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Reviews
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
The Bittersweet Tale of Marriage
Review for ART 1145 American Cinema - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Directed by Mike Nichols, screenplay and produced by
Ernest Lehman is a drama film based on Edward Albee's 1962 play with the same name. This film stars Elizabeth Taylor (Martha), Richard Burton (George), George Segal (Nick), and Sandy Dennis (Honey). We follow the late-night encounters of Martha and George, a couple that is the personification of a toxic love-hate relationship, and their guests Nick and Honey, a couple who had just relocated to town for Nick to work at the university where George is a professor. Throughout the night, we the viewer's experience very uncomfortable and hostile moments as we see Martha and George grow more antagonistic and mean-spirited to each other. All the while Nick and Honey become victims entangled in their indecent and bitter fights. With an excessive amount of alcohol being consumed and harsh and vulgar words being thrown, Martha and George's destructive relationship degrades rapidly. By the climax of the movie, dark secrets emerge, leaving the end of the film and Martha and George's relationship depressive and discontent. The acting in this film is like no other. When I saw that the film only had four people for the entirety of the movie, I thought it was going to be boring and monotone. However, every single actor and actress proved me wrong. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton played their roles excellently, portraying the emotions and qualities of an unstable and unhappy couple going through a downward spiraling marriage. George Segal and Sandy Dennis also did marvelous playing the disturbed and unsettled younger couple, captured in the web of aggression and resentment that Martha and George made. I can see why this film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, and every actor and actress were nominated for their respective roles (Elizabeth Taylor and Sandy Dennis winning Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress).
Overall, this film was phenomenal. It captures the difficulties of a middle-aged couple's marriage and their feelings of love and hate, happiness, and resentment, and leaves a bittersweet feeling of hope yet despair for Martha and George.
Monster (2003)
An Extraordinary Yet Heartbreaking Tale
Review for ART 1145 American Cinema - Monster
Monster, a film directed and written by Patty Jenkins is a 2003 darkly memorable biographical crime drama film. Based on the actual story of Aileen Wuornos, it stars Charlize Theron as Wuornos, and Christina Ricci as Selby Wall, who is based on Wuornous's real-life girlfriend, Tyria Moore. The story follows the story of Aileen Wuornos, otherwise known as Lee, a prostitute turned serial killer in the late 1980's early 1990's and her girlfriend Selby Wall. In the first part of the film, we see Lee struggle with her job in prostitution while also falling in love with Selby. When one of her encounters with a client gets out of hand and turns extremely violent, she kills him in self-defense, also leading her to quit prostitution. When she realizes she can't get another suitable job due to her background to take care of Selby and herself, she turns back to prostitution, this time with much darker tactics. The writing, production, and casting of this movie were impressive and remarkable in so many ways. Jenkins did an excellent job making sure that this story was not only as accurate as possible but respectful as possible. Charlize Theron did a powerful job portraying Wuornos. The real-life Wuornos was only known as a manic, vulgar serial killer that cussed out the court when announced of her death sentence. However, after viewing this film, you see that she is a three-dimensional character with many layers. Theron portrays a woman from a horrible upbringing and was abused and mistreated by many people in her life. Although this does not make any of her choices or actions justifiable, it adds character that this isn't just a cold-blooded serial killer that killed just because she wanted to, but a tormented soul fueled with rage, paranoia, and vengeance. On top of all that, trying balance her newfound love with Selby. I can see why Charlize Theron won many awards and accolades for this film. Overall, I would definitely recommend watching this film. It is a hard watch, filled with intense scenes of violence and heartbreak, but still great nonetheless.
The Great Dictator (1940)
Chaplin's Dark Masterpiece
Review for ART 1145 American Cinema - The Great Dictator
The Great Dictator is a film directed, written, produced, and starring the famous comedian, Charlie Chapman. This 1940 movie set in World War I follows a Jewish barber from the ghetto and a dictator Adenoid Hynkel who is a parody of Adolf Hitler, the fascist, anti-Semitic dictator of Nazi Germany at the time. Throughout the movie, we follow the realities of both the Jewish barber and Adenoid Hynkel, and somewhere down the line gets mixed up since they look alike (Chaplin played both parts). This leads to the Jewish barber giving one the best and emotionally driven speeches in Hollywood. Passionate words that want freedom, justice, liberty, and genuine goodwill for all. This satirical comedy-drama film, in more ways than one, is the start of many important starts in Hollywood. This film made this Chaplin's first true sound film since this was a time "talkie" has just begun in the film industry. This was a very big step for Chaplin, considering he was most famous for his silent films. Also, this is the first movie in history to b parody and be against everything Adolf Hitler stood for (dictatorship, fascism, antisemitism, etc.). This is quite surprising, because in 1940, America was still very isolated on the horrors Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany were doing. Chaplin was able to capture the disturbing and dangerous world of fascism while still having genuinely funny slapstick humor. This was a darkly funny and emotional, that still very socially relevant today. Hate and animosity still exists in many communities, and Chaplin's speech is something everyone should take in and listen to.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
The Unapologetic and Repeated Truth
Review for ART 1145 American Cinema - Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing is a film directed, written, produced, and starring Spike Lee. This 1989 comedy-drama is a powerful and politically relevant story about racial tensions and police brutality in the black community. Throughout the movie, we see follow multiple people about in Bedford-Stuyvesant on one of the hottest days of the year. While the film starts off seemingly light-hearted and harmless, rising racial tensions and resentments seem to flare which leads to an explosive climax filled with violence, rioting, and hate. Spike Lee mentioned that he got his inspirations from two racially motivated attacks such as the killing of Howard Beach that happened in 1986, and the police shooting of Eleanor Bumper that happened in 1984. He also got inspiration from the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Shopping for Death," where the main premise and discussion was that hot weather increases violent tendencies.
This movie was masterfully produced and cast, each scene of this film filled with popping and vibrant colors, and the actors popping with intense emotions. As we watch the film, we see a variety of bright reds, greens, blues, and yellow, and as the day goes on it getting deeper and darker, matching the tone and mood of the situation. The actors also portray their roles well, whether it's comedic or serious, the dialogue is natural and raw, making watching the movie very real and personal.
This 32-year-old film is still extremely relevant, considering that racial tensions between communities and police brutality against African Americans are still prevalent. As an African American woman, this film hit really close to home, considering this is what goes on within my community all the time. Especially with the huge case of George Floyd that happened in 2020, and the anger the community felt that lead to the protests and riots in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and quickly made global. Whether it was the right thing or not, the point that this was brutal and unnecessary murder was made, and now justice is served, and the community is healing. Like my headline said, this is the unapologetic and repeated truth, a very real and vicious cycle in the community that will only be healed once police reform, cultural unity and understanding are met. But only time will tell when that comes full circle.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
The Funny and Awkward Life of Napoleon
Review for ART 1145 American Cinema - Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite directed and written by Jared and Jerusha Hess and produced by Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, and Sean Covel is a 2004 comedy film starring Jon Heder as Napoleon Dynamite.
Napoleon Dynamite is a "geeky" and unpopular 16-year-old from the city of Preston, Idaho. Throughout the film, we watch this "too cool for school" teenager go through multiple problems, such as butting heads with his online chat using 32-year-old brother Kip (Aaron Ruell), helping his immigrant friend Pedro (Efren Ramirez) run for class president, dealing with Deb (Tina Majorino) a shy multi-business owner who's trying to save up enough money for college and his Uncle Rico (Jon Gries) a former athlete who can't let go of his glory days.
For a low-budget movie, this was a very well-put-together comedy. Although there are many things that make the production of this movie great, the main thing that caught my eye was the filming style. The filming style is rough and rural which gives a very natural and personal feeling while watching, which at times makes it a little awkward to watch since everything that happens in the movie feels very real. Another thing that production did very well in terms of aesthetics is the color palette. Whether it's because it is a low-budget film or they did it purposefully, despite the movie having a diverse color palette, the movie is poorly lit, giving it a very muted look, which matches the tone of this movie very well. Do the Right Thing, by Spike Lee also is very good at setting the tone with this, as we see throughout that movie extremely vibrant colors on the block.
To be quite honest, this movie wasn't really the greatest film I've watched, however, it is a socially relevant and funny film, which is probably why it has such a huge cult following. Although on the surface, it seems like an absurd comedy film, it can also be a coming-of-age tale (albeit an extremely absurd one).
Vincent & Theo (1990)
Review for ART 1145 American Cinema - Vincent & Theo
SPOILER WARNING
Vincent & Theo is a biographical drama directed by Oscar-winner Robert Altman, written by Julian Mitchell, and produced by Ludi Boeken and David Conroy in 1990. This film stars Tim Roth as the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh, and Paul Rhys as Theo Van Gogh, Vincent's art dealing brother. This film is described as one of Altman's most underrated masterpieces.
In this film, we follow the life of Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo Van Gogh through their difficult and codependent relationship. Throughout the story, we are shown multiple turning points in the brother's lives. From when Vincent initially tells Theo he wants to become an artist, to the financial hardships and emotional turmoil the brothers must go through to the downward spiral of depression Vincent experiences. The story ultimately ends with the violent and tragic suicide of Vincent, and a heartbroken Theo, who has lost the person he not only holds dear but has spent most of his life emotionally dependent on.
I really enjoyed the production of this film. The visuals are stunning, from the landscaping of the flower fields Vincent is in, to the dark, gritty scenes of Vincent having an emotional breakdown. Tom and Paul's acting in this are also quite phenomenal. They have good chemistry and at times made it uncomfortable for me to watch as if I was watching an actual personal conversation (or arguments/fights) between the brothers. However, at the same time, there are multiple times where the sound is muffled and the actors sound like they are mumbling.
As someone whose favorite artist is Vincent Van Gogh, this was definitely very interesting to watch. It is painfully honest how Vincent felt about himself and his craft, feeling like an outsider in society and using painting as a somewhat toxic coping mechanism. The movie does get very intense and brutal, so if you have a sensitive heart, I will not recommend you watch it. However, if you also enjoy Van Gogh's works and are interested in how his craft affected everything in his life from his family, his marriage, and his overall life, I recommend watching it.