The Dictator – Breaking the Curse

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am cursed. The Sasha Baron Cohen curse. The two relationships in my life have been significantly impacted by two movies, Borat and Bruno. 2 bad first date films, 2 relationships later and one single girl still left standing, just. Yes that is right, somehow I managed to get myself on almost the same first date again, without inadvertently knowing that I was. Only me. You would think when a guy takes you to see a Sasha Baron Cohen film for a first date the alarm bells would ring, however my alarm bells remained muted, not once but on two occasions.What can I say, take me to a Sasha Baron Cohen film and I am an easy women, as history has shown us anyway

When I first saw the advertisements for the Dictator I cringed. My first reaction was to just go to and from work everyday without making eye contact with any man along the way and lock myself in my room until it stopped showing in cinemas. I could not end up on that same first date again. I could not allow history to repeat itself once-more. But instead last night, I broke the curse. I saw the dictator with 3 of my closest friends. No possibility of ending up on a history repeating date.

As for the movie, the Dictator does not even come close to Borat or Bruno and I don’t reccommend it. The shock value has been lost and the Dictator is missing the best element of the other films. No bagging out really over the top stupid, ignorant Americans. (I know it’s not all of you American’s by any means) The Dictator is tired and old hat now, but hey, at least the curse is broken. May my next first date not be filled with Sasha Baron Cohen.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

In my quest to win big this year, I have also been lucky enough to have some small wins along the way. (any win is good right?) One of the recent little wins I have had was a double pass to see ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’. Excellent I thought, I will take my mum seeing as I am such a marvelous daughter as well as a massive pain in my mum’s arse lately. (being unemployed means we see each other way to much and my mum has been pretty freaking fantastic post nervous breakdown) Been wanting to see this movie for a while because I really admire Judi Dench, love english humor and have been discussing an end of year trip to India with some friends of mine.

Rocking up to this film on a monday in the middle of the day was well, lets just say I brought the average age of those attending this session right down. (memo to self, don’t go to the movies in the middle of a weekday with your mum, it will make you feel bad about your life). Should have known when I noticed the old folks home bus parked outside.

But this film, whilst wasn’t as good as I was hoping it would be, was entertaining and inspiring with great performances by Judi Dench (as always, I might be bias here) and Bill Nighty. It also did capture the spirit of India and has only made me more and more excited to see India. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel itself reminded me a lot of accommodation I stayed at when I spent 2 months in Phnom Penh. This film really showed the magic of developing countries, hustle and bustle and the untouch elements that developing countries bring. All I can say is, bring on India, bring on the colours and the tuk tuks and the hustle and bustle. The bazaars and the spices.

Bridget Jones’ Baby – Growing Up with Ms Bridget Jones

For over a decade, Bridget Jones Diary has been one of my favourite movies. The first time I saw this movie was as a 12-year-old, who just started high school and even then I found the character of Bridget highly relatable, yes, even at 12.

Recently it has been announced that there will be a new Bridget Jones movie, titled Bridget Jones Baby. Ironically this titled has a double meaning for me. Whilst this movie’s title suggests that Bridget and the delectable Mark Darcy (I did always have a thing for Colin Firth, yes even at 12) will be having a baby, I also realised that I am a bit of a ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’ myself, a girl who became a women post Bridget Jones. As a Bridget Jones baby I have learnt a few things that only one Ms Bridget Jones could have ever really have taught me.

• That it’s okay to be awkward, sometimes foolish and anything but perfect.
• To embrace my awkward side
• That you should always stay away from Daniel Cleaver’s of the world, no matter how charming they first appear.
• That you should always choose Vodka and Chaka Chan
• That you shouldn’t form romantic attachments to any of the following; alcoholics, workaholics, committment phobs, megalomanics, peeping toms, emotional fuckwits or perverts.
• That it’s never to late to start taking some control over your life, make changes and start to get back on the right path
• That you can’t wait around on if, buts or maybes
• Never use blue string in your cooking
• Never sing at your work christmas party, under any circumstances, even if all of a sudden you think you have an amazing voice and you have always wanted to be in musicals
• That you shouldn’t dismiss men in reindeer jumpers.
• That someone will like you, ‘just the way you are’ just don’t tell your friends.

Margin Call – A Personal Account

So last night I went out with a friend to watch the movie Margin Call. This friend of mine has been my movie buddy for a number of years. We have this agreement that we alternate who gets to choose the movie. Although I swear I have not chosen a movie in a long time, last night was apparently his turn and he of course, as someone who works in Financial Analysis, he chose Margin Call. Whilst I can’t say I enjoyed this movie all that much (other than to drool over Penn Badgley, god that man is the most attractive thing I have laid eyes on) I definately got something out if it. The importance of a work life balanace. The importance to not rely on your career absolutely and the importance of having a well rounded life.

My dad use to work in Finance when I was a little kid, as a Foreign Exchange Dealer. This saw the money come in and my dad’s unhappiness go out the door. We once lived a life of great luxury, that was however fairly absent of my father. Sometimes he wouldn’t come home at night, if there was a crisis, you don’t get to come home. Espcially in Foreign Exchange, when your up at all the different international times. I think after watching this movie, I have really appriciated more about what dad gave up for us and how different my life would have been as a result. We are a very close family and I’d doubt we would have that. Dad got really sick because of stress and decided that life is all about happiness and this makes him one of my greatest role models. Choose Happiness and if possible, choose the movie as well.

Marilyn Monroe

It’s amazing how much the world still loves Marilyn Monroe. In 2012, half a century after her death and she is still being featured heavily in the media.  It seems that right now we are all a little bit in Marilyn awe. That’s not to say that I don’t think we should be in Marilyn awe, I know I am. After watching ‘My Week with Marilyn’ this afternoon and watching a couple of episodes of Smash tonight (a new show about a fictional broadway production about Marilyn Monroe) you really start to see her ideals and her hopes and wants and dreams. It’s beautifully yet bittersweet in irony, because it seems like she was so misunderstood and all she wanted to be was understood as well as seen in a different light. Not see as just her persona Marilyn Monroe, but as a smart women who could take on serious roles and above all a person that feels just like the rest of us. She had so many critics, but from reading about her life as well as from watching the movie, it seemed her biggest critic was herself. It’s ironic because now she is seen as so much more than just beautiful, sexy, ditzy, provocative girl, but also as a real person, who wanted to be loved and to love. That wanted to be cared about and accepted and supported.We see her sorrow.

One thing that I have kind of realised lately and has been reinforced to me by the failure of Marilyn Monroe’s relationships, is that relationships only work when you support your partner and their wants and needs and when they in return support what you want for your life. Ironically though, it seemed that everything Marilyn did to try and make herself happy, seemed to be the very thing that made her so unhappy. Even though she has been gone for almost 50 years now, her image and her words still have such a large impact on people today. Myself included.

This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you’re going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends – they’ll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything – they’re your true best friends. Don’t let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they’ll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them – actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can’t give up because if you give up, you’ll never find your soul mate. You’ll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.”
- Marilyn Monroe

J.J Abrams – I have lost faith in you.

J.J Abrams has once again pulled the wool over my eyes. I am in the trap, we all are. Somehow anything with J.J Abrams attached anyone automatically assumes is good and they sucked into the trap. I call this ‘the J.J Abrams effect’

A few nights ago I watched Super 8 . I heard good things and I thought, yeah it is meant to have been one of the films to see. I’d been travelling overseas for the most part of the second half of last year and had a lot of catching up movies and television wise (all the important stuff)

It starts off pretty good, the kids are all quite talented and the train crash catches you in. After watching for a while, I’ll admit it starts to get a bit slow. Then all of a sudden (Spoiler) this movie is now about a giant lizard,beast, Godzilla like thing. Huh? Did my copy of Super 8 suddenly turn into Cloverfield, another J.J Abram’s ‘classic’.

According to J.J Abram’s, when it doubt, shove a giant lizard, scaly, weird creature thing into the plot. It will work every time.

After finishing Super 8, I reminisced over J.J Abrams collection of work, to remind myself in what can only be described as an ‘Oh yeah’ kind of moment, that everything he has done is bad. Lost started off awesome. But what percentage of people that started watching this show got through the whole thing, 2%. Why is he held in such high esteem? J.J Abrams, I have lost faith in you, though the question that has to be asked is ‘why did I ever have faith in you?’

Ten Best Feel Good Films.

You know when you put you’re in a bad mood, feeling sick and you just need a really good fun, nice, yet still awesome film to watch. Well these are my top ten pick me up movies. They aren’t all worthy of Oscars, but they make you feel good

 Wall-e – Could Wall-e and Eva be possibly the greatest love match out there? Either way it’s hard for this story of a lonely robot not to move you,the fact that this happens with such little dialogue is just a bonus.

 Bridget Jones Diary – Bridget Jones’ is my ultimate break up movie. Everytime I need a pick me up after some kind of relationship woe, Iit is my ultimate choice. it is because Bridget is so damn relatable and Mark Darcy is so damn sweet? If only everyone could have a Mark Darcy to like them just the way they are.

Superbad – 3 nerds, a party, a simple concept, a great time. Clever, witty and damn funny.

Amelie – A girls journey from isolation to deep connection, whilst helping others and ultimately helping herself. Cute, french, beautiful, quirky and unbelievably sweet.

Shrek – One for the whole family. I love Shrek and never get tired of it. Possibly Eddie Murphy’s greatest role.

Titanic – For the inner romantic in all of us. I know you are thinking the same thing as I am, why didn’t Rose just move over on that door they found and save us all a lot of heart ache. But still a romantic classic. Who can forget when he tells Rose to go have a happy life and make lots of babies. (spoilers but please, who hasn’t seen his movie)

Mean Girls – Before Lindsay’s downfall, there was mean girls. Tina Fey’s writing shines through this hilarious satire.

Little Miss Sunshine- A quirky family, a road trip and a journey and a half. The character developments in this movie make it what it is with stand out performances by Alan Arkin and Abigail Breslen.

Forrest Gump – Tom Hanks in his career making role. I know this movie has its teary moments, but everyone loves a truely great underdog story.

Up – The opening montage in this movie sets the tone. The rest of the film starring a grumpy old man, a naive little boy and a house attached to balloons for one massive adventure. Super sweet.

All images found on Google Images.

The Hangover II, Geographically Inaccurate and just plain err!

So today I finally got around to watching the Hangover II at my friend’s place. Since I have been to Thailand a couple of times and love the place I was keen to see it. (yes I know this came out ages ago, I’ve been busy) But as someone who has been to Thailand I found this movie really annoying because its geographically impossible. Seriously guys, how long does it take to google something to see that it doesn’t make sense. Grr

Firstly, the wedding location is an unknown area, however judging from the scenery, it is a fair way south, as the closest day trip beaches from Bangkok look nothing like this, and they are about 4 hours away. But lets say they are 4 hours away.

The film’s conflict starts with them on the beach, having a few American beers (geez drink some Thai beer instead, it is much better! not to mention cheaper). Judging by the lighting it is pretty late, they were also about to go to bed before this. Then somehow they end up at least 4 hours away, with enough time to do all the damage they did. This damage includes going all the way to a Chang Mai monastery to steal a monk. I went from Bangkok to Chang Mai once by train. It took almost 13 hours. I will admit it was an old slow train, but still.

These guys then return the monk to the monastery the next day, a good 13 hours say there and back. Considering they state that there is 2 days between the bonfire scene and the wedding scene, there is clearly not enough hours in the day. They also travel there by songthaew. Anyone that has ever been on one of these, knows you would not spend 13 hours on one, without being cramped and in a bit of pain. They aren’t the most comfortable of rides, especially for the long haul.

On another note, in the film’s conclusion, where the boys classically go through all the photos from the night before they happen to find later on with the guy that is missing the whole time. (how convenient) There is a shot mocking one the most famous photos to come out of the Vietnam War.Wrong country boys! Oh the arrogance. Seriously, next time you write a film, get a map and a history book!