the cities we love...

On the heels of the last post, I wanted to share one of my favorite films about love. Paris, Jet t'aime, is series of vignettes about finding love in the city of love. Each story takes place in a different quartier (or neighborhood) in Paris. However, the narratives aren't about one type of love. Each story doesn't necessarily have a happy ending. Even though each vignette is a separate entity, the film in its entirety illuminates the notion that every meeting, every odd occurrence, every missed train is an opportunity to find love, to find a connection. I recommend watching the entire film, but here's one of my favorite segments:



Paris, Je T'aime, is part of a series of films called "The Cities we Love". The second film of that series is New York, I Love You. After watching the Parisian version, I ran to the movie theater the day my hometown hit the silver screens. I must say that I was dissapointed. New York, I Love You, failed to capture New York, the way its counterpart captured Paris. Most of the vignettes take place in Manhattan, in cabs. The outer boroughs are ignored and so are the cultures and ethnicities that make New York so romantic. The one section that seemed to rise above the mediocrity is this one featuring Julie Christie and Shia LaBeouf (with a weird accent). Take a look at part of that scene:



I hope these films have made your voyage on the ship of love a little steadier, the currents a little softer, and the winds a little calmer. Bisous!

life is all about coincidences

As many of my friends know, I don't like contemporary romantic movies (Jo and Joy!). Not that I have anything against love, it's just that most modern movies paint a portrait of love that is unrealistic and unattainable.So under the trusted guidance of a fellow film lover, I checked out Lovers of the Arctic Circle, a Spanish film from director Julio Medem (Sex and Lucia), about two childhood lovers that are brought together by a series of fortunate coincidences. The movie keeps reiterating the message that things in life are cyclical and love, as well as opportunities, are all around us if we'd only look in the proper directions. However, since this is a romance that I like, I would like to warn you that it's not a fairy tale. These lovers,Otto and Ana, (their palindromic names play a role in the film) have trials to endure. But love, like life, isn't about the destination; It's about the journey. It also asks whether you wait for life to hand you your chances or should you seek them out for yourself. See if you can determine the answer by watching one of the first scenes of the movie.

powered by

so maybe my fantasy can be a reality...

I'm obsessed with superheroes. I love them. I have seen every episode of Batman and Superman the animated series. I get down with The Justice League. I'm also that loser who will wake up at 3:30am every morning to catch a vintage episode of X-men the animated series (I am a huge Jean Grey fan). I bought my tickets for The Dark Knight a month in advance and stood in line on opening day for two hours just to ensure I'd get good seats. My dedication is serious! Even though sometimes I think I would make a better villain than superhero (Rule number one: Don't explain your master plan to the superhero before he/she dies. C'mon, they're not dead yet and can still defeat you. Duh!), I think I have the heart of a crime fighter. That's why I was so eager to see Kick Ass last night. Based on the comic of the same name, it stars an average teen, fighting crime with no real superpowers, who soon influences others to do the same. But let me warn you, this isn't a child-friendly movie. It's more on par with Sin City than Spiderman. There are references to masturbation, sex, and boobs. I think the most terrifying part is child actor, Chloe Moretz. I have a strong dislike for kids that seem to be grownups. I call it the Jodie Foster effect. If you weren't scared of Jodie Foster when she was a child, something is faulty with you. Ms. Moretz definitely has this affliction, but in all honesty, she makes the movie. She's gonna be a huge star. If children aren't your thing, the film also has Christopher Mintz-Plasse of McLovin fame, Nicolas Cage, Clark Duke (of the webseries Clark and Michael ) and hottie Aaron Johnson. He might not be your cup of tea but gangly brunette with glasses fits my bill perfectly.                                                                                                                                       

I told you he was hot.







Check out the full length trailer.

choque de titanes

                                                                                                                     my favorite character- Bubo

 I hate remakes. I hate the notion that our generation is so devoid of original ideas that we have to take classics and rework them with modern day actors and add our nouveau technology to make cinema. Bullshit. I also hate the fact that big executives who never pay to see a movie think that we only go to the theater to be awed by the newest scientific advancements (ahem...James Cameron) and that a great story can't stand the test of time. It can! I love the original Clash of the Titans. I loved the story, the mythology and the stop motion animation employed by Ray Harryhausen. Based on the myth of Perseus, son of Zeus, and his endeavor to beat the Krakken, Clash of the Titans is also a love story with some really ugly chicks (I'm referring to you, Medusa).  Even when I watch the movie today, I still get goosebumps at the sight of the gorgon. I'm more awed by the fact that they were able to tell that story without today's technology; and to do it beautifully.  This movie is a relic and a cult favorite, so stop fucking with it. If you've never seen it, save your money at the theater and peep this fan made trailer with Harry Hamlin wearing next to nothing, with a serious perm.

an easter tradition about a week late...

sorry for the lack of posts in the last week. I had scheduling difficulties and was out of commission due to a stomach virus. Yuck. I know. Nonetheless, I wanted to share with you one of my family traditions. Regardless if you're a religious zealot or a die hard atheist, I think we all can appreciate fine cinema. Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments, is one of my favorite movies to watch every year. I only watch it on the night before Easter. (ABC has played this movie every Holy Saturday. The one year they didn't broadcast it, they received a ridiculous number of complaints. I told you it's a good movie). It's a grand sweeping epic in the style of the 1950s. The cast includes Charlton Heston, Anne Baxter, and Yul Brenner. It was the highest grossing religious epic ever until The Passion of the Christ. I think what I love about the movie so much is the fact that they embrace the Hollywood of legend and do away with naturalism and realism. It's all about the beauty, the art, the aesthetic. Moses is sexy and tan. Even Ramses looks good. They have powerful asides and soap opera quality that totally works. It's also DeMille's final work before he passed in 1959. Just watch it. If you don't like it, at least you can hit on the preacher's daughter, who is a total babe.

                                           
Charlton Heston                                                                                     Anne Baxter                                                                                   Yul Brenner


PS. A naughty tid-bit: There's an orgy scene that took three weeks to film and legend has it that one of the extras screamed out during filming "Who do I have to fuck to get out of this movie?" Did that pique your interest? Enjoy.