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  • Foreign movie: Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain
  • Book vs movie: All the Bright Places
  • Last Thursday, I saw A Star is Born, the new movie directed by Bradley Cooper, starring himself and Lady Gaga. I was very much looking forward to this movie, so when two of my friends asked me if I wanted to come along with them to the cinema: YESYESYES!!!

    This movie is the fourth adaptation of the same story, the first one being in 1937. There’s been one version starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. In 1954 came another, starring Judy Garland and James Mason. The third one came out a while ago, in 1974 – that one started Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. The most recent adaption gains nothing but good reviews, so this might be the best adaption thus far.

    The story follows world musician Jackson Maine. One night, he meets Ally, a singer who is not yet discovered. He makes her famous, but while she gains fame, he is sent towards a downward spiral with his drinking and age getting in the way.

    The story is beautifully told. It shows two different sides of getting along with fame, one being successful and one being less successful over a longer period of time. I already knew that Bradley Cooper was an amazing actor – he’s come a long way from The Hangover. His directorial debut is a whole new level. It seems really hard to direct and star in a movie like this, yet he does it. I’m hoping he will direct more movies like this in the upcoming years, he’s got the talent. Not only the talent to direct and to act – also his singing. He was really dedicated to sing good in this movie and in my opinion, this came out great. He practiced his singing and guitar skills every day, for a year long. While he’s not a singer of profession, he’s really got the rockstar vibe.

    And Lady Gaga, what to say about her…? NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS! She absolutely sent shivers down my spine when she sang. I know she’s this really talented singer and she really proves this in this movie. While her acting experience isn’t that big, she’s really got it. Lady Gaga has proved she can sing and act. And she should win an Oscar for this movie. Or multiple.

    And I want to say a few words about the cinematography. There were some shots that were great. Like the one where Ally walks out of her work and the movie title appears. The scenes on stage were great too, only a singer, a few lights and a good close-up. Oh and the very first scene, where Ally is calling while in the bathroom. The entire bathroom is black and white, her clothes are black and white and you see the depth of the room with Ally in the middle.

    I intend not to cry in public, yet I cried in the cinema. The ending was heartbreaking, I liked their love and was proud of Jack being sober. My friend couldn’t stand the ending and kept saying ‘No, no, no, shitty movie’, but she’s probably never seen a movie without a good ending. This movie had to have this ending, if it wouldn’t end like this, it wouldn’t be this good of a movie I guess.

    My predictions: A Star is Born will be nominated for 6 Oscars. It will win three of them. Nominations are Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director. The winners are Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Original Score and Best Original Song. I should say I’m no expert.

    Verdict:

    9 out of 10 popcorns, exceptional! This movie deserves all the good reviews.

    Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born (2018)
    Jackson and Ally together on stage for the first time
    The shot in the start I talked about

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