The Hundred Foot Journey (2014)

An Indian family seeked asylum in France, Europe after their restaurant got destroyed in Mumbai. The dad, Papa (Om Puri), found an empty abandoned building and decided to buy over that property to reopen his restaurant, calling it "Maison Mumbai". Their restaurant happened to be right opposite a Michelin-star restaurant, "Le Saule Pleureur", and Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), the owner, isn't too happy about it.

Both French and Indian parties were always at heads with each other. At the same time, the eldest Indian son Hassan (Manish Dayal), who has extraordinary culinary skills, grew feelings for Maguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), the apprentice of Madame Mallory.

Hassan decided, one day, to join the Le Saule Pleureur, but got hastily rejected by Madame Mallory. After a twist of events, Madame Mallory finally decided to try Hassan's omelette, the dish she uses to assess potential chefs, again and offered him a place in her kitchen. He quickly got famous after earning another Michelin star for the restaurant. He then got offered a job in Paris, which he gladly accepted. However, he realizes he missed his family and Maguerite so he came back for them.

I really liked this movie because it infuses two very contrasting cultures into one movie. It shows how these two cultures are so different, although perhaps stereotypical- the Indians are very family-people and they go for more heart-warming dining experiences. However, the French emphasize on class and classic dishes. Hence, with Hassan in the French kitchen, he was able to combine both Indian spices and classic French dishes.

The relationship between Indian and French was very tense and negative at the start, but subsequently, they were able to look past their differences and realize that the other party isn't that "bad" afterall. Which, was really nice because it does not only show the changes in cuisine, but also relationships between people.

I really enjoyed this movie! And I love the place they filmed it too.

The One I Love (2014)

This movie scared me a bit at the start with that opening and creepy music and all. So I kinda spoilt the story for myself by reading the whole plot. But I still thought the movie was not bad. Except maybe I wouldn't have already expected some parts haha.

Butttt this psychological thriller kinda gets to you (but it's not scary! thankfully) cos this couple, Ethan (Mark Duplass) and Sophie (Elisabeth Moss) went to seek help because their marriage needed help (haha). They were told to take a weekend retreat. The couple then slowly starts to realize strange things happening (nope, not scary, don't worry). The couple each met separately a doppleganger of their partners.

After several encounters, Sophie realizes she loves the "fake" Ethan more than the real Ethan. Ethan of course gets suspicious and tries to figure things out, to prevent losing Sophie to the "fake" him. One day, the couple met both their dopplegangers in one sitting. Things started to get intense as both Ethans are in love with Sophie. The "fake" Sophie then tells Ethan how this whole thing works, i.e, the couple must fall out of love so that the "trapped" couple can leave together, and tells Ethan that she loves the "fake" Ethan too much that she rather be trapped in there together with him.

They worked out a plan, for Ethan to tell Sophie to leave with him. "Fake" Ethan too tells Sophie he loves her and wants her to be with him. Sophie did not reply. "Fake" Ethan then attempts to run away, to leave. But is stopped by this force that knocked him unconscious. One of the Sophies was distressed while the other smiled at Ethan. Ethan left with the Sophie that smiled at him, sure that that was Sophie.

Ethan and Sophie shared a great morning and Sophie decided to make breakfast. Bacon and eggs. Ethan was petrified. After some time, he said he'd join her for breakfast.
**the real Sophie hates bacon.

worth a watch? yup
second watch? yea! so that things would be clearer (sometimes you miss out details during the first watch)

If I Stay (2014)

First of all, Chloë Grace Moretz is so so so pretty!!

The story is perceived from a dying Mia (Chloë Grace Moretz) from a car accident. Her spirit(??) followed her to the hospital, where she learnt that her parents had died and her brother was in intensive care, who subsequently didn't make it as well. The cello prodigy was prepared to cross over to the other side, to stop fighting for her survival, when the love of her life, Adam (Jamie Blackley), played her the song he wrote for her.

Adam was "the guy" in school, everyone had the hots for him. He noticed Mia one day when she was playing the Cello and got attracted to her. From then, the two started going out and developed feelings for each other. However, with all happy stories come tough times. Mia and Adam broke up. The next thing they knew, Mia was unconscious in the hospital. Blablabla, it was apparent Adam was still so in love with Mia.

The movie unravels in such a way that it goes from present to flashbacks to present to flashbacks. Which is pretty cool, cos you see different perspectives in different timelines and that kind of adds on to the.... I don't know what you call it, depth(??) of the story? Rather than just plainly playing it out in chronological order.

This movie is based on the novel of the same name. I can only imagine how the novel will make me cry.

Worth a watch? Yes!
Worth a second watch? I probably would!

The Words (2012)

This movie has got a pretty interesting story line, like an "inception" thing. One writer writes about another writer and that writer that writes about that writer is actually him. (lol I know right). But it's too... shallow. It'll be better if the story was developed better or the film made longer, or heck, it could even be a mini drama. It was a pity it was just too "shallow" and "rushed". 

I thought the actors were quite promising, with Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper and Oliver Wilde, but it didn't turn up as good as I thought it would. Such a pity! The story could have had so much potential.

The ending was pretty abrupt too. And the ending I watched differed from the one on Wikipedia? So I'm confused. But yes, the ending could have wrapped up the story nicely too. Such a pity, again.

Worth a watch? Yep.

Second watch? Maybe not. 

Love, Rosie (2014)

I actually like this movie! It's a pretty "fast" movie in the sense the timeline moves very fast. Years zoom by. BUTTTTT, what two people have between them are at a standstill. Which is what touches people.

Alex (Sam Claflin) and Rosie (Lily Collins) grew up together and have been best friends since. The drama all started when Rosie rejected THE "hot" guy's date for prom cos she thought Alex would ask her out. But Alex thought she was going with that guy so he asked another girl for prom.

Then Rosie got pregnant on prom night after the condom got lost in her (wtf?). Alex left England for America shortly after. Then blablabla. A lot of things just happened in between. But finally the duo realized the only people who understood them and who could share happiness with them were each other.

Oh oh and I must add, Lily Collins is so pretty! My eyes were glued to her

Begin Again

Love this movie so much. The way the film unravels is unusual and it actually sets the tone and provides background for the film.

Keira Knightley is of course amazing, as well as Mark Ruffalo. Several moments during the film I was like "no no no don't kiss" cos it'll just be weird if they do. And phew they didn't *applause*

The song recording was really fun to watch because it was done outdoors, in the city. It does give a pretty fresh vibe compared to standard studio recordings.

The break up though.. one part seemed all too familiar. And when Adam Levine sang "lost stars" at the end, I just broke down. That happened to be the song I listened too much back then. But ah, Adam Levine's first film. He did good I guess.

Worth a second watch? I'd say yes.