Thoughts

1) Hi guys? Wassup blah blah blah, cutting right to the chase here- TILDA SWINTON JUST JOINED THE DOCTOR STRANGE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is the movie which has Benedict Cumberbatch playing the lead. This is already the most alien-looking cast of all time. Swinton is going to play, get this, a Tibetan mystic called the Ancient One who mentors Strange (is that his real name?). I mean, duh! Also, it seems that this character was male in the comic but like why would you cast some man when you can get Tilda? I knew there was a reason I loved MCU. Now all I really, really, *really* need is for Loki to somehow find his way into this film.

2) Video- I didn't get to watch this until today and I actually cried laughing. I am starting to really like Kit Harrington, the weirdo sketch dude, now.

Everyone is great in it but I especially loved Harrington, Leslie, Rheon and Clarke. And, man, does Peter Dinklage have charisma!

3) Trailers- The Crimson Peak trailer nearly killed me. This film is going to be so fucking awesome. And goodness gracious, Hiddles in THAT scene *fans herself*. The Point Break remake looks sooo meh. The main guy is even more expressionless than Keanu Reeves (who seriously works his expressionless-ness). Also, why anyone would remake Point Break when Hot Fuzz exists is beyond me. I got teary-eyed just watching Diary of a Teenage Girl. I just know that I will love it. The End of the Tour looks pretty good too. I haven't read any of David Foster Wallace's books but I aim to before watching the movie. Love the cast. Speaking of, I thought the Steve Jobs trailer was fairly decent and I don't know how but I missed the announcement that Kate Winslet is in it. It feels like forever since I've seen her in anything. Pan looks pretty. That's it, really. All I could think of during The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials trailer was how Aiden Gillen has transformed into Littlefinger and he seems to be that character in everything he does. But also, heyyyyy Dylan O'Brien! Missed you and your incredible arms #objectifyallmen. I am dying to watch Macbeth now and its clips are just fueling that fire. God, this movie is going to be amazeballs. Cooties looks hilarious. I generally don't like it when kids die in movies but hey, zombie children sound terrifying. The A Very Murray Christmas trailer has a lot of Bill Murray in it so that's, um, fair. Are you guys watching the Hannibal teasers? This is only one of them but I love all the happy music they're playing in them. I so can't wait for that show. Finally, Scream Queens kind of makes me think of Drop Dead Gorgeous and I love that. Emma Roberts can play such a great, posh bitch.

4) Finally, someone needs to release footage of the interactions between these two, in a non-creepy way of course-

And to put this into perspective-

Now I want both of them to make a movie together. Not just that, seeing how much Dolan hung out with Sienna Miller during the festival, I want him to meet Tom Sturridge (Miller's baby-daddy and my 16 year old-self's dream man) and put him in his movies because Sturridge is practically custom-made to be in them.

      Yes, this was random. I honestly didn't care for any other news items that much. Okay byeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Thoughts

This week's post has some really, seriously serious stuff and a lot of normal, dumb shit one expects from this blog. Enjoy, I guess.

1) So, last week was a pretty stressful week. Everyone knows by now what happened in Nepal. We felt the tremors of the original earthquake and many aftershocks later. That first tremor on the morning of the 25th was the strongest and longest tremor I have ever felt. It was almost funny at first- as my friend described it, it felt like we were surfing- but then it started to get scary. I live with my grandparents and at the time, it was only me, my grandmother and our maid in the apartment, which is on the 3rd floor of our elevator-less building. My grandma has a bad leg and at that point, everything I had ever read about what to do in an earthquake situation started going through my head. Thankfully, and I really mean that, nothing worse happened and we didn't have to take any measures. There was another rather strong tremor the next day and for about four days, I just permanently felt like I was at sea. Like every time I thought about tremors, I felt them. This is obviously nothing, rather minus nothing, compared to what the real victims of the Nepal earthquake went through. Watching the death toll rise every hour or so was terrifying too. It was just a strange feeling to have felt something, however slight, that caused so much destruction. I really don't want this to sound like I'm making this about me. Oh god, I hope I am not Hannah Horvath-ing this awful thing. I just really wanted to share this. It was something that I couldn't stop thinking about and I just wanted to put it in words.

2) That was the really, seriously serious stuff. Let's go revert back to what this blog is about. Harry Potter! Doctor Who! Ryan Gosling! Abs! MAN-BUTT! Okay, we're back.

3) I also gave the last of my college exams this week. So I am currently at that awkward not-an-undergraduate-not-really-a-graduate phase. I have some free time in my hands but I have to give a couple of entrance tests to qualify for post-graduate courses in May. Once I have selected a college, I will be living on my own for the first time in my life. I am really excited/anxious about that. And I will be learning film-making properly and I can start actually doing what I want to truly do in life (hopefully) :) Yeah, so that was an update about my life or whatever right now. How are YOU guys?

4) Xavier Dolan had announced that he's making The Death and Life of John F. Donovan with Jessica Chastain and Kit Harrington (who I have officially warmed up to) but before that, he's going to make Juste La Fin Du Monde or Only the End of the World which will star *cue drum-roll and fangirl screaming* Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux, Vincent Cassel, Gaspard Ulliel and Nathalie Baye. I am not that familiar with Baye's work but the other four- oh my gawd!!! Like not only am I a huge fan of their acting, but I swear I have had (or rather still do) crushes on all of them. I mean, holy shit, this film is going to look soooo beautiful! It's based on a play by Jean-Luc Lagarce about a dying writer who comes back to his family after 12 years (why is everything 12 years long now??) and I just know I am going to be destroyed by it but goddamn, I want it in my life! Dolan's only 26 and he's making friggin' 2 movies this year with certified stars and acting giants (and Harrington) and what the fuck is even my life?!

5) Obvious Child was one of my favourite films of last year and its director Gillian Robespierre is now making a show with its star Jenny Slate and Ari Graynor (who I have loved since Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist). Yayyyyy! It's been described as "two gutsy born-and-raised New Yorkers who discover each other in their 30s" and they then decide to go on a road trip after making a film together. I can't wait.

6) Speaking of comedic female duos, you guys must know about my crazy love for Broad City. Two of its writers, Lucia Aniello and Paul Downs (who plays the hilarious Trey on the show) are going to write an all-female spin-off of 21 Jump Street. I can only hope and pray that they get Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Wexler, aka my personal goddesses, to star as leads. As for the Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum characters, they are apparently going to be a part of the next Men In Black movie because this is some shared universe? Also, did you guys know that they're making another of those Dan Brown-Tom Hanks movies and it has Felicity Jones in it? I completely missed its announcement and I am baffled as to why it's even being made. Not even my undying love for Ewan McGregor could make me watch Angels and Demons.

7) Videos- I can't choose which form of objectification of the two Avengers' Chrises by Ellen DeGeneres on her show was better-

Okay, I can. It's Hemsworth (can you say life goal much?) but Evans is so cute!

8) Ava DuVernay got a Barbie doll made of her! That's soooo cool! Like, who even needs an Oscar when you have your own Barbie? This has actually become a life goal because I was OBSESSED with Barbies as a kid and I didn't even know this was a thing that was possible. Also, I really want the DuVernay Barbie but it's not in production and even if it was, it will never sell in India *sighs*.

9) Trailers- Legend looks fun and brutal and it has 2(!!) Tom Hardys. I also spotted Kingsman star Taron Egerton in it so I am definitely looking forward to it a lot. I forgot to post about the Black Mass trailer which also I liked. I can only hope that this is a return to form for Johnny Depp. I don't know about you guys but I think Irrational Man looks great. I adore both Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone and I like that both of their characters seem to be narrating. And now for something terrible- the Fifty Shades Darker teaser :X :X I mean, why?

10) Finally, as much as I like looking at Sam Heughan's ass, my true Outlander crush is Caitriona Balfe. Not only is she an amazing actress, she's absolutely stunning to look at. Some reviewer called her a brunette Cate Blanchett and I can see that. Can you?

Wowsers.

And that's it. Bye, guys. I am not Hannah Horvath!

Let's Get It Started- MY 30 MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2015

         I usually post this list on 1st January every year but due to exams etc., I wasn't able to. However, it is finally here! It was very hard to make it. I started with 20 movies in mind, then I did some research and the list expanded to 25 and today I looked at some more "most anticipated" lists and now this list contains 30 films. Well, technically 31. You'll see. 

        It was super weird to actually make this list because we've been talking about 2015 and all its big movies for AGES and now that it's here, it's just strange. My list has a few of the blockbusters but a lot of the smaller, indie directors that I have grown fond of in the last couple of years have their films coming out this year and I have more of those. I feel like Adam Driver is in all the films in this list (Year of Adam Driver?), followed by Alicia Vikander and Tom Hardy.

       I must also plug the upcoming Across the Universe Podcast episode where I list down what was my top 5 most anticipated 2015 films (the list is slightly altered now) along with Mette and Sofia. Keep your ears out for that one.

30.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (Dir: Guy Ritchie)

I have kicked out a lot of what might be much better movies to keep this on my list because, well, LOOK at these two men! And there's Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki who are also super hot (and Hugh Grant who used to be hot). It could be a lot of fun. I still really like the first Sherlock Holmes movie and I just rewatched Snatch and remembered the amazingness Ritchie is capable of. Here's hoping it's not another This Means War.

29.

Demolition (Dir: Jean-Marc Vallée)

Jake Gyllenhaal is in a lot of movies this year and though this is the only one making my list, I'm sure they will all be amazing seeing the track he's on. I haven't seen Wild yet but Vallée gets really good performances from his actors. I also like its story.

28.

Untitled Woody Allen Project

Seeing Woody's track record, this one should be good. I love the pairing of Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone and also that Woody is setting the film in America again. Please let this be a Blue Jasmine and not a To Rome with Love!

27.

Ant-Man (Dir: Peyton Reed)

This was my #1 most anticipated film of EVER when Edgar Wright was attached to it. He left but we do have a very interesting cast led by the adorable and now officially hot Paul Rudd, so I am still looking forward to it. Marvel does try to do different things within the superhero genre parameters and this one has been described as a heist movie and I am curious to see how they pull it off.

26.

The Revenant (Dir: Alejandro González Iñárritu)

As Michael Keaton said in his Golden Globe speech, every actor now wants to work with Iñárritu. So it was obviously really exciting to hear that he's teaming up with Leo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy next. The story is a kind of a revenge western and I can't wait to see what they all do.

25.

Silence (Dir: Martin Scorsese)

I love stories about religion and Scorsese has been trying to make this one for a long time. Though it also stars Liam Neeson and Adam Driver, I am most excited about Andrew Garfield because he hasn't had a chance to really act since The Social Network and he has so much potential which could be tapped into in a film like this. You go, Garfield!

24.

Tulip Fever (Dir: Justin Chadwick)

Honestly, the only reason I am so looking forward to this is Jack O'Connell. Pretty sure he doesn't even have a big role but that's who I'm here for. Although the story IS interesting and the rest of the cast, led by Dane DeHaan, Alicia Vikander and Christoph Waltz are also good so I'm not completely insane to include it here.

23.

Joy (Dir: David O'Russell)

Yes, American Hustle was a pain in the ass but I can't forget how much I loved Silver Linings Playbook and the awesomeness of JLaw and O'Russell coming together. This is quite a zany subject for a biopic (it's about the creator of something called the Miracle Mop?) and I feel that both the film and JLaw will do a really good job.

22.

Magic Mike XXL (Dir: Gregory Jacobs)

I adore Magic Mike and though I never imagined it having a sequel, I am totally OK with one, or twenty tbh as long as these gorgeous men keep stripping :P I'm curious to see how this one will fare without Soderbergh however.

21.

Money Monster (Dir: Jodie Foster)

Hello again, Jack. I didn't even know this film existed or that he's now working with Hollywood heavyweights like Julia Roberts and George Clooney, but yayy! It seems like an interesting story and I'm pretty sue Jack (and everyone else) will be up to the task. I'm also excited to see what Foster does.

20.

Untitled Cameron Crowe Project

Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray etc. etc- this film has an amazing cast and Crowe is capable of greatness and I am basically pumped!

19.

Life (Dir: Anton Corbijn)

Corbijn made one of the most stunning and heartbreaking biopics that I have ever seen, Control, and now he's making one again about another tragic, young talent- James Dean. I still don't understand how a film that stars Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan has the latter starring as Dean and not the former but I'm going to put my trust in Corbijn.

18.

Mad Max: Fury Road (Dir: George Miller)

This film is on my list solely on the basis of its trailers. I honestly prefer watching its trailers to watching entire films, they are *that* spectacular. I hope the film delivers on the promise.

17.

Bombay Velvet (Dir: Anurag Kashyap)

This is the only Bollywood film in my list and it had to be here because of the director and the talent involved. Though I have only seen 3 of Kashyap's films, I am already a fan and this is the starriest movie of his so far, so I am intrigued to say the least. Both Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma can actually act, and that too really well, and I like that they're taking a chance with an offbeat director like Kashyap.

16.

Frankenstein (Dir: Paul McGuigan)

Daniel Radcliffe as Igor? James McAvoy as Frankenstein? The writer of Chronicle and the director of Lucky Number Slevin and Sherlock's "A Scandal in Belgravia"? And all of this in one film? What is this awesomosity and when can I watch it?!

15.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Dir: J.J. Abrams)

I like how little we know about this film and how much potential it has in all our eyes. The new cast is diverse and exciting. Abrams at least can make fun movies. And the teaser was awesome! I'm in.

14.

Tomorrowland (Dir: Brad Bird)

I have infinite faith in Bird because I have loved all his films so far and though this ones seems a bit risky, I think he can pull it off. Also, Britt Robertson is adorbs.

13.

High Rise (Dir: Ben Wheatley)

I am so intrigued by the plot. It's like a dystopia in a building, which kind of reminds me of Snowpiercer, which is obviously a good thing. Plus the whole cast is amazeballs and it is led by the brilliant Tom Hiddleston. Cannot effing wait.

12.

The Lobster (Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos)

Lanthimos previous two features, Dogtooth and Alps, were thought-provoking and unforgettable works of art. This is his English language debut and this story is equally tantalizing, as is the cast he has rounded up which includes Colin Farrell, Ben Whishaw, Rachel Weisz and John C. Reilly.

11.

Midnight Special (Dir: Jeff Nichols)

I really liked Take Shelter and Mud broke my heart. So I was on board with anything Nichols made next. Then came the news that it will star Kirsten Dunst, Nichols regular- Michael Shannon, and Joel Edgerton and that it has a sci-fi angle and I got really excited. I think this film will be great.

10.

Sicario (Dir: Denis Villeneuve)

After Prisoners and Enemy, I can watch a washing powder commercial directed by Villeneuve. Lucky for me, his next project is slightly more interesting than that. It's about a CIA agent who is pushed to her ethical and moral limits on a job across the borders. Also it stars Full Metal Bitch herself, Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. I love Blunt and am super stoked to see what she does in this film.

9.

Crimson Peak (Dir: Guillermo Del Toro)

Del Toro is returning to his horror roots with this film that has a very exciting cast- Hiddles, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Charlie Hunnam. I love that Hiddles is playing a creepy charmer and the whole ol' timey horror feel of this film. If it is even 1/20th as good as The Devil's Backbone, it will be worth the price of the cinema ticket.

8.

Inside Out (Dir: Pete Docter)

My love for Pixar has been well-documented on this blog. Unless it is a movie about cars, I am here for any and every thing Pixar does, and ever since I heard about the concept behind Inside Out, I have been really curious to see how they tackle it. Plus I love the fact that Amy Poehler is in a Pixar film. Dawwwwwww.

7.

Spectre (Dir: Sam Mendes)

I loved the hell out of Skyfall and when it was announced that Mendes is returning for the next Bond too, I couldn't wait! This is set in a post-Skyfall world with (spoilers) a new M and it will be interesting how the new dynamic between Ralph Fiennes' M and Daniel Craig's Bond will develop. Also, it has Lea Seydoux, Monica Bellucci and (yawn) Christoph Waltz, who plays the villain (double yawn). As excited as I am for this film, I still wish they had the balls to make someone like Seydoux the villain. Still, Bond is Bond and we always want more of him.

6.

Macbeth (Dir: Justin Kurzel)

Fassy as Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth are two of my most favourite casting decisions of all time. These are such meaty roles for actors like them, who have immeasurable talent, and I am sure that they will find new things to explore and portray in something as well-known as the "Scottish play". Plus, the film is said to be really dark and gritty and I am so ready to experience all of that.

5.

The Death and Life of John. F. Donovan (Dir: Xavier Dolan)

Dolan is my new film god and he can do no wrong in my eyes. So obviously,  I was pumped for his English language debut. Then he went and Twitter-flirted with Jessica Chastain and got her to star in what has been described as a Miranda Priestley-ish role in his film about the film business and I got even more excited. However, he then cast Kit "Stupidface" Harrington and the film slipped a couple of places in this list. Still, I think if anyone can maybe make me hate Harrington's face less, it is Dolan and also, I have tried imagining what Chastain will be like in this film and it has given me goosebumps.

4.

Carol (Dir: Todd Field)

This film was in my most anticipated list last year and it is here again because I really cannot fucking wait for this film. I think it will be wonderful.

3.

Mistress America and While We're Young (Dir: Noah Baumbach)

I've tagged them both here together because while for some, While We're Young is a 2014 film, it will only come out here this year, and then there is Mistress America which is also supposed to release in 2015. I have heard great things about the former and the latter reunites the lovely Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach after the delightful Frances Ha, which I loved to bits, so it automatically becomes a must-watch for me.

2.

The Hateful Eight (Dir: Quentin Tarantino)

I don't need to explain this one, right?

1.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (Dir: Joss Whedon)

If you weren't expecting this as my most anticipated film of 2015, you really don't know me. Hello, I am Nikhat and I FREAKING LURVEEEEEEEEEEE THE AVENGERS!! Okay? Okay. 

I have honestly been waiting for this film ever since I saw The Avengers and my excitement has only increased exponentially since then. Still, I am not hoping for it to be better than The Avengers or something equally futile like that- I just need it to be really good. I have become a Whedon fan post-Buffy and I really think he can pull something like this off. Also, James Spader's Ultron sounds terrifying and good supervillains are literally the best.

Are you excited about any of these? What are your most anticipated 2015 releases?

KIFF- Day 7

       KIFF 2014 is now over. The last day was interesting. I went for the super expensive screening of John Wick first thing in the morning and then followed it with film festival movies. I saw one of the best films of the festival today too. It was so good that my friends and I took the collective decision to skip our last planned film so as to not ruin our moods in any way.


Day 7:
1) Elephant Song (Charles Biname, 2014)- After yesterday's Mommy we chose to watch a film that starred Xavier Dolan. I s'pose Dolan is the king of this fest. He was really good in this. I thought the film was okay overall. It was trying to be too clever at times and I felt like I had seen the story somewhere before.

2) Whiplash (Damien Chazelle, 2014)- Holy moly, you guys! This was the last of the holy trinity that I HAD to watch in the film fesitval and like 2001 and Mommy I was right to anticipate it so much. I had read about how its final act is incredible but never ever ever ever ever did I see that last scene coming. I still feel completely shaken up, but in a good way, by it. People clapped many times, even at really wrong moments, but gosh this film leaves you at a high. I have loved the use of music in many of the films this year but I really think Whiplash takes the cake. Like woahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Also, I need drumming lessons like RIGHT NOW!!

Total no. of films watched = 17

Total no. of films walked out of- 5

Best film watched- Mommy

Worst film watched- Geronimo

Best cinematic experience- 2001: A Space Odyssey and Mommy

             I hope you guys liked this mini series of posts. I don't know when I'll get to attend a film festival next, or where, but I hope to do something like this again. Check out the rest of my KIFF experience here.

KIFF- Days 4, 5 and 6

        Yeah I was tired and I didn't feel like typing. Days 4-6 of KIFF were good enough with two highlights. I saw Interstellar and The Guest in between too. One I liked, one I really liked- guess which is which? I also walked out one screening but that doesn't count because they were playing a different movie than the one I had intended to watch and I barely sat for like half a minute.


Day 4:
1) Kaafiron ki Namaz (Ram Ramesh Sharma, 2013)- This movie belongs on a stage. So theatrical and wordy. It was like the worst of humanity gathered for a pointless discussion that was nevertheless fascinating. Sometimes it was too much to handle but it was also acerbically hilarious. The songs in it were kinda awful though.

2) Nymphomaniac vol. 1(Lars von Trier, 2014)- I kind of love this film. I don't know what kind of pervert that makes me but it is what it is. Most of all, I love its humour. We saw this in the biggest theatre and just like in Blue is the Warmest Colour, an audience that is otherwise more than ready to break out into fights watched all the sex scenes with complete silence and an almost reverence. It was hilarious to see some people shift in their seats in certain scenes. Btw, this was the "uncensored" director's cut and I'm super glad we didn't go for vol. 2 because we've heard some horror stories about what happens in that. LVT is a wackjob.


Day 5:
1) Refugiado (Diego Lerman, 2014)- This was a nice movie. It's about a kid and his mother who are on the run from his abusive father. It is a real human drama and it's filmed like that. There's no sentimentality but there is a gentleness about the characters which I really liked. The kid was v. good.

2) Omar (Hany Abu Assad, 2013)- I thought it was an excellent film. I thought I had it figured out but I was constantly surprised by it. Also, I am in love with it's lead actor now. Adam Bakri is fucking gorgeous and he was really, really, REALLY good! My friend and I were totally fawning over him the entire time. I don't understand how he can like walk anywhere without people trying to kiss him all the time. This was also one of the funniest/most annoying experiences as far as audiences go. The first 10 minutes people was just hurling hilarious insults at each other across the hall.

3) Two Faces of January (Hossein Amini, 2014)- It was okay. It certainly looked v. pretty and I was attracted to both Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Isaac at different points in the movie. But I don't understand anyone who's comparing it to The Talented Mr. Ripley except in the looks department. It was almost too straightforward if that's a thing, like annoyingly so. It lacked any complexity whatsoever and Ripley is complex as fuck.


Day 6:
1) Dr. Strangelove (Stanley Kubrick, 1964)- I think I first saw this film 6 years ago and I hadn't rewatched it since. I forgot just how great its satire is. Also, I don't think I had recognized George C. Scott's brilliance in this the first time 'round. Peter Sellers is obviously to die for as always. I did remember its ending clearly and god, I love it! Most of my friends went to watch some movie about a dog instead but I much prefer nuclear war and violence in the name of peace to that :)

2) Mommy (Xavier Dolan, 2014)- This was the movie I had shrieked so loudly about when I found out it is screening in the film festival, that I woke my grandma up in a fright. So yeah, it was kinda my #1 movie to watch in the fest and holy shit, it did not disappoint. Like I am so glad I watched it on a big screen because a movie THIS big needed that. I can't call it a perfect film mostly because it's more of a living, breathing, dynamic force than a film. It was so intense that after it got over, my friends and I barely spoke a word to each other and just sat silently throughout our bus journey. I felt like every emotion at the end and I didn't/still don't know how to fully react to it. Speaking in technical terms, it was fucking stunning to begin with. There is this thing that happens with its aspect ratio that made me go "Oh fuck" out loud. It's still giving me shivers thinking about it. The soundtrack is freaking perfect. The performances were out of this world. It's a blshame that Anne Dorval will almost definitely be overlooked during awards season. She's SOOOOO GOOD!!! And I don't know where Dolan found Antoine-Olivier Pilon but that kid has one of the most beautiful and cinematic faces ever. I could keep looking at it, at him, all day long, especially through Dolan's lense. Dolan himself continues to baffle me with his talent. How the fuck is a 25 year old this good? I have loved all 5 of his films and I can't wait for what he does next.


          We were supposed to watch Clouds of Sils Maria but there was a huge line + it was screening way past its allotted time + we were too full of Mommy emotions and so we skipped it.

          Tomorrow is the last day of the festival. Whiplash is another biggy that I hope to catch. I'm also going to go watch John Wick 'cuz why not. 

Thoughts

Hello nice people who still read this blog even though I do nothing on it. How are you all? How is your day going? I hope your day goes well and everything is awesome and blah. My day, in case you're wondering, is not going that great. Firstly, I had this awful dream about lizards attacking me and I woke up pretty early because of that. Secondly, I have to go to the doctor's pretty soon because in spite of being Indian, I think I'm allergic to the Indian weather. Speaking of, the weather here is terrible right now. It's like summer came back all over again, and I don't like summer. I like winter. For one thing, my like perennial cold actually makes sense then. For another, I have this really adorbs woolen sweater with reindeer on it and I unfortunately only get to wear it then. Thirdly, my results come out today and I'm properly super nervous about them. We found out about it yesterday. I have little-to-no memory of giving my exams because I was so sleep-deprived throughout but I do remember not being particularly ecstatic about any of them, so that's not great. Lastly, I don't know how my day will end because of the results bit and that's also stressing me out. Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Anyways, now that that's out if my system, let's get back to the world of cinema which is a world all of us care about unlike my stupid life and my stupid day.

Note: There's no way in hell I remember all the movie news announced in the last four months, since my last Thoughts post, and I'm not going to go through websites looking for them either.

1) SARAH POLLEY IS MAKING LOOKING FOR ALASKA!! I know that this is old news but I'm still very excited about it and I needed to acknowledge that on my blog. I know I have only seen one Polley movie, which is Stories We Tell, but god, it's one of the best movies I have ever seen and Looking for Alaska is one of the best books that I've ever read and it's SO fucking amazeballs that both of these are coming together. Even when I first read LFA, I had wanted a female director to make its movie because I just had a gut feeling that they'll do justice to it better than a male director can (See also: The Virgin Suicides, American Psycho) and yaay Polley is fantastic. I need this film in my life already.

2) In related news, the Paper Towns movie is also being made and they've cast Cara Delevingne as Margo Roth Spiegelman. This is pretty great news. I love Delevingne's look and energy. She was apparently the best part about The Face of an Angel, which showed at TIFF. My 13 year old brother is in love with her and one can understand why a character like Q, who is the protagonist of the story and will be played by the adorable Nat Wolff, will fall for someone like her. I already prefer this casting to that of The Fault in Our Stars because I still hate Ansel Elgort's face. The film will come out next year and will be directed by Jake Schreier who made Robot and Frank (which I have not seen. How is it??).

3) Matt Smith has been cast as Mr. Collins in the upcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I find this very odd. I always saw him as a Bingley. Mr. Collins is a clown and not in a good way. Still, I'm happy to see Smith in anything. The film also stars Lily James (Smith's current girlfriend btw), Sam Riley, Douglas Booth, Jack Huston and Bella Heathcote.

4) Fincher news- All of the Fincher stuff getting released nowadays is so interesting. From the fact that he cast Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne in Gone Girl because of his creepy smile to his new projects which include an HBO series he is developing with James Ellroy about the corrupt studio system in the 50s, which will be in the style of the classic film noir, and a TV series about 80s music video industry!! Is anyone else having major "Vogue" flashbacks? He also said that the sequels to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo may still get made which is something I kind of need in my life. Finally, did everyone watch and love his adverts for GAP? Fincher seriously needs to make a black and white movie already.

5) Jessica Chastain will star in Xavier Dolan's next film, which is also his English language debut, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan. It's a satire of the gossip magazine business and Chastain is playing the antagonist, which is going to be delicious. Can you imagine how Dolan is going to dress her? *swoons* This is amazing news and I love the fact that all this sort of originated from a flirty Twitter convo between the two cinema geniuses (which is what they are).

6) Other casting news- Daniel Radcliffe's movie about the Brooklyn Bridge called *obviously* The Brooklyn Bridge now also has Brie Larson and Sir Ben Kingsley. Yaay! Love the idea of DanRad and Larson starring in a film together, although isn't she taller than him? There is going to be a Ben-Hur remake and I'm kind of okay with that because it will star Jack Huston and I love Jack Huston. It will also star Morgan Freeman and is being written by John Riley who wrote 12 Years A Slave.

7) Trailers- I just saw the trailer of Big Eyes. I like the look but I absolutely hate the song. Why would someone like Tim Burton use that song? I don't understand. A Most Violent Year looks pretty intriguing. I love the shot of Chastain at the end. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1 trailer is also out. I'm just too excited about Natalie Dormer being in this tbh.

8) Finally, it's almost time for the results so I'm just going to stop here and leave you with this beautiful man and his beautiful scruff-

Bye.

Thoughts

Hello all. I'm back in India and in exam mode. I would skip this post but too much has happened in the world of cinema and etc.

1) So Edgar Wright isn't making Ant-Man anymore because Marvel is officially gone crazy. I knew the "films planned till 2028" was a sign of bad things to come. This especially sucks because Wright has been involved since phase 1 of MCU but due to creative differences, he won't be directing it. Joss Whedon tweeted this in support-

Apparently, things aren't great with him too and I've read in a few sites about how he won't return after The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Just when I thought Marvel will experiment with other unique filmmakers too, it goes and shits over everything. I still love the cast of Ant-Man, IF they remain, and so I will watch it but I am v. v. v. sad about Wright leaving. Ant-Man was my most anticipated film of next year but though it will still release on the same day, I don't care about it half as much.

2) Cannes '14 just wrapped up. You can go to a million film sites and read all about it. All I have to write about is firstly, how Lost River apparently is as bad as I thought it would be. However, if I was being honest, this is all I was thinking of. Like seriously, I spent a day just looking at videos and pictures of the Gos's magnificent return to Cannes. HOW is anyone that sexy? It blows my mind. Anyways, back to the movie stuff or whatever, I am actually very happy about Xavier Dolan winning the Jury Prize (along with Jean-Luc Godard of all the cinematic legends) for Mommy. It's officially become one of my most anticipated films of this year. Other films I am excited to check out are Foxcatcher, Mr. Turner, Maps to the Stars, Two Days, One Night, Lost River (I still *have* to see it), The Wonders, How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Clouds of Sils Maria.

3) I don't know where my brain has been lately but there are a number of awesome-sounding films that are in production and I know NOTHING about them. First, there's Trainwreck, the new Judd Apatow film. Okay, I'm not the world's biggest Apatow fan so I can understand why I overlooked it but HOLY SHIT, it has an amazing cast! Brie Larson, Tilda Swinton, Ezra Miller (!!!), Bill Hader, Amy Schumer and Vanessa Bayer. Woah! Also Tilda and Ezra back in a movie together! Then there is Tulip Fever which has Dane DeHaan, Jack O'Connell, Christoph Waltz, Zach Galifianakis and Alicia Vikander. It is romance set in 17th century and it's all about tulips and art, all of which sounds pretty and obviously it will be pretty because it has DeHaan, O'Connell and Vikander. Galifianakis is also tied to three other really exciting sounding projects- Richard Linklater's Larry Kidney, which will also star Will Ferrel, Michel Hazanavicius' Will, which might have Paul Rudd also, and Jared Hess' Loomis Fargo along with Owen Wilson and Kristen Wiig. Woah again! Linklater is one of the most exciting filmmakers EVER, and though Hazanavicius' The Search didn't get very good reviews from Cannes, his return to what I think is a comedy, (the story is about a man whose life changes when his "author" in Heaven quits) is good news. As for Hess' film, it's based on a true story about one of the biggest heists in American history and all you or I really need to care about is that it will have Wiig's character using her "feminine wiles" to lure these other characters into thieving and THAT. SOUNDS. AMAZEBALLS. Luca Guidagnino's last movie I Am Love was stunning and his next one, which is apparently a "sexy thriller", will also star Tilda Swinton along with Margot Robbie, Ralph Fiennes and Matthias Schoenaerts. There are all these movies too, most of which sound pretty good but I don't have the energy to write about them.

4) Other casting news- Michael Shannon has joined the lesbian drama Freeheld which also stars Ellen Page and Julianne Moore. That's one powerful trio, right there. Emma Stone might just become Woody Allen's new muse (YAAAAAAYYYY!!!) as she's going to star in his next film with Joaquin Phoenix also. Ben Wheatley's next, High Rise, which already has Tom Hiddleston and is therefore highly anticipated, will now also boast of Jeremy Irons and Sienna Miller among its cast members. I really like both of them and the project keeps sounding more and more exciting. The second collaboration between Jonathan Levine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, after their adorable and touching 50/50, has a new addition to it in the form of Anthony Mackie. I approve of this. The Helen Mirren movie about a Holocaust survivor fighting to retrieve lost Klimt paintings called The Woman in Gold will now also star Tatiana Maslany who will play Mirren's character's younger self. You all have probably read this in a lot of places already but let me do my bit- Maslany is one of the best actresses out there right now and deserves to be a major star. She's amazing and I love her and those who don't watch Orphan Black should. Finally, Benedict Cumberbatch has replaced Guy Pearce in the Johnny Depp-Joel Edgerton gangster flick Black Mass, and it will also star Adam Scott. The biggest thing about this casting news is that I am officially more excited about Cumberbatch and Scott being in a movie together than the fact that it has Depp. #timeschange

5) Since I have already bitched about Marvel, let me spread the love around and also talk about DC. The new Superman-Batman movie is going to be called Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. BAHAHAHAHHAAHAHA WHAT?!! What's with the V? I do not get it. At all. My favourite tweet about this title was this:

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: LAWN OF JUSTICE pic.twitter.com/HCHZM4SuX3
— Ali Arikan (@aliarikan) May 21, 2014

6) Lars von Trier wants to make an action movie next. I don't even know. I have been trying to imagine what it would be like but I'm failing completely, which is fine because even if I come up with some concept, I have fully believe that LvT will totally upend it and do something else entirely which is part of his charm *hehe*. He's also writing a horror movie set in Detroit for Kristian Levring. LvT has already made one of the most terrifying movies I have ever seen, Antichrist, which is a movie I never, ever, ever want to rewatch, ever. I would honestly rather eat my own leg than watch it again. According to Levring though, this new one called Detroit, will have more classic American horror elements than whatever the fuck LvT does. Let's see how both of these pan out.

7) The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trilogy might have found their director already. Reports say that Warner Bros are asking OSCAR-WINNER Alfonso Cuarón (the caps bring me joy, okay?) to direct the three films based on the Harry Potter companion book of the same name. Cuarón is responsible for one of the most celebrated installments in the Harry Potter franchise, Prizoner of Azkaban and is certainly the filmmaker who set the path for the kind of direction the films then took. I will be incredibly happy if this comes to pass. They still haven't cast the films yet but hopefully they will do so soon.

8) I recently stumbled upon this video of Jennifer Aniston's opening SNL monologue in the 90s which is all about Fight Club because she was dating Brad Pitt at the time. It's super strange. Also, it is hard to believe that Fight Club was so topical at a point of time that Jennifer Aniston, of all people (I mean, she's still spoken of in relation to a type of hairstyle :/), did a skit on it.

9) Posters and pictures- Everyone has freaked out about the Fassy-Cotillard (but mostly Fassy) Macbeth posters, yes? Good. This link has all the new pictures, first clip and the poster of the Daniel Radcliffe-Zoe Kazan starrer What If? This film will give me diabetes. Also the first official images of the majorly awaited Todd Haynes' Carol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as a lesbian couple on the run in the 1950s have arrived. This film will rock!

10) Trailers- Let's get television out of the way. The Doctor Who series 8 teaser is totally pointless but I need this show in my life already. I have missed you, TARDIS. Speaking of Doctor Who, Karen Gillan's new TV show Selfie, which is based on Pygmalion looks really silly but really cute at the same time, especially Gillan. I laugh at the Gwyneth Paltrow and Lady Gaga jokes every time. The trailer of the last season of True Blood doesn't feature Eric AT ALL! Whyyyyyyy?!! Also, sue me but Flash looks adorable! The guy is so cute. Can't wait :D And Gotham doesn't look too terrible either. Coming to movies, I guess this puts me in the minority but I wasn't too buzzed about the Interstellar trailer except perhaps the last bit in the space. I am obviously dying to see the movie and I do love everyone in it (in other words, put down your pitchforks, internet) but just the trailer itself isn't as awesome as I expected it to be. The Clouds of Sils Maria trailer looks interesting enough but it is really the actresses that are drawing all the attention. I can't help but think that Moretz was born to play roles like this. I haven't seen Drinking Buddies yet but I still think that I will love Happy Christmas, if not for anything else other than Anna Kendrick. I love her. The Life of Crime trailer reminded me just how much I need a Jackie Brown rewatch. I'm most excited about Isla Fisher in this, 'cuz she's ab fab. Disney's Big Hero 6 looks like the cutest thing ever, AND it's a superhero movie too! Yaay! It could very easily be awful but The Riot Club looks exactly like the kind of movie I will eat up, at least for now. I mean, rich, hot, spoilt, British boys doing bad things *swoons*. As I wrote above, no matter how it is, I will be watching Lost River when it comes out. Its teaser is incredibly strange but Matt Smith saying "Look at my muscles" over and over again does win it some points because duh. I don't know about you all, but I have liked/loved all the films that Matthew Vaughn has made so far and Kingsman: The Secret Service looks like it will continue that tradition. Colin Firth looks dapper as fuck. Ditto for his role in Magic in the Moonlight, the trailer of which is also out. I think it looks absolutely charming. Could Emma Stone be any cuter? Finally, my favourite trailer since the last thoughts post and a strong candidate for my favourite trailer of the year is that of Guardians of the Galaxy. I have watched it some 57 times and I love it to bits. So funny, so entertaining and it really gives nothing away. I love the music, I love that it features a space raccoon tugging at its own crotch and *obviously* Chris Pratt is my new dream man. I'm hooked (on a feeling)!

11) And last but not the least, you all totally expected me to post these, right?

I mean, I had to. Just look at the man.

My reaction to all this, btw-

:'( Byeeee.