The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

David Fincher is really building a strong reputation with his latest movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, by far 2008's most ambitious film. In this movie, we follow the life of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), who was born old, ages backwards and died as an infant. While the ultimate premise is fantasized, the theme and plot of the movie isn't. Throughout Benjamin's life, we see him growing up (or rather getting younger), meeting people, experiencing great adventures, and of course fell in love, with Daisy (Cate Blanchett). If this reminds you of Forrest Gump, you're spot on, as Eric Roth was one of the screenwriters.

This is where David Fincher comes in, the man behind the cameras. With more than a decade of experience behind him, he directs this movie with perfection, so much so I regard this as his best work to date, even surpassing cult classics Se7en and Fight Club. He brings together a tough screenplay, churns it into something magical and tops it off with brilliant performances from Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The Fincher-Pitt partnership is sure to be the next Scorsese-DeNiro, especially after this movie.

Though this film succeeds in all aspects - technically, visually and emotionally, you'll start to wonder, how different can this movie be without the idea of Benjamin aging backwards? Yes, we see a different perspective of love and life from his point of view but really, what can be learned from this movie? It makes us think, it makes us wonder, but it's surely isn't something that can be grasped and reflected on reality, because no one ages backwards. This is my only gripe from this film and personally a real big one.

That aside, like I said, it's a truly magical and beautiful film. Spellbinding in all areas. And athough I wouldn't want to see this movie bagging the Best Picture award, I wouldn't be all pissed if it really wins it come February. However, I would really want to see David Fincher winning Best Director, his statue is way overdue, give it to him already! Brad and Cate for nominations that's for sure. Highly recommended.

3.5/5

Revolutionary Road.

Mendes is back at his depressing sub-urban family breakdown thing again, and while Revolutionary Road might not compare favorably to his breakthrough American Beauty, it still is a movie of great merit that demands at least a viewing; a chronicle of shattered dreams and "hopeless emptiness".

Of course, if you don't like melodrama this is one movie you will not enjoy sitting through. Lots of shouting, crying, cheating, screaming and what have you. Yet somehow the movie does not rely solely on theatrics and it is the simple moments that stand out the most. Although I have to say, DiCaprio and Winslet sure can argue with each other quite well.

feeling a bit like Ebert then?

How did you see this? Screener?

Personally I think all 3 of Mendes' previous works are great, but as opposed to most people I like Road to Perdition slightly more than American Beauty.

Actually yes. The whole idea of aging backwards make no sense initially and i was hoping for it to be redeemed in the movie, but sadly it didn't. it's real sad, i really wanted to love it.

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Added on December 30, 2008, 5:53 pmNicely said. I loved it too, though not as much as American Beauty (still a masterpiece IMO). The traces of AB could be felt distinctively throughout the whole movie though. Leo and Kate performed brilliantly and I could see it's gonna be a tough year for the Best Actress award. I was really expecting more from Kate. Leo was amazing though, I hope he gets a nomination (though unlikely)

This post has been edited by Makakeke: Dec 30 2008, 05:57 PM

just watched beverly hills chihuahua
the show was okay to me.
dogs were cute.

just watched Cape No.7.
the show was brilliant.
recommended.

Just watched Disaster Movie
Not so funny tho

i last saw superhero movie , b4 that was ghosttown. both not bad. superhero movie > disaster movie

Just watched Stealth i BluRay version. Superb.

Slumdog Millionaire

I must say that I did not know much of the plot apart from the fact that Jamal ends up with the jackpot and like Quickfire mentioned with Zodiac, despite the fact that we know he ends up a millionaire, it's a testament to Boyle's ability to keep us on the edge of our seat during the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire sequences.

I thought Patel carried much of the movie on his back and that he made me feel and believe Jamal. I loved how the movie unfolds by revealing a little bit of Jamal's childhood as each question pops out (gameshow or interrogation).

The pacing for me was a double edged sword. While it kept me on my toes feeling breathless, it also caused for a lack of emotion in some scenes. I never really felt for the boys' lost after the attack on religion and I did not feel profound sadness when Jamal's brother redeemed himself in the end.

With that said, the pacing also made the ending all the better as we zip through Jamal's journey in life (from walking through shit-literally to slumdog millionaire), I was somewhat overwhelmed at how far Jamal and Lathika had come through to get the one thing they longed for in life - each other, calling an end to a beautiful film.

5/5 [Not my best film of the year, that goes to Dark Knight/Rachel Getting Married/Milk but worthy of a Top 10 spot]

PS: Couldn't help agreeing in unison when my friend called it a modern day non-retarded Forest Gump.

This post has been edited by kobe8byrant: Dec 31 2008, 02:39 AM

I didnt know he was a millionaire at the end! You *******! It's ruined!

I thought that was reserved for Benjamin Button....

Btw, how the hell do you guys watch these movies?

Slumdog. Just finished watching it.

This is just one of the movies where faith is never required. We might know what is coming (the toilet scene lul) but the execution and cinematography make it special, and cliche can't really be used at all. Danny's tight handling is strongly applauded, although after 28 Days and the slasher part of Sunshine we kinda knew that...

d/l-ing The Kite Runner (hopefully there's a good quality version), since the novel's one of my favorites (no don't smirk) this year. Hopefully it doesn't let down...

How can he be called a Slumdog Millionaire if he doesn't win?

And no, I think this is more Forest Gump - how his life's experience were all bittersweet and in the end, Jamal finds his 'Jenny' after all the hardships.

You know how

The Wrestler -

It's sad to see Darren Aranofsky, after taking so much flak for The Fountain (which was a great movie but alas too convoluted for many) returning to a relatively safe venture. But safe does not equal boring nor does it equal dissapointing. The Wrestler delivers.

Mickey Rourke plays the lead character superbly, naturally and flawlessly. It is his performance that defines this movie. And ironically, this movie could very well be an allegory of his career as an actor. Here, he returns for one last hurrah.

The story follows him as as a wrestler in the twilight of his career. He is a man alone, desperately trying to establish a relationship with his estranged daughter with the help of a stripper. Nothing new here, and it's a shame that we see such expired devices retreaded in an otherwise compelling story. Regardless, it works, and we have such standouts as the wrestling scenes which are truly executed brilliantly; gruesome and painful to watch despite knowing that it's all acting.

Just watched Mutant Chronicles

man fountain was cool, it was soooo odd but sooo wonderful and the soundtrack is splendid. its one of my most fav movies currently

another movie i just watched 2001 space odyssey

its argubly one of the best sifi movies ever, but really really complex i could understand fountain but not this. this happen too sudden not much dialogs to upport everything is purely visual, and the ending climax is such too.

but it was interesting and really a mindf*** movie, watching ships dance around with classical music somehow brings a smirk on my face

9/10

Yes Man

Jim Carrey is surely hilarious.. On the first minutes of the movie I already rofl..

Haha I know. My brothers were absolutely confused as to what was going on. As for me, I read the book, so I basically had the idea. Although Kubrick being Kubrick, you never know what he really means in 2001. Still I watched the movie and knew, somehow, that this movie was great.

caught two movies lately.

first: in bruges
this caught my attention after the golden globe nominations were announced. the plot concerns two hitmen being sent to bruges, belgium and their resulting escapades. i find this movie to be a bit schizophrenic... part comedy (the scene where colin farrell teases the three obese americans was freaking hilarious), drama and thriller all jumbled together. the performances from all three leads were also fantastic (esp colin farrell!). the surreal ending was a bit depressing though, and kinda freaked me out a bit, as the movie's central theme deals heavily with retribution and redemption (dantes inferno and stuff). but overall i found it quite entertaining.

second: pineapple express
finally got to watch this. im a big judd apatow fan, but this failed to live up to my expectations. its more action-oriented than the usual LOL apatow brand of crass humor, and it was even very funny imo. everything felt so cartoonish and stereotypical... the corrupt cop? the asian drug lords? the incompetent henchmen? all check. seth rogen was also kinda annoying here. the only real standout is craig robinson. this guy is super funny (watch knocked up and zack & miri for further proof). its a super stoner flick, i guess good to watch while u're high smoking weed.

Australia is damn nice ! talk about racist / skin color