How to Marry A Millionaire (1953)

Due to a frustrating shut down of the Blogger website, my post for the movie that I had written days ago was erased. It's taken me several days to get over my annoyance and frustration to rewrite this blog. Again.

The time is night for finals and the frantic scurrying sounds of studying has commenced.In order to prevent myself from going brain dead, I try to give myself some time to relax and watch some movies on my endless DVD queue.

Now, I've had this movie for a very, very long time in my queue. I will make it no secret that I am not a fan of Marilyn Monroe. She was featured so prominently on the DVD cover(It irks me how she's on the cover when some of the movies don't feature her the lead actress) that I was reluctant to give it chance. Luckily through a lack of a desire to watch anything, I came to watch the movie.

I loved it.

Not because of Monroe. Oh far from it. It was because of Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable. Ok, mostly Bacall. I loved her character, I loved her stubbornness, I loved her voice! Damn I am sucker for those actresses with deep voices that say high brow sentences ending with "Dawlin'" after puffing a smoke. Yeah, I know almost all of these actresses smoke (I hate smoking. Yup, it's a contradiction) and ended up with these husky voices. Bacall is seen puffing on some cigarettes on screen.

The plot for "How To Marry A Millionaire" is simply explained in the title. Three beautiful women use their beauty and most of their senses in nabbing themselves a rich husband. Schatze (played by Bacall) is the ringleader of the trio. She comes up with the ideas, the standards, and even the money to live on as they wait to ensnare their millionaire. Pola (played by Monroe) plays a ditz (surprise,surprise) who stumbles around blind as she's convinced that no man would date her if she wore her glasses. Then there's Loco who is so attractive that she can practically make any man buy her things such as groceries and what not. Their tactics and ideas on how to ensnare a millionaire is off and based on stereotypical ideas. What kind of men they end up with may not be shocking, but how they ended up with their matches is pretty entertaining.

This premise is nothing new. Even now we have reality shows based off of girls trying to nab millionaires. The desire has roots has far as the age old story of Cinderella. Where Cinderella wanted a prince, the modern cosmopolitan girl wants a millionaire. And if he's a prince too, will huzzah! (congrats to you princess middleton). Hell even I have participated in such fantasies. And before any male begins to roll their eyes, let me just list out why:

1. a millionaire offers the idea of sustained financial security
2. a millionaire is assumed to be raised on archaic forms of manners and etiquette.
3. a millionaire(with the exception of heirs) are believed to be hardworking and ambitious.

Buh buh, I must give out the cons:

1. a millionaire is always busy. He got achieved this status by putting everything second, namely relationships
2. such forms of manners and etiqutte would most likely end up alienating those that are not familiar with such customs
3. pre nups.

But namely, the fantasy is just a fantasy. In the US, anyone can be a millionaire. Be it through fortune, business, or luck. A millionaire could also be a jackass, abusive, or even worse. The point is, and the movie makes a small nod to this, a millionaire is just a person. They may not fit into the public mold but that's because their a person and every persons different.

This idea is strongly held with Schatzie and her journey. She continually turned her nose at a guy merely because of the way he dressed. According to her standards, since the guy never wore a necktie, means he is not a distinguished millionaire (which he is). She goes off and pursues them, even up to the point where she is about to take a dive and marry one of them. Somehow through her journey, she begins to think about love and life and ultimately makes her decision.

It is a predictable movie but I still enjoyed watching it nonetheless. The less Monroe was in it, the more I enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy the mini concert in the beginning of the movie. A small orchestra starts off with the movie and launches into a song. I don't think the song lent anything to the movie since I am not familiar with it all. The only thing I can guess is from the trailer (which is long, uninteresting, and lame) that they were trying to show how cool the movie was since it was in Cinemascope. I have no idea what that means.

The one thing I did love about the movie was that it was another story about girls coming together to achieve a goal. So many dumb movies show women as catty and two faced. Which we are, I won't lie. But we do have our treasured friendships and comrades. Friendship wasn't a prominent theme in the movie but the chemistry was so awesome that it didn't matter.

So my friends, go off and try to find your millionaires. I hope you learn that money is not what's important. It's happiness and companionship. It makes living more enjoyable with someone to share it with. An empty mansion will only store echoes.

The People I've Slept With Official Trailer

The People I've Slept With (2009)

Wow. What a freaking crazy month I've had. Nothing but midterms and projects galore. After such stressful whirlwind activities, I need to sit back and enjoy some movies!

Before I set off to writing, I would like to mention the Los Angeles Film festival that is currently going on. I've been a volunteer for the festival for the years and have had amazing opportunities to catch some great movies. The films are made by asian filmmakers from around the world showcasing various styles and ideas.

It sucks that many of the movies won't be released to DVDs because of international laws or whatnot. So most of what I've seen are rare chances of seeing art. When I do miss a movie I want to see during the festival, I am deeply depressed.

When they do become released in DVD, I am just ecstatic! One such movie was "The People I've Slept With" which showcased during the festival in 2010.

One of my favorite guilty pleasure movies are those that have a female antagonist female character who loves pleasures. I love movies that encourages female sexuality.

"The People I've Slept With" describes the sexual adventures of a chinese american female named Angela. From the first second of the movie, it is no secret that this girl simply loves sex ,sex, and sex (Hell yeah!). Angela is played by Karin Anna Cheung, who was also played Stephanie in "Better Luck Tomorrow".

Unfortunately for Angela, her uninhibited sex drive has led to the inevitable outcome: she is pregnant. But she has no idea who the father is. Luckily she keeps track of her exploits through photos and narrows down the list to five guys. With the help of her plucky gay friend, she confronts each and every one of them. As she revisits her past( through a more humble and sober view) she comes to discover her flaws, her fears, and her own vulnerability.

It's not a new subject. Party loving girl meets obvious demise and becomes humbled. This movie takes a bit of several interesting twists. One major twist in this movie that attracted me the most was that not only is she a female who loves sex (with no written in trauma or something) but she's Asian. That is one of the many reasons I love the festival. Filmmakers breaking stereotypical boundaries. Asian woman and sex are usually seen as prostitutes or abused situations. This is one of the few times where the girl just simply loves sex. Right on!

Angela is such a great character. She loves sex but she's not a sex kitten or a vixen bitch. She is a girl who has a job, gets stupid drunk, and has an open mind. A great character.

This movie does have its flaws. As much boundaries I break, there are still some that remain strong. One that always bugged me was the friend. I would have loved it if the gay friend didn't quite act out as the typical gay character: flouncy and all that hand waving. He was funny but I did cringe when his actions were a bit typical.

Although I will add the one major awesome thing in the movie: the CUTEST asian I have ever seen!!!!!! Oh my gosh.......he was so romantic........I will not cheat you dear female readers from divulging too much info. Just, just watch him.Oh my.

(weird and funny tidbit. I just learned from IMDB that he was in CSI and a power ranger. Awesome)

Great enjoyable movie for all those young (fresh from college or a few years away from college) who are old enough to drink but not yet old enough to grow up. For those who are still finding their way or who haven't even realized they were lost.

Or simply for those who just enjoy sex and have no qualms about it.

'Your Highness' Trailer HD

Your Highness (2011)

Here I go again. Reviewing another movie I just recently watched. Once again defending a really, great movie from the masses of misunderstanding nay-sayers. I am confounded by the negative reviews I've seen. I can only interpret that not everyone can get magic and penis jokes as I do.

Oh yeah. I wrote penis.

Just right off the gate, I really fucking love this movie. I was awed and laughing throughout the whole movie. It was just so much fun!

"Your Highness" is a fantasy movie with lots of dirty jokes. There is a curse every 100 years that when the two moons are aligned, and a warlock screws a virgin, she will birth out a powerful dragon. Two brothers, Thadeous (played by Danny mcBride) and Fabious (played by James Franco....swoon) are sent out on a quest to re-rescue ( since he had already rescued her from the evil warlock Leezar from the tower) to prevent this curse from happening.

It is a bona-fide great fantasy adventure story. This could have easily been another "Epic Movie" toilet fodder. I was expecting this to be a lazy, ill-humored, poorly written story set in a medieval setting. I was astounded to be rewarded with not only humourous dialogue, but a great solid plot, funny actors, a bearded dragon, and amazing action sequences!

Just to have a solid plot is so rare for Hollywood right now. It would have been so easy to write a movie with blatant penis jokes. For me, the jokes were cleverly intertwined into the dialogue. It was so naturally woven in, that it would almost take you a moment to register that they just said "cock" during their epic monologue.

The themes of the movie was well done. Brother to brother rivalry and then coming together. The idea of just growing up.

I love the fantasy genre. I've read countless and countless of fantasy stories. I've seen countless of fantasy movies. I love the genre but I'm bored. It's basically the same story, same motives. The last time I've seen anyone twist the genre around was Jasper Fforde (in the "Thursday Next" series) and Piers Anthony (in the "Xanth" series. I love it when the genre is poked about. It's been taken too seriously!

That's where "Your Highness" came out golden. It brought to light some question and issues that I know people have thought about but only brushed aside. My favorite is when Thadeous is asking Fabious what if they rescued the virgin bride too late. Fabious becomes more uncomfortable as he refuses to acknowledge that his love would be sullied. Seriously. If you love the broad who can't eat with a fork when she's a virgin, then you should love her when she's not!

Alongside the good natured poke into the genre, there were other moments that respected. I could tell that this movie was made by fantasy/adventure genre lovers. These moments were done with great care and energy. For instance, the action scenes. Wow!!!The action scenes were freaking amazing! The carriage chase was just phenomenal. That moment alone rose this movie from a comedy to an amazing fantasy/adventure movie.

The magic!!! The magic special effects were just awesome. I loved it how Leezar conjured up his staff (hee hee). Plus the mothers? WOoooooOW!!!!

And the ultimate clincher for me? Stephan, the bearded dragon companion!!! That is so cool!!! It makes sense for a bearded dragon to be in a fantasy movie!!! Get it??? He's a dragon!!!! CUTE!!!!

After seeing "Sucker Punch" and "Your Highness", this is further affirmation that geeks have ruled the world. Both movies have really struck a chord with my geeky side. I had loads of fun since I could relate to both. I'm attributing the low theater rate is because not everyone can appreciate this kind of humor.



This is definitely a movie I would recommend to watch in a theater just on the special effects and the action scene alone.

Not everyone will get this movie. Here's my advice:

If you play WOW and curse yourself for being a warlock, you'll find this funny.
If you read fantasy novels and roll your eyes at the ludicrous vows of love based on one chance meeting, you'll love this movie.
If you draw penis caricatures and dragons in the margins of your notebook, you'll love this movie.
If you just want to see James Franco handle his sword, you'll love this movie.
If you teeter when you see anyone handle a sword a certain way, then you'll love this movie.
If I yell "PENIS" or "COCK" in your place, and you choke on whatever your drinking, then you'll love this movie.

I think you get the idea of this movie...

Favorite quote of the movie:
Leezar:"....how am I gonna beat you? With magic, motherfucker!"
Woooo!!!! Warlocks unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shall We Dance? (1996) trailer

THE TRAILER IS IN JAPANESE!! SORRY I COULDN'T FIND ONE WITH AN ENGLISH SUBTITLE!!!

Shall We Dance? / Shall We Dansu?(1996)

Wow. I have just been incredibly busy with scrambling to study for exams and projects. I've finally got a chance to enjoy a great cup of white chocolate ice blended drink from Coffee Bean (my absolute favorite in the morning!) and to ruminate on a movie that I just recently saw.

I still have alot of VHS copies. So many nostalgic memories attached to them. As any VHS owner knows, the quality of these tapes just deteriorate rapidly. So I've had to look for DVD versions.

So it was that I was sitting watching a DVD copy of something that I sat through the previews of long ago. The beginning strains of a sweet song that began with "Shall we dance?"began to play and my interest was piqued. The movie was immediately added to my netflix queue.

How did I not know about this movie?!Oh I loved it so much! Someone described this movie as a gently comedy from Japan and I wholeheartedly agree.

Mr. Sugiyama is a quiet and successful accountant. He has worked his life with the steadfast goal to care for his family. But as he goes through the motions of everyday (damn don't we know that dead feeling), he happens to look up and sees a beautiful young woman standing behind a dance studio window.

Now. First thought in your head was:AFFAIR! BASTARD IS GONNA CHEAT ON HIS WIFE!!
And no, sir/madam, you are WRONG! For once this movie does not take the predictable path. Characters in the movie make the same assumption, as a way of acknowledging this belief but the story is beyond all that nonsense.

So, Mr. Sugiyama braves into the dance studio and peeks in. He watches the various couples dance. They're all swishing around doing ballroom dancing. As he stares, he is accidentally pushed into the studio and he is sucked into lessons.

The Japanese culture is very known so it should come as no surprise that ballroom dancing, or any dancing with a non-spouse partner, is seen as perverse and frowned upon. So it takes awhile for Mr. Sugiyama to warm to it. But then he gets swept up in training for a dance competition and he begans to change.

The comedy isn't slapstick, loud, or obnoxious. The jokes highlight the wacky personalities of the dancers and their vulnerabilites. Along with Mr. Sugiyami, he learns alongside a tall,fat man ( who is taking ballroom dancing due to his diabetes) and a short, hyper man (he's the obnoxious, overachiever in the trio). I just love the teacher who helps prod along these poor saps to take the right steps! She has a sweet face and just loads of patience.

The beautiful woman in the window is the haughty Mai. We learn that she is a professional dance with a past. Most of the men are awed by her presence and beauty but she has put up so many barriers that they're afraid to really approach her. Mr. Sugiyami and Mai are thrown together to train for a dance competition. As she struggles to coach Mr. Sugiyami, Mai slowly begins to crack out of her shell.

Two themes in the movie that can still be felt despite being made in 1996 and in Japan. Doesn't matter what country, language, color, blah blah blah. We still suffer from our own personal setbacks. Whether it's a struggle to find our own happiness or just getting over own demons, it takes ourselves to get through that obstacle.I really loved how the movie portrayed those ideas. It wasn't preachy or vague. It was simply there.

This movie rings so true for me. I went through most of middle school, high school, and college with one clear career goal in mind. Then long car ride to visit a friend, I realized I wasn't happy with my goal. I was no longer excited about it. It took many hours of tears, panic, and a pivotal beach conversation with a great friend to realize what made me happy. And I'm still happy with that idea.Whatever makes us happy is not necessarily what we think for ourselves. I'm pretty sure that ballroom dancing wasn't what Mr. Sugiyami thought.

One thing that did bug me was how he got into ballroom dancing in the first place. What is it because of a pretty girl or was it because he was interested? As pure and sweet as this movie is, I am inclined to believe that it was the pretty girl that lead him towards the ballroom dancing and it so happened that he loved it. And I'm ok with that. Well, Ok for the most part. I still wonder what if it was an ugly girl? Oh well.

There's been a remake of the movie that was made in 2004 with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. After watching this movie and watching the trailer of the 2004 remake, I refuse to watch it. No. The original is too sweet, funny, touching, and amazing to be touched. The cast members were amazing. From the haughty and sad Mai to the awkward and yet strong Mr. Sugiyama


Sometimes it's heartbreaking, sometimes it's mortifying. Mostly funny. Always amazing.