Falling Overnight (2011) - Drama

Rating 10/10 **Diamond of a film**

Summary: The day before Elliot (Parker Croft) has to have brain surgery to remove a tumor, he meets (Chloe). Together they spend an entire night going on little adventures until it is time for Elliot to tell Chloe the truth and they are left with the question, what now?

It is very rare to find a film that physically and emotionally moves you. Falling Overnight is one of those. Before I really go into it I would like to say, this movie may not be for everyone. It is a low budget Indie movie, which I happen to be a sucker for (most of the time those turn out to be my favorites). By the end of the film I had cried about three times. Throughout the movie I felt like someone was tugging at my heart strings and I kept getting pangs in my chest, at one point I even got

butterflies. I even started to realize I was smiling through some parts. When the movie ended my hands wouldn't stop shaking and every other film I watched that night didn't even seem worth it. It is extremely rare that a movie does this to me, the last time I was effected this greatly was when I saw Her when it came out at the beginning of 2013. I am 100% when I say, this movie is a diamond in the rough.

I'd like to begin with Emilia Zoryan. I have never seen her in anything before, so I didn't know what to expect from her. Let me just say, I could not be more pleased with a performance. Emilia emanated on screen. She shined and had the most enchanting and charming personality. She made Chloe real. Chloe was no longer a character she was a person who   was vivacious, and effervescent, she was genuine. Her acting was captivating and behind the

personality I still felt like there was more, some kind of backstory to this two dimensional character. Emilia's performance was so enticing she made it seem like her character was more complex than she actually was, and that is an incredible thing, she was given something and she ran with it. I don't think anyone could be Chloe except for Emilia Zoryan, it is impossible to imagine anyone else doing a better job.

Parker Croft also was impeccable and commendable. He made me love Elliot from the beginning, this sad, lonely, sick character who may possibly have hours to live. Though Parker plays Elliot as shy and laid back behind his eyes you can see panic and the fear of someone who doesn't know what is in his future. In fact, whenever the future is mentioned you see all happiness fade from his eyes, and he loses himself for a moment. It was almost like Parker was actually in Elliot's situation and was feeling what

he had to endure. And finally in one of his final scenes he loses his cool and performs one of the most heartbreaking scenes I've ever seen. His crying and emotion is genuine, it is not just someone trying to put on a good performance, it is someone actually feeling something. In that very scene he goes from being an actor to being an artist, a human being who is in pain. His performance was moving beyond words and one of the best, I think, in film.

The actors' ability to make the dialogue believable and real make the film as amazing as it is. While watching I had to think, "There's no way any of this is scripted," because it was so real. It made the film more authentic and honest to see two people on screen that seemed like they were

having an actual conversation that average everyday people would have upon meeting. The magic of the film comes from their interaction. They have an onscreen chemistry that is so strong you can't help but feel what they are feeling for yourself. Everything about this film is honest and sincere, when you watch Elliot and Chloe you're not just watching you are along for the ride and you are invested, and you fall in love as they do.

The soundtrack and cinematography are up to par with the actors and dialogue, and continue to add to the genuineness of the film. The director was careful to only add music in places where people were listening to music unless absolutely necessary in a limited amount of scenes. Even then the songs fit perfectly and are so touching it wouldn't matter where they were used, song choice was A+ when considering the soundtrack.

I highly recommend this

film to anyone and everyone. As of now it is the best film I have seen so far and definitely my #1. It is a true diamond and rarity, it evokes so much emotion that isn't just boohoo sad, it's a complex film that brings out complex emotions that are hard to imagine unless you truly feel them. Please watch this film it is so incredibly underrated, and deserves so much more credit that is actually has gotten. I promise you will not be disappointed.

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Coco Chanel (2009) - Drama/Romance

Rating: 8/10

Summary: The story of Gabriella "Coco" Chanel (Audrey Tautou) before her rise to fame as a fashion phenomena. 

I found this film after watching Amelie (which I highly recommend), I really wanted to watch another film staring Audrey Tautou because she is such a brilliant actress and she has so much personality.

After seeing her play the eccentric, bubbly, and adventurous Amelie, it was strange to see her playing such a stubborn, serious, and sarcastic fashionista like Coco Chanel. It was strange but she did a marvelous job.

Her attitude throughout the film was fascinating to watch, Audrey was oozing with personality which made the film so much more interesting to watch. Also an independent woman forcing her way to the top is always entertaining, especially when you know she will become one of the most successful and influential women to ever live. Her sharp tongue made for fast paced sarcasm and quick wit humor that made Coco a total badass woman that I'm

sure no man wanted to ever mess with.

It was also interesting to see such an independent woman who seemed so emotionless fall in love unwillingly. It was outside the realm of normal Romance/Dramas where people are so willing to fall, where as she tried her best to avoid it, to push her lover as far away as possible.

This film is so entertaining and quite funny, and extremely fascinating. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in bios, or fashion, or if you like quick wit humor, or foreign films, or Audrey Tautou. Actually I recommend it to anyone, it's a great film that I'm sure everyone will thoroughly enjoy. Altogether I give it a B+.

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Chalet Girl (2011) - Romantic Comedy

Rating: 4/10

Summary: After the death of her mother Kim (Felicity Jones) gives up her skateboarding career, in order to support her father (Bill Bailey) she takes a job in the Alps as a chalet girl, where she falls in love with her wealthy boss (Ed Westwick) and snowboarding. 

I really did not like this movie, and was extremely disappointed because I absolutely love Felicity Jones. Really, there was nothing special about this I felt like I was watching an ABC Family Christmas

movie, that's how cheesy it was. Under the circumstances Felicity did a good job, but that did not make up for anything else.

The script was totally predictable, it was funny at times, but it wasn't laugh out loud funny. I also wasn't really impressed with Ed Westwick, I know he is a popular-ish actor, but he showed no promise in this film. This film was nothing more than a feel-good-almost-funny-but-not-really-beacause-the-writers-tried-too-hard-comedy.

I really did not like this film. I do not recommend it. I love Felicity and she did ok, but it was not a good movie. I give it an F

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Mr. Nobody (2009) - Romance

Rating: 10/10

Summary: Nemo Nobody (Jared Leto/Toby Regbo) is the last mortal man on earth, dying at the age of 102. He decides to reevaluate his life with a journalist deciding whether he made the right decisions in life.

I would like to start this by saying, I was extremely hesitant to begin watching this film, I don't know why but I really was just reluctant to do so. I had tried watching it once before and only got about two minutes in before I changed my mind. Honestly I should've watched it all the way through the first time

because, oh my god, this film is so wonderfully good. It's extremely confusing, and the end will blow your mind and cause you to have an existential crisis, I know I did.

Jared Leto was basically perfect, I am a huge Jared Leto fan, have been since 30 Seconds to Mars and Requiem For A Dream, so it came as no surprise that I loved him as Nemo Nobody. Coincidently, I am

also a Toby Regbo fan, so of course, I loved him as Nemo as well. I thought they both did brilliantly, especially Toby, he was perfectly emotional and sad and lovable. However the actors are not what made me love the film so much.

The storyline was complete and utter perfection, or should I say story lines. Now let me admit, I did have to read a few synopsis' before I really fully understood the movie and even then I had to go back and watch a few scenes before I fully understood it for myself. If you haven't seen the film, don't read this the rest of this, and also go watch it because it's really worth your while.

MAJOR SPOILER'S:

Now what I got from re-watching the film and reading about it was this: Nemo was living all of his

lives at once. When the journalist says, "You can't live two lives at once, they can't all be true," he was wrong and Nemo actually had lived all the lives. The film is basically discussing the principles of the chaos theory, mainly the butterfly effect and order/disorder chaos.

If you are not familiar with the chaos theory here it is: 

• The Butterfly Effect: This effect grants the power to cause a hurricane in China to a butterfly flapping its wings in New Mexico. It may take a very long time, but the connection is real. If the butterfly had not flapped its wings at just the right point in space/time, the hurricane would not have happened. A more rigorous way to express this is that small changes in the initial conditions lead to drastic changes in the results. Our lives are an ongoing demonstration of this principle. Who knows what the long-term effects of teaching millions of kids about chaos and fractals will be?
• Order / Disorder Chaos is not simply disorder. Chaos explores the transitions between order and disorder, which often occur in surprising ways.

Now chaos implies that everything is happening all at once, that simultaneously we aer living hundreds of thousands of different lives in different dimensions and universes all at once, and that is what Mr. Nobody is exploring. It also makes sense of Nemo and the narration he is doing for the documentary in the film, everything he is saying adds clarity to the film and what is going.

Ultimately, Nemo wasn't just a senile confused old man, he really did live all those lives he lived, only he was aware, but all his lives revolve around and change the moment he decides whether he wants to be with his mother or father, causing the first branch off of story lines (2 story lines). From there if he

goes with his father he will either be with one girl or the other, or he will go into a coma (4 story lines). If he goes with his mother he will ALWAYS  love Anna, but he either will or won't end up with her (6 Story lines). Nemo also promises to take one of the girls' ashes to Mars and so he does (7 story lines). Overall he was living seven different lives, and remembering them all.

This is what makes the film so incredible. There are seven different story lines going on, the entire time you are trying to decide which one is true, and you come to realize, they all were. Which begs the question, how many lives are we living right now? Do our lives break off into another storyline with every decision we make in some other universe?

Overall I highly recommend this film it is truly amazing in every way 10/10 HIGHLY recommend COMPLETE MUST WATCH.

Watch Mr. Nobody Here

Stoker (2013) - Drama/Mystery/Thriller

Rating: 9/10

Summary: After India Stoker's (Mia Wasikowska) father dies in a mysterious car crash, her Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) comes to live with her and her mother (Nicole Kidman). India begin's to fall for him and eventually his motives become clear.

I thought this film was incredible. The plot was outstandingly interesting although it was quite slow and confusing in the beginning. Throughout the entirety of the film I found my self almost jumping out of my sheets (instead of at the edge of my seat seeing as I was in bed wrapped in a blanket rather than sitting in a chair or couch), or with my jaw dropping because some scenes came as such a surprise to me. This film truly is a thriller and mystery.

Foremost, I am only familiar with Mia Wasikowska because of her appearance in Alice in Wonderland,

other than that I have not seen her in any other films. For me, she rose to the challenge of playing such a dark and almost mature role. Ultimately, she was brilliant throughout the entire film and did not disappoint what-so-ever. She added and interesting bit of personality to the character of India that made it seem like India was hiding something deep down inside her, and by the end of the film she embraced it and let it out. I can honestly say I don't think anyone could've portrayed India better than Mia did.

As for Nicole Kidman, I was not very fond of her character Evie though, as usual, she did an excellent job at playing the disturbed, and emotionally distraught mother. The role was not at all outside her realm or different from the roles she normally takes so I was not disappointed. She played a perfectly

unlikeable character, and made her, well, unlikeable. From the beginning she possessed a certain hatred towards India, she might have even resented her, which puts her on the side of the antagonist especially towards the end of the film. Overall she did a good job, and again I don't think anyone can play a role like that better than Nicole Kidman.

Matthew Goode did just as well as everyone else, though I am not familiar with him or any films he has previously been in. But like all the other mains in the film, he did not disappoint. He played a

perfectly charming psychopath throughout the film, and made Charlie seem attractive despite everything else that he did or said. I found myself hoping that he would achieve what he wanted and came to like him even.

As for cinematography, it was beautiful. I loved how certain details were taken into consideration and were made focus points throughout the whole film. For example India's shoes (SPOILER), which from the beginning of the film were a mystery until it is made clear that Charlie is the one who was the one sending them to her. Before it is even made clear to the audience, her shoes are a main focus and remain so the entire time. This film is endlessly fascinating and I'm sure if I were to watch it again I would pick up on certain small details that I didn't notice beforehand.

Overall Stoker is an excellent film. I would recommend it to anyone who has seen and likes Shutter Island or We Need to Talk About Kevin. It's ultimately deserving of a high rating 9/10 recommend to certain people A-.

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A Little Princess (1995) - Fantasy

Rating: 8/10

Summary: Sara (Liesel Matthews) moves out of her home in India and is sent to live in a boarding school while her father goes off to war. After a time he is unfortunately assumed dead, and all of Sara's worldly possessions are taken from her. She then becomes a servant to the demanding lady of the house Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron). Her only escape is in the stories she tells to the other servant girl Becky (Vanessa Lee Chester) as she hopes her father is not truly dead and he will one day return to her.

I would feel terrible actually giving a review of this film and judging the cinematography and acting because it is actually so touching. Now this film is meant to be a family and children's film so as far as being a complex and artistic film it doesn't meet the standards. But as an entertaining and sweet film it's spot on.

The story is sad, emotional, and heart warming, the most heartwarming of them all is the friendship between Sara and Becky. Becky is and African American servant who, lets face it, is treated like trash because of the fact that she is black. The truly powerful thing is how none of the children in this film

really understand why she is treated so badly and why they mustn't talk to her besides the fact that they are told that they can't. To me it shows that children are taught certain things like racism, sexism, homophobia etc. And like Sara children are taught to treat people with dignity, and that all little girls are princesses no matter the color of their skin, social status, or wealth. That's what makes this film

so incredible. It teaches, not just little girls, but everyone that they matter, that they can be whatever they want to be despite the circumstances. I think it's so important to teach that at a young age, and I believe all children should watch this at some point in their adolescence.

All in all this film is heart warming sweet and touching, it's definitely a must watch for ALL children, and it teaches many valuable lessons.

Watch A Little Princess Here

Into The Wild (2007) - Adventure

Rating: 10/10

Summary: Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirch) leaves behind his wealthy privileged life style, gives all his money to charity, and goes on a journey of self discovery to find out what happiness truly is, and can it be achieved alone.

This film holds a dear place in my heart and affected me in a way that is difficult to describe. I have the highest respect for what Christopher McCandless did and everything he achieved. With that being said, Sean Penn's script was nothing short of awe inspiring. The film in itself is beautiful in every aspect; acting, cinematography, soundtrack, locations, dialogue, absolutely everything.

Emile Hirsh was remarkable, he displayed a perfect sense of apathy when needed, and at the end he had me in tears. I often found myself frustrated with his portrayal of Christopher in the best way possible. He brought out emotions that only a true and genuine actor can bring out in an audience. He also gave off a feeling of desperation, as if his life

depended on finding the answer to all his questions. At times Emile made Christopher seem almost manic like he was trying to hide from himself that the loneliness he faced was too much for him. Sometimes his desperation went as far as him almost giving up on his journey. These scenes proved to be the hardest to watch as you watch Christopher completely disintegrate right before your very eyes. His enthusiasm suddenly fades and you are left with nothing but the shell of the man that was, and the face you see on screen is that of a scared and confused boy who has received no answers to his questions. Emile's portrayal is simply excellent, and he pulls you into the movie and brings you along for the ride he faces ahead.

As for the supporting actors, they added to the magic of the film. They made me laugh and cry, and all around feel like I knew them myself. This film is incredibly personal and makes you feel as if you are living as Christopher instead of watching him being portrayed by someone else. The relationships that unfold on screen show the true beauty of humans and how much we truly depend on each other. The final scene contains such beauty it will leave you speechless and teaches you something I think only someone with experience can really teach and realize. This film is incredibly important, powerful, and something I believe everyone should watch. This film no question is a 10/10 must watch, highly recommended and extremely underrated. This film has something to say, and it's something everyone should listen to.

 "Happiness is only real when shared."
Watch Into The Wild Here

American Beauty (1999) - Drama

Rating: 10/10

Summary: Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) becomes obsessed with his daughter Jane's (Thora Birch) best friend Angela (Mena Suvari) while having to endure a boring life and loveless marriage. Meanwhile, Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley) and his family move in next door consisting of his homophobic father, and his mother who suffer's mentally.

"My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood. This is my street. This is my life. I'm 42 years old. In less than a year, I'll be dead." This is one of the first lines in the film, and let me just say when you know from the beginning that the main character is going to die you know this is going to be some psychological whodunnit movie. Spoiler: it most definitely is that kind of movie.

Let me begin with Kevin Spacey as Lester. He did an amazing job and I was definitely cracking up at the majority of the things he said and did in this film. His pitiful emotionless life made me feel so sorry for him yet I took so much pleasure out of watching it. Lester's character development was incredible, he did a complete 180 and went from being a total loser to being a douche bag/someone I envied because he eventually become so confident and carefree. But I also hated him. He reminded me of another Humbert Humbert, totally obsessed with a young girl he believed to be his soulmate. I found it disgusting that a grown man could become so obsessed with someone so young and not yet matured, but I still found myself rooting for him, strangely enough. By the end of the film my hate had disappeared and I gained a sort of respect for him, almost an admiration. Overall, his performance was A+ and I don't think it could've been any better.

Now, the only other movie I had seen Thora Birch in was Hocus Pocus and she was about nine years old then, so I really did not know what to expect from her. I was 100% not disappointed with her performance, I actually thoroughly enjoyed it and think she did brilliantly. Jane is a totally relatable character with her insecurities, low self esteem, and zero self confidence, and I think Thora portrayed her perfectly. I love the way her character developed, and how by the end she finally became her own person and stopped wanting to be like Angela. To me it seemed almost like Lester and Jane were mirror character's, going through the same problems, and making the same developments, ultimately coming to term with themselves and each other by the end of the film.

Mena Suvari played Angela as the perfect little bitch. Cocky, self absorbed, flirty, and selfish with a hint of self esteem issues and a pretend sex life. Angela is another Lolita only aware of what she is doing and the game that she is playing. From the moment she realizes Lester's feelings she begins her puppet show and strings him along until she realizes that he is going to get what he wants. Then to no surprise does the audience realize, her sexual adventures were a lie, she needs attention to make herself seem extraordinary, and, shocker; she is a perfect little virgin. As unlikeable as Angela is, I found myself feeling sorry for her, and came to understand why she is the way she is. And just like Lester and Jane, her character made extreme developments, Angela became another mirror of the mains in the film.

Finally for my personal favorite, Wes Bentley as Ricky Fitts. I was completely in love with the character Ricky Fitts. Everything about him entranced me, his way of thinking, the way he saw the world, his depiction of beauty, everything. I loved his carelessness and the way he actually cared, and his boldness, and how straight forward he is. I was absolutely in awe watching him. Not to mention he is incredibly gorgeous. Of all the character's he was the only one I felt did not need any development what-so-ever. I thought he was as close to perfect as it could possible get. Wes Bentley did an amazing job at making Ricky as attractive yet strange in a way.

Overall the main character's were phenomenal, and the actors did an amazing job with their portrayals.

As for the cinematography, which can always make or break a film; it did not disappoint in the slightest. I thought it was beautiful and as visually pleasing as possible. Just like almost all of my favorite movies it had that symmetrical feel to it, everything was centered, balanced, and extremely precise which I personally thoroughly enjoy.

The storyline had me guessing the entire time; who exactly killed Lester? And it was also one of the those films I wanted to just keep going. I didn't want it to really end, I wanted to keep watching the character's lives unravel and I wanted more secrets to be revealed,

Ultimately the film was brilliant, I would say whatever type of movie person you are this is something everyone will enjoy. Everything about it was just incredible and it is most definitely a 10/10, A+, highly recommended.

Watch American Beauty Here

But I'm A Cheerleader (1999) - Comedy

Rating: 6/10

Summary: A satyrical comedy about a cheerleader, Megan (Natasha Lyon), who is sent to straight camp because her friends and family are worried that she is a lesbian. There she meets Graham (Clea Duvall), who helps her accept herself for who she really is, sexuality and all.

Let me begin by saying I am a huge Natasha Lyon fan. I love her sarcastic humor, an how intelligent that is. With that being said I found it, almost refreshing to see her playing a different type of role. She stepped out her raging masculine lesbian persona (and I mean this in the nicest way possible because I love her raging lesbian persona) and became a character I have never seen her play before; a total stereotypical cheerleader (who happens to also be gay, which I guess destroys the cheerleader stereotype).

Now the film in itself was OK. The beginning had me completely but lost me towards the middle, meaning; I got bored and was more concerned with playing Kim K Hollywood than watching Megan's relationship with Graham. I don't think this was entirely the story line's or Natasha Lyon's fault, it was probably me and my dislike for Clea DuVall, who just happens to rub me the wrong way (she also look like the kind of person who is greasy and smells bad but that's just my opinion. I also don't like her acting.)

Despite my complete and utter dislike for Clea Duvall (who I'm pretty sure ruined the whole movie for me and caused me to give it a D- rating) I found the film hilarious. I loved the satirical humor, and Megan drooling was the strangest and greatest thing I have probably ever seen. The acting on everyone else's part was acceptable (except for Clea Duvall, but then again that's my opinion).

As for the cinematography I was in heaven. The use of color and prop placement was impeccable. It was so aesthetically pleasing it was like I was looking at paintings the entire time. The color palette was also a love with the extreme usage of pinks, purples, blues, and pastels. I loved the Wes Anderson style completely centered and symmetrical placement of things, and the extravagance of it all. Overall, visually, the film was amazing and anyone who is a Wes Anderson or The Shining fan would definitely love watching this film. Unfortunately, I can't say the same thing for the soundtrack and most of the acting.

Ultimately, I think this film is quite deserving of a 6/10, it is quite entertaining in the beginning and end but the middle lacks incredibly. Personally I would say this is more of a I-have-nothing-else-to-do-in-my-free-time-and-there's-nothing-else-to-watch kind of movie.

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