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Silver Streak (1976)
A man makes his way from L.A. to Chicago on a train
A man makes his way to Chicago from L.A. on a train.
I love trains.
I don't know what it is but the movies that I've watched using a train as its vehicle (yes, yes) have always been enjoyable for me.
Strangers on a Train, Polar Express, Snowpiercer, whatever the movie, I find the train drives the plot in a unique manner (yes, yes). It is an incomparable device used to segue scenes and is also a handy tool in creating intrigue and separation within a finite space.
Gene Wilder teams up with Richard Pryor in one of the best comedic duos I've seen on the screen. ]] The two have such distinct styles of comedy that when they are communicating one feels especially delighted at the new form of back-and-forth.
Wilder plays the part of the unsuspecting patron and throughout the story finds himself in various tough situations. Pryor coming along in the second half of the movie finishes off the dynamic with a lighter air and a quicker wit.
If you are a fan of comedy you must have this movie on your list.
The Last Detail (1973)
Two men teach a boy about being men.
It was cold.
Snow fluttered from grey skies as their breath whipped away with the wind. The answer was already written down.
Two men teach a boy about being men while they turn in to boys again.
Friendship only lasts until the door closes in front of you. And you can't see because he's looking forward.
Persona (1966)
I am waking from a dream. And as I look out the window it seems I should see the ocean.
I am waking from a dream. And as I look out the window it seems I should see the ocean.
Not much feels right as the memory of what I've seen fades.
Light and the absence of light control my face as it did hers. One pale one unseen.
To what to wonder. What a wonder too.
I am still stuck.
Ex Machina (2014)
Just think, a woman of your dreams come into your life only to turn it into a nightmare.
Think of that woman, the one that haunts your dreams. Now imagine her come to life and into yours, seemingly fleshing out your dream all the while turning it into a nightmare.
Most everything that you see in Ex Machina is something that you would expect to in a movie centering on Artificial Intelligence. You have the young genius responsible., the A.I. itself, and the third party that creates a variable situation.
Oscar Isaac who plays the genius acts so well you never seem to notice that his character changes from movie to movie. From one instance he's a pilot, next he's a demigod, and in this movie he is a glorified programmer. Domnhall Gleeson plays the part of the exceptionally uninteresting talent and Alicia Vikander steals the show with her Audrey Hepburnesque voice quality and facial complextitions.
A billionaire times three, Isaac, has made all the money he needs to take on his new initiative, creating life. In a sense Isaac has taken it upon himself to be the catalyst in A.I. reclamation.The story begins and ends at the compound where she is created.
The story goes up the story goes down it even has a twist. But the major takeaway of this film is the very real possibilities that are in line with the plot and perhaps our future.
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
What should be the true essence of humanity?
What would be the true essence of humanity?
Kubo's story begins to answer that question.
The moon and sun have been at war since before words were written down. You would think that a theme as old as humanity itself would get tired and played out, you would think that but it is not the case.
To be hunted from birth creates a character that is jaded, feral and stubborn but Kubo is none of these. He is soft-spoken, kind, and true, a storyteller with a propensity for love that knows no limits. He is stronger than a brain.
Though writers over time have produced lazy approaches to the idea of duality. Those who have created this incredible stop motion picture focused less on the details and more on the emotions that build from the theme of life and death.
Happiness is a shroud donned by the reaper of souls.
The end will make you see light in the shadows.
Amadeus (1984)
I absolve you all.
I absolve you all.
Man and his request for glory often go unanswered. So it is for Salieri, so it is for all of us disciplined in mediocrity.
Amadeus lets us understand the great composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a familiarity I never imagined possible. He was but a man, a man like you or I, a man of uncultured talent. And when I say uncultured I frame it in the highest regard. For the man without culture, the man who receives the people's love despite this has created his own and that cannot be touched.
To hear his work is to hear the voice of God whomever that may be.
Being There (1979)
Unbothered by it all he moves forward; a man on an escalator who believes he's taking the stairs
Peter Sellers is a talent unmatchable in a world full of uniqueness
I did not expect much from this movie as I sat down to watch it, and I believe that this is why I was able to see it unfold so truly. No prerequisites, no preamble, no understanding of what might happen, just pure discovery.
Peter Sellers plays Chance the gardener, a stand still kind of guy in a rapidly evolving world. One morning his daily routine is disrupted as someone dear to him dies. The man he lived with and worked for all of his life has passed on and now Chance must deal with it. As the story develops he moves forward with his unchangeable characteristics. Like a man on an escalator who thinks he's using the stairs.
From a quiet life as a gardener he transitions smoothly into his next setting, the realm of politics. Unbothered by it all he maintains his disposition and goes through life now as he did before.
Though the plot transitions do not seem to be thought out or emphasized, I choose to interpret this as a positive. Most times that producers or directors attempt to explain transition, they end up muddying the plot with unnecessary information. This story is plain, pure and understandable for what it is, a quiet comedy with an overarching theme of blissful ignorance.
I look forward to researching more films directed by Hal Ashby after watching this. And if this film ends up being his piece de resistance... Well I suppose I'll just have to accept that, much like our main character.
M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (1931)
Peter Lorre wears two masks as Fritz Lang enjoys a vision of society through Berlin.
Watching this movie unfold, specifically the plot, has been a great learning experience. I haven't learned as much since watching 'Witness For the Prosecution'.
A child murderer is at large. The police cannot find him, the criminals cannot live their lives, and the civilians cannot relax. It has been 8 months since the first murder and there is naught to go on but a few clues. Among those clues, a red pencil and a wooden table. All citizens of Berlin despair as life continues in an unlivable fashion.
The criminals can no longer work in the capacity that regular life affords them. The police intensely pursue all walks of life since they can afford no alternative. And the civilians of Berlin just want balance to be restored.
The criminals recognize what needs to be done, as the police remain frustrated. Working towards the same purpose as the police they begin to piece together a suspect. Setting out to catch the murderer in their own way using talents unique to them.
The police find a clue while the criminals find a hint. As both close in on the same suspect we must ask ourselves, who will catch him first?
The Jerk (1979)
When classical humor is recreated and reapplied per audience, Reiner does it best.
The Jerk – Carl Reiner
A lovable loser and the constant hijinks that lead him from the bottom all the way up to the top
back unto the bottom again.
Steve Martin plays Navin Johnson a non-coordinated young white man born and raised under the roof of a black family in rural Mississippi. A story experimenting with the age-old tale of an adopted son or daughter and his or her quest towards finding out who they truly are.
The main character finds his way around the country, relying on his unwavering positive outlook and quite a bit of good luck. Beginning from home he moves on out to a beginners job. From this job he joins the circus and experiences love firsthand. After losing the gal he drops to nothingness and emptiness. From nothingness though comes the stage of obscene richness only to end again with utter nothingness.
In Carl Reiner's take on a classical bildungsroman, Navin Johnson experiences it all on his trip to understand himself.
Rogue One (2016)
Unexpectedly expected variety of variation
Rogue One
Imagine all that you loved about the original star wars saga, hold that, now throw it into the corner of your mind where fond memories are stored. Next open your eyes to a new Star Wars world and a fresh beginning. Imagine there is a movie screen in this new Star world and Rogue One is the picture that is playing on a 24-hour cycle.
I had no idea that Rogue One was coming and it was so unexpectedly beautiful. I was imagining the same story line plus a new villain perhaps and contributory cast of 3 or 4 new faces. Wrong. So much more.
The movie was so entirely separate from what you might've expected that you might not even wonder if this were the same story arc, but it is, rest assured you freaks.
While the story line and characters introduced are exceptionally unique there are still the familiar bugaboos of Star Wars past. You still have your fleet battles you still have your monsters of incongruous proportions. It is everything you love about Star Wars and more and more.
The plot of Rogue One follows an original story arc in the Star Wars bible that has been added to and edited for the past 40 years.
You're going to appreciate this movie. One hundo p, guarantee.
Apocalypto (2006)
Do not attempt to understand fear.
Apocalypto
Be not afraid my son.
The forest gives, as do the animals that live here, it has always been that way for mankind. Seek not for that which you cannot fathom and you will be content to live a life ruled by what surrounds you. Asking answers to a question you do not understand is the way that leads ever downward, and is how this story begins and ends.
Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) and his father Flint Sky (Morris Birdyellowhead) have lived in this forest and have hunted in this forest for generations and hope to for generations to come. The small village they belong to has nothing to want for and they want for nothing. Both father and son manage the tribe and its warriors with a sense of humor that masks a calm demeanor and a slow fire.
The film begins with Jaguar Paws village being attacked by religious fanatics and fire. Led by an emotionless warrior, Zero Wolf (Raoul Trujillo), the arriving force believes that they must capture as many people as necessary to appease the vengeful gods that they worship.
Jaguar Paw and his village are taken on a journey across the forest and to the base of zealotry to confront their fate. At the pinnacle of conflict destiny intervenes and releases Jaguar Paw from purported death.
With fate on his side he turns the tide of control decidedly. Taking those that would oppress him and leading them into his own territory. Trickery, revenge, and confidence give Jaguar Paw what he needs to reclaim his independence. Those that thought to take it from him learn this lesson slowly but surely.
Apocalypto is not so much about the story that it unfolds but rather the emotion that is evoked from the incredible cast it showcases. Its lack of a stimulating plot does not detract from the film in fact I believe that it helps the film understand itself better. The imagery and characters involved all add to the powerful themes of family, honor and fearlessness the movie exudes.
Ignore that which you fear so that you might attain that which is unattainable.
Adaptation. (2002)
I'm not really sure what to think about this movie and that's exciting, isn't it?
Adaptation.
I'm not really sure what to think about this movie and that's exciting isn't it?
The story lays down a path of unrequitedness, a desire if you will, to pursue and channel something that is not able to assume the idea which you had for it originally.
A female writer for the New Yorker decides to compose a story about orchids and the interesting man who cultivates, harvests and understands them. In so creating the seed of this idea (pardon me) she spawns a multitude of reactions that stem from it.
The story begins by following journalist Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep) on her visit into the life of the horticulturist, John Laroche (Chris Cooper). She writes about the elusive Ghost orchid and what she feels while gathering information for her story. She addresses notions on passion, pursuit, and how they ultimately tie themselves together in her life.
Within the original plot there is another one that develops alongside of it. Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) is attempting to write a screenplay of the book written by Susan but is having a hard time adapting the concept into a motion picture. Within the movie the two plots intertwine creating a meta nature that is impossible to ignore.
Humanity, history and life as it moves ever forward is constantly repeating and readjusting to conform to that which surrounds it and Adaptation. does exactly that. The story breaks down complicated ideas, metabolizes them, and adjusts itself accordingly; it is Ouroboros and its willingness to eat its own tail.
Adaptation. does not focus on the usual feelings one receives at the end of a movie, contentedness, resolution, and understanding. And while the movie still allows for those necessary components the story is a focus on people and their relentless fight against themselves.
The Lobster (2015)
What a rare way to display an idea on social conformity
The Lobster
What a rare way to display an idea on social acceptance. A near or distant future, depending on how you view our civilizations trajectory, clues us in to the societal norms that could develop given circumstance and instance.
The story follows the life of David, (Colin Farrell) a man who has recently been rejected by his partner of 11 years and one month. In this dystopian version of life people who are single or cast out of relationships must follow protocol in order to regain the right to live within society again. In this world the main function of society is to create pairs, for if you have a partner you can better understand how life is supposed to be lived, or so the thinking is thought.
Once cast out of a relationship, or once one is found to be single they are directed to the hotel. At the hotel you have 45 days to either find a mate or, given the circumstance that you find no mate, decide what kind of animal you want to be transformed into.
David and the people that interact within the film speak purportedly and with an indifference matched only by artificial intelligence. To show emotion is adverse or unnecessary, depending on which negative branch you believe in, in utilizing the process of matchmaking. See in order for a relationship to be built there has to be a common ground that both can stand upon. For instance near sightedness, a limp, or perhaps the same hair type are all reason enough for a pair to match.
David shows emotion rarely throughout the film but is one of the only characters that show any emotion at all. Traversing the halls of the cursed hotel he figures out what he doesn't want to know and how escape might become possible.
But once escape is achieved what else can there be?
The Station Agent (2003)
Undistinguished Beginning With The Best Kind Of Ending
The Station Agent
The Station Agent is a quiet story of a man (Peter Dinklage) and his quest to go throughout life unnoticed. Unfortunately for the main character he cannot, his quietly calm demeanor does little to affect the notions of an average man or woman who sees him.
Everywhere he goes there is a break in the script of this normal man's life. A gasp from an unsuspecting bystander, a quick joke from a naïve group of children, the noticing never stops for Fin who dreams of unsolicited solitude.
The movie begins with the main character moving to rural New Jersey as a result of his best friend dying. In his best friends will he is left a train stop and a small parcel of land. So with little holding him to his current life he makes the quick decision to head to Newfoundland, New Jersey.
Fin shows up intending on nothing but a quiet life in a land of fewer people but receives something unexpected. Joe (Bobby Cannavale), a Cuban American who's helping his father with business, introduces himself to Fin the first morning he is there and doesn't let him rest until they are comfortable friends. Olivia (Patricia Clarkson) the third member of this unlikely friendship is a woman whose heart is pure but fragile and wants to open up again but is unsure how.
The three friends navigate their lives separately at first but converge slowly and surely as the film progresses, creating a relationship reserved for those who have experienced a depth of emotion that most cannot. Love, Loss, and Empathy are the themes of this wonderful story and they create a fabric that I have seen little of in this textile industry.
Youth in Revolt (2009)
A quietly engaging tale of a boy who falls in love with a girl
Youth in Revolt
The age-old tale of a young mans endless pursuit to lose his virginity with a decidedly sardonic twist. Michael Cera plays an exceptional character that instantaneously worships the perfect girl that he meets in the right setting. Portia Doubleday, the paramour to Cera, is a hapless young girl with notions of romance that can only come from the lonely teenage girl.
The story rises and falls with the alter ego of Cera, Francois. Francois drives the movie with a cool intellect and bravado unmatched. It is quite interesting to see such a quiet and gangly hero portrayed, as opposed to the archetypal male running the show, it gives us unusual types something to hope for even though we know it is only a movie.
The dialogue in particular, driven by Michael Cera, but carried throughout the cast drips with sarcasm and a quiet humor that I appreciate. It is much more preferable to the bombastic nature of the typical high school coming of age story. All in all Youth in Revolt was a mildly refreshing drink from a glass that has been passed around for decades.
The Great Dictator (1940)
A Cornerstone of Film
A movie that transcends generations and yet is particular to it's own. Conceived in a time just before some of the most acclaimed atrocities of human history it encapsulates a wonderful, modernistic mentality. A mentality that says it is sometimes necessary to make light of a dark character, so that people may pierce through the veil that shrouds the man in mystery, awe and fear. And this is something that Mr. Charlie Chaplin does exceptionally well while at the same time making us chuckle at his natural slapstick humor that he brings to all of his pictures. This movie is one of the most important in film history and not only because it set the precedent for future film makers. It is important because it promotes an ideal outside of its time. One of equality and of acceptance. Bravo Mr. Chaplin
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
perspective of one who did not read the book.
Pride and Prejudice. Counted as one of the literary classics of British literature, and for good reason. A story built on the premises of social class, pride and love this movie follows the paths of Elizabeth and Jane Bennett on their journey to find what they're looking for. Along the way the two are befallen by their faults, resulting in sadness and a sense of uncertainty in one's chances of ever deserving what they want. But in this tale of love and woe, certain wrongs are righted and rash words are forgiven. Fore what can compare to the love these girls deserve and the love that they have to offer. It is as true a story as one can watch with an ending that could be compared to the greatest love stories of history.
The Master (2012)
Unexpected journey.
The movie that is "The Master" is a story that one could not begin to fathom by reading the likes of whatever brief descriptions that you have glanced upon in regards to it. It is a record that follows the path of one troubled man that happens to serve in the navy during the world war 2. A man who through his experiences is troubled even further as he goes through life in the post world war era. Somewhere throughout the picture, the man that the story has been following, encounters another most peculiar man. The two form a most unusual relationship with one another that is both unconventional and yet entirely affectionate. While one tries to guide the other, they both in turn learn a great deal. This movie displayed to me, two of the most exceptionable acting performances i've ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Yet, the writer merely uses these excellent performances as a conduit for what is truly being conveyed, the message, principle and moral of a story.
Terms of Endearment (1983)
Classic picture in a non-conventional light
This movie is a piece that focuses on the life, and all that goes along with it, of a young girl who is brought up into the world alone by her overbearing yet good-natured mother. The movie follows the path of the girl from childhood through adolescence and up until adulthood, showing how she dealt with her seemingly impossible mother, her complicated husband, her children and her general problems with cheerful indifference and love. Eventually the story deviates from the relationship of the mother and daughter to her individual life and how she grows up with her husband, family and friends. Once on her own troubles arise and complications are many, but the relationship of mother and daughter is never forgotten nor does it go unacknowledged.
Barton Fink (1991)
Distinctly a Coen brothers picture
A film that follows the everyday happenstances of the upcoming writer Barton Fink as he travels through his just beginning life in the world of writing and the people who come with it. The tale starts off in New York at a play of Fink's creation. The people are clearly pleased with the end and so his gaining of notoriety in the playwright world is introduced. Next he is offered the idea of writing for the pictures in Hollywood. After wrestling with a brief moment of indecision he eventually finds himself at the wonderfully creepy and somewhat decrepit Hotel Earle in Los Angeles where he meets his next door neighbor the jovial and spirited Charlie Meadows. Here is when the movie gains momentum. Fink after starting into his new routine with a new job in a new part of the country finds himself under the pressures of writer's block. So he loses himself in distraction after distraction, eventually things take a turn from mildly confusing to downright fantastical. Things that one cannot expect, take place and shape this tale from what you thought it could be, into an entirely divergent and unexpected story.
Detachment (2011)
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Detachment. A uniquely stylized film that people, ranging from teenagers to adults, should be able to grasp at varying levels of understanding. Those who watch will understand and sympathize with the wide range of characters that the movie portrays, based on their own experiences and age. Teenagers dealing with the angst of growing up in a world that they cannot possibly control, can sympathize with the majority of the students of this school, displayed in varying and unique circumstances. Further we come across the point of view of those that are older and are searching for deeper meaning in what life has to offer them, or anybody, which exemplifies the generation of those out of schooling and not yet old enough for achieved wisdom. Furthermore down the line of age and maturity comes the darker beliefs of the elder generation. Stuck in time, when they really appreciated what they did and what they stood for (the golden age) and now seeing what and where they are today. It gives them a dismal view of our future, a future where society will implode if our youth continues on the trend that has been set. But in the end. The final message of this emotional story is that of a positive idea breaking out of a negative mentality. That maybe there is hope. Even if it lies in a singular story you've helped alter in a positive direction, despite your mistrials and failures.