avoid accidents like choking.

 

Thin Ice

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Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: Jill Sprecher
Writers: Jill Sprecher, Karen Sprecher
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Billy Crudup, Alan Arkin, etc.

For more information on “Thin Ice”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

 

General impression:
Speculating weaknesses is often a weakness in itself, especially when greed and impatience are in the mix. Here’s a funny crime movie about an insurance agent who wants to get out of his present situation, and fast too. He needs money and is determined to obtain it, so he keeps scruples out of his way, enabling the circumstances for smooth twists. Although it lacks that special extra quality which makes the difference between good and great movies, it’s a movie worth watching.

Highlights:
Greg Kinnear is as awesome as always, and Crudup is just as good in his role.

Downside:
It may seem a bit dull in appearance, with lots of snow and ice – but that’s the setting of the story, so it makes sense 🙂

Would I see it again? – Someday, maybe 🙂

My Rating (1 to 10): 8

Recommended: Yes

Suggestion:
Keep away from spoilers.

 

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