Multiple Sarcasms (2010) - This movie shows how the creative lifestyle can really destroy a person's life but also make it more in tune with what a person really wants/needs out of life. I found it pleasant and witty. I basically liked the characters but some of the title animations were not constant throughout the film. It was fun to see Mario Van Peebles in the role he played. (Click the link and check out his forever long list of attributes on imdb.... dude's been in the game for quite a while!) The little girl, India Ennenga was good and was also in The Women (2008).
30 Minutes or Less (2011) - Every time I told someone about this movie, they asked, whether seriously or in jest, if it was a short movie. So apparently the title could have used some work. The film was basically what you thought it would be... funny and gross but entertaining. It's not actually a very long movie either, but it is definitely longer than 30 minutes. ;) Aziz Ansari is one of my favorites and this role was a typical one for him. Fred Ward has a role in this movie that is pretty hilarious. He too has been in pretty much about everything.
Louder Than a Bomb (2010) - This documentary was absolutely fabulous and uplifting and inspiring. Can't say enough good things about it. High schoolers from all over Chicago compete in a slam poetry competition. The viewer is introduced to some AMAZING youth who have a lot going for them BECAUSE they have an artistic outlet that helps them express themselves and channel their energies into something super positive. I highly recommend this movie for everyone. Why? It shows that you can't judge someone from what they look like and that you can be blown away by the power of another person. It's a film that helps to cross barriers and defy stereotypes. Loved this movie. Whether or not you are a creative person yourself, you will feel something while/after watching this movie. Great stuff. Makes me feel good about the youth in a world where we are taught to fear them. It just goes to show that they need a positive, creative place to channel their talents and get the support and encouragement they need. We should all be so lucky. I'm proud of them and I will probably never meet them, but they "are a blessing to us all". (Watch the film and you'll understand that reference.)
Paper Heart (2009) - I finally got around to watching this film and it was okay. I liked that it showed a romance between two awkward people and the format was a little interesting, but kind of odd. The film didn't leave me feeling too inspired but it was another vehicle, a less cheesy one than most rom-coms, to show that you have to take a risk to get a reward. I don't know if I would have come up with that if it wasn't stated at the end of the film. :( Jake M. Johnson (plays the director) looks sooooo familiar but none of his credits ring a bell for me. I find this tidbit ironic: "Stars Charlyne Yi and Michael Cera were dating at the time of filming, but ended their relationship before the release date" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1331064/trivia) It was a nice enough film but not easy to relate to, even for me, someone who is a little more jaded like Charlyne is supposed to be. The interviews within the faux-doc setting were nice, but because of the odd format to the film, I'm unsure if they were real comments from real people or if it was all staged. Makes the overall film hard to digest.
Bass Ackwards (2010) - The title doesn't necessarily play into the overall film for me but I think I liked the film anyway. It's one of those stories where it takes a road trip for someone to find themselves. It was a bit quiet and the characters were interesting although some scenarios seemed a little far-fetched, like Vic's monologue about his daughter's death. I find it hard to believe that a person would pour out their soul to a stranger or that they would let a guy into their home to play with their son and spend the night. Although maybe that's a result of Linas Phillips' personality? Maybe some people will say these things to the right person? I don't know. I've not come across it much in my own life. After reading Linas' bio, I can see some of the elements from his life in his film and I like it. It's a personal touch to the story. I can identify with the bit about special needs kids because of the volunteering I do. The viewer gets a feeling that this story is pretty personal for the writer/director/star and that makes a difference to the story. Like the previous film, it makes it hard to distinguish film from real life because the two become so intertwined.
Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008) - This film was typical Bollywood (but not as many songs): crazy situations that mask a deeper message. In this film, a man writes letters and such for members of his village, taking liberties at times for his own benefit. There was a lot going on and a lot of characters but it was easy enough to keep track of what was going on. At the end, with some of the reveal, parts of it were just glossed over that were actually hard-hitting and shocking. It wasn't an amazing movie but was fun in that it was based in a village and wasn't as flashy as other B-wood movies can be.
Mid-August Lunch (Pranzo di ferragosto) (2008) - I really liked this film a lot! Like Bass Ackwards, it is a film in which you can really feel the hand of the filmmaker and sense their passion towards the subject. It was only after reading the DVD insert that I learned that the writer/director/actor based it off of his life experiences (and his imagination of what could be). Fun fact.... TODAY really is Ferragosto!!! The day that this movie takes place! I watched it yesterday, which was also a day featured in the movie. Fun coincidence! The movie really is sweet as it shows one man's experience with his elderly mother. I think this film shines through because of its simplicity and the truth it speaks, evident to anyone who has spent any actual amount of time caring for the elderly. It was very cool to read the insert and learn a bit about the older women in these roles. I really do like films that showcase people we don't see very often in films because there is so much more to life. It also emphasizes that you should write what you know (same with Bass Ackwards). This movie was quite a gem and I'm saving it for my parents to watch because I'm sure they can relate even better than I as they are caring for their parents.
So, out of these 7 films watched in the past couple weeks, there is a trend present in several (if not most) of them: write what you know and bare your soul. That is true and that is all. Peace!
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