Films on your Lap

During the summer, I spent some of my days watching films on netflix. After watching some I wrote down what I thought of them with a grade. ( This post is nearly funny without any grammatical thought.)

To Kill an Mocking Bird A

What a powerful film! I've heard about To Kill a Mocking bird via American Film Institute (AFI). Here are some awards has issued it:

#25 Best Film

#1 Best Hero

#17 Best Film Score

#2 Best Cheer

#1 Best Courtroom Drama

To be honest, I do not feel worthy enough to write a review, because I did not pay attention to the first half of the film. However, by the end, I wanted to become a lawyer to help people in need.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus B

"Don't believe everything you read. Especially The Mirror."

I would not have enjoyed this film if I did not understand Terry Gilliam (director.) This past semester, I had to write a 15 page paper on this fantasy mastermind. I am not going to lie, the story is WAY out there. Regardless, you will see art in moving pictures with wide angled lenses. One thing I learned after watching this film is you never win when dealing with the devil.

Dear John C-

I did not like this film! It is a rare occasion that I enjoy a Nicholas Sparks storyline. I will not tell you my reasoning upon my rating due to the fact that I would ruin it for you. I will say one thing though, there is an incredible moving father and son scene.

Into the Arms of Strangers B+

A documentary about European Jewish children sent to England during WWII. Very moving. I am grateful that we do not live in the fear of those days. I think I would have taken children in, if I lived during those times.

Raising Arizona B

"I'll be taking these Huggies and whatever cash ya got."

Oh, the Coen Brothers. One never knows what to expect. They never cease to amaze me with their cult humor and characters that are interesting, but allow no connections with audience. I watched this film with Celia, and we laughed. Maybe it was because it was late at night, or because it was plain ridiculous. Also, watch for the motif of birth.

CIty of Angels D

Although, a great song came out of this, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, I felt like I was watching Twilight.

Amadeus A-

I did not know what to expect from this film. All I knew was that I would be hearing Mozart's music throughout because well, the film is about him. It won Best Picture in 1984. The costumes were great. Mozart's laugh, could be annoying, but it reminded me of a friend. I saw on Imdb, that there are some historians who said Mozart had an obnoxious chuckle. I'm not a music major, so I did not know about Mozart's life nor his pieces. I'm sad to say that "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" did not make the film ;) I was impressed by the cast's preformance.

Arranged B+

If you're looking for a cute pick me up, choose this. Jews and Muslims can get along! Basically, two young teachers become friends and talk about their "arranged" marriages to be.

Fargo C

"Don't ya know"

I had high expectations from this film, due to the fact that it is the Coen Brothers and it won some awards. My mom feels like she is watching a foreign film, because of the accents and way of life. I wasn't expecting the violence, and the only funny characters were Marg, the prego police woman.

Leap Year C

Believable? Absolutely not. Cute European? Indeed! Type A female protagonist? Hello, it is a chick flick.

Oh, if any of you want free netflix for a month, let me know and I will send you a link.

Food Inc. B+

Wow! I’m sort of disgusted with our food system or at least some of it. For instance, did you know when you eat a hamburger the meat does not come from one cow but from hundreds. Or that Tyson chickens are feed hormones to get fat quick, which makes them unable to walk. I’m thankful that they did not show a slaughterhouse otherwise I might have stopped eating mammals. Repulsed, right? Well, the one thing we can do is buy organic food. In the film they showed how Wal-Mart started selling organic food because the people demanded it. Yes, organic is more expensive but it’s better for you and the Earth, plus Jesus probably ate organic foods ;) lol.

Erin Brockovich B

I was scared to watch this film because I thought it would provoke me to study for the LSAT. I knew to expect Julia Roberts to tear it up on screen. I liked Erin’s spunk, and refusal to quit. What I found interesting is that Erin starting becoming happier with herself not from a man, or paycheck, but by helping people.

No Impact Man C

How would you feel about only eating natural foods produced no further than 250 miles from your home? No electricity for three months? No toilet paper? No make up? Having worms as your trash can? Well, one family decided to do all of this and more to not have an impact on the environment. I never knew what idea (rule) would appear next. I do think we need to take care of the environment, since God made it and told us to take care of it, but somethings are essential in life, like toilet paper. In the end all, too liberal and this coming from a moderate who recycles for her floor.

Wall-E A

Cute. Cute. Cute. I did not know what to expect. All I knew was that a robot that liked another robot. Thomas Newman created a wonderful score; he also did Finding Nemo and Little Women. Pixar showed the audience the importance of having purpose, and the beauty of free will if you don’t know what I mean, watch the film again. (I wonder how Pixar can dream up such moving, creative, and fun stories. Is it by a divine authorship? I think so; all truth is God’s truth.

What’s Up, Doc? D

All characters are annoying and have no depth. I tried to sit through the whole thing, but I was positive that there had to be something better on TV.

Art & Copy A-

I’ll admit that I am partially basis to this film due to the fact that I just took an Advertising class. It’s a documentary of how advertising shapes America. One quote stood out to me by George Lois:

“ Creativity can solve anything.”

Confessions of a Shopoholic B

At first, I thought this would be another pointless movie, and tell America how someone is only accepted if they have fashion. However, I was wrong, it encouraged me that what matters is to have your own style that way fashion does not take over your life.

Fashion in Film A-

I’ve never realize how Hollywood controls fashion. Just think how Breakfast at Tiffany’s created the little black dress. Clue inspired plaids. Legally Blonde made pink cool. What’s to be next?

Amistad A

One of the elements that led to the Civil War. A slave ship uprises at sea and somehow gets to America. The horrors that happened on the slave ship were horrendous. I’m so glad we have ended slavery. There are some beautiful moments like when an African discovers his Savior through Christian drawings. One thing is for sure- John Quincy Adams knows how to make a case!

Blood Diamond A

Wow. The only reason why this does not get an A+ is for the language. It deserves it R rating for sure with the violence; it’s hard to believe that there are 200,000 child soldiers in Africa. I watched this film because I have heard good reviews and after watching Dijimon Hounsou performance in Amistad, I wanted to see more. Leonardo DiCapro and he did a outstanding performance. I had no idea about the diamond cartel in Africa, now I will make sure that eventually if ever buy diamonds to check that they are conflict free.