I remember reading this book as a child and I’m so excited for the movie…that doesn’t release until like OCTOBER!!! Oh well, I’m sure there will be a few more trailers shown before the big day. Enjoy Spike Jonez’s http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/ and the poster isn’t bad either
There’s a new look and a new rating system – check it out on the Shelving System page…it’s pretty easy and makes sense to me – I’m sure you’ll get it too. I have faith in you as a reader.
Genre: drama. all drama.
Tag: How do you break away without breaking apart. Or as Ebert put it, “The road to hell is paved with comfortable suburbs.”
Ebert gave it: 4 stars
I have a rule. I won’t see a movie more than once in theatres unless I have to. I usually wait until it comes out on video to see it again. I cannot afford to see movies twice in the theatres at ten bucks a pop (at least). A while ago there was a movie about a huge boat, I saw it 13 times in the theatres, I cut pics of the leading man out and framed them. I thought I was in love, and that love never really faded (luckily the obsession did). Not since Titanic has a movie left me constantly thinking. Thinking what if, feeling as though the characters were real people. Now you might think that is corny, but you know what? Titanic was a great movie, it had a huge budget, a bigger payroll, and won many awards. If you hate it it’s because you can’t stand how big the movie got. But looking back Titanic is what spurred my love for movies-it’s the first year I watched the Academy Awards, it made me get serious in my theatre and made me want to be an actress. It made me realize something is capable of swallowing you whole and forcing you to feel, even if it isn’t real. It introduced me to my passion. I feel that way about Revolutionary Road.
Frank and April live in the suburbs of Connecticut. They are in love, they have two kids, they have dinner parties (and cigarettes). Curb appeal is pretty good. Everyone appears happy and well. But the two free spirits hate the lives they never thought they’d have. The choices they’ve made have trapped them and everyone’s a bit stir crazy. Things start to look up, there is a light at the end of the tunnel…and then reality sets in.
Winslet and DiCaprio are a given A+. Both nominated for Globes, one a winner, and one recognized with a golden man. But Michael Shannon almost stole the show with his portrayal of a crazy man who resides in a mental institution but is allowed outings with his family and the Wheelers. Crazy characters are always fun, though I think it’s hard to play one convincingly. I’ll put it this way, had Heath Ledger not passed away last year I think Shannon would have given him a run for his money. And after the way The Dark Knight got snubbed I think he could have won the Oscar. Not saying Ledger didn’t do a magnificent job that wasn’t deserving…there is just something more real about Shannon’s character (beside the lack of clown makeup). You just never knew if/when he was going to snap.
I always try to read the book first, but in this case I wanted to see it played out on the big screen. I wanted Kate and Leo to tell me the story, to evoke something I hadn’t felt before. I had to see it from them first. Kate and Leo are both great actors who make consistently great films that consistently get the recognition they deserve. But it’s rare for a film to bank so heavily on dialogue and emotions-usually there is more sex involved, more action. Revolutionary Road reads more like an onstage play than a film and that’s why I loved it. The fights were raw and the desperation was real. Kate and Leo have the amazing onscreen chemistry and should make more movies together.
I did read the book and wasn’t sure how it play out with pages turning. But the great thing about the story is it translate just as wonderfully in writing as it does on screen. Sure I had the characters already shaped in my head, but there’s something so different about reading about their lives. It seemed like a story that was new to me. The book makes me want to read more Yates, I am just amazed that his book about this unspoken lifestyle in the 50s was written in the 50s. This guy was ahead of his times. Revolutionary Road now tops my favorite lists in two category. It’s a rare thing for a movie to do the book justice or vice versa but Sam Mendes got it right – it’s a simple story that almost everyone can relate to (who hasn’t felt unhappy with the decisions they’ve made or felt trapped at some point) – he kept it just as simple on screen as it was in the book and it deserved more praise at the Oscars. But awards aren’t everything, and although this emotionally draining story can’t be watched or read over and over without falling into deep depression it is a movie and book you can add to your collection and take in every time you really need to feel something. So see the movie, read the book and think about it – are you really happy?
Tagline: Life’s a messy business.
Genre: dramedy
Ebert gave it: 2 stars
Rose (Amy Adams) and her sister Norah (Emily Blunt) are stuck. Rose is a single mother who wants to be a real estate agent but lies about class attendance to conduct an affair with her ex-high school boyfriend/baby daddy who is married to someone who isn’t Rose. Norah lives with their dad (Alan Arkin), can’t hold down a job and cant really figure out what she wants to do with her life. Rose’s son has problems in school – he is too creative and energetic for their liking and their dad blows his money with his get rich quick ideas that ultimately could wide up on the fail blog.
While working as a maid, Rose is embarrassed by her life and wants a change. She goes into crime scene clean up since it’s quick cash (apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…) and invites Norah to come along for the ride. Through their business journey they embark on a journey of self realization that opens old wounds and new relationships.
The performances were good in my opinion. Ebert disagrees and think Arkin is falling into a role trap. I can see that…but he plays it so well…and it’s late in his career so hasn’t he earned the right to do it over and over if it makes him happy? I fell in love with Blunt in Devil Wears Prada and have seen her play many different characters since, I think she upstaged her main character sister, Adams. Amy Adams is a little young to be falling into these doe eyed characters. She doesn’t need to branch out and do something a bit less Enchanted and go further down this dark comedy road. Overall no one was a disappointment – clearly, since I cried.
I went to see this movie with my sister, and while sitting there we realized that we were very similar to the characters in the movie. I’m always nagging at her to be clean, and she is always not. Her room actually looks like a crime scene, but I digress. Maybe I liked this movie because so much of it hit close to home, I don’t clean up crime scenes but it was hard to lose myself in a film that was like looking in a mirror. Kind of depressing I realize.
I give this movie 2 flasks under my new rating system. The fewer the flasks the better the movie…you need less alcohol to enjoy yourself. One flask for enjoyment, and one to wash away the sadness I felt…it only took one so you know it didn’t run too deep.
If you haven’t noticed, we’ve been in a drought for good movies. I’ve seen 2 decent films since the Oscars aired a looooooong time ago. Sunshine Cleaning was very good, especially for premiering in the off season. State of Play was another good one, lots of twists and turns, not too predictable, and exciting enough to keep my poor, narcoleptic father awake (a condition he only seems to suffer from in front of the TV or in a movie theatre). I may be the only person alive who actually enjoys the previews (yup all 25 minutes of them), but then again I’m in advertising so I live for this stuff. I took notes (nerdy, I realize) of the movies that perked my interest and here is the list. I’ll try to include release dates so you, too, can add them to your calendar.
500 Days of Summer (July 24)
Zooey Deschanel is one of my favorite actresses. I’ll admit she doesn’t always pick the best roles but her big eyes and brunette hair were so charming in Elf and Winter Passing. She’s quirky, and I love quirky. Plus this is a non love story that played well at Sundance. I believe we all have a little Indie in us, and this could be that Indie movie you see this year! Something about this reminds me of Woody Allen…Double plus? it may not have a happy ending, and even if it does I’ll bet it will have a real feeling to it.
Paris 36 (April 3, 2009)
French films are always intriguing. You leave the theatre feeling smart because you read during the whole movie. But this just looks like it will be a beautiful movie, even if you don’t read. Think La Vie En Rose…but about a theatre, not a person. Looks very vintage, and who doesn’t enjoy a throw back?
Sin Nombre (March 20- move it to the top of the list!)
Another foreign film, a different language and a very different plot line. Everyone who immigrates to America has a story, and sometimes two stories collide. Another Sundance favorite, it looks like this journey has a great story that needs to be told.
Is Anybody There (April 17)
My cousin saw this one at the Minneapolis Film Festival, so we’ll have to see what she thinks. I am a huge fan of Sir Michael Caine and English accents. A story about not fitting in, growing up and growing old, Caine’s character tries to reach out to a younger housemate by using his talents as a magician. I predict a sad ending, but you must lose to love and death is always a part of life.
Extract (September 4th)
Remember what I usually say about comedies and then throw it out the window. This movie is done by the same guy as Office Space (always good for a giggle), stars Kristen Wiig (the only person on SNL who makes me laugh), Ben Affleck (who is finally picking roles that allow him to not take himself so seriously) and my favorite JASON BATEMAN! oh and the dad from Juno – looks to be a lot of pot and sex humor but you know what? Sometimes you do need to laugh and these are the people I trust with my laugh potential.
Public Enemies (July 1)
I have a feeling this ones going to get over hyped, but it was filmed all around the MidWest – many places where I have lived, and in Chicago where I currently reside. Johnny Depp very rarely disappoints me and Marion Cotillard, who won for La Vie En Rose is such a stand out. oh and Christian Bale plays a good guy it seems, I love him too. (wonder if he threw any tantrums on set?) This is could be a nominee for at least art direction and cinematography if the release date doesn’t hurt it. And I love me some sepia and gangsters…not necessarily in that order
Funny People (July 31)
From the creator of Knocked Up comes a movie I might actually watch by choice. Especially since it stars Adam Sandler AND hottie Seth Rogen. I love when comic actors are able to turn the tables on their career and pick dare when it comes to choosing roles. This movies seems to house both genres, which I’m a fan of. I’m hoping for another Spanglish performance from Sandler, and I’m hoping Rogen sees this posts and gives me his number…and I hope this movie doesn’t disappoint me because I really believe it will make me happy.
My Sister’s Keeper
Even young comedic actresses are learning to break out of their shell, and Abigail Breslin is one of those smart actresses. This looks like it may be heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time which are the kind of films that are the hardest to watch and the hardest to forget. It might end up be corny and I’ll agree that it’s hard to imagine Cameron Diaz in a mother role (no offense) but I’ll give it a chance.
