An Education

Chick flick? Maybe but i made my brothers watch it and they seemed to like it as well. This movie is about a young high school girl in London and her education in the 60's. She is always at the top of her class and her parents, especially her dad, always stress the importance of a college education. She dreams of going to Oxford to read English, sing French music, dance, write, and do what she pleases. That is until she meets a charming older man who understands all her interests and offers her everything she wanted from a college education: a home, traveling to paris, going to classical concerts, fancy dinner, and anything she wants. 

Half way through the movie i was convinced that a college education is a horrible thing that doesn't allow us to express ourselves the way we want and traps our interests, but toward the end, i realized i was completely wrong. Getting married to someone who can offer you these things may be a shortcut to success, but not to eternal happiness. Shit happens and you never know what will happen to you and you cant rely on someone else to get you where you want to be. We are each responsible for our lives and with that, i think comes the responsibility of getting an education to be what we want to be in life. 

Anyway, this film is great and Carey Mulligan does a fantastic job!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRbp-dd1QvM
9/10

500 Days of Summer

This movie has been one of the very few films i don't mind watching over and over. First of all, I like that it is unlike so many love stories and films about love out there and like the poster says, 500 Days of Summer isn't a love story, its a story about love. I dont think i'll be spoiling anything by saying the character's relationship in the movie doesn't end up so nicely. The movie starts off with a disclaimer "any resemblance to people living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman... Bitch."

HIlarious way to start off a movie but does this mean Jenny Beckman is Summer Finn? Well i did some research and i found out that she just might be. The movie is based on writer Scott Neustadter's failed relationship. Im not quite sure if this ex girlfriend is in fact a Jenny Beckman but both Scott and director Marc Webb talk about turning this story into a film. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Exclusive-Interview-500-Days-Of-Summer-Screenwriters-13994.html  It made sense to me afterward as well because in the movie, there is a scene where Tom is down about Summer and his friend says something along the lines of (because i really dont remember) turning a woman into literature to get over her. Well, wether or not Jenny is Summer, this is a great movie because its a good escape from predictable love stories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD0NpFSADM

10/10

La Vie En Rose

La Vie en Rose is a film about legendary parisian singer Edith Piaf and her life as a singer and her various struggles along the way. She was poorly raised by her mother, causing her father to send her with her grandmother who owned a brothel. It was here she met Titine but was soon taken from her as well and joined the circus with her father. She began singing on the streets for money and was soon discovered by a night club owner and the rest is history. Edith Piaf's story is very tragic yet legendary. Among her best songs are "La Vie En Rose", " La Foule", and "Milord".

Marion Cotillard does a beyond imaginable job at playing Edith, and won an Oscar for her role. For anyone looking for a kick ass movie to watch, this is it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzEJ7NV_g98

la Foule http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqW7CgJNkAg

Factory Girl

I have always been in love with the 60's especially fashion and music. Edie Sedgwick is a genius fashion icon who i dearly love and i also love Andy Warhol's pop art. I never knew these two were tied together (ignorant  i know..), so when my friend told me about this movie, i definitely had to watch.

Sienna Miller plays Edie Sedgwick in this film and captures the moments in her life as Andy Warhols muse both at her best and worst. She does a wicked awesome job at playing Edie as well as Guy Pearce as Andy Warhol. I found out a lot about her and Andy through this movie that i never would have thought were true. In this movie are also Hayden Christensen as Bob Dylan ( ;] ) and i really dont know who as the Velvet Underground.

This movie made me cry... thats pretty lame, but it did. But before it made me cry, it made me want to be a part of the 60's art movement so bad. I'm tempted to say more, but i feel as though i give away too much in my reviews so if you love the 60's, or Edie Sedgwick, or both.. watch this film!

Or just watch the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAW0F2QY7S4

9/10

Interpol

As I sat and pondered what I could possibly write my next blog about, it hit me that I hadn't written one about Interpol... then I almost cried. How could i possibly forget to write a blog about my favorite band in the world!? I dont know. Maybe im eating too much tuna and all the mercury's gone to my brain.

Anyway, Interpol is a indie/rock band from New York. If you're alive, you should listen to them. Im not very good at describing the sound of music (not the movie..) but speaking purely out of opinion, they have the most beautiful lyrics accompanied by the most soothing perfection. I'll bet its the music they play in the monasteries. I can listen to them all day er day! A lot of people I recommend Interpol to say "eh, they're alright." or "they're depressing.." Then I say, "alright...?" *face turns green* I dont care what people say, Interpol is amazing and their music inspires my artwork as well as my sanity.  If you're sad, listen to The New. If you're pumped listen to Say Hello To The Angels or Slow Hands If you're chillin, like a villain, listen to No I in Threesome or my personal favorites NYC and the Specialist. And if you're crazy like I am, listen to the whole album Turn On the Bright Lights it's the best.. in the West.

Another reason to go to Amoeba (like i said before -_-) with the release of their latest album, if you bought any of their musical thingamabobs, (cd, vinyl..) you got a free, i repeat FREE, wristband to see Interpol live.. up close... and personal.. yeah. Go to Amoeba.

The Specialist. Just for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODNWSgmVYF0

Pleasantville

Pleasantville is a movie where two teenage siblings, David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) accidentally transport themselves into a 1950's television show after a mysterious man replaces their broken remote control. On ordinary life, Jennifer is the more outgoing popular girl in school, while David is the book worm obsessed with the tv show pleasantville. When they go into the tv show, they literally live in black and white and must play along until they can return back home. The problem is that they must try not to disrupt the normal order of things or else things aren't so pleasant anymore. However, Jennifer and David begin unintentionally instilling modern values and Pleasantville slowly acquires color.

Pleasantville is such a beautiful film, both in technique and symbolism. One of my favorite lines is when David gives Bill( the restaurant owner) an art book and he says, "Just where am I gonna see colors like that? Must be awfully lucky to see colors like that. Ill bet they dont know how lucky they are." I dont think a lot of us really appreciate the color in our lives, and i dont mean literal color, but the things that remind us that we are not simply living just to live. The little things that define who we are and what we love.

8/10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lrdr5UjZHc

A Night In Casablanca

 I used to be a semi-big fan of the three stooges... until I found out about the marx brothers and I am hooked. These guys are hilarious in ever way possible. The characters are Chico (an italian character), Harpo (plays the harp and never speaks), and Groucho (known for his infamous moustache and cigar). 

These three characters make up A Night In Casablanca.   The plot takes place in Casablanca and after the hotel manager is murdered, a replacement is sent in (Groucho Marx). The villain wants to get rid of Groucho to be the manager himself and steal a valuable treasure hidden in the hotel by nazis. The problem is Harpo accidentally vacuumed his toupee and he can no longer go out in public, for they will recognize the scar on his head. Harpo then used gestures, whistles, and horns to try and tell Chico of the villains plan to murder Groucho.

These three are up to no good and this film is full of action, mystery, and humor, from beginning to end. Im sure you'll find yourself laughing the whole way through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo0ZkclUzCg
9/10

Mixtape

Im not sure how many of you have read the book the perks of being a wallflower, (if you havent its a great book), but in the book, the character Charlie is constantly making mixtapes for different occasions and friends. One especially caught my attention because he made it for the first time he drove his car on his own. I have been meaning to make one of my own to remember the moment but i procrastinated because it wasn't a very pleasant experience. Anyway, here's what i came up with. I hope you like.

1. Passion Pit- Moth's wings
2. Empire of the Sun- Delta Bay
3. Wolf Parade- I'll believe in Anything
4. The Smiths- This Charming Man
5. Lykke Li- Dance Dance Dance( live at Popcirkus)
6. Vampire Weekend- M79 
7. Vampire Weekend- Diplomat son
8. The Maccabees- First Love
9. Wild Beasts- Hooting and Howling
10. Interpol- Say Hello to the Angels
11. Arctic Monkeys- Cornerstone

p.s. this will literally become a mixtape because my car can only play tapes... haha

Sophie Scholl

I had originally planned to write a horror movie review in the spirit of Halloween, but I happened to stumble on this film and it is too good to not write a review on it. I am a big fan of WWII movies so this was a must watch for me, but it really is like no other nazi movie.


Sophie Scholl is a movie based on, obviously, a german girl named Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans Scholl who are part of the White rose non-violent resistance group in nazi germany. They are college students and are devoted to writing anti war leaflets. However, they are caught and convicted of high treason. This film is based on the unpublished transcripts of these two students interrogations.

This is such a horribly terrifying film, knowing that what you are hearing was once said by two very brave college students who gave their lives for an ideal. The ideal of freedom. It may seem cheezy of me to say this, but this movie was incredibly moving and made me think about wether i would do the same. My answer is no. I feel horrible admitting this but im not sure if you would do the same. I dont think very many people today have the courage these two students had to speak up for the freedom of others. They didn't have to do what they did. This movie made me appreciate the world i live in even if it is a terrible one. I have the freedom many people didn't have and that some dont have today. I hope you give this film a chance and feel the same.

10/10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM5A4ETW_Io





Sophie Scholl            and       Hans Scholl
9 May 1921 – 22 February 1943,  22 September 1918 – 22 February 1943

Hedonistic Me

Philosophy lectures are working too much to my advantage. These past lectures on hedonism are especially convincing and i find myself using the the method of figuring out how an action is right or wrong.

This wednesday, there was a Born Ruffians show at UCSD and i knew i should not have gone because i had  class the next day, an overdue assignment, and two art projects due. But it was Born Ruffians and i said what the hell. The amount of hedons i gained from listening to them play the song titled Hedonistic Me  was about a million. (coincidence? i think not!) Born Ruffians have an amazing sound that will cheer you up no matter what. The singer has a very unique voice, which i don't know about anyone else but, a unique interesting voice is the first thing i look for in a good band.

The down side, i lost a lot of Hedons the next day. About 700,000. I was an hour late to class, i didn't finish my overdue project, and i couldn't find parking. I think back and i don't think i would take it back though. Born Ruffians are an amazing band and we got first row and got to meet the band members as well. In the end, i came out with 300,000 hedons haha which is more than enough for me.


* By the way, hedons are a unit of measurement for happiness created by the philosopher Bentham.

hummingbird- born ruffians
what to say- born ruffians

Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Yet again, another Wes Anderson film. Life Aquatic is about an oceanographer (Bill Murray) who sets out on a journey to find a supposed shark that killed his partner. Accompanying him are his wife (Anjelica Houston), a journalist (Cate Blanchett), and a man who he later finds out might be his son (Owen Wilson).

This film is a bit more on the comical side, but that doesn't mean it isn't visually striking like all other Anderson films. I can't say it matched that  of The Darjeeling Limited, yet the use of color, is simply amazing. And who doesn't want to see a movie where Owen Wilson has a southern accent, Bill Murray wears a speedo, and Willem Dafoe plays a hilarious jealous foreigner! (yes,the green goblin from Spiderman!) Oh yeah and there is also a crew member who plays all of David Bowie"s music in Portuguese. 

I don't know, maybe i'm just an Anderson freak, but this movie is downright hilarious. It kept me laughing from beginning to end. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po6rv9GHl3o

7.5/10

Cria Cuervos

Cria Cuervos is a film is about a young girl and her two sisters living in spain who have to deal with the loss of their  mother and father. Anna (the main character), after the death of her mother, finds her father in a separate room of the house with a mistress. She is not quite sure of the meaning of this, but has always known her father to be up to no good and believes that all the pain and suffering in the family, is a result of her fathers actions. She then thinks that after seeing her father die of heart failure while with his lover, his death was caused by her own wants of him dead. The young girls are then forced to be raised under strict rule of their aunt. 

This film is told by Anna (the middle child), through the eyes of the mother. The title Cria Cuervos  comes from the spanish saying, "Cria cuervos y te sacaran los ojos." which translates to "Raise ravens and they'll take your eyes out." 

This is such a beautiful movie although the ending is quite ambiguous. I watched this movie with my mom and i think it was the first time we agreed on the quality of a foreign film. It reminded me so much of my mom while i was watching it and the only think i was left thinking when the movie was over was how so many people think that childhood is the best time of one's life yet, for many children, it could be the worst, just like for the character Anna. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpGv5NL3x8A

9/10

The Drums

Today I will write about the band I cannot stop listening to. The Drums. May I say, they are amazing? They are amazing. Their sound is like that of like the Smiths yet vey 1950's pop. Every song reminds you of one thing and that is summer or the beach. I really don't know why that is but i think you might agree. Earlier on, the band was.. everywhere. The band members tried making different types of music from indie, electronic, and love songs. In the end, the band members all ended together again and decided to cut the crap with the synthesizers and switch to guitars. The first song they made as The Drums was Best Friend and since then the band has continued making great music which they recorded themselves!


On their website biography, they say:  


"We only write about two feelings: one is the first day of summer when you and all of your friends are standing on the edge of a cliff watching the sun set and being overcome with all of your hopes and dreams at once. The other is when you're walking alone in the rain and realize you will be alone forever." 


This really is the best way to sum up The Drums. I had a chance to watch them play at Amoeba in Hollywood for free! (which is why you should head down there, if you've never been.) The band is so humble and genuinely nice they even signed cd's and took time to chat with fans. 


The band will be playing again in L.A. November 16 at Spaceland. You can also check out their website: www.thedrums.com 


"Pop without apology…It’s an old, limited vocabulary, but the Drums know its every nuance." -- The New York Times

"One of the best indie pop debuts of the year" - Rolling Stone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeZbbx5SPTs

The Darjeeling Limited Review

This blog is for my dear friend Chris who introduced me to the amazing films of Wes Anderson. Ever since   he made me watch the Royal Tenebaums, I have been hooked. Wes Anderson's films have such a distinct style that lets you know you're watching one of his films, including his repetitive cast, use of the font futura bold (in yellow), and ending his films in slow motion.

Anyway, about The Darjeeling Limited, this film is about three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) that go on a journey together to India after not seeing each other for a year. Their plan is to go on a spiritual journey that will help them find themselves and each other.

This film is overall amazing! The cinematography, the characterization, the storyline, are all equally captivating. Another great part of this film is the soundtrack. (another of Wes Anderson's film qualities) This movie is not only witty, but heartfelt, and humorous. An absolute must watch for film lovers of any genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNc1QNoROZQ
(because i love Wes Anderson so much..)  5/5

City of The Living Dead Review

City of The Living Dead;1980 

Horror is among my favorite genre of films to watch, however, it seems as though lately, horror has lost it's magic and new horror films consist of the same old same old unoriginal storyline. I have lately retorted to older horror movies which bring back what horror is all about. Who cares if there's no realistic computer graphics?

Lucio Fulci, director of City of The Living Dead, earned the title "godfather of gore" for his incredibly gory films in the 70's and 80's including A Cat In The Brain, The Beyond, and Zombie.  City of The Living Dead is about the opening of the gates of hell resulting from the suicide of a priest. And what is a classic horror movie without oozing zombies? As expected, this film is very gory and in my opinion has great effects considering that is was filmed in the 80's.

Many people might dislike older films due to their lack of believability, but some films are great just because of that. City of the Living Dead is a must see for any horror fan.

I rate this film 7/10


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfDiQ99f1-4

Intro

Hello everyone! My name is Lourdes and my blog will be on movie reviews and entertainment reviews in general. I have never written movie reviews nor do I claim to know much about it, but I have always had a passion for films and meeting people who understood them and were willing to talk about them.

I never really understood films as an art although growing up I watched plenty of them. It was only recently that I found that there is so much more to films than meets the eye, wether you enjoy the screenplay, cinematography, or directing, it all comes together in the end to really move you.

I guess I should start by introducing my likes in order to understand the way I will review some things.
Some of my reviews might seem odd or you just might not agree with me, but everyone has a distinct taste. My taste includes The Royal Tenebaums, Harold and Maude, Il Postino, Fight Club, and The Fall to name a few I could remember. In music, my favorites are Interpol, Billie Holiday, Born Ruffians, the Misfits, and Vampire Weekend.

My main focus in completing these blogs is to learn more about films and music from others and receive pointers and suggestions. Please feel free to critique and question my reviews and I hope you enjoy.