Me & 3 Music Movies

I’ve seen a couple of music movies lately. No, not musicals, but movies where music is the theme. In many different forms too. Here are the three movies I watched.

A Late Quartet

Genre: Drama

Year: 2012

Director: Yaron Zilberman

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Christopher Walken, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots, Wallace Shawn

Description: Members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust.

Opinion: A fantastic drama featuring some of the greatest actors of Hollywood. Surprisingly good movie!

Favorite character: Peter Mitchell (Christopher Walken)

Most memorable quote: “You treat him like a doormat and he's going to start to wonder what's outside the door”. – Alexandra Gelbart -

Best scene: The last concert that the famous quartet plays together.

Begin Again

Genre: Drama/ Comedy

Year: 2013

Director: John Carney

Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Catherine Keener, James Corden, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, Mos Def, CeeLo Green

Description: A chance encounter between disgraced music-business executive Dan (Mark Ruffalo) and young singer-songwriter Greta (Keira Knightley) turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.

Opinion: A great feel-good movie for music lovers, a film that puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Favorite character: Dan (Mark Ruffalo)

Most memorable quote: “You know, I wasn't trying to win you over. I was telling you to fuck off.” – Greta -

Best scene: Dan and Greta walk the streets of New York and share headphones to listen to music together.

Pitch Perfect

Genre: Comedy/ Romance

Year: 2012

Director: Jason Moore

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Camp

Description: Beca (Anna Kendrick), a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

Opinion: If you like the TV-show “Glee”, you’re gonna love this one. If you don’t, skip it.

Favorite character: Beca

Most memorable quote: “You guys are gonna get pitch-slapped so hard, your man boobs are gonna concave.” – Fat Amy -

Best scene: The moment where Beca starts singing “Don’t you (forget about me)” by the Simple Minds.

Favorite of the 3: “Begin Again”

Top 5 Thursday: Movies I Watched for My Challenge (October 2014)

I’m still waiting for another five star movie, but again this month none are present. Some came close and those were the best of the month. Here are my five favourites of October.

5. Withnail and I
I enjoyed it because of the sharp humor, only the British know how to do that well. Not a very spectacular film, but so good on so many levels.

4. Vertigo
This was the third Hitchcock movie I viewed for my challenge. I just love James Stewart.

3. A Late Quartet
This was an excellent movie with fantastic performances. I didn’t hear much about this film before I saw it, and that’s a shame. Because it’s really good. Especially Christopher Walken.

2. Gone Girl
Highly anticipated and for a reason. It’s a great film, well made by David Fincher. Actress Rosamund Pike was the best feature, she blew my mind.

1. Seven Psychopaths
When I saw this was directed by the guy who also made “In Bruges”, I was already sold. Not as good, but again amazing. And really funny in a dark, sinister way.

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Bay, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, The Pirates! Band of Misfits

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 123: A Late Quartet

Director: Yaron Zilberman
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Mark Ivanir, Imogen Poots, Wallace Shawn

Description: Members of a world-renowned string quartet struggle to stay together in the face of death, competing egos and insuppressible lust.

Review: “A Late Quartet” centers around the Fugue string quartet, that travels the world successfully for already 25 years. Daniel Lerner plays the first violin, Robert Gelbart plays the second violin, Roberts wife Juliette plays the viola and Peter Mitchell the cello. Peter took a step back after his wife passing. At the start of their rehearsal Peter feels how much effort he has to put in. After visiting the doctor, its determined that he is in the early stage of Parkinson decease. Peter’s illness changes a lot in the group.
A special dynamic is unleashed. Hidden emotions, suppressed ambitions and secrets. Robert has always adapted to the quartet, but wants to play the first violin now. Juliette doesn’t back him up and a break between her and Robert is in sight. Peter is already looking for a replacement and Daniel also shows some weaknesses. Egos collide.
“A Late Quartet” has been shot in New York and the camera has made some magical and atmospheric shots that show New York at its best.
The cast is fantastic. Philip Seymour and Catherine Keener show us amazing skills and convince as the struggling couple. Mark Ivanir is solid, but it’s Christopher Walken that is brilliant. He really touched me, just with a single look. And that last scene with him and the rest of the quartet really gave me the chills.
It takes you some time to get into “A Late Quartet”, but the dialogues are strong and the characters are deep and interesting. Sober, introvert and convincing. A movie that probably will be overlooked, which is a shame. It’s a great movie.

Rating: 4/ 5