Movie 13- Brokeback Mountain

Rating 4/5

Plot (courtesy of imdb.com)
In 1963,two young men hire on as ranch hands in the Wyoming mountains.During the long months of isolation,an unusual bond starts to develop between them, one which they are only vaguely aware of--until one night when it rises to the surface in a passionate encounter.When the season ends,they part ways,only to realize the true depth of their feelings.Thus begins a decades-long affair that the two of them desperately try to hide from those around them--one which will prove simultaneously beautiful and devastating


Commentary
OMG.. That was painful.. I loved watching this film, but I don't know that I could watch it again.. However, I can see why this made the list. Everyone should see this once before they die. It definitely raises the awareness of an issue that unfortunately is still a problem today. I just keep trying to pretend it ended differently.. that they had ran off to Mexico and lived happily for the rest of their lives... :( I'm just going to leave it at that as right now I'm too upset to say much else. 


Write to you soon,


Kendra

Movie 12- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Rating- 5/5!

Plot (compliments of imdb.com)
A man, Joel Barish, heartbroken that his girlfriend Clementine underwent a procedure to erase him from her memory, decides to do the same. However, as he watches his memories of her fade away, he realizes that he still loves her, and may be too late to correct his mistake.


Commentary


Spectacular. That's a one word summary of my overall feelings toward this film. Where do I begin? The acting? Amazing. The cinematography? Brilliant. The story line? Captivating. I can't say yet that this is the number one of all the films as I have yet to see so many, but I think it's safe to say this truly is one of the best of all time. I think it sums up precisely what a "modern classic" is supposed to be. It's a love story in a way, but it's so refreshingly honest that it's real to us. 
The love between Clementine and Joel is not perfect, but something about their chemistry pulls you in & leaves you hoping they will have another chance.  I think this film does what so many love stories today fail to do. It surprises us. Their is nothing typical or predictable about it. Maybe that's why I love it. 
I have a hard time defining a category for this one. I think it's both a romantic comedy and a drama. It has both the peculiarity of a good independent film and the gratification you get from seeing a box office hit. 
If you haven't seen this one yet, I urge you to do so. This is by far my most favorite film of all time. It sets the bar so high for everything I have left to watch for the project.. PLEASE go rent this one. If you have netflix you can watch it instantly. If you don't have netflix, I own a copy and will be more than happy to lend it to you. You can also buy it below from Amazon.. which I also recommend since you're going to want to watch this one more than once! :)





Write to you soon,


Kendra

Movie 11- Groundhog Day

Rating 3/5

Plot (Courtesy of starpulse.com)


Bill Murray plays Phil, a TV weatherman working for a local station in Pennsylvania but convinced that national news stardom is in his grasp. Phil displays a charm and wit on camera that evaporates the moment the red light goes off; he is bitter, appallingly self-centered, and treats his co-workers with contempt, especially his producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry. On February 2, 1992, Phil, Rita, and Larry are sent on an assignment that Phil especially loathes: the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, PA, where the citizens await the appearance of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog who will supposedly determine the length of winter by his ability to see his own shadow. Phil is eager to beat a hasty retreat, but when a freak snowstorm strands him in Punxsutawney, he wakes up the next morning with the strangest sense of déjà vu: he seems to be living the same day over again. The next morning it happens again, and then again. Soon, no matter what he does, he's stuck in February 2, 1992; not imprisonment nor attempted suicide nor kidnapping the groundhog gets him out of the loop. But the more Phil relives the same day, the more he's forced to look at other people's lives, and something unusual happens: he begins to care about others. He starts to respect people, he tries to save the life of a homeless man, and he discovers that he's falling in love with Rita and therefore wants to be someone that she could love in return. Mark Deming, All Movie Guide


Commentary


I decided to try something different here since I had such difficulty with this one. I want to know why YOU think this should/should not have made the list. I recognize this as a comedic classic, but there were so many other classics I feel could have taken its place so let me know your thoughts!


Write to you soon,


Kendra

The Pianist- Movie 10

Rating- 4/5 stars

Plot


This is simply the story of a Jewish pianist and his family. The story begins in Warsaw in 1939, and within moments you know what this story is about.. The opening scene is of Wladyslaw Szpilman playing the piano as bombs come crashing in on the radio station for which he plays. From that moment on, we watch as his family is taken from their home to the Jewish ghetto, and from the Jewish ghetto to concentration camps. However, as the trains are being loaded for the concentration camps, Wladyslaw is saved by a Jewish policeman and escapes. He never sees his family again, and one can only assume they die in the camps. 


Commentary


I'm torn on how I feel about this film. I was sickened by the constant violent images of murder and abuse.. absolutely sickened. I wanted to rate this a 1/5 stars because I just couldn't stomach it.. but for the same reason I loathed watching this, I respect it. The film doesn't attempt to provide any comedic relief or happy/inspiring moments that give you hope. Every scene is gruesome.. death after death after death...You are in a constant state of despair through until the end. Some may disagree with me that the final scene is a scene of despair, but I saw very little light in it. What joy could the piano bring when you have lost your family, your friends, and suffered so much? I guess what we're celebrating is that he made it through alive.. but mere life to me is no celebration when you have lost everything. Perhaps the scene is meant to portray the resilience of the human spirit... the ability to find hope and joy at the end of a tragic road. 


On a side note, I just want to know who thought the quote on the image above was appropriate..? "A riveting adventure story?" Adventure? Really? Don't you think that's a bit of a freaking euphemism? Adventure implies excitement, fun.. it implies voluntary action. I'm sorry but I don't see anything adventurous about life as a Jew in Poland during the 1940s. 





Write to you soon,


Kendra

Fight Club- Movie 9

Movie 9- Fight Club

Plot:

Courtesy of rottentomatoes.com---

FIGHT CLUB is narrated by a lonely, unfulfilled young man (Edward Norton) who finds his only comfort in feigning terminal illness and attending disease support groups. Hopping from group to group, he encounters another pretender, or "tourist," the morose Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter), who immediately gets under his skin. However, while returning from a business trip, he meets a more intriguing character--the subversive Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). They become fast friends, bonding over a mutual disgust for corporate consumer-culture hypocrisy. Eventually, the two start Fight Club, which convenes in a bar basement where angry men get to vent their frustrations in brutal, bare-knuckle bouts. Fight Club soon becomes the men's only real priority; when the club starts a cross-country expansion, things start getting really crazy. Like Tyler Durden himself, director David Fincher's FIGHT CLUB, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, is startlingly aggressive and gleefully mischievous as it skewers the superficiality of American pop culture. Outstanding performances by Norton and Pitt are supported by a razor-sharp script and an arsenal of stunning visual effects that include computer animation and sleight-of-hand editing. One of the most unique films of the late 20th century, FIGHT CLUB is a pitch-black comedy of striking intensity.

Commentary:

Before I can begin with more in-depth critique I have to say this. Fight Club is probably the first film I would put on a list of “Movies to Watch Before You Die.” If you haven’t seen this yet, you’re seriously missing out on what I find to be one of the best (though perhaps a little hypocritical) pieces of cinema to come out of the last 100 years. That being said, GO WATCH IT!

Now, I will move forward. First, I will say that I can’t expect everyone to agree with me, and you won’t find me very apologetic for feeling this way.

In order to understand the overall goal of the project you need to fully understand the development of both main characters. Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is the definition of raw passion. He’s random, impulsive, wild, untamed, yet determined and set to achieve what he sees as a revolutionary break from the restriction that is modern bureaucratic/capitalist structure. The very structure of the film fortifies his anarchist ideals with its anomalous method by incorporating all sorts of stylistic variants (freeze frames, jump cuts, bizarre sex scenes, and even the humorous inclusion of ‘cigarette burns’ throughout).

The narrator (Edward Norton) is quite unlike Tyler for obvious reasons. He’s jaded, sardonic, a cog in the overall structure of society performing his duties. He works to earn a wage to collect possessions which he recognizes as meaningless but still clings to. That is, until he meets Tyler. The quote below should exemplify perfectly:

"Like everyone else, I had become a slave to the IKEA nesting instinct. If I saw something like clever coffee tables in the shape of a yin and yang, I had to have it. I would flip through catalogs and wonder, "What kind of dining set defines me as a person?" We used to read pornography. Now it was the Horchow Collection. I had it all. Even the glass dishes with tiny bubbles and imperfections, proof they were crafted by the honest, simple, hard-working indigenous peoples of wherever."   --Narrator

In looking at these 2 characters we define the fundamental purpose of the film: a critique of capitalism. Through the satirical expression, the film is clearly defining what the original book’s author deems the problem with our society. We are slaves to the system, kept silent and made busy by the very consumerism which defines us. 

Write to you soon (and please comment!),

Kendra

The Sixth Sense - Movie 8

The Sixth Sense

Rating 4/5

Plot

Sorry guys, but I have a terrible headache so I'm skipping this part... If you haven't already seen the film then check out some other reviews for a general summary. 

Commentary

I LOVE this movie. It is one of the few films on the lists that I have actually seen, and I think it’s wonderful.  The acting is brilliant, and the story is so original. It is both haunting and heart-warming. From the first scene until the last you are positively enthralled.

So what is it about this movie that all of us love so much? Surely it can’t be the surprise we get when we figure out the big secret... Are we really that easy to entertain? I think the answer lies deeper than that, but I’m not sure I can say what it actually is.  It’s a little terrifying and magical all at once. Maybe the approach the film takes to death is what touches us. Maybe there isn’t one specific thing that draws us to it… maybe there are just a bunch of little things which add up to make it wonderful. No matter what, there is one thing that is certain. This is one of those films that most of us will never forget... and it definitely deserves to be on the list.

Write to you soon,

Kendra

Sense and Sensibility - Movie 7

Rating- 4/5 stars

Plot
Set in the early 1800s the film Sense and Sensibility, as adapted from the famous Jane Austen novel, is a story of a widow and her 3 daughters as they try to live with little to no financial support. Her husband passes and all of his estate goes to his son from a previous marriage. The late Mrs. Dashwood and her 3 daughters Elinor, Marianne, and Margret are all but forced out of their home shortly after the death of her husband. With little money and no other place to go, the women move into a cottage so generously offered by a relative. Because of their financial situation, finding husbands for the eldest 2 seems unlikely. We watch as Elinor, the sensible one, and Marianne, the hopeless romantic, find love in 2 very different ways.

Commentary
I have to say this is my favorite of the new movies I have seen thus far. Of course, that should be no surprise to anyone as everything about it was precisely what I like (which of course means Josh hates it). I also have to say that the film did Jane Austen’s original work justice. I thought the casting was brilliant. Even Hugh Grant seemed to fit his role, though at times he seemed a bit awkward. I absolutely ADORED Alan Rickman’s performance as Col. Brandon, though it was difficult to picture him as anyone other than Severus Snape. His performance evoked such integrity and sincerity, but most importantly I felt such compassion for him! After seeing him in this role I think I have a glimpse as to how it will feel to see his story unfold in the last of the Harry Potter films… but this isn’t about Harry Potter. This is about Sense and Sensibility. I loved every second of it!!! It was dramatic and romantic and everything a good “chick flick” needs to be successful. However, as a period piece it was exceptional as well. I certainly hope that if you haven’t had a chance to watch this in the past, you do so now!!! Below are links to purchase the film or book from Amazon.
















Write to you soon,

Kendra

Election - Movie 6

 Rating- 3/5 stars

 Plot

 Recap compliments of rotten tomatoes (sorry I’m out of town and I don’t have long to write.. promise the next plot summary will be my words! “Director Alexander (Citizen Ruth) Payne's second film, based on the novel by Jim Perotta, takes the scandal and mudslinging associated with presidential elections and transposes them to a high school election for student council president in Nebraska- with impossibly sharp, satirical results. Matthew Broderick, in a reversal of Ferris Bueller, plays Jim McAllister, a teacher who will stop at nothing to prevent perfect Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), who is running unopposed, from winning the election. Jim, who bears a personal grudge against Tracy, goads a popular but dim football player into running against her. This spurs on a series strange events, (both madcap and surprisingly sexual) which add up to an uncommonly funny high school film for grown ups. Performances are great all-around and Payne uses shifting-narration and a series of freeze frames which give the film a rich and layered feel.”

Commentary 

 I watched the movie in the car on my way to visit family, and it certainly made the ride seem a little shorter. I’m not really sure how I feel about the movie after watching it… I have to say I was impressed with the originality. Some of the characters were predictable, but the story line was continuously surprising as I watched it unfold. I have to say Matthew Broderick’s character got what he deserved! I also really enjoyed the role Reese Witherspoon played She was PERFECT for the part.. I mean she just screams control-freak. My absolute FAVORITE part was the ending. I laughed so hard I almost choked. It was so unexpected. So that’s all I will say.. I don’t know that I would have named this one of the top 100 movies to watch before you die, but I’d watch it again…

Write to you soon,

Kendra

Ghost in the Shell- Movie 5

Rating- 4/5 Stars

Plot

I had difficulty writing the summary today (mostly because I have no clue how to spell these names and I'm too sleepy to look them up), so I stole this one from Rotten Tomatoes.. feel free to click the link if you need further info: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ghost_in_the_shell/

"Another visually sensational animated film from the producers of the acclaimed "Akira." Major Motoko Kusanagi is a beautiful cyborg who works for Section 29, Japan's secret police force, in the year 2029. Motoko's supervisor, Aramaki, orders her to find Puppet Master, a sinister computer terrorist created by a rival organization. Helping her is fellow cyborg Bateau and the almost entirely human agent Togusa. Because their prey has the ability to hack into the minds of his enemies, the evil villain must be stopped as soon as possible. But as the tough cops close in on their target, Motoko realizes that she and Puppet Master seem to have a lot in common."

Commentary

I struggle to explain what it is exactly that is appealing about Ghost in the Shell. I have seen it before and even own a copy, but it’s difficult to explain the appeal. I think perhaps the answer lies in the depth of the story line. You would never expect looking at the cover to have a dialogue heavy film with undertones of some of life’s greatest philosophical questions. As Major Kusanagi gets closer to uncovering the answers and identity of the puppet master she feels a connection to him, and at this point the story comes alive. The overall concept Ghost in the shell presents is becoming eerily feasible in our increasingly technology-driven society. The line between artificial intelligence and life are blurred in a way that is positively frightening and yet intriguing all at once. It is this fear and delight which makes the piece not just good by anime standards, but an overall great piece of cinema. If you’ve never watched an anime, you probably won’t like this. However, this film most definitely deserves a spot in the top 100.

Write to you soon,

Kendra

Movie 4- Fargo

Rating- 2/5 stars

Plot

The movie begins with Jerry Lundegaard, played by William H. Macy, in some deep financial trouble. He comes up with a plan to have his wife kidnapped (without any physical harm) with plans that his wealthy father-in-law will post the ransom. Though he tries to call the deal off, his wife is kidnapped anyway.  The kidnappers are pulled over and in panic shoot the cop and 2 innocent people who happen to drive by and witness it.  From this point on the story unfolds with the local police force (headed by a pregnant sheriff) searching for answers to the triple homicide…. Between meals that is.

Commentary

So I get it... You’ve got the darkness of murder, kidnapping, and all that exciting stuff.. and then you pair it up with the light-hearted humor of cute accents and a police force that doesn’t know how to properly perform an investigation (who stops an investigation to go get food?).. Oh gosh, and ya throw in the funny lookin’ guy and ya got yourself a good movie, don’t ya know? (Insert loud buzzing noise) Wrong answer.  Maybe I’m not a dark humor kind of girl, but this was anything but entertaining for me.  I understand why you guys like this movie, really I do... but I just can’t find humor in anything that involves the blatant disregard for human life. So there we have it, my first BAD rating. In fact, I’m not even posting the link to buy it from Amazon.

Write to you soon,

Kendra

* This is film 4/200 in what is now known as "The Cinema Project." For more information, read the post titled "Something To Blog About."

Movie 3- All About Eve

Rating: 4/5 stars

Plot

This is a story of theater in its most raw fashion. An aging actress Margo Channing (played by Bette Davis), befriends a seemingly true young fan. She and her friends Karen and Lloyd Richards all but adopt her, letting her into their homes and elite circle of friends. She enters Margo’s life as a friend, almost a sister, and gains her trust. From this point forward the film is as titled, truly all about Eve. We watch her work her way to getting everything she wants... well almost everything. I won’t say too much more as I hope that you will watch it for yourself. I’ll end the summary with this. We’ve all seen the classic story of the understudy who will stop at nothing to steal the show, but I have never seen it play out like this before.

Commentary

Well, well, well... Did that really just happen? Did I really just enjoy that?  I have to say that I walked into this expecting to be bored... and for the first 30 minutes I was. However, this was 2 hours of solid entertainment with a plot so thick and developed that you become enraptured. Then I remember that this was created in 1950 and I am astounded. All I can say is that since the production there have been many attempts at the same story and every one pales in comparison.  Anne Baxter plays the part of Eve so well… so devious, so subtle, like a snake. Now THAT was drama. For those of you out there like me who have yet to see this rent it, and do keep an open mind.

Favorite Quote:  "Funny business, a woman's career. The things you drop on your way up the ladder so you can move faster. You forget you'll need them when you get back to being a woman.” (Bette Davis as Margo Channing)

Write to you soon,


Kendra


Also, if you wish to purchase this film, I have included the link below to Amazon.

* This is film 3/200 in what is now known as "The Cinema Project." For more information, read the post titled "Something To Blog About."

Movie 2- Pan's Labyrinth

Rating- 4/5 


Plot
The story takes place in post-civil war Spain in 1944. We open to the sight of a young girl on the ground covered in blood as the narrator explains the story of the Underground Realm, a place where there is no sadness or pain. Long ago, Princess Moanna of the Underground Realm escapes to Earth as she is very curious of the world. Upon escaping, she is blinded by the sun and forgets her past. She feels only pain on Earth and soon dies. Her father is stricken with grief, but holds to the hope that one day her spirit will return to him... and so he waits. This realm is a place that humans only know of as a fairy tale, but we soon learn that it is very real. We meet Ofelia and her pregnant mother Carmen as they travel to meet her new husband, Captain Vidal (think Hitler but with an sinister hands-on approach to torture). Pan's Labyrinth is the last remaining portal the King of the Underground Realm has open for his daughter to return. Ofelia stumbles upon it and learns she is Princess Moanna. Before she can return to her kingdom she must complete 3 tasks. We follow her as she attempts the tasks, and learn more of the evil and horror Captain Vidal is capable of. Her mother dies giving birth, and Ofelia must run away with her new born brother as Captain Vidal sets out to murder her. All I can say beyond this to avoid giving away the ending, is that real fairy tales might have happy endings, but sacrifices are always made.


Commentary
Wow. It was difficult for me to enjoy this movie as there were many graphic, violent scenes which made me squirm. For the sake of the project, I did watch every scene, but it was difficult. That being said, I have to appreciate the film for the same reason I disliked it. The reason this made the list is not the cinematography, or the magical world it created. This is on the list because it is a true fairy tale.  Don't expect to see Disney's name anywhere near this one folks. We have both the magical and the mundane, the purely good and the horrifically evil, and the contrast of exquisite life to the gruesome death. 


I am fighting the urge to critique this further and post arguments for how I think this is a ripoff of Harry Potter, but for those of you who bore easily... I shall resist. Thank you for reading. 



Write to you soon,


Kendra


Also, if you wish to purchase this film, I highly recommend one of the choices below from Amazon.





































* This is film 2/200 in what is now known as "The Cinema Project." For more information, read the post titled "Something To Blog About."

Movie 1- Amelie

My Rating: 5/5 stars

I chose to begin with one of the few movies on the list I have already seen. As I watched it today, I fell in love all over again with the exceptional cinematography and unspoken emotion portrayed so cleverly. The film, which is entirely in French, begins with the story of Amelie's childhood. She lives alone with her father who is not affectionate, though he is kind and loving. Amelie (played by Audrey Tautou) grows up to be a beautiful, quiet, introverted French woman with little interaction with those around her. From there we watch as she attempts to fix the lives of her neighbors and the curious object of her affection.

As I watched I tried to really grasp what made this film so special. It is after all one of my favorites.. So why did it make the list? I think there are a number of reasons. First as I mentioned previously, the cinematography is fabulous. The careful use of vibrant green and red throughout gives the film an almost surreal feeling. The talking photos and paintings, the moment when Amelie melts into the cafe floor with a splash, or my personal favorite the day dream sequence towards the end, all create a magical and dream-like quality which help to personify and develop Amelie's character in the most intimate ways.

Aside from this, the film is honest in many ways. Perhaps most evident would be the brilliant casting. The entire cast consists of average looking people (and some less than average) whose physical appearance make them more credible. Ultimately I think this is the most important piece in creating a good movie. If the viewer can relate to the characters, they feel the emotions as the actors portray them. The viewer is simply more involved, and the movie becomes memorable.

We all day dream.. we all hope or imagine something we want will come true. That is how we relate to Amelie. I felt a personal connection with her as she imagined Nino coming back from the market with the yeast for her famous plum cake... And as the curtain moves my heart leaped with hers in hopes her dream came true... but when she turns to see it was only the cat.. I felt the despair as her heart broke. The scene portrays the joy we all feel when it comes to love... and the contrasting pain of loneliness.

I think this explains why Amelie made the list. We as viewers are able to see ourselves in her. Combine that with the dream-like cinematography and quirky casting and you have a magical recipe for entertainment.

Before we get started...

Before we get started…

There are a total of 15 films which can be found on both lists... which means I need to find 15 movies to add in which could arguably be considered classics. I will take suggestions. (Thank you, Joe for your comments on this one!!) I will also compare the lists to others to see if there were any left off to substitute in. Also, I know there will be days I don’t feel like watching a movie.. or days when I simply do not have the time.. However, I also know there will be days when all I want to do is lay in bed and watch movie after movie after movie.. So I might end up having days with more than one post.

Another flaw I’ve found in my grand plan here is that there are a number of violent/horrific films on here. I knew going into this there would be films I didn’t want to watch, but I am going to suck it up and watch them anyway. I want so much to see this through, and if that means I am so scared I have to sleep with the light on or even not sleep at all... Then so be it.

That being said.. The journey begins now. My popcorn is ready. It’s time to press play. Write to you soon!

Kendra

Something to blog about

I have recently decided to use netflix.. which got me thinking. I have never been a real movie goer. In fact, in the past 3 years I have been to the movies 3 times. 2 Harry Potter movies.. and Avatar. It’s just too expensive. I can’t justify spending 20+ dollars for 2 hours of potential entertainment.. I have to know the movie is worth spending 20 bucks on.

You see, I have a somewhat unique taste in film. I typically don’t enjoy comedies or action movies. I loathe horror/suspense. I can watch romantic comedies, but my problem with those would be the predictability. I guess if I had to choose an actual genre that I enjoy it would be dramas. However, even those tend to disappoint me. For me a movie has to be honest. I have to be drawn in so tight that my emotions are tied to those of the main character. Then it’s no longer just a movie.. It’s cinema… it’s art.

That is why I have decided to take on a very big project. 200 movies in 200 days. After each film, I will rate and review it here. Which movies? I’m going to tackle 2 lists provided by Yahoo.com.

100 Movies to See Before You Die- The Modern Classics and 100 Movies to See Before You Die- The All-Time Greats.

This is day 1. I hope that you follow me on my journey to broaden my horizons. Who knows, maybe my review will motivate you to watch them as well. Please look over the lists and let me know where you think I should start.