What I've Been Watching #8

 

OCULUS (2013) » Supernatural pandemonium and inanimate objects: a combo I rarely take seriously. In this film, however, I found myself engaged and entertained, which is not too bad. This is a horror story about murders executed by... a mirror. I know, it sounds ridiculous. The mental history of one of the main characters and the childhood flashbacks that tell the viewer the story behind the demonic mirror kept me interested. I wasn't satisfied with the ending but it could've been worse. There was a scene involving an apple and a lightbulb that really disturbed me - nightmare material is always in the details.

THE TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN (2014) » What was supposed to be a medical documentary about Deborah Logan's Alzheimer's disease, turns out to be a disturbing thriller where dementia blends with demonic activity. Secrets and revelations ensue and we witness frightening footage at every level. I liked the concept of this unsettling film, and solid performances made it worth watching, not to mention the suspense factor and some subtle scares... All in all a creepy poignant experience. What terrified me the most was what I know it's a real menace to the human health and sanity: Alzheimer itself.

THE BABADOOK (2014) » I watched this film last night and frankly, I was expecting something else, maybe a different kind of horror. Not that I was disappointed; on the contrary, it was a refreshing surprise approaching the realms of psychological horror seen through an ambiguous yet keen eye. Some scenes reminded me a bit of these three: We Need to Talk About Kevin, Repulsion and The Shining. This film plays with the audience and with anyone's mind. Count on outstanding acting, freaky distress, Aussie accent and beautiful cinematography with nightmarish atmosphere. Babadook itself is Tim Burton-esque spooky, sinister and all things eerie. This horror flick scared the shit out of Sundance and it's certainly a good pick if you compare it to the recent wave of splatter movies and want something, as stated before, different.

MAPS TO THE STARS (2014) » I reaaaaaally liked this one, which surprised me since I wasn't too impressed with Cosmopolis. It's official: Cronenberg hasn't lost his mojo! In fact, this film is good enough to be considered a cult classic. There was a distinctive Bret Easton Ellis-esque vibe about the storyline: it's vicious, it's cruel, it's a fucked up satire, it's weird, it's Hollywood. Both Julianne Moore and Mia Wasikowska steal the show, the latter acting like the twisted mind of all. Seriously, Wasikowska always gives an accomplished performance whenever she plays a psycho. Everyone is bitching about how Cronenberg isn't the same genious anymore and how the CGI effects look ridiculously botched... Screw you, haters. I loved it, in all its glory of violence and tragedy.

WHITE BIRD IN A BLIZZARD (2014) » My expectations were high when I started watching this film, because I adore Araki's work, I'm a huge fan of Eva Green and I already knew the soundtrack would be perfection. I wasn't wrong, this one lived up to my expectations and beyond. Set in the late 1980s/early 1990s, this is a story about a girl and her mother's sudden and intriguing disappearance, exploring the structural complexity behind such mystery and depicting how dysfunctional this family portrait was and why. It's also a coming of age narrative, with a few dream sequences to match the dream pop/shoegaze soundtrack. I won't spoil it but let me just add that the final plot twist caught me and my curiosity off guard! Well done.

YVES SAINT LAURENT (2014) » If you're into iconic fashion references, French stylish flicks and biopics as I am, you better watch this asap. Impressive how this film offers a glimpse at YSL's career, love life, early years, erratic lifestyle, scandal and controversial creations. The industry contrasting with inspiration itself, combining glamour with decadence, offers the perfect backdrop in this visually sumptuous, dramatic intoxication made of haute couture and timeless style. Kudos to Pierre Niney, for the incredible impersonation - the mannerisms, the voice... it was like watching Saint Laurent himself. Bravo!

What I've Been Watching #7

HATESHIP LOVESHIP (2013) » I'd never thought I could see Guy Pearce, Nick Nolte, Hailee Steinfeld and Jennifer Jason Leigh in the same film but well, it happened. Awkward and adorable, this is a nice so-called indie gem - a slow paced story about love, loss, grief, recovery and eventually, hope. You know the drill, ordinary people and modern world problems. 

THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014) » This one is beyond brilliant! Not only it struck me as one of the most visually pleasing movies I've ever watched but also made me feel nostalgic in a bittersweet way, given its dramatically dreamy tone set in 1930s Europe. Phenomenal characters, eye-candy cinematography, a lovely storyline loaded with wit and an absurd sense of humour... Not to mention the stellar cast. How wonderful! It's sad. It's funny. It's quirky. It's Wes Anderson.

TOMBOY (2011) » Zoé Héran 10-year-old Laure, who pretends to be a boy (Mikhael) as she moves into a new neighbourhood. The film follows Laure's struggle to experience life as a transgender, hiding the truth from her friends. I think many people (parents and kids) should watch this coming-of-age French film, in order to understand a bit more about gender identity, social interaction, and the innocence present in every childhood, instead of hiding behind their own taboos.

GUINEVERE (1999) » Believe it or not, I loved this film. I know, it's full of clichés and it's not exactly a masterpiece... Harper (Sarah Polley) is a mousy young woman living in San Francisco, who turns down a Harvard degree for an older man, this Irish bohemian photographer named Connie Fitzpatrick (Stephen Rea) who takes advantage of how impressionable she is. She becomes his pupil, protege and lover... Oh, and ego-feeder, of course. They embark on a free spirited lifestyle which obviously will end in tears, given the fact he's a self-destructive alcoholic sharing his dingy apartment with a vulnerable girl who's not sure if the experience of a lifetime means salvation or downfall.

NORA (2000) » Here's an incredibly underrated film with an insightful directing and ravishing acting. Ewan McGregor sings, Susan Lynch steals the show and the photography itself is reminiscent of an impressionist painting. Even if James Joyce isn't your cup of tea, his passion for Nora Barnacle has to be! She was his wild muse - just read his smutty letters to her. Their journey from Dublin to Trieste triggers inspiration in Joyce and also jealousy, resulting into an emotional chaos. Instead of focusing on the writer's mind and work, the film explores his intense love story with Nora loaded with steamy sexual content and emotional tension. The early 20th century costumes are to die for, I loved Nora's hats and dresses. In a nutshell, I loved it.

MARIE KRØYER (2012) » Another dramatic and fascinating biopic, this one about the Krøyers, insanely beautiful Marie and the famous Danish painter P.S. Krøyer. Directed by Bille August, this film narrates the marriage and adultery of Marie, Kroyer's manic depression and treatment attempts and the tragic consequences awaiting both. A tale of love, scandal and insanity, with a slight Anna Karenina vibe, featuring breathtaking Scandinavian scenery that made me google "copenhagen stockholm ryanair" right after watching this period drama.

Inspiration: Cracks (2009)

This is one of my favourite films. Directed by Jordan Scott (Ridley's daughter!) and based on a novel (which I haven't read yet) by Sheila Kohler, Cracks is a beautifully composed coming-of-age drama, a lyrical and emotionally intense delirium from its tense atmosphere to the sophisticated setting. Set in 1934, it follows the story of Miss G, a young and spirited teacher, and her pupils at an English boarding school for girls in the countryside.
The cool and sensual Miss G, played by Eva Green, is everything to the girls: enigmatic swimming instructor, charismatic teacher and mesmerising unorthodox role model. She fascinates and captivates her pupils, isolated from the world in that austere secluded school, with thrilling adventure stories of her romances and adventures around the world. Her students admire and respect her as she commands their lives. Everything changes upon the arrival of a new Spanish student - she is aristocratic and cultured, threatening and simultaneously desired. As the film goes on, the layers of Miss G and her own nature begin to unfold... and what a disturbing character she is! Innocence gets corrupted and ravished. Obsession and jealousy take place and tragedy ensues. Let's just say I've seen healthier teacher-pupil relationships.
My jaw dropped at the wonderful costume design by Alison Byrne. Period styling at its best! Knitted cardigans, pinafores and exquisite collars portraying girlhood and innocence. The filming location is also idyllic, most of it in Ireland apparently. Oh, and the decoration is top notch.

Eva Green's performance is hypnotic - she looks beautifully haunting and magnetic in every shot. And yes, I fell in love with Miss G's inspiring sense of style right away: high-waisted trousers reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich, classy silhouettes featuring floaty flamboyance, artsy outfits giving off an avant-garde bohemian vibe, Hollywoodesque silky scarves with golden accents, richly textured fabrics like embellished velvet that looked fabulous on screen, glamourous shades of blue, green and grey... Downright delightful!
Oozing allure and passionate charm, Miss G's intriguing and quirky attitude is depicted so well through her exotic yet dramatic wardrobe, reflecting her personality and hinting at her dark secrets. She projects the idea of a well-travelled woman who teaches the girls in an unconventional way... Not everything is what it seems, however. If you haven't seen this film yet, go watch it.

What I've Been Watching #6

SHADOW DANCER (2012) » Set in 1990s Belfast, this is the story of a  woman who was simultaneously a single mother, an IRA member, a daughter, a sister and a spy. Andrea Riseborough delivers a solid performance in this riveting thriller which premiered at Sundance. This is not just another film about the Troubles, it's a compelling tale of tragedy lurking in the streets of suspense, recreating the atmosphere of the catholic working class neighbourhoods in dim colours. Only maybe a bit too slow-paced for its own good.

LA FEMME DU VÈME (2011) » This film is a dark European thriller entering and exiting a man's psyche; a mystery that will make the audience question what is real and what is fantasy. An American novelist comes to Paris to deal with some family issues and ends up in a sleazy, dank hotel in the suburbs. Eventually he meets this charming lady played by the gorgeous Kristin Scott Thomas and everything gets confusing and unclear (deliberately, I suppose), I even lost track of what was really going on. It's a very enigmatic plot with a very hostile atmosphere and obscure cinematography. I didn't fully understand the ending but I guess there's room for many interpretations.

THE IMMIGRANT (2013) » Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix star in this melodramatic tale set in the land of opportunity back in the early 1920s. It's impressive how Cotillard speaks Polish so convincingly - her performance is magnificent. This film is a bit of a cliché but it works just fine by embracing a story about hope, love, illusion, greed, survival, shattered dreams and ultimately, forgiveness. The American Dream turning into a nightmare with an outstanding set, photography, costumes and direction.  

LOVELACE (2013) » This is the story about Linda Lovelace and it also depicts the porn industry in the 1970s - not exactly a matter of interest but still a biopic worth watching. Amanda Seyfried does a nice job (no pun intended) and James Franco as Hugh Hefner is just awesome! Peter Sarsgaard's performance is also pretty good. This film is entertaining albeit unimpressive.

THE PUNK SINGER (2013) » Every woman should watch this documentary! I absolutely loved it. I'm a huge fan of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. Kathleen Hanna has always been a source of inspiration to me - as a woman, as a musician, as an activist and as an icon. She made the riot grrrl scene happen! A feminist movement that made other women around the world aware of their own rights... How cool is that?

SENNA (2010) » I couldn't care less about F1 but this documentary was really something. Ayrton Senna is often referred as the greatest driver who ever lived. His short life and tragic death made him a legend, a champion and a superstar. This film follows Ayrton's world of fame and success; it also sneaks into his private life but never in a distasteful way.

Inspiration: 8 femmes (2001)

A family gathers for Christmas holidays in the snowy countryside of 1950s France. However, what's to celebrate when the patriarch has been murdered by one of the eight women in the house? Each one is a suspect and only one of them is guilty. Was it the wife? The maid? The housekeeper? The daughters? Who killed Marcel? Paranoia and suspicion take place, leading to hysteria, suspense, conspiracy, seduction, scandal, lies, revelations and betrayal.

8 Femmes is an estrogen-filled Hitchcockian theatrical comedy/musical drama directed by the brilliant François Ozon, featuring references reminiscent of Classical Hollywood cinema. It starts as a standart Poirot-like murder mystery, with some dark family secrets rising to the surface.

From gorgeous Catherine Deneuve (one word: diva), Isabelle Huppert and charming Fanny Ardant (as Pierrette, the black sheep of the family who, at some point, makes out with Catherine Deneuve on the living room floor) to Emmanuelle Béart, Ludivine Sagnier and Virginie Ledoyen... What a cast! Their catty dialogue is absolutely fabulous! 

The rich and vividly colourful cinematography harkens back to a technicolor dream in its eye-candy charm and sumptuous Hollywoodesque setting. And the costumes, oh my word, the costumes! Fashion wise, it's one of the best french films I've ever watched - it's highly stylized, glamorous, melodramatic, amusing... And I'm not even a big fan of musicals myself but I do love this one! It's definitely worth checking out. Get your popcorn ready!