Just in case

For those of you who missed out the first time, and because I'm being nostalgic:

Here is the film we made for the 48/5 film competition (which one first place, and an entry into the East Lansing Film Festival)

ENJOY!!!

Some Reviews

Yesterday my family and I fulfilled our yearly Christmas tradition of seeing a movie and eating Chinese food- if you know of my hometown, you'd know this is what every single Jewish family does on Christmas Eve/ Christmas.  Not only did I see a movie with my family, but I also went to my best friend's to exchange gifts and then a group of us went to a different movie.

That's right- two movies in one day.  So, here are my reviews- I'll try not to spoil anything from either film.

Gran Torino

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Screenplay: Nick Schenk

Story by: Nick Schenk and Dave Johannson

Let me just start by saying that Clint Eastwood is bad ass.  Not only is he an amazing actor- but he also directs, produces, writes, composes, and does still photography.  He is a triple threat times two.

I'm shocked and surprised that this film doesn't have more hype around it. I went in expecting something great, and what I got was nothing short of fantastically spectacular.  Films can go two different ways- they can move with dialogue, or they can move with action.  This film- did both, keeping the audience completely intact on the way.  The dialogue in this movie was brilliant.  I was not disappointed with one line of the film.  In addition, you can tell that Nick Schenk really knew these characters he was writing- they leapt out of the actors and took over the film.  There was so much conviction and motivation behind almost every single one of them (however, there was one part where the young boy that played Tao was extremely unconvincing, but we'll let it slide).  Not only was the dialogue, and characters amazing, but the plot and story was well thought out, and easily conveyed through the other elements of the film.

Most of the movie had me in fits of laughter- dark comedy like.  The end of the film had me in a puddle of tears- and kept me thinking about the film the rest of the day.

I'm giving it a 9.5/10- It's now on my favorite movie list.

Doubt

Directed by: John Patrick Shanley

Play by: John Patrick Shanley

Adapted Screenplay by: John Patrick Shanley

As you can see from above, John Patrick Shanley wrote Doubt as a one act play.  He then adapted it for screen, in which he directed his own movie.  In my opinion, very few writers can get away with this, and he is not one of them.  This being because when you write something for entertainment either on screen or stage, you have to completely throw yourself in the work.  It is very difficult to see something you've completed in a new light, and try to change it for screen.

This film was really disappointing.  The content and the idea for the film are both great.  However, the film seriously lacked...something.  For one, it dragged on.  This would be expected though when adapting a ONE ACT (shorter version of a play) to a feature length film.  For two, the plot was very muffled, probably because of the slowness of the film.  Nothing really builds in the film, yet all of the sudden you're at the climax, wondering- when did this happen? Did I fall asleep?

I will say, the acting was impeccable.  Meryl Streep really did scare me.  Amy Adams, although she seems to always play a similar character, did a great job of being frightened of Streep, and conveying her emotions.  The children in the film also did well.  I also really liked the content of the film, because it was good for dinner table discussions.

The ending of the movie, didn't bother me, per say, but I felt like I wasn't watching a film, but rather an over the top play.  It actually reminded me of when I was in a play, Quiet in the Land, my freshman year of high school- if that says anything for it.

As for the nitty gritty stuff- they used some really great camera angles- however, in areas of the film where they didn't go with what was happening in the movie.  The lighting was dramatic where it needed to be, and the weather worked right with the character's emotions.

There's a scene where Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman are in a screaming fight- you hear a loud storm in the  background.  However, as soon as they calm down, the storm is suddenly gone.  It reminded me too much crappy high school theatrical effects, almost.

I think John Patrick Shanley could have done so much more with it had he had someone else adapt it for screen, and someone else direct it.  He should just stick to theatre.

I'm giving it a 5.8/10- probably wouldn't see it again.

Star Status

Lets face it.  When it came to acting in high school I never really had that confidence that probably would have helped me nail every audition.

After doing well in the 48/5, however, I'm feeling that "I'm awesome" feeling.  I don't think it has quite crossed over to cocky yet (although I did make a paparazzi joke in reference to me arriving at a party today) and I'm hoping it never does.

I had two auditions this past week.  One was for a film for an MSU film seminar class.  I think I did well- got a lot of laughs (the roles I auditioned for were comedic).

The other was a for a filmmakers club film being made, of which I really think I nailed.

Two conclusions I've come to:

1.  Confidence makes all the difference- The fact that I'm the only girl in Film Club helps because I get a lot more attention than I'm used to.

2. Acting for film is so much easier than acting on stage-  Stage acting is over dramatized and I always felt like when I auditioned for a stage production I had to a. overact and b. be as 'different' from the others as possible.  With film everything is on much more of a 'real' scale.  No overacting, really, and you don't worry so much about being different from the other auditionees but rather conveying the right emotions.

Lets hope that I get a part in either one.  I'd be happy with either.

And now...I must return to the dreaded accounting- which I only have to worry about for 4 more days before it's out of my life FOREVERRRRR!

Writer's block.

Okay.  I'm in the lib and I'm procrastinating working on Accounting.  What's new?

Here's what's new:  I want to write a screenplay for Film Club- but  I have major writers block.  Give me a topic- it can be extremely discriptive or vague.  I don't care.  I just need inspiration on what to write.  Keep in mind though, there is only one female in film club that is really willing to act (me), and a lot of guys.  Also, locations can be tight, so try to pick a topic that doesn't involve climbing to the top of Mt. Everest or whatever your little minds come up with.

thanks.

A Friday Night.

Let me tell you all a little bit about Roomie B-

Roomie B and I met through Roomie A because the boys all lived together last year.  I've known them all for about a year now, and have gotten quite comfortable with them all.

Roomie B and I have weird sexual tension.  I don't know why, or how, or where it came from, but it's there.   He also has a girlfriend.  Awkward, I know.  We'll flirt, but it's all shameless... for the most part.

Anyways, Roomie B and I have recently started hanging out a little more.  Before he would always just 'hermit' around in his room, only opening the door for his girlfriend to come in, have sex with him, and then leave.  Now, he's coming out of his shell a little more.

Something else you should know about Roomie B- He has the best movie collection I've ever seen.  tons and TONS of movies- but- he never lets anyone borrow them.  He always says, "I only let people I trust watch them."

The whole reason of this blog today-

Roomie B left to go to work tonight, leaving me with explicit instructions stating:  I can borrow any movie I want tonight as long as I put it back when I'm done.

Since I have nothing better to do (read: probation) I think I'll watch 10 of them!

SCORE!

hmm.

So it's probably not a good idea to stay up until 7:30 AM, especially when it's daylight savings...


I have to go back to school today, and get lots of shit done around here before I can. Again, the former was not a good idea.

I saw an amazing movie last night, The Bank Job. The best way I can describe it is it's a mix between Oceans 11 and American Gangster. It's set in the 70s. A firm of "fbi" like guys are trying to steal compromising photos from a radical black power figure. These photos are worth endless amounts of money because they're of royality doing naughty things. Basically they are buying the criminal black power figures freedom, so he gets to do whatever the fuck he wants. One of the agents gets his girlfriend to convince her friends to rob a bank under different pretenses. Shit goes down, etc. etc. It's also based on the crooked coppers of London and the naughty guilty pleasures of people with high social status.


I'd give this movie an 8.5/10, pretty damn amazing.

Candy

This movie, is by far the most disturbing thing I've seen in a long time. It's about two junkies who get married, they are constantly using, stealing, etc. She gets pregnant, but they still use, and she ends up miscarrying. They deliver the fetus and well I'll just leave it at that- FYI it was the most disturbing scene of a movie. It made me feel sick to my stomach.

In other news. Back to school tomorrow :-/ I love being home, I love school, I hate change, but I know, it will benefit me in the end.