Lay an Egg for Me, Little Ginger Bird

Movie: Frank
Actor from Previous Movie: Maggie Gyllenhaal (Giselle Levy, Clara)
Where to Watch: Netflix

Okay, so. This was definitely one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen. But I totally loved it. It was one of the most original movies I've seen in awhile, if only due to it's unique characters. Some were lovable, some were INFURIATING, all were unbelievably interesting.The cast was small but that just let everyone stand out in different ways. I was most impressed by Michael Fassbender, who was playing someone far outside of his normal range and he did an excellent job.

For a movie about a band it had really cool music too? Usually I feel like the music in movies about bands is just sort of ok at best. Because the songs are usually like too hollywood and not like something you'd hear on the radio. The genre was 100% not my kind of music. I don't even know what genre is was. It ended up sounding really cool though and fit the weird offbeat tone of the movie. Words can't do most of this movie justice but especially not the music, so here's one of the songs.

The comedy in the movie was pretty on point, even if sometimes it was very dark. It wasn't laugh-out-loud funny, which sadly I think is getting kind of rare in movies today, but there were alot of small jokes that caught me off guard. Alot of the humor also comes from just how absurd the people and situations are. I mean, the title character is a guy who wears a big paper mache head all the time. There's a running gag where Frank has to describe his facial expressions because people can't see them under the head. It's strange and hilarious and very charming.

Overall opinion of the movie? I'll let Maggie Gyllenhaal's character tell you what I think:

Bechdel Assessment: Fail :( This was surprising and super disappointing because I thought the movie was otherwise fantastic. There were really only two female characters in the movie and I can't even remember if the drummer had a name. She and Clara didn't speak to each other. Oh well.

I've Got My Courses, I've Got My Camel Cigarette. Where the Hell is My Dreamboat?

Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Actor from Previous Movie: Ginnifer Goodwin (Judy Hopps, Constance Baker)
Where to Watch: Netflix

I don't have much to say about Mona Lisa Smile other than that I liked it. It reminded me of Dead Poets Society, but I found it much more likable and interesting. I'm a sucker for movies set in historical time periods, and the costumes/music/production design didn't disappoint. With only a 35% on Rotten Tomatoes and 2 stars on Netflix, my expectations for the movie were not very high. So when the movie turned out to be pretty good, I was pleasantly surprised!

Normally I don't like to say movies are for one specific audience. Obviously anyone can like any movie--romance isn't just for women and violence isn't just for men. However, I do think this movie is really more of a chick flick.

Bechdel Assessment: Pass! Of course! One of the first scenes is an art history class at Wellesly College, an all-girls school.

Life's More Complicated Than a Slogan on a Bumper Sticker

Movie: Zootopia
Actor from Previous Movie: Idris Elba (Janek, Chief Bogo)
Where to Watch: your local movie theater

This weekend I ventured out to see the new Disney movie Zootopia and I absolutely loved it! Initially I didn't have much interest in seeing it; it looked like a pretty standard kids movie that I could wait to see until it showed up on Netflix. But then I heard such good things about it I had to see for myself.

Zootopia was an extremely cute kid-friendly buddy cop style mystery. Ginnifer Goodwin as the delightfully positive Judy Hopps was a perfect lead character. I'm always a fan of kids movies that have great casts and this was no exception. It's funny because I didn't recognize JK Simmons as the mayor until he started yelling, and flashbacks of his verbally abusive character in Whiplash came to me instantly.

It was really neat for a kids movie to tackle the subject of racism in such a direct yet inventive way. The issues were very realistic, like when Nick felt he was allowed to touch Ms. Bellwether's hair or when Judy informed someone that calling her cute was inappropriate. It showed that racism isn't always violent or hostile, sometimes it's uncomfortable and simply disrespectful. This level of subtly isn't usually seen in kids movies, and I was very impressed. I think that just because a movie is for kids doesn't mean it should dumb itself down and treat its audience as stupid.

The movie was alot of fun for anyone regardless of age. It's bright and colorful and filled with super cute animals for kids as young as 2 (like my cousin, who can barely speak but loved the movie), while having a strong message and some funny jokes to entertain an older crowd. It also begs the question: when a kids movie spoofs a scene from the Godfather, do kids actually get the joke?

Bechdel Assessment: Pass! Judy Hopps helps and is helped by many women throughout the movie! It was nice to see.

Sometimes to Create, One Must First Destroy

Movie: Prometheus
Actor From Previous Movie: Charlize Theron (Imperator Furiosa, Vickers)
Where to Watch: DVD

9 times out of 10 if you ask someone about Prometheus they will say it's terrible. At least in my experience. Prequels are generally considered even worse than sequels, which are already viewed so poorly. Being the prequel to Alien, it had alot to live up to and most people feel it failed. I, however, would defend Prometheus with my life. That's extreme, but I have a really unexpected affection for the movie and I would consider it one of my favorite science-fiction movies.

I'll admit the movie has flaws. And I can totally understand why people wouldn't like it. It's very long. It feels very long. It's boring. The plot doesn't really carry the movie like it should. The writing isn't particularly funny or clever. The largely European cast could be a turn-off for many. Altogether it's set up like a blockbuster without any of the actual enjoyable qualities of a blockbuster.

So why do I love it so much? One thing I appreciate is how the movie looks. Alot of time went into making this other world believable. Or more accurately, making Iceland look like another world. But science fiction comes with the possibility of taking the audience somewhere they've never been. Between the high tech gadgetry of the ship and the foreign landscapes of the planet, watching Prometheus is like going on an adventure. It's more understated than, say, Star Wars or Star Trek. This isn't necessarily better for that reason, it's just different and I personally love it. The music in the movie helps set the mood for creepy space exploration. The acting is really good, which you don't usually see in science fiction. Vickers and Shaw both stand out, but in my opinion, the robot David is one of the most interesting characters in the whole movie. He's weird, ominous, and obsessed with Lawrence of Arabia. Sign me up. And spoiler alert: it's always great to see a Fassbender character get decapitated.

If anything, Prometheus is probably a "guilty pleasure." I don't think it's award worthy. I don't even think it's objectively great, and I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone. But I love it and I cannot wait for the sequel coming out next year!!!

Bechdel Assessment: Pass. Vickers and Shaw discuss the mission.

Die Historic on the Fury Road

Movie: Mad Max Fury Road

Actor From Previous Movie: Tom Hardy (Kray Twins, Max Rockatansky)

Where to Watch: HBO Go

Mad Max, the Little Action Movie That Could. Not to say that Mad Max is particularly small film, with it's budget of 150 million. But I consider it small in the world of Critically Acclaimed movies. Being an action movie, it had many obstacles to overcome in the eyes of critics. And it succeeded! In fact, it succeeded so well that it took home the most Academy Awards of any movie this year!

Does Mad Max live up to the hype? I think so. Where Mad Max elevates itself from good to great is in the details. The production design is phenomenal. From the various cars designed for specific characters, to the weapons, to the costumes, to the set design, the filmmakers have created a complete world. Post-apocalyptic carries with it an excuse for mediocrity; most movies might do minimalism and grime. Mad Max instead goes for bright, beautiful landscapes and exciting diesel-punk machines. I have a soft spot for movies that are visually appealing, and Mad Max is one of the best looking movies I have ever seen.

Mad Max: Center Framed from Vashi Nedomansky on Vimeo.

Many people criticize the movie for not having a plot, but I would argue it has a stronger plot than most action movies, mostly because it doesn't try to over-complicate anything. It may be a 2 hour car chase, but it's a 2 hour car chase with a story and a message. And of course, I'm impressed by such a female-centric story that, at its core, is about a group of women fighting for their freedom. A great article for further explanation of this idea, and how this idea was found throughout cinema this year, can be found here.

It’s no secret that I love Mad Max. It holds the record for most times I’ve seen a movie in theaters (5), and I even dressed as one of the wives for Comic Con. I think it was easily one of the best movies of 2015. Unlike most “good” movies, it’s action-packed and fun! Every time I saw the movie, I left the theater wide-eyed and totally enthralled. Whether you like drama, action, or even a little romance, there’s something in it for you. I strongly recommend it!

Bechdel Assessment: Pass! Furiosa, the wives, and the elder women talk about many things throughout the movie including the history of their world, The Green Place, their captivity, and their vehicles.

Hollywood Prom Night

Next week (or possibly later this week) I will continue my Degrees of Separation format. This week I visited my dad and was, sadly, much too busy to watch movies. Since this blog is about film, I think this is the perfect opportunity to post my Oscar predictions before the big night.

Best Picture

Should win: Room
Will win: Spotlight

Actor in a Leading Role
Should win: Michael Fassbender
Will win: Leonardo DiCaprio

Actress in a Leading Role
Should win: Brie Larson
Will win: Brie Larson

Actor in a Supporting Role
Should win: Tom Hardy
Will win: Sylvester Stallone

Actress in a Supporting Role
Should win: Kate Winslet
Will win: Kate Winslet
Side note: I think this is the toughest category this year. Every actress brought her A-game and honestly all of them deserve a win.

Animated Feature Film
Should win: Shaun the Sheep
Will win: Inside Out

Cinematography
Should win: The Revenant
Will win: The Revenant

Costume Design
Should win: Carol
Will win: Cinderella

Directing
Should win: Lenny Abrahamson or George Miller
Will win: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Documentary
Should win: The Look of Silence
Will win: Amy

Film Editing
Should win: Mad Max: Fury Road
Will win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Foreign Language Film
Should win: Son of Saul
Will win: Son of Saul

Makeup and Hairstyling
Should win: Mad Max: Fury Road
Will win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Original Score
Should win: The Hateful Eight
Will win: The Hateful Eight
Side note: Sorry Daniel Pemberton and Stephen Rennicks. Your times will come.

Production Design
Should win: Mad Max: Fury Road
Will win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Visual Effects
Should win: Mad Max: Fury Road
Will win: Mad Max: Fury Road

Adapted Screenplay
Should win: Aaron Sorkin. But he wasn’t nominated.
Will win: Room

Original Screenplay
Should win: Ex Machina or Spotlight
Will win: Spotlight

A Paranoid Schizophrenic Walks Into A Bar...

Movie: Legend
Actor From Previous Movie: Tara Fitzgerald (Gloria, Mrs. Shea)
Where to Watch: DVD

I wanted to like this movie so badly. Rewind to last summer when I first saw the trailer before Southpaw. It was love at first sight. Between the 1960’s setting, the frantic energy of the trailer, and my new found love for Tom Hardy, this was everything I could want in a movie. On my breaks at work (at an AMC theater) I would sneak into Southpaw during previews to watch the trailer over and over. In my excitement I even read the biography, The Profession of Violence, which inspired the film. Then the reviews started coming out. The movie was doing so poorly that it never even got a true wide release, and I was heartbroken that I wouldn’t get the chance to see one of my most personally anticipated movies of the year. So you can see how even though I knew the movie was not going to be very good, my hopes were still far too high. And Legend did not deliver.

The movie was just kind of a mess. It couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be a gangster film or a biopic. The pacing felt painfully slow. Narration in movies is usually iffy at best, but then making it from the perspective of such a dull and minor character was a huge mistake. For the character who is supposed to be the audience’s bridge into the world of the Krays, Frances (Emily Browning) isn’t particularly engaging. Her romance with Reggie is cute, but not particularly interesting. Even Ronnie’s outbursts got stale after awhile because they became too predictable.  You came to expect him to say something outrageous and do something violent, even if you didn’t know what exactly.

There were things I liked though! Obviously Tom Hardy did a wonderful job playing the infamous twins. He really made each one a distinct and complete character. Ronnie was more compelling and interesting to watch because of how unpredictable he was, but Hardy managed to make the more composed and fiercely loyal Reggie lovely to watch. Any scene with both twins together showed just how differently he played them, especially in their facial expressions. As good as Tom Hardy was, Taron Egerton was the surprise scene stealer. Whether cackling manically or posing as the picture of perfection, his portrayal of the psychopathic Mad Teddy Smith was the best thing about the entire movie.

It’s time that I brought up the Bechdel Test. In the past few weeks I have found myself increasingly frustrated with Hollywood and the failure to pass this simple test, especially in movies that were enjoyable and had otherwise positive female representation (I’m looking at you, Deadpool and Hail, Caesar!). The cartoonist Alison Bechdel joked about this idea of a woman not seeing movies unless they met three requirements: The film has at least two female characters, they both speak to each other, and they speak about anything other than a man. Thus the test was born. The test should be so easy to pass and yet many films don’t. So for the rest of my posts I’m going to end with assessments of how each film passes or fails the Bechdel Test.

Bechdel Assesment: Pass, but just barely. The few times Frances speaks to her mother it’s about Reggie. There is a scene where the Krays’ mother is criticizing Frances on her ability to make tea. She mumbles a response. Hardly a conversation, but they do kind of interact.

You Remember Them, Love? Dinosaurs, Dodos, Miners.

Movie: Brassed Off!

Actor From Previous Movie: Ewan McGregor (Oliver, Andy)

Where to Watch: Netflix

For something so pervasive in British pop culture, you would think the UK Miners Strike would be taught in history classes. As an American, my only knowledge of the strike comes from movies and books where it exists simply as a backdrop to fictional characters’ conflicts. I guess I’ll blame it on how recently it happened and the fact that it wasn’t in the US. I can’t say I learned much of anything about Thatcher’s Administration except in regards to American history.

Brassed Off! isn’t the best movie I’ve seen about the Miners Strike, but it’s the most directly involved. I thought it was neat how it really delved into the struggles of the working class in the UK at this time, while maintaining the main story of brass band composed of miners participating in a music competition. Unfortunately the things that made it stand out from most cheesy underdog stories were also the places where it lacked. Sometimes the melodrama made it too much like a lifetime movie.

The comedy of the movie is pretty typical British humor, so take that as you will. The jokes are just as likely to elicit groans as they are laughs, but it’s all in good fun. I think it’s funny that for all the similarities between British and New York humor (sarcasm, self-deprecation, a soft spot for puns) the styles are so different. I don’t mind the style of comedy, so I thought it was alright but not exceptional.

On Netflix the movie has a 3 out of 5 star rating, and that’s what I would give it too. It wasn’t a bad movie, but it wasn’t very memorable and it lacked finesse. It felt low-budget and super British, but that’s only because it was low-budget and super British. So while it might not be something I watch again, it was enjoyable and cute enough to merit watching once.

It's Lonely Out Here So You Better Learn How To Talk

Actor From Previous Movie: Mélanie Laurent (Shosanna Dreyfuss, Anna)
Where to Watch: Netflix

I’m not typically one for romance. More often than not I find that love stories aren’t strong enough to carry an entire plot. This is especially true because most love stories follow the same narrative: they meet, they fall in love, they break up, they get back together. For me to enjoy romance, there needs to be something extra. For example, I enjoyed the movie Carol for technical reasons, the great performances by Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, and because it showed a kind of romance that has been ignored or mistreated by society. It was unconventional and even though the plot was sort of weak because it centered around a relationship, it had depth to it.

Beginners is more than a love story. As important as the relationship between Oliver and Anna (Ewan McGregor and Mélanie Laurent) was the story of Oliver’s father Hal (Christopher Plummer) who comes out as gay shortly after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It was a heartfelt look at Hal finding his place in a community while at the same time having to say goodbye to it.

The technical aspects of the movie are what make it beautiful. The camera work and offbeat tone reminded me of Wes Anderson. The soundtrack didn’t stand out much, but it was nice and fit the feeling of the movie well. The script, written by the director Mike Mills, was full of quirky comedy but also touching sincerity. It makes sense that Mills based the story on his own life, because Oliver’s relationship with his father feels very real.

One of my favorite things about the movie was the relationship between Hal and Georgia, Oliver’s mother. While Georgia sometimes drifted into Manic Pixie Dream Girl territory, it was that quirkiness that made her my favorite character. The parallel drawn between Hal and Georgia hiding who they were in a world that wouldn’t accept them was unexpected and incredibly moving. Sadly, we only get to see Georgia in flashbacks, so we don’t get a full view of her life as a Jewish woman at a time when Jews were persecuted or much her life once she felt safe and proud to be Jewish. I thought this comparison between them was a creative and interesting aspect of the movie.

Altogether, I liked the film. Some things I found a bit too cutesy, like Oliver’s depression inspired artwork and the dog who could communicate through subtitles, but I thought the quirkiness never went overboard. Oliver and Anna’s relationship may have at times seemed too idealized, but they were enjoyable enough characters that I was never bothered by it. I thought it was funny that Mélanie Laurent played an actress, as if she’s too pretty to be believable as a normal person. If I had to describe the movie in one word, it would be "charming."

Once Upon a Time.....in Nazi-Occupied France

Every journey begins with the first step. My cinematic journey needed to begin with the perfect movie. I wanted this blog to be a vehicle for discovering new films and honing my ability to voice my thoughts, so I considered choosing a film I had never seen before. After a few days of hemming and hawing, I decided a better decision would be to choose a movie I’ve probably seen more times than any other: Inglourious Basterds.

Basterds is tied with Blazing Saddles for my all-time favorite movie. Not only do I have all the English lines memorized, but I have the translations of the French and German scenes memorized as well. If I had the time to watch it every day, I probably would.  Many Quentin Tarantino fans seem to regard it as one of his lesser movies. I can understand why, since I think the movie is less Signature Tarantino than his other films, but I think that’s what makes it better. I’m admittedly not the most loyal Tarantino fan. While Reservoir Dogs easily makes my top ten list, I find Pulp Fiction to be extremely overrated. This was my first time watching a Tarantino movie since I saw The Hateful Eight in 70mm. I liked The Hateful Eight, but my feelings were more along the lines of “I liked it despite x, y, and z.”

So what exactly do I love about this movie? To put it simply, I love how entertaining it is. Watching the movie is just so fun. The film’s second scene opens with Lt. Aldo Raine giving a passionate speech to his soldiers about what their mission is. Through a thick southern drawl he tells his men, “We’re gonna be doing one thing, and one thing only: killing Nazis.” This perfectly demonstrates the tone of the film. It’s a World War II movie, but it’s not. It’s serious, but it’s silly.

Tarantino skillfully weaves together multiple stories set against the backdrop of 1940’s Europe. Every single character is written well, and the cast is phenomenal. Sgt. Donny Donowitz’s brashness is as engaging as Col. Hans Landa’s spine-chilling charisma. Shosanna Dreyfuss’ quest for revenge is equal parts heart-breaking and exhilarating. The excessive violence in the movie is cartoonish, which makes it amusing.

No amount of raving can do the movie proper justice. It’s best to just immerse yourself in the action-packed, lovingly crafted, three hour romp through a fictional World War II. You’ll come out on the other side ecstatic, energized, and ready to bash in some fascist skulls.