Masterpieces Classics: La Dolce Vita (1960)

When I think of Fellini's La Dolce Vita, I think of the Trevi Fountain sequence. It may be the highlight of the film, but is it the film? No. It is a small part, and that's all.

La Dolce Vita, or in English, The Sweet Life, is actually quite bitter. The film, known for its divided sequences, is episodic. Unlike life, it has the boring parts cut, instead, remain memories. All of them, bitter, but they are memories, none the less, and they are the important ones that truly define Marcello.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012): Once upon a time in the Wes.

Once upon a time, Martin Scorsese, was asked who would succeed him. His answer? The little known Wes Anderson, hot off the heels of Bottle Rocket. After viewing Tenenbaums, Mr. Fox, Darjeeling, and finally Moonrise Kingdom, I'm proud to say that his latest might be his greatest.

Moonrise Kingdom is the 2nd film in 2 years about kids who go to church and face the troubles of growing up, 1st being The Tree of Life. All kidding aside, this is a funny, maybe moving coming-of-age story. This should be required viewing for all teens, like me.

Masterpieces Classics: Modern Times (1936)

Note: This is for a film essay project for www.collectivemovielove.blogspot.com


Modern Times: A film for the 99%.
By Sean Wu.

In an episode of the popular American TV show, The Office, secretary Pam Beasley dresses up like the Little Tramp for Halloween. She makes a reference saying she can’t take off the iconic bowler cap, for she would look like Hitler. Watching that clip, I was curious if American audiences would understand her dress-up. I think they would.

The Little Tramp is debatably the greatest characters to grace the screen, surpassing the likes of Indiana Jones, and Hannibal Lecter. What defines this character, in my opinion, is not the hat, moustache, or the cane. It’s the smile, which is always shown. In all of the films that feature The Little Tramp, I do not recall a tear shed.

Venice Film Festival lineup!

The Master ain't 'Joaquin' away Venice.

Arguably late to the party, again.

Venice has a lineup more stellar than in recent memory. Previous reports stated that Italy wanted to, must I say it, 'reel' in De Palma's Passion, Malick's To the Wonder, and Thomas Anderson's The Master. They have all three, and then some.

Full lineup here.

Toronto Film Festival Lineup announced!

I'm late to the party with this announcement, but old news is still big news.

The Toronto Film Festival has announced it's lineup, and it ain't shoddy. Opening the festivities is Looper. More fun is shipped in by Argo, To the Wonder, and The Master.

Full lineup here.

Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' takes the Kane in the new 'Sight and Sound' Poll.

Carlotta Valdes

It's official. Vertigo  is the greatest film of all time. I have no problem with that, since I also consider it the greatest of all time. (Expect a 'Masterpieces Classics' review). Citizen Kane, the 5-time champion has fallen.

The true winner, actually, would be Ozu's Tokyo Story. Rising to #3, dethroning the slightly overrated The Rules of the Game, TS's true victory was in the director's poll, where it took the top spot. Vertigo was at #7.

Top 50 films are here.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012): A rise to the occasion.

I am going to start with saying this: YES, this is better than The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight Rises is a bigger film with better characters and a badass Bane.

The film kicks off on a sour note. With all these new characters, we never see them get a proper introduction. The 8 year difference between the films is also a contribution to the introduction of the new characters. We see Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the movie, trying to steal from a hermit Bruce Wayne. This is our beginning setup, but why? It's not very well explained, except for implication that Bruce is a hermit after making a poor investment in Wayne Enterprises.

Masterpieces Classics: Children of Paradise (1945)

What are Hugh doing, Mr. Jackman?

Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise has been described as France's answer to Gone With the Wind. But,  this sweeping epic/romance what-have-you is greater than Gone With The Wind. It's a more majestic, leaner, and subtle.

What is Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise? It is the telling tale of 4 men and the woman they love. First is Baptiste, a popular mime, and the good-hearted man out of the 4. He's the one that can't find love, except for the theater director's daughter, Nathalie, who can't get the message that Baptiste doesn't love her.

The Master, theatrical trailer.

PT Anderson is back... with a vengeance! Expect a 'Dark Knight Rises' review tomorrow...

Tarantino's Django Unchained has a trailer!

Tarantino's back!