What I've Watched.

Hey guys! I know I promised an update, but that's coming real soon! I've got one big post planned for this weekend, so do stay tuned! Here's another portion of my blog dedicated to things I've watched. Remember the first post with this theme? It was a while back, but hey why not continue it? 

I've only watched one movie throughout this busy month but darn did I absolutely loved it. 

I watched Julie&Julia late last night and finished it today; but, a part of me wants to sit down and watch it over and over again. I guess this movie climbed up in my top five favorites? 

Julie&Julia, directed by Nora Ephron chronicles two true stories of two very different women. The first part of the story examines Julie Powell, played by Amy Adams, a thirty year old woman stuck in a rut. Working as a call center agent at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, Powell answers calls from bereaved victims of the September 11 attacks, and the general population's complaints about the LMDC's controversial plans in rebuilding the World Trade Center. 

Played by the ever-so-lovely Meryl Streep, the second part of the story weaves Julia Child's foray into the cooking world. An American woman in France, Child strives to learn the art that is French cuisine. Striking up a tutelage at Le Cordon Bleu, Child's talent impresses various chefs and in turn begins collaborating on a book that introduces French cooking to American housewives.

 What I adored about this movie was the fact that it was completely focused on the cooking and both women's dreams. Romance aside, I loved the message that a person's dream is valid no matter their circumstance and that when one pursues it with utmost effort, anything is possible. 

The cast comprises of Amy Adams and Meryl Streep as Julie Powell and Julia Child. Respectively, Chris Messina and Stanley Tucci play their doting and loving husbands. Messina plays Eric Powell, Julie's husband and Tucci plays Paul Child, Julia's husband. 

The chemistry between the characters is phenomenal. Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci as a married couple in 1950s France was probably one of the most adorable sights I had ever seen. 

Eric Messina and Amy Adams portray that early millennial couple who've recently moved to new territories. Their portrayal of a young thirtysomething couple is overwhelmingly relatable. Messina plays the over-doting husband who supports his wife to the nth degree. Though both husbands love and support their wives so much, there is a point in which Powell's hobby consumes her life, causing a rift between her and her husband. 

One thing's for sure however, I loved this movie. I think foodie bloggers or foodies in general will enjoy this a whole ton. It inspires me as a blogger myself to keep going with this little ol' blog of mine. Julie Powell expresses her disbelief in the movie when she realizes she's got readers. I related to that scene on a monumental level; I know I'm blogging not only for myself, but for others as well. 

Meryl Streep's portrayal of Julia Child's no-nonsense go-with-the-flow attitude completely enamored me. She tells her students that in regards to mistakes they've got nothing to apologize for. A mistake's a mistake, and only improvement can make it better! 

I don't consider myself a fantastic cook, I can cook myself proper food but don't expect a gourmet meal! Watching this film however inspired something in me in which I have this hankering to go to my kitchen and cook everything I see. One recipe in the movie in particular I would love to make is Bouef Bourguignon. I think I'd rather pester my sister to make it for me instead. 

Thank you for reading this month's What I've Watched! I'll update properly soon, I promise! 

-s.

What I've watched so far.

So far, 2014 has started off on a very good foot for me. I hope it has also for you! It's only been 20something days since the new year and I spent the majority of those days going ahead and watching many, many movies. Mid-January right after my mid-terms, I had this long five day weekend. What's something to do better than seeing sunshine? Having a long movie marathon. 

"The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it's as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues.”
― Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

Movies are such an integral part to life. They give you brain food! I love putting myself in the character's place and thinking about how or why I would react to such things happening in the film. Not only is the art aspect completely beautiful, but the technical aspect of it all is just completely jaw dropping. This is why I admire my best friend Tiffanie so much for being a film major, I know one day she'll have her name on an Academy Award. 

Those five days at home were spent watching these wonderful movies. 

1. Amelie

Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain or The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain is probably one of the most underrated films I've ever seen. Nominated for five Academy Awards and being the recipient of Best Film at the European Film Awards, Amelie tells the tale of Amelie Poulain, a shy waitress in modern day Paris who after the death of Princess Diana, decides to change the lives of around her for the better, while struggling with her own personal isolation.

Amelie, played by the gorgeous Audrey Tatou, is one movie character that in my opinion, is so iconic. One of the scenes that stood out to me was when her personality was described. "Instead, Amelie cultivates a taste in small pleasures. Dripping her hand into sacks of grain. Cracking Crème brûlée with a teaspoon. And skipping stones in St. Martin's canal."

The French film is filmed in such a gorgeous way. The camera angles are in a constant fluid motion that goes back and forth first person, to third. What makes me love this film even more is that sometimes, Amelie breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the audience, giving the movie a personal touch. 

  

Mathieu Kassovitz, who plays photographer Nino Quincampoix, on the hunt for Amelie.

The colour red is a huge factor in this film. Throughout the movie, everyone is filmed into an almost sepia-yellowish tone, and certain colours are accented throughout. Red, being Amelie's colour. 

If you have the time, I do suggest watching this wonderful, wonderful movie. 

2. I Saw The Devil 

Complete change of genre for this one! I am a huge fan of Korean cinema, and anything with Lee Byung Hun and Choi Min Sik is a must-see. 

I Saw The Devil or Angmareul boatda, is a classic revenge and hack-and-slash film. Lee Byung Hun plays Soo Hyun, a husband whom will go all out in regards to avenging his gruesomely murdered pregnant wife. Soo Hyun is a secret service agent for the National Intelligence Service and fully uses his connections to find the culprit. 

Choi Min-sik of Old Boy fame, comes back after a self imposed exile in Korean cinema as sadistic and villainous serial killer, Kyung Chul. A race against time is played when the two go head to head. 

Personally, I thought this movie was an absolute different genre. It had me at the edge of my seat and for the majority of the time, I was biting down on my pillow at all the gore going on. One scene in particular had me looking away, in which Kyung Chul lures a man into giving him a taxi ride, needless to say, only one survived that night. 

If you're up for a thriller that'll keep you guessing what happens next, I do highly recommend these. 

3. Stuck in Love 

Stuck in Love is an American independent romantic comedy film that features an ensemble cast. The stories all obviously revolve around "love" but the overlying theme of family is heavily present. This fantastic film revolves around the lives and love lives of the Borgen family. 

Greg Kinnear plays Neil, a successful novelist who is still in love with Jennifer Connelly's character, Erica. Neil is still hungover the fact that Erica had left him for a younger man and yearns that one day, she will return to him and their family. Nat Wolff of Naked Brother's Band fame plays Rusty, Neil and Erica's youngest son who is only starting to find love. Kristen Bell plays Tricia, a young twentysomething who serves as comic relief; she is Neil's booty call and often gives him advice on how to mend midlife crisis.

Lily Collins (who I worship because she is so beautiful and I love everything about her) plays Samantha, Erica and Neil's eldest daughter, and Rusty's older sister. Samantha is a newly published author, following in her father's footsteps. Due to the divorce, she has no love left for her mother, often shunning her and shutting her out of her life. Samantha loves bad boys and doesn't do romance, but things change when she meets Lou, played by Logan Lerman. 

Though this movie is centric on love, it's theme of family as a whole is clearly evident.  The musical selection in this movie is also phenomenal. 

I found myself awe-ing a ton during this movie, quite a fan of the witty dialogue exchanged between Samantha and Lou. 

4. The House

Another Korean film up here! As much as I love live action movies, I am a sucker for animation. The House, a 2011 Korean animated movie, further proves that animation can do so much. In my opinion, The House, or Jib, is mainly visual eye candy rather than a story to take in. I was completely in love with how it was animated, it was something I'd imagine one would see in the late 80s on Nickelodeon. 

The House, tells the story of young woman who is an after school tutor moving into a lesser than posh area to make ends meet. She calls the place ghetto, and severely hates where she is, up until she realizes that the spirits of the buildings around her, make things a lot less complicated. 

The animation is combined with real life elements, shown by the screen captures above. The House was something beautiful in the most simple of ways.

5. Penelope

I am literally kicking myself because I had no idea this movie existed until as of recent. Christina Ricci was my childhood crush for gods sake! 

Tiffanie and I were actually talking about this movie and how it is so underrated and it deserves to be recognized more! Penelope is a modern fairy tale. It tells the story of how way back in their family tree, a man fell in love with the servant girl, yet with their social differences, was forced to lie about their relationship. The disgruntled maid threw herself off a cliff, and with that came the apparent rage of her mother, the town witch. The town witch placed a curse on the Wilhern family and that their first born daughter would have the face of a pig and that the only way to reverse the curse was to have "one of their own" love them. Years pass and all Wilhern's have boys, that is until Penelope is born. 

Catherine O'Hara plays Penelope's mother, caring but at the same time extremely over bearing. She sets up massive blind dates with many suitors in order to break 25 year old Penelope's curse. 

What I completely love about this movie is the fact that they make it apparent that flaws on a person do not reflect their character. Penelope having a face of a pig doesn't reveal that she is a smart, caring, and lovely girl. My gosh this was a great movie. 

James McAvoy plays Max Campion, a down on his luck gambler who is hired by private investigators to reveal Penelope. Little did he know, he'd care for her. Peter Dinklage of Game of Thrones fame plays the private eye hell bent on exposing Penelope. Rounding out the cast is Reese Witherspoon, who plays Penelope's best friend and guide to the real world, not to mention she drives a damn awesome Vespa. It's got wings! 

These movies have made a profound impact in these 20something days. Though I did intend for them to be background noise, I didn't realize how amazing these movies would be. If I were you, I would go ahead and watch them. 

What movies have you watched recently?