Hey It's Olive

Collage by Zaitoon

I’m a bit cynical when it comes to films. I’m the one that laughs in horror movies because the blood spurts ten feet (but come on, who doesn’t?). I’m also the one says, and very loudly, ‘I wouldn’t have shot it like that’. I’m critical though I have no right to be, but what can I say: I love my movies. With all my cynical and pretentious beliefs around films, there are really some films I can find absolutely no flaws in. I simply enjoyed the film. I didn’t laugh (unless I was supposed to) and formed little attachments to the movies that had me quoting lines and adopting mannerisms.

The Royal Tenenbaums

The Royal Tenenbaums, written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson was my gateway drug to Wes Anderson. Everything in this movie was spot on, the aesthetics, the dialogue, the plot, the actors, the… You get my point, I loved everything. The movie tells the story of a family of child geniuses and their relationship with each other and their absentee father. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Margot Tenenbaum had me suspiciously hording my secrets and wearing little barrettes in my hair (and let me tell you, I did not achieve the same affect). Luke Wilson’s Richie Tenenbaum showed me what is was like to love someone and know you can’t have them. Kumar Pallana’s Pagoda made me laugh and love his loyalty and humour. I loved this movie so much, and if anyone knows where I can get a headband like Richie, tell me now.

Les Misèrables

Someone once told me they didn’t like Les Mis (what we hip-hopper kids call it) (Just me) because there was too much singing. To which I replied with lowered brow and confused tone ‘It’s a musical’. The singing was the best part. I know the words to ‘At the End of the Day’ and I’ll sing it at the most inappropriate of times. Whenever I need a pseudonym, I go by Jean Valjean. Always. When mum tells me to do the dishes, I lock myself in my room and yell ‘Vive La France’. At the end of Les Misèrables I sobbed like a baby for 2 hours. I was subdued for a week and if that isn’t powerful stuff I don’t know what is.

 I also have a massive crush on Eddie Redmayne. That is all.

The Hunger Games

Come on, who didn’t like this? I read the book when I was like 13 and loved it, but never in my wildest dreams did I think the movie would be so faithful to the book. AND GOOD TOO. So many people don’t like Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss (I think she’s perfect) and that’s all a matter of opinion, but Josh Hutcherson as Peeta is just undisputed genius. He brought Book Peeta to life in a way I wasn’t expecting at all. Also, I want to be Amandla Stenberg? Her portrayal of Rue was so innocent and beautiful, no-one can ever watch Rue’s death scene without crying, or at least a little sniffling. If I ever make a movie, I’d cast her front and centre.

Dirty Picture

Dirty Picture is a Bollywood film starring Vidya Balan (my favourite Bollywood actress full stop). The movie tells the story of Item Girl (A dancer in Indian films, usually quite provocative) Reshma or as she is known in her films, ‘Silk’. I can tell you know there is no happy ending. Though the movie is so realistic and colourful it is by far my favourite Bollywood film. You can’t help but love Silk. She’s confident, driven, funny and honest. She’s the perfect heroine, you can’t help but root for her to leave her life of poverty but at the same time you can see her flaws, her imperfections and you wish she did too. After watching this I started raising my eyebrows sardonically whenever I talked to someone, in imitation of Silk.

I was asked if I had a twitch.

Anyone else a film manic? Yes? YES?!

By Zaitoon