The King's Speech - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Producer: See-Saw Films, Bedlam Productions

Writer: David Seidler

Director: Tom Hooper

Tagline: It takes leadership to confront a nation's fear. It takes friendship to conquer your own.

Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi and more.

A review and overview of the movie The King's Speech.

This is a biopic of England's King George VI(Colin Firth), the father of Queen Elizabeth II year 1925. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a stammer and the inability to speak in a crowd with low self-confidence he considers himself unfit to be king and was reluctant.

King George engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist from Australia named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country through war.

It's a slow movie but mainly because it is that. But, despite it's rather "simple" cinematography, the values that you get from this wonderful film is a winner. It is simple but very moving... and I think movies ought to be something like this. It's a wonderful testament that you don't need super special effects and other out-of-this world elements to make a great movie.

It is warm and inspiring... often humorous... and the tagline says it all: It takes leadership to confront a nation's fear. It takes friendship to conquer your own.

How amazing trust and friendship can take you to conquer your fear. :)

Lionel: [as George "Berty" is lighting up a cigarette] Please don't do that.
King George VI: I'm sorry?
Lionel: I believe sucking smoke into your lungs will kill you.
King George VI: My physicians say it relaxes the throat.
Lionel: They're idiots.
King George VI: They've all been knighted.
Lionel: Makes it official then.

Bright Star - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Romance / Drama

Director: Jane Campion

Writer: Jane Campion

Tagline: A thing of beauty is a joy forever. / First Love Burns Brightest

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox, Edie Martin, Thomas Sangster, Claudie Blakley, Gerard Monaco, Antonia Campbell Hughes, Samuel Roukin and more

Overview and Review of the movie Bright Star directed and written by Jane Campion.

This is a movie about the secret love affair between 18th century poet, John Keats (Ben Whishaw), and Frances "Fanny" Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Fanny is a seamstress and is obsessed with fashion while John is into poetry and literature. They weren't both impressed with each other at first with their varied interest.

Fanny says: "my stitching's have done better than what you mares do with your scribblings put together."

Fanny hears that Keats was nursing his sick younger brother, Tom who had Tuberculosis , and her efforts to help touched John Keats and then later she asked him to teach her about poetry.

Fanny's mother grew alarmed and Keat's friend Mr. Charles Brown tried to tell the two lovers how it's not wise to fall in love with each other. Mr. Charles Brown constantly reminds them of that and he appears to be an antagonist between the romance. But, it was a love that has outer complications. Such as, John Keats being broke and cannot marry someone yet. He has to make a living. Tis and Tat.

The story is very simple, but somehow the movie romanticized the ordinary. It is very engaging. And it makes you love everything about it specially the way everything was spelled out in "simple elegance". I just love the cinematography. I love the beautiful cinematic scenes. Those flowers, the laughter, the butterflies, the fields of lavender, the trees, the winter, the spring. The transitions were good and romantic. The powerful sensation and scenes the young lovers had were very poignant. There would be times were there were no dialogues needed. Just raw emotion and the scene. This is how a simple... story should be delivered. :)

Both Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish did a brilliant great job depicting the characters. Scenes were very authentic, charming and endearing.

I like how Fanny's siblings were depicted, the olden way. They were always chaperoned. And the guy was a gent to respect that. Not everyone respects that these days. Only a chosen few. Margaret "Toots" was a sweet young sister. So innocent. And his brother Samuel was gallant and noble enough.

For people who loves poetry and romance coupled with tragedy.. this movie is for you.

Lines I enjoyed:

Fanny: You know I'd do anything for you...
Keats: I have a conscience..

Keats: There's a holiness to a heart's affection that you know nothing about!

Keats: Forever young, Forever panting.

Keats: I almost wish we were butterflies and could live three summer’s days – three such days with you could fill with more delight than 50 common years ever contain

The Blind Side - 2009

Category: Movie

Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport

Director: John Lee Hancock

Writer: John Lee Hancock / Michael Lewis

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray Mckinnon, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox, Kathy Bates, Catherine Dyer and more.

Overview and Review of The Blind Side written and directed by John Lee Hancock.


This movie was from the book written by Michael Lewis, with the same title. And this may have been the most touching story of 2009. :) It touched me here *touches her heart*.

Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) or Big Mike, like what others call him, is an over-sized, high school kid from Memphis' inner city with no academic records and a drug addict for a mom. He is accepted into a local Christian high school when the football coach recognizes his potential.

You'd almost think the movie would involve a lot of football since it involves the story of a football star. But, this time, the highlight isn't football, but a wonderful story that was well delivered by the main cast and even the supporting actors/actresses.

The first few scenes were touching, makes you want to cry (and it made me cry!!!). I love the acting. Sandra Bullock, is one fine actress (and to say that is an understatement) and she nailed this role pretty well. This could be her best movie to date. Quinton, also did very well. He played the part very well. If not, the audience wouldn't cry. Jae Head was real fun. The connection to the characters at the beginning was established well.

Poignant movie. The movie is great because of the acting and story and not because the scenes or effects are good. Movies like these nowadays are rare. Well done, well done! I recommend for young kids and adults watch it. :)




Kudos to Sandra Bullock for winning the Best Actress Award at the recent Oscar's for this movie. She deserves it!

The Aviator - 2004

Category: Movie

Genre: Biography / Drama

Writer: John Logan

Director: Martin Scorsese

Producer: Forward Pass, Appian Way and more.

Tagline: For some men, the sky was the limit. For him, it was just the beginning.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Adam Scott,

Overview and Review of The Aviator directed by Martin Scorsese.

I heard about this movie when Dr. Andre mentioned it in one of his seminars, a movie about one of the richest man in the world. The movie begad as a young Hughes directs one of Scorsese's favorite films, Hell's Angels. Hughes was an obsessed man when it comes to details from the planes to cloud formations which can prolly drive you crazy. He also makes controversial huge budget films. This was a movie on his life from the 1920s to 1940s.

Interesting and good cinematography as well, but it was a long movie for me. A good autobiography at that. Maybe, I watched it a the wrong time. I was helluva sleepy. Good performance of the actors and actresses. And, i think the movie was in a hurry in the end.