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.