Lion

After nearly accomplishing my goal of watching all of the best picture Oscar nominations, I am long overdue to share my thoughts on these films. My personal favorite film of the season was "Lion" directed by Garth Davis. I may have found this to be my favorite Oscar contender, yet there has been surprisingly little press coverage and box office success upon its initial release. 

There is an important aspect to film success that people cannot discredit- marketing. The best movie in the world can be released, but what good does that do if no one goes to see it? While I think that "Lion" has generated more buzz since its release, initially they did very little marketing. Even when Oscar excitement started in December, I never saw an ad in a magazine or newspaper, or even a trailer on TV. Think about the marketing utilized in other nominated movies- "La La Land" billboards everywhere you turn, beautiful print ads depicting the Fences cast, even low-budget "Moonlight" effectively utilized social media. When relentlessly asking my friends about the movies they've seen lately, few people even heard of "Lion" let alone bought a ticket to it. That being said, as the days leading up to the Academy Awards narrow down, "Lion" is doing remarkably well at the box office and overall has remarkably improved and expanded its reputation.

Now onto my commentary on the actual movie! "Lion" may not have the highest critic scores of all the best picture nominees, but there are countless aspects of this film that place it highest on my scale. "Lion" depicts the true story of an Indian child named Saroo who gets separated from his family. The audience is exposed to the heartbreaking survival methods Saroo endures in hopes of being reunited with his mother. Later in the film, Saroo is 25 years older and living in Australia. In all that time, he has not given up on his dream of being reunited with his mother in India. He uses Google Earth technology in attempt to find her. I won't give away what happens at the end!

One aspect of the film that most impressed me was the acting. The first half of the movie stars 8-year-old Sunny Pawar, playing Saroo as a child. I am always blown away when a child can take on such an extensive role and give such a powerful performance. Your heart will break as Saroo travels about India, unable to communicate with the people around him, anxious to get food in his belly in order to survive another day to look for his mom. You feel what he is feeling- lost, afraid, unsure. It is really incredible and difficult seeing a trusting and vulnerable child undergo so much tragedy. The second half of the movie stars Dev Patel, most commonly known for his part in "Slumdog Millionaire" (another favorite of mine). I think it was a fairly risky move to separate the movie into two parts- one depicting Saroo's childhood, the other depicting Saroo utilizing Google Earth decades later. However, the casting of Pawar and Patel allowed for this decision to go off without a hitch. Both deliver such emotional, powerful performances. It was very easy for me to process them playing the same character at different stages in his life. Patel showcases his exceptional acting abilities by demonstrating immense vulnerability. He channels the emotions conveyed by Pawar in the first half of the film, such as hope, resourcefulness, and this rare beautiful blend of realism and optimism.

Many reviews wrote off "Lion" as a been-there-done-that storyline, tragedy and childhood heartbreak that results in a happy ending. It is crucial however to remember that this film is based off of a true story. Rather than thinking of this storyline as overdone, I like to think of it as universal. "Lion" is an exceptionally emotional film that, let's be real, will probably bring you to tears. It is a beautiful story, and luckily this film does the story justice. "Lion" tells the story of a boy becoming a man, finding himself in the midst of looking for his family.

Manchester by the Sea

The most magical time of the year has arrived yet again- some call it the holiday season, I call it pre-Oscar season. I recently saw potentially the best movie released thus far in 2016, titled "Manchester by the Sea". I've seen plenty of incredibly moving and glorious films this year, but in my eyes none compete with "Manchester by the Sea". This recently released film, directed by Kenneth Lonergan, is an exceptionally emotional drama showcasing the acting abilities of Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams. "Manchester by the Sea" depicts the familial tragedies faced by Casey Affleck's character, Lee Chandler. If you're looking for a joyous film for the holidays, this is not the one for you. However, if you are looking to see a beautiful snapshot of the human spirit, please make the trip to catch this movie in theaters.

This deeply moving film depicts the fragility of life. The protagonist, Lee Chandler, faces a tragedy that causes many heartbreaks of his past to resurface. The subject material of the film is very dark, telling the story of a blue collar Boston man summoned back to his hometown, Manchester-by-the-Sea, due to the loss of his brother. Upon arrival, he quickly learns that he was appointed guardian of his 16-year-old nephew. Once there, he's forced to face the demons he thought he left in the past.

What I most admired about "Manchester by the Sea" was that it didn't fall into the trap most emotionally charged movies fall into- unbelievability. It is common for movies about tragedy to shift gears along the way and provide a happy resolution for the audience. This film broke away from this format. I think this was a crucial component that sets "Manchester by the Sea" apart from other great films- it told a story closer to real life. In life, there aren't always rainbows after the storm.

In a truly mesmerizing fashion, humor was subtly incorporated into the script, which is a difficult task in an emotional film. This sense of humor is dark, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the rest of the script, while still throwing a punch at just the right moments.

Casey Affleck gave an absolutely stellar performance as the lead role, consistently staying true to character from the first to last scene. It is rare to see such perfectly imperfect characters in film these days. Affleck's character, Lee Chandler, is consistently brutally honest and solitary. Never once was I able to question the legitimacy of this character. The character was beautifully crafted and flawlessly portrayed. Every detail reminded us of Lee's troubled past, from the way he walked around with his hands in his pockets, to the way he avoided the most basic small talk with strangers.

I have been a huge Michelle Williams for years, and my admiration for her work grew exponentially in this film. Williams plays Randi, Lee Chandler's ex-wife. While Williams is great throughout the whole film, there is a final scene between Lee and Randi that is bone-chilling and heartbreaking. This scene further demonstrates the pain that people experience in life- while difficult to watch, there is immense beauty in this pain.

Over all, though it is emotionally taxing, try not to miss "Manchester by the Sea" this season. The emotional nature of this movie leaves you thinking. Everything about this film was beautiful and sobering.

Before Sunrise

You know those movies that inspire you, that make you inquisitive about your own life? The ones that make you think about your choices, your future? One of the leading criteria I set separating the good movies from the bad judges how much they can get the gears of my mind turning. One film that passed this test was "Before Sunrise". Typically, I roll my eyes at romantic movies, hating the unrealistic plot and the airy dialogue. However, the script of this movie kept me on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the next line. It would be easy to dismiss this film as a run-of-the-mill, boy meets girl, they run around Europe hand in hand love story. But there is something about this movie that makes you believe these characters. They are human beings, not generically crafted characters that fit into the traditional mold of leading man and his love interest. 

I always adored the work of Ethan Hawke. He has excelled in films such as "Boyhood" (another Linklater film), along with many more. He flawlessly transitioned into the role of Jesse, an American escaping his last failed relationship by running about Europe. He runs into Celine on a train, and the two of them spontaneously decide to get off together and spend one night in Vienna. They each know their encounter will be brief, as each has a different point of destination the next day. While sharing the plot line, it would be easy to categorize this film as a gooey romance with no substance. But it's the convincing dialogue about the intricacies of human life that set the bar so high for this film. There is a sharp wit between Jesse and Celeste, which is a nice change of pace from typical romance scripts. This allows for an assumed intelligent audience on Linklater's part. In this sense, it is reminiscent of a Woody Allen film, swapping his frequented neurotic New Yorkers for two curious young people mindful of the details of daily life, and their larger implications. 

It was fascinating watching this 1995 film over two decades after its release. It demonstrates the beauty in a world before technology. Celine and Jesse have one night together, and that is that. While they have the option of remaining in contact through expensive long-distance phone calls, infrequent visits, or handwritten letters, they decide against these options. It would have been entirely different in the modern age, where there is no mystery in the lives of people we have come into contact with. There is no texting, facetiming, snapchatting, or Facebook messaging. 

I also tend to love films with a concise consideration of time. It is apparent that this movie spans over the course of one day. One of my favorite things is when a movie looks as if it could just be a portrayal of someone's life for a day. Long takes also add to the believability of the movie. While this movie doesn't have a lot of plot going on, I felt as if I were walking around with two people falling in love, consumed in discussion about human nature. Major life themes, such as hope, fear, and death, are considered normal topics of discussion between two strangers. This apparent sudden romance is made entirely more believable when two individuals can openly discuss such weighty topics. No aspect of their romance seems forced or unnatural. The acting, in combination with the unbelievable script, allows me to wholeheartedly tip my hat to this film. It is honest, and that is something we need more of in the world of cinema. 

Thelma and Louise

What better way to ring in a new month than with a badass film like "Thelma and Louise"? This movie, released in 1991, is dripping with feminism. While this is a more commonly practiced cinematic theme twenty years later, this was fairly groundbreaking for its time. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are iconic actresses, starring in films such as "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "A League of Their Own" While nowadays they periodically take on a stereotypical mom role of the eternally adolescent young adult, it is important to recognize their mark in history in "Thelma and Louise". Thelma and Louise start their weekend road trip getaway to escape their tireless lives as a housewife and a waitress. Immediately I identified with Sarandon as Louise, whose independence often translates as her being uptight. She takes Thelma along for the ride of her life, who is in a toxic marriage and desperately needs to escape her current situation.

This may be the understatement of the century, but Thelma and Louise get themselves in a bit of trouble that sends them on the run from the cops. Along the way, they run into cowboy Brad Pitt, who adds to the drama. I don't want to spoil what happens in the movie, but I do what to comment on how it promotes feminism. Women are not traditionally shown on screen as road tripping criminals who know how to work a loaded gun, and don't have any problem doing so. It is important to show women portray all sorts of roles, not only those previously predominantly prescribed to them. It was great to see the housewife and waitress evolve to much more than just those roles. Thelma and Louise break free from the traditional mold of women. That being said, it doesn't hurt to throw in a super ripped 90's shirtless Brad Pitt into the mix. Whether you're a feminist, shirtless BP fan, or enjoy a criminal road trip, you''re sure to get a kick out of "Thelma and Louise".

The Shallows

Ah, summer. The time of year where I am terribly let down by the seemingly endless releases of horror movies and superhero movies. However, being the movie buff that I am, I cannot realistically shy away from a theater for three months. Last week, I ventured out to see a recent summer release, "The Shallows", starring Blake Lively. I went into the theater expecting to be amused by the sheer incompetence of the film. While Blake Lively seems like a lovely person with a beautiful family (who WOULDN'T want to be married to Ryan Reynolds?), I never considered her a serious actor. She spent most of her career starring as a Upper East Side princess in the teen soap opera, "Gossip Girl". If you have ever seen this show, Lively's portrayal of her character is painfully dry. Her remaining roles in films have always left me wanting more- she recently starred in "The Age of Adeline", and has appeared in great films, such as "The Town", with smaller, unimpressive roles. This left me doubtful of her ability to portray a character fighting for their life in a film such as "The Shallows".

The premise of this movie caught my attention right off the bat. I have always had an odd intrigue into movies with people in perilous situations, encountering dangerous animals and being left to make difficult decisions in order to save their lives (some of my personal favorites that fall into this category are "The Revenant", "127 Hours", "Into the Wild, and "Open Water"). In "The Shallows", the main character, Nancy, is stranded on a rock fairly close to shore, yet a great white shark prevents her from getting back to safety. One of my major concerns going into this film was how an entire movie could be created around such a plot line. How could a movie about a girl versus a shark possibly hold my attention for more than an hour? "The Shallows" was a brief film, clocking in at less than an hour and a half. To my shock, I managed to be thoroughly engaged throughout the entire movie.

Several components of this film pleasantly surprised me. I thought the overarching storyline was set up well- frequently when watching these sorts of films, the audience remains puzzled to why a character is alone in this sort of scenario. "The Shallows" gives a thorough, though maybe a little too sappy, backstory on the protagonist. The juxtaposition between the beginning of the film to when chaos starts brewing was exceptional. In the opening, the audience is exposed to gorgeous shots of this beach. Nancy is having a blast surfing the waves, and upbeat music is paired with this scene to further accentuate the fun times. The theme of the film sharply changes when danger encroaches on the main character. The lighting darkens, the music intensifies. This tactic can usually be gimmicky and feel very forced- I thought it was done very well in this film, however.

Another feature of this film that impressed me was the fact that it did not shy away from showing some fairly graphic, gory scenes. While this film is rated PG-13, the audience is still exposed to some painful moments. For example, in one scene, Lively's character sews up her own wound using jewelry. "The Shallows" impressed me by going as full-force as it could with its brutality. Lively's acting also impressed me. I believed the pain she was feeling. Props to her for taking part in this sort of role.

I was doubtful as this movies' ability to stand out among the countless other movies made to villainize sharks. While I think this is a far-from-perfect film, the producers did create some scenes that truly captured me. This film was far from dull. Sometimes movies like these can just drag on, but the pace of this film was impressive. This sort of portrayal of sharks has been time and time again in Hollywood. Sharks are stereotypically portrayed as these bloodthirsty creatures, eager to tear surfers limb from limb. In reality, there is on average only one American shark fatality every two years. It always upsets me to see animals cast with unfair stereotypes, creating fear and anxiety where it doesn't need to dwell.

While I was overall pleased with this film, there were certain aspects that I could have done without. On several occasions, graphics pop up on the screen- most of the time this subtracts from the quality of a film in my opinion. This is designed to allow the audience to see text messages, photos, and other shots from a cell phone or camera. While in some cases the visual aids the audience, most of the time I found it to be distracting.

The main downfall of this film for me was the last half hour. The drama quickly escalated into a desperate action film, which from there morphed into a sappy heroic tale. I don't want to spoil the ending for the movie, but I can say that tactics of survival and desperation rapidly turned from realistic and thought-out, to completely sporadic and unrealistic. The authenticity of the film seemed to greatly diminish by the end. The closing scene also felt very surface-level, showcasing Lively reverting into her old lackluster acting methods.

As a whole, I was overall impressed with this film. While it is very far from one of the greatest, it surprised me positively on many occasions. To viewers less critical than I, this should be a must-watch on your summer list- just maybe don't watch it the night before your surfing trip.

Blackfish

Documentary is the most underrated category of film by far. These films tend to generate less buzz than blockbusters, therefore great films often go unnoticed. However if done right, these films can be exceptionally powerful, because they are able to do something that narrative films do not- tell true stories through the eyes of people that have lived them.

I may have been exceptionally late to the "Blackfish" viewing party, but at last I have seen it, and my viewpoints on the treatment of wildlife will never be the same again. This 2013 documentary, by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, chronicled the story of Tilikum, a SeaWorld orca whale responsible for taking the lives of three people.

This film serves as an exposé on the underlying manipulative corporate side of SeaWorld. I have never been keen on going to places such as aquariums or zoos. I have the distinct memory of going to the zoo as a child, where I experienced my first heartbreak about the mistreatment of animals. My smile quickly turned to a frown as I investigated the polar bear exhibit. I saw an environment with little ice, containing a too-skinny polar bear with eyes full of sorrow. It was a hot summer day, and this poor bear looked miserable under the sun. It was at this young age that I recognized the importance of not providing business to zoos, and other attractions like SeaWorld. I remember reading books about the mistreatment of animals in zoos when they first came to America. Since my youth, I have resisted trips to these facilities.

I saw this film almost a week ago, and the material has been haunting my mind ever since. "Blackfish" is a very powerful movie that is not for the weak-of-heart- that being said it is a film that everyone should experience. It emphasizes the importance of leaving animals as nature intended. This film tackles many important subjects, and effectively develops each point fully. It not only outlines the horrific incidences of human deaths, but the psychological and physical pain underwent by the animals.

I learned a lot from this film. Marine life is very interesting, though I must admit I knew little about the habits of orca whales before viewing this documentary. I learned that orcas are very social creatures. Studies have shown that the part of their brain encompassing emotion have further developments than human brains. They are extremely sympathetic animals. Orcas are arranged into matriarchal societies. This film provided a nice foundation of basic information before getting into the nitty gritty of their story.

The film then uncovered the unfortunate reality of the mistreatment of orcas at SeaWorld. This mistreatment eventually led to psychological damage, which promoted the deaths of multiple SeaWorld trainers. Since SeaWorld is a popular tourist attraction, footage of these occurrences was readily available. The video documentation may be painful to watch, however strongly supports the points addressed in the film. I don't want to explain every aspect of this film, as it is very important to watch firsthand (it's on Netflix- check it out!) This was a very powerful film that brought my attention to issues that can easily be overlooked by those not directly involved.

Across The Universe

While "Across the Universe" only got a 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, it remains one of my all-time favorites. This 2007 film tells the story of characters Jude and Lucy, among others, in a psychedelic 1970s anti-war Greenwich Village. The most mesmerizing component of this film is the seamless incorporation of Beatles songs. The film director/writer Julie Taymor pulled a Mamma Mia, creating a storyline around preexisting music. This is a risky maneuver, and very tricky to do correctly. While the plots created in this movie reveal overdone romances that would normally make me roll my eyes, the fact that these are constructed around Beatles songs make me smile. Aspects of the movie that could be viewed as corny, such as naming all of the characters after Beatles songs, I find endearing.

This film takes the viewer on a complex journey through historical events of the 1960s. The storylines of several different characters are woven together through music. The characters are what would be expected out of a movie about the politics of the 1960s- Max, the college dropout who gets shipped off to war; Lucy, a naive girl who moves from middle America to New York; Jude, an Englishman finding himself as an artist in the city- but I can't see the film being done any other way. The plot expands between different cities and even different countries, demonstrating different mentalities found in the sixties. The story unfolds not through plot and dialogue, but through music. Nearly everything expressed in the movie is expressed through a Beatles song. While many critics think this is a cheesy and nearly artificial way of telling a story, I think it is exceptionally unique and beautiful.

One significant component of the film are the daring atypical visual effects. Channeling the psychedelic aspects of the sixties, certain parts of the film are designed to feel like an acid trip. There are underwater dance-like scenes. Jude creates art with bleeding strawberries. Soldiers are designed to look like G.I. Joes. These scenes may be a lot for a viewer to process, yet they are exceptionally powerful. Not only do they add to the film, but they demonstrate certain elements of the Beatles' music that we know were influenced by drugs.

I can certainly understand why this film is not appealing to everyone. It is fairly avant-garde and a lot of the romances and plotpoints are fairly predictable. I may be biased because the Beatles are my favorite band in the entire world, I adore Greenwich Village, and the sixties are my favorite time period- scratch that, I am undoubtably biased. It would have been really, really easy for this movie to be atrociously bad. Nothing frustrates me more than visual effects that make the film seem like it's trying too hard. Also, bad covers of Beatles songs really break my heart. The saving grace of this movie, without a doubt my favorite component, is the incredible soundtrack. I listen to it practically daily and just can't get enough. The arrangements and the vocals of the covers are astonishing. The set design and costumes are fitting for the time period. While this film may not be for everyone, I highly recommend it for Beatles fans and people interested the sixties.