The movie was interesting but not one of my favorites. I felt the little plot involved of the movie was over dramatized. I do agree there are racial stereotyping and many people have suffered from it but I had a very hard time staying engaged throughout the movie.
The movie started off with a vehicle crash, which then started with the racial stereotyping. It dealt with Whites, Blacks, Latinos, Koreans, Iranians, cops and criminals. The movie is about race, discrimination, and stereotypes. Just about every character is flawed in belief ,with at least one stereotype of other races. A white woman thinks a Hispanic man with tattoos is a gang banger. The white cops don't trust black men. All Asian characters are referred to as Chinese. And the list goes on.
Most of the characters where victims of racism and were also guilty of it! I do think assumptions tend to prevent what is in front of you! The movie shows an extreme story of racism with each ethnic background and how they all intertwined. The movie presumes that most people feel prejudice and resentment against members of other groups and observe consequences of those feelings. It was rough cut and under cut throughout the movie, which made me feel not part of the movie. I also felt the editing of the movie did not make sense, it felt more like a soap opera.
The cast included some big names: Sandra Bullock , Don Cheadle , Jennifer Esposito , Matt Dillon Terrence Howard , Thandie Newton , Ryan Phillippe , Chris Ludacris, Brendan Fraser , Larenz Tate , and Michael Pena. The only actor that I thought did an amazing job was Matt Dillon, otherwise the rest were OK.
There were parts of the movie that I did like; one that stood out the most to me was of the police. The cop that took advantage of a woman during a search and her husband had to stand by and do nothing! Then when she had the car accident he was the one to rescue her, it is a terrible thought but usually that is what it takes (something that extreme) to open ones eyes to the truth!
The movie did have a good delivery of the message it is portraying. Although Crash did not have a conclusion, it does showcase the problems with racism. The movie does bring up good discussions about race, and making it real life. I did think it was very thought provoking and was an interesting way of telling the story. It also did a good job of showing and feeling the hate of the characters and yet sympathizing with them too.
Paul Haggis was the writer and director of this movie and Crash won best picture in 2005. This movie is one that many talked about but unfortunately, I don't think it would change ones racist practices or reform their outlook.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Cider House Rules
Adapted by John Irving from his own best-seller, this movie was extraordinary. This was the first time I have watched the movie and I loved it! I have always wanted to adopt a child and this tugged at my heart in many ways! The girls were chosen by adopter families more than the boys and the babies more than the older children. I don't know how many times I cried throughout the movie! The way the nurses had the children say goodnight to the children that were adopted and gone, and when Dr. Larch would say to the boys "Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England."
The acting in this movie was very good! Dr. Larch was a very caring man played by Michael Caine, yet he was performing abortions, a drug user and fraudulently made Homer to be a doctor. Michael Caine told E.W.: “Its the hardest accent I've ever had to do. You have to concentrate like a laser beam. If you get one little word wrong, you sound completely phony.” Toby Maguire delivered a mature and subtle performance as the main character of Homer, and one can see his character grow in strength and self confidence as the film develops.
Torn between gratitude and desire to experience the world on his own, Homer undergoes trials, and a journey towards his own self-discovery, before discovering what's really important in life.
While at the orchard, his newly found job; Homer learns about an incestuous relationship between Mr. Rose and his daughter, and desires to help the girl by giving her an abortion. Throughout the movie, Homer was completely against performing an abortion but realizes Rose was going to take care of it herself and he knew he had to help her.
I thought it was very interesting, the name of the movie "Cider House Rules" comes from the actual rules posted in the cider house. The workers could not read and had no idea what the rules where. Homer reads the rules to the other workers and they say; rules are made to be broken, there are no absolutes. There are many examples of these throughout the movie; performing abortions, drug use, lying, incest and murder. Although all of these issues are throughout the movie, it was done in a tasteful manner.
I also loved how Dr. Larch teaches Homer to be of use! The boy did not need a college education, he was gifted and had the experience to become a wonderful doctor. I was shocked to find out in the movie, Homer was told he had a heart condition and he needed to stay calm and then come to find out that he did not have a heart condition at all! The doctor told him this in order for him to stay at the orphanage!
The doctor was abusing ether in order to sleep. The movie made it seem as though the doctor died from an accidental overdose but I wondered if he purposefully did it because Homer was not coming back and it broke his heart! The movie was perfect in length but I would have liked to see Wally and Candy come to the orphanage to adopt Curly! I have not read the book but since Wally was paralyzed I was hopeful they were going to adopt in the future!
The colors, camera angles, acting and story line made this movie! The movie won a best supporting actor Oscar for Caine and a screenplay Oscar for Irving. It was nominated for five other Oscars.
The acting in this movie was very good! Dr. Larch was a very caring man played by Michael Caine, yet he was performing abortions, a drug user and fraudulently made Homer to be a doctor. Michael Caine told E.W.: “Its the hardest accent I've ever had to do. You have to concentrate like a laser beam. If you get one little word wrong, you sound completely phony.” Toby Maguire delivered a mature and subtle performance as the main character of Homer, and one can see his character grow in strength and self confidence as the film develops.
Torn between gratitude and desire to experience the world on his own, Homer undergoes trials, and a journey towards his own self-discovery, before discovering what's really important in life.
While at the orchard, his newly found job; Homer learns about an incestuous relationship between Mr. Rose and his daughter, and desires to help the girl by giving her an abortion. Throughout the movie, Homer was completely against performing an abortion but realizes Rose was going to take care of it herself and he knew he had to help her.
I thought it was very interesting, the name of the movie "Cider House Rules" comes from the actual rules posted in the cider house. The workers could not read and had no idea what the rules where. Homer reads the rules to the other workers and they say; rules are made to be broken, there are no absolutes. There are many examples of these throughout the movie; performing abortions, drug use, lying, incest and murder. Although all of these issues are throughout the movie, it was done in a tasteful manner.
I also loved how Dr. Larch teaches Homer to be of use! The boy did not need a college education, he was gifted and had the experience to become a wonderful doctor. I was shocked to find out in the movie, Homer was told he had a heart condition and he needed to stay calm and then come to find out that he did not have a heart condition at all! The doctor told him this in order for him to stay at the orphanage!
The doctor was abusing ether in order to sleep. The movie made it seem as though the doctor died from an accidental overdose but I wondered if he purposefully did it because Homer was not coming back and it broke his heart! The movie was perfect in length but I would have liked to see Wally and Candy come to the orphanage to adopt Curly! I have not read the book but since Wally was paralyzed I was hopeful they were going to adopt in the future!
The colors, camera angles, acting and story line made this movie! The movie won a best supporting actor Oscar for Caine and a screenplay Oscar for Irving. It was nominated for five other Oscars.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Walk The Line
Walk the Line, starring Joaquin Phoenix as country/rock-music legend Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as his singing partner, and stubborn romantic interest June Carter, was an amazing biography. This movie contained; childhood trauma, marriage, divorce, drug addiction and withdrawal. Cash's wounded soul, the inner conflicts he endures, the decisions that result in more pain, the temptations and pressures of fame, and the love that brings him back to the faith. Gave me a better understanding of who Johnny Cash really was and how he became a hero to many.
One of my favorite scenes from the movie was when he performed at the Folsom Prison in 1968. Cash performs ''Cocaine Blues'' and the performance was amazing, you could tell he felt compassion for the inmates, as well as,wanting to be one of them. I also enjoyed the chemistry of the characters throughout the movie, the ups and downs and how they overcame everything to be with each other. I was surprised to learn that Cash actually did propose marriage to June Carter onstage during a concert and that he became the hottest artist of the day, even outselling the Beatles!
What made this film great along with the outstanding acting were the musical performances all done by the actors themselves, Phoenix and Witherspoon sing every note of their roles themselves in live performances that capture the spirit of the music that drove Johnny and June’s relationship. Phoenix, with his dark eyes and bad-boy aura, was perfectly cast as Cash, he was able to portray the beauty of Cash's husky voice and he was also able to perform the mannerisms of Cash- down to the tilt of the head and the way he pursed his lips while singing. Reese Witherspoon won herself a first Oscar with her role as singer June Carter. Although I didn't think she looked anything like June, Witherspoon became June Carter and captivated my attention.
The heroes of this story are not perfect, but they are real. "This is a story very few people know," said the film's director, James Mangold, who decided to tell the most dramatic and least known parts of Cash's story - the years spanning his physically and emotionally impoverished childhood, his wild rise to fame, his near fall from grace, and his self-transformation into a legendary hero.
One could say Johnny Cash struggled with inner battles which he sang about in his songs. He touched people, and the inmates causing them to identify with Cash's music. Cash reveals a sense of his life through his music. He walked the line of good and bad and proved that anyone can find forgiveness and peace.
The only thing I would have changed in the movie would have been to add more stories of Cash with Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
"How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell. There is a deep, wide gulf, a chasm, and in that chasm is no place for any man."
-- Johnny Cash
One of my favorite scenes from the movie was when he performed at the Folsom Prison in 1968. Cash performs ''Cocaine Blues'' and the performance was amazing, you could tell he felt compassion for the inmates, as well as,wanting to be one of them. I also enjoyed the chemistry of the characters throughout the movie, the ups and downs and how they overcame everything to be with each other. I was surprised to learn that Cash actually did propose marriage to June Carter onstage during a concert and that he became the hottest artist of the day, even outselling the Beatles!
What made this film great along with the outstanding acting were the musical performances all done by the actors themselves, Phoenix and Witherspoon sing every note of their roles themselves in live performances that capture the spirit of the music that drove Johnny and June’s relationship. Phoenix, with his dark eyes and bad-boy aura, was perfectly cast as Cash, he was able to portray the beauty of Cash's husky voice and he was also able to perform the mannerisms of Cash- down to the tilt of the head and the way he pursed his lips while singing. Reese Witherspoon won herself a first Oscar with her role as singer June Carter. Although I didn't think she looked anything like June, Witherspoon became June Carter and captivated my attention.
The heroes of this story are not perfect, but they are real. "This is a story very few people know," said the film's director, James Mangold, who decided to tell the most dramatic and least known parts of Cash's story - the years spanning his physically and emotionally impoverished childhood, his wild rise to fame, his near fall from grace, and his self-transformation into a legendary hero.
One could say Johnny Cash struggled with inner battles which he sang about in his songs. He touched people, and the inmates causing them to identify with Cash's music. Cash reveals a sense of his life through his music. He walked the line of good and bad and proved that anyone can find forgiveness and peace.
The only thing I would have changed in the movie would have been to add more stories of Cash with Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
"How well I have learned that there is no fence to sit on between heaven and hell. There is a deep, wide gulf, a chasm, and in that chasm is no place for any man."
-- Johnny Cash
Friday, July 1, 2011
Pulp Fiction
This movie was one that I did not like the first time I watched it. The second time I watched it is when I really understood it. I was surprised to see John Travolta act in a movie like this but he did a wonderful job!
The plot of the movie had no real direction throughout the movie, the story jumped back and forth from one story to another. Although sometimes annoying, it kept me guessing what would happen next! Then in the end seeing how the stories were intertwined made the movie very interesting. I still wonder what was in the bag?
The movie was rated R; it did have strong graphic violence and drug use, and use of strong language. This movie is not for everyone but I would suggest people to watch it! The movie has a way of captivating the audiences intelligences.
The colors in the movie were amazing, using very vibrant colors made the movie feel more real. According to The Art of Watching Films, surrealism is a dramatic or cinematic technique that uses fantastic imagery in an attempt to portray the workings of the subconscious. The use of sounds throughout the movie set the proper mood for each setting. The actors chosen for the movie were perfect, this movie was a come back for John Travolta! They all had the right edge to them for the story lines.
Tarantino was the writer and director for this movie, which made this movie stand out from others! His style and technique changed the film industry! His style of writing is cinematically, purposefully written. Everything written in the movie depended on the need of the scene. This movie was a full complement of visual and aural messaging without calling attention to the technique. The camera angles were set smart, realistically and felt true to life, as though I was in the room.
The editing of the movie was very thought out and stands apart from many movies! The scene with Travolta stabbing Thurman with the adrenaline shot was one of my favorites! The build up of suspense; getting the needle, trying to find the medical book, how to stab directly into the heart and who was going to actually do it! Another favorite was the dance scene! The lighting of the place, the dance floor set above the tables- center stage! The amazing interaction and choreography of the characters drew me in!
This movie is one that other directors for years to come will discuss and use as an example. There are many films now that are edited out of sequence and have multiple plots etc but this is the one they all want to be.
The plot of the movie had no real direction throughout the movie, the story jumped back and forth from one story to another. Although sometimes annoying, it kept me guessing what would happen next! Then in the end seeing how the stories were intertwined made the movie very interesting. I still wonder what was in the bag?
The movie was rated R; it did have strong graphic violence and drug use, and use of strong language. This movie is not for everyone but I would suggest people to watch it! The movie has a way of captivating the audiences intelligences.
The colors in the movie were amazing, using very vibrant colors made the movie feel more real. According to The Art of Watching Films, surrealism is a dramatic or cinematic technique that uses fantastic imagery in an attempt to portray the workings of the subconscious. The use of sounds throughout the movie set the proper mood for each setting. The actors chosen for the movie were perfect, this movie was a come back for John Travolta! They all had the right edge to them for the story lines.
Tarantino was the writer and director for this movie, which made this movie stand out from others! His style and technique changed the film industry! His style of writing is cinematically, purposefully written. Everything written in the movie depended on the need of the scene. This movie was a full complement of visual and aural messaging without calling attention to the technique. The camera angles were set smart, realistically and felt true to life, as though I was in the room.
The editing of the movie was very thought out and stands apart from many movies! The scene with Travolta stabbing Thurman with the adrenaline shot was one of my favorites! The build up of suspense; getting the needle, trying to find the medical book, how to stab directly into the heart and who was going to actually do it! Another favorite was the dance scene! The lighting of the place, the dance floor set above the tables- center stage! The amazing interaction and choreography of the characters drew me in!
This movie is one that other directors for years to come will discuss and use as an example. There are many films now that are edited out of sequence and have multiple plots etc but this is the one they all want to be.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Slumdog Millionaire
This is one of my favorite movies and surprisingly, many of my friends have not watched it! I loved the plot of the movie, the child who grew up with nothing had the street smarts and won the girl in the end! It is such a good rags-to-riches story!
The screen format was wide screen, this was perfect for the film's visual effectiveness. The bold color schemes enhanced the feeling of being in the country of India. The hyperactive/extreme camera views makes the audience feel as though they are in the movie and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of India.
According to The Art of Watching Films, the setting is the time and place in which the film's story occurs. Although the setting may often seem unobtrusive or be taken for granted, it is an essential ingredient in any story and makes an important contribution to the theme or total effect of a film. The four factors that effect the story as a whole include: Temporal factors, geographic factors, social structures and economic factors and customs, moral attitudes and codes of behavior.
The story of Jamal and the street life of a slum dog in India is emotionally dynamic. He and his brother learn the ways of the streets to make money and survive. Jamal during the interrogation has flashbacks of why he knows the answers on the game show. The stories were shocking and made me side with Jamal, he deserved good/wealth in his life!
The ending of the movie was amazing! The game show host gives him the answer for the final question and Jamal didn't fall for it, he used his street smarts once again! Throughout the movie the music was of the Indian culture which enhanced the setting. Then the final scene; Jamal gets the girl and they all dance to Bollywood music! This movie contained the drama, suspense and perfect love story!
The screen format was wide screen, this was perfect for the film's visual effectiveness. The bold color schemes enhanced the feeling of being in the country of India. The hyperactive/extreme camera views makes the audience feel as though they are in the movie and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of India.
According to The Art of Watching Films, the setting is the time and place in which the film's story occurs. Although the setting may often seem unobtrusive or be taken for granted, it is an essential ingredient in any story and makes an important contribution to the theme or total effect of a film. The four factors that effect the story as a whole include: Temporal factors, geographic factors, social structures and economic factors and customs, moral attitudes and codes of behavior.
The story of Jamal and the street life of a slum dog in India is emotionally dynamic. He and his brother learn the ways of the streets to make money and survive. Jamal during the interrogation has flashbacks of why he knows the answers on the game show. The stories were shocking and made me side with Jamal, he deserved good/wealth in his life!
The ending of the movie was amazing! The game show host gives him the answer for the final question and Jamal didn't fall for it, he used his street smarts once again! Throughout the movie the music was of the Indian culture which enhanced the setting. Then the final scene; Jamal gets the girl and they all dance to Bollywood music! This movie contained the drama, suspense and perfect love story!
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Others
This horror movie is based on the English coast during the years of World War II. The characters in the movie were dressed appropriately for the era and Grace, the main character in the movie, explained the reason for not having electricity. The darkness sets the mood for creepiness and the children's condition- a photo sensitivity enhances the mood.
According to http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=similar&id=others.htm, the cost of production was $17 million, the Genre was Period, Horror and the total gross of the movie was $96,522,687. The movie was good, not because of the amazing effects, but because of the mood and religious symbolism of the movie.
The movie is told from the ghosts perspective, as they do not realize they are dead. They audience doesn't realize the main characters are dead either until the final moments of the movie. I felt there was something going on with the servants during the movie and was completely surprised by the ending, not only the realization they all were ghosts but the fact the mother killed her children!
The geographic factors were perfect for this film. The Victorian mansion set off on it's own, a cemetery located out in the yard, the lighting effects, long hallways, fifty rooms and the natural occurrences (the looming fog) kept my attention!
According to The Art of Watching Films, explains rough-grain film stock produces a rough, grainy-textured image with harsh contrasts between blacks and whites and almost no subtle contrasts and smooth-grain film stock produces an image that is extremely smooth, or slick. I felt this movie did have a wide range of difference of light and dark and enabled the director to create shadows and contracts effectively for this horror film.
I did enjoy this film, as I do love horror films. I love the type of movie that doesn't use blood and guts to make it scary, instead the director used intelligence and emotion to get the point across!
According to http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=similar&id=others.htm, the cost of production was $17 million, the Genre was Period, Horror and the total gross of the movie was $96,522,687. The movie was good, not because of the amazing effects, but because of the mood and religious symbolism of the movie.
The movie is told from the ghosts perspective, as they do not realize they are dead. They audience doesn't realize the main characters are dead either until the final moments of the movie. I felt there was something going on with the servants during the movie and was completely surprised by the ending, not only the realization they all were ghosts but the fact the mother killed her children!
The geographic factors were perfect for this film. The Victorian mansion set off on it's own, a cemetery located out in the yard, the lighting effects, long hallways, fifty rooms and the natural occurrences (the looming fog) kept my attention!
According to The Art of Watching Films, explains rough-grain film stock produces a rough, grainy-textured image with harsh contrasts between blacks and whites and almost no subtle contrasts and smooth-grain film stock produces an image that is extremely smooth, or slick. I felt this movie did have a wide range of difference of light and dark and enabled the director to create shadows and contracts effectively for this horror film.
I did enjoy this film, as I do love horror films. I love the type of movie that doesn't use blood and guts to make it scary, instead the director used intelligence and emotion to get the point across!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Napoleon Dynamite
The first time I watched this movie, I didn't understand why people loved it. I thought it was terrible, to stupid to be funny. This movie did grow on me, I think it gets better each time I watch it!
The main character Napoleon is a geek in high school with no friends. He becomes friends with the new student, Pedro. Everything is so awkward in the movie; the way they dress, the way they talk and interact and then to end the movie with the famous dance at the school election! The characters are portrayed through appearance, dialogue, external action, internal action, reactions of other characters and dramatic foils.
The foil is contrasting Napoleon and the popular students. The plot of this movie has a good story line, the irony of at first laughing at the main character and then rooting for him in the end. By the end of the movie the geek becomes an idol of the school after his dance and helping his friend win the election.
According to http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/napoleon_dynamite/, 73% of viewers liked the movie and the average rating was a 3 out of 5. I would have to suggest to others, watch the movie again in order to really enjoy the quirkiness of the movie!
The main character Napoleon is a geek in high school with no friends. He becomes friends with the new student, Pedro. Everything is so awkward in the movie; the way they dress, the way they talk and interact and then to end the movie with the famous dance at the school election! The characters are portrayed through appearance, dialogue, external action, internal action, reactions of other characters and dramatic foils.
The foil is contrasting Napoleon and the popular students. The plot of this movie has a good story line, the irony of at first laughing at the main character and then rooting for him in the end. By the end of the movie the geek becomes an idol of the school after his dance and helping his friend win the election.
According to http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/napoleon_dynamite/, 73% of viewers liked the movie and the average rating was a 3 out of 5. I would have to suggest to others, watch the movie again in order to really enjoy the quirkiness of the movie!
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