See this film - The Artist

  
Love.

See this film - Tree of Life

This film is amazing. It looks beautiful. It sounds gorgeous. The acting is superb. But, do yourself a favor and read about the film before you watch it. Recommended if you enjoy considering existential questions and memoirs about childhood experiences. Love, LOVE this film.

See this film - Following Sean

See this film - Rabbit Hole

Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart

Nicole Kidman produced this film that is based on a Pulitzer Prize winning play. The film adaptation is fantastic. Every character presents a valuable point of view and each has been perfectly cast. Terrific performances all around but I was especially impressed with Eckart's. Loved the soundtrack. Trailer is here.

See this film - Marwencol

Fascinating! Very hard to believe this is the filmmaker's debut film.

On Movies - running on empty

Ever watch a film that left you feeling worn out at the end? Exhausted from identifying with the physical and emotional stresses endured by the characters in the film? That's this week's theme at The Bumbles Blog. In addition to gathering those films about running on empty, I'm focusing on women who out of desperation (poverty, threats of harm etc.) wind up in situations that make them go "on the run."

Thelma and Louise (1991) - Start out running away from their oppressive lives and end up running from the law.

Maria Full of Grace (2004) - A pregnant 17 yr old becomes a Colombian drug runner.



Run Lola Run (1998) - A woman has 20 minutes to run around (literally) and find big bucks to save her boyfriend's life.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) - A new widow, along with her son, make a run for a fresh start in life. One of my all time favorite films.

Frozen River (2008) - A woman's dire economic circumstances compel her to run illegal immigrants across the Canadian border. Her smuggling takes her on a perilous route that includes a frozen river. Excellent film. Melissa Leo deserved the Oscar for her performance.

See this film - Séraphine

There was a night about a week or so ago, where I went on a movie watching binge. I watched three films back to back. I started with Judy Berlin, a film I'd already seen (unusual in itself as I rarely rewatch films), followed by a really good documentary Which Way Home. I wrapped up the impromptu film fest with Séraphine. What a beautiful film. After watching the film, I turned to the internet to learn more about Séraphine's art. In addition to discovering more images of her incredible paintings, I found a drawing in tribute to the artist.

[click on image to enlarge]

I recommend all these films but of the three, I hope you will check out Séraphine as well as the blogger/artist who created the image above. Her blog is here: Always Capra.

See this film - True Grit

Lives up to the hype. Fantastic!

See this film - Winter's Bone

This is the best film I've seen this year. The performances are superb, especially Jennifer Lawrence's. She is in just about every scene I believe. Read the novel last winter and have nothing but admiration for the adapted screenplay.

See this film - The Kids are All Right

All the actors were exceptional but Annette Bening's performance was WOW.

The soundtrack is great too. Not one, but two David Bowie songs and a Joni Mitchell tune. Plus some really good new music.