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4/10
I don't know what I expected...
17 August 2013
Baz Luhrman style is quite unique, in a bad way. I didn't like Romeo+Juliet or Moulin Rouge, but at least I could understand why other people would like those films. When I heard that he would direct a new version of "The Great Gatsby", I already had mixed feelings.

The main idea behind the story is that people like Daisy, Tom, Nick and Jordan are "old money" and have a sober, unexciting and monotonous life; but "Gatsby" is supposed a pretentious "new rich" who ends up being flamboyant, tacky and vulgar. Honestly, I thought that Luhrman was going to portray Gatsby's lifestyle like in Moulin Rouge and the others lives like a common film to make the contrast. However, the whole movie was over the top and extravagant. No homophobia intended, but this was probably the gayest mainstream film ever made. Characters like Daisy and Jordan seemed just as flamboyant as any other person at Gatsby's parties. This was probably mentioned a million times, but a movie of this genre shouldn't have this kind of editing. Not a single scene in the whole movie was static, there was movement and cuts every 3 seconds. I don't know what's the idea of spending so much in a film if you won't even let people enjoy the scenes.

On another point, I thought that all actors were great and talented. However... they didn't have the proper look. Dicaprio is obviously a handsome man, but he definitely doesn't look 32. Carey Mulligan is quite beautiful, but it is quite a shame that she didn't look that nice in the film; Elizabeth Debicki seemed much more beautiful than her as Jordan.

Finally, about the story itself, I think it is a shame that they just forgot about Jordan's character in the middle of the film. She just suddenly stops talking at some point. I also didn't like the fact that they took out the 2 of the most memorable parts of the novel: Jordan and Nick's break up (in the film it doesn't seem like they even break up) and when Nick finds Tom in New York again after all the events.

And well, I would like to say that this film was a big disappointment, but honestly, it was absolutely expected from Baz Luhrman to direct the film exactly like this. I don't even know what I expected... maybe I wanted him to redeem himself from all his other terrible films... but well, that's just too idealistic.
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7/10
More realistic than most people think
14 July 2013
Catfishing is one of those concepts that one can only truly understand if one has experienced it. And personally, I think that only people that have been catfished can truly understand this show and the people in it.

People here say that it seems fake, because there is no way that the people being catfished would be so stupid. But no, let me tell you that that point is completely realistic. No one seems to understand that when you feel so captivated by someone, you accept everything that they tell you and even become delusional. You start to believe all their excuses and even feel guilty about questioning their identity.

I am glad that they always try to get the other side of the story as well. We like to satanize catfishes and believe that they are just pure evil. But it really isn't always like that. No one understand how sad it is to be rejected by your appearance, how hard it is to have so much to say but no one to listen. People also seem to think that they go out of their way just to make their "evil catfishing plan" to work. But really, making a fake profile only takes minutes. Covering the holes with excuses is really easy as well, specially (as I said before) when the other person is so captivated that they begin to lose common sense. Most catfishes don't even have mean intentions, they just want someone to talk, but eventually things get out of hand. No one seems to remember how hard it is to come clean after lying for so long.

Some things (scenes) might be a little fabricated, but everything on TV is, and not only realities, also documentaries and news. And you know what? Even if the stories are indeed fake, I don't really care, because I know they can be real and I know much worse stories than the ones depicted here.

I really like this show, I am glad that MTV take this kind of risks to at least try to bring something different on air. I never thought that feeling awkward and cringing at the TV would be entertaining.
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7/10
Glorifying recklessness
14 July 2013
What would the 80s be without John Hughes? While his contributions will never be forgotten in history, I think I am quite glad that filmmakers are over this phase. All of his films seem to send the message that being completely carefree is okay.

I think this film sends the wrong message. While childhood and adolescence are supposed to be happy years, I don't believe that kids are supposed to be so irresponsible. Most people who watch this film say: "it is just a movie", "kids are kids", "they didn't do anything so bad" or whatever. But I don't agree. It is not about what they did, it is about how much impunity they had and how Ferris was depicted as a "great guy".

What's kids mentality today? They think that they "deserve" to have an hedonistic, exciting and devil-may-care life. I dare to say that this film is one of the reasons a whole generation became more like this. Many people grew up watching this film, seeing Ferris as a hero or something.

The difference between today's films is that when teenagers show acts of recklessness, they at least get punished in some way. I guess Ferris is the kind of character that is supposed to "always have his way", but I think that he should've been at least a little sorry for all his acts.

Personally, I didn't like the principal's character either. They "satanized" the guy so much it didn't even make sense anymore. While some school authorities really don't care a lot about their students, it doesn't make sense that a grown man would be so resentful towards a kid.

And well, while this film is certainly a classic... I can't help but feel a little disturbed that recklessness could be so glorified.
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Manborg (2011)
3/10
A must if you like the genre... stay away if you don't
18 June 2013
If you are a fan of B-movies, specially the action ones, you should definitely watch this. The "homage" to bad movies is impressive. The animations, the voice acting, the characters... You will definitely feel the nostalgia if you are a fan of the genre.

However, I can't give this a good grade, simply because it is just not a good movie at all. A truly good film would appeal to a bigger audience and mock the genre at the same time. The movie was just too campy.

I would just recommend waiting for someone to make a compilation of the best scenes and watch it online. There is no point in watching the whole thing, it becomes tiresome very quick.
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