Year: 1982
Director: George Roy Hill
Notable Actors/Actresses:
Robin Williams
Glenn Close
John Lithgow
Last Viewed: It's been a long time.
Number of views: 20
I've probably seen this movie throughout my years starting at a very early age. Probably, too young to even be watching this film. I can't exactly imagine, what made me want to watch this film at an early age, but seeing it again as an adult, this movie was very interesting and took on an interesting subject with regards to feminism, gender re-assignment, and writing.
We start off by a very strong-willed woman played by Glenn Close raising her son Garp, on her own, at a young age. She never really imposes any sort of boundaries for her son and somehow that plays out throughout the film, in odd ways. At some point, Jenny becomes a writer that starts a feminist revolution, leaving Garp's dreams of becoming that kind of "successful" writer in the rear-view so to speak.
The movie tackles a lot of different social aspects of life in a way that is considered classic now. I really don't want to get into so many details about it other than, if you find yourself curious and interested in great acting by Robin and Glenn in the 80s, this is one to check out. Also Lithgow, plays an ex-football player who is living life as a transsexual in this film. Again, I don't know why I was watching this film at such a young age but I do give it props at this point now that I know what the movie is really about.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Salaam Namaste
Year: 2005
Director: Siddharth Anand
Notable Actors/Actresses:
Saif Ali Khan
Preity Zinta
Last Viewed: It's been awhile
Number of views: 4
Growing up, I've seen a good bit of Hindi films but they were old (like 80s and older), thanks to my parents. As a result, I have had a relatively scanted view of them and never got into them. I got married and for my wife, this is her world to an extent. This is the first Hindi film I credit to my wife for getting me to see and now I have a renewed sense for Bollywood films as they only get better and better now. Some of them anyway.
The film has some similarities to western culture, from style, to dialogue, and even the music is updated and enjoyable to listen to. What I found to be very, very interesting is how the film challenges culture to a certain extent. Our leads in this film are in a cat n mouse love story that starts out a little playful and the next thing you know, a baby is on the way.
Where the story goes next has some ups, downs. Comedy moments, serious moments, and everything works out well as these stories usually do. I found myself wondering how this film was received in India. Was there shock? Was there acceptance? After all, the culture has been transitioning from being very conservative in areas of public affection in these films - kissing etc... and now there is this concept of two unwed people having a baby somewhere in India. This is the aspect I focused on the most somehow. I really liked this movie overall and was glad that it was my renewed first of many Bollywood movies I have seen in recent times.
Director: Siddharth Anand
Notable Actors/Actresses:
Saif Ali Khan
Preity Zinta
Last Viewed: It's been awhile
Number of views: 4
Growing up, I've seen a good bit of Hindi films but they were old (like 80s and older), thanks to my parents. As a result, I have had a relatively scanted view of them and never got into them. I got married and for my wife, this is her world to an extent. This is the first Hindi film I credit to my wife for getting me to see and now I have a renewed sense for Bollywood films as they only get better and better now. Some of them anyway.
The film has some similarities to western culture, from style, to dialogue, and even the music is updated and enjoyable to listen to. What I found to be very, very interesting is how the film challenges culture to a certain extent. Our leads in this film are in a cat n mouse love story that starts out a little playful and the next thing you know, a baby is on the way.
Where the story goes next has some ups, downs. Comedy moments, serious moments, and everything works out well as these stories usually do. I found myself wondering how this film was received in India. Was there shock? Was there acceptance? After all, the culture has been transitioning from being very conservative in areas of public affection in these films - kissing etc... and now there is this concept of two unwed people having a baby somewhere in India. This is the aspect I focused on the most somehow. I really liked this movie overall and was glad that it was my renewed first of many Bollywood movies I have seen in recent times.
Whiplash
Year: 2014
Director: Damien Chazelle
Notable Actors/Actresses:
J.K. Simmons
Miles Teller
Paul Reiser
Last Viewed: Recently
Number of views: 1, should not be the last view though
Continuing my Oscar's 2015 reviews, J.K Simmons won for a movie I was not aware of. Now I am. I also saw this movie in a preview and needed to see more. Why did J.K win and what's this movie about?
Not having any expectations or understanding of the movie, I can tell that this was going to be a movie about achieving musical greatness the hard way, obviously. Miles Teller's character - Andrew stops at nothing to win over J.K.'s character - Fletcher at being noted as the best drummer Fletcher has ever seen. Andrew has the capability but never receives that confirmation from Fletcher... ever.
I was on my feet for this film. The tension between Andrew and Fletcher is felt almost instantly from the time they meet all throughout the film into the ending sequence. The theme of needing that approval to validate greatness is underscored. I would say, its about how far someone is willing to go on someone's else direction to achieve greatness. Very well done.
Director: Damien Chazelle
Notable Actors/Actresses:
J.K. Simmons
Miles Teller
Paul Reiser
Last Viewed: Recently
Number of views: 1, should not be the last view though
Continuing my Oscar's 2015 reviews, J.K Simmons won for a movie I was not aware of. Now I am. I also saw this movie in a preview and needed to see more. Why did J.K win and what's this movie about?
Not having any expectations or understanding of the movie, I can tell that this was going to be a movie about achieving musical greatness the hard way, obviously. Miles Teller's character - Andrew stops at nothing to win over J.K.'s character - Fletcher at being noted as the best drummer Fletcher has ever seen. Andrew has the capability but never receives that confirmation from Fletcher... ever.
I was on my feet for this film. The tension between Andrew and Fletcher is felt almost instantly from the time they meet all throughout the film into the ending sequence. The theme of needing that approval to validate greatness is underscored. I would say, its about how far someone is willing to go on someone's else direction to achieve greatness. Very well done.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Chef
Year: 2014
Director: Jon Favreau
Notable Actors/Actresses:
Jon Favreau
John Leguizamo
Sofia Vergara
Last Viewed: Almost a daily occurrence
Number of views: So many in a very short time span
I have come to realize there are some movies, I watch so many times, that I forget why I am doing that. Chef does that for me. Its a nice underdog story that I think everyone can relate to some extent regardless of profession or interests. The characters are wonderful in this film and the way they interact with each other is spectacular and feels familiar.
I also like how the film addresses the good and the bad use of social media. Quoting a line (poorly) from the film, The Social Network, "the internet is written in ink." Carl Casper was all over the place for an outrageous, purposeful, meltdown rant that led to his sudden negative/positive fame on the internet. Negative from a personal standpoint, but positive from an internet, popularity standpoint. It was probably the funniest, relatable moment I have ever seen.
Carl turns everything around at that pivotal moment in the film. He gets out of a situation that did not really get him to his true passion (though he felt like he was on the right track). In order for him to achieve that personal happiness and greatness, he works with his son, a good friend, and, strangely, a principle investor that he did not expect to work with (both during and towards the end). I really enjoyed how this chef had the exceptional talent but just did not believe in himself until he hit rock bottom. I also believe that the world of being a chef has these strange challenges that they have to overcome when working for someone else and not themselves.
Director: Jon Favreau
Notable Actors/Actresses:
Jon Favreau
John Leguizamo
Sofia Vergara
Last Viewed: Almost a daily occurrence
Number of views: So many in a very short time span
I have come to realize there are some movies, I watch so many times, that I forget why I am doing that. Chef does that for me. Its a nice underdog story that I think everyone can relate to some extent regardless of profession or interests. The characters are wonderful in this film and the way they interact with each other is spectacular and feels familiar.
I also like how the film addresses the good and the bad use of social media. Quoting a line (poorly) from the film, The Social Network, "the internet is written in ink." Carl Casper was all over the place for an outrageous, purposeful, meltdown rant that led to his sudden negative/positive fame on the internet. Negative from a personal standpoint, but positive from an internet, popularity standpoint. It was probably the funniest, relatable moment I have ever seen.
Carl turns everything around at that pivotal moment in the film. He gets out of a situation that did not really get him to his true passion (though he felt like he was on the right track). In order for him to achieve that personal happiness and greatness, he works with his son, a good friend, and, strangely, a principle investor that he did not expect to work with (both during and towards the end). I really enjoyed how this chef had the exceptional talent but just did not believe in himself until he hit rock bottom. I also believe that the world of being a chef has these strange challenges that they have to overcome when working for someone else and not themselves.
Big Hero 6
Year: 2014
Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Notable Actors/Actresses (Voices):
Scott Adsit
Ryan Potter
Jamie Chung
Damon Wayans, Jr.
Last Viewed: Very recently, today.
Number of views: 1 so far
I watched the Oscar's recently, as I try to every year, mainly to see what movies I should have viewed for notable performances, music, or simply for the art (let's not forget, I'm always in the search for good dialogue these days). I remember noting that Big Hero 6 won an award and who can deny that when Disney is involved in the realm of animation, it's worth a look. I have to say, this one was very well done.
Hiro is a young genius in some sort of pseudo-future time that can pretty much invent anything he puts his mind to. His brother, also an inventor, created a robot named Baymax that can diagnose medical needs based on the programming he has been given. He is oddly shaped and has limitations but a fun character nonetheless. What I enjoyed about this film is the relationship between this robot and this boy in the context and limitations of the programming Baymax has regarding medical support. Hiro has a purpose and this robot is there to help in ways not expected.
This animated film has a great amount of adventure, fun moments, deep moments that make it to that happily ever after ending. The team involved in creating this film has definitely earned the academy award for animation as it was exciting to watch. Hiro's challenge of working with this robot that has its physical limitations can be felt at times of the film. The characters all make for a great team to help young Hiro in his quest.
Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Notable Actors/Actresses (Voices):
Scott Adsit
Ryan Potter
Jamie Chung
Damon Wayans, Jr.
Last Viewed: Very recently, today.
Number of views: 1 so far
I watched the Oscar's recently, as I try to every year, mainly to see what movies I should have viewed for notable performances, music, or simply for the art (let's not forget, I'm always in the search for good dialogue these days). I remember noting that Big Hero 6 won an award and who can deny that when Disney is involved in the realm of animation, it's worth a look. I have to say, this one was very well done.
Hiro is a young genius in some sort of pseudo-future time that can pretty much invent anything he puts his mind to. His brother, also an inventor, created a robot named Baymax that can diagnose medical needs based on the programming he has been given. He is oddly shaped and has limitations but a fun character nonetheless. What I enjoyed about this film is the relationship between this robot and this boy in the context and limitations of the programming Baymax has regarding medical support. Hiro has a purpose and this robot is there to help in ways not expected.
This animated film has a great amount of adventure, fun moments, deep moments that make it to that happily ever after ending. The team involved in creating this film has definitely earned the academy award for animation as it was exciting to watch. Hiro's challenge of working with this robot that has its physical limitations can be felt at times of the film. The characters all make for a great team to help young Hiro in his quest.
The Girl Next Door
Year: 2004
Director: Luke Greenfield
Notable Actors/Actresses:
Elisha Cuthbert
Emile Hirsch
Timothy Olyphant
Last Viewed: 2009
Number of views: 15
This is a fun film to watch. As a young guy, we always dream of a situation such as the one depicted in this film. Maybe not nearly as intense when they decide to film a new-age sex ed tape during their prom while escorting porn stars to their prom. Or how about facing off with a psycho path because the girl of your dreams is a porn star trying to not be one and just wants to be a regular girl. These things are a bit intense for our lead, Matthew.
As the film carries on from the time when he is initially bit by the bug and gaining a new perspective on life through Danielle, its a complete scenario that some of us in some way wish to have. There is witty comedy throughout the film particularly when Timothy Olyphant's character is introduced and the situations these characters all get into together keep getting more interesting, uncomfortable, and just wow. You find yourself asking, really, did they really just do that?
Overall, I enjoy these types of films as there is a common theme in these particular types of movies where we all want to step outside of our boundaries and live an adventure outside the routine of life. I'll bring this idea up in some other films as well.
Director: Luke Greenfield
Notable Actors/Actresses:
Elisha Cuthbert
Emile Hirsch
Timothy Olyphant
Last Viewed: 2009
Number of views: 15
This is a fun film to watch. As a young guy, we always dream of a situation such as the one depicted in this film. Maybe not nearly as intense when they decide to film a new-age sex ed tape during their prom while escorting porn stars to their prom. Or how about facing off with a psycho path because the girl of your dreams is a porn star trying to not be one and just wants to be a regular girl. These things are a bit intense for our lead, Matthew.
As the film carries on from the time when he is initially bit by the bug and gaining a new perspective on life through Danielle, its a complete scenario that some of us in some way wish to have. There is witty comedy throughout the film particularly when Timothy Olyphant's character is introduced and the situations these characters all get into together keep getting more interesting, uncomfortable, and just wow. You find yourself asking, really, did they really just do that?
Overall, I enjoy these types of films as there is a common theme in these particular types of movies where we all want to step outside of our boundaries and live an adventure outside the routine of life. I'll bring this idea up in some other films as well.
Giving this a try again
I'm back to give this a try again. I almost forgot about this blog but then I just went through a few sessions of watching many movies via Redbox and even Netflix and now its time to get caught up. I may change the style of this a little bit to get to the point a little quicker and offer more of my thoughts instead. Anyway, let's see how it goes this time around.
Sincerely
The Master Movie Reviewer :)
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