I totally forgot to freak out about this...

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           I love Tarantino's confidence in how the film can sell just based on his name. And it is true. The official synopsis of the film has been released-

           Set in the South two years before the Civil War, DJANGO UNCHAINED stars Academy Award®-winner Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave whose brutal history with his former owners lands him face-to-face with German-born bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Academy Award®-winner Christoph Waltz).

           Schultz is on the trail of the murderous Brittle brothers, and only Django can lead him to his bounty. The unorthodox Schultz acquires Django with a promise to free him upon the capture of the Brittles - dead or alive. Success leads Schultz to free Django, though the two men choose not to go their separate ways. Instead, Schultz seeks out the South’s most wanted criminals with Django by his side. Honing vital hunting skills, Django remains focused on one goal: finding and rescuing Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), the wife he lost to the slave trade long ago.

          Django and Schultz’s search ultimately leads them to Calvin Candie (Academy Award®-nominee Leonardo DiCaprio), the proprietor of “Candyland,” an infamous plantation where slaves are groomed by trainer Ace Woody (Kurt Russell) to battle each other for sport. Exploring the compound under false pretenses, Django and Schultz arouse the suspicion of Stephen (Academy Award®-nominee Samuel L. Jackson), Candie’s trusted house slave. Their moves are marked, and a treacherous organization closes in on them. If Django and Schultz are to escape with Broomhilda, they must choose between independence and solidarity, between sacrifice and survival…

           Written and directed by Academy Award®-winner Quentin Tarantino, DJANGO UNCHAINED is produced by Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin and Pilar Savone. The executive producers are Harvey and Bob Weinstein, Michael Shamberg, Shannon McIntosh, and James Skotchdopole. DJANGO UNCHAINED will be released in the U.S. on December 25, 2012, and internationally by Sony Pictures.


           First of all- BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER! The world better not end before this. Secondly, I was watching the old THR director's roundtable videos, and came across this, in which QT says that he'll stop directing at 60, and even earlier if films turn digital. I sure do hope and pray he reconsiders this. The man's a genius and even his bad films are fun. He may very well be the guy who finally gets Leo Di Caprio his Oscar. He just cannot stop making his absolutely brilliant and awesome films!

            QUENTIN TARANTINO FAN FOREVERRRRR!!!

Thoughts

          I'm going back to India tomorrow. Have to reemerge myself into college hunting. Hurrah! Not. The packing and shite made me late. Apologies.


1) Many films have released photos this week. First we have the new James Bond flick, Skyfall. Daniel Craig is at his broody best here. I'm excited about Ralph Fiennes and the whole film will be made for me if he out-Judi Dench-s Judy Dench. Also how much does his shot remind you of this one? 'Arry Waters forever! Then there are The Dark Knight Rises pictures. I like Anne Hathaway as Catwoman till now, and I like how pop art-esque this picture is. Finally there are Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom picitures. I'm already in love with this film. It's so beautiful to look at- that last picture is now my desktop background.


2) Speaking of beautiful-looking films, which 2012 releases do you think will join the list of The Tree of Life and Melancholia etc. from last year? There are the two (?) Terrence Malick films and Moonrise Kingdom for sure. Then just the thought of how Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity can possibly look like gives me the chills. Ang Lee's Life of Pi will most probably have a very interesting look, since it is essentially just on a lifeboat. The Hobbit will look awesome, no doubt. Prometheus has a very dark and cool look. Any other that I am forgetting?


3) Apparently in the Untitled Terrence Malick project with Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams, Jessica Chastain has totally been cut out. Haw. I am appalled! She is the personification grace, after all. Also I don't like Ben Affleck.


4) I watched my first Ingmar Bergman film yesterday! Wild Strawberries, which is just beautiful. I actually had a meaningful dream last night after that. I am definitely going to watch more of his films. I crossed the 100 new-to-me films mark for this year too. I hope I can reach the 300 films mark by the end of this year. It will be a bit more difficult in India now. And I absolutely have to start Satyajit Ray's and Werner Herzog's filmographies (little hesitant about the latter).


5) Anyone who reads this blog and watches Bollywood films, I want to ask a question that has been plaguing me for a while now. Is this the worst era of Bollywood? I think so, but in all honesty I barely watch Bollywood films anymore and so I know I am missing on the better ones. Therefore I don't want to sound presumptuous or condescending without knowing any facts.


6) Everyone see this NOW!! Best thing ever. I don't want to post any other trailers.


7) Okay no. There is the Brave featurette in which Princess Merida introduces herself. I love her. I love her hair. I want to marry her hair. Okay I'll stop now. And there is the Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis timey-wimey-wibbly-wobbly (quick Doctor Who reference for you) film Looper, in which JGL is a total badass. I like it. It has the adorable Emily Blunt too.


8) Finally, just after the announcement of Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly, these photos of Charlize Theron, for British Vogue magazine came out- 

Speaking of me wanting to marry things...

I need to watch Monster. Young Adult has totally turned me around.

"It's being aware of what it means to lose oneself, before being completely abandoned."

             When Black Swan came out a couple of years back, there were a number of films whose names were thrown about a lot as the inspiration behind it. One of which was Michael Haneke's The Piano Teacher. I had heard about how intense and crazy it was and after watching Funny Games, I was a bit hesitant to watch this. But it is a film that has completely won me over.

              Erika Kohut is a piano teacher in her late thirties or early forties who still lives with her overbearing mother. They even sleep on the same bed. So constrained in life, Erika seeks out pleasure in quite unconventional and eyebrow-raising ways, especially for a woman. Her sexual repression seemingly finds an outlet when a handsome young student, Walter Klemmer, starts fancying her. But her desperate desires are too much for anyone to handle, including herself, and soon things get ugly.

            The Black Swan connection for this film is that of a professional artist who lives life under immense control only to find herself being driven mad by it. While Black Swan shows this in melodramatic and surreal ways, The Piano Teacher is real and quite despondent. As intense a film as it was, and though there were some scenes in it which made me very uncomfortable, at the end of it all I could feel was extreme sympathy for this miserable woman.

              The biggest reason of course why I felt so much for her was the incredible performance by Isabelle Huppert. The whole film is practically driven by just her face. There are entire scenes only focusing on her expressions- they don't seem to change, still they tell everything. It is fascinating. The restraint, the madness, the aloofness, the despair are all apparent on her face, though I wouldn't be able to tell the difference if they were singular shots. For example the scene where Walter tries out for her piano class and plays one of her favourite composers Schubert, the camera is pointed only at her and we can feel how the controlled indifference turns into plain agony for her, as she is so swept away by it. Yet to someone who would have casually glanced at her, they would not have noticed a thing. But on the flipside of it, there are many scenes showing the deviated things she does and in them she is completely emotionless, which scares us and also makes us think what could have possibly impelled someone to do such things.

            The other two primary cast members are Benoît Magimel, who plays Walter and Annie Girardot, who plays Erika's mother. Walter at first seems like just another cocky kid who thinks it will be cool to date an older female, but the change in his character due to Erika's ludicrous demands is shocking and makes him unique. Magimel does an excellent job of showing both the lightness and the darkness of his character. Girardot as the Mother has gone on to join my list of mothers-from-hell alongside the likes of Margaret White. Erika has some unspeakable history with her. Her mother constantly rebukes her and both of them keep hurting each other, physically and mentally, but still they stay together, though it's not love that is keeping them together; one cannot help but think it is something sinister instead. Girardot too is very good. 

            Apart from the cast, the other reason why this film amazed me the way it did was because it felt so authentic. Not in a way that everyone is sexually perverted and has kinky wishes, but that there is a true possibility of someone sitting next to me, who I think is normal, may very well be into questionable stuff. It almost doesn't feel like a film, but a true insight into a very desperate and sick person's life. What made me realise this was one little thing- when Erika starts keeping her hair open after her first tryst with Walter. I mean yes she has a plethora of very serious problems, but it is the most basic of things any woman would do when she wants to be admired. I thought a touch of something like that was truly incredulous. Then there is the way Walter first follows her, trying to be charming, and it made me think that it could have been an absolutely conventional relationship between the two. The truth obviously only comes out behind closed doors, just as it does in people's lives. 

            The way it is made also helps in this. All the music is actual music being performed in the film. There are no coincidental meetings or circumstances like how they happen in fiction; everything that happens was inevitable as Erika foreshadowed early on, the appearance of Walter just proved to be a catalyst. It is a frightening thought and ultimately what made me feel sorry for, instead of being repulsed by, the truly unfortunate Erika. 

             Coming to writing and directing, after watching a film as self-conscious as Funny Games, I did not expect something like The Piano Teacher from Haneke. It is based on a novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. As I wrote above, I thought it was really honest, almost brutally so. He is known to be a daring director, and this was a really undaunted effort. I liked the fact that it doesn't try to shock us, but instead tries to make us feel the intensity of things that Erika goes through. Also he added another layer to it, a student of Erika's whose life practically mirrors her own, and it makes one think about the actions that Erika takes against her are actually for whose harm or benefit. The film made me reflect a lot about what all can the lack of control drive people into doing. Even educated and sophisticated women like Erika can do things one will find savage and immoral. Conversely the power of control in the hands of people like the Mother or Walter towards the end of the film, can also be very reprehensible. It is a fantastic film and the fact that it won Grand Prix at the Cannes along with best actress and actor prizes for Huppert and Magimel is not at all surprising.


             This is definitely not a review I could blabber on and on in. It is a difficult and divisive film, one that I admired a lot though I don't know how many people will feel the same way about it. Also it is not for everyone, but if you can look past certain things, it is a sad story about what happens when one is oppressed beyond a limit, and how the repercussions can often be horrific.

Thoughts

First this-

1) So I lost two followers within the last week... I totally understand why- I post really less and the quality of the posts aren't amazing, but to my remaining followers (and I sure hope you remain with this blog), I will honestly try to up the standards of Being Norma Jeane, including trying to post these Weekly Thoughts posts on time (sorry :-( ). I have been a little low on ideas lately, but I am optimistic about things changing for the better. Also the button in no way implies that anyone loves me; I just thought it was kind of funny.

2) On casting news, Ashton Kutcher will be playing young and hippy Steve Jobs in the biopic Jobs. I am not that against the idea. I'm certainly no Kutcher fan, but I don't think this project will be some big acting bonanza, so meh we'll see. But this article did make me chuckle quite a bit. Nicole Kidman will be playing Grace Kelly in a biopic about her trying to save Monaco from conflict with France in 1962. It will be called Grace of Monaco and it will be directed by Olivier Dahan, who made the lovely La Vie En Rose. It sounds fairly good and I love Kidman, but god January Jones was born to play Grace Kelly. Still the film is set later in her life, and Kidman is a solid choice. Lastly, we have an unfortunate un-casting news and that is Joseph-Gordon Levitt would not be starring in my most-anticipated film of this year, Django Unchained. I mean he is swamped with projects- The Dark Knight Rises, Looper, Lincoln and his directorial debut Don Jon's Addiction which has Scarlett Johannson and Julianne Moore (!). Still, it would have been great to see him in a Tarantino film. Let's hope Kill Bill Vol 3 will fulfill our wishes.

3) So I rewatched all of Pushing Daisies this week. That show was such utter brilliance. Why did they have to end it?! I want them to restart it. I don't care if Lee Pace is in Lincoln and The Hobbit and stuff! Please I need Ned the piemaker back into my life!!

4) Quick question- which shows do you wish were never cancelled?

5) Loads and loads of trailers- Chris Pine is on my mind as two of his upcoming films have released their trailers. First is People Like Us which looks nice and had a good cast. I still refuse to believe that Michelle Pfeiffer is playing Pine's mother. They should be playing lovers. But it's a family film and I'll mostly watch it because of Pine's sparkly eyes. The other is the second-best trailer of this week, Rise of the Guardians, which is made by the Oscar-winning director of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, William Joyce. It tells the story of how Santa Clause, Jack Frost, the Toothfairy, the Sandman and the Easter Bunny are the guardians of the children of the world, and they have to save them from the evil Bogeyman. It is a Dreamworks film, very evidently, and has a brilliant voice cast with the likes of Hugh Jackman and Jude Law. Then there is Safety Not Guaranteed which has my role model Aubrey Plaza in it. It looks really fun and quirky and different and I'm really excited about it. What To Expect When You're Expecting looks really awful. I'm not a big baby person. Also why is someone as hot as Rodrigo coming in a stupid dad movie? Take This Waltz has the wonderful Michelle Williams and it looks really sweet. She's like always on a role. The Giant Mechanical Man looks sort of awesome and I can already see me loving it. Also, so glad Topher Grace is still getting roles. There is Total Recall which has Colin Farrell as the big action lead. Speaking of whom, I was rewatching In Bruges day before yesterday and man I'M SO FRIGGIN' EXCITED FOR SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS! Anyways, it seems like a good enough action film though John Cho looks insane. And insane is also the ideal word for the trailer of High School. I kind of like Adrien Brody being crazy like this, but it makes me a tad morose too. So much talent being wasted! Also, the whole film is in the trailer, so big fat fail to the trailer people. The king of the trailers this week is The Dark Knight Rises Lego Trailer. Words cannot explain how awesome it is.

6) Finally, the BEST NEWS EVER of last week was that Anchorman 2 is definitely being made. Yaaayy! Here is some Anchorman math for you-

Things Brick loves.

Milk was a bad option and byee.

Mini Reviews- Edward Scissorhands, Straw Dogs and Oldboy

             After a female-themed mini reviews post back when, I think it is time to do a "men, men, men, manly men" one. Don't ask me where I get these ideas from- I am highly jobless and my brain is dying. Also I am like high on Ron Swanson.

Edward Scissorhands (Dir: Tim Burton, 1990)

Basic plot- Edward was created by a scientist who gave him scissors for hands. He lived alone in the creepy-looking Gothic mansion until a kind-hearted make-up saleswoman, Peg Booths, decides to take him in. Her little colour-coordinated town with the gossiping housewives is swept with curiosity at this strange, yet meek man and try to use him best to their advantage. In all this Edward starts to develop feelings for Peg's teenage daughter Kim. But the fickle town soon begins to create trouble for the scissor-handed man.

             I have loved this film for a very, very long time for which there are a number of reasons. The story combines many tales that we have all read or heard or seen before such as a need for love and acceptance, a beauty and a beast falling for each other, society exploiting those who are different and then crippling their genius and so on, but in a most singularly magical way. We feel for this strange man who could be very dangerous, but remains gentle and helpful throughout the film. It is only when he gets blamed for the wrong things do we see his carefully controlled anger, for being created in such a way, come out. Still, Edward is a beast of love and art and the film depicts that beautifully in all of his creations. His feelings towards Kim are pure as a child which make some of the most heart-wrenching moments in the film, like when he cannot seem to hold her lest he hurt her. That one tiny scene reveals the true heart of the film and the man- someone who should not love because he wasn't designed that way, but he does. The film has some really amusing moments too, provided by the residents of their town, especially in the form of the original Edie Britt, Joyce played by Kathy Baker.

              Even though I disapprove of his career choices at present, Johnny Depp still is my favourite actor and this was the film that introduced me to him, and also to the quirky and dark film maker Tim Burton. I am quite a huge Winona Ryder fan too, who plays Kim. Depp of course is Edward, a role that was as custom-made for him as his costume in the film. This film is the prime example of what the Burton-Depp team was capable of. They were absolutely unique here; there may have been various influences but they weren't remaking or adapting anything, and it worked wonders. This film was the true brainchild of Burton, who has on many occasions called it the epitome of his style of work. It is a fantastic looking film too- the dark is perfectly matched with the colourful.  It majorly influenced the Goth culture, but I think it is so romantic. I even wrote about it as a modern example of romanticism in today's world, where the idea of snow represents eternal love to an old lady. One of my favourite endings.

Rating- 10/10

Straw Dogs (Dir: Sam Peckinpah, 1971)

Basic Plot- A seemingly docile mathematician and his wife move into her old house in a quaint British village where they have a bit of trouble with the unruly locals, including the wife's ex. When things go too far, the mathematician decides to fight back.

              I love films in which the darker side of people comes out. I think that is precisely the reason why Batman is so famous. We are inherently violent and only because of that peace-loving icons like Gandhi are revered. The attraction to violence is in our nature but we try have to control it in order to live in a civilised society, just like Dustin Hoffman's character David Summer. We are shown how this "pacifist" has moved to this remote village in a different country because he did not want to take part in anti-war protests. He tries to avert conflicts as most of us do, but when one is constantly ridiculed, the facade of civility and even sanity may start to slip. Which is exactly what happens with him. The best part of the film is when this happens, but that is only in the last half hour or so of the film. But we see the build up to it, and quite perversely, we champion the violence when it takes place. That is precisely what the film maker wants us to do, and through the character of David, mirror our own secret savage desires.

              The film has been wrapped in controversy for a reason ever since its release, and that is my biggest problem with the film- the portrayal of women in it. They are represented in this promiscuous, nagging, needy, childlike way who have no problem being slapped around. Many people have tried to explain it by showing David's Humbert Humbert-esque tastes, but the only two women in the film are exactly his dirty fantasy type, which was a little hard to swallow for me. Apart from that, I was very impressed by Hoffman's acting in it. It is a fascinating character study. The film is all about him, and it's a crucial part of the 70s anti-hero boom. Hoffman and the final act make the film for me.

Rating- 9/10

Oldboy (Dir: Chan-wook Park, 2003)

Basic Plot- Oh Dae-su is kidnapped and imprisoned in a hotel room for fifteen years. When he is released, he starts the search for his captor and the reasons behind his captivity. He becomes involved with a young sushi chef Mi-do during his quest for vengeance, but the truth waiting for him is far more terrifying than anyone can ever imagine.


        Oh what a mind-fuck! In my lost podcast where I spoke about another Chan-Wook Park film, I talked about how I wouldn't be as shocked going into this because I would be mentally prepared for it. Boy was I wrong... It starts out almost innocently. Yes it is violent as hell, but nothing I couldn't handle after so many years of Fincher and Tarantino devotion. It is very stylized and all sorts of awesome (that hallway scene- swoon!). One starts to love the crazy Oh Dae-su as he seeks the truth, with his hammer. But then the film takes a very grim turn and all hell breaks loose, at least for me. 


            However, I love intricate films like this. The story is a truly twisted yet brilliant one. All the three main actors, Min-sik Choi as Oh Dae-su, Hye-jeong Kang as Mido and my personal favourite now, Ji-tae Yu as the diabolical Woo-jin are incredible. I don't want to give anything away because the film has more impact if you don't know anything about it at all. And you bloody well need to be shaken like that. There are things in it no one approves of, but it is presented to us in such an enigmatic way, that we are all blown away. I mean I really wanted to hate this film because that is how much I loathe the final truth of the film, but I just couldn't. The look, the feel, the dialogue, the music, and the acting have made me a fan.


Rating- 10/10

The Month that was- March

March was okay. I'm pretty sure it's going to go all downhill now in terms of movie watching because my extended college dropout vacation is coming to an end. Which is a good thing, don't get me wrong. But yeah.. won't have as much time to give to films anymore probably.


Firsts:

1) Roxanne- For the Demented Podcast. It was fun enough, though incredibly sappy at times. Steve Martin was a treat.

2) I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK- This was for the podcast as well. Do not go into this thinking it is a romcom. In fact, it is a quirky romance. And Korean.

3) American History X- So shocking and harrowing. Great performance by Edward Norton.

4) My Own Private Idaho- This film will only grow on me. It was so strange and beautiful. River Phoenix was a serious talent.

5) Straw Dogs- I really liked it, barring the portrayal of women. Dustin Hoffman is great in it.

6) Wings of Desire- Very beautiful film. I need to see this again, and then I might write on it. One of the best black-and-white-mixed-with-colour films I have ever seen.

7) Rules of Attraction- No where in the league of American Psycho, but it isn't that awful. I really liked one particular scene in it in which this character named Victor describes his Europe trip in a rapid-fire speed.

8) Womb- The things I watch for actors I like! As much as I love Matt Smith and Eva Green, this film was super creepy and not in a good way.

9) Ghostbusters 2- I had not seen this one. Not as good as the first imho.

10) The Player- I really enjoyed it. It was funny and dark and another interesting insight into the world of show business.

11) Gosford Park- I absolutely lurved it. All the people, all the stories, the look and feel. Fantastic.

12) Pickpocket- Quite liked it. I especially enjoyed the way the pickpockets choreographed their stealing routines.

13) Freaks- "One of us! One of us!" Yep, that is addictive. It was so unlike anything I had ever seen, yet I could relate to it perfectly. Incredibly unique.

14) Addams Family Values- Wednesday Addams is my role model. Too cool. Also Joan Cusack should play more villains.

15) Rope- I loved it. I think my favourite Hitchcock movies are the ones that are confined to a small set. Makes it all the more thrilling.

16) Saving Private Ryan- I succeeded in finishing it this time. It is really numbing, but once you get over it, you appreciate the story much more than just the visuals.

17) Dr. No- It was so much more laid back than the James Bond movies of today. Sean Connery was such a dreamboat. Not that amazing, but fun still.

18) An American Werewolf in London- It is not very scary. So I immediately liked it. It is kind of awesome as well.

19) Welcome to the Dollhouse- I know this is supposed to be a dark comedy, but it gave me this dreadful feeling that if I had grown up in US or something, I may have been like Dawn Wiener. It made me thankful for my life as it is, which is a scary thought.

20) The Fall- It is a stunning looking film. That's all I have to say about it. The kid was cute. Yes. Moving on.

21) The Hunger Games- I liked it a lot. I'm not one of those rabid fans yet, but I am looking forward to reading the books and watching the other films. Also, Jennifer Lawrence is the shiz.

22) 2001: A Space Odyssey- Finally saw this too! I had several times before this, but would always lose patience mid-second chapter. But it's so interesting and entertaining and amazing to look at.

23) A History of Violence- I thought it was very good, and rather cool. And I was most blown away by Maria Bello in it.

24) Elephant- This was so strange and gorgeous and alluring. It just invites you in, and you can't help but be drawn to it. I thought it was marvelous.

25) Love Me If You Dare- Deceivingly depressing. Do not think it's a happy film. It is worth a look though. Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet are very attractive leads.

26) 21 Jump Street- It was so silly, but good and rather unpredictable silly. They don't make good silly like this much. Loved the Johnny Depp cameo.

27) Far From Heaven- It was pretty perfect. The stories told and untold, the look, the acting, the music- perfection. I love Julianne Moore.

28) The General- My first Buster Keaton movie! I thought it was all kinds of brilliance and I am so looking forward to see his other films.

29) Funny Games- I paused a lot, but I also enjoyed it too. Especially the parts when Michael Pitt spoke to the audience/me. Those were fun.

Rewatched:

1) Edward Scissorhands- It had been too long. It is still as magical and lovely as when I first saw it. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp- vy u no make films like this anymore?

2) Say Anything- Bloody John Cusack with his boombox. So many unrealistic expectations from life.

3) Ghostbusters- I was making a fan out of my brother. Mission accomplished, largely owing to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

4) Star Trek- This film gives me so much joy! I love it too much. Also Chris Pine :*

5) The Addams Family- Morticia *and* Wednesday are my role models in this. I need their outfits. Now.

6) Groundhog Day- I hadn't seen this in many many years. I had forgotten much of it, but it was such a lovely film to revisit.

7) The Virgin Suicides- Perennial favourite. I wish I had made it. Also that Trip Fontaine intro.

8) Lost in Translation- Of all the Bill Murray films I saw this month, I still think this is his greatest performance. He should have won the Oscar for it.

9) The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn- I had to show it to my brother. It is a helluva ride still.

10) Anchorman- I love lamp.

11) Marie Antoinette- It is one of the most beautiful-looking films that I have seen; most certainly the prettiest. My favourite Sofia Coppola offering. 

12) The Silence of the Lambs- Hannibal and Clarice forever. Amirite or amirite?

13) Rear Window- This too I hadn't seen in quite a while. I think I like Grace Kelly a tad bit more than James Stewart in this.

14) Scott Pilgrim vs the World- This time 'round (as I see this film A LOT), I noticed how attracted I am to most of the people in it. Just saying. "ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!"

15) Carrie- Poor Chloe Moretz. She was doing fine. But now she will fail utterly because no one can match up to Sissy Spacek's performance in this.

16) Shaun of the Dead- Again, showing it to the bruv. He didn't get much, but still loved it. Such is the power of this film.

17) Let the Right One In- This film is so poignant and lovely. Best vampire related thing ever, after True Blood of course.

Shorts:

Vincent- Saw this after the release of the Frankenweenie trailer. It is so morbid and brilliant and unique. I love old school Tim Burton.

TV Shows:

1) American Horror Story- It started out pretty bad, but became decent towards the end. Jessica Lange makes the show and Taissa Farmiga and Evan Peters are really good too.

2) All the episodes of Parks and Recreations that have been released- What had I been doing all my life? I should have followed this from the start. I love it. I love April Ludgate and Ron Fuckin' Swanson and Leslie Knope and Andy Dwyer and Ben Wyatt and Chris and Ann and Mark and Tom and Gerry and Tammys and Donna and everyone!! Can't wait for this to restart.

Final tally:

                                     Firsts- 91                  Rewatched- 45              Shorts- 3

                                                                         Total- 139




I have almost watched 100 new-to-me films already. 300 is my target for this year..
What all did you watch?