On mortality and Roger Ebert

Film Critic, author and brand, Roger Ebert

 "Quick it's almost on" my Mom shouted from the living room. We were playing nearby after changing into our pajamas. "Hurry!" We ran as fast as we could, the slick bottoms of our onesie jim jams sliding on the carpet. We could hear the music, signifying the start of the show. It was 1985 and we were watching what we called Siskel and Ebert though it wouldn't be official for another year.

Faves 2012

I saw a lot of films in 2012 and many of them were great. I also have a little "Yet to Watch" list. I'll get there.

Here are my faves from last year, keeping in mind that some films that seem absent from the list may not have come out until 2013 here in Australia.

An Open Letter to Martin Scorsese

 Photo credit: Interview Magazine

Dear Mr Scorsese,

I recently went to see your film Hugo. I knew very little of George Melies. I knew nothing of the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Now, thanks to you, I know a lot about both.

I guess I wanted to write and say thank you. I'm 33 years old and, though I have a great appreciation for childish things, very few films make me feel that true sense of wonder as yours did.

The film was perfectly cast, wonderfully directed and shot. The visuals were astounding. While the story was quite sad, I received a great amount of joy from watching your work.

When it was over, I turned to my sister (also a very big fan of the motion picture) and said "A movie made by people who love movies, about people who love movies, for people who love movies".

One thing's for certain, you and your films won't ever be forgotten. 

Your fan for always,

Jen

Favorites of 2011

Photo credit

Here are the films that were memorable to me in no particular order:

• Rango
• Tangled
• Drive
• The Muppets
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
• The Skin I Live In (Spain)
• Attack the Block (UK)
• Snowtown (AU)
• Hesher
• Sherlock Holmes 2
• The Dead (overall a great addition to the zombie genre, though schlocky in parts)
• Bridesmaids
• Paul (Why is this not on every single best-of list? The only DVD I bought this year.)
• Captain America
• Green Lantern
• Source Code
• Insidious (Ok, the 'reveal' was a bit daft but this stuck with me)
• Kung Fu Panda 2
• Hannah 
• X-Men: First Class 

Dishonorable mentions: Fast Five, Your Highness, The Help. What? I liked them! 

Of course I haven't seen some of the brilliant films included on most people's lists as I had an off year. What with moving to another country and losing a majority of my income as well as sharing what movies to see with my boyfriend, I missed a lot. I'll catch up on DVD.

Many of you will wonder why I don't include Super 8. I liked it. Definitely had its moments. But it lacked the magic that a movie of its type should have.

Sadly I haven't seen quite a few of the films I feel I should have this year. I'm hoping to see some of the big ones before year's end. 

Hope you had a good year at the movies. If you want to keep having the opportunity to see them on the big screen, make sure you go regularly and PAY! :)

Just a quick note about The Muppets

I'm not a film critic anymore, am I? What makes a critic? Is it someone who works commercially as a journalist or just a film buff with a vast range of knowledge who has an opinion? I think it's both, all. Whatever! 

Anyway, I saw The Muppets. I think you should too. Jason Segel is a brilliant writer, producer, actor and comedian. He's all things! Mostly, a man with a generous heart and a lot to share with the world.

I saw this movie and I was suddenly a little kid again, then a scared teenager leaving the nest, then going through my first love then feeling like the movie was giving me advice as a 30 year old. Somehow, Jason Segel managed to pack all of this into a spectacular and heartfelt Muppet reprise that left my cheeks stained with tears and my day looking more hopeful.

Adults will eat up the nostalgia but damn, did the kids love it too. The row behind me clapped through the last half of the film and had all of us clapping at the end. They hooted, they awed, they laughed and even sang along. It was truly, absolutely, magical. Worth dusting off the keyboard for.