The Family Stone

It's been a long time, I'm sorry, college is crazy! Since it is the holiday season, however, and I'm a huge fan of movies that reflect that, I have to start with The Family Stone, directed by Thomas Bezucha! Not only does this movie contain an all-star cast of highly attractive people such as Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Luke Wilson, but it links them all together as one giant family! Watching these actors interact together as a family unit with just as many problems as the average family is a truly humbling experience. You feel less crazy and perhaps appreciate your own family more when you see this heartwarming dramedy about the bonds that tie people together. I say dramedy and not just comedy, because in all honesty, I teared up at least twice. It's not a steretypical, happy-go-lucky film about a large family reuniting for the holidays; homosexuality, deafness, and racism are all kind of alluded to, giving the film a touchy but smart purpose, as well as breast cancer, which ails the matriarch of the family. A must-see, especially now that Christmas is coming up fast and you may just need a reminder of how important it is to appreciate what life has handed you. You can't choose your family, but you can learn to love them.

Buzz lightyear to the rescue!

Amanda

The Sandlot

Directed by David M. Evans, The Sandlot is unfortunately not a movie highly recognized in the bureaucratic world of cinema. It's generally a family film almost everyone has probably seen once or twice on television. When I think of this movie, I do think of my earlier youth, though I can never pinpoint when I first watched it. No one could find a more simple and yet more meaningful movie than this about the lasting friendship of several goofy young boys who bond over baseball, excursions to the public pool (remember Wendy Peffercorn?), tobacco-filled carnival rides, and the retrieval of a ball lost in the territory of the Beast. The soundtrack includes oldies but goodies, such as This Magic Moment by The Drifters and Green Onions by Booker T and the MGs. I always listen to these songs and wish I lived back then -- but maybe that's just me. If you ask anyone what the most memorable part of the movie is, he or she will most likely point to the end, when Benny jumps over the Beast's fence to grab the lost ball signed by the Great Bambino himself and runs for his life all throughout the town, with Beast and the other boys chasing after his bangin' black Chuck Taylors. An American classic is what The Sandlot is, and if you haven't seen it yet, I think it's on YouTube ;)

Man, base up you blockheads!

Amanda

The Departed

It's been a really REALLY long time since I last updated -- sorry!! I'm gonna continue as if no break happened :)

The Departed, directed by the one and only Martin Scorsese, is one of those movies where if you daydream for a minute or blink for longer than 20 seconds, you'll find yourself confused and frustrated. Densely packed with brilliant dialogue, fit editing, and hardcore music, every second of this film counts. From the very beginning, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo diCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin keep you engaged with your mouth hanging open at the fact that the word "Fuck" and all its forms are said 237 times in total. How's that for keeping your adrenaline pumping? The storyline itself is pretty striking -- one rat infiltrates the police force of Boston, another the crime dynasty of Frank Costello -- and Leonardo diCaprio's and Matt Damon's characters parallel each other perfectly. It helps that humor is just as evenly distributed throughout the movie as cussin' criminals, and of course, the seemingly-random collection of songs (Bang Bang by Joe Cuba as well as Shipping Up To Boston by the Dropkick Murphys? Who does that?) makes this a highly unique movie and definitely worthy of the four Oscars it snagged in 2007. Watch if you haven't already -- your life will be better "fahr" it (that was a Bostonian accent, if you didn't know).

To making it count,

Amanda

:)

Gigi

Gigi, directed by Vincente Minnelli, is exactly what you see above. Dancing, champagne, and smiles. Gigi is sitting at the table, in a pretty guyish pose for the timescale (1958!!) that reinforces her rebellious, childish nature. I can't honestly remember her cousin's name--that's the attractive guy in the background--nor her great-aunt's--that's the frumpy-looking one--but they were still pretty important in the movie. I just don't want to look up the names because then it's not my knowledge that's being illustrated to you, it's the internet's. What I remember about this film is the dialogue, which was very top-notch and memorable. The storyline, too, was pretty original since I was compelled to stay watching a TCM movie till the end to see what happens. The ending, I do remember, was somewhat weird and not what I expected, but I guess that's part of the movie's charm. This may be a pretty non-memorable review, but I do recommend this movie--it's a hoot :)

No, it's Superman!

Amanda

9 oscars

Penelope

Penelope, a film directed by Mark Palansky, has what I like to call the ultimate "cutesie factor" -- in my opinion, perhaps even more so than the infamously "cutesie" movie Juno. Aside from the content of the storyline and the dialogue of the screenplay, this "cutesie factor" stems from the movie's cinematography. There is an obvious color scheme throughout the film, which can also be seen in the image above. Dark but warm is the theme set for this movie about a girl cursed to live with a pig's snout for a nose until she finds a Blue Blood as her one true love to break it. Sounds cheesy and somewhat like something that's been done before, but don't be judgmental just yet. There is a feel of originality nonetheless, especially the way James McAvoy and Christina Ricci play their roles. I love to watch this movie around the holidays, but I'm sure it's cute enough for all year round. And with classic "Hoppipolla" by Sigur Ros, among other songs, it's got a "cutesie" soundtrack to match.

You complete me,

Amanda

Love Actually

Directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually actually touches your heart more than any other holiday movie. I'm always in the mood to watch this movie, any time of year, though it does make me wish for Christmas that much more when it's sweltering hot in July and I want to cuddle with somebody. Full of a wide array of actors, this movie offers a variety of humor, romance, sadness, and, yes, disgust. So many storylines in a movie means so many more audiences are pleased. My favorite kind of movie is one about love, the cheesy kind, with the happy ending. This movie provides that, with top music to boot. Watch it, and keep in mind what I'm about to say: I love the Love Actually boy who runs through the Airport. The sound editing is top notch, and that kid's face is just too cute.

Love, peace, and soul (train),

Amanda

The Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Jonathan Demme, is as old as I am; but despite its being released the year I was born, I consider myself well-acquainted with this dark drama. I say "drama," although the rest of the world throws words around like "horror," "thriller," and "mystery-action," because honestly, I never once jumped in my seat. My jaw dropped, yes, but I define "scary" as something that actually makes me afraid/gives me nightmares. This film has more to do with the human psyche than anything else; the acting is so brilliant, you somehow find yourself rooting for the bad guy (Anthony Hopkins a.k.a. Hannibal Lecter). I will criticize it for its length, and for its occasional "dragging on" moments. However, the humor in the Buffalo Bill Scenes (yes, it's macabre, but still a little funny) and awesome scene editing keep you interested. Not to mention the outburst of a Tom Petty song in a semi-random scene and, of course, the outburst of Hannibal Lecter in a not-so-random, sickening scene that involves removing human skin. All that considered, you'd be crazy not to watch this movie ;)

Did I do that?

Amanda

The Goonies

First you gotta do the truffle shuffle! If you've seen The Goonies, a fantastic film directed by Richard Donner, you probably immediately LOL'd when you read that. Chunk is indeed one of the funniest characters in this movie, though really, the whole group of them is priceless. A hilarious movie, this film was another one that defined my childhood. I first saw it at a young age, and I have to say, I had a huge crush on Josh Brolin (the way he was back then -- now, uh, not so much..) and Sean Astin (again, the way he was back then -- now, uh, not so much..). I never laugh harder than I do when I watch these kids interact with each other on their way to finding the lost treasure of One-Eyed Willy. After even one viewing, I guarantee you'll remember quips that you'll want to spit out randomly from time to time. "ANDY! You goonie!" and "No firmen!" as dear old Rosalita says at the end of the movie, are two I could never forget. I always wished I could be a goonie, but I take comfort in the message of the film, which very meaningfully states that everyone is a goonie in his or her own way ;)

Okay I'll talk!!

Amanda

Babel

Babel, directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, is one of those movies where the sum of its parts is far greater than the whole. Like any anthology movie -- again, this comes up, especially because anthologies are my favorites -- Babel speaks to a varied audience. For that reason alone this film merits praise and recommendation. But to get my vote of confidence, a movie has to excel at more than just one feature, which Babel, needless to say, does. The movie begins slow-ish, I'll admit, but all that does for me is build up the mystery and unpredictability of the plot. When a movie appears to have no direction in the beginning, it's always a good idea to stick around to see where it's headed. The development of the plot becomes that much more exciting, and when you put two and two together, there's nothing more satisfying. Babel doesn't have obvious connections, if you watch from the beginning. I knew there were several storylines, and that they were to intertwine at some point, but I never anticipated how. But when it does, and when Brad Pitt actually gives a stellar performance (though does not pair well with Cate Blanchett), as well as Gael Garcia Bernal and Rinko Kikuchi, you can't do anything but exclaim loudly. It all comes together, and you feel so smart when you get it. As well as sad, I guess, since it is indeed a sad movie. The original score, which won an Academy Award by the way, helps with that. It's a good cry, though, so if you fear emotion, don't run away! Watch it!

You guys up for a toga party? Toga! Toga!

Amanda ;)

Stealing Beauty

Stealing Beauty, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, is one of those movies that you start watching without having any idea what it's going to be about. I remember randomly finding it on television on a rainy day, and after recognizing Liv Tyler, I thought there must be something worthy about this movie. Turns out I was right! It was a journey, though, because there's no clear path. Predictable movie it is not -- all throughout, you're wondering just who it is Lucy (Liv Tyler's character) is going to lose her virginity to. Besides that little mystery, the acting, originality of the script (written by the director, an Academy-Award winner!), and, of course, the gorgeous setting of Tuscany make this a beautiful movie to watch. It's rare finding a movie with an element of surprise and originality, but this one hits the nail on the head. By the end of it, you're likely to leave with something gained or learned ;)

"This is the universe. Big, isn't it?"
Amanda

True Romance

Directed by Tony Scott, and written by Quentin Tarantino, True Romance is really kinda romantic! It's actually more cutesies than romantic, but same diff ;) Watching this movie for the first time may come as a surprise to many of you; lots of today's well-known actors were in this movie, though none of them had the starring role. Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, and Samuel L. Jackson are just a few of them! Granted, this movie is an enigma, because it's about crime in the dirtiest sense as well as love in the dirtiest sense. Christian Slater's character elopes with a hooker, played by Patricia Arquette. It seems frivolous, I know, but when you watch it, I guarantee your heart will be warm and fuzzy inside. The script is magnificent -- of course it is, Tarantino! -- and actually has meaning. On top of that, the soundtrack is done by one of my all-time favorite film composers, Hans Zimmer -- though I do admit it doesn't sound like much of his other work. Even so, if it's at all possible to feel sad and happy at the same time, the Zimmer man will do that for you in this movie. It's a typical feel-good movie, but somehow by the end of it, you feel more than good -- you feel grrrreat ;)

Fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy ride,
Amanda

Moulin Rouge!

Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Moulin Rouge! (there is an exclamation point in the title, by the way, I'm not just putting that in 'cuz I'm excited or something) is a musical and cinematographical masterpiece. The very beginning is always confusing, as Luhrmann tends to do so with his films. It's almost as if he wants to scare away his audience, or at least the disinterested audience. If you're one of the braves ones who stick around to truly judge a movie's worth, Luhrmann saves the best part of the movie for you. Once the initial flash dies, everything else clears, and Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman both perform the roles of their lives. Their actual voices are used in the movie, and what voices they have! Many musical films have an issue with ADD in the audience. I, for one, don't like movies that have a long musical number, and then another about fifty seconds later. It's hard to stay in the mood for it, but Moulin Rouge! avoids that issue altogether. Every song is beautiful, especially "Elephant Love Medley" and, my personal favorite, "El Tango de Roxanne." Luhrmann cleverly makes new and fresh songs out of old ones, so you find yourself surprisingly knowing the lyrics and possibly singing along. It is a tragedy, I'll give you that, and the ending is ridiculously sad and depressing. However, the final stage scene wraps up just about the best edited film of the musical genre. Sit back, relax, and remember: Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love ;)
Look who's talkin',
Amanda

Magnolia

Magnolia, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is, in a word, CRAZY. When I first happened to see this movie, it had already been on for about a half hour, and I was already thinking, "What the hell is Tom Cruise doing?" Keep watching, though, is my advice. I know the movie is three hours and eight minutes, but it's one of those movies where if you don't finish it, you'd be wondering how it ends. Maybe that's just me, I don't know, but I couldn't stop watching it because all the storylines -- it's one of those anthology movies, only my favorite kind! -- were so enigmatic, that there just had to be a reason, a purpose, to this movie. That purpose was revealed to me during my favorite scene, when the frogs fall, to the sound of Aimee Mann (the film's primary music provider) and to the tears of Philip Seymour Hoffman. A story about family and making life worthwhile, this movie is definitely worth your time.
Hasta la vista, baby,
Amanda

Ordinary People

The original anthology film, Ordinary People, directed by Robert Redford, had a tagline when it came out in 1981: "Some films you watch, Others you Feel." I hadn't known of this tagline until after I watched the movie a second time, and when I did discover it, I thought it was the best way to describe it. I love movies from the '80s, or just movies from earlier generations in general, because they are properly focused on the characters and their development. Scratch special effects, CGI, pampered actors, green and blue screen, stand-ins -- and what's left is a legitimately good movie with long-lasting value, a movie like Ordinary People. One viewing of this movie -- actually one viewing of a particular scene (my favorite, as it happens: when Conrad finally breaks down and has a cathartic revelation about the death of his older brother, Bucky) -- and you'll immediately understand why it won 4 Oscars back in its day. A tearjerker, yes, but an inspiration at the same time. The very title, "Ordinary People," while perfect for explaining the overall plot, is a misnomer for the movie itself, as well as its actors, which was nothing but extraordinary.

Look eye! Always look eye,

Amanda

Grindhouse Presents: Death Proof

Quentin Tarantino. Two words, that's all I have to say. Even before watching this movie, I thought to myself "If this movie's like anything else he's done in the past, I'm gonna be blown away." He didn't disappoint. Tarantino is known for making up his own rules of cinematography. Even for a film that was essentially a remake, or rather, re-imagining, of a typical '70s disgust-slasher film, Grindhouse Presents: Death Proof was filled to the brim with originality. Never before was I entranced in a dialogue-based plot. Of course, some say that not much happens in this movie, that dialogue makes up far too much for lack of action. Needless to say, I beg to differ. The dialogue isn't just dialogue -- it's realistic, and witty to boot. I find myself forever being amazed at certain lines, no matter how many times I play this movie over and over. Plus, I'd add that the action in the movie, though minimal, is made all the better by the bounty of dialogue which serves as an appetizer before the main entree. All the actors in this film, including the cameo-hungry Tarantino himself, deliver their lines smoothly -- they're definitely every screenwriter's dream. If you haven't seen this movie yet, I recommend you do so immediately (and then follow it with Grindhouse Presents: Planet Terror) and not be fazed by any review (except for my own, of course). As always, I like to wait till a movie is over before I pass judgment on it-- please do the same. A lot is offered by this film, and there's something for everyone to enjoy. You might find that if you don't like the dialogue, the actors, or the action, you might very well just love the music. I know I do!

Here's lookin' at you, kid.

Amanda

My Girl

My Girl, directed by Howard Zieff, is another great movie that reminds me of my childhood. I'd like to say that the acting and the overall plot are what make me love it, but that'd be lying. The truth is, I'm just a sucker for oldies. I kind of wish I lived in the '60s or '80s (not the '70s, no way, although the movie I think is set in 1972), and I LOVE the music of old movies, because it's actually what reminds me of the oldness in the first place. This fantastic film is famous for the song "My Girl" by The Temptations, as well as for one of the last good, innocent movies Macaulay Culkin was in. Speaking of, the ending is a definite tearjerker, and while I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't seen it (I HATE when that happens to me), I do want to warn people that this feel-good movie does have its feel-bad moments. All in all, though, Dan Aykroyd, the cuteness of the kids, and the magic of the music take you back a few generations and show you what life was like back then. Wasn't it great? :)

May the force be with you.

Amanda

Snatch

Snatch, directed by Guy Ritchie, is another favorite of mine, and simply because of its music and editing. Some say the clip sequences and editing technique are confusing, but I say give me more! Nothing makes a movie more interesting, more memorable, than well-put-together scenes accompanied by well-chosen music. If a movie gets me to say "Yikes that was pretty cool," then it's alright in my book. I'm also the kind of person where if there's one short good scene in a movie, or one short good song, and the rest of the movie is shoddy, I'd say that the whole movie was good. I'm easily swayed, what can I say? Anyway, check out this movie, it's got great acting by Jason Statham, Benicio del Toro, and, wouldn't ya know it, Brad Pitt. Favorite scene? I'd have to say when Mickey (Brad Pitt) is fighting against his buds to help his mother who is burning in a caravan. The music, "Angel" by Massive Attack, is literally to kill for.

Schwing,

Amanda

Platoon

When I tell people that Platoon, directed by Oliver Stone, is tied with It's A Wonderful Life for the #1 spot on my list of movie favorites, the reaction is almost palpable. One could not find two other movies on such opposite sides of the emotional spectrum, let alone the cinematographical meter. However, just as the black-and-white classic directed by Frank Capra tugs on some of my heartstrings and sends me down nostalgia road, so does this Vietnam War epic. One of the first films to accurately depict the conflicts of American soldiers on the war front (other films generally hid the fact that Americans were just as brutal as, if not more than, their Viet Cong enemies) and not just the political conflicts that ensued back on American land, this film was a breeder for many respectable, soon-to-be iconic actors such as Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen. As the poster above shows, Oliver Stone was a master cinematographer -- Willem Dafoe's character, Elias, suffers a severe act of betrayal, and lifts his hands up not as though to ask for divine help, but rather, in my opinion, as if he were giving up, as if he were grieving for mankind which he realizes right before death is actually never going to receive any kind of help. It's a severe moment in the movie, and the Samuel Barber score of Adagio for Strings reinforces the emotional significance of the death. Played throughout the film in one form or another, this score is truly a symbol of tragedy, and contrasts nicely with some humorous parts of the film where songs of the pop culture back then are played by the soldiers to remind themselves of the home country that sent them there and for which they remain fighting. All in all, the war aspect of the film keeps action lovers satisfied, while the music and terribly great acting keeps the drama lovers more than satisfied. Oliver Stone has a way of revealing to the public things that previously were not prevalently known (i.e. JFK, to be reviewed later on). That's a tongue twister sentence, I know, but you get the idea.

Show me the money,

Amanda

It's A Wonderful Life

I've recently come to the conclusion that my favorite film of all time is It's A Wonderful Life. I never could reach a definite decision, since all films are different and affect me in different ways. Then, a few months ago, when I chose which college I wanted to attend, I felt a huge wave of maturity and the shocking realization that I'm no longer a kid. It's A Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra, among many other movies, granted, was more than a movie during my childhood. It was an experience, a tradition, where after I bathed and got into my Christmas Eve jammies, and retrieved a candy cane from the Christmas tree, I joined my family in watching the NBC viewing of the classic film. Its emotional significance, its -- of course -- generally good acting, its deliverance of catchy but meaningful phrases such as "Hot dog!" and "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings," and last, but not least, its heartwarming conclusion with the background filled with Auld Lang Syne, together make this the single film I could watch over and over again, until the end of time, when joy and Christmas spirit somehow lose their magic, which is indeed something I could never imagine happening.

We'll always have Paris,

Amanda

Rainforest Restaurant

There are many other pictures that I took, but I absolutely love this one the best! The restaurant was canopied, there were animals, rain sounds, etc...unbelievably cool. My favorite!