Sport movies !

On the occasion of the release of the movie: “Rush” (which deals with the duel between James Hunt and Niki Lauda in F1), I suggest you guys, some sports movies to be seen.

I was inspired by the following press article: http://www.businessinsider.com/rush-movie-what-critics-are-saying-2013-9

It is full of critics about the movie: “But what is getting critics revved up about this movie is the depiction of the rivalry between the drivers along with the up-close and personal touch to the way racing scenes are filmed.”

Rush is Ron Howard’s movie. It deals with the duel between two stars for the conquest of the championship’s F1 of the world, in 1976. With this movie we are in the center of the world pilot family, embodied by two pilots with strong personality…. Along the story we’ll see their love stories, their confrontation on the track and the dramatic accident of Lauda during Grand prix of Germany on August 1st, 1976.

First movie I select for you is « Ali » (2002). Michael Mann tells the life of Ali from 1964 till 1974, since his first world title until his fight against George Foreman. It is as the same time a movie about boxers but and also about America unsettled because of racism.

Second film « Million dollar baby » (2004), it must ring you a bell as it is the most recent one. It is a Clint Eastwood’s movie. It is Maggie Fitzgerald’s story, a young boxer in search of glory and coached by an ex champion. This movie shows the obsession of the success, the habits of the US society and the euthanasia.

Then, “The Wrestler” dated of 2008. By filming the pathetic efforts of an ex star of the wrestling which starts again after two decades of alcoholism, Daren Aronofsky offers us a deeply movie which presents the reality of US.

The last movie is a French one entitled « Le vélo de Ghislain Lambert » (2001). Native of Belgium, Ghislain Lambert (Benoît Poelvoorde) was born at the same day as the major Eddie Merckx (cyclist), but both of them will have a different fate. But he already thinks to be the idol of the cyclist team. The director, Philippe Harel restores the seventies atmosphere of the Belgian bike.

Now guys, I’m waiting for your point of view regarding sport movies. Girls, do you like them? For me, sport movies are more for boys, aren’t they? Do you think sport movies have a place among cinema?  

Marie 

The notebook

Hello everybody !

The last week I was talking about the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”, based on a book. This week, I would to speak about one of my favorite movies of this “love-category”, which is also based on a book. It is not very known, that’s why I want you to discover it, and I want make you want to see ! So you have to remember the title, please !! 

THE NOTEBOOK

Nicholas Sparks has written this story. Four of his books have been adapted for the cinema, for instance Message in a bottle, or Dear John, more recently (which I recommend too!). With him, you are sure to find all the ingredients that a love story needs, well balanced.

The Notebook, (“N’oublie jamais” in French), directed by Nick Cassavettes in 2004, has a real scenario, it is not a simple love story already seen and reviewed. Duke (James Garner), a resident of a nursing home is reading a story to an other resident (Gena Rowlands) reached to Alzheimer. Every day, he tells her the story of Allie (Rachel MacAdams), rich heiress, and Noah (Ryan Gosling), who is just a simple worker. Actually, she has recorded her own story, when she learns her disease…

We are in 1940, and the Hamilton come to Seabrook for the holidays. Allie will meet Noah there, it was the 6^th June 1940, at the carnival. Immediately, they fall in love. They will spend most of their time together, during the summer. They fight constantly and they are constantly testing but, despite their differences, they have one thing in common : they are crazy about each other. But the family of Allie disagree with that, and her mother forbade her to see Noah, because of his situation…Then, it’s time to leave for her … Noah will write letters to her for one year, 365 letters exactly. But she will never have its. After years of separation, at the end of the war, Allie gets ready to marry a lawyer. When she learns by the newspaper the return of Noah …

Now, if you are a little bit curious and if you want two hours of pleasure and entertainment, you just have to watch this movie, trust me !!! I am waiting for your comments and your feelings !

Floriane

Trainspotting !

Hi everyone!!!

Today I’m going to talk about the movie Trainspotting. 

Maybe some of you know this one and others don’t, so let me introduce it.

Well, Trainspotting is drama by Danny Boyle, made in 1996.

                                     

This movie relates the adventures of Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor knows for Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars), a junkie in Edinburgh who tries to split up with his friends. They are bad influence on him.

This group is marginal and addict to heroine. Mark sees his situation and is the one of his friends with lots of discernment. They commit some infraction and try to survive in a drug universe.

The soundtracks of this movie are very famous. Singers are reputed as Lou Reed or Iggy Pop and there are also pop songs from Pulp or Blur.

Moreover, there are two albums for Trainspotting, one with all songs present in the movie and another, which is a blending between songs in the film and songs doing inspiration. One of the songs that inspired Danny Boyle is the famous Passenger of Iggy Pop.

The movie received a really nice critic with 89 % of them very favourable. The adaptation the book of Irvine Welsh knew a real success. The malaise of which the young Scots suffer is painted with lots of realism. Though the life with drugs, the movie combines black humour and horror with lots of off-the-wall humour.

I like this movie; I think it takes part of the most unavoidable movies. The story has a really meaning and I like the blending between comedy and black humour. Then, soundtracks are just so cool and it takes an important place for the pace of the movie.

Hélène

Coco before Chanel

Today, let talk about this video regarding “Coco before Chanel”. 

As you can see in this interview, the main character is Audrey Tautou, a french and famous actress who is also well-known in international cinema business. Unfortunately, we have to admit how poor her English accent is! 

Last Friday, I showed this video to my workshop team. Opinion is divided! Girls had never seen this movie before, but this interview let them to look at it. Indeed, it is a movie based on Coco Chanel’s biography for which most of girls know the brand, because they are all clothes-addict. But they know nothing about the brand maker Coco Chanel: Was she a good business leader? Was she appreciated in fashion world? Was she creative? In the opposite, boys didn’t seem to appreciate.

For those who have never seen this film, I have prepared specially for you a summary:

"Several years after leaving the orphanage to which her father never returned for her, Gabrielle Chanel was working in a provincial bar. She's both a seamstress and a singer at the same time, earning the nickname Coco from the song she was singing every night with her sister. An affair with Baron Balsan gives her an open door into French society and a chance to become popular with her breakthrough hats she makes on her own. When she falls in love with the English businessman Arthur Capel, further opportunities will be opened for her, though life becomes more complicated."

Do you want me to share my point of view! Audrey Tautou is stunning. She is faithful to Coco Chanel’s character: melancholic, nervous, fighting. Last detail: costumes are beautiful and elaborate!

To conclude, I recommend girls only this movie! But, watch out! It is not a loving or girly movie, it’s something special to discover ASAP.  

Marie

The conjuring video

This article is about the video I chose for class. Let me just introduce the movie before going back to the video. 
The conjuring is a shiver movie produced and directed by the famous James Wan (in this kind of film of course). It is about a real story which happen in the 1970's where two family (the Warrens & the Perrons). It's an other kind of Paranormal Activity but based on a true story which add a lot of fear to the audience. The movie is based on a time, 3:07 AM precisely, and at this particular hour, surnatural things happens in both houses. Ed and Lorraine Warren who are expert in paranormal activities (respectively demonologist and seer) are called by the Perrons in order to help them in their case. This movie is really good and it's been a long time that I didn't watch a movie that terrific. 
But let's talk about the video : 
This one shows us Lorraine Warren, still alive who explains a bit about her work before, she and her husband Ed solved about four thousands cases in twenty years. But we can also see different persons who works in paranormal domains like a medium, an evil specialist...All these protagonist show us some moment which happen in the movie and try to explain how they feel it. For example, they explain the three knocks moment (the Perrons family always heard a sound of three knocks during the night). They say that it represent an insult to the trinity (the father, the son and the holy spirit) and that this sound is not a good presage. Moreover they explain that this kind of event often happen in a place where a murder or a bad thing like this took place. In my opinion, this kind of "paranormal problems" can really happen, it's a matter of faith, I already had a paranormal experiment and it change your mind instantly. If you did have one of these experiences, you don't look at the movie with the same eye. 
I've to advise you that in this video you will also find some parts of the movie, and they choose the most terrific part so "viewer discretion is advised" ! 

Valentin  

Eat, pray, love

This week, I would like to present a short video to you : it is an interview of Julia Roberts, after the film “Eat, pray, love”.

I let you discover her feelings :

At first, I would like to make you a short summary of the story, and then, we shall speak about the interview. Elizabeth Gilbert wrote this story in 2006, and her book is become a bestseller. That’s why Ryan Murphy decides to make a film, helped by Brad Pitt ! Generally, when a film is based on a book, do you prefer the movie or the book ? For my part, I have always preferred the books to the movies until today. There are more details, and everyone can imagine the scenes and the characters as he wants. That’s why I am often disappointed by the movie once I read the book… And you, what do you think about that ? I ask your comments !

Liz Gilbert is 31 years old. She has everything that everyone would like to have : a devoted husband, a beautiful home, a promising career… But something is wrong, she is not happy. She is in the doubt, and she is not satisfied with her life. She will divorce and depress, then she will have a disastrous relationship. So, she decides to go alone in the world, ant to rebuilt her life, to choose her life. In Italia, she will taste the delights of life, and “she will take de twelve happiest pounds of her life”. In India, she will discipline her mind, then she will reconcile her body and her mind in Indonesia to find the love …

The principal actors are Julia Roberts, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Javier Bardem. Only great people ! I love Julia Roberts, she is so charismatic ! Alone, she captures the attention of the viewer and she doesn’t need anybody else to be highlighted. Do you think the same thing ? Or do you feel the same thing for an other actor ?

In the interview, Julia Roberts mentioned that she really appreciated the book, and she had a lot of empathy for Elizabeth. She really likes these four months of work, everybody was in, and it was a very good adventure for her, with the best actors, fabulous scenes and so much great dialogues !  The interviewer asks to her if she has change after the film … And she answers that she realized she really still love acting, and his creating process. And I understand her. This is a real chance to live his passion. And you, what do you think about it ?

Here is thetrailer if you want to see the movie !

Floriane

Video: "A brief history of United States of America", Bowling for Columbine

        Hi everybody, today I’ll speak about a video which is a film strip of Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore, a movies’ director. He turned fiction and above all militancy documentaries.

Bowling for Columbine is a movie about the slaughter at the high school of Columbine in Colorado. About ten of students were killed by two others classmates. Michael Moore takes this event as starting point to expose the violence provoked by uses of firearms in United States.

 Well, this video called “A brief history of United States of America” is a famous film strip of Bowling for Columbine. The video presents a summary of the history in the form of cartoon for children. I choose this one because I think we can understand the topic of the movie and the aim of Michael Moore as director. 

The cartoon is very caricaturing and Michael Moore reveals sarcastic. This small movie shows that the director takes really part against the NRA. This extract will be very controversial when the movies went out because of the simplicity and the humour with which the director describes the USA.

This movie receives lots of recompenses as the Oscar of the best documentary movie and the César of the best foreign movie. This disputed movie received as many praises as blame.

In one hand there is people estimating there is no link between the number of weapons legally possessed and the homicides’ rate. They assure that the majority of crime committed by firearms, were acquired illegally.

And in other hand, magazines say the movie is a clearly denunciation. Michael Moore masters the art to shake up things to point the propagation of firearms in USA.

I think this movie is very interesting. We can see what’s the lobby of weapons’ manufacturers in USA. I think sometimes Michael Moore goes far but it is his style and that removes nothing to the aim.

Hélène

The Bling Ring: Interview of Emma Watson at le Festival de Cannes

Hi everybody! Today I will share with you an interview from the famous and beautiful actress: Emma Watson! This interview takes place during the Cannes festival. She promoted her last film: The Bling Ring from Sofia Coppola.

Before to speak about her speech, I want to explain you the context of the film. Emma Watson became very famous thanks to the Harry Potter film series. During 10 years, she has interpreted the character of Hermione Granger, a clever student (I think that all of you know that!). Now, it’s quite difficult for her to get rid of this character, as you will see in the video!

Secondly, a short summary of the story… It’s based on the true story of 7 teenagers in California. They became known by the media as The Bling Ring. Between October 2008 and August 2009, they burgled the homes of several celebrities like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, or Orlando Bloom. In total, they stole around 3 millions of dollars in clothes, cash, jewellery and other belongings.
So, in this video she explains that it’s the first time that she worked with the director Sofia Coppola. She was very excited and found this experience amazing ! It was interesting for her to play this character, very different from her last roles. Here, she is a girl who is lost and looks for a meaning of her life. This girl, “Nikki”, tries to find herself and makes mistakes because she isn’t in the real life.

Maybe after this summary, I tempted you to watch (or watch again!) this film! Before, I tell you about another characteristic of this film… If you already watched several films from Sofia Coppola, like Somewhere, you must think that The Bling Ring it’s a long and slow story… Stop now! It’s really not the case here. This one is really dynamic, she adapted the rhythm of the teenagers ‘group. 

As they finished the interview, we will end to speak about the music. Emma’s answer is mixed. For her, it’s important but good music doesn’t make a good film. And some good films don’t have good music. Well, I agree but for me it’s very important to create an atmosphere… In The Bling Ring, Sofia Coppola made an eclectic mixing with rap, electro and hip-hop music. Among the different artists in the soundtrack, we find Phoenix (her husband!), Kanye West and Lil' Waine. And you? Do you find that music is important in a film?

Astrid

Mohammad Rasoulof baned on leaving Iran

The freedom of expression often seems acquired and unwavering in our society, and we can easily forget that it’s not the case everywhere. The article that I will present you today remembers that.

May be you know one of the most famous filmmaker, Mohammad Rasoulof. I told you that because he won last year a prize in the Cannes festivals in the section “Un Certain regard” for his last film Manuscripts Don't Burn.

This film is a success for everyone, except his country. Indeed he has been banned in Iran because he is accused to make propaganda against the government. Indeed, the matter of the film is a plot in 1995, a failed assassination against 21 journalists and writers.

For this film, described at the Toronto film festival as an "incendiary critique of the Iranian regime" a "challenging gaze into the nature of evil and history as its eternal witness", the passport from the filmmaker has been confiscated. It’s the second time that Rasoulof receives a sentence from the authorities. In 2010, he was already punished for a film making in secret. The sentence was 6 years of jail (then reduced at one year) and banned to make other film during 20 years.

So now he can’t travel and has to stay in Iran. It’s a problem, because his film won different prizes in Europe (Nuremburg International Human Rights film festival (NIHRFF) in Germany and another film festival in Stockholm).  Organizers are scandalized by the situation. They blame a violation of freedom of expression and basic human rights and try to help the filmmaker.

The situation is surprising when we know the last evolutions of the politic in Iran. The new president, Hassan Rohani, makes a politic quite progressive. At the same time, the House of Cinema has been reopening, so everybody was optimist. But that’s apparently not enough…

WHAT KIND OF MOVIES DO YOU LIKE

This week, let’s see what's the best movie you’ve ever seen! As per a top 50 I found in the net, I selected the top 4 and now it's time to make your own judgment.

Is your favorite movie among the list?

Do you agree with this classification?

If you don’t agree with this list let’s make your proper grading and let’s fight for the movie you really like. The one for which you’re capable to see every month!

Below, just a quick recap of each movie for you to be refreshed!

Avatar

Jake, a paraplegic ex-soldier, is appointed to replace his deceased twin brother on the Pandora planet, where a mining company exploits prodigious deposits. The most important is situated under a thousand-year-old tree where live the Na’vi, peaceful natives of three meters high, with blue skin, and almond eyes.

Then, Jake is, with some other guinea pigs, transformed into Na’vi by a genetic experience which mixes their DNA and that of the human beings. His mandate: get involved in tribe to understand its functioning, gain its trust, and bring it to be relocated.

His meeting with Neytiri, who is going to watch over him and to introduce him with her tribe, will distract him of his mission.

Le monde de Nemo

In tropical waters, a fish-clown of the name of Marin leads a peaceful existence with his only son, Nemo. Dreading the ocean and its unpredictable risks, he does his best to protect his son. As all the small fishes, this one dreams to explore the mysterious reefs.

When Nemo disappears, Marin, in spite of him, becomes the hero of the unique and exciting investigation. The dad ignores that his son was taken to the aquarium of a dentist.

Marin will not step only onto the adventure: the beautiful Dory a big-hearted blue fish-surgeon is going to show herself of a precious help. Both fishes are going to face innumerable dangers, but the optimist of Dory is going to drive Marin to overcome all his fears.

Inception

Dom Cobb is an experimented thief: his specialty consists in appropriating the most precious secrets of an individual, bury in the depths of his subconscious, while he dreams and while his spirit is vulnerable. Very popular for its talents in espionage, Cobb also became a fugitive hunted down all over the world. But an ultimate mission could allow him to find his former life: he has to carry out the impossible: the inception. Instead of stealing a dream, Cobb and his team has to make the opposite: implant an idea in mind of an individual. But, nothing would have been able to prepare Cobb and his partners to an enemy of whom only Cobb would have been able to suspect the existence.

Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is a simple man with a low I.Q. but good intentions. He is running through childhood with his best friend Jenny. Forrest joins the army for service in Vietnam, finding new friends called Dan and Bubba, he wins medals, creates a famous shrimp fishing fleet, and meeting the president several times. However, this is all irrelevant to Forrest who can only think of his childhood sweetheart Jenny Curran.

Let’s go !!!

Marie