I've seen a lot of movies over the past few weeks, as you can tell, and I've just been so behind on these reviews. I almost wanted to just skip them, but there were so many amazing ones, I couldn't bring myself to just skip them. So, in the hopes of getting back on track, I'm gonna review them, but try to keep them a tad shorter.
The Brothers Bloom
And with this, possibly (and probably) the greatest conman movie I've ever seen, Rian Johnson (otherwise known for Brick and, another movie on my top movies list, Looper) enters my list of favorite writer-directors. That's the same list that Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino are on, so that's saying something. This movie is amazing and, as a friend put it, is truly art. 10/10
Favorite Line: "The perfect con is one where everyone involved gets just what they wanted." A great example of a fantastic line in and of itself that takes on new meanings and nuances after you watch the film.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Believe it or not, though this movie is 12th on the IMDB top 250 movies of all time, I'm not a huge fan. It's quite good, and I can certainly understand why it's held in such high regard, but it's not quite my cup of tea. I found that the plot was a little slow at times and Nurse Ratched wasn't nearly as evil as I was led to believe. I'm sure a lot of my reaction was because of the high expectations I had going into it, though. The film makes an extremely interesting statement about freedom and society and is an interesting character study that, for once, doesn't try to elevate clinical insanity to some quality that just makes someone "special" and "see things differently". Some great lines and scenes in this one, too, and a strong ending. It's certainly a movie I can appreciate intellectually, just not particularly enjoy. Let's say... 7.5/10 for me.
Favorite Line: "But I tried, didn't I? Goddamnit, at least I did that." Verging on cliched, but the scene that comes before it, filled with reversals of expectations, justifies it, and it's a really skillful statement of one of the themes of the movie, something to tie the rest together.
Moulin Rouge!
This one verges on a guilty pleasure, but this movie embraces everything it is, which is something like the dark underbelly of a campy circus musical mixed with a Greek tragedy with a bittersweet ending, which makes it perfectly all right to love this, which I do. From the opening credits with the animated conductor, the very get-go, I knew I was in for something special, and when it hit the "Zidler's Rap (Medley)", which is a mash-up of "Zidler's Rap", "Lady Marmalade", and "Smells Like Teen Spirit", I couldn't keep the smile off my face. This movie had the effect that a favorite of mine, "(500) Days of Summer", had on me, which was to depress me and restore my faith in love all at once. The cinematography and direction were surprising to an absurd degree, to the point that I almost trust Baz Luhrmann to do my favorite novel, The Great Gatsby, justice next year (despite it containing two of my least favorite actors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire). The acting was also great. (A female friend couldn't stop exclaiming, "OH EWAN.") Obviously, I can recognize that the writing is often clumsy and on-the-nose with the wide and overarching themes beating the audience over the head often, but that almost elevates it to another level of storybook magic, like a fairytale. 9/10
Favorite Line: As far as favorite original line goes, since this movie uses many song lyrics as dialogue to great effect, I'd have to go with:
[To the Duke] "This woman is yours now. I've paid my whore."
[To Satine] "I owe you nothing. And you are nothing to me. Thank you for curing me of my ridiculous obsession with love."
The most emotionally compelling and heartbreaking line of the movie by far.
Amelie
This movie is like... a modern fairy tale. Such an original film, unlike anything I've ever seen before. Right down to the care taken in the color scheming and such, you can tell that this movie really was the product of many people's love. Also, one of the most inventive uses of voice-over I've ever seen. It makes for perfect introductions to characters and really makes sure the story doesn't slow down. A really powerful movie that takes someone who believes that if you never take any risks, you can never be disappointed, and shows that that's no way to live. It's charming and quirky and immerses you in its world; it's a romance, an adventure, a comedy, a drama, and much more. Easily in my top 100 films ever. 10/10
Favorite Line: Oh, such a toughie. When in doubt, go with the first lines, which are wonderful.
"On September 3rd 1973, at 6:28pm and 32 seconds, a bluebottle fly capable of 14,670 wing beats a minute landed on Rue St Vincent, Montmartre. At the same moment, on a restaurant terrace nearby, the wind magically made two glasses dance unseen on a tablecloth. Meanwhile, in a 5th-floor flat, 28 Avenue Trudaine, Paris 9, returning from his best friend's funeral, Eugène Colère erased his name from his address book. At the same moment, a sperm with one X chromosome, belonging to Raphaël Poulain, made a dash for an egg in his wife Amandine. Nine months later, Amélie Poulain was born."
City Lights
I'm not a fan of slapstick comedy usually because it's generally just cheap laughs, but Charlie Chaplin has always been the exception to the rule. His writing is always on point. This movie is an absolutely wonderful romance/drama/comedy. Buyer beware, it's a silent film, so it's not for everyone, but it's one of the sweetest love stories I've seen in a long time, and has some incredibly moving and compelling scenes. Not much more to say here, except that if that sort of thing appeals to you (and maybe even if it doesn't), this movie is for you. 8.8/10
Favorite Line: The final line is so moving. "Yes, I can see now."
Catch Me If You Can
Spielberg-directed, John Williams-scored, Leonardo Dicaprio (who for almost the first time acted amazingly), Tom Hanks, and Christopher Walken? Need I say more? It seems that con man stories are instantly interesting to me, and this one is no exception. Such great character development, such great acting and writing, SUCH a great score. If you only watch three movies on this quickies list, they should be The Brothers Bloom, Amelie, and Catch Me If You Can. 10/10
Favorite Line: "Frank, look. Nobody's chasing you." A turning point if ever I've heard one. A verbal revelation.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Adapted from Harper Lee's novel of the same name (which I read in middle school, years ago), this is a powerful movie with a lot to say about equality, justice, courage, and the other important things in life. One of the better adaptations I've seen, but I think this book was made to be a book. The movie can come across a tad episodic and plotless. A lot of my favorite lines were left out, as well, which disappointed me. In particular, my favorite line from the novel was, “Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what,” or something to that effect. Still, some scenes are very powerful to see, and it really brings into focus that these were kids who had to deal with these issues. I'll give this movie... an 8.25/10.
Favorite Line: "There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible." Atticus Finch was voted in many places the greatest hero in film history. It's lines like these that make me wont to agree. What a man.
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