Titanic Review

Titanic

By: Danika Grady

We all know the story of the incredible ‘unsinkable’ ship that sailed the Atlantic Ocean decades ago. Titanic is a brilliantly done story of the inconceivable event that changed history forever. Titanic sailed to America from England in 1912 and was the biggest ship of its time. Tragedy struck just days after departure when they hit an iceberg in the north Atlantic. The film, made in 1997 was a remarkable tale of two very different people aboard and their love story.

Written and directed by James Cameron, Titanic was the most expensive film of its time. The star studded cast that included Kate Winslet and Leanardo Di Caprio made the movie what it is today, the timeless classic that is a must see. Despite knowing the outcome of the movie, this tale kept me riveted throughout. I rooted for the characters and it nearly brought tears to my eyes when I remembered their fate.

Titanic is a fictional story about an upper class woman, Rose (Winslet), who trapped in a loveless engagement. One night when she was so sick of the monotony of her life she tries to throw herself off the stern of the boat. Startled by this show of desperation Jack Dawson, a lower class man (Di Caprio), stops her. The two strike up a conversation which soon turns into a friendship. The friendship of course soon turns into a love that is so passionate Rose is willing to give up her engagement to be with him.

Their love is interrupted when the ship hits that fated iceberg. Their desperation to stay together during the panic and chaos of the sinking ship is truly wondrous. The amount of passion the two share what with the little time they’ve known each other, is shown through the pairs unwillingness to separate even to save their own life.

The attention to detail in the film is incredible. Throughout it they manage to show off the decadence that is the Titanic. The many different settings depict the upper class rooms and decks as well as the fantastic boiler room with its extra large engines and the lower class decks where Jack originated.

To say this film was good is an understatement. From the first scene it had me spell bound in its complex plot and incredible acting. The fact that it took home 11 oscars is no surprise. I defiantly recommend this film to all ages. This is one you can’t miss.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

By Anna Anderson

Imagine if you weren’t growing older, but growing younger. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows a man from birth all the way to his death. In this glorious production, you see when he does things such as get his first job, and when he falls in love. You will follow him through all his struggles and all his achievements.
From Warner Bros Pictures, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) was directed by David Fincher, the same man who directed Fight Club and Alien. This movie had actors such as Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button) and Cate Blanchett (Daisy Fuller). In the PG-13 movie, the story of Benjamin Button, who was born with a curious disease in which he was born old, is told through the perspective of his diary.
In the midst of hurricane Katrina, an old woman who is dying in a hospital in New Orleans has her daughter, Caroline, read the diary of a man named Benjamin. It was April of 1918 when he was born, after being abandoned on a door step by his father; Benjamin was taken in by a woman who ran a home for old people named Queenie. Queenie cared for and loved Benjamin as her son. Benjamin grew in that house and one day he met a young girl about his age named Daisy Fuller whose grandmother was living there. He loved her from the moment he saw her and that love never died. As Benjamin grew younger, he did many things; all the things a normal man would do. Get a job, fight a war, explore the world, own a business, fall in love and have a child. As Caroline reads the last lines of the diary and finds out the truth about Benjamin Button, the evacuation sirens are blaring and the hurricane has found them.
So many moments in this movie were intriguing and important to the movie but one that really caught me was when Thomas Button told Benjamin he was his father. The look of hurt on his face when Thomas said “I couldn’t stand the sight of you” was so real, I could almost feel it. Despite that, Benjamin was able to put that aside and ended up taking his father to the lake house to watch the sun rise. To Benjamin, the past didn’t matter.
I recommend this movie to anyone all ages. Every one will get something out of this movie, the only thing to be concerned about is the length so fidgety children may not want to sit for about 3 hours.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
By: Danika Grady

During the celebrations of the end of World War I, a man rushes home to his wife who is in childbirth. Little does he know that the child born on that night will not only kill his wife, but be a very curious case. Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) was born as an infant who had all of the characteristics of an old man. As he ages his body gets younger and younger, until he finally dies as an infant once again. In addition to this complicated notion there is a second story intertwined within it. As a young boy in an old mans body, Benjamin is enamored with a little girl by the name of Daisy (Cate Blanchett). As his body gets younger and younger as he ages their physical appearances meet in the middle. They share a passionate romance but it ends harshly when Benjamin leaves for the sake of their child. It is impossible for him to take care of her when he himself will begin to deteriorate into an infant once more.

Rated PG-13 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is beautifully made with specific attention to detail and wonderful cinematography. Directed by David Fincher, this film goes above and beyond the original short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The characters are astonishingly well developed throughout the film and the settings and plot line mesh seamlessly.

Benjamin Button is brought into this world as an old man who ages backwards. When his mother dies in childbirth his father abandons him to a kindly nurse who runs a local senior residence. Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) takes him in and loves him like her own son. When he is about 5 mentally and 80 physically his life and mentality are altered when he meets Daisy, the granddaughter of one of the seniors he lives with. From the start Daisy knows Benjamin is different. Despite their difference in physical appearances the two become friends. Throughout the next 20 years the two meet occasionally and keep in touch, while each tries to find their way in the world. In one fated meeting the two connect again and begin their romance. When a child is conceived of their love Benjamin leaves to protect the child from himself.

Throughout this sequence Pitt plays his part flawlessly, flowing from old man to 20 year old with ease and just a bit of make up. The chemistry between him and Blanchett on screen is evident as the two undergo life’s insecurities. The drama and emotion in this film is clearly offset by the amount of humor that was inserted in appropriate parts. Benjamin Button was a refreshing film that at times had me at the point of tears and in the next sequence laughing. The rapidly changing tone was a change of pace that was utterly delightful to experience. I recommend this film to anyone able to see it. I enjoyed it immensely and despite its length found myself engaged the duration of the film.

Benjamin Button Review

David Fincher; forty-seven, was the director of this riveting tale about a rather curious man named Benjamin Button who has a disease in which he grows younger. Throughout Benjamin’s life, he is constantly altering who he is. From being a “Tugboat man,” to being a wealthy business man and even living as a peasant in India, he never seems to stay at any one place for very long. He encounters many struggles in which he allows his resilience to help him stay afloat even though at times, all roads seem to lead nowhere.
From Warner Bros Pictures, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) not only has an extraordinary plot but has phenomenal acting as well. Some of which are the following: Brad Pitt as Benjamin and Cate Blanchett as Daisy. This film received an astonishing 8.5 out of 10 stars. This movie is basically about a man who travels the world and has to live his life backwards, from old to young.
Benjamin Button starts off as an “old” toddler and quickly discovers the reality of the outside world through his rapidly evolving lifestyle. He begins to fall in love with a woman named Daisy who he grew up with. They unfortunately realize that they cannot be together after Daisy gives birth to a baby girl and Benjamin leaves because he doesn’t want to leave her with the responsibility of caring for both the new born and Benjamin himself.
Though I enjoyed all aspects of this film, there was an abundance of memorable events that occurred. One of which being when Benjamin describes Daisy accident through a series of minor facts that all contributed to the accident. “If that man hadn’t waken up five minutes late, if the lady hadn’t broken up with her boyfriend the night before…”
I recommend this movie to all ages both young and old. Everyone who watches this film will walk away with something majestic. However, if you are the type of person who can’t sit through a movie that is three hours long, then bring a pillow.

--Dillan

Doubt

Doubt Review
By: Danika Grady


In the heart of a catholic school set in 1964 New York, a quiet war is being waged. The seemingly kindly father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is up against the sever and terror inducing principal of the school Sister Aloysius (Meryl Streep). The two clash when the priest is accused of misconduct with one of the students. Throughout the brilliant film, Doubt keeps the audience hanging, neither proving nor denying the claims of the infallible Sister Aloysius.
Rated PG-13, this film goes deep into the heart of a catholic school. John Patrick Shanley, the writer and director, creates an atmosphere thick with tension in this thought-inspiring film. Streep and Hoffman mesh perfectly together and create the chemistry on scene that creates the sense of realism in the theatrics on screen. In addition, Viola Davis as Mrs. Miller, works in sync with Streep to bring another aspect to the already awe-inspiring film.
As an opening into the underlying themes of this movie, the curtain is drawn onto a Sunday morning mass where Father Flynn speaks about doubt, and how it affects people in general. This sermon ignites the first sparks of curiosity in Sister Aloysius, who proceeds to warn the rest of the nuns in the school to watch for anything amiss. The innocent Sister James (Amy Adams) is roped into the center of the conflict when she reports an incident involving the only African American student, namely Donald Miller (Donald Joseph Foster II) and Father Flynn. Aloysius immediately investigates and throughout the rest of the film is determined to bring Flynn down.
The climax of the film in my opinion came at the end, when Aloysius and Sister James sat in a courtyard. Aloysius reports that Flynn has resigned following her accusations but has been transferred to a different parish. Seemingly understanding that the leaders that she thought so infallible disregarded her claims so readily made Aloysius doubt. What she doubts however is unclear. Each person must come up with his or her own conclusion bringing with him or her end of the story.
This is definatly not a film for the weak minded. The plotline twists and turns and the underlying themes are deep and though provoking. I thought this was a truly powerful film and recommend it to anybody who is able to see it. The combination between the actors, setting, plot and themes are incredible and depict a story the likes of which have never been seen before on the big screen.

Doubt Review by Anna

Doubt

By Anna Anderson

Doubt; the feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality or nature of something. People always have doubts but what if your doubts are what are stopping you from doing what you feel you must do? Will you be able to look past those uncertainties or will you let your doubts stop you?

By Miramax films, Doubt (2008) was directed by John Patrick Shanley, who also wrote the screen play and the play. This PG-13 movie has such actors as Phillip Seymour Hoffman who played Father Flynn, Amy Adams who played Sister James, and Meryl Streep who played Sister Aloysius Beauvier.

Doubt is set in a St. Nicholas catholic school in the Bronx in 1964 during a time of social and political change. The school has accepted its first black student and the charismatic Father Flynn takes a special interest in the young boy, Donald Miller. After Sister James, a young innocent teacher at the school, goes to the strict principal of the school Sister Aloysius Beauvier about her concerns regarding Father Flynn’s interest in Donald, Sister Aloysius grows suspicious of the priest. Sister Aloysius goes after Father Flynn with no evidence but her certainty.

A key moment in this movie is when Sister Aloysius speaks with Donald Miller’s mother. It gave a sense of Donald home life and gave some reason to his behavior. Sister Aloysius tells Mrs. Miller about her suspicions and Mrs. Miller explains that it doesn’t matter because all they have to do is wait until June and then Donald could graduate. She also explains about Donald’s “Nature” and that his father beats him because of it. This scene was vital to understand Donald’s character more.

This movie is really did leave it up to the audience to decide whether Father Flynn is guilty or not. All you really see is the interaction between the characters and the confrontation. It would have been nice to have a little more clarity on what was really going on between Donald Miller and Father Flynn because, just like the other characters in the movie, you really don’t know. Doubt is really not for the younger audience because the controversy of the relationship between the priest and the young boy. Another reason is that the younger audience may not exactly be able to understand the movie or what’s going on. Personally I don’t think this movie is all that great and I wouldn’t really recommend it.

Doubt Review

In a time when priests were being accused of molestation, Doubt reveals the truth behind the Catholic struggles. It showcases the real life events that were occurring in this time period across the nation. This film hits you with all aspects of the typical stereotypes of a church but leaves the audiences with a reasonable amount of loose ends left up to you to interpret.

Filmed at St. Nicholas in the Bronx, New York, Miramax Films did a reasonable job in the making of this film. However, I think that the writers of Doubt needed to explain some events more thoroughly and not leave it completely in the hands of the reader to decipher the deeper meanings woven into the film. Some of the more popular names that were involved in the making of this film were Meryl Streep who played Sister Aloysius and Philip Seymour Hoffman who played Father Flynn.

The basic idea of Doubt surrounds the idea of Priests molesting children of the church and them trying to keep it secret from everyone. Although, in the movie, a nun Sister Aloysius pursues the truth in regards to hers and Sister James belief that Father Flynn has indeed molested a new African American student by the name of David Miller.

One thing that interested me about the movie was the way in which Sister Aloysius came about getting Father Flynn to somewhat admit to the molestation of David Miller. She lied about her contacting a nun at a past monastery that Father Flynn had previously worked at and that the nun had mentioned facts supporting her suspicion of Father Flynn. This made Father Flynn scared and forced him to leave the church.

I do not recommend this movie to all people. I only recommend this movie to those who have a good grasp of the stereotypes of the Catholic school system. If you like unanswered questions and loose ends up for interpretation, then this movie is perfect for you.

--Dillan

Valkyrie Movie Review

Walküre

By Anna Anderson

The year was 1943 and Nazi Germany controlled most of Europe. German officers who gave an oath swearing to serve Hitler and their country soon realized that the Fuhrer was destroying their country. Valkyrie is the story of the brave men and women who would defy the infamous Hitler to save the country they loved so much. These events were shown through the perspective of Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg, played by Tom Cruise, a man that served in North Africa who soon became a big part in the July 20 Plot to stop Hitler and save Germany.

Rated PG-13,Valkyrie (2008) was produced by MGM studios and directed by Bryan Singer who also directed Superman Returns and was the executive producer of well known titles such as House M.D. and Dirty, Sexy, Money. This film is speckled with familiar faces and big names such as Bill Nighy (General Friedrich Olbricht), Tom Wilkinson (General Friedrich Fromm), Kenneth Branagh (Major-General Henning von Tresckow) and Tom Cruise(Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg).

Valkyrie starts off in Africa where we are first introduced to Colonel Stauffenberg where an accident sends him home to Germany where he is invited to join the German Resistance who believe Hitler is not good for Germany. In this movie you are introduced to many characters but it’s quite hard to follow along with who is who. You don’t get a good idea of who the characters are and with some even what their name is. But there is something in common with all of them. Eventually they have to pick a side; for Hitler, or for Germany.

A key moment in this movie is when Colonel Stauffenberg is with his family when he comes home from North Africa and there is an air attack. With his wife and children with him in the bomb shelter, The Valkyrie starts playing on his record player. It’s it visible on his face, with the bombs exploding, that song playing and his battle wounds still fresh, that something must be done to stop Hitler; and he knows what that something is.

Personally I do not believe Valkyrie is for everyone. There were many things in this film that could have been added or done differently. One, for example was the lack of character development, it can leave you confused half of the time trying to figure out who is who and that really takes a lot away from the movie. Also just little mistakes just as Colonel Stauffenberg’s eye patch is on the wrong eye in a scene. But there are some very good touches in the film such as the typography; it definitely added to the movie. An interesting thing though is the portrayal of Hitler himself in this film. It centers on a plot to kill Hitler and save Germany but when you see Hitler, he doesn’t seem as ruthless and maniacal has he is seemed to be. Either this was to remind people that he was just a man that could be killed, or it was a mistake on the makers’ part. While watching this movie, many people seemed to forget the true outcome of the plan and found them selves really thinking that Hitler would be killed. With this, I do have to applaud the film. I wouldn’t say that Valkyrie is for young children just for the reason that I don’t think they would be interested and having a background on the history helps understand the movie better. I would give this movie a 6; not terrible, but not amazing either.

Valkyrie Review- Danika

Valkyrie is a brilliant film, set in the height of Hitler’s regime during World War II. A group of military officials who have fallen out of Hitler’s spell, plan an assassination attempt led by Colonel von Stauffenburg, played by Tom Cruise. The coup they had meticulously thought out was designed to use Hitler’s own forces to bring his downfall. There was only one ultimatum, Hitler’s death.

Directed by Bryan Singer, this movie was filmed on site, in Berlin, which gave the film the realistic touch that made the setting that much more enjoyable. Cruise, along with Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy and Kenneth Branagh created the hierarchy of character that was the German political and military structure. They depicted the leaders of the plot and made them into almost believable characters. Despite the lack of background information on most of the main characters, Valkyrie used the complicated connection between those involved to its advantage.

Operation Valkyrie was a concoction of Hitler to ensure that in the event of his death, his regime would live on. Stauffenburg and his co conspirators decide to rewrite Valkyrie to have it work to their advantage. They skillfully set up a false scheme that frames the SS and their leaders of trying to kill Hitler. Using Valkyrie as a base the group fails twice to even place the bomb with Hitler. When the third bomb goes off in Hitler’s briefing hut, Stauffenburg believes that Hitler is dead. Armed with that knowledge, however false it was, the men invoke operation Valkyrie. Halfway through the alleged coup, the officers find out that Hitler is in fact alive and they are being convicted of treason. Making a last desperate stand against the all encompassing power of Hitler’s regime Stauffenburg and the leaders are captured and executed.

The element of the movie that intrigued me the most was the fact that despite already knowing the outcome of the film, Cruise kept me rooted in the plot; always waiting for the moment when Hitler is destroyed. A movie that keeps an audience from remembering the actual events in history has done its job well.

I would not recommend this movie to young children, but teens and older I think would find this movie very interesting. The intricacies of the film are difficult to grasp at first but as the assassination attempt unravels the inner workings of German society and loyalty are revealed and that, in my opinion, is what made the film so interesting to me.

Valkyrie Review - DIllan

The title Valkyrie in Norse Mythology, means half bird half women. The role that Valkyries played was to carry the brave and courageous warriors who died in battle to the afterlife hall of slain. However, Valkyries were also the ones who chose who would live or die in battle. Based on the true story of the last attempt to kill Hitler, Valkyrie is supposedly the most riveting movie of the year although; many have said otherwise myself included. Valkyrie was made to portray the real events that occurred throughout the period in which Hitler had control over all of Sacred Germany.

The main character portrayed in the movie; Colonel Stauffenberg played by actor Tom Cruise, was a German officer who swore his oath to Hitler but formed a coupe against him after realizing that his love for Sacred Germany meant more to him than his own leader Hitler did. The producer of this film was Bryan Singer and the used the MGM studio. Although Tom Cruise was the most well known actor in the film, there are also many other talented cast members who played a role in the production of the film such as; Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, etc.

The story behind the movie Valkyrie is simple. In the beginning, Colonel Stauffenberg is wounded in an attack against his camp in northern Africa leaving him with a missing eye, a missing right hand, and only three fingers on his left hand. He then is invited to join a coupe made by German officers in which they will attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He eventually joins them and begins to share his methods in doing so with the rest of them and is appointed Chief of Staff of the reserve Army. As the movie progresses, their plans of action begin to take affect. They attempt to kill Hitler in hopes of taking control of Berlin and banishing “Hitler’s Germany” and restoring the peace that he had taken away from it.

One of the most significant events that occurred in the movie was when Colonel Stauffenberg was able to re-write operation Valkyrie in such a way that it would enable the troops to take more immediate action in a lesser amount of time. Not only that, but that he was also able to get Hitler himself to sign it in agreement. This allowed Stauffenberg’s plan to actually go through.

I would recommend this movie to those who understand the basic events that occurred throughout this time period and a basic understanding of Hitler’s rule otherwise, this movie will not make all that much sense to you. The movie is perfect for those who love learning about real history in a more aesthetically pleasing way such as film. However, I do not recommend this movie to people who don’t understand the concept of treason and betrayal because this movie is full of back stabbing and secrecy. Generally speaking, this movie is the perfect combination of action and dialogue and would be enjoyed by both the action lovers as well as the people who don’t.

The Awescars

History: Douglas Fairbanks & Mary Pickford founded the Academy of Motion Pictures and art sciences in 1927. Douglas Fairbanks was the first President. The first honorary membership was awarded to Thomas Edison. On May 16th, 1929, the first Academy Awards ceremony was held. The first oscar statuette went to Emil Jannings in 1929 for "The Last Command" and "The Way of All Flesh."

Most Oscars recieved: Titanic, Ben-Hur and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

Categories: Best picture, Bets Performance, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Animated Film, Best Achievement in Art Direction, Best Costume, Best Director, Best Documentary, etc.

Most Nominations with no wins: "The Turning Point" & "The Color Purple"

Actors with the most nominations and no wins: Spencer Tracy & Lawrence Olivier

Best Picture winners

Best Supporting Actor winners

Best Screenplay winners