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Charlie Bartlett

June 18, 2013 By Adriana Popovici Leave a Comment

Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2007
Director: Jon Poll
Writer: Gustin Nash
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Kat Dennings, Robert Downey Jr., etc.

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

General impression:
A movie about teens in high school and their witty peer who buys popularity with psychotropics. He’s Charlie Bartlett, the troubled rich kid who got kicked out of all private schools, and finally, in public school, understands why the kids his age are troubled. He finds recognition and appreciation in the process, becoming the drug-dealing psychotherapist of the school, partly inspired by his own therapist. As you can see, it’s not necessarily your usual teen comedy. It does make the point that teens should be listened to and their voices taken into account, but it doesn’t really address the issue of recklessly prescribing or consuming psychiatric medications, and that, to me, is disappointing. Other than that, on the whole, it’s a decent light movie.

Highlights:
It’s fairly enjoyable.

Downside:
It doesn’t overcome its own mediocrity.

Would I see it again? – Not very soon… and I’m not sure.

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: Yes.. more or less 🙂

Suggestion:
Take prescription drugs seriously and try to avoid them by taking care of your health and inner balance.

Young Adult

February 8, 2013 By Adriana Popovici Leave a Comment

Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: Jason Reitman
Writer: Diablo Cody
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt, etc.

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

General impression:
Just take a good look at the poster for this movie – it tells half the story. That bitter woman drenched in pink and “Hello Kitty” love is obviously not satisfied with her life, despite being a published YA author and the owner of an adorable Pomeranian. Recent divorce, alcohol, and a point of uncertainty in her career, make her decide to reach for her soul mate. And, which is the best place to search for love, particularly when you’ve just had a breakup? The past, of course (not)! Actually, it is sort of a sad story. I’ve known a similar type of woman – late 40s, has the exact dreams, values and attitude in love and relationships as she had in her teens – and it is not funny at all! It’s not even ridiculous, it’s incredible… Back to the movie, Charlize Theron earned every buck she was paid for this role. She was perfect canvas to her character and managed to outline exactly the character’s flaws. Imagine a woman in her 30s going after her (now happily married – to someone else) high school sweetheart. Shallowness and selfishness prevent her from understanding that he’s happy and uninterested in her. What’s worse is that she doesn’t seem to learn anything by the end of the movie. You probably won’t like her. Good character study, though 🙂

Highlights:
I liked the theme of the story. It’s true – some people don’t grow up as they grow older.

Downside:
There’s always a limit with this sort of chick flick, and this particular movie doesn’t overcome it. It’s just “OK”, not “great”.

Would I see it again? – Not soon, and by chance.

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: If you have some spare time and like this type of movie.

Suggestion:
Make a plan to stalk an ex. Umm… better not! 😀

The Big Year

August 10, 2012 By Adriana Popovici Leave a Comment

Image Source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: David Frankel
Writers: Howard Franklin (screenplay), Mark Obmascik (book)
Starring: Jack Black, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, Rosamund Pike, etc.

For more information on “The Big Year”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

General impression:
This could easily be written off as a mediocre movie, yet it does have a good moral, nice characters, and a big dose of beauty. It is about birdwatching, passion, ambition and priorities. In my house, it inspired a new goal (and new Pinterest boards); we love traveling, nature, being outdoors, hiking, plants and animals, so birding would make a very satisfying hobby for us. This movie reminds you that there is beauty in the world, and that sometimes selfish ambition costs our own happiness, transforming our fulfilled aspirations into bitter reminders of what we lost along the way.

Highlights:
Gorgeous scenery, beautiful birds!

Downside:
With Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson in the same movie, you expect a little more laughter .

Would I see it again? – Someday, not very soon. However, I’d rather go birding myself 😀

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: Yep 🙂

Suggestion:
If you feel like your loved ones don’t truly understand you and your passions, try explaining clearer what those passions mean to you, how they make you happier and a better person, sprinkle some of that magic on them, share a bit. There’s a big chance you’ll not only be understood, but you’ll get support too 😀

The Adjustment Bureau

April 8, 2012 By Adriana Popovici Leave a Comment

Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 2011
Director: George Nolfi
Writers: George Nolfi (screenplay), Philip K. Dick (short story “Adjustment Team”)
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, etc.

For more information on “The Adjustment Bureau”, visit Wikipedia and/or IMDb

General impression:
Lukewarm. Not bad, not extraordinary, not memorable. I like Emily Blunt, and probably she’s the reason I watched this movie until the end, although, to be perfectly honest, I was pinning on Pinterest at the same time. This movie was not catchy enough for me, and, although the story is romantic, it’s rather romance for the mind – cool and keeps its distance. The concept is not bad, nor is the execution… but that’s not enough for this movie to cross the line between fine and great.

Highlights:
The ideas underlying the movie have a nice dose of freshness.

Downside:
Not enough feeling for a movie that needed it.

Would I see it again? – Umm… no

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: Umm… yeah…

Suggestion:
This is a good choice if, meanwhile, you’re baking – you can pause it, resume, pause again. Most likely, your pie won’t get burnt.

Sirens

February 16, 2012 By Adriana Popovici Leave a Comment

Image source: Wikimedia

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Year of release: 1993
Director: John Duigan
Writer: John Duigan
Starring: Hugh Grant, Tara Fitzgerald, Sam Neill, Elle Macpherson, Portia de Rossi etc.

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

General impression:
Starting to build a world of fairies, this movie gets lost along the way in plain supermodel nudity. The problem is that it feels as if the initial goal is not quite met. On the other hand, it’s a story about self-discovery, that Tara Fitzgerald pulls off very well in her conflicting role – she’s convincing and lovely. However, self-discovery stories usually need special support to present interest to the public, otherwise they are perceived as they are – personal experiences. This sort of story must offer something that is perceived as valuable by the viewer (eg. a subject they can personally relate to, or a biographical story). The makers of this movie didn’t seem to realize this fact, and the result was unskillfully exploited sexiness. “Sirens” is not ugly or pathetic, but rather a hit-and-miss.

Highlights:
The Australian scenery. And Hugh Grant (a reverend in a pool of art and sexuality) blushing – very funny 😀

Downside:
The movie’s obstinacy to be poetic, even when the elements of poetry don’t work.

Would I see it again? – Won’t suffer if I don’t.

My Rating (1 to 10): 7

Recommended: It is watchable, but not a must-see.

Suggestion:
You can watch “Sirens” before bed. It’s good for falling asleep to – not in a bad way.

Charlie Bartlett

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Young Adult

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The Big Year

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The Adjustment Bureau

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Sirens

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