Monday, May 4, 2009

Movie Review: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)


I’ve seen this film 3 times. And each time I would think – either I really don’t like it or I just didn’t get it. But I’d eventually watch it again because, hey, it’s a classic and Best Picture. So maybe I’ll have better luck the fourth time around and finally see the light. We’ll see next year ☺

I do find the character of McMurphy very interesting - a sneaky trouble-maker con leading his merry band of misfits at the state mental hospital. It’s bound to be amusing with Jack Nocholson, Danny Devito and Christopher Lloyd among many others in the cast.

But somehow, it just doesn’t engage me long enough. Halfway through and I’m spacing out. I find I have to force myself through the last quarter of the movie because of “hey, I’ve come this far, I might as well finish it” guilt.

But that is not to say that it’s a bad movie. It’s an interesting plot with a brilliant cast. I guess it just doesn’t speak to me, that’s all.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Film Review: Casablanca (1943)


I have a confession to make. This is actually the first time I’ve ever seen Casablanca. (I know, a lot of you want to shoot me now!) Well, at least the first time I’ve watched it all the way through. And I cannot believe I waited this long to do so!

You’re instantly drawn in the moment they bring you back to Moroccan Casablanca, and captivated by the character of Rick Blaine. A man’s man – smooth, tough, and doesn’t waste his time with anyone else’s bull. The man who sticks his neck out for no one, and falls for no one. The epitome of cool.

Of course, that is until Ilsa Laszlo walks into his cafĂ©, and turns his world around. Imagine coming face to face with the one who got away, and finding out that she’s married to the legendary Victor Lazlo – probably the only man you admire.

So what’s the moral of this story? Every man’s downfall is a woman! And if he seems to be immune to women, it’s because somewhere in his past, he’s already fallen and learned his lesson!

Heheh jk! It’s probably something about Rick sacrificing his personal happiness for the good of the Resistance and the people whose lives depend on it. But what I will always remember is thinking this – what girl doesn’t want to be the one who breaks down a tough guy? Especially a Rick Blaine.

After all, hasn’t it been proven time and again that what brute strength and manly threats cannot do, womanly wiles can?! ☺

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Book Review: Chasing Harry Winston (Lauren Weisberger)


Yet another good one from the woman that gave us The Devil Wears Prada. Although I must admit that we didn’t get off to a good start.

I read a few chapters and found it rather flat, so I left it sleeping on my bookshelf for about 5 months, with no real intention of finishing it. But then I had an impromptu business trip, and as it was the easiest one to grab, I ended up passing the idle hours at the airport forcing myself to continue the book.

Emmy was your typical post-break-up dumpee whose expectations of wedding bells and babies have been shattered by the man she thought was the love of her life.

Adrianna was the Paris Hilton-ish modern day princess, except she’s Latina-hot.

And Leigh, the “Everything’s-perfect-so-why-am-I-not-happy?” type.

They all make a pact one night to each do something drastic in their lives (SPOILER ALERT) – Emmy to go on her “tour-de-whore”, Adrianna to trade in her own tour-de-whore with a quest to bag an eligible man who will put a Harry Winston on her finger, and Leigh to…well, I can’t remember! I think she was just keeping tabs on both girls.

An interesting enough plot, but for some reason I just felt that it dragged on for a couple more paragraphs. Thankfully, halfway through, things started to pick up, and I found myself no longer forced to reach the end of each page. The lives of Emmy, Leigh and Adrianna just started to get interesting. (No, no more spoilers coming, you’ll have to read it for yourselves!)

All in all, I think it was a pretty good read. Maybe Weisberger took a bit long to set up the situation and the characters, but once things started getting interesting, you get hooked all the way ‘til the end. Definitely worth adding to your chick lit collection ☺