Maps to the Stars

Director: David Cronenberg
With: Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Evan Bird, Olivia Williams, Sarah Gadon, John Cusack, Robert Pattinson

This movie has got to be one of the most brutal films one would ever see and it doesn't even involve a lot of gore, or blood to be brutal. But its satirical emblazoning of Hollywood is just uncomfortable yet fascinating to watch. I can never attest to what Hollywood is like, all I can rely to is the media's depiction of it so judging this film, it might be spot on and reading some of the reviews and comments about it, I'm pretty sure Maps to the Stars was made, not really to expose the scandals and bad behaviors of some Hollywood stars, agents and aspiring famewhores in the business, but perhaps, to also open the eyes of those who are unaware of the nature of Hollywood itself, or those who are simply clueless of their desperation for fame.

Maps involves characters that are so complex yet so fun to watch. It reminds me so much of the HBO show, The Comeback because it shares the same satirical and acerbic nature of exposing oblivious people in the Hollywood industry. Julianne Moore's character Havana Segrand for one reminds me of a way darker version of Valerie Cherish. She's nuts, but I'd love to see more of her and I think it's one of the main reasons why Maps to the Stars is extremely appealing because it reveals so much disparagement that sometimes, you're torn between being fascinated or disturbed by the actions, not only by Havana, but also the other characters and other people surrounding her.

The film flaunts so many polarizing characters that it's hard to enumerate them because of how complicated their characters evolved throughout the film. But all of them has redeeming qualities but the one that stands out to me are their faults. I guess that's just how it is in this kind of satire, the audience tend to focus on the wrongdoings. Well, that's because it involves a Justin Bieber-like character, a stage-parent, an aspiring actor, douchebags, hoes and all of them have one thing in common, they live in a character-eating industry that's hard to abandon.

With all these characters are great actors who played them. The Justin Bieber character I was referring about was played by Evan Bird and man, this guy is such a revelation. Olivia Williams and John Cusack served as his parents, and they're also brilliant, especially Williams who played a hilarious stage mother whose character is just lolhilarious. Then we have Robert Pattinson as a limo driver and struggling character who wants to be a successful writer, and this is probably one of his most daring role he's ever played. He's not likable in this. Mia Wasikowska as Havana's personal assistant is also one of the unsung heroes of the film. But it's Julianne Moore that slayed us all with her portrayal of Havana Segrand. Seriously, Moore is having a great year with all the achievements she's having from being the Best Actress in Cannes, and now the rave reviews for Still Alice. She's undeniably great in this and once again, she has proven that there's no character that she can't do. This is so different from all the roles that she played. Well, she's been in a variety of characters ranging from a lesbian parent, a porn star, a cult leader, Sarah Palin, but here in Maps, this is the first time I saw her really owning a character. She's super great in this and Havana wouldn't be the fun and dark Havana that I love because of her. I could forget all the other characters even though I also find them complex but I won't forget Havana, who truly is the main star of the film.

Maps to the Stars is an unforgettable and powerful satirical drama that will make you uncomfortable, and yet it would make you want to see more because it revealed so much truthfulness, some may be exaggerated but its entertaining nevertheless. Also, a must-watch for Julianne Moore's performance and character.

Tracks

Director: John Curran
With: Mia Wasikowska, Adam Driver

I keep on mentioning films here in my blog how happy and excited I am to finally watch the movies I've looked forward for months because of their awesome trailers. Tracks is no different. In fact, it's one of the few films I've seen its trailer first before reading anything about it. When I saw its trailer, I thought it's BEAUTIFUL.

I consider myself a nature lover and it's my favorite things to watch whenever I travel. So Tracks is like a movie perfect for me because it's a story, a true story by the way, of a woman named Robyn Davidson who traveled for nine months with camels across 2,700 kilometers from Australian Deserts to the Indian Ocean. Mia Wasikowska stars the film as Robyn along with Adam Driver as Rick Smolan.

This film  oozes with beauty. Numerous stunning wide establishing shots of deserts all throughout the movie. It's like something you'll see in a television appliances store because of how pleasing it looks and how friendly it is to the eyes.

Cinematographer Mandy Walker is the true hero of the film but John Curran's direction and the leads' performances are also nothing short of stupendous artistry. Add Garth Stevenson's piano score that ironically matches the aboriginal natives and culture of the Australian deserts. I never thought of the sound of the piano to fit this kind of movie but it made the movie more elegant than it already was because of the combination of the finesse accomplishment in this film.

There's nothing more fascinating to watch a simple and mysterious woman who considers herself a nomad travel by herself. Especially if it's Mia Wasikowska who's always been a mysterious actress to me. Watching her work with the camels and her black dog is truly impressive. She showed so much braveness in this film and it helps that she's perfect for the role. Her every move, the silent thoughts written on her face, her body language in a desert backdrop is like magic.

Curran accompanied the chronicles of Davidson's intimate travel with a series of beautiful nature shots back-to-back with Mia Wasikowska, who had a lot of gorgeous closeups in this film. It's the silence of the film that really made this film magical because even in its silence and limited dialogue, Curran let his viewers feel and think the same thing as his lead. It's whenever the sun-French-kissed Mia wanders alone with her camels and a dog that glues your eyes to the screen because it's so quiet, so graceful, so amazing and just like I've mentioned many times already, it's just simply beautiful.

Mia is amazing in this. She's silent and tough throughout the movie but there's one scene that broke her character and she impressed me so much. It always pays off to be reserved throughout the film and let your guard down when the right time comes. Her chemistry with Adam Driver is also there. Adam Driver proves that he's just not an emo weirdo from Girls because he can also play geeky and appealing at the same time.

But again, I'm gushing over the silence and the beauty of the film.  It's the same reason why I love Lost in Translation so much. It gives you a glimpse of a human's psyche even when there's no dialogue and the scene only relies on facial expressions. It's so much more powerful in expressing one's thoughts.

Now I can't wait for Jean-Marc Vallée's Wild. I think it's safe to assume that it will inevitably compared with Tracks.

Only Lovers Left Alive

Director: Jim Jarmusch
With: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt, Jeffrey Wright

Just when I thought I'm done with the vampire genre after the traumatic movie experience that is 'The Twilight Saga', here come Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston starring in one, with Mia Wasikowska as an unexpected bonus. I do not HATE the whole Twilight Saga, by the way. The first one is actually my guilty pleasure but the rest are just cringe worthy and kind of annoying with the love triangle and Bella being blatantly a bitch. Ick. Enough.

Only Lovers Left Alive is a different take on the vampire genre without changing too much on the traits of the vampire characters. They have similar attributes from other vampire movies but executed in an offbeat and likable manner. 

Thirst for blood, Check. Uber white complexion, Check. Not the bluish kind of white though. Nocturnal beings, yup. Enhanced speed, yup. They are ancient and they also bite necks. All of these accomplished in Jarmusch's idiosyncratic style. They drink blood from a tequila glass for cryinoutloud and sometimes they put them in a freezer and turn them into blood ice popsicles. Most creative vampires ever.

Each character is different and very distinct, but all are eccentric. They refer to plants through their scientific names, for one. If Phoebe Buffay is a vampire, I could see her being like Eve (Tilda Swinton), very positive, scrappy and loving. Eve's lover Adam (Tom Hiddleston) is the serious type who's into music and refers to humans as 'zombies'. The two balance each other out and in every display of their affection, you can just tell that they're better in every single way. Way better than the intense Edward Cullen and lifeless Bella Swan. Even their slow dance is better, dancing awkwardly yet romantic to Denise LaSalle's Trapped by a Thing Called Love. Move over Flightless Bird, American Mouth. Seriously, I'm living for Tilda Swinton's dance in this film.

Just the background of their characters alone make this vampire movie interesting and amusing. On top of that, they're joined by Ava (Mia Wasikowska), Eve's sister with a larger than life personality that didn't mesh well with Adam. I would compare her to Caroline of Girls who coincidentally is also hated by a character named Adam.

I can't think of anyone playing the roles of Adam and Eve as perfect as what Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston did to them. Vampiresque physical appearance aside, they compliment each other with their commitment to the personalities of their characters. Hiddleston and Swinton play their characters without questioning the absurdity of the concept as not only vampires, but vampire lovers. They.are.super.cool. Wasikowska's portion in the film is nothing short of fun and energy as she disturbed the peace of the lovers. The film would still work even if her scene was cut but her presence proved to be a fun addition to Adam and Eve's intimacy and she's truly entertaining in all of her scenes.

With all of the abovementioned, Jim Jarmusch's innovative and filled with subtle sense of humor screenplay shined most. Casting of Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston as leads is perfect and the direction is as vivid and artsy as a 90's music video and I mean that in a good way. Grungy sets, costumes, make up and all.

Also, gotta love this wacky couple selfie: