The One With those Bad-Ass, Legendary, Inglourious Basterds!

if you need heroes, send in the basterds!
I can now die happy! I have finally seen Inglourious Basterds! I was supposed to see this film in the cinema but sadly, I never actually got around to it. It was worth the wait to finally see it on DVD. Quentin Tarantino himself said that it would be a "big fucking night at the movies". Unfortunately, I missed that. Watching it in my own home was mind-blowing, I could only imagine what it would have been like in the cinema.
Nonetheless, I am completely in love with this film.

WARNING: This blog contains SPOILERS. I'm sorry, but I just have to comment on the brilliant events that take place in this film. I know I shouldn't but I can't help it.

Written & Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

The story begins in Nazi-occupied France where Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) witnesses her whole family being massacred by Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) and his men. She only just escapes and flees to Paris where she changes her name and is the owner of a cinema.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) puts together a group of Jewish-American soldiers, known to the enemy as "The Basterds", to brutally kill all Nazis. The Basterds then join German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) in taking down the leaders of the Third Reich. Fates merge when the Basterds plan their revenge on the Nazis meanwhile Shosanna has a plan to do the same thing...in the same place...

Tarantino has absolutely out-done himself in terms of his characters. They are all so interesting & important.

Mélanie Laurent is Shosanna Dreyfus
Her best lines:
1. "Because, Marcel, my sweet, we're going to make a film. Just for the Nazis."
2. "My name is Shosanna Dreyfus and THIS is the face... of Jewish vengeance!"
3. "And I want you to look deep into the face of the Jew who's going to do it!"

Shosanna is brilliant. As stated in the plot outline, she witnesses her entire family being murdered by Nazis. She is scared out of her mind when she flees to Paris covered in her family's blood. She is an amazingly strong character also, especially when we see her with Col. Hans Landa four years later under her new French identity holding back her terrible feelings towards him.
Shosanna is truly a hero and her ultimate revenge plan was perfect. Seeing the cinema go up in flames and all those Nazis getting burnt was awesome!
It was such a shame that she got shot though. She really deserved to live to see her revenge plan in action.
Laurent was outstanding in this role. I would really love to see her in more films. She is such a great talent.

Til Schweiger is Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz
His best lines:
1. "Say "auf Wiedersehen" to your Nazi balls."
2. "And at this range, I'm a real Frederick Zoller."

Hugo Stiglitz hates Nazis. He used to kill them himself and eventually was sent to jail for that. The Basterds, who are fans of his, set him free and Stiglitz joins them on their mission to kill Nazis.
I think Stiglitz was super cool. I love how before he was apart of the Basterds, he took matters in his own hands and killed all of those Nazis. What a legend!

Daniel Brühl is Pvt. Fredrick Zoller
His best line:
- [In the film 'Nation's Pride'] "Who wants to send a message to Germany?"

He is somewhat of a likable German, but I was suspicious of him all along. We learn that he is a propaganda hero and killed hundreds of American soldiers. That makes him an asshole in my book. Also, he is the one that shoots Shosanna and I'm so glad that she shot him first! He deserved it, big time.
For me to hate Zoller so much proves that Brühl is a good actor. His character really got to me and I was happy when he died. Nice, Brühl!

Diane Kruger is Bridget Von Hammersmark
Her best line:
- [all the dialogue during the celebrity heads game]

Bridget Von Hammersmark is a German actress but she's also a double agent. Unlike any of the cast so far, she is not out to kill. As Kruger herself as stated, "She's actually quite vulnerable", which I have got to say is quite true.
I have heard of Kruger but I have not seen her in anything else. I thought she was fantastic in her role. It was a shame that Bridget died, and just as she joined the Basterds too. The dialogue between her and Col. Hans Landa during her death scene is great! We also see her feet in that scene; which is a Tarantino trademark.

Christoph Waltz is Col. Hans Landa
His best lines:
1. "Attendez la crème!"
2. "That's a bingo!"
3. "I love rumours!"
4. "Before I go, could I have another glass of your delicious milk?"

The Jew Hunter. That says it all, doesn't it?
Now, as many people know, I possess strong feelings about the holocaust and think of it as the most horrible time in history, so of course; I loathed this guy. From the moment that he started comparing Jewish people to rats and saying that they are repulsive, I couldn't wait for this guy to get hurt. The end [where Lt. Aldo Raine carves the swastika into his forehead] was brilliant, simply genius! I actually think I enjoyed that a little too much :) I hated him, but I loved watching him to see what he was up to next!
Waltz was so amazing in this role and really deserves the golden globe for best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture! If he doesn't get it, I'll eat my hat!

Michael Fassbender is Lt. Archibald Hicox
His Best Line:
- "Why do you have a Luger pointed at my testicles?"

Lt. Archibald Hicox is a British solider, a Basterd. He's smart and like a movie star. He's basically George Sanders. He's not so important to the plot but he's equally as enjoyable.
The scene with General Ed Fenech (Mike Myers) was very good, jolly good.

Brad Pitt is Lt. Aldo Raine
His Best Lines:
1. "You probably heard we ain't in the prisoner-takin' business; we in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, Business is a-boomin'."
2. "We got a German here who wants to die for his country! Oblige him!"
3. "Arriverderci."
4. "I'm gonna give you a little somethin' you can't take off."
5. "They're the footsoldiers of a Jew-hatin', mass-murderin' maniac, and they need to be dee-stroyed."

Lt. Aldo Raine is from Tennessee. He's the head of the guerrilla outfit in Nazi-occupied France that is out to seek ultimate revenge on the Nazis.
I loved Aldo Raine! He was hilarious. I have no idea why people say that Pitt over-acted or any of that, I thought he was amazing. When he said "Arriverderci", I just cracked up laughing! He's so laid-back and cool, Aldo definitely knows what he's doing.

Eli Roth is Sgt. Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz!
His Best Lines/Gesture:
1. "Teddy fuckin' Williams knocks it out of the park! Fenway Park on its feet for Teddy! Fuckin' ballgame! He went yardo on that one, on to fuckin' Lansdowne Street!"
2. "We punch those goons out, take their machine guns, and burst in there blasting!"
3. "You know, Lieutenant, you're getting pretty good at that."
4. "After I kill that guy, you have 30 feet to get to that guy. Can you do it?"
5. "Get the fuck up! You're on deck!"
6. [AND THAT ITALIAN HAND GESTURE, oh, that hand gesture!]

Obviously, I have saved the best 'till last. Donny, also known as 'the Bear Jew', is a Jewish guy from Boston. He is a baseball fan and beats Nazis to death with his baseball bat.
The Bear Jew is the greatest character I think I have ever seen in a film. The scene where he comes out of that cave gives me chills! When he beats Sgt. Werner Rachtman; a Nazi that refuses to give Raine information, to death with his baseball bat is brilliant.
This guy is a legend! Wanna know why? HE KILLS HITLER! He kills him with an MP-40, true Tony Montana style! That scene is truly one of the best I've seen in a film.
Roth is scary, hilarious and intense as the Bear Jew. He ought to be commended on his amazing, unforgettable performance. It was just top-notch! Sgt. Donny "The Bear Jew" Donowitz is my favourite character by far and I was so upset when he died.
Roth should definitely consider being in more films with bigger roles because he was so amazing in this film, as well as Death Proof; which is also by Tarantino. I mean, why shouldn't he be in more films? He's all kinds of talented and very dedicated [he put on 40 pounds of muscle for his role as the Bear Jew] and obviously, he's gorgeous!

Note: The Nation's Pride[the film-within-a-film], Goebbels's propaganda film starring Pvt. Fredrick Zoller as himself, is actually directed by Eli Roth. I have yet to see this, and it is on the special features of the DVD so I will definitely get around to watching that soon :)


The violence in this film is the best. We see scalping, we see swastikas getting carved into foreheads, strangulation, and, of course, Hitler getting blown apart by Donny with an MP-40. I love to see violence in a film. Tarantino did not hold back at all and I appreciated that.
Notably, we also see Lt. Aldo Raine stick his finger into Bridget Von Hammersmark's bullet wound. That would make audience's wince, but I thought it was really cool.
The suspense in the film is set up so well. Tarantino is a master of suspense as we all know, like Hitchcock. The scene where we are waiting for the Bear Jew to come out of that cave had me in so much suspense. My eyes were actually wide & I was completely still for the entire time! That scene is incredible. Also, the tavern scene & The Dreyfus family under the floorboards in the beginning. All of these scenes actually had me holding my breath. Tarantino knows exactly how long a scene should last.

Tarantino has selected great pieces of music to include in this film, which is always the case. David Bowie's 'Cat People (Putting Out The Fire)' is brilliant and was placed in the right scene, setting it up perfectly.

This film is also full of intelligence. Although it is obviously not based on true events, however some historical aspects of the film are correct, I really wish it was. Tarantino has re-written history. This story is better than the actual events that took place in reality during WWII! The story is fantastic!
I had high expectations for this long-awaited film and Tarantino delivered, baby! Quentin Tarantino deserves the golden globe & Oscar for best director. I say that as whole-heartedly as possible. I have never been so affected by a film before, this film deserves all the awards that it is nominated for, which is pretty much every category relevant to the film.

Originally, Tarantino was going to make Inglourious Basterds a mini-series. That certainly would have been interesting, but I love it as a film and I want to see it win all the Golden Globes and Oscars in 2010!

Inglourious Basterds received an 11 minute standing ovation after its first screening at Cannes. And that standing ovation was absolutely well deserved. Everything about this film is astounding. Bravo to an amazing cast and Mr. Tarantino!

I give it 4 out of 4 stars!
I enjoyed every single minute.
I will watch this film again and again.
I know I probably sound like a gushing Tarantino fangirl but I don't care. This film deserves such gushing! There are no words to describe this film in terms of doing it justice. 'I loved it' and 'this film is brilliant' just don't cut it. It deserves so much more. It is by far the best film of 2009, if not, the decade. Inglourious Basterds deserves all of the Oscars it's nominated for, and it will definitely be nominated for many.

The trailer of Inglourious Basterds is the most amazing trailer I've ever seen. It's got great music and the feel of it is extraordinary! It actually gives me goosebumps.
Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sQhTVz5IjQ

Rating: R
Runtime: 153 mins.

Arriverderci, basterds.

Taysha. x

The One With the Banger Sisters.

Three nights ago was my second time seeing The Banger Sisters (2002). I bought this on DVD prior to actually seeing it. I knew I would like it though because I am a fan of the two leading ladies (Goldie Hawn & Susan Sarandon) and thought they would make it fun. I was right, they did! I must admit, if they weren't in it, I probably wouldn't have liked it as much.

Written & Directed by: Bob Dolman

This is the story of Suzette and Lavinia; The Banger Sisters. They used to be rock groupies and best friends. 20 years later, Suzette goes to visit Lavinia to renew their friendship. Suzette is still exactly the same as she was all those years ago and Lavinia is completely prim, proper and conservative; the exact opposite of what she was 20 years ago. Can they rekindle their friendship like they never grew apart or will their new lifestyles keep them separate forever?

Suzette is played by Goldie Hawn. She is still a rock groupie at heart. She wears tight denim and leather clothes, funky sunglasses and still listens to hard rock music. I loved Hawn in this role. She is always great and just lights up the screen everytime. She definitely has a powerful presence.
Lavinia is played by Susan Sarandon. Since her and Suzette grew apart, she married and had two children. She is now a dedicated wife and mother. Now all of her clothes are beige! :) Sarandon is lovely as always and I enjoyed her in this film very much.

My favourite parts: Suzette stays for dinner in Lavinia's perfect home but is not allowed to say anything about their past to Lavinia's family because they are not aware of anything that happened in that part of her life. Lavinia then lets it all out and her family react in an odd way; they don't believe her. Lavinia then storms out, changes her look (cuts her hair & borrows Suzette's outrageous clothes) and goes clubbing with Suzette. Lavinia and Suzette then return to Lavinia's house and go straight to the basement. This is where Lavinia hides her secret stash of things from the past. This includes marijuana and the famous "Rock Cock" collection!

Also, Geoffrey Rush plays Harry Plummer; an uptight, germaphobe who is picked up by Suzette. He is planning on going to Phoenix to shoot his father. He is strange indeed but I love him. There is an argument floating around on the internet that Rush was miscast. I certainly disagree with this statement. I believe that Rush is a chameleon and pulled Harry off very well.

Although many people hate this film, they have to admit that it is entertaining. I think it is hilarious! I really enjoy it but it isn't the best comedy I've seen.
I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tucvQpeIqKg

Rating: R
Runtime: 98 mins.

Taysha. x

The One With the Ugly Truth.

I first saw The Ugly Truth (2009) in the cinemas. I then watched it a second time about four nights ago with my mother on DVD because she is utterly obsessed with Gerard Butler. Me? I'm not so crazy about him...or the film.

Directed by: Robert Luketic
Screenplay by: Nicole Eastman & Karen McCullah Lutz

A "romantically challenged" morning television show producer hates her new, arrogant, sleazy correspondent. He is out to prove that his over the top theories on relationships are indeed the "ugly truth". But she then learns some of the things he preaches are right to a certain degree. She makes a deal with him to let him help her with her love-life and find love...and love she finds.

Katherine Heigl plays Abby Richter, the aforementioned morning television show producer. She is uptight and is waiting for Mr. Right. She even has a check-list made up in her head of the traits that Mr. Right would have. I really like Katherine Heigl so I couldn't entirely hate her in this film.
Gerard Butler plays Mike Chadway, Abby's sleazy correspondent who delivers 'the Ugly Truth' on morning television. Although Mike can be right and sometimes funny, I couldn't help but keep thinking he was ultimately just a sleazeball.

This film does have it's funny moments though. For example when Abby goes on a date with her neighbour, Colin (Eric Winter). Mike is not far away though. He arranged to Abby to wear an earpiece so Mike can give her helpful pointers while on her date. This scene is hilarious. Mike swears at a man and Abby then thinks that Mike wants her to say the exact same thing to Colin, which she does, and Colin becomes confused and thinks Abby is a total psycho!

I also liked the dialogue that follows after Mike calls Abby desperate for wanting to call Colin so soon after they met:
Abby: I am not desperate!
[pause]
Abby: Why, did you think I sounded desperate?
Mike: Listen to you. Desperately asking me if you sounded desperate?

I wont spoil the ending, but it was quite predictable. Maybe you can figure it out already, am I right?
As I said, I saw this in the cinemas. I just saw this because I was waiting for another film to start and my friend and I got there early. We saw this film to kill time, and I think that is all this film is good for; killing time.
I give it 2 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-wMe9vxkWI

Rating: R
Runtime: 96 mins.

Taysha. x

The One With Bad Santa.

I watched Bad Santa (2003) for the first time on Christmas Eve and I was happy to because Billy Bob Thornton is HOT. Judging from the parts I've seen on television, I thought this film was going to be full of lame sex jokes but it wasn't. It was much more than that.

Directed by: Terry Zwigoff
Written by: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa

This film follows Willie, a conman, and Marcus, his partner, as they pose as Santa and his elf during the day only to rob the shopping centers they work in at night. Trouble then presents itself when Willie becomes somewhat of a father figure to a child and one of the security boss' find out about the partners in crime.

Thornton plays Willie, the Bad Santa. He is a sexually driven, bitter alcoholic but I love him. There is something extremely appealing about Willie that really made me love him and kept me interested the entire way through. Thornton was absolutely fantastic as Willie. I could not imagine anybody else in the role.
Tony Cox plays Marcus, Willie's sidekick and the elf. I have never seen him in anything else before and I thought he was very good in this. He is funny as hell. The best line of the entire film was improvised by Cox and it is legendary. It reads: "You probably shouldn't be digging in your ass". He gets kudos from me because of that one line.



Now for The Kid who is played by Brett Kelly. The Kid is a chubby, very lonely kid who lives with his grandmother. Kelly did an outstanding job! The Kid got to me like no other character in a film before. He's so damn adorable, sweet and utterly selfless. I wont reveal the ending, but things do work out for him in the end and he becomes happy which I appreciated, but he still breaks my heart.
Lauren Graham plays Sue who is a bartender who has a Santa fetish. I am a big fan of Graham for her work in Gilmore Girls and I also enjoyed seeing her in this film. Something different :)

Every time Marcus gave the go-ahead for kids to sit on Santa's lap and Santa just sweore at them & dismissed every one of them, it had me actually laughing out loud. These scenes are classic. In reality, it would be cruel, but on film it is gold.

I have a feeling I will not be watching this film any time soon, The Kid's scenes are simply too heartbreaking for me to endure. Throughout the entire film I was worried about what will happen to The Kid. For this reason, I could not completely enjoy it. Nevertheless, I did enjoy to a certain degree and it was hilarious and had some very memorable lines. Billy Bob is great as always. Maybe a second viewing of the film will ease my sadness for The Kid since I know his fate...we might find out next year.
I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyurNrqSebk

Rating: R
Runtime: 91 min | 88 min (Director's cut) | 98 min (unrated version)

Taysha. x

The One With That Elf.

Elf (2003) is another film that my parents and I watch every Christmas. It is a fun, enjoyable, somewhat charming and very warm feel-good film. I love this tradition and really look forward to seeing it every year, I would see it before Christmas but that would feel a little strange. It would even be good just to have on in the background on a Christmas day when your family is over.

Directed by: Jon Favreau
Written by: David Berenbaum

After screwing up in his elf community and realising he's not actually an elf, a man who was raised as an elf travels to New York to find his father. Santa (by the way; Edward Asner is the best Santa I've ever seen in a film) gives him a very important pointer for his trip which is: "You see gum on the street, leave it there. It isn't free candy." And what does Buddy do? He arrives in New York and eats the gum off the street straight away & treats it like free candy. This film is full of humourous scenes like this :)

Buddy the Elf (Ferrell) is completely adorable. He is irresistible to love; he loves Santa, smiling is his favourite and he only eats the four main food groups; candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. What's not to love? Will Ferrell is at his absolute best playing Buddy.
Other than Buddy, my favourite character is Jovie (Zooey Deschanel). She is so completely adorable, but not so enthusiastic about Christmas. All that changes when she meets Buddy. He shows her that Christmas is a time of joy, not a time to "just get through".

Buddy's father and his new family are great as well:

His father, Walter (James Caan) is hilarious because at the beginning he hates Buddy and believes that he is mentally ill, but simultaneously, it is heartbreaking. Buddy really loves his father and continues to seek for his approval. Walter's new wife, Emily (Mary Steenburgen) is so generous and understanding. Many women in Emily's situation would be somewhat offended that their husband had a love child, but Emily loved the fact that he did and couldn't wait to meet him.
The performances are truly great.

My favourite scene is probably when Buddy visits his father's work office to stay out of trouble. There are many cute, classic Buddy moments evident in this scene. For example; saying one of my favourite lines: "Francisco! That's fun to say! Francisco... Frannncisco... Franciscooo..." and continues to say it when in the office for a while, complimenting Deb on how she's so pretty she ought to be on a Christmas card, him drinking coffee and completely hating it, etc.

Overall, I love this film. It is the second best Christmas film I've seen, after Christmas Vacation :)
If I could watch this film without it being Christmas time, I would.
I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvtmsqyOkhc

Rating: PG
Runtime: 97 mins.

Taysha. x

The One With the Christmas Vacation.

Alright, this film is very important to me, so I may be a little biased. I have been watching this film once a year during the Christmas season with my parents ever since I can remember. I know most people think this film is silly but that's why I love it :) It's notably written by John Hughes and he wrote great things in the 80's and 90's as we all know, so it definitely has pizazz. It's warm and just plain fun! Christmas Vacation (1989) my favourite Vacation film by far.

Directed by: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Written by: John Hughes

This film is basically about the Griswold's and their plans for a big family Christmas. Little did they know; their Christmas will be plagued by disaster. The family consists of Clark (Chevy Chase); a family man who loves the holidays, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo); a generous woman who supports everything Clark does, Audrey (Juliette Lewis); a typical teenage girl who is worried about being seen in her pajamas outside & worried about her friends knowing she's in the toilet when they call, and Russ (Johnny Galecki); an obidient, respectful boy. In my opinion, Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki are the best Audrey and Russ in all the Vacation films. This cast is entirely believable as a family.

The happenings of this film are completely hilarious and memorable for example the scene where Clark is talking with Mary; the beautiful, sexy store clerk who causes him to stumble on his every word. He declares how "nipply" it is outside. It is hilarious!
Another notable character is Cousin Eddie. Randy Quaid is amazing as Eddie. He is the best secondary character in the film. The funniest scene in the entire film is definitely when Cousin Eddie is outside unloading the "shitter" pipe in the sewer and one of the Griswold's neighbours (played by Julia-Louis Dreyfus and Nicholas Guest) is completely horrified. The line "Merry Christmas, Shitter was full!" is just golden!

Mary (above) Cousin Eddie (below)

Being a Seinfeld fanatic, it was strange seeing Julia-Louis Dreyfus as a snooty, "rich bitch" but she completely pulled it off. She was fantastic! Also, Nicholas Guest was great as Todd. When I was a small child watching this film, I absolutely hated their characters. I thought they were assholes! That, my friends, is good acting.

Overall, this film, in my opinion, is brilliant! The acting was great and the script was great. This film has become somewhat of a Christmas classic over time and it deserves such a status. I look forward to watching this every Christmas and it puts me in a great mood. It is my favourite Christmas film ever. Laughs are 100% guaranteed :)
I give it 3.5 stars out of 4.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=decUIVkZ4GI

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 97 mins.

Taysha. x

The One Where Reality Bites.

Last night was my second viewing of Reality Bites (1994). I had always wanted to see it because I adore Winona Ryder and enjoy watching Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo but I could never find it anywhere. One day I finally found it at a store and was so excited(!) because this film looked awesome! And it was a teeny bit of a disappointment, maybe because I had such high expectations for it.

Directed by: Ben Stiller
Written by: Helen Childress

Lelaina (Ryder), Troy (Ethan Hawke), Vickie (Garofalo) and Sammy (Steve Zahn) have just graduated college. They pretty much have no idea what they are going to do with their lives at this point.

They also have problems with love, especially Lelaina. She finds herself in a complicated love triangle with Michael (Stiller); a straight-arrow, successful guy and Troy; a sloppy, grungy guy. Personally, I like Michael better :)

Ryder is fantastic as Leliana! Her performance is immaculate and definitely rings true. The scene where she calls the psychic is hilarious and just plain sad; in a good way. I really loved Leilana for her creativity and honesty. She is a truly lovable character.
Hawke plays Troy very well, but I wasn't crazy about his character. He's somewhat of a sleazeball. But nonetheless, Hawke does a good job.
Stiller is also great as Michael. He really suits a suit! Michael is so sweet and really cares for Leliana, despite one certain event that occurs later in the film. But at the end he proves that he really loves her and that that certain event was a stupid mistake. I love Leliana and Michael together. Kudos to Stiller who also directed the film :)

Vickie and Sammy are also great characters. Vickie is a 70's obsessed, one night stander and Sammy has been described as "sexually repressed". Their great scene is at the gas station with Leliana and Troy when they dance to 'My Sharona' by The Knack. Sammy is hilarious when he starts to join in:

Overall, there is no doubt that I enjoy this film, but there is something missing. I really don't know what it is, but it feels like I can't take it in and some bits are missing. Also, I was not entirely happy with the ending which is somewhat controversial. Nonetheless, I would definitely watch it again for my love of most of the characters.
I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GGTmZO-H5A

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 99 mins.

Taysha. x

The One Where Grease is the word.

Last night was officially my gazillionth time watching Grease (1978). I just can't get enough of it! I'm not sure if this was the first time I watched it, but my first memory of watching Grease was with my family friend; Rachel, who was two years older than me. She was utterly obsessed(!) and we watched it one day. I was very little, not sure on an exact age. That was approximately when my love affair with Grease started :)

Directed by: Randal Kleiser
Based on the original musical by: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Screenplay by: Bronté Woodard
Adaption: Allan Carr

This film follows the love story between Sandy (Newton-John) and Danny (Travolta). She's a "good girl" and he's a bad boy greaser. They spent one summer together and then unexpectedly discover that they now both attend Rydell High School. But the question is will their romance continue under the different circumstances in regards to their social status' and reputations?

John Travolta is absolutely perfect as Danny Zuko! He has always been my favourite character because he's just so damn cool and so dazzling! And that walk of his is just...glorious :) Travolta was just born to play this role. Danny's funniest scene would be when he is trying to impress Sandy by becoming a jock and the coach is attempting to find which sport suits Danny the best. His singing is also great, top notch.
Olivia Newton-John is also perfect as Sandy Olsson. The "good girl" image is so right for her. Sandy is my favourite out of the girls in the film, although I have a soft spot for Marty for her being attracted to older men. Her singing is amazing, as usual :)

The Pink Ladies are fabulous! Rizzo, Frenchy, Marty and Jan really seem like fun people to hand with. They all have different personalities and qualities and that's why we love them. There is at least one girl in the Pink Ladies that we can relate to.

The T-Birds are fantastic! Danny, Kenickie, Doody, Sonny and Putzie are brilliant and so freaking cool, despite being "dorks" some of the time :) Many would say that the T-Birds are totally and utterly outdated and I firmly disagree. The T-Birds are still great in my book! :) Who could not love them, check them out:

The soundtrack to this film is so unbelievable and blows me away every time I hear it. The songs include; Summer Nights, Look at me; I'm Sandra Dee, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Greased Lightning, You're the One That I Want, Sandy, Beauty School Dropout, There Are Worse Things I Could Do, We Go Together, and many more great songs.
All of the tracks on the soundtrack are amazing and are worth a million listens.
There is also some memorable quotes/dialogue in this film which is classic, for example:

• You can't just walk out of a drive-in.
• You're cruisin' for a bruisin'
• Rizzo: I've got so many hickies people will think I'm a leper.
  Kenickie: Relax... A hickie from Kenickie is like a Hallmark card.
  Rizzo: You pig!
  Kenickie: Oh, I love it when you talk dirty!

and, of course:

• Tell me about it, stud.

and of course, the end. The ending is just the cherry on top of an amazing film!

Overall, it is the best musical EVER with great acting, songs, quotes/dialogue and T-Bird eye candy. Need I say more?
I give it 4 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDpOM0L9eQI

Rating: PG
Runtime: 110 mins.

Taysha. x

The One With the Royal Tenenbaums.

I have been meaning to see the Royal Tenenbaums (2001) for a long time now. My dad has been telling me to watch it for ages but I always had to do something else such as homework. I finally was able to watch it two nights ago and I'm really glad I did. It was brilliant!

Directed by: Wes Anderson
Written by: Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson

The first hint of its utter brilliance is the cast. Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, Danny Golver and Alec Baldwin as the narrator. Could that cast be any more cooler?! They all do amazing jobs and I give them all kudos!

The film tells the story of the estranged Tenenbaum family who used to be a family of child prodigies. They are finally reunited when one of them declares that he has cancer.
It is a simple story, and that's what makes it golden. If there were continuous major plot shifts, it would make the film rubbish. This simple story, in my opinion, is brilliant and kept me interested the entire time.

I think all the characters are great but Margot (Paltrow), Chas (Stiller) and Richie (Luke Wilson) [all above] are my absolute favourites.
Margot is the only Tenenbaum who was adopted and her father (Hackman) actually introduced her as that all the time. She is definitely the quirkiest among the Tenenbaums with a secret past and a total secret smoking habit which her husband doesn't even know about, and also; an impeccable dress sense. Paltrow is stunning as Margot. Just great. Fashionistas have actually been inspired by her around the globe and channel her look.
Chas has been a financial expert since he was a small child and is extremely intelligent and street-smart. Stiller plays him excellently. Chas is such a worry-wart, with good reason, and it's hilarious! And that suit he and his kids wear is classic! :)
Richie is a retired professional tennis player who is in love with his adoptive sister, Margot. He is so sweet, I loved him. Wilson plays Richie so well. The audience can really feel for him. I know I did :)

This scene is so cute! This is where Royal (Hackman) wants to get to know his grandsons and let them get to know him, since he's never met them before. He shows them how to have fun, because their father; Chas, is a little over-protective, but that's why we love him :) I love the fact that they wear the same thing as their father, it's so adorable :)

Overall, this film is superbly acted with a great and interesting story. Another notable aspect of this film is the soundtrack and 'Rock the Casbah' by The Clash is my favourite on the soundtrack. I also liked the fact that it looks like the narrator is reading from a book called; The Royal Tenenbaums although it is not a book in actual reality.
I loved this film & I even may be in a rush to see it again! Extra kudos for Owen Wilson for co-writing :)

I give it 3.5 out of 4 stars. Wow, that was hard! I really want to give it 4, but I just don't want to give full marks away all the time.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Eg6yIwP2vs

Rating: R
Runtime: 110 mins.

Taysha. x

The One With the First Wives Club.

The First Wives Club (1996) was only shown on TV three days ago. I taped it because it seemed like a fun film because of its stellar cast. I am a fan of the main three women, plus Sarah Jessica Parker. And I was right, it was quite fun!

Directed by: Hugh Wilson
Based on the novel by: Olivia Goldsmith
Screenplay by: Robert Harling

This film is basically about three women who were reunited after the death of a college friend. While catching up, they find that they have all been divorced and their husbands all left them for younger women. They decide to form the 'First Wives Club' and seek the ultimate revenge for each of their ex-husbands.

Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton star in this hilarious(!) comedy and they are absolute dynamite! They have great chemistry and are totally believable as friends. Midler plays Brenda; a housewife that has some self-esteem issues. I really liked Brenda, she seemed real and so sweet. Hawn plays Elise; an alcoholic and collagen obsessed superstar. I really enjoyed watching Hawn playing this character also. Keaton plays Annie; a soft, caring woman who is quite a pushover. There is always a character who is a bit of a wuss and Keaton plays that character perfectly.

One other notable character is Shelly; played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Wow, she plays a great bitch! :) She is a stereotypical 'younger woman' who is bitchy, obsessed with fashion and materials with a short-attention span. Parker did a fantastic job.

I really enjoyed this story as well. It was not hard to follow and it's good to watch for some fun because it is a light, feel-good comedy. I loved the ending scene where they are singing "You Don't Own Me" and dancing, it actually made me smile :)
Here is a photo from this scene; don't worry, it isn't any kind of spoiler:

There is also some great quotes and dialogue in the film which is hilarious such as:

• Elise: It's the 90s, plastic surgery is like good grooming
• [finding empty liquor bottles in trash]
  Brenda: Let's examine the evidence. Look! all bottles and gallon jugs!
  Elise: I had guests!
  Brenda: Who? Guns N Roses?
• Annie: Let's synchronize our watches.
  Brenda: Ooo, just like "Mission: Impossible!"
  Elise: Oh, that was a big hit.

Overall, this film really made me laugh and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is a good comedy, but it's not the best.
I give it 3 out of 4 stars.

Watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faQ9nouOgtY

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 103 mins.

Taysha. x