The Secret in Their Eyes (4.5)

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Original title: El secreto de sus ojos, a 2009 Argentina film by Juan José Campanella.

A retired man begins writing a novel about a case he worked on 25 years earlier when employed as a legal counselor. Bringing up the past is rarely a good idea, unless in doing so it reveals the truth not only to you but for someone else.

Another film that has been on my "to watch" list for some time. I couldn't find a copy with subtitles but luckily Netflix delivers once again.

My brain is a little bit exhausted right now because it was such a full story. It was raw and real and definitely hit home several times. I find it a little funny that the main character is writing a novel and that's exactly what I feel like I just finished; a novel. Not a film. I have the same intense brain overload and pure satisfaction like you get when you read that last sentence on the last page of a book. Fantastic.

Everything about this movie is amazing. Not only is the ending amazing, but there were so many intermittent climaxes that left you no choice but to be completely sucked into the story. You will especially love this movie if you like crime/mystery/detective type films. It was really well done, the writing alone is amazing.

Such a solid movie. I don't even know what else to say because it was just over all good. The acting, directing, script, music, everything...fantastic. I could see how people would start to lose interest after about half way through when their is what seems like the climax but it's not and then the story slows a bit. Only for about 15 minutes though, but it needed to happen or else you would explode. The ending was great, I didn't see the very ending coming until the very end. I knew other parts were going to happen and then bam, something new was added in on top of it and I was sucked right back in.

Solid film. Enough layers to keep you guessing with enough twists to keep you on your toes. One of the best of this genre I have seen in some time.

4.5/5

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Inglorius Basterds (5)

Quentin Tarantino has done it again. He has created a film that will rock you to the very core. A magnificent story, beyond fantastic directing and performance, scenes that will be burned into your memory forever and humour that will make you burst out laughing.

This is one of my easy top ten movies from 2009. I remember the first time I watched it in the theatres, and I couldn't talk after the movie. I was that rocked by it. I didn't want to ruin the utter high that I was on as the credits started to roll. I believe my only vocabulary for about an hour after watching it consisted of mostly swear words and random noises of exclamation.

It's a movie about war but it's not a war movie. It's about one group of people and the characters that have to do with that group during the second world war. It's epic, that's all you really need to know.

Brad Pitt was impossibly fantastic in this role. He made this movie. I mean, everyone was bringing their A game, but Pitt nailed it. I mean, I can't even put it into words. His physically and how he made his character talk...his delivery of every single line was perfect. Yes, Tarantino had a lot to do with that as well, but really, an actor can only have so much directing before it's all up to them. And man oh man, did he ever punch this movie in the face. I wanted to (and I'm sorry for this) hump Brad Pitts leg after seeing him in this movie. I loved him that much. Brilliant. I mean, someone that can go from fantastic movies like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to Fight Club and them still impress you even more...awesome. I could keep going but I'll stop.

Most surprising, next to Pitt, was Christoph Waltz. Where the hell did this guy come from?! He was amazing. Like, the first scene. I think my mouth was left hanging open from that point on because of him. Perfection, he was perfect as this character.

The whole film is beyond believable. I really have no complaints at all. I mean, some of the scenes seemed a little long at points, but it was all to build the story and the characters for one of the best finalise I have ever seen. It's classic Tarantino cinema. Builds and builds and just when you think it can't get better it does and then you can't move for about 30 minutes after it hits. Brilliant.

Action. Comedy. Drama. Tears. Blood. Perfection.

Must see film. Must, must see. Trust me.

I'll stop now.

5/5

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Extraordinary Measures (3)

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A man and his family contact a researcher to try and find a cure for their two children's rare genetic disease.

I love Harrison Ford. I have never not liked Harrison Ford. Even in movies that are not so great, they are great because of Harrison Ford. So, naturally I am inclined to like this film due to the fact that he plays the researcher and, well, Harrison Ford. Did I mention Harrison Ford?

I also, and don't ask me why because I don't know, but I like Brendan Fraser too. Still. I know, I know. His movie choices are nothing but head shake worthy...but I just can't help it. I liked him in Inkheart and I like him now. Even though I can see him over acting or just not acting at all I can't help but watch him.

They worked pretty well together too. The general story is inspirational and well done but in the end it was a pretty average film. Nothing really overly impressive yet still an enjoyable movie. I found the core plot to be very interesting because I knew nothing about the disease that they were talking about.

If you're looking for something with a bit of depth but nothing too crazy this is a solid choice. Also, if you're one of those inspirational story lovers you will most likely like it too.

3/5

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Babies (4.5)

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A 2010 documentary by Thomas Balmès following the lives of 4 babies from different parts of the world during their first precious year.

I always love documentaries, there are some bad ones out there but even the bad ones teach you or show you something that you have never seen or heard before. I think more people should watch more documentaries, it's an amazing genre. That being said, when I first heard they were making this movie I rolled my eyes. Of course you will make money on a movie about babies, everyone is helpless against babies. I personally am not one of those females that gets all gooey and feel my ovaries tingle at the sight of a baby. I like babies, they are cute and hilarious, but I don't really get emotional over them.

So, a few people told me I should watch this and it was on last night so I thought I'd give it a shot. And I actually really enjoyed watching it. I watched it with my parents who liked it as well. Actually, I think my dad liked it even better than my mom and I did. It was funny, cute, interesting and eye opening.

The babies were awesome but seeing their different lives and how they learn and grow was better than their cuteness (even though they were pretty darn cute). Seeing how people in Mongolia, Namibia, San Francisco and Tokyo raise their children was very interesting. It put into stronger perspective Western societies unnecessary obsession with safety and the best and most they can give their child but how it doesn't matter. A child that grows up without clothes, covered in flies is just as happy and grows up just as well as a baby that was everything. Very interesting and perfectly portrayed in this documentary.

I thought it was interesting and fun. Really easy to watch and just over all a really well done documentary. I highly suggest it.

4.5/5

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Irreversible (4)

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2002 French drama/crime/in my opinion horror film by Gaspar Noé.

One night in Paris begins in reverse-chronological order back to the beginnings of this traumatic tale about one women and many decisions that out her face to face with the worst nightmare you cannot even imagine.

This is one of the most traumatic films I have ever seen. I am usually that one who laughs during horror films or eats spaghetti during the slasher type movies...because it's not really real. I look at it as effects...

This movie was not like that. At all. Oh my God, I wish it were. I felt actually nauseous by the time this movie was over. The whole thing is like one long anxiety attack. At points I had to close my eyes but at the same time couldn't look away, which is weird and twisted, but it just...it's so awful that you cannot help but watch.

I know that sounds weird but, as soon as I heard about this movie over a year ago I knew I had to watch it. My film friend explained it to me something like this: it would be the worst movie I would ever watch, I would have nightmares, it's so real that you will feel sick and will never forget it. It's the most realistic rape scene in any movie ever.

...of course, stupid me had to see what she meant.

She was right.

At first I was distracted by the way Gaspar Noé used the camera. There was a lot of spinning and things out of focus and just colours and odd close ups that made my head hurt. Now, having watched it, that was brilliant. It's annoying until you realize how emotionally invested you are within the first 10 minutes...you and the film are one and the same. You are along for the ride and you don't really have a choice. It's spinning and everywhere but the closer it gets to the climax, the more stationary it becomes and finally, in one continuous scene, the rape scene, takes place. Never once does the camera stop or move...just, bam. Then it starts spinning again. Brilliant. Brilliant.

All and every performance was beyond amazing. Especially the woman who played Alex, Monica Bellucci. How she did that...oh man. Vincent Cassel who played her boyfriend Marcus I have always liked when I saw him. He was fantastic in Black Swan and in Eastern Promises.

Like I said, this is a very real film. Almost too real. The rape scene is a rape scene. They don't hold back...this movie will change you. You will never forget it. It is, in a weird round about way, one of the best movies I have ever seen.

Caution, but if you can handle it, watch it.

4/5

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