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Trainspotting (1996)
Monu-mental
In Britain, during the 90s clubbing was at a high, literally and drug abuse was a regular problem concerning the government. Pop culture was pushing the limits and changing the way many people on the drug scene were used too. The problems were being told through the news, the radio and the newspapers frequently. Then in 1996 an independent British film hit cinema, causing uproar, controversy, worldwide success, critical acclaim and even government mention, this film was called Trainspotting.
Trainspotting is based on a novel by Irvine Welsh which charts the life of a bunch of non- existent losers who're living their lives to their "supposed" full on the Edinburgh drug scene. The film charts the issues of poverty, crime and anti-social behavior that are still alive in Britain today and shows the horrifying problems of drug abuse that the public-eye attempts to be unaware of. The film exposes the bunch of nasty, yet somewhat hilarious group of stoner's lives and how Renton (Ewan McGregor) attempts to find a true meaning to his chaotic and miserable life.
Trainspotting is not a film that will appeal to everyone; it's graphic, nasty and harrowing. Yet, it retains from wanting the viewer to stop watching and manages to hold you throughout the entire running time. A film's content can, in some cases occupy the film's story and make you lose any pity, affection or remorse for the characters. Trainspotting manages to disgust, while still informing the viewers of the problems from drugs.
For a film that is so startlingly daring and distressing at times you'd be surprised that it manages to make its point so clear and authoritative. A factor that caused controversy on release was that the film is not afraid to say "drugs are good at first", but then the film goes on to saying "but it's not worth it because the side effects will screw you up forever". It's an excellent message and one that alerts any viewer not to ever go near drugs, yet people have ignored the true meaning of the film which is held within some of the horrific imagery and experiences. If there is one that film that will make you never want to take drugs its Trainspotting. It really will make you think twice and also help you understand why people do such repulsive and then why drug abuse is wrong. Trainspotting is not a film that is preachy, it says you have one life which you should use with care and how you should realize the consequences of your actions. So at heart Trainspotting is an unforgettable and mesmerizing study of wasted life. It succeeds in making its viewers come out learning and understanding one of the world's many unpleasant problems.
If you didn't see these characters going through such disturbing events the film would not have such a poignant message and one that shows so many devastating outcomes of the drug abuse. Trainspotting has many iconic and memorable characters that're acted out with the utmost sincerity, yet some remain oddly charming. The characters are hysterical at times and for a film full such shameful people you still manage to hold pity for their decaying lives as they spiral into a living hell. The characters are very complex, though at first they seem simple and you gain an indisputable understanding of every character for a film that only lasts 90 minutes. Trainspotting is a film that has been highly influential to cinema as a whole, sparking off many films to come out of the genre and some films even using the same visual delights. For example in Guy Richie's magnificent Snatch, the characters are introduced in a similar way to Trainspotting and this is just to name one of many influences. Danny Boyle is an imaginative director with a brilliant trademark style to accompany his films.
A film like Trainspotting is extremely exhausting because of its disturbing and what could have been an unbearable explicit nature. Because the film is at times highly amusing and visually glorious with its matchless ambiguity you'll not want to turn it off, even in the most disgusting moments. Though the film is at times flawed in the plot structure and has a few plot holes, the cinematography washes over the viewer with a somewhat mind-numbing quality. The dialog is brilliantly paced and laced with pop culture references, studies of British social class and haunting narrative from the almighty, career-launching performance by Ewan McGregor. Trainspotting's soundtrack is another high-point and remains entertaining, quirky and also flawlessly fitting to the scenes it accompanies.
It's a film that truly lays bare the problems of youth and drugs, showing the genuine effects with the needed explicitly and yet remaining solid entertainment from the comedy factor. A true gem of British, 90s cinema which unflinchingly depicts the lives of the no-lives in their cruel and deceitful worlds they've climbed into. Trainspotting has heart and works as an educational roller-coaster of pure realism that still shocks and teaches viewers the horrific affects of drug abuse. Trainspotting is a film that will never leave you which is ironic considering it's about addiction and affliction. Trainspotting is a film that terrifies me and should succeed in making anyone want to keep clean. We all know drug abuse is awful, but Trainspotting succeeds in showing its viewers why.
Los cronocrímenes (2007)
Tiimey-wimey-crimey
Although this French film begins a bit slow, every part is important and it quickly moves into intrigue that should have the viewer glued to his or her seat. It is part psychological thriller, part mystery, part horror, and part sci-fi. Not everyday do you see a film boast this or pull such a feat off. Don't let the sci-fi element of time travel fool you. This film is sci-fi only in that it uses the notion of time travel to set up the story. There are no special effects and no shiny, blinking time machines or mad scientists. And the time travel here involves accidentally moving back to earlier in the day, not years in the past or the future. The film becomes more and more interesting as it uses the paradox of time travel to reveal important events. This is a quality movie with a good script and storyline. You won't be disappointed.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Not bad ;)
What can I say about The Dark Knight?
Star #1 goes to Christian Bale for his appearance as Batman. Everything I ever thought of when I thought of Batman, Christian Bale brings to the table. He's cunning, a brilliant fighter, compassionate, yet conflicted, dark, lonely, and self righteous. While his almost beast-like voice grew a little tiresome, I felt like it fit nonetheless. I could go on forever about Christian Bale. He's the reason I went to see it in the first place (and by that I mean his hotness). But we're moving on . . .
Star #2 goes to Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. Eckhart completely surpassed my expectations for him. His portrayal was subtle but it was all we needed. We're shown immediately in the trailer that Dent is technically 'the hero' yet he just as messed up as everyone else in this film. His transformation during the film is quite believable and we all know that character transformations can go very wrong(anyone remember Spiderman Three?) I give Eckhart a mental high five for bringing depth to the cardboard comic book character.
Stars #3 and 4 go to Christopher and Jonathan Nolan. I don't think I even need to go on. The cinematography was fabulous. The dialog was incredible. The characters were deep and the actors didn't even have to do much work. Despite amazing performances from the whole cast, they would be nowhere in this film without the Nolans. I can't wait to see what they do next.
Star #5 goes to Morgan Freeman. We've known he's a man for some time now but he emphasizes that fact in this film. No, he's not in it much but when he is, he steals the scene. Even Lucius Fox is complicated and almost dark in this film. After all, he is a liar and an accomplice to Batman's law breaking in the name of justice. I applaud him for so subtly bringing so much to the table.
Star #6 goes to Michael Cain who has been Alfred well, forever. He was endearing and brought some much needed comic relief and lightness to this film. Cain was simply adorable and you could almost see the tight bond between him and Bruce Wayne. In other words, he simply made me smile.
Star #7 goes to Gary Oldman as Detective Gordon. I didn't expect what he delivered. He too is conflicted about lying to his entire department about Batman, especially Harvey Dent. His friendship with Batman is so screwy, its borderline Holmes/Watson. Although . . . I'm not sure who would be who. Oldman's character is warm, gentle, and caring yet weary, exasperated, and troubled. I give him a mental high five as well for reminding us that most police officers are good people.
Star #8 goes to the idea that the Nolans put out. They challenged all ideas of civilized society today without offending most anyone. The theme of the Dark Knight reminds us that once you remove society's rules, we are all just trying to survive and we will do anything to stay alive. You all know what scene I'm referring to and if you haven't seen it, you will know what scene I'm referring to. I left the theater and immediately wanted to watch it again because I knew I missed a lot.
And Star #9 goes to the great late Heath Ledger for his beautiful interpretation as the Joker. I'm not just saying he was amazing because he's dead. He reminded me of why people are afraid of clowns and he does it with a permanent sadistic smile. He challenges Batman and pushes him far past his limits while cynically proclaiming that they are exactly the same. Ledger caused me to wonder if everyone would be like the Joker once society's rules were gone. He also conflicted me throughout the whole film. Was I the only one who had to keep reminding themselves that Batman is the good guy? The reason I did not give it a ten is because yes, it was a very long movie and I think it could have been cut down. I also don't understand the purpose of Maggie Gyllenhaal. Who is Rachael? We don't know and I never cared to find out.
I also never give anything a ten because nothing and no one is perfect but this film is pretty close . . .
American Beauty (1999)
American Beautiful
I believe that everyone should see this movie. Aside from the fact that the acting borders on phenomenal and the fact that the cinematography and script were masterpieces in themselves, the THEME of this movie should be witnessed by all.
I have read many reviews that talk about how this movie is trying to express how complete devotion to our jobs and material goods leaves us empty and worthless as human beings. I have also read reviews that claim this movie tells us what happened to our good old American family values. And while these claims are completely accurate, they are still only part of the deeper message presented in this film. I know that the title is "American Beauty," but I believe that it is only being used as a symbol, like everything else in the movie. Yes, America is know worldwide for its excesses in all forms, so it is a good example of a trend that plagues humanity as a whole.
See, the emphasis of this movie is on beauty. Not beauty as we normally think of it, but beauty as all that should be admired and respected and loved in the world. "American beauty" represents what we are TAUGHT to perceive as beautiful. A nice car, a supermodel, and so on. The message I got from this movie is that nature is beautiful, and by nature I mean everything in this world in its natural state. Humans are beautiful when they are honest, but not when they try to fit the molds our societies make for us. This is so well expressed in one scene in the movie when Ricky is asked why he is filming a dead bird and he replies, "Because it's beautiful."
Ricky later shows us the most beautiful thing he ever filmed: a plastic bag being blown by the wind. The symbolism here is magnificent! The plastic bag, as a representative of man made culture, being completely controlled and driven by pure nature. This movie doesn't condemn our society and point fingers at the causes of our unhappiness. Instead it gives us hope and direction toward a better path that we left a long long time ago. Don't let anyone tell you that this isn't a happy movie, for it is full of hope. And more importantly, it is full of beauty. See this movie, and more importantly, THINK about this movie.
Alien (1979)
Ace
An austere, despairing vision that far from finding any wonder or beauty in space instead dares to find a universe of limitless horror. 'Alien' remains the ultimate fusion of the horror and sci-fi genres.
Its underlying fascination lies in its keynote title. No film has ever imagined anything as uniquely, unsettlingly 'alien' as this. Not just the monster itself - a parasitical predator that has fine-tuned Darwinian adaption to the ultimate in survival - but also the derelict spaceship which harbors the egg from which it springs, after waiting millennia in gestation. No one has ever bettered designer HR Giger's concept of complete non-human otherness.
This was only Ridley Scott's second feature. His highly acute visual style (developed after years as a leading director of UK commercials) brilliantly establishes mood. His direction of drama is detached, almost eavesdropped in snippets, not allowing the audience to get too close to the protagonists. It's an approach that keeps the narrative single-mindedly on track.
And the tone is relentlessly bleak. The Nostromo's crew inhabit a dehumanized industrial complex of a spacecraft with few concessions to comfort. Among them there seems to be little more than indifferent companionship. The planet they visit is a hellish world of ferocious storms, smothering vapor and barren terrain. Jerry Goldsmith's music is correspondingly sparse, almost grudging in conceding any high notes.
Everyone remembers John Hurt's famous stomach-churning demise. But perhaps the most telling shot in the film is the one of Jones, the ship's cat, peeking out from behind a corner as the Alien devours a victim, feline eyes glinting in wary fascination at a primal scene it can empathize more instinctively than its hapless companions...
Forget Me Not (2010)
Walkie-Talkie
Not a movie but life. Amazingly simple and deep!
Forget Me Not works principally for three reasons – stunning visuals, realistic acting and an immense script that builds the characters through their thoughts and feelings and thus allows us to get to know them as we do the people in real life. This allows the characters to be free, and it's easy to believe that these are real people and not just actors working from a script. This also allows us to feel for the characters for who they are, and not merely because they're the protagonists. This kind of realism is hard to capture as, at the end of the day, we as the audience know that they're watching a film and not observing real life; but the dialog is amazing, the acting is spot-on; this is a great film.
It has been compared to Before Sunrise/Sunset but it has another level beyond those films which really allows it to stand out. I did see a boom in shot at one point, but the relative low budget does little to mar enjoyment.