LIFE PARTNERS - SUSANNA FOGEL (2014)

At 29, the most long-term relationship Sasha (Leighton Meester) and Paige (Gillian Jacobs) have ever been in is with each other, using their co-dependent friendship as an excuse not to venture out into the dating world alone. But when Paige meets nerdy Tim (Adam Brody) and starts to get serious for the first time, the nature of their friendship begins to shift. Fearing she's being cast aside, Sasha tries to keep their relationship the same, but does growing up also mean growing apart?

Life Partners is pretty entertaining and easy to watch. A lot of issues tackled on the movie are very realistic and very relatable (growing out of a phase, postponing one's passion for a more conventional and menial job to afford time for creative study but end up rethinking your priorities and looking at your life from a different perspective). All in all, quite a nice movie !

LIFE PARTNERS, SUSANNA FOGEL (2014)

ALL IS BY MY SIDE - JOHN RIDLEY (2013)

A drama based on Jimi Hendrix's life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.

Biopics are tricky ... Rare are the good ones, right ? Well, All is By My Side disappointed me  ... 

Not enough backstory, incomplete and uninformative situations  (the depiction of domestic violence has been decried as false by Etchingham) and dialogues, no emotional core, no heart. Just an assemblage of vignettes that don't add to the story and give us no insight of any depth into Jimi's psyche and inner life. 

Also there isn't even one single great scene ... (I mean you know every good movie has at least one scene that struck you !). 

However, André Benjamin captured Jimi Hendrix in a strong performance and the direction totally nailed the 60's look and feel. 

Unfortunately the acting and art department weren't enough to save it for me ...

PS Don't plan on hearing Purple Haze, Foxy Lady, The Wind Cries Mary, Manic Depression, ... as John Ridley couldn't get approval to use any Hendrix songs in this film. (The movie concerns Hendrix BEFORE his debut album anyway.)

ALL IS BY MY SIDE, JOHN RIDLEY (2013)

MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT - WOODY ALLEN (2014)

Chinese conjuror Wei Ling Soo is the most celebrated magician of his age, but few know that he is the stage persona of Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth), a grouchy and arrogant Englishman with a sky-high opinion of himself and an aversion to phony spiritualists' claims. Persuaded by his friend, Howard Burkan (Simon McBurney), Stanley goes on a mission to the Côte d'Azur mansion of the Catledge family: mother Grace (Jacki Weaver), son Brice (Hamish Linklater), and daughter Caroline (Erica Leerhsen). He presents himself as a businessman named Stanley Taplinger in order to debunk the alluring young clairvoyant Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) who is staying there with her mother (Marcia Gay Harden). Sophie arrived at the Catledge villa at the invitation of Grace, who is convinced that Sophie can help her contact her late husband, and once there, attracted the attention of Brice, who has fallen for her head over heels.

I was not as delighted as I thought it would be ... Don't get me wrong it is a pleasant and charming movie but it is just not the best Allen one ! 

The script could have been sharper (the romance side didn't really work for me) and the dialogues wittier (still some great lines but not as many as usual ...). 

But the actors are great and the re-creation of the 20's French Riviera (scenery + outfits) is gorgeous. 

MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT, WOODY ALLEN (2014)

NORTHERN SOUL - ELAINE CONSTANTINE (2014)

Northern Soul is the story of a youth culture in the 1970s, which changed a generation. No longer satisfied with the prospect of a small town life and a factory production line, two young boys dream of going to America to discover rare records which will help them become the best DJs on the scene. This forces them to confront rivalry, violence and drug abuse and their friendship is tested to the limit. This is Northern Soul.

To be honest, I LOVE this kind of movie (British movies about youth culture from another era which make you think : If you were there, you'll know. If you weren't there, you'll wish you had been) so I might be a little biased but still I had such a great time ! 

The film is worth watching for anyone interested in England in the seventies , music trends and dancing. 

The popularity of the Northern Soul scene surged when the all-nighters began at Wigan Casino nightclub

The film deals with the phenomenon that was Northern Soul (which started around Manchester (where I'm currently living wow)). 

A music and dance genre that centered on rejected soul music that did not make it big time in the American charts but was embraced by the working class kids of northern England who made it their own (ah the eternal search for excitement and novelty). 

The movie recaptures the depressing atmosphere of the time (drug use, violence, hopelessness of the school system, disintegrating family life). 

Fantastic music 

and great moves on the dancefloor (you won't be disappointed). It may look like choreographed martial arts with legs and arms flailing but it was a precursor to some of the disco and break dance moves that appeared in the years afterwards.

 What also struck me is the strength of the friendship between the main characters (stellar cast by the way) Matt and John. The support and understanding and acceptance of one another is remarkable.

This feisty, frequently amusing chronicle of 2 young men's journey (and what a journey !) through the dancehalls of Lancashire nails its time and place. Best get on your dancing shoes ;-)

NORTHERN SOUL, ELAINE CONSTANTINE (2014)

A LONG WAY DOWN - PASCAL CHAUMEIL (2013)

Four lost souls - a disgraced TV presenter, a foul-mouthed teen, an isolated single mother and a solipsistic muso - decide to end their lives on the same night, New Year's Eve. When this disillusioned quartet of strangers meet unintentionally at the same suicide hotspot, a London high-rise with the well-earned nickname Topper's Tower, they mutually agree to call off their plans for six weeks, forming an unconventional, dysfunctional family, becoming media sensations as the Topper House Four and searching together for the reasons to keep on living.

A Long Way Down has an intriguing premise, unfortunately it is watered down into a schmaltzy cop-out that’s seldom as funny or as moving as it should be. 

Suicide never feels like a reality; it’s a plot device at best here, and not for a single moment do you believe any of these people are truly desperate, with the exception of one raw, genuinely affecting moment from J.J. that comes too late. 

Overall, this film never quite comes together into something meaningful and the tone and the execution fall flat ... 

A LONG WAY DOWN, PASCAL CHAUMEIL (2013)

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL - HOWARD DEUTCH (1987)

A young tomboy, Watts, finds her feelings for her best friend, Keith, run deeper than just friendship when he gets a date with the most popular girl in school. Unfortunately, the girl's old boyfriend, who is from the rich section of town, is unable to let go of her, and plans to get back at Keith.

Best movie I've seen in a while ! I've absolutely adored it !! ♥♥♥♥♥ It is a John Hughes classic (he wrote the scenario which is more or less a male version of Pretty in Pink). Gorgeous Eric Stoltz and adorable Mary Stuart Masterson ! 

Some Kind of Wonderful is a realistic (the dialogues are very lucid), touching, charming, cute, entertaining and very humorous teenage movie. Watch it, you won't regret it ! 

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (1987) - HOWARD DEUTCH

TALES OF THE JAZZ AGE - F.S. FITZGERALD

The Jazz Age. A time of opulence and excess. Of boredom and glamour. Of the shifting morals that followed the First World War. The 1920s and '30s were heady decades captured perfectly by Fitzgerald in this collection of short stories.

I can't explain why but it's been a few years I consider Fitzgerald as my favorite author. There's something about his way of writing (an intangible nostalgia, melancolia ? I'm not sure ...)  I just admire and love.

 I've actually already read most of the short stories which are in this collection (I bought A Diamond As Big As The Ritz and 26 Other Stories 2 years ago and of course I highly recommend it) but it was a real pleasure to read them again (especially The Diamond as Big As The Ritz and The Lees of Happiness)

or to discover new ones (such as the stunning O Russet Witch which I was simply struck by and the very famous and great The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). 

TALES OF THE JAZZ AGE, F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

THE INBETWEENERS - TV SERIES

The Inbetweeners follows the often misguided footsteps of four friends, Will, Simon, Neil and Jay, as they try to navigate their way through sixth form, with their hormones running riot. None of our heroes are exceptional, all are distinctly average: Will is constantly trying to raise their social standing, Simon is a hopeless romantic who is obsessed with schoolmate Carli, Neil is sometimes so slow it’s more like owning a pet than having a friend, and Jay is a borderline sex pest constantly bragging about imaginary sexual experiences.

The Inbetweeners is a touching series about adolescent escapades which invariably do not go as planned, leading to much hilarity. 

No doubt it contains a lot of swearing, some crude scenes and an abundance of sexual references but it totally fits to the general atmosphere. You really get to know and love the characters. 

Of course, the four boys provide most of the laughs - but really their parents are not forgotten.

Highlights of the series for me was the trip into London and the first time they attempt drugs - two very funny episodes. 

The series is incredibly entertaining and highly amusing. Don't hesistate to watch it !

THE INBETWEENERS (SERIES 1 TO 3) 2008-2010

GEORGIA RULE - GARRY MARSHALL

Une jeune adolescente rebelle qui entretient des rapports conflictuels avec sa mère, (et pour cause, son beau-père a abusé d'elle en cachette) est forcée d'aller passer l'été chez sa grand-mère. Leur voyage va amener les trois femmes à révéler des secrets de famille jusqu'ici enfouis, et va prouver que même mis à l'épreuve, les liens mère-fille sont inébranlables.

Voila un film que je désirais voir depuis fort longtemps ! 

 J'avoue ne pas comprendre toutes les critiques négatives que j'ai pu lire à son sujet ... Peut-être que le dosage entre humour (plus présent) et drame sur un sujet aussi douloureux et sensible (l'inceste) n'a pas été apprécié.  

L'histoire n'est pas nouvelle, elle est très simple (malgré cela, on ne s'ennuie pas un seul instant) mais en apparaît d'autant plus plausible, vraie. 

Outre les 3 portraits de femmes blessées mais vaillantes dressés avec brio, l'intérêt du film réside aussi dans son épatant trio d'actrices aux fortes personnalités. Jane Fonda impose le respect, Felicity Huffman est top et Lindsay Lohan démontre, n'en déplaise à certains, qu'elle est excellente actrice (oui, je maintiens qu'elle a beaucoup de talent ! si seulement elle se reprenait vraiment en main, elle pourrait l'exploiter à sa juste mesure). 

Un film touchant, drôle et rondement mené (seul reproche: la fin est un peu trop rapidement expédiée ^^) que je vous conseille ! 

DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY - TV SERIES

The adaptation of PD James's sequel to Pride and Prejudice picks up six years after the end of Austen's book with the Darcys (Matthew Rhys and Anna Maxwell Martin) preparing for a ball when a murder occurs in the woods with Wickham (Matthew Good) being the prime suspect.

As the mystery unspools, Darcy withdraws from Elizabeth, and their relationship falters. Suspicions are raised, and Elizabeth must sort out the truth. This cheeky mash up of period drama (what a joy to get back to the Pride and Prejudice's atmosphere + characters) and Agatha Christy is extremely entertaining, it looks beautiful, it's funny too, and even a little bit scary !!! Don't miss it ;-) 

Behind the scenes ;-)

DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY (2013)

HEARTSTRINGS - LEIGHTON MEESTER

Leighton Meester conquered the upper east side as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl ... But with Heartstrings, her debut full length album, she shows she has more than one string to her bow !

 Her record is diametrically opposed to what I was expecting (some club friendly pop songs like the ones she has done in the past). 

The tracks are filled with dreamy surf guitars, shimmering melodies and smoky vocals and even if it is slightly overproduced and not particularly groundbreaking, Heartstrings is a pleasure to listen to.  Tea and a warm blanket are recommended when playing the album ;-)

HEARTSTRINGS, LEIGHTON MEESTER (28/10/2014)

MY FAVOURITE FADED FANTASY - DAMIEN RICE

8 years ... It's been 8 years since Damien Rice' last record ... Quite a long time to wait for fans, right ! But it is FINALLY here ! So rejoice !! 

Well of course Lisa Hannigan is long gone ... But the songwriting is so strong, she is barely missed. The ghost of Jeff Buckley (whom I deeply love) haunts parts of Damien Rice’s My Favourite Faded Fantasy . The 8 tracks are truly heartbreaking. Everything is beautifully crafted, very melancolic and tortured. 

A little jewel definitely worth listening to !! 

MY FAVOURITE FADED FANTASY, DAMIEN RICE (october 14)

ELECTRIC BRICK WALL - BLACK BANANAS

J'ai découvert Jennifer Herrema suite aux interviews de The Kills dans lesquelles ils citaient Royal Trux (dont Herrema était la chanteuse) comme leur plus grande inspiration (que ce soit au niveau du look ou du son). 

Ayant énormément accroché à ce dernier, c'est tout naturellement que j'ai continué à suivre la carrière de la rockeuse ! 

Jennifer a formé Black Bananas en 2010. Electric Brick Wall reprend là où le précédent album, Rad Time Xpress IV, nous avait laissé. C'est dense, chaotique et messy (un surprenant cocktail de funk, de rock 80's, d'électro synth pop des 70's etc), en clair ça part dans tous les sens mais contrairement à ce que l'on pourrait penser, ça fonctionne super bien ! J'adore !

ELECTIRC BRICK WALL, BLACK BANANAS (juin 2014)

CAUSTIC LOVE - PAOLO NUTINI

Avec Caustic Love, c’est sur les plates-bandes d’Otis Redding et Marvin Gaye que le jeune homme décide de jouer et c'est vraiment très réussi ! 

Les arrangements soul/funk/blues très léchés mettent en valeur la voix délicieusement éraillée du chanteur. 

CAUSTIC LOVE, PAOLO NUTINI (avril 2014)