Moofies for 2009

Hello once again, well, to complete our Moscars bonanza, we also voted for our 2009  viewing selection. There were some great nominations, many off which we all wanted to see. We have managed to keep quite a few, and we will also be adding a few new releases this year into the mix. Thank you Wendy for collating the votes. 

Here is our list for 2009, please note: blurbs have been quoted from various sources on the net. 

Happy Viewing!!

 

Date: Sat 7th March – please note, new date!

Good Night and Good Luck (2005)

Genre: Drama | History
Tagline: We will not walk in fear of one another.
Good Night, and Good Luck is a 2005 film directed by George Clooney and written by Clooney and Grant Heslov that portrays the conflict between veteran radio and television journalist Edward R. Murrow and U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, especially relating to the anti-Communist Senator’s actions with the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
It focuses on the theme of media responsibility, and also addresses what occurs when the media offer a voice of dissent against the government. The movie takes its title from the line with which Murrow routinely closed his broadcasts.
The film was nominated for six Academy Awards.

 

Frost/Nixon (2008)

Genre: Biography / Drama / History

Writer Peter Morgan’s legendary battle between Richard Nixon, the disgraced president with a legacy to save, and David Frost, a jet-setting television personality with a name to make, in the story of the historic encounter that changed both their lives. For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans (as well as a $600,000 fee). Likewise, Frost’s team harbored doubts about their boss’ ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted.

Date: Sat 18 Apr

Duck Soup (1933)

The “anarchic” anti-war (?) comedy DUCK SOUP (1933) starring the Marx Brothers and Margaret Dumont …
“Maybe you can suggest something. As a matter of fact, you do suggest something. To me you suggest a baboon.”
“I held him in my arms and kissed him.”
“Oh, I see, then it was murder. Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first.”
“I’m in a hurry! To the House of Representatives! Ride like fury! If you run out of gas, get ethyl. If Ethel runs out, get Mabel! Now step on it!”

 

Old Boy (2003)
Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean film directed by Park Chan-Wook.
Genre: Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller
Tagline: 15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance
The movie follows the story of Dae-Su who is locked in a hotel room for 15 years without knowing his captor’s motives. When he is finally released, Dae Su finds himself still trapped in a web of conspiracy and strangeness. His own quest for vengeance becomes tied in with romance when he falls for an attractive sushi chef.
The film won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and high praise from the President of the Jury, director Quentin Tarantino, who could not persuade the members of the jury to give it the Palme d’Or over Fahrenheit 9/11. Critically, the movie has been well received in the United States, with an 82% “Certified Fresh” rating at Rottentomatoes.com. Film critic Roger Ebert has claimed Oldboy to be a “…powerful film not because of what it depicts, but because of the depths of the human heart which it strips bare” [from Wikipedia]

*****

 

Date: Sat 27 Jun

“Citizen Cane” (1941) – Directed by Orson Welles

Is it the best film ever made, as it has so often been claimed? What will….bamp, bamp, bammmm….CLUB MOOFIE say????

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/

“Considered by many to be the best film ever made, this is the story of Charles Foster Kane. The film opens with a long shot of Xanadu – the private estate of one of the world’s richest men. In the middle of the estate is a castle. We see, inside the castle, a dying man examining a winter scene within a crystal ball. As he drops it, it smashes, and one word is heard – “Rosebud…” What follows are pieces of newsreel-like footage detailing how Kane amassed his fortune, and turning around full circle at the end.”

 

+ a current release (to be decided)

 

*****

 

Date: Sat 29 Aug

State and Main (2000)

Directed by David Mamet, starring : Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Rebecca Pigeon and various other luminaries

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120202

“Chaos ensues for a film production in a small Vermont town after the discovery of one of the town’s landmarks burned down years ago. A moralistic screenwriter may have to put his career ahead of his principles. An authoritative director and his fast talking producer struggle to keep the production together, while the leading actors have their own problems. The leading man has a penchant for young girls while the woman has a problem showing nudity on screen.”

 

In the Cut (2003)
Directed by Jane Campion. With Jennifer Jason Leigh, Meg Ryan
Following the gruesome murder of a young woman in her neighborhood, a self-determined woman living in New York City–as if to test the limits of her own safety–propels herself into an impossibly risky sexual
liaison. Soon she grows increasingly wary about the motives of every man with whom she has contact–and about her own.
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/09/183827.php

*****

 

Date: Sat 31 Oct

Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga
Director:Hector Babenco
Writers: Manuel Puig (novel), Leonard Schrader (writer)
Luis Molina and Valentin Arregui are cell mates in a South American prison. Luis, a homosexual, is found guilty of immoral behaviour and Valentin is a political prisoner. To escape reality Luis invents romantic movies, while Valentin tries to keep his mind on the situation he’s in. During the time they spend together, the two men come to understand and respect one another.
More: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089424/
Awards: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089424/awards

+ a current release (to be decided)

 

*****

 

Date: Sat 9 Jan

The City of Lost Children (1995)
Krank (Daniel Emilfork), who cannot dream, kidnaps young children to steal their dreams. One (Ron Perlman), a former whale hunter who is as strong as a horse, sets forth to search for Denree, his little brother who was kidnapped by Krank’s men. Helped by young Miette (Judith Vittet), he soon arrives in La Cite des Enfants Perdus (The City of Lost Children). A movie about dreams and nightmares that takes place in a world of dreams and nightmares.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112682/

Three Colours: Red (1996)

Genre: Drama

The final film of director Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colours Trilogy, this is one of few films I would give 5 out of 5.

Valentine is a young model living in Geneva. Because of a dog she ran over, she meets a retired judge who spies his neighbours’ phone calls, not for money but to feed his cynicism. The film is the story of relationships between some human beings, Valentine and the judge, but also other people who may not be aware of the relationship they have with Valentine and the old judge. Redemption, forgiveness and compassion.

 

 

S.B. 30.1.09

 

Club Moofie Quotes and Scores

Hello again folks, 

During our wonderful Club Moofie Moscars we also discussed the last two films viewed for 2008 – “Cache” and “Cinema Paradiso” – both provoking interesting and varied discussion, particularly “Cache”. 

Below are scores for  these films, as well as scores for “The Lives of Others” which was our first film for “Club Moofie”, nominated by Wendy J. I did forget to mention in my previous post that she accepted the Best Movie Award at the Oscars and is now in possession of the much coveted “Club Moofie Best Film” statuette, currently displayed under intense security in her bookcase at home. You too can be the next possesser of the golden statuette! Who knows who will nominate the 2009 Club Moofie Best Film!!!

Below are also some delightful quotes from the day, so please don’t forget to scroll down!

Scores are as follows:

“Cache” 

Andy – 3

Sylvia – 2

Beck – 2

Wendy – 3.5

Clint – 3

Barbara – 3.5

“Cinema Paradiso”

Andy – 2

Sylvia – 4

Beck -2

Wendy – 4

Clint – 4

Barbara – 4.5

“The Lives of Others”

Andy – 4

Sylvia – 5

Beck – 4

Wendy – 4.5

Clint – 5

Barbara – 4

 

Quotes Jan 2009, Club Moofie 2008 Moscars: 

“Rode the soppiness level close to the line” – on “Cinema Paradiso” ,  Clint J. 

“One of those films you see and feel like you’ve been hit in the head with a brick” – on “Cache”, Andy B.

“C’mon, put your hands up and down her back, grab her bum!!!” –  on the lack of passion in “Cinema Paradiso”, Beck G. 

“I loved her in “Amelie”! ”  – on Juliette Binoche, Beck G. 

 

Ahhh, Club Moofie Gold. 

See you all soon, S.B.

The 2008 Inaugural Moscar Awards!

Dear All, 

Well, what can I say? I personally think that our first awards ceremony was a raging success. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and by all accounts, you all did too. Thank you again to Barbara for a fantastic location and lunch, thank you to Wendy for organising all the awards – love the Kinder Surprises – and thanks to Beck for exemplary hosting.  And of course, thanks to everyone for  coming to Club Moofie and voting their little hearts out!!

 

Below are the results nominees and winners. Some surprises, some obvious winners!! Congratulations to all the winners!

 

1. Best Actor – Ulrich Muhe for “The Lives of Others” .

Other nominees included : Jake Gyllanhaal for “Donnie Darko”, the little boy in “Cinema Paradiso”, the little boy in “Children of Heaven”, Nikita Mikhalkov for “Burnt by the Sun”, Johny Depp for “Dead Man”. 

2. The “This Is Not a Bookclub” Award for Best Social Club – Wendy J. for “Club Moofie”!! Yay!!

3. Best Actress – Meryl Streep for “Sophie’s Choice”

Other nominees included: Bahare Seddiqi for “Chlidren of Heaven”, Martina Gedeck for “The Lives of Others”, Nadezhda Mikhalkova for”Burnt by the Sun”, Julie Delpy for “Before Sunset”, Maggie Gyllanhaal for “Donnie Darko”.

4. The “What Shall We Call It?” Award for Most Original Name for a Movie Club – Andrew B. for “Club Moofie” !! Yay again!!

5. Worst Actor – it’s a tie! : Peter MacNicol for “Sophie’s Choice” and Ethan Hawke for ” Before Sunrise”.

Other nominees included: Adam Goldbeg for “2 Days in Paris”, Swiss Guard in “J.S.A.”, Kevin Cline for “Sophie’s Choice”, Crispin Glover for “Dead Man”, Daniel Auteuil for “Cache”

6. The “Ethan Hawke” Award for the Actor/Actress You Would Rather Throw Off a Train Than Let Sully Your Person – Ethan Hawke for “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” , voted for by Beck G. and Barbara G., accepted by the creator of this category, Maree P. 

Other nominees included: Julie Delpy, Peter MacNicol, ,Patrick Swayze, Adam Goldberg

7. Worst Actress – Julie Delpy for “Before Sunset”, “Before Sunrise”, and “2 Days in Paris”

Other nominees included: Melanie Pianka in “Sophie’s Choice”, Juliette Binoche in “Cache”, Weong ae Lee for “J.S.A”.

8. The “Before Sunset” Award for the Actor/Actress You Would Most Likely Get of A Train For – Juliette Binoche, voted for by Andy B. and Clint J., accepted by Clint J.

Other nominees included: Marco Leonardi  and Jaques Perrin (“Cinema Paradiso”), Martin Donavan, Johny Depp.

9. Best Soundtrack – and it’s a tie again! – Neil Young and Co for “Dead Man” and Various Artists for ” Donnie Darko” 

Other nominees included: Ennio Morricone for “Cinema Paradiso”, Marvin Hamlisch for “Sophie’s Choice”

10.  The “Rebecca G.” Award for Best Club Moofie Snack  – Sylvia B. for Jelly Snakes!! Yay!!!

Other nominees included: backlava from Andy B., Greek pastries from Maree P., Beck G. for whatever makes its way to her top for later. 

11. Best Script/Dialogue – and another tie! – Hal Hartley for “Trust” and Richard Kelly for “Donnie Darko”

Other nominees included: Julie Delpy for “2 Days in Paris”, Seon san Jeong for “J.S.A”, Jim Jarmusch for “Dead Man”, Guiseppe Tornatore for “Cinema Paradiso”

12. The “Is That A Prosthetic Camel?” Award for Best Club Moofie Quote – Rebecca G. for: “I was thinking – was that a prosthetic camel? What, like they pushed it up it’s bottom and then pulled it out?” on “Weeping Camel” (I reckon the camel would definitely be weeping if the above were the case – Sylvia B.)

Other nominees included: “Whistler had a lot of power over Puppy man” and “I dreamt I was eaten by a motorbike” also by Beck G., 

“Yeah, Cutie made Doggy-Boy a mix tape!” and “There’s nothing wrong with man-instrument love! – Andy B. 

“What is the lead character’s name in “Sophie’s Choice?” – Maree P.

13. Best Cinematography – “Dead Man”

Other nominees included: “Cache”, “Lives of Others”, “Donnie Darko”, “Cinema Paradiso”, “J.S.A.” 

14. The “My, Isn’t It Lovely?” Award for Best Club Moofie Location  – Barbara G. for “Kilcare Weekender” – thanks Barbara!!

15. Worst Film – “Before Sunset”

Other  nominees included: “Dead Man”, “2 Days in Paris”, Sophie’s Choice”, “Before Sunrise”, “Weeping Camel”

16. The “Mike C.” Award for Attendance  – Mike C., who could not be with us. This award is accepted by Club Moofie. 

17. and…………….. DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLL: 

Best Film for 2008 – “The Lives Of Others”

Other nominees inlcuded: “Donnie Darko”, “Children of Heaven” , “Cinema Paradiso”, “2 Days in Paris”

Interestingly: The highest scoring film for the year was actually “Donnie Darko”, pipping “The Lives of Others” by just a few points, where as “The Lives of Others” was a clear winner in the Moscar voting.

Thanks to all!!! See you in March for the start of Club Moofie, 2009!!!