Friday, July 23, 2010

June Movie Review

I decided that since I've seen way to many movies recently to do individual posts about them each, that I would do a movie review for each month! I made a list of movies to see at the beginning of the summer and I hope to watch at least half of them!
The Talented Mr Ripley:
I came across this film at the library one day quite randomly and mom was curious, because she remembered something or other about it and thus we decided to watch it. The Talented Mr Ripley tells the story of Tom Ripely whose gift for impersonating leads him to Italy on the search to bring an employers son back home. Tom is taken under the wing of this man, Dickie Greenleaf, but all to soon Dickie grows tired of Tom's company resulting in events no one could have imagined. I really enjoyed the film, mainly because of the complexity of Tom Ripley's character. Matt Damon does a fantastic job, ever since watching it I have looked at him in a new way! There were so many levels and he played them all with splendor. I thought Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Philip Seymour Hoffman were also great. Another thing that I particularly enjoyed about the film was the cinematography. Some of the shots were so beautiful. The writing was also great.
Pretty in Pink:
I have been wanting to see Pretty in Pink for ages mainly because I always hear about it. All of the films of that genre are classic and I feel like you must see them at some point in your life. It's always fun for me seeing films that were made at least ten years ago because of how they dress the actors and what was contemporary clothing of that time. I absolutely loved the clothing Molly Ringwald wore in the film! All the layers and patterns, what a joy to behold. Pretty in Pink tells the story of Andie whose high school is divided into two groups, those with money and those without. Andie and her best friend Duckie are happy with this, at least until Andie falls for a rich boy. Andie will have to choose between her childhood best friend, whose affections lie deeper than friendship, and Blane, the rich boy. I liked the film a lot, it had humor, nice lighting, wonderful cloths as well as all the things a good classic should have!

Good Will Hunting:
After watching The Talented Mr. Ripley, I felt like I should see other films with Matt Damon. I had heard good things about this film and I was not disappointed. Good Will Hunting is the story of Will, an MIT janitor, whose gift for math and physics gets the attention of a professor. Will must find his way in life through the guidance of this professor and a psychologist. I was shocked to discover the film was co-written by two of the staring actors Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck because it was so extremely well written. The dialogue of Matt Damon is superb and he delivers it phenomenally. With that being said the acting was amazing! Robin Williams so so great, especially because the roll wasn't what you normally see from him! It's hard to point out specific people acting wise, because everyone was so good.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
This was a film that I remember Greg talking about for some time now. Daniel Day Lewis is his favorite actor and thus he wanted to re-watch the film. I think it's pretty amazing how he seems to totally transform himself with every role he plays. He always seems like a different person! I also thought Juliette Binoche was great! The Unbearable Lightness of Being is the story of a man who has trouble committing to one person, this proves to be a problem when he meets the love of his life. The film as a whole was unusual for it didn't necessarily have an uplifting or inspiring message. I suppose my biggest problem with it is I didn't feel like I gained anything from watching it. It didn't leave me sad or happy or curious or thoughtful, only slightly empty. I can't say that I loved it, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

The Young Victoria
If you can only saw one thing about The Young Victoria it is that it is a gorgeous film. Each shot is a work of art and on top of that the costumes are amazing! Color is something I'm crazy about in film and this one knew how to use it in their advantage whether it was in the red of a coat or the green and gold of a hillside. It was so rich and you could really feel the love that the director put into the film. The Young Victoria, as said in the title, tells the story of Queen Victoria's younger days. Both Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend were good in the film and they had wonderful chemistry together. I always find it interesting seeing films about the lives of historical figures that we know of, but do not really know. You get a new view of the way these people were rather than how history has portrayed them.

The July movie review is coming soon!