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.

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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."
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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.

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