Requiem For A Dream

Title: Requiem For A Dream
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Release Date: 6th October, 2000
Cast: Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb; Jared Leto as Harry Goldfarb; Jennifer Connelly as Marion Silver; Marlon Wayans as Tyrone C Love
Box Office Gross: $36M

When did I watch it? 22nd July, 2008
Where? Home
What's the story? Evoking the inner landscape of human beings longing to connect, to love and feel loved, is this parable of happiness gloriously found and tragically lost. Parallel stories are linked by the relationship between the lonely, widowed Sara Goldfarb and her sweet but aimless son, Harry. The plump Sara, galvanized by the prospect of appearing on a TV game show, has started on a dangerous diet regimen to beautify herself for a national audience. Meanwhile, Harry and his new girlfriend Marion Silver form close bonds with each looking to the other to redeem years of isolation and pain. Their love forms an artificial refuge. After Harry and his best friend Tyrone C. Love successfully launch themselves as drug dealers, the three young people feel invincible. Lulled by early victories, Sara, Harry, Marion and Tyrone convince themselves that unforseen setbacks are just temporary - until they're plunged into delusion and desperation.

Reasons to watch this flick: One of the best dramas I've ever seen to date; Addiction is the key affair here and the movie beautifully showcases how addiction can seriously fuck you up.
So how much do I rate it? 5/5

Website: http://www.requiemforadream.com/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_for_a_Dream

Almost Famous

Explore It. Enjoy It. Just Don't Fall For It.

Title: Almost Famous
Genre: Drama / Musical
Running Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
Release Date: 13th September, 2000
Cast: Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond; Frances McDormand as Elaine Miller; Kate Hudson as Penny Lane; Jason Lee as Jeff Bebe; Patrick Fugit as William Miller; Anna Paquin as Polexia Aphrodisia; Fairuza Balk as Sapphire; Noah Taylor as Dick Roswell; Philip Seymour Hoffman as Journalist Lester Bangs
Box Office Gross: $32M

When did I watch it? 14th June, 2008
Where? Home
What's the story? Set in 1973, 'Almost Famous' chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old music fanatic, William. Having managed to land an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater - fronted by lead guitarist Russell Hammond - and with the help of gorgeous "band aid" Penny Lane, William finds himself drawn into the band's inner circle, despite the objections of his over protective mother. As he becomes less an observer and more a participant in the band's dynamics, William learns a life-changing lesson about the importance of family - the ones we inherit and the ones we create.

Reasons to watch this flick: Check out Kade Huson in one of her most vividest performances on the big screen; This musical is about the rock 'n' roll culture (may not appeal to those with a more mature taste in music), but is definitely a must watch.
So how much do I rate it? 3/5

Website: http://www.cameroncrowe.com/eyes_ears/films/almostfamous/almostfamous_overview.html
Rotten Tomatoes: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/house_bunny/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almost_Famous

The Beach

Title: The Beach
Genre: Adventure / Romance
Duration: 120 minutes
Release Date: 11th February, 2000
Date of Viewing: 20th November, 2005
Venue: Home
U.S. Box Office: $39 million
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: In an age when all sensation seems to come digitally via the cell phone, video screen, pager and Internet, a young American backpacker named Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) yearns to experience something real. Arriving in Thailand with adventure on his mind, Richard rents a cheap hotel room in Bangkok where he meets an alluring French couple and Daffy (Robert Carlyle), an old traveler ravaged by years of sun and drug abuse. Rambling and paranoid, Daffy tells Richard a tale of a secret island which he claims is a real paradise on Earth. The next day Richard finds a hand-drawn map pinned to his door of the island decribed by Daffy. When he seeks out Daffy, he finds him dead with his wrists slashed. Richard promptly persuades the French couple to find the beach and its secret community of travelers whose lives, on the surface, appear perfect and peaceful. However, Richard will soon learn what he has found is no paradise.

My Review: This has got to be one of my all-time-fave movies. Couple of years ago when I was still stuck onto the ridiculous phone-line connection, I spent almost 18 months downloading a DVD version of this movie. And finally my patience paid. The direction and storyline is just too good... But the best part of the movie is its soundtrack - beautiful! Very few movies have this kinda superb electronic soundtrack and it just makes the movie more engrossing!

Not a big hit, this movie portrays a young traveller's desire to find something new, something beautiful, a paradise which everyone only dreams of - a beach island hidden from the sea, with pure white sand, clean glinting water and enough dope to smoke each day everyday for the rest of your life. And when he finally manages to get there with a French couple, he discovers a whole community of travellers settled there ... but he is yet to discover what the so-called paradise is really about!

And like always, I have to mention a bit about Virginie Ledoyen... she's hot is all I can say!

Website: http://www.thebeachmovie.com/

Extras: Virginie Ledoyen wallpapers