• Review Index
  • About Me
  • Suggestions

vinnieh

~ Movie reviews and anything else that comes to mind

vinnieh

Monthly Archives: July 2012

Who is your favourite villain from a James Bond movie?

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by vinnieh in 007 thoughts and reviews, Movie opinions and thoughts

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

James Bond

With the upcoming release of Skyfall, I thought I do another post about another aspect of the enduring Bond series. The question now is who is your favourite villain? In his lengthy spying career, Bond has come up against some of the most diabolical masterminds that the screen has ever known. So have a think which villain is the one who you remember most or which leaves an indelible mark after the credits have finished rolling?

Who is your favourite Bond Girl?

24 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by vinnieh in 007 thoughts and reviews, Movie opinions and thoughts

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

Bond girls, James Bond

As I’m a huge fan of James Bond, I thought I’d do another post about another aspects of the films. This time it is on the many women who have graced the screen during the series, they are collectively the Bond Girls. A vast array of beautiful women have either romanced, aided and sometimes turned against Bond throughout the films. So have a think, who is your favourite Bond girl from the series?

What is your favourite horror movie and why?

24 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by vinnieh in Movie opinions and thoughts

≈ 32 Comments

Tags

horror movies, scary movies

Horror movies are one of my all time favourite genres. Whether it’s gory or more psychological, I usually like it( although there are a few exceptions). Anyway, I’m writing this post to find out which horror movies people love and the reasons behind them. So go ahead and think, which movie creeps me out the most or which movie sends shivers down my spine?

What is your favourite song from a James Bond movie?

20 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by vinnieh in Movie opinions and thoughts

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

James Bond, Madonna, movie soundtrack

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last fifty years, you will have least heard of the James Bond movies. One aspect of them that I always enjoy is the music and especially the title song. Over the years there has been a vast array of different singers who have sung the Bond songs, from crooner Matt Monro to pop star Madonna. So have a thing out of the many songs, which one do you like the most or do you think just epitomizes the Bond series?

Melancholia

18 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

2010's, Alexander Skarsgård, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Charlotte Rampling, Drama, John Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Kirsten Dunst, Lars Von Trier, Melancholia, Science Fiction, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier

Movie Title

Melancholia

Director

Lars Von Trier

Cast

  • Kirsten Dunst as Justine
  • Charlotte Gainsbourg as Claire
  • Kiefer Sutherland as John
  • Alexander Skarsgård as Michael
  • Stellan Skarsgård as Jack
  • Charlotte Rampling as Gaby
  • John Hurt as Dexter
  • Udo Kier as Wedding Planner

The Melancholia of the title refers to two things; a rogue planet that has been hiding behind the sun and is heading towards the Earth and the frequent bouts of depression that Justine, one of the main characters suffers from as the movie progresses. As with most of Von Trier’s films, this one will polarize viewers. People seem to either think of him as an artistic genius or violent sadist, there never seems to be a middle ground when it comes to people’s opinions on the controversial director. Although the film’s pace maybe too slow for some viewers tp watch, I personally enjoyed the film for many reasons that I will go into further detail in this review.

The plot revolves around young bride Justine on her wedding night and the events that follow on from it. At her lavish wedding to groom Michael and the ensuring reception organised by her sister , various incidents begin to take a detrimental effect on Justine.  Her mother and father bicker during the speeches, her mother tells her  “Enjoy it while it lasts” words that take on a bigger meaning and resonance as the film unravels. During these scenes, the up close camera work clearly captures the characters off guard, especially Justine whose face reveals hurt and pain as she tries to smile.  It also helps create a sense of confusion and isolation within her character. Her relationship with her sister Claire is explored and reveals a distant feeling between the two of them.  With all the feelings of melancholy beginning to engulf her, the rogue planet of the title begins to emerge ominously and seems destined to strike the Earth.

Split into two parts named after the sisters, the film explores the frail relationship between the two and how they react the impending planet.  I thought that each half was remarkably different, the first half is more slow-moving whereas the second half gains momentum and becomes more dramatic as it goes on to reach its climax. If there is one thing that kept me engaged when watching the film it was the performances, especially from Dunst, who I believe gives one of the best performances in her career. She is a revelation as Justine, giving an emotionally raw and bruised portrayal of a woman close to breaking point. Even when she isn’t speaking her intensity is felt, as her eyes reveal the deep sadness and emotional bruises inside her. In other word she is the embodiment of melancholy. Also giving a great performance is Gainsbourg, who returns for her second venture in a Von Trier movie after her harrowing role in the highly controversial and much discussed Antichrist. Even though she scolds her sister for her despondency, she is equally troubled and becomes highly strung as the thought of Melancholia begins to get to her. Sutherland does well in his role as Claire’s amateur astronomer husband who tries to convince her that there is nothing to worry about but fails. Also the cameos of Charlotte Rampling and John Hurt add to the acting honours, as well as Von Trier regular Udo Kier as an impatient and extremely surly wedding planner.Stellan Skarsgård and his son Alexander Skarsgård appear as Justine’s boss and her new husband in the first part of the film.

Aside from the acting, the stunning visuals are amazing to behold. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an apocalypse look so strangely and hauntingly beautiful before. Especially, the aesthetically and visually outstanding opening sequence, filmed in extreme slow motion to the strains of an epic Wagner score. The movie itself is full of so many bold symbolism and imagery that you will find it hard to forget them long after the credits have began to roll, they are that haunting. Although the film seems to follow some of the conventions of the sci-fi and disaster movie genre, it is essentially a drama about the depths of loneliness within a person and how it can take a hold over you and your whole existence.

As I have mentioned earlier, this is a film that will definitely divide opinion sharply down the middle. But if you are looking for a visually enthralling and well-acted hybrid between disaster movie and intense drama, Melancholia is a film that I would vocally advise you to give a look and judge for yourself.

Which director do you think brings out the best performances from actresses?

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by vinnieh in Movie opinions and thoughts

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Actresses, Directors, George Cukor

I’m enjoying writing this question posts as I have been getting really positive feedback from fellow  bloggers. So here is another one.I recently asked myself this question and wondered long and hard about it. From what I’ve read, George Cukor was a leading candidate for this as he was known as a women’s director. I’m sure there are many others out there. So have a think about which directors bring out the best of  the actresses that they work with.

What is your favourite movie with an ensemble cast?

07 Saturday Jul 2012

Posted by vinnieh in Movie opinions and thoughts

≈ 49 Comments

Tags

Ensemble, Movie cast, Robert Altman

Movies with ensemble casts tend to have a number of high profiled stars who each get as much screen time as each other. Robet Altman was one of the most acclaimed directors, who employed ensemble casts to flesh out various stories populated by characters whose lives intertwine in some way.  So have a think about your favourite movie featuring an ensemble cast? Is it an Altman film or something else by another director?  The photos below are examples of ensemble films but you can choose any ensemble film.                   

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012

Categories

  • 007 thoughts and reviews
  • Adventures of Satrap
  • Announcements
  • Awards and Achievements
  • Birthdays and Tributes
  • Blogging Community
  • Blogging Questions
  • Creepy
  • Gif Posts
  • Humour
  • Movie and Television Trivia
  • Movie opinions and thoughts
  • Movie Reviews
  • Music reviews and opinions
  • Photography Discussion
  • Rest In Peace
  • Sport
  • Television Opinions
  • Television Reviews
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
July 2012
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Jun   Aug »

Tags

007 1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's 2010's Action Adventure Announcement Based on a true story Bernard Lee Bette Davis Birthday Blogs You Should Follow Cate Blanchett Comedy Crime Desmond Llewelyn Disney Drama Fantasy Foreign Language Film Gillian Anderson Halle Berry Happy Birthday Horror James Bond Judi Dench Julianne Moore Julia Roberts Liebster Award Lois Maxwell Madonna Maggie Smith Matthew Fox Meryl Streep Music Musical Mystery Natalie Portman Neve Campbell Period Drama Psychological Horror Psychological Thriller Rest In Peace Romance Romantic Comedy Science Fiction Spy Supernatural Horror Thriller

Top Posts & Pages

Lyric Analysis - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Kylie Minogue: Where the Wild Roses Grow
The Nun's Story
Party of Five Season 5
The X-Files Season 9
Xena: Warrior Princess Season 4
The Babysitter
My Personal Ranking of the James Bond Movies
Moulin Rouge
Walkabout
Greenfingers
Follow vinnieh on WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • vinnieh
    • Join 3,769 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • vinnieh
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...