One Month Hiatus

A Moving Story Scope will be on hiatus from September 26 through October 17 since I am moving into my first house! I'll likely start blogging again once everything is in place. Look forward to a few thrillers just in time for Halloween:

Purple Noon


Cape Fear


Blue Velvet

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I've Loved You So Long

I've Loved You So Long (Mike Leigh, 2008)

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

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

Sisters, Coping, Grief, Complex Relationships, Adjustment

An understated beauty. Kristin Scott Thomas is remarkable in her portrayal of a grieving woman so tormented with guilt and loss that she does not feel she deserves happiness or love. A very important film about love, patience, and acceptance.

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Kon-Tiki

Kon-Tiki (Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg, 2012)

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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

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

Exploration, Anthropology, Survival, Pioneers, Sailing

So inspiring. I watched this film and barely moved the whole time. Thor Heyerdahl was a legendary explorer, yes, but what made him especially great was his determination and strength of character. Kon-Tiki revisits the incredible journey he and his friends/crew made across the Pacific. The moments of doubt, the sights and sounds, the will-power, the patience, and trust. Great film.

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The House

The House (Joo-Young Ban, 2010)

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

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

Animation, Korean, Economy, Class, Spirits, Philosophical

An interesting film with some important messages. I've always believed that there is an essence to every place- every bit of land, every building, every home. It is a real shame when we take place for granted. I hope to live to see the US culture really building things to last and taking pride in preservation again.

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The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo (Max Lang and Jakob Schuh, 2009)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

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

 

Animation, Based on Book, Children's, Fable, Nature

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS! What a fantastic animated short. Beautiful style and color, cute and quirky characters, great voice over... Rob Bryden's voice as a fox? John Hurt's as an owl? Robbie Coltrane's as a giant mythical monster? I can't ask for better. And the story has a wonderful message to children, I'm sure true to the book. Watch this!

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Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine (Woody Allen, 2013)

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

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

Drama, Strong Dialogue, Complex Relationships, Identity, Class, Reputation
 

Another impressive film from my favorite director. This time Woody takes on San Francisco (and New York) and shows us the story of woman who crumbles without her carefully manicured facade. It is a facade that was built on reputation, class, and lies. Without the facade, who is she? How does she rebuild? Jasmine is forced to accept that she has no skills, no experience, no happiness. She doesn't belong and won't allow herself to. What she is good at is pretending. An absolutely amazing performance by Cate Blancett--can she get any more incredible? I found myself hating her character because Jasmine has carved such a deep hole out of her life that it makes you pity her. And with all the pill-popping and vodka swilling, she has no idea what reality is anymore. Maybe she never did.

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