Gremlins Review

 

        This would be the third time that I have seen Gremlins. Released in 1984, the literal same time as Ghostbusters¸ Gremlins is an interesting holiday film that mixes the holidays with touches of horror and comedy. One would think it would be a family film, considering what I have reviewed prior to this one for the month. In fact, it was this film and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom that created a new rating. We know it today as “PG-13”. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        In the beginning of the film, the Dad played by Hoyt Axton, is narrating how exactly he got the creature called the Mogwai. I thought for a moment he was a grown-up main character, but he reveals he is the father. He buys a Mogwai at a Chinatown antique shop. Albeit, behind the owner Mr. Wing’s back. The seller is a young boy who tells the Dad three rules to avoid: Don’t expose it to light, don’t let it touch water, and don’t feed it after midnight. 

        The film then begins, it has a cheery tone to it. We follow the main character Billy played by Zach Galligan, walking to his job as a bank teller. He brings his pet dog with him. Unbeknownst to him is that the old lady Mrs. Deagle scolds him after his dog ruined a Christmas decoration. She is so cruel that she threatens to take away the dog and send it to get euthanized. Deagle gives off a Wicked Witch of the West vibes from The Wizard of Oz. Don’t worry though, she gets her comeuppance. 

        We learn that Rand is an inventor and his entire family uses his inventions, even though they malfunction. He gives Billy the Mogwai and he is surprised that it’s like a new pet. The Dad names the creature Gizmo and it’s cute. Throughout the film, Billy shows a neighborhood kid what the Mogwai is, but accidentally spills water. From there, we learn that water makes the creature spawn more creatures that are mean. Soon, the mean mogwai turn into gremlins and wreak havoc across the town. 

2. The Gremlins

        The title characters steal the entire film. I like how they are evil but are simply crazy creatures. I feel that they suppose to represent us that let their animalistic tendencies get control. The scene where the gremlins are in the bar, they all each have personality. It would be one thing where they are just like monsters. They mimic humans such as a few playing cards and one acting like a woman exercising from the 80s. 

        The whole creatures are a combination of puppetry and animatronics. It gives a very authentic look that would be ruined if it was done using computers. What’s interesting is that after Gizmo sees what he spawned, he feels bad. I think we can get interpret that he experienced this happening. Especially when it starts over. 

        One tidbit that I found out was that it was an inspiration for the old toy Furbees. I remember how they looked like small flightless birds that talked gibberish. I saw some semblance just thinking about it. To be fair, The Child in The Mandalorian looks like Gizmo.

3. What Makes It Good

        Another thing that this film does so well is mixing with genres. This is actually a sub-genre called holiday horrors. Gremlins is one of those Christmas films that works since with the tenacity of the creatures acts like an anarchic holiday film. Another example is 2015’s Krampus and Black Christmas from 1974. The film isn’t exclusively a horror film since it has bits of comedy. Such as when Mrs. Deagle being launched out of her house by her stair master is such a satisfying death scene. 

        So why have horror films take place during the holidays, especially in Christmas? What can be inferred is that it can be interpreted as a bit of irony. Or a lesson to be learned during the holidays. That happens when Mr. Wing chastises Billy’s family for creating more mogwai and saying that the western civilization corrupts nature. The film isn’t entirely preachy but it fits with the overall comeuppance angle the sub-genre is aligned with. 

4. Legacy

        The film is a gem of the 80s. It’s one of director Joe Dante’s best, really only this film in his filmography. It did spawn a sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch which is a completely different film in terms of the first one. In some lists, it’s considered one of the best sequels, due in large part of poking fun at the first Gremlins and just being self-aware. 

        Unfortunately, it’s getting an animated series, 40 years after the fact. I don’t know how I feel about that. More so on another film to establish a trilogy of films. To be honest, I feel that it’s really just desperation from the Warner Bros. to make an easy profit. It could be good, but I believe that in the event of the film not being good, it could invite viewers to see the first and second film. So there’s that. 

5. Overall

        The film is a ride, definitely. It’s stark that of all the films that are holiday related this one joins a list of experimental films to blend to genres that shouldn’t work, but work. Gizmo is one cute creature and the characters are enjoyable especially the mother. Who actually gets three kills in the film. It belongs in the pop culture, and I’m glad that I was exposed to it when I was in the elementary. 

        Gremlins gets a four out of five. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas Review

 

        Growing up around the time of middle school, I would see my classmates wearing merchandise for the Disney film The Nightmare Before Christmas. I would spot the shirts and other apparel at the store Hot Topic. It would be years later to finally sit down and watch this stop motion classic. Although Tim Burton’s name is attached to the title, he didn’t direct it. His classmate at CalArts took over director duties while Burton was busy filming Batman Returns for Warner Bros. Regardless, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic animated Disney film that has made an impact to many. SPOILERS will appear in the review.

1. The musical numbers

        The main highlight of the entire feature is the musical numbers. The first one “This is Halloween” is such a catchy tune and immediately introduces the world of Halloweentown. The animation is entirely stop motion with a few traditional animated segments that are just ghosts flying around. Every citizen in the town have a lyric in the song and it shows how bustling the town is. 

        All of the music is written and composed by Danny Elfman. He even lends his voice when Jack Skellington is singing his songs. I feel that with the approach that the film had, it felt very Broadway. Meaning that the entire film is dominated with songs and having a minority of the film be just dialogue. Which is the overall vibe I got when sitting down to view it. There’s really so much to talk about the music that the best songs are the ones involving Jack. 

2. Jack

        This character has been marketable machine for Disney since his face is seen in a graphic t-shirt or Halloween decoration. One would think that Danny Elfman would act but he only provides the singing voice. The character is actually voiced by Chris Sarandon. His voice somewhat matches Elfman’s that whenever he goes into a song number, the transition isn’t very stark.

        Despite being called the Halloween King, he actually is bored with the title since he wants to do something different. The moment where he makes it to Christmas Town is where he decides to do something different. I love the moments where he tries to figure out what he saw such as him reading books about Christmas. Having absolutely no clue what the holiday is about. He gets everyone involved with Christmas but putting a scary spin to it.

3. What Makes It Good

        Aside from the main points, I think something that gets overlooked about this film is just the overall message it has. It happens when Jack fails to be Santa. He sings about having failed and switching his mood by saying he was good being the Pumpkin King. It’s different from the overall approach with the film’s contemporaries in animation. For one thing, it uses Aesop’s fables with a twist. 

        With most of the Disney animated films, the overall idea of the character is to be whoever they want to be. Or dream who you want to be and it will happen. Here though, it’s the opposite. Jack learns that although he wasn’t a good Santa, as he got shot down by cannons. He learns that he was good in his original position and decides to do good.

        It’s different and kind of unique for its time. There hasn’t been a film that I am aware that has that morale or lesson that it’s okay to fail. Since there’s a level of expectation that having to fail is not good and looked down upon. Here though, is pretty endearing to have Jack acknowledge that he did fail. 

4. Overall

        One of the good things is that there hasn’t been a sequel to this film. While there have been video games that are supposed to be sequels, are mostly just non canon. I haven’t had the faintest idea of why many kids or teens are drawn into the film. Perhaps it’s the way the characters look like or the music since it’s not a midnight film. I enjoyed it, the film is quirky and heartfelt. It has an audience and I can appreciate that it’s sort of like the Rankin Bass productions of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with the stop motion animation. It’s another great addition to Disney’s ever-growing catalogue of animated features. 

        The Nightmare Before Christmas gets a four out of five. 

Elf Review

 

        The film that cemented Will Ferrell’s comedic acting career and one of the most beloved films of the 2000s is Elf. Directed by Jon Favreau, who directed Iron Man and is showrunning Star Wars’ The Mandalorian, Elf is a once in a generation holiday film that anyone can enjoy regardless if they celebrate the holiday or not. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        At first, I thought the story was going to be read like a story book. During the opening credits, stop motion animals appear that are reminiscent of the Rankin Bass productions like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The narrator played by Bob Newhart, explains how Buddy played by Will Ferrell was raised as an elf. From there, we catch up to Buddy being grown up and having papa elf explain to him that he isn’t an elf but a human.  

        Santa then tells Buddy that he has a real Dad. The only problem is that he is on the naughty list. We get to see that Walter played by James Caan, is a washed up worker for a children’s publication company. Buddy decides to meet his father by going to New York City. The whole approach is the classic fish out of water story. By having Buddy be defamiliarized about the goings on in the normal world.

2. Buddy

        Easily, Will Ferrell steals the whole movie. He is very innocent when he is portraying Buddy the Elf. As I mentioned earlier, he reacts to the world in a playful manner. It comes off as a defamiliarization since he presses the entire floor buttons on the elevator and gets into an argument about Santa Claus. 

        I really like that throughout the film that he has an impact with the characters around him. Such as with the love interest Jovie played by Zooey Deschanel. She is a stick in the mud worker who is put off by Buddy’s personality. Although he encourages her to sing since he hears her singing while she is taking a shower. 

        Most of the comedy works with him being a complete goof. None of it comes off as annoying of just tired in its execution. He is just a likeable character due to having him being an innocent person. We do find out why he acts that way. When Walter takes his son for a DNA test, the doctor explains that he may be experiencing some regression as a coping mechanism. It’s justified since we see him interacting with things as any kid would. 

3. The Best Christmas Film of the 2000s

        With all that out of the way, what makes it so beloved. Well, looking at some of the films that director Jon Favreau has done, there appears to be a recurring motif that stands out. It’s that there’s an idealism meeting cynicism. With all his films, the main characters are optimistic but are usually met with a cynic world that tries to put them down. It’s evident in Iron Man and in Chef to name a few.

        With Buddy, his endearing character is met with a father who doesn’t want nothing to do with him. As well as a world that is literally different from Santa’s workshop. With his influence that I mentioned earlier, he has help with understanding the world. Like when he warms up to his brother Michael who helps him get a date with Jovie. He even decorates his parents’ apartment with Christmas decorations and the toy department in the store Gibbels.

        I feel that it’s something that every generation needs to see. Since people have a cynic view of the world. Here comes a movie to show a more positive side and to have a belief in the Christmas spirit to be uplifting. Lastly, in the beginning in Santa's workshop, most of the scenes with Buddy was shot in a forced perspective. They used optical illusion to give Will Ferrell obvious difference when he is with the elves. 

4. Overall

        There’s only so much to gush about the film that isn’t talked about. Elf is one of the quintessential films of the early 2000s. It’s beloved by all and is easily one of Jon Favreau’s and Will Ferrell’s best film in terms of looking at their best films. A must watch for the holiday’s that is enjoyable by all. 

Elf gets a five out of five. 

The Santa Clause Review

 

        For as long as I can remember, I always thought that Santa Claus always had an “E” in the end. Due to this film, I have been spelling Saint Nick’s name wrong. This is one of those good Disney live-action films in the 90s. To put it into context, Disney had a dry spell of terrible live action films that resulted in movies based on classic television shows. The Santa Clause and Straight Story are a few exceptions to the good Disney live action films. It’s another holiday classic that manages to put a spin on the Santa Claus myth. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        The film stars comedian Tim Allen playing toy salesman Scott Calvin. He is a divorced man who sees his son Charlie for the holidays. His ex-wife tells him that Charlie needs to start phasing out the belief in Santa. Scott objects by saying he wants to be involved and not left out. While Charlie and Scott are asleep, the boy hears a noise. Scott checks it out and startles Santa causing him to fall. 

        Scott is apprehensive about it since he thinks the Santa is a crazy person. He picks up a business card and wears the suit while Charlie tags along. Scott does a terrible job but enjoys it and the reindeer take the father and son to the north pole. They are greeted by the elves and the head elf Bernard played by David Krumholtz, who explains what Calvin unintentionally agreed to. 

        Throughout the film, Charlie begins to tell his Mom and stepdad about his adventure to the north pole. While Scot slowly turns into Santa Claus. This movie belongs in a very elusive film list of good Santa Claus films such as Miracle in 34th Street and The Polar Express.  Where the main idea is having the belief of Santa Claus’s existence. I’ll explain more on why the motif makes the film great.

2. Seeing is Believing 

        Throughout the film, the overall theme of belief is a recurring one. Since it’s about the myth of Santa Claus and how much he means to the children, the film does put in a unique spin of it. With Scott Calvin, he lies a lot to his son about believing in the figure. The whole ordeal is treated as a strange dream since Scott wakes up back at his place but wearing the pajamas one of the elves had gave to him. 

        When Charlie starts to tell everybody, people are skeptical about it and just laugh it off. Scott tries to tell Charlie to say that it was just a dream until he changes it by saying it’s a secret. The whole moment is interesting since we get a reason as to why Charlie’s Mom and new Dad stopped believing. By saying that they wanted a specific gift but never got it, thus prompting them to not believe anymore. 

        Eventually, the Mom and stepdad decide to get the police involved which results in Scott to embrace his role as Santa Claus and inevitably reveal to everyone that he is real. The overall arc of Scott Calvin is unique since he doesn’t embrace his role until realizing that he can’t change his hair or try to lose the fat. He is convinced by his son that he is Santa. While it’s not that deep, it has a child-esque sense of belief.

3. What it got right

        The overall simplicity and playing it straight is what makes the film great. The film isn’t bogged down with multiple subplots that don’t go anywhere. It’s just about Scott having to deal with him being the new Santa. A small detail that I’ve noticed is that the a few elves live among the humans. The times that I saw them was in the beginning and when Charlie is in school. I think it can be interpreted as they are looking for candidates or making sure which kid is naughty or nice. With that, why did the sequels get progressively worse?

4. Why make a sequel?

        Before I watched the film, I watched the sequels that was playing on TV. What I saw was just what was lost in the succeeding sequels. Most of them didn’t have that very simple approach to Christmas. They showed more of the North Pole, but I feel that it should’ve just been limited to the workshop. More so that they added more to the Clause by adding that Santa needs a Mrs. Clause. 

The third one, it’s just bad. That one involved time travel and Alan Aarkin just being not interested at all. It’s just bad. 

5. Overall

        The Santa Clause is one of those films that somehow manages to work. Tim Allen does a good job and looks like a Santa Claus with the prosthetics in his body. The film has heart with the themes of belief and just the joy of Christmas. It’s an enjoyable Christmas film that has the hallmarks of a Disney movie. 

The Santa Clause gets a four out of five.

Home Alone Review

        It’s finally December, all this month you guys will get a double dose of holiday movies that I will review. To kick things off will be my take on Home Alone. Directed by Chris Columbus it had become the highest grossing comedy movie for a generation. As well as establish Macauley Culkin’s acting career. The idea that this film is beloved and be 30 years old is a testament of just how much a great film it is. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Kevin 

        To begin with, the main star is Macauley Culkin. He plays young boy Kevin having been accidentally left by his family in their house. Kevin doesn’t start to be the honest innocent some think of now, he begins by being a little shit. He complains that his family doesn’t listen to him. It escalates when he tackles his older brother Buzz played by Devin Ratray, for eating his specialty pizzas. 

        He is inevitably sent to sleep up stairs by his Mom. Both really argue about Kevin wanting no one in the house. I feel that his Mom got too ignorant or just dumb to add fuel for the boy’s relative spiting. In terms of portraying the character, Culkin did a good job. He adds a three dimensional performance in a way where he isn’t a total pain. There are moments where he gets excited and does stuff he’s not supposed to do. 

        When the film continues, he slowly comes to grips that he misses his parents and wants to undo his “wish”. There’s a specific scene of him that I will discuss. Lastly, I think it’s the first time where the kid breaks the fourth wall. Meaning, he talks directly to the camera at us. By and large, it’s a kids film and the various angles of Kevin looking up at the weird neighbor and when he’s anywhere emphasize just how the film has a child-like feel to it. 

2. Traps

        The second half is when the film gets good. We’re introduced to the Wet Bandits, the duo house robbers played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Joe Pesci plays a cop who visits Kevin’s house, looking around and giving the Mom and Dad a literal false sense of security. I like the buildup when the duo meet Kevin in various places, all having the house be the final showdown. 

        In that confrontation is the traps. The whole approach feels like a Tom and Jerry cartoon by having the traps be elaborate. We do see how Kevin lays it out like him dousing the stairs with a slippery substance. It would be hard to believe to have no shots of the kid laying the traps and having the robbers go through the pain and have our suspension of disbelief be thrown out. For one thing, I’m glad we do get shots. The idea of having the traps be unrealistically and too detailed would’ve ruined it. Just like what happened in the sequels. 

3. What Makes it Good

        With each entry, I’m going to talk about how each movie is beloved in terms of the holidays. With Home Alone, it’s Kevin coming to grips of him missing his family. The Mom also racing back to the United States to make sure his son is safe. The emphasis is on the former since the whole holiday is predicated on seeing family we normally wouldn’t see in a daily basis. 

        I feel that it’s a classic since it’s an underdog story of Kevin attempting to survive house robbers and seeking to find redemption or forgiveness of what he got himself in. I feel that each film has to deal with the family angle or with anything that isn’t explicitly tied with Christmas but something that is very human. A notion would be in a cliché holiday film would be too stupid or materialistic. No lesson learned and just not being a feel good story. 

4. My favorite scene

        So here’s my favorite scene in the film. When Kevin meets a fake Santa who blows him off about having a wish be undone, he visits a nearby church. He sits in the pews and spots his weird neighbor. Before that happens, Kevin, his brother and I think cousin, hear a story from the older brother about the neighbor. With Buzz saying that the neighbor was a killer. The neighbor named Marley sits with Kevin and they talk. 

        Kevin asks why he is there, and Marley says that his granddaughter is singing in the choir. He says that he never has a chance to see her since he doesn’t speak to his son. Kevin responds by saying to try to reconcile but Marley is hesitant. Other than having the scene where the boy and the neighbor get to know each other, it’s a heartwarming scene since it shows what Kevin could become.

        He ultimately learns his lesson and it could be a way for him to ask for forgiveness for what he asked before. It’s not shown in any holiday film and it feels like a fresh air for anyone who watches the films back to back. The whole scene in general is good with the choir singing and the shots of Kevin looking up at the church in his point of view. 

 

5. Overall 

        This is without a doubt, one of the 90s best holiday films in that decade. It’s an absolute must watch for anyone who wants to get a Christmas fix or have a good romp of comedy. I know that it eventually spawned sequels which are inferior especially parts 3 through 5, those didn’t even have Culkin. Why would they since he would’ve been too old. It’s a perfect example of striking when the iron is hot or milking it to the last. Bottom line, it’s a beloved classic and one of John Hughes best films, even though he didn’t direct it. 

        Home Alone gets a four out of five. 

State From The Top #5

     It's almost the end of the year, 2020 will be remembered where the Spring, Summer, and Fall when historical and significant events have occurred. One of them being my film blog, not to stroke my ego, but I feel that this created an outlet where I can give an honest opinion about film where it can be an elaboration of saying a movie was good or bad. Since it's December, I feel that I should review holiday movies. That's exactly one area, though a feel good would certainly wrap up this turbulent year. More will happen, this year will be in the history books. 

With all that, here is the slate.

Dec. 2- Home Alone

Dec. 5- The Santa Clause

Dec. 9- Elf

Dec. 12- The Nightmare Before Christmas

Dec. 16- Gremlins

Dec. 19- A Christmas Story

Dec. 23- Lethal Weapon

Dec. 25- Die Hard

Dec. 31- The Post

Documentary Showcase: The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened?

 

        Picture this, Nicolas Cage as Superman. Or Tim Burton directing a Superman movie. Two people who you would not expect to don the big red ‘S’ and another having a filmography focusing on dark macabre imagery directing the most idealistic hero in pop culture. Superman Lives could have been a great movie or a bad one. This documentary focuses on the making of and fall of an ambitious take on the man of steel. Since this is the first time I have reviewed a documentary, I’m mostly going to talk about the main ideas of it and not divulge on the overall aspect of it. 

1. Death of Superman

        The whole framing story of the film was to be loosely based on the storyline “The Death of Superman”. Director Kevin Smith was brought on to do his version of what Warner Bros. had wanted to do with Superman. He mostly based it on the Superman story line and it managed to win over the execs. Eventually he was let go from the production due to director Tim Burton wanting to do his version of the film, but being told to keep aspect of Smith’s script. 

        The  making of part of seeing the death of Superman play out was really intriguing due to the number of concept art they had. Many artists were brought in to design the fight between the villain Doomsday against Superman. It would be years later through animation that the fight and story line was to be adapted. I feel that it would have worked since it was in the public conscious since it was news that DC Comics had decided to kill off their cash cow.

        Also, the resurrection of the hero was indeed intriguing due to having a companion helping Superman be reborn. The art I believe was the main highlight, especially the costume test of how Nicolas Cage would look like as the man of tomorrow. I’ll delve more on the what if aspect since it’s the main idea of the documentary.

2. Jon Peters

        This producer is something else. The documentary touches on how exactly he got work in Hollywood. By being a hair stylist for Barbara Streisand and being associated with award winning films. The first time I have heard of him is when Kevin Smith was talking about his time working on Superman Lives. It may have hampered my experience with seeing the film since his description of Jon Peters is exactly what I saw. 

        Just how the production crew talks about him, Peters comes across as a literal asshole. Such as when he has an artist in a headlock to show off his guests. His overall thought process was odd since Smith, described that the producer didn’t want Superman to fly, wear his suit, and having to fight a giant spider creature. Jon had an idea of wanting Nic Cage in the film since he wanted the casting to be something people didn’t expect. For instance, he picked Michael Keaton as Batman when everyone complained about the move. Now, he’s a beloved Batman actor. 

        With how the movie never happening, he may be entirely to blame. Peters wanted the film to be grand in scale and to be a very out there film in terms of dealing with the psychology of Superman. Tim Burton also wanted to tackle with that angle since his entire filmography grappled with that theme. Overall, his personality and thought process with the film was one of the reasons why we will never see Nicolas Cage be the caped hero. And no, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies doesn’t count since Nic Cage voiced Superman. 

3. What If?

        What enticed me to watch it was the whole what if angle the documentary was going for. The late director Jon Schnepp had everyone involved give their account on how the production went before the premature cancellation. The only downside was him being the one to be next to the writers, artists, and designers which felt like him self inserting for ego. Just them giving their voice of what happened was enough. 

        There are only glimpses of what the film could’ve been just through the many art, costume test and Tim Burton along with Nicolas Cage figuring out how to make their ideal Superman. The documentary does include the interconnected reasons as to why the film was cancelled but it squarely rested on Warner Bros. Studio. I won’t go into detail the reasons as to why, but if you watch it, you can’t really blame them for pulling the plug.

        In my own opinion, had the film been made, it would’ve been interesting since we’ve never seen a film go in depth psychologically about Superman. We do see it in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, but it was an unmitigated turd. Like Nicolas Cage could’ve been a good Superman but it may conflict with how people perceive the hero as a chiseled hero and not a person who you would never really think of. 

4. Overall

        This type of documentary is very interesting to me since it deals with the making of a cancelled film and highlights the bureaucracy of Hollywood. I feel that it’s a must see for comic book fans and for curious people who want to see the making of a Nicolas Cage film. More so on how people who want to see the background thinking of how Hollywood works in terms of making or cancelling a film. The entire production team are the stars as well as the art to make an interesting Superman film. 

        Death of ‘Superman Lives’: What Happened? gets a four out of five. 

Sunset Boulevard Review

 

        Never thought I would review this classic film noir in my film blog. I was actually exposed to this one by having to write a paper about it for my Intro to Film Analysis class at Texas A&M. Without a doubt, this is considered one of the best film noir films that I have seen and in many countdown lists. Perhaps in the future I might review more but, for the moment I want to give this classic the spotlight it deserves for a new generation. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        I don’t want to give away too much because this is such a classic film, but I will talk about it. It begins with a shot of a dead body in a pool in a mansion. The narrator describes how that body made it dead on arrival. We later realize that the body is the narrators. Played by classic actor William Holden, he portrays the washout writer Joe Gillis. After being hounded by debt collectors looking to repo his car, Joe goes to Paramount Studios to pitch his new script. 

        As he is pitching his script, a young script doctor named Betty played by Nancy Olson arrives and gives the producer her opinion about the script. Unbeknownst to her that the writer is sitting in front of the producer. Joe leaves and tries to contact other studios but reaches the same answer. He spots the collectors and evades them by hiding his car in what appears to be an abandon mansion. Gillis recognizes the tenant who was a silent movie actress Norma Desmond played by an literal former silent film actress Gloria Swanson.

        Norma tells Joe that she wants to make a comeback by drafting her own script in which she had wrote. Gillis decides to work with Desmond, thinking that if he uses her, Joe can get a real job in Hollywood. The whole movie as I said is told in a nonlinear style. Somewhat similar to Citizen Kane, but where the main narrator has the whole authority since he’s retelling his death. I feel that it’s really a first time any film does that since a traditional movie has a standard story formula. Here though, it’s part of the story formula that is mostly seen in the film noir sub-genre. Which I will get into. 

2. Film Noir

        So what exactly is Film Noir? Well, to put succinctly it’s a sub-genre of Hollywood crime dramas. They typically deal with dramas that an ordinary person gets into usually by a women called the femme fatale. Having studied the genre for the class, most of the films including this one are dynamic enough to be distinct with each other. 

        With Sunset Boulevard, I feel that the whole framing story is sort of a meta perspective of finding a job in Hollywood. The two main characters unintentionally come across each other in hoping of finding a way to get back to their main profession. Norma Desmond for instance was a silent film star but has become jaded of how everything in the Hollywood system has changed such as introducing sound.

        She becomes the femme fatale when she wants Joe to help her fix her script. It’s interesting how this connection works in tandem with Joe using her to get a job and vice versa. The ultimate irony is that she believes that a director who worked with her wants to do a movie with her. Although, the fictionalized Cecil B. DeMille says to a producer that her script is trash and the real reason someone called is that they want to use her old car. 

3. Hollywood

        If you would allow me, I want to expand more on the Hollywood aspect since I feel that the point of the film is one of the brilliant things about it. The overall main idea of the film is that Hollywood is cruel, they move on. For Joe, he can’t produce a good script where the producer wants to alter it completely. Norma can’t understand that no one wants to work with her due to her prior experience of being difficult to any director. 

        I feel the only example of Hollywood allowing the new stars is with Betty. She can be interpreted as Joe’s earlier years being an ambitious screenwriter. While Joe is a complete cynic with her script when she elaborates more with his scripts. I think that Joe can’t stand anyone who challenges him or suggests a better idea than his. It has to do more with the jaded being jealous with the more up and coming talent arriving. 

        To be honest, it’s radical that Paramount allowed this type of self awareness to be shot and shown. There is an idea of Hollywood that is mostly any bright eye talent would instantly become washed out is something that no one wants to admit but is evident here. It’s commendable since Hollywood was at an age to have the idea of the stars become popular and to recognize just how far the silent film stars had lost. Albeit, for the purposes of the film, Norma is disillusioned by her prospect of being a star for the talking films. 

4. Overall

        This is another short review. I feel that I left out most of the good aspects due to wanting anyone who reads this to experience the film. Yes, it is black and white, but that should not be a turn off to anyone who wants to give this movie a shot or watch something they normally wouldn’t watch. It’s one of my favorites and I may include it with my next slate of favorite films. 

Sunset Boulevard gets a five out of five. 

Ready Player One Review

 

        In 2011, Ernest Cline published Ready Player One. It became a New York Times’ Best Seller, it was the first book to have a celebration of all things geeky and pop culture. Later, it was optioned for a film adaptation and Steven Spielberg was helmed the keys to direct the adaptation. Ready Player One the film is the 21st book to film adaptation that Spielberg has done, including others such as: Jaws, The Color Purple, and Jurassic Park to name a few. The recent adaptation is an okay version of the book and not one of Spielberg’s strongest film, which is saying a lot since, he’s Steven Spielberg. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        Since the movie is a loose adaptation of the book, the overall plot is the same, slightly. In 2042, the whole world is plugged into playing a virtual reality game called the OASIS. We follow the main character Wade Watts/Parzival played by Tye Sheridan. He and a few players called Gunthers, are attempting to find the creator’s Easter Egg. The creator James Halliday played by Mark Rylance creates the avatar Anorak, who composes three keys that will unlock and give the player the Easter Egg and control of the game. 

        Along with Wade is his friend Aech. The duo meet other players such as Art3mis/Samantha played by Olivia Cooke and Zhou/Sho and Toshiro/Daito played by Philip Zhao and Win Morisaki respectively. Meanwhile, the malevolent IOI CEO Nolan Sorrento played by proven antagonist stand in Ben Mendolsohn. He wants to get the egg to spam the OASIS with ads. Alongside the player i-Rok played by Tim Miller, they and the IOI workers called the sixers plan to stop Wade and his friends from getting the prize. 

        As far as adaptations go, it’s just okay. Some of the stuff that is missing is mostly just how the challenges are presented for the quest to get the keys. For instance, Wade gets the first key by beating a guardian in the arcade game Joust. And him traveling across the country to rescue Art3mis and working for IOI. I feel that it’s necessary to trim and change certain aspects of the book since, for readers who did indulge themselves with the book, they don’t want to see what happened in the big screen as it happened in the book. 

2. OASIS

        What sold me on the book was the entire world. Dubbed the OASIS, it’s an entire realm where schools and anything fun or informative merge. Watching the film, we see only glimpses of the world such as a whole world dedicated to the video game Minecraft. It would’ve been interesting to see the characters interact in other realms, even it’s just a few minutes. What we do see is the racetrack to the first key. It was exciting in the teaser trailer. Seeing it play out, it’s too cluttered and busy. The cars are crashing and it’s hard to track just what’s happening. 

        The other world we see takes place in the film The Shining. It looks impressive that the whole set, digital mind you, looks like an interactive screenshot of Stanley Kubrick’s film. The level was exciting since the elevator blood and the decomposing woman corpse turned into obstacles to get the second key. I felt that is when it was a real challenge since just two characters had no clue if the movie was a horror film. 

        Overall, most of the OASIS is just an okay concept. It’s populated by mostly original characters and IP characters that Warner Bros. owns like the DC Super Heroes and an assortment of video game characters like Halo and Overwatch to name a few. I feel that with the characters they had, they could’ve made there appearances more individual since we see just how the characters are portrayed. Like, there’s a group of Halo players that have the same color scheme, they could’ve have different colors or different look to differentiate themselves. 

3. Wade Watts: Or how to NOT make an interesting character

        The biggest downside of the film and is the most important aspect for a film, is lack of interesting characters. No character goes through an arc. Especially Wade Watts since he’s the hero in the film. The one thing I will give him is that he’s different in the real world and OASIS. He tries to impress Art3mis and is a pro with the creator’s background. In the actual world, he’s a very too himself person, when he is arguing his aunt’s boyfriend, he can’t defend himself. 

        The others suffer the same thing, there just stand ins for Wade. Like, none of them have any stake to help Wade or have ambitions with what they would do if they get the reward. They just help him since it’s the right thing to do. Wade’s the only one to have ambition with what he wants to do but its mostly materialistic. 

        I feel that Nolan’s character could’ve been more in depth than what we’re led on. I feel that he should have his own reasons to get the Easter Egg. Possibly, want to destroy it and focus on the big issues that’s plaguing the planet. Or get rid of it because he’s petty since he worked for James Halliday. Anything would’ve worked but we’re hampered with him being a stand in for corporate scum instead of seeing the character be more dynamic in terms of motive.  

4. Missed Opportunities

        Additionally, the biggest missed opportunity is the overall messaging of the film. There’s an underlying message of seeing someone for who they are. The OASIS acts like a cover of someone. We see this play out when Aech tells Wade that Art3mis can be a dude and Wade doesn’t really know her. The whole thing doesn’t go anywhere since it’s wrapped up quick when Wade sees Samantha and being okay about her looks. 

        The Curator played by Simon Pegg could’ve been way more than just a sassy curator. We later learn that him and Halliday’s co-founder Ogden Morrow are the same person. It’s a dead giveaway since anyone who knows film knows Simon Pegg and the illusion is gone since we can infer that the Curator is Ogden when Wade points something out in the archive footage of Morrow and Halliday and the Curator getting mad. I feel that he should’ve just told Wade who he was and just got personal. 

        Like I mentioned earlier, the characters could’ve have more depth than just supporters for Wade. There are not enough character moments for Wade to really contemplate or just to have him by himself. I-Rok could’ve have been just a stereotypical basement dweller who prides himself with having the most armor earned in the OASIS. Like when he gets eliminated, it would’ve been funny to have him be a teenager having to do chores or a worker getting fired on the spot. 

5. Overall

        As far as Spielberg films go, it’s just okay. There are moments where the director shines. Most of the CG is good and it’s a good ride. I feel that I was overhyped to see the movie that I thought it was going to be a gamechanger. On its own its just okay, but a if you like the book its good but if you’re just a casual audience it’s just fine. There is a sequel for the book that is coming out later this year, maybe the eventual film will be better but I feel that the characterization and the message has to be stronger than the first. 

        Ready Player One gets a 3 out of 5.

Underrated Gems: Upgrade

 

Upgrade is the perfect example of being an underrated film. I’ve heard of it since seeing the trailer that was attached to the comic book film Deadpool 2. The whole idea looked very interesting, especially since it came from Blumhouse Studios and an up and coming director Leigh Wendell. It took a long time to finally have a chance to watch it since it wasn’t showing in my respective hometown’s theater. Black Friday rolled around the Best Buy and I finally had a chance to watch it. Bottom line, I love it. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        Since the film takes place in the not too distant future in an unnamed city. A mechanic named Grey Trace played by Logan Marshall-Green is fixing up an old Pontiac Thunderbird to deliver to an industrialist. He has his wife Asha help him deliver the car. We learn that Grey is very hesitant on technology. Grey and his wife meet the customer named Eron played by Harrison Gilbertson, who is so socially maladjusted that he probably has autism. 

        When they go back home, their automatic car takes them in a different direction. Grey tries to take control but the car crashes in the homeless part of the city. Three assassins kill Asha and paralyze Grey, making him a quadriplegic. He is gifted mechanical arms in his house to help him. Grey tries to kill himself and is sent to the hospital. Eron visits him and tells him he has something that can help him. 

        The young inventor calls the chip STEM which can help Grey regain control of his limbs. We later learn that STEM has a voice and helps Grey find the killers who murdered his wife. The film is very straightforward and kind of short. It never drags in certain areas and has an interesting world that is reminiscent of Steven Spielberg’s film Minority Report. Logan Marshall-Green does a great job of the main character. Although, the artificial intelligence steals the show. 

2. Stem

        This plucky and inquisitive A.I. steals the show and is the surprise villain of the film. Voiced by Simon Maiden, STEM is sort of like Jarvis in the Iron Man and Marvel Cinematic Universe films, where he can access info on the fly. It gives the impression that Grey can access his limbs. What is interesting is that the program follows through with Grey’s plan at revenge. 

        As the film goes on, it learns self-defense. Such as killing a hired murderer by slicing his jaw. The whole relationship is very symbiotic since Grey needs STEM to help him. As well as STEM giving Grey instructions to lie to detective Cortez played by Betty Gabriel. The whole shots of STEM gaining control is very interesting. The camera is focused on Grey but its very fixed. Especially when the action scenes happen and when Grey ducks, the camera tracks him.

        What I didn’t see coming is that it slowly took over Grey’s conscious and mind. It became apparent that STEM told Eron to find Grey as a potential host. It’s very Twilight Zone-esque, with the overall approach being a monkey’s paw. It’s even more messed up by having STEM send Grey’s conscious to a altered reality where his wife survived. While the program controls his body.

3. Control

        With all being established, the whole film is about control. I feel that the word should be at least an alternate title to the film. For one thing, Grey wants to have revenge for his wife’s death but he doesn’t actually want to kill anyone. STEM tells him that it can kill the murderers while Grey looks away. 

        Earlier, it’s established that Grey is very apprehensive about automation since he likes having control with what he does. He is seen driving a vintage Pontiac Thunderbird and is very apprehensive with the Tesla like car. I think it’s a general fear since with everything being high tech, anything can happen and we wouldn’t know what to do. It’s shown that as Grey is being spied on by Cortez, STEM hacks an autonomous car that it controls the vehicle to crash to the police detective. 

4. Upgrade v. Venom

        I think the damning thing is that an inferior film such as Venom, which came out later in 2018, outperformed Upgrade. Having seen the other film, it’s based on an established character in Spider-Man comics, but overall is just not a good film. I think the reason why the former underperformed was that it wasn’t shown everywhere. 

        It never even gotten a TV ad. As a reminder, I only saw a trailer in the summer. I think it’s a big problem that not a big studio got the distribution rights of the film. Or not enough money to shell out its marketing to get many general audiences to see the film. The main thing is that an established character that is an inferior film beat out a slightly original film with a neat story by a large margin. 

5. Overall

        This film is one of the definitions for being an underrated film. It’s an interesting action revenge film that focuses on the technology and loss of control. Director Leigh Wendell is an up and coming director and he nailed this film. Just earlier, he directed The Invisible Man, which is one of 2020’s best horror film. He is slowly becoming the next big director at the rate of success he’s maintaining so far. Upgrade is a pleasant surprise and I hope people will see this great film more. 

        Upgrade gets a four out of five. 

The Martian Review

        This is one of my favorite films ever. Not only that, it’s also one of the best book adaptations that I have seen. Going in, I read the novel by Andy Weir which is definitely a must read. It’s one of those films that comes out and shows the amazing power of the United States’ space program. Okay, it’s a work of realistic science fiction and it works. Also, it’s a good film that takes place in Mars. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        Sometime in the future, NASA has made it possible to have their astronauts finally land on Mars. Hopefully, one day I’ll see it. Anyways, on a routine mission on Mars. The Ares 4 team evacuates the Red Planet after a severe dust storm. As they’re reaching the rocket to blast off, Mark Watney is punctured by a radio antenna and the crew leave thinking he’s dead. Back on Earth, the head of NASA Teddy Sanders played by Jeff Daniels announce Watney’s death.

        Meanwhile, Mark awakens and realize he was left behind. He records himself updating that he is alive and notes that anything that were to happen in the habitation unit, he will die. Throughout the film, Watney uses his knowledge in Botany to grow himself a garden of potatoes and finds an intact probe Pathfinder to communicate to Mission Control. At the same time, NASA’s Mars mission and Jet Propulsion Lab figures out a way to bring back Watney. 

        It’s a refreshing take for a science fiction film to be grounded in realism as The Martian. Since other films that involve NASA such as The Right Stuff and Apollo 13 are historical dramas. This one is more of a hypothetical what if and how NASA would respond to such an event. Like we get to see the background bureaucracy drama that the nonmilitary organization might have. Overall, it’s not bogged down by it so much and has likeable characters that flesh out the science of bringing back Mark Watney. 

2. Mark Watney

        This guy is probably the best thing in the movie.  It’s refreshing to have an astronaut to be a real smartass type of person. Typically, they have a distinct All-American look. He’s like that in the novel as well. What makes him likeable is that he manages to assess what he has going for in the situation he’s in. He knows that any wrong move that he does or anything that will happen, he will die. 

        The best moment is when he starts his own potato garden. He even discloses to his recordings that he was a botany major. The science works in tandem with Watney preparing his own garden. Such as when he gets his crew feces as manure and figuring out how to make a supply of water. The best shot is when he reaches down and his hand touches a small sprout in the ground. 

        Something that works in the film as well as the other characters is the overall charm and likeability. Watney isn’t a cavalier or stubborn astronaut, he tries his darndest to stay alive and to find a decommissioned probe to communicate to Mission Control. Others do so the same way albeit in their own way. Matt Damon managed to reinvigorate an astronaut character that has the charm to make himself likeable.

3. Space: Anything Can Happen

        Re-watching the film and the only antagonist that creates the many obstacles that Mark Watney has to face is the environment. It reinforces the idea in NASA that it believes in Murphy’s Law. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Such as when Watney is going to his hub. As he is getting his oxygen replenished, a breach appears and sends him soaring causing his helmet to crack and garden to die. 

        I feel it’s realistic to depict this type of thing to happen since, people have to be reminded that traveling to space is a risk in of itself. For instance, when Sanders okayed a launch of a probe for Watney, he wanted the launch to go over the hoops of regulations. As the launch happened, the rocket exploded. 

        It works as a great dramatic motif but, like I mentioned earlier it’s a reality that must be reminded when people want to go to space. The overall use of it makes the movie more engaging and the stakes higher. I was on the edge of my seat when the crew was going to rescue Watney in Mars’ orbit.

4. Book Adaptation

        It’s no secret that some of the best films are based on novels. The Martian joins an elite class of films to be just as good as the book. Movies like Jaws and The Godfather are considered to be the best and very beloved. Much so with The Martian since it could be the only film to literally mirror the book in terms of content and characterization. 

        What makes a good book adaptation is mostly take some liberties with adapting the source material to the film. While, at the same time, be true to the book that a fan of the book can love the movie. As well as a regular audience member loving the film and finding and buying the novel. Something I want to know is if the author Andy Weir had any sort of creative input behind the scenes. Or if director Ridley Scott had a one on one conversation with the author to deliver a mostly faithful adaptation. 

        It’s without a doubt that this film is mostly not bogged down with scientific jargon that any member in the audience can follow what’s happening. The line “I did the math” always pops up and I feel that it’s a way to skim through any scientific method that felt repetitive. I can’t recall if there is an excessive use of scientific guesses in the novel but I can say that the film is realistic to an extent. 

5. Overall

        The film earned multiple accolades in the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. It was one of the highest grossing films in 2015. My love of space only magnified my love for The Martian. Matt Damon managed to change the ideal view of an astronaut that may inspire future astronauts to have a certain charming character that they might adopt. I can’t say this enough but it’s one of the best book adaptation ever to be screened. Without a doubt, it’s my personal favorite films of all time. 

        The Martian gets a five out of five. 

The Lego Movie Review

 

        Occasionally, you will have an animated film that is a total gamechanger in terms of how it shows its animation. The Lego Movie joins a few list of animated films in the 2010s that has changed animation such as Rango and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller helm this feature and manage to create another hilarious animated film about Legos without naming the product. It’s the best film of 2014 and the one of the duo’s best film. SPOILERS will appear in the review. 

1. Story

        The story begins where the Wizard Vitruvius played by Morgan Freeman finding a relic to stop something terrible from happening. Suddenly, Lord Business played by Will Ferrell stops the wizard and blinds him from getting the key to stop his weapon called the Kraggle. 

        Years later, we follow the main character Emmet played by Chris Pratt going about his regular day as a construction worker. He notices movement in the construction site and notices the object Vitruvius tried to get. Touching it, Emmet sees visions and is captured by Bad Cop played by Liam Neeson. He tells the worker that no one knows him or cares for him after Emmet says his friends are worried about him. 

        Emmet is rescued by Wyldstyle played by Elizabeth Banks. She believes that he is the “special”, someone who can stop Lord Business from freezing the entire Lego worlds. Along the way, they meet a motley crew of characters including Lego Batman. Emmet must realize that he doesn’t have to be special but someone that is creative to save the day. 

        It’s a fairly straightforward movie that doesn’t go too in depth with the world. The whole hero’s journey is the main basis of the film and is really refreshing. Since, we are told that Emmet isn’t the hero of the day but someone who can be inspired to be one. The best aspect of the film is the story since it’s inspiring to kids and adults to be creative in their own way.

2. Emmet 

        He is probably the best character to represent the every man. His design is mostly plain, since other minifigs have distinct eyes, beards, and wrinkles. He mostly follows the rules and is friendly to everyone around him. The only thing going against him is that he has no friends. The scene when he is interrogated by bad cop, most of the people have no clue who he is and say he is just a yes man. 

        What elevates him is when he attempts to be creative. When he, Wyldstyle, and the wizard are in the realm The Old West. Emmet literally uses his head to be wheel holder. Batman and the others question his methods such as the worker’s double decker couch as stupid. In the end, it saves the group from a sinking submarine. 

        The most redeeming aspect of Emmet is that he manages to take control of the situation. One would think it would be Vitruvius or Wyldstyle, but it’s Emmet that leads his group to stop Lord Business. By using basic instructions, which he’s accustomed to. By fooling the henchman into a sneak attack. 

        I found it odd that when he enters the real world, he thinks for himself. Since I thought what he was saying was coming from the boy Finn. Everything that the boy did could be interpreted that the entire film is from the boy’s perspective with the minifigure being the microphone.

3. Animation

        The animation is simply the best part of the film. One would think it’s meticulous stop motion with Legos, but it’s entirely computer generated. Just the tiny details such as the scuffs that the figures have is just amazing. Warner Animation Group manage to make the figures so life like that anyone can fool anyone that’s gullible enough to think that the whole film is stop motion. 

        Even the explosions are Lego-ized. Just the attention to detail with the animation is just stunning. For anyone that has handled a minifig notices that they’re stationary and can’t articulate their limbs beside moving them up or down. No one would notice but when a character like Unikitty sits down, the character has a Lego piece to appear to sit down. It’s just smart how they work around the limitations of the minifig and other Lego characters. 

4. Snubbed

        When the list of animated features that were announced for award season, The Lego Movie was not on the list. Many people were mad or upset that the film was not even for consideration. I think it had to do with the final half being live-action. Since it’s technically an animated film, the last half subverts it by being meta. Nothing entirely wrong with it but, might have costed its chance to be nominated and maybe win.

        One more was that it was entirely different plot-wise. Looking at the magazine Variety it explained that traditionally animated films had a very basic plot that manages to get nominated and win. The Lego Movie was probably too irreverent that some award voters decided that it was a bit too much of itself. Although, a successfully great film doesn’t have to be nominated and I think that’s why it worked. 

5. Overall

        Nobody expected The Lego Movie to come out of nowhere and make an impact than it did. Warner added a future gem that will probably be included with the beloved animated films. I know that there are sequels and spin-offs, but I believe that none of them can ever quite capture just how much of a fresh of breath air this one was. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller knocked this one out of the park and would be producing the next beloved animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. 

        The Lego Movie gets a four out of five. 

10 Favorite Films

     This is the first time that I do a favorite films list. Other than the fact that I made this to coincide with my birthday. I felt that I wanted to share my ten favorite films and maybe update more. Since, I felt that if I rank it, it would be like, what, how and why would you like this movie than that one? To make the list, I feel that the film has to really move me. Where it really influenced me and I would watch it over and over again. Now typing it, I should make the Worst movie list. Although, it would be too easy and I have to find the ones where it really made me mad. With that out of the way, here are my ten favorite films in no order. 

Jurassic Park 

    Growing up, I adored Dinosaurs. I had posters and toys of dinosaurs and something about the skeleton or just the artist conception of how they look liked always interested me. I was actually exposed to Jurassic Park 3. But, I finally had a chance to watch where it all started just two years ago. Easily, the main star is the special effects. Since its nearly thirty years old, the computer images of the dinosaurs are still impressive. It's just mind boggling. 

    I love it since the characters are really enjoyable. Especially Jeff Goldbloom's character, just his mannerisms make him compelling. What I like about it is the sense of wonder that is embued with the film. The shots that capture the Brontasaurus is still awe inspiring. With Sam Neill and Laura Dern being completely shocked and awe. Speaking of, I feel that it perfectly balances the tone since its an adventure film and a horror film when the T-Rex and Velociraptors appear. 

    This is one of Steven Spielberg's best film from the 90s. '

Spider-Man

    I remember exactly where I was when the first Spider-Man film was released. My Mom took me and my older brother to the movie theater. From there, the movie rocked my world. I think what sold it for me was Tobey Maguire's performance as Peter Parker. He played the aloof nerd so well that it probably connected with me. When he became the wall crawler, that is when it got interesting. 

    It was a perfect summer movie with a comic book hero that is so beloved to all. Hell, it inadvertently exposed me to comic books and to watch superhero movies. What I liked was it was good popcorn entertainment that didn't try to take itself seriously. It ultimately laid the building blocks for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Baby Driver

    I talked about this one in my review but, I'll keep it brief. The soundtrack, drive stunts, and the opening title sequence is what I enjoy the most. I feel that this is Edgar Wright's best film aside from the three he made for the Cornetto Trilogy. Bottom line, it's a must watch and I highly recommend it. 

Knives Out

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi really introduced me to director Rian Johnson. Watching the behind the scenes made me like him because he is endearing in his film making. When I saw a trailer for Knives Out, I had no idea what I was expecting. I think because it was loaded with a star studded ensemble that the story could go either way. 

    Ana de Armas is my new celebrity crush and never would I thought she would be a good lead. I honestly thought it would be either Chris Evans or Daniel Craig. The movie is a cinematography dream and the whole setting is a character to itself. People give Johnson shit because of The Last Jedi, but I strongly believe that Knives Out definitely shut his detractors up. 

Taxi Driver

    This was my first Martin Scorsese film that I watched. It made me relate to the character who absolutely didn't belong in a city. I wouldn't use slow burner but a character study of how one man can be corrupted by the city. The shots that have NYCers in Time Square is something out of a time capsule. It's authentic. 

    The soundtrack is the most memorable piece of music that I have listened to. I always play it since it has a jazzy feel to it. I feel that when other films try to copy this movie, they sort of miss the idea of why Taxi Driver was successful. It's no so much of the character having a feel bad for me. What works is how the environment can change a person for better or worse. 

The Exorcist

    Out of all the horror movies that I saw in October, this one stood out to me the most. It's a slow, procedural horror movie. It doesn't rely on jump scares or anything cheap. I was apprehensive but, it definitely makes the list in my 10 favorite films. The first half is such a brilliant set up with what's coming. 

    The moments on the character Father Karras is really interesting. It's a priest who's having a crisis of faith and must answer a call by performing an exorcism. To me, it's a great redemption film and ultimately, about good and evil. 

The Social Network

    David Fincher is starting to become my second favorite director. I've seen Se7en but, The Social Network has always been on my radar. This film is this generation's Citizen Kane. Let me elaborate, it's about an idealistic young man who has an idea with a friend but screws him over financially. You couldn't ask for a better drama. 

    The dialogue is so tight and witty. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin wrote the script and every character is just so quick. Both Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield play their characters so perfectly that it works as a tragedy. Seeing them as both idealistic to have their friendship fall apart. 

Casablanca

    Quite possibly, the best film to come out during World War 2, Casablanca is the perfect drama in a time where conflict is in the public consciousness. Starring the legendary actor and actress, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the film deals with Bogart's character helping his former love escape the Nazis in Casablanca. 

    The most famous scene is the ending. Without giving it away, it's the saddest but heartfelt speech ever delivered. The film is in no way propaganda, but some can confuse it due to the bar which the film takes place containing a combination of evacuees. It's Warner Bros. crowning achievement that you can hear the famous piano song play in contemporary Warner films. 

Rocky

    A classic underdog story and only sports film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Rocky is the most beloved sports film that anyone that isn't a sports fan can immediately fall in love. Sylvester Stallone plays the titular character so well. He even wrote the film. 

    It's not so much about the boxing itself but more on the idea of going the distance. Giving it your all in the face of an insurmountable odds. Rocky is a beloved film that I will probably watch in the Christmas Winter break as a way to feel good. 

The Martian

    To tell you the truth, this one interested me. I actually went above and beyond to read the book it's based on by Andy Weir. When it was time to watch the film, it's the rare instances that I re watched a film in theater. Something about it made me love it and have it as my favorites. Matt Damon plays the marooned astronaut Mark Watney who is such a refreshing astronaut. 

    Overall, the main highlight is how Damon's character figures out a way to survive in Mars by using the powers of botany. It's probably, one of the best book adaptations to film that I have ever seen. No joke, there are moments from the book that are absent in the film, but the overall characterization of all the characters are mostly the same and memorable. 

Jarhead Review

        This is the second Sam Mendes film that I have seen. He’s an already established director who revitalized the James Bond franchise with his film Skyfall. As well as making one of the best war films that I have seen earlier this year with 1917. Jarhead is one of those movies that came out during the mid-2000s that got mixed reviews. I feel that it was supposed to be the 2000s version of Full Metal Jacket, but what most critics and audiences saw was a film showing a degeneration of a soldier wanting to kill. Years later, having sat down and watching it on Netflix when it was available, Jarhead is Sam Mendes’ underappreciated war film.

1. Story

        What most people don’t know is that it’s based on a true story. Written by U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford when he wrote his memoir Jarhead, the film is somewhat a faithful adaptation by showcasing Swofford played by Jake Gyllenhaal when he signs up with the Marine Corps and his disappointing experience being deployed in the Middle East as part of Operation Desert Shield. 

        This is way different than any war movie that I have seen. Gyllenhaal plays Swofford as a man who has gone through hell in basic training. He eventually finds his calling when he joins Sniper Classes at the behest of Staff Sergeant Sykes played by Jamie Foxx. He impresses Sykes and both are joined with their squad to the Persian Gulf. 

        Throughout the film, Swofford and his battalion wait impatiently at deployment to see the action that most of them are waiting for. Meanwhile, we get to see how the soldiers deal with their long-distance relationships with their significant others. Although, it’s the most tragic and unfortunate things to happen to the Marines.  

2. Killing Time at Camp

        As I mentioned before, Swofford and his team are waiting in their camp to see some action. This is the main highlight of the film since, it’s probably the most realistic depiction of being in the military. Like when the news is doing coverage on Camp Pendleton, the soldiers are playing football to pass the time. When the cameras are trained on them, they do sexual acts which are condemnable to Sykes. 

        I think just seeing the soldiers stuck around their camp and doing various things to pass the time is interesting. It’s refreshing since any preconceived idea of a war film would have the battles be the main highlight with little attention to the characters. Here, Swofford and the group are craving for action since they were hyped by their Lieutenant Colonel played by Chris Cooper. 

        The most gut wrenching to see is when we see one of the soldier’s wife cheating on him. It happens when the group put on the movie The Deer Hunter. As the movie starts it cuts to his wife and another man making love. Causing the soldier to cry and yelling that he wants to go home. Swofford looking concerned, immediately says he wants to watch the impromptu porno again. 

3. What Makes War Films Great

        I touched upon this aspect briefly, but I feel that I should elaborate more on the issue. With war films like Saving Private Ryan and Hacksaw Ridge being highly acclaimed films isn’t the fact that it was a full-blown action movie. When you have movies like Act of Valor that has actual soldiers playing the film version, it becomes boring since it’s derivative and comes across as jingoistic.

        What makes the two films I mentioned and Jarhead successful is dealing with the human drama in the midst of war. Seeing them have doubts and going through the motions of losing a friend. In this case, wanting to see some action and becoming a killing machine in name only makes Swofford waiting to finally have this moment. 

        He does, but it’s taken away. When him and his spotter played by Peter Sarsgaard arrive at an airbase, he is excited to finally have his moment. It’s ruined when the Major arrives and calls in a airstrike. Swofford almost fights him but eventually let’s go. He sees the base blown by the fighter jets and goes back to camp dejected. 

4. The Ending is Depressing 

        The ending gets its own tab since it’s the most depressing thing I have seen in any film. The troops finally arrive back in the United States. The people are cheering but the soldiers don’t look like the celebratory type. A Vietnam veteran gets on the bus to and congratulates them. In the end it doesn’t matter. 

        What follows is a series of scenes that show what the soldiers are doing back in civilian life. Swofford has it worst when he visits his girlfriend. Earlier, he learns from the camp that it’s never a good idea to have a girlfriend while being deployed. He calls his girlfriend but can’t accept the fact that he’s being cheated on. He visits her house and his greeted by another man. The music is only punctuated by just how everything is just somber. 

        What’s being communicated is that they could have just had regular lives if they weren’t involved in the conflict. In any event, Swofford looks back and thinks back at his time in the desert. He wants to have his moment again but can’t. It’s ingenious since there’s a sense of patriotism in these films but in this one, the viewer is left to asked is “Was it all worth it?”

5. Overall

        Sam Mendes’ film deserves to be watched. It offers an interesting perspective of a soldier who wants to see the action but doesn’t have a chance. To me, it’s a refinement of Full Metal Jacket by having an entire movie dedicated to one soldier. Perhaps why this movie was mixed was that it may have came in an earlier time. I think now is the time to have a film where we have an actionless military film. It should be watched but there are moments where you just want to shut it off due to the depressing nature. 

        Jarhead gets a four out of five. 

State From The Top #4

    This November is going to be interesting, not what you think since with everything going on. On Saturday the 7^th, it will be my birthday. I’ve decided to do a 10 list of my favorite films and give brief reviews about them. In the future, I’ll probably elaborate on them but, for some I have talked about before. I’m really left in a quandary since I have no clue what to review for the whole month of November. With that, I’m picking a few films out of random that I will talk about. In the event where scheduling will conflict with the review, I will update you guys. So here’s the slate.

11/4- Jarhead

11/7- 10 Favorite Films

11/11- The Lego Movie

11/14- The Martian

11/18- Underrated Gems: Upgrade

11/21- Ready Player One

11/25- Sunset Boulevard

11/28- “New Series” Documentary Look*: The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened?