CuriousGrl Reviews

Holy Motors (2012)

The lost art of cinema

[6/10 · 9 September 2013]

This film talks about what the movie industry has become (films about murders, Jesus, abused people) and how the 'art' in making a movie is gone ... you can see that the main actor's name is also Oscar as a mockery of the prize craved by every film maker. There is also reference to the "forest" the Wood...holy-wood when the movie starts the director enters a movie theater filled with people that are blind ... so it's all summed up there. Blind people watching commercial meaningless BS movies ... movies that lie a lot. No more art, no purity just lies and the obsessions with murders and sex this was my take on it...i must say that at first when I saw the business man dress up as an old beggar lady i thought that it was a man seeking love and this was the only way he could get love...that i thought would be an interesting twist...but this film just continued on with Oscar playing different parts in this interactive actor's life.

Am I glad i saw this, sure! it was definitely out there! Would I see it again, absolutely not! People either hate it or love it.. i didn't love it, nor hate it...i can't even say I liked it, but I am glad i saw it.

Never Let Me Go (2010)

Subtle, Moving and Redeeming

[10/10 · 3 March 2011]

This moving masterpiece directed by Mark Romanek based on the book raises some thought provoking questions. Spoilers ahead We all die (complete). What makes us human? These clones could face and accept their death and their creators couldn't and had to create clones to delay the inevitable, making clones more "human" then their creators. A question of why they didn't run away often comes up. Well it was a life they knew from the inside they never looked at it from the outside perspective as cruel as their predicament was they learned to accept it from early on and never question it. But even if they questioned the system, there is nothing they could do to change it. Should Kathy have started a revolution? I don't think the movie is about what she should have done. One of the oldest themes is that we should make the world a better place. Another is that we should be grateful for what we have. I think both are right. They don't contradict, but complement each other. This movie is probably more about acceptance, then the need to question and improve the system.

Questioning the system may not provide answers. In her world she is doomed, but even if she ran away and hid, or started a revolt, there is still a greater system that she cannot overcome (we are all mortal, and her masters complete as well). There is always a system.

The tragedy isn't in not realizing it, but in the futile struggle to overcome it. Which is what the regular people in that world do and in the process lose their compassion and humanity. The teacher who is honest with them is probably the only decent human being and she is kicked out. Its Kathy's ability to come to face with her limitations and accepting them that makes her human. Ruth, who is selfish all her life becomes a better human being in doing the right thing. Tommy is at peace before they pull the plug. Kathy understands that her predicament is tough, but she learns not to give in to despair and enjoy what she had and what she has left. Maybe another point of this movie is not that finding love makes life more valuable (worthy of extension), but that it makes it more beautiful while it lasts.

Examined Life (2008)

Good Attempt, however a bit haphazard (All over the place) without a coherent structure

[5/10 · 13 March 2010]

For centuries only the privileged who didn't have to toil and work, had the luxury of discussing philosophy and theorizing ideas.

About the meaning of life. There is meaning. It is Subjective. Life's meaning is different to each person. Whether it may be servitude for some (like the man in the film, forget his name), it could be the rearing of family for another, making music, or the joy of writing or film making like this director. Again even objectivity can be very subjective. There is no objective answer to the meaning of life, the goal is to find it for each one of us through awareness and then follow our calling to ensure we lead a more fulfilled and thus a happy life.

Good try Astra, maybe a better organized theme instead of haphazardly put material would prove more useful in the future.

My two cents :)

Surfwise (2007)

Not So Wise

[5/10 · 26 February 2009]

Doug Pray's documentary Surfwise portrays the life of Dorian Paskowitz, a doctor who turned to surfer outcast of society and with his wife, brought up nine children in a bohemian and abusive environment.

The problem I had with his method of parenting is that Dorian appeared not restrained by society but very restraining of others. Dorian was very stern with his kids. His children didn't go to school and when they wanted to get a higher education they were way behind to catch up. Dorian not only abused them physically, he also robbed his children of education that they deserved.

If one wants to live like a bum that is fine, but if you have kids then you must live your life for them. I think he WAS controlling because his life was so out of control, thus he had to compensate for what he was missing.

I thought it was a good shot and quick paced documentary that's why I gave it a mid rating. The subject matter I totally disagree with and it is not because I don't believe in a free life, I do, HOWEVER I do disagree with the dysfunction that this family blatantly lived with. Let us live in freedom from society but be constrained by the stern patriarchal rule of law!

Surfwise is a portrayal of a hypocritical, selfish, narcissistic and not such a wise man and the result of this dysfunctional upbringing on his children.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

Appreciate Every Moment

[10/10 · 2 February 2008]

At the age of 43, Jean-Dominique Bauby, a well-known Parisian, suffered a stroke. Which resulted in a Locked-In syndrome, a rare condition in which a patient is aware and awake, but cannot move or communicate due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles in the body. When Jean-Dominique Bauby woke up twenty days later, upon suffering a stroke, he found he was almost entirely speechless; he could only move his mouth a little, see out of his left eye, and blink his left eyelid. The first 1/3rd of this film is seen through Jean's eye. You are just as locked in to the film as he is locked in to his condition.

Nevertheless this film is not about despair, its about the joy of living regardless of what state one really is in. In his debilitating condition he was able to appreciate life, never cease the power of imagination and memory and dictate a book through blinking his left eye as the alphabet was recited to him.

The book "Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon", on which this film is based. Le Scaphandre translates more like the Diving Suit, something in which you are immobile but can still see your reality. Le Papillon, a butterfly is free, uninhibited, boundless, and light, Claude….she is the girl taking the dictation, with so much patience, with so much love. The cinematography, the directing, acting is flawless in my humble opinion. Be prepared to cry, be prepared to laugh, and be prepared to come out of this film appreciating life more then you did before you walked in to the theater.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Hollywood Money Maker and nothing more

[3/10 · 8 June 2007]

After planning on seeing this film for a while, I went to see it last night. Through the film a couple of people walked out, but I continued to endure it as i was hoping for it to get more interesting. It didn't. All in all, I was really disappointed. I liked the first film in the series, however in trilogies the last film is always inferior to the first two. I just didn't expect this film to be so bad. 3 hours of disheveled plot and fake overly predictable characters. The plot line was ridiculous, the film too long and poorly edited. I give some points for short scenes with vivid imagery but other then that a waste of time and money, but not for Hollywood apparently. Save yourself your energy!

A Price Above Rubies (1998)

Rene is a Gem!

[10/10 · 19 April 2007]

I am not Jewish and I don't have much knowledge regarding the principles of this religion, I can see how this film was less then favorable among the community who is aware of its culture more then I am. The story line was vague at points and we were left with unresolved meanings behind the interaction of Sonia with many characters we meet outside of Hasidic community. I must say however that Renée Zellweger who played Sonia Horowitz was brilliant in this film, her acting, her demeanor, her power, her vigor. Powerful! She carries this film among the rest two-dimensional characters and for that alone I will give the film 10/10.

Birth (2004)

Lingering Memories

[5/10 · 4 April 2007]

**SPOILERS** Sean the boy, was never Sean - the husband. In the beginning he follows the x-mistress to the park, digs up the letters and reads about Anna's viewpoint of the relationship, and embodies it...why? Out of boredom, to play a game in which the kid himself becomes lost, but he is never what real Sean knew and was.

The boy knows only what Anna knows about Sean from her letters, he embodies her idealization of him….he knows only what Anna believes Sean is.

This film moved a bit to slow, acting was great, cinematography beautiful. I thought it was good for one time viewing but I will not see it again.

Labyrinth (1986)

A film not only for children but for adults. Very Honest.

[10/10 · 30 January 2007]

I have seen this film as a child and just recently watched it again. I saw a lot of truth in it. People lead you into this confusion of the emotional labyrinth and you run and jump through hoops until you can tell them "you have no power over me". How often we do this with people and with ourselves.

Actions, thoughts, words, emotions etc create confusion, fear, anxiety within us that takes a position of power over us. It is only when we realize that we can claim power over these things at any time that we are truly free. Until then we journey over the same steps over and over again confused and lost.

It is also a film about the meaning of friendship. That those true to us will always be there. Before her main furry friends disappear from her room they say to her "but if you need us, if you really need us"

and she rejoices with them and her new found freedom.

Children of Men (2006)

One Man's Story

[9/10 · 13 January 2007]

A very realistic vision of the future, that is not as disconnected from the present as many other films portray the future to be. It paints a bleak picture, while maintaining connections to the current conditions of humanity and political climate.

The plight of the refugees in this movie can easily be viewed as a mirror image of the plight of many refugees in the world today.

Although it is a story about humanity the movie itself is a story of one man's journey (Clive Owen) to come to terms with his past, the bleak present that he is living in and to re-ignite his hope for the future that he once had in his younger days.

The film moved a bit faster at times then preferred which is why I didn't give it a 10, however the acting and cinematography was brilliant and the story was compelling.

Troy (2004)

Was hoping for something more in depth

[27 May 2004]

If you are looking to Hollywood to provide a glimpse of reality, and to follow the story lines of classic/historical literature, then you have a lot to learn. Just look at the casting in Troy and you should see dollar signs, not consistency with The Truth.

Besides, do you truly think that these 'warriors" and soldiers and leaders of an ancient time were pure disciples of valor, honor and honesty? Wasn't the war started truly out of hubris yet veiled as an attempt to atone for the sins of adultery?

Men of valor, honor, honesty and strength do exist. These are the men who live their lives quietly, without grandstanding and seeking the limelight. They are the men who do the right thing when the moment calls, who confess to their mistakes and try to atone for them, who rise to the challenge when faced with it. The truth is, there is not a whole lot of glamour in all of that.... no matter what Hollywood throws at you.