Kiwi Film Review: Silver Linings Playbook

IMDB: 8.2/10(222 on the Top 250 list)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%(critics) 91%(audience)
Roger Ebert: 3.5/4

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Julia Styles.
Directed By: David O. Russell
Written By: David O. Russell(screenplay), Matthew Quick(novel)

Release Date: 21 November 2012
Described by IMDB as: "After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own."


I watched this movie earlier this week online because of all of the nominations and wins it got at the Golden Globes. I had planned on watching it in theatres when it was released in November, but it hadn't been released here so I assumed it would never be. I thought this until yesterday when it was finally released here, so tonight my friend and I went to see it tonight, her first time, my second. I'm so glad I did because I actually got quite a bit more out of it then I did the first time. I think it was mostly because I wasn't fully watching it, I was doing other things at the same time, so I missed a few things.

This movie was hilarious, heartbreaking, enlightening, and heartwarming. There wasn't a single character (besides Nikki obviously) that wasn't endearing and interesting. I found that the character development was also very well done, and I think that the acting really helped out in that. Pat(Bradley Cooper) is a really great character, I found him very unique and complex, which I find is the best part of books being made into films, there tends to be  better character development. I really liked his quirkiness and how he was completely oblivious to himself. Tiffany(Jennifer Lawrence) is an equally complex character, and I think it was easy to see how much she needed to feel loved. I really liked how open they were with each other, they knew they had nothing to hide, they could just be themselves 100% and they didn't need to change for each other. 

The acting in this film was so good. Bradley Cooper has been in a couple of serious roles now, but none have shown his acting abilities like this one. He was so much more then a pretty face in this one, and I think thats fantastic for him, I really think this movie will open all doors for him and I'm really happy for him about that. He was really amazing as Pat, you couldn't help but just adore him. Robert De Niro was also very impressive in this film, not that he needed to prove himself, but damn, he still has it. But lets be real, it was Jennifer Lawrence who stole the show in this film. Her role as Tiffany was a pretty bizarre one, but a character who is equally as loveable by the end. I've really enjoyed Jennifer since I saw her in her Oscar nominated role in Winter's Bone, which was also a fantastic movie. I'm glad that I had heard of her before she did The Hunger Games, because I was already aware of the fact that she had great talent, and I don't want those movies to be her legacy like it has so far been with Kristen Stewart. She's only 22 and this is her second Oscar nomination, unbelievably impressive, and I think that we can all agree that we'll be seeing great things out of her for a long, long time to come. 

I absolutely loved this film. I think I should redo my Top Films of 2012 list because this is definitely up there now. Such an amazing movie. I'm gonna give it a 9/10. I loved everything about it, it genuinely touched me.

Kiwi Film Review: Top 10 Film Trilogies

So, we all have our own favorites when it comes to trilogies. I think that a lot of people also become pretty passionate about their favorites, because unlike just one movie, you get tons of time for character development and therefore you get much more attached to the characters and the story lines are able to become more more intricate. So here is this weeks Top 10 list: Top 10 Film Trilogies

10.) Jason Borne Trilogy

I actually almost forgot about these ones when I was first making the list. I've only ever seen each one once, so theres actually a huge possibility that they should be higher, but until the day comes that I decide I need to see them again, they will stay at #10. These made me have some serious respect for Matt Damon, especially in The Borne Ultimatum, where he did a lot of the stunt work himself. These films are a perfect example of how to have an action movie with a real story to it. Really great.

9.) X-Men Trilogy

I adore practically everything that is fantasy/geeky, and X-Men definitely fits into that category. I have to say though, that I think the more recent ones are much better, and I think that First Class tops them all. I'm super excited about the new one coming out later this year. Of the trilogy the first is definitely my favorite, but the second two are great as well. I really don't think they're for everybody, but if you like action movies with a twist, especially superhero mutants, you'll definitely like these!

8.) Die Hard Trilogy

Technically there are 5 Die Hard movies but I've only seen the first 3 so I'm counting it as a trilogy, plus the last 2 came much later then the first ones. I only watched these for the first time earlier this year, so they're still pretty fresh in my mind. The first one is widely considered the greatest Christmas movie of all time, I don't think I'd go that far, but its definitely in my top 5. I never really understood the love for Bruce Willis until I saw these, but then I got it full on. I was pretty surprised to see Alan Rickman as the villan in the first one but it was awesome! Also has one of the best quotes of all time.

7.) Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV, V & VI)

A lot of people are going to think I'm crazy for not having it higher then this, but I can only love something so much. I think if I had seen it more then once when I was a child I'd like them more. I mean, I'm all about Star Wars, the only thing that holds me back is how awful some of the acting is. The awesomeness of the rest of it makes up for it for sure though. I just wish George Lucas would cut it out and stop updating some of the effects. It really took me out of it a couple of times when there were clearly 21st century special effects happening in a movie that was released in the early 80s. I really do enjoy them and will definitely be having a marathon on this upcoming Star Wars day (May the 4th). Everyone on earth should see these at least one time in their lives.

6.) Back To The Future Trilogy

Somehow I only saw these movies for the first time last year. The same thing will definitely not happen to my children, it is seriously unfair that my parents didn't show this to me when I was growing up. They are seriously so awesome! Such an awesome concept, who doesn't love time travel? I love the 80s version of what they think the future will be like, but going to the past in the first one was also very cool. I loved that they even kept the minor characters in all of them, very cool. Like I said, I really wish I had seen it when I was a kid because I would have enjoyed them even more, but I seriously sat down and watched them all in one day, once I got the first one into me I couldn't stop! I think its a general consensus that the third one is definitely the worst of the 3, but even that one was enjoyable. If you haven't seen them yet (which I doubt because everyone has) you should go see it now. Its never too late!

5.) Hannibal Lecter Trilogy 

I think these might actually be the movies that really pushed my love for  movies over the edge. In my first year of university when I was procrastinating my school work and saw it online and thought that I might as well try out Silence Of The Lambs because I'd never seen it before and I'd heard great things about it. Thats really when I started going crazy for movies, after I'd seen what I had been missing I decided I needed to watch every movie I'd ever wanted to see that I "just hadn't gotten around to." Thus  began my addiction passion. The Silence Of The Lambs is one of my favorite films of all time and I think it definitely deserves it. It won 5 Academy Awards; Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress for Jodie Foster, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Hannibal dropped the ball a little bit for me, as much as I love Julianne Moore, I really wish Jodie Foster had stayed for this one as well, but I think Red Dragon picked it back up again by recruiting Edward Norton and Ralph Finnes. Everyone assumes that these are scary movies but they really aren't, its definitely more of a thriller then a horror. Definitely check them out.

4.) The Godfather Trilogy

To be completely honest, I haven't seen the third movie yet, but I think the first two are so good that even if Part III was horrifyingly bad, I still wouldn't be able to put it below #4 on this list. These movies are mind-blowingly good. Part I was my first taste of Marlon Brando, and I have to say I was blown away with his unbelievably acting skills. These were also by far the best movies that I had ever seen Al Pacino in so it really changed him in my eyes. Most of his more recent movies have been pretty awful, so I'm glad I saw these to prove to myself that he hasn't always made bad decisions. All-around great acting and writing, the storylines were fantastic. I never thought I would enjoy gangster movies(despite the fact that I loved The Departed), but after seeing this one I went back and watched all of the big ones; Goodfellas, Casino, Untouchables, Once Upon A Time In America, still haven't gotten around to Scarface yet.

3.) Lord Of The Rings Trilogy

I've loved these movies since I saw Fellowship Of The Rings when I was 10 years old and nothing has changed. They are completely fantastic films in every way. They are beautifully shot, impressively acted, and perfectly written. Its hard to believe they've been out for as long as they have been. I can't wait until I'm able to put The Hobbit Trilogy on this list as well, which I'm sure I will as An Unexpected Journey was fantastic. I really think Peter Jackson did a really phenomenal job on these movies and if for some reason you haven't seen them, give them a chance. It still blows my mind that some people haven't seen them yet. This summer my friends and I took a Sunday and sat down and watched all 3 of the extended editions on blu-ray and it was fantastic. Only took 12 hours!

2.) Indiana Jones Trilogy

My Dad introduced me to these when I was a pretty young kid, and if this isn't an example of ways that films influence your life I don't know what is. When I graduated High School I went into University to study Archaeology. Obviously that didn't stick because I'm not doing that now, but I did do 2 years. I love these movies, I love the history, the mystery, the treasure hunts, but most of all, I absolutely adore Harrison Ford. I mean honestly, just try to watch these movies without falling in love with him. He's not an overly emotive man, but he's definitely what would be considered to be a "man's man." I mean, just look at that hat and whip. So attractive. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was definitely my least favorite, but I still enjoy watching it. I actually think that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was my favorite.

1.) The Dark Knight Trilogy

I know most people will disagree with me, but I don't care. I have loved Batman my entire life, and Christopher Nolan only helped me with that. I even love all of the 90s Batman movies, but not like I love these ones. I really think that Christopher Nolan changed superhero movies forever. Before this they very rarely appeared vulnerable, but that has been the case in one way or another in all three of these. It wasn't until The Dark Knight Rises came out that I could say for sure that this was my favorite trilogy, but I think that this final film weaved the trilogy together as I have never seen before. There was so much interaction between all three films that it just flows so beautifully. There is some absolutely incredible acting in all of the films from Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and especially Heath Ledger who won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his performance, but everyone else does an awesome job as well, Michael Caine steps up his acting in every movie. The cinematography is beautiful as well as the writing. I have no idea how its possible that Christopher Nolan or the films in general haven't won any Oscars for Directing or Best Picture, but its a shame. Anyone who enjoys any kind of films at all will enjoy these movies. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying them, they are just so good.

Honourable Mentions: The Matrix Trilogy, Mighty Ducks Trilogy, Toy Story Trilogy, Free Willy Trilogy

Kiwi Film Review: Top 10 80's Teen/Brat Pack Movies

Like I said, I've decided I want to try and do a new post every Sunday. I've decided that what I'm actually going to do is to have a Top 10 list every Sunday. The last few I've done have been a lot of fun so I figure, why not make it a new thing. Hopefully some people out there will enjoy them! So here they are: my list of Top 10 80's Teen/Brat Pack movies.

10.) Dirty Dancing

I put this last, only because I was iffy on even putting it on the list because its not really a "Brat Pack" film, or the kind of "high school" movie I had intended, but she is a teen so I think it counts. Great coming of age/ discovering love movie.

 9.) Footloose

Really great "fight the man"story. I enjoy any movie that proves that adults aren't always right, and kids/teens aren't always wrong. Great soundtrack and a great movie about fitting in as an outsider.

8.) The Outsiders

Who doesn't love a good gang movie. Greasers vs preps? Talk about excitement! Almost everyone in this movie became huge stars so it makes it pretty interesting to watch. Tom Cruise looks super different, but he's still crazy, so its all good. Great book and story, something everyone should check out at least once in their lives.

7.) Pretty In Pink

A sweet movie about not being afraid to be yourself in a world that doesn't appreciate people who are unique. Andie has to choose between giving her best friend Duckie a chance, or stepping out of her comfort zone and giving Blane, a rich popular boy at her school, a chance. Great movie that tackles class segregation as well.

6.) Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Have you ever wanted to see Sean Penn play a stoner, "Surfer-dude" character? Well this is your chance. This movie is seriously hilarious and a great movie about life as a teen, discovering love and lust, and the hardships that come with high school, and heartbreak. Really great movie.

5.) St. Elmo's Fire

Who doesn't love Rob Lowe as a badboy who plays the saxophone? Great film for the next chapter of life. A group of friends have just graduated college and are learning about how life really works. Love, moving in together, marriage, cheating, alcohol, drugs,  being a stalker; just a few of the many themes covered in this movie. Half the characters are just awful, and the other half are too sweet to even be friends with the bad ones.

4.) Sixteen Candles

This movie starts off with every teen's worst nightmare; your entire family forgetting your sixteenth birthday. This is a classic "regular girl has huge crush on most popular boy in school who happens to be dating the bitchy most popular girl in school" scenario, but it really stands on its own. You can't help but adore all of the characters, and it really makes you feel like your life is not so bad. Will Samantha's nightmare turn into a dream come true? Check it out!

 

3.) Say Anything

A genuinely nice guy finally gets the guts to ask out the beautiful and smart valedictorian of his class the day of graduation. So begins the ups and downs of a summer romance before she goes to college. I had no idea where the classic "boombox overhead outside of your window" scene came from until I watched this movie. Such a classic romantic scene that every girl dreams of. Or at least every girl who's a fan of these 80's teen movies.

2.) Ferris Bueller's Day Off

It doesn't get more classic then this. John Hughes is a genius. I love the style of filming in this movie where the main character talks directly into the film and at the audience. It really adds to the charm of the film. Plus, who doesn't love a random musical number in a random parade in the middle of a movie? Its really how any teen wants a day to go when they skip off school to go to the city with their friends.  The whole movie you're just hoping and wondering if Ferris will pull it off. 

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

1.) The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club is undoubtably the greatest teen film of all time. It pretty much hits almost every teen issue besides pregnancy. Drugs, sex, love, suicide, pressure in school, pressure in sports, pressure to be popular, pressure to fit in, loneliness, divorce, trouble at home, bullying. People who are normally the bad guys in movies, you can't help but feel bad for (ie the Jock or popular girl). You can't help but  connect, at least on some level, with every character, and thats the pure genius that was John Hughes. I don't know anyone who has ever seen this movie who hasn't enjoyed it. I mean, it was made over 25 years ago and it still speaks to so many kids today. 

"Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did *was* wrong. But we think you're crazy to make an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain ...and an athlete ...and a basket case... a princess... and a criminal. Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club."

Chicken & Broccoli Pasta

Well, I haven't posted any recipes in quite some time so I thought I should post one of my favorites. I like to call it Chicken & Broccoli Pasta.

Serving size 3-4 people depending on portion sizes. If serving to 4 add more a bit more pasta, if serving to more then 4 adjust ingredients to fit your needs.

Ingredients:

2- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 cup Broccoli(or any desired amount)

Half a box of Rotini

1 bottle of Classico's Alfredo & Sun-dried Tomato Sauce

Instructions:

1.) After gathering your ingredients, put your defrosted chicken breasts into a pot of boiling water for about 20 minutes or until cooked fully through. 

2.) While cooking the chicken breasts cook Rotini as the package instructs. Normally they tend to be ready around the same time as the chicken breasts.

3.) When you notice the chicken and pasta are ready, put bottle of the Classico Sauce into a large pan and put on medium heat. Cut up chunks of broccoli and put in sauce to cook a bit. I normally cut the broccoli to be about one-bite sized.

4.) Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and put in pan with sauce and broccoli. Drain Rotini and do the same.

5.) Cook together for about 10 minutes, until it is all fully cooked together, then serve. I normally serve with a salad, but however you like to serve is fine.

Enjoy!

I find this recipe pretty easy, only downside is that you have two pots and a pan to clean up, but I definitely think its worth it, tastes great! I've tried it without broccoli as well, but it just doesn't taste as great. 

2013 Golden Globe Nominees and Winners

Best Motion Picture, Drama
Argo
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Zero Dark Thirty

Best Motion Picture, Comedy
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Miserables
Moonrise Kingdom
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Silver Linings Playbook

Best Director, Motion Picture
Ben Affleck, Argo
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Richard Gere, Arbitrage
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Emily Blunt, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Judi Dench, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Maggie Smith, Quartet
Meryl Streep, Hope Springs

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust and Bone
Helen Mirren, Hitchcock
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
Rachel Weisz, The Deep Blue Sea

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams, The Master
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Alan Arkin, Argo
Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

Best Foreign Language Film
Amour (Austria)
A Royal Affair (Denmark)
The Intouchables (France)
Kon-Tiki (Norway/U.K./Denmark)
Rust and Bone (France)

Best TV Series, Comedy
The Big Bang Theory
Episodes
Girls
Modern Family
Smash

Best TV Series, Drama
Breaking Bad
Boardwalk Empire
Downton Abbey
Homeland
The Newsroom

Best TV Movie or Miniseries
Game Change
The Girl
Hatfields and McCoys
The Hour
Political Animals

Best Performance by an Actress in a TV series, Drama
Connie Britton, Nashville
Glenn Close, Damages
Claire Danes, Homeland
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series, Drama
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Damian Lewis, Homeland

Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series, Comedy
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Lena Dunham, Girls
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series, Comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Louis CK, Louie
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Kevin Costner, Hatfields and McCoys
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock
Woody Harrleson, Game Change
Toby Jones, The Girl
Clive Owen, Hemingway and Gellhorn

Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Nicole Kidman, Hemingway and Gellhorn
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Sienna Miller, The Girl
Julianne Moore, Game Change
Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Hayden Panettiere, Nashville
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Sarah Paulson, Game Change
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
Max Greenfield, New Girl
Ed Harris, Game Change
Danny Huston, Magic City
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Best Animated Film
Brave
Frankenweenie
Hotel Transylvania
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph

Best Screenplay for a Motion Picture
Zero Dark Thirty (Mark Boal)
Lincoln (Tony Kushner)
Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell)
Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino)
Argo (Chris Terrio)

Best Score for a Motion Picture
Life of Pi (Mychael Danna)
Argo (Alexandre Desplat)
Anna Karenina (Dario Marianelli)
Cloud Atlas (Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil)
Lincoln (John Williams)

Best Original Song, Motion Picture
"For You" - Act of Valor
"Not Running Anymore" - Stand Up Guys
"Safe & Sound" - The Hunger Games
"Skyfall" - Skyfall
"Suddenly" - Les Miserables