Across the Universe

I finally went to see Across the Universe (about a week ago). It was a bit wacky, but definitely my kind of movie. Visual complexities were intertwined with quite possibly the best Beatles cover songs to date. And Jim Sturgess is out-of-control yummy. It's not often that a British accent comes through during song, but his accent is so bloody thick that it makes the music so melodically enchanting. Very Noel Gallagher-ish. I've already bought the deluxe edition soundtrack on iTunes, and have officially played out tracks 3, 4, and 7 on disc 1. Jim Sturgess, you have tugged at my heartstrings, and are officially... my new obsession.


Photo: Jim Sturgess


Photo: Jim Sturgess


Photo: Promotional poster.

Darjeeling Countdown

Updated 09/19/2007 9:11pm:
Hotel Chevalier (starring Natalie Portman), the 12 minute short-film/prequel to The Darjeeling Limited, is now available via iTunes. She's amazing. (Thanks for the heads-up Kathy!)

Original Post 09/18/2007 6:47pm:
Darjeeling Limited, the much anticipated new flick by Wes Anderson, is almost out in theaters. Get excited! Below is a promo pic of Hotel Chevalier, and another of Natty P. with her new model/yummy boyfriend, Nate.

Harry Potter Revisited

I seriously cannot get enough.

In the past month, I've watched Harry Potter's 1 through 4, a whopping 8 times (each of them twice). Sick, I know this - but I'm seriously addicted. Not only is every single story line pure genius in its own right, but the thought behind the fine details of every movie is mind-numbingly out of control.

Probably going to see Harry Potter & OOTP again this weekend. Harry and Ron are just so delicious.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Updated 07/22/2007 7:36pm:
Here I am, eating my words. I took my four (slightly younger) cousins to go see Harry Potter (again) last night. I loved it twice as much as when I first saw it. When I went to see it opening night, I was so hyped up... but I actually had the opportunity to settle down a bit the second time around, and the experience was twice as brilliant. It's definitely my second favorite Harry Potter film (after The Goblet of Fire) - but I'm still sticking to my likes and dislikes below. And by the way, I bought the new book on opening day as well. I can't wait to start it!

Updated 07/18/2007 11:02PM:
In response to Kevin's recent blog entry: I thought that this movie was very good. Just because I didn't think it was the best of the five - does not take away from the fact that this installment was brilliant in its own right. While I concede that the darker tone and undertaking of the film was quite necessary and age appropriate with respect to the characters... I missed the perky magic tricks (Wingardium levi-oh-sa! Not levio-saw!) and fantasy-inspired scenery (Diagon Alley, for example). But I still loved it!

What I loved? 1. The storyline was brilliant. The actress who played Dolores Umbridge suited the part to a tee. From her mannerisms to her articulations, she truly made you hate her character (and the color pink). 2. The special effects have improved dramatically since the first movie. Rewind and watch the quidditch game in the Sorcerer's Stone, and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. 3. I especially loved the concept of the "Order of the Phoenix Headquarters" - especially since the exterior looked exactly like the flat I used to live in! So dope. 4. While I didn't like the vision they had for the location of the Ministry of Magic (the exterior was a bit dull), I've got to admit that their elevator was pretty damn rad. As was the courtroom and crystal ball storage room. 5. Harry Potter makes out with an Asian chick. But I've already mentioned that. Oh they'd have the cutest babies.

What I thought was just 'okay'? I suppose I wanted more time for the storyline to expand. For example, what cave did Luna Lovegood crawl out of? Her character (though charming) drew somewhat of a blank. Will she serve a bigger purpose in the last two books? I'll have to wait and see (I just started the Half Blood Prince). I also wanted more time to learn the purpose served by Bellatrix Lestrange - other than to kill Sirius Black. Which, by the way, they needed to give Harry (and myself) more time to grieve over his death! I think they got a bit carried away with introducing a multitude of characters (like the "gang" from the Order of the Phoenix), and didn't give us/me time to understand wtf was going on. I also would have liked more time to understand what purpose Voldemort had in obtaining Harry's crystal ball prophecy. Maybe I'm missing something? Anyway, if they were to extend the run-time, I seriously would not mind sitting in there for 4-5 hours watching it all over again (with added scenes).

Original Post 07/11/07 7:55PM:
It was good - but it wasn't as good as the first four. I can't exactly pin-point what it was missing - but it definitely did not have that Harry Potter quality about it. There was no "attention to detail" (so to speak) when it came to the fun/magical elements that made its predecessors so enchanting. They tried too hard to mature the plot, scenery, and Harry himself! Harry Potter isn't supposed to make out with girls! But since he did, at least she was Asian. So, final verdict? Good overall (and worth seeing on opening night), but my least favorite of the bunch. Cross your fingers for a mind-blowing 6th installment.

My Thoughts in Bullet Points

• My favorite Usher song is "Yeah". It is, by far, not the most lyrically moving song. But it is the song that I've danced my heart-out to on more than a dozen occasions. That alone makes it better than any painfully melodic love song.
  
  
• Apparently, Rachel Bilson and I have the same taste in men. She dated (my dream guy) Adam Brody for x-amount of years, and now she's with (my ex 'play' boyfriend) Hayden Christensen. What a lucky, skinny, little shiz.
  
  
• An open letter to Mike Bibby: Please shave your head. You do not look right with hair. Love, Rowena
  
  
• In preparation for the first post-season Laker game tomorrow, all of the sports networks have been airing replays of last year's Lakers vs Suns playoff series. Five words: Raja Bell is a dick.
  
  
• Daniel Craig is one hell of a sexy, rugged, James Bond. Yes, I just saw Casino Royale. Dope ass movie. I have to eat my words - especially since I was very anti getting rid of Pierce Brosnan. But Daniel stole every dang scene. He's by no means the best looking Bond, but his man's man persona makes the bloke muy caliente.
  
  
• Happy 23rd Birthday to my closest girl-friend, Ayana.

The Departed

Has a movie ever left you with a bewildering aftertaste? This one did. I walked out of the theatre thinking, "what just happened?" If you love action, violence, blood, guns, plot twists, and Leonardo DiCaprio, you have got to see this movie.

Once you get past all of the r-rated vocabulary, you can truly appreciate the genius that is Martin Scorsese. Bonus points go to Leonardo; his acting was delightfully pure, and flat out fantastic. I can't believe I've gone by these past few years without appreciating how unbelievably gorgeous that man is. Matt Damon was damn good too - enough to make me even hate him a little bit for being such a good bad boy.


Photo: Screen Cap of The Departed


Photo: Screen Cap of The Departed

V for Vendetta

I took a 4.5 hour power nap after work to make certain that I’d be alert throughout the entire 11:15pm showing of V for Vendetta ~ and now it's 3am & I can’t fall asleep! Well worth it, however, because the movie was frickin' awesome. It’s funny to go back and read reviews about the movie.. because the bad ones (which make up about 30% of the reviews) are all written very poorly ~ one went as far as to describe the movie as “gay” – which, pardon me for cracking up, isn’t very professional or cohesive at all. Not at all to say that those who didn't like it don't have true respect for the arts ~ because it is, afterall, a matter of preference.. but for me personally (and 70% of the critics), I was able to appreciate all that the movie had to offer: a plot which was both different and actually good (finally!), a twist, good acting, visual complexities, and of course, Natalie.

I can now cross this movie off of my 'to-do' list.