Laurel Canyon
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Movie Reviews of Laurel Canyon
Movie Review: a fine movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I would like to preface this review by saying that I do not watch movies like this one. I would buy this movie except where do i put it on my shelf? Between Pulp Fiction and Gladiator? How can i admit to my friends that i liked this movie enough to buy it? anyway here is why i did like it.No one has ever made a more entertaining casualty free movie. Well, first things first. This movie is about an engaged couple that moves from the east coast to California to stay with the guy's mom who works out of her house producing her boyfriends rock album. I think most peopple watching will expect an immediate culture clash between these hard-working yuppies and the drug abusing musicians but that's not what immediately happens. Its like Ed Norton says in "Fight Club", "people will do anything to avoid a fight"
The interesting thing about this film is that is juxtaposes the screw-ups with the non screw-ups and as any college kid knows, the life of the screw up is very appealing. What made this juxtaposition great was the awkwardness. I've never seen awkwardness so well depicted on the screen, especially in the scene in the car between Christian Bale and Natascha McElhone, which is the first scene in the movie that really made perk up. Until that scene I was skeptical about the movie.
Then, I ask you have you ever been so mad that you have almost no control of what you say and words just come streaming out of your mouth (many of them swears) and in the end you say about one third of the things you wanted to, but the other things were just casualties of your own emotional turbulence. Domestically I think many of us have, and there's a scene of that in this movie, and it was one of the most intense scenes I've ever seen. Christian Bale just erupts. And many actors would have simply gotten angry, they wouldn't have exposed the deep rooted fear this character has of screwing up. There is not another actor working today who could've have made this scene more electrifying (perhaps Daniel Day-Lewis) It is this scene that the movie builds toward and works hard to earn, and its success or failure held the film's meaning in the balance. It did not let me down. I will say I believe Christian Bale to be one of the finest actors making movies today.
Movie Review: Frances McDormand is a "babe" in every sense of the word
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always loved Frances McDormand. She completely gets into every role she plays. And in this film she's better than ever. Laurel Canyon is an area of Los Angeles where only the people who have "made it" live She's cast as Jane, a successful record producer in her mid forties. She lives her life with constant energy and enthusiasm. She smokes illegal substances and eats vegetarian. She looks great too, and is a "babe" in every sense of the word. We soon learn she has a long list of former lovers, both male and female. But currently she's involved with a young British rocker, played by Allesandro Nivola, and their couplings burn up the screen. Her son, Sam, on the other hand, played by Christian Bale, is exactly the opposite. He's just graduated from Harvard Medical School and is engaged to Alex, played by Kate Beckinsale, who is not only a doctor, but also a research scientist. They're supposed to borrow Jane's home while he completes his residency in a local hospital, but it doesn't work out that way. Jane stays in the house, which is also a recording studio, to finish up a record with the rock band.
At the hospital, Sam meets a fellow doctor, Sara, played by Natascha McElhone and there is immediate electricity between them. And Alex spends her days in the house where she finds it impossible to concentrate on her dissertation and is welcomed downstairs to hang out with Jane and the band. Soon she's indulging in Jane's lifestyle. Eventually, she finds herself in a unique romantic scene.
Conflict is inevitable of course, and the film plays out in a predictable way. And, when I think of it, the storyline is a little silly. But I loved the fact that the film was about an unconventional lifestyle. And I was amazed at the intensity of Frances McDormand's performance, which called for a full gamut of emotions. She made every scene in which she appeared sparkle and all other scenes paled in comparison.
The film was written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko and even though the film is set in the present, there was a clear echo of the 1970s and the forces behind the rock music industry.
Very enjoyable film. I highly recommend it.
Movie Review: Wailing wannabe film students = Good movie you should get!
Summary: 5 Stars
You know this has got to be a good film when you get all of these bellyaching reviews from wannabe film students.
I just watched this movie on cable & loved it, so I went straight to Amazon to buy it and then I had to write a review once I saw some of the reviews below.
Some of these reviewers are so obviously bitter video store clerks and film school drop outs, who haven't gotten over the fact that they will never have what it takes to get a real movie made.
And, what is with giving away key moments of a movie in the reviews?...this kind of behavior makes you guys as bad as the people that used to give you wedgies and dunk your heads in toilets at school.
I mean come on... one of these reviewers says "Give me Woddy Allen any day"?...I can't think of a more wannabe fim nerd comment.
You guys don't even have to list where you are from ( Texas? Iceland ?) for it to be obvious that you don't have a clue about the lifestyles depicted in this movie.
This movie was so beautifully shot, beautifully scored, and beautifully nuanced with varying degrees of human nature that it gives me hope that some people in Hollywood can still make movies that take the emotional side of your brain on an introspective ride through a film instead of just the the part of your brain you use to play video games or read comic books.
Buy this movie & Soundtrack and you will grow inside.
Movie Review: Excellent Indie
Summary: 5 Stars
Immediately drawn to anything with the name, "Christian Bale" in it, I saw "Laurel Canyon" as soon as it came out in theatres. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and the opening scene left me a bit skeptical. I'm not usually one for the artsy-independent films, but there was something about this one. The cinematography is beautiful and the characters are engaging and likeable, despite their vices.After seeing the film, I have to admit that I was a bit shocked at some of the things that happened, but after thinking about it, the only way I can describe this film is, "absolutely beautiful." Everything about it is rhetorically savvy, with intelligently written parts, and wonderfully developed characters. It is almost as if the creators did a "mind experiment" in which well-developed characters, that we can relate to, are placed in uncharacteristic environments so that we may see the implications of one's actions and upbringing.
"Laurel Canyon's" music is superb; I reccommend the soundtrack if you enjoyed the songs.
I also strongly reccommend this film to anyone who: (a) enjoys indie films, (b) enjoys artistic films, (c) is attracted to beauty, and (d) likes to watch meaningful, thought-provoking films. Excellent, simply marvelous!
Movie Review: Laurel Canyon
Summary: 5 Stars
"Laurel Canyon" is an unexpected, low-key, and marvelous film with an awesome cast that is just really a good movie. The film stars Oscar Winner Frances McDormand (Best Actress, Fargo) as Jane, a record producer who lives on Laurel Canyon. Christian Bale (Batman Begins) stars as Sam, Jane's son who happens to be a doctor. Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, The Aviator) plays Alex, Sam's fiancee. Anyway, for a reason I forget; Sam and Alex move into the house with Jane, who appears to be (what to me would be) a really cool mom...Sam doesn't see it that way and is worried about Alex's reaction. It doesn't help that a rock star named Ian (Alessandro Nivola, who gives an inspired performance) lives there while he records an album with his band and has sex with Jane. The movie has a few weird turns and goes into quite a few directions; but the dialogue is so good, the acting is so great, and the story is so interesting...It really doesn't matter. I'd say, although this isn't really a good reason, the only downside to the movie was the lack of nudity. But, this is a good movie and I highly recommend checking it out.
GRADE: A-