So's Reel Thoughts: June 2012

I finally watched Brave yesterday and was blown away by its surprisingly different message from the trailer. I don't know if the Pixar + Disney collab took the gamble on only advertising half of the film knowing that the word of mouth would help promote the film or wanted to play it safe by telling the adventurous stories that most of their animated films entail. Either or, I was caught off guard and moved. Naturally, when I came across this video, I had to share it.SoundWorks Collections behind-the-scene feaurettes presents the sounds of The Hunger Games, The Avengers and Prometheus. Now, they are feauturing Brave, an animated film where everything from ambiance to props to voices have to be conjured and precisely sewn into place. Take a look.

SoundWorks Collection - The Sound of Brave from Michael Coleman on Vimeo.

I'm so sad that this film already came out in France and not in the US. I mean naturally, it should as Julie Delpy is French but still. Now, we have to wait a couple more months for the sequel to her explosively refreshing film, 'Two Days in Paris.' I heard so many things about it and honestly, did not expect much from the trailer. But after watching it, I was blown away. Hence, the reason why i'm so excited to see more of anything relating to Julie Delpy. She's back and this time, Marion (Delpy) has broken up with Jack (Adam Goldberg from the first film) and now resides in New York with their child. But when her family decides to come visit her, she's oblivious to the different cultural background held by her new American boyfriend Mingus (Chris Rock). Her odd ball father, sister Rose, and ex-boyfriend all make a reappearance for the second installment.

At first, I thought it was odd that she picked Chris Rock to be her love interest out of everyone. But I guess she does like those awkward and idiosyncratic types. I mean Adam Goldberg? I feel like he's just typecasted as Chandler's roommate from Friends for life. That cynical, angry, and easily irritable type of guy. But after seeing the first film, it worked well with Delpy's character. I'm excited to see Chris Rock expand and really see him in action and not in Madagascar. Two Days in New York comes out in August 10! YAY!

I'm so late on this! I've been interning at the Look East Festival so I've been swamped and haven't had time to blog! I had no idea Michel Gondry was coming out with two films! As I mentioned before that he is coming out with a coming-of-age film 'The We and the I' that has more of a documentary feel contrary to his usual quirky, surreal, and fanstasy infused stories he is known for. Well, have no fear because he's back. I mean look at the image below, is that a floating car or an amusement park ride? Either or, I need more Gondry in my life.

I've been getting the stills from different sources and at the first site, there was this orange tint that gave the film a similar tone much like Jean-Pierre Jeunet's films. But after seeing the original stills from a French film site, it seems as though they were edited. These stills are the real deal!

Gondry's Mood Indigo is based on Boris Vian's 1947 novel "L'Ecume des Jours" (or "Froth on the Daydream"), stars Audrey Tautou as Chloe, a woman who marries an inventor but falls ill during her honeymoon due to a water lily that emerges her lung, and the only possible way to treat the sickness is to surround her with fresh flowers, a sacrifice that soon wipes out his funds. The cast includes Omar Sy, Jamel Debbouze, Romain Duris, Gad Elmaleh, Alain Chabat and Aissa Maiga. Regardless of it just being a story of a woman whose lungs are inundated with a flower, the stills sure looks beautiful. It's the usual idiosyncratic story that Gondry is known for that is sure to bring joy and heartache to his audience. It's called L'ecume des jours in French and there is no certain release date out yet, so watch out for it!

If you didn't know already, I am a huge Asian cinema fan, especially of Park Chan-wook's work. His Vengeance Trilogy along with his other works like JSA (2000), It's Ok, I'm a Cyborg (2006), and Thirst (2009) have had incalculable influence on my womanhood. I am currently interning for Look East Film Festival. At first, i was beamed to hear that he was going to be one of the attendants. But almost fell to my knees to know that he will be having a Q&A for his film Thirst. My adored CSULB professor, Alison Hoffman is a big fan of Lee Chang-dong (Secret Sunshine, Poetry). So what better way to pay her back for giving me priceless insight on woman and film other than letting her moderate both of these director's Q&A? I am a ball of nerve just thinking about being in the same room as Park. Here is more information about the festival and hope you can all make it. If you do come and see me convulsing on the floor, please help me.

Look East Korean Film festival (LEF) is taking place Saturday & Sunday, June 23-24, at Graman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywod Ca marking the first time in Grauman’s 85-year history, Korean actors Lee Byung-Hun and Ahn Sung-Ki wil cast their hand and footprints in cement in front of the legendary theater. Byung-Hun, Sung-Ki and international filmmaker Pierre Rissient will all be honored at the Opening Ceremony.

The following screenings scheduled include 3 Iron (Bin Jip), A Bittersweet Life (Dar Kom Hahn Inseng) with Q&A with star Byung-hun Lee, The Day He Arrives (Book Chon Bahng Yang), Flower in Hell (Jiok Hwa) – U.S. premiere, A Hometown in Heart (Maum Ae Gohyang) – U.S. premiere, The Host 3D (Gae Mur), Pierre Rissient: Man of Cinema – with Q&A with subject/star Pierre Rissient, Poetry (Shi) with Q&A with director Chang-dong Lee, Punch (Wahn D’Ghi), Unbowed (Booruh Jin Hwa Sal) with Q&A with star and Hand and Footprint honoree Sung-ki Ahn, and Thirst (Bahk Ji) with Q&A with director Chan-wook Park.