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Pulp Fiction (AFI top 100)

Sunday, January 24, 2016 |

Pulp Fiction:

Before I saw this movie, I had heard amazing things about it but never knew the plot line at all.  I was planning on watching Schindler's List but it was $7 on Amazon. I'm very glad I ended up watching Pulp Fiction because it was the perfect type of movie for me.

After watching the first scene of the robbers in the diner, you expect them to be the two main characters. But really, there are no "main characters" in this film.  The scenes are all over the place but work perfectly together. There were points in the movie where I was very confused and has to re watch different parts over again, but after awhile you get the feel of the movie and start to understand it better.  I was so intrigued by the interesting story telling they showed.  I enjoyed the different timelines in the movie and how they didn't show you main parts of the story untill the ending.  I love when movies have exciting & interesting endings. The intersections of the story were really cool to watch and understand.

I love this movie because the dialogue is perfect.  I felt like I could listen to Vince (John Travolta)  talk about The Royale with cheese for hours upon hours. In my opinion, the script is what makes this movie a top 100 film.  The dialogue makes it realistic and made me feel like I could relate to some of the characters.

The music in this movie went along so well with the plot line. I think this film had one of the best albums that I've ever really seen.  To me, great music is very important in a film. It creates a certain type of character and tone/mood of the film, actors, and plot.

I really thought the acting in Pulp Fiction was amazing.  In my opinion, this may have been one of Samuel L Jackson's best performances.  John Travolta had an amazing performance as well.  I am very happy that I watched this film.

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Posted by Unknown

The Godfather (AFI Top 100)

Sunday, January 24, 2016 |


The Godfather, listed at #2 on the AFI’s top 100 best movies of all time, is the definitive classic gangster movie. In spite of this, it differs fundamentally from other mobster movies. The Godfather decides not to focus on the raw violence that other movies of this nature capitalize on. Instead, it focuses on the family dynamic of the Corleone family and their mob affairs. While it is still violent, and the violence portrayed is pretty brutal, there are far more scenes of the characters talking rather than fighting. The script and casting of the movie is wonderful, Marlon Brando and Al Pacino work incredibly well in their roles, despite some serious doubts of their casting when the movie was initially made. The acting, scripting, cinematography, and some of the hidden pieces of the movie, like visible oranges preceding every death make the movie fantastic. I’d give the movie a 10/10, it’s an absolute classic and one of the best movies ever made.

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Posted by Unknown

Pulp Fiction (AFI Top 100)

Sunday, January 24, 2016 |

Generally lauded as Quentin Tarantino’s greatest film, Pulp Fiction is a wild ride through the world of crime, full of drugs, theft, murder, and more. Featuring an all-star cast that includes, just to name a few, Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Tim Roth, it’s no surprise that the acting is spot-on, especially when it comes to deadpan delivery of oddly humorous lines. Additionally, the writing is very witty and includes plenty of quips as well as allusions to pop culture, which have, in turn, helped Pulp Fiction become a staple of pop culture in its own right. Furthermore, despite the often dark subject matter and rather gratuitous violence, the film manages a certain offbeat, black humor, which at times is laugh-out-loud funny, though it’s not always easy to explain why. Above all, though, it is the way the story is pieced together that truly makes this movie stand out. The characters, such as Jules, the Scripture-quoting hit man who believes in miracles, and Butch, the prizefighter with daddy issues, while not model citizens, are certainly fascinating, and I enjoyed seeing how their stories are weaved together. I also liked how the movie is separated into distinct sections (each featuring its own title), reminiscent of the chapters of a book. The movie manages to pull off a non-linear storyline that is compelling rather than confusing, and I found the circular motion of the film ending in the same scene in which it began immensely satisfying.

I would give Pulp Fiction 4.5/5 stars because I was never bored while watching it, despite its two and a half hour run time.

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Posted by Unknown

Zodiac

Monday, November 30, 2015 |

David Fincher rises up on my list of favorite directors higher and higher every film of his that I watch. Some of my favorite movies have been directed by Fincher, like The Social Network and Se7en. Zodiac is fairly different from his other films in that it takes place in a different time period. This time period is the main strength of the movie. If the viewers goal is to be transported into a believable alternate time period, Zodiac does its job superbly. The sets are gorgeous and the hair styles and costumes provide a really immersive aspect to the movie. I really enjoyed the plot and thought the way the murderer set things up with the puzzles was really interesting. I do not think that this movie is one of Fincher's best films, but I definitely think it does a good job at recreating the Noir movies. This movie is entertaining while grim and while it is a very long movie, its pacing makes it very watchable. I recommend this movie and will probably watch it in a few years, I give it a 7/10.

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Posted by Andrew Stringfellow

Birdemic: Shock and Terror (Evan Oyster)

Monday, November 16, 2015 |

Birdemic is easily the greatest movie of all time. This is cinema at its absolute finest. Nothing will ever come close to its greatness. The Godfather? Garbage compared to Birdemic. The Shawshank Redemption? Pales in comparison to that is the almighty Birdemic.


In reality, Birdemic is terrible. Nothing is executed well. It has some of the worst acting you will ever see. The cinematography is inept. The script is excruciatingly cringe-worthy. The special effects look like they were made in Microsoft Paint. The movie is a blatant ripoff of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, except infinitely worse. The movie begins with a four minute sequence of the main character driving around town, with the same terrible music looping every 30 seconds. Sound editing is nonexistent, the audio consistently committing ear-rape on the viewer. For no reason at all, the audio will constantly cut in and out, and often the dialogue cannot be heard due to excess background noise. The very first line in the movie, "Hi", spoken by a waitress, sounds like an alien speaking in its native tongue. 

The story begins with the main character, Rod, eating at a restaurant. He then spots a girl named Natalie that he finds attractive, and immediately follows her out and walks behind her for a little bit. He finally approaches her, saying that he remembers her from somewhere. At first he can't remember from where, but two seconds later he remembers that she sat exactly two seats in front of him in English class senior year. He then asks her if she is from around here, which makes absolutely no sense since he just said they went to the same school. While not remembering Rod at all, who is coming off like a creepy stalker, she inexplicably gives him her number. Next, we see Rod at home, eating a donut and watching the most fake looking news channel of all time. In this scene we learn that the movie has an environmentally conscious theme, to be explored much more later. Cut to another five minutes of Rod driving, with more terrible 30 second long music, and terrible camera shots, with whoever is controlling the camera being unable to follow the car and keep it in frame. Eventually, when he is back at home, a man comes to his house to install solar panels on his roof. You can't understand a word the guy says and the scene is pointless. Next.

Later, we see Natalie, a model, doing a photo shoot at a 1-hour photo store. After, she gets a call from her agent saying that Victoria's Secret wants her to be their new cover girl. It makes no sense at all, the director's an idiot. Rod calls and asks Natalie out on a date, but first he asks how her day has been. After she tells him about Victoria's Secret, he responds: "I bet you'll look great in those lingerie". After saying this she somehow enthusiastically agrees to go on a date with Rod, because the director actually thinks these characters are hitting it off great and have fantastic chemistry. At the date, we learn Rod is in sales, because he says it fits his personality. The only problem is, Rod has no personality at all. He is the most boring, monotoned, dull face, cardboard cutout protagonist imaginable. The way he talks about his goals is as if he is in a job interview. In the end, the date goes well, but only because the script says it does. In reality it is one of the most awkward dates ever. But whatever. The next day we meet Natalie's mom for no reason, other than the purpose of recapping everything that has happened in the first 30 minutes.

The next day, at Rod's work it is announced the company is being bought. Suffice it to say it is the greatest scene of all time. I have no words for it. It is perfection, just watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nObH1R9ONw

Yadda yadda yadda, plot happens, terrible acting is abundant, Natalie's mom talks about retirement in another pointlessly boring scene, Rod and Natalie awkwardly dance to a song at a bar for a full three minutes, the most uncomfortable sex scene occurs, beginning with Rod saying: "You look...fine". We're over 40 minutes into this 90 minute movie, and you ask yourself, "Where are the birds?!?!" And then all of a sudden, after the terrible, awkward sex scene, just wanting to see some bird attacks, you immediately regret it all and just want to go back to the terrible romantic subplot. Why? This is why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMXHb9wcRNE
But wait, it gets so much better. Cut to our characters having to viciously fight off killer birds, in what is easily the greatest use of CGI in the history of movies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrxZblVUkMU
They're using wire hangers to fend off killer birds. Wire hangers. I'm done with life. 

Then after getting in the car, they somehow have M4 assault rifles to shoot down the birds? What??? This pretty much repeats and goes on for a while. Eventually they meet some scientist on a bridge who talks about global warming and fossil fuels, etc., to further promote the ungodly amount of preachiness in this movie. Oh, also, earlier in the movie, after Rod and Natalie go on a double date to the movies, Rod says: "Man, that was a good movie: An Inconvenient Truth" (An Inconvenient Truth is an actual documentary about global warming). Can the director get any more heavy handed with the environment theme? Whatever. Next. Birds puke acid on people. They die. Okay. Rod and Natalie, oh and some kids they found (the reason I just now remembered to mention them is because that's how useless and forgetful they are in this movie) go to a gas station to get some gas. The worker, who I swear is the actual owner of the gas station and was asked at the last minute if he wanted to be in the movie, says gas is $100 a gallon. Makes sense. Then they see a man on the highway who needs help, so they pul over. The man asks to buy some gas from them, Rod says no, they need it. The man then pulls out a gun, and says, and I quote: "You're gonna sell me some gas now". That's some really harsh demands there. He takes a gallon of gas from them, then immediately after has his throat sliced by a bird. This is the greatest movie.

They later come across a tree hugger in the woods, who talks about how humans are destroying wildlife, again furthering the insane environment preaching this movie does. Next, in the ultimate climax of the movie, our heroes and the kids are stranded on the beach, dozens of birds about to swarm down on them, and then, all of a sudden, they fly away. Done. Movie's over. Not even kidding. The final shot of Rod, Natalie, and the kids looking out at the water watching the birds fly away lasts like two minutes before the credits role. I am dead. 

This movie is horrendous, nothing about it is well done. The best part is that the director of the movie actually thinks this is a good, legit, scary movie he made. In interviews, he is unable to grasp that his movie is a complete joke. The fact that this movie took four years to make is astounding. Even better, most of the names in the credits are completely fake. The director made them up to make the movie seem more professional. It didn't work. 

Birdemic: Shock and Terror, is a terrible movie. It is 90 minutes long, but 3/4 of it are pointless scenes of driving and stupid expository dialogue. However, it is incredibly entertaining to watch and is absolutely hilarious. This, as well as the all time classic movie The Room, is the ultimate party movie to watch with friends. It is obvious as to why it has become such a cult classic, as it is so easy and fun to rip apart and make fun of. It is the epitome of "it's so bad it's good".

There's also a sequel, Birdemic 2: The Resurrection. It's supposed to be just as terrible. I can't wait to watch it.

2/10

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Anatomy of a Murder (Evan Oyster)

Tuesday, November 03, 2015 |

In this should-be-classic 1959 courtroom drama directed by Otto Preminger, adapted from John D. Voelker's novel of the same name, we the viewer witness one of the most realistic portrayal's of a trial put to film. This film, especially for its time, is a very straightforward and frank movie, never holding back in addressing the graphic nature of sex and rape in regards to the case. In a fantastic scene which is clearly directed to the conservative film audiences of the time, the judge is asked whether they must be referred to as "undergarments" instead of the more correct and exact term "panties". The lawyers asks whether it is necessary to soften the language in a case that is already explicit in nature, and makes the point that everyone is adults here. This is a groundbreaking and envelope pushing film, paving the way for future movies.

James Stewart, in his final Oscar nomination, is stellar as protagonist and lawyer Paul Biegler. While he is the main character and the man we root for, he is not perfect, repeatedly resorting to deceit and trickery to help his case.

Duke Ellington's fantastic score truly adds to the movie the tone and atmosphere the film needs, and Sam Leavitt's cinematography is perfect for the film, having drawn out long takes to add to the tension and realism of the film.

This is a very long film, at 2 hours and 45 minutes, and a times it does tend feel as if it is dragging. However, this does make it feel like a real, long, and drawn-out trial. This is a great movie, that anyone who is looking for a riveting, realistic, envelope-pushing courtroom drama should watch.

9/10

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Posted by Unknown

The Godfather

Tuesday, November 03, 2015 |

I really like mafia movies and knowing that the Godfather is considered the best I decided to watch it. I saw it a few years ago and couldn't really remember it so I decided to watch it again. This is the greatest movie of all time. If any movie deserves a perfect 10/10, it is this movie. The acting across the board is phenomenal. Each character is so dynamic and different from eachother. I would love to read to book to see how much the script was modified from the book. Supposedly Part 2 is superior to part 1 which I highly doubt but I will definitely go back and watch all of them. This movie now surpasses Pulp Fiction as my favorite movie. 10/10 would watch again and read.

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Posted by Andrew Stringfellow
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