Archive for Romance

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is a heartbreaking film set in World War II Germany. Starring Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga, it’s a story about a boy who moves to the country because of his father’s (a high-ranking Nazi officer) reassignment. Having taken a vow of silence and to protect the family, his father does not inform them that they are living near a concentration camp.

The movie is told through the eyes of the little boy, Bruno. Used to living the city, discovering new things and exploring unfamiliar territory, he has a hard time adjusting to life in the country where restrictions are everywhere. He is forbidden to explore the back garden and is only allowed to wander the front yard. He discovers a nearby farm with children when he looks out his bedroom window and tries to ask permission to visit the place. He is denied by his mother, who realizes that the farm is a concentration camp.

But because of boredom and his need to explore, Bruno defies his mother’s orders and escapes to the farm, where he meets Shmuel, an 8-year-old boy who was taken to the camp with his family. They quickly form a friendship, and Bruno finds himself sneaking out almost everyday, bringing food and games for Shmuel. They developed the most unlikely friendship for that time, between a German and a Jew. But will it last?

It’s a simple story about innocence, loyalty, duty, family and friendship. Superbly acted by its lead actors, including Asa Butterfield (as Bruno) and Vera Farmiga (as Bruno’s mother, Elsa), this highly emotional drama about World War II and Hitler’s movement against the Jews will tug at the hearts of even the hardest man.

It’s a movie that one must watch at his own risk. It starts out as just an ordinary day in an ordinary city, but then the movie starts to get grim when the actions suddenly change to soldiers capturing people. We now know that the city is Berlin, and the soldiers are capturing Jews to bring to concentration camps. We see a little boy onscreen but are always aware of the dark tones of the movie’s setting. Mark Herma, who directed this film, doesn’t try to be historically accurate, only to capture the emotions of the people who had to experience it.

If you’ve decided to watch The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, good luck. It’s not going to be easy to watch. But be sure to watch it until the end because it is still one of the best movies made in cinemas today.

Looking for something sweet and simple? Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is the perfect match. I loved it! But wait, if you’re not a teen like me, this movie might be one you’ll want to overlook. Also, if you’re looking for something with depth, that’s another reason to pass this one off. Still with me?

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is about how Nick (Michael Cera), who makes playlists for the girlfriend he can’t get over, meets Sarah (Kat Dennings), a smart, beautiful girl who seems transparent to everyone else. Their first encounter is awkward, to say the least, but any person with an ounce of sense can guess where the story heads. (Here’s a hint, take a look at the title.)

So, what this movie boils down to is not the story, but the acting. Fortunately, I was impressed by the lead roles. Michael Cera (Juno, Superbad), though still considered a newcomer, is starting to pick up a lot of attention among teens as a rising actor in romantic comedies. His presence on the screen is great; I’d describe him as adorably awkward. Kat Denning, an almost mysterious character, does well playing her part. I’m not familiar with her from other movies, but it’s easy to accept her laid-back acting.

How about the rest of the movie? I’d say it falls short. The characters are seemingly children-friendly teens, yet the content is well-rated at PG-13. One of Norah’s best friends spends the entire movie drunk on screen. Granted, it provides laughs but sends the wrong message. These kids are seniors in high school. They live in a big city where they attend different clubs like there’s no tomorrow. If you’re up for some laughs and a cute romance (like I was), I’d suggest giving this movie a shot. Otherwise, you should look for a better target.

The movie has been out for a little while, but I thought I would do a review of Sex and the City, having just seen it last week.

To be honest, I wasn’t really a die-hard Sex and the City fan while the show was new. I watched it sometimes because my roommate was in love with the show, but it wasn’t ever really my thing. Because I didn’t want to be lost when I went to the movie, I rented the first few seasons of the show on DVD to re-familiarize myself with the characters.

The good news is this: you don’t have to watch all six seasons of Sex and the City in order to enjoy the movie. You will appreciate the storylines of the movie more if you’ve watched the show, but it isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying the movie.

The bad news is this: dragging your boyfriend/fiancé/spouse to this movie will ensure that you will be required to watch every “manly” movie that comes out for the next few years. During the showing I attended, there were exactly two men in the theater: my fiancé and one other man.

The film itself is very enjoyable and feels like it was made simply because the actresses wanted an excuse to be their characters again (or to do a project together). Sex and the City, the movie, easily could have been stretched out into a seventh season, but it worked just as well as a movie.

There are parts that will make you laugh uproariously, parts that will make you want to cry, and parts that will make you actually cry, and when it is over you’ll feel like there couldn’t have been a more appropriate “ending” to the lives of Samantha, Miranda, Charlotte and Carrie.