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The Diving Bell and Butterfly

// December 15th, 2008 // movie talk

Hollywood.Com

IT was based on the on the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby. Bauby was a French journalist and editor of the French fashion magazine ELLE.

On December 8, 1995, when he was only 43, Bauby suffered a massive stroke and so the story of The Diving Bell and Butterfly begins.

The movie started with some people, wearing white, looking at the camera. The audience learned soon, they’re doctors and nurse and the camera is actually Bauby, who just woke up from his coma after three weeks and that’s basically how the whole movie went, I’d say that at least 90% of the time, the actors looking direct to camera.

Yes, this movie is about Bauby’s perspective. How he looked at the world during his stroke. How he transformed from a very successful man, who lives in fame and always surrounded by pretty women, into this helpless man who the only thing he can do is blinking his one eye.

Bauby, narrated the whole story, and describe himself as The Diving Bell who is trapped under the water.

There are several important characters in the movie, at least in his point of view. The woman that gives him three children, but never won his heart. The two nurses that help him with therapy, the woman who helped him wrote his memoir, his sick father and the girlfriend who never visited her.

Meet Celine, the mother of his children. Heartbroken when she found out that the man he always love would never be the same again. It doesn’t really explain, but we know that this woman has suffered a lot by Bauby’s womanizer attitude, but somehow seemed can’t stop loving him. The best scene with her, when she took Bauby and their kids playing on the beach. It is so beautifully done and the part where she smiles with her hair moves by the win blows made into the cover.

Then meet the two nurses. We actually met them at the beginning on one of the first days when he just woke up from his coma. They were with him from the very beginning and basically taking full care of him. One of the nurse, Henriette, teach him how to communicate with using only one eye. It’s not the fastest way in talking with someone, but for his condition, that’s the only way. The former partner, friend, and people who visited her learned how to communicate that way too.

Before his stroke, Bauby actually had a book deal. Of course, it fell apart after what happened with him. But one day, he asked the nurse to call the publisher and tell them that he wants to write the book. The publisher of course is surprised to hear that but granted his wish anyway. He said that he needs help, so they send him an assistant who is gonna be with him until the book finished. The assistant of course needs to learn how to communicate with him. So, that’s how Bauby write the book, by blinking his one eye.

This movie showed lots of flashback. One of them is the scene with him and his father who is played by Max Von Sydow. The father is old and sick and there was a scene where Bauby had to help him shaving.

Von Sydow played his character so well. Brilliant and touching at the same time. Of course, the saddest part when Bauby asked the assistant (or the nurse, I forgot which one), to call the father who couldn’t visit his son because he also not in good condition. How Bauby told him how he felt by only blinking his eyes, and then the assistant (or nurse), explain with words on the phone.

There also, an ex girlfriend, who never visited her. He missed her terribly and on a flashback, Bauby takes the audience on the day where he spent time with her.

Surprisingly, while Celine were there, the girlfriend called him, and Celine had to “translate” the words on how Bauby really felts to the girlfriend that he loves more than her. Again, this is also one of the memorable scene in the movie (and yes, there are several).

The movie is so close to be perfect. I liked that they choose to tell the story not only from Bauby’s point of view, but also from his angle.
The flashback done in like a “dreamy” way. It make sense of course, because basically they don’t really show what is really happening right now, but it’s on how Bauby memorize it.

We are not only learning his past and present, but also his imagination and fantasy. It was done into artistic but underrated so it’s still beautiful to watch.

When I saw something great I usually like to recommend this on anyone. However, I realize that this this type of movie, especially on the angle they choose to tell Bauby’s story won’t work for everyone. If you like drama, it still not guarantee you’re gonna like this movie.

It IS a dramatic movie, but also full with symbolism and it felt like reading literature, only with modern touch on it. But if you think you can handle it then you should give this a change.

I don’t really remember what movies that comes out on 2007 that I saw. But for now it seemed like one of the best from that year. I am not the only one. From Wikipedia you can see that many of well-known critics put this movie on their top ten list of 2007. I think I will too.

Miracle of 34th Street

I am sure that everyone has heard the title of the movie. For me, somehow it sound so familiar but I just have no idea what it is. There were times in my life that I just don’t care about old movies especially the one in black and white.

However, as I grew older, I think I have became more open minded and I do now have goal to see all the most important movies has ever made and this is one of them.

The movie begins with an old guy with a white beard walk on the street of New York. It was on Thanksgiving day, so it’s no surprising if the Christmas decoration are all over the town. He notice a guy at the store was starting to arrange Santa and his reindeer ornament on the display. This old man knocked the door and told the guy that he made mistake with the arrangement. This old man seemed know all the names of the reindeer and the place where they should be on Santa’s sleigh.

He then kept walking and he arrives at downtown. There were lots of people there and we learned the reason why. Today was Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving parade.

There was a beautiful woman, who seemed in charge of the parade, seemed anxious. She was mad that the Santa that he hired seemed too drunk to work. The Santa has his own excuse. He needs something warm to work in a cold day like this.

The woman is event’s director, Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara). She asked this old man if he could replace the drunk Santa. He agreed then the parade was a massive success.

Macy liked him a lot, so they asked him to keep working as Santa on their main store. He accepted. He said he had lots of experience because he WAS Santa Claus and his name was Kris Kringle.

At first they just don’t care on whatever he claimed as long he did great job. So, the children would come and sat on his lap and told him what they really want for Christmas. The main purpose was marketing of course. The Santa then will refer to the parents on where they can get the present on Macy.

Well, that wasn’t what Kris Kringle did. For some reason, he knew where the parents could find the present that their kids wanted, even in a store like Gimbel, who at that time is Macy’s main competitor.

However, what Kris did actually worked well for the store. The customer felt that Macy really care about them and decided to become their faithful customers.

I mentioned before about the event director, Doris. She also the main character in the movie. She is a single mother and has to raise her only daughter Susan, by her own.

Even though Doris so involved with all the Christmas stuff. She didn’t really like all the fantasy story about Christmas. She even taught Susan not to believe in fantasy world, of course this is including believe in Santa Claus.

She lived in apartment and neighboring with this young lawyer Fred Gailey. He spent time with Susan sometimes and learned so much about how they live their life. He felt bad that as a young girl, Susan didn’t really act like the kids on her age, with no imagination just because her mother didn’t believe in one. In order to attempt to change Susan’s way of thinking and the main thing is to get the mother attention, Gailey asked Kris to live with him. He soon became closer with Susan.

Doris didn’t like this. She even thought to fire Kris so he wouldn’t have any influence on her daughter no more. She sent him to do psychological evaluation, but Kris easily pass the test.

But soon, Kris’s charming attitude started to win Doris’s heart. However, Sawyer, the one that tested Kris before and also has a little feud with him, trying to make Kris looked like he had mental disease. It worked, Kris was sent to Bellevue mental hospital.

This is actually what makes this movie so famous, when Kris has to be brought on a court in order to proof he was really a Santa Claus. He had Fred as his lawyer and the case became the talk of the country.

So, did Kris is really Santa Claus? How on earth Fred is gonna be able to proof it?

At the beginning, I thought that at the end they gonna show Kris riding his sleigh with the reindeer and then everyone would believe that he was Santa Claus. No, they don’t do that. However, I AM so glad that they proof his existence in more realistic way. So, it actually bring to the point, that from the movie point of view, that there could be a Santa.

The Mist

Hollywood.Com

Sure, it has good lightning and cinematography. Also, nothing wrong with the directing. The screenplay is okay. That’s about it.

First let’s talk about the story. The mist is based on a horror novella by the American author Stephen King. Haven’t read it so I didn’t know how faithful the movie is to the book. I don’t have to explain on who King is, as I am sure everyone knows about him.

The movies tells story about what happened to a small town after a thunderstorm. The audience met the main character of the story, David Drayton (Thomas Jane), an illustrator who lives with his wife and son the day after the storm finds that some part of his property has been damaged by the storm.

There is a tree that crashed into their property and is own by his neighbor, Brent Norton (Andre Braugher). At first he seemed doubt to go see Brent, because the relationship between those not really in good terms. To come to his surprise, Brent is not defensive at all when he finally went to see him and told him about the tree. He is more cooperative and willing to do what the insurance might decide.

It seemed that the mist has at least bring a positive side, at least between Drayton and Norton relationship. They even willing to go to the town together. Drayton brought his son with him while his wife decides to stay home instead.

They arrive into a grocery store. The mist seemed becoming the talk of the town that day. But what happened next shocking the whole people inside the store. All of sudden, the place has been covered with the mist making the people afraid to go out of the store.

The next thing that happened is the strange and blood thirsty creatures just appears creating panic everywhere. In this case, the people who is trapped inside the store. Drayton is one of the person that witness this gruesome events, when one of the store employee got taken away by the creature that appeared in the basement.

At first the people in the store doesn’t believe him. When he tried to explained that to Norton. He accused Drayton is still having hard feelings on him and wanted to play trick on him. The two people that at first who were on the way on becoming good friends now go back into their bad term, only it worse than ever.

One of woman who is trapped inside the store is Mrs. Carmody who believes that the end of days. Carmody is portrayed by Marcia Gay Harden.

That brings me to another topic, acting. I still believe that Gay Harden is one of the most underrated and talented actress. I first notice her on Mystic River, where she gave the performance of a lifetime. Although, even her couldn’t save the movie. She seemed trying too hard in this movie with the result that her portraying of the character becomes a bit over the top.

I don’t know if it’s her fault or the script that they gave to her isn’t really give her enough place to explore, so basically she needs to improve it herself by delivers her line in such dramatic tone, even when it’s not necessary. What a waste of time of such talent.

On contrary, Thomas Jane seemed emotionless. They got the script, learn it and delivered it like reading from the text book. Maybe he thought he is in The Punisher sequel?

The others just okay. They tried so hard but not believable enough.

I wish they have a more simple script (and better actors). The preach that comes from Mrs. Carmody doesn’t need to be that dramatic. I know that her character supposed to scare the hell of other people. I prefer she scares them in more realistic way.

Sure, it’s fine to quote from Bible, but to make her every words biblical are just seemed too much and even in that situation it’s hard for me to believe that she started can gain followers (or maybe the fact I didn’t go to church in so long, I missed the fact that nowadays she just act exactly like some fanatics preacher/priest to increase the number of the people of their congregation? Fill me on this, please).

So, anyway, this movie doesn’t bring me the creepiness that I expected. It’s fun to watch when the creatures enters the grocery or when Drayton and his new friends tried to escape them in parking lot. But that’s about it. I think this movie has no difference with Eight Legged Freaks and any bad movies with creatures attacking humans.

Sure, it less bad than the rest, but still not good enough to know that it based on King’s story and with pretty known actors.

I still stand for what I said before that the cinematography isn’t that bad. Although, I wished they do that in more simple way. I think all the lightning is too bright and makes this movie looked more like a date movie than a great horror story that was supposed to be dark and mysterious. I heard though it also has black and white version. I should watched that version instead, with volume down and subtitles only. Then maybe I can enjoy it more.

Recomendation

League of Their Own

A very funny and heartwarming movie starring Geena Davies, Madonna, Lori Petti and of course the mighty Tom Hanks.
It’s about the first woman baseball league. When the men goes to work, who left playing the baseball? The women of course. I usually avoid movie with sport theme basically because I am not sport fan and I just don’t want to feel lost in translation when they started talking about the sport terms.
The movie, however, is different. Yes, it’s about sport, but mostly is about sisterhood and how to be in the kind world dominated by men.
Madonna as the supported actress really shines the screen.

Porco Rosso

Not the best from Hayao Miyazaki, but if you like his other movies, you should watch this one too. It still have all the elements you need from Miyasaki. Flying scene and heartwarming story.

Heart and Souls

Very funny movie that should have more recognition. This is actually the first movie where I got to know Robert Downey Jr. It’s about four people that died during the bus crash. They however stuck near the baby who is born near the place where the accident occurs. After 30 years, they still wandering on earth they finally know why they’re still here. They need to resolve one last thing they need to do before they died. Sounds like story in Ghost Whisperer, but trust me this one is more tasteful and simply 1000 times better than that TV show. Just give it a change.

Only You

Another Downey Jr movie. This time is romantic comedy. I mentioned many times that no one can really put this genre as good as Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks, but in this case Marissa Tomei and Downey Jr can hold the same candle. The story is about a woman who believes that she destined to marry her soul mate named Damon Bradley. So, the movie is about her quest of finding her true love. Again, from the synopsis, it sounds cheesy, when you it on screen, all that feelings gone away. At least that’s how I experience it.

Mild Recomendation

Stand and Deliver

Before Freedom Writers and Dangerous Mind, there is actually a similar movie called Stand and Deliver. Different with those two that more focus on social issue, this one is about a math teacher who wanted his student to be ready for AP Calculus test, so they can go to college. Like other movie, not everyone believed in his plan.
This movie based on true story of Jaime “Kimo” Escalante. Surprisingly, I like this one better than Freedom Writers or Dangerous Mind.

Memento

A story about a man who’s suffering short term memory loss, so he must do something to remind him of what happened day after day. He used his body almost as his note book. Instead of writing, he tattoos all the important stuff that happened in his life.
It tells in a very interesting way. Full with flash back and stuff, so when you were sleepy while you’re watching the movie, it might results into confusion. As for me, it’s pretty good thrillers with great performance by Guy Pearce.

Rambo

It’s not that special, but pretty interesting. Just don’t compare this to Apocalypse Now, or you’ll be disappointed. Many years ago, I’d probably dislike the movie, but lately I tried so hard to try finding the good side and don’t judge something too harshly (although it’s hard to do when the movie is awfully bad).
I saw many bad movies from Stallone, and this one isn’t one of them. His character is still the same as the Rambo we knew many years ago. Less talking and super though.

Inside Man

I saw several Clive Owen movie and unfortunately this guy hasn’t grown on me yet. He always had the same expression and for now I think he only gave just an okay performance, including this movie.
Until now, the best bank robbery (with hostage) still Dog Day Afternoon and Inside Man is still down below compare to it’s greatness.
This one however turned into very interesting twist that probably the best part of the movie. However, I am just gonna put this movie on a list where watching it once is good enough.

Ignore this!

Journey To The Center of The Earth
When I first saw this movie, I’d probably put this on mild recommendation. I have pretty good fun on theater with it’s 3-D experience. But now you can only find this on DVD and I don’t think the experience will be the same. The story is boring so what’s the point to watch it in smaller screen?

10.000 BC

Before I saw the movie, I read MANY bad reviews. Well, I give this one a try anyway. The critics are right about it. It seemed the movie just tried to take all the good things from great movies like Lord of The Rings, Apocalypto and 300, only it fails terribly.

Miracle Mile

I got confused with this movie. Does it supposed to be thriller or comedy? It all begins with heart warming 80’s typical comedies, but then it becomes thriller. Since it’s started like “When Harry Met Sally” kind of stuff, how on earth I could take the thriller seriously?

I know I watch a lot of movies…