1975 - Frances Ha

I’d wanted to see this film during it’s initial release but didn’t get around to it and was super excited when I saw that it was already on Netflix.  I’m a big fan of Greta Gerwig - she’s got a way about her that is infectious - she’s so utterly natural, it’s refreshing.  Also I never have a problem with Adam Driver making an appearance in anything.  

Here’s the story of a young woman trying to get over herself and move the hell on with her life, if only she can get out of her own way.  

Black and white was a smart choice here - in the days where films and television feel so disposable, the aesthetic here almost makes it feel like a revered classic - which would be a problem if it wasn’t so well done.  The fast pace and eclectic sound track keep this slice-of-life piece barrelling along.  I’m sure that this film isn’t for everyone, but anyone who enjoys a good character drama is going to find themselves with a treat on their hands.  This is defiantly a film that I want eco try and revisit sometime sometime sooner rather than later - and you should too!

1828 - Lola Versus

I kind of adore Greta Gerwig, so I'll largely watch whatever she's in :)  I'd seen the filmmaker's previous film 'Breaking Upwards' (also on netflix) and I dug it.  At the beginning the film felt off - like it was the kind of plot that belonged in a typical studio rom-com, but as it went along it felt a lot more fresh as it delved into the complications of Lola and her relationships.  It's a cute film and enjoyable for sure - but it didn't knock my socks off by any means.  If you like rom-coms, and you have a liking for Gerwig then check it out for sure.

1816 - No Strings Attached

This is the second time checking this one out.  I'm a fan of Elizabeth Meriwether's New Girl, and I forgot that Jake M Johnson was in this.  I think he's pretty goddamn great.  I like this film despite the fact that it falls into the usual rom-com plot tropes.  The cast is pretty stellar and is full of a lot of people I like.  The characters are all solid and unique, the dialogue catchy.  It's not the kind of flick that's going to change your life, but it's pretty solid popcorn romantic entertainment.  It's on netflix and well worth the time.  Boyfriends, you'll enjoy this along with the girlfriends.  Portman is pretty delightful here and Kutcher ain't too bad himself.  Lake Bell is sexy/funny as well.  Man, I really could just laundry list this entire cast... I won't - just watch the damn thing!

1756 - To Rome With Love

Full disclosure - I'm a Woody Allen nut.  I didn't get to see this just as it came out as we were moving that weekend, so I was happy to catch it now.  Woody has a wonderful ability to attract some of my favorite actors into his projects - and here he even scored two of my favorite Canadian actresses with Alison Pill and Ellen Page!
This is ensemble-Woody, and to be honest, it just wasn't my cup of tea.  There was, as always, some wonderfully inspired comedic moments and lines, but all in all I just found it floudering a tad.  It was a bit uneven and all over the place - four stories intercut - some taking place over weeks, others in a single day.  Not that I can't get over that, but it just felt odd.  And the thing felt a little heavy with exposition.  I don't want to bag on Woody here since I love the bulk of his work (that might be even saying it lightly), but I have a hard time recommending this one.  It's essentially about a slew of self-centered people who get to see what life is like on the other side (mostly by cheating on their spouses) and then get to return to their regular life consequence free when it doesn't work out.  Catch it on Netflix if you're really curious.

1690 - Hannah Takes The Stairs

Regular visitors of this blog will note that I've had a lazy viewing/reading month.  I swear it's 'cause I'm working my ass on something (which will be revealed in a few weeks).  But I decided to take a break tonight to wade through another film by Joe Swanberg.  What's really interesting in this film is how tight he shoots everything.  I don't know if it's to capture subtleties of actors or if it's to hide the extremely bland locations that they're in - somehow it works.
This film was a tad frustration on a few levels - technically it was difficult to make out the audio at some points, and just from a story point of view - I'm not really sure what story they were trying to tell here... It's almost about a woman who can't stand to be along or focus on herself so she attaches herself to men to avoid that.  I don't know.  It's pretty unfocused.  That said, I enjoyed the characters quite a bit.  I know that Swanberg works pretty lose, so it's hard to know who to credit for what on a film like this.  The film works largely because Greta Gerwig is so goddamn watchable.  She's one of those actresses incapable of a false move, I never feel like she's trying something - she's always being it.  She deserves all the success she's been getting.
Like Swanberg's other efforts this is the kind of film you'll either love or hate.  I liked it.

1555 - No Strings Attached

This is a film that I've been tracking for quite some time.  It was on the 2008 Black List (a list of favourite unproduced scripts) with it's original title "Fuckbuddies" and it was one of those scripts where you read it in one sitting and can't believe that any time had past at all.  It was the kind of script that made you jealous as shit that you hadn't written it - at least for me who is a relationship film nerd.
So given that I was so in love with the original script, how did it compare?  I have to say that it took me longer to get into it than I thought it would.  It is not a great first act and I don't know why - I think that that's probably what feels the most different from that beloved script, although that shouldn't matter - I think it just feels weird and awkward but not for any particular reason.  Clunky, maybe.  But when it starts to cook, it starts to cook and it turns into a really lovely little film.  It makes me especially happy for someone like Natalie Portman who has a film like this and Black Swan happening at the same time - lets us know that she's not going to take herself so uber seriously or just go after the kinds of films that she's "supposed" to make.  Ashton Kutcher is probably at his career best and I thought that the two worked off each other especially well.  It's a film filled with great writing and really lovely performances including one of my new favorites - Greta Gerwig, and someone I hadn't noticed before - Lake Bell.  And of course the always kick-ass Olivia Thirlby. 
If you like films about relationships this will be up your alley - it's not a raunch fest either - it's actually a really smart and sweet film that doesn't feel bad about being a little naughty as well.  Give it a shot, I say!
No Strings AttachedNo Strings Attached (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

1498 - Nights and Weekends

So I think it's pretty official that I have a crush on Greta Gerwig.  She's absolutely adorable in the right moments, and then in others she's absolutely frustrating.  She's a real woman in every sense of the world.  This film is about a long distance relationship in two parts.  The first part whilst it is going on, the second a year after the break up.  I don't think you appreciate just how fine the acting in this film is until the second half of the film.  In the first half it's what you'd expect, these people are excited to see each other - gitty even.  And they have expectations for their weekend together, and when it's not perfect they get upset and annoyed the way that a real couple would.  And then, a year later, when they reunite it's extremely and wonderfully awkward, and lord does it feel real.  If you've ever reunited with someone you had an intense relationship then you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Both Gerwig and Swanberg are fantastic, but Gerwig is fearless here.  She doesn't care if she's unlikable, or if she's silly, or whatever.  Every moment that she's on screen is honest and wonderful.  This film was a delightful surprise and I highly recommend it to any one who likes smart, honest films about relationships and people.
Nights and Weekends

1496 - Baghead

 

If you're up on independent films then you've probably heard of the Duplass Brothers and their group of likewise filmmakers, mostly responsible for the mumblecore movement.  They have that great attitude of - let's just go out and do the goddamn thing.  

So on this outing the film is about a group of unknown actors who decide that the only way to get their careers going is to make their own film - so they run off to the woods to try and write a groundbreaking film over the weekend and along their way their inspiration starts to come true.

This film has a rawness to it that people will either love or hate depending on their sensibilities.  It doesn't bother me, and inside of that you discover a wonderful talent, such as Greta Gerwig.  

What's really great about this little film is that it starts off a bit silly and self-aware, and while it doesn't lose that, it does merge into the horror genre quite well and actually gets pretty scary towards the end.  

What I liked most about this is the realistic choice that the characters make throughout.  They feel real and that's not normal for a horror film.

This isn't going to give you gore, so don't bother if that's what you're after.  It's just a fun little flick that's got some interesting, often clever, things going on.  Check it out of you're curious!

Baghead 

1464 - Greenberg

I struggle with Baumbach's films. He really enjoys exploring characters that are arrogant and self centred intellectuals. I really didn't like Squid and the Whale, but this film I actually kind of enjoyed it. I think it has a lot to do with the supporting cast that surrounds Greenberg - in particular Greta Gerwig as Florence. She's really just lovely, and flawed just enough to feel real and human and crazy enough to be around someone that's as big of an asshole as Roger Greenberg. It's a film about a man in his forties who has just gotten out of some kind of mental institution and is going to housesit for his, much more successful, younger brother, and build them a doghouse while he's there. That is, essentially, the plot going into it - and coming out of it, really as he navigates traces of his former life and realizes that no one really wants anything to do with him, save Florence - who probably doesn't know any better. Stiller is great here, and I believe that he changes because of the events in the film - which is a step up for Baumbach in terms of his lead characters. I like films where characters have at least a bit of an arc, it doesn't have to be major, but if they're the same person at the end as they are at the beginning I just don't understand the point of spending time with them. I was worried halfway through that Greenberg would remain an insufferable ass, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm curious to see how far Baumbach can go with his 'character'. He's changed it up enough over the last three films, but I'm curious what other stories he has in him with some variation. He's a talented story teller, I just want to see him stretch himself a bit more.