Filmsy - Movie Reviews Blog

Best “Hard Times” Movies

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Ma Joad And Son

Looking for a good “feel bad then feel good” movie? I know that sounds kinda wrong but you know what I mean…movies that are about the hard times in life…at the end of the day, despite the grimness of these movies, you tend to feel a glimmer of hope. This could be due to the fact that you know that somehow, some way, there will be a rainbow at the end of the road. Whatever the reason, I think that this would be a good time to watch one of these movies – and then celebrate your life afterwards.

The Grapes of Wrath
Definitely a good portrayal of how harsh life can be. This movie is actually a documentary cum poem based on John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name. If you have not read the novel (I can’t imagine why not!), the gist of the story is that a farming family from Oklahoma migrates to California to find work. The actors (Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell) are excellent and brings the novel to life. An old movie but very much relevant to today.

Cinderella Man
This movie is more recent and it certainly was a hit when it was released. The story is based on the life story of Jim Braddock, played by Russell Crowe, and how he struggled with the fact that he could not provide for his wife (Renee Zellweger) and children. He gets a chance to do so by fighting in the boxing ring. The movie is a good mix of emotions, sports, and relationships.

The Pursuit of Happyness
If you cannot appreciate this movie, then I don’t know what to do with you! Will Smith did a superb job playing the role of the lead character. Who can forget scenes wherein he and his son were living on the streets?

Has “Australia” Gone Under?

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Wetten dass.? From Stuttgart

Yeah, I know, it’s called Down Under but I just could not resist the pun. It may not be the most brilliant of lines but I have to say that neither is this movie. I was really eager to watch it simple because I like Nicole Kidman and I think Hugh Jackman is hot. These things aside, I really didn’t find myself that happy after watching the movie. It has been out for several weeks now but I am not surprised that it has been getting a lot of flak from critics and – if they are to be believed – it is also not a surprise that cinemas showing Australia are not crowded.

So what’s wrong with the movie? It was 165 minutes long. For a movie that long, I expected so much more. I expected to walk away understanding exactly what it is that the movie wanted me to know and feel. Good luck with that. I was left wondering what Lurhmann was trying to get across.

The beginning of the movie was not so bad – Nicole Kidman doing comedy, but that is probably only because I like her. But somehow – and I am surprised at this – she didn’t lift the movie up to the level I was expecting it to be. If anything, it was Jackman’s acting (and wonderful shower scene!) that gave the movie its saving grace.

I know I am sounding like one of those “expert” film critics – I am not one of them – but I just have to say, almost 3 hours worth of my time could have been spent on something better.

Movies That Changed Lives…

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Faye Dunaway

That is, with respect to style. For many people, style is everything. What they wear, how they wear it, and when they wear it – these are very important factors. And what better inspiration than the movies? How many times have you walked away from a movie thinking, “Wow, I should try to emulate the style of so and so!” I be that you have experienced this more than once – and you are not alone.

In the history of films and movies, there is probably a small percentage of flicks which actually held the power to influence the general public in terms of style. I think that The Los Angeles Times hit the nail right on the head with its list of 10 classic style movies that inspire moviegoers. Interested in finding out if you were ever influenced by the “right” movies? Here’s a snippet of the article:

Movies have always influenced style. In 1934 — when Clark Gable shed his shirt in the Frank Capra comedy “It Happened One Night” to reveal his bare chest — men’s undershirt sales reportedly plummeted. Men didn’t suddenly tire of layering. They saw an easy “in” to becoming a bit like Gable, who played an extraordinarily dashing ordinary Joe.

A woman slips into her husband’s trousers and striped necktie and she suddenly has entree to be as zany as Diane Keaton in “Annie Hall.” A guy, tired of his milquetoast silhouette, adopts the gait of a hungry thug wearing a slim-cut suit and Wayfarers, à la “Reservoir Dogs.” Clothes help shape our identities, and copying a film icon is like taking a shortcut to cool.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, folks. You can read the whole story in the link above. Reading this left me wondering, though…are we ever going to have movies that would leave us wanting to be like the characters like the old films?

Best Movies Of 2008

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Year in and year out, when December comes and January is just around the corner, we see all sorts of lists. Countdowns, best games, best songs, best TV shows, and of course, best movies. Naturally, every agency, person, and web site has his own “best list.” Which to believe? I’d say go ahead and make your own best movies of 2008 list!

If you’re too lazy to do that on your own and you need some help, though, here is one very interesting list from a reputable source – CNN International’s list. I wouldn’t be surprised if you find some of your favorite movies of this year on this list.

1. The Dark Knight
2. Slumdog Millionaire
3. Hunger
4. Wall-E
5. Leonera
6. Gomorrah
7. Waltz with Bashir
8. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
9. W.
10. Elite Squad
11. The Good, The Bad, The Weird
12. Il Divo
13. Cloverfield
14. The Wrestler
15. Happy Go Lucky
16. Linha De Passe
17. Man on Wire

I think that the beauty of this list is that it includes more than American movies. Truth be told, a large number of people are limited to what Hollywood churns out year after year. There are, however, countless other excellent films to be seen and experienced, which are created by people from the international scene. Perhaps it is time for you to try and see what they are about; expand your horizons so to speak? This list is a good place to start.

Yes or No Man?

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Premiere Of Warner Bros.

Jim Carrey is one of the funniest of the funny men in Hollywood. I am sure that this statement is subject to one’s opinion but in my mind, if you want to watch a movie that will allow you to relax and NOT think (which is what majority of us Americans need at the moment, then go look for a Jim Carrey film.

I am not so sure about his latest flick, though – Yes Man. The trailers looked pretty funny to me, but then most – if not all – of Jim Carrey’s movies trailers always look hilarious. I have not seen the movie so I am basically relying on other reviews to decide whether or not to spend time and money on Yes Man.

Michael Sragow of The Baltimore Sun shot the story down:

Let’s be clear: If ever a movie mistook a premise for a plot, it’s this one. Some films suffer from a surfeit of one-liners. This picture evaporates midway through because the story itself is a one-liner. Yet it also has a cast that gets into the silliness. This film’s lead actors can turn odd curves into dynamite goofballs.

He did give credit to the lead actor and the rest of the cast, though. The movie was portrayed in a more flattering light by Moira Macdonald of The Seattle Times:

Dear readers, this is not cinematic history in the making, or comic genius, or even especially clever. But in this season of movies crammed full with Nazis, depressed suburbanites, dying dogs and murdered politicians, I was grateful for it. It was funny. It was light. It was a moment, and it worked, and then the movie moved on. Sometimes, during the end-of-year marathon of Serious and Important Movies, you need to watch somebody saying something goofy and then tripping. Thanks, Jim.

I think I’ve got my answer. This is exactly what I am looking for right now.