2002- Bowling for Columbine skyrockets Moore's success.

Bowling for Columbine was a confronting investigation into the use of guns in America and there implications in the massacre at the Columbine High School. Moore seeks to find out why the Columbine massacre occurred and why the United States has a high violent crime rate. Moore interviews a range of people including comedian Matt Stone, head of the NRA Charlton Heston, music artist Maralyn Manson and a range of citizens with opinions on the gun laws and restrictions in America. The film has been highly criticized for misrepresenting information, but to say it is confronting, thought provoking and shocking in the evidence it does present would be close to an understatement. 

Image Source: www.michaelmoore.com

From the opening scenes when he gets a free gun by opening a new bank account - Moore uses archived clips, mixed with interviews of people associated with the Oklahoma City bombings to persuade us to accept his arguments. 

Various clips are introduced throughout the film depicting violence in the United States and the fear that citizens live with in this society. There is implication that fear is hyped by the media and controlled by the government to keep the level of fear amongst the populace. 

He also includes a segment comparing the contrast of violence between the U.S. and Canada which has a fairly high percentage of private gun ownership, but very low gun violence.

Why is this? The answer that Moore leads us to is that the reason the United States has so many violent deaths due to guns is not the AMOUNT of guns but due to the exploitation of violence through the media and the governments position to keep Americans on the edge of fear.

The film is very successful at bringing out a reaction from the audience, wether it be disgust at George W. Bush, a new found respect for Maralyn Manson, or a loss of all respect for Moore. 

Find out your reaction by watching the trailer at: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUSpszWfu_w&feature=related

Alex

xx

2010- "Easy A" gets an easy A.

Easy A begins as any stereotypical teen flick with a pan across the school yard, we go on a hunt for our protagonist as her voiceover gives us a background to her invisibility. As we bump, quite literally, into Olive Penderghast. Olive launches quite unintentionally into a graphic description of how she lost her virginity to a college boy in the hope of dodging an invitation to a camping trip with her best friends parents, a couple of modern nudists whose idea of a nice dinner is quite questionable. Olives description of her exploits get overheard by the schools resident christian Marianne who spreads the rumor like wild fire. Olive gets thrown into a web of lies as she uses her new reputation to help out a friend in need. Word gets out of Olive's kind nature and before she knows it she is helping a whole host of guys as she lets people say they "did things." It only takes for olives entire life to fall apart before she realises that maybe telling the truth is a better way to lead her life. 

Image source: www.starpulse.com

The film is really successful in the box office, I've personally seen it twice and i plan to see it again. Obviously im a fantastic example of box office takings but for the more number hungry folk on the 4th of October the film had taken $42,176,967 at the box office in the USA. The film has really capitalised on the increase in internet and mobile telephone use in teenagers across the world. The entire film is based around an video blog post as Olive tries to clear her name in a way she know will reach the most people. Possibly commenting on the new communication methods of the 21st century that are targeting teens. The use of new technology familiar to the "digital natives" of the Y and I generations allows the audience to commect to the character in a way that has become so familiar to them, digitally. Urging forward the success of the film. 

Image source: bitchinfilmreviews.com

'Easy A' has become recognised for its different and when done well, very successful style. The way in which Olive speaks directly to the camera at some points creates the film in a more documentary film style sense and allows Olive to speak directly to the audience, including them in the plotline, and at points, inviting them to comment and form opinions on what is happening. Key to this style of film is the comedy factor which primarily contributes to its success and is overall done very well. Olive's great sense of humour paired with the dynamic script makes this film stand out from all other teen flicks.

Image source:www.cbc.ca

Further contribution to the film's success is Olive as a character herself. Played by Emma Stone, Olive has previously been a bit of a loner, unknown, and as she puts it, 'anonymous'. This is all until the rumours are spread and Olive is transformed into a sexy, very well known, popular with the boys, teen. I believe much of the film's success can be put down to Stone herself and the character she plays, she is very bright and unique. Easily relatable yet distincitive, her transformations are textbook reactions to how high school works. When things eventually blow up for her she handles herself in a way which is beyond her characters years. Portraying strong, passionate qualities, she's a great role model for why you should tell the truth, and simply be yourself.

'Easy A' is in cinemas at the moment and is rated PG.

Reviews:

• it’s easy to love "Easy A," a funny and sweet updating of the high-school comedy genre

• As the title implies, 'Easy A' is a movie made by some smart people.

• This isn't just the sharpest high-school comedy in years, it's also the funniest movie of any kind in 2010 so far.

For more reviews visit Rotten Tomatoes.

Liz and Alex

xx

2001 produced one of the best family movies of all time, Monsters Inc.

Monsters Inc. was the fourth feature length film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and was so well received a sequel is scheduled for release in 2012.

Image: www.impawards.com

John Goodman and Billy Crystal voice the characters of Mike and Sulley, two monsters working to collect screams for children in order to power their city. In this world, access to our world is gained through children's closet doors, creating a portal for transport.
The story surrounds Sulley, who works late one night to see a child's closet door has been left behind on their 'scare floor'. He enters to check if another monster was 'scaring' in their and turns around to find that he has accidently brought a human child into their world.
Mike and Sulley spend the film disguising the little girl, 'Boo' as they name her, as a monster and ultimately try to find her door so she can get home.


The animation is superb and the use of bright colours and flawless effects makes the film very engaging and entertaining to watch. Whilst this is ultimately a kids movie i think it's enjoyable for everyone, give it a go one night this week.


    x x Liz

2003- Rocking it out With Jack Black in "The School Of Rock"

Math is a wonderful thing
Math is a really cool thing
So get off your ath, lets do some math
Math, Math, Math, Math, Math

With a teacher like Jack Black who wouldn’t want to do math! Blacks hilarious performance as Dewy Finn bought classic rock back into the lives of many young people such as myself. The 2003 film grossed $131,282,949 internationally at the box office making it a major success across the globe. This is completely unsurprising as the film is an upbeat protest against the “Man” that gets everyone bopping along in their seats.

Dewy Finn is a washed up rock star fired from his band for his uncontrollable antics on stage including partial nudity, stage dives gone wrong and his elaborate and extended guitar solos. After almost being kicked out of his apartment Finn lands a job at snooty prep school Horace Green by stealing his flat mate’s identity. The kids, although at first resistant to his hopeless charm and abrupt demeanor, grow to love Mr S’s classes as he teaches them the practical and theoretical elements of rock and its history as they strive towards a school assignment of entering “Battle of the Bands.”


Black is found out after a string of events that lead his room mate to telling his ever disapproving fiancé of Finn’s identity theft but the Kids get him off his ass to compete in the Battle that is eventually won by his old band, but “The School of Rock” receive an encore to give ACDC a run for their money. Winning in spirit the kids and Black form an after school program specializing in rock education that rocks out through the credits leaving the audience in awe of the young performers ability.


Black was nominated for a Golden Globe but was pipped at the post by Bill Murray for Lost in Translation. Personally I think Black gave a much better performance, especially given his rocking out on stage in Angus Young-esque attire. Having said this, the real stars of the show were the kids in the film. The cast of very young musicians are amazing in there talent, particularly Tomika, played by Maryam Hassan, who has the most amazing voice and Zach, Joey Gaydos, who is an amazing classical and rock guitarist.

In The words of The School Of Rock

Baby we was makin' straight A's
but we was stuck in a dumb days
Don't take much to memorize your lies,
feels like i've been hypnotised,


and if you wanna be a teachers pet.
well baby you just better forget it,
rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme,
You betta get me to school on time,
Oh yeah!


now can i please have the attention of the class,
todays ass-ignment...ah hemm...
KICK SOME ASS!

Images sourced from:
new.taringa.net
photo.yeah1.com


Lyrics sourced from:
www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/school_of_rock/

2000- American Beauty

Sam Mendes’s 1999 film American Beauty is probably the only film I have seen in my life that I could actually say was life changing.

The film focuses on a man, Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, having what would typically be referred to as a mid life crisis as he decides his life is a fabrication, each individual element being specially constructed by his wife to keep up the appearance of the perfect suburban family. As a result he develops an infatuation with his daughter’s friend Angela, played by Mena Suvari, quits his job, starts smoking marijuana and gets a job flipping burgers at “Mr Smiley’s.”

Image source: scriptshadow.blogspot.com

Although the film was made in 1999 it won its wealth of awards in 2000 so that’s why I’ve included it in this yea. The film won Peoples Choice award at the Toronto Film Festival, and was nominated for 8 academy awards as well as being given “Top Honours” from industry organizations. The film is visually splendid in its cinematography and brutally honest in its portrayal of suburban life. The Soundtrack is amazing and the imagery of the rose petal ties a string of amazing metaphors together resulting in a fantastic film that is one for the ages.

American Beauty was so personally inspiring because in the process of his life spiraling out of control Lester develops an approach to his life that is so incredibly refreshing. His voice over from beyond the grave says at the end of the film:

 “Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst and then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life..."

This is a sentiment I try to live my live by.
Relax, enjoy life and most importantly… this weekend watch American Beauty.


See the Trailer Here

Alex

xoxo

Twilight: the beginning of the much anticipated tetralogy

The release of 'Twilight' in 2008 set the film world up as US$392 million richer as tweens, teens, adults, mothers, males and mostly females rushed into the cinema on November 21 to witness the modern day love story that is the creation of Stephenie Meyer.

The plot follows Bella as an awkward teenager who moves to the small town of Forks to live with her father. She is soon drawn to the strange Edward who she soon discovers to be a vampire. Their relationship develops and shocks many as they fall in love. Edward's very protective nature towards Bella leads to her becoming a target for another vampire coven whom are not as friendly as Edwards family. The plot quickly twists to focus on Bella escaping the sadistic James and ultimately being protected and rescued by the Cullens.


Whilst 'Twilight' is based on the Stephenie Meyer novel it does not reflect the story perfectly. The pairing of Robert Pattinson as Edward and Kristen Stewart as Bella is satisfactory and their chemistry together really only grows towards the conclusion of the film (in setting up for 'New Moon', 'Eclipse' and 'Breaking Dawn'). Much of the films success can be put down to the primary success of the novel and the introduction of the entirely new vampire genre which has started a frenzy of spin-off TV shows, novels and other films.


The style of the film is very fitting. Forks, as a rainy and drab place is tinged with a slight blue to enhance this. Rain and snow are a common occurrence in nearly every scene which creates the film overall in a very 'cold' sense. It is however warmed by Bella and Edward's relationship and their obvious feelings towards each other.
The soundtrack also added another dimension to the film as the production opted for more alternative music. Robert Pattinson contributed two songs to the film, 'Never Think' and 'Let Me Sign' which can be viewed as good indicators as to the musical style that was encouraged.


The film came together really well but i would encourage interpretation isolated from the novel as they are two completely different things. 'Twilight' is rated M and should be viewed by any who are intrigued by this prominent new genre.


'Twilight' Trailer 2008


x x Liz

A look at one of 2006's most positively received films, 'Little Miss Sunshine'

'Little Miss Sunshine' brings to light a not so typical family.


The film focusses on Sheryl, the mother who desperately tries to provide the best for everyone, her husband, Richard who is trying to make it as a motivational speaker, Sheryl's brother Frank who must move in with the family after his recent suicide attempt. There is Edwin, Richard's father who has been evicted from his retirement village after recently selling heroin there, Dwayne who has undertaken a vow of silence until he becomes a test pilot and lastly there is Olive, of whom much of the story surrounds as she and her family endeavors to make it to the Little Miss Sunshine Pageant on time.


The story is engaging and unique as we come to know this family and their dysfunction. We grow to connect with the characters, their features and their struggles throughout the film.


Toni Collette is fabulous (as always!) as Sheryl who really holds the family together and Paul Dano deserves a special mention as Dwayne, some of his scenes are the most powerful and most hilarious of the 99 minutes.


The style of the film is also quite unique. It lacks that Hollywood polish over the top that has become all too common. It feels real, their less than indulgent home in New Mexico, their furniture and their clothes all contribute to how these people look similar to the people who live down our street. We relate to them much easier through this realness and it really sets the tone of the whole film really well.


What should be realized first and foremost is that this film is a drama-comedy and should be viewed through these filters. I wouldn't suggest it appropriate for anyone under the age of 15. Yet, i would suggest it to everyone else, a brilliant comedy about life and family and all that each entails.


Little Miss Sunshine Trailer 2006


x x Liz.