9 Songs (2004) Review

Article first published as Review: 9 Songs (2010) on Technorati.

Movie: 9 Songs (Blu-Ray) (2010)

Cast: Kieran O'Brien, Margo Stilley and Huw Bunford

Rating: 3.5/5

Love stories come and go but the aura created by the one of a kind 9 Songs is unmatched. The 2004 film is now back on Blu-Ray. The blatantly sensual and provocative film presents a story of love making influenced by 9 Songs from different concerts that a couple attends. It is a movie that shows the power of music and its ability to enhance or subside pain and to impart sorrow and joy.

Matt, a young glaciologist, soars across the vast, silent, icebound immensities of the South Pole as he recalls his love affair with Lisa. They met in a concert in London and end up in the bed making steamy love. In the several months that follow they embark on a sexually passionate journey that is guided by 9 songs from 9 concerts they attend.

With genuine sex scenes presented in the most artistic ways possible 9 Songs is a unique love story that shows the difference between pornography and love-making on film. The authentic oral scenes and intercourse makes it unsuitable for all audiences but still to call it porn would be a disgrace. It is always mentioned in various film directories as a drama or a love story rather than porn and that is a completely just judgement on the film.

Margo Stilley looks erotic and lustful yet deeply in love. Her body is an instrument for the musician to make magic with. She has depicted Lisa's pain and joy with masterful acting. With sex being the main subject of the film she has made every scene look extremely enchanting and is the real hard on in the film.

Films like 9 Songs and Nude Nuns with Big Guns (although of different genres) prove that purposeful nudity and real sex in a well made Hollywood feature can be an added asset if portrayed with seriousness and class rather than purposeless exposure.

All Good Things (2010) - A Review

Article first published as Review: All Good Things (2010) on Technorati.

Movie: All Good Things (2010)
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Frank Langella
Rating: 4/5

Director Andrew Jarecki's amazing portrayal of a true story that follows the most notorious unsolved murder mystery in the history of Newyork. It is a love story of a sick individual named David Marks who is haunted by his inner demon and the supposed suicide of his mother. He finds refuge in a pretty girl named Katie and marries her. David's dark side tries to overcome him at various instances in the film and he finally gives in to it.

The movie is about a sick man's love for his wife pitted against his rage and inability to control himself. The film is exceptionally well-written and directed and Kirsten Dunst has given a classy performance showing that she can act and is not just a girl next door.

The cast overall has acted to the script with Gosling and Langella sharing the screen in some intense situations. The chemistry between Dunst and Gosling as Mr. and Mrs. Marks is awesome and although Dunst lacks some assets she really sizzles in some very well made romantic scenes.

All Good Things forces a critic to only utter good things about it. The best way to appreciate this well made film is to watch it and admire the acting! Two thumbs up!