I know right, you can’t believe how clever my title is? Anyway, in this week’s blog I am going to be singing the praises of one Joseph Gordon-Levitt, aka Tommy from “3rd Rock from the Sun”. I went to see “50/50” last Friday – the day it came out of course – and, though I also love James McAvoy, I’m so glad JGL ended up with the role. It’s very funny and it’s very moving. What’s done so well in this film is showing how people react when they learn he has cancer and how the odd forms of sympathy really make him feel. I’m also quite a fan of Seth Rogan and he does justice – though not unexpectedly seeing as he was friends with Will Reiser, who survived cancer and wrote the screenplay – to the awkward but supportive best friend, figuring out how to be what Adam (JGL) needs him to be.
I’ve loved Joseph since he was about 15 and started in 3rd Rock from the Sun. I was then very pleased to see him getting a big role in one of my favourite films, 10 Things I Hate About You, but let’s be honest, we all watched that for Heath. What really made me realise how brilliant an actor, but equally importantly, how beautiful JGL is, was “Brick” (2005), when he must have been about 24.
“Brick” is set in an American high school and JGL/Brendan’s girlfriend disappears at the beginning and the film follows a very murder-mystery/detective orientated plot line as he tries to discover what has happened to her. The film reminded me a lot of “Bugsy Malone” as the teens all seem very old for their age, many of them involved in drugs, violence, manipulation and complicated relationships. The plot is very fast paced and dense and it’s definitely one to watch several times. It’s brilliant if you like indie films as the cast is relatively unheard of – apart from JGL and perhaps Emilie de Ravin – but all play their parts well. It was writer and director Rian Johnson’s first feature film, which makes it all the more impressive. JGL is definitely the best thing in it however. It is a big change from Tommy in “3rd Rock” or Cameron in “10 Things, he is now a broody loner with long scruffy hair and who subjugates himself to a lot of horror and violence to discover the truth.
JGL has done a lot of fantastic films – the only dud in the bunch has to be “G.J. Joe” The Rise of Cobra” – and is consistently brilliant. He’s definitely starting to get the recognition he deserves, but there’s still a way to go until he’s the star he deserves to be – with that face and that talent! - Many of his films are still pretty anonymous. That’s why this week I am exploring...
My top 5 Joseph Gordon-Levitt films:
Brick:
This film probably gets the most points by balancing best film and best appearance from Joseph. I think it is his most iconic performance to date. Though I like “Inception” just as much, if not more, it’s all about Joseph in this film and it’s as good a film as “Inception”.
Hesher:
I heard of this film through IMDB-ing what Joseph was going to be in, but I never saw any other form of advertising really. I’m not sure if it ever came out in the cinema, because before I knew it I had to watch it on DVD. It’s really about a young boy, T.J., and his dad (Rainn Wilson) dealing with the death of his mum. His dad is completely out of it and has become useless as far as T.J. is concerned. Hesher (JGL) is a homeless, shirtless rocker who decides to move in with them and they are too complacent to stop him. Somehow he helps them deal with their loss. It’s well acted by all and very moving, as well as surreal and a unique idea. To add some star value, it also has Natalie Portman as a quirky (surprise, surprise) girl who befriends T.J. and Hesher.
Mysterious Skin:
This film is so fantastically performed and brilliantly done, but it’s also something I don’t know if I could ever watch a second time. It cuts back and forth in the lives of two boys from a period when they’re about 8 to when they’re about 18. JGL plays one of the 18-year-old boys, who were both abused by their baseball coach at the age of 8. He is now a male prostitute while the other still doesn’t realise what happened to him. It’s probably the most difficult film I’ve ever watched, apart from maybe the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but it’s worth it at least the one viewing if the topic won’t upset you too much.
Inception:
Christopher Nolan is yet to do wrong. The cast of this film is SO good and I’m barely even referring to Leo. Tom Hardy, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphey AND Joseph Gordon-Levitt! Only in a Nolan film would you find this many brilliant indie actors in something American. Ok, not only, but he is damn good at it. The story is brilliant, the action is brilliant, it’s all JUST. SO. GOOD. But to be fair to this top 5 list, JGL isn’t the main character at all.
10 Things I Hate About You:
I bang on about this so much and it’s not a very original choice so I didn’t want it too high on the list, but it has to be on there. Even though it is ALL about Heath in this film, JGL is also awesome and it’s so much cleverer than your average American high school film. It’s so lol and so cool. I love it.
50/50:
I didn’t put this in the top 5 cos I’ve only just seen it and I’ve put it as this week’s new review, but it’s so good. Do go see it or rent it when it’s out on DVD.
Film news:
This isn’t that new, but it’s relatively unknown, anyone who has never seen the series “Arrested Development” HAS to get on that ting. It’s my favourite series (after the legendary "Dragonball Z") and the funniest thing I’ve ever seen on TV. They’ve been talking about a film since it got cancelled in 2005 and not it’s finally happening PLUS a 4th series to bring things together. I’m not sure on dates or any details but Michael Cera and Jason Bateman themselves have said it’s happening so watch all the first 3 series quick – but without rushing the genius – cos this is a film that has to be seen.
Showing posts with label 50/50. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 50/50. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
... After a Long Break.
As I said, I went away to study in Frankfurt, unfortunately I subsequently dropped any blogging activities, which I intend now to recommence. I’m back in England, studying in Birmingham, and back to weekly cinema visits.
That isn’t to say however that there have been no cinema visits since leaving for Frankfurt. To give a comprehensive list of the films I have been out to see (trying not to miss any out): Source Code, Beastly, Arthur, Your Highness, Thor (the last 4 within 4 consecutive days!), Pirates of the Caribbean 4, the Hangover Part 2, X-Men: First Class, Transformers 3, Harry Potter 7 Part 2, Horrible Bosses, Captain America, Arietti, One Day, Friends with Benefits, Troll Hunter, Jane Eyre, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Crazy Stupid Love, the Three Musketeers, and I bring you up to date with last week’s visit to see the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Not to mention all the films I have watched in the comfort of my – or a friend’s – own home.
For this week’s top 5, I shall do the top 5 of these films I have watched over the past 7 or 8 months:
1. X-Men: First Class
My favourite film of the year, this immediately also became my favourite of all of the X-Men films. I almost missed this in the cinema, being in Germany and not being surrounded by my usual gang of nerdy chums, but I am SO glad I persisted. Michael Fassbender is my new God and the chemistry between him and James McAvoy as the two lead males is impeccable. They are both very funny but also capable of very serious moments. My favourite scene of the entire film has to be the two of them – Xavier and Eric – out on the lookout for new mutants. It may be a cheesy montage, but it’s hilarious. Plus the film has good X-men action at the end when the mutants face Kevin Bacon (who cannot be out-creepy-ed), the film’s villainous mutant, and the American navy (led by none other than Michael Ironside from Starship Troopers!!). This film drew my attention right from the start as the first 15 minutes or so involve young Eric and then older Eric (Michael Fassbender) moving through an amazing variety of languages – German to French to Spanish to English, which as a linguist, I gotta appreciate. So many aspects of this film recommend it to a true comic book or adventure film fan.
2. Harry Potter 7, Part 2
As Part 1 was one of the best films of 2010, of course I believe that this is one of the best films of 2011 and probably the best of all the Harry Potter films. The main reason? Alan Rickman! Though Helena Bonham Carter, as always, is just fabulous and the embodiment of cool and what I want to be, she does not feature as much as I would have liked. Alan is one of the few adults in the film given decent screen time and he uses it SO well. I think an Oscar may be necessary. The Pensieve montage of his memories would break anyone’s heart and is played out so beautifully. Adding to this the fact that the film mainly consists of one giant fight in the Hogwart’s grounds, how could it not be entertaining? As with any HP film, there are a few details from the book which they have changed and I do not approve of – Neville is WAY cooler in the book, though he is still pretty cool in the film – generally I think it did justice to the fantastic finale of a fantastic series.
3. Arthur
This film was so much funnier than it should have been. The advert drew me in straight away: “I don’t trust horses. Their shoes are permanent. Who makes that kind of a commitment to a shoe?” There are so many great lines in the advert, but unlike many comedies, they are not the only ones in the film. I find Russel Brand very endearing, and anyone who finds him annoying should steer clear, but I think this is a sweet, funny-until-the-end film.
4. Troll Hunter
This is a brilliant Norwegian mock-umentary about three young amateur film-makers following a guy they initially believe to be a rogue bear hunter. Like all Scandinavian films it is well-acted, well-written and has a brilliant atmosphere. It doesn’t try to overdo it on the giant troll action scenes, you genuinely feel like you are watching a documentary.
5. Thor
Another film that was much better than I expected. There has been a multitude of comic book films this year, Thor, X-Men, Captain America, the Green Lantern, and I think I expected the least from Thor. But I’d say, after X-Men, I enjoyed it the most, even more than Captain America which may be the better film... It’s fun and Chris Hemsworth proves that choosing a relatively unknown lead can pay off. He’s hot, he’s funny and he’s likable. It looks amazing – much of it being set in Asgard, the home of the “Gods” – and it has good action scenes as well as the standard romantic subplot (with Natalie Portman) which isn’t as annoying as many are in superhero films.
Film updates: Still to look forward to for superhero fans we have the Amazing Spider-Man and the Dark Knight Rises next year, which both boast fantastic casts (as Christopher Nolan films always do). For the rest of this year I am looking forward to 50/50, coming out this Friday the 25th, starring the AMAZING Joseph Gordon Levitt (JGL) and Seth Rogan in what all critics are saying is a funny - while not overlooking the serious content -, heart-warming film about two best friends trying to deal with the fact that one of them – JGL – has cancer. It was written by Will Reiser, who fought cancer and on whom JGL’s character is based and not only that, but Seth Rogan is playing the part of friend which he played to Reiser in real life. I am also looking forward to the next in the Guy Ritchie - Sherlock Holmes franchise, A Game of Shadows, coming out December 16th, and the American remake of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – though I still think it’s too soon -, coming out December 26th.
That isn’t to say however that there have been no cinema visits since leaving for Frankfurt. To give a comprehensive list of the films I have been out to see (trying not to miss any out): Source Code, Beastly, Arthur, Your Highness, Thor (the last 4 within 4 consecutive days!), Pirates of the Caribbean 4, the Hangover Part 2, X-Men: First Class, Transformers 3, Harry Potter 7 Part 2, Horrible Bosses, Captain America, Arietti, One Day, Friends with Benefits, Troll Hunter, Jane Eyre, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Crazy Stupid Love, the Three Musketeers, and I bring you up to date with last week’s visit to see the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Not to mention all the films I have watched in the comfort of my – or a friend’s – own home.
For this week’s top 5, I shall do the top 5 of these films I have watched over the past 7 or 8 months:
1. X-Men: First Class
My favourite film of the year, this immediately also became my favourite of all of the X-Men films. I almost missed this in the cinema, being in Germany and not being surrounded by my usual gang of nerdy chums, but I am SO glad I persisted. Michael Fassbender is my new God and the chemistry between him and James McAvoy as the two lead males is impeccable. They are both very funny but also capable of very serious moments. My favourite scene of the entire film has to be the two of them – Xavier and Eric – out on the lookout for new mutants. It may be a cheesy montage, but it’s hilarious. Plus the film has good X-men action at the end when the mutants face Kevin Bacon (who cannot be out-creepy-ed), the film’s villainous mutant, and the American navy (led by none other than Michael Ironside from Starship Troopers!!). This film drew my attention right from the start as the first 15 minutes or so involve young Eric and then older Eric (Michael Fassbender) moving through an amazing variety of languages – German to French to Spanish to English, which as a linguist, I gotta appreciate. So many aspects of this film recommend it to a true comic book or adventure film fan.
2. Harry Potter 7, Part 2
As Part 1 was one of the best films of 2010, of course I believe that this is one of the best films of 2011 and probably the best of all the Harry Potter films. The main reason? Alan Rickman! Though Helena Bonham Carter, as always, is just fabulous and the embodiment of cool and what I want to be, she does not feature as much as I would have liked. Alan is one of the few adults in the film given decent screen time and he uses it SO well. I think an Oscar may be necessary. The Pensieve montage of his memories would break anyone’s heart and is played out so beautifully. Adding to this the fact that the film mainly consists of one giant fight in the Hogwart’s grounds, how could it not be entertaining? As with any HP film, there are a few details from the book which they have changed and I do not approve of – Neville is WAY cooler in the book, though he is still pretty cool in the film – generally I think it did justice to the fantastic finale of a fantastic series.
3. Arthur
This film was so much funnier than it should have been. The advert drew me in straight away: “I don’t trust horses. Their shoes are permanent. Who makes that kind of a commitment to a shoe?” There are so many great lines in the advert, but unlike many comedies, they are not the only ones in the film. I find Russel Brand very endearing, and anyone who finds him annoying should steer clear, but I think this is a sweet, funny-until-the-end film.
4. Troll Hunter
This is a brilliant Norwegian mock-umentary about three young amateur film-makers following a guy they initially believe to be a rogue bear hunter. Like all Scandinavian films it is well-acted, well-written and has a brilliant atmosphere. It doesn’t try to overdo it on the giant troll action scenes, you genuinely feel like you are watching a documentary.
5. Thor
Another film that was much better than I expected. There has been a multitude of comic book films this year, Thor, X-Men, Captain America, the Green Lantern, and I think I expected the least from Thor. But I’d say, after X-Men, I enjoyed it the most, even more than Captain America which may be the better film... It’s fun and Chris Hemsworth proves that choosing a relatively unknown lead can pay off. He’s hot, he’s funny and he’s likable. It looks amazing – much of it being set in Asgard, the home of the “Gods” – and it has good action scenes as well as the standard romantic subplot (with Natalie Portman) which isn’t as annoying as many are in superhero films.
Film updates: Still to look forward to for superhero fans we have the Amazing Spider-Man and the Dark Knight Rises next year, which both boast fantastic casts (as Christopher Nolan films always do). For the rest of this year I am looking forward to 50/50, coming out this Friday the 25th, starring the AMAZING Joseph Gordon Levitt (JGL) and Seth Rogan in what all critics are saying is a funny - while not overlooking the serious content -, heart-warming film about two best friends trying to deal with the fact that one of them – JGL – has cancer. It was written by Will Reiser, who fought cancer and on whom JGL’s character is based and not only that, but Seth Rogan is playing the part of friend which he played to Reiser in real life. I am also looking forward to the next in the Guy Ritchie - Sherlock Holmes franchise, A Game of Shadows, coming out December 16th, and the American remake of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – though I still think it’s too soon -, coming out December 26th.
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