Blindness

Friday, February 20, 2009

2.5 GOOMBAS

Whenever I play the "would you rather" game, very rarely do I hear someone prefer to go blind when faced with the vision verses hearing question. The fact is, if you lose your sense of sight, it seems harder to function "normally." You can't drive, you can't read, you can't watch TV, (Lord, I couldn't watch movies!) and you'd have a hard time just walking. And so, the movie Blindness takes these real dilemmas to the next level. What if the whole world went blind?

Based on the novel by Jose Saramago, Blindness portrays a world suffering from a blindness epidemic. Though curious about the how the disease came to be, like most adequate science fiction films, the cause isn't the point - it's what ensues. Mark Ruffalo stars as doctor fallen victim to the infection and Julienne Moore is his disease immune wife who follows him to quarantine, AKA internment camp. From there, let your pessimistic imagination run wild.

What I found very fascinating was how intense and realistic some of these scenes were. These internment camps became toxic waste dumps. Unable to see, these people couldn't manage to do what we take for granted - knowing how to find the bathroom, how to bath, how to live. And those uninfected are unwilling to care for them. Though under military governance, inside the ward walls is complete and total anarchy; ::shudders:: horrors I don't even want to think about but was forced to watch.

The lighting, in general, is ethereal, unique, and thoroughly thought out. There were also times of complete darkness; symbolic of their utter desperation and civilization's decent into savagery. Blindness also becomes a commentary on society's failure to see how and who people can become when faced with such hardship.

However, somewhere in the middle of this world Blindness created, there were character developments that didn't quite make sense, and relationship that weren't fully construed. Though the world was mesmerizing, its characters were too flawed for me to find empathy. Plus the hope was lost in the ending, a feeling I'm assuming I was suppose to feel at the end. Maybe I just didn't get it, but I'm fairly certain I'm not blind.

Movie Review by Jenn Bollish at 8:36 PM 2 comments  

Priceless

Monday, February 16, 2009

4 GOOMBAS

Filmed in France and originally released there in 2006, Hors de prix, or its American title, Priceless, took quite some time to reach the United States. Apparently, its a French adaption of the American classic, Breakfast at Tiffany's. Good thing I didn't know about that fact when I first watched it, or it might have biased my opinion - though I did keep saying to myself how the movie seemed strangely familiar.

This sweet, not so French, film stars Audrey Tautou as Irene, a glamorous, young con artist who manipulates wealthy men into spoiling her. Jean is a shy butler with humble means, and after a classic case of mistaken identities, Jean is smitten by her. When she realizes that he's poor, she still, coldly lets Jean spends every cent of his savings for one evening with his expensive date. After he's stuck with the luxury hotel bill, unable to pay it, and ditched by Irene, a wealthy, older woman happily assumes the cost as long as he becomes her playmate. Now, both at the same level, Irene accepts Jean's friendship and begins teaching him the ways of the wile.

Nothing seemed French about this film, other than the fact that I watched this film with English subtitles. A great story, both characters become equally lovable - though at the beginning, that didn't seem likely. Jean is sensitive and intensely devoted, while Irene is enchanting and ardent past her shallow and materialistic exterior. Their friendship and his devotion were very real and engaging. Priceless was bright and cute, with just that hint of extra class found very rarely in romantic comedies.

I definitely recommend Priceless to anyone who wants to watch a cute movie. Be ready for English subtitles and a gorgeous Audrey Tautou in high fashion clothing. Advice from the movieGOOMBA - this is not a movie to watch when you feel bloated.

Movie Review by Jenn Bollish at 3:42 PM 0 comments  

The movieGOOMBA Catch Up

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I appologize for my hiatus, but I should be back with more frequent posts in these next upcoming weeks. In the meantime, sink your teeth into some of these ratings.

Hamlet 2
- 2 GOOMBAS
"Raped in the face" and in my brain. "Rock me, rock me, rock me sexy Jesus!"
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 3 GOOMBAS
Surprisingly, a not crass romantic comedy, but with a thrown in, male full frontal.
Be Kind Rewind - 2 GOOMBAS
A weird mix of pathos and comedy. I give it props for a creative idea for a plot.
You Don't Mess With the Zohan - 1 GOOMBA
So stupid, so dumb, so gross. I'm surprised I made it through the entire movie.
Wanted - 2 GOOMBAS
I've never seen two hotter people on screen together. I would turn lesbian for Angelina. TERRIBLE movie, good action.
The Chronicals of Narnia: Prince Caspian - 3.5 GOOMBAS
Magically engaging and action scenes to challenge any epic film
Get Smart - 2 GOOMBAS
The Rock and Micheal Scott do not cook so well. I thought this movie was way too silly.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - 2 GOOMBAS
Boring, boring, boring - but Amy Adams is as good as always.
Made of Honor - 3 GOOMBAS
So cute. I think about this movie a lot as the date for my own wedding draws near.
Mama Mia! - 2 GOOMBAS
I could not stand this movie. All the women were so annoying!
The Spiderwick Chronicles - 2.5 GOOMBAS
This flick has strong child leads, and I'm sure the story is solid; yet Spiderwick didn't translate its world so well on film.

Look forward to the movieGOOMBA's next post on Priceless in the next few days.

Movie Review by Jenn Bollish at 11:48 PM 1 comments