Italian For Beginners

Italian For Beginners (Lone Scherfig, 2000)
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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=1

Danish, Grief, Love, Complex Relationships, Coping

I love the simplicity of this film. The concept, camerawork, setting--all simple and yet the individual stories and characters are all quite complicated. A reminder that life changes can seem devastating but somehow we all manage... sometimes the little things are enough to make everything better. A shoulder to cry on, a stranger to confide in, a language barrier that allows the truth to be spoken...

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Happy-Go-Lucky

Happy-Go-Lucky (Mike Leigh, 2008)

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Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Whimsical, Philosophical, Light-Hearted

 

We all need to be reminded that happiness, optimism, and kindness will serve us well in this world. In this troubling world where angry and cynical people seem to be around every corner, someone like Poppy is a rare gem. Silly, childish, not grown-up, too nice, etc... Since when has a free-spirited and fun-loving personality meant "not taking life seriously"? If you learn anything from this film, you'll know it's exactly the opposite. Great film.

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Brave

Brave (Mark Andrews & Brenda Chapman, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 4=2, Scale 5=2

Disney, Fairy Tale, Scotland, Legend, Coming-of-Age

A nice breath of fresh air from Pixar. This is a feel-good story about the importance of family and tradition, but also being true to yourself. Great animation, music, and characters. I especially liked the blue wisps

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Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina (Joe Wright, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=1

Based On Novel, Honor, Love, Class, Complex Relationships, Scandal

Leo Tolstoy's timeless story is brought to life in this intriguing adaptation. I wasn't absorbed by the acting or drama as much as I thought I would be. But I did find the artistry fascinating- each scene reminding me of stage sets or paper cut-out dioramas. Vibrant colors and ingenious use of mis en scene.

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SPECIAL: TV Shows I've Been Watching

Breaking Bad Seasons 1-4 (Vince Gilligan, 2008-2012)

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Season 1 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

 

Season 2 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3
*Loved this episode: "4 Days Out"

Season 3 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=5 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=2

Season 4 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=5 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=2

*Loved this episode: "Hermanos"

 

Drugs, Power, Crime, Complex Relationships, Investigation

This show is so insane. Some episodes make me cringe from the overwhelming tension created. Some episodes force me to continue watching another episode even though I have work in the morning... The best part about Breaking Bad is the characters. Somehow, the more engulfed in his crimes and more power-hungry Walt gets, the more I like watching him. The love/hate relationship I have with him is crazy. Jesse is perhaps the most interesting character of the show--his struggle coming to grips with his manipulated reality and his own moral core is painful to watch. Haven't watched the newest season yet but I'm sure it is just as fantastic.


Mad Men Seasons 1-5 (Matthew Weiner, 2007-2012)

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Season 1 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

*Loved this episode: "The Hobo Code"

 

Season 2 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=4, Scale E=3
*Loved this episode: "The Mountain King"

Season 3 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Season 4 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4
*Loved these episodes: "The Suitcase" and "Tomorrowland"

 

Season 5 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

1960s, Business/Advertising, Melodrama, Complex Relationships, Gender, History

My first experience with Mad Men started in the middle of Season 1--a strange place to begin but one that nevertheless captivated me. I was marveled by the intricacy and beauty of the scenes, the quality of writing, and the attention to historical details. Each character is wonderfully flawed and struggles with his/her own demons. I'm one of those Betty Draper haters... right from the start I knew I didn't like her... and I am drawn to each of the fractured male leads. My favorite thing about the show is the interactions between these men when they work vs. their individuality. The masculine power lies like a cloud over everything and everyone in those offices.

 

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Lincoln

Lincoln (Stephen Spielberg, 2012)

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Rating: Q=7, P=5 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Civil War, Emancipation, Politics, History

Lincoln has a mythic presence in the history of America and for that reason I have always been surprised that he hasn't figured much in film. Spielberg shows us the behind-the-scenes Lincoln. The man as well as the great orator and visionary. We see him tell stories, think, father, and wax sentimental in front of a grainy and compelling backdrop. While the first half of the film drags on a bit, every moment of the film is carefully crafted in painting the portrait of an extraordinary man who truly "fitted" his time. Daniel Day-Lewis totally amazes.

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A Royal Affair

A Royal Affair (Nikolaj Arcel, 2012)

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Rating: Q=7, P=5 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

18th Century, Historical Drama, Complex Relationships, Royalty, Enlightenment

Steamy romance, a country in dramatic change, ambitious royalty--A Royal Affair is a treat for anyone who enjoys being sucked into the past. The costumes and sets are gorgeous and, in that miraculous way that films have, it really does seem like Denmark in the late 18th century. My intellect and history-buff mind was sufficiently stimulated.

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