Review: The Last Station

It seems like an eternity since I've reviewed a movie here on Magic Lantern. For that matter, it really has been an eternity since I've reviewed anything at all. I suppose a mixture of loneliness and a holiday mindset has let to a disinterest in thinking critically about anything I read or watch. That and the fact that I miss my laptop dreadfully. It's simply not inviting to sit on this cold, hard chair in the living room in front of this imposing, oversized iMac Steve insisted on getting for any longer than I absolutely have to.

But I digress. So, The Last Station. The film tells of the final years of iconic writer Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer), and his struggle to balance his considerable wealth and fame with his commitment to live a life free of material things. His wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) is resentful of her husband's cult following and fears that he will sign away all the rights to his works. A young Tolstoyian named Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy) is hired on as Tolstoy's secretary, and soon wins the trust of both the writer and his wife; inevitably, Bulgakov's loyalty is torn between them, as he attempts to come to terms with exactly what he believes philosophically speaking.

I understand the protagonist of The Last Station is meant to be Bulgakov, but this movie is really all about Plummer and Mirren. As soon as I caught a hint of the amazing chemistry between these two actors on the Oscar red carpet earlier this month, I was expecting something truly amazing from this movie. The two definitely capture the larger than life essence I imagine Tolstoy and Sofya would have possessed. The stormy passion between them is irresistible, and completely makes this movie.

I suppose that begs the question: does the film then fall short of what it was intending to do (i.e. portray a young man's coming of age, so to speak)? 

I really don't think so. McAvoy was also excellent in this movie, and somehow I don't think it would have have felt right if Plummer and Mirren had been more peripheral. It's kind of a different way of presenting a story, but it works as far as I'm concerned.

The time has come

It was released on March 23rd.  Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

Friday is finally here, and my love is currently on a bus bound for K-town. I'm looking forward to a full-out Mad Men marathon. It's so nice when we find a show neither of us can get enough of. That said, I think this may be the first one (other than - ahem - a certain shoe-studded HBO dramedy we pretend he doesn't like).

I did it!

My darlings, I accomplished an amazing feat this evening and I just had to rush over to the computer to tell you all about it!!!

For the first time in the month and a half I've been living on my own, I, Hollie, used the stove to cook myself a real supper. That's right. No more cereal for dinner, no more smoothies, hummus and pita, take out sushi...at least for tonight. I saw this recipe for pasta with braised kale at shutterbean a couple weeks ago, and my mouth had been watering ever since. The photo is also from there - I still get too stressed out when cooking to document the process - but mine looked just like that, I promise! 

Anyway, this pasta is SO GOOD!!! Who knew kale could be so tasty!! In an attempt to be healthy following a week of perpetual indulgence, I decided to substitute real parmesan for the vegan version - honestly, there's not really a huge difference between that and the regular Kraft kind. 

I highly recommend that you try this recipe yourself - you won't regret it! 

To get away from it all...

Well, I'm back. Jamaica was amazing. Every single day was 28 degrees and sunny, and the wedding was absolutely beautiful. I really wasn't ready to come back, but alas dragged myself kicking and screaming onto the plane to return to my lonely life in the land of ice and snow. (I'm told the weather was beautiful here last week, but it was snowing when I woke up this morning and it totally ruined my day).

This was my first experience at an all inclusive Caribbean resort, and I must say I've never felt more relaxed in my life. I gather that the main purpose of these places is to promote relaxation, and wow, did our resort (Sandals Whitehouse) ever succeed at that! It's amazing how easy it is to forget all about your problems when your days consist of lying on the beach reading, water skiing, sailing, etc while surrounded by dozens of open bars and restaurants you can saunter in and out of without paying. 

The poverty found just outside the resort was more than a little troublesome. The juxtaposition seemed almost too perfect in its ability to point out the differences between my life and those of the rural Jamaicans. I'm always going on (half jokingly) about being poor, but really I have no idea what I'm talking about. I am glad, however, that I had a chance to briefly experience that side of Jamaica. It's good to understand the big picture, I think, even if it is your vacation.

The best part of the trip for me: Getting to spend a full week with my dear husband. We have been married almost four years and together for eight. It's hard not seeing him every day.

I took a lot of pictures on the trip, wedding and otherwise. Here are some highlights.

Oscars!

Well, it's all said and done for another year. I say, hooray for Kathryn Bigelow for being the first woman to win best director!  I probably still won't see this movie - and still say the honour should have been bestowed upon Sophia Coppola years ago - but hey, good on her.

I also very much enjoyed Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-hosting the show, although I would have liked to have seen more of them.

For the most part, I liked what I saw on the red carpet this year. Here are some of my favourites.

1) If I could look like anyone in the world, I think I'd have to say Penelope Cruz. She always looks gorgeous, especially in this absolutely stunning gown.

2) Anna Kendrick's gown looks like something I might pick out if ever make it to the Oscars. I love the pale pink colour and the almost Grecian shape of it. The shoes complement it perfectly, too.

3) Another hit. Rachel McAdams is pretty in that refreshing sort of way, which makes this gown perfect for her. 

4) I'm so jealous of women who can wear sparkly gold. I think you almost have to be naturally blonde (see Sandra Bullock's gown - beautiful, but in my opinion didn't really do anything for her personally). Cameron, on the other hand, looks fabulous.

5) Did you see these two on the red carpet together? SO cute!!! They look like they should be an item. Helen Mirren is so beautiful, and I love this gown on her.

OK, here's the exception. SJP, what were you thinking???!!! At least do something half decent with your hair. Not good. Really, not good. Matthew's face says it all.

On another note...

The Oscars are this Sunday...my favourite night of the year :)

I'm really not sure how I feel about the idea of ten best picture nominations. It's a lot to take in and some of them are a little questionable. To be honest, I thought it was a rather weak year for movies in general, which makes the ten nominations seem even more strange. Anyway, here's my take on them. (This is in no way a prediction of what I think actually will win, by the way).

1) Avatar - Haven't seen it, and don't really have any intention to. Steve saw it - said he liked it but it didn't blow him away or anything.

2) The Blind Side - Again, haven't seen it, and have absolutely no desire to.

3) District 9 - As those of you who read my review know, I LOVED this movie! I was so happy to see it was nominated. What a cool, original idea!!

4) An Education - One of those films I've been dying to see for a long time. And the crazy thing is, it's actually in Kingston now! All I lack is someone who will go see it with me. (Anyone up for it?)

5) The Hurt Locker - I'm sure it's really well done and all. I just don't like war movies.

6) Inglourious Basterds - Except this one. Tarantino is such a genius! (Oh and for once that's not my spelling error...it's the actual title of the movie).

7) Precious - Haven't seen it - kind of want to, looks interesting.

8) A Serious Man - Another movie I'd love to see, if it were accessible here in Kingston.

9) Up - This should win!  Unfortunately I don't think I ever got a chance to review it here, but Up is far and away the best movie of the year in my opinion. I know it's supposed to be for kids, but it literally had me bawling my eyes out at certain parts. I never thought so much emotion could come from something animated!

10) Up in the Air - A good movie, but probably doesn't deserve to win. George is fantastic, but there just seemed to be something missing in it.

Well, there's my two cents...

One Week and One Day!

I can't believe the wedding/Jamaica trip is almost here! I had all these marvelous intentions...you know, lose 5 lbs, tone lower half, learn how to do hair up nicely for wedding, etc...but of course they're all out the window at this point.

I did have my first tan ever today, though, and am on a week long "tanning program" which I'm hoping will prevent me from lobstering the second I hit the beach. Yes I have many times in the past expressed my disapproval of tanning machines. Yes I am aware that this makes me a shameless hypocrite. I'm sorry. Vanity trumps all in this case.

It's in sight. At last.

It's 11:38 and I have miles to go before I sleep. But I couldn't let March 1st pass by without a post. March 1 is one of my favourite days of the year because even though the weather is still yucky, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And it's the longest possible amount of time before the dark, January/February hell on earth begins again. Hooray for March!