Rumor Has it

MP:

I am a huge fan of The Graduate. So of course, I wanted to see this movie very much, even if it was drawn out to be a regular, by the book romantic comedy.
I was in for a bit of a surprise, though. It wasn't that regular.
The whole back story of The Graduate took it to a whole new level. It did wonders for the film. The romantic comedy of the 'getting together, having a fight and getting back together at the end' did indeed happen for Aniston and Ruffulo, but the story is focused on so many other things, that it is not sickening and obvious. I have always loved Rob Reiner's films (Princess Bride, When Harry met Sally...). I really enjoyed this one. The cast was great, the chemistry was great, and comedic timing was there. Shirley McLaine in particular was an absolute delight. I would see it again.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

MP:

I went to see this movie with my mother in law and my sister in law to escape the heat. 36 degrees and humidity, I would have seen anything to spend a few hours in the cool air conditionned theatre. So there we went.

I have always enjoyed the magical and whimsical world of Harry Potter.
It is fun to discover new things, to see how their world of wichery and wizardry works.
This one, number 4, I have to say, I would have been afraid of if I were a kid.
It's pretty intense for young children. But it is entertaining.
The effects are wonderful, there are surprises at every corner because in Hogwarts, you never know what can happen next. And with the Triwizard tournament, you are introduced to two other wizard schools, with their own culture and history. It's fun. Now, the acting is not the best, and during the events I was pretty angry that they turned the girl contestant into a weak, scared damsel in distress. But it was an interesting time none the less, and the plot thickens for the next installment. You can see there is still juice left, even after 4 movies. That's good.

vanou:

I actually saw that one... but last term, so I don't really remember it...
Oh yeah! it was quite scary and there was a new really cute sorcerer...
I liked the underwater part, that was cool.
I saw it in french so that kind of ruined it for me... but you know that's life here in France... Big Blockbusters are in VF, while other more indie ones are in VO, so I'll probably get to see Brokeback mountain in VO...

Brokeback Mountain

MP:

Now, this is a perfect example of a contender for the Oscars.
A beautifully shot film. Epic landscapes. Great casting. Outstanding performances.
Drama, drama, drama. Two tough and manly cowboys fall in love in 1963. Not an easy situation at that time down in Texas. Both get married and have kids, but always long for each other.
Might not sound like something everybody would want to see. But don't be fooled, the story is deep and layered. I absolutely loved it. It develops slowly, so if you are looking for bing bang action, this won't do it for you. The events spread out for over 20 years.

It was about time Heath Ledger got given a role that would truly show off his capabilities. His character is quiet and mumbles when he speaks, but man, does he get lots across in very few words. Everything is happening inside, and rivers run deep. He was fantastic.
As his other half, Jake Gyllenhaal, was right on the money. A great combo, those two.
And those cowboys weren't easy roles to play.
And watch out for Michelle Williams, who plays Ledger's wife. She's come a long way from Dawson's Creek.

Not much disappointed me in this movie I can tell you, I was exactly in the mood to see something like that. It stirred something inside me. About how life can be unfair, and how you can ruin it if you don't follow your heart. (sounds pretty tacky to say, but when you really get into it, you get it. this is probably why it will do well in nominations and awards (3 noms for Golden Globes already)

vanou:

I haven't seen it yet... But I really really do want to see it.
I don't know when it's coming to France, but probably in a long long time.

Ok, I've seen it.
And WOW! If this film doesn't win everything than I'm not watching another oscar show again...

The actors were phenomenal in there non-talking way of acting.
Both principal actors made me cry.
The shots were beautiful, the colors, the music...
Everything. It really was a great film.
Everyone was crying at the end, even grown men.

The Assasination of Richard Nixon

MP:

Sean Peen always seems to play characters who make me feel uneasy. In every film he is in, i feel uncomfortable looking at him. Probably the point exactly.
Throughout the film, I felt such pity and sadness for Sam, so troubled by the society of 1974. His whole life just falls apart and you can't help but feel so powerless. Because the principals he lives by are good ones - Don't lie. Don't let people take you for a ride. Stand up for yourself. Be just and honest.

You want him to come on top.
But he has other complexe issues at the same time.
He is weird, unbalanced and twisted. But somehow, you feel very compassionnate towards him. It's quite ambivalent. It's intense, dark and disturbing. Oh, and seeing Naomi Watts with long black hair was pretty freaky too.

Anyway. This one got to me.

I Robot

MP:

Ok... so another movie about HAL. We all knew that, right? It's the same plot line over an over. How can NONE of these characters have seen Kubrick's 2001?? But, ok, we'll act like it's brand new information, and try to be surprised when the robots they trust and give responsibility to devellop a sudden need to have a mind of their own and rebel against their creators and masters.
The special effects didn't blow me away.The robots did have beautiful faces, though.
And well, the acting was not exactly oscar worthy, but lets say that it's a good thing a real man's man like Will Smith was there to give the movie a bit of humanity.
I think what I liked most about this movie is the references of our present time. Like the vintage 2004 converse shoes. Or the: 'you are going to drive manually, are you crazy?' Yeah, that was funny. I did like the punch at the end, though, I didn't think they were going to go that way. So yeah. Not all bad, but i won't see it again.

vanou:

Ok... well, lets just say it was entertaining, but I won't watch it again either.
There was good special effects.
The robots were really nice, I didn't really like the fact that they turned red when they were bad... way to obvious.
Smith was cute but playing himself as usual, just in the future and with an artificial arm (oops wasn't suppose to say that)
The reference to the past (our time) were funny.
Not too long, but lets just say that if I have the choice between this and someother unnamed film... I'll go for the unnamed film...
That's it.
Watch it once, but don't actually pay for the movie, don't rent it or anything, just try to watch it on tv somehow...