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Some thoughts about the new movie The Danish Girl directed by Tom Hooper.



THREE WORDS: Intense, delicate, sensitive

WHAT'S IT ABOUT:
Danish artist Gerda paints her husband Einar, using him as a stand-in female model. The paintings become popular, while Einar starts to experiment with wearing female clothing and changing his appearance and mannerisms. He begins his struggle as 'Lili', a female trapped in a male's body. 
Eventually, Einar goes for the first sex reassignment surgery ever. This film is based on a novel.



THOUGHTS:
What stood out for me was the movie's ability to capture such emotions and reactions for such a sensitive and complex issue. 


Major props to the amazing, sensitive performances from both actors Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander. They were truly a pleasure to watch.

I also love the twinkly smile of Eddie, his raw emotions, and Alicia's performance of a rather 'tomboy-ish', playful, and protective character. They complement each other well.



I also loved Amber Heard as a vivacious dancer. Loved her easy sensuality on screen, the casual laughs and amazing body language. 

Not my favourite shot, but still, so gorgeous.
Hans was also very pretty to look at- the hyper masculine man in the film.

Gotta love that slick back.

There are many delicate sequences in the film. It was moving, but not the tear-jerker type of movie... instead, I found myself biting my nails, hoping and praying for the best for Einar. 


I cannot even begin to imagine the struggles transgender people have to go through. It's not every day  that such a topic shows up on the big screen, and I am glad for it. 

I also liked how Gerda loved Einar/Lili so much despite it all. Despite being so confused, rejected, and hurt by it all, she stood by him. That's such an amazing love. Such a thoughtful, unselfish, steadfast love. #relationshipgoals?



Also, how the hell is Eddie so pretty no matter if he is Einar OR Lili? #life




Went into the cinema with zero expectations. Didn't watch the trailer, didn't read anything. 
It was such a great cinematic treat, though I go home feeling rather sad and mildly hopeful.

I hope that transgender people around the world will be able to find themselves, and find acceptance not only with themselves, but also hopefully from the people around them. Yes, the odds are stacked crazily high, but no matter what, you are you. You are loved. <3

VISUALS:

Very beautiful. Can't disagree with the old European charm!


The mise en scenes were very romantic. I love how European homes looked like in the past, the paintings, the beautiful chaos of it all. Very timeless and classic. It wasn't as luxe and grand as in the movie Yves Saint Laurent by Lespert, but it is still a very pretty film indeed.


I just watched The Grand Budapest Hotel (read my post here) so the 'landscape' scenes cannot match up, but great tries nonetheless. Found the styles kind of inconsistent though.

The ending wasn't the best, but it was satisfying I guess. 

WATCH? 
This film may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really liked it. It's a moving picture and story. A story of struggle, acceptance, and most importantly, love. A very solemn 'Yes' from me.

Was very lucky to catch the movie premiere at Lido, thanks to Yan Ling! Thank you for a great night :)

The Danish Girl is showing in all theatres from 7 January 2016. #notsponsored #notatall LOL
Watch the trailer here.

Further reading:
http://deadline.com/2016/01/writer-lucinda-coxon-the-danish-girl-eddie-redmayne-1201675760/
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/danish-girl/review/
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/review-tom-hoopers-formulaic-the-danish-girl-starring-eddie-redmayne-and-alicia-vikander-20151125


Hey friends!
Recently I discovered a site where I could watch movies, so I've been catching up on everything I did not have the chance to watch in cinemas.

SPOILERS EVERYWHERE, You have been Warned.

The DUFF

I loaded this first, because I love stories set in high school, no matter if they're American or Japanese or Thai. Yas.

Also, I've read this book by Kody Keplinger before, so since a movie was made, I definitely want in.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT:
The DUFF is a high school movie about a girl finding out that she is the DUFF of her clique. DUFF means Designated Ugly Fat Friend. You don't actually have to be ugly or fat, but it just happens that you are the least unattractive one in your social group.


Cue teen angst, widespread embarrassment and falling in love with the boy that is helping you chase another boy. Yep.

VERDICT: Though the plot differed, the main ideas and premise was present, and I thought that the movie did justice to the book. In fact, I think the main character is more likable in the movie rather than the book. (The movie was better than the book then, in my opinion.)

Special mention to the actress, Mae Whitman, who really carried things along in this movie. Other characters fell flat, or they may not have been given a chance to show off the acting chops much in their limited scenes. Also, props to a decently cool and nerdy Asian teacher, and props to diversity. Props to acknowledging the 'social media' life, to friendship, and etc.

Because of the 'commentary' on social life, The DUFF kinds of falls into the category of flicks that also houses Mean Girls and Easy A. Not as hard-hitting, visually pleasing or even witty, but The DUFF holds it own pretty well.

However, I've seen a lot of hate for this movie on tumblr, as people think that this movie propagates a very toxic idea that further causes negative perceptions of teen selves everywhere. As if the world needs more hurt, right?

This stems from the idea that hey, even if you're not fat or ugly, you can be the DUFF. There's nothing much you can do about it. It's apparently sending teens a bad message.

I believe this is not what the movie is trying to do though. It does try to preach acceptance of the self towards the end, though perhaps not convincingly enough for these critics.

But as another reviewer said, shedding light on cyberbullying in the midst of all an increasingly connected society, is not something to be taken lightly. Definitely props for even wanting to try to tackle such a sensitive matter. Also, I think people just get offended by everything nowadays. You really can't please everyone.

Maybe some people will be offended by the movie, but perhaps others will walk away realising how much damage they can cause others when they 'share irresponsibly'.

Favourite parts:
For me, it was probably the feel good moment when people read the DUFF article, found out that they were DUFFs, but nevertheless accepted it in a very nonchalant manner.

I don't think it's so easy to shake off the idea of being the DUFF in real life (trust me), but it is true that sparking a conversation of DUFFs (and also the iconic shirt of I'M A SOMEBODY'S DUFF) globally... may help people who think they are DUFFs and hate themselves over it.

Creating conversations is one way change can be brought about. Yes, action is better than talk, but just silence over a matter like this is even worse.

The DUFF forces you to confront the inner hierarchies of your social group. This is painful because these groups are supposed to be safe places where you can be yourself. Regardless of your appearance, what the DUFF is saying is that you can still be the 'loser' as long as people compare you with your companions.

Maybe the best thing to do if you think you're a DUFF, is probably to just acknowledge that these are just opinions of others, and that such one dimensional ideas do not define you. You're too complex as a human to be labelled like that. "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but labels society gives you should never hurt you."

Interstellar

I don't remember why I missed this movie. It's highly possible that I gave it a pass and watched some other blockbuster instead. Some help, my movie buddy Cha? Why didn't I watch this in cinemas?

Well, anyway.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:
Interstellar is set in an age where the Earth is gradually starving and suffocating to death. Ex-NASA pilot Cooper leaves his children, Murphy and who knows whats his name (the brother, basically), to go into space for a mission to follow up on possible worlds.

Enter Anne Hathaway, ie. Amelia Brand, one of his crew mates. Then enter things like wormholes, the theory of relativity, the bending of time and space, etc etc and you get Interstellar.

VERDICT: It was awesome.

I found the movie breath-taking and moving. I got the chills so many times. It started off rather like a horror movie, which I am very adverse to, and hence also very sensitive to 'creepy moments'.



It had harrowing experiences, emotional ones, hopeful ones. It captures the 'human experience'. The futility. The betrayals. Ah, mankind, you. (side notes: Literature has taught me so much, because it gave me the vocabulary and necessary words for me to express myself.)

Honestly I can't wait for Interstellar 2 because I want to know what happened to Brand in the other world. And I'm just so thankful for such space flicks- they really inspire emotions in me.



To feel so humbled that there's such a world out there, that there are such brilliant and brave people out there willing to go the distance simply to explore. The courage involved, the sacrifices...it's amazing. And the science, the possibilities of it all, absolutely mind boggling. I cannot even begin to comprehend it all.

THINGS I LIKED:

I liked how the trippy time warp thing was done. I liked it more than how Ant-Man portrayed its' "quantum theory" moments. I liked the "future", and I liked the silences, because hello, space. Where loneliness and quiet really takes on a new meaning. I liked the "beings“. I can only barely stand the betrayal, but it's also understandable because humans are selfish like that.



I liked how things were not dumbed down for the audiences, how things that were planted were duly addressed. (Not everything, but things that were obvious to me anyway. How can you nit-pick a sci-fi film so much?)

There wasn't as much as humour as there was in The Martian, but I think Interstellar definitely rocked my socks more. This movie was directed by Christopher Nolan, who did Inception, The Prestige and the Dark Knight series.

YAS from me.

P.S. Also, after watching this I googled Digital vs Film because I was curious about Nolan's methods, and ended up with this pretty insightful article. Click here to read.

The Nightmare Before Christmas


So I've always been wanting to know more about Jack Skellington and Sally. I think in Secondary One one of my classmates was very into this, to the point where I even received a Nightmare Before Xmas coffin box-pouch thing as a present though I've never watched it.

Lately Peggs mentioned it was one of her favourite movies, and it seeing that it was Christmastime, I thought, perhaps it's high time I should check this thing out.

Nightmare (as I will abbrev.) is a 1993 stop-motion flick by Tim Burton. Right from the start it heaps on the 'horror' and ghouls. Disney is probably right when they said this was not okay for child audiences.



Which makes me glad because I think I definitely appreciate it more as an older person. Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty was so scary to me as a kid. Nightmare would probably be...a real nightmare? *cringe at unintentional puns*

There's lots of singing and etc. Honestly I didn't expect Jack's voice to be like this, but it's all good. What was really annoying though, was how he was so selfish the whole time! Although, yes, with good intentions perhaps, but really? :(

The love from the villagers though. So trusting and so loving. Is Jack not manipulating them just to satisfy his own whim? Dudeeee.

WHAT I LIKED AND DIDN'T:

I liked the ideas of different worlds, and the story telling was fun and vivid. Stop motion rocks, and Tim and team did a great job. Visually the film is very beautiful, haunting, and cute in a charming way.

And what? There isn't a legit romance thing going on? It felt very one sided. Aww, c'mon. Sally is such a great, selfless and brave heroine. Jack doesn't really deserve you...



Either way the film left me rather depressed. All that effort for nothing? T_T
I'm the kind of person that likes to see kind people and their hard work pay off, so this hurts me.


Watching this, I am reminded of another 'horror' animation ie. Coraline, based on Neil Gaiman's book. I've read it, but I'm not sure if I've watched it. Everyone tells me it is creepy af. We'll know soon enough.

The Grand Budapest Hotel
I was first introduced to Wes Anderson and The Moonrise Kingdom, probably by Tumblr and Dorisa (two most hipster sources , hmm?)

Finally got to catch this charming, curious, and visually enchanting film. So pretty, so appealing, humorous, and absolutely lovely. I find this even more enjoyable than The Moonrise Kingdom! Anderson's style is indeed very distinctive. His storytelling is very precious & beautiful too, and the many elements of old film narrative styles (separating the films into 'acts' etc,  are nice tributes while simultaneously lending a good touch of 'authenticity' and perhaps, era-appropriate flair to the film.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT:
A bespectacled guest of the hotel (plot device, lol) finds out the enthralling story behind how Zero, an old man now, came to own the Grand Budapest Hotel.

It's hard to explain the magic of Wes Anderson, so I'll just let the screencaps do the talking.








Is this not beautiful? They look like they're dancing.

The Grand Budapest Hotel won 4 awards at the Oscars 2015, for best costume design, makeup, production design and score.

I recommend that you watch Moonrise Kingdom before Grand Budapest Hotel if you're interested. Next up for me, Fantastic Mr Fox.

Further reading:
7 Deep Thoughts About 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
People reviewing The Grand Budapest Hotel on Tripadvisor

Will be watching & reviewing more movies soon so stay tuned :) Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy these films too!

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Skye Soon : lifestyle blogger in Singapore, street busker and enthusiast of chocolates and books

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