Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I already forget how I used to feel about you.

Director: Michel Gondry
Writers:
Charlie Kaufman (story) &
Michel Gondry (story), etc.
Release Date: 19 March 2004 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Romance
Awards: yeah, lots of nominations!

Cast:
Jim Carrey as Joel Barish
Kate Winslet as Clementine Kruczynski
Elijah Wood as Patrick
Mark Ruffalo as Stan
Kirsten Dunst as Mary, etc.

Plot:
A couple undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories when their relationship turns sour, but it is only through the process of loss that they discover what they had to begin with. (IMDB)

Comment:
Completely star-studded! And mind you, this has been the first Jim Carrey movie I've seen where his role isn't to make you rolling on the floor and laughing your heart out. But of course, he never missed to make you giggle once or twice. The plotine? Very sophisticated. This film would keep you on a rollercoaster ride until the end, and you'd be utterly confused most of the time. Why would you not? This film talks about digging into one's mind and erasing those "bad" memories you got there, but what if you changed your mind and doesn't want them to be erased anymore? hahaha, confused already? you just better watch this one.

Personal Rating: 6/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338013/

Finding Neverland

Unlock your imagination.

Director: Marc Forster
Writers:
Allan Knee (play)
David Magee (screenplay)
Release Date: 13 April 2005 (Philippines)
Genre: Biography | Drama | Family

Cast:
Johnny Depp as Sir James Matthew Barrie
Kate Winslet as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
Julie Christie as Mrs. Emma du Maurier
Radha Mitchell as Mary Ansell Barrie
Dustin Hoffman as Charles Frohman
Freddie Highmore as Peter Llewelyn Davies, etc.

Plot:
This movie is the story of J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan. *no spoilers

Comments:
The character of Sir J.M. Barrie was somewhat complicated in the sense that there was a bit of childishness in it to appeal to his playmates and at the same time having a touch of maturity to work out his marital relations and to that of his financer...but it was brilliantly played by Johnny Depp! Kate Winslet looked nice and she appeared more mature being the mother of 4 boys. Forgive me, but I wasn't able to recognize that Dustin Hoffman was there in the movie. That beard and facial hair concealed his identity really well.

I'd like to give credit to a young actor's performance in this movie. Freddie Highmore who played the character of Peter Llewelyn Davies gave an astonishing dramatic act. I first saw his movies, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)and August Rush (2007), and was impressed by him ever since. This time, he's done it again, though, obviously Finding Neverland came way before than those 2 other movies. Nevertheless, he's such a cute and talented kid. Kudos to you, boy! No wonder he's got nominations for the Best Performance by a Younger Actor. Look for more awards of the movie here.

Personal Rating: 6.5/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308644/

My Life Without Me

Director: Isabel Coixet
Wriers:
Isabel Coixet (writer)
Nanci Kincaid (book)
Release Date: 7 March 2003 (Spain)
Genre: Crime | Drama | Romance

Cast:
Sarah Polley as Ann
Amanda Plummer as Laurie
Scott Speedman as Don
Leonor Watling as Ann, the Neighbor
Deborah Harry as Ann's Mother, etc.

Plot:
A young woman conceals the fact of her terminal cancer to live her life with a passion she never had before. (IMDB)

Comments:
A very sad movie...but despite that, it somehow shows a wonderful perspective about dying. Though dying per se isn't a good perspective in itself, it gives light in the famous saying that goes...live life to the fullest because we may never see tomorrow. I may not have gotten that right, but you get the idea. A very calm and sad movie, but I liked it overall. Look, it garnered some awards!

Personal Rating: 6/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314412/

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Life is the ultimate work of art.

Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen (written by)
Release Date: 18 February 2009 (Philippines)
Genre: Drama | Romance

Cast:
Rebecca Hall as Vicky
Scarlett Johansson as Cristina
Javier Bardem as Juan Antonio Gonzalo
Penélope Cruz as Maria Elena, etc.

Plot:
Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture. (IMDB)

Comments:
When watching this one, you need to have an open mind and a crazier imagination to be able to appreciate the storyline and jive with the writer/director's point of view - very unique and wilder opinion of life. It opens you to an imperfect yet, enjoyable life, and it suggests new versions of love relationships which you never have deemed to be ever possible. I enjoyed watching this one. It actually garnered lots of awards! Well, this is a good movie, but not which i couldn't forget the rest of my life...hopefully not.

Personal Rating:6.5/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497465/