12 Years A Slave

This Fall is turning out to be one of the best in terms of films having Oscar potential, especially this early in the game! Tonight I had the much-anticipated pleasure to see 12 Years A Slave with other OSU students and Wexner Center members. Before the film I confidently said it would win Best Picture hands down; after the film I (still) feel it has much exceeded my expectations and emotions. Where do I start?

12 Years A Slave was horrific and one of the best films of the year. Everybody has to see it RIGHT NOW
— Candice Lee (@Candice_Leee) October 22, 2013

The all-star cast: Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor, newcomer Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberpatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Adepero Oduye (Pariah), and the shorter performance by Quevenzhane Wallis (Oscar nominated for Beasts of the Southern Wild). Fassbender is obviously McQueen's choice actor, and his role transition from sex addict in Shame to slave owner (still donning his Shame cap) is more than fitting. His vivacious performance creates even greater scenes with the phenomenal Platt (Ejiofor) and Patsey (Nyong'o). The harsher the scene, the more intense the acting; consequently, the harder it is to look away even though the material becomes more graphic.

If only I could showcase 100 stills from this film to capture only part of its perpetual beauty. Here, Patsey defends her life against master Epps.

Not only is this the first slavery film that shows Platt arguing with or fighting back against his owner and getting away with it, it is the only one (that comes to memory) with multiple owners challenging the horrific, yet seemingly realistic conditions slaves endured. Tibeats (Dano) plays the common, rotten, and enraged Slave-hater, but Ford (Cumberpatch) and Bass (Pitt) show that challenging bullies is an everlasting concept that is still being dealt with 170 years later.

Every shot is a beauty unto itself. Platt (Ejiofor) works in the cotton field, above.

The spectacular cinematography kept me entranced as any quality film would and should. The colors contrast beautifully in every scene while the camera not only moves, but captures innovatively. Even the transitions are crafted to startle and yank the viewers' eyes and soul from one scene to the next, a subtle reminder that the slaves had no such break to delight in. The rippling, receding waves of the steamboat paddlewheel (a surprisingly unsettling sequence of shots) are a constant reminder that only looking to your past gets you thrown overboard, no matter the circumstances. The long takes are (as always) exceptionally gratifying.  Semi-spoiler: Seeing Platt tiptoe for his life while hanging by a noose for minutes on end during multiple long takes (in story time this lasts for almost a whole day's work) keeps the viewer breathless and mystified. Notice the house he was building stands in the background as a blinding reminder of why he suffers (end spoiler). Then one of the final shots follows Platt's distressed eyes before they finally fix on the screen/viewer forcing each of us to contemplate the ideals of living and surviving as a slave. Did he survive favorably in the eyes of God? Should he have followed through with Patsey's offer? His growing rage and determination were secured during the extreme long take and moving scene where a group of slaves sings "Roll, Jordan, Roll," reminiscent of the earlier paddle wheel and rolling tide. Be ready to hear this powerful tune again at the Oscars: it will definitely be up for Best Original Song.

The kind master (Cumberpatch) gifts his most worthy slave with a home away from home.

Music plays an important role throughout the film and at multiple times deliberately challenges diegesis vs. non-diegesis. Hans Zimmer's sometimes provocative, rarely uplifting, and mostly impending and Inception-reminiscent score perfectly parallels Solomon's fiddle-playing abilities. His talent which ironically gets him kidnapped via a circus scheme is his only resting place during capture. A wave of his bow silences screams and soothes souls, a literal reminder (he scratches the names of his family left behind into the violin) of the transcendent power of music (and sound mixing & editing in film). Zimmer has long been, for me, the most famous composer of this generation and he will continue to rise (Get it? Because he scored The Dark Knight Rises, too...) in popularity after he nabs an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. Here is just a pre-preview of the soundtrack since it won't be officially released until November 5th (1:50 is a good place to start):

Can we please admire the beauty of Steve McQueen's South from 1841-1853 in #12YearsASlave? The cinematography was poignantly transcendent.
— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) October 22, 2013

The gripping story of Soloman Northup, a free man who is kidnapped and turned into a slave fights for his survival for 12 terrifying years and captures the audience for 133 minutes. While the film deals slightly with the issue of white supremacy, the overall message has nothing to do with black power. There are some white slave owners that understand the cruelty forced upon The messages are more centered around the power of strength, soul, and family keeping a man determined to one day be reunited with his family. Patsey is by far the most profound woman he meets along his journey. She makes the viewer step into her shoes to realize that while she may have major skills picking cotton in the fields, she is living in a constant hell between Edwin Epps and his Mistress (Fassbender & Paulson). In the end, Solomon and her relationship are reduced to a few words: "But what about Patsey?"

Walking out of the #12YearsASlave screening is like processing from a funeral. #speechless
— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) October 22, 2013

This harrowing tale is based on a memoir of the same title published by Solomon Northup in 1853. As Bass suggests during his heroic monologue, the laws continue to change even though some people are stuck in their own ways. Slavery has since been outlawed but it is a memory never forgotten. Yet, kidnapping, sex trafficking, civil rights, and a countless other inequalities are still profoundly relevant today. A world where people don't have to live in such fear is still miles away, but it is a future that should not be thought of as impossible. It is a goal that Solomon fought for years after he was enslaved, and his heart lives on today in those that carry this similar drive.

Defying Gravity

I have no idea why I didn't write a review of Gravity right after I saw an advanced screening two weeks ago. It has taken me almost this long just to accept that it actually happened and that I actually experienced that most amazing...thing. I saw the teaser trailer when it was released and forbid myself from watching the full trailer and other clips until after I saw the movie. So if you haven't seen the trailer yet, DON'T. Just watch the teaser and be prepared to be even more blown away!

Gravity is more than just a film: it is a cinematic experience which assaults your senses in the most stylish, unexpecting, and welcoming of ways. I still remember the film (more than a 'movie') starting and me not knowing how such a piece of work would be able to begin. But the few lines of text appeared and then the vastness of space in 3D appeared. My giddy eyes reeled from the cinematographic and special effects beauty, the long takes deepening my focused and aroused senses.

Ethereal. Attitude. Renewal. Love. #Gravity is not a film; it is an experience. More than life itself #acting #cinematography #soundediting
— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) September 19, 2013

Sandra gives the performance of a lifetime as Dr. Ryan Stone. Yes, I know. Every new movie that Sandra Bullock is in has these same lines attached, but this time it is even more true! She dons a boyish haircut, which adds to her vulnerable character (bringing to mind one of my top 3 shots of the film. Can I explain it? No, that would ruin the moment. But the shot creeps up on you in the softest of ways and once you realize what is being captured, your heart just wants to embrace the full power of the image. Think 2001: A Space Odyssey.). Dr. Stone's transformation is beautiful. It begins after she tells us about her daughter (no spoilers) and continues through the final shot of the film, a memorable extreme, low angle shot of her rising and defying gravity.

I feel like I am floating through space. Watching the sunrise over the Ganges. I want to stop but the world keeps spinning #Gravity
— Nick Ruhrkraut (@sauerkraut27) September 19, 2013

There are a million things to say about this film but to simply write them in a blogpost does none of it justice. I cried three separate times thanks to Sandra's performance and I walked out of the theatre knowing the Oscar should already be split between her and Cate Blanchett (for Blue Jasmine), despite the already insane amount of Best Actress Oscar hype. The cinematography is instantly jaw-dropping because it really does look like space (I've been scouring the web to find a real IMAX theatre around here) and the camera movements will have you reeling for something to hold onto. The special effects will have you asking yourself over and over "How did they do that?! They really must be in space!" Every slight movement or particle in the air acts as if it were 'weightless'. My third favorite sequence is when water droplets disperse and one splatters on the camera lens. Every string that gets bumped in the space station and every blast from the fire extinguisher are as fluid as hair gliding in the wind.

The sound editing is almost just as important in transporting you into the perils of what is happening. While the camera moves seamlessly from space to the inside of Sandra's helmet, the flawless sound transitions from Sandra's deep breaths and frantic calls for help to the vacuum of space where not even Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) can hear or help her. Alfonso cleverly and constantly switches between barriers to make sure the audience doesn't become fully comfortable with the horrific situation. He keeps you saying "What the heck could come next?" and of course, something even worse happens.

There are moments (yes, plural) that I stopped breathing or held my breath hoping it would replenish Dr. Stone's disappearing supply of oxygen. The beauty, the magic, the intensity, and the power of this film escapes me. It should without a doubt be seen in 3D. The technology is subtle in many ways, yet I also caught myself blinking when I wasn't expecting meteorites to fly towards me.

Now, I hope none of this scares you. I started this post off by saying Gravity is an experience you need to fully immerse yourself in and if you do that, it will be one of the most fulfilling things you do this fall. It will not escape attention from the press or a growing cult fanbase for the months or years to come. It already rose from 8.5 to 8.7 after the official opening day (Friday Oct 4) on IMDB and is (not surprisingly) Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. If I get you to rethink seeing this film because you are afraid of heights or space, then I have done my job. I already convinced my grandma so there must be a few more waivering souls out there.

Do yourself a favor today. Take a break from work or studying and go see Gravity. I guarantee it is like nothing you have experienced before.

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For the much-awaited arrival of Fall, I bring to you a pumpkin smoothie! So cozy up in front of the fire with this smooth delight :)

3-4 oz. frozen pumpkin pie filling (freeze ahead of time!)

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup vanilla yogurt

dash of cinammon

After you blend everything together, feel free to top your drink with crushed (cinammon) graham crackers. Or go ahead and add them to your drink!

Sundance: Day Three

[I know this is quite a delayed post; I just found it in my drafts folder. It may be a bit incomplete in terms of the day's agenda, but it is still telling of recent wide releases.]

Once we got to the cashier for Day Of tickets, I got a ticket to Touchy Feely later Saturday at noon and Breathe In for 8:30am Sunday morning (see Day 4 blog!). So thankfully I got an hour nap before the screening-- especially because I just had about 3-4 hours sleep...on a cold, tile floor.

I was extremely excited for Touchy Feely- I've kept an eye on Rosemary Dewitt ever since her role on United States of Tara. The director introduced the film and was extremely happy to be a part of Sundance US Dramatic Competition once again, especially because she is one of the eight women competing. Yet, I was disappointed by the film. Don't get me wrong, Lynn Shelton incorporated interesting techniques that illustrated Abby's internal conflict; microscopic rack focus shots of the skin show Abby's impending claustrophobia towards her massage patients. A later ecstacy-scapade also creates a surreal environment for the drugged characters. The supporting cast is impressive with Allison Janney topping the lot. Josh Pais' awkward Paul, a dentist who mysteriously gains healing powers to cure TMJ in his patients provides most of the comic relief (is it coincidence that all of the supporting casts' lives get better once Abby undergoes mental distress?). The main reason why I was disappointed with the film was by the short ending that really didn't explain the resolutions. Character's emotions and thoughts drive the narrative, yet the conclusion is so abrupt. Another highlight is Tomo Nakayama's "Horses" (found here) which he plays during the climax of the film. The song captures the delicacy of each character and his/her struggle to discover himself/herself. His voice is stunning, but his character reminds me of a similarly awkward Michael Cera from Juno.

I was excited to see Ellen (and get her autograph), Allison, Lynn, and Rosemary after the screening behind Eccles!!

The rest of my day can be summed up shortly with cinematic disappointment. After the screening I went to the Morningstar Farms restaurant with a newly made filmmaker friend. The restaurant is famous during the festival because they are serving FREE lunch & dinner: veggie burgers and veggie chili. Can't go wrong with free food! Then after lunch I went to wait in line for the premiere of Toy's House. I was 7th in line, with Nick Robinson's aunt and friends ahead of me (he's the lead in the film). I think I arrived around 4:15 and waited until 8:30, and after they let 6 people into the screening, I was the first person to not be given a ticket :'(  I was devastated, but for a happy ending, see Day 5... I really wanted to see Mud and Interior. Leather Bar. which were premiering at the same time, but since I HAD to try to get to the premiere of the film I was an extra for, I had to deal with only seeing 1 film today.

Goodbye, Summer...

With the summer winding down, I was trying to make a Best Of Summer list and quickly realized it was an amazing summer for indie & Sundance films! The Spectacular Now definitely makes the Top 5 along with The Bling Ring, The Kings of Summer, Before Midnight, and Fruitvale for the independents and The World's End, World War Z, This Is The End, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and Despicable Me 2 for the blockbusters (take into consideration that I did miss out on some other good ones, apparently). I'm not big on star-studded, action-popping blockbusters but I do enjoy a mind-numbing cinematic experience from time to time. Other Sundance films that have been making their rounds include: Blackfish, In A World..., Don Jon, Ain't Them Bodies Saints, The Way, Way Back, The East, Stoker, Top of the Lake, Stoker, Austenland, Adore/Two Mothers, Upstream Color (now on Netflix), We Steal Secrets, After Tiller, and soon to be released: Kill Your Darlings (!!!!!!), Concussion, A Teacher, Afternoon Delight, Breathe In, and A.C.O.D. (Jobs, Lovelace, Touchy Feely, and The Book of Love among the Black Sheep of the lot).

What other films did you love this summer and which do I NEED to see stat??

UPDATE: ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW (the illegally filmed and apparent acid trip into Disney World) GOT A RELEASE DATE FOR OCTOBER 11 AND WILL BE IN COLUMBUS IN NOVEMBER. CAN YOU TELL HOW EXCITED I AM?!?

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A Post-workout milkshake/smoothie:
1 serving

1/2 banana (frozen or fresh)
1 handful strawberries (just to sweeten)
1 spoonful (chocolate) protein powder
2 Tbs. peanut butter
1/2 cup ice
cover ingredients in blender with (vanilla) soymilk

Delicious!!

The Spectacular Now

I'm not really sure how to even begin to translate the emotional shock I'm in right now into words. Most of all I just feel disappointed in myself for not giving The Spectacular Now a chance during Sundance this year. The characters, the story, the hardships, the hope, the future. A seemingly redundant high school flick soon turns into an emotional journey for two vastly different (yet very true) personalities in small town-paper route America. The cold open (so to speak) allowed the audience to quickly understand Sutter's role and his alcoholic crutch. His uninhibited nature allows the intensity to build to the slap-in-the-face title frame where the towering NOW could only mean a deeper look into Sutter's imperfect mind. The awkwardness between Sutter and Aimee Finicky is so palpable that it becomes part of and creates the reality with which the audience falls in love. The best of the script lies in the pain family causes both teenagers, discovering yourself with and through someone else, and allowing yourself a potential future even with considerable imperfections. Let alone the phenomenal cinematography and my geeky side that fell in love with the many long takes.

I was considerably surprised by the weight this film carries in terms of emotional power, sensuality, and honesty, and its ability to merge these milestones with such grace. Sutter is your typical high school bro, looking to score with girls, have fun at parties, and get by in school without working too hard. It is so frustrating to see him constantly looking at Cassidy when he has Aimee comfortably in the palm of his hand; yet, his flip-flop tendencies caused by raging testosterone levels are actually 100% real in high school (and college...) populations. While his transformation from start to finish is expansive, it is definitely believable and possible unlike in many movies. Even I began to see a part of Sutter inside of myself.

Sutter leaves the audience with some of the best advice: "The best part about now is that there's another one tomorrow." Live your life, laugh, and definitely love. The film shows how easily you can live without fear simply by letting your guard down and allowing someone to believe in and love you. Realizing that change is always present will make you stronger and keep you fighting for what you truly love.

You'll leave the theatre with a new understanding of the word 'spectacular.'

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Because-I-have-a-ton-of-baby-spinach-lying-around smoothie:

Ingredients

1 banana (small frozen ripe, peeled)
2 cups baby spinach
1 tbsp peanut butter
3/4 cup milk (almond or soy to be healthy)
1/2 cup plain or vanilla greek yogurt

as seen here.

Sundance: Day Two

I've been so caught up in the Sundance experience that exhaustion is a common thread that has (ironically) held my body together these past few days. So even though I haven't been updating everyday, I still plan on writing about everything I've seen! So I started off Day Two with getting a taxi to the Box Office at 5am. My friend and I waited until 8 (we were about 15th in line) to see if any tickets were available for Day-Of showings. Even though most films were sold out (once films are sold out, the only other chance one has is by waiting in the waitlist line, which can begin anywhere from 2-5 hours before the screening), we did get tickets to Sightseers. This film, directed by Ben Wheatley, was promoted as one of Sundance's favorites that premiered at Cannes. Sidenote: Sightseers is in the Spotlight category and not In Competition.

So this film, premiering at 11:30 at the MARC Theatre, is quite hard to explain without revealing the true atmosphere it creates. The "cold open" immediately evoked laughter, and it left me in such awkward and artistic yet interesting confusion. The juxtaposition of photos of a white terrier with a man pinpointing pit stops on a map, played to an offscreen moaning noise isn't what you first expect from any film. What follows is a melting pot of genres that details a harrowing, yet still comedic journey of a couple travelling to museums around England ("Chris, can we go to the Pencil Museum now?"). Road genre, romcom and gruesome horror slasher is the beginning of the awkward relationship that blooms from the couple. In a way Ben Wheatley becomes a British Tarantino. At each stop along the way, Chris and Tina meet people that rub them the wrong way, leading to their unfortunate- albeit hilarious and hard to watch- demise. The backstory to the introductory shots the dog, later discovered to be the late Poppy, is disturbingly revealed in (once again) an over-the-top fashion.

I can see most audiences having a polarized response to the film, either loving or hating it. The conflict between human vs. nature is prevalent throughout, especially in the many shots of nature and historical locations. So the gruesome, almost unwatchable scenes could easily overshadow Ben's artistic elements which are easy to love and entrancing. I haven't seen Ben's other films but I'll be adding them to my list, regardless of how conflicted I am by the film.

Later Friday Night I waitlisted for Two Mothers, a story of two mothers (*shocking*) who have affairs with each others' sons. Each of the four leads- Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuels, and James Frecheville- exudes a unique chemistry with the other characters. The cinematography is stunningly beautiful! The Australian landscape becomes an important character itself, providing a home to the characters that don't want to leave for Sydney. The capital city, only being shown in two shots, is immediately disguised as impersonal to the relationships the characters form. Even though Sydney borders the ocean, the beach and beach house provide a flourishing and intimate setting. Water is such a key symbol- swimming, surfing, motion of the tide- that immediately reveals nature's central importance.

The film's homosocial depictions are hard to misconstrue. Even in the first sequence with younger versions of Lil and Roz swimming to the pivotal dock out at sea, the framing of their feet swinging through the water lead me to believe they could be more than friends. Later Roz, played by Robin, reminisces about a kiss they both shared as kids when Lil (Naomi Watts) asks her, "Are we lezzos?" Even shots of the two children, Ian and Tom, question their playful relationship; however, the high eroticism is attributed to the more-than-often thinly dressed, or naked, cast. The repeated capture of butts becomes a symbol of the juxtaposition between young and old and frames the question of maturity in the film. The situation is definitely odd, but the characters learn to deal with the consequences and portray a believable, emotional compromise.

Naomi, recently Oscar-nominated for The Impossible, was beautiful on-screen and on-stage for the post-screening Q&A. Anne Fontaine, the French director, misunderstood some of the questions asked during the Q&A. For example, when asked why both mothers kept their wedding rings on throughout the entire film (there are reasons why this may seem unconventional), she responded in confusion. Even after multiple people tried to rephrase the question (I understood), she finally concluded with "Why not?," which is an upsetting answer to an intriguing detail and possible continuity blooper.

The final sequence, as described by my friend as reminiscent of the Horse Head scene from The Godfather,  is so beautiful that I would see the movie again just for the penultimate shot. I have to see it again regardless, but for another reason that links itself to film circuit experience. During the more awkward moments, the audience would erupt in laughter. The first comment that Anne made after the film was that she was definitely not expecting such a comical response. I felt bad during the screening because I was not laughing (there are definitely purposeful humorous moments) and it broke up the dramatic intensity of the scene.

In conclusion, I definitely recommend seeing Two Mothers! It's sure to be released later in the year (it is part of the Premieres category), so keep your eyes peeled!

After the screening Megan & I went to the Box Office to check on Day Of Screening tickets, and since there was a good amount of tickets to screenings we wanted to see, we decided to quickly get food then sleep over- YES, SLEEP OVER- in the building so that we could get a good chance at tickets!  (see Day 3 for more!)

Sundance: Day One

Day One at Sundance was incredibly unforgettable and surreal! I can't believe that I'm finally here and I think how tired I am can attest to my full exhaust. Once we arrived, I immediately left for the Eccles Theatre so that my friend and I could wait in the waitlist line. We were about 15th in line- not counting the 5 people who ended up cutting in front of us- and finally 22nd. We got in line at 3:30 and finally heard that the first 25 people were being admitted to the screening of May In The Summer. I COULDN'T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY MADE IT IN TO TO THE FIRST SCREENING!!!

Cherien Dabis, the director, opened the film- and in turn the entire festival- with a quote that her mother once said to her: "This is Sunny Dance." And what an introduction to my first Sundance film ever! It was a beautiful film with so many real-world conflicts: parent/child relationships, May at a crossroads in her life in many respects (leading to the overall Sundance theme of arrows and moving forward), and acceptance in religion, sexuality, age, and gender roles & rights.

Also, random celebrity appearance goes to...Bill Pullman!

Afterwards, Cherien explained parts of her filmmaking process, leading to her "speaking star" in casting herself as the lead. She believed in herself and the film, allowing it the chance to flourish with endless positive energy.

Overall, I give the film a 3.5/5. I definitely still want to see her directorial debut, Amreeka.

We've basically been planning all day for tomorrow which is definitely going to be an even more exhaustive day, let alone the 3 or 4 films I plan to see. 3:55am wakeup call, here I come...

SUNDANCE 2013

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

I am honored and utterly speechless to be leaving tomorrow for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah! I will try to update this blog as quick as possible with spoiler-free information and reviews on the newest independent films being released this year. If you have any recommendations or questions, please let me know!!

Django Unchained

I had the pleasure of seeing an advanced screening of Django Unchained December 7th and I couldn't be happier with the result! I had to see it again over break and was again very pleased as well as made some new discoveries a second time around. The screenplay was previously floating around the internet and I would love to finish reading it. Django ("D-J-A-N-G-O. The D is silent") is everything a Tarantino flick should be and I didn't want it to end. From the opening shot of a rocky mountainside with the Django theme song playing in the background to the wide-angle, scenic shots, to the blood baths that shocked me, yet made me not want to look away, it's hard not to fall in love with the entire film. If you haven't seen any of Tarantino's work before, you might think he's purely comedic; the film sustains laughs around every corner. On the other hand, if you've seen other of his films, then you won't be surprised by anything new. He tackles satire and historic events with ease, uses gallons of blood, crafts a pointed screenplay with lots of wit, teases us with flavorful food, and he even makes his cameo (more so exit cameo) with bravado. Tarantino's Best Screenplay win at the Golden Globes (albeit, a bit awkward) was well deserved.

Also, I am EXTREMELY happy for Christoph Waltz and his Supporting Actor win at the Globes! I suppose Tarantino needs to keep casting him as the German with such quick and intelligent dialogue so they can both keep winning awards.

I know this post is a bit late, but still for those that haven't seen Django yet, DO IT!! I will always fully endorse the Oscars binge. Many of the films are quite long-- it seems as if there's been a trend in this lately. However, they are all worth enjoying, for historic and entertainment value. Stay tuned for more Oscars buzz! Just over 1 month away from the celebrated occasion!!!

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Heard about this smoothie this week and I have to share it! It sounds delicious and I NEED to make it soon!

Banana Sunshine Breakfast Smoothie

Below are smaller portions compared to the website, which makes 5-16oz. drinks.

• 1 cup frozen Peaches
• 1 medium frozen banana
• 16 oz (2 servings) Greek yogurt
• 2 T. ground Flax Seed
• 1/2 cup Orange Juice
• 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Quaker Oats, ground
• 12 oz Blackberry Black Tea, unsweetened, chilled

Directions:

• Grind oats into a fine powder and then combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
• Side note: If you plan on eating these immediately and not freezing them for later consumption, I recommend making the tea ahead of time and freezing them as ice cubes before blending your smoothie.

Source: http://chicagodieteticassociation.org/banana-sunshine-breakfast-smoothie/

Grave of the Fireflies

This is by far the saddest animated movie I have ever seen and maybe one of the saddest period. Grave of the Fireflies begins with a prologue (epilogue?) stating, "September 21, 1945... that was the night I died." What follows is an evocative story detailing the life of Japanese civilians during WWII, specifically two young siblings who learn that love and imagination are two of the world's greatest values. 

The director, Isao Takahata, co-founded Studio Ghibli in 1985 with one of my all-time favorite directors Hayao Miyazaki. Each anime film I have seen (predominantly those by Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli) is unique and this one does not disappoint. Just be prepared to let your emotions roll

Before I watching this, I was surprised to see its 8.4 rating on IMDB. However, other Ghibli classics on the list include: Spirited Away (8.5), My Neighbor Totoro (8.2), Howl's Moving Castle (8.1), Castle in the Sky (8.1),the only other Miyazaki film I haven't seen on the IMDB Top 250, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (8.1), and the only anime film I haven't enjoyed, Princess Mononoke (8.4). Regardless, I HIGHLY recommend Spirited Away! So you should watch it. Now.

Other films I saw this week: Blood Diamond & We Need to Talk About Kevin (see my Quick Flicks review of Kevin here). Two great movies that equally deserve to be put on the Top 250 list.

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The Green Monster

Ingredients:
1 banana, cut into chunks (frozen or fresh)
1 cup chopped frozen pineapple
1 pear, coarsely chopped
1½ cups orange juice
2½ cups baby spinach leaves, rinsed and dried
1-2 tbsp. honey
3 tbsp. ground flaxseed (optional)

Source: http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/05/02/green-monster-smoothies/

I made a rendition of this yesterday with spinach, V8 Splash, frozen strawberries & raspberries, honey, and ice. I'm excited to get a bag of flaxseed from home but regardless it was wonderful! DON'T BE SCARED BY PUTTING SPINACH IN THE DRINK. YOU WILL NOT TASTE IT!

Atonement: An Imagination Realized

I've seen Atonement before (seriously, if you haven't, it better be on your must-see list) but it's been about 5 years, so I don't exactly remember every detail. However, I did read the book this summer and was very excited to re-watch the film and compare! Even after these few years I still remember certain shots, which speaks volumes about the cinematography (OSCAR SNUB!): Cecelia's green silk dress, Robbie handing Briony the envelope through the wire fence and Briony in her later years. This has easily become one of the most beautifully shot films I have ever seen. There is also extreme depth to the film and the meaning of the title with respect to the framing of the story.

There are mixed reviews about the book and Ian McEwan's style in general, but if you love the film or have heard great things, then I would give the book a shot. He has such a unique style that contributes to the impeccable scenery and rhythm of the film, bringing descriptions and the small details to the forefront of reality. As I watched the film, I could relatively remember how many pages were used to describe certain events. For example, a minuscule task of filling a vase with flowers- a mere 3 seconds in the film- turns into multiple pages in the book. Don't let that scare you though! It makes your imagination very pointed and leaves no detail behind.

This week I also saw: A Story of Women (France), Lawless and Mean Girls. I know none of these are on the IMDB Top 250 but Atonement is worth many words and is highly recommended. Focus Features NEVER disappoints.

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I've been craving an orange creamsicle drink this week, so here it is!

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Serves 6

3 cups plain Greek yogurt
1 1/4 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup honey
zest from one orange
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups ice

source: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/orange-creamsicle-smoothie/

Happy New "Year", New Goal

My senior year! I can't even believe three years have flown by already.

My new goal is to watch all of the films I have not yet seen on the IMDB Top 250 by the end of this final year, which ends May 5th, 2013. Cinco de Mayo! I began narrowing the list this summer and have continued to watch the cream of the crop in the past two weeks. Some of my favorites from the summer include: Sunshine (not on the list, but it should be!), The Great Dictator, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Intouchables, Moonrise Kingdom (every Wes Anderson film should be on every top film list), Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (I finally saw the original Star Wars series *gaaaaaaaasp* and it fit well with my summer marathon of How I Met Your Mother which has some Star Wars themed episodes), and The Dark Knight Rises (of course).

Someday I would like to see AFI's Top 100, many if not all of the Criterion Collection, and all of the films from the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. But baby steps... So, in hopes of keeping myself on track to completing the remaining 80 films on the ever-changing list, I plan on blogging, however short, about what these films contribute to film history.

So far this school year I have indulged in: Dog Day Afternoon, Strangers on a Train, 12 Monkeys, Duck Soup (which has since left the list but has an 8/10 rating so it could reappear), Gone With The Wind, Braveheart, and Wild Strawberries.

What made The Third Man for me was the music, the end chase scene through the sewers and the unique cinematography. At times this film was hard to grasp with the raspy voices speaking multiple languages (not subtitled). I was starting to believe Harry was a fake identity; what Reed chooses to do artistically with him in the shadows is very interesting (I won't give out any spoilers). Well, onto the next one!

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Banana 
2 bananas
1/2 cup each vanilla yogurt 
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons honey
pinch of cinnamon 
1 cup ice

Found on FoodNetwork.com

The Avengers Unite!

Last summer The Avengers filmed in my hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. It was a huge deal all over town thanks to the newly instated Ohio Film Tax Credit. Unfortunately, I didn't get to be an extra in the film, but I visited the set multiple times and every time those scenes came on I got so giddy and clapped. The noticeable sets are the German biergarten & Schlossplatz theatre sign when Loki interrupts the banquet and everybody runs outside (aka Tower City) and one of the final scenes where Captain America and Thor are battling down 'Madison Avenue', the Army starts shooting, the Club Quarters glass shatters, and cars flip due to explosions down the street (I'm pretty sure this was East 9th Ave. in Cleveland). However, I was NOT happy they smashed the Cleveland Public Library to smithereens in the film. Thankfully, it was all CGI. phew.
I also found the writing exceptional for an action packed movie. Obviously some parts were overly cheesy. The scene when Dr. Banner wakes up naked and the old guy is talking to him is Hilarious! Ok, I will never say this ever again, but Robert Downey, Jr. was the best character/actor in that movie. He had the best lines- of course they were raunchy and hilarious (did you catch the 'weed' comment that seemed to last 0.1 seconds?)- and he traveled to another universe! AND he mentioned Galaga and shawarma.
The film had really good action scenes and manipulated camera angles and handheld shakiness like no other blockbuster hit before (besides The Hunger Games which blew me away with its focus techniques and superb editing). I don't think it deserves to be #31 on IMDB's Top 250 right now, but I'm sure that will go down in due time. The hype it has gotten and the $1 billion it made in its first 10 days worldwide is groundbreaking! Such a good boost for the film industry as well.
I just hope The Avengers 2 doesn't try too hard and ruin the good thing it has started. We'll have to see in a few years!

All Is Said and Done

Well, there goes another Academy Award season, and I would have to say it was a pretty decent show! They confused me at first, mixing up the award order (Supporting winners first, etc...) and I was surprised by how much Hugo took home. Good for them! Except for Best Cinematography because The Tree of Life- no matter how much you hated or loved it- is the epitome of that category. However, Hugo was still magnificent in its own ways, so kudos to everybody!  All of the Best Picture nominees were fantastic and the showcase of edits of all the films they showed before the BIG award really made me want to see them all again!

Best parts of the night (besides basking in the Oscar glamour and glory!):
Justin Bieber appearance in the Midnight in Paris skit. So unexpected!
Seeing all the beautiful actresses dressed up- a list too long to include- especially the resilience of Berenice Bejo, Michelle Williams, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Jessica Chastain, and Emma Stone, to name a slight few.

Flops:
Zach Galifianakis & Will Farrell's forced cymbal skit. Little potential but still too much.
Jennifer Lopez & Cameron Diaz showing off their asses. This was just weird. Wait, I just read that Cameron Diaz is Latina...WHAT?! And why is J. Lo there in the first place? Just more drama (see nip slip).
The worst of all: Tom Cruise presenting Best Picture. That's the best you've got Academy??? I can understand if Tom Hooper couldn't make it (filming for Les Miserables perhaps), but what about any of the other impeccable nominees last year: David Fincher, Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky, or Lee Unkrich?

Here are the winners for the 84th Academy Awards:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/27/oscar-winners-list-2012-academy-awards_n_1303169.html

And more importantly, here is my ballot:

I didn't do as well this year, but I also didn't see all of the short films like I have in previous years. However, I didn't look at any predictions page throughout the season, so being based solely on my viewings, I think I did pretty well!

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For a light and refreshing smoothie after a night of cocktails, sweets and carb loading, try this:
1 cup yogurt (Go Greek for extra protein and nutrients!)
1/2 cup each of fresh (or frozen) strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and banana
Add ice, water or milk, and honey to thicken

Nothing like a simple yet tasty smoothie. Enjoy!

More Oscar Predictions and Analyses

ONLY 5 MORE DAYS! While it seems I may be out of touch with the Academy and my blog this season, I really have just been extremely busy with school and watching the final Oscar nominees. This past week I saw: Moneyball, The Help, Pina, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (for the second time). The previous 2 weeks, well I'd be listing movies for 3 lines so I won't list them ALL. I have enjoyed most of them and to say Sunday's winners will be predictable is completely false. For example, both Meryl Streep and Glenn Close deserve 1/2 an Oscar for winner because they were both superb. However, Meryl is not only slated to win, but her performance just narrowly inches out Close's.

The Best Actor slot could go a few ways but will most likely go to Dujardin in his dramatic, theater-defining role in The Artist. Gary Oldman was just as impressive in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy but the Academy will go for the more emotionally exhaustive role.

I'm not going to mess with Best Picture/Director. Terrence Malick/Tree of Life deserve it, end of story. But no doubt it will go to Michel Hazanavicius/Artist.

I finally saw The Help this past weekend and it was great! The book, like always, is still better but the movie incorporated many of the emotions I had hoped to find. Like Minny making the shit pie. =D I was surprised at how crucial Minny was in the film, known in the real world as Octavia Spencer. She seems like such a down-to-Earth person and true that I would love to meet her! No, I'm not saying she should be a maid, but I am saying that her role was flawless.

I'm having a bit of trouble with the Best Original Score. Nothing will top last year's nominees: Social Network, King's Speech, Inception, and How to Train Your Dragon. Black Swan was amazing, too. I'll get back to you on this.

Best Visual Effects. Harry Potter hands down. If this does not get 100% votes from the Academy I would be ashamed. Ok, Hugo does deserve a few because the train scenes made me flinch. Wow, I just realized that it was a modern day take on Arrival of a Train gone bad. Go Melies/Scorsese!

Best Cinematography: Hands down The Tree of Life, but I have a feeling that my love is going to be snubbed all night. Not only are the shots beautiful but the compositions and transcendental elements are so creative. However, The Artist may grab this one as well. Great use of black and white in the modern era deserves to be recognized (noir aspect or not), especially when referencing the origins of cinema.

I hope these nominee categories helped your thought process for Sunday! And I haven't peeked at any of the poll sites (except for Best Picture) so these are all original ideas.

Due to the lack of an Academy authorized printable ballot, here is one sponsored by Moviefone:
http://www.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/nominee-winner/printable-ballot

I'll be sure to post my final ballot before and after the awards so you can all see how it should have played out!
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For a decadent night, enjoy this

Decadent Tiramisu Smoothie (scaled to 2 servings)

• 
  
• ¼ cup wisconsin mascarpone cheese
• ¼ cup vanilla ice cream
• ½ tablespoon milk
• ¾ cup chocolate ice cream
• ¼ cup brewed espresso or ¼ cup strong coffee , chilled
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar
• 1 biscotti

Directions:

1. 1
   Place Mascarpone, vanilla ice cream and milk in blender container. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour mixture into bowl or pitcher; set aside.
2. 2
   Place chocolate ice cream and espresso in blender container. Blend until smooth.
3. 3
   Divide chocolate mixture evenly among 4 glasses. Top chocolate mixture with Mascarpone mixture.
4. 4
   In small bowl, combine cocoa powder and confectioners’ sugar. Sift mixture evenly over each glass and garnish with a biscotti. Serve immediately.

http://www.food.com/recipe/decadent-tiramisu-smoothie-423856

Day One: Best Original Song

Well for the first day of the Oscar Race (finally!) I might as well start small and listen to the nominees for Best Original Song. Since there are only two competing, this shouldn't be too hard (hopefully...):

"Man or Muppet", The Muppets

"Real in Rio", Rio

Just by name recognition I first thought The Muppets would easily take home the title. It took me a few times listening to the songs to actually get into them (No, I haven't seen either yet) because first off the bat I didn't think either of these were clear winners. "Real in Rio" is a bit faster paced and tropical whereas "Man or Muppet" has a much deeper meaning while playing with comedic elements. More audiences enjoyed The Muppets as well, which might hurt the animated nominee; however, don't forget last year's winner "We Belong Together" came from Toy Story 3.

For my nomination, I choose "Man or Muppet". Final answer.  Which do you like better?

(And these are not my videos. SOPA please don't attack me!)

Oscar Nominations 2012!

It's baaaaaack! You know, the month when you can't get harassed- or feel ashamed- for seeing 3+ movies a week. (If you do, just let me know and I will handle it Ryan Gosling/Drive style. Just kidding!) Well nominations have JUST been released and here they are:

Supporting Actress
Octavia Spencer
Jessica Chastain
Janet McTeer
Melissa McCarthy
Berenice Bejo

Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh
Jonah Hill
Nick Nolte
Christopher Plummer
Max von Sydow

Actress
Glenn Close
Viola Davis
Rooney Mara
Meryl Streep
Michelle Williams

Actor
Damian Bichir
George Clooney
Jean Dujardin
Gary Oldman
Brad Pitt

Directing
Michel Hazanavicius
Alexander Payne
Martin Scorcese
Woody Allen
Terrence Malick

Original Screenplay
The Artist
Bridesmaids
Margin Call
Midnight in Paris
A Separation

Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants
Hugo
The Ides of March
Moneyball
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Foreign Language Film
Bullhead
Footnote
In Darkness
Monsieur Lazhar
A Separation

Animated Feature
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Poots
Rango

Best Picture
War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

There you have it folks! Ten of the 24 categories that will be presented February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre. When the ballot is released and the official listing of all the nominees is posted, I will link them through this blog.

(Michael Fassbender, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Adventures of Tintin totally got snubbed!)

Full List of Nominees: http://oscar.go.com/nominees

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A certified vegan smoothie today (even though many of the smoothies posted in the past are mostly fruit)!

Berry Heaven Vegan Smoothie Recipe

• 2 Bananas
• 1 Cup of resperries
• 1/2 Cup of blueberries (frozen for preference)
• A dozen strawberries (again, frozen strawberries will help for consistency)
• Between one and two cups of Cranberry Juice to taste!

http://www.myveganplanet.com/vegan-recipe/top-ten-vegan-smoothie-recipes/

Oscar Nominations 2012 Are Almost Here!

The excitement has been building with movie releases of late, and tomorrow you will find out which have made it to the final round. That's right, the Oscar nominations are released tomorrow morning at 5:38 AM (8:38 AM for those of us on the other side) and I cannot WAIT to hear (and see) Jennifer Lawrence as she walks out and announces the lists. This year's nominees won't be too surprising but hopefully there won't be too many snubs. Due to last year's unanticipated 10 Best Picture nominees, the rules have been changed so that between 5 and 10 movies can be nominated. Even though many deserve to be nominated, only the obvious nominees should be given the actual nod. So just like last year, you can check here tomorrow for the full list of nominees! And as an added bonus, I'll give you my list of nominee predictions.

2012 Nomination Predictions

Best Picture

The Tree of Life

The Artist

Hugo

The Descendants (don't understand this is getting so much award circuit hype)

Midnight in Paris (this will probably show up, but not a contender despite how much I loved it. Definitely a contender for Best Original Screenplay or a Best Ensemble award)

War Horse

Best Director

Martin Scorcese

Terrance Malick

Alexander Payne

Michel Hazanvicius

Steven Spielberg

Best Actor

Jean Dujardin

George Clooney

Gary Oldman

Michael Fassbender

Brad Pitt

Best Actress

Meryl Streep

Michelle Williams

Glenn Close

Rooney Mara

Tilda Swinton

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer

Kenneth Branagh

Best Supporting Actress

(I have yet to see The Help but I'm sure there will be 1 or 2 noms here)

Best Cinematography

The Tree of Life

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Hugo

Best Original Score

GWTDT

The Artist

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Best Adapted Screenplay

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Hugo

Best Original Screenplay

Young Adult

Midnight in Paris

The Artist

Best Foreign Film

A Separation

Pina

Best Animated Film

The Adventures of Tintin

Best Special Effects

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Super 8

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Best Animal (definitely a necessary addition this year)

Arthur, Jack Russell Terrier, Beginners

Uggie, Jack Russell Terrier, The Artist and Water for Elephants

Joey, Thoroughbred, War Horse

May the movie watching begin!

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Buff Smoothie, courtesy of Alton Brown

Ingredients

• 4 ounces plain, low-fat soy milk
• 4 ounces acai, grape, or pomegranate juice
• 4 ounces frozen banana
• 4 ounces frozen strawberries
• 4 ounces frozen blueberries
• 4 ounces frozen peaches

Directions

Combine the soy milk, juice, banana, strawberries, blueberries, and the peaches in the carafe of a blender. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 8 hours.

In the morning, or when the fruit is partially thawed, put the carafe on the base of the blender, start at the lowest speed and slowly accelerate to medium, until you achieve a vortex. Blend on medium for 1 minute. Increase the speed to high and blend for an additional minute. Serve immediately.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/buff-smoothie-recipe/index.html

I've never had to let my smoothie ingredients set overnight. Worth a try!

Top 10 Films of 2011

Yes, there are so many of these lists out there right now that you don't know who you should trust. For the most part they are going to have the same overlap, at least for the films that have been released so far. I say 'for the most part' because I don't think many lists will include Justin Bieber's documentary Never Say Never like in John Waters' list. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and agree on my wonderful choices!

The List
1. The Tree of Life. From the intriguing (to some, superfluous) flame that frames the film (say that five times fast!) to the intense familial relationship and characterization, the audience is constantly engaged and is asked to consider the greater meaning of life. The cinematography is out of this world!
Check out my 100 word blog of the film here: http://quickmoviereviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/tree-of-life.html

2. Melancholia. Another earth-shattering film that questions the existence of life as the planet Melancholia is headed towards Earth. Superb performances by the two main actresses (Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg) and wonderfully rounded supporting cast make the themes resonate even deeper by creating a juxtaposed tension between the family itself. An overall melancholy film that is more about dealing with life's difficulties before an impending death and less about the end of the world (obviously occurring this December). The prologue alone is well worth the ticket cost, with Wagner's Tristan and Isolde conducting the slow motion frames that capture the wonder and beauty of the apocalypse and character struggles all at once. Astounding!

3. Hugo. A fantastic film adapted from a surely creative children's book that explodes with imagination and Scorcese-auteur-style. The setting- train station and Paris- is beautifully crafted and the story captures George Melies, one of cinema's first filmmakers, as a hopeful and creative artist that simply wants to spark joy throughout the world. And as he says in the film, "Films have the power to capture dreams," don't they? Hugo is one of the greatest and truest family films ever made.

4. Midnight in Paris. Another Parisian film that captures the remarkable essence of the City of Love at a time when love and hope seemed to endure forever. Read my previous blog from June about this film that exudes my love even more!

5.Win Win. This film opened at Sundance last year and is a subtle but overall satisfying film in every way. A talented wrestling son and a lost husband/failing wrestling coach cross paths and change each other's lives for the better. I left quite happy and peaceful; this is one film where not being thought-provoked is 100% OK.

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. This series finale was tear-jerking and left me wanting so much more. No, this is not disappointing; instead, I was finally happy with how the film was constructed with such detail and purpose. The special effects, acting (Alan Rickman, you will always be the only Snape in my heart. Your first 5 seconds of the film could have lasted 2 hours for me and I still would have been emotionally-drained.) and mostly-novel-following plot made this an unforgettable experience.  Check out my 100 word movie review here: http://quickmoviereviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/it-all-ends.html

7. My Week with Marilyn. An inside look at Marilyn's acting career as she plays opposite the fantastic Lawrence Olivier (played by Kenneth Branagh) in England, 1957. The beautiful Michelle Williams shows a truly vulnerable Monroe as she battles depression and a love life that never seems to hold steady (she is married to Arthur Miller at this point but the movie's POV is from Colin Clark, with whom she has the telling affair). The art direction draws parallels to The King's Speech and the cast (including Emma Watson!) is well-rounded (notice a pattern?).

8. Beginners. A son and father have mid/end-life crises of relationship anxiety and sexual orientation, respectively. The cutest Jack Russell costars as Ewan McGregor's counterpart, Arthur, and gives great advice to the weary. Director Mike Mills instills a minimalist style that highlights the finer things in life. Just check out all of my 100 word blogs, including one for Beginners here: http://quickmoviereviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/infamous-left.html

9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. This has great potential to be the Best Adapted Screenplay this year as it consistently follows the Stieg Larsson novel. Rooney Mara is freakishly successful in her portrayal of the reclusive Lisbeth Salander (previously played in the Swedish trilogy by the impeccably brilliant Noomi Rapace). Fincher delivers across the board just like with last year's The Social Network (along with the score composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Roth): similar style, camera techniques and design. This mature tale is inventive, mysterious, suspenseful, and repulsive- aka mind blowing fun!

10. Like Crazy. The young actors show much potential in this long distance relationship drama. The constant back-and-forth motion leaves the ending highly anticipated and unpredictable. Doremus makes some Felicity Jones (and her British accent) will be the new go-to girl soon, Anton Yelchin will continue to look unaged, the flawless and effortless Jennifer Lawrence debuted in last year's Winter's Bone and will soon be featured in The Hunger Games, and Charlie Bewley will be the newest teen heartthrob- wait, he was in Twilight...Scratch that.

Honorable Mention (in no specific order)

1. Poetry. Another Korean film that fails to disappoint the mysterious and subtly-stimulating style of its predecessors. A grandmother embarks on a moral journey after she discovers her grandson participated in raping a schoolgirl who later commits suicide. Also, she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's and is determined to learn how to write poetry. The thick story, metaphors of poetry and craft of filmmaking show that anything is possible and a lack of truly unique ideas are far off.

2. Bellflower. Sex, drugs, violence, explosions. Blood. A hardcore film that transforms from love story to much much more. The ending blew me away and the

3. Drive. Two great actors that will undoubtedly go on to even more success in the future, Carey Mulligan and Ryan Gosling, create an awkward relationship but fill the characters' shoes with grace and passion. Nicholas Winding Refn's style is quite effective and noticeable and gives Gosling the perfect atmosphere to perform.

4. Contagion. A surprising hit that makes a profound statement about disease in the modern world. Finally a film with an all-star cast that takes advantage of each actor's potential! Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow shine along with Matt Damon, Jude Law, Lawrence Fishburne, Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Ehle, and Bryan Cranston (and that's not everybody!).

5. Red State. A harrowing tale of three sex-crazed teens that alludes to the harsh anti-gay beliefs of the Westboro Baptism Church. Definitely not one for the light of heart, but a film that is creatively evil and features an ending nobody will expect. I can still picture John Goodman's reaction as I remember that resounding noise...

6. Another Earth. An impressive independent film that challenges a gifted student (Brit Marling) to embark on an unforeseen and difficult life path. In the meantime, Earth 2 is discovered close-by and is inhabited with human parallels of ourselves. A great performance by the main actress Marling creates a believable story to a theory that will forever perturb human minds: a world out there with an alternate you that decided to make better choices in life.

7. Martha Marcy May Marlene. I still don't know how I feel about this film. Yes, it is completely unsettling and Elizabeth Olsen's acting is magnificent. And for first-timer Sean Durkin this was a very ambitious endeavor. On the other hand, the ending averted another possible climax even though the film had lead the audience to believe only one possibility. I am THE connoisseur for open-ended endings, but this was disappointingly too open. Maybe you felt the same way.

8. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. This sequel brings a whole new level of action, thrill and jaw-dropping intensity to the mastermind Sherlock Holmes. The plot stems fluidly from the conclusion of the first film as a confrontation with Professor Moriarty is highly anticipated. (Moriarty smarter than Holmes?!) The regulars from the first film return (one is bid adieu too soon) while newcomer Noomi Rapace rapidly and comfortably warms up the screen. Director Guy Ritchie continues to excite audiences in this possible series, but to keep this up he'll need to think of just as great- or better- of an idea.

Films That I Have Not Seen But I Know Would Be On My List
Take Shelter
A Separation
Shame
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
The Artist
Circumstance
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

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Breakfast Energy Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup orange juice 
• 4 to 6 strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 banana 
• 1/4 cup silken tofu (about 3 ounces).  Instead of tofu, try adding a handful of granola. It sounds weird at first but it's a healthy, hearty and tasty addition!
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar 
• 6 ice cubes

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/energy-smoothie-10000000640879/