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9 = Great Film / Likely Masterpiece
Perfect review. Perfect Film.
Tiny Furniture (Lena Dunham, 2010) 3/4
Is there such a thing as a script being too well written? Well, maybe. Written, directed and starring Lena Dunham,Tiny Furnitureis a comedy about facing the depressing thing called the real world. Most films about that particular subject would include a character being thrown into a world they are not ready for as the viewer watches them suffer and hopefully flourish in a new environment. Aura (Lena Dunham) has just graduated from college and returns home after spending the summer pouting about an ex-boyfriend. Returning home to her artist mother and cynical sister, Aura realizes for the first time in her life that she doesn’t know what to do with her life. Knowing she needs a job, she begins working at a restaurant as a hostess during the day. Meeting up with friends at a party she meets Jed (Alex Karpovsky). The two share the same passion for making short comedy videos on Youtube. Aura offers Jed a place to stay and the two create an odd friendship. Going back to my first comment, the script has these unbelievably well written quirky lines that would make Wes Anderson jealous. I loved the lines but they were borderline not funny because of the fast paced environment they were delivered in.
What makes the film so captivating for me is the overall use of the mumblecore style. Lena Dunham has been quoted saying that the film is not involved in the mumblecore category but I would like to beg to differ. Having the typical “indie” feel, being low budget, digitally shot, using amateur actors and a heavily dialogued script, Tiny Furniture is extremely mumblecore. Probably the most important aspect of the movement is the environment most of the films explore. Post-college is a tough place no one wants to be in, but I feel these films capture those emotions and struggles extremely well. Throughout the film I felt pain and agony along with Aura as she struggled with her future and the relationships she wishes she could have with the self-centered men in her life. The comedic parts of the film are great especially with Aura’s mother and sister along with the crazy friend Charlotte. The film is most likely semi-self-biographical and that is probably why Dunham plays the role of Aura so well. Tiny Furniture is a wonderful indie film that captures the emotional drains of post-college acceptance as well as becoming a promising film from an upcoming filmmaker.
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Lucky
7/10 = Worth Seeing / Recommend to Others
This woman is the gold digger of all gold diggers. Let this movie be a lesson to all who will do anything for money. It was funny yet terribly sad. where was this girls father smh.
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The Savages
8/10 = Must See / Worth Owning
Yes!! Another one for female writers/directors. Tamara Jenkins did a really awesome job on this film. Exceeded all my expectations of the film.
I have to be honest though, I really wasn’t rooting for it to begin with. My thoughts were, if it’s so good, why am I just now hearing about it. Any doubt I may have had was stricken by the composition of the opening scene
Really enjoyed the dark humor in the film, and even cried a little towards the end. Not that it was especially moving, but because I could relate to the situation having sat by my grandmothers bed when she was sick.
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Our Idiot Brother
7 = Worth Seeing / Recommend to Others
I can see this being an 8 or 9/10 for hipsters, hippies, and people in dysfunctional families like this. But after watching two really depressing movies I wasn’t really here for a lot of the humor lmaaoo. Too much middle class whining for my taste, but it was really awesome none the less. It’s not knee slapping funny but more “my white friends would sooooo slap their knees at this ” funny. A great pick me up and something to watch with friends or on date night. If you liked Crazy, Stupid, Love , you’ll love this movie.
Thoughts while watching: Who would cheat on Rasheeda Jones? Zooey Deschanel that’s who! Who would dump Joseph Gordon Levitt? … that fucking skank Zooey Deschanel
I fucking hate Zoey Deschenal , but not as much as I hate Natalie Portman. I can’t believe I’m saying this but Zoey is actually a better actress than Natalie Portman and didn’t take much away from the film.With that said, she usually does well in roles where all she does is play herself. A talentless confused comedian/actress trying to make it in the biz. Natalie doesn’t know who she is as a person so it’s hard for her to act on and off the stage. You can shoot me for that if you want. I’m willing to die for what I believe in. DEATH TO TALENTLESS OVERRATED ACTRESSES
From Sion Sono, the acclaimed director of “Suicide Club,” comes a new vision of Asian horror. “Cold Fish” is a dark, disturbing, and strangely humorous look at one dysfunctional Japanese family and the lengths they will go to in order to make their tropical fish shop successful.
6/10 = Decent and Not Unhappy to Have Viewed / May Recommend to Select People
Wasn’t better than I Saw the Devil . I don’t think there’s really much more to say. It just wasn’t as good and it had almost the same premise except it was cheesier. Like taking I Saw the Devil (korean film) and placing it in Japanese culture. meh
Apparently it’s based on a true story. I can’t see this being a true story without making worldwide news but okay. There are a lot of sick fucks out there that don’t make the news so I’ll give em that.
I liked it though because I can’t get enough of films like this. I would recommend it to people who like films like Old boy , A Tale of Two Sisters and The Chaser (all korean)<— If you haven’t seen these WTF is wrong with you !!
edit: Oh and not showing the opening title until after the first act… Im a fan of that!!! *takes notes for my future film* It’s like you set up the fim introduce the characters and then hit em with “and now youre about to watch this incredibly fucked up tale I’d like to call COLD FISH! . I wish Kill Bill would have don that after the fight with Black Mamba and Vernita Green
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