52 Films By Women: Big (1988)

      Story:
      Big follows the story of a boy named Josh (David Moscow) who, after being told he's too short to go on a ride, makes a wish at a fortune teller machine that he was taller. But the following morning, he gets an even bigger problem when he wakes up as an older man (Tom Hanks) and he must try to find the same machine where his wish was granted to be young again.

      Ups:
       First off, the film's brightest spot is Tom Hanks as older Josh. He perfectly captures the role of his inner child in an adult's body. Hanks manages to find a balance between both childlike wonder and sometimes melancholic weariness of the adult world.

       Next is the direction by Penny Marshall. What Marshall manages to do is take the film's fantasy elements and ground them into reality. Even though there aren't any visual effects shown on screen, you can still get a sense of the fantasy-driven storyline thanks to the plot.

      Also, much like the similarly plotted 13 Going On 30, I felt that the film manages to successfully convey the message of not growing up too fast and enjoying life while you're young. But another message that this film conveys that 13 Going On 30 didn't is that even when you grow old, it doesn't mean you have to always grow up. That message is thanks in large part to Hanks' performance since while his character deals with the responsibilities of being an actual adult, he'll still frolic on a trampoline like he's his 13-year old self or dance on a big toy piano with his boss.

      Downs:
      NIL.

      Consensus:
      Overall, Big is a fantastical gem mixed with profound realism and successfully anchored by Tom Hanks' performance. It certainly has the right title as it is packed with big laughs and heart.

Grade: A+

     

     

52 Films By Women: The Parent Trap (1998)

         As part of the #52FilmsByWomen pledge, my first film review for the series is the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap directed by Nancy Meyers.

     Story:
     The Parent Trap follows the story of Hallie Parker and Annie James (Lindsay Lohan) who are two identical twins that were separated after their parents (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson) got divorced and first meet while at summer camp. While there, they decide to trade places and concoct a plan to get their parents back together.

     Ups:
     To me, what really makes the film work and holds it together is the performances by the main cast. The females in the cast especially. Lindsay Lohan gives a terrific dual performance as the two identical twins and is a reminder of the talent she possesses yet sadly would slowly become wasted. I also thought Natasha Richardson, may she rest in peace, was a real standout as she managed to blend both maternal grace and frantic comedic prowess and sometimes in the same scene. Dennis Quaid was also terrific as the father, consistently possessing a sly charm that makes you realize why the mother fell in love with him yet wonder why they would be so far apart.

    Downs:
    Honestly, there isn't much that I can think of that I hate about this movie. Its story is fun, touching and pretty simple while being successfully anchored by its technically three main performances. All of them well-directed by Nancy Meyers who, to me, allows her actors to be as naturalistic as possible. I would say that this is even my overall consensus. Its simple, family friendly story is elevated by the naturalistic performances of its main trio. The film itself isn't anything groundbreaking but as I said, it's a fun family film.

Grade: A

 

Retro Review: The Princess Bride (1987)

                       

         
                     'The Princess Bride' Sits On A High Throne
   
          It would make sense that Christopher Guest would have a part in this since the humor in this film manages to lie in the characters much like in his movies.

     Story:
    The Princess Bride follows the story of a kid (Fred Savage) whose grandfather (Peter Falk) reads him a story about a princess named Buttercup (Robin Wright) and the farm boy named Westley (Cary Elwes) that tries to capture her heart.

    Ups:
   To me, what makes this film so funny is that the humor lies in the characters. A few in particular that stood out were the bumbling outlaw Vizzini, played by Wallace Shawn, and his accomplice Inigo Montoya, played by Mandy Patinkin, who is seeking revenge against the six-fingered man that killed his father. I thought a lot of the characters were very colorful, but those two stole the film. I also loved how the character of Buttercup was written. They made her very lovelorn yet also very witty and Robin Wright makes you realize why Westley would fall in love with her as both she and Cary Elwes have such rich chemistry.

    I also appreciate the film for its self-awareness in terms of its fantasy genre and how it toys with the typical conventions of ig like the way the hero attempts to save the girl and the banter between two characters as they sword fight and all that.

     Downs:
     NIL.

      Consensus:
     Overall, The Princess Bride is an imaginative fantasy that is also a hilarious romp. It features colorful characters and toys with the conventions of its genre without losing sight of it.

     Would I Recommend It?:
     Absolutely. Watch it with the whole family. It's a classic.

Grade: A

Retro Review: Jaws (1975)

                                         

                                 After 40 Years, 'Jaws' Still Has Teeth
         
             One thing that I just noticed is that Universal is having a killer summer at the box office. It would make sense that they would lay claim to this summer movie season 40 years after they released THE blockbuster that helped coined that term: Steven Spielberg's Jaws.

               Story:
             Jaws follows the story of a police officer named Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) who, along with a local fisherman named Quint (Robert Shaw) and an oceanographer named Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), tries to fight off a shark that is killing off the town's local residents.

               Ups:
             Where do I begin? I'll start off by saying that what makes this blockbuster work so well is that it succeeds in the simple aesthetics of a great film. Blockbusters nowadays are usually cinematic junk food with explosions, minimal character development, and half-assed CGI. But Jaws' minimalism has helped it hold up to this day and I think because it taps into a common fear people have while demonstrating relatable characters, that kind of realism drew people into the theater to have an emotional experience of some kind. That's one main reason we go to the movies in the first place. To connect and experience.

           Anyways, the first thing about this film I liked is the famous score by Mr. John Williams. The genius of his score is how in the shark attack scenes, the score grows louder and louder as the shark gets closer, increasing the tension in each scene.

          Next, I'll get into the editing. From the minute the film opens, we are given an idea of what the film is about and it keeps going forward from there. Even when the pace slows down, it doesn't feel like it's dragging. One of my favorite edited scenes is one of the shark attack scenes where Brody is watching different beach goers in the water and there are quick cuts from one beach goer to another, indicating that the shark will claim its next victim but you don't know who. I also loved how director Steven Spielberg doesn't allow us to see the actual monster until towards the end. When we do see it, things get frightening, but it's even scarier when we don't and we are in the point of view of the shark when it is underwater.

        As I mentioned before, the film has very relatable characters and that is thanks in large part to the writing as well as the actors portraying them. You have Brody, the everyman captain trying to protect the citizens of his summer town that slowly tries to overcome his fear of the water, Quint, the bloodthirsty fisherman who demands a large bounty for the shark yet, in one haunting monologue, reveals his deep motives behind his vicious manhunt, and Hooper, the young marine biologist who serves as comic relief.

       Downs:
       NIL.

       Consensus:
       Overall, Jaws is a perfectly crafted blockbuster that, like Star Wars, is a reminder of why we go to the movies. It is filled with horror and suspense yet also has moments of action and light humor and is expertly directed by Mr. Steven Spielberg. It is ultimately not just a well-crafted film, but an experience.

      Would I Recommend It?:
      Absolutely. It's a classic and should be experienced by everyone. There are some scenes of blood and violence, but even those aren't that terrible. But it is required viewing for anyone who loves film.

Grade: A+

Retro Review: Jurassic Park (1993)

                   

             
                            'Jurassic Park' Is Pure Dino-Mite! 
 
           Well, it seems that just like how the T-Rex is King of the Dinosaurs, Steven Spielberg is the King of the Blockbuster.

     Story:
   Jurassic Park follows two scientists named Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) who are invited to a special theme park created by billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) where genetically engineered dinosaurs are created. However, things slowly begin to go awry as the group slowly experiences the errors of toying with science.

     Ups:
    I'll start off by discussing the effects. They are done with such precision that you can tell which scenes have CGI and which have practical without it seeming too obvious, meaning that the computer-generated effects don't look half finished or anything like that. But whenever the animatronic dinosaurs were used and would close in on the different actors, it creates an uneasy feeling on the viewer since it feels like a real dinosaur is hunting these characters. That actually brings me to my next point.

     I loved how the main characters were written and how they were given development so that we actually care about who lives and who dies. You have Dr. Grant, who is cynical about children but slowly shows kindness to the child characters in the film. There is also Ellie, the scientist who is serious about her job yet still very down-to-earth; Ian Malcolm, the hot shot, John Hammond, the optimistic yet slowly doomed billionaire; Dennis Nedry, the computer operator who serves as a spy for a rival company yet gets in way over his head as he is anxious about his task; the rather mature grandchildren of Hammond named Lex and Tim, and Ray Arnold, the straight-laced chain smoking engineer. All fully-realized characters that have us glued into the film watching experience.

      I also want to point out the use of sound effects. While the dinosaurs attacking the human characters was pretty horrifying, for me, some of the scariest scenes were the ones where we hear thumping. When we see a glass of water shaking or gelatin moving on a spoon, it is an indication of the dinosaurs approaching and that helps build tension for the attack scenes.

       Downs:
      NIL.

       Consensus:
      Overall, Jurassic Park is a definitive blockbuster that delivers meaningful sci-fi as well as tension-filled horror mixed with fleshed out characterizations to give the film a lighter touch as well. Its mix of different genres and moods truly helps it define what true cinema is and why we go to the movies in the first place.

Grade: A+

Double Decker: Alien (1979) and Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)

Hello, Bloggers, after having seen two classic alien features, I figured I'd provide reviews of them for you folks. Before I did a Triple Crown of reviews, but for this one, I will do a double feature or Double Decker if you will. These two films are the 1979 film Alien and the original Invasion Of The Body Snatchers.

                                             Alien (1979):
         Alien is a rather claustrophobic horror film that manages to weave in various horror elements as it is a creature feature involving a body count with body horror added in while it solves the problem of the haunted house as it has the main characters trapped in a spaceship. The genius of its scares is not just the creature itself, but how director Ridley Scott incorporates simple techniques like dark corners, the sound of a heart beating when danger approaches, and the horror of suggestion as a lot of the victims are killed off-screen. I also liked the creature designs of the different aliens and how they are all practically designed as I have made it known that I prefer practical over CGI effects.

    There is also quite a sense of humanity present, meaning you care about the characters that are given distinct personalities. The performances by the cast are also astounding especially Sigourney Weaver as the main and now iconic heroine Ripley. So overall, Alien is an essential classic that features terrific performances, precise direction, and is bound to frighten, whether you are a fan of creature features or haunted house films as this offers the best of both worlds.

Grade: A+
                                     

               
                     Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956):
        Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a timeless classic that still captures the era it was filmed in as the antagonistic "pod people" taking over the inhabitants of a small town turning them into mindless drones was served as an allegory for communism and McCarthyism due to the film's main protagonists trying to fight the pod people or "take a stance against the communists" so to speak. But its horror elements lie in its subtlety. When you notice the change in the behavior of some of the citizens in the small town, that creates an uneasy feeling. I also loved the design of the "pod people". One of my favorite scenes in the film is the one in the greenhouse where the main characters see the pod people coming out of their shells and forming into human duplicates. The effects looked very real and if I were to remake this film, I would do something similar to what they did here. So, Invasion of the Body Snatchers proves just how less is more. Its thematic material captures the horrors of its era that might still be relevant today and what the effects lack in grand scope, they make up for in authenticity.

Grade: A

Retro Review: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

                                       

     
        The Star Wars Saga Bowls A 'Strike' With This Spectacular Sequel
   
          So.......I guess a sequel can not only have what made the original so great, but manage to really surpass the original on every level?

          Story:
          The Empire Strikes Back follows the story of Jedi-in-training Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who must now be taken under the wing of the Master Jedi Yoda (Frank Oz) in order to take down Darth Vader, who has plans to capture Luke's comrades Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Chewbacca, and C-3P0 in order to lure him and persuade him to join the Dark Side.

          Ups:
         Much like the first film, the action sequences, as well as the film itself, are well-crafted from every angle from the score to the acting. However, I feel like there was plenty of emphasis on the acting. In particular, the lightsaber fight between Darth Vader and Luke towards the end had emotion put into it. The dark lighting in that scene was also well-done. While I am on the subject of the actors, they all did a splendid job. Harrison Ford amazingly impresses as the hotshot pilot with a heart of gold Han Solo, Carrie Fisher is once again strong-willed yet lovestruck as Princess Leia and Mark Hamill is incredibly sympathetic and determined as Luke Skywalker.

   Another thing I liked was how it took different genres and molded them into a more cinematic achievement.  Not only does it have spectacular action and sci-fi sequences, but it also has a bit of romance thrown in, a tearjerker moment, as well as suspense since it has one of the greatest movie twists of all time. Plus, the main characters are very likable and even the villains, like Darth Vader, are rather complex. So, it has a little something for everyone.
     
       Downs:
        NIL.

       Consensus:
       Overall, The Empire Strikes Back is a grand cinematic achievement that not only manages to incorporate what made the original so great, but improve upon it. It has sci-fi, action, drama, romance, and suspense all rolled into one. It is proof that you can make a movie that can be used as precision filmmaking and entertainment.

     Would I Recommend It?:
     Absolutely. But I would recommend seeing the original first so you don't get lost.

Grade: A+

Retro Review: Persona (1966)

           

       'Persona': A Complex Yet Incredibly Haunting Trip Into The Human Conscience

      Persona is a film that, despite being categorized as more of a psychological drama, has plenty of horror elements as it delves into the terrors of what goes on in the human mind and shows what happens when one mentally unravels in such a unique way thanks to the stylistic direction by Ingmar Bergman.

       Story:
      Persona follows the story of a nurse named Alma (Bibi Andersson) who is asked to take care of an actress named Elizabete (Liv Ullmann) who has gone mute. But as Alma gets closer with her, they began to absorb aspects of each other's persona.

      Ups:
     I'll start off with the beautiful performances by the two lead actresses. First, I'll get into Liv Ullmann. Ullmann hardly ever utters a peep, yet she still is able to convey plenty of emotions and layers to her character as Elizabete acts as Alma's patient, confidante, manipulator, and possible conscience. Bibi Andersson is also a revelation as Alma, who seems very delicate at first yet after one long confession, starts to mentally unravel with her delicate layer being slowly peeled off.

     Next, I'll discuss the black-and-white cinematography by Sven Nyquist. I loved that Nyquist shot it in black and white because it is a representation of how Andersson and Ullmann's characters are two halfs of the same coin. The yin to each other's yang. If it was shot in color, it wouldn't have the same effect, in my opinion. The way he and director Ingmar Bergman shot it helps create the supreme mystery that surrounds the two ladies. For example, there is one scene where Elizabete's (or Alma's) husband visits and consummates with Alma and the camera focuses on Elizabete with Alma and the husband in the background, which makes the audience wonder whether this is in Elizabete's head or if Elizabete is just a persona observing those two. We are hardly given much answers yet I still love that. Persona is one of those films where you have to let it take you in on its uncertainty.

     Downs:
     NIL.

     Consensus:
     Overall, Persona is a well-crafted yet incredibly haunting look into the human psyche. The performances by Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann are an absolute master class and the direction by Ingmar Bergman is beautifully artistic.

    Would I Recommend It?:
    It won't suit everybody's tastes because it requires subtitles and it doesn't necessarily have a straight forward story. But if you want to study acting and especially cinematography, PLEASE put this on your watch list.

Grade: A

12 Movies of Christmas: Goodfellas (1990)

                                                               

                   
                     This Pretty Much Proves Why Scorsese Is A Master At 'Good' Movies

               In my opinion, what makes a film a genuine classic is when it not only has everything that makes a movie great, but potentially inspires other filmmakers to make something like it with their own respective vision. Goodfellas is certainly that kind of film since if Martin Scorsese didn't bring it to the screen, who knows whether we'd successfully see the long-running show The Sopranos brought to life or if we'd see special works of art from the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and David O. Russell.

            Story:
          Goodfellas is based on the true story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) who grew up in New York City and since he was a kid, would go on to become a gangster. He and his fellow associates, James Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), then try to climb their way to the top, only to realize the hard way that eventually, all kings eventually become dethroned.

            Ups:
          First off, I'll discuss the direction my Mr. Marty Scorsese as well as the editing by his longtime collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker. The way they put the film together makes the structure seem like a fast-paced 2-hour drug high, which makes sense because since it is about mobsters, drugs are certain to be involved. So, that whole fast pace represents how the descent that these characters go into comes quickly and is a metaphor for a drug habit. Scorsese even uses his traditional directing techniques like the use of the long tracking shot. One of his more famous uses of this technique in the film is the scene where Henry takes Karen through the Copacabana club.

          Another thing that I really liked was the brilliant acting by the cast. Ray Liotta was just phenomenal as Henry Hill as he undergoes a rather fast-paced and aggressive character arc from mobster on top to one who lets his pride become his downfall. Robert De Niro also delivers solid supporting work as James Conway but the real scene-stealer is hands down Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito. Pesci is like a hurricane in this as he destroys whatever is in his path yet you don't know what he'll hit or whether he'll hit you. After seeing this performance, it shouldn't surprise me that Pesci won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. I also want to give a shout-out to Lorraine Bracco as Henry's wife, Karen. Bracco is so fiery and aggressive as Henry's flustered wife yet I kept waiting for her to appear back on screen. Not only is Goodfellas a director's and editor's movie, but it is also an actor's movie as well. It's very much an everything movie.

          Downs:
         NIL.

          Consensus:
         Overall, Goodfellas is a crime saga with an adrenaline rush that makes for unique filmmaking while also giving the film slight entertainment value. The performances all around are fantastic, Martin Scorsese's direction is flawless and Thelma Schoonmaker's editing is stuff to be taught in film school. It is, just, perfect.

          Would I Recommend It?:
          Absolutely. I'd recommend to Scorsese fans (If you like his work, this should be #1 on your watch list), film students, and people who generally love movies.

Grade: A+

         

       

Another 31 Days Of Halloween: Diabolique (1955)

                                             

                 
                 'Diabolique': A Well-Crafted Thriller Done With Great Hitchcockian Flare

 Hello, Bloggers, I have yet another review of a foreign horror/thriller film, but that is actually the trend I am doing for this year's Halloween segment. I am looking to try and focus on foreign or indie horror films that I feel should be recognized more and here is my next one: The French black-and-white thriller known as Diabolique.

         Story:
         Diabolique, or Les Diaboliques, follows the story of two women: Christina (Vera Clouzot), teacher at a boy's boarding school, and Nicole (Simone Signoret), Christina's husband's mistress. Both Christina and Nicole have made plans to kill Christina's abusive husband. When they go through with it and dump the body, the body becomes missing and things slowly take a turn for the worse.

        Ups:
       First off, I did really like the performances from the two female leads. Although I thought the true star of the film is without a doubt, Vera Clouzot. She is just astounding as the wife who is at first skeptic about the whole scheme yet after she goes through with it, she goes through a struggle to not slip. She didn't even have to utter a peep to demonstrate that. The magic is all in her facial expressions. But Simone Signoret is equally as astounding as the more feisty Nicole.

      Another thing I really liked was how the film manages to gear its focus mainly on the killers. For some reason, I find those types of thrillers interesting and this one was no different. It was interesting how we watch the two women slowly succumb to the madness that affected the big decision they made in the film. Apparently, this film was the inspiration for Psycho, but I see this as more along the lines of Hitchcock's own Rope, which is told from the point of view of the antagonists. Although, I can see where the comparisons between this and Psycho lie.

       Downs:
      I'm not going to lie, I did have one slightly minor complaint. I thought at times, the pacing was a little off and the film was a little longer than it really needed to be. If they had cut out a few bits of Christina acting all skeptic, then it would've been shorter. Plus, even though Christina's husband is abusive, I thought the filmmakers made it a little too "on the nose" in terms of demonstrating that the husband is a creep.

       Consensus:
      Overall, Les Diaboliques is a well-constructed Hitchcockian thriller that features stunning performances from its leading ladies. The film has its fair share of flaws, but it doesn't mean it isn't an inventive masterpiece.

       Would I Recommend It?:
      If you like Hitchcock or foreign films, I would definitely say go for it. But otherwise, maybe not. Although it is considered a film classic, so if you want to see any film placed under that category, then I would say "Yeah, sure".

Grade: B+

Another 31 Days Of Halloween: Sisters (1973)

                                     

         
                                'Sisters': A Psychological Exercise In The Macabre Thriller
       
         Slasher films or violent thrillers that rarely have any violence are almost a rarity, in my opinion. Although films that focus on and show only one murder can be very successful, just like this film. Sisters is that kind of violent thriller yet it adds its own unique twist.


           Story:
       Sisters follows the story of a model named Danielle (Margot Kidder) who has a separated Siamese twin named Dominique that committed a murder witnessed by a reporter named Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt). The police don't believe Grace's story when she tries to tell them, so it is up to her to do some investigating on her own.

           Ups:
       I'll start off by saying I thought the idea was very intriguing. Not only is the premise intriguing, but it was neat that it was a female-centered horror film and those are a rarity these days, in my opinion. I also thought that director Brian DePalma's use of split screen was very nice. My favorite scene that he incorporated the split-screen technique in, and this might be the only time De Palma used it, is the murder sequence. That sequence has the point of view of Grace, who is watching the murder, and the point of view of the people involved in the murder taking place. I remember when I watched the murder sequence while watching this film, I was pretty shaken.

      I also liked how the film isn't a straight-up slasher flick. It relies more on mystery and as we watch Grace try to find the truth and dig deeper, we are slowly shaken to the core once she finds out more about the horrors behind the murder, which is the film's centerpiece. In the midst of sex and gore-driven horror films that came out around the time this one did, this one is more based on plot, atmosphere, and as I just mentioned, mystery. It certainly doesn't surprise me that this film became a part of the Criterion Collection.

          Downs:
        NIL.

         Consensus:
       Overall, Sisters is a mind-numbing mystery that may leave you shaken up until the film's climax. The direction by auteur Brian De Palma is simply spectacular and something to study in film class and is a standout amongst splatter-soaked slasher films.

         Would I Recommend It?:
       Yes. If you are in the mood for an old-fashioned murder mystery, I would definitely recommend it. Plus, if you like mystery or violent thrillers, but don't want a lot of the bloody violence that comes with them, then I would still say give it a watch.

Grade: B+

Another 31 Days Of Halloween: The Faculty (1998)

                     

         
                      'The Faculty': A Lesson On How To Make A Classic  For The Modern Age

        I have slowly admitted that the types of horror films that terrify me to the point that I won't watch them are films about creepy dolls and clowns. But there is also another type of horror film that kind of creeps under my skin. The kind where the main character tries to convince those around them that the world is being taken over and they are slowly screwed. The Faculty is that type of film, yet has the right amount of humor thrown in to make it watchable.

       Story:
    The Faculty follows the story of a high school where the teachers slowly become taken over by aliens. A group of teenagers then come together as the rest of the student body starts to become infected and they try to fight off this alien force.

       Ups:
    One thing about this film that I really liked has to be the development of the main characters. I loved how all the main characters each had their own distinct personality and can easily be somebody that viewers could relate to. You have Stokely, the outcast who makes up an identity for herself, Casey, the outsider who is constantly harassed, Delilah, the goody-two-shoes head cheerleader, Stan, the quarterback who quits to exceed in his academics, Marybeth, the perky new girl, and Zeke, the slacker who is held back in his senior year. Plus, I loved how the different characters play off of each other.

    I even thought that, since this was done by Kevin Williamson, who gave us the first two Scream films, it was neat how he managed to create Invasion of the Body Snatchers and make it for the Scream generation. He even includes interesting ways to figure out whether the characters are infected or not. For example, there is a scene where the main characters sniff coke since that kills the parasite that is infecting everyone else. Also, like Scream, this film manages to weave a potent blend of both horror and humor. But there was one scene that did terrify me. The one in the football game where the high school football players keep infecting their opponents and the cover of the song "Another Brick In The Wall" by Pink Floyd is playing in the background. I thought the inclusion of that cover was not only fitting since the film is about high school, but it brought quite a chill to the film that was already pretty chilling to begin with. I guess I find myself pretty freaked out by horror films that deal with people turning evil and when you try to tell people, they all think you're crazy.

    Downs:
    NIL.

    Consensus:
   Overall, The Faculty is a fun sci-fi romp that feels like a modern-day Invasion of the Body Snatchers, yet it works. It has fun and colorful characters and a hefty amount and balance of both chills and humor.

    Would I Recommend It?:
   Absolutely. I consider this to be an underrated gem in the horror genre, so I would say give this one a watch. You'll be in for a treat. It may not be the next Thing, but it doesn't aim to be. It's a fun horror flick that serves its purpose.

Grade: B+

 

Another 31 Days Of Halloween: The Fog (1980)

                                 

                 
                                             This 'Fog' Causes A Deadly Weather Forecast

Hello, Bloggers, welcome to Another 31 Days Of Halloween, where each day, I try to do one blog post pertaining to all things horror in the spirit of Halloween, of course. For my first review, I will discuss the bone-chilling masterpiece that is 1980's The Fog. 

*Note: Some of my reviews, like this one, may be shorter than others, depending on my load of schoolwork and whatever else may keep me busy.

             Story:
         The Fog deals with a small California town that is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. However, the celebration slowly comes to a close once a bunch of lepers, who got cast out from that town into their own colony, rise from their watery graves to seek revenge for their deaths.

           Ups:
         The thing that I loved the most about this film has to be its simplicity. When they filmed the movie and the scenes with the fog, they used old fog machines to hide the monsters yet because we never see the monsters, it just makes the film more terrifying. It gives the viewer a feeling of helplessness and literally being lost in the fog. The fog is even in indication of the danger that will come, which enhances the film-watching experience in a way because once you see the fog and the characters get near it, you're like "No, don't go there". It's part of the joy of watching a horror film and brings for some thrilling suspense scenes.

         Another thing I liked and this is probably a potential spoiler, was how we almost never see the faces of the dead lepers. Just like with plenty other horror films back then, our mind would create what happens. We could create our picture of what these ghosts looks like. It is movies like this that are the reason why I love low-budget horror. Those films prove that you don't need a higher budget with cheap CGI to provide quality scares.

           Downs:
           NIL.

           Consensus:
          Overall, The Fog is an atmospheric, chilling exercise on horror that succeeds thanks to its sheer simplicity. It is packed with suspense and traps you in the fog from the minute the horror starts to the minute it is over.

          Would I Recommend It?:
          To the horror fans, ABSOLUTELY. If you are a fan of ghost stories, or all horror films in general, put this high on your watch list. Plus, it is a John Carpenter film, and for those of you that are familiar with his work, that is very telling.

Grade: A

       

       

Retro Review: The Sting (1973)

                         

                   
                                The Film Doesn't 'Sting' Like A Bee, Nor Even A Wasp

             One of a great film's key components is not just the story or even the acting, but the ending as well. The ending is usually when the biggest action takes place and if it fails, it can hurt the film significantly but if it succeeds, then it makes for a truly wonderful film. Fortunately, The Sting does the latter rather than the former.

        Story:
       The Sting follows the story of a grifter named Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) who is on the run and heads to Chicago to team up with an old former con man named Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman). Together, Hooker and Gondorff look to pull off a big con, or "sting", against a crime boss named Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw) in order to win a fortune by staging a fake betting parlor for horse racing.

        Ups:
      One thing that I really liked was the film's score by Scott Joplin and Marvin Hamlisch. I especially liked the film's opening theme that keeps playing in my head. I feel that the film's upbeat ragtime score is in sync with the 30's time period that the film is set in. It gives the film quite a bit of energy. Another thing I liked was the film's use of title cards before each chapter. I thought those gave the film a nice touch and of course fit the whole 30's era.

       But one thing I liked about the story was how it takes its time to set up the big "sting". Slowly, we get to know the main characters and steadily watch then come up with their big plan. The reason that works so well is because by the end, when the "sting" takes place, it hits you like "wow". It's like lava slowly going up the pipe in a volcano, but in a good way. I also really liked the ending. I definitely don't want to give it away for those that haven't seen it, but I'll just say that in the end, it showed where the film's real comedy lies since the film is marketed as a comedy crime caper. But some of the scenes between Newman and Redford did make for some comedic relief as well. Other than that, I found that there were maybe one or two humanistic scenes that give the film not just drama but heart as well. That's why I thought this was a slightly better con  film than, say, American Hustle. While Hustle was an entertaining, in-your-face romp, after repeated viewings, I thought the film's only depth and heart came from the actors which makes sense since that is more of an actor's movie than this is, but that's not the point.

       Downs:
      NIL.

       Consensus:
      Overall, The Sting is a dynamite crime caper filled with great storytelling, brilliant chemistry from Newman and Redford, and above all, heart. It doesn't take little time with its story yet doesn't go overboard and when the pay-off at the end happens, it hits you like "Wow".

       Would I Recommend It?:
      Definitely. I would say give it a rent because it is an essential classic and for those that follow the Oscars, won Best Picture. Plus, if you like Newman and Redford, put this high on your watch list.

Grade: A

Retro Review: Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

                                         

               
                             'Bonnie and Clyde': A Dynamite Portrait Of Violent Youth

       Whenever there is a film that comes out that critics or audiences don't know how to warm up to or really warm up to, it is usually a film that changes the game for cinema, whether it'd be Pulp Fiction which started the trend of non-linear storytelling or Brokeback Mountain which was a boundary breaker in terms of romance films. Bonnie and Clyde, however, was a film that people were unsure how to warm up to, yet today is considered an essential piece of filmmaking.

         Story:
       Bonnie and Clyde follows the story of two youngsters named Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow (Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty). They are both bank robbers who fall in love after a chance encounter yet start to find themselves on the run from the law.

        Ups:
      One thing that I liked which surprised me was how the film manages to become more humanistic as the film progresses. Once Bonnie and Clyde find themselves on the run and Clyde's family starts to get involved, we begin to see that these are two youngsters trapped by their own choices. The film is very much about rebellious youth and it shows that even though these two people are violent bank robbers, they are practically still youngsters. There is even a scene where Bonnie says how she misses her mother. So, the film doesn't just demonstrate youth and violence, but how these youths are affected by their own doing.

     I also thought the performances by the two leads were spectacular. Warren Beatty brings such spectacular and utter charm to the role of cunning bank robber Clyde while Faye Dunaway is equally as charming and devious yet is a bit more vulnerable. The two of them have such rich chemistry and I found myself on their side. Apparently, when the film came out, it received a lot of controversy for making the criminals the heroes as well as for its violence, but that's only because at the time, making the criminals the heroes hadn't really been done and I think critics just didn't know how to warm up to a film like that. It is like of like how when Brokeback Mountain came out, there were plenty that didn't know how to warm up to a romance between two gay cowboys. So it was a real game changer when it came out and is still very essential to this day.

        Downs:
      NIL.

        Consensus:
      Overall,  Bonnie and Clyde is an essential piece of cinema that features dynamite, star-making performances from its two charismatic leads. It is a violent tale that still manages to serve as a morality tale about two violent youngsters that at the end of the day are still youngsters.

       Would I Recommend It?:
       Absolutely. It is a classic and even though it has its fair share of violent scenes, it's nothing too crazy. At the time, it was considered crazy, but now, it wouldn't be. Although, this film was one of, if not the first, to open the door for more films about sex and violence.

Grade: A

Retro Review: The Conversation (1974)

                                           

           
          A Highly Haunting Thriller That Is One To Be Part of the Essential Film 'Conversation'

        Sound is something that usually enhances a film-watching experience. It is rare, however, when sound is what drives a film's story. The Conversation is one of those rare films that has sound, like the musical score, driving its story forward and making the film engaging through its sheer simplicity.

           Story:
       The Conversation follows the story of a surveillance expert named Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) who is order to observe a couple and listen to their conversation. However, one thing the man in the couple says is hidden by the sound of music and Harry tries to analyze it. Once he does, he then finds himself more obsessed and feelings of guilt over a past case begin to haunt him.

           Ups:
       One thing that I really loved was how the film gives us quite a demonstration of our main character. We see that Harry is not only a recluse by the way he presents himself to others but his home as well. He has no telephone in his house and his front door is padded with locks, which shows just how paranoid he is. Yet the audience isn't very uneasy about being on his side since Gene Hackman makes for a very sympathetic character even though in his guilt-ridden moments, he doesn't play the part for pity. So, Gene Hackman creates a really complex character with Harry Caul. Another actor I'd like to bring up is John Cazale, who plays Harry's partner Stan, who becomes increasingly agitated with Harry's social withdrawal. Cazale plays a character that is a bit sunnier than Fredo from The Godfather, who is much more timid and I thought Cazale had a great supporting presence. It is quite amazing how he had both this and The Godfather: Part II the very same year.

       I also really liked the film's score by David Shire. It is very haunting and helps the film use sound to drive itself forward. The film is very based on its sound, whether it'd be the musical score or when Harry plays back tapes of the conversations he records. Speaking of which, those are some of my favorite scenes. The scenes where Harry is listening to the main couple's conversation are quite intense since Harry is trying to dig deep into what they are saying and the music helps elevate the suspense. Like I said, the sound is what really helps the film drive. I feel that is because the film has a rather quiet tone yet I would say that kind of tone is what makes this film rather different from other thrillers. Plus, it really gives the film quite a level of unnerving simplicity.

         Downs:
        NIL.

         Consensus:
       Overall, The Conversation is a rather quietly intense paranoid thriller that features a uniquely commanding performance by Gene Hackman. This film manages to give a haunting feel through the use of its score and tapes played back over and over yet I was just hooked.

         Would I Recommend It?
        If you are a fan of director Francis Ford Coppola, then I would say absolutely. This is one of his more underrated films and if you like his work or if you like thrillers, I would put this high on your watch list.

Grade: A+



     

Retro Review: American Graffiti (1973)

                                         

                     
                                   'American Graffiti' Sprays Such Colorful Paint

            Whenever I go to karaoke, the typical older crowd tends to sing songs from an older era. Usually they sing songs from this film's soundtrack. When writing this review, it got me thinking about how this film demonstrates the era this film is set in and how it carries over the generations that would follow. However, American Graffiti does it in such a spontaneous and less tragic way.
                   
           Story:
      American Graffiti follows the stories of different former high school buddies: Curt (Richard Dreyfuss), Steve (Ron Howard) and his girlfriend Laurie (Cindy Williams), Toad (Charles Martin Smith), and John (Paul Le Mat), on their final night of summer. Curt and Steve are set to leave for college but Curt finds himself unsure of whether or not to stay home. But while Curt, Steve, and Laurie go to a back to school hop at their old school, Toad and John decide to cruise and a chain of events then begin to occur.

           Ups:
      The thing that I loved the most about this film is just the simplicity of it. The film is literally a loose narrative about teenagers transitioning into adulthood yet I was completely hooked. It was so fascinating watching these characters go through arcs and go through the motions. This film even has what many coming-of-age films should have: Characters that the viewer can identify with. You have Curt, the college-bound student unsure of whether he wants to continue. Yet you also have Steve and Laurie, two lovebirds that find out how hard love is. Plus, you have Toad, the timid student that slowly comes out of his shell. The ones I felt the most connected with are Curt and Toad since there was one point where I was unsure of whether I wanted to continue my college education and I was an outsider in high school that slowly became more social. If anybody wants to create a coming of age story, then I would watch this film and take notes.

      Another thing I really liked was the soundtrack. One reason is that a bunch of the songs that are put in I tend to hear sung by other people at karaoke. But now that I think about it, since the songs are from the late 50's and early 60's and the film was made in the 70's, the use of older music captures the feeling of holding on to that generation.

      The film even takes us back to a time with carhops delivering at drive-in restaurants, back to school hops, and cruising. The way I see it, the film being set in that time period is a demonstration of being stuck in the past and having that time period having a great influence over us as the years will pass. It's kind of like the crowd of people at karaoke that sing older songs from their generation.

        Downs:
       NIL.

        Consensus:
       Overall, American Graffiti is a well-orchestrated coming-of-age story that is such an amazing throwback to a simpler era. Not only that, but it will satisfy those that are suckers for nostalgia, like myself. It is a rare gem that has a loose narrative yet still glues you in and it was done almost to perfection.

       Would I Recommend It?:
       ABSOLUTELY. This is a must for everybody: those that love to analyze film, those that want to write movies, and people who love movies. Everybody see this. It is a must!

Grade: A+

Retro Review: Rocky (1976)

                     

           
                    'Rocky': A Heartfelt Underdog Story That Really Hits The Punching Bag
          I feel that when we go to the movies, sometimes we go for reasons that we go to an art museum, to be inspired. We want to see a film that make us believe that we personally can defy the odds and have hope for a better day. Rocky is a brilliant film that epitomizes that very feeling.

     Story:
   Rocky follows the story of a boxer named Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) who is struggling to make ends meet. However, a heavyweight champion named Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) decides to give an underdog a shot at the title and he chooses Rocky aka "The Italian Stallion". Rocky accepts the challenge and along the way, Rocky looks to defy the odds against him as he falls in love with his best friend's sister Adrian (Talia Shire).

     Ups:
   One thing that I really liked was how the film mostly gives us a glimpse into the main character's life. We see how this man is simple and kind-hearted which gives us a reason to root for him. He looks to go from being a "nobody" to a "somebody" and we, the audience, are taken for the journey. I also thought Sylvester Stallone was quite amazing as the title character as he is very likable and I especially loved the scenes between him and Talia Shire, who is excellent as the shy countergirl Adrian. Another actor I really liked was Burgess Meredith, aka The Penguin from the Adam West Batman series, who plays Rocky's trainer Mickey. Meredith gives a very heartfelt performance as the trainer who seems hard-nosed yet is only that way just because he had high hopes for our main hero.

    Honestly, another thing that I really liked was the ending. I don't want to spoil it for those that haven't seen it and don't know the ending already, but I'll just say that it might not be what you expect. Yet, I still just couldn't help but love it. I don't want to ruin it, but I'll just say that the end helps the film become the true underdog story that it is: A story about a man with the odds against him that seizes what could be a once-in-a-lifetime shot with the support of his peers. One bonus the film gets is the famous well-directed scene where Rocky runs on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art that features the song "Gonna Fly Now"by Bill Conti. I thought that scene was very nice.

    Downs:
  I'm not going to lie, there were some small points where I thought the film dragged. Although that could just be because I watched the film in the morning and I was feeling quite tired. But like I said, the points where I thought the film dragged were only small and don't take away from the film much.

   Consensus:
 Overall, Rocky is a well-crafted underdog story that features an endearingly commanding performance by Stallone. It is very heartfelt and may inspire us to defy whatever odds are against us, whether it'd be our background or age or whatnot and to me, that is part of the reason why we watch movies. We watch them to feel something, whether to be inspired, terrified, or even learn a life lesson. This is an essential sports classic that I would recommend for everybody to watch.

Grade: A-

Retro Review: E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)

                                     

                           
                                   'E.T.': A Sci-Fi Classic Of Astronomical Proportions
              In my mind, what makes a film a classic in general and not just in its specific genre, is a film that not only has the mechanics of a great film: direction, acting, story, score, etc., but a film that manages to weave in elements of different genres while demonstrating its own so that in can appeal to a wider audience. Plus, some added humanistic drama. E.T. the Extra Terrestrial certainly has those makings of a great classic and might hopefully inspire me to make a classic of my own.

    Story:
 E.T. The Extra Terrestrial follows the story of a young boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas) who, while in his backyard, discovers a tiny alien that he calls "E.T.". E.T. not only befriends Elliot, but becomes acquainted with his siblings Gertie (Drew Barrymore) and Michael (Robert McNaughton). Over the course of this alien's stay, Elliot starts to develop a special physical connection to him.

   Ups:
   Now, for this part of the review, I won't just discuss what I liked about the film, but also use it for an analysis of its themes, which I will start with. Now, because Elliot and E.T. have a psychic connection, to me, it makes E.T. seem like a representation of Elliot's father. Not only does the film deal with the titular alien, but Elliot copes with the divorce of his parents as well. So, I feel that possibly E.T. represents the father that Elliot badly wants to come back home. One scene that I feel demonstrates this is the one where Elliot cuts himself and E.T. uses his special light to heal him, like any parent would do if their child injured themselves. Steven Spielberg himself said the film draws inspiration from his own parents' divorce. The film also deals with the theme of loneliness. Elliot is not a child of divorce, but is an outcast at his school, or "alienated" so the actual alien serves as his best friend. So, E.T. is like both a father and a friend to Elliot and I thought that was quite fascinating.

   Next, I'll get into what I actually liked about the film. First off, I thought the design of E.T. looked genius and realistic since animatronics and such were used to create it. I also thought the score by John Williams was spectacular, especially the famous theme where E.T. and Elliot are flying on the bike. The direction by Mr. Steven Spielberg was brilliant, of course. One thing I liked about his direction was his use of lighting, like in the scene where E.T.'s finger lights and heals Elliot's finger. As I said, I felt that scene was rather symbolic of the father-son relationship those two have and when E.T. presses his finger on Elliot's, it is like they have the "same light". Plus, the scenes where E.T. and Elliot are flying on the bike looked quite realistic, even if they were more than likely green-screened. I also have to give major props to the writer Melissa Mathison for creating such a well-realized story. It manages to not only be a sci-fi film grounded in reality, but a coming-of-age story as well as a tearjerker with some comedy thrown into the mix.

    Downs:
    NIL.

    Consensus:
   Overall, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial is an amazingly complex family classic that assemble's a sci-fi film's essentials to perfection: Direction, thought-provoking sci-fi, score, etc. It will make you laugh, yet might also make you cry (seriously, if you don't cry at the end of this movie, you might need to check your pulse). I would recommend this to everybody, both young and old, especially since this is a classic for the ages.

Grade: A+

 

Retro Review: Chicago (2002)

                                           

                          Killer Musical Numbers, Fun Performances, And Satire? That's 'Chicago'
     I may not have said this before on my blog, but at first, I was never that much of a musical fan early on. But as I got into different genres, I found myself enjoying musicals more. Chicago is not only a successful musical that has an old style, but speaks about issues involving fame that are still relevant to this very day.

     Story:
   Chicago follows the story of a woman named Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) who has the desire to be a big star. But when she kills the man who says he can make her one but just fibbed, she finds herself in prison, awaiting the death penalty. There is where she meets a fellow inmate named Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who is a vaudeville star that was arrested for murdering her husband and her sister. They both wind up in a battle of wits as they fight for fame while being represented by the famed charming lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), who looks to focus on making Roxie a celebrity while imprisoned.

     Ups:
   First off, I did really like the musical numbers. Of course, when you are watching a musical, the highlights have to be the musical numbers, but I really liked the ones here. If I had to choose my favorite, it would probably be "All That Jazz" which is the opening number. The director, Rob Marshall, has a background in musical theater, and it really shows. I thought it was quite interesting how he was able to weave in the musical numbers that are figments of Roxie's imagination and cut back in forth between reality and the musical numbers occurring. I also thought the cinematography was brilliant. I loved the special colorful lighting, ranging from blue to red, that was used for the musical scenes. The musical scenes are really the heart and soul of the film and they are extremely well-done.

   Next, I'll get into the acting and the satirical context of the story. Renee Zellweger really sparks as the lead character of Roxie, the jailbird trying to charm her way to the top. Catherine Zeta-Jones, however, adds her own special spark to the character of Velma Kelly, who is as scheming as Roxie is, yet is more silver-tongued. To me, Zellweger and Zeta-Jones' performances are like vines that compliment each other as they play characters with the same intentions yet different ways to get their intentions. They both try to play victims, but Roxie goes the "he attacked me" angle while Velma is all "I was so shocked, I can't remember" angle. Richard Gere is also quite a showstopper as the lawyer Billy Flynn who is charming yet has quite a bit of sleaze up his sleeve. He is quite conniving yet Gere makes you pretty enamored with his character thanks to his effortless charm. Now, onto the story. The whole satirical context of the story deals with the ironic twist of how the two main characters achieve great fame just by committing murder. Yet whenever another murderess comes along and almost upstages them, they almost become forgotten. That reminds me of how whenever there is one "It girl" that comes along, audiences move on from that one once a new one suddenly enters the picture. It is quite relevant in today's celebrity-obsessed culture, that's for sure.

    Downs:
    NIL.

    Consensus:
   Overall, Chicago is a ravishing musical that features bravura performances from its main cast and is an intriguing period piece that features satirical contexts involving fame that are still relevant to this day. I would say that if you like or even love musicals, be sure to give this one a watch because it is a real treat for that type of crowd. If you hate musicals, however, you'd want to look elsewhere since it has plenty of singing numbers and "all that jazz".

Grade: B+