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