Summer Flicks 2018

Ah, summer. My least favorite movie season. A time of countless blockbusters and tentpoles, looking to cash in on people's free time and need to escape the heat. As cynical as I may be about movies this distant from awards season, there are always some exceptions to the rule. I decided to write this post to dissect the movies I've caught this summer- the good and the bad. Buckle up because I'm coming to you with mini reviews on EVERY film I've caught in theaters this summer!

Tully:

While "Tully" was one of the more indie, low-profile films over the summer, it certainly packed a punch. As soon as I heard Charlize Theron was starring in a new film, I was on board. She is an exceptionally gifted actress who is entirely dedicated to her craft, and I knew this movie would be no exception. "Tully" is a powerful psychological drama that centers around Marlo (Theron), a middle-aged woman about to have her third child. Well, at least I would classify the film into that genre. This film was marketed as a comedy, and while there may have been comedic elements to it, it certainly came across as a serious film to me. This film sheds light on the practical turmoils new mothers face. Marlo's brother sends her a night nurse to help her with the new baby so she can get some sleep. Marlo and the new night nurse, Tully, develop a bond. Throughout the course of their relationship, the lines between truth and fiction seem to blur. Without giving away one of the best plot twists I've seen in years, I highly recommend checking out this film for yourself. The ending completely shocked me, which is saying a lot when so many movies are coming out that are utterly predictable. Mainly because this film was branded as a comedy, I was completely surprised by what I saw. This movie was bold, twisted, surprising, intense, and enlightening. It is definitely dark, so don't be fooled by the comedic label! If you're in the mood for some great acting and a good shock, definitely check out this summer flick.

Book Club:

Ah, "Book Club". I don't even know where to begin with this one. Let me start by saying how much I adore the cast of this film. The stars include two of my personal heroes, my queens, Diane Keaton and Jane Fonda. I could write an entire separate post about what these two women mean to me, that's how much I adore them. They starred alongside Candace Bergen and Mary Steenburgen, who are also phenomenal. While I'm all for them having fun making a movie and taking a break from doing serious work, I was a little sad that such phenomenal actresses would stoop to this level. Now I know this movie wasn't made with the intention of winning Best Picture, but let me tell you... it was simply not good. You know those movies that you know are bad but you just love them anyway? This was not one of them. This movie is technically about 4 women who host a monthly book club- yet we only ever see them read the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy. Therefore, it's a pretty safe bet that these older women explore their sexuality and work on defining their relationships with men throughout the film. Clearly this plot line in a comedy leads to juvenile jokes (despite it being made for a "mature" audience). I can maybe see enjoying this film more if you do happen to fall within the target demographic, but as a 22 year old, the humor was lost on me. A great point of comparison is Fonda's hit Netflix show, "Grace and Frankie". This show was made for the same target demographic. It, too, is a comedy that centers around redefining your life and exploring who you are at an older age. Yet unlike "Book Club," this show draws in young viewers- all of my friends watch and love it! "Book Club" tried and failed to reach this level. I love these women and I'm certain they enjoyed making this film, which is great, but it was not a home run in my book.

Adrift:

Now this film is a perfect example of a movie I know is far from great, yet I loved regardless. I've always been obscenely fascinated by survival stories. One of my favorite classes I took in college was called The Biology and Psychology of Survival. Because of that class,  I've gained my fair share of knowledge about how people conduct themselves in survival situations, as well as how the human body and psyche are influenced by them. I knew all along that "Adrift" may not be a priority in the land of film critics, but regardless I eagerly awaited its arrival to theaters. This film, which is based on a true story,  stars Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin as a couple, sailing from Tahiti to San Diego. Their route goes off course as they mistakenly sail into a catastrophic hurricane. The film takes the viewer back and forth between their perilous journey and back in time, telling the story of these characters, Tami and Richard, falling in love. A survival story and a love story? Sign me up. While the alternating storylines somewhat irritated me at points, I didn't find very many faults with this movie. There are definitely points where the love story feels a little corny, but I genuinely loved how the film conveyed these characters handling their peril. I felt even more invested in the outcome since it was clear that these two people were so in love. I was impressed with the special effects, and particularly with Woodley's acting. Shailene Woodley has certainly demonstrated her broad acting ability recently (ex. "Big Little Lies"). By no means is this a perfect movie. It's a little color-by-numbers. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt genuinely interested throughout the entire film. While the plot can be slightly predictable, Woodley certainly has an ability to pull the viewer in and really feel for these characters and their story. It was honestly everything I want in a summer movie.

Hereditary:

"Hereditary" was definitely the most unusual film I saw this summer. I'm not the biggest horror movie fan in the world, hence why my reviews on them are few and far between. I'm all for some 80s classics, such as "Halloween" and "Nightmare on Elm Street," but I will say that I feel continuously let down by modern horror movies. They feel so forced and artificial, and I just don't have a strong connection to them. When news of "Hereditary" broke, it was positioned as a horror film that breaks the mold of what we've seen recently. This immediately concerned me, as my mind went directly to the film "Mother!" released last fall. I honestly should have written a post on my hatred of this film, but I didn't want to relive my experience of watching it. I feared that "Hereditary" would similarly stray too far from the mold, leaving audiences more confused than anything. That being said, once I saw the trailer for "Hereditary," I was definitely interested. "Hereditary" was released by A24, which is one of my all time favorite film distributers. There is rarely a film they release that I don't enjoy, so that definitely increased this film's credibility in my eyes. On top of that. this film stars Toni Collette, who is such a fantastic actor. I've been a long-time fan of her work. I knew that her acting would be a strong contribution to this film. "Hereditary" is about one family's eerie ancestry, opening with the matriarch of the family passing away. As the film progresses, the viewers learn how this family has sinister qualities passed down through their genes. In efforts not to spoil the plot, I will leave you with this: the performances in "Hereditary" are spectacular, unlike any performances I've ever seen in a scary movie. Toni Collette blows it out of the water. Man, the faces that woman can make are unreal. Alex Wolff, who plays the son, delivers a standout performance as well. He is notable for his role in the indie "My Friend Dahmer," and does not disappoint in "Hereditary". The first 3/4 of this movie I thought were superb and exceptionally compelling. They broke free of the typically unrealistic horror movie mold. The last quarter in my opinion got a little outlandish and forced the film to lose a little of its credibility. All in all, it'll definitely be worth a go come Halloween time.

Ocean's 8:

This one's for the ladies! If you're in the mood to watch some badass women in the most phenomenal costumes commit some crime, boy is this the film for you. I went into the theater for "Oceans 8" with fairly low expectations. I noted that the film had an exceptional cast, but expected it to be a so-so retelling of the classic Ocean's films. This movie certainly exceeded my expectations! It was compelling, fun, and full of incredible feminism. Now, I'm not saying this is an Oscar-movie film, but it was such a fun summer flick that did not disappoint. Let's start by breaking down this killer cast. This movie stars Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, Rihanna, Sarah Paulson, and Helena Bonham Carter, ~AKA queens~.  These women make the film. They are bosses. They get stuff done and look good doing it. By no means am I endorsing anyone pulling of a heist but dang they make it look cool. The whole plot of the movie centers around a group of women robbing jewels from the Met Gala. Sandra Bullock serves as the ring leader, playing Debbie Ocean, a recently released convict, sister of Danny Ocean. She and this group of women orchestrate a heist that, if they pull it off, will leave them with $150 million. I was a little worried that this would bore me, but the plot remains captivating throughout the film. It is a funny, witty, empowering film. Die-hard Ocean's fans may be slightly less enthusiastic about this version, but it personally kept me more engaged than the original Ocean's films. I think the entire cast was phenomenal, but I think Anne Hathaway was a standout. We haven't seen her very much on the big screen in the last few years, so it was great to see her pack a punch in this role. Once again, it's not a perfect film but it is just one of those quality summer movies! Heck, it should hold up through the next season as well.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again:

One of my favorite guilty pleasure movies is "Mamma Mia!". Few things beat a Friday night in college staying in with a bottle of wine, some good friends, and Meryl Streep. Let's be real, few things in life ever beat Meryl Streep. Before I go on a rant about my favorite human Meryl, let's talk "Mamma Mia!" and its sequel. I'll admit, "Mamma Mia!" is a far cry from a genuinely great movie. But it is just so fun! We all have movies like this that we love, ones that comfort the soul. I saw the original in theaters 10 years ago and have definitely watched it at least once a year since. When I heard that a sequel was coming out, I flipped. I was so excited to see what they would do with this and to hear more ABBA songs. When the day finally came, I booked it to the theater as soon as I could. I'm sure at this point no one will be surprised to hear that I loved the sequel! Let me tell you a secret- I still love the first one more. The major issue I had with the sequel is that it is lacking Meryl screen time. This is insanely biased of me, but I gotta have my Meryl. I will say, though, a scene of Cher singing "Fernando" nearly made up for that. The sequel is in fact mostly a prequel, showing Donna, the lead, in her youth in the 70s. It reintroduces us to the characters we know and love in their youth. I thought the music selection was great- there was a nice balance of repeat songs from the original, as well as different ABBA songs. I thought the casting was great for the most part. I didn't really love Lilly James as young Donna as much as I wanted to. I thought she did a pretty good job, but I just didn't believe her as the young version of Meryl Streep's Donna. Besides that, though, I think it was even better than I expected! I was pretty worried that it would be a flop, as sequels can be. But I really did love it! In fact, I've had the soundtrack blasting pretty much all summer. If you don't get bogged down on all of the plot inconsistencies, it's definitely a fun movie!

Eighth Grade:

If you're on the hunt for a good coming-of-age story, "Eighth Grade" will not disappoint. "Eighth Grade" is an independent film directed by Bo Burnham, who got his start as a Youtuber. It is about a thirteen year old girl named Kayla. Upon entering eighth grade, Kayla endures the social trials and tribulations many teens face at that age. She has her own Youtube channel, on which she dispenses advice on a range of topics, such as "how to have confidence". Despite the type of advice she gives others, Kayla is extremely introverted and has great difficulty finding her social footing in school. I can't speak on behalf of others, but I definitely personally connected to this film. 13 is a delicate age, and it certainly brought back any struggles I may have had at the time. A major focus in the film is on social media. It certainly made me glad this wasn't really in existence when I was that age. Throughout the course of the film, we see Kayla deal with a variety of social obstacles, such as pool parties, popular girls, crushes, befriending older kids, and more. It's hard for me to believe anyone had their life totally together at this age, so I definitely think there's something in "Eighth Grade" for everyone. It feels so genuine. It gives great insight into what it's like to be in eighth grade at this day in age. It also shows what it's like to be a single parent of a young teen. If I had to describe this film in one word, it would be honest. It is well worth the watch.

BlacKkKlansman:

Another Spike Lee joint. I've been waiting for a new Spike Lee movie for ages! "Do The Right Thing" is one of the best films I've ever seen. Lee is a super talented filmmaker, so I was stoked to see "BlacKkKlansman". This tells the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer who poses as a member of the KKK in order to gain intel. He sends a white colleague (played by Adam Driver) undercover, and they work together to infiltrate and expose the organization. I don't want to give much of the plot away, as it's much better to see the events unfold onscreen than to simply read what happens. I will say, though, that the acting is superb- Adam Driver is the shining star in my eyes. This story shines a light on a key component of our nation's history, while managing to be funny at the same time. It is clever and witty, and it's hard to believe this is a true story! It has an epic soundtrack, too, which is an added bonus. As I said, every single person should make an effort to see this story unfold before their eyes, so I don't want to reveal much plot. Put this at the top of your list! Spike Lee has done it again.


Crazy Rich Asians:

Last but not least, the final movie I saw this summer was "Crazy Rich Asians". I think a lot of people will agree that this was the standout film of the summer. It can be easy for critics to dismiss films classified as "romantic comedies" but this film refused to be ignored. In fact, "Crazy Rich Asians" was the most successful romantic comedy to hit the theater in nine years. This film is about a Chinese-American NYU professor named Rachel Chu who goes to Singapore with her boyfriend to meet his family. She finds out upon arrival that this family, the Youngs, are among the wealthiest families in Singapore. Not only does Rachel learn this, but she learns that Nick (her boyfriend) is one of the most eligible bachelors. The film deals with Rachel's struggles to be accepted into the family. Between the family and the women from Nick's hometown, Rachel finds herself targeted by the people around her. This film is the first Hollywood studio released film to have an all-Asian cast since "The Joy Luck Club" in 1993. This is a fundamentally important statistic and this film has been incredibly important to a diverse audience. The storyline is very entertaining- it's the perfect blend of meaningful and funny, and has just the right hint of romance. The entire cast is phenomenal and truly delivers. If that's not enough to drive you to the theater to see it, it's worth a watch for the opulence alone. You won't believe the wealth depicted on screen. This movie is full of glamour. The different dynamics between the family members are endlessly fascinating. It is a feel-good movie that shares important stories. It has integrity, passion, heart, and humor. Race to your theater to get the full experience! 

Good Time

One of the movies that has lingered in the back of my mind lately since seeing it was "Good Time," starring Robert Pattinson. This movie came out about a year ago. I don't know how I missed it last summer, but I sure am glad Amazon Prime came through and I could stream it now! This movie is about two brothers (Connie- played by Pattinson, and Nick- played by Benny Safdie) who botch a bank robbery. Connie is the man in charge, taking along his developmentally disabled brother along for the ride. The film covers the events that unfold over the course of one night.

The film opens with this bank robbery. In short, Connie escapes while Nick is taken into custody. Thus begins the drama of Connie trying to get his brother out of custody. Through this journey, there are lots of twists and turns along the way. Connie's lies pour out of his mouth with the greatest of ease, slowly roping others into his life of crime and chaos. Robert Pattinson gives so much depth and dimension to this character. As a viewer, I routinely had to remind myself that practically every line out of his mouth was a lie- he was just so convincing. This movie is very plot-driven, as the entire film tells the story of just one night. Without giving away too much details about the positions Connie finds himself in (and puts others in as well) I will say that this movie is not for the faint of heart. The film feels so real that I genuinely felt transported into this dark world. Lots of movies portray crime, drugs, brutality, and the likes, but few do it the way "Good Time" does it.

This movie allows the viewer to feel the pulse of the city at night. There is such a feel of authenticity to it. It is raw, it is gritty, it is intense. While the plot is exceptionally captivating and everything about the film truly impressed me, the performance delivered by Robert Pattinson heightened the film exponentially. "Good Times" was an A24 movie, which in my opinion knocks it out of the park time and time again. Like many other indie movies, the passion put into this film seeps out of it. It is so clear that a lot of attention was put into this film. It relies on the smallest of details to make it what it is. "Good Time" was suspenseful and captivating, and certainly left me craving more. Pattinson shines in this project, and I am excited to see what he does in the future. 

The Actor Profile Series: Jake Gyllenhaal

One of my favorite modern actors is Jake Gyllenhaal. At 37 years old, he is impressively credited in 48 roles. It is clear that Gyllenhaal pours his entire being into each role he takes on. Every time I see him in a role, he completely captivates me. He began acting as a child (who could forget him in "October Sky?") and continued through his teenage years into adulthood. He's received nominations for various awards, including Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, BAFTA's, Screen Actor's Guild, and more. While his only major win was a BAFTA for his performance in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain," something tells me there will be more wins in his future. Since he consistently delivers strong performances, I wanted to break down my favorite roles of his.

As a teenager, Gyllenhaal starred in Richard Kelly's twisted thriller "Donnie Darko". This is definitely my personal favorite Gyllenhaal movie. While it may not have been an overwhelmingly smashing critical success, it's certainly entertaining and showcases the actors' abilities. Gyllenhaal stars at the titular lead of this science fiction film. Darko is a high school student experiencing a bit of an identity crisis. He acts out against authority figures, experiences dark thoughts, and begins to receive visits from a six-foot bunny rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world is coming to an end.  This movie takes us on a ride through Darko's unusual journey to self-identification. "Donnie Darko" can best be described in one word- bizarre. I've probably seen this movie about 5 times, and every time I watch it I still spend hours analyzing what I've seen after. Gyllenhaal was 21 years old when he was in this film. Darko is an extremely layered and complex character, and Gyllenhaal's performance is remarkable. The character evokes melancholy, confusion, and wonder. Gyllenhaal's performance escalates this film to a new level. This role truly paved the road transitioning Gyllenhaal from childhood roles to more serious adult roles.

"Brokeback Mountain" came out in 2005, and at the time was a revolutionary story about a gay romance. Gyllenhaal played Jack Twist, a Texan rodeo cowboy. The film takes place in the 1960s- certainly a time when being gay was rarely accepted in society, particularly in the south. Gyllenhaal stars opposite Heath Ledger, who plays Ennis Del Mar, a ranch-hand. The movie tells the story of Ennis and Jack's forbidden romance, unveiling incredibly emotive performances from both Gyllenhaal and Ledger. "Brokeback Mountain" is undoubtably an incredibly emotional film full of complexities and heartache. This is an exceptionally powerful film, and Gyllenhaal certainly gave the role his all. He brings the heartfelt script to life. To this day, I think a lot of people (including myself) are furious that "Crash" beat out "Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture at the Oscars. This certainly cemented Gyllenhaal's title as a serious actor in the business.

Next up is the 2007 thriller, "Zodiac". This movie is based on a true story about a serial killer in San Francisco in the 1960s and 1970s. The killer, known as "Zodiac," leaves cryptic notes for the police, taunting them. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle.  His character works with a detective and a journalist in efforts to solve the mystery of the Zodiac killer. To prepare for his role, Jake Gyllenhaal met with Graysmith and recorded him, studying his movements and mannerisms. This was the first time that Gyllenhaal played a real person, demonstrating a new facet to his acting abilities. His attention to detail when playing actual people will pay off later in his career as well.

One of Jake Gyllenhaal's strongest performances of his career was in "Nightcrawler". This eerie movie further emphasizes Gyllenhaal's draw to dark and twisty characters. "Nightcrawler" tells the story of wannabe night reporter Lou Bloom in Los Angeles. This film as a whole is probably the best Gyllenhaal movie. Throughout the course of this thriller, Bloom runs around the city, desperate to capture LA night crimes before bigger news outlets can get to them. Gyllenhaal's performance in this film is reminiscent of De Niro in "Taxi Driver". In a similar way to De Niro's Bickle, we see Bloom psychologically deteriorate as he strives to reach his goals. This movie is brilliant and Gyllenhaal definitely deserves more recognition than he initially received for this performance. He was so dedicated to this role that he lost thirty pounds in preparation (all signs point to his generations' De Niro). He barely slept while the movie shot, which is evident in his hollowed face and bloodshot eyes. Gyllenhaal is dedicated to his craft, and it shows.

One of the newer an unique roles Gyllenhaal took on was in Netflix's original film, "Okja". This unique film is about a young girl named Mija who takes extreme measures to ensure a major corporation doesn't take away her best friend, a magnificent beast named Okja. The film serves as a social commentary on animal activism, corporate greed, and scientific ethics. I could write an entirely separate post on this- as a vegetarian and eternal animal lover, this film moved me deeply. On another note, however, Gyllenhaal broke the mold of his usual character attributes in this film. He took on a comedic role, playing secondary character Dr. Johnny Wilcox. A few critics cited his performance in this role as too "eccentric," but I think that was exactly his intention. It was refreshing to see Gyllenhaal in such a goofy role. His character talks in a high-pitched voice and all of his movements could double as choreography. Although his performance could come across as overstated and overdone, it works in the context of the film. It was nice to see usually-serious Gyllenhaal loosen up on screen and truly come to life. "Okja" takes on many serious issues, so Gyllenhaal's character serves as comedic relief throughout the film. While certainly an unusual one, Gyllenhaal's performance in this film adds a new dimension to his acting reel.

Finally, I'll conclude this post with Gyllenhaal's most recent role in a feature film. This role was in 2017's movie "Stronger," which was about a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing. Gyllenhaal described "Stronger" as his most important project of his career. He not only starred in the movie, playing Jeff Bauman, a man who lost his legs in the bombing, but produced as well. When I first heard of this film, I honestly wasn't expecting to be wowed by it. I thought it would mirror films of a similar nature. However, the emotion delivered in Gyllenhaal's acting left me teary-eyed. He spent a year preparing for this role. One of the main themes of the movie is Bauman's difficulty with accepting his newfound status as a "hero". The audience sees Bauman struggle not only with his disability, but the burden his new title places on him as well. It highlights relationship troubles, struggles within his family, and all sorts of impossible new challenges placed on Bauman. One of the most powerful scenes of the film emphasizing Bauman's physical pain was when the doctors first had to remove the dressing on his legs in the hospital. As I was watching this, I was shocked by how convincing Gyllenhaal was in this scene. The entire movie pays so much attention to detail. It could so easily have been a cliched film. Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Bauman was simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming. "Stronger" definitely allowed Gyllenhaal to deliver some of his finest work. I look forward to Jake Gyllenhaal's upcoming projects!

A Quiet Place

Over the weekend, I saw John Krasinski's latest film, "A Quiet Place". I don't think I've ever written a blog about a horror movie- while I enjoy many older horror films, I rarely rush to the theater to catch the latest one. However, upon hearing about "A Quiet Place" I made sure to see this one opening weekend. I was initially drawn to the film due to the unique premise of it. Most horror movies that are released are centered around paranormal activity, which I find can be pretty redundant and ineffective. To give some context, "A Quiet Place" takes the viewer to a post-apocalyptic world filled with creatures that kill if they detect any sound. Krasinski and Emily Blunt are parents to their three children, who we meet creeping around a store attempting not to make a sound. Their oldest daughter is deaf (the actress who plays her is deaf in real life), which adds a fascinating layer to the story.

There were many elements that set this horror film apart from the rest. One of these elements was the sheer emotion portrayed in the film. Most horror movies primarily focus on one emotion in their characters- fear. This movie really pulled on the viewer's heartstrings, and certainly packed an emotional punch. Your heart will break for these parents as they go to extreme efforts to protect their children in this post-apocalyptic world. Something else that sets this horror movie apart is the incredible attention to detail. Due to the premise of the film, it was essential that Krasinski considered every possible detail, especially when it came to sound.

Since the creatures in the film will kill the characters if they make a single sound, for the most part the film is silent. Unfortunately, we were next to a theater playing an exceptionally loud movie, which was incredibly disruptive. People in the theater were reluctant to eat their popcorn due to the noise it would produce. The movie makes you incredibly aware of your sounds as if you are experiencing what the characters are experiencing. The attention to detail in this movie is truly remarkable. This was essential when making a film that is so focused on sound. For example, the movie opens in an abandoned store where the family attempts to get medicine for their sick son. As the camera pans around the store, it is evident that the shelves are empty, but bags of chips remain- due to the noisiness of the snack. Throughout the entire film, viewers get glimpses similar to this one demonstrating how invested the parents are in protecting their children from these creatures. Another fascinating element to the film is it can't rely on dialogue. This makes every facial expression, gesture, and sign that much more crucial and impactful. Somehow the lack of dialogue allows the viewer to have an even stronger emotional attachment to the characters. It is moving to see how the family members don't need words to communicate their emotions towards one another.

Krasinksi delivered the most effective horror movie since "Get Out". It has had the most success at the box office after "Black Panther". This has been an incredible testament to Krasinksi's achievement with this film. While he's directed two films prior to this one, many people solely know him as Jim in "The Office". I'm certain that this movie will further launch his career and secure his position as a rising Hollywood director and actor. John Krasinski not only directed, produced, and co-wrote the film, but costarred in it with his real-life wife, Emily Blunt. It was really touching seeing the couple portray a married couple on screen. It was evident that they applied elements of their own marriage to their characters. Krasinksi has cited that the film is ultimately about parenthood. Again, the emotional aspects of this film truly separate it from others of this genre. What sets a good horror movie apart from a bad one is the amount of emotional investment a viewer has on the characters. From the very beginning, I was invested in the characters.

I would suggest giving "A Quiet Place" a chance, even if you aren't a horror movie fan. It's definitely more of a thriller. Be prepared to get emotionally invested in the characters. Also be prepared to spend the rest of your day incredibly in tune to the amount of sound your actions generate. I don't think this movie was the best movie I've ever seen, but I really think it was great for the kind of movie it was. Definitely don't discount it as "just another horror movie". John Krasinki certainly deserves a round of applause for pulling this off. Highly recommend if you want a fun scare!

The 90th Academy Awards

Hello again, my fellow movie lovers! You know how some people get the post-holiday blues? Well, I get the post-Oscar blues. Every year I look forward to awards season, specifically the Oscars, so naturally I'm sad that it has come to an end for this year! Anyway, I'm going to jump right in to my commentary on this year's Academy Awards!

Before I jump into the nitty gritty, I will say that my overall consensus is that it was a heartfelt and uplifting ceremony, yet the awards themselves were, well, boring.

Jimmy Kimmel hosted for the second year in a row. Clearly his main objective was to ensure the Best Picture-gate of last year didn't repeat itself! I think Kimmel overall did a good job hosting this year's show (personally, I think we should have Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph team up to host next year!). I really enjoyed the opening monologue, paying homage to old Hollywood. His remarks threw some shade at Trump and Weinstein, but weren't overly political. Kimmel also acknowledged last year's debacle in a comedic and tasteful way. He made it clear that new measures were placed to ensure that a mix-up would not repeat itself. I know a lot of people really enjoyed Kimmel's jokes throughout the show- I thought they were fine, nothing out of this world. I think the whole movie-theater-field-trip was slightly unnecessary (if these people were such movie fans, why weren't they watching the Oscars??- that being said I wouldn't say no to a visit from Ansel Elgort). I did enjoy his enticing jet ski prize for the shorted acceptance speech! Another component that I really liked were the montage clips of past winners shown before many of the categories. This definitely added to the length of the show, but it's so important for this show to remind us of the films we love. I really appreciate when the Academy Awards recognize the history of films.

Now onto the awards! My overall opinion is that the winners this year were for the most part exceptionally predictable. I desperately wanted a curveball! All of the acting awards seemed like shoo-ins. Frances McDormand won Best Actress for her performance in "Three Billboards in Ebbing, Missouri". She's taken the lead at previous award shows and most outlets predicted this win. While yes, I do think McDormand did a fantastic job in this role, I think there were other actresses more deserving of this award. I personally would have loved to see this award handed to Margot Robbie for her performance in "I, Tonya" or to Saoirse Ronan in "Lady Bird". I will say that I really respected McDormand's acceptance speech. She called for all the nominated women to stand up. She reminded us all of the importance of female representation in film. Gary Oldman won Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in "Darkest Hour". I certainly think Oldman earned this award. He was entirely unrecognizable as Winston Churchill and delivered an extraordinary performance. Again, everyone knew he was going to win. I am glad he did, but I secretly was rooting for Timothee Chalamet in "Call Me By Your Name". It would have been great to see a young actor, such as Chalamet or Ronan, get this sort of recognition for their sheer talent at such young ages. Allison Janney won Best Supporting Actress for her role in "I, Tonya". While this may have been predicted by the masses as well, I wouldn't want this award going to anyone else. Janney simply was incredible as the villain in "I, Tonya". She nailed the complicated role of Tonya Harding's psychologically and physically abusive mother. Janney nailed this role. She also nailed her acceptance speech. She started off jokingly claiming to have "done it all by herself". While she admitted that wasn't entirely true, it is irrefutable that Janney deserved this award this year. Finally, we saw Sam Rockwell take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Again, no surprises here. He's won other awards for this role. I was convinced he'd win this leading up to the show. He was great in his role, but I think all the nominees were fairly equally deserving of this award.

While the acting awards this year were fairly predictable, Best Director and Best Picture were really a mystery. Guillermo del Toro certainly had a fantastic night, as he won Best Director, and his film "The Shape of Water" won Best Picture. There's been a fair amount of backlash about both of these wins. Starting with Best Director, I personally was rooting for Greta Gerwig. Her nomination for directing "Lady Bird" was revolutionary. This was her first time directing a film by herself, and she was only the fifth woman to ever be nominated in this category. I know a lot of people were hoping Jordan Peele would win for his film "Get Out". He also made incredible strides, as he was the only  person to be nominated the same year for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. While he didn't get Best Director, he was the first black man to win Best Original Screenplay. While I am sad that Gerwig didn't win Best Actor, I was happy to see del Toro win. I've always been a fan of his work. His mind functions like no other. He created this magical world in "The Shape of Water". It's hard to believe that a film about a woman who falls in love with a fish won the biggest film award of the year. But the film is so much more than that! It's a historical drama, romance, and fantasy wrapped into one in the most beautiful way. Its biggest competitors for Best Picture were "Get Out" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri". I am personally content with its victory over the competitors. It's just so original and expresses the sheer creativity possible in film. I liked that they brought Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty back to deliver the results of Best Picture. After all, the mix-up last year was not their fault! My final quick note on the actual awards- Dunkirk took home three technical awards, which made me happy! I adore Dunkirk and didn't expect it to win big, so I'm glad it didn't go unnoticed.

Anyway, it was a fairly unremarkable year at the Academy Awards. Regardless,  I had a marvelous time watching all of the nominated films this year. I am continuously amazed by the power of film. The art presented this year was diverse, imaginative, and inspiring. I am excited to see what the next year in film brings. Until next year, it's been a blast taking in the magic of the Academy Awards.

Call Me By Your Name

Last week, Oscar nominations were announced. This has always been a sacred day for me. Some people look forward for their Amazon Prime orders to ship; others eagerly await Christmas morning. Me, well I can't wait for Oscar nomination day. The most exciting part about it is that I've already seen eight out of the nine nominations for Best Picture! That being said, I have a lot of thoughts on all of these films and am eager to share them.

Since I wrote a raving review on Greta Gerwig's film, "Lady Bird," I thought it would be fitting to review another coming-of-age movie next- "Call Me By Your Name." 2018 is proving to be a great year for young actors. Saoirse Ronan blew me away with her performance in "Lady Bird." One of her costars, Timothee Chalamet, starred in Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino's "Call Me By Your Name," another coming-of-age film. At the young ages of 22 (Chalamet) and 23 (Ronan), these two young stars could make history with their nominations for Best Actor and Best Actress in their respective films.

Chalamet shines in his performance as Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old Italian American spending his summer reading and playing music in his family's villa. Things begin to shift when Oliver (Armie Hammer), an American student studying under Elio's father, arrives. Despite their age difference, the two develop a complex romantic relationship. Since love stories are told in film time and time again, it can be hard for filmmakers to break the mold and showcase new stories. This film succeeds immensely in doing so, telling the story of a forbidden love between two men of different ages in 1980s Italy.

The strongest component of this film is the acting, lead by the young but mighty Chalamet. I can confidently assess that his performance as Elio was one of the most impressive performances I have seen all year. Elio is a young kid with an exceptionally creative mind, occupying his mundane summer days with music and literature. While he can be confident and even arrogant at times, he is confused by his sexuality. He continuously flirts with a girl from his village, yet finds himself attracted to Oliver. Chalamet invites the audience to empathize with Elio's feelings of melancholy, heartache, passion, confusion, and curiosity.

Chalamet shares the screen with Hammer, playing Oliver, an exceptionally arrogant American who makes the Italian girls swoon. He may wear some very short shorts, but he does not wear his heart on his sleeve. While the audience sees Elio eyeing Oliver from the get-go, Oliver's feelings for Elio are initially more discreet. This film accomplishes expressing the tension, confusion, and complication in the relationship between Elio and Oliver. Their relationship allows for both Elio and Oliver to express vulnerability, which is rarely seen unless the two of them are together. Elio can be cold and distant, while Oliver can be callous and selfish. The only time either character expresses any sense of sensitivity are when they are together. While this vulnerability is one of the beautiful characteristics of their relationship, the strain placed on this relationship is evident as well. There is continuous palpable tension between Oliver and Elio. This results from a number of things- their personal sexual discoveries, the time restraint placed on their relationship, and the "forbiddances" of their affair. The overt sexuality of this film also sets it apart from others. Rather than being obscene and over the top, the intimate moments between Oliver and Elio further illustrate the complexity of their relationship as well as their independent internal turmoil.

In addition to painting the portrait of a romantic relationship between the two main characters, "Call Me By Your Name" also captures a fascinating European family dynamic. Elio's family seamlessly switches between French, Italian, and English in their conversations. Elio's parents seem to have a very understanding and communicative relationship (until the father ultimately reveals that he feels differently at the end of the film). While Elio never directly confirms his homosexuality with his parents, they've picked up on clues throughout the course of the summer and are extremely accepting of their son. Considering that this film takes place in the 1980s, a time where homosexuality was not widely socially accepted, Elio's support from his parents is a key factor.

Between the strong acting performances, the fascinating subject matter, and the stunning cinematography presented in "Call Me By Your Name" it is no surprise to me that this film was nominated for Best Picture. I can't wait to watch Timothee Chalamet's career progress, and am certainly rooting for this film this awards season.

The Disaster Artist

Bear with me for the following sentence: "The Disaster Artist" was the best movie ever made about the making of the best worst movie ever made. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the premise of "The Disaster Artist," it is crucial to provide some background information on the film.

First of all, James Franco directed and starred in "The Disaster Artist." Anyone who knows me knows I've been a huge Franco fan for years. I thought he was absolutely extraordinary in "127 Hours." His talent, in my opinion, is irrefutable. Franco pursued 4 graduate degrees simultaneously. He's worked on dozens of movies. He taught film, wrote a novel... the list goes on and on. To cap it all off, this past Sunday he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Tommy Wiseau.

The film the "Disaster Artist" can certainly be tricky for many people to wrap their heads around- wait, so it's a movie about a book about a movie? Yeah, it's a little complicated. Let me break it down for you. In 2003, a movie came out titled "The Room," which is famously known as the worst movie ever made. This movie was directed and created by the enigmatic Tommy Wiseau, a man whose age and birth place have remained a mystery to the public for over a decade. To truly get a sense of "The Room," you have to watch it. There are no words to explain this film. Over the years, it's obtained a cult following. A few months ago I went to a screening of "The Room" in Los Angeles and it was quite an experience. Audience participation has become a critical component of viewing this film. To give an example, the picture frames seen in "The Room" all contain pictures of spoons. Naturally, every time one of these frames pops up on screen, the entire audience pelts plastic spoons at the screen. I very strongly recommend experiencing this for yourself.

In 2013, Greg Sestero, one of the stars of "The Room," released a book called "The Disaster Artist." This nonfiction book exposed every odd detail of film production and every unbelievable quirk of Tommy. In addition to documenting production of "The Room," this book also told the story of Greg and Tommy's intricate friendship. Naturally, as a big fan of "The Room," I've read this book and it was honestly one of the most endearing stories of friendship I've ever come across.

Last year, it was revealed that James Franco was turning this book into a movie. Clearly, as a major fan of Franco AND "The Room," my calendar was marked for a full year. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was quite so excited for a movie to come out. As I mentioned earlier, I had the wonderful opportunity to live in Los Angeles for a few months. While I was there, I went to an event to hear James Franco, and his brother, Dave, talk about working on "The Disaster Artist." He revealed many fascinating details about Tommy and what it was like to work with him. It was clear that this project meant so much to him. So many actors in Hollywood got excited by this project, so there are a ton of really wonderful people in the film. Through hearing him speak, and certainly through watching the movie, it was evident that this was truly a passion project for Franco.

Now, finally getting to the film itself (thanks for hanging in there), "The Disaster Artist" was well worth the wait. It was so heartwarming and so funny. Since I read the book and every single interview I could get my hands on about the movie, no parts of the film really came as much of a surprise to me. As James Franco himself has said, it's truly a film about dreamers and friendship. I could really tell that the character of Tommy resonated with Franco. This is something he addressed when I heard him speak. As an actor, he understands the struggles of following your dreams in Hollywood. While it is truly compelling to watch Tommy's ambition unravel into failures and successes on screen, I thought it was even more impactful to observe the friendship between Tommy and his best friend and costar, Greg. Dave Franco played the role of Greg- at first I was a little skeptical because the younger Franco brother hasn't had the most experience, but he really pulled it off. I think the two brothers portraying complicated best friends on screen was a great tactic. It made the relationship feel all the more genuine. Between the story of a friendship and the story of chasing your dreams, this film is really able to draw in an audience.

James Franco is really unbelievable as Tommy Wiseau in this film. Tommy is a very distinctive guy. He has an accent sounds Eastern European, yet the man has claimed he's from New Orleans. Tommy has jet-black dyed hair, regularly wears several belts at once, and has an infamous lazy eye. Franco seamlessly stepped into this role and is entirely unrecognizable as Tommy. He even directed in character. Tommy is without a doubt a complex man, and Franco really did a stellar job capturing his character.

I just graduated from college with a degree in marketing, so sometimes in my blogs I like to interject with a little commentary on the marketing of the films I've seen. Back in the day, to market "The Room," Tommy Wiseau rented out a billboard in Los Angeles for 6 month. This menacing billboard featured a massive photo of Tommy, which looked more like a mugshot than a headshot. He unbelievably put his own phone number on this billboard, encouraging people to contact him. To market "The Disaster Artist," James Franco recreated this billboard and added a number that would connect a caller to either himself of Tommy. This is a brilliant way to create buzz and really excite fans of "The Room." In addition to the billboard, James Franco did a lot of press interviews and his excitement is so evident in all of the press coverage. Posters for the film were released with really great shots of Franco as Tommy. The marketing team created a website called "Tommy's Planet," which not only strategically references the film, but served as a functional and hysterical website for fans to use. The social media strategies were out of this world as well (some could say they are also on Tommy's planet). For example, there were several Facebook videos posted documenting phone calls with Tommy (re: the infamous billboard). Whoever worked on this campaign should be so proud!

While I ultimately recommend seeing "The Disaster Artist" regardless, I really recommend watching "The Room" and then watching "The Disaster Artist." Both are worth the watch! At the end of "The Disaster Artist" there is a side by side comparison of scenes from each of the movies, and the recreation of these scenes is extraordinary. It's such a fun movie to watch, and there is so much heart to it. The passion behind this film is truly apparent across the board, which is why I think this film was ultimately successful.