L'auberge espagnole (2002), also known as Pot Luck or The Spanish Appartment, presents one of the greatest experiences ever: the Erasmus life. This French movie presents 6 students from Europe living under one roof, enjoying the hot city of Barcelona. Probably the success of the movie is owed to the fact that many students (or not) recognize themselves in one of the characters: either untidy, or funny, or too serious. Erasmus students, be prepared for a bit of nostalgia...! ~ "I did some research on the exchange program at my
university. It’s called Erasmus and it’s a complete mess."~
Xavier (Romain Durris) studies economics and reaches the conclusion that a year abroad would help him with his career. He is the main character and we see everything through his eyes. During the movie, the director does not focus on his studying, but on his private life, because Erasmus means actually personal development. ~"Leaving isn’t easy."
Packing, leaving the airport, crying on the plane, missing the girlfriend, meeting new people, being shy, sightseeing, language problems, partying, falling in love, learning, breaking up, saying goodbye, coming home and then so much changes. The story is the true portrayal of an Erasmus student. Cause I am one! ~"The confusion that dominated there seemed a lot like my own muddle."~
Otherwise, the movie does not impress from a directorial point of view, it has its funny moments and also a lot of stereotypes. While some are true, some are totally wrong. ~"There has happened a lot between the two kisses."~
Being released in 2002, the movie could also be a metaphor for a united Europe. Young people everywhere are the same. They are connected by the same things and have a huge desire to live life to its fullest.
Last week I was listening to Travis - "I love you anyways" and this lyric stuck in my head: "You were on my mind inside the cinema/ I almost had to go", so this is how the idea of showing you guys songs about cinema, movies and movie stars popped into my head.
Songs in movies, but how about songs on movies? Here you go, they're worth your time! Pixies - Debaser Based on the movie "Un chien andalou" *funky* Kate Bush - The Red Shoes "The Red shoes", dance dance dance! *energetic* Oasis - Wonderwall You probably love the song, but don't know the movie. Being a wonderwall isn't always good. *hopeful*
I really love Christian Bale! He's not the best looking actor in Hollywood, but his acting is great and he also has charisma. Here are some of my favourite movies and interviews to a better understanding:
3. The Machinist (2004) - Can you imagine not sleeping for more than a year? How it affects your judgement? That's what this movie is about! While the plot doesn't appeal too much sometimes, the atmosphere is excellently created!
And Christian really lost a lot of weight for the movie, one can actually see his skeleton!
2. The Dark Knight (2008) - Not the superhero kind of lover, but I really enjoyed this movie! Even if most of the attention goes to Heath Ledger, one of the reasons being his death, and Christian's performance is overshadowed, this movie wouldn't have been as good! Pure pop entertainment.
1. The Prestige (2006) - Because of this movie I fell in love with Christian and also Christopher Nolan, the director. Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, magic, rivalry and so many twists! Superbly crafted! Not spoiling it anymore for you, just see the movie. You'll love it.
Movie lovers, what are your favourite Christian Bale movies?
"Thank you for smoking" (2005, director Jason Reitman) is a must-see movie especially for those studying communication or PR, because it will give a stronger appreciation for the art of argumentation. The movie presents the rather unethical side of PR as we can see from the main character's statement, Nick Naylor played by Aaron Eckhart: "My job requires a certain... moral flexibility."
The story focuses on the career of the successful tobacco lobbyist, rather then on a very elaborated plot. The movie is more of a dark comedy, a satire also loaded with cultural significance that applies very well to the 21st century.
Rhetorically the focus in the movie is on the logos, the dialogue is very lively and has many levels of significance, so here are some things to dwell on:
Nick Naylor: The beauty of arguing is that if you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.
BR: We don't sell Tic Tacs, we sell cigarettes. And they're cool, available, and *addictive*. The job is almost done for us.
Lorne Lutch:
You look like a nice enough fella. What are you doing working for these assholes?
Nick Naylor:
I'm good at it. Better at doing this than I ever was at doing anything else.
Polly Bailey:
How about it Nick, are you a tit man? Bobby Jay Bliss:
Don't answer that, that's a trap.
Nick Naylor:
Depends on the tits.
Nick Naylor:
I didn't have to. I proved that you're wrong, and if you're wrong I'm right.
Joey Naylor:
But you still didn't convince me
Nick Naylor:
It's that I'm not after you. I'm after them.
[points into the crowd]
Joey Naylor:
Dad, why is the American government the best government?
Nick Naylor:
Because of our endless appeals system.
Nick Naylor:
I don't have a MD or law degree. I have a bachelor's in kicking butt and taking names.
Nick Naylor:
Most people have this image in their heads of tobacco executives
jet-setting around the world on private planes, eating foie gras as they
count their money. Not me. I like to ride with the people. Know your
clients. My people cram themselves into a tiny seat, pop a Xanax, and
dream of the moment when they can stuff their face with fresh tobacco.
If I can convince just one of these kids to pick up smoking, I've paid
for my flight. Round trip!
Nick Naylor: You know that guy who can pick up any girl, I'm him.On crack.
Is this P.T. Barnum approach still going on now? Right or wrong? True or false? Moral or immoral? Here's a perspective from the business ethics.
The 23rd James Bond movie "Skyfall" really seems to hit it off. Already grossing $US518.6 million worldwide in only two weeks, director Sam Mendes and the cast made a beautiful homage for the 50th anniversary. Some even call it the best Bond movie ever.
Here are some reasons to watch it:
1. More realism than previous releases. While your father may still not enjoy it as much, the movie is closer to real life by losing some overrated gadgets and improbable plot situations. Also one of the important themes throughout the movie is 'doing things old-school', 'coming back to one's roots'.
2. Javier Bardem's acting is great. First we see a blonde Javier Bardem. Then the sociopath Javier Bardem. On top of that, he acts gay or, at least, bisexual. His performance as Bond's antagonist is spectacular, Bardem's Silva is creepy and amusing, resembling a bit with Heath Ledger as Joker (we know Sam Mendes also directed "The Dark Knight", right?)
Source: sevenstreets.com
3. Insight to the characters' psychology. The movie invests much effort in showing us that the characters are made of flesh and blood and that they also make mistakes. Bond is, under his beautiful exterior, sometimes undecided, and the Freudian mommy issue is forever. We also get to see the house Bond grew up in and we also find out things about M's past.
4. Bond's girl: Bérénice Marlohe. Three words: charming, dangerous and human. An all too short on-screen appearance, though. Mark my words: she's your new favourite French actress.
Source: tumblr.com
5. The new Q. Nerdy Ben Whishaw and I've said it all. The movie replaces the old weapon supplier with a young dynamic man, underlining once more the recurrent opposition theme of old vs. new.
Source: flickr.com
5. Soundtrack and visuals. Adele's "Skyfall" is already a big hit. Adding the visuals from the opening credits, we get quite an artsy film. Camera and colour lovers, you will like this (sorry for the bad quality, though. This is just to get you to actually see it):
... and of course Craig. Daniel Craig. My tweet after watching the movie was: Wish I had abs worthy of Daniel Craig. #losesomeweightwoman
Bonus: You can see here a video featuring the trailer and interviews with the actors!
A Romanian movie trying to adopt the Hollywood style and even succeeds, Hello! How are you? (2010) also has an interesting message to think about.
The story follows a couple married for almost 20 years and their teenage child in Bucharest. The relationship between the two humble married people is growing apart; the distance is carefully covered more or less by their common sense and kindness, but the joy of being together is gone. They rediscover that joie de vivre on the Internet, using the chat application. Accidentally or not, as a test or rather as a coincidence, they end up virtually falling in love. With each other.
This love develops the theme of committing adultery, not knowing that they have been living together for such a long time, they start feeling guilty. Weird enough, unveiling their true identities results in a divorce and the ending shows us that the two can only be together in virtual space (that is some sort of hope that not everything is lost).
The movie underlines a very common problem in these postmodern times. How long does love last? How long should it last? How can one be happy with just one person their whole lives? How not to crave for someone else? Someone more mysterious, more enjoyable? How should one face the temptation of the unknown? But how not to change the things why the other fell in love with you? Of course, the movie doesn't provide an answer, we ourselves must face the question: How to cope with our human weakness?
The film addresses itself to two types of audiences, to the young and to the mature. The story is narrated by the boy, the crazy kindhearted teenager, trying to understand life, but the fundamental message of the movie is addressed to those who enjoy dealing with such problems, those who like dwelling on love and engagement.
What makes this movie enjoyable are the cute dialogues, the innocent behavior of the grown-ups when being afraid of being caught chatting, as well as the visual elements showing up on the screen as instant message lines. The chat and the love feeling invade the characters' minds in such way that even the food labels become instant messages (please note that the camera and graphics were developed by an ad man, so the visual is quite catchy).
Moreover, interesting is also the twist-like behavior of the two generations. While the grown-ups rediscover themselves on the Internet, the teenager manages to fall in love (and to become the good boy) and be in a relationship by using only reality.
Hello! How are you? grabs attention with its Hollywood-warning onto the fact that we keep estranging us from our Selves, that we are empty and we're constantly on the run after something new and fresh, but that we also get easily bored. All of this in a more lighted form, not as dramatic as I presented it. After all, it's a romantic comedy. A cute Romanian one.
--
Probably most of my readers are wondering why am I emphasizing on the fact the the movie is a Romanian one. Not out of patriotism, but out of the wondering that such a movie is a Romanian one. Because Romanian movies are very minimalistic, slow burners, very few dialogue occurs. But right now Romania is on the wave!
