Movie Review - Melancholia

Stellar acting. Mesmerizing cinematography. Captivating screenplay. I give Melancholia two thumbs up! Based on Kirsten Dunst's recent interviews, I figured the film would be uber-depressing, however, Lars Von Trier seemed to focus more on the importance of family, specifically, the relationship between sisters, "Justine" and "Claire," rather than the complexities of depression, and I think their stories were quite poignant. Claire has always supported and cared for Justine, her unstable sister, and with both characters coming to terms with the pending apocalypse, in the end, it's Justine who steps up and is the stronger one. Lars dissects his characters, exposing their flaws; consequently, showing how some of them, such as the girls' parents and Justine's boss, affect Justine and Claire. This was helpful in terms of offering insight into why the sisters are the way they are. I actually found myself relating to Claire, how she was falling apart at the seams over her desire to save her son, not wanting his young life to be over, even though it was hopeless. Justine's acceptance of Melancholia and death made me examine my own fears. How would I react if facing the apocalypse? Would I meet it head on, or try to end my life beforehand? How would I spend my final moments on earth?
It's refreshing to see Kirsten bring it on in a dramatic role again and not swinging from a web, screaming her bloody head off. Both she and Charlotte Gainsbourg were fantastic, and if either actress is snubbed this awards season, then my suspicions that the awards are fixed will be confirmed (I'm still upset over Gwyneth's win. The Oscar should've been Cate Blanchett's.). Some of my favorite scenes involved Alexander Skarsgard, but that's only because I am obsessed with him (Sadly, he had no nude scenes. That is reserved for True Blood.). I'm not too familiar with Lars, so I can't really review him as a writer/director (I saw Dancer in the Dark like 10+ years ago.), but he has created a unique and powerful film. One that I will remember for a long time and, for me, that is what makes a great movie.

Ringer, A Real Humdinger

Sarah Michelle Gellar is back on the CW and all feels right with the world! I've missed SMG (and Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and am beyond thrilled for her new series, Ringer. The show premieres on September 13th and also stars Ioan Gruffudd, who co-starred in King Arthur with Clive Owen.

A Dangerous Method

Keira Knightley co-stars in A Dangerous Method with Fassbender (Inglourious Basterds), Mortensen (LOTR Trilogy) and Cassel (Black Swan). The film focuses on the relationships between friends Jung and Freud (two guys I remember studying in Psych 101 and being completely enamored of), and a female patient. I think a golden statue could go to Keira for this performance. Hollywood loves crazy. 

2011 TV Shows

Time again to share my TV line-up. I love watching TV. It's a part of who I am. As a kid, TV was my babysitter. It kept me company all those lonely weekends in High School. I pride myself on watching the good and predicting the fall of the bad. And fall's crop of new shows are sure to leave a bad taste in my mouth.....I mean, Playboy bunnies? Seriously, NBC?

Shows I've been watching this summer:

Friday Night Lights (A show I will miss dearly. That Kyle Chandler is super-sexy.)
Game of Thrones (Sean Bean is masterful.)
True Blood (I'm on Team Eric and so excited to finally see him and Sookie together, but there are too many story lines going on. It's annoying!)
Pretty Little Liars (I live vicariously through these beautiful, young, hip girls. I would love to go back to high school, but without all the murder stuff.)

Shows I've missed this summer:

Mad Men (leave it to squabbles over money to tie up the production of one of the best shows on television.)

Shows I've been waiting for:

Vampire Diaries (Buff, smoldering Vampires. Some cheesy love stuff, but the action compensates for it.)
Boardwalk Empire (Brilliant ensemble cast. Steve Buscemi and Michael Shannon are amazing!)
Big Bang Theory (Laugh-out-loud funny, satisfies my inner nerd.)
Two and a Half Men (As a fan of the show, I'm not sure how the series will do without Charlie "rockstar from Mars" Sheen. Ashton Kutcher is funny, That 70s Show, but I don't think he'll be able to carry the show like Charlie did.)

New fall shows I think will be canceled mid-season, or after its first season:
NBC-
Charlie's Angels
Up All Night
Whitney
The Playboy Club
Free Agents
Prime Suspect
Grimm
CBS-
Two Broke Girls
How to be a Gentleman
Unforgettable
A Gifted Man
ABC-
Revenge
Pan Am
Once Upon a Time
Last Man Standing
Man Up
Suburgatory

Mad Men Hiatus

Oh where, oh where has my Don Draper gone? Oh where, oh where can he be? I don't know about you, but I am going through serious Mad Men withdrawal. As of February, the show "technically" has not been renewed. Matthew Weiner, AMC and Lionsgate are all still negotiating contract renewals. I am concerned about this. We know AMC will air season 5 but when? I fear it'll be late fall-winter. Even Christina Hendricks expressed concern in a recent interview:

I know that there’s a Season 5 and we generally go back [to work] around May, June…. We’re just waiting for the word on when. I’ve heard just as many rumors as anybody else about the scheduling. It’s already a long wait in between seasons for the fans, so I hope they don’t have to wait any longer.

I hope we don't have to wait much longer either, Joanie. The hiatus is great for some of the show's stars working on their film careers, but I think fans are ready. With all this time on the writers' hands, I have high expectations for season 5.

And one thing that will temporarily fill the tv-void is HBO's miniseries, Mildred Pierce, airing March 27th. Most likely another award-winning role for Ms. Winslet.

Miss Ultimate Sexy Baby!

As a fan of pageant reality shows (yeah, I watch three different ones. I dream of winning Grand Supreme!), Jimmy Kimmel's spoof of Toddlers & Tiaras is spot on. Tom Hanks turns in another Oscar winning performance as the perfect pageant dad. "Sexy feet! Sexy feet!" Enjoy!

I'm going to use that spray bottle method on my kid!

A Golden Girl

I watched the Oscars red carpet and scheduled the DVR for the ceremony. I had planned to fast forward through the commercials and tedious segments, but ended up watching the entire trainwreck show. And despite the irksome hosts (I had hoped Billy Crystal would stay for the rest of the show.), I oohed and aahed over the gowns and got all emotional from a few of the winners' speeches (I missed Melissa Leo's F-bomb). I didn't pay much attention to the men this year, so I only chose a best-dressed actress. *drum roll*

Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott

I love the blue. I love the sparkliness. I love her Veronica Lake-like hairstyle. (The necklace was a bit much, but I certainly wouldn't look a gift Cartier-horse in the mouth). Bravo, Miss Adams, you have come a long way since Cruel Intentions 2!

Also, my Oscar predictions final tally was 7/8. I lost Best Actress.

Golden Globes Fashion

I'm still recovering mentally from watching the hot mess that was the Golden Globe awards. But the red carpet was quite a treat. Now, with all the stylists and money to spend in Hollywood, one would assume some celebs would've hired one, or have looked in the mirror before leaving the house. Helena Bonham Carter, what were you thinking? You, too, January Jones. Therefore, I am only choosing best dressed this year. So, without further ado, my picks for best dressed are

    Claire Danes in Calvin Klein and

Robert Pattinson in Gucci.

Images via

Claire Danes looked classic, simple and stunning. I love the pink and love that she won the award. Temple Grandin is such an amazing film. I'm not on Team Edward, but RPatz looked so dapper in his midnight blue tuxedo, and someone made sure he washed his hair. I look forward to his new film, Water for Elephants, with Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz.