100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 21 Day 21
John Carpenter's Cigarette Burns
I'm mixing things up a bit. I love finding movies that no one has ever heard of. It's my hope that all my readers will hop on Amazon and rent them immediately after reading. I know that's not the case but it's fun to pretend. Side topic, thank you to all my loyal readers. It means so much to me to see the little counter go up with views. Sometimes I write and wonder if anyone else is reading. It's a wonderful feeling to come back and see people are enjoying the little movie reviews. Any who, let's crack on with Cigarette Burns.
I found this little gem when I went on a Norman Reedus kick last winter. It was part of a series called Masters of Horror. This is one of the short films that came out of that show and it's creepy!!! Norman Reedus stars as Kirby, a recovered heroin addict who owns and lives a movie theater. (Owning and living in a vintage movie theater is my dream!) Kirby paid for the theater with a loan by his deceased girlfriend's father. He hates Kirby and wants his money back. Kirby takes side jobs finding rare movies for rich people. (Another dream of mine!)
Kirby is hired by this eccentric millionaire Bellinger, played by Udo Kier. Bellinger wants a film called La Fin Absolue du Monde, an urban legend film. At the premiere of La Fin Absolue du Monde, the entire audience became violent and killed each other. Everyone claimed the movie made them do it and the film, the only copy, was destroyed. Bellinger believes the film is still out there and wants Kirby to find it.
Ok slight spoilers ahead because it's too good!! Bellinger's source of the film's survival is an angel he has chained up in his mansion. The angel tells Kirby the film still exists because he is stuck on earth. It's a total WTF moment and it's in the first 15 minutes! What the heck is on this movie?!?!? Kirby becomes obsessed with finding it. The closer he gets to the film, the more his demons start to appear.
What are Cigarette Burns? For those of you not in the film industry, Cigarette Burns are in 35 MM film reels. They were put in the corner of the film to let the reel operator know when to change the reels. In this film, Kirby starts to see Cigarette Burns in real life. The closer he gets to finding the film, the more he starts to see things. He sees ghost of his past.
Why this film? I love the idea of movies having power over people. I love to think that films can leave a lasting impression. Cigarette Burns poses the question what if a film is evil, pure evil. Will the darkness follow you? What if a movie is demonic and you open up a darkness inside of yourself? Gives you chills doesn't it?!
If you are in the mood for something twisted but brilliant, check out this film. I promise, it will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
War On Everyone
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 20 Day 20
War On Everyone
I do enjoy a great dark comedy. They can be a bit twisted but I'm always up for a good laugh. As an added bonus you get to see Alexander Skarsgard dance to Rhinestone Cowboy. What's not to love?!
War on Everyone is written and directed by John Michael McDonagh and he is not afraid to cross the line on dark humor. The premise of War On Everyone is Terry (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bob (Michael Pena) are two corrupt cops looking for their next big score. They are not afraid to commit a crime to get it. Even if they must bribe, beat, steal or sleep with someone to get it. To them it's just another Tuesday.
The big score is a million dollar hit from a British Lord (Theo James) and his stripper club manager Russell (Caleb Landry Jones). The Lord is a twisted man who has no problem killing anyone who gets in his way. Terry and Bob see him as just another guy to rip off. Let's just say there is a ton of drama along the way. Bob and Terry see Russell as a stain upon their town and have no problem kicking the crap out of him.
War On Everyone is so freaking funny! I laughed so hard. The back and forth dialogue between characters is so wonderfully written. Bob and Terry are not afraid to have real conversations, no matter how taboo the topic. It's a great dark buddy comedy and Skarsgard and Pena have magical chemistry. I really hope they make more movies together.
Alexander Skarsgard takes his character Terry to the dark place. Terry has clearly been traumatized in the past and he uses alcohol to cope. We don't know exactly what happened to him but we assume it was child abuse and molestation. This explains why he is so unhinged and unafraid to kick the crap out of someone. He's twisted but he pulls it off so well.
Everyone should see War on Everyone. Well unless you are easily offended but crass humor. Don't be such a party pooper. Let your hair down and laugh your face off!
Movie 20 Day 20
War On Everyone
I do enjoy a great dark comedy. They can be a bit twisted but I'm always up for a good laugh. As an added bonus you get to see Alexander Skarsgard dance to Rhinestone Cowboy. What's not to love?!
War on Everyone is written and directed by John Michael McDonagh and he is not afraid to cross the line on dark humor. The premise of War On Everyone is Terry (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bob (Michael Pena) are two corrupt cops looking for their next big score. They are not afraid to commit a crime to get it. Even if they must bribe, beat, steal or sleep with someone to get it. To them it's just another Tuesday.
The big score is a million dollar hit from a British Lord (Theo James) and his stripper club manager Russell (Caleb Landry Jones). The Lord is a twisted man who has no problem killing anyone who gets in his way. Terry and Bob see him as just another guy to rip off. Let's just say there is a ton of drama along the way. Bob and Terry see Russell as a stain upon their town and have no problem kicking the crap out of him.
War On Everyone is so freaking funny! I laughed so hard. The back and forth dialogue between characters is so wonderfully written. Bob and Terry are not afraid to have real conversations, no matter how taboo the topic. It's a great dark buddy comedy and Skarsgard and Pena have magical chemistry. I really hope they make more movies together.
Alexander Skarsgard takes his character Terry to the dark place. Terry has clearly been traumatized in the past and he uses alcohol to cope. We don't know exactly what happened to him but we assume it was child abuse and molestation. This explains why he is so unhinged and unafraid to kick the crap out of someone. He's twisted but he pulls it off so well.
Everyone should see War on Everyone. Well unless you are easily offended but crass humor. Don't be such a party pooper. Let your hair down and laugh your face off!
The Ticket
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 19 Day 19
The Ticket
I am a big fan of Dan Stevens, ever since I saw him in Downton Abbey. He is charming, wonderful and has eyes as blue as the sky. You immediately want to trust him. The Ticket is a movie where you want to believe the best in people but people are flawed.
What would you do with a miracle that could change your life? The Ticket was written and directed by Ido Fluk. It is the story of James, played by Dan Stevens, regaining his sight after half a life of blindness. One morning he wakes up and can see again. James refers to this as his miracle. So what do you do when you get an opportunity to change your life? James and his wife come from a religious background. He believes God has given him a second chance. Slowly, James starts to become selfish. His old life is not enough for him anymore. He wants a better job, he wants a better home and he wants a beautiful new girlfriend.
The writing and visual styling of The Ticket is wonderfully haunting. When James first gets his sight back, everything is bright and colorful. As James becomes more corrupt the surroundings become more gray and dark. It's as if his world becomes as gray as his soul.
Dan Stevens acting is tragic and wonderful. There is a raw scene where James prays and his starts sobbing to God. He begs God that things can be different and he begs for forgiveness. His entire soul is shown in that scene. I felt like I was watching something I wasn't supposed to seen. It was so intimate and personal.
It's a film that makes you think about what life has given to you. It also proves how grateful we should be with the life we have.
Movie 19 Day 19
The Ticket
I am a big fan of Dan Stevens, ever since I saw him in Downton Abbey. He is charming, wonderful and has eyes as blue as the sky. You immediately want to trust him. The Ticket is a movie where you want to believe the best in people but people are flawed.
What would you do with a miracle that could change your life? The Ticket was written and directed by Ido Fluk. It is the story of James, played by Dan Stevens, regaining his sight after half a life of blindness. One morning he wakes up and can see again. James refers to this as his miracle. So what do you do when you get an opportunity to change your life? James and his wife come from a religious background. He believes God has given him a second chance. Slowly, James starts to become selfish. His old life is not enough for him anymore. He wants a better job, he wants a better home and he wants a beautiful new girlfriend.
The writing and visual styling of The Ticket is wonderfully haunting. When James first gets his sight back, everything is bright and colorful. As James becomes more corrupt the surroundings become more gray and dark. It's as if his world becomes as gray as his soul.
Dan Stevens acting is tragic and wonderful. There is a raw scene where James prays and his starts sobbing to God. He begs God that things can be different and he begs for forgiveness. His entire soul is shown in that scene. I felt like I was watching something I wasn't supposed to seen. It was so intimate and personal.
It's a film that makes you think about what life has given to you. It also proves how grateful we should be with the life we have.
Green Book
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 18 Day 18
Green Book
After the Oscars I had to check out Green Book. I was excited to see if it was as charming as it appeared in the trailers. I also had a very good friend tell me how much she enjoyed it. I must say it was a beautifully crafted film. Green Book is also based on a true story and co-written by Nick Vallelonga, son of Tony the main character.
Green Book is about Tony Vallelonga, played by Viggo Mortensen. Tony becomes the driver for world renown pianist Dr. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali. Dr. Shirley is going on a concert tour in the deep south in the 1960's and need protection as well as a driver. The film explores the relationship between two people as different as night and day.
Green Book is a reference to the travel guide for African Americans in the south. The green books inform African Americans where hotels and restaurants are that will accommodate them. I never knew such a book existed. It's a sad reality to some of the struggles during segregated times. The film is not afraid to unapologetic call out the blatant racism portrayed in the south. Dr. Shirley has to endure the humiliation of being asked to perform but not use the house bathroom. He can play the piano for these people but he also can't eat a meal in the restaurant. It seems so backwards and makes me so angry. Dr. Shirley endures all of it with grace and patience. I'm more like Tony, he gets angry. He sees it happening and it pisses him off. Over time, Tony learns to use his words and not his fists.
Green Book is like a reverse Driving Miss. Daisy and I mean that with respect. So often people do not leave the comfort of their own neighborhoods. In the beginning, Tony is racist towards African Americans, he doesn't trust them. It's not until Tony spends 2 months traveling with Dr. Shirley that his eyes are opened to the struggles of African Americans. Both men see who the other really is. A beautiful friendship is formed. I love how two men, from two completely different worlds, can still form a meaningful friendship. It's a beautiful thing.
Movie 18 Day 18
Green Book
After the Oscars I had to check out Green Book. I was excited to see if it was as charming as it appeared in the trailers. I also had a very good friend tell me how much she enjoyed it. I must say it was a beautifully crafted film. Green Book is also based on a true story and co-written by Nick Vallelonga, son of Tony the main character.
Green Book is about Tony Vallelonga, played by Viggo Mortensen. Tony becomes the driver for world renown pianist Dr. Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali. Dr. Shirley is going on a concert tour in the deep south in the 1960's and need protection as well as a driver. The film explores the relationship between two people as different as night and day.
Green Book is a reference to the travel guide for African Americans in the south. The green books inform African Americans where hotels and restaurants are that will accommodate them. I never knew such a book existed. It's a sad reality to some of the struggles during segregated times. The film is not afraid to unapologetic call out the blatant racism portrayed in the south. Dr. Shirley has to endure the humiliation of being asked to perform but not use the house bathroom. He can play the piano for these people but he also can't eat a meal in the restaurant. It seems so backwards and makes me so angry. Dr. Shirley endures all of it with grace and patience. I'm more like Tony, he gets angry. He sees it happening and it pisses him off. Over time, Tony learns to use his words and not his fists.
Green Book is like a reverse Driving Miss. Daisy and I mean that with respect. So often people do not leave the comfort of their own neighborhoods. In the beginning, Tony is racist towards African Americans, he doesn't trust them. It's not until Tony spends 2 months traveling with Dr. Shirley that his eyes are opened to the struggles of African Americans. Both men see who the other really is. A beautiful friendship is formed. I love how two men, from two completely different worlds, can still form a meaningful friendship. It's a beautiful thing.
Monday, February 25, 2019
BlacKkKlansman
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 17 Day 17
BlacKkKlansman
Post Academy Awards I was dying to see BlacKkKlansman. I was so happy to hear Spike Lee finally won his Oscar. It really has been a long time coming. I have not seen a ton of Spike Lee's films. I've seen a few and he has a beautiful cinematic eye. I was intrigued by BlacKkKlansman, a true story about a black man infiltrating the KKK in the 70's?! What?!?! I mean how the heck did that happen. Once again proving that real life is incredibly interesting and ironic.
As I've said, BlacKkKlansman is a film starring John David Washington as Ron Stallworth. Ron is the first African American on the Colorado Springs police force. He desperately wants to make detective and when given the opportunity, he shines. One day he takes it upon himself to try and infiltrate the KKK and it works! They want to meet Ron but he's obviously black and that won't fly. So Detective Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver, steps in to be Ron in person at the KKK meetings. Topher Grace plays Grand Wizard David Duke, I can't imagine that was easy. The film is unafraid to ask the hard questions and hold a mirror up to current events in the US.
Amazing performances from Adam Driver and John David Washington. There is an emotional scene where Flip, pretending to be Ron, has to stand in front of David Duke and deny he is Jewish. Driver is brilliant in this scene. You can feel his emotional torment deny who he truly is. I see why he was nominated for an Oscar. Driver's performance has so many layers to it. You can see the pain Flip has pretending to hate people of color. Saying horrible words, names and shaking hands with these hateful people. I know I would never be able to do it.
This film is surprisingly funny, now don't get me wrong, it's very serious but it also makes fun of itself. It's not afraid to make fun of people. The humor is what gave the film balance. It's so difficult to sit through some of the horrible things said in the film. The laughter helped break it up. We are relieved to laugh just after we've cried. It takes the brilliance of Spike Lee to pull off that balance.
BlacKkKlansman is an incredibly insightful and a terrifying film...I say terrifying because there are so many parallels with today. We want to act like we've come so far from the 70's but the reality is, we still have so many hateful people voicing their ignorance towards people of color and minorities. It made me feel physically ill hearing some of the KKK chants in the film. At one point, the KKK chant make America great and I felt like I was punched in the gut. Spike Lee is unafraid to make you feel uncomfortable. We need to take a long, hard look at our country and speak for those who can not. Speak for those who have no voice and speak for those that have passed but who fought. Honor those who have fallen and use our voice to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Spike Lee connected the ending with the marches in Virginia in 2017. If you don't remember, a group of KKK supported student marched and chanted horrible hateful thing. The following week was filled with violence as protesters showed up. A young woman was killed at a peace rally when a car drove into a crowd of people. It reminds the audience how far we really have to go. A good film makes you think and BlacKkKlansman does just that. Please see this film, it's important and insightful.
Movie 17 Day 17
BlacKkKlansman
Post Academy Awards I was dying to see BlacKkKlansman. I was so happy to hear Spike Lee finally won his Oscar. It really has been a long time coming. I have not seen a ton of Spike Lee's films. I've seen a few and he has a beautiful cinematic eye. I was intrigued by BlacKkKlansman, a true story about a black man infiltrating the KKK in the 70's?! What?!?! I mean how the heck did that happen. Once again proving that real life is incredibly interesting and ironic.
As I've said, BlacKkKlansman is a film starring John David Washington as Ron Stallworth. Ron is the first African American on the Colorado Springs police force. He desperately wants to make detective and when given the opportunity, he shines. One day he takes it upon himself to try and infiltrate the KKK and it works! They want to meet Ron but he's obviously black and that won't fly. So Detective Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver, steps in to be Ron in person at the KKK meetings. Topher Grace plays Grand Wizard David Duke, I can't imagine that was easy. The film is unafraid to ask the hard questions and hold a mirror up to current events in the US.
Amazing performances from Adam Driver and John David Washington. There is an emotional scene where Flip, pretending to be Ron, has to stand in front of David Duke and deny he is Jewish. Driver is brilliant in this scene. You can feel his emotional torment deny who he truly is. I see why he was nominated for an Oscar. Driver's performance has so many layers to it. You can see the pain Flip has pretending to hate people of color. Saying horrible words, names and shaking hands with these hateful people. I know I would never be able to do it.
This film is surprisingly funny, now don't get me wrong, it's very serious but it also makes fun of itself. It's not afraid to make fun of people. The humor is what gave the film balance. It's so difficult to sit through some of the horrible things said in the film. The laughter helped break it up. We are relieved to laugh just after we've cried. It takes the brilliance of Spike Lee to pull off that balance.
BlacKkKlansman is an incredibly insightful and a terrifying film...I say terrifying because there are so many parallels with today. We want to act like we've come so far from the 70's but the reality is, we still have so many hateful people voicing their ignorance towards people of color and minorities. It made me feel physically ill hearing some of the KKK chants in the film. At one point, the KKK chant make America great and I felt like I was punched in the gut. Spike Lee is unafraid to make you feel uncomfortable. We need to take a long, hard look at our country and speak for those who can not. Speak for those who have no voice and speak for those that have passed but who fought. Honor those who have fallen and use our voice to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Spike Lee connected the ending with the marches in Virginia in 2017. If you don't remember, a group of KKK supported student marched and chanted horrible hateful thing. The following week was filled with violence as protesters showed up. A young woman was killed at a peace rally when a car drove into a crowd of people. It reminds the audience how far we really have to go. A good film makes you think and BlacKkKlansman does just that. Please see this film, it's important and insightful.
A Star Is Born
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 16 Day 16
Sorry for the delay in posting. I had a weekend youth retreat. I was busy running around with 40 awesome kids under the age of 17! Needless to say, it was a bit hectic but a ton of fun.
It seems right to write about Oscar nominated films because it is Oscar season. Today I am writing about the remake of A Star Is Born. I must preface that I adore the 1954 version with Judy Garland. I went into the new version a bit skeptical because of my admiration for Judy. I also knew how the movie was going to end because I've seen the original. I believe that is why I wasn't as emotional as everyone else in the theater.
The 2018 A Star Is Born is directed by Bradley Cooper and stars himself as Jack, Lady Gaga as Ally and Sam Elliott as Jack's older brother Bobby. Jack is an alcoholic country singer who stumbles across Ally singing at a drag show in LA. Jack is immediately taken by Ally's haunting music and intrigued by her look. He decides he is going to help her become a singer and they fall in love in during the process. Along the way, Jack battles with his own demons AKA his sever alcoholism.
Is the movie about Jack or Ally?
My friend described this movie as Bradley Cooper's passion project for Bradley Cooper. The movie focuses so much on Jack that you forget it is titled A Star Is Born not A Star Slowly Falls. In fact, the movie jumps so fast from Ally being an unknown to a superstar that you are jarred by the change. Like woah, when did that happen? Instead, A Star Is Born focuses on Jack's self destructive actions. He pushes away his brother, the only one who had his back. He falls in love with Ally, becomes jealous of her fame and starts to mentally abuse her for her success. This is all accepted and allowed because Jack is drunk the entire time. Jack blames all of his actions on the alcohol. It's tragic to see this talented artist hit rock bottom.
Lady Gaga is a brilliant singer, one of my favorites. I even enjoy her acting but where she really shines is when she sings and acts. The moment she walks on stage to sing her first original song was film magic. I literally cried when Jack and Ally sing Shallow. It's a powerful song and by far, my favorite scene in the entire movie. Ally finally has the courage to use her own voice and it's a beautiful moment. There is an emotional song at the end of the film where Lady Gaga pours her entire heart into it. I felt like I saw of piece of Lady Gaga's soul on screen.
The stand out performance was Sam Elliott as Bobby. He was the conscience of the film. He sees life for how it really is. He sees who Jack is, he loves him but he also knows he can't "fix" him. He wants Jack to sober up but Jack finally pushes Bobby away. The final scene with Bobby moved me to tears. It was a classic performance with heart and pain.
My problem with this movie
SPOILERS AHEAD
I feel like Bradley Cooper missed a massive opportunity to talk about depression and suicide. The movie's climax is Jack deciding Ally will be better off without him and he kills himself in the garage. I had to turn away from the screen. It was a horrible and painful moment to see on screen. I've lost friends to suicide, it's painful and it hurts. I wanted the movie to end with something more than credits rolling. I wanted to see a suicide prevention website or email. Maybe a PSA about alcoholism but instead it was another emotional song with credits. It was a missed opportunity to help people struggling with addiction.
The soundtrack of this movie is magic. If anything, watch the movie to hear Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sing Shallow.
Movie 16 Day 16
Sorry for the delay in posting. I had a weekend youth retreat. I was busy running around with 40 awesome kids under the age of 17! Needless to say, it was a bit hectic but a ton of fun.
It seems right to write about Oscar nominated films because it is Oscar season. Today I am writing about the remake of A Star Is Born. I must preface that I adore the 1954 version with Judy Garland. I went into the new version a bit skeptical because of my admiration for Judy. I also knew how the movie was going to end because I've seen the original. I believe that is why I wasn't as emotional as everyone else in the theater.
The 2018 A Star Is Born is directed by Bradley Cooper and stars himself as Jack, Lady Gaga as Ally and Sam Elliott as Jack's older brother Bobby. Jack is an alcoholic country singer who stumbles across Ally singing at a drag show in LA. Jack is immediately taken by Ally's haunting music and intrigued by her look. He decides he is going to help her become a singer and they fall in love in during the process. Along the way, Jack battles with his own demons AKA his sever alcoholism.
Is the movie about Jack or Ally?
My friend described this movie as Bradley Cooper's passion project for Bradley Cooper. The movie focuses so much on Jack that you forget it is titled A Star Is Born not A Star Slowly Falls. In fact, the movie jumps so fast from Ally being an unknown to a superstar that you are jarred by the change. Like woah, when did that happen? Instead, A Star Is Born focuses on Jack's self destructive actions. He pushes away his brother, the only one who had his back. He falls in love with Ally, becomes jealous of her fame and starts to mentally abuse her for her success. This is all accepted and allowed because Jack is drunk the entire time. Jack blames all of his actions on the alcohol. It's tragic to see this talented artist hit rock bottom.
Lady Gaga is a brilliant singer, one of my favorites. I even enjoy her acting but where she really shines is when she sings and acts. The moment she walks on stage to sing her first original song was film magic. I literally cried when Jack and Ally sing Shallow. It's a powerful song and by far, my favorite scene in the entire movie. Ally finally has the courage to use her own voice and it's a beautiful moment. There is an emotional song at the end of the film where Lady Gaga pours her entire heart into it. I felt like I saw of piece of Lady Gaga's soul on screen.
The stand out performance was Sam Elliott as Bobby. He was the conscience of the film. He sees life for how it really is. He sees who Jack is, he loves him but he also knows he can't "fix" him. He wants Jack to sober up but Jack finally pushes Bobby away. The final scene with Bobby moved me to tears. It was a classic performance with heart and pain.
My problem with this movie
SPOILERS AHEAD
I feel like Bradley Cooper missed a massive opportunity to talk about depression and suicide. The movie's climax is Jack deciding Ally will be better off without him and he kills himself in the garage. I had to turn away from the screen. It was a horrible and painful moment to see on screen. I've lost friends to suicide, it's painful and it hurts. I wanted the movie to end with something more than credits rolling. I wanted to see a suicide prevention website or email. Maybe a PSA about alcoholism but instead it was another emotional song with credits. It was a missed opportunity to help people struggling with addiction.
The soundtrack of this movie is magic. If anything, watch the movie to hear Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sing Shallow.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
100 Movies In 100 Days
Movie 15 Day 15
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Flying home from Florida, I was able to watch Can You Ever Forgive Me. I didn't know much about the movie but I enjoy everything Melissa McCarthy is in. I was interested to see if the film could stand up to the Oscar hype. I was unaware it was based on a true story and it gave me more interest in the film. I'm always curious about the Based On A True Story because real life is always so interesting. Who needs fiction when people create their own drama everyday!?
The premise of Can You Ever Forgive Me is Melissa McCarthy plays Lee Israel, an author who is down on her luck. She is a difficult woman to work with and would rather spend her days drunk, hanging out with her cat. As an author, she specialized in the biographies of famous people. She was known for her voice, she became the people she was writing about. She was able to capture their emotions and "voice". Years later, Lee is washed up, broke, and can't get a writing contract because she's too difficult to work with. You burn a bunch of bridges when you drink on the job and belittle everyone you meet. Once Lee is down to her last few dollars, she sells a personal letter from a famous person written to her. She ends up getting some good money for the letter. Lee realizes, people pay a lot of money for persona letters from famous people. Remember, Lee is brilliant at capturing others people's literary voice. She starts to forge letters and sells them all over New York City, making a ton of money along the way.
Melissa McCarthy is tragically unlikable and I mean that in the best possible way. She isn't supposed to be someone you want to succeed. She is selfish and horrible but we realize it's because she has no one to trust. Melissa is haunting as Lee. She brings the character depth and justifies her actions. Melissa earned her second Oscar nomination for this film and she completely deserves it. I forgot I was watching the same woman that made me laugh so hard I cried during Spy. I think people forget what a fantastic dramatic actor she really is. Can You Ever Forgive Me was Melissa's moment to shine and shine brightly she does!
Richard E. Grant plays Jack Hock. He is Lee's only friend and he's not a very good one. He's a hustler and a scam artist but he's charming and funny while he does it. Grant plays Jack beautifully and effortlessly. Grant is transformed into a character you should disapprove of but instead you are cheering for him. You want to see what other scam he can pull off next. Grant is also nominated for an Oscar and I would love to see him win. He gives a stellar performance that is tragic and hilarious.
I was incredibly impressed how director Marielle Heller represented Lee and Jack's sexuality. Both the characters are homosexual but it's filmed it a way that doesn't put too much focus on it. It was natural and neither character judged the other too harshly. So often a character's sexuality is made the central focus of that character. Heller allowed these characters to be so much more than their sexual preference. They were interesting and not defined by who they loved. It was there but in a natural way. Beautifully done.
Over all a heavy but well done drama.
Movie 15 Day 15
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Flying home from Florida, I was able to watch Can You Ever Forgive Me. I didn't know much about the movie but I enjoy everything Melissa McCarthy is in. I was interested to see if the film could stand up to the Oscar hype. I was unaware it was based on a true story and it gave me more interest in the film. I'm always curious about the Based On A True Story because real life is always so interesting. Who needs fiction when people create their own drama everyday!?
The premise of Can You Ever Forgive Me is Melissa McCarthy plays Lee Israel, an author who is down on her luck. She is a difficult woman to work with and would rather spend her days drunk, hanging out with her cat. As an author, she specialized in the biographies of famous people. She was known for her voice, she became the people she was writing about. She was able to capture their emotions and "voice". Years later, Lee is washed up, broke, and can't get a writing contract because she's too difficult to work with. You burn a bunch of bridges when you drink on the job and belittle everyone you meet. Once Lee is down to her last few dollars, she sells a personal letter from a famous person written to her. She ends up getting some good money for the letter. Lee realizes, people pay a lot of money for persona letters from famous people. Remember, Lee is brilliant at capturing others people's literary voice. She starts to forge letters and sells them all over New York City, making a ton of money along the way.
Melissa McCarthy is tragically unlikable and I mean that in the best possible way. She isn't supposed to be someone you want to succeed. She is selfish and horrible but we realize it's because she has no one to trust. Melissa is haunting as Lee. She brings the character depth and justifies her actions. Melissa earned her second Oscar nomination for this film and she completely deserves it. I forgot I was watching the same woman that made me laugh so hard I cried during Spy. I think people forget what a fantastic dramatic actor she really is. Can You Ever Forgive Me was Melissa's moment to shine and shine brightly she does!
Richard E. Grant plays Jack Hock. He is Lee's only friend and he's not a very good one. He's a hustler and a scam artist but he's charming and funny while he does it. Grant plays Jack beautifully and effortlessly. Grant is transformed into a character you should disapprove of but instead you are cheering for him. You want to see what other scam he can pull off next. Grant is also nominated for an Oscar and I would love to see him win. He gives a stellar performance that is tragic and hilarious.
I was incredibly impressed how director Marielle Heller represented Lee and Jack's sexuality. Both the characters are homosexual but it's filmed it a way that doesn't put too much focus on it. It was natural and neither character judged the other too harshly. So often a character's sexuality is made the central focus of that character. Heller allowed these characters to be so much more than their sexual preference. They were interesting and not defined by who they loved. It was there but in a natural way. Beautifully done.
Over all a heavy but well done drama.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Aquaman
100 Movies In 100 Days
Movie 14 Day 14
Aquaman
I know very little about Aquaman. I know that The Big Bang Theory likes to make fun of his powers. I remember Family Guy doing a few parodies of how crazy his fish talking ability is. To be fair, I was raised on Marvel but I have always loved Tim Burton's Batman films. I went into Aquaman with low expectations. I adore Jason Memoa and enjoyed him in Justice League but I didn't know how well Aquaman would do as a stand alone film. He meshed so well with The Flash and Wonder Woman, I was almost disappointed to see him on his own. I will say I was pleasantly surprised.
One major difference between Marvel and DC is DC is not afraid to go dark. They want to show humanity at our lowest and they succeed. So many DC characters act without thinking. In Aquaman there is a scene where Arthur aka Aquaman, has an opportunity to save a bad guy. Instead, he walks away, lets the guy dies in front of his kid, the kid wants revenge for his father and Aquaman creates a whole new enemy. You would never see Captain America leave someone behind like that! It was such a sinister moment. Even my 14 year old nephew was shocked! A very dark side to the DC Universe is characters only thinking of themselves.
Jason Momoa portrayed Arthur as funny and witty. I did not expect to laugh as much as I did. He mocks himself and his abilities. Jason seems to have a good sense of humor in real life, it shows during Aquaman. He makes up for the lack of chemistry between him and love interest Amber Heard. Maybe I just prefer Aquaman to be with Wonder Woman, either way Jason is the reason to watch the movie.
I was delighted to see Nicole Kidman play Arthur's mother. She is a run away queen that falls in love with a human. Tale As Old As Time has magically popped into my head! Nicole is a totally Bass A$$ in Aquaman. She fights off water demons with her trident and is a hero in her own right. I always love seeing the ladies fighting and standing up for themselves!
Regardless if you like the story or not, the special effects are next level amazing! I was worried the underwater scenes were going to be cheesy or look fake, not at all! The special effects were crisp and clear. I was impressed at the realism of the sea creatures and water. It all came together beautifully!
Over all a fun and entertaining movie. Not as good as Wonder Woman but still a fun film.
Movie 14 Day 14
Aquaman
I know very little about Aquaman. I know that The Big Bang Theory likes to make fun of his powers. I remember Family Guy doing a few parodies of how crazy his fish talking ability is. To be fair, I was raised on Marvel but I have always loved Tim Burton's Batman films. I went into Aquaman with low expectations. I adore Jason Memoa and enjoyed him in Justice League but I didn't know how well Aquaman would do as a stand alone film. He meshed so well with The Flash and Wonder Woman, I was almost disappointed to see him on his own. I will say I was pleasantly surprised.
One major difference between Marvel and DC is DC is not afraid to go dark. They want to show humanity at our lowest and they succeed. So many DC characters act without thinking. In Aquaman there is a scene where Arthur aka Aquaman, has an opportunity to save a bad guy. Instead, he walks away, lets the guy dies in front of his kid, the kid wants revenge for his father and Aquaman creates a whole new enemy. You would never see Captain America leave someone behind like that! It was such a sinister moment. Even my 14 year old nephew was shocked! A very dark side to the DC Universe is characters only thinking of themselves.
Jason Momoa portrayed Arthur as funny and witty. I did not expect to laugh as much as I did. He mocks himself and his abilities. Jason seems to have a good sense of humor in real life, it shows during Aquaman. He makes up for the lack of chemistry between him and love interest Amber Heard. Maybe I just prefer Aquaman to be with Wonder Woman, either way Jason is the reason to watch the movie.
I was delighted to see Nicole Kidman play Arthur's mother. She is a run away queen that falls in love with a human. Tale As Old As Time has magically popped into my head! Nicole is a totally Bass A$$ in Aquaman. She fights off water demons with her trident and is a hero in her own right. I always love seeing the ladies fighting and standing up for themselves!
Regardless if you like the story or not, the special effects are next level amazing! I was worried the underwater scenes were going to be cheesy or look fake, not at all! The special effects were crisp and clear. I was impressed at the realism of the sea creatures and water. It all came together beautifully!
Over all a fun and entertaining movie. Not as good as Wonder Woman but still a fun film.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Bohemian Rhapsody
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 13 Day 13
Bohemian Rhapsody
How the heck have I not done a review on Bohemian Rhapsody?! I swear I wrote one but it looks like I must not have. I am a big Rami Malek fan, I blame A Night At The Museum. Some may say Mr. Robot, which is brilliant but I had a big crush on Rami in The Night At The Museum movies. He was charming and super cute. Rami aside, I really wanted to see Bohemian Rhapsody because I am a big Freddie Mercury fan. I love his story and think he was an absolutely brilliant artist. I didn't just see Bohemian Rhapsody once in the Theater but 3 times. Each time I noticed something new and unique.
Bohemian Rhapsody follows Freddie Mercury's journey from college kid to Queen lead singer. We see how he became the artist we all adore. The film does a lovely job showing Freddie's struggle as he comes to terms with his homosexuality. We see how he the truth, even from himself. It's tragic and wonderful when he finally starts to embrace his truth.
If Rami Malek doesn't win the Oscar for Best Actor, I'm going to be so pissed! He completed transformed himself into Freddie. He mastered the way Freddie moved, spoke and performed. I would have never thought anyone could be Freddie Mercury but Rami comes pretty dang close. His performance is the stuff of Hollywood Legend. If you want to watch something fun, go on youtube and look up the side by side performance of Rami and Freddie at Live Aid. It's completely mind-blowing how in sync Rami's performance is with Freddie's.
My biggest concern of this film was going to be how they handle Freddie's death. I know people love a heavy drama but I don't want to see someone I admire die a slow horrible death from aids. How does the film handle Freddie's Aids diagnosis? Bohemian Rhapsody handles Freddie's diagnosis with respect and grace. We didn't watch him slowly get sick, we saw him rise above. Instead of ending with his death, the film focused on the Live Aid concert. The ending made the film about Freddie's life and legacy, not his death.
What about the other 3 guys? Freddie himself did not like being called the leader of Queen. He said he was the lead singer and they were all a team. The film makes sure to show Queen was a collaborative family. We see what a horrible flirt Roger is. We laugh with John's one-liners. We see Brian May give his heart and soul on the guitar. It was a film about Queen, not just Freddie. It also helped that the movie was produced by Brian and Roger!
If you have ever heard a Queen song or rocked out to Bohemian Rhapsody, this is a movie for you!
Movie 13 Day 13
Bohemian Rhapsody
How the heck have I not done a review on Bohemian Rhapsody?! I swear I wrote one but it looks like I must not have. I am a big Rami Malek fan, I blame A Night At The Museum. Some may say Mr. Robot, which is brilliant but I had a big crush on Rami in The Night At The Museum movies. He was charming and super cute. Rami aside, I really wanted to see Bohemian Rhapsody because I am a big Freddie Mercury fan. I love his story and think he was an absolutely brilliant artist. I didn't just see Bohemian Rhapsody once in the Theater but 3 times. Each time I noticed something new and unique.
Bohemian Rhapsody follows Freddie Mercury's journey from college kid to Queen lead singer. We see how he became the artist we all adore. The film does a lovely job showing Freddie's struggle as he comes to terms with his homosexuality. We see how he the truth, even from himself. It's tragic and wonderful when he finally starts to embrace his truth.
If Rami Malek doesn't win the Oscar for Best Actor, I'm going to be so pissed! He completed transformed himself into Freddie. He mastered the way Freddie moved, spoke and performed. I would have never thought anyone could be Freddie Mercury but Rami comes pretty dang close. His performance is the stuff of Hollywood Legend. If you want to watch something fun, go on youtube and look up the side by side performance of Rami and Freddie at Live Aid. It's completely mind-blowing how in sync Rami's performance is with Freddie's.
My biggest concern of this film was going to be how they handle Freddie's death. I know people love a heavy drama but I don't want to see someone I admire die a slow horrible death from aids. How does the film handle Freddie's Aids diagnosis? Bohemian Rhapsody handles Freddie's diagnosis with respect and grace. We didn't watch him slowly get sick, we saw him rise above. Instead of ending with his death, the film focused on the Live Aid concert. The ending made the film about Freddie's life and legacy, not his death.
What about the other 3 guys? Freddie himself did not like being called the leader of Queen. He said he was the lead singer and they were all a team. The film makes sure to show Queen was a collaborative family. We see what a horrible flirt Roger is. We laugh with John's one-liners. We see Brian May give his heart and soul on the guitar. It was a film about Queen, not just Freddie. It also helped that the movie was produced by Brian and Roger!
If you have ever heard a Queen song or rocked out to Bohemian Rhapsody, this is a movie for you!
Monday, February 18, 2019
Eighth Grade
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 12 Day 12
Eighth Grade
I knew I wanted to see this film but I kept forgetting about it. A friend and I had been talking about it when it first came out. We were intrigued that it was written and directed by comedian Bo Burnham. It seemed like an interesting connection, this goofy guy writing about the eighth grade experiences of a girl. Whatever magic it was, the film was beautifully heartfelt.
Eighth Grade is the story of Kayla played by Elsie Fisher. Kayla is a very shy girl who just wants to survive her last week of eighth grade. She tries to be outgoing and even does youtube videos, giving advice to teenagers about gaining confidence. She struggles to make friends and all she wants is to be accepted. At one point she write a list of her goals and one is to make friends and have a best friend. Her goal list crushed my heart. I remember how difficult it was to be in middle school. I was always the loud girl but I was lucky enough to have great friends.
Eighth Grade does not sugarcoat the real issues of being a teen. At one point she wants to talk to a boy but it's known that he is more sexually experienced. Kayla has to decide if sending nude photos is something she is ready for. She is so innocent and sweet but she is afraid that's why she isn't making friends. Kayla will hurt your heart in the best way. Eighth Grade shows the modern struggles teens today are fighting through. It's eye-opening to see the good and bad things that come for a generation fully immersed in technology.
Elsie Fisher does a beautiful job bringing Kayla to life. She shows her vulnerabilities and that's terrifying for anyone, let alone a 13 year old girl. Her acting was enduring and charming. You wanted to protect and hold her. Kayla is a character you can relate to and care for.
The movie is rated R which surprised me. I thought it was made with teens in mind and it was. Slight spoiler here, there is a scene where Kayla has to learn about consent. A high school boy is pressuring her to have sex in the car, it's unbearably uncomfortable to watch. It's intimately filmed and I was terrified the whole time. I didn't want this sweet girl to lose her innocents to some jerk high school boy. The sad reality is teens are dealing with these types of pressures everyday. It is a reality to them and the film is a cautionary tale to parents trying to deny it is really happening.
If you were ever a teenager I think you will enjoy this movie. Eighth Grade is a heartfelt film about the awkwardness of growing up. I think you will really enjoy it.
Movie 12 Day 12
Eighth Grade
I knew I wanted to see this film but I kept forgetting about it. A friend and I had been talking about it when it first came out. We were intrigued that it was written and directed by comedian Bo Burnham. It seemed like an interesting connection, this goofy guy writing about the eighth grade experiences of a girl. Whatever magic it was, the film was beautifully heartfelt.
Eighth Grade is the story of Kayla played by Elsie Fisher. Kayla is a very shy girl who just wants to survive her last week of eighth grade. She tries to be outgoing and even does youtube videos, giving advice to teenagers about gaining confidence. She struggles to make friends and all she wants is to be accepted. At one point she write a list of her goals and one is to make friends and have a best friend. Her goal list crushed my heart. I remember how difficult it was to be in middle school. I was always the loud girl but I was lucky enough to have great friends.
Eighth Grade does not sugarcoat the real issues of being a teen. At one point she wants to talk to a boy but it's known that he is more sexually experienced. Kayla has to decide if sending nude photos is something she is ready for. She is so innocent and sweet but she is afraid that's why she isn't making friends. Kayla will hurt your heart in the best way. Eighth Grade shows the modern struggles teens today are fighting through. It's eye-opening to see the good and bad things that come for a generation fully immersed in technology.
Elsie Fisher does a beautiful job bringing Kayla to life. She shows her vulnerabilities and that's terrifying for anyone, let alone a 13 year old girl. Her acting was enduring and charming. You wanted to protect and hold her. Kayla is a character you can relate to and care for.
The movie is rated R which surprised me. I thought it was made with teens in mind and it was. Slight spoiler here, there is a scene where Kayla has to learn about consent. A high school boy is pressuring her to have sex in the car, it's unbearably uncomfortable to watch. It's intimately filmed and I was terrified the whole time. I didn't want this sweet girl to lose her innocents to some jerk high school boy. The sad reality is teens are dealing with these types of pressures everyday. It is a reality to them and the film is a cautionary tale to parents trying to deny it is really happening.
If you were ever a teenager I think you will enjoy this movie. Eighth Grade is a heartfelt film about the awkwardness of growing up. I think you will really enjoy it.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Mr. Right
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 11 Day 11
Mr. Right
Sometimes you just need a feel good, dark comedy movie. As you may know, I am a big fan of Sam Rockwell. I think he is a brilliant actor and I was so pleased he won an Oscar last year. He also has some serious dance moves! Sam can totally cut a rug!
Mr. Right is a film where Sam Rockwell plays a hitman named Francis who goes around killing people who hire him to kill other people. It's confusing so let's try to explain it. Sarah wants to kill Bob. Sarah hires Francis to kill Bob. Instead Francis kills Sarah because wanting Bob dead is wrong. Francis has this weird reverse hitman motto. He's also hilarious! Instead of just shooting people he dance fights them. It's sounds odd but it totally works because Sam is amazing.
Anna Kendrick plays Martha. She is going through a very ugly break up and she meets Francis at the supermarket. They hang out all day and are completely adorable. Francis tells Martha he is a hitman and she just thinks he's joking and bring funny. Nope, he's telling you the truth!
There is this whole other story about a mafia family trying to fight Francis. To be honest, that story is a bit boring when you have sparks flying with Martha and Francis. There was a great secondary character named Hopper played by Tim Roth. He is Francis' mentor when they were in the CIA. Now Hopper is also trying to track Francis down. I had no idea Tim Roth was so funny. He has this dry wit that flows so well in the movie. Tim dry jokes counter very well with Sam larger than life humor.
If you are looking for something fun to watch on a Sunday evening, take a look at Mr. Right. Great script, brilliant cast and a dark comedy. You'll love it!
Movie 11 Day 11
Mr. Right
Sometimes you just need a feel good, dark comedy movie. As you may know, I am a big fan of Sam Rockwell. I think he is a brilliant actor and I was so pleased he won an Oscar last year. He also has some serious dance moves! Sam can totally cut a rug!
Mr. Right is a film where Sam Rockwell plays a hitman named Francis who goes around killing people who hire him to kill other people. It's confusing so let's try to explain it. Sarah wants to kill Bob. Sarah hires Francis to kill Bob. Instead Francis kills Sarah because wanting Bob dead is wrong. Francis has this weird reverse hitman motto. He's also hilarious! Instead of just shooting people he dance fights them. It's sounds odd but it totally works because Sam is amazing.
Anna Kendrick plays Martha. She is going through a very ugly break up and she meets Francis at the supermarket. They hang out all day and are completely adorable. Francis tells Martha he is a hitman and she just thinks he's joking and bring funny. Nope, he's telling you the truth!
There is this whole other story about a mafia family trying to fight Francis. To be honest, that story is a bit boring when you have sparks flying with Martha and Francis. There was a great secondary character named Hopper played by Tim Roth. He is Francis' mentor when they were in the CIA. Now Hopper is also trying to track Francis down. I had no idea Tim Roth was so funny. He has this dry wit that flows so well in the movie. Tim dry jokes counter very well with Sam larger than life humor.
If you are looking for something fun to watch on a Sunday evening, take a look at Mr. Right. Great script, brilliant cast and a dark comedy. You'll love it!
Saturday, February 16, 2019
The Hate U Give
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 10 Day 10
The Hate U Give
My cousin and I spent the entire day together. We actually went to an open casting call a few hours from our home. Sadly, we were there for 3 hours and still had 100 people a head of us. It was a fun experience but we didn't get a chance to audition. On the way home we decided to watch a movie and eat rootbeer floats. We had a whole list of movies to watch but we decided on The Hate U Give.
The Hate U Give is about Starr an African American girl and her family. Starr must learn to balance living in the hood, going to private school, and the fear of living a black kid in today's day and age. She becomes the sole witness in a cop killing an unarmed black teenager. The Hate U Give is not afraid to talk about the hard topics such as police brutality, gang violence and race relationships.
I cried several times during this movie. The first 5 minutes are about a father explaining to his young children how to react when you are pulled over by the police. How you might have done nothing wrong but you will still be labeled as a thug based on the color of your skin. It was a moment that made me cry because it's a reality for young black children. They have a layer of fear that white children will never understand. It's a harsh and horrifying truth.
The Hate U Give should have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar this year. I'm not sure why the academy did not acknowledge this meaningful film. Maybe The Hate U Give was a little too real for some audiences. We live in a world where an unarmed black child can be killed and no justice is served for that child. This film took a big risk at showing how we, as a society, perpetuate and allow these wrongs to grow and thrive. It's tragic and painful to see.
The Hate U Give shows how beautiful a family can be. Starr's parents are not perfect, her father was in prison but he tells the children they are worth being better for. The parents put their kids into private school because they want them to break the cycle of poverty and oppression. Starr is caught in the middle of two worlds. Garden Heights is her home but it's an impoverished community. Her private school is wonderful but she can't be too ghetto or hood. She must speak like the white kids and show she belongs there. It's a lot of pressure for a 16 year old girl.
Starr has to learn to use her voice to speak for those who can not. She must risk everything to tell the story of another child taken too soon. It's a painful and beautiful film all at once. Go see it.
Movie 10 Day 10
The Hate U Give
My cousin and I spent the entire day together. We actually went to an open casting call a few hours from our home. Sadly, we were there for 3 hours and still had 100 people a head of us. It was a fun experience but we didn't get a chance to audition. On the way home we decided to watch a movie and eat rootbeer floats. We had a whole list of movies to watch but we decided on The Hate U Give.
The Hate U Give is about Starr an African American girl and her family. Starr must learn to balance living in the hood, going to private school, and the fear of living a black kid in today's day and age. She becomes the sole witness in a cop killing an unarmed black teenager. The Hate U Give is not afraid to talk about the hard topics such as police brutality, gang violence and race relationships.
I cried several times during this movie. The first 5 minutes are about a father explaining to his young children how to react when you are pulled over by the police. How you might have done nothing wrong but you will still be labeled as a thug based on the color of your skin. It was a moment that made me cry because it's a reality for young black children. They have a layer of fear that white children will never understand. It's a harsh and horrifying truth.
The Hate U Give should have been nominated for a Best Picture Oscar this year. I'm not sure why the academy did not acknowledge this meaningful film. Maybe The Hate U Give was a little too real for some audiences. We live in a world where an unarmed black child can be killed and no justice is served for that child. This film took a big risk at showing how we, as a society, perpetuate and allow these wrongs to grow and thrive. It's tragic and painful to see.
The Hate U Give shows how beautiful a family can be. Starr's parents are not perfect, her father was in prison but he tells the children they are worth being better for. The parents put their kids into private school because they want them to break the cycle of poverty and oppression. Starr is caught in the middle of two worlds. Garden Heights is her home but it's an impoverished community. Her private school is wonderful but she can't be too ghetto or hood. She must speak like the white kids and show she belongs there. It's a lot of pressure for a 16 year old girl.
Starr has to learn to use her voice to speak for those who can not. She must risk everything to tell the story of another child taken too soon. It's a painful and beautiful film all at once. Go see it.
Friday, February 15, 2019
The Giant Mechanical Man
100 Movies In 100 Days
Movie 9 Day 9
The Giant Mechanical Man
Will this winter ever end? Thank goodness for movie days. Sometimes you need to watch a movie to help keep away the winter blues. My process for picking movies varies from week to week. The majority of the time I find an actor I like and watch everything I can get my hands on. In the case of The Giant Mechanical Man, I watched it because I found out Chris Messina was in it. If you ever have an opportunity to watch a movie with Chris Messina, you will not be disappointed. He is such a brilliant actor, he's brilliant on The Mindy Project.
Anyways, this review is about The Giant Mechanical Man. This movie stars Jenna Fisher as Janice, she is a woman walking aimlessly through life. She works from temp job to temp job like a zombie. Janice falls on hard times and moves in with her sister Jill, played by Malin Akerman. Jill keeps trying to set Janice up on dates with annoying motivational speaker Doug, played by Topher Grace. Janice decides to take a job at the zoo where she meets Tim, played by Chris Messina. Tim has a secret, he dresses as a mechanical man on stilts and dancing around the city for tips.
I found myself relating and connecting to Janice. She is having a hard time figuring out what she is supposed to be doing with her life. Everyone is trying to "fix" her and claim they know what is best. Janice has a hard time expressing what she wants and gaining her courage. She meets the Mechanical Man, not knowing it's Tim. She feels connected to him, she feels like an outsider. It's wonderful seeing Janice grow and become her own woman. She learns to love herself and opens herself to loving someone new.
Tim is a beautifully written character. He wants to bring people happiness, even if he has to wear metal paint to do it. He is desperate to connect with others but isn't sure how to do it. Once he meets Janice, he starts to see hope. He sees someone he can connect with. I think connecting with other people is something we can all relate to.
The only part I didn't enjoy was Topher Grace's character. He is a horrible, selfish cliche on the motivational speaker. It's probably not Topher's fault because the character is so dreadful. I found his character to be distracting from the plot and not in a good way. I would have preferred more time on other characters in the film. The rest of the movie is Brilliant if you can get past the Doug character.
Over all a charming independent film that I enjoyed. It made me want to work at a zoo. The Giant Mechanical Man reminds us that happiness is unique to our needs. It's okay to be selfish when it comes to your own happiness. Putting your foot down and knowing what you need for your future.
Movie 9 Day 9
The Giant Mechanical Man
Will this winter ever end? Thank goodness for movie days. Sometimes you need to watch a movie to help keep away the winter blues. My process for picking movies varies from week to week. The majority of the time I find an actor I like and watch everything I can get my hands on. In the case of The Giant Mechanical Man, I watched it because I found out Chris Messina was in it. If you ever have an opportunity to watch a movie with Chris Messina, you will not be disappointed. He is such a brilliant actor, he's brilliant on The Mindy Project.
Anyways, this review is about The Giant Mechanical Man. This movie stars Jenna Fisher as Janice, she is a woman walking aimlessly through life. She works from temp job to temp job like a zombie. Janice falls on hard times and moves in with her sister Jill, played by Malin Akerman. Jill keeps trying to set Janice up on dates with annoying motivational speaker Doug, played by Topher Grace. Janice decides to take a job at the zoo where she meets Tim, played by Chris Messina. Tim has a secret, he dresses as a mechanical man on stilts and dancing around the city for tips.
I found myself relating and connecting to Janice. She is having a hard time figuring out what she is supposed to be doing with her life. Everyone is trying to "fix" her and claim they know what is best. Janice has a hard time expressing what she wants and gaining her courage. She meets the Mechanical Man, not knowing it's Tim. She feels connected to him, she feels like an outsider. It's wonderful seeing Janice grow and become her own woman. She learns to love herself and opens herself to loving someone new.
Tim is a beautifully written character. He wants to bring people happiness, even if he has to wear metal paint to do it. He is desperate to connect with others but isn't sure how to do it. Once he meets Janice, he starts to see hope. He sees someone he can connect with. I think connecting with other people is something we can all relate to.
The only part I didn't enjoy was Topher Grace's character. He is a horrible, selfish cliche on the motivational speaker. It's probably not Topher's fault because the character is so dreadful. I found his character to be distracting from the plot and not in a good way. I would have preferred more time on other characters in the film. The rest of the movie is Brilliant if you can get past the Doug character.
Over all a charming independent film that I enjoyed. It made me want to work at a zoo. The Giant Mechanical Man reminds us that happiness is unique to our needs. It's okay to be selfish when it comes to your own happiness. Putting your foot down and knowing what you need for your future.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Destination Wedding
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 8 Day 8
Destination Wedding
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! It seemed like the perfect day to write about a romantic comedy. I know, that's two in a row. Hey, it's my blog and I get to write about the movies I wanna watch!
Destination Wedding is a movie about two people going to a wedding that they really don't want to be at. Keanu Reeves plays Frank, the disapproving half brother of the groom. Winona Ryder plays Lindsay, she is the ex-fiancee of the groom. Lindsay and Frank meet on the plane ride to the destination wedding and bicker the entire time. As fate would have it, they keep getting placed together since they are the only single people at the wedding. Hilarious banter continues the remainder of the movie.
Destination Wedding does something incredibly unusual, Lindsay and Frank are the only speaking characters the entire film! There are other characters but none of them ever say a word on camera. The entire film is the back and forth bickering between Frank and Lindsay. It took me a while to wrap my mind around this concept. Destination Wedding felt like a play rather than a movie movie. It seemed incredibly intimate and personal, like I was watching them without their knowledge. It was delightfully bizarre, knowing a secret before anyone else does.
I found Destination Wedding's script very entertaining. I never knew how funny Keanu Reeves could be. He plays the perfect, cynical bastard! Frank is so sick of life and love. He finds the idea of marriage and relationships completely unnerving. I caught myself laughing out loud at his sarcastic one-liners. He does a brilliant job keeping up with Winona, who stands on her own in the comedy department. She has a dry, bitter spinster attitude that I completely relate to!
Destination Wedding says what we are all thinking but don't have the guts to say out loud! Frank and Lindsay say the horrible things we think about society, siblings, parents and partners. It's refreshing to hear someone say the taboo things out loud. I think that's where the magic of this movie happens. It's like getting splashed in the face with cold water.
If you are a cynical person who enjoys a good laugh, check out this movie. It's only an hour and 22 minutes long. If anything, it will make you smile.
Movie 8 Day 8
Destination Wedding
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! It seemed like the perfect day to write about a romantic comedy. I know, that's two in a row. Hey, it's my blog and I get to write about the movies I wanna watch!
Destination Wedding is a movie about two people going to a wedding that they really don't want to be at. Keanu Reeves plays Frank, the disapproving half brother of the groom. Winona Ryder plays Lindsay, she is the ex-fiancee of the groom. Lindsay and Frank meet on the plane ride to the destination wedding and bicker the entire time. As fate would have it, they keep getting placed together since they are the only single people at the wedding. Hilarious banter continues the remainder of the movie.
Destination Wedding does something incredibly unusual, Lindsay and Frank are the only speaking characters the entire film! There are other characters but none of them ever say a word on camera. The entire film is the back and forth bickering between Frank and Lindsay. It took me a while to wrap my mind around this concept. Destination Wedding felt like a play rather than a movie movie. It seemed incredibly intimate and personal, like I was watching them without their knowledge. It was delightfully bizarre, knowing a secret before anyone else does.
I found Destination Wedding's script very entertaining. I never knew how funny Keanu Reeves could be. He plays the perfect, cynical bastard! Frank is so sick of life and love. He finds the idea of marriage and relationships completely unnerving. I caught myself laughing out loud at his sarcastic one-liners. He does a brilliant job keeping up with Winona, who stands on her own in the comedy department. She has a dry, bitter spinster attitude that I completely relate to!
Destination Wedding says what we are all thinking but don't have the guts to say out loud! Frank and Lindsay say the horrible things we think about society, siblings, parents and partners. It's refreshing to hear someone say the taboo things out loud. I think that's where the magic of this movie happens. It's like getting splashed in the face with cold water.
If you are a cynical person who enjoys a good laugh, check out this movie. It's only an hour and 22 minutes long. If anything, it will make you smile.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Isn't It Romantic
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 7 Day 7
Isn't It Romantic
Oh the romantic comedy, the bread and butter of my high school years. I love getting butterflies in my stomach every time my dream couple has their first kiss, especially if it's on top of the Empire State Building. I held my breath when Harry finally told Sally how he felt. I cried when Julia heard Robbie sing I Wanna Grow Old With You in The Wedding Singer. I knew I had to see Isn't It Romantic when Rebel Wilson posted pictures on Instagram during production. I followed the production online and was so excited to see the trailer. Added bonus, it's the week of Valentine's Day! On this snowy, cold morning I fought the icy roads and treated myself to Isn't It Romantic. My favorite place is the movie theater and it's even better when you are the only one in the room. I had the entire theater completely to myself. I could laugh or cry as loud as I wanted. Talk about pure Heaven on earth!
Isn't It Romantic stars Rebel Wilson as Natalie, Adam Devine as Josh, Liam Hemsworth as Blake and Priyanka Chopra as Isabebella. Natalie is an architect living in New York City, she is shy and incredibly self-conscience. Her best friend is her coworker Josh who tries to tell her how great she is. One day Natalie hits her head and wakes up in an alternative universe where her life is a PG-13 romantic comedy. She is the only person who knows what's going on and everyone else is in a dream state. Even the city of New York is filled with flowers carts, charming cupcake shops and smells like lavender. If you have ever been to New York City, you know that it not the case. Natalie meets a rich billionaire named Blake who wants to sweep her off her feet. Josh meets a supermodel yoga ambassador named Isabella and they start dating. Natalie must decide how she wants her life to play out in the fantasy world. Does she want a traditional romantic comedy ending or does she want something real?
Relating to Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson is one of those actresses that you want to be best friends with. I want to have a few drinks and sing a karaoke duet with her. She brings a joy and glow to every character she plays. She looks like she is having fun and we want to have fun with her. I respect her because she looks like a real woman. It's so hard to watch a movie where the leading lady is a size 2, it feels like an unachievable standard. There is a moment at the beginning of the film where Natalie's mother tells her that she will never be like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Natalie is not some small blushing beauty and handsome men don't want average women, they want Julia Roberts. It's a heartbreaking moment but it's what women are taught. If we don't look a certain way, if we don't have perfect hair, money, and a yoga body then we are seen as less than other women. We are taught to always compare ourselves to someone else. Isn't It Romantic says no to the perfect body standard, it says embrace who you really are. Love yourself because we love you!
The casting in Isn't It Romantic was hilarious and perfect. Liam had no problem making fun of himself, he just went for it. It was so funny to see this sexy man fall into all the cheesy romantic comedy cliches. He dramatically writes his phone number on rose pedals and dropping them on the ground for Natalie. Who does that!? Priyanka Chopra does a brilliant job keeping up with Rebel Wilson. I had no idea how funny Priyanka was! She has perfect comedic timing and I hope we see her in more comedies. Then there is Adam Devine, I swear I like him more and more with every film. He has this charming way about him, call it the "It" factor. You want to give him a big hug and we all fall a little in love with him, well I did! He's the cute boy next door you slowly fall in love with because he's genuinely there for you. Oh be still my beating heart!
Some slight spoilers ahead.....
Isn't It Romantic asks the question, would life be better if we lived in a romantic comedy? When you have everything you thought you always wanted, are you truly happy? Natalie takes a hard look at her life and sees that the only person holding her back is herself. She doesn't believe her work or ideas are extraordinary, so no one else does either. She assumes all the men she meets only see her as a friend. She hold herself back from loving herself. The real moral of the story is accepting who you are and not being afraid to create your own true happiness. It's a beautiful story and it's something that women and men need to remind themselves of all the time. One of my favorite Charlie Chaplin quotes is, "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up but a comedy in long-shot." Isn't It Romantic fights the stereotypes with humor and grace. Teaching us that loving ourselves and creating our own happiness is what is most important.
If you are looking for a movie to make you laugh or if you have a passion for romantic comedies, Isn't It Romantic is for you. BONUS: Musical Moments! Director Todd Strauss-Schulson does a masterful job of finding cliche songs from romantic comedies and featuring them in Isn't It Romantic. Let's talk about Todd. Todd took as story that could have been so cheesy and made it into something poignant about love and life. Thank you Todd from reminding the audience, all we need is to love ourselves. We are responsible for our own happiness and we are perfect just as we are. Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Grab a girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, sister, aunt, or mother and enjoy this wonderful romantic comedy. May you leave the theater with a smile on your face and a little dance in your step!
Movie 7 Day 7
Isn't It Romantic
Oh the romantic comedy, the bread and butter of my high school years. I love getting butterflies in my stomach every time my dream couple has their first kiss, especially if it's on top of the Empire State Building. I held my breath when Harry finally told Sally how he felt. I cried when Julia heard Robbie sing I Wanna Grow Old With You in The Wedding Singer. I knew I had to see Isn't It Romantic when Rebel Wilson posted pictures on Instagram during production. I followed the production online and was so excited to see the trailer. Added bonus, it's the week of Valentine's Day! On this snowy, cold morning I fought the icy roads and treated myself to Isn't It Romantic. My favorite place is the movie theater and it's even better when you are the only one in the room. I had the entire theater completely to myself. I could laugh or cry as loud as I wanted. Talk about pure Heaven on earth!
Isn't It Romantic stars Rebel Wilson as Natalie, Adam Devine as Josh, Liam Hemsworth as Blake and Priyanka Chopra as Isabebella. Natalie is an architect living in New York City, she is shy and incredibly self-conscience. Her best friend is her coworker Josh who tries to tell her how great she is. One day Natalie hits her head and wakes up in an alternative universe where her life is a PG-13 romantic comedy. She is the only person who knows what's going on and everyone else is in a dream state. Even the city of New York is filled with flowers carts, charming cupcake shops and smells like lavender. If you have ever been to New York City, you know that it not the case. Natalie meets a rich billionaire named Blake who wants to sweep her off her feet. Josh meets a supermodel yoga ambassador named Isabella and they start dating. Natalie must decide how she wants her life to play out in the fantasy world. Does she want a traditional romantic comedy ending or does she want something real?
Relating to Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson is one of those actresses that you want to be best friends with. I want to have a few drinks and sing a karaoke duet with her. She brings a joy and glow to every character she plays. She looks like she is having fun and we want to have fun with her. I respect her because she looks like a real woman. It's so hard to watch a movie where the leading lady is a size 2, it feels like an unachievable standard. There is a moment at the beginning of the film where Natalie's mother tells her that she will never be like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Natalie is not some small blushing beauty and handsome men don't want average women, they want Julia Roberts. It's a heartbreaking moment but it's what women are taught. If we don't look a certain way, if we don't have perfect hair, money, and a yoga body then we are seen as less than other women. We are taught to always compare ourselves to someone else. Isn't It Romantic says no to the perfect body standard, it says embrace who you really are. Love yourself because we love you!
The casting in Isn't It Romantic was hilarious and perfect. Liam had no problem making fun of himself, he just went for it. It was so funny to see this sexy man fall into all the cheesy romantic comedy cliches. He dramatically writes his phone number on rose pedals and dropping them on the ground for Natalie. Who does that!? Priyanka Chopra does a brilliant job keeping up with Rebel Wilson. I had no idea how funny Priyanka was! She has perfect comedic timing and I hope we see her in more comedies. Then there is Adam Devine, I swear I like him more and more with every film. He has this charming way about him, call it the "It" factor. You want to give him a big hug and we all fall a little in love with him, well I did! He's the cute boy next door you slowly fall in love with because he's genuinely there for you. Oh be still my beating heart!
Some slight spoilers ahead.....
Isn't It Romantic asks the question, would life be better if we lived in a romantic comedy? When you have everything you thought you always wanted, are you truly happy? Natalie takes a hard look at her life and sees that the only person holding her back is herself. She doesn't believe her work or ideas are extraordinary, so no one else does either. She assumes all the men she meets only see her as a friend. She hold herself back from loving herself. The real moral of the story is accepting who you are and not being afraid to create your own true happiness. It's a beautiful story and it's something that women and men need to remind themselves of all the time. One of my favorite Charlie Chaplin quotes is, "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up but a comedy in long-shot." Isn't It Romantic fights the stereotypes with humor and grace. Teaching us that loving ourselves and creating our own happiness is what is most important.
If you are looking for a movie to make you laugh or if you have a passion for romantic comedies, Isn't It Romantic is for you. BONUS: Musical Moments! Director Todd Strauss-Schulson does a masterful job of finding cliche songs from romantic comedies and featuring them in Isn't It Romantic. Let's talk about Todd. Todd took as story that could have been so cheesy and made it into something poignant about love and life. Thank you Todd from reminding the audience, all we need is to love ourselves. We are responsible for our own happiness and we are perfect just as we are. Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Grab a girlfriend, boyfriend, best friend, sister, aunt, or mother and enjoy this wonderful romantic comedy. May you leave the theater with a smile on your face and a little dance in your step!
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Digging for Fire
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 6 Day 6
Digging for Fire
I decided to mix things up a bit and watch Digging for Fire. I've always wanted to watch this movie because I adore the talented cast. It's like a Where's Waldo of famous people. Director Joe Swanberg is known for casting his friends and family, this movie is no exception. Jake Johnson plays public school teacher Tim and Rosemarie DeWitt plays his yoga instructor wife named Lee. The film also costars Chris Messina as Tango, Sam Rockwell as Ray, Orlando Bloom as Ben, Anna Kendrick as Alycia, and Brie Larson as Max.
Fun trivia via IMDB Joe Swanberg and Jake Johnson co-wrote Digging for Fire in a 2 page outline. Joe Swanberg is known for filming movies with no active script. Digging for Fire was filmed with a loose outline and the rest is improvised by the actors. It's an unconventional way to direct but Swanberg seems to have it down pretty well. The actor's lines flow seamlessly, it's very impressive considering it's mostly improv.
What would you do if you were house sitting and you found a bone and a gun buried in the backyard? Have a booze and drug infused digging party.....duh! Digging for Fire starts with Lee and Tim arguing about finishing their taxes while house sitting. This also happens on the same day that Tim finds a gun and bone in the backyard. Lee decides to go to her parent's house for the weekend while Tim stays home. Tim calls his friends over, they get drunk, do a bunch of cocaine, smoke a bunch of pot and start digging in the backyard. They end up finding random items likes a license plate, a shoe, and more bones. Tim tries to call the cops but unless they find a real body, the cops won't send anyone out.
Lee decides to have a night out for herself and she meets Ben at a local restaurant. Ben defends Lee from a drunk guy hitting on her. Ben tries to escort drunk guy out and ends up with a cut on his head. Lee and Ben end up having a little adventure of their own but I'm not gonna give away any spoilers!
Digging for Fire is a ton of fun to watch. It asks the question, what happens when friends start to grow apart? Tim is a father but Ray and Tango are still partying and sleeping with random women. Lee loves her family but still has the question of what if. I know it sounds cliche but the characters are wonderfully human. I see myself and some of my friends in each character. I found myself connecting with these people. Ok, I might not obsessively dig in the backyard for God knows what but I can see why someone would.
After watching Digging for Fire, I really want to work with Joe Swanberg. The way he films his movies with no script is absolutely fascinating. The dialog moves smoothly and with ease. It must be a wonderful atmosphere on set to be free with these characters. I would love to be a part of a film like that. #BucketList
If you are looking for something fun to watch and have a spare hour and a half, check out Digging for Fire. It has an independent feel to it. It seems like a simple story but there is so much more lurking under the surface. Enjoy!
Movie 6 Day 6
Digging for Fire
I decided to mix things up a bit and watch Digging for Fire. I've always wanted to watch this movie because I adore the talented cast. It's like a Where's Waldo of famous people. Director Joe Swanberg is known for casting his friends and family, this movie is no exception. Jake Johnson plays public school teacher Tim and Rosemarie DeWitt plays his yoga instructor wife named Lee. The film also costars Chris Messina as Tango, Sam Rockwell as Ray, Orlando Bloom as Ben, Anna Kendrick as Alycia, and Brie Larson as Max.
Fun trivia via IMDB Joe Swanberg and Jake Johnson co-wrote Digging for Fire in a 2 page outline. Joe Swanberg is known for filming movies with no active script. Digging for Fire was filmed with a loose outline and the rest is improvised by the actors. It's an unconventional way to direct but Swanberg seems to have it down pretty well. The actor's lines flow seamlessly, it's very impressive considering it's mostly improv.
What would you do if you were house sitting and you found a bone and a gun buried in the backyard? Have a booze and drug infused digging party.....duh! Digging for Fire starts with Lee and Tim arguing about finishing their taxes while house sitting. This also happens on the same day that Tim finds a gun and bone in the backyard. Lee decides to go to her parent's house for the weekend while Tim stays home. Tim calls his friends over, they get drunk, do a bunch of cocaine, smoke a bunch of pot and start digging in the backyard. They end up finding random items likes a license plate, a shoe, and more bones. Tim tries to call the cops but unless they find a real body, the cops won't send anyone out.
Lee decides to have a night out for herself and she meets Ben at a local restaurant. Ben defends Lee from a drunk guy hitting on her. Ben tries to escort drunk guy out and ends up with a cut on his head. Lee and Ben end up having a little adventure of their own but I'm not gonna give away any spoilers!
Digging for Fire is a ton of fun to watch. It asks the question, what happens when friends start to grow apart? Tim is a father but Ray and Tango are still partying and sleeping with random women. Lee loves her family but still has the question of what if. I know it sounds cliche but the characters are wonderfully human. I see myself and some of my friends in each character. I found myself connecting with these people. Ok, I might not obsessively dig in the backyard for God knows what but I can see why someone would.
After watching Digging for Fire, I really want to work with Joe Swanberg. The way he films his movies with no script is absolutely fascinating. The dialog moves smoothly and with ease. It must be a wonderful atmosphere on set to be free with these characters. I would love to be a part of a film like that. #BucketList
If you are looking for something fun to watch and have a spare hour and a half, check out Digging for Fire. It has an independent feel to it. It seems like a simple story but there is so much more lurking under the surface. Enjoy!
Monday, February 11, 2019
The Shining
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 5 Day 5
The Shining
Another day, another Stanley Kubrick classic. I am in desperate need of a romantic comedy or a movie that is not 2 hours and 20 minutes long. I might need to watch The Mindy Project or When Harry Met Sally after The Shining. All Kubrick and no romance makes Amber GO CRAZY!
The Shining is based off of the Stephen King novel of the same name. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, Shelley Duvall as Wendy Torrance, Danny Lloyd as Danny Torrance and Scatman Crothers as Halloran. Jack is a struggling writer who takes a 5 month position, as the winter caretaker, in a remote hotel in the mountains of Colorado called The Overlook Hotel. Jack, along with his son and wife, live in complete seclusion in this incredibly haunted hotel.
HOLY CRAP this movie is terrifying. Jack Nicholson plays an unhinged psychopath perfectly. I believed Jack was slowly descending into madness. The first time I saw The Shining I remember being way too young, I think I was 12. I remember not being able to sleep and having nightmares. I remember covering my eyes when Jack walks into room 237. The Shining has the power to haunt viewers years after watching it. I suppose that is part of the Kubrick magic.
It is nice to go back to a movie and observe things you may have missed the first time. I was always annoyed at Shelley Duvall's character but now I sympathize with her. Who knows the type of emotional abuse she endured at the hands of Jack before the movie starts. We hear about his bourbon fueled outbursts, it made me wonder how much verbal abuse she endured from him. We see she is a compassionate, loving and understanding mother. She is evening accepting of Danny's "imaginary" friend and asks to talk to him. She doesn't make her child feel different, she accepts who he is. What I find fascinating is her emotional breakdown. I read on IMDB that Kubrick intentionally alienated and belittled Duvall to push her emotional performance. Her performance looks emotionally exhausting, I mean that in the best possible way. How would I react if I'm locked in a haunted hotel with my crazy husband and mentally unstable child? I would probably be a hysterical mess too! Instead, Wendy fights through tears and exhaustion to save her son. She hits her crazy husband with a baseball bat and locks him in the pantry. Simply put, Shelley Duvall was a badass.
The Shining is very long and you feel every minute of it. I'm not sure if it's because we only have 3 characters to relate to and most of them are going crazy. The pacing of the film does start to drag until the last 20 minutes. The climax of the movie has you on the edge of your seat. You hold in a scream as Jack chops away at the bathroom door. You bite your nails as Danny tries to hide in the maze, knowing the Jack is close behind him. The Climax of the movie is what makes up for the slow pacing in the middle. I mean, how often do you see blood pour out of an elevator like a tidal wave?
Once again, Stanley Kubrick knew how to work a camera. Kubrick did a beautiful job portraying loneliness and seclusion by filling the screen with wide shots. The characters take up such a small amount of space in this larger than life hotel. All the wide shots add to the dramatic effect of the close up shots. The close up shots seem uncomfortably intimate, you are in a place or space you shouldn't be. It adds to the terror, you are seeing something you are not supposed to.
Most people don't notice this one but the sound mixing in this movie is breathtaking. Sound mixing is all the little sounds that add to the emotion of a film. I'm not referring to the music, which is eerie and unnerving, I'm referring to the little sounds. The clicking sound of Jack's typewriter seems amplified in contrast to the quiet seclusion of the hotel. The dramatic transition of Danny's big wheel as it goes from carpet to hard wood is almost painful to the ears. I became used to the silence and was jarred at any and all loud sounds. It added to the horror of the film. You become used to the silence. Another reason the ending is so effective, the jarring noise intensifies our emotional connection to the film.
It was the 80's.....
My biggest issue with the movie is YOU CAN NOT SAY THE N-WORD!! It is not ok, I don't care what year the movie was made. Was Kubrick trying to create dramatic effect or did he not find it as offensive as it is? It is said at least 4 times in a 2 minute conversation. Jack and ghost butler are referring to Halloran as the N-word. It bothered me more than anything else in the movie. I can handle a husband trying to ax-murder his family. I can deal with creepy ghost twins but I can not handle shock-value racism. I didn't like it and it felt unnecessary.
I have so many questions about this movie. Maybe I should read the book, it could explain things better. Can someone please explain the ending to me? Is Jack a reincarnated ghost? Did all this happen because the hotel was built on a Native American burial ground? How come the hotel isn't haunted during the summer? So many unanswered questions!
Does The Shining deserve the title of classic horror film? Yes, it is scary and beautiful. Stanley Kubrick made a film that stays with the audience long after the credits roll. The Shining is also a cult classic. Now I really want to watch Ready Player One. In Ready Player One, Spielberg does an uncanny homage to The Shining by recreating the movie as a video game level. I was on the edge of my seat but my 14 year old nephew didn't understand why I was freaking out. He kept asking, "What's in room 237?" Don't worry about it you sweet summer child, stay innocent.
The Shining is a movie that will never be far from my nightmares. How many times have you been in a hotel hallway and thought you saw the terrifying twins? You know you have thought about it and if you haven't, you will now! You're welcome.
Movie 5 Day 5
The Shining
Another day, another Stanley Kubrick classic. I am in desperate need of a romantic comedy or a movie that is not 2 hours and 20 minutes long. I might need to watch The Mindy Project or When Harry Met Sally after The Shining. All Kubrick and no romance makes Amber GO CRAZY!
The Shining is based off of the Stephen King novel of the same name. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, Shelley Duvall as Wendy Torrance, Danny Lloyd as Danny Torrance and Scatman Crothers as Halloran. Jack is a struggling writer who takes a 5 month position, as the winter caretaker, in a remote hotel in the mountains of Colorado called The Overlook Hotel. Jack, along with his son and wife, live in complete seclusion in this incredibly haunted hotel.
HOLY CRAP this movie is terrifying. Jack Nicholson plays an unhinged psychopath perfectly. I believed Jack was slowly descending into madness. The first time I saw The Shining I remember being way too young, I think I was 12. I remember not being able to sleep and having nightmares. I remember covering my eyes when Jack walks into room 237. The Shining has the power to haunt viewers years after watching it. I suppose that is part of the Kubrick magic.
It is nice to go back to a movie and observe things you may have missed the first time. I was always annoyed at Shelley Duvall's character but now I sympathize with her. Who knows the type of emotional abuse she endured at the hands of Jack before the movie starts. We hear about his bourbon fueled outbursts, it made me wonder how much verbal abuse she endured from him. We see she is a compassionate, loving and understanding mother. She is evening accepting of Danny's "imaginary" friend and asks to talk to him. She doesn't make her child feel different, she accepts who he is. What I find fascinating is her emotional breakdown. I read on IMDB that Kubrick intentionally alienated and belittled Duvall to push her emotional performance. Her performance looks emotionally exhausting, I mean that in the best possible way. How would I react if I'm locked in a haunted hotel with my crazy husband and mentally unstable child? I would probably be a hysterical mess too! Instead, Wendy fights through tears and exhaustion to save her son. She hits her crazy husband with a baseball bat and locks him in the pantry. Simply put, Shelley Duvall was a badass.
The Shining is very long and you feel every minute of it. I'm not sure if it's because we only have 3 characters to relate to and most of them are going crazy. The pacing of the film does start to drag until the last 20 minutes. The climax of the movie has you on the edge of your seat. You hold in a scream as Jack chops away at the bathroom door. You bite your nails as Danny tries to hide in the maze, knowing the Jack is close behind him. The Climax of the movie is what makes up for the slow pacing in the middle. I mean, how often do you see blood pour out of an elevator like a tidal wave?
Once again, Stanley Kubrick knew how to work a camera. Kubrick did a beautiful job portraying loneliness and seclusion by filling the screen with wide shots. The characters take up such a small amount of space in this larger than life hotel. All the wide shots add to the dramatic effect of the close up shots. The close up shots seem uncomfortably intimate, you are in a place or space you shouldn't be. It adds to the terror, you are seeing something you are not supposed to.
Most people don't notice this one but the sound mixing in this movie is breathtaking. Sound mixing is all the little sounds that add to the emotion of a film. I'm not referring to the music, which is eerie and unnerving, I'm referring to the little sounds. The clicking sound of Jack's typewriter seems amplified in contrast to the quiet seclusion of the hotel. The dramatic transition of Danny's big wheel as it goes from carpet to hard wood is almost painful to the ears. I became used to the silence and was jarred at any and all loud sounds. It added to the horror of the film. You become used to the silence. Another reason the ending is so effective, the jarring noise intensifies our emotional connection to the film.
It was the 80's.....
My biggest issue with the movie is YOU CAN NOT SAY THE N-WORD!! It is not ok, I don't care what year the movie was made. Was Kubrick trying to create dramatic effect or did he not find it as offensive as it is? It is said at least 4 times in a 2 minute conversation. Jack and ghost butler are referring to Halloran as the N-word. It bothered me more than anything else in the movie. I can handle a husband trying to ax-murder his family. I can deal with creepy ghost twins but I can not handle shock-value racism. I didn't like it and it felt unnecessary.
I have so many questions about this movie. Maybe I should read the book, it could explain things better. Can someone please explain the ending to me? Is Jack a reincarnated ghost? Did all this happen because the hotel was built on a Native American burial ground? How come the hotel isn't haunted during the summer? So many unanswered questions!
Does The Shining deserve the title of classic horror film? Yes, it is scary and beautiful. Stanley Kubrick made a film that stays with the audience long after the credits roll. The Shining is also a cult classic. Now I really want to watch Ready Player One. In Ready Player One, Spielberg does an uncanny homage to The Shining by recreating the movie as a video game level. I was on the edge of my seat but my 14 year old nephew didn't understand why I was freaking out. He kept asking, "What's in room 237?" Don't worry about it you sweet summer child, stay innocent.
The Shining is a movie that will never be far from my nightmares. How many times have you been in a hotel hallway and thought you saw the terrifying twins? You know you have thought about it and if you haven't, you will now! You're welcome.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
A Clockwork Orange
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 4 Day 4
A Clockwork Orange
How do I write a review for a movie I have been avoiding for 14 years? I tried to watch A Clockwork Orange when I was 18 and dating a guy who loved cult classic films. We sat down to watch it and I made him turn it off in the first 15 minutes. I didn't feel comfortable watching a violent rape scene with my boyfriend. I have avoided the movie ever since but the whole point of these reviews is getting outside of my comfort zone. I decided to give it another try because it is considered a classic.
For those of you that don't know, A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 movie directed by Stanley Kubrick. The story is narrated by Alex, he goes around England with 3 friends raping, robbing, assaulting, and murdering people for fun. He is caught and the government tries a form of brainwashing to try and cure his cravings for criminal activity.
What did I think of A Clockwork Orange? I absolutely HATED IT. I did not find A Clockwork Orange enjoyable at all but I am here to review the film regardless of my personal feelings. There are parts of the film that I can appreciate from a creative perspective. So I will start with what I hated and then move to the parts I can respect as a film critic.
Director Stanley Kubrick was known for pushing the envelope. He seemed to enjoy making his audience feel uncomfortable and exposed. A Clockwork Orange portrays women as objects and uses rape and nudity as a lazy plot device. There is nothing artistic watching multiple women being terrorized and objectified for the pleasure of the men on screen. Maybe it's the feminist in me but I hated every moment of this film. I saw it as glorified pornography, showing the secret violent sexual fantasies of deplorable men. I know there was more to the story than gratuitous violence and rape but I had a hard time separating it.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The ending enraged me. He gets away with everything! He gets out of prison 12 years early because the criminal cure worked. The side effect for the cure is if he thinks of committing a crime he becomes violently sick. So the government believes he is cured and release him back into society. Alex does not have it easy upon his release. His family wants nothing to do with him. He runs into his old crime pals, who are now cops and they kick the crap out of him. He wanders into the house of one of his victims, the victim remembers him and tortures Alex. Alex then jumps out of a window to end it all but he doesn't die. He wakes up in the hospital and the government is worried he will sue, so they offer him a job with tons of money. Not only does Alex get away with everything but he's rewarded!! What the actual heck is that!? He is a violent, horrible criminal and he is going to be awarded for it. How does that make any sense? What a terrible moral of the story. I'm sure Kubrick was trying to be profound and say it was the government's fault and bad people still end up on top. I get that but it does not mean I have to like or agree with it! I wasted 2 hours and 17 minutes for the rapist to get away with everything. HORRIBLE ENDING
Ok I know I'm ranting. You should see how fast I am typing, I'm so fired up. To be fair, there are a few things I can appreciate as a film maker. The portrayal of Alex by Malcolm McDowell was brilliant. Even if I hated the character, I still believed the performance. He was charismatic, charming and a sociopath. I appreciated how the character almost never blinks, it made me completely uneasy. He delivered his lines with an eerie rhythmic cadence that stays with you until the credits roll.
The cinematography was beautifully shot. Kubrick had a way of making wide shots seem intimate. You see so much in one frame, almost like a vulnerability of the characters. The colors and images contrast the emotions of Alex. When he finally hits rock bottom, everything is muddy, dark and gray. When he feels empowered the scenes have an orange, red and white tone. It was beautifully filmed.
I understand why A Clockwork Orange is considered a classic. It is beautifully filmed and the script is witty and unique. Only Stanley Kubrick could pull off a violent story and make it seem like art. This also shows, just because a film is considered a classic, it doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. I didn't and I never will. I hope I never have to watch this movie again. I was bored and disgusted, not my cup of tea at all.
Movie 4 Day 4
A Clockwork Orange
How do I write a review for a movie I have been avoiding for 14 years? I tried to watch A Clockwork Orange when I was 18 and dating a guy who loved cult classic films. We sat down to watch it and I made him turn it off in the first 15 minutes. I didn't feel comfortable watching a violent rape scene with my boyfriend. I have avoided the movie ever since but the whole point of these reviews is getting outside of my comfort zone. I decided to give it another try because it is considered a classic.
For those of you that don't know, A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 movie directed by Stanley Kubrick. The story is narrated by Alex, he goes around England with 3 friends raping, robbing, assaulting, and murdering people for fun. He is caught and the government tries a form of brainwashing to try and cure his cravings for criminal activity.
What did I think of A Clockwork Orange? I absolutely HATED IT. I did not find A Clockwork Orange enjoyable at all but I am here to review the film regardless of my personal feelings. There are parts of the film that I can appreciate from a creative perspective. So I will start with what I hated and then move to the parts I can respect as a film critic.
Director Stanley Kubrick was known for pushing the envelope. He seemed to enjoy making his audience feel uncomfortable and exposed. A Clockwork Orange portrays women as objects and uses rape and nudity as a lazy plot device. There is nothing artistic watching multiple women being terrorized and objectified for the pleasure of the men on screen. Maybe it's the feminist in me but I hated every moment of this film. I saw it as glorified pornography, showing the secret violent sexual fantasies of deplorable men. I know there was more to the story than gratuitous violence and rape but I had a hard time separating it.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The ending enraged me. He gets away with everything! He gets out of prison 12 years early because the criminal cure worked. The side effect for the cure is if he thinks of committing a crime he becomes violently sick. So the government believes he is cured and release him back into society. Alex does not have it easy upon his release. His family wants nothing to do with him. He runs into his old crime pals, who are now cops and they kick the crap out of him. He wanders into the house of one of his victims, the victim remembers him and tortures Alex. Alex then jumps out of a window to end it all but he doesn't die. He wakes up in the hospital and the government is worried he will sue, so they offer him a job with tons of money. Not only does Alex get away with everything but he's rewarded!! What the actual heck is that!? He is a violent, horrible criminal and he is going to be awarded for it. How does that make any sense? What a terrible moral of the story. I'm sure Kubrick was trying to be profound and say it was the government's fault and bad people still end up on top. I get that but it does not mean I have to like or agree with it! I wasted 2 hours and 17 minutes for the rapist to get away with everything. HORRIBLE ENDING
Ok I know I'm ranting. You should see how fast I am typing, I'm so fired up. To be fair, there are a few things I can appreciate as a film maker. The portrayal of Alex by Malcolm McDowell was brilliant. Even if I hated the character, I still believed the performance. He was charismatic, charming and a sociopath. I appreciated how the character almost never blinks, it made me completely uneasy. He delivered his lines with an eerie rhythmic cadence that stays with you until the credits roll.
The cinematography was beautifully shot. Kubrick had a way of making wide shots seem intimate. You see so much in one frame, almost like a vulnerability of the characters. The colors and images contrast the emotions of Alex. When he finally hits rock bottom, everything is muddy, dark and gray. When he feels empowered the scenes have an orange, red and white tone. It was beautifully filmed.
I understand why A Clockwork Orange is considered a classic. It is beautifully filmed and the script is witty and unique. Only Stanley Kubrick could pull off a violent story and make it seem like art. This also shows, just because a film is considered a classic, it doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. I didn't and I never will. I hope I never have to watch this movie again. I was bored and disgusted, not my cup of tea at all.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
The Matrix - Can It Stand Up for 20 Years
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 3 Day 3
The Matrix
Happy 20th Anniversary to The Matrix! I remember seeing this movie in the theater when I was 12. I had no idea what was going on! Wait, is it a computer game? Is it the future? Is it just a really bad acid trip? Why is everyone dressed up like leather grunge goths? These are questions I still have as I re-watch this movie for the first time in many years.
To be perfectly honest, I have not watched The Matrix in 15 years, at least. I think the last time I watched it I was in high school and all the boys were OBSESSED with this movie. In 1999 The Matrix came out of nowhere and became an instant cult classic. We were all shocked at the groundbreaking special effects and unique story-line. I remember all the parodies that came out after this movie. Anyone else remember Anna Faris doing The Matrix jump in Scary Movie?! It became a cultural phenomenon. I remember getting fake black leather pants and boots, it was a kinky twist on early 90's grunge culture. Oh how I miss the 90's!! Moving on!
So here is the real question, is The Matrix still as impressive 20 years later?
The short answer, HECK YEAH!
I completely forgot how great this movie was! I was hesitant to watch it because I was afraid the special effects would not stand up. There is nothing sadder than watching a movie from your childhood and realizing the special effects are crap. I'm talking about you Lawnmower Man?! 20 years is a very long time in the age of special effects. The Wachowski Siblings gave the film a timeless vintage vibe. The major sign that the movie is 20 years old is the cell phones and the computers. The cell phones are the old school black sliders that only made phone calls. I know, crazy right? How am I supposed to text someone or check Facebook? How dare you, there is no need for Facebook in The Matrix. As Morpheus explains, The Matrix is set to the year 1999 so we except the outdated technology. We will let go of the bulky computer screens and the fact Neo has a hacking program on a floppy disk.
The special effects are still impressive. You know the special effects team was good when you can't tell the difference between a computer generated effect and a practical effect. For the majority of the movie, I couldn't tell the difference and I have a very keen eye for special effects. I know Trinity was not really flying a helicopter but it sure does look real. Not to get too nerdy but I'm still impressed but the blue pill/red pill scene. The pills and Neo reflected in Morpheus' sunglasses is my favorite shot in the entire movie, film-making GOLD! 20 years later and I'm still impressed by the brilliant work by The Wachowski Siblings. The only out-dated special effect is toward the end of the movie when Neo takes over the body of Agent Smith. The effect is so 1999 but in a nostalgic kind of way.
The acting, where do I even begin? Let's talk about the always brilliant Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus. He embodies charisma and charm. He draws you in with the promise of truth and meaning to your life. He is someone you want to follow into the post-apocalyptic battle. The performance still gives me chills.
Another stand out performance is Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith. Holy crap, I'm still terrified of this man. Hugo becomes this robotic program with no human emotions or actions. He's completely horrifying in the best way possible. It takes a magnetic actor to stand up and hold his own next to Laurence Fishburne and Keanu Reeves, Hugo Weaving does that without breaking a sweat.
We have to talk about Keanu Reeves. Oh Keanu, the handsome man of my high school dreams, you are beautiful, haunting and sexy. You draw me in with those sad eyes, gorgeous marble face, and charming innocence..... Sorry, I'm distracting myself.....what was I talking about again. Oh right, Keanu's acting. Keanu does a wonderful job of making Neo vastly likable. He brings a childlike innocence to the character that you want to protect. You don't want to see him fall at the hands of society. We want to see him learn Kung-Fu and kick some serious Agent ass. We want Neo to be The One, to save us all. I think a reason this movie did so well with men and women is because of Keanu Reeves. We found him to be an interesting character. We were him and he was us, neither understanding what The Matrix is or how to comprehend it. We want to see more of his adventures!
Not only does The Matrix stand the test of time, it roundhouse kicks time in the face. When was the last time you watched The Matrix? I suggest you grab a drink, pop some popcorn and watch it as soon as possible. In March, The Matrix will turn 20 year old, let's celebrate this mind-blowing movie. Take the red pill and go down the rabbit hole with me.
Movie 3 Day 3
The Matrix
Happy 20th Anniversary to The Matrix! I remember seeing this movie in the theater when I was 12. I had no idea what was going on! Wait, is it a computer game? Is it the future? Is it just a really bad acid trip? Why is everyone dressed up like leather grunge goths? These are questions I still have as I re-watch this movie for the first time in many years.
To be perfectly honest, I have not watched The Matrix in 15 years, at least. I think the last time I watched it I was in high school and all the boys were OBSESSED with this movie. In 1999 The Matrix came out of nowhere and became an instant cult classic. We were all shocked at the groundbreaking special effects and unique story-line. I remember all the parodies that came out after this movie. Anyone else remember Anna Faris doing The Matrix jump in Scary Movie?! It became a cultural phenomenon. I remember getting fake black leather pants and boots, it was a kinky twist on early 90's grunge culture. Oh how I miss the 90's!! Moving on!
So here is the real question, is The Matrix still as impressive 20 years later?
The short answer, HECK YEAH!
I completely forgot how great this movie was! I was hesitant to watch it because I was afraid the special effects would not stand up. There is nothing sadder than watching a movie from your childhood and realizing the special effects are crap. I'm talking about you Lawnmower Man?! 20 years is a very long time in the age of special effects. The Wachowski Siblings gave the film a timeless vintage vibe. The major sign that the movie is 20 years old is the cell phones and the computers. The cell phones are the old school black sliders that only made phone calls. I know, crazy right? How am I supposed to text someone or check Facebook? How dare you, there is no need for Facebook in The Matrix. As Morpheus explains, The Matrix is set to the year 1999 so we except the outdated technology. We will let go of the bulky computer screens and the fact Neo has a hacking program on a floppy disk.
The special effects are still impressive. You know the special effects team was good when you can't tell the difference between a computer generated effect and a practical effect. For the majority of the movie, I couldn't tell the difference and I have a very keen eye for special effects. I know Trinity was not really flying a helicopter but it sure does look real. Not to get too nerdy but I'm still impressed but the blue pill/red pill scene. The pills and Neo reflected in Morpheus' sunglasses is my favorite shot in the entire movie, film-making GOLD! 20 years later and I'm still impressed by the brilliant work by The Wachowski Siblings. The only out-dated special effect is toward the end of the movie when Neo takes over the body of Agent Smith. The effect is so 1999 but in a nostalgic kind of way.
The acting, where do I even begin? Let's talk about the always brilliant Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus. He embodies charisma and charm. He draws you in with the promise of truth and meaning to your life. He is someone you want to follow into the post-apocalyptic battle. The performance still gives me chills.
Another stand out performance is Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith. Holy crap, I'm still terrified of this man. Hugo becomes this robotic program with no human emotions or actions. He's completely horrifying in the best way possible. It takes a magnetic actor to stand up and hold his own next to Laurence Fishburne and Keanu Reeves, Hugo Weaving does that without breaking a sweat.
We have to talk about Keanu Reeves. Oh Keanu, the handsome man of my high school dreams, you are beautiful, haunting and sexy. You draw me in with those sad eyes, gorgeous marble face, and charming innocence..... Sorry, I'm distracting myself.....what was I talking about again. Oh right, Keanu's acting. Keanu does a wonderful job of making Neo vastly likable. He brings a childlike innocence to the character that you want to protect. You don't want to see him fall at the hands of society. We want to see him learn Kung-Fu and kick some serious Agent ass. We want Neo to be The One, to save us all. I think a reason this movie did so well with men and women is because of Keanu Reeves. We found him to be an interesting character. We were him and he was us, neither understanding what The Matrix is or how to comprehend it. We want to see more of his adventures!
Not only does The Matrix stand the test of time, it roundhouse kicks time in the face. When was the last time you watched The Matrix? I suggest you grab a drink, pop some popcorn and watch it as soon as possible. In March, The Matrix will turn 20 year old, let's celebrate this mind-blowing movie. Take the red pill and go down the rabbit hole with me.
Friday, February 8, 2019
Frozen
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 2 Day 2
Frozen
In Loving Memory of Sami
Today was a difficult day, we had to say goodbye to a wonderful little girl,
our Super Sami. Sami was a 5 year old girl from my church. She had been
battling illness since she was born but that never slowed her down. She had a
smile that would light up a room. She had a giggle that would melt a frozen heart. Sami did not say much but she could tell a whole story with a simple look.
She touched so many lives in 5 short years. She brought people together and
taught us to love every day because tomorrow is a gift some may never receive.
I will miss this wonderful, bright shining light. I will think of Sami often
and I am so grateful I had an opportunity to see her magic first-hand.
In Sami's honor, I decided to diverge from the 100 movies on my poster and watch
Frozen. Frozen was Sami's favorite movie. So here I sit with a box of tissues
next to me. I plan on sobbing the entire film as I remember beautiful, brave
Sami.
Thoughts While Watching.....
As soon as the movie started, I began to cry! At Sami's memorial service, they played an instrumental version of Do You Wanna Build A Snowman but the melody of the song was a recording of Sami's heartbeat. Watching that scene in the movie made me break down. It made me think of Sami's amazing big brother, Lukas. He loved his sister so much and she loved and adored him too. Her whole face would light up as soon as she saw him. This movie does a wonderful job celebrating the love between siblings.
Let get into the movie a little further.
You
can't marry him, you just met him.....THANK YOU ANNA! I love that Kristoff also says marrying someone you just met is insane. Finally, a Disney movie
where you can't just run away with someone you barely know! I thought it was
progress to see a Disney movie where these female characters are not pressured
into marrying someone by the end. The characters actually say that you need to know a person before you can marry them. It also proves that "true love" is more than just looks and a nice smile. It's about connecting with people and having that little something special.
Let It Go Girl! An empowering ballad for anyone feeling confused about who they are. It encourages you to be who you are truly meant to be, even if the world doesn't understand you. Elsa finally has an opportunity to love and accept herself for who she is. This Oscar winning song is not only for children but for adults too. As an adult, I'm still trying to figure out who I'm supposed to be. Growing up and even today I have been told I'm too loud or too outgoing. Let It Go celebrates being an individual and not giving a crap what anyone thinks.
Elsa was willing to be completely alone to keep everyone safe. She was afraid of hurting her sister and holding her back. She would rather be alone and free rather than lock herself up again.
Thank Goodness for Olaf! Olaf is voiced by the hilarious Josh Gad and he brings so much comedic relief to the movie. Everything he says is pure gold. It was the perfect break in the middle of dealing with some pretty heavy stuff.
After Thoughts
Was Elsa an secret X-Men Mutant? I once saw a meme where Elsa is sent away to Xavier's School From Gifted Youngsters and her boyfriend is Jack Frost from Rise of the Guardians. That would be a movie I want to see! She was born with her powers, she was not cursed.
Elsa and Anna's parents did the best they could. I really think their father loved both children and tried so hard to support Elsa. He didn't know how to help Elsa with her ice powers. He thought that suppressing her powers would help keep her and the people around her safe. Their parents were not ashamed of who Elsa was, they just wanted to keep her safe. It was love even if it was slightly misguided.
It's all about love. At the end of the day, the love we have for one another is what means the most. Also don't let anyone mess with your sister or you will turn them to ice!
Times I Cried: 3
When I Cried:
*Do you wanna build a snow man
*Let It Go
*Some People Are worth Melting for
For You Super Sami
Movie 2 Day 2
Frozen
In Loving Memory of Sami
Today was a difficult day, we had to say goodbye to a wonderful little girl, our Super Sami. Sami was a 5 year old girl from my church. She had been battling illness since she was born but that never slowed her down. She had a smile that would light up a room. She had a giggle that would melt a frozen heart. Sami did not say much but she could tell a whole story with a simple look. She touched so many lives in 5 short years. She brought people together and taught us to love every day because tomorrow is a gift some may never receive. I will miss this wonderful, bright shining light. I will think of Sami often and I am so grateful I had an opportunity to see her magic first-hand.
In Sami's honor, I decided to diverge from the 100 movies on my poster and watch Frozen. Frozen was Sami's favorite movie. So here I sit with a box of tissues next to me. I plan on sobbing the entire film as I remember beautiful, brave Sami.
Thoughts While Watching.....
You can't marry him, you just met him.....THANK YOU ANNA! I love that Kristoff also says marrying someone you just met is insane. Finally, a Disney movie where you can't just run away with someone you barely know! I thought it was progress to see a Disney movie where these female characters are not pressured into marrying someone by the end. The characters actually say that you need to know a person before you can marry them. It also proves that "true love" is more than just looks and a nice smile. It's about connecting with people and having that little something special.
For You Super Sami
Thursday, February 7, 2019
The Shawshank Redemption
100 Movies in 100 Days
Movie 1 Day 1
The Shawshank Redemption
I had an odd day. It was a rainy day as I waited for my new movie poster to arrive. I was on the edge of my seat the whole day, trying to figure out what my first movie will be. I was also encouraged because I had several people come up to me and tell me how excited they were to read the blog. Made me feel incredibly supported. I've always wanted to make my living writing film reviews. At this point in my life, I'm not getting paid but that doesn't mean I can't do what I love.
At First Glance.....
It may surprise the few readers I have that I have never sat down and watched The Shawshank Redemption in it's entirety. I've seen the ending at least 10 times on TNT but I've never taken the time to watch the movie from beginning to end. I know it was adapted from a Stephen King book. Unfortunately, I have never read the book but I'm sure it's brilliant. I was surprised to find out that the movie was directed by Frank Darabont. That is the same guy who created The Walking Dead! I thought that was a fun little fact.
The format for these reviews is a bit rough. I'm trying to see which works best. I figured I will write down my initial thoughts on the film and then go from there. Feel free to comment and help me improve this blog. This is not just about my need to watch film but engaging the readers I have.
Thoughts while watching
What a brilliant soundtrack. The music in this movie is truly fantastic with undertones of heartache and sorrow. The music echos the loneliness of the characters and the darkness of the prison. At times the music is sinister as it reflects the pure evil of Warden Norton and the guards.
One of the things that bothered me from the beginning is did Andy really kill his wife and her lover? Andy always swore he never murdered them and Tommy claimed some guy confessed but was it true? We never see what happens the night of the murder. We know Andy had a gun and was drunk. Would you feel differently if Andy was guilty? I'm still on the fence if he was telling the truth or not. I love how Red stood by his friend's side and believed in his innocence until the very end.
Morgan Freeman's speech at his final parole hearing is Hollywood gold, beautifully acted, scripted and filmed. The entire ending of the film is so well done. The parallels between Brooks and Red once they are released is terrifying. The entire ending, I was holding my breath and I know the ending of the movie! That is how you know a film is truly great, you find yourself forgetting you've seen it before.
Reflection
The theme of hope is reflected throughout the entire film. Is hope uplifting and helpful or is hope dangerous? I found the question of hope being dangerous lingering in the back of my mind the entire film. When I was in college, I heard the story of Pandora's box. The myth claims when Pandora's box was opened all sickness and sin spilled out and infected mankind. The only thing that remained inside of the box was hope. Is hope a blessing or a burden? I think it can be both. Hope can keep you hanging on when you are at the end of your rope. Andy clung to hope for 20 years and was able to escape. Red believed hope was dangerous and one should accept one's fate. I think once Red saw that Andy's hope paid off, he started to believe as well. In the end, all Red had was hope. Hope that he would get parole, hope that he could find the tree and rock, hope that he could find Andy again. Hope drove Red to fight a little bit longer and harder, even when he was ready to give up.
I understand why this movie is a classic. I'm shocked that it never won a single Oscar. It didn't even do very well at the box office (thanks IMDB). It did great on VHS rentals and it helped that it was always playing on TNT. The Shawshank Redemption is a beautifully written movie, it has heart and soul. It is worthy of the title Hollywood Classic.
Times I cried: 5
When I Cried:
*Drinking Beer on the roof
*Brooks Was Here
*When Red talks about Birds are not meant to be caged and missing his friend.
*When Red signs next to Brooks Was Here followed by "Get busy living or get busy dying"
*A reunion next to the ocean
Movie 1 Day 1
The Shawshank Redemption
I had an odd day. It was a rainy day as I waited for my new movie poster to arrive. I was on the edge of my seat the whole day, trying to figure out what my first movie will be. I was also encouraged because I had several people come up to me and tell me how excited they were to read the blog. Made me feel incredibly supported. I've always wanted to make my living writing film reviews. At this point in my life, I'm not getting paid but that doesn't mean I can't do what I love.
At First Glance.....
It may surprise the few readers I have that I have never sat down and watched The Shawshank Redemption in it's entirety. I've seen the ending at least 10 times on TNT but I've never taken the time to watch the movie from beginning to end. I know it was adapted from a Stephen King book. Unfortunately, I have never read the book but I'm sure it's brilliant. I was surprised to find out that the movie was directed by Frank Darabont. That is the same guy who created The Walking Dead! I thought that was a fun little fact.
The format for these reviews is a bit rough. I'm trying to see which works best. I figured I will write down my initial thoughts on the film and then go from there. Feel free to comment and help me improve this blog. This is not just about my need to watch film but engaging the readers I have.
Thoughts while watching
What a brilliant soundtrack. The music in this movie is truly fantastic with undertones of heartache and sorrow. The music echos the loneliness of the characters and the darkness of the prison. At times the music is sinister as it reflects the pure evil of Warden Norton and the guards.
One of the things that bothered me from the beginning is did Andy really kill his wife and her lover? Andy always swore he never murdered them and Tommy claimed some guy confessed but was it true? We never see what happens the night of the murder. We know Andy had a gun and was drunk. Would you feel differently if Andy was guilty? I'm still on the fence if he was telling the truth or not. I love how Red stood by his friend's side and believed in his innocence until the very end.
Morgan Freeman's speech at his final parole hearing is Hollywood gold, beautifully acted, scripted and filmed. The entire ending of the film is so well done. The parallels between Brooks and Red once they are released is terrifying. The entire ending, I was holding my breath and I know the ending of the movie! That is how you know a film is truly great, you find yourself forgetting you've seen it before.
Reflection
The theme of hope is reflected throughout the entire film. Is hope uplifting and helpful or is hope dangerous? I found the question of hope being dangerous lingering in the back of my mind the entire film. When I was in college, I heard the story of Pandora's box. The myth claims when Pandora's box was opened all sickness and sin spilled out and infected mankind. The only thing that remained inside of the box was hope. Is hope a blessing or a burden? I think it can be both. Hope can keep you hanging on when you are at the end of your rope. Andy clung to hope for 20 years and was able to escape. Red believed hope was dangerous and one should accept one's fate. I think once Red saw that Andy's hope paid off, he started to believe as well. In the end, all Red had was hope. Hope that he would get parole, hope that he could find the tree and rock, hope that he could find Andy again. Hope drove Red to fight a little bit longer and harder, even when he was ready to give up.
I understand why this movie is a classic. I'm shocked that it never won a single Oscar. It didn't even do very well at the box office (thanks IMDB). It did great on VHS rentals and it helped that it was always playing on TNT. The Shawshank Redemption is a beautifully written movie, it has heart and soul. It is worthy of the title Hollywood Classic.
Times I cried: 5
When I Cried:
*Drinking Beer on the roof
*Brooks Was Here
*When Red talks about Birds are not meant to be caged and missing his friend.
*When Red signs next to Brooks Was Here followed by "Get busy living or get busy dying"
*A reunion next to the ocean
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
100 Movies in 100 Days
I am currently in a state of disarray. My life has been somewhat chaotic and I honestly need something to focus my time and energy on. Something positive that will bring me a little bit of joy. The one thing that consistently fills my heart with happiness is movies! When I'm feeling lonely, a movie is always there for me. I no longer feel completely alone. My home becomes a place for adventure, suspense and falling in love. I know....I know....such a chick! What can I say, I love a good romantic comedy. My heart races every time I watch Amelie. I cry at the ending of When Harry Met Sally. Actually, I cried at the ending of Amelie. I cry at a lot of movies. When you read the blog you will see how often I cry. I sincerely hope this is all coming across as charming and not exceedingly depressing.
The idea for 100 Movies in 100 Days came from watching Julie & Julia. A film so pure and wonderful, Nora Ephron's magic is in every shot. As I sat here watching the movie, I realized I was jealous of both Julie AND Julia. What a horrible feelings! I have a great life, why should I be jealous of these characters on screen? Then it hit me, they have a passion for something bigger than themselves. They have purpose. Amy Adams' husband also looks like Chris Messina, what a lucky girl! Sadly, I have no Chris Messina by my side but I won't let that stop me.
I need some purpose during this new chapter in my life but how do I decide which movies to watch? I've seen all the movies I own, all 800+ of them. I can't just put my Netflix on shuffle and see what happens. I looked up a few books but that are so many! I found 10 different books titled *Insert Number* Movies to see Before You Die. None of them really struck me but one thing I did find was a poster. I know a poster seems lame but the inner kid in me is excited. This is one of those scratch off posters. It's colorful and crafty. Go me! I also maintained my willpower and did not look at any of the titles ahead of time. I'm going to go in order, starting with the first to last. I'm thrilled to see what movies will be thrown at me. I have no idea if I've seen them or not but I'm going to watch them either way. I'm going into these movies with fresh eyes, even if I've seen it 20 times.
Here is the plan, starting tomorrow I am going to watch 100 movies in 100 days and write about each and everyone of them. Not just about the movie but about how it made me feel. I'm still trying to decide on a format. Should it be a live tweet/Buzzfeed style. Type what I'm thinking, as I'm thinking it? I think that would be authentic. I'm so excited for this little adventure! I hope you will come along with me.
The idea for 100 Movies in 100 Days came from watching Julie & Julia. A film so pure and wonderful, Nora Ephron's magic is in every shot. As I sat here watching the movie, I realized I was jealous of both Julie AND Julia. What a horrible feelings! I have a great life, why should I be jealous of these characters on screen? Then it hit me, they have a passion for something bigger than themselves. They have purpose. Amy Adams' husband also looks like Chris Messina, what a lucky girl! Sadly, I have no Chris Messina by my side but I won't let that stop me.
I need some purpose during this new chapter in my life but how do I decide which movies to watch? I've seen all the movies I own, all 800+ of them. I can't just put my Netflix on shuffle and see what happens. I looked up a few books but that are so many! I found 10 different books titled *Insert Number* Movies to see Before You Die. None of them really struck me but one thing I did find was a poster. I know a poster seems lame but the inner kid in me is excited. This is one of those scratch off posters. It's colorful and crafty. Go me! I also maintained my willpower and did not look at any of the titles ahead of time. I'm going to go in order, starting with the first to last. I'm thrilled to see what movies will be thrown at me. I have no idea if I've seen them or not but I'm going to watch them either way. I'm going into these movies with fresh eyes, even if I've seen it 20 times.
Here is the plan, starting tomorrow I am going to watch 100 movies in 100 days and write about each and everyone of them. Not just about the movie but about how it made me feel. I'm still trying to decide on a format. Should it be a live tweet/Buzzfeed style. Type what I'm thinking, as I'm thinking it? I think that would be authentic. I'm so excited for this little adventure! I hope you will come along with me.
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