Movie Scene of the Day: Best in Show

Currently I am in the midst of a battle of wills with my right leg – I would like to remain upright and walk like a normal person, but my right leg seems determined to make me fall on my face at every opportunity.  Only this week, my ankle decided to trip over nothing and I did a spectacular stack in the middle of street.  Thank god no one was around.  Otherwise the world would have seen me walking much like Catherine O’Hara in Best in Show:

Best faceplant in a movie ever!!

Movie scene of the day: Clue

There was honestly a time when I thought my sister and I were the only people in the world who

a) understood the brilliance of the movie "Clue"

b) thought this was the funniest movie clip we'd ever seen:

Google informs me we weren't alone. Madeline Kahn: comic genius. And she improvised this whole scene.

Quote of the day: Words a source of magic & a farewell to Harry Potter

"I always surprise myself on my ability to turn a phrase. Words are, in my not so humble opinion, the most inexhaustible source of magic; capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it." Albus Dumbledore

I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on the weekend. It was fantastic, a perfectly dramatic and heart-wrenching end to one of the history's greatest stories, told by one of history's greatest story-tellers: JK Rowling. JK's turn with a phrase is well-known, and the script of The Deathly Hallows Part 2 included many of my favourite lines from the book on which it was based. The above quote felt like a nod to all of the word-nerds out there, a reminder of the power of language and the impact your choice of words has on your own world.

So as we farewell Harry, Ron and Hermione, let us pay tribute to their creator, the marvelous JK Rowling. Here is her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” from the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.

 
J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Pop Culture Smackdown!! The Battle of the Superhero Movie Trailer

It's that time of year again. The Blockbuster season is almost upon us. And this year is no different from any other - prepare yourself people - we are about to be inundated with a shitload of superhero movies.

This year there are no less than 5 superhero movies coming our way. But which ones should we be watching? We all know how these things go - the story either follows a normal guy or gal who has some kind of life-changing event and decides to use the opportunity to kick ass and take names, or it's an alien/mutant creature who by some contrived reason is the only person who can save the world. Most of them are derived from comic book lore and have an army of devout fans slaving over their every detail on the internet.

Considering that I have never read any of the source material, have limited prior knowledge to most of these stories and am basing my judgement solely on the trailers released for each of them, I present to you my uneducated guess at which ones look to be worth your time and money.

Which superhero trailer will prevail?

Thor

Director:  Kenneth Branagh

Cast:  Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg.

Part of the Marvel Universe, you might recognise Thor from the post-credit teaser in Iron Man 2.  In fact Thor is part of whole universe of superhero movies that tie into next year's event film The Avengers.  In this particular movie, we get the origin story of the warrior Thor, whose reckless actions on his home planet reignite an ancient war and get him cast down to Earth to live amongst us disgusting humans.  He, of course, then has to save us from the evil aliens.

Harry Potter and the Enthusiastic Fandom

A very important chapter in my life will soon be drawing to a close. Those of you who know me well will be thinking, 'whatever, you're turning 30. Blah blah blah". But I couldn't care less about that. Thirty smerty. Who cares? Ever since I read a horoscope that told me that my 30s were going to be awesome - I've been waiting with bated breath. No, I am much more upset about another significant event. My decade long love affair with all things Harry Potter is drawing to a close. With the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 this week, and Part 2 in July next year, the nerdtastic behaviour I have revelled in and tortured my friends with shall be no more.

I still remember the day I realised that maybe I was just a little bit obsessed with this series. The 23rd of June, 2003. Two days after the release of the Order of the Phoenix. After a friend had given me the first Harry Potter book for Christmas one year, I'd gone and bought the next three and quickly devoured them. Carrying them around with me constantly, I couldn't put them down. I knew that I loved these books and thought they were fantastic, but I was yet unaware of this strange, powerful influence JK Rowling's words would have over my common sense.

In the days leading up to the release of Order of the Phoenix, I laughed at all the fans lining up. Who would line up just to get a book? I could wait thanks... I lasted two days. The Monday after the book had been released, I was starting to get antsy about wanting to read it. What was going to happen next? Voldemort had just come back. Cedric had just been killed. Shit had gone down. How could I possibly wait to find out what had happened? How could I stand to have that knowledge out there in the universe and not be aware of it myself!! So sneaking out of work five minutes early, I sped to the local shopping centre, determined that I just had to find a copy of the book. And of course I couldn't find one. Two stores were sold out before I found a horribly over-priced adult cover version. Which obviously I had to buy - desperate to have any kind of version of the book.

As I was walking out of the shopping centre, a horrible, stupid tucked away bookstore appeared out of nowhere completely packed to the roof full of the kids cover at half the price. GAH!! Not fair. I left slightly pissed I'd missed out on a bargain, but happy to be able to read the book. And what a glorious night of reading to 2am it was. The next day, with about half of the book to go, work was ridiculously tedious. I just wanted to go home and read. So I did. I chucked a sickie, drove back to the shopping centre, got a refund for the book I'd half read, went to the secret cheap bookstore, bought my half-price kids cover version, drove home and finished the book.



My next holiday destination

 Clearly this is the moment I cracked. And ever since I've been an unapologetic Potter-file. Every time a book or movie is released, in the weeks leading up I become a ridiculous ball of energy. A fine layer of excitement permeates the air. I'm on the internet almost constantly checking for all the latest updates. But with the movies coming to an end and with my imminent adult style birthday approaching, one can't help but think that the coincidence of these two events is a sign to finally let go and grow up. And I'm going to use this opportunity to finally admit to all my Harry Potter nerdiness. A therapeutic confessional outpouring if you will.

››  I own five Harry Potter action figures. Three of which are Ron dolls. I must point out that I only bought myself ONE of these - the talking Ron doll (complete with iconic catchphrases such as "Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?").

››  Whilst lining up for the Goblet of Fire movie, I may have knocked over a small child in my haste to get into the theatre.

››  The Harry Potter websites http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/, http://www.mugglenet.com/, and http://www.snitchseeker.com/ are bookmarked on my computer and I check them fairly regularly.

››  I postponed my move from Australia to London by two days, because I had originally planned it for the day the Half Blood Prince book came out and there was no way I wasn't locking myself in my room and finishing the book that day!

Goblet of Fire premiere in Leicester Square, London

››  And probably my most hilarious Harry Potter indulgence - I went to the World Premiere of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in London. Lining up in the rain for 8 hours with thousands and thousands of other Potter fans just to get a glimpse of the stars of the movie - all the while trying to stand upright as I was being pushed about in the moshpit of excited fans screaming for Daniel Radcliffe ("Oh my god. He's so cute!!"). It was a completely ridiculous day and I don't think I'll ever be doing that again, but god it was hilarious! Never again will I be able to randomly talk to the people next to me about the characters and stories in Harry Potter as if they were real. And for those of you who came with me - I did NOT make you come. I casually mentioned I was going to go and you willingly chose to come along with me!

Aww. Who am I kidding? I'll never let Harry Potter go. NEVER! And if anyone wants to buy me a present for my birthday, I'm open to accepting all forms of Harry Potter Lego.

Top 20 Rom Coms: The Last 25 Years

In Part One of this list of Top 20 Rom Coms, we explored the origins of the genre, its first 50 years from 1934 – 1984. Now we complete the list with the best of the last 25 years. See how things have changed, or stayed the same (that all important chemistry between the leads!), and let us know what you think in the comments below!




Working Girl – 1988

I have a head for business and a bod for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?

What it’s about: When a secretary (Melanie Griffith) has her idea stolen by her boss (Sigourney Weaver), she seizes an opportunity to steal it back, teaming up with an investment broker (Harrison Ford) and pretending she has her boss's job.

Why it’s great: Mike Nichols’ Working Girl is a perfect 80s rom-com. As Roger Ebert explained of its plot: “the problem with working your way up the ladder of life is that sometimes you can't get there from here.” The story still resonates today, and compliments the great performances, including baby-voiced Griffith’s breakout role.

Key Scene:



When Harry Met Sally... 1989

I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

What it’s about: Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) have known each other for years, and have become great friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.

Why it’s great: For me, When Harry Met Sally... is the perfect romantic comedy, and another personal favourite. It’s not just the ever-essential chemistry between the leads, which Ryan and Crystal have to spare; the movie covers all the rom-com musts with a true originality, converging perfectly: the witty script, the lovable “best friends” (Bruno Kirby, Carrie Fisher), the real stakes and conversations about relationships between men and women, and the grand gesture at the end. Perfect.

Key Scene:



Say Anything... – 1989

What I really want to do with my life - what I want to do for a living - is I want to be with your daughter. I'm good at it.

What it’s about: A noble underachiever (John Cusack) and a beautiful valedictorian (Ione Skye) fall in love the summer before she goes off to college.

Why it’s great: Let’s face it, every girl wants a Lloyd Dobler, and John Cusack’s superb portrayal of the passionate and honest high school graduate in Say Anything... leaves us in no doubt of his love for Ione Skye’s Diane. Peter Gabriel never sounded so good.

Key Scene:



Pretty Woman – 1990

I appreciate this whole seduction thing you've got going on here, but let me give you a tip: I'm a sure thing.

What it’s about: A ruthless businessman (Richard Gere) needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute (Julia Roberts). They take a liking to each other and he offers her money if she'll stay with him for an entire week.

Why it’s great: Pretty Woman started what would become a slew of rom-coms throughout the 1990’s. Perhaps none is more famous than this, the launching pad for Hollywood sweetheart Julia Roberts and her mega-watt smile. A classic in the genre.

Key Scene: 



Sleepless in Seattle – 1993

Destiny is something we've invented because we can't stand the fact that everything that happens is accidental.

What it’s about: The son of a recently-widowed man (Tom Hanks) calls a radio talk show in an attempt to find his father a partner. Newspaper journalist Annie (Meg Ryan) becomes infatuated with his story.

Why it’s great: Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are terrific, and the tribute to the classic “An Affair to Remember” is perfectly evoked in this Nora Ephron gem. Playing at our ideas of destiny and fate, Sleepless in Seattle is romance in its most precious form.

Key Scene:



Four Weddings and a Funeral – 1994

A toast before we go into battle. True love. In whatever shape or form it may come. May we all in our dotage be proud to say, "I was adored once too."

What it’s about: Following the fortunes and various weddings (and a funeral) of a group of London friends, Charles (Hugh Grant) thinks he's found "Miss Right" in Carrie (Andie MacDowell), an American.

Why it’s great: I cannot watch Four Weddings and a Funeral without wishing Charles had just ended up with his bestie Fiona (Kristin Scott Thomas). That’s the power of Four Weddings… it’s very, very British, and so it follows that we’d want our main man to end up with the girl that, well, he doesn’t. Bucking trends, it’s the friends in this film that provide the real romance and comedy.

Key Scene:



My Best Friend’s Wedding – 1997

Getting what you deserve is totally unfair.

What it’s about: When Julianne’s (Julie Roberts) long-time friend (Dermot Mulroney) announces his engagement to another woman (Cameron Diaz), she realizes she loves him herself, and sets out to get him with only days before the wedding.

Why it’s great: My Best Friend’s Wedding stars the queen of the rom com, Julia Roberts, and has probably one of the most satisfying “didn’t get the get the girl/guy” endings in movies. Instead, Julia ends up with her gay best friend George (Rupert Everett). So much more rewarding than the original ending, which had her with another potential boyfriend.

Key Scene:



10 Things I Hate About You – 1999

Who needs affection when I have blind hatred?

What it’s about: A remake of the classic Shakespeare play "The Taming of the Shrew” set in a modern day high school.

Why it’s great: Starring the late Heath Ledger in his first big American role, 10 Things I Hate About You is a clever adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic. Julia Stiles is a true original, playing the part of Kat as though the Bard had her in mind when he wrote the prickly part, and she and Ledger have chemistry to burn.

Key Scene: 



Bridget Jones’s Diary – 2001

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.

What it’s about: A single woman (Renee Zellweger), determined to improve herself as a New Years resolution, keeps a diary while struggling with her feelings for her caddish boss (Hugh Grant) and a disagreeable acquaintance (Colin Firth).

Why it’s great: Bridget Jones’s Diary is a modern classic, based on Helen Fielding’s bestseller. The imperfectly perfect Bridget, played with confidence and fantastic humour by Zellweger, quickly became a modern day heroine. With Grant and Firth along for the ride, the movie has real wit and pathos, while maintaining all the personality of the book. Who hasn’t had a Bridget moment?

Key Scene:



50 First Dates – 2004

I've never even met you.

What it’s about: Henry (Adam Sandler) meets Lucy (Drew Barrymore), and thinks he's finally found the girl of his dreams, until he discovers she has short-term memory loss and forgets him the very next day.

Why it’s great: Like many a good rom com pairing, Sandler and Barrymore have worked together several times now, both maintaining a warm and truthful screen presence when they team up. 50 First Dates and its Hawaiian setting are delightfully romantic and, although unlikely and also featuring Rob Schneider, holds up to repeat viewings.

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The Proposal – 2009

Margaret, will you marry me? Because I'd like to date you.

What it’s about: A pushy boss (Sandra Bullock) forces her assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her in order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation to Canada. To keep up the ruse, they head to Alaska to meet his family.

Why it’s great: Bullock and Reynolds seem like a new, hot rom com pairing. Both are wonderful in The Proposal, a heart-felt and genuinely funny addition to the genre. Reynolds has perfect comic timing, and Bullock’s screen presence must be the envy of her peers.

Key Scene:

Top 20 Rom Coms: The Early Years

The all-powerful and knowing Wikipedia describes romantic comedies as “films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as a true love able to surmount most obstacles”. That sounds about right. There is definitely an art to the successful romantic comedy. It’s the most predictable of film genres, but when done well, you won't notice that. Good romantic comedies have you laughing (or crying) into your popcorn and feeling content as the credits roll, like you’ve spent the evening with friends. When compiling this list of the first 50 years of romantic comedies, I was surprised at how many number among my favourite movies. Check out my list of Top 20 Rom Coms: The Last 25 Years, but before that, let us know what you think in the comments below!

It Happened One Night – 1934

Perhaps you're interested in how a man undresses. You know, it's a funny thing about that. Quite a study in psychology. No two men do it alike..

What it’s about: A spoiled heiress (Claudette Colbert), running away from her family, is helped by a man who's actually a reporter (Clark Gable) looking for a story.

Why it’s great: Considered by many to be the first romantic comedy, It Happened One Night is also surely one of the finest. The convoluted plot set the tone for many romantic comedies to come. Colbert and Gable have fantastic chemistry, and the quick wit of the script today seems ahead of its time.

Key Scene:
 

His Girl Friday – 1940

- There's been a lamp burning in the window for ya, honey... here.
- Oh, I jumped out that window a long time ago.

What it’s about: A newspaper editor (Cary Grant) uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife (Rosalind Russell) from remarrying.

Why it’s great: Two words: Cary and Rosalind. Cary Grant makes another appearance on this list, and if all things were fair, so would Rosalind Russell. These two are sparky and funny, both real naturals in the genre. Lucky, as His Girl Friday is one of the first films to feature characters speaking over the top of each other, testing their talents. Both pass with flying colours. Robert Altman, eat your heart out.

Key Scene:

 

The Philadelphia Story – 1940

The time to make up your mind about people is never.

What it’s about: When a rich woman's (Katharine Hepburn) ex-husband (Cary Grant) and a tabloid-type reporter (James Stewart) turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.

Why it’s great: Full disclosure: The Philadelphia Story is one of my all-time favourite movies. It’s brilliant: funny, sexy, with a uniformly flawless group of actors, perfectly cast. Its cracking script is full of those moments that make you think “I wish I could come up with a response like that!”. Aside from the incomparable trifeca of Hepburn as Tracy Lord, Grant as CK Dexter Haven, and Stewart as Macaulay Connor, The Philadelphia Story features some of the best supporting players in movies: Ruth Hussey as the earthy Miss Imbrie, Ronald Young and his perfectly delivered one-liners as Uncle Willie, and Virginia Wiedler as Tracy’s precocious younger sister, Dinah.

Key Scene: "Seems the minute she hit the water, the wine hit her."


"Someday... over the rainbow..."


Adam’s Rib – 1943

No matter what you think you think, you think the same as I think.

What it’s about: Domestic and professional tensions mount when a husband (Spencer Tracy) and wife (Katharine Hepburn) work as opposing lawyers in a case involving a woman who shot her husband.

Why it’s great: For proof that Hepburn and Tracy were simply on fire whenever they were together, look no further than Adam’s Rib. It is perhaps the most successful of the nine films the couple made together over 25 years; their off-screen relationship lasted just as long. A must for any good 1940s romantic comedy is razor-sharp dialogue delivered at a lightning pace. It took real chops to pull it off. Look no further than Adam’s Rib for evidence.

Key Scene: "Licorice. If there's anything I'm a sucker for, it's licorice."


Tracy and Hepburn at their best


Pillow Talk – 1959

I've had hangovers before, but this time, even my hair hurts.

What it’s about: A man (Rock Hudson) and woman (Doris Day) share a telephone line and despise each other, but then he has fun by romancing her with his voice disguised.

Why it’s great: Another consummate romantic comedy pairing (hey, if the chemistry is there, why mess with it, right?), the perky Doris Day and knowing Rock Hudson combination was a winner for sure; the pair made three movies together. Pillow Talk is Day and Hudson at their cheeky, bedroom comedy, best.

Key Scene:


The Apartment – 1960

Ya know, I used to live like Robinson Crusoe; I mean, shipwrecked among 8 million people. And then one day I saw a footprint in the sand, and there you were.

What it’s about: CC Baxter (Jack Lemmon) tries to rise in his company by letting its executive’s use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance with elevator girl Fran (Shirley MacLaine) ensue.

Why it’s great: Another personal favourite, Billy Wilder’s The Apartment shows a maturing of the romantic comedy genre, with real stakes (depression, loneliness) and consequences among everyday players in the Big Apple. MacLaine is not your average romantic comedy foil, and her quirkiness matches perfectly with Lemmon’s everyman in a careful balance between farce and melancholy.

Key Scene:
 


Breakfast at Tiffany’s - 1961

It's useful being top banana in the shock department.

What it’s about: A young New York socialite, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) becomes interested in a young man (George Peppard) who has moved into her apartment building.

Why it’s great: This somewhat watered-down adaptation of Truman Capote’s best seller features a breathtaking Audrey Hepburn in perhaps her most famous role (apologies to My Fair Lady). Holly Golightly is so shining and iconic that it’s easy to forget about Peppard’s Paul (shame), and Mickey Rooney’s Mr Yunioshi (thankfully).

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Annie Hall – 1977

Honey, there's a spider in your bathroom the size of a Buick.

What it’s about: Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) falls in love with the ditzy Annie Hall (Diana Keaton), we trace the course of their relationship from their first meeting.

Why it’s great: Annie Hall is my favourite movie. It’s funny, clever, and truthful, and won Best Picture at the Oscars, beating Star Wars. A unique and inventive look at relationships in New York City in the 1970s, the film mirrors the real-life connection between its lead actors. Annie Hall is a true original in the romantic comedy genre; it is cynical and bold, and doesn’t end traditionally with the leads together, happily ever after. Unsurprisingly, it’s the only 1970s film to make this list. Times were changing.

Key Scene:


Romancing the Stone – 1984

-You're the best time I've ever had.
-I've never been anybody's best time.

What it’s about: A romance writer (Kathleen Turner) sets off to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure with a soldier of fortune (Michael Douglas).

Why it’s great: Romancing the Stone is a rollicking chase movie that I simply adored when I was younger and it was on TV. It’s fun and funny, silly, and a little bit naughty (well, at least when you’re 8 it is). Turner and Douglas are wonderful, and as is a theme with this genre when there is undeniable chemistry between the leads, Romancing the Stone marked the first of several times the pair would team up on screen.

Key Scene:
 

Jennifer Grey - Time of her life or overrated comeback?

Any fan of the iconic 80’s movie, Dirty Dancing, will be relishing in the apparent ‘comeback’ of it’s female star Jennifer Grey, who was almost as famous for her later nose job, as the movie which shot her to stardom.

Comeback is a bit of an overused dirty word I think. But I digress…

So the story goes, for those who haven’t heard, Jennifer well and truly hit the big time when Dirty Dancing, a low budget film not really expected to do big things, went nuts at the box office and became a cult classic. Following this meteoric rise, Jennifer, who had a distinctive nose, made the decision to undergo rhinoplasty. The surgery was botched, to the point where she says her friends couldn’t recognise her. She had surgery again to correct the mistake – changing her face forever.

It must have been a pretty hard thing to go through; she says she even considered changing her name to match her new face, but decided against that in the end. Not many of us could say our career and livelihood banked on how we looked. Jennifer found it increasingly difficult to get work after the surgery – no one recognised her as the awkward yet loveable Baby Houseman, or Ferris Bueller’s sister.

And so it seemed Jennifer was cast into the Hollywood purgatory, which exists for so many stars who hit the big time in one or two movies. They disappear into obscurity, only to show up in the odd B-grade ad or TV reunion.

So when Jennifer accepted a spot on the US version of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), the irony was lost on no one. Her first performance, cleverly choreographed to a track from Dirty Dancing – ‘These Arms of Mine’ - was praised by the judges, put her on top of the leader board and saw her tipped to take out the competition.

Since Jennifer’s very first performance hit You Tube, I’ve been addicted to the weekly performances, streamed over the internet. Its like I’m experiencing my obsession with Dirty Dancing all over again. Her stylish week one Viennese waltz with that classic 1960 track by Otis Redding from the movie, with its soulful tones, was just mesmerising. I got goose bumps the first time I saw it (and yes, I may have watched it a hundred times since then). If you squint really hard Jennifer’s partner Derek Hough could almost be a young Patrick Swayze.




I was hopelessly in love with Patrick Swayze from the moment I first saw Dirty Dancing – I think I was probably eight years old. It was a big thing for my mum to let me watch it, after all, everyone knows THAT dirty dancing scene where Baby carries the watermelons and stumbles across the underground dance club. And I swear it’s purely a coincidence my boyfriend, when his hair is done just so, and the light is right, looks a little like a Patrick Swayze, circa Dirty Dancing.

I didn’t really understand the whole abortion sub-plot. And so goes the story – neither did around 40% of test viewers before the movie was even released. A studio executive famously said they should ‘burn the negative and collect the insurance’.

Thank the lord they didn’t. I can’t imagine not being able to quip “nobody puts Baby in a corner” anytime a conversation remotely allows.

Jennifer’s week two DWTS performance saw her and partner Derek take on a jive, followed by a stunning Argentine tango, which both resulted in continuing high praise and scores from the judging panel. Jennifer’s most recent week six performance wasn’t as well received as the first few. She performed a paso doble, where she was labelled ‘out of control’.

I have to admit – I’ve grown a little tired of the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars – I loved the first couple of seasons – but now the bare chests of B-grade celebrities just all look the same. I’ve seen the odd clip of the US show – but Jennifer Grey has really got me interested this year’s US season. Viewers who loved Dirty Dancing and were inspired to take up dancing themselves, are exactly the ones who will be inspired by Jennifer Grey all over again, tuning in every week to DWTS. It also helps that the TV packages leading into her performance are littered with Grey’s laughter – reminiscent of that iconic scene from Dirty Dancing, where Baby and Johnny practice lifts in the lake.

Adding to the intrigue of Jennifer’s reappearance is her recent battle with cancer. A lump was found in her thyroid and removed. She didn’t undergo any chemotherapy treatment. Grey says she’s happy just to be alive and doing something she never thought she would have the guts to do.

So why has this reappearance of Jennifer Grey struck such a chord with me and so many others? I’m not entirely sure, to be honest, but I think it's somewhere in between my love of the underdog (after all she is making a ‘comeback’ after more than two decades in the Hollywood wilderness) and the fact that Jennifer actually doesn’t come across like she was looking for a comeback at all. She seems to be taking it in her stride and I don’t get the impression this is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. I suspect, from the calm and happiness she exudes, that this success is a triumph for her – like flipping the bird to Hollywood. But I also get the feeling she’s happily lived her life out of the spotlight.

The assumption that an actor or actress isn’t successful if they’re not in the spotlight for their whole career, or life for that matter, is laughable. Why is it even called a comeback? She wasn’t dead. The fact that Jennifer comes across like she could take or leave her return to fame, is what maker her so loveable – all over again.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Books vs. Movies

It’s the age-old entertainment battle...is the book better than the movie? Or is the movie better than the book? Many a spat has been had over popcorn about which is the superior version of a particular story.

You could argue that more and more movies these days are being based on books. If you write a best seller, you can almost guarantee you’ll have Brad Pitt’s production company knocking on your door to buy the rights.

Should they be a genre all of their own? Boovies? Or Slashies (Book/Movies)? I don’t know. But to try to nut it out, I’ve compiled some of my favourite and least favourite adaptations.

The Good

The Godfather

Book - written by Mario Puzo

Movie - directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino

Originally published in 1969, the book became synonymous with Italian mafia folklore and introduced now infamous Italian words like Cosa Nostra and consigliore to English-speaking popular culture. Puzo was Italian-American himself and he manages to capture, along with all the gangster action and violence, so many of the qualities unique to Italian family life; not just the dark side, but the strong sense of family loyalty.

And the movie; all you have to do is have a look at the cast list credits to see it was never going to be bad. The legendary Marlon Brando played the Godfather, Don Vito Corleone, and joined a cast including Al Pacino (Michael Corleone), Robert Duvall (Tom Hagen) and Diane Keaton (Kay Adams).

For me, this movie is an amazing adaptation of the book, probably one of best movies there is. Director Francis Ford Coppola created a popular masterpiece which spawned two successful sequels. I read the book first, and then watched the movie, than read the book again – and I just couldn’t replace the image of Marlon as the God Father or Pacino his reluctant mafia successor son. I think that is the mark of a good Movie/Book.

Carrie

Book – written by Stephen King

Movie – directed by Brian De Palma, staring Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie

Carrie was Stephen King’s first published novel and caused quite a stir when it was published 1974. It’s said to have been the most banned book in American schools and sold one million copies in its first year on store shelves. The book tells the story of Carrie White, an awkward and shy American high school student who is abused by her religiously fanatical mother. She discovers she has telekinetic powers and eventually uses them to wreak havoc on her classmates who tease her incessantly.

Following the success of the book, the 1976 movie adaptation was released and became a cult classic. It is often referred to as a ‘watershed’ film in the horror genre and the best movie adaptation of a Stephen King novel. Carrie was a thrilling book to read – King is a genius – and the movie did the book justice, and perhaps even brought it to life. Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie both scored Oscar nominations for their performances, almost unheard of for a horror film. Carrie is still a movie which scares the living daylights out of me, even though I’ve seen it countless times. It’s a big call, but perhaps the best ever book to movie adaptation!

The Notebook

Book – written by Nicholas Sparks

Movie – directed by Nick Cassavetes, starring Rachael McAdams and Ryan Gosling

For me, the movie version of The Notebook improves on the book. The book is a romantic journey about the lives of Noah (the poor boy) and Allie (his upper class love interest). They become separated by their social differences, but as with all good romance stories, they realise their love for each other through a series of plot twists and turns. The chemistry between Rachael McAdams (Allie) and Ryan Gosling (Noah) is incredible and is really the key to making the movie so touching. It’s no wonder they were a real-life couple after shooting wrapped.

Shutter Island

Book – written by Dennis Lehane

Movie – directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley

Dennis Lehane’s book is a masterpiece, so it’s only fitting that Scorsese lent his mastery to the movie version of this incredible story. I won’t spoil the dramatic end for those who haven’t seen the movie or read the book, but both are an incredible journey. It’s 1954 and US Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess from the hospital for the criminally insane located on Shutter Island. The movie version is a true and clever adaptation of the book – and even if you haven’t read the book – you’re immediately sucked into the complex and mind bending plot. A cast of talented Oscar-winning actors, including Leo, only add to the brilliance.

The Bad

The Time Traveler’s Wife

Book – written by Audrey Niffenegger

Movie – directed by Robert Schwenke, starring Eric Bana and Rachael McAdams

Audrey Niffenegger’s book is an amazing read. It has been hailed by critics and the reading public alike as one of the true original stories of the past decade. It follows the romantic relationship between Clare Abshire and Henry DeTamble. Henry has a rare genetic disorder, which sees him travel through time, having no control over where and when. The story jumps around from Clare’s childhood, to their tumultuous lives together as adults.

The movie was ok, but if you have read the book and loved it, you were probably disappointed with the big screen adaptation. I’m not sure that a movie, no matter how well produced, could capture the essence and even the timeline of the book. The movie was good. It was just never, ever going to be as good as the book.

My Sister’s Keeper

Book – written by Jodie Picoult

Movie – directed by Nick Cassavetes, starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin

Cameron Diaz and Sofia Vassilieva in My Sister's Keeper

On their own merit, both these versions are popular and enjoyable enough. Jodie Picoult’s book tells the story of Anna Fitzgerald who wants emancipation from her parents who have relied on her body to help treat her sister, Kate, who is sick with leukaemia. The story explores some deeply emotional issues including the death of a child and the impact on the family unit. I think the book is an ok read, and the movie is an ok watch, but if you’ve read the book, you might have been a little disappointed about the alternate ending provided and some of the detail missing from the character’s relationships with each other, particularly the parents of Kate and Anna Fitzgerald. These changes result in the movie adaptation being very different to the book.

The Ugly (otherwise known as bad adaptations AND bad movies)

The Power of One

Book - written by Bryce Courtnay

Movie – directed by John G. Alvidson, starring Stephen Dorff

I read this book when I was a teenager and for me it was an inspiring story. It centres on English boy, Peekay, who lives in South Africa during World War II. The story follows Peekay’s struggle as an English boy in a society dominated by Afrikaans culture. He desires to change the country and unite the African, English and Afrikaans cultures in a society where racism and violence are everyday occurrences. I found it, and its subsequent sequels compelling reading.

Unfortunately, the movie was shockingly bad. Not only did it lack the emotional development of the book’s characters and the storyline, it was marred by some pretty ordinary Afrikaans accents (Yes, you, Stephen Dorff).

The Da Vinci Code

Book – written by Dan Brown

Movie – directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou.

Dan Brown’s book was a bestseller and became a cult classic, inspiring countless pilgrimages to the many famous European landmarks used as locations in the book. The novel opens with a gruesome murder at the Louvre in Paris and clues in Da Vinci’s paintings, which lead to the discovery of a dangerous secret society which threatens the belief foundations of Christianity. The book is a great read and the exciting storyline moves at breakneck speed. The movie’s biggest problem is that it doesn’t move at break neck speed. It is incredibly long and incredibly painful, especially if you’ve already read the novel and know the twists and turns. Director Ron Howard tried to do justice to the intricacies of the book, but by doing that, he created a long, long, long movie – with perhaps too much detail.

That’s my list of the Good, Bad and Ugly Book/Movie adaptations. What are your favourites? Which ones do you despise?

This movie made me want to die: Enter the Void

Movies are meant to provoke a response in us. Whether it be laughter, joy, fear, anger or sorrow – we as the audience are meant to be engaged. I’m not sure if this was the intention of the makers of the film Enter the Void, but after sitting through almost three hours of their movie, I seriously was ready to end it all.

What a load of crap! I have never had such an adverse reaction to a film. I felt so angry and frustrated, and quite frankly, somewhat visually raped. Even writing this post, I still feel quite worked up. I’ve seen my fair share of violent films, but the obsessive emphasis on sex and drugs -- to the point that I felt utterly bludgeoned by both -- made the film virtually unwatchable. And don’t even get me started on the relentless torture of the f@#king tracking shots used.

To give you some context of why I ended up seeing such a movie, I should say that normally I’m a fairly spoiler prone gal. I watch a lot of trailers online, I stalk movie magazines and websites and I consequently have a fairly healthy understanding of what movies I go to see are about. Breaking all my normal conventions, I went to see Enter the Void at the Melbourne International Film Festival based purely on the description of the movie on the website.

“A wild, hallucinatory mindf@#k for adults… defies cinema convention in every way.” – Screen International.

Great, I thought. I love a good mind@#k of a movie. Some of my favourite movies defy convention. Bring me a Charlie Kauffman or Christopher Nolan movie over a stock standard Jennifer Lopez rom-com any day.

Clearly this was my first misstep. Actually that’s a lie. The title of the movie really should have been my first clue of what I was in for.

The plot of the film itself is rather unremarkable. Oscar and Linda, two Americans, whose parents were killed in a car crash when they were kids -- an accident that they witnessed -- have been finally reunited in Japan. Unfortunately, Oscar is a drug addict and dealer and Linda a (pretty crap) stripper. Oscar is sleeping with his friend Alex's mother, and when Alex finds out, he arranges to get Oscar killed by the police in a raid at a club.

For the first 45 minutes or so, the camera is from Oscar’s point of view – as if the camera were lodged on his neck instead of his head. Although a fairly clichéd approach (and it certainly doesn’t help that the guy who plays Oscar is not a particularly good actor), this half of the movie was relatively engaging. Or perhaps I’m remembering it too fondly in comparison to the agony, misery, woe (and every other possible descriptor) that came afterwards. For after Oscar dies, we continue to follow him, but now everything is seen from above as if from the POV of Oscar’s dead spirit.

And what complete torture! Instead of cutting from one scene that the dead Oscar is observing to the next, the camera dives in and out of lights before flying over buildings in endless tracking shots before settling in the next location. This happens at least 20 or 30 times in the second half of the film, to the point that I was ready to scream. This whole section of the movie went for an hour and fifteen minutes!! I know. I counted. The slow ass pacing coupled with the relentless strobe light effects, boring storyline and dull pulsating soundtrack make this sequence absolute agony. Every time the camera dived into yet another light, I was begging that the movie be over soon. The multitude of endings in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King now seems tame in comparison.

The whole thing culminates in a ridiculous sequence where virtually every character in the film is having sex (quite graphically) in a Love Hotel -- even poor Oscar, now via the visual perspective of a friend, consummating his unspoken but clearly obvious incestuous desires for his sister. I guess we were meant to take away some kind of life-affirmation from this, but it all seemed too farcical for its own good.

Many reviews I have read since watching Enter the Void claim that while the movie is designed to make you uncomfortable, that’s not the point -- the point is the filmmaking. I’m all for a movie pushing the boundaries. Many movies can be excruciating to watch and yet still be fantastic. But when the movie is unapologetically thin drivel and claims that it is filmmaking art by hiding behind a cloak of pretentiousness – then I have some issues! Pace, Plot, Style – these things make filmmaking. Not a half dozen gimmicky shots that could pass as avant-garde.

If only I’d had the foresight to know that I should have walked out after the first hour.

Coming Soon: 5 must-see movies on a screen near you

I am addicted to watching movie trailers. My friends always joke about this time we were going to the movies, and I may or may not have been driving slightly over the speed limit just so I could get there in time to see all the trailers. And now I have the internet enabling my addiction by having trailers up as soon as they are released. It’s a vicious circle. 

Here’s just a few I’m excited about.

The Social Network

Director: David Fincher

Writer: Aaron Sorkin

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones

With Facebook recently reaching its 500 millionth user, and founder Mark Zuckerberg becoming the youngest billionaire in history – now comes the story of how the whole crazy thing began. 

Pop Culture Smackdown!! The Battle for the Boy Who Lived

So much of popular culture these days is recycled. Books are made into movies; movies are remade into newer movies; then the updated movies end up having four sequels before someone decides to turn the whole concept into a TV show and then write a novelisation based on the TV series.

Are there any original ideas left? With all these differing versions of the same thing, I’m throwing down the gauntlet and declaring a Pop Culture Smackdown!!

Which version is better? Who will ultimately prevail? 

  

In today’s bout we have the cultural juggernaut that is Harry Potter. In the red corner – the book series that started it all; in the blue corner – the world-wide multi-million dollar movie franchise.

The problem in translating book to film is that you have to deal with those that loved the book, and baulk at the thought of any changes. Nobody wants to incur the wrath of those that will potentially come and watch the adaptation, but sometimes changing things is necessary, especially for a new medium where sub-plots vie for attention and the moviemakers have to also think about pleasing the audience ignorant of the book. Unfortunately for fans these differences can make or break their enjoyment. What many fans consider to be key scenes in the books are sometimes marginalised or completely ignored in the film.

With the movies finally coming to an end (if you haven’t already watched the trailer for The Deathly Hallows – DO IT!!) it’s time to finally declare a winner in the actualisation of JK Rowling’s Wizarding World. Do the movies live up to the hype of the book series?? Or do they surpass the expectations of the millions of rabid fans?