The first movie of 2011 that I can wholeheartedly give two thumbs up and say "GO SEE IT!" is this pleasant little surprise:
I enjoyed a matinee of this at my favorite vintage 3-screen theateraround the corner from my apartment last weekend. I went in with absolutely no expectations and left amazed at how much I LOVED this movie that most people I've mentioned it to do not even know exists.
Win Win is about a struggling attorney, Mike Flaherty (Paul Giamatti), who volunteers as a high school wrestling coach. He stumbles across a star athlete through some questionable business dealings while trying to support his family. Naturally, as things are going well, the boy's mother shows up from rehab, which threatens to mess up everything. In the midst of heavier themes like abandonment and integrity, this movie is really funny. I "lol-ed" many times. The characters are rich and likeable (most of them) and the performances are impressive. I 100% recommend this one.
(And if my strong recommendation and the trailer weren't enough to make this your movie choice for the weekend, it is currently the HIGHEST RATED movie in theaters according to Rotten Tomatoes with 94%. Niiiice.)
It's that time again...awards season in Hollywood! Studio execs often choose release dates in the late fall/early winter for their Oscar-hopefuls in an attempt to garner buzz and be fresh on Academy members' minds as the nomination ballots come out in January. Having worked FOR the Academy the past two Oscar seasons, I've grown especially fond of the excitement, anticipation and (usually) really legit movies that come with this time of year. While I'm not working for the Academy this year, the feeling is admittedly a bit subdued, but I'm ready to see some good movies, nonetheless!
Here are my personal ratings/reviews of some new releases I've seen recently. Some of which may indeed receive a coveted golden statuette (or several, for that matter)... and some of which most likely will not. ;-)
EASY A
One sentence synopsis from IMDB: A clean-cut high school student relies on the school's rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.
Annie's Amazing Approval Rating: A (and not just because that's the letter in the title).
The Review: This movie is just FUN to watch. Its hilariously witty screenplay is well-written and superbly acted by its star, Emma Stone. Another major highlight of the movie: Penn Badgley's extreme hottness. YOWZA! I laughed out loud many times, including my favorite scene featured in the video below (which I'm willing to venture is a scenario ALL-too-familiar to the majority of us...)
Do I want to see it again? Yes.
NEVER LET ME GO
Two sentence synopsis from IMDB: As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy, spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them.
Annie's Amazing Approval Rating: B-
The Review: Starring the very talented Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley, and based on what has been considered one of the best novels of the decade, this film has some major Oscar buzz. Ergo, I went in with high expectations, and sadly, those were not met. I recognize some very redeeming features about it, but overall, the slow-moving story did not grab me and I was bored. I think Stephen Farber's review in the Hollywood Reporter puts it perfectly: "Expertly acted, impeccably photographed, intelligently written, even intermittently touching, the film is also too parched and ponderous to connect with a large audience."
Do I want to see it again? No.
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
One sentence synopsis from IMDB: A story about the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.
Annie's Amazing Approval Rating: A+++++
The Review: This is by far the best movie I've seen in 2010. Incredible writing, acting, music, directing, ETC. Jesse Eisenberg, Armie Hammer, and Andrew Garfield, (who I really did not enjoy in 'Never Let Me Go' but who I looooved in this), were all exceptional. I was honestly so engrossed in the story that I was legitimately disappointed when 2 hours had passed and it was over. It was such a unique experience to watch the fascinating back story of a phenomenon to which our generation has witnessed the birth and explosive growth. I also had the unique experience of watching this HUGE Oscar buzz movie AT the Academy member screening which Nikki Finke wrote about here. The theater was full of excited chatter and applause as the film ended, and I definitely predict numerous nominations for this incredible film. If you only see one movie this season, make it this one. Fo'real.
Do I want to see it again? I think the answer to that is fairly obvious, given my rave review... yes, yes, yes. ASAP, please.
LET ME IN
One sentence synopsis from IMDB: A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.
Annie's Amazing Approval Rating: A-
The Review: I should preface this by saying that I am an abnormally large 'scaredy cat' (for lack of a better term) who very much dislikes scary/suspenseful/thriller type movies, which caused me to cover my eyes through approximately 30-40% of this film. However, even with that handicap in my viewing experience, I can fully realize that this movie is very well-done and I do indeed recommend it. The young leads Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloe Moretz give stunning performances. As far as the vampire fad goes, the overall quality of this film puts the Twilight franchise to absolute shame (sorry Mar), so if you're into the vamp thing, it's a must-see.
Do I want to see it again: No (because I am scared little baby).
There you have it. Some great new movies worth seeing (and one worth skipping). Happy Oscar season!
Why: The top two reasons I am listening to this amazing band today: 1.) McKenzie and I are going to their concert in Hollywood in a couple weeks and 2.) they are awesome. A friend of mine recently described them with this analogy: "Mumford and Sons are to feeling like fall like The Beach Boys are to feeling like summer." It's true... this English quartet's banjo-driven tunes just make me want to curl up in a big comfy sweater beside a blazing fireplace with friends on a crisp autumn evening and drink spiked apple cider. :-) Cheers.
The past weekend was fun-filled and eventful, as anticipated.
Phantom of the Opera was chilling and glorious, as per usual. Our seats were amazing: 3rd row center! The costumes and set were exceptionally spectacular; honestly probably the best production I’ve seen at the Pantages. The show is in LA until October 31, 2010. If you like live theater, you should absolutely go. Buy tickets here You’re in for a treat.
Our housewarming party was a great success! Many of our dear friends came and our all of our delish food/drinks and apartment as a whole were a huge hit. I am really so in love with the new place. My lovely roommate McKenzie and I have decorated it and made it very ‘homey’. It really feels like my first ‘grown up’ apartment and that is a very wonderful feeling. Come over and hang out.
Ready for our wonderful friends to arrive and help us properly warm our new home. :-)
Band of Horses at the Greek was just cool. No better way to put it, I think. This was my first time at the Greek, and I’m already looking forward to going back. First of all, it’s walking distance from my new apartment (holla!). Second of all, it’s an amazing outdoor amphitheater in the middle of Griffith Park, so you’re essentially watching amazing live music under the stars (and in the instance of Saturday, a gorgeous full moon) in the middle of a forest. Yes please. Here is a video of this incredibly talented band performing ‘The Funeral’ at the show on Saturday (taken by someone who was apparently on the very first row! Holy closeness, Batman! My seats were most certainly were not this close… but enjoyable nonetheless).
As you may have heard (because I feel like every one of the millions of people who live in the greater Los Angeles area are complaining about it), we’ve had quite a little late-summer heat wave the past few days. (Literally, Monday broke the record for the HOTTEST day in LA…ever). I took full advantage of this and enjoyed a couple blissful hours at the beach Sunday afternoon. Several factors have prevented me from soaking up the sun with my toes in the sand much at all this summer, which made this long overdue beach day extra enjoyable. One of my earliest life goals was to live “driving distance from the beach”… and I must admit, sometimes I take for granted that I actually do now. Tsk tsk for me…but holla for the realization of childhood life dreams.
Heavenly.
Taken from my phone on Sunday 9/26/10.
In other news, my dear friend Matt Godfrey needs your help. He is in my beloved community group. He and his lovely wife Ellen moved from Alabama to LA because he was cast in the highly anticipated ‘Blue Like Jazz’ movie (and for him to pursue other acting endeavors). Very unfortunately, however, it was announced last week that the filming for this would be postponed indefinitely due to lack of funding (despite “a strong screenplay, a stellar cast, and rave reviews”). But, ALAS, there is a chance it can be saved! If $125,000 (which is practically nothing in the world of film) can be raised by October 25, 2010, the film can enter production as planned. In all honesty, I have never read this book, but more than 1.5 million people have. It is supposed to have a really great message that could positively affect millions more people if it does indeed make it to the big screen, so if you feel so inclined, click HERE to donate to the cause.
It’s the biggest week in college football if you’re a Sooner fan… OU/Texas is this Saturday! I plan on watching this intense rivalry game at a sports bar with other rowdy OU fans, drinking beer (which I am surprisingly becoming a big fan of as of late!), and yelling BOOMER SOONER like we were actually at the game. It’s absolutely not the same, but hey, we misplaced Oklahoman Angelenos have to make the best with what we have.
I’m seeing EASY A and THE SOCIAL NETWORK this weekend… I’ve heard amazing things about both, so I’m very much looking forward to it. Reviews to follow! What is the best movie you’ve seen recently (or that you're looking forward to seeing)?
Currently listening to: Alex Rhodes
Why: The reason for my current music pick can be explained in detail in this previous post. She is a dear friend of mine and incredibly talented musician AND her debut EP just came out!! She had album release show at the Hotel Cafe last weekend and it was wonderful. You can check out (and now buy!) Alex's amazing tunes here.My favorites are "No Trouble" and "Honestly." Enjoy!
I’m composing this post from 36,000 feet as I fly back to LA.My week at home was lovely, fun, restful, and of course flew by entirely too quickly.I love my family, friends and cats a lot.
There is a ‘For Sale’ sign in front of my house, which is strange. My family has lived in Duncan my entire life and in that particular house since I was 5 years old. My mom is planning to join my dad in Houston on or before September 1, and since I’m not coming home again until Christmas, that was more than likely my very last time in my childhood home. Ever. Wow… that’s weird.
We saw Toy Story 3 yesterday. It was cute and funny and great; I definitely recommend it (although seeing it in 3D is completely unnecessary). My favorite new characters were the thespian hedgehog and fashion-loving Ken. Mom and Daniel (and apparently almost everyone else who has seen this movie) cried. I did not. I think the last movie that made me cry was Homeward Bound when I was 9. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing…?
While I don’t have a stylish sister to share clothes, I do have a very music-savvy brother to share good music with. Daniel gave me a plethora of new music today. Currently listening to Andrew Belle. I give it two thumbs way up. His sound is sort of Band of Horses meets Eric Hutchinson meets The Fray. Thanks Dan…you are so cool. J
I start my new jobtomorrow. While I am very excited and thankful for this wonderful new position and all the opportunities that will come with it, I can’t help but feel a bit nervous as well. I kind of feel like a reluctant schoolgirl going to a huge new school for the first time in the middle of a semester. How killer will the commute to Burbank be? What should I wear? Will the other kids like me? What will all my new assignments be like? After working at the Academyfor almost two years, I was so comfortable and at home there. Diving into a brand new work environment will be so foreign. Here’s to hoping that I can calm my nerves enough to actually sleep tonight and that some kindhearted soul sits by me in the proverbial lunchroom. eek...
This morning at exactly 5:38:33 PST, the Oscar nominations were announced by Academy President, Tom Sherak, and Oscar nominated (and ever so lovely) actress, Anne Hathaway. While this slightly obscure time may seem extremely early, it pales in comparison the group of Academy staff (myself included) who had been working straight through the night to prepare for this big announcement.
As you might imagine, a huge amount of preparation goes into this announcement. I was lucky to get one of the later call times; I didn't have to be back at the office until 11:30 PM. As I entered the doors, I was completely cut off from the outside world: no cell phones, no land phones, no internet. The reason for this extreme lockdown is because we have access to the sacred nominations which have not yet been announced (gasp!). In fact, my first task of the night was to help stuff 800 press kits with all the information about the noms.
After a few hours of stuffing, we got to eat a delightful breakfast before freshening up and changing for the big announcement where I acted as an "embargo monitor" for a certain well known news outlet. This is where things get really exciting and interesting. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is completely full of reporters and camera crews from all over the world, all frantically preparing to deliver the news of the highest achievements in film for the year to their loyal viewers. Some funny things I saw during this time: a man on a camera/production crew for a very well known news outlet fall completely asleep, an Asian reporter take several "MySpace"-esque photos of herself on her iphone. When Tom and Anne announced the nominees there were sporadically squeals of joy, excitement, and surprise from studio reps and publicists as their movies and clients made the cut. Afterwards I handed out press kits and overheard many other great exclamations like "Six! I can't believe we got six! I'm dying. Dying!", "Quentin [Tarantino] is so excited!", "I represent ___ _____. We're really happy!"
Despite the extreme tiredness that comes with a brief stint of being nocturnal, I love working this event. The anticipation and excitement are palpable and to witness such a worldwide announcement in person is a true adrenaline rush. Now I just have to start watching all these movies! Hooray Oscars!!
