Recent Movies I have Watched

1. The Aviator by Martin Scorsese [4.5/5]

How come no one ever mentioned this film! I have actually wanted to watch it for a very long time but somehow just kept passing it by simply because no one recommended it.

It is too underrated. It is too underrated. It is too underrated.

Opps, that the Howard Hughes syndrome there. Show depicts this perfectionist, eccentric, genius billionaire aviator Howard Hughes who also was interestingly flawed, a madman. Much like John Nash in A Beautiful Mind, only much more compelling and intense. Both geniuses, and madmen: the best combination ever. If Taxi Driver is the master's best in the 70's, Raging Bull in the 80's and Goodfellas in the 90's, then I guess, for now, for me at least, The Aviator stands as his best in the 2000's. I know there is The Departed, but to me that film was good, but a little overrated. Or maybe it's because I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have if I hadn't already watched Infernal Affairs.

This film is classic Scorsese. The electric 20's to 40's soundtrack, the long-timed single camera movement, and of course, Leonardo DiCaprio staring at himself, and talking to himself in the mirror at the end. This is reminiscent of Robert De Niro in Raging Bull, where he talks to himself about how he could be a greater person, and prepares himself for redemption, uttering I'm the boss, I'm the boss. I'm the boss. as he imagines himself boxing in the dressing room. In Aviator, Hughes murmurs

"The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future."

essentially showing his two main personas: that visionary genius, and that self unfortunately plagued by mental illness.

All in all, it is a marvellous film!


2. Notes on a Scandal [3.5/5] and Closer [3/5]

Both films are disturbing, but I guess they do refect truth in our society. Notes explores two cases of obsessions, one of marital infidelity and the other of homosexuality. Cate Blanchett plays this teacher who desired a young student (aged only 15!) in her art class, and ends up committing adultery with him. There is really nothing sane about this. Very depraved. But Blanchett acted well. Judi Dench plays this psycho, lonely old woman who uses her wit to gain friendship with Cate Blanchett. Ultimately we know that it was homosexual attraction. I guess the whole of this film I was watching with unbelief, but it looked like something that can happen in our society, or is already happening.

Closer is even worse. The sexual dialogue is very profane and disturbing, yet I think it explores one important thing essential in relationships: truth. Basically all four characters played by Clive Owen, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Jude Law lack truth in their relationships, and as a result are hurt by it. Cases of betrayals, deception and infidelity keep showing throughout the film. I was so disturbed at one point I wanted to stop watching, but watched on anyway. The minor twist at the end revealed that in their course of 3 year relationship, Jude Law never even knew Portman's real name. I guess this film does reflect the truth about our lack of truth in relationships.


3. Girl with a Pearl Earring [3.5/5]

I liked the performances of Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth. Especially Johansson. This film required her to emote mainly not of dialogue, but of her facial expressions, her awkwardness, her fear etc. Nothing seriously important point this film makes, other than the fact that art is a very powerful medium which could even destroy relationships. The cinematography was excellent though. And I liked the simplicity of the story.


4. Fight Club by David Fincher [3/5]

This is about a man who tried to detach himself from social construction and values. Why is this film so highly rated? Technically it was good. But I think this film is among those few which are critically acclaimed but which I cannot relate to, shows like Fargo and Apocalypse Now: too dark for me. One problem I have is that the revelation at the end turns out to be not so revelatory. I wasn't stunned. I took it in my stride. And in the end I find that I wanted to like the show, but really couldn't. Prefer straight-to-your-face serial killer films like Se7en and Zodiac.

5. About a Boy [3.5/5]

I watched this show to laugh. Cannot watch too many serious shows. And ya, Hugh Grant was funny.