2 blueberry nights in paris

It has been almost a month since I've came back home and so appropriately, watched two movies at the closing week of the year. On rare occasions I crave for romantic comedies but i enjoyed every single minute of 2 Days in Paris where Julie Delpy wrote, directed, edited and even composed the music for the film.Definitely in the league of Linklater's Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Adam Goldberg's performance is just as, if not more, endearing than Ethan Hawke's.Though comical most of the time, I actually teared during the couple's last confessional scene. Chop! Stamp! Best of the year.

Wong Kar Wai can do no wrong. Well almost. My Blueberry Nights is reminiscent of Chungking Express, in every way. The WKW style and narrative formula about 'break-ups' and serendipity is timeless but does feel awkward in the American context.I thought Norah Jones was pleasant in her role, luminous in some moments and held her own fairly well, along with the rest of the considerably, established cast. One can imagine Jude Law emulating Tony Leung, Rachel Weisz of Maggie Cheung and Natalie Portman of Carina Lau. Perhaps WKW wrote and directed with them in mind? David Strathairn was forgettable.Cat 'Chan Marshall' Power's short performance was surprisingly cool and poised. "The Greatest" is probably, a poignant track, rather than an effective theme to play over and over (although i truly, love the song) Nonetheless the film is really beautiful, especially its final scene and the blueberry pies, oh so tantalizing.

As for music? I missed out too much this year but Architecture in Helsinki is probably the best accidental discovery i have ever heard. And now I'm a fan. Think the Archies meet Sufjan Stevens and The Magnetic Fields, maybe a little Scissor Sisters. Hmm. Neurotic but fun.