Thursday, January 31, 2008

Top Films Watched So Far

1: The Simpsons Movie
2: Psycho
3: Gone With the Wind
4: Shooter
5: Ben Hur
6: The Graduate
7: Citzen Kane
8: Rumor Has It

Ben Hur podcast

Friday, January 18, 2008

The Simpsons Movies

The Simpsons Movie

At a Glance:
Score: 9/10 (10 being the highest)
Genre: Animation/Comedy
Director: David Silverman
Homer: Dan Castellaneta
Marge: Julie Kavner
Lisa: Yeardley Smith
Bart: Nancy Cartwright

At last! The Simpsons has finally come to the big screen. This movie is just that, a movie. When I first thought of The Simpsons Movie I pictured just a longer episode, but I was plesently surprised. It feels like a movie the whole time. The acting and plot are just as good, or even better than the show and contain comedy for everyone.

The comedy has many levels. Of course with any comedy, there will be the gags and physical humor, like people getting hit in the groin. However, there are many satirical jokes and ones that take an intellect to understand. That is why this movie is so appealing, there is comedy for everyone.

The only weak spot I could find was some awkward moments. Some of the punch lines try too hard and end up being not funny at all. Also, the supporting characters we have come to know and love have very little part in the movie.

Overall it was a very good movie, with my favorite quote being: “Smithers... I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it, it might cheer me up to watch.”

Friday, January 11, 2008

Top Ten Movies

These are my top ten movies in no particular order:
  • Kill Bill vol. 1
  • Kill Bill vol. 2
  • Strangers with Candy
  • I am Legend
  • Pan's Labyrinth
  • Princess Mononoke
  • The Omen
  • The Incredibles
  • V for Vendetta
  • Lord of the Rings

Shooter Podcast

The Graduate

The Graduate

At a Glance:
Score: 7/10 (10 being the highest)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Director: Mike Nichols
Mrs. Robinson: Anne Bancroft
Benjamin Braddock: Dustin Hoffman
Elaine Robinson: Katharine Ross

The Graduate, though highly reviewed, left me bored and barren inside. This movie revolves around the affair between a college graduate and a housewife twice his age and its consequences. While this movie is funny and has many deeper meanings, the weak plot made it not pleasurable to watch.

After ending his affair with Mrs. Robinson, Benjamin falls in love with her daughter, Elaine. Elaine returns his affections, but is understandably grossed out when she discovers his love affair with her mom. Elaine says she never wants to see him again, but later relents after he stalks her at her college. Mrs. Robinson, however, does not want the two together and prevents Ben from seeing her while Elaine is preparing to get married to someone else. Ben finds Elaine at the wedding and the two run away together, locking all the guests in the church.

The movie is very funny and has some great quotes, “Don't you think that idea is a little half-baked? Oh no, Dad, it's completely baked” And “Wood? What? Wood or wire? They have both?” Comedy aside, the plot drags on and at times I find myself thinking what is the point of having him float in a pool for two minutes, or why there is such a weird camera angle. Regardless, this is one of the most parodied movies of all time and many of its scenes are famous.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane

At a Glance:
Score: 7/10 (10 being the highest)
Genre: Drama/Mystery
Director: Orson Welles
Charles Kane: Orson Welles
Jedediah Leland: Joseph Cotten
Susan Alexander Kane: Dorothy Comingore
Emily Monroe Norton Kane: Ruth Warrick

Citizen Kane is on of the most analyzed movies ever, but what about the common man who wants to sit down and just enjoy the movie? You might find yourself disappointed. This is a movie that you have to analyze to enjoy. It starts out with Charles Kane’s death and a slew of reporters trying to discover what his dieing word, rosebud, means. After many interviews with people close to Kane, the reporters cannot discover the meaning of “rosebud.”

I feel like this movie’s weakest point is its acting. The Actors rarely have any facial expressions and seem to be yelling at each other the whole time. At other times the acting is over the top and kind of cheesy. Also, everyone the reporter interviews know nothing about “rosebud,” but tell him about various almost pointless things that happened during Kane’s life.

The strongest part of the movie is the dialogue. Everything is well written and because of that many famous quotes have come from the movie, including: “Rosebud,” “The news goes on for 24 hours a day,” and “Don't believe everything you hear on the radio.” This movie causes the viewer to think, and think hard about the true meaning of happiness. Even though Citizen Kane has its flaws it is still something that should be watched.