David and Lisa

Director: Frank Perry
Cast: Keir Dullea, Janet Margolin, Howard da Silva
Genre: Drama 1962
Running time: 93 mins.
Rating:★★★★

Two emotionally disturbed teenagers drawn to each other in a mental institution. The painfully shy Lisa (Janet Margolin) can communicate only through rhyme, and David (Keir Dullea) cannot bear being touched. Attracted to each other, they soon develop a deep bond that changes both of their lives.

David has a lot of anger and is quick to dismiss/dislike activities. Lisa has this child-like innocence. They both share an internal fear that they are trying to suppress and hatred of being caged like an animal. A desire for a friend that will except one another for who they are. Pushing and pulling each other's limits which there for helps and forms their bond and illnesses. Their personal journeys and transformation is very easy to relate to, even now in the twenty-first century.

There is a lot of surreal imagery used which extremely appropriate for place the characters are in and the time the film was made. It is obvious that this film was influenced by such films as A Streetcar named Desire, where there is more realism in dialogue, cinematography, and performances. No overly predictable lines, predictable story line, and predictable performances. A refreshing and an inventive period in cinematic history. This is film is just one example. It help pave the way for the psychological elements for the film, Bunny Lake is Missing (1965).

Antichrist

Director: Lars Van Trier
Cast: Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg
Genre: Drama/Thriller 2009
Running time: 108 mins.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★



In this graphic psychodrama, a grief-stricken man and woman (Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg) retreat to their cabin deep in the woods after the accidental death of their infant son, only to find terror and violence at the hands of nature and, ultimately, each other!

A very provocative and intense film. It leaves you to wonder "who's at fault?" and "who is the bad guy?" As true to a lot of his films, Dafoe has a seemly natural knack for giving bone-chilling and authoritative performance as the foe. His character seems numb to the death of his son as he guides his wife through the natural psychological grieving period. The woman (Gainsbourg) is in agony, winding down and eventually up the mental spiral, of trying to hold onto the memory of her son. However, as the story unfolds, you are thrown off balanced and through a loop of haunting events and visuals. To see Dafoe partnered up with Gainsbourg is astonishingly beautiful. Why haven't they acted with each other before this film? They have great chemistry together on screen!!!

The film use of the crow, fox, and doe to represent the stages of grief was very subtle, but also very important role in helping you understand underlying message. The crow being death, fox being perhaps aggression, and the doe indicating a loss of innocence or paradise. They are introduced separately and reappear as a group near the end of the film. One noteworthy moment, when Dafoe's character leaves the cabin and descends down the mountain. It is here that I realized the Dante's Inferno reference. The cabin having been one circle and the descent transforming into the beginning of the next, all the mean while grief is constantly following behind him. Perhaps, the man and the woman continuing to have sex, in the beginning of the film, in the mist of the son's accidental death, was the first circle of hell.

What is fantastic about this film is that it is one of those rare cinematic masterpieces, that you could watch over and over again, and still pick up on something new. 

Beasts of the Southern Winds

Director: Benh Zeitlin
Cast: Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly, Gina Montana, and Philip Lawrence
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Running time: 93 mins.
Rating:★★★★

Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis), the tenacious six-year old force of nature in an isolated bayou community. When her tough but loving father, Wink (Dwight Henry) succumbs to a mysterious malady, the fierce and determined girl bravely sets out on a journey to save him. But Hushpuppy's quest is hindered by a "busted" universe that melts the ice caps and unleashed an army of prehistoric beasts. Learning the ways of courage and love.


A girl, who is a force to be reckoned with, knowledge-sneaker, and survivor living in a ratty, free, and tightly knitted community that couldn't be happier. Even the animals are given the freedom to roam. Separated from, what a lot of us would think, are necessities: television, internet, phones, supermarkets, and other material things. Hearing from her father, hot-tempered and loving, that the world outside of the community have and need these things, seems outside her comprehension. Nature, her father, community, and her imagination is all she needs. A very much return to a hunter-gatherer society. Then you have her teacher, Miss Bathsheba (Gina Montana) giving an abrasive lesson of the circle of nature and the release of prehistoric creatures called "Aurochs" from the melting ice caps. 

Wallis's performance is amazing to watch. She brings a sort of playful, questioning the status quo, and matter-of-fact attitude to her character inviting you to come along with her on her journey, re-releashing your own child-like imagination and curiosity. Whether the storm was real or psychological: perseverance, courage, and love will help guide her through it. A great lesson to remember.

The earthy blues/greens mixed in with the vibrant reds/oranges and the unsteady camera movement makes you feel like you're right along with Hushpuppy, that you are a part of her world. Wallace's voice over provides a dynamic background of where her mother's at and how she came to live in this community. The movie is simply magical!!

Back to the Future

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thomson, and Crispin Glover
Genre: Comedy/Action/Sci fi 1986
Running time: 116 mins.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

The year is 1985- but not for long. Because teenager, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is about to be blasted back to 1955 aboard the plutonium-powered DeLorean created by eccentric genius, Doc Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd). But when Marty accidentally keeps his parents-to-be from falling in love, it triggers a time-shattering chain reaction that could vaporize his future...and leave him trapped in the past! Now, Marty's last hope is to change history before the clock runs out on his only chance to get himself back Back to the Future!

This movie is a classic that most of my generation grew-up on! It doesn't hit you over the head that time is the overall theme like you're an idiot, instead its the gateway that leads you to question your own existence and the power of science. The opening sequence of the various wall clocks to the start up of all Doc's equipment, especially the can opener opening Einstein's food and the claw dumping the food into the bowl thats already filled with days of uneaten food, is subtly brilliant. A lot questions are brought up in the film which in turn makes science cool again because the audience is able to relate it to their own lives. Is time travel possible? If so, what are the rules? Are there ways to change those rules without tremendous consequences?  How much has changed in the last thirty years? How did Marty's parents get to where they are and how they met? What were his parents like at his age? How much is he like his parents?

Questions you may never ask yourself or even want to, but what if you were put in the same situation Marty was and your life depended on it? The development of this ideal that time travel so believable and well-thought out that you don't question why its possible, but dying to travel this journey with Marty. So many memorable quotes that you can't go anywhere without lighting up with excitement, when hearing a stranger saying one! The special effects and the make-up are so ground-breaking.

Lastly, the song, Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News, will forever keep this movie in my top twenty list of favorite movies!!!

The Thing

Director: Mathijs Van Heijiningen
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Ulrich Thomsen, Eric Christian Olsen
Genre: Horror/Sci-fi 2011
Running time: 103 mins.
Rating:★

When paleontologist, Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) travels to an isolated outpost in Antarctica for the expedition of a lifetime, she joins the international team that unearths a remarkable discovery. Their elation quickly turns to fear as their experiment has freed a mysterious being from its frozen prison. Paranoia spread like an epidemic as a creature that can mimic anything it touches will pit human against human as it tries to survive and flourish.

This movie is more of a television movie or a poor flash back to nineties Sci-fi television show than it does a major motion film. Aside from some good-looking Scandinavians and nostalgic visuals of my middle/high school days, the movie fails to hold my attention. The special effects and the story is predictable and unimpressive. Its also hard to see or take seriously, Eric Christian Olsen. He will always be seen as a character actor, who portrays the douche bag friend in comedic movies such as Not Another Teen Movie and Hot Chick.

This Must Be The Place

Director: Paolo Sorrentino
Cast: Sean Penn, Eve Hewson, Francis McDormand
Genre: Comedy/Drama 2011
Running Time: 118 mins. 
Rating:★★★★

Cheyenne, a wealthy former rock star (Sean Penn), now bored and jaded in his retirement, with his firefighter wife, Jane (Francis McDormand) in Dublin, embarks on a quest to find his father's persecutor, an ex-Nazi war criminal now hiding out in the U.S. Learning his father is close to death, he travels to New York in the hope of being reconciled with him during his final hours, only to arrive too late. Having been estranged for over 30 years, it is only now in death that he learns the true extent of his father's humiliation in Auschwitz at the hands of former SS Officer Aloise Lange - an event he is determined to avenge. So begins a life-altering journey across the heartland of America to track down and confront his father's nemesis. As his quest unfolds, Cheyenne is reawakened by the people he encounters and his journey is transformed into one of reconciliation and self discovery. As his date with destiny arrives and he tracks down Lange, Cheyenne must finally decide if it is redemption he seeks ....or revenge.

The high contrast of everything and everyone in the beginning grocery store scene, perfectly illustrates how bored Cheyenne has become in his life. Well, that and the granny cart. I don't know if I've ever seen Sean Penn play a character who is so flamboyantly washed out from too many drugs and living in the past that its absolutely fantastic. Francis McDormand, who is just mind-blowingly brilliant anyway, portray an excellent balance to Penn's character. Penn beautifully and subtle takes you in the emotional/psychical transformation and journey to fulfill his late father's goal. To imagine and watch the transformation, Penn's character having lived in a child-like innocence and ignorance to be bombarded with the reality of the Holocaust entrapment that both his father and thousands of other Jews suffered through, is glorious and heartbreaking. Nothing about the film is contrived or forced.

The biggest lesson in the film is it's never to late to live and start over. Better late than never!

Willard

Director: Glen Morgan
Cast: Crispin Glover, R. Lee Ermey, Laura Harring, Jackie Burroughs
Genre: Drama/Horror/Sci-fi 2003
Running time: 100 mins.
Rating:★★★

Loosely based on the novel Ratman's Notebooks by Stephen Gilbert and a remake of the 1971 film Willard. It was not billed as a remake by the producers, but as a re-working of the themes from the original, with a stronger focus on suspense. For years, William Stiles (Crispin Glover) has been trapped in a dead end job with no friends and no future. Willard's life seems hopeless until he makes an eerie discovery: he shares a powerful bond with the rats that dwell in his basement. Now a guy who has been trampled in the rat race his whole life is suddenly ready to tear up the competition beginning with his boss (R. Lee Ermey). 

The introduction and main body of the film, is either an homage or a rip off to the animation, mood, cinematography, and music that was made famous by directors: Stanley Kubrick (A Clockwork Orange and The Shining), Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho and Birds), Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Batman, Beetlejuice) and the brilliant team of Peter Lord and Nick Park (Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit). Yet to see the "original" version with Bruce Davidson, it's clever to see a painting of him on the mantel indicating that he is the late father of the "newer" version's Willard, played by Crispin Glover. For this social-misfit to be trapped in his parents house and in a company built by his late father, it is almost understandable that he would retain his child-like antics and befriend the rats in his basement. Especially when he has to deal with an asshole and power-hungry boss, who takes pleasure in torturing him. I would want to take revenge too, in an ideal and consequence-free world. Eerie for sure, but right up my alley! What makes it perticularly eerie is, not only Glover's amazing performance, but also the feeling that this film is intended for children. Making the events that follows so terrifying making your skin crawl. However, when you name two of your rats, Socrates and Ben, having favoring one over the other, you realize there is no world without consequence! And you get an Animal Farm revolt!

The scene after Willard comes back from his mother's funeral and one of his co-workers gives him a cat to help with the grief, terrifies me to no end as a cat-owner. The partly fictitious and partly truthful actions that thousands of rats could do is chilling. It is shortly after this that Willard realizes what he must do and therefore gain the confidence he needs. He also learns that all good things must come to an end and alter the rat race that had once controlled his life! But is it enough to save him?

The Collector

Director: William Wyler
Cast: Terrance Stamp, Samantha Eggar, Mona Washbourne, Maurice Dallimore, Kenneth More
Genre: Drama/Thriller 1965
Running time: 119 mins.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Base on the best-selling novel by John Fowles, The Collector tells the story of a quiet London bank clerk (Terrance Stamp) whose butterfly collecting hobby takes a sinister twist when he kidnaps a most unusual specimen: a beautiful woman (Samantha Eggar, Golden Globe Best Actress winner for this role)!

It starts out with Freddie Clegg (Stamp), a man with seemingly boyish curiosity and innocence of catching butterflies and stumbling upon a house in the middle of nowhere, but that is just the lasso to draw you into the unexpected horrors that lies as the story unfolds. The lengths that Stamp's character goes to capture his victim, an art student, Miranda Gray (Eggar) and create a "habitat," really gets under your skin. It sinks so far deep that you hope that it will let up, as it does it most film similar to this, but it never does.

 Just when you think good triumphs over evil, a twist happens that makes you uneasy and wonder how is this happening? How is he not getting caught? And the ending leaves you in utter dread and terror!!! The word "stalker" takes on a new meaning.

This is absolutely one of the most groundbreaking films of its time!  The musical score, editing, costume/set design, and performances from both main actors; really intensifies the level of creepiness! A must see!!!

Dark City

Director: Alex Proyas
Cast: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt
Genre: Mystery/Sci-fi 1998
Running time: 100 mins.
Rating:★★

When John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) wakes with no memory at the scene of a grisly murder, he soon finds himself hunted by the police, a woman claiming to be his wife, and a mysterious group of pale men who seem to control everything...and everyone in the city.

Interesting concept of being a prisoner in a world that seems real, but isn't. Of mind control and memory swapping that is an interesting commentary of where are society is/could be going and the possibility of breaking free of the restraints. A little heavy on the steampunk  and gothic imagery. Has a very graphic novel feel that sometimes works to put the audience at ease that it is a fictional film, but it also makes the film a bit stale. Its a shame because there is a great group of accomplished actors.

Mrs. Brown

Director: John Madden
Cast: Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher, Gerald Butler
Genre: Biography/Drama/ History 1997
Running time: 105 mins.
Rating:★★★★

Rugged Scotsman, John Brown (Billy Connolly) is a lowly servant who looks after Queen Victoria's (Judi Dench) horses. Yet when circumstances bring them together, the result is a passionate friendship that scandalizes a nation.

A powerhouse actress like Dench and a prestige actor like Connolly portraying historical figures who are just that. Questioning the status quo and bringing life back into castle that was plagued by the queen's mourning of her late husband, Prince Albert. The film hints at Queen Victoria need a friend, with as much vigor as she, to bring her out of her funk. Though with everything, there is nothing that may come with consequences. Wonderfully thought out in character development, cinematography, dialogue, music score, and costume design. Mind-blowing performances from both Judi Dench and Billy Connolly. Dench brings, to her portrayal of Queen Victoria, vulnerability and the sometimes burden of ruling a country. Connolly bringing, to his portrayal of John Brown, determination, loyalty, and why his character was the perfect balance to the Queen in friendship.

The film speaks for itself!! A must see!!!!

Carnage

Director: Roman Polanski
Cast: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly
Genre: Comedy/Drama 2011
Running time: 80 mins.
Rating: ★★★★

After two boys duke it out on a playground, the parents of the "victim" invite the parents of the "bully" over to work out their issues. A polite discussion of childrearing soon escalates into verbal warfare, with all four parents revealing their true colors. None of them will escape the carnage.

The music score in the beginning is perfect. It gives the feeling that  fight between the two boys is a choreography ballet scene. You know whats being said without having to hear any dialogue. Wonderful selection of actors to play the parents. The tension that builds between the "laid back liberal" parents and the "uptight conservative" parents is comical and rightfully awkward. You're left wondering who the real children are, as the adults true colors are revealed. The two boys duking it out seem insignificant compared to the duking out of both their parents. The turning on each other is fantastic! Love the fact the entire movie is shot in this apartment! A great throwback to movies in the 1960's, especially to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

The ending is just as perfect as the beginning, the result of after the "storm". The children being the adults of the situation!!

Elegy

Director: Isabel Coixet
Cast: Penelope Cruz, Ben Kingsley, Peter Saarsgard, Patricia Clarkson, and Dennis Hopper
Genre: Drama 2008
Running Time: 112 mins.
Rating: ★ ★½

Respected cultural critic and author, David Kepesh (Ben Kingsley) is a middle-aged college professor who, for years, has lived in a state of "emancipated manhood." His romantic conquests are many; his lasting commitments few. But when a stunning young students student (Penélope Cruz) enters his life, her otherworldly beauty captivates him to the point of obsession. Soon, their erotic relationship evolves into a undying and passionate love that explores the powers of love to blind, reveal, and transformation.

There are many questions that this movie brings up. At what point, in the unescapable aging of our lives, do we act our age? In our minds, we are no different and it isn't until we look in the mirror, do we notice that old age has snuck up on us. At what point, does age difference affect the length of which a romantic relationship last? Can you train an old dog new tricks?

The death of the relationship in the movie, comes from David's (Kingsley) insecurity. There are moments that revive everyone's, as the audience, initial fear and excitement in starting a new relationship with someone. Ben Kingsley navigates you through these emotions and moments, that David goes through, absolutely brilliantly. Though you can't go wrong with Dennis Hopper and Patricia Clarkson, one can't help feel that this movie is beneath them.

 There's a weakness in story that I can't, put my figure on. Whether, it is in the Harold and Maude reference that love goes beyond age and all that matters is finding a connection with someone. Don't get me wrong, there is extreme beauty in that, but its been done. There's a familiarity in this movie that it bores and almost disgusts me. Maybe I hoped there would be a different outcome. Yes, the movie brings a sad one. Then again, that brings back the almost obvious Romeo and Juliet references, doomed from the start. "A pair of star-crossed lovers?" Maybe, I'm just trapped in the character, David's insecurity. Regardless the movie was a bit of a disappointment.

Enchanted April

Director: Mike Newell
Cast: Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson, Polly Walker, Joan Plowright, Alfred Molina, Michael Kitchen, Jim Broadbent
Genre: Drama 1991 (UK 1992)
Running Time: 95 mins
Rating:★★★★

Two proper Englishwomen, Lottie Wilkins (Josie Lawrence) and Rose Arbuthnot (Polly Walker), determined to get away from their drab lives and inattentive husbands, find paradise in the serene countryside of the Italian Riviera. When the pair rents a magnificent villa for a month, they share expenses with two unlikely companions: an austere widow and a bored socialite. At first, personalities clash, but the hideaway holds a special magic that soon sparks friendships  and reminds the women of ways to live and love that have long eluded them. Adapted to film in 1992 and to Broadway in 1925 from Elizabeth von Arnim's 1922 novel, Enchanted April.

An extremely delightful film that proves that you should never feel trapped with living the status quo. In the beginning, Lottie (Lawrence) is a very insecure, obliging, and desperate woman trapped under a controlling husband (Molina). While Rose is a very strong woman, who has given up finding an escape from her self-evolved husband (Broadbent) and has learned to deal with the status quo. But as film progresses and the two characters conflict with the other two women, while getting a taste of heaven in the countryside, you witness them finding their voice.

A brilliant casting of actors and breathtakingly wonderful scenery. Keep an eye out for the quick image of a spider web with a fly caught, the moment Lottie and Rose are about to arrive at the villa on their first night. Its flawless allusion, to their life before the adventure in Italy and the state of which they find themselves upon arriving. The use of mustard, muted green, lavender, and Tuscan orange in costume and scenery, makes their adventure more serene and magical. A must see "chick-flick"!!!!!

The Puffy Chair

Director: Jay Duplass
Cast: Mark Duplass, Kathryn Aselton, and Rhett Wilkins
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance 2005
Running Time: 85 mins
Rating: ★ ★ ★

Romantically challenged New York indie-rocker, Josh (Mark Duplass) can't figure out why his career and love life seem to be spinning out-of-control. Hoping some time on the road will clear things up, he plans a trip to visit his father with a very unusual gift. But the journey home takes on some unexpected emotional baggage when his commitment-obsessed girlfriend, Emily (Kathryn Aselton), and slacker brother, Rhett (Rhett Wilkins), decide to come along.

With a documentary-home video style filming, you feel as if you are a fly on the wall or wearing an invisibility cloak and you are allowed to snoop in on three people struggling to evolve for the better in a world that is beyond their own. Extremely relatable characters, especially in their interaction with one another and with themselves individually. They remind of people I know, which made the movie more enjoyable. The soundtrack was very reminiscent of my college years!

The Raven

Director: James McTeigue
Cast: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson
Genre: Mystery/Thriller 2012
Running time: 110 mins.
Rating: ★½

While investigating a horrific double murder, police detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) makes a startling discovery: the killer's methods mirror the twisted writings of Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack). Suspecting Poe at first, Field's ultimately enlists the writer's help to stop future attacks. But in this deadly game of cat and mouse, the stakes are raised with each gruesome slaying as the pair races to catch a madman before he brings every one of Poe's shocking stories to chilling life...and death.

At first, the movie seems that it is another hokey-gothic film, so "bloody" that its comedic. Even Cusack performance in the beginning is comedic and contrived without the intension of being so. And I'll admit that I was a bit annoyed at the "Edward Gorey"-like ripoff, the film uses to present the first duo murder. Its about Poe, the moviegoers won't notice, in fact, they are expecting it! And though, Cusack doesn't improve (it brings the movie down) and the use of CGI blood isn't less comedic, the rest of the movie is beautifully shot. Dark contrast and blue undertones guides the horror that lies awaiting from murder to murder. The steampunk imagery wavers be just enough and too much.

Wonderful performances from the rest of the cast, which helps make up for Cusacks. Exspecially from the acclaimed Brendan Gleeson as the father to Poe's fiancée, brings an intelligence, wit, and stubbornness, which is exactly what his character calls for. Its hard for me to see Alice Eve, other than Alice from Starter for 10, but she brings great passion and vulnerability to her character that its hard to keep your eyes off her. The costume design, extremely noteworthy, is elaborate and renaissance-like.

Overall, even with it good points mentioned, its not anything worth holding remembrance.

Girl With A Dragon Tattoo

Director: David Fincher
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellen Stårsgard
Genre: Drama/Mystery 2011
Running Time: 158 mins.
Rating:★

Disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) accepts an invitation to surreptitiously a forty year old unsolved murder on behalf of the victim's uncle, Swedish industrialist, Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer). Meanwhile, tattooed hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), hired to investigate Blomkvist, discovers the truth behind the conspiracy that led to his fall from grace. Thrown together by fate, the unlikely duo uncovers a secret history of murder and sexual abuse festering beneath the veneer of Sweden's industrial past all the while drawing closer to a quiet evil waiting to engulf them both. Based on the novel by Stieg Larsson.

This movie is shit!! It throws in cliché gothic-surreal visual that has nothing to do with the movie, but since it is "so cool", it makes you believe that it does. It just goes to show how idiotic the producers thinks the general movie-goers are, to agree to produce this garbage. "We can't produce anything original, so lets copy the Swedes, but yeah we can make it so much cooler. Plus no one likes to read subtitles anyway." The original Swedish version was brilliant and well thought out, period! The suspense and subtle clues of the mystery was perfectly executed. No, I've not read the trilogy, but I'm not stupid enough to ignore that the story and its characters are based in Sweden. However, this film version, hopes that you can ignore that all the actors are speaking in their native accent! The only actual Swede in the film is Stellen Stårsgard, which I find absolutely hilarious! I'm not saying that he's isn't an amazing actor, but the fact that he is the only Swede, in a Swedish based novel, with a bunch of Brits, is ridiculous! In case, you are too stupid to piece the clues or follow whats going on, the film continuously beats you over the head with its in dialogue and visuals. And oh yeah, lets film in the exactly locations as the original because no one will notice and those who will, will be persuaded that this film is a worth while see. Well to no avail, sorry!

The only thing good about this film is Christopher Plummer!

Dirty Pretty Things

Director: Stephen Frears
Cast: Audrey Tautou, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sergi Lopez, Sophie Okonedo, 
Genre: Drama 2002
Running time: 97 mins.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

A harrowing tale of struggle and survival for two immigrants, who learn that everything is for sale in London's secret underworld! Part of an invisible working class, Nigerian exile Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Turkish chambermaid Senay (Audrey Tautou) toil at a west London hotel that is full of illegal activity. Then late one night, a prostitute eludes that someone should check the room, she was just in. Okwe goes to handle the problem himself and makes a shocking discovery, which creates an impossible dilemma and tests the limits of all they know!

What's enjoyable about this film is its simplicity. It doesn't force the themes or the background of the characters. Everything is revealed slowly and organically. Ejiofor's facial subtleties are as powerful as the words he speak. The mixture of his presence and Tautou's bring a realness to their characters. You can follow the story they tell and their struggle to survive in a city that they are not legally allowed to be in. Ejiofor's portrays a genuine, good-hearted man trying to move on from his past, but finding it hard to  so with his hotel employer, who has a "what no one knows, won't kill them" attitude and never let him forget that he is an illegal alien. And though, Audrey Tautou gives an amazing performance and is best known for her role in Amelie, Chiwetel Ejiofor steals the screen, almost in the same manner as the incomparable Sidney Poitier.  Nevertheless, the horrors that the two must face throughout the film is heart-wrenching!

The strong contrast of warm and cool colors beautifully guides the storyline, along with the music score. This is a very well-thought out film and a worth while see. Themes of survival, struggle, the importance of staying true to yourself, and the value of friendship.

25th Hour

Director: Spike Lee

Cast: Edward Norton, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox

Genre: Drama 2002

Running Time: 135 mins.

Rating: ★★

A New York drug dealer, Montgomery Brogan (Edward Norton) is about to face a seven-year jail term in 24 hours. A life that had once made him an important man on the streets with V.I.P. privileges in clubs included, now seems unimportant to Brogan. He make once last attempt to reconnect with childhood buddies (Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper), his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), and his widowed dad (Brian Cox). 

The dynamics between Brogan (Norton) and each of the supporting characters are very well done. You get a sense that they have known each other a very long time, care for each other, have been through a lot with one another, and that Brogan is the glue in keeping them going. You sympathize with the emotion loss and inner turmoil  that the two friends, the girlfriend, and the father are feeling over the sentence that Brogan is about to serve. But all of this is due to great assemble of cast and this is where the movie falters. Yes, it is evident that there is a theme of perseverance. The movie hopes that because there is such an all-star cast that the audience will ignore all of its weaknesses. 

The unnecessary quick repetition in moments, as if you weren't smart enough to understand that this the last time, in a long time, that two characters are going to be able to this. The moment after Hoffman's and Paquin's characters kiss in the bathroom, Hoffman's character displaying obvious guilt. And though, an accomplished actor, like Phillip Seymour Hoffman, should be enough on screen, its ruined by a prolong, Hoffman on a dolly. Again, execute that you the audience are not smart enough to see that this character is regretting his action. And if I needed to be reminded that Pepper's and Norton's characters were to Irish boys, the movie tells you more times that you need to know. The sub-stories, too, do not tie in with the main plot well at all, in fact, it seemed unnecessary, but with an all-star cast, why would you think it wouldn't?...period

The end sequence of Brogan (Norton) and his father (Cox). With another accomplished actor, Brian Cox, one would think that it would be falwless. And in any other circumstance, you would absolutely correct. Cox's monologue is brilliant and a heart wrenching performance that you are emotion present along with him of a father willing to risk anything for his son not to go through with serving the seven-year sentence. However, like many times before, its ruined by a "what-if" visual that you know isn't going to happen, but since you obviously can't get the fluctuation in tone from Cox's voice or the words that are coming out of his mouth because again the movie assumes you don't have a brain, so it HAS TO give you fantasyland play out of what his character is trying to tell his son.

Lastly, the only real beautiful cinematography are the scenes by the river. I'm still trying to figure out, aside from the prison connection, why the movie poster of "Cool Hand Luke" was in Brogan's apartment.

In the Cut

Director: Jane Campion

Cast: Meg Ryan, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Damici, Sharrief Pugh

Genre: Drama 2003

Running time: 119 mins.

Rating: ★ ★½

Set in New York City during the summertime, the film is centered on Frannie Avery (Meg Ryan), a middle-class English teacher in the midst of researching a book project about colloquial language. One night she accidentally witnesses a sexual situation involving a suspected killer, which may make her valuable to a police investigation. When Detective Malloy (Mark Ruffalo) comes to herapartment to interview her about a neighborhood murder, she becomes intensely attracted to him. Although they are not sure if they can completely trust each other, Frannie and Malloy start up a passionate love affair. Meanwhile, the killer remains on the loose and the list of suspects includes Malloy's partner, Rodriguez (Nick Damici), and Frannie's student Cornelius (Sharrieff Pugh).

I'll admit that have a weak spot for a bit of sappy Meg Ryan movies such as; When Harry Met Sally, French Kiss, Sleepless Seattle, and You've Got Mail; however, over the past 10 or so years, I've given up on her being able to be in anything good or note worthy. In the Cut starts by ripping off the incomparable Heathers in using a cover of "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will be). It differs in that it doesn't set classic candy-coated intro of whats going to happen, but displays decay and almost misery in the streets of New York, while mixing in beauty cherry blossom petals snowing before introducing the characters. Meg Ryan as Frannie is surprisingly unannoying and gives a great performance. Mark Ruffalo on the other hand, I could do with out. This "I'm so 'New York' and tough" is almost comical and unbelievable. He does play an excellent creep, which sort of makes him tolerable in the movie. The first scene of the two characters, where they get physical, you're left thinking "Are you serious?" and "Wow, this is predictable!" 

The cinematography in the film is pretty good. The use of focus and blur with a red tint and the angles of the city are beautiful. Kevin Bacon portrays a brilliant small role as a metal unstable stalker, though, its uncredited. And though the dialogue is more true-to-life and Meg Ryan gives a great performance, is it a worthy while see? No not really. Unless you're curious in seeing Meg Ryan's boobs.

Something Wild

Director: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith, Ray Liotta
Genre: Comedy 1986
Running time: 113 minutes
Rating: ★ ★ ★


A straitlaced businessman meets a quirky, free-spirited woman at a downtown New York greasy spoon. Her offer of a ride back to his office results in a "kidnap" for a weekend of adventure. The trip bringing the two face-to-face with their hidden self. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-convict husband shows up.

This movie is fantastic! It proves that sometimes you need to step outside of yourself and live, but you need to remember when its time to step back in. Its a great love story of opposites attracting, bringing out the best and worst in one another. Melanie Griffith is incredibility sexy, bringing a lovable wildness to the character, she also gives amazing vulnerability. In the second half of the movie, Griffith is a bit reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe, which is perfect for what was going on. Jeff Daniels illustrates beautifully of a man who is a bit wined tight and naive, but not stupid.