"Does it hurt?"

The Big Empty

2005; USA; 20 min.

Director: Lisa Chang, Newton Thomas Sigel

Screenplay: Lisa Chang, Newton Thomas Sigel, Alison Smith

Music: Carlton DeWoody

Cast:

Alice - Selma Blair

The Specialist - Elias Koteas

Talk Show Host - Richard Kind

The Thoughtful Man - Gabriel Mann

Arctic Explorer - Simon Cole

Gynecologist - Richmond Arquette

Cartographer - Ezra Buzzington

I don't know what to say (that's a first!). Why exactly did we watch this, Mr. D?

__________________

*UPDATE (12/07/08):

At the time of the first post on this film, I really didn't know what to talk about with this film. It was just extremely peculiar and very different, to say the least. After reading some of my peers' blogs about "The Big Empty," I gained a little bit of insight into the film. The movie is definitely on an abstract level. Other than its less than conventional topic, I'm not exactly sure why we watched the film. Was it for cinematic reasons? Anyhow, I wasn't overly impressed with it and I'm ready to leave this film in the past and move ahead. If you're in the mood to think, I would recommend watching it. It's defnitely a short film that you could ponder for days.

iRate: 2/5 tundras

Trailer: n/a

"Hello sweetheart..."

Lilo and Me

2003; USA; ?

Director: Kip Fulbeck

Screenplay: Kip Fulbeck

Music: n/a

Cast:

n/a

"Lilo and Me" is a sort of short documentary film about Kip Fulbeck and his life desire to fit in with a racial group. Fulbeck brings the audience into his family by playing various recordings of phone calls with his mother and his father. Fulbeck then goes on, explaining how growing up with an Asian mother and Caucasian father had left him with a sense of uncertainty as a child. Fulbeck humorously talks about the Disney characters that allegedly look like him. Pocahontas, Aladdin, Mowgli, and obviously Lilo are some of the "ethnically ambiguous" Disney characters with whom Fulbeck identifies. I would recommend this film - it's quite clever and very funny.

iRate: 4/5 ethnically ambiguous Disney characters

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTS0xu-Bwqk

(*NOTE: The trailer not only includes a clip from "Lilo and Me," but all of the videos on the short film collection, "Slant.")

"Boys like Peter are not afraid of wolves..."

Peter & the Wolf

2006; UK; 29 min.

Director: Suzie Templeton

Screenplay: Sergei Prokofiev, Suzie Templeton, Marianela Maldonado

Music: Mark Stephenson

Cast:

n/a

This short film is the most current adaptation of the famous tale of "Peter and the Wolf." At this year's Oscars, "Peter and the Wolf" won the award for the best animated short film. This film has won many other awards in other countries as well. I had never heard this famous story before, although I have heard of it. The story was semi-interesting. The animation was pretty good. (I guess I just didn't get that into this, so I'm not exactly overly enthusiastic in my post now.) I liked the scene where the animals were ice skating. The lesson about forgiveness at the end of the story was interesting. I don't really think that the lesson was so easily extracted from the film. After watching, I knew that there was some moral lesson, but couldn't figure it out. Maybe it was because I wasn't paying thorough attention, maybe it was the film's fault... I'm not sure. Either way, I'm not exactly a fan of "Peter and the Wolf."

iRate: 1.75/5 keys

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1484783897/

"Well, I got her number. How do you like them apples?"

Good Will Hunting
1997; USA; 126 min.

Director: Gus Van Sant
Screenplay: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
Music: various artists

Cast:
Sean Maguire - Robin Williams
Will Hunting - Matt Damon
Chuckie Sullivan - Ben Affleck
Professor Gerald Lambeau - Stellan Skarsgard
Skylar - Minnie Driver

I was pleasantly surprised with our second student choice film, "Good Will Hunting." The plot was really smart and the screenplay itself was quite interesting. The plot begins as the viewer meets Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a janitor at MIT who hangs around drinking and smoking with a group of his buddies, including Chuckie Sullivan (Ben Affleck). One night, they meet Skylar (Minnie Driver) at a bar. At the bar, which happens to be populated with MIT students, another guy (an MIT student) is trying to pick up Skylar. Chuckie is also trying to do so, but the MIT student is showing off with his intellect. Will comes along and completely calls the MIT student out on his fake knowledge (he has simply regurgitated a textbook), impressing Skylar. Will catches the interest of Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) when he solves an impossible math problem on the board. Will's journey continues as he works with the Professor, as he is taught by Maguire (Robin Williams), a psychologist, and as he falls in love with Skylar.

One interesting thing about the film is that the ending is not exactly 100% clear. As blogger Film Lover (http://tributetofilm.blogspot.com/) commented (in an amazing throwback to AP English 11-3), there were many "dramatic possibilites" to the ending of the film. A big shout-out is in order for blogger 7thpeerwatcher (http://7thpeerwatcher.blogspot.com/) for nominating the film. I would definitely recommend this film, and I'll probably end up watching it again!

iRate: 4.5/5 apples
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z02M3NRtkAA

"You'd rather focus on other people's Kodak moments than make memories of your own!"

27 Dresses

2008; USA; 111 min.

Director: Anne Fletcher

Screenplay: Aline Brosh McKenna

Music: various artists

Cast:

Jane - Katherine Heigl

Young Tess - Charli Barcena

Kevin - James Marsden

Tess - Malin Akerman

Young Jane - Peyton List

Casey - Judy Greer

Pedro - David Castro

George - Edward Burns

This is the ABSOLUTE EPITOME OF AN AMAZING ROMANTIC COMEDY! This might be my favorite one of all time. This film is perfect! This wasn't the first time that I have watched "27 Dresses," and it definitely won't be the last. I LOVE "27 Dresses"! Where do I begin?! The plot is adorable. "27 Dresses" is the story of Jane (Katherine Heigl), who is "always the bridesmaid, never the bride." The beginning of the film explains how Jane has always loved weddings, and she is actually working as a wedding planner. The first scenes are from two weddings that Jane is juggling in the same night - an American wedding and an Indian wedding. When Jane gets knocked out trying to catch the bouquet, Kevin (James Marsden), a complete stranger, comes to the rescue. (SPOILER ALERT) When Jane's long time crush (and her boss), George (Edward Burns) ends up falling for her sister, Tess (Malin Akerman), Jane loses it. Due to Jane's nature of being a "people pleaser," she is taken along on Tess' wedding planning journey. Jane begins to develop a relationship with Kevin, despite the fact that their relationship is rocky in the beginning. The twists and turns in the film evoke emotions in the viewers. Jane is everyone's friend - and has a collection of 27 bridesmaid dresses to prove it! She really is a big mush - she collects these wedding announcement articles written in the New York Journal by this guy Malcolm. Little does she know, Kevin turns out to be writing under a pseudonym - Malcolm. When secrets are exposed, Jane's relationship with Kevin and Tess' relationship with George are questioned. The film has a fabulous ending - "Casablanca" could learn a lesson or two from "27 Dresses"!!! Here are two of my favorite scenes:

This scene is towards the beginning of the film, when Jane literally begins to fall for Kevin (although she really is bothered by him at first). After an intense bouquet throwing scene where Jane is trampled, Kevin helps her and brings her home. The whole night he has been watching her go between the two weddings, however this is the first time in the film that he actually talks to her.

This scene is when Kevin discovers all of Jane's bridesmaid dresses. Afterwards, she proceeds to try them on for him, in an attempt to prove that they aren't that ugly after all. Kevin is taking pictures throughout this scene as the two have a little "photo shoot."

I can't praise this film enough! There are so many wonderful qualities that make this a success. The acting is great, the dresses are interesting, the music is perfect, the scenery is beautiful, and the screenplay is quite funny. James Marsden is incredibly gorgeous as well! I would highly recommend this to anyone (obviously!). I am certainly going to buy this on DVD and watch it over and over again. 

iRate: 5/5 dresses

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi598868249/

"Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time."

Casablanca

1942; USA; 102 min.

Director: Michael Curtiz

Screenplay: Murray Burnett, Joan Alison, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, Casey Robinson

Music: Max Steiner

Cast:

Rick Blaine - Humphrey Bogart

Ilsa Lund - Ingrid Bergman

Victor Laszlow - Paul Henreid

Captain Renault - Claude Rains

Major Strasser - Conrad Veidt

Signor Ferrari - Sydney Greenstreet

Ugarte - Peter Lorre

I was extremely excited to watch "Casablanca" because of its famous reputation as a classic film. It was one of those movies that I have been meaning to watch for the longest time, but have not had a chance to. I think I definitely had high expectations for this film. This being said, I wasn't overly impressed with the film. I thought I would absolutely love "Casablanca," and this was not the case. I didn't really get into the political aspect of it. That was not interesting to me at all. I'm really just not into politics, I guess. I did like the "old time cinema" feel to the film, which was probably due to the fact that this is a 1942 film. 

The American Film Institute (AFI) ranked this the number one romance of all time. I beg to differ. The romance aspect of the film was alright. Maybe I'm just a fan of the modern day romantic comedy, but this doesn't exactly compare to my favorite romance films. Sure, some parts of the film were extremely romantic. But I was extremely disappointed when Rick (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) (SPOILER ALERT) didn't end up together. How could that happen? Why would a writer make that choice? How could an actor go along with that? There's no real closure, in my opinion, in the film. Sure, Ilsa gets to stay with Laszlow (Paul Henreid), a man that she doesn't really love. And Rick? Well, he gets a friendship with Captain Renault (Claude Rains). So Rick gets to live his life alone, but no worries, he has a new best friend. Ilsa gets to live her life with someone, probably yearning for the person that she truly loves [Rick] for the rest of her life. As you can see, I wasn't exactly happy with the ending.

One part of the film that I did like was the music. I really enjoyed the song, "As Time Goes By." The lyrics were very appropriate to the plot. I find this stanza particularly apropos to the idea of the film...

It's still the same old story

A fight for love and glory

A case of do or die.

The world will always welcome lovers

As time goes by.

So I think that the reason that I was critical of the film was because my expectations for it. I'm sure that if I watch it again, I'll enjoy it more. I will give it another try in the future. I really do love romance films. I consider myself an expert (well, maybe not exactly an expert, but well-rounded in the field) in romantic comedies. This film just didn't do it for me. If you do like 1940s politics, and romance (with a bad ending), I would recommend "Casablanca."

iRate: 2/5 visas

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3749445913/

"If I have a mixed cube, I'll solve it. If I have a solved cube, I'll mix it. The entire day can pass that way..."

Piece By Piece

2007; USA; 15 min.

Director: Sachi Schuricht, Emma Thatcher, Isaiah Allekotte, Grace Rathbone-Webber 

Screenplay: n/a

Music: n/a

Cast:

- various people including Lars Petrus, the 1982 Swedish speedcubing champion and the directors of the film

"Piece By Piece" was definitely one of the most interesting short films that I have ever seen. (This is therefore going to be a short entry due to the length of the actual film.) The film focuses on the enigma behind the popular Rubik's Cube by following around various "speedcubers." Speedcubers are extremely quick Rubik's Cube solvers. It's absolutely mind blowing to watch these people solve the puzzles so rapidly. I couldn't believe some of the statistics that accompanied the film as well. The number of possible combinations of the cube is enormous! I also liked the sound of the Rubik's Cubes moving and spinning. This movie prompted my friend, a fellow peer blogger, and I to go to Barnes & Noble to purchase our own Cubes in hopes of becoming speedcubers (yes, I am that dorky, I guess!). Sadly, I don't think that this is going to come true (on my part at least)! As I type, my rejected Cube is sitting on the table near me, scrambled and unsolved. I'll keep trying though, and hopefully, someday I'll solve my Rubik's Cube just once!

iRate: 4.5/5 Rubik's Cubes

Trailer: This film is so short that it would be pointless to put up a trailer. So, go watch it! It's a fun and extremely entertaining short film!

"Whoa. Y'all take a chill. You got to cool that s**t off. And that's the double-truth, Ruth."

Do The Right Thing

1989; USA; 120 min.

Director: Spike Lee

Screenplay: Spike Lee

Music: various artists

Cast:
Sal - Danny Aiello

Da Mayor - Ossie Davis

Mother Sister - Ruby Dee
Vito - Richard Edson

Buggin Out - Giancarlo Esposito

Mookie - Spike Lee

Radio Raheem - Bill Nunn

Pino - John Tuturro

ML - Paul Benjamin

I knew that "Do The Right Thing" was going to be an interesting film from the day that we saw the opening credits. The opening credits feature a woman dancing suggestively and powerfully in an urban setting. This sets up the image of strong female characters present in the film. "Do The Right Thing" is a film about Bed-Stuy and the people that live there. The plot unfolds and reveals racial tensions in the neighborhood between all different types of people. The story mainly follows around Mookie, who is played by Spike Lee himself. Mookie is employed is Sal's Pizzeria, the site of many of the problems that arise in the film. Eventually, all of the racism ends up in (SPOILER ALERT) a fatal attack on Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn).

Spike Lee forces the viewers to recognize any racist aspects of themselves. During a particular scene in which various characters are shown "breaking the fourth wall" and talking directly to the camera, stereotypical racist views are expressed. These stereotypes are extremes. When we watched this part in class, you could hear a few laughs at random times. Lee tries to make you uncomfortable, and I think that he succeeds. I found the racial aspect of this movie to be extremely upsetting. Hopefully, the issues in the film are just products of their time. Hopefully, racism like this doesn't exist today. Hopefully, people have learned. Now for a few of my observations while watching the film:

- The police beating sticks cross like a crucifix when Radio Raheem is attacked. Is this an allusion to Jesus?

- After the attack by the police on Radio Raheem, you can see the sign that says "heroes" in the background. Despite the fact that this label literally applies to sandwiches served at Sal's, is Radio Raheem considered to be a "hero?" 

- When Mother Sister (Ruby Dee) finally changes her attitude towards Da Mayor (Ossie Davis), a light goes on in the background. Is this realization symbolic?

Lee's cinematography is quite interesting. He uses numerous canted (or Dutch) angles to demonstrate the characters' skewed views. Close-ups are omnipresent in this film. These shots try to connect you with the characters in the film. I love the background in the film and the bright colors that the characters wear. Everything in this film seems to be realistic, disturbingly so at times. I like the motif of famous African American figures in this film, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. The way that the film ends with two of their quotes is an interesting way to finish the turbulent film.

So, what's the significance of the title? Who does "the right thing" and what is "the right thing?" Basically, no one in this film does the right thing. And when it comes to race, what IS the right thing to do? It's such a controversial topic that society stays away from addressing. Certainly, the right thing is not to hate and kill others based on their race. "The right thing" proves to be unclear at the end of the film - I guess "the right thing" is what you make it out to be. Reactions to this film are seen through the lens of the viewer's personal values, morals, and racial views. Yet, the viewers seem to be urged to "do the right thing"... whatever that is. 

I think that this film was important to watch. It teaches a lot about the effects of racism on a community. I would probably advise people to watch the film, as long as they knew how upsetting it was.

iRate: 3/5 pizzas

Trailer: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/14126/Do-the-Right-Thing/trailers

"Some places are like people: some shine and some don't."

The Shining

1980; USA; 146 min.

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick, Stephen King, Diane Johnson

Music: Wendy Carlos, Rachel Elkind

Cast:

Jack Torrance - Jack Nicholson

Wendy Torrance - Shelley Duvall

Danny Torrance - Danny Lloyd

Dick Hallorann - Scatman Crothers

Stuart Ullman - Barry Nelson

Delbert Grady - Philip Stone

Lloyd the Bartender - Joe Turkel

Let me just start by saying that I'm not a fan of horror films. So how did I end up watching the well-known horror film, "The Shining"? Well, that's the movie that a group of friends decided to watch at a Halloween bonfire. So, before I knew it, I was watching a horror film. By the end of the film, I wasn't too freaked out, surprisingly. It was probably because through the whole film a couple of us were making fun of Shelley Duvall's horrifying acting. My friend cleverly nicknamed her "Shevall," and the three of us proceeded to make fun of her acting skills, or lack thereof, throughout the film. One of my friends pointed out that the way her nickname was pronounced was actually the word for "horse" in French, which was perfect considering another friend's assessment of her teeth being like that of a horse's. I was pretty happy that the film didn't haunt me or freak me out, until now. When I began writing this post, I really didn't want to explain the whole plot of "The Shining," nor did I want to preview the trailer link that I will post below. It turns out that the plot was, in fact, more disturbing than "Shevall" after all. (Therefore, this is probably going to be a shorter post than usual.)

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this film because I'm not a fan of horror films. However, if you do like them, check this film out and enjoy "Shevall's" acting.

iRate: .5/5 hallucinations

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1476002073/