Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (2008)

The good thing about comedies is you can get away with almost anything, as long as it's funny. Take off your logical glasses of reality and look through the unrealistic ludicrous scenarios and just laugh. It does have some dumb childish jokes as filler, but overall I found myself laughing throughout most of the film. The soundtrack is good too, almost every song is about sex and or marijuana which are the roots of this movie.

6.5/10

VERDICT: WORTH A WATCH!

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!

Wanderlust (2012)

"Do you live here?"

"I live where ever I am."

Two married business folk lose their jobs in New York and move back to Atlanta. They come across an 'intentional society'(hippy commune) on their way and suddenly see life in a new light... This film is packed full of honest truths about our current society and will make you want to just live simply and free; off of the land. It was a pretty funny film overall with some predictable plot twists. Thoroughly enjoyed!!

6.5/10

VERDICT: ADD IT TO YOUR 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