Vicky Christina Barcelona

In the simplest of terms you have a great cast, fantastic acting and setting, with a story that is complex, smart and extremely entertaining. So if asked what this film is about I would say 2 young women go to Barcelona for the summer and while there they both have experience's that change their lives.
Originally before I saw this I really didn't think I would like it all that much. Now having seen it I love this film and give this movie an A+. I will however say that due to sexual content this is not really a film for children.

For those that have asked for reviews for Milk and Frost/Nixon I am hoping to go next week but that is still pending due to $$$.

http://vickycristina-movie.com/
U.S. site

http://wwws.warnerbros.fr/vickycristinabarcelona/
French site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497465/
IMDB

Upcoming award shows

I want to know is anyone watching any of them. I will admit that in years past I have always been one for having an Oscars party, or even just one friend over while we have a nice dinner and watch. As it stands this year I'm not sure I'm going to, but I'm wondering how in to it is everyone else, and how in to the movies that are being nominated are you? Also does anyone have a request before the Oscars are on?



No review this week money money money. There is a good chance there will be a review on here for Milk on Monday though.

Quantum of Solace

While I really enjoyed this film I'm not really sure that you could put it in the same category with any of the other Bond films. There is almost no gadgetry, and no clear assignment from M, still the action in this film definitely felt like a Bond movie. As far as Bonds go I think Craig is my 2ND favourite, Connery still being number 1. Dench as M is spot on, I personally don't think there is anyone that could do it better at this time and hope I don't have to see another person in that role for quite a while. In the end I would have to say this was a really good drama but not sure I would call it a Bond flick. I give this film an A-.

http://007thevideogame.com/
U.S. site with language options

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1139644/
IMDB

Nim's Island

If you are a person that loved the Disney movies of the 60's and 70's then there is a good chance you will like this movie but not love it. Sadly I think that is the closest most people are going to get to this too. While this was a sweet movie some some very good moments there was just something that missed the mark. It was like the studio's found a really good book kind of like a kids Romancing the Stone, added a lot more animals and tossed it together. Acting, and the setting were really well done but the story just wasn't there. While I was watching this film and starting to get bored there were times I thought maybe I was just too old for it but then when looking around and seeing the children in the theatre they also looked bored. In the end this movie just really never gripped me or anyone that I've talked to about it since. I give this movie a C+.

http://www.nimsisland.com/
U.S. site

http://www.shiawase1.jp/
Japanese site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410377/
IMDB

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the series)

When thinking of Buffy the Vampire Slayer the show often the first thing that comes to mind would be friendships. While this show is about good vs evil, light side vs dark side, and about every other version of how you can say that in the end every episode is about the slayer and her friends. There were some times when I had seen part of an episode, or a full episode without knowing any of the characters and honestly wasn't that interested. It wasn't until I had a roommate that was crazy over the show and was admit that I should give at least season one a try.
I found the show to have a much stronger feminist view on it than I thought it would too. Over all 7 seasons we see the main characters grow from adolescent to responsible independent adults, still with that edge that keeps you interested.
Since this is my first TV review and I'm not sure what people would like in detail I'm going to give a quick break down of the seasons and the main characters.
Season one was only 12 episodes and not really the best of the series but it did do good character set up so you really liked the core group, and knew who everyone was.
Season two not as much character driven but more story driven while Buffy tries to balance being a teenager and a slayer, Willow gets a boyfriend, Xander gets an unexpected girlfriend, and one of my favourite episodes staring John Ritter.
Season three back to character driven as the balancing act for Buffy becomes much more difficult, and she has a bit of identity crisis. There is also a 2ND slayer much of this season, and everyone graduates from high school.
Season four personally my favourite of all with a huge change of everyone in college except for Xander, a lot more on the personal life of Giles, Buffy without Angel and gets a boyfriend that isn't a vampire, Willow gets a girlfriend.
Season five Buffy gets a little sister (that is in middle school), a loved one dies, Buffy's boyfriend leaves, and a shocking death at the end of this season.
Season six while I'm not really fond of this one at all there is a musical episode that is just about one of the best around for what it is. Buffy is a big sis and mom, Xander and marriage can't really say more, another loved one dies, and Willow goes to the dark side of Wicca.
Season seven a lot going on in this one yet my least favourite season. There are slayers galore that just quite aren't there, a new love story for Willow, and a lot less Giles then I would really like. I felt this finale was better then the rest of the season. Still there were some moments that were good, and this is where I was first introduced to Nathan Fillion.
Character breakdown
Buffy - The one and only slayer in the begining, and she really doesn't want to be. When the show starts she wants to be a girl left to her own devices. By the end she is a strong independent woman that still misunderstands many of the basics.
Giles - Buffy's watcher, father figure, friend, and teacher. When the show starts Giles is a bit full of him self and finds that when he loosens up things happen better and faster. While technically he is only suppose to be the watcher for Buffy, he really ends up being much more of a father figure to the entire group including some vampires that are older then him.
Willow - One of Buffy's best friends who starts off as an innocent geek, ends up being a witch that can end or save the world.
Xander - Buffy's other best friend that is always there to lend a helping hand anyway he can. He starts off misguided and troubled about some things and ends up misguided and troubled about other things in the end. Still he is always 100% supportive of his friends and you just love him for it.
Angel - Vampire and who could be the love of Buffy's life. He is not your every day vampire either this one has a soul.
Spike - A Vampire that starts with no soul and still falls for Buffy. Spike goes back and fourth between trying to kill Buffy and kill her.
OZ - Extremely smart, werewolf, Willow's first love. Oz starts off sensible, and caring only to end up sensible, and devoted.
Cordelia - Self centered as they come, well in the start anyway. As the show progresses we start to see another side to her while it still often isn't a good one.
Faith - A slayer that is a bad girl and loves that she is. While there is a time that she travels down the very dark side of things there is still something very needy about this character that makes you like her in some ways.
Tara - A completely innocent witch. When we first meet Tara she is quiet and someone willing to help Willow through a breakup. By the end she is a strong individual that has a strong love affair with Willow yet still is willing to stand up for her beliefs even when they differ from those of Willow's.
Riley - Army boy, demon fighter, and Buffy's bed mate. When we first get to meet Riley he is all about following the orders. In the end he is all about giving the orders.
Dawn - Buffy's little sister that is at times a real brat that just doesn't think, and other times stronger then Buffy.

The arch of the characters isn't always obvious but then you really start to break them down you can see why the show was such a hit.

Joss Whedon - Creator and god of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118276/
IMDB

The Secret Life of Bees

I'm going to do my best to review this without giving anything away and without trying to compare to the book. All of the acting in this is truly wonderful with some moments of real brilliance. This is by far the best acting job I have ever seen from Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys. As far as storyline goes well if you haven't read the book this is about a young white girl coming of age in South Carolina 1964 during desegregation. Lilly Owens (Dakota Fanning) is 14, has an abusive father and knows almost nothing about her mother who passed away from an accident that happened when Lilly was only 4. In an attempt to gain more knowledge about her mother, while trying to get away from her own horrors she goes on a trip ending up with a well educated negro family. This is not a light hearted movie or one that I think most men would be really all that interested in. This is also not a film for young children as there are scenes of violence, and great despair that would be difficult to explain. I can truly say make sure to take plenty of Kleenex to this chick flick, and be moved. I give this film an A. I would grade it higher however as I said I don't think this is a movie for some.


http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thesecretlifeofbees/
U.S. site

http://www.secretlifeofbeesmovie.co.uk/
U.K. site

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416212/
IMDB