What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

I know the answer to the question What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. It’s Arnie Grape! Portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Arnie Grape was the one that made people wouldn’t pause this movie in the first place. Young Leonardo DiCaprio (he was 18 back then) showed us that he was a real deal (and he still is). He succeeded big time portraying Arnie, an 18 year old boy with autism. He was enchanting. I even forget that Johnny Depp was the main character in this movie. Arnie really stole the spotlight, everybody just wanted to watch more Arnie’s scene than following the movie storyline. I remember Lesse Hallstrom didn't want to go with Leo in the first place because he was too good looking for a boy with autism. I'm glad he changed his decision! He deserved an Oscar nomination for his Arnie portrayal because he was amazing. Leo is the answer to River Phoenix’s replacement (sorry for comparing).

The story was fine, it was just about the slice of life of Gilbert Grape. We won’t focus on Gilbert, though because he was eaten by Arnie. Johnny Depp’s acting performance not really impressive like usual. Maybe it was because Gilbert’s characteristic was just an ordinary young man who struggled with his tough life. He was fine, though. But I love his chemistry with Arnie. You could really see his soft side when he dealt with Arnie. The chemistry between them was uncomfortable but so lovely, you know? You should just see it to feel that chemistry.

I’m gonna give this movie 4 out of 5!!! It’s all because of Leo’s performance that made me fall in love with him in the first place and kept watching this movie. He’s an impressive actor who deserves an Oscar. Well, let’s cross our fingers for him, okay? :)

And say hello to young Leo DiCaprio & young Johnny Depp!

I really love that photograph!

Stunning Jared Leto's Performance After A Long Hiatus

I’m catching up with the movies which has nominated for 2014 Academy Awards. One of the movies I’ve watched is Dallas Buyers Club. At first, I was a little bit surprised that Jared Leto was in this movie. I mean, didn’t he tell the media that he was retiring on acting and wanted to focus on his band, 30 seconds to mars. Apparently, he came back after a long hiatus with Dallas Buyers Club and damnit Jared, you still got the vibe. I’ve always been a big fan of him. His acting performance always enchant me, like in Requiem For A Dream or Mr. Nobody (my favorite) and in Dallas Buyers Club, he didn’t disappoint me at all.

He portrayed Rayon, a drag queen who had AIDS. Have you ever imagined Jared Leto wearing dresses and stockings tighter than mine? It was hilarious! He succesfully portrayed Rayon! I think this is his finest work. He didn’t look like Jared Leto at all. His voice and his gesture are very convincing. I probably wouldn’t notice it was Jared Leto if I hadn’t read the news. He really deserves the Golden Globe! And I really wish he would get the Oscar, though. He’s such a lucky bastard… after a long hiatus now he’s nominated for Oscar.

Other than the amazing performance of Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club had an interesting story about a hustler who tried to change the world and a very tough protagonist, Ron Woodroof portrayed by Matthew McConaughey. You could see the determination of the protagonist to move the plot. I won’t say that he was lovable, he was such a jerk. You kinda hate his character but you’d just love his guts. I mean the story based on Ron Woodroof’s effort when he tried to find the right medicine for people with HIV virus and Jean-Marc Vallee’s decision going for Matthew McConaughey was right. This movie’s strenght was the actors who portrayed those characters. The casting seemed right and you just can’t doubt that.

For the story, I had a moment when I paused it because it was too slow and too boring but I kept continue because I was curious how the protagonist would solve those problems that he had. I mean it’s fine if you wanted to watch what kind of movie that deserves to nominated for Oscar. I give this movie 3.5 out of 5, though! I was amazed by Jared & Matthew’s performances and I kinda like the story too. You should watch it if you had like 2 hours of free time.