Archives for December 2009

The Shadow Dancer starring Joshua Jackson, Claire Forlani and Harvey Keitel

Posted on December 20, 2009 Written by ripitup

The Shadow Dancer, starring Joshua Jackson, Harvey Keitel and Claire Forlani

Jeremy Taylor (Joshua Jackson) is a young writer sent to Tuscany, Italy by the publishing company. His mission is to find Weldon Parish (Harvey Keitel); a seasoned and well-respected writer who hasn’t been writing for some time and to help his writer’s block disappear and get him to write again. But Weldon doesn’t want to write. He has lost his wife sometime ago and he keeps his (writer’s) office under lock. He enjoys the country and the company of his three daughters. So at first he doesn’t take Jeremy’s intrusion well and puts the young man to several weird and amusing (to the audience) tests. But Jeremy’s persistence pays off. Weldon starts letting him hang around. He is also having fun with the fact that Jeremy is falling for his daughter, Isabella (Claire Forlani).

Jeremy and Weldon challenge one another and each wants the other one to write. They both have their reservations and their friendship leads to lovely decisions on both sides.

The film is a romantic drama with some funny events attached. It is set in the ever beautiful Italy. Harvey Keitel is wonderful as always.

Joshua Jackson has grown up and proving that he can take on different roles rather than just teenage rebels. If you are in your 20s, you have probably watched Dawson’s Creek at one point. I did, although I do feel some level of guilty pleasure admitting it. The first seasons had hit home with the characters’ angst and disappointments and expectations. Joshua Jackson played the rebellious and sarcastic Pacey. He came a long way from dating his then co-star Katie Holmes (now Mrs. Tom Cruise). Last time I checked, he was living with his elegant girlfriend Diane Kruger (Troy, National Treasure). Sure, Joshua had to go through all the phases of a popular (and cute) young actor had to go through: teen-slashers (Urban Legend, were-wolf movie Cursed), Scream 2. But thankfully, he got the chance to show versatility. He played in Gossip (2000). It is a very solid thriller and it is definitely not a teen-slasher. He also played in Cruel Intentions (1999); a modern adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons. Now, Cruel Intentions is decent and very appealing with its sexy power plays but Joshua got the most colorful role. He plays the gay best friend of the lead character’s best friend. So yes, it seems like Joshua Jackson is not doomed. He can shake off the “curse” of Dawson’s Creek and move on.

Claire Forlani is a good actress. She is not the best out there but she is lovely and very pretty. I first saw her in Meet Joe Black (co-starring along Brad Pitt). It looks like she is a little doomed: she just fits in with emotional parts. But hey, she does pull off romance well. And in this movie, she just looks at home in Italy. After all, she is half-Italian in real life.

My favorite character in the movie though has to be Father Moretti; played by Giancarlo Giannini. You might remember him as the traditional father from A Walk in The Clouds, giving Keanu Reeves’ Paul hell.

Back to the movie at hand: The scenery is beautiful, and the story is lovely. The movie is a little slow but it is still fun to watch. Just don’t watch it if you are in the mood for something fast.

Favorite scene: The dance scene between Jeremy and Isabella. Written and directed by Brad Mirman (2005).

Other Posts on Joshua Jackson

Cursed starring Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson & Jesse Eisenberg

Cursed Movie Cast & Crew Trivia Feat. Joshua Jackson, Christina Ricci, Portia De Rossi, Kevin Williamson & More

Fringe starring Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv & John Noble

Fringe Trivia: 13 Facts About Fringe Cast, Crew, Plot Feat. Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv, Mark Valley…

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Lying on your CV (and job ads that ask for way too much)

Posted on December 18, 2009 Written by ripitup

Most of you are probably familiar with the TV show friends . Even if you are not, here’s a perfect example of Joey’s situation regarding lying on CVs:

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D30U-nz_Hts[/pro-player]

Of course it is a ludicrous idea to lie about speaking a foreign language fluently when you don’t even know a word or about digging in Cairo when you haven’t been there but it is not uncommon practice for job applicants to lie on their resumés. Beginner levels are stated as intermediate and intermediate as advanced. Experiences are exaggerated and told in a more impressive way than they actually happened. So how much do you lie (if ever;) when applying to a job?

Normally, I don’t. I believe they can always check you out and find you out. Or worse, you can get caught after you get the job which is more embarrassing. But recently I have stumbled upon some job ads that made me actually, really want to lie.

Here’s why:

1) Most writing ads state they only want native speakers. Because all native speakers are better writers? International writers can’t have perfect command on English? Well, this is logic is stupid at best and makes me want to lie, just to prove the idiots who post these kinds of ads wrong. Because usually the ads include statements like: “No internationals please.” “Don’t even bother if you are not a native speaker.” OK. But how the hell are you going to prove I am not a native? My country of residence doesn’t prove anything and I can fool you with my skills. Oh,and the payment method is PayPal.

The lesson? Well, I am all for lying when there is discrimination. It is also a bonus when they can’t prove it. Of course it is best not to apply at all- when you decide that your potential employer is narrow-minded.

2) Unclear job ads: Oh, it is priceless when a job ad asks all sorts of information from you: cover letter, resumé, portfolio, salary expectation,years of experience…This is all too much effort but it does seem pointless if the potential employer hasn’t revealed any important information on their part. Who are they? If they even kept their website/company name confidential, why should I bother to apply? Who are these people? What are the advantages of working with/for them? What’s in it for me? Any job involves at least two parties. I am not going to provide a company who hasn’t bothered to fill in the blanks with my life story. Time is money and I am not spending on them.

Job-hunting is by nature a painful process. Double-standards, one-sided expectations, discriminations and funny anecdotes should always be shared. The gap of the power levels of the employer and the employees only get bigger if candidates desperately say yes to everything without questioning. Sure, the economy is tough. But then again, job- hunting has never been smooth sailing. So why don’t you assess yourself and make an honest assumption of what you are worth? Then decide if you should decide whether to “exaggerate” or “lie”. Maybe you shouldn’t consider that particular job at all.

For related articles, you can click on the links below: (if right clicking on your mouse doesn’t work, try copy pasting.)

* on interview techniques:

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/212726_bizarre-business-interview-techniques

* selling your career

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/213643_its-all-about-sales

* relationship between the job interviewer and the interviewee

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/212727_the-power-play-between-the-potential-employer-and-the-employee

Laws of Attraction and Pierce Brosnan

Posted on December 8, 2009 Written by ripitup

Brosnan. Pierce Brosnan.

Oh come on, I had to refer to James Bond. It is a classic. And given that Pierce Brosnan is my all time favorite Bond, I earned that introduction. Yep, you read it right. It is not Sean Connery. And heaven forbid, it is definitely not Daniel Craig (although he might be my least favorite). To me, Daniel is so…not charismatic or charming or attractive (and Bond should really be all those things)! And he is so…so…so blond! (I had this funny conversation with my friend where she counter argued that she does not object to a Bond with blond hair but a blond Batman should never have existed- a.k.a Val Kilmer. Val is my favorite Batman so..each to her own, I guess.) Anyways, Pierce is the man. He is the perfect 007. He is hot and well-built. It doesn’t take a lot to seduce women. I wish Pierce could have played James Bond a couple of more times- the guy grows even more handsome with age anyway. He used to be a pretty boy who has turned into this gorgeous man. He also has this contagious smile that seems to bring out all his lust for and joy of life.

Laws of Attraction with former James Bond Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore

He is not just an action actor by any means. Sure, he has done a good job with Thomas Crown Affair as well but putting Pierce in romantic roles is a damn good idea. Have you seen the 2004 movie Laws of Attraction? It is a typical rom-com so if you are expecting something different, that ain’t it. However romantic comedies aren’t really about the endings or twists anyway. Let’s go through the elements.

Clichés?

1) The leading female Audrey (Julianne Moore) is a lawyer who is organized,almost to the point of obsessiveness. Now the writers do love to portray women as annoyingly tidy and men messy, right?

2) Our male lead Daniel (Pierce Brosnan) is also a lawyer who could not have been less organized. He is messy,funny and charming.

3) The female is pessimistic is about love yet our male – despite being a divorce lawyer- is just a happy-go-lucky romantic. Now I haven’t seen a guy that fun, smart, attractive and entertaining who also happens to be a romantic. And yes it will take only a little time for him to develop feelings for the cynical yet likable Audrey.

4) Opposites attract. Rivals are attracted to each other. Yeah, whatever.

5) You know it is a happily after. Check out the genre and the poster.

BUT…

1) I like Julianne Moore and I like Pierce Brosnan. He definitely pulls out scruffy well. And frankly I’d rather watch a typical rom-com then over-pretentious and disappointing drama/thrillers like Blindness or The Forgotten.

2) The storyline It is fun. You see Audrey and Daniel meet as opposing councils during a trial. They realize the other one is a worthy opponent and after some fun and games, Daniel and Audrey go out on a dinner, supposedly not a date. Of course when the story mixes mutual attraction with heavy alcohol and fun and…yeah, they have sex. However the next day they do have a trial to attend to and Daniel has picked this exact moment to take Audrey seriously and looks more professional and efficient whereas you can tell that Audrey had a “wild” night. Moreover, Daniel also uses a below-the-belt trick at the trial and wins. Of course Audrey declares war and from then on, the competition gets tough and fun, reaching a peak when Daniel gets a client Audrey is after: a famous fashion designer (Parker Posey) divorcing her cheating rocker husband Thorne (Michael Sheen). So Audrey strikes back by signing Thorne. The case research requires a trip to couple’s estate in Ireland and Ireland…is a lovely country, full of potential for romance. So it seems like Audrey and Daniel are best buddies compared to their spiteful clients and another night full of fun and drinks leads to…let’s say more than just sex: Marriage… How the hell are two competing divorce lawyers gonna explain this to the judge?

Pierce Brosnan as Daniel and Julianne Moore as Audrey in Laws of Attraction

3) I love rockers and I love rock and I appreciate the humor that comes with it. Michael Sheen is so funny as the spoiled musician.

So…

The movie is fun. If you like Pierce Brosnan/Michael Sheen/Julianne Moore and/or romantic comedies, you shouldn’t miss it. Otherwise, well…try something else.

The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

Posted on December 6, 2009 Written by ripitup

The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyywIEg0vrI&feature=related[/pro-player]

2006. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) moves out of the lake house she has been living in. She moves back to the city and writes a note to the next owner, mentioning that there were paw prints before she moved in and there was a box in the attic- so he will know they are not her doing.

2004. Architect Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves) moves into the lake house. The house has been empty for years so Alex is surprised to find a letter in the mail box from the previous owner, Kate Forster. And there are no paw prints to speak of. So Alex responds by saying that she might be mistaken since no one lived there before him.

2006. Now, Kate is a little annoyed. Plus Alex has dated his letter 2004. When they start writing to each other, each determined to prove the other wrong, weird things start happening. For one, the paw prints are formed by a dog just as Alex is working outside. Second, anything Kate says has happened that winter happens.

As far-fetched and impossible as it might seem – through some sort of time lapse or whatever – they are corresponding through the same mailbox. The minute one puts the letter in, the other picks it up. Yet in time, there are 2 years apart. So Alex and Kate decide to make the most of this strange occurrence and write in detail. They get to know each other and share bits from their lives. They make little but truly meaningful gestures for each other that other doesn’t have due to their own time. Through the letters, they start to fall in love. They both know it is ridiculous and they how no idea how on earth this is happening but the connection and emotions they share are unique and intense.

At one point, Kate asks Alex to do a favor for her. She has forgotten her much cherished Persuasion copy (a novel by Jane Austen) at the train station two years ago. Alex goes to pick it up and sees Kate for the first time- though Kate two years ago is already on the train and doesn’t know him.

He promises to give it to her. And through a chance encounter, he meets Kate’s then boyfriend and is invited to her birthday party. Kate and Alex get to meet face to face- of course he can’t explain Kate who he is. But yet in those few minutes, they connect. Kate of 2006, she remembers him. She remembers the stranger she has kissed two years ago and hasn’t seen again.

So in that moment lost in the movie, you do believe in “soul mates”, “the one”, “meant to be” and fate – all the cliché concepts that we tend to believe in our romantic/emotional moments and tend to reject when we are feeling cynical. Because there in a beautiful story, you realize the two people corresponding and ceasing to be strangers with their letters, were not really strangers to begin with. They were two people who met at the wrong time, at the wrong place – hence the references to the novel Persuasion (don’t worry, Kate fills you in on that, no need to have read the book- though I’m seriously tempted to). So realizing he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity, they decide to meet for real. But then again, time difference or not, life is complicated…

If you have seen the movie, please comment and I’ll be happy to get into all the beautiful details of this heart-warming and sincere film. Yes, you might be tempted to find logical flaws. Don’t try. I mean the movie does have the surreal element in the first place and since this is simply romance and doesn’t include any other “fantastic” elements, let it go. You either will enjoy the story, the acting, the setting, or you won’t. I love both Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. I am not that big of a fan of Sweet November so don’t accuse me of loving everything with Keanu in it. I don’t (Feeling Minnesota was average and I am not a Matrix saga fan- although I admire its effects). Somehow, Lake House isn’t cheesy or sappy or stupid. It is emotional, intense, sincere and sweet. I actually do think Keanu Reeves is a good actor. And no – I don’t believe the point of the movie is possible in real life. That “fate” helps you in getting together with that special person? That love can exist between a man and a woman in its true form? And moreover “the one” can look like Keanu Reeves? Please, no. But I want to believe it. And for the duration of 99 minutes, I believe it. With all my heart. So can you.

P.S: For a bittersweet reality shot, watch 500 Days of Summer. Lake House involves no comedy and is less original (it is based on a foreign film). But to see a love story, don’t miss this. IMDB rating: 6.8. voted by over 30,000. See? I told you cynicism gets on hold with this flick.

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