Synopsis: The Torrence family heads to The Overlook Hotel, isolated in snowy Colorado. The evil forces of the hotel persuade Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) to lose his mind in the most terrifying way. Danny Torrence (Danny Lloyd), Jack's son, has horrific psychic visions from the hotel's grisly past and demonic spirit.
Review: I can honestly say, I have never been as scared watching a movie as I was when I watched The Shining. Jack Nicholson is the scariest crazy person I've ever seen. I always knew he was creepy, but this movie brought it to a whole new level for me. I shudder when I think about it!
I read Stephen King's book before I watched the movie. I was expecting the movie to be similar, but it turned out to be very different, much to my dismay. I thought knowing what was coming would make it less scary. Yeah, no. It was different enough that I was officially freaked out the whole time.
I just have to say, Stanley Kubrick, the director, is a freaking genius. The camera angles he used made the film a million times more suspensful that it would have been without that type of innovation. The music was essential in the scare factor as well. I often found myself extremely tense and jumping at nothing because of the music! Very masterful use, and very scary.
If you like scary movies, this will not disappoint. This goes on my list as my favorite scary movie of all time. That's right, number one. On a separate note, read the book too, I've never been that freaked out by a book before!
********* (9.5/10)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thank You For Smoking (2005)
Synopsis: If you've ever heard of a spin artist, Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is Michelangelo. Working for big tobacco companies, Naylor travels the country, spinning the harmful reality of cigarettes into a world of roses. Naylor brings his young son Joey (Cameron Bright) along to learn what it means to be a great debator.
Review: A hilarious satire on the world of big tobacco, Thank You For Smoking was one of the funniest I've seen in a while. The actors lent a lot to the film, my favorite being the Merchants of Death, Nick Naylor, Bobby Bliss (David Koechner) and Polly Baily (Maria Bello) and the ever increasingly funny BR (J.K. Simmons). The script is smart, the actors deliver it flawlessly making the film brilliant.
Perhaps my absolute favorite part deals with the MOD squad. Sitting in a booth bullshitting over drinks, they begin to discuss which of their buisnesses is most deadly, guns, alcohol, or cigarettes. Hilariously, Naylor makes alcohol and guns look like stubbed toes next to the killing power of tobacco!
I keep on thinking of different parts of the movie I want to remark on, but at risk of spoiling the film, I'll refrain. I must, however, share with you my favorite quote:
******** (8/10)
Review: A hilarious satire on the world of big tobacco, Thank You For Smoking was one of the funniest I've seen in a while. The actors lent a lot to the film, my favorite being the Merchants of Death, Nick Naylor, Bobby Bliss (David Koechner) and Polly Baily (Maria Bello) and the ever increasingly funny BR (J.K. Simmons). The script is smart, the actors deliver it flawlessly making the film brilliant.
Perhaps my absolute favorite part deals with the MOD squad. Sitting in a booth bullshitting over drinks, they begin to discuss which of their buisnesses is most deadly, guns, alcohol, or cigarettes. Hilariously, Naylor makes alcohol and guns look like stubbed toes next to the killing power of tobacco!
I keep on thinking of different parts of the movie I want to remark on, but at risk of spoiling the film, I'll refrain. I must, however, share with you my favorite quote:
"That's ludicrous - The great state of Vermont will not apologize for its cheese"Okay okay, one more:
"The rest of you people go slam your fuckin' brains against your desks until something useful comes out"If in need of a good laugh and a great film, go rent it!
******** (8/10)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Synopsis: This was the film that put Quentin Tarantino on the map. A group of men, not knowing each others names, but instead going by code names like Mr. Pink and Mr. Blonde, get together to pull off a jewelry heist. After the heist fails in a police shootout, they begin to suspect one of their own tipped off the cops.
Review: Every Tarantino film I have seen definitely has its roots dug deep in to Reservoir Dogs. There was not much about the film I didn't like, except for it was at times difficult to follow, but what Tarantino film have you seen that wasn't like that? I have a particular fondness for Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) who risks his life to save the life of Mr. Orange (Tim Roth). Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) was great in that weasely sort of way he is. The whole cast for that matter was wonderful, including Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Pen), the son of the heist's coordinator, Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney).
Almost the whole story is set in a wearhouse post jewelry heist. Although the space is confining and is pretty static through out, it does not disappoint. The characters and the story keep the film afloat just fine. In classic Tarantino style, there are numerous flashbacks with simple titles to separate the different chapters of the story.
I love blood and gore, so this movie didn't bother me one bit in that aspect. However, if you have an aversion to blood, this might not be the movie you want to see while you're eating dinner. No gore, but plenty of blood :)
I don't want to give away the ending (which I loved!), so go see the movie. Rent it, or borrow it from me... but do it now!
********* (9/10)
Review: Every Tarantino film I have seen definitely has its roots dug deep in to Reservoir Dogs. There was not much about the film I didn't like, except for it was at times difficult to follow, but what Tarantino film have you seen that wasn't like that? I have a particular fondness for Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) who risks his life to save the life of Mr. Orange (Tim Roth). Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) was great in that weasely sort of way he is. The whole cast for that matter was wonderful, including Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Pen), the son of the heist's coordinator, Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney).
Almost the whole story is set in a wearhouse post jewelry heist. Although the space is confining and is pretty static through out, it does not disappoint. The characters and the story keep the film afloat just fine. In classic Tarantino style, there are numerous flashbacks with simple titles to separate the different chapters of the story.
I love blood and gore, so this movie didn't bother me one bit in that aspect. However, if you have an aversion to blood, this might not be the movie you want to see while you're eating dinner. No gore, but plenty of blood :)
I don't want to give away the ending (which I loved!), so go see the movie. Rent it, or borrow it from me... but do it now!
********* (9/10)
Children of Men (2006)
Synopsis: In 2027, a world in shambles, a world where humans can no longer procreate, a woman is found to be pregnant. Theo (Clive Owen) feverishly stands by the pregnant woman to deliver her to the Human Project in hopes to revive the unfertile world and save the future of man.
Review: After seeing this movie, I literally went to the store and bought it hours after I finished watching it. There are so many aspects of the film that I loved, the plot, the actors, the sets, and the list goes on!
First off, the story is amazing. I have never really encountered anything quite like it and the futuristic world in which England is the last standing nation not plummeted into chaos (something we've seen before in V for Vendetta) appealed to my sense of uncertainty with the world's future. The entire concept of infertility in the future is appealing. It seems government has a vice like grip on all of the actions and goings on in the future world.
The actors dazzled me. Clive Owen was by far the best performance in the film. His dynamic character whom we follow undergoes profound changes as the future of human kind is at stake. The emotion present in his performance moved and touched me. Without giving too much else away, every actor in Children of Men does a spectacular job.
The sets made the film absolutely believable for me. Abandon schools, city-scapes in shambles, and subtle futuristic advances scattered through out add to the feeling of a world set in 2027. Even the music is a sort of weird, futuristic techno beat. The whole film is shot in darker, unsaturated colors, adding to the hopelessness of the time. Pollution hazes the sky and graffiti wallpapers the streets.
Buy this movie!
********* (9/10)
Review: After seeing this movie, I literally went to the store and bought it hours after I finished watching it. There are so many aspects of the film that I loved, the plot, the actors, the sets, and the list goes on!
First off, the story is amazing. I have never really encountered anything quite like it and the futuristic world in which England is the last standing nation not plummeted into chaos (something we've seen before in V for Vendetta) appealed to my sense of uncertainty with the world's future. The entire concept of infertility in the future is appealing. It seems government has a vice like grip on all of the actions and goings on in the future world.
The actors dazzled me. Clive Owen was by far the best performance in the film. His dynamic character whom we follow undergoes profound changes as the future of human kind is at stake. The emotion present in his performance moved and touched me. Without giving too much else away, every actor in Children of Men does a spectacular job.
The sets made the film absolutely believable for me. Abandon schools, city-scapes in shambles, and subtle futuristic advances scattered through out add to the feeling of a world set in 2027. Even the music is a sort of weird, futuristic techno beat. The whole film is shot in darker, unsaturated colors, adding to the hopelessness of the time. Pollution hazes the sky and graffiti wallpapers the streets.
Buy this movie!
********* (9/10)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Synopsis: Kym (Anne Hathaway) returns to her family home after a rather long stint in rehab. At home, her sister Rachel (Rosemarie Dewitt) is getting married... hence the title, Rachel Getting Married. While at home, Kym experiences an over-watchful father, a tough love sister, an absent mother, and a new world of experiences with ups and downs. As the family celebrates Rachel's wedding, a most beautiful and spectacular wedding at that, Kym struggles to fit in and become a part of the family after years of isolation and turmoil.
Review: Anne Hathaway was spectacular in this film. Totally believable, I felt for her character the entire story. Her off color humor and dark presence is interesting and the more I got to know Rachel the more lovable she became. The wedding was so beautiful. The merging of two different families in a non-traditional/traditional way really spoke to me. Kym and Rachel's father was perhaps my favorite character. He was so self-expressed and loving to his family and daughters.
I would not be surprised if Anne Hathaway is nominated for an Oscar for her performance. There was never a moment that she was not Kym. The raw emotion in her character was so authentic.
As for the look of the movie, the way it was shot seemed more like you were immersed in the world of Kym. It is filmed very intimately and feels like you are actually a guest at the wedding. The camera was shaky and a bit too much at times, but I still appreciated the thought that went into the style. The set was beautiful, a home in a quaint neighborhood with a expansive lawn and garden. It was simple, yet eloquent.
See this while it's in theaters, it's well worth your $8.
******** (8/10)
Review: Anne Hathaway was spectacular in this film. Totally believable, I felt for her character the entire story. Her off color humor and dark presence is interesting and the more I got to know Rachel the more lovable she became. The wedding was so beautiful. The merging of two different families in a non-traditional/traditional way really spoke to me. Kym and Rachel's father was perhaps my favorite character. He was so self-expressed and loving to his family and daughters.
I would not be surprised if Anne Hathaway is nominated for an Oscar for her performance. There was never a moment that she was not Kym. The raw emotion in her character was so authentic.
As for the look of the movie, the way it was shot seemed more like you were immersed in the world of Kym. It is filmed very intimately and feels like you are actually a guest at the wedding. The camera was shaky and a bit too much at times, but I still appreciated the thought that went into the style. The set was beautiful, a home in a quaint neighborhood with a expansive lawn and garden. It was simple, yet eloquent.
See this while it's in theaters, it's well worth your $8.
******** (8/10)
'Tis the season... For movies!
For lack of a better idea, I have decided to take a cue from my friend Zach (Hi Zach!) and begin to review the movies that I watch and rent. Zach, by the way, is reviewing his top 100 favorite movies and his reviews are fabulous!
It's finally winter (is it officially? I don't know, but it feels like it!) and 'tis the season for massive amounts of movie watching. Already this weekend I have seen five movies, all of which I plan to review... December should be an amazing month for movies, so be prepared for lots to come!
Also, check out my new gadget on the right of my Blockbuster Queue. Here you can see the movies up coming on my rental list and have a heads up to the movies I will be reviewing. I'm pretty much underway in my winter movie watching mode so I should be able to go through a good portion of the list.
So, enjoy my reviews and hopefully you'll find something you want to watch!
It's finally winter (is it officially? I don't know, but it feels like it!) and 'tis the season for massive amounts of movie watching. Already this weekend I have seen five movies, all of which I plan to review... December should be an amazing month for movies, so be prepared for lots to come!
Also, check out my new gadget on the right of my Blockbuster Queue. Here you can see the movies up coming on my rental list and have a heads up to the movies I will be reviewing. I'm pretty much underway in my winter movie watching mode so I should be able to go through a good portion of the list.
So, enjoy my reviews and hopefully you'll find something you want to watch!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Apple Jewth
As I begin to write this, Lionel Ritchie came on my iTunes. Now you're wondering, "So? What does Lionel Ritchie have to do with anything?" Well, coincidently I was planning on writing about my oh so amazing and wonderful roommate and Lionel Ritchie always reminds me of Kimberly. Why? Long story short, there is a picture of her and her bestie Katie mimicking the front cover of one of his albums. You know the one where he's looking through a "window" he made with his hands? Yeah, that one. And I don't know why, but that cracks me up beyond belief.
Kimberly is hilarious in each and every way. Literally, I have not gone a day without laughing at something she said or did, or even something she said or did a week ago! I've been laughing since the election when she recorded her infamous "old man" that likes to visit us every once and a while. You can't write this stuff, it's all Kimberly, all on the spot improvising, you tell me if it's comedic gold or what: "I had to walk forty miles, both ways, uphill in the snow! And all I had was this spoon. And I had to dig through the snow with my spoon because I didn't have any traction and look what happened to it! Oh and I was barefoot, did I mention that? But then Obama won the election and he gave me back my traction! And my shoes!" Now of course you can never get the whole effect without hearing it from her mouth with the old man voice and all. But literally, I crack up every time I even think about it. In fact, right now I am chuckling to myself at the computer. Kimberly has helped me transform my life in ways I never thought possible. She introduced me to Landmark. She makes me laugh everyday. She is amazing.
I can even begin to tell you of all our crazy and silly antics. We have started to write down different quotes we hear each other say, to reference at later dates. Some of them are so funny! "Are your bowels irritable? Because you're acting like it," and "That's amazing, for anemics!". Anyway, she cracks me up and I love her for that. NO PORK!
I hope she reads this because it will make her laugh. And that I know for a fact!
I love you Kruth!
Kimberly is hilarious in each and every way. Literally, I have not gone a day without laughing at something she said or did, or even something she said or did a week ago! I've been laughing since the election when she recorded her infamous "old man" that likes to visit us every once and a while. You can't write this stuff, it's all Kimberly, all on the spot improvising, you tell me if it's comedic gold or what: "I had to walk forty miles, both ways, uphill in the snow! And all I had was this spoon. And I had to dig through the snow with my spoon because I didn't have any traction and look what happened to it! Oh and I was barefoot, did I mention that? But then Obama won the election and he gave me back my traction! And my shoes!" Now of course you can never get the whole effect without hearing it from her mouth with the old man voice and all. But literally, I crack up every time I even think about it. In fact, right now I am chuckling to myself at the computer. Kimberly has helped me transform my life in ways I never thought possible. She introduced me to Landmark. She makes me laugh everyday. She is amazing.
I can even begin to tell you of all our crazy and silly antics. We have started to write down different quotes we hear each other say, to reference at later dates. Some of them are so funny! "Are your bowels irritable? Because you're acting like it," and "That's amazing, for anemics!". Anyway, she cracks me up and I love her for that. NO PORK!
I hope she reads this because it will make her laugh. And that I know for a fact!
I love you Kruth!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Untitled Poem
America spoke and change is what she said.
You voted for McCain. You voted for Obama. You voted for Nader.
You voted.
History was made, it seemed impossible.
A new face, a new voice.
He is change. We are change.
We are hope.
But, do not celebrate because you won.
Celebrate because we are America.
Do not cry out because you lost.
Cry out because our world is sick.
Change is only a word, it takes action to make a difference.
It takes transformation.
Get up, stand up, speak out!
Do or do not, wax on wax off, listen.
I am nation. You are nation. We are nation.
America spoke and change is what she said, but transformation is what she is getting.
Yes we can, yes we will, yes we are.
You voted for McCain. You voted for Obama. You voted for Nader.
You voted.
History was made, it seemed impossible.
A new face, a new voice.
He is change. We are change.
We are hope.
But, do not celebrate because you won.
Celebrate because we are America.
Do not cry out because you lost.
Cry out because our world is sick.
Change is only a word, it takes action to make a difference.
It takes transformation.
Get up, stand up, speak out!
Do or do not, wax on wax off, listen.
I am nation. You are nation. We are nation.
America spoke and change is what she said, but transformation is what she is getting.
Yes we can, yes we will, yes we are.
Transformation
The possibility I am inventing for myself and my life is the possibility of being fearlessly self-expressed, wholly fulfilled, and boundlessly compassionate.
Self-Expression
I learned for the first time in my life what it feels like to be truly self-expressed. I can be who I am, unstoppable joy and compassion, by giving up who I tell myself who I am. I can stop being so concerned with looking good and avoiding looking bad and be free to be me. If I have a problem, I'll tell you instead of just trying to be "nice" about it.
Fulfillment
I can do anything I want. Really. Anything. I can love my job. I can enjoy classes. I can be with my family. By being unreasonable, doing things I wouldn't normally do out of concern for my "image", I am fulfilled. I do everything I want to do.
Compassion
I love people. I see people everywhere, everyday and am blown away at how amazing people actually are. Each one of us is filled with so much passion, grace, and courage, I've just been blind to it my whole life with the clouded lenses of the resignation I wear in front of my eyes. I am you, you are me. We are I.
Landmark has transformed my life.
Self-Expression
I learned for the first time in my life what it feels like to be truly self-expressed. I can be who I am, unstoppable joy and compassion, by giving up who I tell myself who I am. I can stop being so concerned with looking good and avoiding looking bad and be free to be me. If I have a problem, I'll tell you instead of just trying to be "nice" about it.
Fulfillment
I can do anything I want. Really. Anything. I can love my job. I can enjoy classes. I can be with my family. By being unreasonable, doing things I wouldn't normally do out of concern for my "image", I am fulfilled. I do everything I want to do.
Compassion
I love people. I see people everywhere, everyday and am blown away at how amazing people actually are. Each one of us is filled with so much passion, grace, and courage, I've just been blind to it my whole life with the clouded lenses of the resignation I wear in front of my eyes. I am you, you are me. We are I.
Landmark has transformed my life.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Food for thought
I just got really inspired by this quote today...
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. Cummings
More to come.
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. Cummings
More to come.
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