Cinema Shangri-La

The Gaga Viddy

2009-11-11T22:01:00.005-05:00

So I'm back, and guess why? This new Gaga video is blowing my brain. I have to watch it compulsively, like in an OCD way, because the sound and images are stuck in my brain and it is the only way to relieve it. This woman has turned me into a teenager again and I truly feel like she literally has taken up where Madonna left off.

I don't know what adding to the choir of fans is going to serve, but I don't care, this is satisfying work. These were some of my favoritist shots:

First let me just note that there are indeed plus-size dancers in here. Does anyone else notice them on the ends here? They get demoted to the back in later numbers.

I love the way she gets thrown around in this vid. May said here she has "panda eyes."

The many faces of Gaga. Each more lovely than the last.

Check this out. Does it get any fiercer. Nay.

Her acting also gets me.

Being carried like a baby.

Magic. I swear that celestial orb thing she wears is the best invention since the television set.

Editorial.

How bloody magic does it get? Is this not the most fabulously terrifying thing ever?

I love the styling here. Making me want full bangs again.

Signing off for now, but mark this, not forever.

Summer Movie Tally and ammendments to my wish list!

2009-08-02T01:11:00.000-04:00

So here's what I saw from the original list:

Star Trek - I still need to see it again.
Every Little Step - my full review thereof.
(500) Days of Summer - I was impressed. I thought it was going to be way loserisher but it was pretty excellently executed! It really is the Annie Hall for generation Y.
Year One - poor Year One! It could have been soooo gooder.
Whatever Works - Whatever! It's Woody! Patricia (Clarkson) was amazing in it.
Angels & Demons - so bad it's good.
Bruno - no one can touch Sacha.
Harry Potter 6 - so psyched to re-read all the books again.
Away We Go - the critics were way too hard on this one. It was clearly Sam Mendes's best film, and that's because of the script by Dave Eggers. However, as the Poetry Man put it, at it's best, it was better than (500) Days, but at its worst, it was indeed worse, due in large part to Sam Mendes's corniness and lame soundtrack. He seriously doesn't know what he's doing with regard to pacing; I feel like he does it just to seem arty.

Movies I saw but weren't on the list:

Drag Me to Hell - and glad I did - look at that average! I was truly impressed. This is destined to be a cult classic.
The Girlfriend Experience - awesome film.
The Hangover - I loved it. Zach is my new love due mainly to this video.

Additions:

Julia - yay Tilda!
Cheri - I'm sorry but I love Michelle Pfeiffer.
The Hurt Locker - looks so intense I'm kind of scared to see it.
Moon - decent reviews + Bowie Jr. + scifi + Sam = good enough for me.

Off the list:

Public Enemies - it's probably okay, but at this point it's just not doing it for me. Kind of just looks like a star vehicle at this point.

Still need to see:

Tetro - Francis Ford and Vincent Gallo are dear friends of mine.
Up! - I KNOW DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED, IT'S NATALIE'S FAULT.

A Chorus Line and Every Little Step (2009)

2009-08-01T11:35:00.002-04:00

Seriously I almost feel like when this comes out on video I'm just going to always have stock of it to just give out constantly as gifts. Mixing elements of the musical, reality television eliminations, suspense and obviously the documentary, Every Little Step is completely fresh. I really think it is the only way a Chorus Line can successfully be adapted to film. The literal makeup of this documentary actually transposes the theme and message of the original musical perfectly without contrivance. As opposed to that failure of a film version that was made, and other lofty and ridiculous reviews, it does not obsess over, "the line," which so many people have interpreted as having some kind of Communist meaning.

So many lines from Michael Bennet's dialogue on that fateful night (a tape recorded session from which all of the plots of the characters "on the line" are taken) explicitly state otherwise, "I think that we're all pretty interesting, and that all of you are pretty interesting. And I think that maybe there's a show in that... somewhere... which would be called A Chorus Line." Another thing it did was make me realize how much of a genius Michael Bennet really was for it also tells the story of the shows original execution, a success story with the urgency of "I Hope I get it" in its own right. I really don't think the suspense of who actually gets cast was relevant, though, because in most cases it was pretty obvious who they were going to pick because the panel was bawling after some auditions. Yes.

Here's the trailer just for a taste.

I know the comparison to Man on Wire seems kind of obscure but I think these two films are inextricably linked because they are documentaries of a new kind: about the abstract. Also it will probably be nominated at the Oscars this year, if not win. I was practically bawling by the end.

And just for super-awesome timeness, here is Shirley Bassey (one of my all-time best vocalists) performing the cheesiest number in the show and making it fanfuckingtastic. WHAT IS THAT DRESS:

"Won't forget, can't regret what I did for love."

I'm Still Here.

2009-06-21T18:58:00.011-04:00

As you may have noticed nothing has been posted in a while. Don't let this fool you into thinking I haven't been watching any movies. It's like the more schoolwork I have/do, the more media I consume. I guess it's like the drug that propels me on. Like Dextroamphetamine or somethin'. I've pretty well found that I couldn't keep up with the constant reviewin', given the state of things, so I've really just being using the old tumblr and it really fits into my grad-like timetable well. So for the time being, I will be mildly retiring Shangri-La until other "things" get sorted out. A.K.A: M.A. (That's code for I'm working hard at not working hard enough, wondering what it will be like to not be a student for the first time in my life.)

In the meantime, here's a short update on some of the wondrous trash I've consumed:

The Incredible Hulk (2008) - 3/5 stars

I thought it was an okay action movie and really it only worked because of Edward Norton's performance, and yes, that was apparently good enough for me. PLUS RDJ makes an appearance at the end. WHO KNEW?? I was also led to watch it to see the hilarious things they did with U of T (making it look like it's in a forest) and Yonge St.; the side with Zanzibar and the Sam's sign.

Election (1999) - 4.5/5
I had been waiting to watch this mother for years and I regret not seeing it sooner. I think Payne is the greatest dark-comedy writer since Allen. And what it really boasts is some great characters who you route for but kind of don't want to, so imagine that. It's often hard to figure who's the bad guy, ultimately making a statement on just how hilarious humans can be. Mind you, I kind of sypathized with Tracy Flick probably more than I was supposed to.

Wolf (1994) - 5/5 stars

I find it amazing that the most exciting and inspirational film I've seen in months is a creeper feature/allegory of aging from the mid-nineties starring Jack Nicholson and James Spader. What does it say about me? What does it say about movies of today? But I guess it should be no surprise. Lo and behold, it also has an awesome score by (WHAT!??!) Ennio Morricone.

And it also rekindled my mid-nineties adoration of Michelle Pfieffer. She is a thrice nominated actress, you know. I have to admit I did forget how great she is:

And she is aging better than anyone I've seen her age.

Also, have I mentioned how True Blood is amazing?!??! Here is a lovely portrait of Jason Stackhouse to express my deep feelings of true gratitude for the show:

AND VAMPIRE BILL RECYCLES.

With that I bid this Shangri-La a temporary farewell, and will leave it with this thought via a magical magical musical video by those pop poets the Pet Shop Boys, to remind you that despite minor disengagements, rest assured I am never being boring.

The Strangers (2008)

2009-06-09T07:58:00.002-04:00

3.5/5 stars

While I'm sure everyone whose seen or heard of this has noted that it is a bloody great edge-of-one's seat cat-and-mouse thing--total suspense mode--I'm sure not everyone noted how smart it is for other reasons:

1 - A long time before anything horror related happens, as the psychological tension is built up around the relationship between the two protagonists, which really comes to a head in a serious motherfucking way by the end of the film. A total new layer to a horror narrative I've never before seen used.

2 - GEMMA WARD IS ONE OF THE KILLER PEOPLE HOLY COW BRILLIANT. And when you see her you can barely see her face and it is one of the spookiest moments I've seen onscreen since probably, like, Signs (whatever that means). Her character's name is Dollface so how smart is that?? Anyone who knows Gemma knows that she's basically the dollface of the fashion world.

3 - Killer peeps have NO REAL MOTIVATION which makes it ALL THE MORE EERIE and post-9-11 all the way.

One of the best horror films I've seen in the past ten years and literally must-see viewing for anyone who appreciates a creeper.

Wendy & Lucy (2008)

2009-06-08T01:08:00.001-04:00

4/5 stars

A beautiful portrait of a little girl lost, when she's lost her dog. It's quite gripping, moving, and ultimately satisfying. But seriously without Michelle Williams I don't know if this movie would even have worked; that's how serious her f*cking performance is.

Angels & Demons (2009)

2009-06-05T00:03:00.000-04:00

2/5 stars

An intriguing trainwreck of a picture. It was like after 15 minutes in, it was just one climax every three minutes which got soooo tiresome sooooo quickly. But the cast was hilarious and the priests and cardinals and all that were just such a perfect joke. It was doomed from its inception to never be taken seriously by me. I hope it does offer Ewan some kind of comeback because really he was the most engaging character (however absurd), whose dialogue wasn't limited to spewing out ridiculous facts about "Illuminati" like a hailstorm of bullets, but it was in that territory. Oh well.

So no shocker here I guess. I got what I asked for.

Star Trek (2009)

2009-05-31T12:59:00.001-04:00

3.5/4 stars

I think this film succeeds so strongly becuase it fully accomplishes what it obviously set out to do: make me want to purchase the entire Star Trek series on DVD and watch the whole thing. Aside from that, it really is fully a well-formed action picture, with the action scenes so well plotted throughout the film without feeling forced or too long. They are all incredibly exciting and engaging.

For me the highlight is the cast, and their great characters; it is a testament to the franchise that they are apparently so infinitely compelling with cross-generational appeal and all that. Here they're each given at least one scene in the spotlight, and their relationships are really what is at the fore of the film's plot. Being recast by younger gorgeouser versions of the original cast, I found everyone in the film to be excessively beautiful with practically perfect faces that I still cannot get out of my head two weeks later. And they all gave performances TO MATCH.

To say I am looking forward to the next ones is an understatement. For now, you can watch the whole original show on YouTube!! And not in parts, FULL EPISODES.

Cassandra's Dream (2007)

2009-05-30T13:05:00.001-04:00

4/5 stars

A totally overlooked gem. Woody really reaches new heights (or should I say depths?) of existentialism with this little ditty that totally skipped under the radar for some reason.

What a multilayered script! We're talking pokerplaying and dreams (of all kinds). The actors are all brilliant. Ewan and Colin are brothers and Tom Wilkinson is their hot uncle. I was particularly blown away my Colin; in one scene he actually makes himself turn PALE like at WILL. I've never seen an actor do that. So spectacularly spine-tingling.

ALSO A SCORE BY PHILIP GLASS, HELLO!

The Bucket List (2007)

2009-05-16T04:40:00.000-04:00

3/5 stars

I wanted to watch this since I first saw the trailer and while led by two of the most charismatic leading men ever, it's ultimately a bit of a snoozer. Just a bit rushed and just a bit too maudlin at times. Jack is still as amazing as ever and the subtle nuances he brings to every performance I've ever seen him in are always fresh and delightful. However one major problem with the script was the lack of convincing development between the two characters and their unique relationship. It almost seemed like a formulaic romantic comedy at one point. Still was hilarious, though.

One good thing though, the film also got me thinking about the idea of the "bucket list" and if I would actually compile one for myself, and if I did, what would I put on it? I don't know--I think I'd do a lot more hilarious things than these boys did (visit various exotic places etc.). For example, I'd definitely be up for being arrested for public indecency, like for streaking or something. I'd risk getting arrested for that sort of thing if I knew the clock was ticking. I wonder why the guys in the movie didn't take it that far. Morgie's character didn't even get a tattoo! What a letdown. I mean, the filmmakers had a great opportunity for some hilarious stuff, but they totally passed it up. God I wish I directed this movie. Most of the stuff on their list should be done by most people by the time they're 25. But honestly, the racing car scene was pretty terrifying, easily bringing the characters to the border of psychotic, just the way it was edited.

Double Bill: Grey Gardens (1975 + 2009)

2009-05-15T11:25:00.000-04:00

The Original: UNRATABLE
HBO film: 3/5 stars

In 1974 the Maysles Bros. were permitted to bring their cameras into the home of Big Edie and Little Edie Beale. Armed with tick repellant, taping their pant legs to their shoes they created a shocking and intimate portrait of the mother and daughter who are the original crazy old cat ladies of pop culture. They are now the stuff of legends whose legacy has been translated into an HBO film with Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore:

The documentary is too much to handle and it is no surprise that it was immediately embraced by a cult following. I would watch it again right now. The HBO film is interesting to watch just to give you more back-story, but really just a couple of impersonations and really of the TV "movie-of-the-week" calibre. I still enjoyed it because this story is just too fascinating and the actresses are good in anything so why not this? Also Jeanne Tripplehorn as Jackie Onassis is fantastic.

You can watch both of these films for free on Rogers on Demand under HBO Canada.

The trailer:

Here's the trailer for the original documentary:

Also, this person has Little Edie NAILED. He should have been hired by HBO:

My Summer '09 Movie Shopping List!

2009-05-06T23:00:00.000-04:00

Check out EW's summer release schedule. It really assists one's sanity in a very nice OCD way. This is all the stuff I'm setting out to view in the coming months. I am more than certain that even more movies will come out as I go along that I'll want to and will watch, but as of yet I'm quite eager for these:

Every Little Step - a documentary about the auditions for the revival of A Chorus Line.

Tetro - Coppola's return.

Angels & Demons - Ewan McGregor plays a priest and there are popes being murdered! I will most certainly be rolling in the aisles! Ron Howard's comedies never fail to deliver.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (I will have a marathon to lead up to this.)

(500) Days of Summer - a sappy romantic comedy that possibly also has a brain. Still a bit hesitant on this one, though.

Paper Heart - ummm a semi-documentary about Michael Cera's love life co-written by his lover. It initially started as her documentary about how she doesn't believe in love. Need I say more? It will probably better than (500) Days.

Away We Go - Perhaps Sam Mendes can make a movie that I actually enjoy watching. I don't know why but even if it doesn't involve Maya Rudolph, I can't look away from anything he does, but as much as I think it may end up being great (in an About Schmidt way), I will probably be dissappointed.

Star Trek - it seriously looks mind-blowing, admit it.

Public Enemies - Michael Mann is an amazing filmmaker so I am certain this will be decent.

Bruno - just go YouTube this man.

Year One - in the tradition of the Life of Brian, an Ivan Reitman period peice set in YEAR ONE. Michael Cera and Jack Black are perfect foils. I think this will work in many ways.

Whatever Works - Woody + Larry David = DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE

Julie and Julia - Meryl is Julia Child. Plus Ted from Six Feet Under is in it.

Ponyo - another animated dream-land wonderous tale by Hayao Miyazaki. This man is a legend folks. Watch all his movies.

Taking Woodstock - another gay-themed epic by the maestro Ang Lee about the organizer of Woodstock. This features Emile Hirsch and Paul Dano in the 60s! As well as Leiv Schrieber as a trannie!! WATCH THIS TRAILER, IT'S PROBABLY AT THE TOP OF MY LIST.

Inglorious Basterds - Ummmmm, Quentin directs the Office's BJ "Ryan is like a son to me" Novak and Brad Pitt in his long-time in the making WWII epic. Based on the trailer I'm sensing Paths of Glory meets Dr. Strangelove homages.

Modern Times (1936)

2009-05-06T22:49:00.003-04:00

UNRATABLE

I watched this about a month ago and haven't posted about it because in reality, I'm still recovering. This film is considered the last silent film, because Chaplin made it in the heydey of the talkie. The depth of the visuals in the story-telling is astonishing. There are even very few intertitles. Anyway, you kind of have to see it to believe it. Plus, its comedy is completely timeless. A masterpiece that everyone should see in her lifetime.

Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003)

2009-05-06T22:34:00.003-04:00

5/5 stars

This shit is over the moon. One of the best films of the past decade, hands-down, as suspected, the film is more and more rewarding with repeated viewings. The above scene never fails to keep my heart racing and my eyes tearing up. Tarantino is a maestro of sound and vision.

We Don't Live Here Anymore (2007)

2009-05-06T22:22:00.003-04:00

3/5 stars

This movie just reminds me that I have to see Wild at Heart. While I liked some of the performances, and there were some rather powerful moments, it is ultimately an above average melodrama. And this poster indeed rocks.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

2009-05-01T09:48:00.004-04:00

4/5 stars

The French didn't consider this a masterpiece for nothing. Though highly-stylized, this is an incredibly layered piece that is totally modern and and almost verging on art film in the heyday of classical studio-style narratives. I basically forgot how genius Nicholas Ray's story and direction were, totally showcasing the performances of its three amazing young stars, all of whom were doomed to die tragically. I also realized that this film was basically remade as Rumblefish, for the 80s. So brill.

I'm glad I revisited this again finally after years since I played Judy (Natalie Wood's character) on stage in high school which was a traumatizing experience since we really butchered the piece execution-style. Anyway, I'm glad my relationship with the film has finally been restored to good health.

Hamlet 2 (2008)

2009-04-17T14:44:00.004-04:00

2/5 stars

While this film had me dying at certain points, it just didn't work for some reason; a lot of buildup that really didn't reach an adequate climax. And what was the point of Amy Pohler? I hate a waste of good talent. It did have a good concept and a hilarious star but at the end of it all it really fell flat. Maybe it just tried to hard? Maybe?

Either way I just hope this isn't all Steve Coogan does of any notice, plus the words "Roland" and "Barthes" were mentioned consecutively. But also a waste of David Arquette.

Below is one of the better scenes from the film wherein the main protagonist meets his favorite actress of all time, Elizabeth Shue, who now works as a nurse in Tucson:

My Tumblelog is the Shit

2009-04-17T14:38:00.002-04:00

I would just like to state for the record that Shedding Sequins is dedicated to the artistry and magic of Amanda Ondretti, as it is mostly inspired by her.

Charlotte Gainsbourg + Willen Dafoe + VON TIER = "Antichrist" /MY CUP OF TEA

2009-04-14T11:37:00.001-04:00

This movie looks phenomenal! Dafoe and Gainsbourg as a sexy possessed couple couldn't be better cast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watch the trailer to have your mind explode with joy!!!

Sent to you by Dolly Jeanne via Google Reader:

Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist Movie Trailer

via /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com) on 4/13/09

AICN has discovered the trailer for Lars Von Trier's Anticrist, a horrific drama that tells the story of a grieving couple who retreat to a cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage. But nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse. In the initial press release, Von Trier said that the film would offer "a glimpse into the dark world of my imagination: into the nature of my fears, into the nature of Antichrist." The trailer is certainly creepy and unsettling. Watch it after the jump and leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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I can't help myself.

2009-04-07T17:06:00.003-04:00

So I buckled under the pressure and now I apparently use twitter and tumblr. I think tumblr's better though, but who am I to say?

The Conversation (1974)

2009-04-03T00:03:00.006-04:00

4.5/5

This is a beautiful, poignant, scary, and sick film. I loved it. It `s a textbook case of those 1970s anxiety-wrought/conspiracy-suspense-films and pretty-well set the standard if you ask me.

Others include:

The Paralax View (1974) - genius
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Network (1976) - masterpiece
All the President's Men (1976)
The China Syndrome (1979) - still need to see
The Insider (1999) - paying tribute
Michael Clayton (2007) - carrying on the tradition awesomely, to Tilda`s approval

The Conversation is a Coppola film and also one of John Cazale`s only films. He was Meryl Streep`s fiance until he died of bone cancer right after filming the Deer Hunter. He was also Fredo in the Godfather. If you ask me the fact that he wasn`t in part III and it sucked so hard means he was its good luck charm in the first place. Actually, so was Robert Duvall (also in the Conversation, though uncredited (awesome)).

Coppola made this one between the first two Godfather films and he bloody rocked it out. The score and the editing are first-rate, as is the original screenplay which he wrote. Bloody amazing. Hackman obviously gives a tour de force too.

Waiting for Guffman (1996)

2009-04-02T23:59:00.004-04:00

4/5 stars

Christopher Guest is one of those rare filmmakers who make me want to become a filmmaker, which is odd since the others are like, Stanley Kubrick and Jean Renoir. But it is true. The brilliant craftsmanship he employs as a filmmaker is integral to the effectiveness of his writing and the amazing performances. It's all about timing, not just as a comedian, but as comedy-filmmaker. So brilliant.

Waiting for Guffman is laugh-out-loud, amazingly hilarious.

Green Porno by Isabella Rossellini

2009-04-02T23:48:00.002-04:00

5/5 stars

This wonderful series of shorts is spearheaded by filmmaking royalty Isabella, daughter of Roberto Rosellini. Click the link right now because you will be completely mesmerized and need to watch them all.

Isabella plays the agressor in different small animal mating practices. Sometimes she is the male, sometimes the female, if applicable. The tone of these somewhat educational videos is sort of children's-television-like, but these definitely are not for children, even while they are so tastefully executed. For example, while describing her activities as an earthworm, she says, "to have babies I need to mate with another hermaphrodite... in the sixty-nine position." These shorts brilliantly and wittily capture the allure of the mysterious world of insect (series 1) and water-creatre (2) sex.

Her lovely performance and the exquisitely crude costumes and sets make this delightful series a must. I can't even pick a favorite.

Sherlock Holmes Teaser WOW

2009-03-29T23:01:00.001-04:00

Oh Robert Downey. What a glory this one here should be.

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Sherlock Holmes Teaser Poster Premieres at ShoWest

via /Film by orfilms@gmail.com (slashfilm.com) on 3/28/09

While at ShoWest, LatinoReview has snapped a shot of the teaser poster for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes, which stars Robert Downey Jr. I'm sure it is just a promotional concept, and the theatrical edition may be different. I was able to clean up the poster a little (reflection removal and reframed perspective) but you'll have to head on over to LR to check out the snapshot in larger resolution.

They also have a shot of Fox Searchlight's final poster for (500) Days of Summer, which was one of the posters that was included in the /Film reader poll last month. We'll be heading to Las Vegas on Monday to join in on the ShoWest festivities, so look out for our coverage.

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Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

2009-03-27T09:24:00.004-04:00

3.5/5 stars

While fairly amusing at times, sadly this film wasn't half as great as it seemed to be. Sally Hawkins's performance was supposed to be the best of the year and all that, but I just found her a bit annoying and far too over-the-top and I blame direction. She just over-giggles through every scene, it sometimes seems. However there are moments that made me die of laughter, namely those with her intensely angry driving instructor. The scenes between the two, frankly, could have been excised and even elaborated upon to comprise an actually genius film, because all of their scenes are almost flawless and the writing is just perfect. Hawkins is her best in these scenes as well.

I feel like the script was so bloody good but not really brought to its full potential; jarring pacing issues and over-direction were a serious hindrance.

Cinema Shangri-La

The Gaga Viddy

Summer Movie Tally and ammendments to my wish list!

A Chorus Line and Every Little Step (2009)

I'm Still Here.

The Strangers (2008)

Wendy & Lucy (2008)

Angels & Demons (2009)

Star Trek (2009)

Cassandra's Dream (2007)

The Bucket List (2007)

Double Bill: Grey Gardens (1975 + 2009)

My Summer '09 Movie Shopping List!

Modern Times (1936)

Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003)

We Don't Live Here Anymore (2007)

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Hamlet 2 (2008)

My Tumblelog is the Shit

Charlotte Gainsbourg + Willen Dafoe + VON TIER = "Antichrist" /MY CUP OF TEA

Sent to you by Dolly Jeanne via Google Reader:

Lars Von Trier’s Antichrist Movie Trailer

Related Stories

Things you can do from here:

I can't help myself.

The Conversation (1974)

Waiting for Guffman (1996)

Green Porno by Isabella Rossellini

Sherlock Holmes Teaser WOW

Sent to you by Dolly Jeanne via Google Reader:

Sherlock Holmes Teaser Poster Premieres at ShoWest

Related Stories

Things you can do from here:

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)