Filmfeline

by Chinny Bini

Ooooh, the Runaways! Are you a Kristen Stewart fan? How about Dakota Fanning? Both girls absolutely shine in this film.

I can’t recall if Dakota ever played alongside Meryl Streep, but she’s definitely her type of  actress. You know she will deliver. You know she will add something wonderful to her character and you know, she will come out classy. Cherie Currie was no little angel. Written and directed by Floria Sigismondi, the Runaways script is based on a book by Cherie Currie. This is for teens, but let’s be honest, the truth was probably more raw. At least a tad, no? You’ve got girls making out with girls, all high as a kite, on the road with roadies and sleazy musicians … come on. This is the fairy version of the Runaways, but okay, the film was good. I liked it a lot.

The story begins with Cherie’s bloody thighs on the way to a gas station bathroom with her sister, because Cherie just got her period. What keeps Cherie Curie grounded no matter her experiences with Joan, is Marie.  The twins care for one another, help each other, they are each other’s family.  Tatum O’Neal plays their theatrical mother and Brett Cullen weighs in as the alcoholic, ailing Mr. Curie.  The bond between the sisters is strong. Marie Curie is  very well  executed by Riely Keough, the beautiful granddaughter of  the great Elvis Presley. Keoughis a gorgeous creature, yet her beauty was not accentuated in any way here. She is stunning and her performance was strong. One could understand her character’s plight; feeling for her, even when she’s not on screen. For the most part, she is wearing grubby clothes and no make up, with exception to the opening scene.  (Funny seeing Empire Record’s Brendan Sexton III in this;)

Joan Jett is played by the cool, effervescent, talented Kristen Stewart. She’s seeking rock stardom. She wants an all girl band. Jett  crosses paths with legendary record producer, filmmaker Kim Fowley outside a nightclub. She is not afraid to say what she wants, which is a plus to Jett’s character and when the band is set, only one thing seems to be missing among the tomboys - the cherry pie. Fowley is played by Michael Shannon. He’s one of those characters you just love to hate. The guy played them like a record, but he made them stars. 

Kristen Stewart was perfectly cast. What is most appealing about her is her cool, go with the flow attitude she applies to every role she plays. No doubt, it is most likely her character in real life, but it definitely works on screen. She is beautiful, but not in a Barbie way, more like Barbie’s tomboy bff.  Her cool demeanor worked in the Panic Room, it works for Bella in Twilight, it worked here. Some action stars need those big blockbuster one liners to be cool. Stewart just is. I see her having a very similar career to Jodie Foster. Come on, admit it, Stewart could easily play Clarice Sterling if she were a few years older, right?

There is not much to analyze about this film. If you don’t know who Joan Jett is you’ve been living under a rock. The film is about making a band, young chicks with attitude and some interesting chops for music. Shannon is a riot, and both Stewart and Fanning deliver an impressive performance. See it, it’s a fun movie!

by Chinny Bini

I’m not going to wait until Breaking Dawn to review the Twilight Saga. I waited long enough! 

Any Twi fans out there? Ha! I am, of course, joking! $30mil opening night for Eclipse pretty much says you folks are die hard fans. Count me in. I am one of you!

Directed by the talented Catherine Hardwicke, inventive Chris Weitz and the latest, Eclipse, by David Slade, brilliant  in action and dark mood on screen. Melissa Rosenberg’s three scripts, based on Stephenie Meyer’s work, steal our hearts with a timeless love story of Edward and his Bella. Yes, Stephanie Meyer can write and she not only conjured up a truly beautiful story, she also found an untapped market, but I don’t think the books are a literary masterpiece (from a technical point of view). The work is popular. It made a lot of money, because the ‘right’ kind of demographic took to it, therefore, anything Twilight is admired.  It’s not great literary work, but it’s a fabulous story. Even I, an absolute Shakespeare freak, am a fan. Fantasy has never been hotter. It’s ‘in‘ to be undead. Sugary, glistening in the sun, ice cold skin is hip. Werewolves are cool. Undying love that transcends all rules the world. Then again, it always has.

Twilight is for all ages. Twilight is R & J of the new millennium. New star crossed lovers have arrived. As beautiful as Romeo and Juliet may be, Twilight is easier to understand. Many can learn to recite Shakespeare’s work, but few truly understand the meaning of the beautiful prose that lies beyond the words. Perhaps words aren’t everything. Twilight is emotion, passion, love that transcends, a bond that is unbreakable. Words are not necessary. These films are very well cast, the cgi is amazing, I applaud the art department and the action, especially in Eclipse, is very nice. Even tough there may be a love triangle, the love story carries Twilight Saga to victory. Twilight is beautiful. My reviews are straightforward and honest; I must say I honestly love this story.

Bella Swan is uncoordinated and clumsy. She is not the most beautiful girl in school and she’s not even the smartest, but Kristen Stewart is idolized by young girls all over the world. It is her love for her character that shines through on screen. Stewart is an great performer, even with that - come on and beat it out of me – way of speaking. Working with fabulous actors like Meg Ryan and Jodie Foster in her childhood years, Stewart learned from the best in the biz.

Bella is in love with two magical creatures, a vampire and a werewolf. Robert Pattinson is what Dracula should look like; captivating and alluring. The first ten seconds of his screentime prove it. The great thing about him is that this kid can truly act. First, he proved himself as Salvatore Dali, then in How to Be, playing an awkward teenager begging for attention. Most of all, in his latest film, Remember Me, Pattinson truly captures the inner struggle of his character exposing his emotions for everyone to see. Bella loves Edward, the bloodsucking seventeen year old vampire who’s been seventeen ‘for a while’. Their love is unconditional. Not even Jacob, her dear friend, can brake that bond. Team Edward or team Jacob? I myself have a very hard time thinking of Taylor Lautner as a sex object, since I’ve seen him at martial arts tournaments, when he was just a little boy kicking butt for team Paul Mitchell. I study traditional, non competitive martial arts, but I attend some tournaments to cheer on my faves. The wolf pack’s little BooBoo Stewart is another martial artist. Their skills must have come to good use on Twilight Eclipse. I wish screen time allowed for more than the forty scenes of a 120page film script. I would have loved to have seen more of Rosalie’s story, Alice, Esme…Edward’s life before he was turned.

The Volturi are truly captivating and Dakota Fanning plays Jane well. I strongly urge you to see the Runaways, where both Dakota and Kristen deliver top caliber performances. In New Moon, Edward leaves his love, to give her a chance at a normal life. They both realize that it’s an impossible task. Jacob never stops fighting for Bella, but in Eclipse, it is clear to him that Bella can’t be more than a friend, a friend who cares for him very deeply, but not deeply enough to leave Edward.

The Jacob and Bella scenes were very emotional. Everyone on team Edward must admit, it’s difficult not to care for Jake (for me, especially when he is in wolf form). The Twilight Saga art department is brilliant! Amazing cgi people! The wolves are sensational. Wolves are beautiful magical creatures that should be respected, protected and loved. I despise Palin for what she’s doing to wolves!! Twilight Eclipse wolves are cgi, but they are graceful and stunning. I was completely captivated by them. (The wolves pictured here are real. Wolves are suffering. Please do a little research online to find out how you can help them.)  

Well, Edward and Bella are engaged. We await Breaking Dawn.