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American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty Movie Review
"American Beauty" is a 1999 drama directed by Sam Mendes and stars Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, and Thora Birch. The film is about Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after becoming infatuated with his daughter's attractive friend.
The film works as a satire about what life is like for those who think they live in the American dream, when in reality their lives are unhappy and only have materials to keep them satisfied. There are surprisingly a good number of well put together laughs due to the film's hyper realism presentation, and wit. Thankfully, the film knows when to utilize it's comedic element, and put in moments of drama.
Speaking of drama, it is also handled effectively. The film actually took me through a gamete of emotions, such as laughter, sadness, happiness, and even horror at a few points. There is a great deal of heartfelt moments in "American Beauty", that actually got a few tears out of me. This is amplified with Mendes fantastical direction, that had me absorb into the story and characters. The cinematography is gorgeous to look at, and the score is intoxicating.
There are films I can say is flawless from an acting perspective. This is one of them. All of the actors fully immerses themselves into their roles, and even actors that may not have a lot of screen time still manage to stick out, due to their dedication to their craft. The characters themselves are deep, and while they may exaggerate their personalities a bit, the movie still shows the darkest sides of their characteristics. However, they still feel human, and still drew me into their lives.
If I have to pick a show stealer in this brilliant cast, I'm obviously going to pick Kevin Spacey in his Oscar winning roles as
Lester Burnham. The heart and soul of "American Beauty", Lester is the only character in the film who tries to rediscover his freedom. He is funny, endearing, and ultimately tragic. He is a man who pay the price to achieve hope and freedom, which is the other characters may have found in the end. And Spacey performance makes Lester all the more endearing.
If I have any problems, I admit that while I understand the film went for an hyper realism route, there were one or two moments that I found it a bit grating. It did also make it harder for me to connect with a few of the characters to some extent, though I'm sure that repeat viewings will clear that issue for me.
Truth behold, there are few films that had glued to the screen recently in the way "American Beauty" has. From every single aspect to the writing, direction, performances, score, and etc. There is not one single film I have seen that has similarities with "American Beauty". It is one of the most engrossing movies I seen from 1999, and even with films I seen recently as well.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
"The Wolf of Wall Street'
The Wolf of Wall Street" is a 2013 American black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on Jordan Belfort's memoir of the same name. It was released on December 25, 2013. The screenplay was written by Terence Winter, and the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, a New York stockbroker who runs a firm that engages in securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street in the 1990s. The film also features Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favreau, and Jean Dujardin.
If "American Hustle" divided people on whether they like the film or not, than "The Wolf of Wall Street" had audiences divided on the content that was presented. The film was accused by some who thought the movie was glorying the characters and their lifestyles. Or that the film didn't show what the victims were going through and how their life's were affected. And in a respectful matter, I feel they(Or you if you felt that way.) miss the point of the film, or were expecting something that Scorsese was not intending to do. He was not trying to tell the viewer what they should think, but rather show the lifestyle these people had, and let the audience make their own judgments. I find that very respectful to the audience intelligence, and makes the film have a much lasting longer impact than it would have if it had pick a side. And with that out of the way, let's talk about "The Wolf of Wall Street".
This is by far, Martin Scorsese funniest film. Packed full of witty, clever dialogue that is highly quotable. It felt like Terrance Winter was having a ball on what lines to put in the script to maximize the laughs. My stomach was busting from how much the film made me laugh. The film also uses a good deal of visual and physical humor, making the jokes form feeling one-note. If "The Wolf of Wall Street" was looking just to make people laugh, than it succeeded in spades. It was a giant laugh riot.
The humor, and the film as a whole is elevated by Martin Scorsese direction. The camera-work is vibrant, and Scorsese knows how to make the camera make the viewer sees the story form the characters perspective. That, and his always masterful use of narration makes the "The Wolf of Wall Street" feel less than 3-hours. However, the acting must be on par with these elements to make the package feel complete. And my goodness are the actors brilliant. Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best performance I might have ever seen from him. Not just from how he is clearly having a ton of fun in the role, which is refreshing compare to his dramatic, but still highly stellar roles he done recently, but DiCaprio is fully invested into the role. All traces of Leonardo DiCaprio were gone, he is Jordan Belfort. Also, I was greatly surprised at how he great he is at psychical comedy. I laugh myself to the ground, literally.
Jonah Hill also gives his best performance as well, truly dedicated to the material given to him. Again I didn't see the actor, but the character, and his chemistry with DiCaprio is perfect. For a actor that is criticized by some for playing the same role, Hill has reached a point in his career to were he is considered award-worthy. That is highly impressive in my book. The supporting cast is terrific also, with performances from Rob Reiner and a small, but pivotal role from Matthew McConaughey that almost steals the show.
While "The Wolf of Wall Street" masterfully works as a comedy, the film stills a good number of effective dramatic sequences. After all, the film is meant to provide insight on the life's these people had, and the consequences they faced for their actions they committed. And the tragedy of it is, it seems that people like the ones in "The Wolf of Wall Street" are destined to exist, even if they ruined the life's of others.
Funny as all hell, masterfully directed with phenomenal performances across the board, and even thought provoking, "The Wolf of Wall Street" is one of my favorite Scorsese films, and among with "Goodfellas", his most re-watchable flick. Even when it nears at the 3-hour mark, I can't get enough of it. That what incredible filmmaking does for me.
Godzilla (2014)
"Godzilla" Movie Review
"Godzilla" is a 2014 American science fiction monster film directed by Gareth Edwards. The film is set in the present day, fifteen years after the unearthing of two chrysalises in a mine in the Philippines. From the pods come two giant radiation-eating creatures, known as "MUTOs", which cause great damage in Japan, Hawaii and the western United States. Their awakening also stirs a much larger, destructive, ancient alpha predator known as Godzilla, whose existence has been kept secret by the U.S. government since 1954. It stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, Sally Hawkins, David Strathairn, and Bryan Cranston.
First off, let's address the elephant in the room. Godzilla lack of screen time, and having more focus on the human characters rather the titular character. Personally, I'm rather fond of this decision. I appreciate that the film wanted to build tension, and have the audience wanting for those glorious monster fights. It's not often that I see from most modern blockbusters, to actually build anticipation and value subtlety over shoving special effects down people's throats.
Now for those that was wanting more, I can understand where you are coming. Would of it be nice if the movie have more awesome monster fights? Of course! However, I think Gareth Edwards made the smart choice of not going all out on the first round. If that was the case, the sequels would have trouble to be able to top themselves without being too silly, and I certainly don't want to see silly in Godzilla again. When compare to "Pacific Rim", a movie that embraces and indulges in the fun goofiness potential of giant monster battles, and that is awesome. However, this film was going for a gritty and realistic route. Being restrained with it's monster presentation, and making the climax all the more memorable.
The cast is great, with Byran Cranston, Ken Watanable, and David Strathairn, and Elizabeth Olsen. However, it's time to address the second elephant in the room. Aaron Taylor-Johnson performance. And to be honest again, I actually like his performance and the character of Ford Bordy. It because I'm been starved of noble, brave and just overall good heroes in my movies of late. While not the most compelling character in the film, Taylor-Johnson does show human emotion in his performance, and I was rooting for him to get back to his family. However I agree that Bryan Cranston character is a lot more tragic and interesting, and Ken Watanable role, while interesting, needed more depth. They are great in the film, but they feel a little bit sidelined too much.
From the technical side of "Godzilla", they are absolutely fantastic. Not just the CGI, but Gareth Edwards directs the movie extremely well, with shots that are breathtaking. At points, my mouth dropped. Beautiful to say the least. Edwards style of shooting a film was very unique, and he manages to bring a human perspective on these creatures. Doing that makes the monsters feel huge, and their massive destructive capabilities. I also love how these monsters feel like animals. They're not trying to cause chaos, but trying to survive, which adds to the movie's realistic tone. And the score by Alexandre Desplat is intense and added a lot to the action.
Overall, I say "Godzilla" was really good. I appreciate the approach to it's monster presentation, which I found refreshing compared to a good number of monster flicks. I like the characters, and the technical aspects were marvelous to say the least. It opens the door to a sequel very well, and I am really looking forward to. I say check it out, but understanding you not going to get "Pacific Rim", but a character-driven narrative instead, which is fine with me.
Signs (2002)
"Signs" Movie Review
"Signs" is a 2002 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The story focuses on a former Episcopal priest named Graham Hess who discovers a series of crop circles in his cornfield. Hess slowly becomes convinced that the phenomena are a result of extraterrestrial life. It stars Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin.
I was eager to return to "Signs" after seeing the film a good number of years back. One, because I remember liking the film for being a well made thriller with a great sense of dread. And two, because of how the film has divided people in recent years, mostly due to the film's logic at the ending. Form where I stand, "Signs" is a masterfully told thriller, that contain real human emotions that makes the film both terrifying, and heartfelt.
First off, I love how the story is told from this family point of view. It makes "Signs" feel realistic, and let us see the events taking place as they are seeing it. Also making the film seem real is the buildup. Instead on using it big guns at the beginning and ruin the suspense, it shows us information slowly, and grows the sense of dread in a chilling manner. The film lack of CGI unless needed is highly appreciated. Shyamalan's direction makes the story feel small scale, which works with the events that takes place, and wonderfully maximizes the tension throughout the film. To avoid repetition in my points, "Signs" less is more approach makes the film feel fresh, and not overly relied on cheap scares. Instead, the film builds it scares through the details given, and greatly done buildup. Simply put, I'm going to have trouble sleeping tonight, and I have to applaud the movie for being to able to do that.
The family themselves I found very engaging. They are going through a major conflict that is easy to relate to, and care for. I was interested to see how bad things would go for them in this rather chaotic situation. Plus they seem like real people, as while for most of the film they are completely terrified, they add a few funny lines to lighten the situation. "Signs" is not a comedy, but a nice dose of humor gives the film levity to make it feel more human. The performances are great, with Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix especially giving subtle, but emotionally powerful performances, that again, make the characters feel human.
And that word is likely, among with the scares, is what I think is the best part of "Signs", form the storytelling, to the characters, and from how the film is told from a visual point of view, it all feels human, and heartfelt. It a story about faith, losing it, and regaining it. Truth to be told, I had tears. Not man-tears, just tears of joy and happiness. For a director that has not been on the top of his game of as of late, M. Night Shyamalan had a great love, and even still, for the work he does. Even with his recent films, I feel that at the very least, that he is still trying. In my opinion, I feel he should stick to making films that are on a smaller scale, as he seems more comfortable working with films that are on a small budget. If I have any complain about "Signs", it's that even though the films' themes of coincidence and faith are effectively handled overall, I felt at a few points that seem to go a little bit too beyond than where they should have stay.
As for the lack of logic with the ending, I have to say that this is a story told from one's family perspective. and "Signs" is going for a less is more approach. It not aliens going to Earth, but how one family handles that aliens arriving to Earth. If you want a more in depth look at "Signs", watch YouTube movie reviewer, Chris Stuckmann fantastic analysis on the film. What I would have say, he says that in a much more detailed and organized fashion better than what I could hope to do.
Link to Chris Stuckmann video on "Signs" www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Ju05PuiyQ
Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Punch-Drunk Love
"Punch-Drunk Love" is a 2002 romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Adam Sandler and Emily Watson, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Luis Guzmán also appear. The film is about a psychologically troubled novelty supplier is nudged towards a romance with an English woman, all the while being extorted by a phone-sex line run by a crooked mattress salesman, and purchasing stunning amounts of pudding.
Now I was excited to watch "Punch-Drunk Love". Paul Thomas Anderson is one of my favorite directors working today, and none of his films thus far let me down. Plus, this is quite different from PTA normally does. Where other PTA films were epic in scale and storytelling, "Punch-Drunk Love" definitely goes for a much smaller scale, but that doesn't take away that this is an fantastic movie.
Adam Sandler gives the performance of his career. He is not acting as a more dramatic version of himself, he is Barry Egan, who is one of the most fascinating characters I seen in a PTA film. Utilizing his comic persona to his full advantage, Sandler also adds a tragic element to that makes Barry both highly sympathetic, and relatable. It a shame that Sandler puts himself into films like "Grown-Ups", and "Jack and Jill", because when he is working with legit directors like PTA, he can became a revelation. Emily Watson is wonderful, bringing a great deal of sweetness to " Punch-Drunk Love", and has terrific chemistry with Sandler, and makes their eventual romantic relationship much more believable. In a small, but pivotal role, Philip Seymour Hoffman is delightful treat to watch as Dean Trumbell, a man trying to extort money from Barry.
PTA as always, is brilliant in his direction. Both him, and Cinematographer Robert Elswit give this film a colorful tone and atmosphere not seen in his other films. Heck for films of the romantic comedy type, there are no other movies like it. Jon Perise score is also perfect for this film, and again, makes "Punch-Drunk Love" different from other films of it's type. PTA also does a great job of letting it's audience see the story from Barry point of view. When your film centers on a less than stable character, it makes sense for the film to feel like that as well, which PTA does masterfully.
"Punch-Drunk Love" is actually like Barry himself. It's odd, funny, playful, unpredictable, random, sad, joyful, and touching, which are terms that can be used to describe life, and love. Sometimes there doesn't have to be a reason for what happens in life or love. It comes around to you, and you decide what choices you make with it. Although that the main message I got form it, as what you may get form the film might be completely different.
If there are any negatives, is that compare to other PTA films like "There Will Be Blood" or "Magnolia", it not as deep compare to those films. Unlike what I did with the first two film, I don't find myself going into as in depth with "Punch-Drunk Love", but that's probably the point of it. It's not trying to be "There Will Be Blood(My favorite PTA film btw.) ", but it's own film and story altogether. And on that note, it's all the better for it.
Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014)
Sharknado 2: The Second One
"Sharknado 2: The Second One" is a 2014 disaster movie and a sequel to the 2013 film "Sharknado". The film is directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, and stars Tara Reid, Ian Ziering, Vivica A. Fox, Kari Wuhrer, Kelly Osbourne, Benjy Bronk, Judah Friedlander, Andy Dick, and TNA superstar Kurt Angle. A freak weather system turns its deadly fury on New York City, unleashing a Sharknado on the population and its most cherished, iconic sites - and only Fin and April can save the Big Apple.
In a sort of twisted sense, I kind of love this movie. Not that I think it's good from a filmmaking level, but on the amount of entertainment value "Sharknado 2" provided me. For any film I saw this year, it gave me some of the year's biggest laughs. Said laughs did come because the film basically murders logic in every sense of the world. Jumping the shark doesn't cover it. Compared to the first film, it both bigger and ridiculous, and it's so much fun. It feels like everyone behind the project knew what they are doing, and just have a ball with it, and so did I.
As I stated earlier, the film definitely isn't a master-class of filmmaking. The acting is the quality of what I expect from a film like this(Which is either average or really bad.). Also there were a few characters in the film I failed to see their purpose being in the story. Yet strangely though it strangely fit's the film absurdity, plus characters that actually play a part of the story, are pretty fun to watch. The visuals are pretty horrid form a technical perspective, though again, it's fits the movie better than if they were actually good. To avoid being repetitive, "Sharknado " does fail in what a film should do, but it gives it a charm that I can only find in this, and the original.