The Lord of the Rings

"Even the smallest person can change the course of a future."

 

 

Being that this is my favorite movie of all time (yes I count all three of these films as one because lets be honest, they are one movie) some might wonder why I haven't written about them before this moment. (well, maybe nobody but I like to humor myself) The reality is that I just have so much to say about these movies, and it is a daunting task for me because...I mean where do you start with the amazingness that is The Lord of the Rings.
I guess the first part is the world that J.R.R. Tolkien created. He didn't just write a simple story....he created an entirly new universe with a history that dates back to the creation of it all. There is not one thing in this world that you could not find an orgin for or that you could not find a connection to. He left nothing a mystery. Each race has it's own language complete with different lettering AND gramatical rules. There are maps and wars and ages. Tolkien left nothing out of this world. I think that is one of the reasons that this is such an amazing thing.
 
 
The Similirian is where one would find the hisotry of Middle Earth. All the way back to the moment that each elf was created and why. I found this book to be very dense and hard to get through because it was like reading one of our history text books, but I also found it to be even more rewarding than I thought because there was so much from the Lord of the Rings that I began to understand and even apprecaite even more. There are even more stories of the people of Middle Earth than just what one would find in the Similrian, The Hobbit, and even in The Lord of the Rings. This is amazing to me....
The second part is really directly related to the characters that J.R.R Tolkien created in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The fellowship is something that really resignated with me. I love the idea that this group of people, many of whom did not want anything to do with each other, where able to band togehter in the end and to become to loyal to each other. Someone asked me a few months ago who my favorite character in the story was, and I had to really stop for a minute to think about it because I love each character for different reasons.
I think that I would have to say that my favorite character is Samwise Gamgee. He is probably my favorite because I identify with Samwise more than any of the other characters in the story. Samwise is one of the most loyal characters throughout the entire story. He stand by Frodo through the entire journey. No matter how scared he is or how unsure he may be...he stays with Frodo and is willing to protect him not matter what. Even at the end of the story...as Frodo struggles to make it to the top of Mordor with the ring....Sam carries Frodo. He stays with him to the very end, even when he knows that he will not be able to return home. Even when he thought he friend had tossed him away...Sam stays... he never leaves Frodo, and I love that.

The character that I have to say that I wish I was would be Frodo. Frodo was willing to take on a task that nobody in the entire Middle Earth was able to do. He was strong enough to resist the ring and was strong enough to carry it though. Frodo was able to walk away from the fellowship because he knew that the ring would destory his friends and he could not let that happen. He knew that if he did not do what he was supposed to do, nobody would. I love that he struggled through the journey. He was not perfect and there where many times that he began to falter and that he didn't always make the right choice, but Frodo pushed and he went forward. He knew that this was his battle to fight and one that he never atticipated to take. I love that idea that things fall into our lives that we may not expect, and we can let then over take us and ignore them, or we can take up those challenges and push throught them. Frodo pushed through even through there where moments that he didn't want to.

The characters are not the only thing that make this story so amazing. There are so many messages that one can take out of them. I love the idea that everything happens for a reason. Gandalf talks to Frodo at one point about Bilbo meaning to find the ring and that means that Frodo himself was meant to find the ring. Each moment through the course of Middle Earth had lead to that moment. Had Frodo never gotten the ring, maybe Aragorn would not have risen up and taken back his thrown. Had Boramir not died, Faramir would not have been able to rise up and do what he needed to do. Each chain of events needed to happen in order for Frodo to be able to destroy the ring. No matter how awful those chain of events may have seemed at the time.
I also love that notion of holding onto hope and understanding that all bad things must come to an end. Nothing in this world can last forever, and no matter how horrible it may seem now. It will pass and a better time will come. Always hold onto that hope because it is that hope (no matter how small) that will grow and defeat that evil or that hopelessness. Each person in this world holds a purpose....
Peter Jackson did such a wonderful job of adapting this story from novel to film. It is such a detailed piece of writing and taking the story and keeping it's intergity is one of the most difficult things to do when adapting a novel for the screen. He took such care in taking what was important and leaving out the things that where not needed for the heart of the story. The fact that these movies are so long is a testiment to the idea that he tried so hard NOT to leave anything out. I feel that the things he did omit, where nothing that horribly changed the story.
I honestly cannot say enough about these stories. I have said it before, if all you are telling me is that they are long....all they are doing is walking...why don't the eagles just save the day....then you are hoenestly missing the point of this story. There is so much there. Maybe next time you have the chance, stop and open up or heart a little rather than your mind...because there are some things in this world that should be felt rather than thought about....and Lord of the Rings is one of them.

Waiting for Superman

"One of the saddest days of my life was when my mother told me Superman did not exist.... I was crying because there was no one coming with enough power to save us."

 

I am 27 years old and I am a special education Language Arts teacher in a middle school. I have been teaching for almost 5 years. I love what I do, but it does not come without it's share of daily challenges. There is not a moment that goes by that I am not thinking in some way about how I can help my students. There is not one hour that passes in which there is not that nagging worry in the back of my mind that constantly asks if I am doing what is best for my kids. Am I doing what is needed for them to succeed.
I am not naive to think that what I do doesn't matter. I know it does, and I take that responsibility to heart. I know that what I say and do can affect a child for the rest of their lives. I wish that it didn't, but I would be a fool to not understand that and to know that this is the truth. I can make or break a child. How they do in life can depend on me. I could be their crossroads. Whether they decide to go left rather than right. This scares the living day lights out of me, and yes...it is one of the many things that I lose sleep over on a daily basis.
The documentary, Waiting for Superman,  focused on the public education system and how it is failing our students. Being a teacher this is an issue that I am directly involved in. This is something that I battle with everyday. It is so frustrating to see all of these young children struggling. It kills me everytime I hear a public official say that this is "All about the kids." The reality is...no it isn't about the kids. If it was about the kids, so many of our students would not be going through the public education system 2 and 3 grade levels behind in reading and math. The reality is that if you are behind in reading and math, you are going to struggle in other areas as well. How are these students making it through? How are they graduating? Who is failing these students?
There are so many factors that go into a student being successful. This film touched on the ones that involved effective teachers, and administrations doing what is necessary for the students rather than focusing on what the adults need and want. Being on the other end of this, the teaching aspect,  I would be a fool to say that these are some of the problems for sure, but these are not the only ones that are failing our students.
The parents are a huge factor in the lives of the students that pass through the education system. It has been a proven fact that parents with involvement their their students school work will have more productive students. Also, I have seen in just my 5 years of teaching a a decline in the responsibility factor of the students and children in general of today. Many of the student want to see the work done for them, they do not want to take responsibility for their actions and many parents make excuses for their children. These excuses are not helping them. Children have this sense of entitlement, a sense that they deserve to get the good grades and do so well just because they have shown up. They don't have to work for it. This is a problem and one that many people don't seem to want to talk about or to address.
So many people are looking for the person to blame. The people to point the finger at. The reality of this, is that there is not just one person to blame. Everyone has had a hand in the decline in the public education; administration, teachers, parents, and students alike. I do not that any real change will be able to occur until everyone stops pointing their fingers and begins to look at themselves and start to accept the responsibility.
This is not just any job. When you enter the world of education, you have to realize that you are entering a career that your choices are not entirely your own anymore. What you do matters, what you do affects every single one of those students that crosses your path during the course of a day. It is not a choice that anyone should enter lightly or one that should be entered into for the wrong reasons. As much as we don't like it, sometimes you classroom has to come first, your kids come first, because No it isn't JUST a job.  School is the first step for the rest of these child's lives. This is where you will lay their building blocks. This is where they will prepare for a world outside of their homes.
Yes, the education system needs to be reformed. There are problems, but not one person or group is responsible. Change will only come when all parties can come together and understand that it IS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS.
I would defiantly recommend this documentary if you enjoy watching things like this. As an educator this made me sad because I want so badly to be that superman all of these kids are waiting for....maybe one day...

Lady in the Water

 

 

"Man thinks they are each alone in this world. It is not true. You are all connected. One act can one day affect all."

 

 

Before I could even begin to talk about the movie Lady in the Water, it is first imperative that I talk about fairy tales in general. There is not a better story to be told in this world than your classic fairy tale. Looking closer into the definition of what exactly is a fairy tale was a bit overwhelming. It is amazing to see exactly how much is out there regarding defines these stories we all loved as a child. Without being any sort of expert, the conclusion that I have come to is that a fairy tale is any story that has its roots set in some sort of oral tradition. They contain some sort of magical element and clear characters set for good and evil. Many times there is an element of 3 or 7 somewhere in the tale. There is also always some sort of conflict that is presented and needs to be solved. Many fairy tales where presented with lessons or morals that directly related to the society which the story originated from. Last but not least, most all fairy tales begin with some sort of special beginning words like "Once upon a time..." or "A long time ago..."
"Once" is exactly how M.Night Shyamalan's 2006 movie, Lady in the Water, begins. The movies prologue talks about an ancient time when man and the people in the water being linked. It gives us our history with the Blue world and why it was so important to us. It goes on to talk about how man became disconnected with the people and the water because we forgot how to listen, and we became even more separated from these people who inspired us. The prologue tells us that the people in the Blue world are still trying to reach us by sending out their young who are hunted by beings that  wish to stop them from connecting with the humans again and inspiring us.
What is so frustrating when discussing this movie with people is their ignorance towards it. Many people went into this movie believing it was a horror movie of some sorts, and when they walked out of the theatre, they hated it and couldn't understand what it was that they had just watched. What Night does not get enough credit for is his wonderful ability to tell an amazing story. This movie was nothing more than a modern day fairy tale with a simple but important lesson.
The basic plot of the movie focuses around Clevland and his journey to help this mythical creature who has fallen into his lap named Story. Story has come to our world from the Blue world so that she can inspire her vessel who will help to create great change within our world. Simple story with a strong message that was so wonderfully delivered.
The overall message that Night was trying to get across was about the connectivity of all people and how each persons actions affects the others. All of us have a purpose, but it is many times not clear to us what our purpose is. What I thought was so amazing, is that as the characters around Story begin to find their purposes in life, Story too begins to understand just how important she is. She says that she is nothing special, but it is Story that will in turn inspire the man who will create the drastic change that is needed in our world. She will return to her world as a Madame Narf., one of the most important narfs of her people. She is realising her purpose, and it scares her.
This fear that Story holds is one that we all hold. Many of us are afraid of our own destiny's, we are afraid of failing, and we are afraid that we are not good enough. It is often times hard to see the impact that you are having on the world and your importance in it. We are all important no matter how insignificant you may feel. This is what Cleavland also learns through the story as he feels that being the buildings Super, he doesn't really matter. In fact, Clevland matters a great deal to the people around him and the job that he is doing.
It is an amazing lesson and a beautiful story that we told is such a wonderful way. Night is such a talented story teller and I feel that he truly has been lost behind this idea that all of his movies need to have twists and turns. He pays true homage to Hitchcock in his ability to bring characters to life, and make you feel for them. This particular story was very close to his heart because it began as a simple bed time story that he was telling to his young children.
There are all the fairy tale elements that anyone could hope for. There is your mythical or magical being in the narf, Story. There are clear good and evil characters with the people of The Cove (the apartment complex in which the story centers) and the  evil scrunts that are there for kill Story. There is the number 7 when the gilded is called upon to help save the day, and of course their over all moral.
The characters and actors in this film did such an amazing job. Bryce Dallas Howard was a breathtaking Story. Everytime she talks you cannot help, but want to hear what she has to say. Even with her silences she says so much. Paul Giavani was fantastic as Clevland. There is one scene that makes me cry everytime. When he finally begins to face his past. It is so heartfelt, so genuine, so raw, and so beautiful.
There is so much that can be said about this movie, and I know that I am all over the place. There is not one detail that Night overlooked. Each thing had a meaning and a purpose, from the blank slated apartment complex, to the positioning of the pool, to the blue world itself, and the use of the eagle was not mistake. The eagle symbolizes many things, freedom, inspiring, revitalization, and healing, are just to name a few. That was no random bird that he placed that the end of the story in order to take Story back to The Blue World.
As many people will argue that Night is an over rated director, I will continue to stand in his corner. I think that he is trying to do old things in modern times, and people have truly lost sight of what movies are. I can only hope that he will continue to make movies through the years, and that one day people will look back and appreciate what it is that he has done and understand that THIS is what movies are about.
So take a break from reality for a bit and become a child again.....all it takes is a little "Once upon a time..."

Everything Must Go

"I'm no different than any of you. I just don't hide in my house."

 

 

What do you do when you reach rock bottom? I am not talking about oh I had a bad day rock bottom; I am talking about lost your job, wife left you, your things are on the front lawn, and you have resorted back to drinking rock bottom. How about sitting on a chair on your lawn and not leave? That is exactly what Will Ferrell does in the 2010 movie Everything Must Go.
Ferrell plays Nick who is an alcoholic whose wife leaves him with everything on in lawn on the same day that he loses his job. Nick cannot handle what is happening to him and decides to not leave the comfort of his front lawn. It is determined that Nick can only stay on his front lawn for a total of 5 days and if he is having a yard sale. Ferrell befriends a neighborhood kid to help him organize his things in exchange for baseball lessons. A young woman moves across the street and befriends Nick as well. As he begins to sink lower and lower, he starts to actually sell of his belongings and feel better about things.
This movie was based on the short story by Raymond Carver, "Why Don't You Dance". I have never read the short story, but I felt that the movie was really lacking in a lot of spots. It was your basic story about not being able to truly start over until you have shed everything that has ever held you back. Nick was supposed to be a baseball star back in high school. You never learn why he doesn't  play anymore and IF he still loves the game. When the neighborhood boy asks him to teach him, he is reluctant at first but then agrees. He gives him one lesson, and then it is never explored again.
The same goes for when Nick is looking through his high school year book. He comes across something that one of his old classmates wrote to him. He tracks her down to ask her about it, and then doesn't even remember what she talks to him about. That entire scene is never references again. I actually just forgot about it until I started writing this review.
The film only gives you tiny bits and pieces of things. It failed to really elaborate on anything, and because of that you don't really feel a connection to any of the characters. This is always the problem when adapting a short story into a full length movie. Sometimes it is hard to fill in the holes that a short story may have and still keep the integrity of your story alive.
I think that one of the things that this film tried to explore was the idea of hiding behind your curtians so to speak. Everything hides things about themselves, and Nick had left his entire life on his lawn, literally. He didn't hide his drinking problem or the fact that his wife has thrown him out of the house. Nick actually says this to his new neighbor at one point. If this was what they where trying to go for, I love that idea, but it still fell short.
I did find Will Ferrell's performance in this movie to be very good. I am so used to seeing him as Frank the Tank! I thought that he really took this serious role and did it justice. There may be more to this actor than he has been able to show us through his career. I would love to be able to see him do more roles like this one.
This is really not a movie that I would recommend unless you would like to see Ferrell do something different. I didn't feel that there was anything special here or that set it apart from other "starting over" movies. So unless you've hit rock bottom with your movie choices, I would avoid this one.

Buried 2010

 

"I'm buried in a box. I'm buried in a box"

 

 



 

You open your eyes and it is blacker than the blackest night. You can't see your own hand in front of your face. Your hand hits the ceiling, but there is something wrong because the ceiling is only a few inches above your head. You try to stick out your arm and hit the wall which is only a few inches to the side of you. It is then that you realize it is difficult to breathe. A sinking feeling hits your stomach when you begin to succumb to the fact that your greatest nightmare is coming true....you've been buried alive.

Written by Chris Sparling and directed by Rodrigo Cortes, Buried is about Paul, played by Ryan Reynolds,  is  an American truck driver in Iraq. He is captured by some angry Iraqi civilians and buried alive in a simple wooden coffin. All Paul finds when he awakes in the coffin is a lighter and a cell phone. That's it, nothing more....no really.... 

This is an extremely dangerous types of movie to make. Especially in this day and age. The entire movie never leaves the coffin. This is difficult for both director and actor. Reynolds is the entire movie. I have never been the biggest fan of Reynolds. I have only ever seen him in comedic roles. I thought that he did a very good job portraying a man who is trying to do everything he can to get out of a seemingly hopeless situation. He went through such a wide range of emotions and really made the viewer feel like they where there with him. As he begins to feel hopeless, the audience begins to feel hopeless. When he feels like he is getting somewhere, the audience wants to jump for joy. You are trapped with him.

Directing this film must have been a nightmare. All that you have to work with is a small box and nothing more. There are not many camera angles, and how do you go about lighting? It is the desire of every director to make a movie that is true to the story they are telling, so how do you stay true to a movie about a man in a coffin without any light?

Cortes did a great job of using the light of the lighter and the cell phone only. There where many times that the viewer was left with a blank screen and only had the sounds to go on. This is where true suspense comes in. You can't see...There is nowhere to go....what do you do? This is where the art of moving making is at it's best. Keeping the audience on edge with as little information as possible. THIS was the movie technique that my movie idol, Alfred Hitchcock perfected. I think that he would have been proud.

I was very concerned at the beginning of the movie when I realized the entire thing was going to take place in just the coffin. I couldn't see how they where going to be able to fill 95 minutes with enough interesting events to keep my occupied. When I am wrong, I'm wrong and I am willing to admit it. Apparently there are a lot of things that can happen in a coffin in 95 minutes when you are trying to get yourself rescued.

There is something that has been missing for me with many of the modern day films that are out there. There is a sense that all that these films are striving to do is to see who can throw in the greatest special effect, who can shock with the goriest scene, or what movie can push the sex boundaries. Sometimes simple is better. That is where 2010's Buried comes in. Watch it. It made me very uncomfortable watching it, and there where times when i felt like I couldn't breathe myself. THAT is good movie making.  

The World of Christopher Nolan Part 4-Batman Begins

"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up."

Batman Begins....I don't even quite know where to start when I want to talk about this movie. It is just amazing in so many aspects. Although, many people would say that I have a bias because Christian Bale has been my favorite actor since I was a little kid. I remember hearing that Bale would be playing the iconic Batman, and becoming super excited. For me this was going to show everyone what an amazing actor Bale is and finally make him the household name he always deserved to be. (Even if he never really liked the attention. It doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve it.)

When Warner Brothers began to look into restarting the Batman franchise, there really could not have been anyone better than Nolan to take this task on. Batman has always been one of the more fascinating super heroes. He has always been so much darker than all of the others, and when one really stops to think  about it, he doesn't have any "super powers." (My super hero knowledge is not that extensive, but I would like to say that I believe he is one of the only ones...please correct me if I a wrong!) The driving force behind Batman has always been his own metal state. (I don't mean crazy, I mean his thoughts and feelings) Being that Nolan seems to really be interested in the metal state of people, and how it effects them and the events that occur around them, what better person then to explore this character. I really loved that Nolan decided to focus on the idea of fear.

Fear is what made Batman who he is in every way. Bruce Wayne blames himself for the death of his parents, and he attributes that to his own developed fear of bats from when he fell down into a hole. Fear is what Bruce uses to train, and it is what he ultimately uses to create this symbol of Batman. To strike fear into the heart of his enemies. It is also what the villain uses to try to destroy Gotham City, a toxin to create fear and panic. Again he uses such a simple human emotion, a simple human reaction, and was able to rebuild an entire franchise around it.

As with everything though, a great script (and one of this magnitude) is nothing without a strong cast to support it. I really thought that Bale did a wonderful job as Bruce Wayne. He has always had this uncanny ability to really portray those darker and deeper characters. His Batman is where many people are divided. I did not think that his Batman was bad at all. I actually loved his Batman, especially in this movie. One really has to remember that this was the creation of Batman. He was still finding himself. Not only as an actor finding a character, but Bruce Wayne was still trying to discover WHO and WHAT Batman was himself. Just as this was a new character for Bale, this was a new character for Bruce. And if the only thing that you have to complain to be about is the voice. I am going to say right now....get over it. You are really just looking for something if that is all you have to say about the performance. Because re-watching the movie today, it really wasn't as bad as everyone really makes it out to be.

Now I know that Bale was not the only star in this movie, there are just so many to talk about. I really loved the choice of Gary Oldman for Gordon. I thought he was perfect for the role, and it was nice to see him in a role that is not quite what I am used to him playing. Cillian Murphy did a wonderful job as the creepy scarecrow, but he always does those roles justice. I also love seeing Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman and they were a nice balance to the sometimes impulsive Bruce Wayne. And of course it would be terrible to not mention the amazing Liam Nielson when discussing this movie, because everything is just ever better when he is around. Katie Holmes would be the only one that I really have any complaints about. I felt like everything seemed a bit forced with her, not very natural and honest, but that is just me. If that is my only complaint great movie! Nothing more to say.

Watch it right now....and get ready...because in less then 12 hours...the Dark Knight is going to rise for the last time with Nolan and Bale behind the wheel.

"Its' not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you."



The World of Christopher Nolan Part 3-Insomnia

"Just let me sleep..."

Insomnia....we have all had it at some point in our lives. Those annoying nights where you just can't get yourself to sleep no matter how hard you try. Whatever it may be, an uncomfortable bed, light streaming from a window, or just to much on your mind, it keeps you up to the wee hours of the morning and the next thing you know it is time to get started with your day. A crazy fact that I learned in one of my psychology classes back when I was in college, is that if you are up for a period of 24 hours straight you begin to exhibit the reflexes and characteristics of someone who has had a little to much to drink. Now take this little annoyance thing called insomnia, apply it to a place in the world where there is constant light for 6 months, and mix these two things together- you get Christopher Nolan's 3rd directorial movie- Insomnia (2002).

One of the first things that I noticed when I was doing a little research into Insomnia (2002) was that this particular movie was just directed by Nolan. He did not have anything to do with the screen play at all. The screen play was written by Hilary Seitz and was based off of a Norwegian film. Nolan did not receive any official writing credit, but according to IMDB, he did have final say on the script.

The basic storyline of Insomnia follows two LA detectives that arrive in as small Alaskan town to assist in the investigation of the recent murder of a 17 year old girl. Detective Dormer (Al Pacino) and his partner, Detective Hap arrive in Alaska and are at odds about an investigation that is happening in their department back at home. Hap tells Dormer that he is going to talk to the investigators and Dormer becomes upset because he believes that this is going to taint his entire life's work as a detective. You are not quite sure exactly what Hap is talking about or why Dormer is upset, but it is clear something is not right. Dormer cannot sleep the first night because of the constant light that is streaming into his room.

The next day the crew goes out on a tip about the murderer. It is already apparent that the one nights lack of sleep is slightly affecting Dormer. While pursuing the criminal, Dormer ends up shooting his partner in the fog. This is the first domino is a series of events that begins to link Dormer and the murderer that he is seeking. As the movie progresses and as each day passes without Dormer sleeping... you begin to see just how bad lack of sleep can become.

I loved to see Dormer's downward spiral throughout the film. It was apparent early on that Dormer was really on top of everything. Not a single detail was over looked and he knew just what to do when things began to go wrong. As each day passed you could see that he became slower and slower, and his lack of judgement became seriously compromised.

Just as Nolan always does, he did an amazing job of painting the picture of one person's psychy and using it to drive a story, without the audience knowing exactly what is that driving force until he wants you to. What I am noticing about Nolan is that there is always something there, that one thing that he uses as his push. What the entire story is based around, and any times it is something so small, yet it is the one thing that starts the dominoes to fall. He gives you the piece, but you never quite know what it is until he wants you to. The first shot in every Nolan film I have reviewed so far (I know it is only 3 but this is in all three) has been significant to each film and its conclusion. In this case, the simple white fabric with some blood. I am curious to re watch his last 4 movies and see if this is the case with them as well.

The acting in this movie was fantastic. Al Pacino did a wonderful job as the strung out, sleep lacking, Detective Dormer. Hilary Swank also did a nice job as the ambitious Alaskan detective. But my favorite actor throughout the entire film had to be Robin Williams. This was the first time I had ever seen Williams play a bad guy, and I thought that he did such an amazing job. After viewing this role, I feel that he has truly been underrated all of these years, and he should have been given the chance to try other roles besides his comedic ones. (One Hour Photo is also amazing) My favorite scene in this movie is when Williams calls up Pacino on the phone and talks to him so calmly about what has happened. So matter of fact. It is one of the creepiest scenes, and one of my favorite scenes of all time.

I am sure that I am sounding very redundant in my Nolan reviews here, but I really don't have anything bad to say about any of them...not yet anyway. What I have noticed about his movies is that he seems to really be interested in the motivations of people. Why they do the things that they do. All of his movies seem be driven by one character's motivations. This drives the story and then has a way of really bringing everything together. Taking this approach to story telling can be dangerous, and if a director or screen writer does the same thing all the time, it can seem to become boring and predictable after awhile. Not with Nolan....he is always looking for new ways and new approaches to telling his story that keeps it fresh and interesting.

If you can't sleep and are looking for something to do....Watch Insomnia and drink an extra cup of coffee in the morning!

The World Of Chrisopher Nolan Part 2- Memento

"Remember Sammy Jankis"

I continue my trip through the world of Christopher Nolan with his second feature film Memento (2000). This is probably my favorite of all of his movies (As much as I want to say Batman, but for other reasons, Christian Bale :oP) Memento was produced 2 years after Nolan completed Following and contains many of the same film making elements that Nolan appeared to be experimenting with in his first film. Memento is actually based on a short story that his brother Johnathan wrote, but it was not published until after the movie was released.

The basic story follows Leonard Shelby, who was attacked in his home when trying to protect his wife from two men who entered his home and raped her. They hit him on his head and caused him to no longer be able to produce any new memories. The last thing that Leonard says he remembers is his wife dying. He makes it his mission to locate and kill the man who murdered his wife and took away his memory. Since he is unable to produce any new memories Leonard must relay on the notes and pictures that he takes. He also tattoos the most important things on his body. He cannot remember things for more than a few minutes at a time....making the search for his wife's killer a bit challenging.

This story is enough to make an interesting movie, but Nolan takes it one step further in the WAY he tells the story. Much like he did with Following, Nolan starts at the end of the story and works his way backwards. He takes the beginning of the movie, the end of the movie, and shows snips of both until they finally come together full circle back to the opening sequence. (which is actually played backwards) Confusing you say??? How will I know what is the beginning of the movie and what is the end?? All valid questions, and there is a simple answer. Nolan uses black and white to help distinguish between the different sequences of events. One of my favorite moments in the movie is when the two sequences finally come together and it changes over from black and white to color. As in Following, much to what Leonard is experiencing, much like Billy, is not everything that is appears to be.

The acting in this movie was also very good. Guy Pierce did a great job as Leonard. I found it very interesting that he was not the first choice for the roll. Carrie-Ann Moss and Joe Pantoliano, both fresh off The Matrix, also did amazing jobs with their rolls. These seemed to really be difficult parts to really get down, yet each actor seemed so comfortable and so perfect in each of their rolls.

This is such a hard movie to talk about without giving to much away, and I don't want to do that at all. I will say that this is one of the movies that a person really needs to watch at least twice. You pick up so many different things the second time around, that you wish you had noticed the first time. This is truly a must for all Nolan fans, and fans of cinema in general. I really felt like this was the movie that he was trying to make with Following. That was his practice, his stepping stone, and without making that movie I don't believe Memento would have be the amazing movie that it is.

So I say...Watch it....watch it again....and then make a decision, but I can promise you that for those 113 minutes, you will not be bored. Confused....maybe....bored....not at all.

"Just because I don't remember, doesn't make my actions meaningless. The world doesn't disappear just because I close my eyes." 

The World of Christopher Nolan Part 1- Following

"Everyone has a box."

In honor of the release of The Dark Knight Rises this week, I decided to go back and review all of Christopher Nolan's films. He is one of my favorite directors of all time, and it is never a bad thing to watch a Nolan film, and I always have something to say about everything, so what better place than my own movie blog. (and it's a great way to pass some time while in the hospital :oP ) I thought it fitting to watch his movies in order of their release. It is always interesting to watch a director's progression and growth. So, I started with his 1998, black and white movie, Following.
Following appears a first to have a very simple story line, a young struggling writer, Bill, follows people in order to help inspire his writing. One of his marks notices him one day and approaches him. This man, Cobb, turns out to be a thief. (Fun fact: also the last name of DiCaprio's character in Inception) Cobb begins to teach him the ropes of breaking and entering. Seemingly basic storyline correct? Nothing is ever basic with Nolan, and that is why is his amazing.

This movie is categorized as being a film nor, which is a fancy word for a stylish crime drama. I found that this particular film really reminded me of some of Hitchcock's (my favorite director ever, he stands above everyone else) This movie, much like his second film Memento, does not start at the complete beginning of the film. It goes back and forth from the beginning of the story, the end of the story, and even at times the middle of the story. Being that this was his first full-length feature, this could easily be a disaster for an experienced director, let alone a brand new one. He did a wonderful job though. He has such a way with reveling little things piece by piece, without giving to much away, but making you think that you have everything figured out. Then he hits you again with something new. What is great about this, is that it is never something to far fetched that it is unbelievable, it is just something that you probably didn't think about, even though all of the pieces were there for you to figure it out yourself if you looked close enough. This has been a talent of his throughout all of his films. I thought that the cuts in between the scenes could have been a bit smoother, but this is a directorial and debut, and a very low budgeted film, so I can't complain to much.

Another thing that I loved about the film is that it was filmed in black and white. Many people now a days are a bit turned off by black and white movies (my cousin's boyfriend being one of them :op). I feel that black and white movies force us to focus on the important aspects of the movie, the story. This generation of movie goers are so used to the special effects and how big the expectations are, but what they are forgetting is what is at the heart of every movie-The Story. I thought that this was a great choice for this particular film. There was nothing that was lost without color. You focused on the story and the characters.
What also amazed be about this movie was the focus of this idea of voyeurism. This movie was made in 1998, a few years before the Internet boom, and the insane blow up of social media. Cobb talks to Bill about how all people have a box that contains all of these intimate items, and that knowing someone has taken a look into this box, excites them a little. They don't really take much of anything, but they are observing and peaking....they are making judgements based on the things that they see displayed in their homes. I didn't think that this was very far off of what we all do in all of our social media outlets. I thought that aspect of the movie was the most interesting.  
All in all this was a great start for Nolan's career. You can see different things that he was playing around tired to perfect with his later films. Memento has many of the story telling tricks that he used in this one. If you are a Christopher Nolan fan at all, this is a must see. The acting is nothing special, but for me it really didn't need to be. If you appreciate Alfred Hitchcock at all, this is also a must see. I think that is definitely has many remnants of his film style as well. Watch it from a distance, quietly at first, and then feel yourself become lost in a world you never intended to be in.

The Hunger Games

Books that become movies.....the thing that takes on my biggest scrutiny in the wide world of cinema these days. I was especially concerned when I read about a year ago that they would be taking the fantastic teen novel, The Hunger Games, and placing it onto the big screen. I read all three of the books in this series about a year and a half ago, and I only have good things to say about them. I recommend them to everyone that I know. Suzanne Collins created such related and lovable characters that it was hard not to be sucked into the world of Panem and its 12 Districts.The basic story line of The Hunger Games, is every year each of the 12 Districts will select at random a boy and girl ages 12-18 years old to represent their District in the annual Hunger Games. This places all 24 of the young boys and girls into a predesigned and very intricate arena in order to fight to the death. The winner will receive extra food and oil for an entire year for their District. Katniss Everdeen's younger sister has been chosen, and in order to spare her from entering the arena, Katniss volunteered to go instead. Her and Peeta Mellark are the to tributes that represent District 12 at the 74th annual Hunger Games.
I thought that the screen writing was pretty good, and that is attributed to the fact that the Suzanne Collins was involved with the writing of the screen play. It is always better when an author is a part of the screen writing process. They are there to help make sure that no major details are left out, and the emphasis is in all to right places. There where only two complaints that I had, and that was with the mockingjay pin. How Katniss gets the pin in movie is much different from in the novel. In the novel, the major of District 12's daughter gives her the pin. It is a true token from her District. The other complaint I had was that in the movie, Cinna, her fashion designer, places the pin in a hidden place before she enters the arena. In the novel, she is able to wear a token from her District and it is out for all of Panem to see. This becomes important in the later novels.
I found that the acting choices for the characters to be good ones. I was very apprehensive at first with Jenniner Lawerance at Katniss, but after viewing the film for a second time, I really thought that she did a pretty good job. Woody Harrelson could not have been a better choice for the drunkard Haymitch, although I would have liked to have seen him drinking a little bit more. Josh Hutcherson did a wonderful job as the quiet and baker Peeta. Elizabeth Banks surprised me with her portrayal of Effie Trinket. She couldn't have done a better job. The only thing that I was not happy actor wise, was Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. Cinna is slightly more flamboyant in the novel. While he comes from the capital, he still wears bright and amazing stuff, but he is toned down. Lenny Kravitz toned him down so much that he was in all black. I thought that took away a bit from Cinna.  Amandla Stenberg captured the essence of Rue beautifully. I would have loved to have seen more of her.
Talking to many people about these novels, they really became bothered by the fact that this was children fighting to the death while people stood by and watched as entertainment. After reading all of the novels and watching the movie twice, I feel that there is really more to it than a bloody battle. I felt that the first of these novels was really a commentary on the ideas of change. This is a terrible thing that many people in the world of  Panem disagree with, but for 74 years nobody has risen against the capital because of what happened as a result of the last rebellion. They live in a state of fear. These novels showed that it only takes one person to stand up for what they believe is the right thing to do, one person to stand tall when others were so afraid. Katniss is the girl that had the guts to stand tall when everyone else was so afraid to. This is enough to empower those who are frightened. That is the true message of the Hunger Games.  (I have always been a sucker for these kinds of stories)
Watch. Enjoy. "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

The Muppets

I love to go back to the things of my childhood...Toys, games, TV shows, movies.... everything that I grew up with was awesome and nothing is better. Now the Muppets have been around longer than I have, and have not been a direct result of my childhood, but they where a part of it for sure. I can remember The Mupper Show as the last thing on Nickeloden at 8 o'clock. I also loved The Muppet Babies and that Nanny that you only ever saw her stripped socks! (that always creeped me out a little bit) There is something so timeless about the muppets, and it does make me a little sad that they aren't really out there as much as they used to be. They are something that families can really enjoy together, and there isn't much of that out there now. That being said.... The new Muppet movie is a must see for all 80's kids and Muppet lovers in general.
Jason Segal and Nicholas Stoller did a great job of bring the Muppets back to life and enjoyable for a whole new generation. There was such a great balance between fun old school references for the adults and relatable humor for the kids. And any movie that can make fun of itself is a winner in my book. They had so many great songs, and cameos. There was nothing lost in this movie at all. Amy Adams did a great job as usual. Anything that has Chris Coopers rapping should also be given a look just on principal.
The basic story is that Gary's (Jason Segal) brother Walter, a muppet, has never really felt like he fit in anywhere. He has always idolized The Muppet Show, and his dream was the visit Muppet Studios. He gets his chance when Gary takes him along to LA when he brings his girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) for their 10 year anniversary. Mary loves Walter, but feels that Gary sometimes forgets about her. While at the rundown studioes, Walter overhears Texas Richman (Chris Cooper) say that once he owns the studio he is going to tear down the entire thing to drill for oil. Walter then decides to fund Kermit to try and get the whole gang back together to raise 10 million dollars in order to save the studios. The gang hasn't been together for a long time. There are laughs, some tears, songs, everything. 

I really wish that I could say more about The Muppets, but there is just isn't.  I believe that Jason Segal has tried to bring the Muppets to life for a new generation, and You have to see it for yourself. Trust me you won't be dissappointed.... and if you are....then I judge you....really..... *~Manical Laugh~*

The Artist

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a great story, and I love to see a great story told, whether it be on the screen or in a novel. I have been so frustrated over the last few years as lover of film because I have felt that we have gotten away from the heart of cinema.-Telling great stories to escape from the world for a few hours. The Artist was a true reminder of everything that is great about movies, and why I had come to love them. It was a true work of art. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me smile. It had everything. 

The basic story of the movie is about a silent film actor George Valentin at the peak of his career. Once talkies are discovered, his production company stops producing silent films and begins to only produced talkies. George refuses to be a part of this new wave. Peppy Miller becomes the new rising talkie star after a short encounter with George at the beginning of the movie where he offers her some advice that helps her to break out. The film then begins to follow the downward spiral of George and the transformation of Peppy. I loved to watch the character development in the movie. As Peppy took the roles in the talkie films, her character did a lot more "talking" in the movie itself. George always a man of few words relied on his facial expressions for most of his communication. While he does talk, it is not to any great extent. 

Michel Hazanavicius (writer and director) did a wonderful job with taking such an old concept and bringing it into the modern world. It can be quite discerning for many people to hear the words silent and black and white. What is just so amazing is that after about 10 minutes, you forget that you are watching a silent film. The actors do such an amazing job with their facial expressions and their body movements that there is never a question as to what is happening. There is never a moment where one would question the motives of a character. I would even say that it is almost as if you can see more than what the characters are saying. You can almost hear what they are thinking as well. That is an element that I find to be extremely important to any story.  

It also gives such a testament to the musical composers of the film. Now, I am not a music person by any means (this would be my talented composer of a brothers department), but I have an extreme appreciation for music in film. It is just as important, if not more so, than any of the actors. The music becomes another character. It is telling the story. There is no need for words. 

Jean Dujardin (George Valentin) did a fantastic job. with a role that requires not talking, it would have been easy to over din had the perfect balance. One of my favorite scenes is when he is talking to Miss Miller (Bérénice Bejo) on a staircase. She is talking his ear off, and he is watching her in an almost adoring way. You can almost tell what he is thinking. This beautiful young actress who is getting the start of her career. He is happy for her, but sad as the same time. It was such an amazing balance. I thought it was beautiful. After watching the film, he deserved that Oscar. act and over do the facial expressions. Dujar

There are many people who have said that this movie had received its award for best picture because it is a novelty film. After viewing the movie, I feel that this could be father from the truth. This movie brought us back to the birth of film, to our roots. It told a story about how easily one thing in this ever changing and growing industry can be forgotten and tossed to the side without a second thought. I believe that it also showed us how it is possible to bridge the old with the new and in turn create something even more amazing. Forgetting were you come from can be just as dangerous as refusing to adjust and change. The Artist showed us that this is possible and reminded us that sometimes it isn't about who can draw the biggest explosion or what can we 3D next, but about the story behind it all and sharing that. If we forget where we come from, we are just as likely to lose it all. But don't take my word for it..... go see it yourself.