More Enjoyable Movies!

As promised, I would like to recommend two more movies I think can be worth watching for both the entertainment aspect and the weight of their message. I usually enjoy movies that are deep and thought provoking, those that leave you feeling really good during and after having watched it. One such movie is "Tracks".

This is a movie about taking a journey that is travelled off the beaten path and one that is both the means and the end. A young Australian woman in her 20's, Robyn, astonishes her family and everyone around her when she tells them she wants to travel across the Australian desert all 1,700 miles. It is the true story of Robyn Davidson who later wrote a book on her experience. Many people caution her against taking the trip and her friends offer to take the trip with her but she refuses to listen to anyone and she tells her friends that this is a trip she wants to make alone. It all takes place in the 1970's era and is well documented since for financial purposes, Davidson gives National Geographic the rights to chronicle her journey. Her preparation for the journey is laborious and fraught with obstacles.  She encounters many perils and hardships on her journey that caused her to make the statement "I experienced that sinking feeling you get when you know you have conned yourself into doing something difficult and there's no going back."  Her encounter, however, with one of National Geographic's photographers, Rick Smolan, make for a very interesting twist. She is very much against his presence at first but soon through his persistence learns to adapt and then eventually warm up to him.

Although I don't agree with all Davidson's ideals and principles in the movie, I find myself admiring her courage and her determination. Her desire for solitude and privacy are also things that resonate with me to a large degree. Tracks was filmed and in 2013 and directed (not surprisingly) once again by John Curran of "The Painted Veil", and written by Marion Nelson. I love movies with great cinematography, those that offer the scenery as an important character in the film and this one definitely delivers that.

The film stars actors Mia Wasikowska as the daring Robyn Davidson and Adam Driver as her curious and facinated photographer, Rick Smolan. View the trailer below to see if this is a movie you can enjoy. You can also see reviews for the movie by clicking here and here.

My second movie is definitely one that both men and women will appreciate. "Defiance"is a movie
about a story set in the time of world war II. It can easily fall into the war movie category but it is so much more than this. It is the true story of Jewish brothers, Tuvia, Zus, and Asael Bielski who endeavor to survive a German invasion into their homeland - Russia. They do so by escaping into the Belarussian forests where they are under the constant risks and threats of starvation, exposure to the elements and being caught by the German army. The most amazing part of this movie is that they not only seek to preserve their own lives but the lives of many others when as time passes, more and more Russian Jews seeking shelter and protection, join their band of refugees. As their following grows, they build a small community in the forests and against all odds put up a huge fight for survival.

I liked this movie because the name "Defiance" so aptly describes what the movie is all about. This was a story of real Jews who would have been immediately and brutally exterminated if it weren't for the survival skills of the brothers and the collaborative spirit of the entire community. Whether they survive to the end of the movie is for you to find out but if you like the "against all odds" theme, then this is a movie you'll want to see. There is also some friction between the brothers and bits and pieces of romantic scenes for a bit of a twist to the general direction of the survival/defiance theme.

Daniel Craig as Tuvia Bielski in "Defiance"

The movie aired in 2008 and was directed by Edward Zwick and written by Clayton Frohman. It stars Daniel Craig as Tuvia, Liev Schreiber as Zus and Jamie Bell as Asael. A review of the movie can be seen by clicking here. Watch the trailer and let me know in the comments section whether you think both these movies are something to enjoy or not.

On a Lighter More Enjoyable Note ...

For quite a few blogposts my topics have been sought of hard hitting. Like a hammer I seek to nail my convictions down. Topics like, The "Dear White People" movie discussion, "How Men Treat Women in Sweet TnT", (Trinidadian men I love you) "Interracial Relationships part 1"which is more heavy than hard hitting since it's a topic that tends to strike a painful nerve with some (as the topic of race usually does) and then there's my latest - "Don't Scrutinize the Girl by the Cover" where I strike quite a few punches in my passionate quest to save those out there who are drowning due to crass and indifferent mindsets. Please don't hold it against me.

In my attempts to make up for all the dished out blows, I'd like to let you know that my next few posts will be of a lighter, more enjoyable tone. MOVIES! YES MOVIES! Definitely a subject most can say they enjoy. In every other blogposts for the next two posts after this one I'll be addressing one or two movies per post, highlighting why I think it's a must see or at least a try-it-you-might-like-it-more-than-you-ever-expected-to type movie. Mind you the movies I am about to highlight may not be those you've ever heard of and you may even find yourself asking WTH??? But bare with me and take time to at least find out both the entertainment aspect and the message it offers.

So without further ado, this week
the movie I'd like to highlight and
recommend is - "The Painted

Veil".  If you like unpredictable, endearing dramas with a storyline that will haunt you for days on end, then "The Painted Veil" is the movie for you. If you've seen it already then you can agree with me that this movie is worth your time and gives you something to think about. It is as entertaining and bewitching as it is enlightening.  The name of the movie gives nothing away since the ambiguous title leaves one scratching their head and uttering, 'Huh! What does a painted veil have to do with anything?' So as not to bore you with details I will leave it up to you to do the research on the movie title (believe you me, you will want to know).

The film aired in movie theaters in the year 2006 and stars Edward Norton and Naomi Watts alongside a memorable cast of characters. Originally a novel of the same name written by W. Somerset Maugham, the movie screenplay was written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by John Curran. It is set in the 1920's era and begins with the story of Kitty, a rich, beautiful yet spoiled and selfish young woman who lives her life wildly and precariously without thought for her reputation as a lady yet to be married. When her parents have had enough they set the stage for her engagement to a well to do but rather dull bacteriologist and MD by the name of Walter Fane. Unhappy with the match but for her own selfish reasons Kitty reluctantly accepts his proposal of marriage. Walter's new job takes them away to Hong Kong shortly after they are married.

Naomi Watts in "The Painted Veil" as "Kitty"

There, Kitty's boredom coupled with her spoilt and selfish character puts her in a position she considers as her worst nightmare and soon she is heading off into one of China's most remote villages where there is a cholera outbreak. Walter is with her but already heartbroken and bitterly disappointed by what he has come to learn of her they head into this harsh and unknown territory as if they are strangers rather than a newlywed couple and together they learn hard lessons that will change them both, for life. Visually the movie is stunning with incredible scenes from China's untouched forrest lands. The soundtrack was also very fitting with its beautiful yet haunting theme.

If you still have your doubts after reading this and watching the trailer you can check out reviews here, here, here and here. I promise you, once you see it, you won't regret it! Click here to see the movie and let me know what you think in the comments below.