Appreciating the work. Not the person.

My friends and I were having a discussion yesterday about film director Woody Allen.

For those of you who might not know this about him, he is infamous for marrying his step-daughter (well, adopted daughter of his ex-wife Mia Farrow).

This obviously leaves a creep factor for Allen, but I can't really deny his talent.

As scandalous as it is, I can see why people refuse to watch his films just because of this fact. But why can't people just see a piece of work for what it is? Allen is getting nominated/recognized for his work, not his personal life!

It's understandable not to pay for a film. But it is a bit silly to dislike something just because of the person behind it. ENJOY the piece of art! Not the person!!

Does this make sense?

So my point is: even though I am weirded out by Woody Allen, I think he is an extraordinarily talented writer/director.

And for that, I actually thank him for making a film that has solidified itself onto my top 20 list (if not top 10).

Movie Review: Drive

And while I spent so much time volunteering and hanging around TIFF, I even wrote a movie review published on andPOP!


CLICKIE...only if you want to...

Rating: 4.5/5

If you’re looking for another heartthrob-worthy performance from Ryan Gosling, you won’t be getting much of that in Drive.

But nevertheless, you won’t be able to keep your eyes off him.

In Drive, Gosling is mysterious and riveting and the only name available for his character is Driver.

A Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic by day, Driver serves as a wheelman for night time heists.

In early scenes of the movie, he’s helped by his boss and mentor Shannon (played by Malcolm in the Middle’s Bryan Cranston) who gives him a Chevy Impala to  drive his clientele around to do their dirty deeds.

All goes well until he gets involved with his neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son Benicio. When her  husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison, Irene and Benicio’s safety is at risk.

Gosling’s ‘Driver’ tries to save the situation by helping Standard steal money from a pawn shop.  But when the heist goes awry, it’s up to ‘Driver’ to take things in his own hands.

Fresh from Nicolas Winding Refn’s Best Director win at the Cannes Film Festival, Drive is an excellent action-drama thriller packed with violence and exciting car chases. Much like the style of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Pulp Fiction, the film is filled with blood and gore.  Though the movie lacks dialogue,  Refn somehow makes it work through the film’s characters’ actions and expressions.

While Gosling is supported by a talented cast that includes the likes of Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Mulligan and Cranston, he holds his own playing the violent and badass Driver. And while there isn’t much that can be learned about the Driver, you’ll somehow still be swooning over him as he tries to save the day in order to protect the girl he’s fallen for.

Drive may not be for everyone due to its violence and gore, but it’s definitely a film worth watching. With a retro ’80s-inspired score and beautiful shots of the Los Angeles streets and skylines, it will keep the audience  jumping in their seats from all the adrenaline and tension that arises from the film.


(Photo courtesy of andPOP) 

Late Update: TIFF

Holy moley. It's probably been three weeks since I last posted on this thing?

Well, apologies x 1 million!  School has been really busy...and I never expected it to be this stressful!!!

First of all, I would like to say that after seeing Drive at TIFF, I ended up seeing three more movies for free
From what I saw, my recommendations would be From the Sky Down, Damsels in Distress (surprisingly!), and Where do We Go Now?

DO NOT, I TELL YOU, waste your time watching Wuthering Heights.

The film was boring, lacked dialogue, was too long, and the acting was horrible.  Maybe I'm just being overly-dramatic and critical, but what I did know was that I should have watched something else with my volunteer voucher. I guess you could say the good that came out of the film was taking someone's second-hand popcorn they left (probably because the movie was a hot mess) and joking with my friend Beth.

By the way, when I mean second hand popcorn, it technically was not taking someone's trash and eating it when they left more than half of their box full of popcorn...but make your judgments.

On the other hand, the People's Choice movie, Where do We Go Now?, was a pleasant surprise. Directed by Lebanese actor/writer and director Nadine Labaki, the film touches on the sensitive issue of religious conflicts while adding in a little heart and humour.

Overall, TIFF was an incredible experience. I am definitely going to rush line films again!  Rushing is probably the most exhausting and best part of TIFF.  Not to mention, seeing the beautiful face of Ryan Gosling here and there.

Alas, I will end off with a couple of pictures I shot from the red carpet of 50/50.  Which of course, I need to see!!

P.S.  I was a little bit disappointed when Joseph Gordon-Levitt didn't stop by for photos or autographs.  I'd just like to say that half the people waiting were there just for him.  He made a lot of people angry that day.  But on another note, Seth Rogen signed my  poster!

Goes to show Canadians keep it classy.

 JGL why you lookin'so smug?!

 High fives all around with Seth Rogen!

 "AHUHEHEHE."That's how he laughs. 

Keepin it classy Rogen. Keepin' it classy.

Happy (belated) New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!! I'm so sorry about not posting very often because my schedule has either been really hectic, or there was nothing to blog about. I'm sorry fellow readers!! (If I have any...)

But to be honest, I have nothing much to enlighten you all with. I'm sure all of you guys had a much more eventful break than I did.

Though, some cool things I got this Christmas was this lovely scarf that makes me look like a babuska. Thanks Mommy!

 And then, I also got a sewing machine, which is totally awesome! Thanks Auntie Eva and cousin Rachel and Bernie!!

But enough with the chitchat. To say that I'm sorry for not posting very often, I will finish off this post with a new video blog featuring one of my new years resolutions.



For the record, I don't think I will be following it very often, seeing my progress.

But one thing is for sure!  I will try to post more videos on YouTube this year! Please remind me to if you like them!!

What are some of your new years resolutions, if you have any?

TIFF and then some

I attended the Toronto International Film Festival yesterday and boy, was it exhausting.  Though as tired as I am, lining up for 6 hours just to get a hold onto some rush tickets was well worth it.  You may think I'm crazy for doing this, but if you love movies and seeing famous people, the experience never gets boring!  I was lucky enough to have a ledge to sit on, and while waiting in line, we met some very nice and interesting people!  I have found a contact to buy English Textbooks from, AND I also got to take pictures of movie stars...and Canadian Rapper K-0s!!!

It's the HOT Andrew Garfield (he's the new Spiderman FYI), and Carey Mulligan! Carey is wearing a modified Christopher Kane Dress that looks very intergalactic and space-like. Love the print, unsure about the design.

Toronto's Kier Gilchrist (starring in It's Kind of a Funny Story) looking very sharp, on the red carpet.  I thought he was much taller!

Here is the cast of It's Kind of a Funny Story.  Directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, Kier Gilchrist who plays Craig, Zach Galifianakis as  Bobby and Emma Roberts as Noelle.

It's Kind of a Funny Story was a great, coming of age film.  It is serious, but still offers the humour and talents of the cast such as Zach Galifianakis, and Gilchrist to name a couple.  As well, the soundtrack is filled with Canadian indie band Broken Social Scene! Best part of the movie?  An 80s inspired music video using the song Under Pressure by Queen.  The downfall?  Watching at the very front to see distorted faces up on the movie screen. But who cares!  I saw the movie stars up close!!!

And to prove that waiting in line wasn't so boring, I met K-Os!!! 

P.S.  I LOOK LAME!!!

Better Late Than Never

I think I'm incredibly late compared to my friends as I only watched Despicable Me today.  Since most of my friends said they couldn't watch the movie with me, I was fortunate enough to have at least one friend (ANTON) come with .  It was pretty good real-talkz and bonding time with Anton! he's honestly, one of my oldest friends!!

Despicable Me was a great movie. It was SO cute.  I actually teared up a bit near the end, when Gru realized he loved the little girls as his daughters.  I'm not going to reveal too much, in case some people haven't seen it yet.  However, the movie would have been even better, had there not been an obnoxious man laughing loudly AT EVERYTHING right next to me.  I was quite unimpressed.  When I was about to leave the theatre at the end of the credits, I could still hear him laughing. UGH. Obnoxious laughter should not be allowed in theatres.

I can see why this film received generally rave reviews but I don't exactly understand why my friend thought the movie was not very good.  Maybe she's not into that ~heartfelt~ family film genre, or maybe...she doesn't like many movies?  I would definitely consider buying this film, and I don't say that about many movies, because I could just watch it online...

Other than Despicable Me, I believe that I should jump onto the Inception train real soon. Everyone is tweeting, or facebook statusing how amazing that movie is, or how much of a "mindfuck" it is.  Nice. Just please don't ruin it for me, as I am not as up-to-date as you crazy mallrats anyways!  by the way, did you know that Scarborough Town Centre is opening up a Hot Topic?  Strange isn't it?  Not to be a bit stereotypical, but I'm afraid the store won't fare well, seeing the majority of the clientele at the mall anyways...

Well, other than watching the movie, I invited Anton over. Kind of an impulse decision nonetheless, because  my house was super messy, not to mention my mother was in her lounge wear...HAHAHA

And a final note, I'm beginning to think I''m starting to improve on my driving, but I really hope this doesn't jinx it.  I drove home today with Anton in the car.  He wasn't scared of my driving and surprisingly, I didn't get many freakouts by my father!