Stormy weather since my man and I ain't together.

Movie Title: A Single Man
Release Date:  September 2009
Genre: Drama
Director: Tom Ford
IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1315981/

Description of Movie:
The movie opens with a nightmare. George Falconer is haunted by the death of his partner which occured eight months ago.  He decides that November 30th, 1962 will be a different day. The day he kills himself. Documenting the final 24 hours of Falconer's life, it's a charming and dark story of the people he meets, the memories he cherishes and the decisions he makes.

Review: Tom Ford's directorial debut has astonished me. Better known for being a fashion designer, Ford financed the film with his own money.The film is based on a book by Christopher Isherwood, which I have not read but intend on doing so. It's not the plot that makes the film effective. Ford's genius in lighting and colour are what make this film so unique. When George is sad, lonely, depressed, the entire film takes on a low saturation. Almost grey scale as he trudges about in his home, at work, talking to the neighbors. When he encounters something beautiful or familiar or kind, the entire screen explodes in brilliant colour. Red cheeks, bright eyes, the saturation is hiked up to the point of boiling. It's a gentle transition, barely noticable at first. Ford's grasp of angles and shots should also be praised. Everyone in the film is simply beautiful. From Colin Firth to model Jon Kortajarena, to Julianne Moore, just breathtaking beauties and we are blessed with wonderful close up shots that create such an intimate environment and capture the mood of the time period. The end of the film leaves you with such a feeling in the pit of your stomach, as the music swells and the denoument unravels, the viewer is left breathless. How Colin Firth never won the Oscar for this film I will never know.


Overall Letter Grade: A
Buy, Rent or Skip?: Buy

"Well, he says you're light in your loafers. But you're not even wearing any loafers."

For Sure Man!

Movie Title: Yes, Man    
Release Date: 12.19.2008

Starring: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel

Genre: Comedy

Director: Peyton Reed

Produced By: Warner Bros. Pictures

IMDb Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068680/

Description of Movie: Carl Allen (Carrey) leads a boring, everyday life, in order for his life to take a turn for the better, Carl commits to lead a better life by saying 'Yes' to everything for an entire year. Loosely based on a true story.




Review: This movie really is what we like to call, a "one-time gutbuster" Yes, Man is a hilariously funny movie the first time you watch it. Your stomach literally hurts while watching from the hilarity of the events that occur to Jim Carrey specifically. One event in particular, happens right at the beginning of the movie, in the Bigfoot Lodge when Jim Carrey slips on a spilled drink, and quite literally breaks his rib – after insisting that he do all of his own stunts to better connect with the character of Carl, Carrey really does break his rib in this scene, which would explain where the crunch noise has come from – we digress; the plotline idea of this introverted, anti-social normal guy trying to turn his life around by completely changing his character makes for a great movie, along with the characters (Norman especially), the music and all the stunts performed by Jim Carrey are just added into the mix. Unfortunately, although this movie may be hilarious, it is after all, a 'one-time gutbuster' and honestly, this movie stops being funny after the third watch in a short period of time. Why? We aren't really sure; perhaps it's because of the obscenity of all the events that Carl agrees to that ultimately lead to his downfall start to become a little dry after the third watch. So perhaps this movie is no Mrs. Doubtfire, but it's still a movie worth a watch, once every 6 months maybe.

Overall Letter Grade: B

Buy, Rent or Skip?: Rent

"The word is yes, Carl" – Terrence the "Yes Man"