two lovely ladies

Back when I used to work every Monday night, I used to envy all those cinephiles heading off to the Luna Monday Doubles. Now, in my post-university life, as time magically unfolds before me and commitments become a thing of the past, I have no reason not to indulge with great vigour and frequency, as I indeed have been. And the cinematic surprises have been flowing thick and fast, as proven by last night's duo: "in which two hopeless men fall for two of Magda's favourite silver screen girls."


The first was Crazy Heart: a little romantic drama in which everybody's favourite dude Jeff Bridges plays an embittered, alcoholic, past-his-peak rockstar called Bad. He's just plodding down the well-worn path of the classic washed-out musician, performing in bowling alleys, hooking up with any wrinkled lady who looks at him sideways, and bemoaning the lack of a bar tab, when along comes wannabe journalist and single mum, Jean (hello, Maggie, swoon). Of course, she's his One Last Shot; his chance to get all the shit together, drop the booze and write some more inspiring music. For her, however, Bad represents everything that's best avoided, and it's clear that their relationship will only last as long as her loneliness wins out over common sense.

The story that ensues is, yes, somewhat bland. This is the traditional push-and-pull of a doomed union, intercut with long long long character-driven scenes where not all that much happens. That's OK though, because the strength of the film actually lies with its two beautiful performers. Bridges is a force as this mumbling failure who somehow is never able to do up his belt buckle, and Gyllenhaal just sparkles as a sad woman uplifted by the promise of romance. Sure, it's a coupling that on first glance might make you vomit a little in your mouth, but you'll soon be swallowing that bile back because these two actually build a surprisingly sexy chemistry. All their shared glances and 'secret lover' smiles make you feel like you're witnessing something truly special take place. It was so lovely to watch, it almost recalled another sparkle/mumble couple; Heath Ledger and Maggie's own bro Jake G in Brokeback Mountain.

Boner Rating: pretty hot
Bonus Points for: Colin Farrell with a pony tail, lol.


Next up was 500 Days of Summer. Here we have another relationship that is doomed from the offset (if you miss that, the baritone narrator will remind you). Tom (played by Magda's Yr 7 Crush Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a slightly uncool, greeting card creator with big romantic ideas, but Summer (swoon), despite her perfect hair and Disney princess eyes, has a more distant, coldly rational outlook when it comes to heart matters, and never really wants anything "too serious." In a most beautifully postmodern fashion we then skip to and fro through the 500 days they spend together (and apart), until these insightful little fragments gradually form a whole picture of their relationship's rise and downfall. So, does this feel like the scriptwriter's attempt to exorcise past heart break? Yes. Is that a problem? Nope - quite the opposite.

OK - yes, at first the film's cuttingly truthful approach to relationships can be a bit daunting, especially if you start with the trailer, aka "a collection of painfully familiar break up moments guaranteed to make you weep." I'll be the first to admit that it was really only the prospect of watching Zooey-in-cute-dresses that inspired me to take the plunge. Rationally, though, it's also true that the film's greatest strength lies in its relatability, which comes from the script, and also the two simple but well-executed performances. So, whether Tom is drawing a skyline on Summer's arm in biro, whether the two of them are playing house in IKEA, or whether they're arguing over their favourite Beatle , we consistently get that deep, stomachy "I've been there" feeling - and this emotional weight is exactly what makes the film so ultimately moving. And, in the end, while it is at times harrowing (and at times, a little exaggerated! don't shoot me for saying it!), it also does a great job of celebrating the way people influence and shape one another, even if they don't stick around forever. Ultimately, it's as uplifting as it is depressing, which is a truly beautiful thing - and really as much as any scriptwriter could hope for.

(Also: Zooey's hair is amazing and now I am considering a fringe.)

Boner Rating: fire hazard hot
Bonus Points for: vintage fabric, the production design in Summer's apartment and the animated blue bird.

back on land

So this blog has been a little quiet recently and, as is often the case, my excuse can be presented in three parts: 1) a little blog-related insecurity, which i shall now proceed to push through with a vengeance, 2) a hell of a lot of worky work AND 3) a magical two weeks spent "on the road."



My last five years have all commenced like this, with a journey down south in search of adventure and fun times. Every year about 15 of us squeeze into cars and then into tents and then into bedrooms and we spend almost two weeks basking in one another's company. Inevitably, there are parties (spontaneous AND planned), creative projects (failed AND successful) and beautiful new discoveries (is that actually SASHAAA out there?!). And then at the end I come home feeling refreshed and inspired and happy, ready (if reluctant) to take on the rest of the year.

Here are my TOP FIVE favourite buss09 moments. I would like to be reminded of these if life gets a little hard this year:

1. That morning when Caroline led me over stinger armies and dark seaweeded depths until we reached a mysterious floating trampoline and climbing wall with slide! Lying on my back next to Hannah as Damien bounced beside us, I was struck by surrealness of it all; to be lolling/lol-ing on a trampoline with friends, about fifteen minutes away from the freaking shore.

2. When, feeling tired and hazy one morning, I opened up the refridgerator in search of sustenance, only to find a cold, plastic snake lodged between some cheese and a bowl of leftover pasta.

3. Blasting "Affirmation" at top volume as we rolled down Bussell Hwy, singing along with Jenny, Ro & Caro, and thinking, "I wonder what they're doing in the boy car right now?"

4. Lying on the floor beside my bed after the mess that was the "Under the Sexy Sea" party, with Moriarty (or maybe Sasha?) next to me, and about six other lovable characters in around and on the bed itself, thinking, "Yessss, I may almost be unconscious but at least I am still in amongst PARTY."

5. Arriving back at SouthBound after a quick trip to the beach, and bouncing straight into Architecture in Helsinki, still in bathers and thongs . I cannot even remember what songs AIH played or whether they were actually any good, all I remember is jumping up and down in a spot of space right near the back, and really truly loving life/youth.

x magda

PS i have changed my layout a little! do you like it, or do you hate it?!
damn, html is a bitch!