Shutter Island

2010

Director: Martin Scorsese

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Key Elements: Concept - Visual

Review:

Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, this is the story of a Federal Marshal investigating a disappearance at a high-security prison for the criminally insane – shutter island.

As I expected, there was a twist at the end, but it was bigger than I expected. Along the way we’re left guessing while being dazzled by amazing visual poetry.

I continue to be impressed with the projects DiCaprio selects for himself.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• Yeah fine, I just ah, I just can't, can't stomach the water.
• You'll never leave this island.
• There's no moral order at all. There's just this: can my violence conquer yours?
• We gotta get off this rock, Chuck.
• Which would be worse, to live as a monster, or to die as a good man?
• Why are you all wet, baby?

Stills:

The Book of Eli

2010

Director: The Hughes Brothers

Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures

Key Elements: Concept – Visuals

Review:

Before the cross, Israel carried the hope of the Gospel.  Because they were the only people in the whole world with that honor, they were justified in using violence to protect it.

In this movie, the hope of the Gospel is carried, not by a nation, but by a single man.  And likewise, he uses violence to protect it.  Think Road Warrior with a Bible.

One thing I appreciated about this movie was that it showed how the Bible CAN be used incorrectly.  Not everyone appealing to its authority can be trusted.  That’s a rare message and an important distinction.

Another thing I like is how the twist at the end confirms that, not only is the Bible valuable, but what it says is true – Because God has been helping Eli.

Then there’s what I didn’t like.

[Spoiler]

At the end, Eli gets to a safe house where the Bible can be preserved.  …Right next to a Koran!

That’s right - After parading as a pro-Bible story this movie ends on a Universalistic note.

Lame.

Still… the premise is an interesting concept.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• People had more than they needed. We had no idea what was precious and what wasn't. We threw away things people kill each other for now.
• In all these years I've been carrying it and reading it every day, I got so caught up in keeping it safe that I forgot to live by what I learned from it.
• Thank you lord for a warm bed to sleep on, thank you for the food we are about to eat, thank you for a roof over our heads on cold nights such as this, thank you for companionship in hard times like these, Amen.
• IT'S NOT A FUCKIN' BOOK! IT'S A WEAPON. A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate. It will give us control of them. If we want to rule more than one small, fuckin' town, we have to have it. People will come from all over, they'll do exactly what I tell 'em if the words are from the book. It's happened before and it'll happen again. All we need is that book.
• Its like he's protected somehow, nothing can touch him
• They say the war tore a hole in the sky

Stills:

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

2008

Director: Bharat Nalluri

Distributor: Focus Features

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Message

Review:

I was surprised to find out this movie is based on a Winifred Watson novel, and not on a stage play.  One of the most charming things about this movie is that watching it makes your feel like you’re at a live theater.

A down-on-her-luck Miss Pedigrew cons her way into a job as an assistant to the promiscuous, high-society theatrical hopeful, Delysia.  Throughout the day thw two juggle Delysia’s men as they try to secure a future for themselves.

But as the night draws near, the frivolity wears down, and the stakes become clear.  WWII introduces itself, Delysia realizes she must make up her mind and Miss Pettigrew faces a return to the lonely streets.

But these dark realities force the characters to drop their facades and decide what it really worthwhile.

In the end, it’s relationships.  Both Miss Pettigrew and Delysia turn to the people they trust most for strength to go through life.  It’s a good message delivered along with fun, fast double-entendres and a pretty sweet musical number.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• If I want to smoke cigars, I'll damned well smoke cigars, thank you very much, and to hell with your opinion.
• Men are so untrusting. I can't think why.
• Not everything comes along just when we want it. There are times when decisions just have to be made, or you certainly will miss out.
• I am not an expert on love, I am an expert on the lack of love, Delysia, and that is a fate from which I wish more fervently to save you.
• You people, with your green drinks and your parties and your subterfuges! You're all playing at love. One minute her, the next minute someone else, flit, flit, flit! We'll, I'm not playing. Love is not a game.

Stills:

Avatar

2009

Director: James Cameron

Distributor: 20^th Century Fox

Key Elements: Concept - Visual

Review:

*Sigh*  …Avatar.

James Cameron did something VISUALLY AMAZING here.  Creating his OWN 3-D technology, he presented us with an on-screen world unlike anything we’ve ever seen.  The effect this new technology created for its viewers was staggering and beautiful.

…What a pity he didn’t put as much effort into finding a worthy story to carry his new technology.

Some have compared the plot to Dances With Wolves; others to Pocahontas.   To me it’s nearly an identical retelling of Fern Gully.  No matter which movie it makes you think of most, it WILL make you think of another movie.  Because you’ve seen this one before – probably more than once.  While the visual effects are new, the story has already been told over and over again.

So… It was worth seeing once, if only for the visual effects.  But the lame story nearly nullified any enjoyment I might have taken from the experience overall.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• Everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world, and in here is the dream.
• I see you.
• One idiot with a gun is enough.
• If you are one of us, help us!
• All I ever wanted was a single thing worth fighting for.
• We're going up against gunships with bows and arrows.

Stills:

Paprika

2006

Director: Satoshi Kon

Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Key Elements: Concept - Visuals

Review:

In this story, based on Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel of the same name, a “DC Mini,” a device that enables people to enter the dreams of others, has been stolen. The main character, Doctor Chiba, teams up with Doctor Tokita, the creator of the DC Mini, to uncover the stolen device. Taking on her dream persona “Paprika,” Chiba inspects the dream world for clues. The action mounts until reality and the dream world collide.

This movie was the first thing I thought of when I saw the "Inception" trailer.  But though they share a premise, the two are very different movies.  I think Inception is better.

But Paprika is still worth watching - If only for the astounding animation.  This is eye candy - completely amazing.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Don't you think dreams and the Internet are similar? They are both areas where the repressed conscious mind vents.

Stills:

Where the Wild Things Are

2009

Director: Spike Jonze

Distributor: Warner Brothers

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Message – Concept - Symbolism – Visual

Review:

Jonze brings this Maurice Sendak's masterpiece children's book to life in visual splendor and injected with raw human emotion.

Max is lonely.  He misses his absent father.  He feels ignored and unprotected by his older sister.  And now he's having to share his mother with her work and new boyfriend.  Lacking the emotional maturity to handle his pain, Max runs away.

He ends up Where the Wild Things Are.  The creatures Max meets make him their king, and he begins to lead them in building a new home.  But his own wounds are personified in the group of friendly monsters. Like Max, these monsters are longing for relationship, but their own insecurities leave them regretfully unable to secure connection.

[Spoiler]

Max eventually has to leave the monsters.  But despite the hurt feelings, they are sad to see him go.  And despite the fight Max had with his mother, she welcomes him home again.

The ultimate message here is that friendship can't be contingent on one's own feelings.  It's about making space in our lives for each other - and being willing to forgive.

It wasn't what I expected, but I loved this movie.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• Will you keep out all the sadness?
• And on our way... I can show you your kingdom. This is all yours. You're the owner of this world. Everything you see is yours. Oh, except that hole over there, that's Ira's. The tree's yours, but the hole is Ira's. But everything else is yours. Except for that rock over there, that's not yours. That little rock next to the big rock. But everything else in the kingdom... except for that stick. That little stick right there, that's not yours. I want you to be king forever, Max.
• Happiness isn't always the best way to be happy.
• What? I never heard that... Oh, come on. That can't happen. I mean you're the king, and look at me, I'm big! how can guys like us worry about a tiny little thing like the sun, hmm?
• Well, look: this used to be all rock, and now it's sand, and then, one day, it's going to be dust, and then the whole island will be dust, and then... well I don't even know what comes after dust.
• You're not really a king, are you?
• We were gonna make a whole world like this. Now, everyone used to come here, but you know... you know what it feels like when all your teeth are falling out really slowly and you don't realize and then you notice that, well, they're really far apart. And then one day... you don't have any teeth anymore…Well it was like that.
• You're the first king we haven't eaten.
• Don't go. I'll eat you up; I love you so.

Stills:

I am Legend

2007

Director: Francis Lawrence

Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures 

Key Elements: Message – Concept - Symbolism – Music – Gospel - Visual

Review:

Based on Richard Matheson's 1954, this is the story of the last man in New York City after an apocalyptic disease kills many and leaves the rest as zombies.


The draw of this movie is the chance to see a surreal New York emptied of people and reclaimed by nature.


But what kept me is the human story of a man who struggles with disillusionment and loneliness but ultimately finds hope.


[Spoiler]


The Gospel is in this story too. After searching for years for an antidote to reverse the disease, Robert finally finds one.  But he must give his life to pass it on to the rest of humanity.  In the same way, Jesus' righteousness is the antidote to our sin, but He had to give his life to pass it on to us.


Also, Robert waxes poetic about Bob Marley's desire to see light fill up the darkness of the world.  Jesus is the Light that fills up the darkness of our lives.

Clip:

Quotes:

• I'm not infected!
• God didn't do this. We did.
• My name is Robert Neville. I am a survivor living in New York City. I am broadcasting on all AM frequencies. I will be at the South Street Seaport everyday at mid-day, when the sun is highest in the sky. If you are out there... if anyone is out there... I can provide food, I can provide shelter, I can provide security. If there's anybody out there... anybody... please. You are not alone.
• Look, Daddy, it's a butterfly!
• Please say hello to me… Please say hello to me.
• What the hell are you doing out here, Fred? Fred, if you're real, you better tell me right now!
• The world is quieter now. We just have to listen. If we listen, we can hear God's plan.
• He had this idea. It was kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate... literally cure it, by injecting music and love into people's lives. When he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down. Two days later he walked out on that stage and sang. When they asked him why - He said, "The people, who were trying to make this world worse... are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness."
• This is Ground Zero. This is my site. I can fix. I can fix this.
• In 2009, a deadly virus burned through our civilization, pushing humankind to the edge of extinction. Dr. Robert Neville dedicated his life to the discovery of a cure and the restoration of humanity. On September 9th, 2012, at approximately 8:49 P.M., he discovered that cure. And at 8:52, he gave his life to defend it. We are his legacy. This is his legend. Light up the darkness.

Stills:

(500) Days of Summer

2009

Director: Marc Webb

Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Key Elements: Message – Music - Visual

Review:

Tom is a naive romantic.  Summer is a wounded skeptic.  Tom wants to be in a meaningful, committed relationship.  Summer wants a friend with benefits.

Tom falls for Summer.  You have probably already guessed that Tom gets hurt. After all, "This is not a love story."

This un-rom-com is about learning from antithesis. Sometimes we know love better by knowing what it isn't. And love is not how Tom feels about Summer.

Tom says, "I love how she makes me feel."  That's key. Tom doesn't see it, but Summer is just a means to fulfilling his romantic hopes. He doesn't really love HER.

Were it love, he wouldn't be so self-focused in his pursuit of Summer.  And he wouldn't become impatient with Summer and short with his friends when things don't go as he expects.

But, the movie ends with a new season and the hope that Tom has learned from the experience.

The cool thing is that the movie delivers this sobering message with whim. The story is told in non-chronological order with visual metaphor and hyperbole, expectation/reality splices and one of the best song selections ever played in a movie.

But why did it take so long for Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to do a movie together?  They're such an obvious pair-up!

BTW - I think it's hilarious how this movie made The Smiths suddenly reappear on everyone's playlists after years of obscurity. Awesome.

Trailer:

Promotional Video (Song by Zooey Deschanel's She and Him):

Quotes:

• The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman. Bitch.
• This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know upfront, this is not a love story.
• It's love; it's not Santa Claus.
• What always happens: Life.
• Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn't mean she's your soul mate.
• Tom, don't go! You're still my best friend!
• It's these cards and the movies and the pop songs, they're to blame for all lies and the heartache, everything.
• Look, I know you think she was the one, but I don't. Now, I think you're just remembering the good stuff. Next time you look back, I, uh, I really think you should look again.
•  You weren't wrong, Tom. You were just wrong about me.
• Nice to meet you. I'm Autumn.

Stills: