A relationship of the future...

Let's face it, relationships can be messy things. Communication can become stymied, resulting in misunderstanding and irreparable resentment. Fortunately, in this high-tech world, we have so many options for meeting that someone special. The internet offers dating sites for everyone, no matter race, creed, or sexual orientation. Social media brings the world to your fingertips, giving you endless choices for encountering the one. In Her, Spike Jonze suggests yet another method for making that all important connection. What if Windows 8 not only organized everything on your computer, but listened to you like no other human? What if it attended to your every cyber need and offered positive criticism of your life as well? What if Windows 8 made such a connection with you that you couldn't wait to log on and see what it was up to? Ok, maybe Windows 8 couldn't do this, but maybe 10 might. So many of us have become completely dependent upon various operating systems because we spend more time interacting with smartphones, laptops, and tablets than we spend on those around us. We seek so many answers from these devices that it seems completely logical that a person would also find true love within their electronics if, along with answers, we also received understanding and compassion.
Her is the story of Theodore, a man whose pending divorce haunts him; however, this isn't a typical relationship movie. Theodore finds the 'woman' of his dreams in his new operating system. Samantha offers exactly what he needs, despite lacking the physicality of a human. Theodore's new os is more than just a software program, it is touted as the first AI system that has consciousness as well. Jonze has outdone himself, creating a near-future that not only is possible, but highly plausible. Theodore works at a business that provides personal, handwritten letters to subscribers. He is a surrogate writer, composing beautiful correspondences by learning about the 'author' and the 'subject.' Interestingly, he is able to make a strong connection to those he never meets, but lacks the ability to maintain a healthy relationship with his own wife. With Samantha, he feels a strong association to 'someone' again.
I simply loved the premise of this film, recognizing that Jonze identifies the general disunion of people today. Initially, I wondered how others would react to Theodore's new relationship. His ex-wife responds to his confession in the way I assumed most would, with shock and confusion; however, others acknowledge it as something perfectly normal and not uncommon. Theodore's closest friend, Amy, admits that she has formed a very close friendship with her os. It's obvious that this is exactly what many hoped for from the software.
Jonze presents the story as happening in the near future. The audience knows it's location is Los Angeles, but Jonze uses Shanghai for the wide shots of the city; thus, giving a foreign, futuristic look. The colors he uses are gorgeous and the lighting adds to the mood of the narrative. Add a great soundtrack and this movie is well worth watching. Thought-provoking, visually stunning, and well-acted. My only criticism is the casting of Scarlett Johansson as Samantha. The entire film was initially made using Samantha Morton's voice. Jonze felt there was something lacking during editing and, with Morton's ok, re-cast the role with Johansson. Unlike many, I am not a fan of her voice. At first, I wasn't so bothered, but as the movie progressed I grew more agitated when she spoke. Despite my dislike of the lead actress, this film is one of my top 5 movies for 2014. Though mostly overlooked by the Academy, it did garner the Oscar for best screenplay. After watching it, I whole-heartedly agree. This film resonated with me and still does.

I is for Deceiving, F@#king, Wilderness

It's taken me so long to return to my alphabet movie reviews that I barely remember a lot of the movies; however, the few that I've chosen to talk about have resonated with me for many years. The first is the true story of the scientist who revealed the lies and deception of the tobacco industry. His decision to talk to Mike Wallace and 60 Minutes nearly destroys everything he loves. Russell Crowe shows Jeffrey Wigand's turmoil perfectly through silent suffering. Without a word, Crowe draws the audience into the man's anxiety. In my opinion, this performance was much more deserving of an Academy award than his role in Gladiator. Along with stellar offerings from Al Pacino and Christopher Plummer, Michael Mann brings one of the most important news stories of the late 20th century to the big screen. If you know nothing about this tragic tale, this is a must see.

Aaahh Bruges. Ray hates Bruges and he has no reservations using his favorite expletive to remind the audience of this fact. In fact, this film has so many cuss words that I have to tell my mother, 'I'm warning you now.' For everyone else, this is a fun buddy film. Colin Farrell (Ray) and Brendan Gleeson (Ken) are awaiting orders from their boss, Ralph Fiennes (Harry). Despite Ken's valiant efforts, Ray is resolved to have an absolutely horrible time. On the other hand, Ken falls in love with Bruges. And so did I. Although it is available to stream on Netflix, I highly recommend getting the DVD. Along with a hilarious gag reel, there is an extra that allows you to go on a video tour of Bruges via it's canal system, revealing why it's known as "the Venice of the North." You'd have to be as uptight as Ray not to love the city. But you may find yourself falling in love with Ray, Ken, and even Harry. This film is flat-out f@#king FUN!

This film is based upon the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who sets out after graduating college to live in the wilds of Alaska. The story comes from the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. I tried to read the book; however, I found that Krakauer enjoys putting himself in the center of the story. I wanted to know about McCandless' own journey. When I heard that this film was coming out and that Sean Penn had directed it, I had high hopes. I was not disappointed. This movie tells Chris' story thoroughly and beautifully. The cinematography was stunning. The acting was solid. And the soundtrack by Eddie Vedder was wonderful. Both inspiring and tragic, McCandless' life is celebrated in well-earned grandeur on the big screen.

I was pleasantly surprised at how many 'I' movies I had given at least 4 stars. Along with these three, there is Inside Man, an action-packed bank heist with an all-star cast. It is, by far, my favorite Spike Lee joint. In America tells of an Irish family who immigrates to America to try to put their lives together after a tragedy. Il Postino is a beautiful love story between a woman and a postman who woos her with poetry. And Iron Giant is an animated family film about a boy and his enormous robot friend. I could go on, but I think I've given enough homework for now. Enjoy!

and my award goes to...

After Wes Anderson's big win at the Golden Globes, I feel compelled to do a movie review. But not of The Grand Budapest Hotel. Don't get me wrong, I watched it a few days ago and it was very, very good; however, as I watched it, I kept remembering another Wes Anderson film that I absolutely loved, Fantastic Mr. Fox. There were several techniques Anderson used that made me think I was watching that film instead. On several occasions, he used wide shots showing people running across the scene in the distance. He also used sets that, if they weren't miniatures, definitely looked like they were. Grand Budapest was a good movie, filled with all the beautiful sets and costumes, quirky characters, and catchy music that has become Anderson's trademark, but I just didn't enjoy it as thoroughly as I did Mr. Fox.
Wes Anderson inhabits a rare class of director, those who see movies not just as a source of entertainment, but also as art. Stanley Kubrick, Ridley Scott, and Peter Weir have raised the bar for every other director. Their films not only contain well-developed characters and stories, they also create a world so vivid and beautiful that the audience is swept into their 'reality' completely. Wes Anderson has an amazing eye for detail and an uncompromising vision that, when applied to a movie that uses stop-motion animation, can only mean perfection.
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a children's story written by Roald Dahl, the first book Wes Anderson was given as a child that remains on his bookshelf to this day. His love of the story is reflected in the movie. He assembled a wonderful cast filled with old friends, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson and adds some great 'new' talent with George Clooney and Meryl Streep as Mr. and Mrs. Fox. But what truly endeared this film to me was the use of a kind of animation that is fast going the way of the dinosaur, stop-motion. The animal dolls are made with real animal hair, which moved with every movement of the dolls, thus creating a rippling effect that is quite fun. As is necessary for stop-motion, every day materials are substituted for substances impossible to manipulate manually: saran wrap for water, cotton for smoke, bars of soap carved to look like flames. And this film has a choppy look to the movement that is an homage to such holiday tv specials as Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town. That may be the reason why it captured my heart, it reminded me of my youth. Just like a child, I can watch this movie over and over, marveling at all the time and effort put into creating such amazing sets. One thing is obvious, Wes Anderson poured his heart into this film. It is fun for everyone, young and old alike.

My Life At The Movies

After looking over the previous posts, this blog has inadvertently become 'my thoughts on...movies!' And that's great, but I thought it would be prudent to reveal why I have so many thoughts about the cinema. That tale begins at my beginning. When I think back to my childhood, many of my most vivid and beloved memories surround movies that I saw. All the Disney films seen with my sisters at The State Theatre. Going to The Strand Theater with the whole family to watch Picnic, giggling with my sisters while our mother sighed in remembrance. Watching Superman with my dad and Picnic at Hanging Rock with my mom. Movies were what brought us together. I can't begin to list all the movies I've seen with my kin. But I do remember one of the first films I saw. Conrack, starring John Voight as a young, white teacher who is sent to a small island in a river delta in South Carolina to teach African American children, was an extremely powerful movie for me to watch. I couldn't believe that there were children who went to school, but didn't know how to read or write. These children seemed to come more from a third world country than from the South. I was mesmerized by the lives portrayed and by this wonderful teacher who came to mean so much more to his students. Several years later, I myself would have the pleasure of being taught by an educator very similar to the one I marveled at on the big screen. In his classroom, I was encouraged to nurture an already hyper imagination. I learned to put pen to paper, paint to canvas, and truly see the world around me. Perhaps that's why this film still resonates with me. And yet it is nowhere near the most important film in my life.
I was 10 years old and excited for the coming summer vacation. Leafing through our weekly issue of Time magazine, I came across this article and everything I thought I was looking forward to was forgotten. Star Wars was a movie unlike any other I had ever heard of before. I couldn't wait to see it. I wasn't disappointed. In two brief hours, new worlds came to life inhabited by weird creatures, swashbuckling heroes, and comical robots. I still remember how I felt when the credits began to roll. I couldn't wait to see it again...and again and again. In fact, I saw it thirteen times that summer alone. I've seen it so many times since then that I've lost count. I knew immediately that this was revolutionary film-making. I had never been so immersed in a story before and it was entirely due to the special effects, sets, makeup and costumes. Everything pieced together to transport me to that galaxy far, far away. And it stayed with me. I wanted to know more about Tatooine, Alderaan, and the Death Star. My imagination stole me away to those fantasy places where I fought alongside Luke, Leia, and Han against the evil Empire. Many Star Wars fans rank the next installment, The Empire Strikes Back, as the best of the original three. And it does have a more complex, stronger narrative and equally terrific effects, but Star Wars will always be my favorite. It awakened a curiosity about making movies. I had never given movies a second thought before this. I watched what was on the screen like the rest of the audience. With Star Wars, I realized there was a whole world devoted to creating what is captured on celluloid. And I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to know everything from sound effects editing to costume design. This movie changed how I watched films forever. I started seeing more of the illusions created and asked how they did what they put on the big screen. This interest has continued throughout my life. I never saw my dream of getting into the film industry come to fruition; however, I continue to enjoy movies on a whole new level. I see them both as a complete creation and as the parts that go into making them. Although I don't know that I would call Star Wars my all-time favorite movie, it has definitely had a direct effect on my love of all movies. And for that, I say "thank the maker!"