I feel like writing a blog on films I've seen recently, the good ones. Needless to say, all you "Good Luck Chuck" and "Saw 47" (or whatever number it's ran into the ground) needn't bother reading any further. You wont find that so called cinema in here. Here are my reccomendations.
1. Into the Wild
Turning a true story into a feature film doesn't always translate well. Sometimes, though, a drama based on not only a real life account, but also a book, unfolds in a brilliant and natural form of storytelling on the big screen. This film is "Into the Wild," which is based on the hypnotizing story of a man named Christopher McCandless, who breaks away from the monotonous wealth of his family after graduating college to seek out a life in Alaska. The movie is shot on location in places of amazing beauty which brings the viewers a sense of freedom. What's haunting about this film is that McCandless sets out without a word to his parents or sister. The film goes back and forth between narrations from his sister (Jena Malone) who feels betrayed, to Christopher living his life without his family. Jena Malone's narration gives us the background story as to what the family is feeling. Emile Hirsch's fantastic performance as McCandless is natural and unforced. Director and writer, Sean Penn, gives us a story and film that could have turned preachy, but instead lets us decide for ourselves whether or not McCandless was a selfish fool for doing this, or if he was courageous and admirable. All I know is days later I'm still thinking about this unforgettable film.
Grade: A
2. Superbad
Switching gears completely, another unforgettable movie is Superbad, a film about three teenagers on a chaotic quest to buy beer for a party. Yea, thats the plot. But what makes this film effing hilarious (I said effing) is the comic performances of its three leading stars (Michael Cera, Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse). Make no mistake, this comedy from Judd Apatow features some of the most offensive and crudest dialogue since, well, high school. It also makes its teenage boys as honest as possible, which means the entire movie is a a quest for sex and alcohol. But there's a genuine kindness and emotional reality lurking underneath the crude teenage boy surface, making this film both funny and strangely touching (hehe, touching)
Seth (Jonah Hill) is an overweight loudmouth, one might say asshole, whose only friend is the quiet and shy Evan (the adorable Michael Cera). They are in their last 2 weeks of high school and need to get laid before they head off to college. When Jules (Emma Stone) invites Seth to a party and gives him money to buy booze, he is convinced if he can get her drunk, she will have sex with him. Evan also makes sure Becca, his crush, will be there. The key to pulling off this adventure is Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a nerdy friend of Evan's who Seth doesn't like. Hilarity ensues. All characters are played in realistic high school form by their actors. There are no Jessica Biel-Jake Gyllehnhaall types, just teenagers in all their acne, self conscious, awkward and insecure glory.
Both Seth and Evan are scared to death of women. What they share is a platonic love for eachother and seem to say the words when they are drunk together. It's not only a film that says something about friendships between men, but gives the audience some of most genuine laughs we've seen from a teenage film in years. Yes, its offensive. Yes, its ridiculously crude at times. But lighten the fuck up, because the movie has heart at its core and if you let it, you'll laugh your ass off at, quite possibly, the best teenage movie of its generation.
Grade: A
3. Things We Lost in the Fire
Halle Berry and Benicio Tel Toro give absolutely stunning and Oscar-worthy performances in this drama about a widow who takes care of her late husbands best friend. Every once and a while I am completely thrown and surprised by a film. This is that film. After her husband is murdered, grieving widow Berry invites her husbands best friend, a heroin addict, to live in their spare room, a room she and her husband never finished becuase of a fire years earlier. Berry believes if her husband was so willing to never give up on his friend, she cant either if she ever wants to move on with her life. The fact that this film is slightly over-the-top at times falls flat because of its actors. Movies about grief are usually unfounded in their heavy-handedness(not sure if thats a word), but this film feels completely validated in that it's two lead actors are really acting. They are acting in a way that doesnt make us seem like we NEED to feel for them, but we do anyway, and that is fantastic. The stuff you think will happen (Berry and Del Toro getting together romantically), doesnt happen, which makes the film all the more genuine.
Some critics have claimed this movie is glamorized and false in its portrayl of grief and addiction. But, I believe it shows how a genuine care for others can ultimately benefit not only the other person, but also yourself. Because in simple terms, by helping Del Toro fight his addiction, Berry's character was ulimately helping herself. But what makes this work is that the film never portrays it to be that easy or so simple. The film is about things lost, material posessions, family, friends, neighbors, identity and past judgements, remembering to have fun, and ultimately a connection to ourselves. Unfortunately it requires a tragedy to bring these things together. Things We Lost in the Fire is about our human turmoil. As the cast battles their separate wars, the one message that is most prominet is that we need eachother, however separate the battles might be.
Grade:A-
In the off chance that last review didn't make you head to the bathroom and slit your wrists, I have a few more reccomendations in the B+ category.
Gone Baby Gone
Rendition
Michael Clayton
Sicko
Hairspray
Peace....bitches.
P.S. If you'd like to guest blog or have any ideas or suggestions. Let me know. :)
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