Well, hello there, kind folks. If you’re visiting this blog of mine, I presume that you have a certain interest in the cinema. As for me, even since my early childhood, I have had a deep love of everything related to movies and television. As far as I can remember, I have been more at ease in front of a screen than in the yard, outside, playing. It is a great way to travel, though other people’s stories, without having to foot any kind of steep bill. Over the years, I feel that movie-watching has even fuelled my own creativity.

All that being said, I welcome you in my Cinephile’s Nest. I hope you enjoy it here, feel free to come back at any time. Here you will find reviews of current movies and older ones. TV shows also. Some classics that have remained some of my favourites, some that have disappointed me. I will use a very basic star (*) system to grade them from 1 to 5 (5 being sliced bread level). Remember, these are just my tastes. I will try to explain in each review what I liked about these particular movies, without giving spoilers.

Il y aura aussi des critiques en français pour les films francophones, car j'aime également le cinéma dans ma langue maternelle. Avant d'apprendre l'anglais, plus jeune, je louais des tonnes de films traduits en français, surtout ceux de Bud Spencer et Terrence Hill. Ma mère a eu le choc de sa vie lorsqu'un jour, dans la boîte d'un de ces films, Deep Throat avait malencontreusement inséré. Une expérience formatrice pour le jeune cinéphile que je suis.

Bienvenue à tous, amusez-vous bien.

I welcome you all here, enjoy yourself.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

To Die For (1995)

Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Dillon
Running time: 106 minutes



Suzanne Stone is a driven and ambitious woman who sets her sight on the goal of becoming a news anchor. She marries Larry Maretto, hoping that his family business will bring in the money and keep him busy while she pursues her dream. When Larry is found dead, his wife is soon suspected of being involved in the murder.

Based on the novel of the same name written by Joyce Maynard, this film starts after the murder. All the way through, we go back and forth in the timeline. Every character, except of course the dead husband, tells his or her side of the story in a faux-documentary style, looking right in the camera while being interviewed by an invisible person. We get to see the story from the beginning to the end of the relationship between Suzanne and Larry. Then, the aftermath.

Nicole Kidman is absolutely fantastic in the main role. She was so believable as the manipulative and driven vixen; I have rarely seen her that good in a movie. Joaquin Phoenix was also very good in his role. It took me a little while to get in this film, since it started kind of slow, but I was finally pulled in for the ride and really enjoyed it.

Fans of simple story told in a linear fashion will not like this particular film, but it is well worth the time for the open-minded people. The movements back and forth within the story were done in seamless fashion; another solid directing job by Gus Van Sant. Fantastic black comedy.
Rating: ««««
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