'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' Makes You Rain Tears of Agony in the Best Possible Way

AKA: 'Les Parapluies de Cherbourg'

Release Date: February 19, 1964 (France); December 16, 1964 (USA)

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel, Ellen Farner, Mirielle Perrey

Director: Jacques Demy

Music: Michel Legrand

Writer: Jacques Demy

Part 1 on Youtube (English Subtitles Available)

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. OF ALL TIME. (Where's Kanye when you need him?) Although the sets and some of the styles are terribly outdated, the main theme of 'Umbrellas' is still strong today and is expressed in the most unique way: Every word is sung.

I mean, every word. Musical-haters, don't fret! What I enjoy about 'Umbrellas' is that the singing is not done with obnoxious movements or dance routines (which I do like, but it's not everyone's cup of tea); it is done in a way that singing is just the natural way of talking and it is done beautifully. Also, this movie is not very long, so it's not too bad.

I think this is what allowed the film to live on well and way past its generation...well, the singing and the theme of "first love."

You probably are thinking, "It's lived on? How come I've never heard anything about it?" You'd be surprised where influence from this film has turned up.

Matt Groening's 'Futurama' episode entitled 'Jurassic Bark' involves Fry finding his fossilized dog from the past. In the end of the episode, we find out exactly what happened to his loyal pet. This scene uses a version of "I Will Wait For You;" which is a popular song that uses the melancholy melody of the two lovers from 'Umbrellas.' The video I provided of the ending is terrible quality, but the only "good" one I can find.

Anyways, now that that is out in the open...

'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' is a 1964 French film that surrounds the relationship of 17-year-old, Genevieve (Catherine Deneuve) and 20-year-old Guy (Nino Castelnuovo). They enjoy the happiness that first love often gives, but their relationship takes a hard turn when Guy must leave for 2 years due to the Algerian War.

On Guy's last night before his departure, the two...you know...and both make a vow of waiting for each other. After Guy leaves, Genevieve finds out she is pregnant weeks later.

However, Genevieve's mother (Anne Vernon) disapproves of her daughter waiting for a man who may be killed or may find another woman. Instead, she insists that Genevieve should marry another man who is courting her (and one who is richer), Roland Cassard (Marc Michel).

If you're interested in watching this, I'm letting you know right now, you'll need some tissues. If you cry at the smallest things, you'll need a tissue factory for 'Umbrellas.' If you hate sad (but it's definitely realistic) endings, you may not like it. Me? I love sad endings; makes me remember a film more.

The music is just so wonderful for the most part and I love listening to the entire first act every now and then. You may find the music and "conversational singing" a little odd at first, but once you get to Guy and Genevieve's scenes, you can't help but love it.

Really my only complaint is the style of some aspects of the film are outdated, but like music and basic love theme make up for it completely.

Rent worthy? Yes, yes, yes! I've put up part one of the film in the beginning of this entry. The next few parts are on the side bar and the username is: RobinSenathePhoenix.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? I don't think it's out on Blu-ray, but the DVD restoration project they did years ago is quite good enough already. Yes, it is in my possession, as is the soundtrack cause I love it that much! Yes, love.

Keep on watchin'
The Little Critic

'The Orphanage' Another Movie That Makes You Wonder Why Kids Are So Goddamn Creepy

Release Date: January 11, 2008 (USA)

Starring: Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Princep, Edgar Vivar

Director: Juan Antonio Bayona

Writer: Sergio G. Sanchez

MPAA Rating: Rated R for some disturbing content

Trailer


Official Movie Website

I'm back! I'm not dead! Halloween and its horrifying ghouls have not gotten to me yet! Sorry for the long wait on my next entry.


In light of Halloween, I'll be reviewing some of my favorite scary/horror films...and some not so good ones (see 'Devil').

Please do not confuse 'The Orphanage' with the crappy 2009 US film 'Orphan.'


'Orphan' = Crap.

'The Orphanage' is a 2007, Spanish film surrounding Laura's (Belen Rueda) family. Laura moves her husband (Fernando Cayo) and young son, Simon (Roger Princep), into a huge hoouse that used to be her orphanage when she was younger.

Laura plans to make the large home into a place for disabled children. Problems arise when Simon believes he has a masked friend, Tomas, living with them at the home.

Laura believes Simon is making up imaginary friends due to the move and thinks nothing of it at first. It is not until Simon disappears after an argument that Laura begins to wonder if there are spirits in her old home.

'The Orphanage' is a horror film with a great story. It reminds me of another film titled 'The Others' in the style and feel.

The story is quite melancholy and dark, as all horror films tend to be. However, there is also love shining through the film as a mother longs to find her child. I love horror films that have a bit of an emotional feel to it. As much as slasher films are amusing, I tend to be more attracted to human emotion-filled horror movies. I remember them much more easily that way, as long as they're good.


Make me cry, Jason. MAKE ME CRY!

The actors were believable and Belen Rueda did an excellent job in her role as the mother.
On the "scare meter" of the film, there are not too many jumping moments, save for one where it creeped the f*ck out of me. First time I saw 'The Orphanage,' I watched it on the computer and I had my face close to the screen the moment that happened. I responded correctly in freaking out with an increased heart rate.

So, if you want to be scared a lot while watching this, I wouldn't recommend this. This is a horror film all about story and content; not about young teenagers getting murdered for having sex in the woods.

Rent worthy? I'd definitely say this is worth watching once. I think it is available on Netflix for those of you who have it. If you do not, refer to my previous entry on the Pros & Cons of Netflix.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? If you enjoyed it as much as I did, then you might own it. No need to get it on Blu-ray quality; the DVD is good enough for 'The Orphanage.'

Keep on watchin'

The Little Critic

'The Motorcycle Diaries:' Ernesto Guevara Before He Was Che

Release Date: (In Argentina as 'Diarios de motocicleta') July 29, 2004;(US/Sundance) January 15, 2004

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna

Director: Walter Salles

MPAA Rating: Rated R for language

Trailer

Official Movie Website

Note: I am neither a lover or hater of Che Guevara. Do not assume anything about my political views; this entry is about a movie.

Everyone has come across the iconic image of Marxist Che Guevara at least once in their lifetime. Even if you do not know who he is or what he did, no doubt you've seen this image before.

Now ironically plastered over millions of merchandise

'The Motorcycle Diaries' does not focus on Che when he was Che. It focuses on him when he was simply 23-year-old Ernesto Guevara's ('Letters to Juliet's Gael Garcia Bernal) and his 1952 road trip with his best friend, Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna).

'Diaries' is adapted from the journal Ernesto wrote about that very journey and is also backed up by some passages from Back on the Road: A Journey Through Latin Ameria by Alberto, his friend.

Ernesto, only a semester away from finishing his medical degree, and Alberto decide to leave Buenos Aires and travel across the South American continent to do their medical residency at a leper colony in Peru.

The journey starts out as a typical college student road trip: just having some good old fun and letting out their strong desires for adventure. Yet, as the film unfolds, Ernesto's eyes are opened in ways that change him. His life's path is rewritten and encounters the inevitable split of the two friends' destinies.

I enjoyed 'Diaries' a lot. I think watching this film really opens up Che's perspective on life a lot more to those who watch it or read the journal.

I am, in all innocent honesty, not a big fan or opposer of the Che craze. I think it is because I've known so many people who have plastered his image on an item and use it to describe their own passive rebellion and not really understand exactly what he stood for. My point: Che was an anti-capitalist and now his image is strewn across millions of merchandise all for the profit of company owners...in other words, an anti-capitalist is paying for the capitalist's lunch right now. You see where I'm going with this?

If you see anyone with an image of Che anywhere on them, ask them about him and what he stands for. About 1 out of 7 people will answer you will a complete, correct answer. Okay, maybe 2.

But, forget about what Che stands for when you watch 'Diaries.' On a deeper level, this is about finding the path to one's life. Sometimes we take one road, occasionally with a friend, then life happens to the best of us. Things change, friends are separated, paths are split, we fall on the ground and pick ourselves up.

I liked the movie because I saw Ernesto Guevara as a human, not Che the Image. I was able to see how he got from Point A to Point B and why he became the way he did. Even my father, who is not a fan of Che's actions, likes this film. So, I think anyone with an open mind can appreciate 'Diaries.' The dialogue is good and the actors, director, and writers did a fantastic job bringing the story to life.

The music is also worth mentioning because it is absolutely beautiful. I love listening to a particular song when I feel like relaxing or when I am traveling. Gustavo Santaolalla's piece "De Usuahia a la Quiaca" is a very good song.

Rent worthy? Oh yeah, I think this is a movie to watch, especially for those who actually WANT to know who Che used to be. Sundance Film Institutes' founder, the great Robert Redford, produced this film and he is quite good at picking up potential in films.

DVD/Blu-ray worthy? I do not think this is a movie I would watch over and over again constantly. I will see it again one day if I am in the mood since my father owns it. For myself though, I do not know if I want it enough.

Keep on watchin',

The Little Critic

'Departures' Left Me Feeling Bittersweet

'Departures' is a 2008 Japanese movie that follows the story of a now out-of-work cello player, Daigo Kobayashi.
After the disintegration of his orchestra, Daigo decides to leave Tokyo with his wife, Mika Kobayashi, and live in the childhood home his deceased mother left him in Yamagata.

Once there, Daigo looks for a job and sees an ad from the NK Agency with high pay, no expertise needed, and "dealing with departures." Daigo sets up an interview, thinking the job is a travel agency.

After meeting the secretary and the boss, Ikuei Sasaki, Daigo learns that he is dead wrong. A misprint in the ad caused the word 'departed' to become 'departures' instead. Daigo is hesitant at first to learn that he may be literally working with the dead, but takes it when Sasaki insists and gives him 500,000 yen ($5646) upfront.

The film comically, dramatically, and beautifully follows Daigo through his controversial job of cleaning and preparing the deceased for the family. It also becomes clear of his personal struggles of his lost father, who left him and his mother when he was only 6 years old.

'Departures' not only describes what death is perfectly, but also how those who are still living deal with death.

We all deal with death in different ways. No matter what the religion, belief, or outlook is, some of us become angry and bitter, sad and bittersweet, etc. 'Departures' actually shows that death doesn't care how rich we are, how poor, how loved, how hated...death takes us all.

This movie made me cry at the end, but not in the "THERE IS NO GOD! WHY?!?!" way. I cried because it showed that death should not be a bad aspect of anything. It is supposed to bring those who are living a sense of closure and all we have to do to deal with death is accept it. 'Departures' also shows that through death, there is still life.

There were parts that made me like this, only less creepy: and like this:

But in the end, it gave me a sense of closure that everything is fine, despite the bittersweetness of it all.

This film is Japanese, so for us English speakers, it means subtitles. I know some people pretty much rip me apart when I say "I don't mind subtitles and I sometimes need it for English films." Sometimes actors whisper in films and I can't hear what they're saying. Some actors don't ENUNCIATE enough (I'm watching you, Robert Pattinson) When I'm at home, I always opt for subtitles so I can understand what is going on with the story. So naturally, I'm a person who doesn't mind foreign films.

Me, defending my rights to use subtitles and my love for foreign films

For those who have recently lost a loved one or are just afraid of death...just watch this and I hope it may bring you a sense of closure or there is some relation to the movie. It is very sweet, and winning an Academy Award isn't too bad either.

If you love dramas, (although to be fair, 'Departures' is actually funny in some scenes) and you don't mind foreign films or subtitles, just check this out. This little critic says so.

4/5

One point for amazing music by Joe Hisashi, the same man for the Miyazaki films (Look up: 'Departures Memory Okuribito' on Youtube)

One point for the story and direction

One point for a great ending

One point cause it made me cry in the best way possible

Rent it on Netflix or at Blockbuster or if you're really daring, just buy it without even seeing it first.

What are your thoughts about foreign films? Do you hate them or love them? Have you seen this movie? Would you want to see it? Do you hate subtitles? Am I being to nosy?

Next review will be 'Toy Story 3', later today.