305 days, 305 films- The September Issue

Apr 5, 2010 by Sami

Film #9 The September Issue

Just because you like to put on a beautiful Carolina Herrera dress or a pair of J Brand blue jeans instead of something basic from K-Mart it doesn’t mean that you’re a dumb person- Anna Wintour

I didn’t know what to expect when I started watching The September Issue except that it will be over-saturated with fashion and that was good enough for me.  I watched it and it was indeed over saturated with fashion and that made me happy. If that was the end of it I would have been satisfied but it wasn’t. The September Issue is actually a good documentary. Any person would enjoy watching it but it’s an even bigger joy if you’ve heard of Anna Wintour and the power she holds in the fashion industry.

Besides pupils dilating due to the abundance of fabulous fashion there were some interesting things going on in The September Issue.  Like the use of the “silent treatment” the film makers inflicted on some of the interviewees. When confronted with silence, often times, people will keep on talking and eventually say something that they did not intend to say. Furthermore, the use of music to manipulate the audience’s moods is, at times, too obvious. That said, I would not say it was a bad move, necessarily.

There is a point of The September Issue where you get to experience a  glimpse of Anna’s true feelings. I think that she wishes her family would recognize her importance in the world she lives in. Her 3 siblings are heavily involved with non-profit organizations and they are “amused” by what Anna does for a living. I respect her for going for what she wanted, growing up, and not falling in the trap of following foot steps of her family. She is desperate to get her family’s appreciation but knows that she wouldn’t be happier doing anything else.

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305 days, 305 films-500 Days of Summer

Mar 10, 2010 by Sami

Film #7 5oo Days of Summer

I was unable to produce an entry for today so my dear friend @FrequentLee lent me a hand and agreed on me posting the below review for 500 Days of Summer that was originally posted on his great blog . I do highly recommend watching 500 Days if you haven’t done so yet.

SPOILERS

Because I really want to discuss this film. I can’t get the formatting to be pretty, so because a large “SPOILERS” sign is needed, we’re just all going to have to suffer. More you than me.

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to watch it, watch it. At worst, you’re out a few bucks and a little under 2 hours, with another view on relationships. At best, you get a deeper understanding of relationships and realize that all people suck. And not in the “happy ending” type of way. The “sad ending for you” type of way. Which is the opposite, and not really an optimal outcome.

I knew very little going into the film, other than that it severely changes the dynamic of relationships upon being watched. The Ring for relationships? If you watch that film, your relationship will die in 7 days? Well, nobody scary will crawl out of your TV, I guess. Unless you ALSO saw that video tape, in which case 1) you’re just plain screwed and 2) you had a very, very busy night and I sort of envy you. You know, minus the “the spectre of certain death looms heavily over you.” That, not so much.

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305 days, 305 films- He Loves Me He Loves Me Not (À la folie… pas du tout)

Mar 3, 2010 by Sami

Film #2 He Loves Me He Loves Me Not.

You see someone across the room that you really like and immediately start fantasizing about the kind of future you’ll have together. Maybe you’ll both leave the party at the same time and he’ll offer you a ride, after that, you’ll plan to go out for dinner together. Before you know it you’re going through the options of where to have your wedding and the names of your children. He Loves Me is exactly about that kind of fantasy…multiplied it by a hundred or so.

I have seen few of Audrey Tautou films and she is always a pleasure to watch. It wasn’t a surprise  when I  started watching this film and liked how well she portrays someone who is madly in love. Not sure if it’s the fact that she is French, a great actress or both but ever since Amelie I’ve always thought she easily tapped into my inner overly romantic soul.  He Loves Me is about the delusions we sink ourselves in due to our overly imaginative brain cells but still allows us to have a laugh because we’re looking at it from the outside in.

He Loves Me He Loves Me Not is available on Netlix and, to no doubt, your local video rental store.

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