Sorry so sporadic...

Hey all! We are on holiday vacation at my parent's house, where I am not blogging as regularly, but I am, of course, seeing lots of fantastic movies!!! I just had to let you know about the very great movie that I watched with my dad yesterday:)

*The Good German (2006), directed by Steven Soderbergh, and starring George Clooney and Cate Blanchett (who is the best actress of her generation, and can do anything, in my humble opinion:). For any of you readers that know me personally, you realize that I love all things Deutsch (this means German, for the illiterate masses:). This film is a total homage to the film noir pics of a finer age of film, and while the black-and-white, old-timey special effects and very Bogey-and-Bacall dialogue are glaringly obvious, the film is a real masterpiece, and raises the standard for actors and film-makers everywhere. Finally, two actors who can master a modern foreign language (Clooney had passable Deutsch, but Cate Blanchett speaks German like a native, much to my enormous pleasure!). The story is also set in the WWII era of German history, embroiled in political scandal and conspiracy. Casablanca references and imitations run rampant, and the only modern twists are some foul language and references to prostitution and rape, which could also be attributed to the seedier side of society that the film follows. All-in-all, a fantastic movie that many would adore, especially if you like old war dramas, or tragic romances of a bygone-movie era! Happy holidays!

Good Hair Day

Hey all!  I just watched a very entertaining, if somewhat surprising, film from the 1970's.  The film was described as a comedy, but I actually found it to be a little depressing.  I reckon that I should chat about this new flick, and also mention another fabulous hair- themed film that is a favorite of mine, just in case you find yourself in the mood for a new 'do.  I am constantly changing mine, much to my own dismay, so let's see what you think:

Tonight's pick:

*Shampoo (1975), written, produced, and starring Warren Beatty, alongside Goldie Hawn, Julie Christie, and a very young Carrie Fisher (only in a small role, but still very sassy:).  This movie follows the shenanigans of the James Bond of hair-stylists... Beatty is a very talented hairdo artist in Cali, and his girlfriend is completely unsuspecting of his scandalous secret lifestyle.  Not only does he do everybody's hair in town, but he also does something else with everybody in town (wink, wink, nudge, nudge:).  Frankly, I don't see the attraction.  His hair was totally crazy in the movie, and I have never understood men's fashion from the 1970's.  The women, on the other hand, looked great, and I feel the need to completely re-think my holiday style with a more groovy theme:)  There is poetic justice for our hero in the end, and he has to sleep in the bed that he has made, but the women really get off scott-free.  I am just not sure how I feel about this one, but if you want to see one of the AFI's 100 funniest movies, then check it out.

Suzy's Favorite Hair-Themed Film:

*Blow Dry (2001), directed by Paddy Breathnach, and starring the amazing Alan Rickman (whom I have loved dearly since early adolescence:), Billy Nighy, and Natasha Richardson (also has Rachel Griffiths, Rachael Leigh Cook, Josh Hartnett and Heidi Klum... you can't beat the cast with a stick:).  This film covers the competitive world of hair-styling in Great Britain, and the lengths that the fellas involved go to in order to win fame and fortune:)  It is hilarious!  The real bad-ass is Rickman (of course), the former champion, who has ceased competition after a bad break-up, but who could cut hair like nobody's business (he even sports a tattoo on his foot of some golden scissors with a lightening bolt!  So hot right now...).  I love this movie so much, and I often enjoy it while my son takes his afternoon nap.  It makes me all excited to fix my hair, and strut around my crappy neighborhood:)  This is a real winner, and one that I know you will get a lot of laughs out of:)  

P.S.  Just one suggestion... completely  disregard Josh Hartnett in the film... his fake british accent is painful, and should not be endured or tolerated!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

We have already started to get our holiday movie picks in the mail (I figured that they would start rolling on in around Thanksgiving... I am a master of Netflix queue timing:).  Tonight, we watched a decidedly religious Christmas movie, directed by Catherine Hardwicke, who also directed the current teen-favorite, Twilight.  Here is my review:

*The Nativity Story (2006), directed by Catherine Hardwicke, and starring Keisha Castle-Hughes (who starred in the amazing movie, Whale Rider, which everyone should see) and Oscar Isaac (as a very romantic Joseph!).  We all really enjoyed this version of the classic nativity story (even my son!), and I especially appreciated the sets, costumes, and casting, which felt very authentic to the time and location.  It is always a little silly when films about the life of Jesus have a lot of blue-eyed blondes, fresh out of Hollywood (maybe those actors could have been used in Twilight?  They needed a few natural blondes...).  These actors were perfect, and the story was very captivating, especially as it focused on the innocent romance between Mary and Joseph.  Very sweet.  Anywho, this one shouldn't bother too many people (not too many controversial changes to the regular Christmas-pageant tale:), and it might become a nice family tradition over the holidays, so I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys this type of film:)  It brought me back to the my days of playing Mary in the Christmas pageant... glory days.  Oh, to be 12 again!!  Hope you are all having fun gearing up for the season!!