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
Monday, May 28, 2012
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
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
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
Rust and Bone Film Review
Movie Review 1
Rust and Bone
Being rewarded a plush seat in the prestigious Lumiere theatre at the Cannes Film Festival, for the afternoon screening of Rust and Bone made me realize how fortunate I am. I kept this in mind as the film began. Famous french director and writer, Jacques Audiard
introduces two characters in the beginning of the film who seem lost and helpless.
Emotionally damaged and physically inept these two strangers lives overlap and together they find a way to repair their misfortunes.
Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts), a homeless ex-fighter with a temper travels from the North of France with his son Sam (Armand Verdue) to Antibes where his sister Anna (Corinne Masiero) lives. Ali meets an orca trainer, Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) at a club working his first night as a bouncer. She performs shows with the trained orcas, until an accident that leaves her crippled. Stephanie realizes she can trust Ali who will not judge her for her handicap. With his continuous rage and poor parenting skills he slowly discovers he becomes a better person when he is with her. Throughout the film, Audiard includes subplots to add more depth and attachment to the characters.
I became personally invested and immersed in the film, I decided to see it for a second time the following day. This time I was with a group and in a different theatre, but I was able to have the same powerful experience as I did the day before. In the second screening I realized the great amount of foreshadowing that was used. When Stephanie is first shown the camera focuses in on her legs before they show the rest of her body and face. This shows a type of importance to this half of her body. When Stephanie is performing in an orca show upbeat music is combined with slow depressing music. This foreshadows the occurrence of a catastrophe. In scenes where Ali is shown with his son, it is apparent Sam is frightened by him and does not trust him. Sam constantly tells Ali he has cold hands and never tells him he loves him. This causes continuous rage from Ali.
Stephanie experiences her moment of clarity and true happiness after her accident when she is back in the ocean swimming and experiencing freedom. This is her turning point in the film, even before she became crippled she was never this happy and at peace with her self. Stephanie becomes a type of inspiration for Ali, she keeps him motivated and focused. He feels as if he can trust her, especially when he almost experiences the loss of a loved one. Eventually, Stephanie is able to go back and visit with the other trainers and orcas. Her interaction with the orcas is so endearing and sincere it engulfed me with emotion. The three simple words used by Ali makes the pain and heartache the two characters experience in the film disappear.
The two songs selected for the beginning and end of the film by Bon Iver were well thought out and helped put the audience in the right mind set of the characters erratic feelings. The soothing soprano voice of Bon Iver shows the longing and desperation in the characters of the film. It completely exposes them and shows who they truly are. When the opening song plays while Ali and Sam are traveling to Antibes the audience automatically feels the need to care for them without knowing their background. The lyrics accurately portray the obstacles the characters have endured. Alexandre Desplat, a famous french film composer wrote the score for Rust and Bone. His compositions were alluring, yet haunting and eerie in the film. This type of music foreshadowed disaster that was about to take place.
The cinematography throughout the film was very well done. It was in sync with the music and quickly grabbed the audiences attention. The lighting and angles used when filming the orcas flipping in slow motion was breathtaking. The way the camera caught the sunlight when Stephanie went outside for the first time since her accident was aesthetically beautiful. The slow motion used at the end of the film made the characters movements long lasting as if they were in a stand still.
Marion Cotillard did an incredible job playing Stephanie, you could see how she was emotionally stable and struggled with her physical stability. The way she presented herself in the film showed confidence and respect for herself. She made the film worth seeing because her character had a difficult time adjusting to her new life. Cotillard’s character was the one who was able to bring Schoenaert’s character out of his emotional unstable state. Rust and Bone captures the reality of life.
Writers- Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Craig Davidson
Director- Jacque Audiard
Producers- Jacques Auidard, Martine Cassinelli, Pascal Caucheteux, Antonin Dedet, Alix Raynaud
Main Cast- Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts, Corinne Masiero, Celine Sallette, Bouli Lanners
Running Time- 120 minutes
Rust and Bone
Being rewarded a plush seat in the prestigious Lumiere theatre at the Cannes Film Festival, for the afternoon screening of Rust and Bone made me realize how fortunate I am. I kept this in mind as the film began. Famous french director and writer, Jacques Audiard
introduces two characters in the beginning of the film who seem lost and helpless.
Emotionally damaged and physically inept these two strangers lives overlap and together they find a way to repair their misfortunes.
Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts), a homeless ex-fighter with a temper travels from the North of France with his son Sam (Armand Verdue) to Antibes where his sister Anna (Corinne Masiero) lives. Ali meets an orca trainer, Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) at a club working his first night as a bouncer. She performs shows with the trained orcas, until an accident that leaves her crippled. Stephanie realizes she can trust Ali who will not judge her for her handicap. With his continuous rage and poor parenting skills he slowly discovers he becomes a better person when he is with her. Throughout the film, Audiard includes subplots to add more depth and attachment to the characters.
I became personally invested and immersed in the film, I decided to see it for a second time the following day. This time I was with a group and in a different theatre, but I was able to have the same powerful experience as I did the day before. In the second screening I realized the great amount of foreshadowing that was used. When Stephanie is first shown the camera focuses in on her legs before they show the rest of her body and face. This shows a type of importance to this half of her body. When Stephanie is performing in an orca show upbeat music is combined with slow depressing music. This foreshadows the occurrence of a catastrophe. In scenes where Ali is shown with his son, it is apparent Sam is frightened by him and does not trust him. Sam constantly tells Ali he has cold hands and never tells him he loves him. This causes continuous rage from Ali.
Stephanie experiences her moment of clarity and true happiness after her accident when she is back in the ocean swimming and experiencing freedom. This is her turning point in the film, even before she became crippled she was never this happy and at peace with her self. Stephanie becomes a type of inspiration for Ali, she keeps him motivated and focused. He feels as if he can trust her, especially when he almost experiences the loss of a loved one. Eventually, Stephanie is able to go back and visit with the other trainers and orcas. Her interaction with the orcas is so endearing and sincere it engulfed me with emotion. The three simple words used by Ali makes the pain and heartache the two characters experience in the film disappear.
The two songs selected for the beginning and end of the film by Bon Iver were well thought out and helped put the audience in the right mind set of the characters erratic feelings. The soothing soprano voice of Bon Iver shows the longing and desperation in the characters of the film. It completely exposes them and shows who they truly are. When the opening song plays while Ali and Sam are traveling to Antibes the audience automatically feels the need to care for them without knowing their background. The lyrics accurately portray the obstacles the characters have endured. Alexandre Desplat, a famous french film composer wrote the score for Rust and Bone. His compositions were alluring, yet haunting and eerie in the film. This type of music foreshadowed disaster that was about to take place.
The cinematography throughout the film was very well done. It was in sync with the music and quickly grabbed the audiences attention. The lighting and angles used when filming the orcas flipping in slow motion was breathtaking. The way the camera caught the sunlight when Stephanie went outside for the first time since her accident was aesthetically beautiful. The slow motion used at the end of the film made the characters movements long lasting as if they were in a stand still.
Marion Cotillard did an incredible job playing Stephanie, you could see how she was emotionally stable and struggled with her physical stability. The way she presented herself in the film showed confidence and respect for herself. She made the film worth seeing because her character had a difficult time adjusting to her new life. Cotillard’s character was the one who was able to bring Schoenaert’s character out of his emotional unstable state. Rust and Bone captures the reality of life.
Writers- Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Craig Davidson
Director- Jacque Audiard
Producers- Jacques Auidard, Martine Cassinelli, Pascal Caucheteux, Antonin Dedet, Alix Raynaud
Main Cast- Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts, Corinne Masiero, Celine Sallette, Bouli Lanners
Running Time- 120 minutes
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Hunger Games
Gary Ross, director and co-screenwriter of the Hunger Games has written more movies than he has directed. He directed Pleasantville and Seabiscuit both starring Tobey Maguire and was nominated for Academy Awards. Hunger Games was out of the box for Ross and he wanted to make sure the actors were accurately portrayed in the film and followed the book trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. He did this brilliantly focusing on details each character possessed in the film. The film presented the written story in an exciting, thrilling way and is expected to reach Twilight status.
Hunger Games takes place in a futuristic world, Panem, where one boy and one girl is randomly chosen to be sacrificed from the twelve districts. The 24 boys and girls are placed in an arena to fight one another until there is one person left standing.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) from district twelve volunteers as tribute for her sister when her name is called. She is immediately whisked away onto a futuristic train to the Capitol with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) the chosen boy from her district. In the Capitol the tributes prepare for battle with past victors from their district. When prepared the tributes are forced out into an arena created by the Capitol where a countdown commences. The entire population of districts are forced into their town squares where they must watch their tributes fight to the death. This reminds the districts of their past uprising and how the Capitol cannot be overthrown again.
In the book Katniss becomes known as the “girl on fire” and Ross greatly displayed this with visually pleasing special effects. Everywhere the tributes turned there was a new disaster heading their way. The most important concise details of the book were well represented throughout the film.
Lawrence played the role of Katniss exquisitely showing her strength, courage, and sharpness throughout the film. Hutcherson portrayed Peeta in a way no one else could. He was gentle and kind yet constantly determined. Katniss realizes throughout the movie she is not just fighting for herself, she is fighting for Peeta.
Stanley Tucci did surprisingly well playing Caesar Flickermen. When Tucci first appeared on screen he looked different from the book’s description of his character. He performed outstandingly portraying Caesar’s eccentric personality and upbeat enthusiasm. He was entertaining to watch and the connections he made with the other actors on screen was very engaging.
The film ends with a surprising twist where rules of the game are altered. These results lead to the President of Panem realizing his dictatorship may be weakened. Characters are left in confusion wanting to forget what happened and simultaneously remember. It leaves the audience with multiple unanswered questions and terrifying thoughts that such a world could exist.
Hunger Games takes place in a futuristic world, Panem, where one boy and one girl is randomly chosen to be sacrificed from the twelve districts. The 24 boys and girls are placed in an arena to fight one another until there is one person left standing.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) from district twelve volunteers as tribute for her sister when her name is called. She is immediately whisked away onto a futuristic train to the Capitol with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) the chosen boy from her district. In the Capitol the tributes prepare for battle with past victors from their district. When prepared the tributes are forced out into an arena created by the Capitol where a countdown commences. The entire population of districts are forced into their town squares where they must watch their tributes fight to the death. This reminds the districts of their past uprising and how the Capitol cannot be overthrown again.
In the book Katniss becomes known as the “girl on fire” and Ross greatly displayed this with visually pleasing special effects. Everywhere the tributes turned there was a new disaster heading their way. The most important concise details of the book were well represented throughout the film.
Lawrence played the role of Katniss exquisitely showing her strength, courage, and sharpness throughout the film. Hutcherson portrayed Peeta in a way no one else could. He was gentle and kind yet constantly determined. Katniss realizes throughout the movie she is not just fighting for herself, she is fighting for Peeta.
Stanley Tucci did surprisingly well playing Caesar Flickermen. When Tucci first appeared on screen he looked different from the book’s description of his character. He performed outstandingly portraying Caesar’s eccentric personality and upbeat enthusiasm. He was entertaining to watch and the connections he made with the other actors on screen was very engaging.
The film ends with a surprising twist where rules of the game are altered. These results lead to the President of Panem realizing his dictatorship may be weakened. Characters are left in confusion wanting to forget what happened and simultaneously remember. It leaves the audience with multiple unanswered questions and terrifying thoughts that such a world could exist.
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