The Place Beyond The Pines (2013)

[SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! DO NOT READ IF YOU PLAN TO WATCH!]

This adrenaline infused film starts with a very cool opening scene without a single cut, ending in the motorcycle ball of death. I wish the director would have kept up with this style, but I didn't notice anything else worth mentioning on the direction side, though I will check out Derek Cianfrance's other films. I went into this feature without reading anything except, "stunt motorcyclist robs banks" and the 2h20m runtime, so I was shocked when Gosling died early in. I like how Derek Cianfrance showed the aftermath that one death can have, he took the movie in a direction that caught me completely off guard. The characters are all realistic and believable. This was a great cast for Gosling, he pulls off the 'man of few words' character nicely. I think he almost broke character while doing his high pitched  'get on the fuckin floor' voice in one of the scenes. During the first bank robbery I thought my heart was going to pound it's way through my rib cage, but it doesn't stop there. This film triggers a lot of emotion while telling a very unique story.

VERDICT: WATCH IT ON THE BIG SCREEN!

7.75/10

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

"Right now we are alive and in this moment I swear we are infinite."
I liked this movie, but with mixed feelings. There is a common symptom films set in high school (Chronicle, for example) suffer from that leaves them feeling so... unbelievable, for lack of a better word. Maybe it's the cliches or the overdeveloped characters with flaws that shouldn't be there. Regardless, the story is good and the characters were fun. I found it funny how Charlie gets high and suddenly 'wakes up'. A really likeable (likable?) group of actors. I haven't read the book, but it's cool to see an author make a movie about his own novel.

6.75/10

VERDICT: WORTH A WATCH!

Fantastic Planet [La planète sauvage (original title)](1973)

A glimpse at a fantastic planet in a distant dimension of the Universe where Draags are the dominant specie. They are very intelligent creatures who thrive for out-of-body meditative experiences. They keep Ohms, human like creatures, as pets. But when the intelligence of the Ohms rises and disrupts balance of the Draag way of life turmoil ensues. Will they find peace or will one specie become eliminated? Renè Laloux's portrayal of this truly wonder filled world is so believable. Overflowing with creativity. I love the attention given to the fine details, from a curious Draag wondering why an Ohm baby cries to the saggy boobs on the old wOhman(see what I did there?). Also worth mentioning is the soundtrack. Originally produced by Alain Goraguer, it sets a very meditative, chill, groovy vibe. Turns out this guy also composed a shit load of music for pornos in the 70's and 80's, figures. I absolutely loved everything about this feature.

10/10

VERDICT: DEFINITELY ADD THIS TO YOUR COLLECTION!

500 Days Of Summer (2009)

So I've been unsure whether or not I wanted to include sub par movies in this blog, but after seeing that this is ranked 7.8 and in the top 500 at IMDB I had to write my thoughts. When Regina Spektor's 'Us' came on as the introduction song I immediately had higher hopes for what I initially had thought would be an ok flick. The film uses an interesting way of telling the story by jumping back and forth to random events throughout a 500 day long relationship of our two main characters. I had some laughs in the first thirty or forty minutes; the Disney shout out was hilarious. About two thirds in I realized how bored I had become. The characters were just off. It's easy to see that Summer and Tom are not right for each other, I get that this is the point of the story, but who really wants to watch that? This movie is just like any bad relationship, fun in the beginning, then drags to a boring end.

5/10

VERDICT: WATCH IF YOU DARE!

Chasing Amy (1997)

Kevin Smith delivers with his intelligently witty characters and regular group of actors again in this awesome love story. This film is overflowing with emotion. He really encompasses the time, given I was only 9, I feel this is an accurate portrayal of 1997. I love the technique of interlocked and intertwining stories and characters which Mr. Smith utilizes. There is a reference to Clerks, one of his earlier films. This has turned out to be more of a Kevin Smith review than Chasing Amy, but fuck it. If you've seen one of his films then you know what you can expect! If you haven't, do yourself a favor and appreciate some hilariously intelligent dialogue.

10/10

VERDICT: ADD IT TO YOUR COLLECTION!

Hurlyburly (1998)

"We are all just background in each others lives; cardboard cutouts." This movie not only gets caught up in the semantics, it evolves a symbiotic relationship with them. You are taken on a drug filled journey through the minds of some perfectly cast and exceptionally acted hedonists in this dark dramedy. Eddie, a man trying to find love in his detail absorbing life. Mickey, whom is carefree and lives in the moment. And Phil, who is looking for advice and insight into his own life. This movie is definitely worth a re-watch.

8/10

VERDICT: ADD IT TO YOU COLLECTION/QUEUE!

The Holy Mountain [Restored DVD](1973)

"Each stone has a soul, formed by the work of millions of years.." This is by far one of the strangest creations I have ever watched. A kebab of bizarre and beautiful scenes. I was in a state of utter confusion for the first thirty minutes, which never really faded away until the very end of the film. Jodorowsky relies on the power of imagery to portray a very psychedelic tale. From life, to egotistical self, awareness and destruction of self, awareness of everything outside of self, unity, and rebirth. Splattered with nudity and animal cruelty, this must be one of PETA's most hated films.

5/10

VERDICT: WAAaaaAAaaAaAATCHHHHHHH!

Django Unchained! (2012)

[SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!]

"The D is silent, hillbilly..." Tarantino pulled off the mash up of past eras mixed with a contemporary style quite wonderfully. A perfect blend of advanced terminology/slang and personalities for the time. Dialogue heavy with gruesome action timed at the write points can sum up Tarantino's steeze of writing/directing and this one does not stray away from that. Some of the blaxploitation was shocking to see/hear, but Tarantino sprinkled just enough comedy to get away with it. DiCaprio(Calvin Candie) even makes a jab at the audience about how much racism they've used. Seeing Jonah Hill was interesting. It seemed to me like he wrote the entire scene with the bag heads arguing about their eye holes. Christoph Waltz(Dr. King Schultz) delivers another awesome performance. This movie earns its two hour and forty five minute time slot. Tarantino 'sticks to his guns'. Just when you think it's over, Dr. King jests, "sorry I couldn't resist." And the blood baths ensue. I look forward to the blu-ray release.

8/10

Sex And Breakfast (2007)

"After sex I get this... moment of clarity. It's like 5 minutes where I see the world from a peaceful place. I'm not anxious, I'm not angry.. I'm not horny. I just know what's important, and that's what's important. Do you ever get that?" This movie has received pretty bad reviews all across the board, but I think they did some things right. The chemistry between Alexis Dziena and Macaulay Culkin is wonderful. They portray a beautiful picture of trust and honesty. Silence between characters is used pretty heavily, but it's used with the right amount of body language. You can tell what each character is feeling from the awkward kisses and jealousy, all the way through the uncomfortable silences. If you look past it's weaknesses you might be able to find it enjoyable.

6/10

VERDICT: WORTH A WATCH!

Freaks (1932)

RAW, POWERFULL, FRIGHTENING, ENTHRALLING, AMAZING! [MILD SPOILER ALERT!]

A film that was released at the right time for the wrong Age of people. Everybody will be able to relate to the characters in this film. One very unique dynamic is the fact that they have real 'freaks', if you will, playing themselves along with acting. The girls that are connected by the hips[Daisy and Violet Hilton(In no particular order ;))] share a nervous system; that is very interesting. When Violet(or was it Daisy?) kisses the shady looking magician(aka her fiancée) her other half reacts to the surge of euphoric chemicals released into their body. There is a man with no arms and no legs who lights up a match and lights his cigarette using only his head. These truly amazing people/characters are interesting enough to watch with no plot, but throw in a well written script and engaging story and you have a real unique film. One of a kind! There is an underlying theme of sex lust and love throughout the entire feature. You will love some characters AND hate some characters. So raw and daring.

10/10 (Only for being one of a kind, a film like this will never be made again.)

VERDICT- ADD IT TO YOUR QUEUE!