L'Arnacoeur (Heartbreaker)

YouTube

I've been a fan of French cinema since film school. But it's only recently that I seem to have developed a taste for French rom-coms. Thanks, French Film Festival!

This is the nth movie I've seen that made a reference to Dirty Dancing, so I cannot let my ignorance go on any longer. I had to watch Dirty Dancing. But more on that next time.

YouTube

We shall also be discussing "The Lift" in more detail.

Although this film is in French and takes place in Monaco, it is not a purely French production. Focus Features, an American company, has a hand in it. That is why there are English-language references, such as Dirty Dancing, George Michael, and an English soundtrack. Also, The Walking Dead's Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) is also in it.

Ace Showbiz

"I still only speak basic French."

The film features a great performance by Romain Duris, who sort of looks like a French Russell Brand. And incidentally, Monsieur Duris is now my favorite French actor.

YouTube

Le badasse.

The female lead Juliette (Vanessa Paradis) might turn some people off because of the huge gap between her front teeth. You might be wondering why a big French superstar like her doesn't spend money on braces to bridge that gap as wide as the Amazon river. I believe the answer is character. Her gap tooth gives her character. She has probably grown accustomed to that gap that it has become a part of her. To bridge that gap is to cease becoming Vanessa Paradis. She and her gap are one. You get what I'm saying. When the French say "beautiful", they mean "flawed".

YouTube

You can take a ruler and measure that gap.

You'll know the "romantic" part of romantic comedy works when, despite having a not-so-pretty female lead (not so pretty only because of the gap tooth), you get that giddy feeling inside. This goes for both the Alex-Juliette love story, or the Mélanie-Marc married couple antics. This means the storytelling was effective, and the narrative tugged at your heartstrings, regardless of whether you had a crush on the girl in the first place. This means that, like the male character, you fell in love. Although it wouldn't hurt to still want to shag that nympho girl Sophie (Helena Noguerra).

YouTube

Yes, she is the hottest woman in this movie.

And finally, Dirty Dancing. There must be something about this film if it's being referenced by the French. My girlfriend has been hounding me to watch it for quite a while now. And she didn't like it when I finally decided to watch it not because of her, but because I saw it in a French film.

YouTube

If you still haven't seen this, what the hell are you waiting for?

L'Arnacoeur (Heartbreaker). France/Monaco. 2010.



Rating: Seven out of ten.

Downton Abbey. Series 1

I'm not quite sure why I took a liking to Downton Abbey, a British-American period drama about the Earl of Grantham, Lord Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), and his family—his wife and Countess of Grantham Lady Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern), and their daughters Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), and Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay), including his mother, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Lady Violet Crawley, played by the always magnificent Maggie Smith.

Watch it for the sole reason of her acting prowess.

But not only do we follow the story of the Crawleys, but also the people who work at Downton Abbey. We see who are up to no good and those who are loyal to the family and their jobs. The carefully crafted intertwined stories of the upstairs and downstairs is, I think, one of the series's great strengths. Though these people are not equal in stature, their troubles and joys are of the same weight.

Community Season 2 Review, or Now Let's Move On to Season 3

One good thing about Community is that even if it's set in a college, it's not about college. It's about life. It treats college as a microcosm of life, with all it ups, downs, relationships, friendships, and other scholastic what-not.

Anyway, if you remember what happened in the season finale, you'd think to yourself, "How are they going to get themselves out of that mess?" And how are they, really? Let's find out.

1. "Anthropology 101"

VLC

Yes, we know. Yuck.

First on the agenda: Get the study group out of the mess that they're in. The mess created by Britta (Gillian Jacob)'s profession of love to Jeff (Joel McHale), and then his subsequent make-out session with Annie (Alison Brie). But you can't start a 22-episode season with awkwardness. So what do you do? Erase everything. Clean slate. And suspend your disbelief, even for just this episode.

And since this is the season opener, we're entitled to a really great end credits sequence. No, it's not "Donde Esta La Biblioteca?" That's so season 1.

The Walking Dead Season 1 Review, or Look Ma, I'm a Zombie!

VLC

There are already quite a lot of zombie films out there, and I think the zombie/undead phenomenon already has its own mythology (yet according to spell check, "undead" is not a word). True, the mythologies for vampires and werewolves are quite numerous, and also conflicting. The zombie mythology, however, seems pretty solid.

Here are some basic zombie facts:

1. Zombies are not alive.
2. A bite from a zombie will turn you into a zombie.
3. Most zombies move rather slow, but a lot of them can outrun you.
4. Zombies cannot be defeated by plants.

Pop Cap

It's just a game, people. It's not real.

Anyway, let's check out the entire first season of The Walking Dead.

1. "Days Gone By"

VLC

Now that's how a zombie looks like.

Ghost town─check. Zombie outbreak─check. Gross animatronics─check. Morality issues─check. But what's worse than an infestation of zombies? It's finding out that your best friend's been banging your wife.

Une Vie de Chat (A Cat in Paris) Review, or Seriously Academy? You Gave the Oscar to Rango?

YouTube

The title actually translates to A Cat's Life. But you know Americans and their translations. I mean, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo isn't even an accurate translation. It doesn't even come close.

Anyway, what's up, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? Why didn't this win the Oscar for Best Animated Film? I'll tell you why.

Because it's French.

Blogger

"But we French have ze best night skyline in ze world!"

As awesome as the animation is, with its distinctive French style, this film did not win the Oscar because of the simple fact that it was French.

The Artist took home five Oscars that night, which meant that France had already reached its award quota.

The Snipe News

"Seriously, zat's racist. We're out of 'ere."

And so the Oscar went to Rango. Which is strange, really. I had to struggle to keep awake watching Rango, while I was able to appreciate this film even without subtitles.

Blogger

Maybe we can have Gore Verbinski whacked by these French gangsters.

Une Vie de Chat (A Cat in Paris). France. 2010.



Rating: Eight and a half out of ten.

Sherlock. Series 1

What do both Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have in common, aside from both being writers of Doctor Who, and proper Whovians in themselves? The answer is that they are both big fans of Arthur Conan Doyle, and the ones who came up with the idea of putting the Conan Doyle's famous creation smack in the middle of second millennium-London.

This is the first time I've actually encountered a TV show with only three episodes per series ("season" in the US), with each episode lasting 90 minutes. I'm familiar with the 6-, 12-, and 24-episode series, but not this. Anyway, I'm not complaining. I just wanted to mention that I learned something new from the Brits. Yet again.

This first series came out in mid-2010, and fans had to wait a year and a half for series 2. Blame it on Peter Jackson, whose film The Hobbit created scheduling conflicts for Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins, and maybe Benedict Cumberbatch as well, who voices the dragon Smaug. But the BBC decided to start the year right, by bringing series 2 on New Year's Day itself, creating the grand fireworks display between Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler.

But before we go onto the review of the first episode of series 2, here is a recap of the entire first series. Clicking on the episode title links back to the original review, which is actually already here, so it wouldn't be necessary to click it. Unless you want to give this blog more hits, then by all means, click away.


1. "A Study in Pink"

I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since grade school. Although I admit, I haven't read the entire canon. But I've read quite a lot. And if you've been a fan of Holmes for some time now, you'll recognize the title from A Study in Scarlet.

Then you get to the part where Sherlock asks John:

"Afghanistan or Iraq?"

Due Date

From the title itself, you know this is about a pregnancy. But from the poster, you know that this stars Robert Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. So who's giving birth?

Certainly not the alpha male of this flick.

It's actually Robert Downey, Jr.'s wife who's pregnant. And she's played by Michelle Monaghan. Who I don't really fancy. Not my type. But she sure is Jamie Foxx's type. Wait, so how does this play again? RDJ and Jamie Foxx have been friends for like twenty years. Foxx and Monaghan used to date. And Monaghan is now married to RDJ. Yet Foxx and Monaghan still keep in touch. The situation is so absurd that everyone was half-expecting Monaghan's baby to be black.

Not really his baby. Got you there.

Wait, so how does Zach Galifianakis come into the picture? As an unwanted asshole, that's how. Funny how Galifianakis's roles are always assholes. It's not because of the beard, is it? I mean, beards don't make assholes, right?

Does that not look like an asshole to you?

Finally, speaking of beards, I don't think Galifianakis can do proper comedy without his beard. I'll bet that if you shave his beard off, he loses his comedic powers. Kind of like Samson. That's why in The Hangover Part II, he shaved his head, but not his beard. So I'm betting that in his next flick, he still has the beard.

Speaking of which, the director Todd Phillips also directed both Hangover films. Which is probably why Galifianakis gets to be just as annoying in this film.


Due Date. USA. 2010.


Rating: Six and a half out of ten.
Danny McBride's cameo: Plus point three.
Final rating: Six point eight out of ten.



*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC

Sherlock. Episode 3: "The Great Game"

Among the three episodes of Sherlock thus far, this is probably my least favorite. Make no mistake, I love all of them. But if I had to choose which one was my least favorite, and if I had a gun to my head, then I'd say it's "The Great Game".

First, there's just too much going on.

Too much, in fact, that Sherlock just got an orgasm.

There are five phone pips here, each pip being one mystery, so that's five mysteries in all. And although each of the five mysteries can stand alone, they are merely sub-mysteries of one big mystery. Which involves...

Professor Moriarty, which is my second point here.

I know Moriarty is psycho. But Andrew Scott is just creepy. It's the way he delivers his lines─like he's definitely unhinged. He should've been killed. Plus, he looks a bit like Jim Parsons.

My new favorite character in this show (like we have a lot to choose from) is none other than this guy:

"Who? Me?"

Yep. Mycroft Holmes. Sherlock's brother. Played by Mark Gatiss. If you think the name rings a bell, it should. You've seen it before.

Yes, he's the writer of this episode, and the co-creator of this series. And he's a bloody brilliant actor.

I loved the root canal bit.

Sherlock (Episode 3). UK. 2010.


Rating: Eight point five out of ten.



*some info from IMDb and Wikipedia
pics from VLC

Sherlock. Episode 2: "The Blind Banker"

More Sherlock. Man, I love this show so much.

This episode shows us more of Sherlock's eccentricities. Sherlock Holmes is not just a genius. He's half-genius and half-madman.

The master at work.

This episode also shows us more of Watson's normal side. He actually goes out on dates. And his date is quite pretty, too.

Gotta love John Watson's expression here.
Sherlock, as always, is a third wheel.

What makes the chemistry between Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman work so well is the contrast between their characters. The normal-ness of John Watson balances out the pure weirdness of Sherlock Holmes.

And once more, Steven Moffat, you are a damn good writer. For those who don't know, every episode of Sherlock is kind of a hodge-podge of different Sherlock Holmes stories. This episode in particular takes from "The Valley of Fear" and "The Dancing Men". Now you have to admit that Steven Moffat is a master of adaptation. And this makes me excited about the upcoming Tintin flick. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Moffat. Perfect.

"Two Stevens?"

Also, this episode introduced me to the beauty that is Gemma Chan. You are so damn cute, Gemma. But you died in this episode, so I guess you won't be coming back.

Click here to go to The Crush Archives.

Sherlock (Episode 2). UK. 2010.


Rating: Eight point eight out of ten.



*some info from Wikipedia
pics from Tumblr, VLC, and Comics Alliance

Sherlock. Episode 1: "A Study in Pink"

I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since grade school. Although I admit, I haven't read the entire canon. But I've read quite a lot. And if you've been a fan of Holmes for some time now, you'll recognize the title from A Study in Scarlet.

Then you get to the part where Sherlock asks John:

"Afghanistan or Iraq?"

Then you'll know that this is definitely A Study in Scarlet. And this is also the part where you get hooked.

Modernizing Sherlock Holmes─Best. Idea. Ever.

And then you see Benedict Cumberbatch. And while I've got nothing against Robert Downey, Jr., I think Cumberbatch is a better Sherlock. I think it's because RDJ makes Sherlock Holmes seem cool, but Sherlock Holmes is actually a square. He's an oddball that no one wants to hang out with─except Dr. John Watson.

And although Jude Law has more ovary-bursting good looks, I like Martin Freeman's Watson better. Freeman's Watson is an ordinary every-man, a perfect complement to Cumberbatch's oddball weirdo.

Also, he still kills like a soldier.

And because this series was co-created and co-written by Steven Moffat, I've now one more reason to check out Doctor Who.

Aside from Karen Gillan's legs.

Now before we end, let me just say that it is the first episode that will determine whether you will become a fan or not. And if the bloody brilliance of the character that is Sherlock Holmes doesn't turn you on, then Benedict Cumberbatch should do the trick.

This man spawned the word "Cumberbitch",
referring to all the women whose ovaries exploded.

*This is a single episode of an entire season (which consists only of three episodes), and one episode lasts almost 90 minutes, like a proper film in itself. As such, this will not be reviewed in the micro format, and thus will also get an individual rating.


Sherlock (Episode 1). UK. 2010.


Rating: Nine out of ten.



*some info from IMDb
pics from VLC, Tumblr and cdnds.net

BECK (2010)

I had always thought I had gotten over my pretty Japanese boy-phase─and then comes the BECK live-action, which has me in a fangirl-frenzy.

Mizushima Hiro and Mukai Osamu. Mmmmm, boy. ♥
[photos from www.dailyotaku.com and tamfeels.blogspot.com]

BECK is about these five guys─Chiba (Vocals), Koyuki (Vocals, Guitars), Ryusuke (Lead Guitars), Taira (Bass) and Saku (Drums)─who form this band and are trying to make it big in the Japanese music scene.

Huh, there's not a lot I can add to that to describe the plot. It's mostly character-driven, focusing on the band members' relationships with one another.

This is the first anime live-action adaptation I've watched where the actors are just as, if not more, attractive than their animated counterparts.

Case in point.

The movie was a pretty good adaptation of the series. Of course, since it's pressed for time, there wasn't a lot of character growth, and the relationships between the characters weren't fleshed out as well as the animated series, if they were fleshed out at all.

The American characters looked very cartoonish and bordered on stereotype, and I thought they mis-cast Maho. The actress (Kutsuna Shiori) was pretty, but she lacked the badass vibe animated/manga Maho had. The guy who played Chiba (Kiritani Kenta) was awesome, though. He got all of Chiba's quirks without it looking forced.

BECK was a fun watch. I now feel like I have to rewatch the anime since it's been years. I also feel the need to sing in a band again. I only wish they used some of the music in the anime because it was so iconic of the show, so I leave you with the anime's opening theme.

This review originally appears in Teluete's blog, Gab Can Fly. Check it out.

Enthiran (The Robot)

This film devirginized me from my Bollywood virginity.

But just to be politically correct, this is technically a Kollywood film. Indian cinema is actually made up of Bollywood, or Hindi cinema, and Kollywood, or Tamil cinema. So just to be on the safe side, I'll just call them Indian movies.

Happyland

The kid in the poster doesn't really look too happy.

If you haven't heard about Happyland, I honestly don't blame you. It's an indie film. And we all know how popular indie films are in the Philippines.

It used to be as popular as this sport.

The project is great, don't get me wrong. It's about football. But I think the whole approach is wrong.

About as wrong as putting a football jersey on a religious icon.

First off, it'll shatter your notions about Philippine football. I always thought that Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo was the center of local football. I never thought there would be a football mecca in Luzon. Apparently, there is. And in the country's capital to boot (pun not really intended). It turns out that Tondo, Manila is one of the few places in this country where you can hold a summer football league and have like ten participating teams, easy. And we're not just talking about pee-wee football. We're talking like the summer basketball leagues in every municipality, the ones where a few black eyes and a few knocked out teeth are quite normal. And it's Tondo, so you could also end up having an ice pick through your abdomen. Just kidding, Tondo.

The story, by the way, is about how a Spanish priest from the Don Bosco seminary taught some street ruffians from Tondo how to play football. And this isn't fiction either. It's a true story. And because it was an indie film, it operated on a meager budget. So why didn't the filmmakers do a documentary instead? I mean, in my opinion, if budget constraints would compromise the storytelling, then to hell with a narrative feature. A documentary would cost less to produce, and be more respectable-looking compared to a cheaply-made feature film.

On the other hand, I also get director Jim Libiran's vision. He says this film isn't geared toward making money. His aim is to spread the football virus and bring it down to the grassroots level. And that won't happen with a documentary, because no one really watches documentaries in this country. A narrative feature would appeal more to the average Filipino moviegoer. Yeah, okay, I get it.

"Look at our son. Bending over like Beckham."

There were a few saving graces to this film, though.

• Father John Andreu's cute Spanish accent. He speaks straight Tagalog, but with the unmistakable accent of a non-native speaker. As long as they're not into pedophelia or rape, old Spanish priests are cute.
• Peter Amores, who plays Brother Pedro. (Really? Pedro.. Peter... could you be any more subtle?) He is actually the lead proponent of the futkal program. One of futkal's aims is to bring football down to same level as popular children's games like taguan and patintero. Great job, Pedro. I mean, Peter.
• Phil Younghusband's cameo. One thing I noticed about Phil Younghusband was his legs. He has relatively skinny legs, compared to the football players I know. Ideally, he should have thighs like Beyoncé.
• The tears in my eyes. There were some dramatic moments toward the end, and it was pretty effective, because the kids didn't seem to be acting at all. That's because they're not actors. They're real street ruffians.
• China Cojuangco is a football chick. Surprisingly, she's still hot. 
• Jun Sabayton's cameo. I don't even have to explain.

And now, here are my parting words of wisdom: Watch this only if you're a football fanatic. Otherwise it would be a total waste of time.

Damn. Should've let Garry Potter of the Azkals write this review.


*some info from
pic from The Best Films and YouTube


Happyland. Philippines. 2010.


Rating: Five out of ten.

Easy A

Honestly, even if I watched the whole Easy A movie, I still don't know what the fuck "easy A" means, or where does it come into this movie (Nice ass? Easy ass was all I could think of). I wish I could tap Emma Stone's easy-ass while stoned!

Come on, she dares you to.

Good for Emma to bag her first lead role. I guess we should thank Superbad and Zombieland for givin' us the opportunity to get a sneak preview of her [Emma and Jonah Hill in Superbad or we could thank Jules' "family jules (jewels)" for that]. I honestly do hope that this would be the first of many lead roles to showcase those family jewels.

Um, may we see those alleged "family jewels"?

I wasn't really laughin' out loud (LOL-ing) the whole time the movie was bein' played. Though I kinda' snickered when it came to some parts of the flick. Good old-fashioned American humor was at play, it means. Therefore this garners a 5.5. That's because I laughed, and Emma's hot!

Does this mean that Fantastic 4 automatically gets a 10?

images from: shefinds.com, latimes.com, thecinemasource.com, filmfodder.com