Wednesday, June 22, 2011

BLUE VALENTINE-NOBODY BABY BUT YOU AND ME...


This film is marvellous!
I knew Id be in for a treat if David Stratton was giving it four stars. Furthurmore, it had gained a series of International nominations for acting and directing.
"Blue Valentine" is a profound love story shown to us from both the past and present.Warm fuzzy beginnings are juxtaposed with tense and violent outbursts.
It stars the angelical Michelle Williams as "Cindy" the tortured prom queen and the delicious Ryan Gosling as "Dean" the lovable fuck up.
The chemistry between these two players is palpable. They skillfully illustrate the addictive nature of any co dependent relationship-where you cant live with or without one other.
This chemistry was all thanks to their director Derek Cianfrance. Dererk is a former documentary maker who goes well beyond the call of duty. "Blue Valentine" became a 12 year project for Derek. After several re writes;he assumed best friend status with both Michelle and Ryan. Forcing them to reevaluate themselves in order to bring legitimacy to the characters they were portraying.
Derek challenged the actors with improvisational experiments forcing them to sink AND swim.
He was relentless in his pursuit for authenticity. To be immersed in their environment,both actors lived together with their pseudo daughter on a budget for a months time. Some of the dialogue we see exchanged between the two is actually the first take that was filmed. As an audience we are served REAL people with real reactions.
Thank you Derek.
There simply isn't enough of this kind of film making around.
The premise for the film wasn't entirely original.
Who cares!
Every frame was beautifully and originally executed.
As far as Im concerned,despite Dawsons Creek, Michelle Williams has not put a foot wrong as an actor. She was born to be on the screen and is captivating as Cindy. She carefully demonstrates how even the most beautiful and talented being can think so little of themselves.Continuing to make bad choices their whole lives. All the while questioning why everything always turn to shit. Cindy is not alone.
Ryan. This is no "Notebook" boys and girls. Ryan was able to play an earnest loving father and husband. Unfortunately with no direction in his life and alcohol as his fuel; he could easily morph into someone slightly reminiscent of Jake Lamotta.
Despite their genuine adoration for each other and their little girl "Frankie" played by Faith Wladyka (well done Faith,the lisp was a little over done)these two just couldn't meet in the middle. Are we sad, dissapointed, disillusioned?
No.
For me the message is clear.
"Blue Valentine" is a wake up call to all you love hopefuls.
At the end of the day,life is YOUR journey,your choices.
In this way the catch cry of the film "Nobody baby but you and me" is deconstructed.
A relationship is there to enhance that journey NOT fill in the blanks.
You cant blame someone if YOU forgot to take out the trash.
You dig?


See it NOW!


Jax
xxxx

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

9 SONGS


Hello my friends.
So we meet again.
The movie I want to talk about today is interesting to say the least.
"9 songs" opened to intense controversy. For the first time since porn do we see two actors actually "doin it" "makin love", "rubbin uglies"etc (no flesh colored undies or nuttin)
Despite the controversy,it formed part of the Official selection at both Sundance and Cannes in 2004.
This 71 minute feature includes live footage of nine concerts (my favourite being the irrepresible Franz Ferdinand)
These concerts form the backdrop for a frenzied sexual affair between young American student "Lisa" played by Margo Stilley and glaciologist "Matt" played by Kieran O'Brien.
Director and writer Michael Winterbottom (of "24 hour party people" fame)gets straight to the sex stuff.
He doesnt really bother with a script and there is only the vague remnants of a plot.
Nevertheless,I found the sex scenes to be intensely captivating. Sure, I was blushing a little but it was so REAL!
Reminiscent of what the Europeans do just a little more X rated.
He show us how sexual desire for another can be both intoxicating and addictive.
All of this and it has nothing to do with Love.
It doesnt seem to matter that there is no real character development here. The sex and the music are enough to steal the show.
Like most true tales,all good things eventually must come to an end.
Lisa was annoying at times. But what young,mentally unstable coke head isn't?After a while, Matt realizes he'd had his fill and that he is simply no match for Lisa's vibrator.
No hard feelings, just lots of horny memories.
Why not!?
A mature man's "Dude where's my dildo?"

Give it a go!

JAX

Thursday, June 2, 2011

TRUE BLOOD SEASON THREE-GIMME MORE!



Well it had been a long 18 months since my last installment of TRUE BLOOD.
Author/Psychiatrist Scott Peck taught me one of the best ways to endure this difficult life is to delay gratification.
In this way, the eventual outcome is more fullfilling and longlasting.
Have you noticed how the chocolate cake tastes sweeter when you haven't had any for a while....?
Similarily,how tender your lovers touch seems when they've been away for a week?
So too,no True Blood for a while results in some intensely salivating viewing!
It is wrong to describe True Blood simply as a show about Vampires. It is so much more than that.
With a creator like Alan Ball,how could it not be?
This man could make a 10 part series on "Mr Ed" and have us begging for more!
We are able to access his worlds so easily,that it makes it all the more difficult to pack up at the end of each season.
Funnily enough; I sat glued to a TV for 10 days while I watched his entire series "Six Feet Under"
In season three,we are introduced to more good (Fairys) and bad (werewolfs)supernatural powers.
All the favourites return for this sexy bloody feast.
Bloody,yes, gory no. Pornographic not,horny YES- me,indeed!
There was plenty of fresh meat in this season. In particular Joe Mangenellio as kindly werewolf "Alcide". Grrrrrr Grrrrrr!
Season three was able to be raunchy and romantic at the same time.
The scene where Bill and Sookie finally reunite is wonderfully warm and realistic.( It probably helps that these two are married in real life.)
The stand out casting decision for this season was Denis O hare as "Russell Eddington" The 3,000 year old Vampire King of Mississipi. WOW!
Its no surprise this guy has won several awards including a Tony.. A dynamo performance from start to finish. Denis skillfully demonstrates all that a Vampire king is:horny,seductive,cunning,beguiling. Denis-your a magician!
Under Balls commission,writers Alexander Woo and Raelle Tucker give us some wonderfully funny and poignant dialogue.
For instance – "Jason" to "Hoyt"- “Never thought I was really smart enough to get depressed.” or – "Russell"to "Eric": Throughout history I have aligned myself with or destroyed those humans in power, hoping to make a dent in mankind’s race to oblivion.What other creature actively destroys his own habitat?”
Its funny,informative and most of all original.
I cannot wait for Season four! (but I will)

JAX