Mimi's school production

Tarsem = Stunning

2009-01-30T00:07:00.003-07:00

The Cell
Directed By: Tarsem Singh
Starring Jennifer Lopez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Vince Vaughn
Rated: R

Carl Stargher, D'Onofrio, is a crazy psychopath killer who falls into coma. A new procedure which works to project a Doctor into the minds of those in the coma to try and help them recuperate. When Jennifer Lopez goes into the killer's mind, ABSOLUTE CHAOS ensues.

CRAZY! that was what i kept saying though out the entire movie. CRAZY! the cinematography, the acting, the directing. it was INSANE, but in an incredibly revolutionary and amazing way. It took me 9 years to watch this movie because JLo bugs me so much, but within the first few minutes i completely forgot all about her because of the insane mind tripping.

99 out of 100 (because of jennifer)

The Fall
Directed By: Tarsem Singh
Starring: Lee Pace, Justine Waddell, Catinca Untaru
Rated R -for MILD blood. (it should NOT be rated R, don't even get me started on movies that shouldn't be R)

Roy, Pace (Pushing Daisies, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) was a stunt man for the movies in the 1920s, until he had an accident on set and became paralyzed. In the hospital he meets Alexandria, Untaru, and begins to tell her an Epic Tale to win her over.

I don't want to give away too much of this movie because it is so much more powerful as it unfolds for the viewer. I cannot sing this movie more praises. It is the most beautiful cinematography i have seen in a long time, the best directing i have ever seen, the editing is impeccable, and the story... oh! the story is touching, and inspiring, and EPIC. Everyone needs to see this movie. It is essential to life. This movie is the reason movies are made.

100 out of 100

Actors without disabilities, play men with disabilities.

2009-01-22T01:38:00.006-07:00

Music Within (2007)
Director: Steven Sawalich
Staring: Ron Livingston, Michael Sheen, Melissa George

This movie tells the true story of injured Vietnam Vet Richard Pimental, played by Livingston, who lost his hearing in a bomb explosion. When he returns home from war he finds out that the government refuses to help him pay for school because they said his disability would inhibit him. He becomes determined to help other vets find employment and government aide. While struggling with his disability, and going to school, he meets a man with cerebral palsy who he can mysteriously understand completely. Together the men from a friendship or "bromance" and lean on each other for support.

Micheal Sheen plays an incredibly lovable crass and outspoken character who's language gives this movie its R-rating. and its hilarious. The movie overall was a bit lacking. The acting was fine, the story was touching in some parts, but then in other plot points were pretty blah. I was inspired by the true story of Richard Pimental, and i cried more during the "extras" with the actual Richard, then during the movie itself. i was left feeling underwhelmed and i am all about inspirational, and crying, but this just didn't do it for me. At least the music rocked.

Rory O'Shea Was Here (2004)
Am title: Inside I'm Dancing
Directed By: Damien O'Donnell
Starring: James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Steven Robertson

Rory O'Shea, played my James McAvoy (Atonement Penelope), has muscular dystrophy and can only move his right hand but he talks fast, loves trouble and rebels against the rules of his assisted living home. Micheal Connolly, played by Robertson, is a man with cerebral palsy who Rory can understand. Rory and Micheal form a friendship and Rory convinces Micheal to move out on his own and they hire Romola Garai (As You Like It, I Capture The Castle), who's not a nurse, as their nurse. Problems arise between the duo, though, when they both start to fall for her.

I watched this movie twice before i had to return it. The acting was top notch, though you can't expect less from Romola or James. The story was beautiful and inspirational. The camera was shaky and gritty at times which worked for this film. Great direction, ok editing, superb acting. All James fans should see this movie. (Connie, I'm looking in your direction...)

Documentaries

2009-01-22T01:07:00.000-07:00

Young @ Heart (2007)
Directed By: Stephen Walker
Starring: The Young@Heart Chorus
Rated: PG

First of all i LOVED this topic: senior citizens getting together to sing rock and roll songs slightly off-key? its the new "inspiring". The documentary follows members of this chorus through rigorous practices, live performances, and even, for some, their deaths. It was very hard to see some of them become sick and slowly watch their life eek away. but it was so incredible to watch how the rest of the chorus will move on and press forward, because thats how the deceased would have wanted it. I cried, i laughed, i sang along. great movie to watch with the whole family.

Two thumbs way, way up.

American Teen (2008)
Directed By: Nanette Burnstein
Rated: PG-13

The documentary follows four teens through their last year of highschool and there is a clear standout character that everyone's heart's react to, the artsy Hannah Bailey. I think most girls will identify with her, which is funny because she is the supposed "black sheep", idependant thinker of highschool. By the end of the film you feel a kinship with all the kids and you want the best for their futures, even the one's that didnt really shine. I think that speaks for some great, quality editing. There were also some really cool, symbolic uses of graphics that i wouldn't have expected but was really pleased with. Definitely a movie to watch when you forget what its like being a teen.

Three thumbs up.

Shawn Hatosy Meets: Ben Foster Meets: Disturbing Movies

2009-01-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

11:14 (2003)
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Rachael Leigh Cook, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Foster, and Hillary Swank
Directed and Written By: Greg Marks
Rated: R

This movie centers around 10 strangers who's live collide (disasterously) around the time 11:14pm. The movie is told over and over and you get to see the different perspectives and what REALLY happens when you're not around your girlfriend.

Thank goodness for the IFC channel. i would never have thought twice about this movie otherwise. Although i would have done things VERY differently with the editing, i liked the concept of showing the same story told by different people. Like that simpson's episode where its starts exactly the same, with the whole family at the house and then shows how everyone eventually met up again in random places. its my favorite episode and ive only ever seen it once. The acting was really great, the story really disturbing (which doesn't mean bad-disturbing in a good way, like sweeny todd), and the editing sketchy.

6 outta 10

Alpha Dog (2006)
Starring: Ben Foster Shawn Hatosy, Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Willis
Directed By: Nick Cassavetes
Rated: R

A drug dealer kidnapps the little brother of a client who ows him money and then mayhem ensues. This story is so sad, completely captivating, and really hard to watch again. I tried to let myself proccess the movie and then look at it again critically and i just couldn't do it. So i THINK the editing and direction was good if i didnt notice major flaws the first time. I was so focus on the characters which speaks volumes for the acting. Everyone played thier part brilliantly with the exception of one of the minor girl's role. This movie is worth watching once, at the very least to scare your teenagers.

9 outta 10.

All About Mandy Moore...

2009-01-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Saved! (2004)
Starring: Mandy Moore, Jena Malone. Macaulay Culkin, and Patrick Fugit
Directed By: Brain Dannelly (who also directed one episode of Pushing Daisies "Corpsicle"
Rated: PG-13

The story revolves around five teens growing up in a christian school, and facing those life altering issues that plague a many a fine student at any regular high school: teen-pregnancy, homosexuality, good-ol-fashioned rebellion, and jesus freaks. Right from the beginning i felt that this movie was going to be high-larious. It well acted with the exception of Macaulay-who, admittedly, had his moments- but with Partick Fugit (Almost Famous, Wristcutters) and Jena Malone (Contact, Pride and Prejudice) i wouldn't have expected less. And for her role being early on in her career, i was completely impressed with Mandy's performance. i think the director did well with his editing, and managed a movie with intense issues bright and comical, without being overly broad.

I recommend this movie to anyone who liked Juno. It has that Teen Movie feel without all the MTV-generated-ridiculousness involved.
4 outta 5 from me.

How To Deal (2003)
Starring: Mandy Moore, Allison Janney, Trent Ford
Directed by: Clare Kilner
Based on the Novels: "Someone Like You" and "That Summer" by Sarah Dessen
Rated: PG-13

The movie follows Mandy's character who is disillusioned with the concept of true love and decides instead to live by her own rules and just play around. Her "love" interest, played by Trent Ford (Godsford Park), makes her question all of her careful boundries and re-examine her beliefs. I remember seeing this movie advertised back in '03 and figured i would never watch it. It didnt seem like the type of movie i typically can get into. But after recently reading three of Sarah's YA books, i though it couldnt hurt to try it on.

Again, we're dealing with some intense teen issues, without being too depressing. It is definitely a movie for young girls (i refuse to call it a chick-flick), but i think it is one of the better made ones. The editing was a little sketchy for me, but the characters were fun to watch, and for the most part, pretty credible. There were some sweet parts, sad moments, and funny lines- mostly by Allison Janning (Juno, American Beauty), but Moore has proved to me she has good comedic timing as well. and, important note, Trent Ford was stunningly actractive all throughout.

I'd say its inbetween Ten Things I Hate About You and A Walk to Remember. Not overly broad, but not trying to be achingly depressing.
3 outta 5.

Dedication (2007)
Starring: Mandy Moore, Billy Crudup, Tom Wilkinson
Directed By: Justin Theroux
Rated: R -for language and some sexual content

We follow a chacter who is a children's book author, Billy Crudup (Almost Famous, Big Fish), as he works through deep rooted nuerosis left behind by and abusive and abandoning mother. After his main illustraitor/work partner dies he has to try and work with his new parter, Mandy Moore's Charater.

Now here was a movie with serious talent behind it. Crudup played an aggressive, crazy person with a loveable softer side, and it worked somehow. The dynamics between his character and his decessed parter, Wilkonson (Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind, Valkyrie), shown through flashbacks and imaginings, were insightful about life and love and loss, while also having and undertone of humor to break the tension. I don't think Mandy was quite the right fit for the role in this one, but she did a good enough job, she just wasn't the right fit. but it doesnt hurt the movie too much. The editing was my favortie part of this movie and really inspired me, especially during the flashback scenes. Very well directed movie.

i felt like this movie was Stranger Than Fiction meets Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind.

4.5 outta 5

First Blog Shtuff

2009-01-01T02:38:00.000-07:00

so i decided that the only way to get better at my own endeavours is by critiquing others and making mine way, way better.

Thus begins the "review blog".

Books, movies, shorts, commercials, youtube successes. anything i feel like.

things i am currently working on, some of which have real solid foundations, but all are being solidly pursued: YA Novel, Non-fiction Novel, Theater Musical, Original Screenplay, Documentary, Stop-motion shorts, Adapted Screenplay, and handfuls of short stories.

All i know is that i have these big dreams. and i dont want to be too scared to pursue them anymore. i am going to finish journalism and get a job. take film classes on the side. maybe i'll finish them all, maybe i wont. but i am going to do what i want, and work only cuz i have to.

who's with me??