Why I loved "The Beginners" (and why Christopher Plummer deserves the Oscar)

The Beginners is a testament to the fact that life is unpredictable, unreliable, and at times unbearable. And by life, I euphemistically mean the people around us. 

People are social by nature and therefore go to great lengths and pains to be together, even if it feels like misery. Sociability made sense as a survival instinct for most of our species's history. Over time, we have remained instinctively social even though it is not immediately necessary for the sake of our survival. 
It makes sense to be social if the relationship is beneficial, especially if the benefit is symbiotic. But what if its not?

Why do we stay anyway? Whats in it for us to do something that does not provide an clear benefit (or in fact, strips other benefits from us?)?

Oscar Nominations are in! Focus Features scores 5!

Focus Features captured 5 nominations for the 2012 Oscars!
3 for Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy, 1 for The Beginners, and 1 for Jane Eyre.
Great Job!

Considering the results of the Golden Globes this year, my money is on Christopher Plummer to win best actor in a supporting role. And considering that this is shockingly, Gary Oldman's first Oscar nomination (I know right?), I hope he wins as well. 

'Tis a good day for Focus Features and congratulations to all of the nominees!

Click here to read more about the nominees from Focus Features

I'll be watching...Will you?

Focus Features' 3 best movies (besides Eternal Sunshine...)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind may be the best movie of all time, and it saddens me whenever I hear that the whole world has not seen it. However, Focus Features is home to many, many great movies that deserve much love and appreciation. Here's a list of my 3 favorite lesser-known Focus Films besides the great Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. 

1. Swimming Pool (2003)

This film focuses on the relationship between an uptight British novelist, Sarah, and a carefree french girl, Julie, who are forced to endure each others company while they are both vacationing at a remote house in France that was apparently overbooked by Sarah's boss - who also happens to be Julie's father.

Rich with deeps hues of French culture and countryside, along with scenes of violence and nudity have ignited this film with intensity and intrigue.

And critics have taken quite polarizing sides with this film because of its ambiguous ending. While I must admit that I was a bit baffled at the ending, none the less, I consider it one of the years best films and also one of Focus Features' best films of all time.

Ummm, do I know you?

We've all been there. I'm going about my daily business when suddenly, I am confronted by a supposed stranger who is clearly not a stranger at all. No matter if the person is low key, or a little aggressive about approaching me, I always panic when I realize that this person knows me, and I have no idea who the hell they are.

 I realize that it may also be uncomfortable for the other person, once they realize that I am completely oblivious to our apparent acquaintanceship; as Joel felt towards Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Clementine had erased her boyfriend, Joel, from her memory using super-duper technology afforded to her in magical movie-land by the science-savvy company: Lacuna inc.

Joel approaches Clementine at the bookstore she has worked at for years and she acts as if he is simply a browsing customer, and not her serious boyfriend coming in (gift in hand) to make up with her after having a terrible fight. Awkward...

(click here to see their painful exchange) 

Hi everyone!

I'm happy to announce the introduction of my new blog which will feature posts about my favorite film company, Focus Features which is an exclusive art-house production company that makes some of the most daring, unusual and quite frankly, the best films of all time.

You may have deduced from my blog name that I have a favorite Focus Film: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This film should go down in history as one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Combining the writing of Charlie Kaufman and the direction of Michel Gondry along with the acting prowess of Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, this film is spot on perfection.

And! Focus Features just conducted a survey of the best Focus film of all time and Eternal Sunshine won!! Out of 43 possible choices, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has been proven to be the fan favorite. Phew! I'm not alone!

I hope you enjoy my posts!


***Editors note: This blog was initially started as a project that required a specific topic (i.e. Focus Features). Now that the project is finished, I have decided to expand the topics discussed on my blog to be anything related to film that is interesting. Please enjoy!***