Blue Jasmine

Directed By: Woody Allen

 

Written By: Woody Allen

 

Starring:

Cate Blanchett

Sally Hawkins

Alec Baldwin

Andrew Dice Clay

Bobby Cannavale

Louis C.K

Peter Sarsgaard

Anxiety, nightmares and a nervous breakdown, there’s only so many traumas a person can withstand until they take to the streets and start screaming – Jasmine

Blue Jasmine follows New York socialite Jasmine who after losing everything and suffering a mental breakdown, arrives in San Francisco to live with her estranged sister temporarily. As Jasmine struggles with memories of her privileged past, which are haunting her, she tries to recover in the present.

Blue Jasmine is a film of many strengths among them are that its wonderfully written and directed by Woody Allen

The acting is great in this film especially from Cate Blanchett who gives a brilliant and haunting portrayal of a woman struggling to cope

I think the flashback sequences are handled well and excellently done, the give us a glimpse of Jasmine’s past and the events which have led up to the present. They give a fantastic showcase and insight into Jasmine’s character.

This is a great movie, which has many funny moments, but is also touchingly poignant.

I firmly believe that Cate Blanchett deserves the Oscar for her performance, as she really blows her competition out of the water. This movie should be seen by any fan of Woody Allen or character studies.

8/10 – Cody

N/A – Michael

80%

 

Silver Linings Playbook

Directed By: David O. Russell

 

Screenplay By: David O. Russell (Based On The Book By: Matthew Quick)

 

Starring:

Bradley Cooper

Jennifer Lawrence

Robert De Niro

Jacki Weaver

Chris Tucker

This is what I learned at the hospital. You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, you have a shot at a silver lining – Pat Solitano

Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be – Abraham Lincoln

This film was released on DVD awhile ago and I have watched it again so I have decided to review it

This is writer/director David O. Russell’s follow up his 2010 film The Fighter

Pat Solitano (Cooper) after spending time in a mental institution is now out and living with his parents and is looking to get his life back on track and get back together with his wife. Pat meets Tiffany (Lawrence) a girl with her own problems, who offers to help Pat reconcile with his wife but first he has to do something important for her.

This film is amazingly Written and Directed, it’s stunningly acted, its perfectly paced and has a brilliant soundtrack

I love the way the film plays out and everything in this movie works extremely well

In this film you really have to sit back and enjoy the ride. It’s technically a romantic comedy but unlike some others I was not bored for a second from beginning to end

After this film ends I felt happy and its a great quality in a film if it makes you happy when you watch it

Silver Linings Playbook is definitely my absolute favourite movie of 2012. Well done David O. Russell for making such a great film

10/10 – Cody

10/10 – Michael

 100%