Confessions of a Child of the Century mini film review

Mini Review 4

Confessions of a Child of the Century

Painful and boring to watch, Confessions of a Child of the Century consists of Octave (Pete Doherty), aimlessly wandering around drunk and stumbling into orgies. Throughout the film he has what hardly seem like philosophical discussions with his pal Desgenais (August Diehl.) Feeling sorry for himself after losing his first “love” Octave befriends Brigitte (Charlotte Gainsbourg), whose name you do not learn of until the middle of the film. Brigitte is a widow and ten years older than Octave. Unable to resist each other they become lovers. Brigitte is not able to hold his attention for long. Lets just say Doherty should stick to being a musician.

Writers- Alfred de Musset, Sylvie Verheyde

Director- Sylvie Verheyde

Producers- Bruno Berthemy, Caspar Heider

Main Cast- Charlotte Gainsbourg, Pete Doherty, Lily Cole

Running Time- 125 minutes

The Hunt film review

Movie Review 4

The Hunt

Mads Mikkelsen, winner of best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival plays the riveting lead role in the film The Hunt. Danish Director, Thomas Vinterberg is well known for being the co-founder of Dogme 95 movement in filmmaking. This genre has created rules for making movie production easier. Vinterberg believes the use of detailed special effects and technology in a film is not as important as the traditional values of story, acting, and theme. In this film, Vinterberg veers away from Dogme 95 filmmaking to tell this invigorating tale of desperation and turmoil.

Lucas (Mads Mikkelsen), is a newly divorced, kindhearted, loving and friendly man. His likable personality is soon put to the test when he is accused of sexual abuse by his best friend, Theo’s (Thomas Bo Larsen) daughter Klara (Annika Wedderkopp.) Lucas is a fun and playful kindergarten teacher. He spends some time with Klara taking her to and from school and she develops a childish crush. One day when he is playing with the kids, Klara runs into the room kisses him on the lips and hands him a heart she made. Lucas kindly explains to Klara how what she did was not appropriate. This frustrates Klara and after seeing inappropriate pictures her older brother had shown her the day before, she accuses Lucas of showing her his inappropriate body parts. This causes a frenzy within the school, Lucas is fired and the police is notified.

Everything in Lucas’s life begins to crumble. The entire town discovers the charges against him and refuse him access to stores. He is constantly harassed and looked down on. No one will take time to listen to him but his good friend, Bruun (Lars Ranthe.) His son, Marcus (Lasse Fogelstrom) who was supposed to live with him but not allowed anymore, comes to visit for a few days. After Lucas is arrested Marcus pays a visit to Klara and her family that ends with him fighting and being kicked out. Later on Lucas’s house is vandalized and Fanny, his dog is murdered and left on his doorstep. This causes rage within Lucas and Marcus. After the extreme disapproval of neighbors and school faculty, Vinterberg almost has me believing Lucas might have abused Klara. The film makes the audience focus and concentrate to figure out what the truth really is.

I was fully engrossed in this film for the entire 111 minutes. Mikkelsen played a dignified character up until the very end of the film when he reaches his breaking point. Once Theo sees how detached and abandoned Lucas has become he realizes his daughter really has made up the story. She tells him she was being silly and nothing ever happened. About a year goes by and everything is straightened out and back to normal, or so it seems. Lucas is now shown with a girlfriend and his son. His son Marcus is celebrating finally becoming a man where he is dubbed his first shotgun for hunting. The entire crew of men go out to hunt. When Lucas is on his own you see someone off in the distance aiming to shoot at him. He barely dodges the bullet and is left standing there in awe and confusion. He is not so safe after all, someone is still out to end his life. 

The cinematography used in the film really captures its darkness. There is a constant sort of eerie feeling in the Dutch town throughout the film, even in the beginning when Lucas has not been accused. I could tell the film would soon take a twist. The cinematography done in the vandalizing scene had no forewarning it was coming. It surprised the audience and left me exasperated. I was constantly annoyed and frustrated with the other characters in the film. The way the townspeople were excluding Lucas from their lives with no real evidence of the abuse was aggravating. Bruun makes a comment stating, “People assume children always tell the truth. And the sad part is, they usually do.” This statement throws me off guard since it is coming from Lucas’s good friend. I do not agree with this, I believe children have wild imaginations. The false accusations against Lucas caused him unnecessary pain and stress 

and things will never be the same. 

Writers- Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm

Director- Thomas Vinterberg

Producers- Jessica Ask, Madeleine Ekman 

Main Cast- Mads Mikkelsen

Running Time- 111 minutes

Frank and Chip mini film review

Mini Movie Review 3

Frank and Chip: The Olympic Experience Documentary

Frank and Erma (known as Chip) were the first married couple to compete in the 1936 Olympics. They both immigrated to the United States and met in the German gym society known as the Turn Verein. This is an endearing documentary created by their grandson, Dan Frank, which took him four years to create. Frank described his grandparents story in such great detail. He focused on how hard they worked to make it in the Olympic games. He showed great pride and respect for his grandparents phenomenal accomplishments while telling the story with great passion.

Writers- Jeremy Deneau

Director- Dan Frank

Producers- Lisa Brewster, Michelle Brooks, Daniel Celestina

Main Cast- Geri Celestina, Jeremy Deneau, Willie Gault

Running Time- 60 minutes

On the Road film review

Movie Review 3

On the Road

Inspired by poetry, jazz, drugs, and experimental sex, the beat generation took place in the middle of the 20th century. The film On the Road, directed by Walter Salles, follows two characters who travel across country craving this type of lifestyle and adventure. The film is an adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s semi autobiographical novel, in which he tell his story through one of the lead characters. Salle is a brazilian filmmaker with international prominence. This film follows the same style as his previous film The Motorcycle Diaries released in 2004. 

In  On the Road, Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), is the life of the party with his recklessness and constant drinking. He is the guy everyone envies but does not have a high regard for. Everyone he meets has an indescribable obsession with him and is drawn to his carefree lifestyle. Depressed and without inspiration to write, Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) is a kind, light hearted and innocent struggling writer. He meets Dean and uses him as inspiration.  Sal chooses to follow some of the same paths as Dean but take a few detours to experience things on his own. He was brought up in a more conventional household and continues to keep in touch with his mother as he ventures off in search of his identity.

Throughout the movie Dean has constant relationships and one night stands with various women and men. Marylou (Kristen Stewart), is a naive sixteen year old girl willing to do anything for Dean. In the beginning of the film Dean and Marylou are married and he brings her along on many of his trips. During a time when sexuality was common to be explored, she shows interests towards Sal, and the possibility of a relationship between them is foreshadowed. Soon Dean strikes interest in a more conservative ladylike woman Camille (Kirsten Dunst.) Dean divorces Marylou and marries Camille to start a family with her. He is not satisfied with staying in one place for long and ends up leaving for a while to travel with Marylou and Sal. When he arrives home, Camille kicks him out and he continues to struggle on his own. 

Sal does not have as many opportunities to be with women as Dean, but when he does, he is more respectful and serious. On one of his detours he ends up in California working in a cotton field. He has a brief romance with a mexican woman (Alice Braga), while there, and leaves to continue his journeys. Once Marylou realizes Dean is not going to get back with her, she shares a night of passion with Sal. Sal has had multiple opportunities to be with Marylou before, but he did not want to disrespect Dean. His previous actions towards Marylou showed his longing to be with her. 

There are multiple subplots throughout the film to keep the movie flowing. The cinematography used in a New Year’s Eve party setting with Dean and Marylou passionately and loosely dancing with one another captivate the entire party and decade. The colors used in this scene grab the audiences attention and show the true love between the two characters. One of Dean and Sal’s fellow buddies who accompanies them on a trip ends up dropping his newly wedded wife off at an eccentric couples home. Galatea (Elisabeth Moss), is mortified by this gesture and constantly tries to contact her husband to bring her home. Once they go fetch Galatea they end up spending time at the house. They experience a carefree family environment that is eye opening for them. This describes the setting and design of the house. The style of filming used in Sal and Deans last trip together to Mexico is psychedelic and fixating. I felt as if I was immersed in the action with them, especially when one of them almost overdoses.

  Sal goes on to do great things in New York. While on his way to a theatre premiere with what looks to be a new love interest he runs into Dean, who was searching for him. Dean looks lost, drained, and helpless. Unable to help him, Sal is suddenly inspired by what seems to be his last run in with Dean. He heads home, sits at his typewriter and feverishly begins typing, producing the novel On the Road.

There is a slight sadness throughout this film that could ultimately leave the audience distraught, but I believe it is a journey one should see for themselves. The constant challenges and struggling the characters endure are relatable in some ways. The narration by Riley’s character Sal is rather inspiring and hopeful. He has a good head on his shoulders and subconsciously knows he will make something of himself. This film left me with eagerness to seek out my own adventures.

Writers- Jack Kerouac, Jose Rivera

Director- Walter Salles

Producers- Patrick Batteux

Main Cast- Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley, Kristen Stewart

Running Time- 137 minutes

Reality mini film review

Mini Movie Review 2
Reality

    Lack of plot and acting ability, Reality is far from entertaining. The plot is suppose to be about a poor man, Luciano (Aniello Arena) who sells fish and gets the opportunity to audition for the reality show Big Brother. Luciano lives with his large italian family in Naples. His decision to do the reality show involves his entire family constantly expressing their thoughts. Luciano becomes so enthralled with the idea of becoming a reality star he loses sight of what is actually real. The film drags on for two hours and never has a moment of clarity or resolution.

Writers- Matteo Garrone, Massimo Gaudioso
Director- Matteo Garrone
Producers- Matteo Garrone, Jean Labadie, Domenico Procacci
Main Cast- Aniello Arena, Loredana Simioli, Nando Paone
Running Time- 115 minutes

Lawless Film Review

Movie Review 2
Lawless

    Adapted from a true story, Lawless takes place during the prohibition where the bootlegging Bondurant Brothers live as if they are immortal. John Hillcoat, director of the film takes this adaptation from Matt Bondurant’s novel The Wettest County in the World. In his novel, Bondurant, grandson of one of the main characters tell the story of the three Bondurant brothers from Franklin, Virginia. Hillcoat focuses on the different elements the brothers bring to the screen. The diversity of the characters helps the audience to follow the plot.
    In the beginning of the film the three Bondurant brothers are shown surrounding a squealing hog. Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy) is forcing his younger brother Jack (Shia Labeouf) to shoot a hog. With tears swelling in his eyes Jack watches as Forrest rips the gun out of his hands and ends the hog’s life. Twenty years pass and Tom is a strong well respected man in charge of the family moonshine business with his brothers. Deputy Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce), an evil twisted man wants a profit from the Bondurant brother’s business. Forrest makes it clear with physical gestures that Rakes will never lay his hands on a cent of their profit. Howard Bondurant (Jason Clarke), an overly aggressive man with a short fuse is willing to fight anyone at a moments notice. His short temper makes him useful when threatening others to stay away from the family business. Jack the weaker and innocent one of the two brothers is willing to do anything to gain their respect. Rakes and the Bondurant brothers start a war where others are harmed at their own expense. When Rakes mistreats Jack and threatens to kill his close friend, Jack will stop at nothing until Rakes is dead.
    Hillcoat brings Maggie (Jessica Chastain) in the film to give Forrest who is such a likable character a love interest. This is to show the carrying and respectful side of him so he does not seem so harsh and stern. Hardy brings his character to life the way he articulates and carries on conversations with others. Forrest does not take criticism well and handles pain by striking revenge upon others. Clarke’s character is more of a loner full of nonstop rage and hatred towards anyone who threatens his family. Howard believes in revenge just as much as Forrest and will go at any lengths to protect his brothers. Labeouf’s character Jack brings in the lighthearted innocent emotions needed to balance the film. He does his best to please his brothers and stand strong but he is not afraid to show emotion, especially when he is falling in love with the preachers daughter Bertha (Mia Wasikowska.) Maggie helps Jack keep his innocence so he does not become as cold and cynical as his brothers.
    Violent films are typically not my genre of choice but the pain the characters exude in these moments of desperation is so moving. I am not able to take my eyes off the screen. I first experience this emotion when Jack knocks someone out with his brass knuckle. The special effects used to knock the person out and spew the blood intrigues the audience to continue watching. In another scene Jack is literally beaten to a pulp by Rakes and his face is covered in blood. It is painful to look at but the pain in Jack’s eyes persuaded me to continue watching. The agony he is experiencing caused me to feel for him. These scenes will cause the audience to have an automatic bitterness and malice towards Rakes.
    The soundtrack is forceful, yet slow and creepy foreshadowing when trouble is moving in on the main characters. It focuses on the strengths of the characters but shows they each have a weaker side as well. When Forrest is lecturing Jack on something he should have never gotten involved with Howard walks in to give Jack some bad news. Automatically Forrest has enough respect for Jack to stop hassling him and let him take the recent news how he wants. The soundtrack is able to keep in sync with the character’s emotions.
    The cinematography used in the film portrays the prohibition as a rough time for most. The Great Depression began around this time so most people were left with nothing. Jack mentions in the film how he does not experinece the effects of the great depression because his family business is booming. The lighting used throughout the film really brings this era to life. The Bondurant brothers seem to be an unstoppable force.

Writers- Nick Cave (screenplay), Matt Bondurant (novel)
Director- John Hillcoat
Producers- John Allen, Robert Ogden Barnum
Main Cast- Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain
Running Time- 115 minutes

Mystery mini film review

Mini review 1
Mystery

Is it possible for one man to have three mistresses? In Mystery, Lu Jie (Hao Lei) is a happily married woman to Yongzhao (Qin Hao) who have a daughter. Lu Jie starts to doubt her happiness once she meets Sang Qui (Qi XI) who exposes Yongzhao with a young woman. Lu Jie discovers Sang Qui is one of her husbands mistresses as well and is trying to force her to divorce Yongzhao. Instead they both end up in a murder case involving the young woman. This film is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Director/Producer- Lou YE
Main Cast- Hao LEI, Qin HAO, Qi XI
Running Time-  90 minutes