That’s the longest title I’ve ever written. I think. Not sure, but pretty~
First, let’s start with Oscar talk. There are 10 animated shorts line-up for 3/5 spots at the Academy.
Natalie Portman’s Where the Heart Is is probably the least favorite film amongst the fans, a list that includes the Star Wars prequels, Free Zone, Mr. Mangorium’s Wonder Emporium, Mars Attacks and Anywhere but Here. However, Where the Heart Is, as well as Anywhere but Here are the only of those films that pretty much were completely fronted by Portman.
Now, compare that to Leon… or Black Swan. Mmmkay~
As a teenage Portman fan, I obviously watched those AND enjoyed them~~~ but we’re here to talk about Where the Heart Is now, so let’s talk about it.
Where the Heart Is, for what it’s worth, marks Portman’s step into womanhood, as she played a 17-year-old pregnant Novalee Nation, giving birth in a Walmart. In short, she’s pretty tacky but with a lot of heart… and what’s even more ironic, the first time I saw Portman in that fake pregnant suit in slippers (and then barefoot), I thought of Britney Spears whom later ended up stepping on a public bathroom barefoot.
But I digress. Where the Heart Is is sappy, and over-the-top acting drama… it ends up being funny. Portman looks so awkward as Novalee… skinny and so overly-fake-pregnant, plus the hair. Add to that Novalee’s white trash mother who abandoned her family for a man whose name she can’t even remember played by Sally Field, hot-peen-hungry mother of multiple children named after junk food Nurse Lexie played by Ashley Judd, cut-throat music producer Ruth Meyers played by Joan Cusack, and AA-member fornicating Sister Husband played by Stockard Channing — all over-acting. Pure amazingness.
Let’s not even begin to discuss the love-making scene, which marks a first for Natalie Portman on screen, which she shared with UK actor James Frain who’s like 15 years older than her and plays a character named Forney. Novalee doesn’t have sex with Forney, she makes love to him after his sister passes away. There’s sweet love-making pop-country crossover music as his hand entwines with hers.
But despite it all, I couldn’t take my eyes off the film… except maybe the bits without Natalie Portman on screen, in which we focus on Novalee’s baby daddy Willy Jack Pickens played by Dylan Bruno. His storyline seems a bit pointless, since we’re not supposed to feel sympathy for him and it just makes the story go slower. But then again, without him… we wouldn’t have the amazingness of Joan Cusack.
Natalie Portman as a “reformed” Novalee, mother of Americus and photographer, holding her camera shooting the fat baseball team, or with her Xmas/winter gear, and looking for Forney are probably the most gorgeous Portman could be on film.
Where the Heart Is might be cheesy, and actually pretty bad — and shame on you if you think it’s the best movie ever made — but it’s one of those films teenage girls have to watch. We were all probably 14 when we saw it, and I guess 14-year-olds watch much more crass films nowadays. However, I still think 12 or 13-year-old girls would be able to appreciate it.
I don’t think Anywhere but Here is worse than Where the Heart Is, but IMDb seems to disagree.
3/5 (2.75 without the sentimental value LOL)
See, it’s been over a year since my last shoes-talk.
I’ve been renewing my wardrobe because my uncle loves to pick on me for using jeans and tees… and I keep telling him that anyone can dress smartly if they want to spend money. So I’m retiring my Tripp pair of jeans with orange stitching that’s so torn because I’ve used it for over 3 years, and I’m changing it for expensive jeans.
I’m switching my tees, for shirts (long and short sleeves), as well as suits and over $100USD jackets. I’m wearing ties, and vests, and I just need more than one pair of boots.
And I’m picky with the boots. I don’t want delicate expensive boots, so muggers in the street look at me thinking they can mug me. I want tough looking boots, so they think I can kick their butts.
But mainly, I wanna say — see, uncle~ we can dress whatever we like if we pay for it.
But damn those Fluevog stuff are expensive. I’m still chicken shit to buy shoes online because shoes are so specific. I did buy shirts online, though. They fit perfect. But Korean (or I guess, Asian) size makes me feel fat. I bought everything medium or large. O_O
I have to find time to do this one. After all, I’m a big Natalie Portman fan.
Fan-worship sort of officially began in 1999 – pretty sure. After all, teenage years is the time to fangirl over anything. So just to piss EVERYONE off, I’m going to be talking about her least popular films. LOL
Yup, I’m picking Anywhere but Here, as well as Where the Heart Is – take that film fans! LOL I’m not sure if I’m doing reviews of those, or what. I should probably re-watch them if I’m doing those. I just wanted to post this to keep it in mind, instead of the link on my bookmarks.
Anyway~~~ Any Natalie Portman requests?
Also, Amy/Natalie Portman facts~
Both my parents think she’s the best. But then again, if you ask my mother the name of any other young actress, she can’t come up with any other names… that must mean my mother thinks Natalie Portman is super-famous.
My dad is still requesting a sequel to Leon. Get it, Natalie? Let’s get that one rolling once and for all.
You know what this means right? I finally saw a new Yu Aoi film, so I can move the queue just a little bit. We’re discussing Honokaa Boy first, then Ikechan to Boku… instead of One Million Yen Girl because of the length of roles that Yu had in the films… and we’re leaving Hyakuman-en up on the feature spot for a while… ;P
First a little about the film~
Honokaa Boy tells the story of a boy – Okay, a young man – who ends up living in the small Hawaiian city of Honokaa, after he mysteriously falls in love with the place during a failed trip with his girlfriend. In there, he meets a bunch of quirky people that are very likable, who end up having an impact on his life.
Genre: Dramedy with a bit of Romance
Starring: Masaki Okada, Chieko Baisho, Keiko Matsuzaka, Jun Hasegawa
Duration: almost 2hrs
Sorry, no photographer credit that I could “read.”
Zhao Wei’s (aka. Vicky Zhao) Harper’s Bazaar January cover~~~ pure gorgeousity. Her skin is flawless and oh-so-clear, with that combination of colors in her dress, the tinge on the photograph, and the colors in the background, she’s wow — I can’t believe she just had a baby. LOL
Wait… if she has a baby – does that make her a MILF? Woah. So weird since she looks so young~ xD
Anyway~~~ Zhao Wei’s interesting on screen, but on photos I’ve always had a problem with her nose. Sometimes, when the shot is not right… it seems large, and it sticks out a lot. I don’t know if it’s an issue with the camera lens, or if it’s a photo angle issue… but in this particular shot – she looks perfect.
Check out the full set on high resolution photos over at Sina.com~
The New York Times’ got around 1min. clips of actors acting titled Fourteen Actors Acting. From Tilda Swinton to Chloe Moretz going through James Franco and passing through Michael Douglas, all the way to Jennifer Lawrence with a tinge of Noomi Rapace.
And… I want to say it looks great, because I love black and white – but really?
Even I can’t fangirl.
This is the best I’m going to get from Lily. A new song.
For those of you who don’t know, Lily Chou Chou is the fictional singer portrayed in Shunji Iwai’s film All About Lily Chou Chou. Lily was played by Salyu on the film, and there was an album released under that artist name. This is the only new material ever since the film was released… and it’s even rare to get to hear the Lily songs in a Salyu concert.
If you haven’t watched All About Lily Chou Chou, it is a rough experience.
Visitor Uzaigaijin kept me posted on the status of her concert ticket, and she messaged me saying she got one! So she will be writing a review of Lily Chou Chou’s concert this week for YAM Magazine. ;P
I’m excited and jealous. xD
Wow, haven’t posted anything in two days xD
Been working… and working on the YAM site. Still doesn’t feel finished… but I think it’s working. However, haven’t gotten any time to watch any movies extra films. And Julz still hasn’t emailed me anything *points finger* *shakes fist*
The only author’s page I’ve got is mine because no one’s emailed me their bio. LOL or photo~
Nerve-racking~~~~~~~
Also, I’ve bought clothing on YesStyle~ tun-tun-tun!
The King’s Speech pretty much swept the awards on this one, winning Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Screenplay.
The French film A Prophet won Best Foreign Film against Dogtooth. I Am Love, The Secret in their Eyes and Winter’s Bones… which is weird considering that A Prophet was competing last year alongside The Secret in their Eyes, while I Am Love and Winter’s Bones are competing this year.
If you haven’t seen A Prophet, what are you waiting for? I’ts a dark high-tension drama that’s set, mostly, between the walls of a prison. Brilliantly acted by fellow the 20 to Watch Tahar Rahim.
Weird distribution.
Winners below the break~
