The Freak Show

Deepa Mehta’s Water Trailer

I am falling in love with this movie all over again, so I thought I would post the tailer. Water is the final installment in Deepa Mehta’s Elements Trilogy. This film takes place in late 1930’s India, when India is just beginning to rebel against British rule. It follows the life of a child bride named Chuiya, whose husband dies when she is 7. She is then forced to live in an ashram with other widowed women, living a life of poverty in an ashram. Her only friend is Kalyani, another young widow who falls in love with an intellectual follower of Gandhi. Though this movie is a love story, it touches on political and social issues that are still sore spots in contemporary India. As you can see from the trailer, the film is beautifully shot and the music is absolutely enchanting. Can’t recommend this movie enough. 

Trailer for Mientras Duermes (Sleep Tight)

Aside from having a completely creepy title that is more than Halloween-appropriate, I just thought that this looked like a chilling, interesting film. I tend to enjoy foreign films in the horror/thriller vein much more than their American counterparts. Wouldn’t mind giving this a try.

A Dangerous Method Trailer

As a person who is borderline obsessed with historical films, psychology, and pre-1960 ideas about sexuality, I am stoked to see this film. Though there is not much information readily available about it just yet, A Dangerous is supposed to come out in 2011. This simple plot summary has been released:

Set on the eve of the World War I, A Dangerous Method is based on the turbulent relationships between fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung, his mentor Sigmund Freud, and Sabina Spielrein, the troubled but beautiful young woman who comes between them.

The cast is amazing. I am surprised how convincing Viggo Mortensen looks as Freud. I’m too accustomed to seeing him with long, wavy hair and clad in armor from Middle Earth. This has the elements of an awesome, enthralling film — including the fact that it is based on a play by Christopher Hampton, the writer of the play Dangerous Liasons. I’m interested to see the connection they make between the development of psychology as a field of study and Jung releasing his sexual inhibitions with a woman who — from the trailer — seems to be a masochist.

Top Ten Favorite Romantic Comedies - Number Eight, 27 Dresses

Director: Anne Fletcher

Starring: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman

Synopsis: A single woman who has served as a bridesmaid a shocking 27 times wrestles with the prospect of supporting her sister at the altar on number 28, despite having fallen helplessly in love with her smitten sibling’s handsome husband-to-be. Jane has the kind of altruistic traits that everyone looks for in a friend, yet lately the perennial bridesmaid has begun to feel as if something is missing in her life. One night, local newspaper reporter Kevin spots the devoted bridal attendant racing between receptions in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and quickly surmises that her quirky tale may be just the story to get him off the bridal beat and into the big time. Immediately suspicious of the cynical reporter’s motivations, Jane butts heads with Kevin just as her younger sister Tess shows up in town. While Jane has always put the needs of friends and family before her own wants and desires, she’s suddenly prompted to reevaluate her priorities when her boss — with whom she is secretly in love — falls for her younger sister Tess. For as far back as Jane can remember, she has sacrificed her own happiness for the sake of those she holds dearest, but now that her heart has been broken, she’s finally found the courage to be honest with herself. Now, as Jane finally comes to terms with her true feelings, her life begins to change in ways she never expected.

What I Love About This Movie: This is one of those romantic comedies that is so girly it’s kind of ridiculous, but there is something about it that makes me watch it every time it’s on. It’s one of the few roles I’ve liked Katherine Heigl in. I’ve always related to the main character in situation and personality — though my own certainly not to the altruistic extreme that is often portrayed in this genre. I also relate to the experience she has with her irritating sister. I’ve always loved movies where the main character is in love with someone else but has a change of heart, because it adds a tinge of realism. Emotions are complicated and changeable. There are a few scenes that are absolutely hilarious, particularly the part where a drunk Katherine Heigl and James Marsden sing “Benny and the Jets” as they stand on the bar. Pretty hysterical.

Teaser for Derriere Les Murs (Behind the Walls)

I discovered this teaser in an article listing well-done trailers and was immediately enthralled. I’m easily pulled in by frightening films that look intelligent, well-shot, and focus on the human aspect of fear. As an article pointed out, the fact that we see no murderers, no supernatural happenings at all, makes this story fascinating. It leaves you wanting more in the best way possible. I’m excited to see an extended trailer, where I can judge whether the film is worth seeing or not. The plot sounds interesting enough. Here is a synposis:

Centre of France, 1922. Suzanne , a young novelist lacking inspiration decides to isolate herself in the countryside to write her new book. As Suzanne discovers a sealed-up room in the basement of her house, she starts writing oddly easily. Visions and nightmares soon strike her while the villagers grow worried as several little girls mysteriously disappear…

Trailer for The Rite

Usually I’m a bit weary of exorcism films. Aside from The Exorcist, which I found legitimately terrifying, most exorcism movies are incredibly cheesy. It’s all about making the audience jump and putting the fear of God into them — or the fear of Satan I suppose you could say in this case. Case in point The Exorcism of Emily Rose, which is a terrible movie and if you haven’t seen it already don’t waste your time, unless of course you want to watch it for a laugh.

However, when I found this trailer I actually had some hope for an exorcism movie. The fact that Anthony Hopkins plays a major role certainly helps the film’s credibility, but what I like is that it seems to focus on the psychological aspect of exorcism rather than the flashy horror movie scares. In part it reminds me of a novella I have been writing, which also attracts me to it I suppose. 

Burlesque Trailer

If you know me at all, you’ll know that the minute I saw that trailer my first reaction was “I need to see this!” Burlesque is an art, one of my many interests. Seeing Christina Aguilera, a gorgeous girl with a killer voice, vie for a position on a Las Vegas stage will be a dream. Hopefully this isn’t one of those movies that looks good simply from the trailer. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m excited for it!

Shakespeare in Love Trailer

I haven’t seen this movie in a while, but I remember it being pretty amusing. The cast is spectacular. Among others, this film features Judi Dench and Geoffrey Rush, and there is a ton of chemistry between Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. Some people I know find it annoying because it has no roots in history, but it’s obvious from the trailer that this is all hypothetical. It makes for a good story. Plus it was co-written by Tom Stoppard. What’s not to love?

Trailer for Closer

This movie had a unique take on love and the way the human heart so easily strays. The acting is superb (I mean just look at the fucking cast) and makes an otherwise quiet, slow-paced movie enthralling. I’m surprised how well-done the trailer is, considering how layered the relationships in the film are. I would think it wouldn’t make for the most exciting trailer material. Also, shout out to Jackie, I just want to say that you were totally right. “The Blower’s Daughter” is perfect for this film. They couldn’t have picked a better song.

Bright Star Trailer

In retrospect, I think I was a bit harsh upon the first viewing of Bright Star. The more I remember of it the more I have to confess that I thought it was a pretty amazing love story. The cinematography was more beautiful than anyone can ask for in a historical drama. Each scene was color coordinated for perfectly that everything looked as though it had leaped off of a canvas. Each shot showcases nature in a way Keats would have been proud of. The acting is nothing short of brilliant. Abbie Cornish and Ben Whishaw have a lot of chemistry on screen, enough to convey the depth of Fanny Brawne and John Keats’ famed romance. The fact that this is based on a true love story, and a beautiful poem, make the film all the better. They use actual excerpts from letters between Keats and Brawne for the letters in the film. One of the excerpts is being read aloud at the end of the trailer. I really can’t remember what I even disliked about it originally. It is a bit slow-paced, but to pick up on the little details, all one has to do is pay attention.