4/365 Trust the Man

Starring:  Julianne Moore, David Duchovny, Billy Crudup, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Discovery: Needed something light to watch after the past few days; went to the film library at Hollywood Video and picked it with my eyes closed.  So maybe it was fate.

Summary:  Nonsensical story of 2 couples who are going through the challenges of romantic relationships in NY.

First Glance:  Wasn’t a ‘true’ romantic comedy, there were a few dramatic moments with depth.  Julianne Moore delivers the best performance of the group.

Deeper Look:  None.

What I Took Away from this Movie:  Even immature people can “grow up”.

Final Glimpse: Some very funny parts that is worth the price of admission.

3/365 Dear Zachary

Starring:  Real people (too many to name)

Genre: Documentary

Discovery: Saw the trailer on a DVD I watched

Summary:  Touching documentary filmed by a man, Kurt, whose friend (Andrew) was murdered; very probably by his own ex-girlfriend.  The unique part of this story is that Andrew’s son is born after his death.  Kurt decides to make a documentary to help show Zachary (Andrew’s son) the kind of man his father was.  The birth mother (and possible killer) & Andrew’s parents fight for custody which leads to a tragic end.

First Glance:  This movie used interviews & voice overs to explain the story.  Most of the footage is shot simply with no fluff.  Real people, true memories.

Deeper Look:  I wasn’t so sure about this one.  Now I am glad I don’t always trust my first instincts when it comes to movies.  I would have missed a gem.  After watching some pretty sad or bleak movies the past few days, I thought this would be just another “how the justice system failed” flick.  What I got was a story of a good man whose life was cut short & the journey his loved ones take after he is gone.  It’s through this overwhelmingly poignant doc that we see what real love will do in the face of tragedy.  I don’t want to share too much because this is the type of movie you just have to see.  Let it take you on a ride.

What I Took Away from this Movie:  Sometimes guilty people go free & you never know where life will lead you.

Final Glimpse: Watch it.  Trust me, you won’t regret it.  Just have a box of kleenex by you.

2/365: The Duchess

Starring:  Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell

Genre: Period Drama

Discovery:  I have never seen & it was about time I did

Summary:  Period costume drama about Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire; her love, heartbreak, and marriage to the Duke of Devonshire.

First Glance:  The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the costumes were in this film (of course).  Everything was shot on location which makes this movie even more compelling.  Marvelous dance sequences pepper the story.  Kiera Knightley gives her best performance to date portraying Georgiana.

Deeper Look:  I know this each time I watch a period drama:  there is no way in hell I could have lived back in that time despite the superb etiquette and awesome clothes. Woman were treated shabbily at best with their wiles often being all that people respected about them.  Without a doubt this is Kiera Knightley at her best.  She captured the spirit of this great woman.  Georgina lived with such abandon & loved her children. The one thing she longed to feel was the love from husband, the Duke (Ralph Fiennes) but never did because he took her best friend, Bess (Hayley Atwell) as a mistress.

What I Took Away from this Movie:  You can look like you have it all- it doesn’t mean you do.

Final Glimpse: You must watch the costuming featurette on the DVD extras.  Michael O’Connor deserved his Oscar win for this movie.

1/365: Wit

Starring:  Emma Thompson, Christopher Llyod, Audra McDonald

Genre: Drama

Discovery:  Recommendation by Netflix

Summary:  Made-for-TV movie about a college professor’s, Vivian (Emma Thompson), journey with stage 4 ovarian cancer.  She ultimately assesses her life as she goes through the rigorous treatment.

First Glance:  Enjoyed the way this movie unfolds.  Through a series of flashbacks & “talks” with the audience.  It is a deeply touching portrait of a woman going through a very intense treatment and how she ultimately impacts the world around her.

Deeper Look:  Maybe it was the fact I just got back from taking care of my Dad who has throat cancer.  Maybe it’s because Emma Thompson is an excellent actress. This movie made me cry.  The authentic way it explored cancer from being diagnosed, the treatment, isolation, fear, need for love and mortality.  So many parts stand out but there is one (SPOILER) where Vivian and her nurse talk about what will happen when she faces death, the tenderness really made me feel reflective.  It was a quiet moment of connection in a situation that is, ultimately, frightening.  (The behind-the-scenes gal in me has to say that the makeup as Vivian progresses through cancer is superbly done.)

What I Took Away from this Movie:  This is not a movie you “enjoy” but you will walk away with a renewed perspective of the preciousness of Life.

Final Glimpse: See it, if you can handle the journey with cancer.

365 Challenge: Movie Style

I love movies.

HUGE.

That is one reason I am stoked I actually get to work on them too (as a set costumer).

So this year I decided that for the next 365 Days I would

take a journey

into the Land of Film.

The purpose of this is to explore & share my thoughts about movies I watch.

The idea: Watch a movie a day and write my thoughts about it.  (Note:  All the picks will be ones I have never seen before)

Goal: One year of reviews.  Not the boring kind though.  How it looks is open to change & morph.

First movie up: WIT w/ Emma Thompson, Christopher Lloyd

If you have any suggestions for movies, feel free to leave them in the comments section.

Hello to you, 2010.

I think there are some really killer things in store this year.

I started a tradition last year of picking a theme.

An intention.

A Focus.

Last year it was all about Magic.

It was just that.

Of course, it didn’t play out how I expected, it was BETTER.

Mostly the ‘magic’ came in small moments, they don’t necessarily

even feel at the time like anything big.  Reflecting later though

my soul & heart see them for what they are.

Soul Winks is my nickname for them.

When the universe blesses you or tries to get your attention.

I will let you in on one of my ‘winks’.

Small.

Every time I see a Smart Car, I giggle.  They are just so darn cute.

For some reason, normally when times are feeling not so hot,

I see one.  Out of the blue.  I feel that is a “Soul Wink”;

just for me. To say, “Hey, I’m here and you matter.”

So how about you.

Want to share a “Soul Wink” moment with me?

Ooops, I almost forgot…

my word for the year is….

EMBRACE.

I’m ready for you 2010.

Bring it on!

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