"This country's changed. We need to change as well."

Tinha visto os posters de "Invictus" (2009) pela cidade, mas nem tinha prestado muita atencao. Quando descobri que o filme era com o Morgan Freeman e o Matt Damon, dirigido pelo Clint Eastwood, me interessei. Quando descobri que era "sobre" o Nelson Mandela, me interessei mais ainda. Nao, o filme nao e uma biografia sobre o ex-presidente sul-africano. E isso e uma das suas qualidades; o Clint Eastwood pega um episodio da vida do Nelson Mandela e nele voce consegue entender a pessoa que ele e e como ele se tornou um icone; sempre atencioso a tudo e todos, preocupado com seu pais e com o fim do apertheid. E ele usa uma coisa "pequena" para comecar esse sonho: a Copa do Mundo de Rugby, de 1995. O filme e uma narrativa bem classica, bem caracristica do Clint Eastwood, e voce sai do cinema se sentindo inspirado. O Morgan Freeman esta espetacular e a semelhanca com o personagem e impressionante. O Matt Damon tambem esta otimo como o capitao do time de rugby. Muito interessante, acho que vale a pena!

I had seen the posters for "Invictus" (2009) around the city, but i hadn't apid much attention. When I found that the movie was with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, direct by Clint Eastwood, I was interested. When I found that it was about Nelson Mandela, I was even more interested. No, the movie isn't a biography about the south african former president. And that is one of it's qualities, Clint Eastwood chose an episode of Nelson Mandela's life and in it you can understand the person he is and how he became an icon; always attentive to everything and everyone, worried about his country and with the end of apertheid. And he uses a "small" even to start that dream: the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The moive is a very classic narrative, very characteristic of Clint eastwood, and you leave the theater feeling inspired. Morgan Freeman is spectacular and the resemblance to the character is remarkable. Matt Damon is also great as the capitain of the rugby team. very interesting, I think it is worth it!

"How much does your life weight?"

Na sequencia de atores/diretores que adoro vem George Clooney e Jason Reitman, - de "Obrigada por Fumar" (2005) e "Juno" (2007) -, com "Amor Sem Escalas" (2009). Nao sabia muito detalhe do filme alem desses dois, gostei do nome e do poster e achei que era um filme que um cara so ficava viajando. Descobri que o filme e muito mais que isso. Sim ele e um filme quase pequeno/independente e voce nao consegue decidir se gostou muito ou so gostou. O humor e seco, bem sarcastico, voce se ve achando graca de uma situacao da qual ninguem deveria rir, e o triste vira comico. Definitivamente ele e muito interessante; o roteiro (que ganhou um Globo de Ouro muito merecido) parte de um pressuposto simples e bobo (o de um cara que adora a vida na "estrada"), e desenvolve tanto que no fim voce quase esquece de onde ele partiu; o filme tem consistencia, historia, sentimentos. E o pequeno elenco que conta com mais duas atrizes coadjuvantes (tambem indicadas ao Globo de Ouro), da mais forca a tudo isso. Quem tiver um tempinho passa la na sessao de trivia do IMDb que tem umas curiosidades muito legais.

Following the posts about actors/directors that I love comes George Clooney and Jason Reitman, - from "Thank You For Smoking" (2005) and "Juno" (2007) -, with "Up in the Air" (2009). I didn't know much about the movie aside from those two, I liked the name and the poster, and thought it was a movie about a guy that travelled all the time. I found out that the movie is much more than that. Yes it is a movie almost small/independent and you can't decide if you really liked it or just liked. The humor is dry, very sarcastic, you find youself laughing of a situation that no one should find amusing, and the sad becomes comical. It is definitely really interesting; the script (that one a much deserved Golden Globe), it launches itself from a very simple and silly point of view (that of a guy that love the life on the "road"), and it develops in a way that in the end ou almost forget where it started from; the movie is consistent, has history and feelings. And the tiny cast of other two supporting actresses (both also nominated for the Golden Globe), only adds to it all. If you have the time, stop by IMDb's trivia session because it has some really interesting things.

DVD | Julie and Julia (2009)

Quando vim pros EUA, "Julie e Julia" (2009) estava saindo de cartaz aqui e estreiando no Brasil, perdi o filme no meio do caminho. Mas gracas a agilidade dos produtores em lancar os filmes em DVD, eu consegui alugar em dezembro! Acho a Amy Adams uma exelente atriz e uma nova dobradinha com Meryl Streep - elas contracenaram em "Duvida" (2008) -, era imperdivel. As duas atrizes sao sempre consistentes entao nenhuma surpresa ai. Achei o filme muito bom, fofinho, mas nao e uma experiencia que transforma a sua vida. Minto, pode ate ser porque eu estou morrendo de vontade de comprar o livro e tentar fazer as receitas! E voce fica querendo se matar por nao ter tido - ainda - uma ideia tao simples como a da Julie e ter dado super certo. Vale super a pena ver, "feel-good movie" total.

When I came to the USA "Julie and Julia" (2009) was being pulled from the theaters here, as it was being released in Brazil, I lost the movie in my transition. But thanks to the agility of the producers in releasing the movie in DVD, I managed to rent it in December! I think Amy Adams is an excellent actress and a new team-up with Meryl Streep - they play side along each other in "Doubt" (2008) -, wasn't possible to miss. I thought the movie was good, cute, but it isn't a life changing experience. I lie, it could be, because I am dying to buy the book and cook the recipes! And also you keep wanting to kill yourself for not having had - yet - such a simple and successfull idea like Julie's. It is super worth watching, total feel-good movie.

"The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" (2009)

Eu tenho algumas atrizes/atores/diretores/roteiristas, etc que amo de paixao. Falou que saiu um filme deles e pode me esperar na sala de cinema. Nada mais natural do que correr para o cinema quando estreiou "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" (2009),o novo filme da Robin Wright (sem Penn, separou de Sean), dirigido pela Rebecca Miller (filha de Arthur Miller e esposa de Daniel Day-Lewis), e conta com Alan Arkin, Keanu Reeves, Maria Bello, Winona Ryder, Julianne Moore, Monica Belucci e Blake Lively (como a jovem Pippa Lee). Ja esperava um filme indie, um tanto seco, que causa estranheza, assim como em "A Balada de Jack and Rose" (2005), tambem dirigido por Rebecca. E foi exatamente o que aconteceu. O filme conta a historia de como Pippa Lee se transforma atraves dos anos. Voce nao a julga pro bem ou pro mal em momento algum, voce e um espectador passivo, que observa o que aconteceu, acontece e acontecera. Voce nao sai do cinema amando o filme, mas tambem nao o odeia. Ele e bem neutro, mas interessante a sua maneira.

I have some actresses/actors/director/screenwriters, etc that I'm really passionate about. You need only mention that a new movie is coming out and you can wait for me at the movie theather. Nothing less expected then me running to the movies when "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" (2009), the new Robin Wright (without the Penn, she divorced Sean), directed by Rebecca Miller (daughter of Arthur Miller and wife of Daniel Day-Lewis), and has Alan Arkin, Keanu Reeves, Maria Bello, Winona Ryder, Julianne Moore, Monica Belucci and Blake Lively (as the young Pippa Lee). I expected an indie film, somewhat dry, that leaves a certain ackwardness, just like in "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" (2005), also directed by Rebecca. And that's exactly what happened. The movie tells the story of how Pippa Lee transformed herself throughout the years. For good or bad you don't judge her; you are a passive spectator, that observes what happened, happens and will happen. You don't leave the theather loving the movie, but you also don't hate it. It's very neutral, but interesting in it's own way.

DVD | The Edge of Love (2008)

Tinha visto o trailer de "Amor Extremo" (2008) e me interessou, pelo elenco, historia, etc. Surpresa minha quando achei o filme aqui ja pra alugar (ele estreiou a pouco tempo no Brasil). No fim das contas nao gostei. A historia e ruim, os personagens sao estranhos, mas nao de um jeito bom. Resumindo: nao gaste dinheiro com esse filme!

I saw the trailer of "The Edge of Love" (2008) and it got my attention, for the cast, the story, etc. Surprise, surprise when I find the movie already to rent here (it opened in Brazil a little while ago). In the end, I didn't like it. The story is bad, the characters are weird, not in a good way. In summary: don't spend money with this movie!

DVD | Star Trek (2009)

Os vizinhos alugaram o novo "Star Trek" (2009) e a gente, obvio, pegou emprestado. Tava curiosa porque nao sei nada sobre a franquia, alem do William Shatner, o Spock e as orelinhas pontudas, aquele "V" de vitoria duplo e que alguem fala klingon. Tinha lido elogios, quem dirige e o J. J. Abrams de Lost, um bocado de novato famoso, etc,... Achei o filme legal e me confundiu no inicio, maas recuperei logo e entendi! Nao... voce nao precisa ser um trekkie para entender, mas ao mesmo tempo eu gostaria de fazer a conexao. Ah e absurdo! Nao vi ninguem falando klingon (alias, teve? porque se teve eu cochilei... oops). E interessante e consegue te prender, mas nao e nada que mereca um super esforco nao! Se o seu vizinho alugar ele ai sim; vai la e pega! haha

The neighbors rented the new "Star Trek" (2009) e we obviously borrowed. I was curious because I don't know anything about the franchise aside from William Shatner, Spock and his pointy ears, the double "V" for victory and that someone speaks klingon. I read good reviews, the director is J. J. Abrams from Lost, has a lot of newly famous people, etc,... I found it cool and it threw me off in the beginning but I caught up and managed to understand! Oh and the b*******! I didn't see anyone speaking klingon (by the way, was there? because if there was I must have fallen asleep... oops). It is interesting and it catches your attention but it is nothing to die for! But if your neighbor rents it make sure to get it! haha

"Haunt me no longer!"

Nao tem muito o que falar de "A Christmas Carol" (2009), porque todo mundo ta cansado de saber a historia. Eu tava curiosa porque o 3D parecia ser legal, mas nao achei nada demais em nada. A historia e over, o Jim Carey e over,... acho dispensavel.

I don't have much to say about "A Christmas Carol" (2009), because everyone is well aware of the story. I was curious to see the 3D that seemed nice, but I didn't think much of it. The story is burned out, Jim Carey is burned out,... I think one can do well without it.

"The absence of him is everywhere I look. It is like a big hole has been punched through my chest."

Pra falar a verdade nao estava muito ansiosa para ver "Lua Nova" (2009). De longe, e o livro que eu menos gosto da serie. Mas ao mesmo tempo estava curiosa para ver se - com mais dinheiro para a producao do segundo filme - eles melhoraram os efeitos, a maquiagem, etc, entao fui conferir no fim de semana de estreia. Um milhao de pre-adolescentes gritando enlouquecidas no cinema, mas ok. Achei o filme ate bem fiel ao livro, mas sei la... nunca saio do cinema feliz, satisfeita e suspirando como os livros fazem comigo - o mesmo vale para "Crepusculo" (2008). Vejo so por amor os livros; Robert Pattinson e lindo, mas nao gosto do jeito que ele interpreta o Edward, ele deixa o personagem muito duro e frio, o que todo mundo que le os livros sabe que e exatamente o contrario. A mera existencia da Kirsten Stewart me irrita, maas nao acho que ela faz uma Bella ruim. O Taylor Lautner, bombou, tirou a peruca, e faz um Jacob bom. Na verdade, acho o eleco todo meio duro e os coadjuvantes mal escalados, maaas enfim. Como ja disse antes: fa que e fa assiste e espera pelo melhor!

To tell you the thruth I wans't dying to watch "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" (2009). By far, it's the book I like the least from the series. But at the same time I was curious to see if - with more money to produce the second movie - they had improved the special effects, makeup, etc, so I went to check it out on the opening weekend. A million teenager screaming like crazy at the movie theather but ok. I actually found the movie somewhat faithful to the book, but I dont know... I never leave the movie theather happy, satisfied and in love like the books do to me - the same goes to "Twilight" (2008). I watch only for love for the books; Robert Pattinson is gorgeous, but I don't like the way he plays Edward, he makes him hard and cold, something that everyone that reads the books knows it is exactly the contrary. The mere existence of Kirsten Stewart annoys me, buut I still think she makes a decent Bella. Taylor Lautner built up, took off the wig and made a good Jacob. Actually I think that the whole cast is kind of hard and badly casted, buut oh well. Like I said before: a true fan has to watch it and hope for the best!

"Well, basically it could be two things: it could be a ghost... or it could be a demon."

Seguindo "This is It" (2o09), pulamos para "Atividade Paranormal" (2009). O filme estava batendo recordes de bilheteria aqui nos EUA, todo mundo falando o tanto que assustava e que era a nova "Bruxa de Blair" (1999), critica elogiando, bem pontuado no Rotten Tomatoes, ... Tive que conferir. Pena, preferia nao ter ido. Achei o filme chato e idiota, ressoava falsidade, nao entrei no clima nem um minuto e acabei cochilando (o que eu raramente fao no cinema). Me falaram que o final assusta bastante, maaas nao fiquei acordada pra isso. Sei que muitas pessoas ja viram e vao ver, mas eu destestei e so pra constar nao chega nem perto de "A Bruxa de Blair"!

Following "This is It" (20090, we skipped to "Paranormal Activity" (2009). The movie was breaking records here in the US, everyone talking about how scary it was and how it is the new "Blair Witch Project" (1999), the critics were good, it has a good score on Rotten Tomatoes,... I had to see it. Too bad, I wish I didn't. I found the movie boring and silly, it echoed faking, I was never into it for a minute and I ended up falling asleep (something I rarely do at the movies). I was told that the end is pretty scarry buuut I wasn't awake for it. I know many people have seen the movie and others will, but I hated it and just for the record it doesn't even come close to the "Blair Witch Project"!

"It's a great adventure. We want to take them places that they've never been before. We want to show them talent like they've never seen before."

Que fa do Michael Jackson no aguardava ansiosamente os shows de Londres? E que fa nao ficou arrasado com a noticia da morte dele? Logo veio um minimo de esperanca de ver o que poderia ter sido; foi anunciado o lancamento do documentario "This is it" (2009), com cenas sobre os ensaios que eles fazia para os shows. Eu nao sei voces, mas logo pensei que isso era so mais um jeito de ganhar dinheiro com o Rei. Surpresa boa quando finalmente consegui ver o filme. O documentario e super legal e voce fica feliz ao ver o Michael dancando, cantando, ensaiando e controlando os minimos detalhe do show. E ao mesmo tempo voce fica triste porque seria um retorno triunfal. Nas palavras de Madonna, "vida longa ao rei!"

What Michael Jackson fan didn't anxiously wait for the London concerts? And what fan wasn't crushed by the news of his death? Soon came a drop of hope to see what could have been; it was announced the release of the documentary "This is it" (2009), with scenes of the rehearsals he was doing for the concerts. I don't know about you, but I soon tought that this was another scam to make money from the King. Good surprise when I finally managed to see the movie. The documentary is really cool and you are happy to see Michael dancing, singing, rehearsing and controlling the minimum details of the show. And at the same time you are sad because it would have been an amazing comeback. In the words of Madonna, "long live the king!".

"I didn't want to wake you up, but I really wanted to show you something."

Primeiro filme em IMAX da minha vida, "Onde Vivem Os Monstros" (2009), foi ansiosamente esperado. Nunca li o livro, nao sei se pretendo; talvez para ter uma nocao da fidelidade do filme, mas quem leu ja me disse que ficou bem parecido. Gostei bastante do filme, mas nao foi tudo que eu esperava. Ele nao despertou em mim a inspiracao que normalmente vem dos filmes que acho sensacionais. Mas ainda assim e um otimo filme, o menininho e um fofo, os monstros sao super bem feitos, as vozes - todas famosas - combinam bem com os personagens, a trilha sonora e bem legal e a fotografia e linda. Achei a historia super interessante e possibilita muita reflexao (ainda tenho muito o que pensar e conclusoes a fazer). Nao tem muito como o Spike Jonze errar ne?

P.S: Destaque pro material de divulgacao do filme; os posters e a tipografia eram lindos.

First movie I saw on IMAX in my life, "Where The Wild Things Are" (2009), was expected with anxiety. Never read the book and I don't know if I will; maybe to have a better notion of the fidelity of the movie, but those who read it told me it's similar. I really liked the movie but it wasn't all I expected. It didn't awake in me the inspiration that the movies I find outstanding do. But even so it is still a great movie, the little boy is cute, the monsters were well done, the voices - all famous - match well with the characters, the soundtrack is pretty cool and the cinematography is gorgeous. I found the story really interesting and allows a lot of reflections (I still have a lot to think about and many conclusions to be made). Spike Jonze can't go much wrong right?

P.S: Special attention to the advertising material; the posters and typography were amazing.