Thursday, October 23, 2014

Begin Again (2013)

Director: John Carney. Cast: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, Mos Def, Catherine Keener. 104 min. Rated R. Drama/Musical.

I guess if I hadn't already known this was from the writer/director of the beautiful film Once, I would've enjoyed it more. But this is the New York City version of Once, without that film's sense of mystery rooted in the couple's Irish/Czech cultural differences. Carney tries to fill that gap by adding charming locales of that most wonderful of all cities to the background of his songs (sung by Knightley!) and benefitting from Adam Levine's star power - but still, I couldn't help but remember this is a rehash of his 2006 movie.

Mo says:

8 comments:

  1. I just saw this at the Busan Film Festival (a year late?). The funny thing was that the soundtrack was played ubiquitously everywhere we went in Korea. It drove me nuts...as if we don't get enough Adam Levine right here at home!

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    1. I use IMDb film dates, which I assume are the dates the film was first released internationally (2013 in this case). and not necessarily the dates they're released in the US (2014). If you enjoyed this film even slightly, then you must see "Once" - and you'll love that film's soundtrack even more.

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  2. I had no clue the director of both movies is the same! but right after it began I said Come on! this is "Once"!
    but more delighted moment was when I saw that John Carney joined to the leauge of us : me , Bahman Farman Ara, Roger Ebert ,Barak Obama,Woody Alan
    :-D
    http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2014/06/director-john-carney-on-the-casablanca-moment-in-begin-again/373546/

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    1. Barak Obama also?! Wow, I must have gone wrong somewhere ...

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  3. Posted: May 16, 2009

    What is President Barack Obama’s favorite movie? Katie Couric asked Barack Obama on Sept. 23, 2008, what his favorite movie is.

    Barack Obama: “Oh, I think it would have to be ‘The Godfather.’ One and two. Three not so much. So- so- but that — that saga I love that movie.”

    Katie Couric: “Do you have a favorite scene?”

    Barack Obama: “Love — love those movies. I — you know — so many of them. I think my favorite has to be — you know, the opening scene of the first ‘Godfather’ where, you know, the opening scene of the first ‘Godfather,’ where the caretaker comes in and, you know, Marlon Brando is sitting there and he’s saying “you disrespected me. You know and now you want a favor.” You know it sets the tone for the whole movie. Now there—”

    Katie Couric: “And all hell breaks loose, right?”

    Barack Obama: “Yeah, right. I mean there’s this combination of old world gentility and you know, ritual with this savagery underneath. It’s all about family. So it’s a great movie. “Lawrence of Arabia.” Great film. One of my favorites — and then “Casablanca.” who doesn't like “Casablanca?”

    Katie Couric: “I asked for one.”

    Barack Obama: “I’m a movie guy. I can rattle off a bunch of movies. But that “Casablanca,” you know.”

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    1. "Who doesn't like “Casablanca?”

      Wow ... he's really rubbing it in ...

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    2. No worries !Better late than never.
      Join the club today !
      ;))

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