Drive

Drive is one of those movies that sticks with you for a while. One that revisits you in those quiet moments when you least expect it. Not because of the usual Hollywood tricks - car chase, sex scene and big happy ending (which it lacks),but because it genuinely has something to say. The maker of this film is the Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, who has fast become one of the most prominent directors on my radar, only weeks ago coming to my attention for his 2009 self-proclaimed 'psychological sci-fi' Valhalla Rising, which left audiences stunned and confused for its strange narrative and unresolved plot. Both movies feature a strong male protagonist who is at the same time extremely inspective, yet vulnerable to his immediate surroundings. These two films are told in some of the most artful and unusual ways I've ever seen in film, due no doubt to the unique vision of Winding Refn. So without ruining anything about either of these superb cinematic pieces, I will simply leave you with this - go watch them!

Nothing Personal

With every movie I watch, I take away something different from it. Even in films I don't really enjoy, I find some sort of hidden wisdom. Then a movie comes along that I know nothing about and watch because the poster or the title intrigues me and BAM! Like a shooting star in my universe, I can't remember a time I didn't know this movie. That is how I feel about 'Nothing Personal'. It is a quiet film, full of unpredictable turns and absolutely endearing moments. One of the things I enjoyed most about this film was the unpredictability of the characters. I had no idea what they would do next, which is very rare for me in contemporary cinema, where cookie-cutter roles and typical one-liners prevail. Either way, the depth of the characters, the limited dialogue and the stunning landscape had me at hello. A critic described this film a "slow burning stunner", and I think they are definitely on the money. The next night I have free I am watching this again.

loved

Inglorious Basterds ignited a number of significant thoughts in me tonight.

1. it re instilled my faith in Hollywood. that its not all the same cookie-cutter crowd pleaser trash with timed explosions and sex scenes riddling the storyline, but a film with something significant to say. it was historically accurate, linguistically rich and amusing with its witty linquistic sequenses.
2. it made me want to learn french.
3. this film also made me want to be Mrs. Tarantino
4. brought my attention to the name Shoshanna.. the more I hear it the more I want to call my future daughter that.
5. it also made me fall in love with Melanie Laurent [pictured above], not only for her amazing acting abilities, or the constellation of freckles on her neck, but also her loveliness, stage presence and strange beauty and depth.