good evening y'all! i was beyond excited to see AVATAR that when i woke up this morning - i knew i just had to go to the movies as soon as possible - so i took myself to an 11:30am screening over at arclight hollywood where it's now being shown in 3D in the famed 'cinerama dome' ... by the end i was almost in tears because it was such an amazing movie - i was literally blown away - it was everything i hoped for and more - i literally cannot say enough about it! i had been seriously itching to see a really good flick and this fit the bill perfectly! when i first saw the trailer a few months ago (which is posted below) i thought it could go one of two ways - either it was going to be awful or brilliant ... thankfully it turned out to be the latter! i'm not even a huge sci-fi fan but this movie transcends the genre - it's so much more - a film of epic proportions (and the most expensive ever made - it shows!)
major kudos must go out to award-winning director james cameron (this is his first film in twelve years) i can't imagine trying to piece together a movie like AVATAR - the movie already picked up four golden globe nominations and it will definitely be up for multiple oscars - i'd like to see it win 'best picture' and mr. cameron should win 'best director' - i really think it's the best movie i saw all year long (besides up which i loved too!) even though it's long - clocking in at 161 minutes - the time flew by - my only complaint was that i had to go to the bathroom and missed two minutes - yet i'm planning to see it again - it's not to be missed - definitely see it at the movies - watching it at home on DVD won't do it justice! the special effects were truly magical (the 3D was awesome) all the 'technology' didn't get in the way of the story at all! i also thought the performances from everyone were spot on - i totally have a crush on aussie cutie sam worthington and zoe saldana did an incredible job at bringing her character 'neytiri' to life plus it was wonderful to see sigourney weaver up on the silver screen again! i think by now you probably get how i feel about this movie - so stop reading this and get your ass to the movies - you won't regret it! popbytes over & out for tonight ... xoxo
good evening - earlier today i finally saw the movie i've been anticipating for months ... inglourious basterds - written and directed by the incomparable quentin tarantino - and now i can safely say - it was well worth the wait - it's a complete cinematic masterpiece - especially if you happen to be a fan of tarantino's past films - i've enjoyed them all but this is definitely his tightest piece of work ever! now if you're not particularly fond of his style - then this movie probably isn't for you - but fans of quentin are going to eat this film up - it's well-written with plenty of snappy dialogue and the pacing was perfect - it's long at 2.5 hours but i didn't think to look at my watch once plus it's actually less violent and bloody than i thought it would be! (it was also the top-earning film this weekend - raking in $37.6 million bucks!) the entire ensemble cast was superb - especially christoph waltz who plays an evil high-ranking official in the third reich (nicknamed the 'jew hunter') brad pitt (leader of the nazi killin' 'basterds') was also quite good - and i loved the performances from the ladies - mélanie laurent and diane kruger (who also both happen to be totally gorgeous) i'm hoping this film might garner some oscar nominations - i think it's definitely time for quentin to take home the best director statuette! (perhaps even one for best original screenplay) popbytes over & out for tonight ... xoxo
PS below you'll find the italian poster - it's much better looking than the domestic one!
good evening y'all! so i just finished watching revolutionary road - i've been meaning to see it for ages and as suspected - it was excellent! both kate winslet and leonardo dicaprio were amazing but it was definitely a bit heavy for a saturday evening ... certainly not the most uplifting material but highly engaging nonetheless! anyways yesterday (during my lovely day off) i saw something much lighter ... julie and julia - which i'd been dying to see - i had no choice but to go the day it came out! i really liked it and of course meryl streep shined (as per always) in the role of infamous chef julia child - it tells the tale of ms. child bringing her cookbook mastering the art of french cooking to store shelves (released in 1961 - now in its 49th printing!) juxtaposed with a true modern day tale of clerk turned writer julie powell - who decided to cook her way through the book (365 days, 549 recipes) and blog about her adventures (the julie/julia project) in a NY queen's tiny kitchen with 'julia' by her side in spirit! the blog ended up becoming a huge hit (read it here) and eventually led to a book deal - which was then turned into this movie! (adapted for the screen and directed by nora ephron) although i did enjoy ms. powell's story - it's really ms. streep as 'julia' who steals the entire show! everything that lady does is top-notch - i won't be surprised at all if she garners herself yet anotheroscar nomination! i'd highly recommend seeing this at the movies - it's probably more of a 'chick flick' but i think guys will like it enough plus all the food looked so damn tasty & delicious - it totally left me wanting to go home and cook something fancy up (like beef bourguignon) i was famished from simply looking at all the tasty delights whipped up in the film! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
hey hey! so earlier this afternoon i caught brüno over at arclight cinemas - overall i really liked it - i wouldn't say it was offensive (some people would probably disagree with me) it was just really over the top - and bit crazier & racier than i thought it would be ... the film definitely pushes the boundaries of the R rating! i must say star sacha baron cohen is truly an amazing comedic actor - i love how he totally gets into character - but if i was forced to choose between brüno or borat - i'd have to go with our pal from kazakhstan - although i did totally laugh my ass off today! towards the end it dragged just a little bit yet i'd highly recommend catching it at the cinema - it was super fun watching it with a bunch of other people who were laughing as hard as i was! i wonder what's up next for mr. cohen? i'd still love see more of borat or perhaps an ali g. movie could be fun or maybe a brand new character all together! i hope everyone is enjoying their weekend - popbytes over & out for tonight ... xoxo
SACHA BARON COHEN DOES BRUNO AT THE HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE (06/25/09)
hey y'all! this morning i finally got around to seeing UP (in 3-D) which i've been dying to see ever since i started hearing such excellent things being said about it - i wasn't let down at all - i LOVED the film! the story was so very sweet - and sentimental - for those of you who've already seen it - i totally got emotional in one part - i'm sure you know which sequence i'm talking about! pixar always come up with the best movies - although i do think i like WALL-E just a drop better - this is right 'up' there with it! although older kids will definitely love this movie but i really think adults will appreciate it best (i adored the main character of carl (voiced by ed asner) it was so refreshing to see an older man as the main protagonist plus the boy russell was asian ... something you don't see too often) if you haven't seen UP yet - please do yourself a favor and go see it! i can't even think of one criticism - it's literally like a perfect movie! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
hey everyone! first off i must say happy mother's day to all you moms out there! earlier this morning i took in a screening of star trek in imax over at universal studios (the screen was huge - almost too big but it did look incredible and the sound was astonishing) i was worried my expectations might be too high since i've only heard great things about the film - now normally when i build myself up over something - i usually find myself disappointed - but this was not the case at all - i liked it even better than i thought i would - what an amazing film! it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time - kudos to super talented director j.j. abrams for successfully helming the resurrection of the sci-fi franchise - i can't wait until they start making another one! i'm sure many of you have already seen it but if you haven't - get your ass over to the movies right now! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
good evening! i've had a totally busy day but it was well worth it - tonight i attended the los angeles premiere of a new documentary by filmmaker kirby dick (sick, this film is not yet rated, derrida) called outrage and centers around the hypocrisy of closeted politicians - such as former idaho senator larry craig and florida governor charlie crist - who both denounce gay rights and have consistently voted against legislation dealing with such things as gay marriage, HIV/AIDS support, anti-discrimination, and gay adoption - all while leading a secret double life - dipping into the lifestyle that supposedly disgusts them! now we all know politics is probably my least favorite topic and often i get so wrapped up in the absurdity of the celebrity / entertainment world but there sure is a lot of absurdity going doing in washington DC! (and not just in regards to this particular topic) the film also touches on politicians who have come out of the closet like former NJ governor jim mcgreevey and former arizona representative jim kolbe - i was thoroughly fascinated by the whole topic which i really didn't know much about - kudos to kirby dick for tackling the topic - along with producer amy ziering!
when i first moved to los angeles about eight years ago - i worked with both kirby and amy on derrida which was my first exposure to the world of indie filmmaking - an experience i'll never forget and we've managed to stay in touch over the years - they both know they can count on me for anything they might need (especially where the internet is concerned) i was very excited to see my name listed in the end credits under the 'thank you' section - a totally nice gesture - i was honored - especially considering how amazing the film was! on friday outrage opens here in los angeles and new york city (may 8th) i'm urging everyone out there to go and see this film (watch the trailer below) it's a true eye-opener and raises an important issue that needs to be discussed 'out' in the open! hopefully someday all the hypocrisy and lies will come to an end - and i'm not just saying that because i'm gay - it comes down to basic principles of 'live and let live' - the fact that i still can't legally marry my boyfriend ivan of almost nine years makes me sad - but i know eventually things will change - i just hope sooner rather than later! popbytes over & out for tonight - xoxo
From Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated) comes OUTRAGE, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. Boldly revealing the hidden lives of some of the United States' most powerful policymakers, OUTRAGE takes a comprehensive look at the harm they've inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media's complicity in keeping their secrets.
With analysis from prominent members of the gay community such as Congressman Barney Frank, former NJ Governor Jim McGreevey, activist Larry Kramer, radio personality Michelangelo Signorile, and openly gay congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (Representative, Wisconsin 2nd district), OUTRAGE probes deeply into the psychology of this double lifestyle, the ethics of outing closeted politicians, the double standards that the media upholds in its coverage of the sex lives of gay public figures, and much more ...
hey y'all! last night i decided to get out of the house and went to see a 12am screening of watchmen over at arclight cinemas (on their cinerama dome screen) the movie is about three hours long - and then with the time change (did you remember to turn your clocks forward?) i didn't get home until 4am - but it was well worth it - i really enjoyed it! to be honest i wasn't all that familiar with the graphic novel upon which the film is based on (i think i need to read that) however i do have a copy of watchmen: the complete motion comic on blu-ray which i'm watching as i write this post - it's a digital version formulated with limited motion, voice & sound - the production was overseen by co-creator & illustrator dave gibbons - from what i've seen so far the film was pretty faithful to the original material! the special effects in the movie were incredible - i loved the whole gritty look & feel - i actually liked it better than the last superhero movie i saw the dark knight (which to be honest i wasn't all that crazy about) i'd recommend seeing watchmen if you're up for an engaging story filled with plenty of action - then this is a movie right up your alley! (i also need to pick up a copy of the film's soundtrack - there were some great tracks like simon & garfunkel's the sound of silence) i'm glad i decided to see it during opening weekend - usually if i don't see a movie when it first opens - i end up catching it on DVD and this is definitely one to catch in theaters! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
good evening! i finally made it to the movies (something i always intend to do but i don't as much as i should) after all the good buzz i heard about the reboot of the friday the 13th series - i knew i had to go see it (along with a bunch of other people ... the film has already raked in over $42 million bucks) i love the character of jason voorhees and i was really curious to see him back in a 'serious' setting after all the ludicrous sequels he endured (like going to space) there was ten in all plus freddy vs. jason which was semi-decent - today i jumped probably close to eight times in my seat - overall it was better than most remakes of horror films i've seen (by the time the title screen appeared (after a long kick-ass opening sequence) everyone was clapping & cheering) and it gave a couple of hat tips to the original plus it provided (besides lots of tits) a small drop of hope that perhaps justice will be served for freddy krueger - my favorite scary villian of all-time - a nightmare on elm street is getting the remake treatment too! being a big fan of the freddy's franchise - make sure you see 1994's wes craven's new nightmare which was an awesome addition to the series' six films! the ending of friday the 13th of course lent itself to a sequel - with all the money its raking in - i bet the next one is going to get fast tracked! next time around i'd like to see more flashbacks with mrs. pamela voorhees who only made a brief but memorable appearance in the new film - she's totally gives me the willies! popbytes over & out for tonight - i'm stoked i have another day off tomorrow - xoxo
good morning! oh the day after xmas is always on the depressing side plus i actually have to go to work today which i'm totally dreading but the weekend isn't far off at all! last night i decided to drag myself to the movies to see the curious case of benjamin button (nominated for five golden globe awards) which i had been dying to see ever since i posted the trailer back in june! although i'll warn you it's a bit on the long side (clocking in at like two hours & forty-five minutes) i'd definitely recommend seeing the film - i thought brad pitt & cate blanchett were both excellent (she's gorgeous and he's oh so sexy) plus the whole concept of someone being born old and dying young was really interesting and thought provoking - it for sure makes you think about getting older and how important it is to live in the moment! (of course i got teary eyed in a few parts) kudos to director david fincher who crafted a visually stunning & sweet film (destined to become a classic) there's a number of great sequences in the film - there's so much to take in - i'm still processing it all - i'd probably have to see it again (when it comes out on DVD) popbytes over & out for now...xoxo
good evening y'all! this past weekend i had the opportunity to screen the new movie doubt (nominated for five golden globes - including best drama) from the convenience of my own home - i was totally planning to go see it in the theaters but once i heard i could get a press screener - i was stoked! if you're looking for an intense drama with incredible dialogue and brilliant acting - this film is right up your alley! as much as i enjoyed the film - i'd love to see a stage production of the play - which the movie is based upon - written by john patrick shanley - who adapted his work for the big screen - and also played director! (the film was great but i think it probably works better on the stage...) of course it goes without saying - meryl streep was amazing - along with semi-newcomer amy adams and acting veteran philip seymour hoffman but i fell in love with actress viola davis (pictured below next to ms. streep) who only really has one scene in the movie yet it's such a powerful scene - i was blown away (the writing was so well done & engaging) she needs to win a best supporting actress oscar (she's already nominated for a golden globe for her kick-ass performance)
i'd definitely recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see it - i don't think i would talk anyone into it (like i doubt my mom would be into it...she likes lighter & more upbeat entertainment) i'm curious to see what awards doubt picks up as awards season kicks into high gear - for sure it made me glad to have renounced my catholic upbringing - i still can't believe the church doesn't allow priests to get married - oh my gosh - don't even get me started - i have a laundry list of issues! popbytes over & out for now...xoxo
hey kids! i seriously cannot pass up any movie musicals - even if i think it might be awful - that's why i took myself to an early morning showing of mamma mia! over at arclight cinemas (i made sure to pick a seat in the back) and i must say it's not the best flick ever but it was pretty enjoyable overall - i especially loved meryl streep (without her the movie would blow) who isn't the best singer around but she's a complete joy to watch up on the silver screen! (the only truly painful moment was when ms. streep sings 'the winner takes it all' which seemed to last forever...) i also really liked christine baranski & julie waters who played ms. streep's friends from the past (and kudos to amanda seyfried - the best vocalist in the movie) the guys were ok as well but i think pierce brosnan shouldn't be allowed to sing anymore - he's charming and all that jazz but vocally - not so great! in the end i'd say if you wanted to see this movie you should totally go but i wouldn't talk anyone into seeing it and although i enjoyed myself i doubt you'll catch me anytime soon watching the stage version of the musical - one time around with mamma mia! was enough! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo
hey kids! i decided to brave going to see the dark knight this afternoon although i knew it would be a total zany packed scene - even though i was in the theatre at 4pm for a 4:30pm showing (at the grove) i had to sit very close to the front in the third row which completely ticked me off and tossed me into bad mood central - i don't like to be in the front but i really had no other choice but to crouch down and look up for two and a half hours! to be 100% honest i have mixed feelings on the movie - it's stylish, dark and action-packed (director christopher nolan did an excellent job) but i think my overall excitement over seeing the film set my expectations way too high and i do feel a drop disappointed - the hype is probably bigger than the film itself - which is already making tons of money and setting all kinds of records! (however i feel like i need to see the movie again yet next time i totally need to sit in the back - today it was so up in my face)
the late heath ledger did an amazing job at making the joker a sinister & haunting psychopath creep but if i were forced to choose i still personally prefer jack nicholson's campy creation back in the 1989 version of batman (directed by tim burton - also responsible for batman returns my favorite of the franchise) yet it's tough to compare the two performances - they're completely different from each other (a comic book madman vs a realistic psycho) it's still tough to believe that mr. ledger is actually gone - i do hope he gets an oscar nomination (like recent buzz suggests...) what he did with the part was incredible & brilliant - what a shame to lose such a talented actor!
as for the character of 'rachel dawes' - kudos to maggie gyllenhaal who was much better suited for the part than katie holmes (batman begins) and then there's hottie christian bale who is hands down the best actor to ever play the caped crusader - he's perfect in the role! the rest of the cast including cutie aaron eckhart, michael caine, morgan freeman, and gary oldman were all superb - i just wanted to like it more than i did but due to all the drama at the theatre - i seriously have to give the film a second chance (perhaps next weekend) popbytes over & out for now...xxoo
PS without spoiling the end - i will say that i am super excited over the possibilities for the next film - with all the money it's raking in - of course there's going to be another one!
good evening! last night i watched an amazing documentary that i had to fill everyone in on - heidi fleiss, the would-be madam of crystal - i hope everyone knows who heidi fleiss is...the hollywood madam who once ran a very $uccessful worldwide prostitution ring and then ended up getting busted in the 90s and spent almost three years in prison - then she had all that drama with her loser ex-boyfriend actor tom sizemore who ended up beating her up - this film tells the tale of heidi's attempt to climb her way back to the top by opening up a 'stud farm' (that would service female clientele with twenty guy 'studs' on staff) in the middle of the nevada desert (pahrump/crystal) where prostitution is still legal in a few areas - call me crazy but i've always had a thing for heidi (i'm totally drawn to messy & tragic figures for some reason...)
right now she's still in nevada - plans for her new brothel venture have been put on hold (i doubt the 'stud farm' will ever be built - sadly i think she's chasing a pipe dream) and cares for a bunch of exotic & expensive birds (approximately 70) left to heidi by her next door neighbor marianne (an old madam in fact) and also opened up a laundromat called dirty laundry - there's a number of incredibly bizarre moments (she likes to collect rocks) along with some touching ones (especially with the birds) heidi has a bunch of problems & issues (right now she's facing drug charges) but i think she is basically a good person and would never harm anyone intentionally - who knows what the next few years will bring ms. fleiss' way - i do have my fingers crossed for her! i highly recommend watching the film next monday (july 21st) when it airs on HBO as part of its documentary films series - major kudos to directors fenton bailey & randy barbato from world of wonder for crafting such an excellent view into a slice of heidi fleiss' oddly fascinating life! popbytes over & out for now...xxoo
HEIDI FLEISS, THE WOULD BE-MADAM OF CRYSTAL chronicles the infamous Hollywood Madam's attempt to open the first legal brothel for female clients in the tiny desert town of Crystal, Nevada. Leaving behind her glamorous life in LA and the memory of three years in the penitentiary, Heidi soon discovers that she faces a mountain of opposition, including the need to convince local authorities she's fit to run a brothel despite being a convicted felon. In an unexpected twist, Heidi befriends her next door neighbor, Marianne, a now-destitute and bedridden former Madam who lives alone with a dazzling collection of exotic birds. As Heidi's problems mount, she finds herself irresistibly drawn into Marianne's world despite an avowed aversion to emotional attachments. Priding herself on self-sufficiency, Heidi ultimately struggles alone with her inner demons -- including a predilection for methamphetamines -- as she tries to keep her dream in sight through a combination of grit, humor and sheer perseverance.
hey hey! despite the fact i heard hancock wasn't getting the best reviews - i decided to go see it earlier this afternoon down at the grove (of course first i grabbed a quick bite to eat at the farmers' market) the theater was quite packed and i wouldn't say it was the best movie i ever saw but i really do like will smith - i usually try to catch most of his flicks - and then you've got charlize theron (who can actually give angelina jolie a run for her money in the looks department - she's super gorgeous!) tossed in with the always adorable & endearing jason bateman - some laughs & thrills and a plot twist i didn't see coming (but i should have...) all in all i liked it a lot - it wasn't too deep - just a totally fun summer flick! (i did like wanted a lot better but it's a totally different movie) however i don't think there'll be a 'hancock' franchise - i think one film is probably enough! next up for me at the movies is wall-e and the dark knight (when it opens on july 18th - it's already receiving rave reviews) i can't wait to see both of 'em! i hope everyone is enjoying the 4th of july holiday - i'm about to grill up some hotdogs - people are lighting firecrackers outside (plus i can hear the fireworks going off at the hollywood bowl) the sound is driving my dogs nuts - oh good times! popbytes over & out for tonight...xxoo
hey kids! wow - i was actually able to tear myself away from the computer this afternoon (after i fixed a site wide issue that was driving me insane but all is ok now) to go see wanted (at the arclight) which i've been dying to see ever since i posted the trailer - and i'm happy to report that i loved it - it was way different than i expected - and the first twenty minutes or so i was thinking where the hell is this movie going but then angelina jolie turned up and kicked everything into high gear and i quickly found myself on the edge of my seat! of course the plot was a little on the ridiculous side (that pretty much goes for any action film) but i didn't care one bit - the action sequences were incredible and the plot twists were plentiful - and i thought hottie james mcavoy (and his six pack) did an excellent job for his first big action film - in fact i could see them doing a sequel around mr. mcavoy's character 'wesley gibson' and i'd totally go see it!
as far as ms. jolie is concerned - i couldn't help but thinking to myself - she's super gorgeous & intelligent, a humanitarian & UN ambassador, a great actress plus she's about to have two more of brad pitt's babies (bringing the jolie-pitt clan to a total of six kids) talk about somebody who has it all! for a fun care-free time at the movies - i'd highly recommend checking out wanted! oh my word - now it's time to deal with the fact that tomorrow is monday - not good times - popbytes over & out for tonight...xxoo
hey hey! although i'm running a week behind the film's premiere last week - i finally got to see sex and the city earlier this evening - overall i did really like it - what a nice treat after loving the HBO series for years to see the four ladies reunited up on the silver screen! there were plenty of laughs (especially w/ charlotte when the gals headed to mexico) but i must say i found the film to be a little on the long side (clocking in at a little over two hours) but if you're a fan - i couldn't imagine not loving it yet i totally feel this really needs to be the end of an era - i have absolutely no desire to see a sequel - everything was tied up (spoiler alert: not sure how i feel about carrie ending up w/ big) and i think they need to let it be and go out on a high (even if there is more money to be made...)
i was against this film being made at the very beginning (since the show ended on a great & fitting note and i didn't want the film version ruining how i felt about the show) but i did come around and they did an excellent job with the film in the end but now it's for sure time to say goodbye to carrie, samantha, miranda, and charlotte - it sure has been a swell ride (many thanks to michael patrick king and sarah jessica parker) and there'll always be the DVDs featuring all of the good times! (of course i got a little misty at the end - i'm going to miss all four of 'em) popbytes over & out for tonight - i can't freakin' believe tomorrow is monday already - ugh (i still need to do a post on the kanye west show last night - even though i'm not like a crazy fan - it was one of the best concerts i've ever seen - it was completely brilliant!)
(btw remind me never to go to the amc citywalk movie theaters over at universal studios - i don't like that place at all - i hadn't been in years (last movie i saw there was tomb raider back in 2001) but tonight i was reminded why i never go there...)
hey y'all! so the other night after leaving an advance screening of there will be blood (the film opens in theaters this wednesday december 26th) i felt a little sick to my stomach and i held the notion that i really despised the film - yet it's always the movies that either produce a super strong negative or positive reaction that stay with you long after you see 'em! for some reason i cannot get the film out of my head (i even dreamed about it that night - no joke!) it's certainly not a date movie - or for the average happy go lucky moviegoer (i'd tell my dear mom to skip this one...) but if you've wanted to see the film or you're a big film buff - i would highly recommend seeing this flick - although it's a tough one to sit through at a running time of about two hours & forty minutes but i can't stress enough how amazingdaniel day-lewis' performance is - unfortunately there's nothing likable at all when it comes to his character daniel plainview who was an oil baron in the early 1900's (hell - you certainly wouldn't have caught me drilling for oil back then - talk about dangerous work...yikes!) who comes into contact with a california town (with a shitload of oil under the soil) held together by an over zealous and young preacher played by paul dano - of course religion & oil collide - both bad industries (in their past & present formats) if you ask me!
mr. day-lewis completely transformed himself into this basically super vile & greedy person who ends up on a downward spiral as he becomes more powerful & wealthy - surely he'll be nominated for a best actor oscar - he really was that good! i've also got to mention the score for the film provided by radiohead guitarist jonny greenwood which was fairly bare & stark but added such a chilling element to the film - i'm not one to buy scores but i think i need to pick this one up! finally kudos to writer & director pt anderson - it's definitely a far cry from the pop filled fun of boogie nights or magnolia (i don't even care to mention punch drunk love which i hated and didn't stay with me at all) yet mr. anderson handled the material with a strong vision - it's a very well crafted film and looks gorgeous - i just think it's a tough pill to swallow! the story was loosely based on upton sinclair's 1927 novel oil! which i'm actually curious to read now after seeing the film! i know this one won't be a blockbuster smash at the box office but i know it'll be rewarded with heaps of awards & accolades! popbytes over & out for tonight - i will be around tomorrow - unfortunately i have to go to work but hopefully i'll be allowed to leave early so i can get my christmas eve on! much love to all as always...xxoo!
good morning & happy friday! last week i got the chance to attend a screening of a mighty heart starring angelina jolie as real-life mariane pearl - the widow of slain reporter daniel pearl - the film is based on ms. pearl's penned account of her husband's kidnapping & subsequent murder in karachi, pakistan in a book also called 'a mighty heart' - i knew the film would be tense and upsetting - and of course it was but i did find myself on the edge of my seat the whole time even though i already knew how it ended! i can't exactly say run out and see this movie - if you wanted to see it then i'd say for sure go check it out but i know some people like to escape at the movies & forget reality - this is not that kind of film! (this is more a saturday afternoon type thing rather than a friday night date movie...)
director michael winterbottom did an amazing job at creating tension & suspense - it's a very well put together film plus the acting was superb - especially ms. jolie who is already garnering oscar buzz for her performance - i'll add fuel to that fire - she did an excellent job! once the film got going i completely forgot i was watching angelina - say what you want about her - she is truly a talented actress! the film also stars dan futterman as mr. pearl but the story really focuses on mariane's plight to find her husband in a foreign land filled with danger & deceit around every corner...
after seeing the film i'd actually love to read ms. pearl's book - such a strong willed woman who really held herself together in a time of crisis while also being pregnant - i couldn't imagine ever being in her situation nor would i want to see anyone else endure what she had too! i'll be interested to see how the film does numbers wise - it is being heavily advertised here - although i just can't see it pulling in large numbers - but we'll keep an eye around oscar nom time to see if ms. jolie could be up for another oscar (she already nabbed one for 'girl, interrupted') popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
on january 23, 2002, mariane pearl's world changed forever. her husband daniel, the south asia bureau chief for the wall street journal, was researching a story on shoe bomber richard reid. the story drew them to karachi where a go-between had promised access to an elusive source. as danny left for the meeting, he told mariane he might be late for dinner. he never returned.
in the face of death, danny's spirit of defiance and his unflinching belief in the power of journalism led mariane to write about his disappearance, the intense effort to find him and his eventual murderer in her memoir a mighty heart: the brave life and death of my husband danny pearl. six months pregnant when the ordeal began, she was carrying a son that danny hoped to name adam. she wrote the book to introduce adam to the father he would never meet. transcending religion, race and nationality, mariane's courageous desire to rise above the bitterness and hatred that continues to plague this post 9/11 world, serves as the purest expression of the joy of life she and danny shared.
good evening! last week i was so lucky to attend an advanced screening of la vie en rose - a new biopic about famed french singer edith piaf (1915 - 1963) at one point the legendary marlene dietrich told edith her voice was 'the soul of paris' and she was right! i'll be 100% honest that i didn't know all that much about her but now i'm totally obsessed! (she was like the french judy garland but even better!) she had such an interesting but super sad & tragic life from the start (you must read her bio) being passed around when she was a kid - living off the streets - singing for money until one day she was discovered and initially was nicknamed 'the little sparrow' (piaf is french slang for small bird) poor thing also lost the great love of her life (who was married) to a plane crash - plus she was in a car accident which led to her crippling addiction to morphine but gosh she was a trooper right up to the end - a real character that no one even comes close to today - they certainly don't make stars like they used too! (she was even involved in the french resistance - girlfriend was way cool!)
the film was excellent - a beautifully told story directed by olivier dahan - which jumps around to different points in edith's life giving us glimpses & insights into her incredible story - this is not your typical biopic - by the end i was ready to jump out of my seat - i was blown away - even having a mini emotional breakdown in my car when i left the theater - her whole story moved me so much - everyone know popbytes loves the messy ones! (you must watch this video of the 'real' edith singing 'non je ne regrette rien' aka 'no regrets') the actress who plays ms. piaf marion cotillard was mesmerizing & astonishing - oh my word! if she doesn't at least get nominated for an oscar i would be shocked! i couldn't keep my eyes off her - she nailed the part - it was almost eerie! of course no one could sing the vocals (if attempted that would've been a travesty!) original piaf tracks were remastered for the film (i just bought the soundtrack on itunes!) ms. cotillard did an incredible job 'performing' as edith! i really couldn't recommend this film anymore than i already am - it's a must see! the movie opens this friday in LA, SF and NYC and will hopefully get a wider release soon after that! (make sure to pop over to edithpiafmovie.com for more info!) popbytes over & out for now...xxoo!
