Les Misérables

3.5 Potatoes

"Les Misérables" (2012) by Tom Hooper was overall Okay.

Anne Hathaway was amazing and very impressive.
Hugh Jackman was not there 100%.
Russell Crow ... don't even bother.

Overall all the young casts were very talented and amazingly well acted:
Marius played by Eddie Redmeyne
Gavroche the little boy played by Daniel Huttlestone
and the little Cosette played by Isabelle Allen only had a small appearance but validated her existence.

It is a good holiday movie and a tearjerker. You can't go wrong with Victor Hugo.


Official Site: http://www.lesmiserablesfilm.com/

Synopsis: In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever. (IMDb)



USA: In Theaters Now

The Imposter

3 Potatoes

"The Imposter" (2012) by Bart Layton, a documentary about a French imposter Frédéric Bourdin and the family of a missing child Nicholas Barclay.

I have seen a film about this case "Chameleon" (2010) by Jean-Paul Salomé, which I talked about it on my blog.

The whole story is very disturbing, you know your own child, you know when the person is a stranger. The child do not change much around the age of 14-17. So  you know.

They are the only one know the truth what had happened to Nicholas.


Synopsis: A documentary centered on a young Frenchman who convinces a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son who went missing for 3 years.




Official Site: http://imposterfilm.com/


Recommended on DVD.

Woman in the Fifth

2.5 Potatoes

"Woman in the Fifth" (2012) - La Femme du Vème by Pawel Pawlikowski was just released here in Los Angeles. A film with Ethan Hawke and Kristine Scott Thomas didn't appeal to me at first. I didn't see any chemistry between them.
Then I saw the trailer. It did change my mind to see it (On Demand), the suspense story was
interesting but it was a okay film.

I recommend you to see it on demand or on DVD.

My last thought was... "So she was....?" and "Oh Ethan Hawke aged not so well".



Official Site: http://womaninthefifth-movie.com/


USA: In Theaters Now and Available on Demand.

"Headhunters" from Norway

3.5 Potatoes

"Headhunters" (2011) - Hodejegerne by Morten Tyldum, a crime thriller from Norway, is a must-see!


This film was released at AFI last year and now in theaters in LA. 
Stylish, gruesome, suspenseful and very intelligently written. There are a lot of
surprises throughout the film, some humors are not to miss.


I really enjoyed it. Oh by the way, the guy who plays Clas Greve,
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, is Ser Jaime Lannister from the HBO series "Game of Thrones" if you are wondering where you've seen him.

Synopsis: An accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary. (IMDb)

USA: In Theaters Now

Snow White and the Huntsman

2.5 Potatoes

I just saw the pre-screening of the "Snow White and the Huntsman" (2012) by Rupert Sanders. Stunningly beautiful cinematography, beautiful costume and Charlize Theron's witchy Queen were mesmerizing, yet tough chick Twilight Snow White... not so.
I thought the Huntsman needed some acting lesson but hey one of the Avengers of course can save anyone right? Sorry for the son of the Duke, Duke of the dude to be, couldn't be the magical prince from faraway land.

A bit confusing to watch, great poster.


USA: In theaters June 1st, 2012

"Pina" 3D - Wim Wenders' latest

4 Potatoes

Last night Wim Wender introduced us the completely "new way" to enjoy 3D.
His latest film "Pina" (2011) a documentary/performing art film about the choreographer
Pina Bausch.

This could be the totally new way of enjoying stage/theater production also. It makes you feel like you are sitting on the front raw of the theater watching the performing art. So real.
Wim Wenders said "...3D was the only way to film dance...". He was so right.

Wim Wenders & Pina

Not only this documentary stunned me by the new discovery, it is also perfect in quality: location choices, music, editing and length of film.

Highly recommended.


Official Site & Trailer: http://www.pina-film.de/en/

More about Pina Bausch: http://www.pina-bausch.de/en/pina_bausch/index.php




USA: In Theater December 23rd, 2011


Germany's Official Submission for the Oscar 2012: Foreign Language Film

Luc Besson "The Lady"

3.5 Potatoes

Luc Besson's latest film "The Lady" (2011) was finally premiered at
the AFI Fest 2011 tonight. I waited for this movie to be released for a long time, not only the subject was fascinating, but he hasn't directed a live-action movie in a long time!

Actually I remember reading some interview about 5 years ago (I am sorry I can't quote it because I don't remember where I read it...), him saying he will retire from directing after "Angel A" (2006) and focus on producing... Well he did "the Arthur and the Invisibles" (2006-2010) series after that but they were not live-action.

Anyway, sadly I could only give 3.5 Potatoes.
First of all, I think he lost his touch for creating his style... He was at the festival in person and he said "This is the most important film of my life". But I disagreed as an audience.
YES the subject was very important to speak about, but Aung San Suu Kyi's life and achievement can't be explained in 2 hours, unless it is well edited.
And it starts very slow and get intense in the middle and it sucks you in. Knowing what she really went through, it was very heart breaking and tearful.
But the reality hits you and makes you wonder how convincing Michelle Yeoh's Burmese was... (She acted in 2 languages: UK English and Burmese).

At the end, it wasn't just perfect...

And one last thing, Luc Besson's usual soundtrack composer Eric Serra, you weren't at your best either.

Synopsis: The story of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and the academic and writer Michael Aris; a true story of love set against political turmoil. (IMDb)




USA: In Theater December 2, 2011

"Drive" with Ryan Gosling

3.5 Potatoes

I just saw the new film "Drive" (2011) by Nicolas Winding Refn. No expectation nor knowledge about it before I went to the screening. Only one thing I knew about this film was that the director won the Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Surprisingly, I really liked it. The movie had a touch of the 80's cheesiness and I also thought the film was somewhat influenced by Claude Lelouch's "Roman de Gare" (2007), especially the driving scenes and the music which goes along with them. But that didn't bother me really. I thought the film was well executed and Ryan Gosling is an actor that truly can act without dialogues.

Highly Recommended.


Synopsis: A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong. (IMDb)




USA: In Theater Everywhere on Friday 09/16/2011

"The Debt"

2 Potatoes

The film "The Debt" (2011) by John Madden had an early release to gain the box office. Was it successful? Well for me not, at least...
The story of Mossad was very interesting but they made Mossad like weeping puppy compare to how the film "Munich" (2005) by Steven Spielberg portrayed it...

Unfortunately it was very under directed.


Dear Madam Helen Mirren,

You are not really a Femme Fatale, please stay as a Queen if you can.

Sincerely yours,
Operation Couch Potato aka Femme Fatale wanna be

Synopsis: The espionage thriller begins in 1997, as shocking news reaches retired Mossad secret agents Rachel (Helen Mirren) and Stefan (Tom Wilkinson) about their former colleague David (Ciarán Hinds). All three have been venerated for decades by their country because of the mission that they undertook back in 1966, when the trio (portrayed, respectively, by Jessica Chastain, Marton Csokas, and Sam Worthington) tracked down Nazi war criminal Vogel (Jesper Christensen) in East Berlin. At great risk, and at considerable personal cost, the team's mission was accomplished - or was it? The suspense builds in and across two different time periods, with startling action and surprising revelations.


Official Website & Trailer: http://www.focusfeatures.com/the_debt/


USA: In Theaters Now, BUT recommended on DVD...

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind"

3 Potatoes

Last night's screening was a double featured. After watching the film "E.T.", I also watched "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) by Steven Spielberg. I didn't remember much of the film except the tune, and it was hard for me to follow the film at the beginning. Then slowly I got sucked in to it.

Still, it wasn't too memorable as "E.T.", but once again, it was very enjoyable to see it again on the big screen.



DVD Available Everywhere 

"E.T." come home!

5 Potatoes

I just saw "E.T." (1982) by Steven Spielberg again tonight, but on the big screen at Aero Theater. What an amazing film it is! This time it was a different cut, some new scene was added and some deleted, but the great quality was still there.

©1982 & 2002 - Universal Studios

Everyone is looking so young, especially Peter Coyote! And the amazing performance of the little Henry Thomas still touches your heart. He surely turned out to be a one fine actor. Not to mention, how big of a star Drew Barrymore became. Even though this film ruined her life in a way, she overcame the obstacle and became very successful and one of the most likable actress in Hollywood.

Did you know? Most of the grown ups' faces are not shown through out the film except the mother and Peter Coyote? Finally towards the end of the film, you will see some of the faces, inevitable I guess...

©1982 & 2002 - Universal Studios

I wish Spielberg didn't produce the film "Super 8" and made "E.T." now and after instead...

Oh the children's fantasy is the grown ups tearjerker!!!

P.S. There is a great behind scene on DVD, a footage from the casting scene with Henry Thomas. This is a must see, it blows your mind!



DVD Available Everywhere

"Sarah's Key"

3.5 Potatoes

I just saw a movie called "Sarah's Key" (2010) - Elle s'appelait Sarah by Gilles Paquet-Brenner.
This film is based on the novel by the same title "Elle s'appelait Sarah" (2006) - Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.
You see so many Nazi related movies through out your life time and you can never get used to the fact that the human beings did all this bad and brutal things to other human beings...
and we will probably never be able to get the right answer WHY...

This movie is focused on the little girl Sarah, after the fact how her little brother Michael died haunts her until she dies and an American journalist played by Kristin Scott Thomas tries to reveal what exactly happened to Sarah.

The story was well written and it is easy to follow. This film has a different view of the era because it was caused by non-Germans which has been rarely told in history.

By the way, the film "Pretty Things" (2001) - Les Jolies Choses by the same director and the main character played by Marion Cotillard is a great film also.

Both films Highly Recommended.


Synopsis: In modern-day Paris, a journalist (Kristen Scott Thomas) finds her life becoming entwined with a young girl whose family was torn apart during the notorious Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in 1942. (IMDb)


Synopsis(FR): Julia Jarmond, journaliste américaine installée en France depuis 20 ans, enquête sur l'épisode douloureux du Vel d'Hiv. En remontant les faits, son chemin croise celui de Sarah, une petite fille qui avait 10 ans en juillet 1942. Ce qui n'était que le sujet d'un article devient alors, pour Julia, un enjeu personnel, dévoilant un mystère familial. Comment deux destins, à 60 ans de distance, vont-ils se mêler pour révéler un secret qui bouleversera à jamais la vie de Julia et de ses proches ? La vérité issue du passé a parfois un prix dans le présent... (AlloCiné)

Official site and Trailer: http://www.sarahskey.com.au/

USA: In Theaters Now

"Vanishing on 7th Street"

0 Potato, So Wilted and Wasted

So I am finally watching the movie "Vanishing on 7th Street" (2010) by Brad Anderson. Now that I am watching it, I don't even know why I wanted see this movie for so long... Big let down. Bad directing, bad acting and very bad story. See there is something wrong with the story when the story jumps from Day 1 to 72 hours later at only 10 mins into the movie.

The movie is still playing as a BGM as I write this Blog...

Synopsis: The population of Detroit has almost completely disappeared, but a few remain. As daylight disappears they realize that the Dark is coming for them. (IMDb)

USA: DVD Available

Quote of the Day - English

A beautiful quote...

"Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver the other gold."
- Anonymous




Thank you Stephanie for sharing this with me!

"The Chameleon"

2 Potatoes

The based on the biography by the famous French child impostor Frédéric Bourdin, "The Chameleon" (2010) by Jean-Paul Salomé is finally released in Los Angeles.

The story is truly interesting though the movie itself was weak. I thought they could have done better, more intense and more detailed. Ellen Barkin's performance was amazing though. She really changed her appearance.

Too bad, I could only give you 2 potatoes Marc-André Grondin!

Frédéric Bourdin News: Missing Nicholas Barclay

Synopsis: The amazing true story of Frédéric Bourdin, who after having plundered all the centers for runaway minors and deliquents in Europe, even thought he has come of age, now passes himself off as Nicholas Barclay, a 13-year-old American who had vanished three years ago. To his astonishment, Nicholas's family welcomes him like their son, leaving Interpol and the FBI aghast. It is the beginning of a race against time for the investigators, family and Bourdin. But who is manipulating whom? And who is Frederic Bourdin in reality? (IMDb)


USA: In Theater Now

"The Beginners"

3 Potatoes

I just saw the movie "The Beginners" (2010) by Mike Mills this afternoon. It was very different from what I expected from the theater preview/trailer. I had an impression that this movie would be more comical and Hollywood-ish film. But I was completely wrong.

The way this film was created is very interesting, it gives you a moment to digest at a few separated points through out the movie. I kind of liked it. It shows you how to adapt yourself to life or to certain situation and deal with it, at the end it is not necessary a bad thing.

The only problem for me was the girl friend, she didn't reveal herself too much in the movie that I personally didn't see the strong connection between the main character and her.

After all, I still recommend anyone to see this movie.


USA: In Theater Now

"The Trip" #2

4 Potatoes

I just saw the UK movie "The Trip" (2011) by Michael Winterbottom. It was so funny and simple yet clever. I didn't even realize the movie was almost 110 mins long. The road trip to north and food critiques were very amusing to my eyes. Highly recommended.


Synopsis: Steve Coogan has been asked by The Observer to tour the country's finest restaurants, but after his girlfriend backs out on him he must take his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon. (IMDb)


Official Site & Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/the-trip


USA: In Theater Now

Super 8 Not So Super

1.5 Potatoes

So finally I saw the movie "Super 8" (2011) by J.J. Abrams. Not to mention this film is produced by none other than Mr. Steven Spielberg. The man who created the unforgettable movie "E.T." (1982) and he sort of helped creating this conspiracy theory revealing movie.

The train crash in Ohio was based on the real event which was suspected of transporting something very confidential: Alliance, Ohio Train wreck of 1972

Overall, the movie was kind of the Goonies meets the Alien who ends up as a E.T.. None of the actors were too convincing and none of the kids except the main boy will be a star. And the kid's film at the end was so unnecessary.

↓↓↓SPOILER↓↓↓
The story was so identical to the movie "E.T.": a single parent home kid encounters something mysterious and cruises around town on bike... including the ending with the all of the sudden so adorable alien with the boy saying 'go home'...
↑↑↑SPOILER↑↑↑

Alliance, Ohio Train Crash 1972

The only good part of the film was the amazing train crash as my friend already told me about it beforehand, and the soundtrack. That was about it.

Official Site & Trailer: http://www.super8-movie.com/#

USA: Showing In Theater Now

Stop for a second to reflect on your life

unknown source

In the past a few days, I have been receiving a few posts by friends on FB regarding 'LIFE'. It is interesting to see these words are circulating around the world, maybe it is a sign or something is telling you to STOP for a moment and look back.

The life we live in is moving faster than the speed of light. Why are we in such a rush? Where are we going? Are we leaving something behind? There will be no reward at the end of the road as we know it, because we already missed all the valuable moments along the way.

Life is short, reflect on it while you can...

"The Trip"

Here is one movie I really want to see this week. "The Trip" (2010) by Michael Winterbottom.


Just by watching the trailer itself was already funny to me. British countryside, gourmet food and British humor, what more can I ask for!


I am just in the perfect mood for this.
Stay tuned for more comment :)


Synopsis: When Steve Coogan is asked by The Observer to tour the country's finest restaurants, he envisions it as the perfect getaway with his beautiful girlfriend. But, when she backs out on him, he has no one to accompany him but his best friend and source of eternal aggravation, Rob Brydon. As the brilliant comic duo, freestyling with flair, drive each other mad with constant competition and showdowns of competing impressions (including dueling Michael Caines, Sean Connerys and Al Pacinos), the ultimate odd couple realize in the end a rich amount about not only good food, but the nature of fame, relationships and their own lives. (IFC.com)

Official Site & Trailer: http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/the-trip


USA: In Theater Now
USA: VOD on June 22, 2011