The last review for this class will be Y Tu Mamá También. Watch the trailer below and see what the movie is about.
So you watched it, right? Did you get what the movie is about? Yeah no one will with that indie trailer. I watched the movie with my wife and we both have different opinions about the movie. From the review, you will see who favors it and who doesn't.
Y Tu Mamá También is a mexican film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and stars Gael García Bernal as Julio, Diego Luna as Tenoch, and Ana López Mercado as Ana.
First off, this is not a bad film. It's actually quite good in many aspects. It explores life and how things can change rapidly. It also show the hypocrisy in human nature. There is also a underlining political bed throughout the film that one will not fully understand with only one viewing.
That being said, sexuality is a big part of the movie, exploring the fantasies of men towards an attractive woman and then the curiosity of homosexuality between friends. There a few sex scenes and lots of nudity. In fact, just watch the opening scene and you will see a glimpse into the rest of the movie. This aspect of the movie is what I detested the most. However, as I didn't like the sexual tone of the film, it was weaved into the story very well and this movie wouldn't have been as powerful if these scenes were not included.
The comedy in the movie is good and very funny. Hearing the mexican spanish and all the swearing in it made me laugh throughout the film.
The actors did a fantastic job. The arguing scenes between Julio and Tenoch when they each tell each other they have slept with each other's lovers seems very real and made me feel sorry for both of them. During the fighting, the human aspect of hypocrisy is greatly shown. The reason being is that they explained about their rules earlier in the film (I don't remember the rules) and then they break all the rules, causing Ana to get very mad at them because of the hypocrisy.
My final verdict is watch it, unless you get offended by nudity and sexuality. I'll only watch it once because of that reason and because of this being an assignment. My wife loves the movie and especially loves Gael Garcia Bernal (her favorite movie of all time being Amores Perros).
As this is my last post for this class, I enjoyed it and wish the next class good luck and enjoy!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
8½ Review
At first glance, one person may just think this is just another foreign flick. I did. I expected to fall asleep. And I did. But it was because I already woke up early for work and it was a long day to watch in the evening. I only fell asleep for (I think) 15 minutes. But watching the whole film, I recommend watching it more than once to understand the story. It is a great film with great cinematography and a great story.
8½ is directed by Federico Fellini and was released in the U.S. in 1963. I'll only review two things about the movie. One negative and one positive.
First, let's do the positive. The story. It is fantastic. However, you will not get it the first time through. The film goes through flashbacks, reality, fantasies, and the actual film scenes of the movie being filmed in it. Confusing, huh? Yeah. I didn't get it for the first 30 minutes and then it slowly dimmed brighter in my head what was going on. Normally, this would be a negative point for me but Fellini does it in such a genius way that you want to find out and keep peeling the layers of the main character and see who he truly is. The opening sequence is quite odd and I had a confused WTF look as I was watching it. But as it progressed, Guido (the main character) relates to the film student audience as a lot of people want stuff from him and keep nagging at him as a director and a person. Several scenes show this brilliantly and I applaud it.
The negative? It's too long. As so, I fell asleep at some time during it. And so being a complex film and needing to watch it several times is also a negative.
My verdict? Watch it. Again. And again. It's that good.
8½ is directed by Federico Fellini and was released in the U.S. in 1963. I'll only review two things about the movie. One negative and one positive.
First, let's do the positive. The story. It is fantastic. However, you will not get it the first time through. The film goes through flashbacks, reality, fantasies, and the actual film scenes of the movie being filmed in it. Confusing, huh? Yeah. I didn't get it for the first 30 minutes and then it slowly dimmed brighter in my head what was going on. Normally, this would be a negative point for me but Fellini does it in such a genius way that you want to find out and keep peeling the layers of the main character and see who he truly is. The opening sequence is quite odd and I had a confused WTF look as I was watching it. But as it progressed, Guido (the main character) relates to the film student audience as a lot of people want stuff from him and keep nagging at him as a director and a person. Several scenes show this brilliantly and I applaud it.
The negative? It's too long. As so, I fell asleep at some time during it. And so being a complex film and needing to watch it several times is also a negative.
My verdict? Watch it. Again. And again. It's that good.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Passion of Anna Review
Let me just start by saying this is one of the most bizarre and depressing movies I have had the chance to watch. Now that I've said that, I will not watch this again. I could not find the trailer so I have put the ending scene in it. Don't worry, it's not much of a spoiler unless you watch the whole movie.
We watched Passion of Anna in class a couple of weeks ago. There were a few things that stood out to me as I watched it. First, the location and scenery is very dreary and dull, very much relating to the story.
Another aspect of the film that I would like to point out are the interviews with the actors and their view on their characters. These just occur in random times as if these were DVD extras. I did not like it as it threw off my attention and broke the storyline.
I did not like Anna's character as she is very needy and also has much mental problems that it's difficult to relate to her and feel sorry for her. She is just so bizarre.
My recommendation is watch this once and that's it. This is not in any of my top favorite lists. Far from it. Watch it and see if you feel the same or not.
In the word that finishes the film, I end this review.
SLUT
We watched Passion of Anna in class a couple of weeks ago. There were a few things that stood out to me as I watched it. First, the location and scenery is very dreary and dull, very much relating to the story.
Another aspect of the film that I would like to point out are the interviews with the actors and their view on their characters. These just occur in random times as if these were DVD extras. I did not like it as it threw off my attention and broke the storyline.
I did not like Anna's character as she is very needy and also has much mental problems that it's difficult to relate to her and feel sorry for her. She is just so bizarre.
My recommendation is watch this once and that's it. This is not in any of my top favorite lists. Far from it. Watch it and see if you feel the same or not.
In the word that finishes the film, I end this review.
SLUT
Dial M for Murder Review
Keeping up with these blogs is proving quite a challenge for me as it has been over a month. I'll now be updating what I missed.
Next movie is Dial M for Murder, a classic by mastermind Alfred Hitchcock. Being a classic, it has its moments and the story keeps you sucked in. However, for me, I would rather watch something else. I suggest you watch it and make your own choice.
Dial M for Murder is an Alfred Hitchcock film so you already know there will be mystery involved and twisted scenes in the movie.
One such scene is the famous murder scene where Margot (Grace Kelly) is almost murdered by Captain Lesgate (Anthony Dawson) as her husband Tony (Ray Willand) hears the attempted murder going on over the phone and does nothing. Why nothing? Well, he set the whole thing up. The lighting for the the scene was great. It was dark but enough light to see the actors but without over doing it. The angle of the camera and also of Lesgate before and after he gets stabbed by Margot is well accomplished as it realistically looks as if he was stabbed. I had to see it a few times as I was awed for those few seconds. Genius.
One part of that scene bothers me as to why she stays on the phone for over 30 seconds saying "hello? hello?" and pushes the lever to hang up multiple times but still there is a connection. Oh well. Maybe it's just me.
One scene does not make the movie though. I enjoyed this scene as well a a few others but that's it. I could see how many consider this a classic and why it was assigned for viewing and blog review but for me, it's just another "old film classic."
Next movie is Dial M for Murder, a classic by mastermind Alfred Hitchcock. Being a classic, it has its moments and the story keeps you sucked in. However, for me, I would rather watch something else. I suggest you watch it and make your own choice.
Dial M for Murder is an Alfred Hitchcock film so you already know there will be mystery involved and twisted scenes in the movie.
One such scene is the famous murder scene where Margot (Grace Kelly) is almost murdered by Captain Lesgate (Anthony Dawson) as her husband Tony (Ray Willand) hears the attempted murder going on over the phone and does nothing. Why nothing? Well, he set the whole thing up. The lighting for the the scene was great. It was dark but enough light to see the actors but without over doing it. The angle of the camera and also of Lesgate before and after he gets stabbed by Margot is well accomplished as it realistically looks as if he was stabbed. I had to see it a few times as I was awed for those few seconds. Genius.
One part of that scene bothers me as to why she stays on the phone for over 30 seconds saying "hello? hello?" and pushes the lever to hang up multiple times but still there is a connection. Oh well. Maybe it's just me.
One scene does not make the movie though. I enjoyed this scene as well a a few others but that's it. I could see how many consider this a classic and why it was assigned for viewing and blog review but for me, it's just another "old film classic."
Monday, October 10, 2011
Raging Bull Review
This week, I will be reviewing what many consider one of the greatest films ever made. I, for one, am part of that group. This is an excellent movie! If you have not seen the movie, first check out the trailer below.
Raging Bull is a biographical film depicting the destructive life of Jake Lamotta. It was directed by Martin Scorcese with Robert De Niro as Jake. Although nominated for best film of the year, it did not win. Scorcese was also nominated for best director of the year, but lost as well. However, De Niro claimed the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of the boxer. And rightfully so.
Right from the beginning, you notice that the movie is in black and white. Scorcese's decision was based on test footage seeming "a bit off." A friend and mentor of his, Michael Powell, suggested the gloves were throwing off the colors. Scorcese realized this was true and he decided then that this movie would be filmed in black and white. This was an excellent decision for styling and showing the "black and white" sides of Jake.
The intro of the film is simple yet it is one of my favorite intros. The slow motion, the music, and the ring setting is a stunning and memorable visual that one remembers and never forgets.
De Niro's performance was absolutely perfect. You want him to win in the fights, you hated him in his personal life and relationships, and you feel sorry for him at the end of the film, showing how much he destroyed his life.
Each fight with Sugar Ray was memorable but the scene that stands out to me is the "you never got me down, Ray" scene, where Jake tells Ray to just hit him and Jake gets pummeled and punished by a fury of punches, leaving his faced disfigured, bruised, and swollen. After the fight is stopped by the referee, Jake goes to Ray, with a smile on his face, and says, "you never got me down, Ray. You never got me down." I felt as though Jake was the ultimate badass in that moment and no other moment in the film is that feeling ever brought up again.
His jealousy was a contributing factor to his demise. One scene that I recall is when he accuses his wife Vickie of sleeping with his brother Joey (Joe Pesci), hits her repeatedly, then walks to Joey's home and begins beating his brother up badly. This is a disturbing scene that pulls a lot of negative emotion from the viewer to despise Jake. Jake has completely lost his mind De Niro does a great job in showing it, albeit with everyone hating him.
Towards the end of the film, he is now a club owner and his wife Vickie is wanting a divorce. He ends up getting in trouble with the law and is needing $10,000 to try and get his charges dropped. However, he is unable to and is arrested and put in jail. In the jail cell, he begins to punch and headbutt the concrete wall and talks to himself, realizing how much he has failed in his life. You begin to feel sorry for the man.
I give this film an A and highly recommend you watch this. If you have seen it, watch it again. And again. And again. It's one of Martin Scorcese's best films (also see The Departed)
Raging Bull is a biographical film depicting the destructive life of Jake Lamotta. It was directed by Martin Scorcese with Robert De Niro as Jake. Although nominated for best film of the year, it did not win. Scorcese was also nominated for best director of the year, but lost as well. However, De Niro claimed the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of the boxer. And rightfully so.
Right from the beginning, you notice that the movie is in black and white. Scorcese's decision was based on test footage seeming "a bit off." A friend and mentor of his, Michael Powell, suggested the gloves were throwing off the colors. Scorcese realized this was true and he decided then that this movie would be filmed in black and white. This was an excellent decision for styling and showing the "black and white" sides of Jake.
The intro of the film is simple yet it is one of my favorite intros. The slow motion, the music, and the ring setting is a stunning and memorable visual that one remembers and never forgets.
De Niro's performance was absolutely perfect. You want him to win in the fights, you hated him in his personal life and relationships, and you feel sorry for him at the end of the film, showing how much he destroyed his life.
Each fight with Sugar Ray was memorable but the scene that stands out to me is the "you never got me down, Ray" scene, where Jake tells Ray to just hit him and Jake gets pummeled and punished by a fury of punches, leaving his faced disfigured, bruised, and swollen. After the fight is stopped by the referee, Jake goes to Ray, with a smile on his face, and says, "you never got me down, Ray. You never got me down." I felt as though Jake was the ultimate badass in that moment and no other moment in the film is that feeling ever brought up again.
His jealousy was a contributing factor to his demise. One scene that I recall is when he accuses his wife Vickie of sleeping with his brother Joey (Joe Pesci), hits her repeatedly, then walks to Joey's home and begins beating his brother up badly. This is a disturbing scene that pulls a lot of negative emotion from the viewer to despise Jake. Jake has completely lost his mind De Niro does a great job in showing it, albeit with everyone hating him.
Towards the end of the film, he is now a club owner and his wife Vickie is wanting a divorce. He ends up getting in trouble with the law and is needing $10,000 to try and get his charges dropped. However, he is unable to and is arrested and put in jail. In the jail cell, he begins to punch and headbutt the concrete wall and talks to himself, realizing how much he has failed in his life. You begin to feel sorry for the man.
I give this film an A and highly recommend you watch this. If you have seen it, watch it again. And again. And again. It's one of Martin Scorcese's best films (also see The Departed)
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Glengarry Glen Ross Review
This week, I will be reviewing Glengarry Glen Ross. My first impression after watching this movie is "this was great writing and dialogue." But the plot is the weakness of the movie. Here is the trailer.
Glengarry Glen Ross is about realty salesmen and leads. That's pretty much it. There are great actors in the cast who do an excellent job. I really enjoyed their performances as they delivered their dialogue with convincing ease though vulgarity was quite prominent throughout the film.
Alec Baldwin's speech at the beginning was my favorite scene in the movie as he delivered it in such a cocky manner that it was very comical. My favorite character in the movie though was Al Pacino as he knew how to control himself and when and who needed to talk to vulgar and when to be patient with a client. The scene I speak of is when a client of his comes in with buyer's remorse and then he chews out Kevin Spacey.
Now to the plot. It was hard to follow. The performances outweighed the plot. It was just basically leads and yelling profanities. So I didn't like that aspect of the film.
Would I recommend this film? Sure, if you don't mind the swearing and lack of plot.
Glengarry Glen Ross is about realty salesmen and leads. That's pretty much it. There are great actors in the cast who do an excellent job. I really enjoyed their performances as they delivered their dialogue with convincing ease though vulgarity was quite prominent throughout the film.
Alec Baldwin's speech at the beginning was my favorite scene in the movie as he delivered it in such a cocky manner that it was very comical. My favorite character in the movie though was Al Pacino as he knew how to control himself and when and who needed to talk to vulgar and when to be patient with a client. The scene I speak of is when a client of his comes in with buyer's remorse and then he chews out Kevin Spacey.
Now to the plot. It was hard to follow. The performances outweighed the plot. It was just basically leads and yelling profanities. So I didn't like that aspect of the film.
Would I recommend this film? Sure, if you don't mind the swearing and lack of plot.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Asphalt Jungle Review
This time around, the movie was available on streaming through Netflix and I didn't need to wait for the DVD through snail mail. So I added it on my queue and hit play. Check out the trailer and movie review below.
The Asphalt Jungle is a film directed by John Huston and was released in 1950. After watching The Treasure of Sierra Madre, I was looking forward to this film after reading the synopsis of the film. I am going to be honest with you, though. I tried two times to watch the film and 20 minutes into the film, I fell asleep. My wife came in to wake me up and the movie was still playing. The first time, I stopped it with the intention to start where I remembered (which was the scene where the police captain was chewing out someone) and tried the second attempt from there. I watched a bit further more and fell asleep again. I did not try again to watch it completely.
So I can tell you the only thing I remembered and liked was the cinematography and the lighting as a gritty city in all the scenes I watched. That is pretty much the only thing I enjoyed.
If this movie made me fall asleep in the first 20-30 minutes of the film, then the story was too slow to capture my attention. However, it may capture your attention and you will be hooked and wondering what was going to happen next. However, it did not for me.
The Asphalt Jungle is a film directed by John Huston and was released in 1950. After watching The Treasure of Sierra Madre, I was looking forward to this film after reading the synopsis of the film. I am going to be honest with you, though. I tried two times to watch the film and 20 minutes into the film, I fell asleep. My wife came in to wake me up and the movie was still playing. The first time, I stopped it with the intention to start where I remembered (which was the scene where the police captain was chewing out someone) and tried the second attempt from there. I watched a bit further more and fell asleep again. I did not try again to watch it completely.
So I can tell you the only thing I remembered and liked was the cinematography and the lighting as a gritty city in all the scenes I watched. That is pretty much the only thing I enjoyed.
If this movie made me fall asleep in the first 20-30 minutes of the film, then the story was too slow to capture my attention. However, it may capture your attention and you will be hooked and wondering what was going to happen next. However, it did not for me.
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