Thoughts

         I'm back in India. I've seen only 3 films yet and the damn heat is killing me and I want to live in a fridge! Okay then... moving on.

1) The 2012 Cannes Film Festival's line-up has been released. It is pretty amazing and I really wish I could go there and watch the films. It starts with one of my most anticipated films of this year, Moonrise Kingdom. The other films include Cosmopolis, On the Road, Rust and Bone, Lawless, Paperboy, Amour, Like Someone in Love, Killing Them Softly and so on. Some of these will most certainly go down as the best of the year (see: The Tree of Life, The Artist and Drive from last year).

2) Speaking of On the Road, the promoters have been releasing character posters for a while now. They were being released in sort of an ascending order of importance, or well presence of the characters in the book. Until they decided to release the poster of Kristen Stewart as Marylou last. That is really odd. Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, played by Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund respectively, are the true leads of the novel and I don't get why that is being overlooked because Stewart is the "bigger star". This film has an impressive cast with the likes of Oscar nominees Viggo Mortensen and Amy Adams. Sigh... I'll never truly get marketing. My favourite poster is that of Kirsten Dunst's as Camille. It is absolutely transplendent.

3) Well even though I don't understand marketing, I know that the Prometheus team are true masters of it. I'm sure everyone has seen the viral of Fassy as David, the gently creepy android. All the websites posted about it at once, though my favourite is the one by Sati at Cinematic Corner. She was also the first one to voice out the fact that this implies robotic Fassys for everyone! I voiced it aloud to myself... that doesn't count, does it? Another post this week I really loved, and well contributed a teensy bit towards, was Stevee a.k.a. Christopher's Conversation with Mean Girls. I love everything Mean Girls. Even if it punches me in the face, it will be AWESOME.

4) I've spent the majority of this week watching John Green videos on his VlogBrothers Youtube channel. I know that I am very very late to this party, but man oh man, so glad I came! I love him even more now. Also his kid is the cutest thing in the world, and I don't even like babies! All hail Henry Green.

5) Trailers- Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike has a trailer out. This was being called the male stripper movie, and I thought it will be the objectification of men in all its splendour, but it is yet another romantic-y film with Channing " Human Blowfish" Tatum in it. Gahhhhh! With custom furniture, no less. The trailer of Pitch Black Heist, a short film starring Fassy and Liam Cunningham has a gorgeous black and white trailer out. The trailer to Here which stars Ben Foster, looks simple and beautiful. It has a gorgeous poster too, though I can't find a link presently. Finally there is Cronenberg's Cosmopolis, which is one of the films being shown at Cannes this year. It looks mental, but I am intrigued enough to give The Fly a try (that rhymed!) asap. Also, I think Robert Pattinson looks really goooood...  he doesn't need to sparkle anymore, thank god.

6) Finally, with everyone going gaga either for or against Titanic 3D (I have no opinion because the bloody IMAX here isn't showing it!!), this seems relevant-

Ways Titanic could have ended-

Bloody James Cameron and suicidal Leo!! My Jack :'(

Sorry for spoiling the ending for the two people who haven't seen Titanic yet. The ship sinks too :(

Adieu

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.

Thoughts

I have so many thoughts, I know I will forget some. But moving on:


1) WTF of the Week- Did people know this? Saoirse Ronan will be starring as lead in Stephenie Meyer's The Host, AKA Non-Twilight book somewhat. What? Why? I mean I was depressed when I found out that Max Irons, who is Jeremy Irons's son, will be there as he will be subjected to all the madness like Robert Pattinson and never be taken seriously. But Saoirse- how can she do this?! She has worked with Joe Wright and Peter Jackson and has an Oscar nomination...she stands to lose all the respect she has gained over the years. I mean all publicity cannot be good publicity when it comes to adaptations of Stephenie Meyer's books! Look at Kristen Stewart...I think she's a good actress (not as good as Saoirse, but still) and people are just sick of her. Meyer is like a curse to all that could have been more brilliant.


2) Harry Potter-director David Yates is going to make a Doctor Who movie. Without Steven Moffat and Matt Smith. Again, why?! I sort of understand if he wants a new Doctor, but I just love Matt Smith's portrayal and look of the Doctor. There is something so poetic and sad about a 900+ year old man who looks so young. And Smith is just so naturally funny and proper and brilliant. But not more than Moffat. Moffat is my new bonafide genius, and I love the way he writes. What is Yates to do without him? I do want to see it, but I don't want to lose this new found-love of the beloved and geeky series. Also, I don't really want Smith to get into the main Hollywood industry, where he might be made to star in crappy stuff. His look is so unique, he should stick with the British industry, or do plays and stuff.


3) J. Edgar sucks it seems... I think only Roger Ebert liked it. But then again, he is a very old man, no matter how hip he usually is. Poor Leo, though I still think the AMPAs will shower him with love and affection. I was going to watch Moneyball this week, but couldn't due to random problems. In the year thus far, I don't think I have seen a truly brilliant performance by an actor. Um, I liked Ryan Gosling in Drive, Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris and Joel Courtney in Super 8- none of which will, most probably, get any Oscar love. Supporting actor-wise, Brad Pitt and Hunter McCracken (he's more of a lead, but I don't know) in Tree of Life were good, as was Albert Brooks in Drive.  Kirsten Dunst is a clear shot for Best Actress nomination for her role in Melancholia, and maybe Viola Davis for The Help. Speaking of which, why is The Help getting so much Oscar buzz? I do not understand. It was not that good. I really liked Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids, but that also seems very improbable for a Supporting actress. Finally, there is always Andy Serkis for Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but that seems too avant-garde for the AMPAs to nominate him for anything. I don't remember what else I have seen.


4) Trailer...so many trailers!!!!!! Okay so first, The Iron Lady, in which Meryl Streep plays Margaret Thatcher. It does not do much for me, this trailer. I love Meryl, forever and always, but I just have such little interest in this film. All I like are her Tardis-blue clothes and the pearls. The first proper trailer to The Hunger Games has come out. This is the next big franchise after Harry Potter (Twilight is bull crap and I do not consider it as anything, except crap). I love Jennifer Lawrence in the trailer, and the whole mood has been set for what seems to be an excellent film. Also, it is directed by Gary Ross, who made my beloved Pleasantville, so yes, I am quite excited for this. Pixar's Brave has a trailer out. I don't know about this trailer. It didn't fill me up with bubbling excitement the way I expected it to, but I cannot get over how brilliant Princess Merida looks. She's voiced by my Boardwalk Empire-darling, Kelly McDonald, and I like the Dreamworks-esque look, though as this is Pixar, it will have something much more heart-warming in store for us. I will overlook the trailer and wait anxiously for the film. Mirror Mirror, which is the mad, colourful and slightly terrible alternative to last week's Snow White and the Huntsman, has released a trailer. I hate it, but it seems like fun. And Evil Queen, Julia Roberts this time, is still the best part. Well almost as Armie Hammer as the prince is one great piece of inspired casting. Finally, Titanic 3D has a trailer out to the same film as the one released 14 years back. It got James Cameron his Oscar and the first couple of billions, even though he thinks blue people from Pandora got him more acclaim. Also, that song. I don't know what my emotions are telling me about this film.


5) I absolutely adore them, but it's just not fair how gorgeous the Fanning sisters are. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

This just makes me think about all the inequality and injustice in the world.

I'm still furious. And bye.

Thoughts

I'm so sorry I'm late. I was packing, then travelling, and then I was tired from travelling, hence could not make this post in time. Thoughts:

1) James Cameron really is re-releasing Titanic in 3D. I had been hoping this was a far-fethched rumour, like the one about Titanic 2 in which Jack comes back as he really was not dead but preserved in an iceberg à la Captain America, but nooo. Cameron is a greedy greedy man. Approximately 4 billion dollars is not enough, is it? This will be horrible. If it fails to look good, it will ruin people's memories of this wonderful film (I love it okay, you L.A. Confidential people must calm down). If it succeeds, can you imagine the tears?! Oh my god. I mean, why? Why? WHYYYY??!!

2) Hailee Steinfeld is apparently going to play Juliet Capulet. Twice. The first one, as previously announced, is in the actual story where she is Juliet, Burberry model Douglas Booth is Romeo and Ed Westwick is Tybalt (excellent choice, in my opinion). In the second one, she's been offered the role of the heroine again but logically should not accept it. It is a retelling of the story from the viewpoint of Romeo's ex (bahahaa!) Rosaline. Romeo will be played by James Franco's younger brother Dave Franco, whose existence I was not aware of until quite recently, and Rosaline will be played by Deborrah Ann Woll, who is fantastic and gorgeous and plays one of my top 3 True Blood characters (see banner for another favourite) Jessica Hamby. I don't know, or rather care about the other two, but Woll will be a brilliant choice.

3) Bollywood Bitching of the Week/Month/insert time period here: I saw Shahrukh Khan starrer Ra.One this week. Oh the agony! Anyone who reads this blog and remotely cares about Bollywood films, read this review as the author feels exactly the same way I do. I do really respect the ambition, but the fact is that the film was as painful as they come. I can only explain it by first shedding a bit of light on the Bollywood blockbuster trend that is going on for the last couple of years: Salman Khan, who is another of the big Khans of Bollywood, made a film called Dabaang, which was this totally cheesy, action, silly-yet-awesome one-liners-packed bonanza, like the B-grade films of 70s and I thought it was a pretty unique film and actually did enjoy it. But ever since then, all the films are trying to copy its style. Or the South-Indian style, which has these sudden close-ups and just inane slapstick comedy, but that only works for the South-Indian films. There's Rajnikanth there, who, well to explain it to non-Indians- Chuck Norris is the American Rajnikanth, but less cooler. It is fun watching those films, but it is irritating watching every other film made in the same stupid fashion. I honestly thought that SRK would not follow this fad, but yeah, he did. And it sucks. Also, the director Anubhav Sinha may well be called the current Michael Bay of Indian Cinema.

4) Trailers: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol has a nice-ish trailer out. I totally forgot that this film is releasing this year. We see a bit of Anil Kapoor there, so go India! And it has shots of Dubai, which is my almost-land (I lived in the city next to it, Sharjah, but my school was in Dubai). Woo hoo! Angelina Jolie's directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey has released a trailer. I think it looks pretty impressive. It is about war and love during the war, and despite the over-used formula, it doesn't look sappy or depressing so much. A new Dr. Seuss animated film The Lorax has its trailer out. It is happy, as one expects from a film based on Dr. Seuss stories. I love that it has Betty White. Since I bitched so much about SRK and Bollywood films in this post, it is only fair to show the trailer of his next film Don 2, which was the best part of watching Ra.One. You can see the influence of films like Mission Impossible there, but believe me this is a great trailer (the sound is a bit off, but this was the only one I could find with English subtitles). The first one was a pretty awesome film and I really hope they manage to do it again. I am a huge SRK fan, and he really shows his King-of-Bollywood status in this trailer.

5) By the way, do you think I should make Bollywood trailers a regular feature too? I myself don't watch that many trailers anymore, so I promise to put the ones of the films which I am actually looking forward to.

6) I don't know why I find this funny, but I do. I think I live for the day when Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost complete their Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy/ Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy.

So scared.

I promise I will be on time next week. Bye.

You be you and I’ll be me, today and today and today, and let’s trust the future to tommorrow. Let the stars keep track of us. Let us ride our own orbits and trust that they will meet.

       So yesterday was my graduation from school, despite it not technically being over till after the dreaded board exams. There was a whole lot of talk about the future, which for me is my reality. I got the loveliest citation in which my love for films has been acknowledged. Also the goodbye notes from my friends, in which they talk about films and me, has made me feel really warm and happy.
      I see my future everyday, and with our without Jack, it is somewhere with the stars. :)

TITANIC- Nothing on Earth could come between Them

Rose: A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets. But now you know there was a man named Jack Dawson and that he saved me, in every way that a person can be saved. I don’t even have a picture of him. He exists now… only in my memory.

I just had to put this up. The first photo of Jack in these...of his eyes...made me fall in love with him as a 5 year old girl and still does. This film will live on forever. Oh and Leo and Kate please get together!!!!!