I very seldom read movie reviews as I find that the critics are often in love with either a) themselves or b) their ability to triumphantly strike down the overpopulous and notorious 'popfilm' running loose through the jungle of cinema. Those wicked, vile beasts will certainly be the destruction of the whole film industry as an entity capable of passing on meaning and beauty, reflection and artistic depth, and with the help of the mighty and vicious words of the noble critic, such destruction is postponed through the enlightenment of the intellectually underfed masses.

My approach will be decidely different. I am a college student and spend my days immersed in bland and "intellectual" historical and philosophical texts, thinking about the ramifications and implications of [x] and [y]. When I go to a movie, I don't go to be seeped in the condescension of filmmakers who want to demonstrate how the world really is. I want to see something that either entertains me or reminds me of the beauty of life. Three-hour sequences spent watching cigarette smoking and hearing anarchist youths describing how the world is in light of their oh-so-profound experiences of it really does very little to entertain me and, frankly, I've been there and done that.

I confess: I AM ONE OF THE WICKED BUBBLEGUM PEOPLE WHO DOES NOT CHOOSE TO BE ENGLIGHTENED VIA MOVIES! Save me, Jesus! I understand not what I do!

With this, I leave you with my "reviews" of movies I've watched recently. Let me know what you think - about the movies, the reviews or the strange mood that prompted this page of profound insights. :)

4/22/99

Photo property of Touchstone Pictures

Featuring Julia Stiles as Kat Stratford, Larisa Oleynik as Bianca Stratford and Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona
IN A WORD: Entertaining

. '10 Things I Hate About You' is, as many of you know, based loosely on Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew.' That might mean more to some of you than others - though I only scanned it right before an exam ten minutes prior to the exam's opening, I was often compared (fondly? I'm not so sure :) to the "Shrew" and so was somewhat familiar with the themes of the play.
. This movie is little like either of the other movies I have reviewed, and yet I enjoyed it as well in a different but equally pleasant way. I appreciated the humour in the simple conversations of the characters, in the visual jokes, in the characters themselves. The characters, I think, made the movie - a broad and colourful array of characters with their own motivations, desires and ways of thinking. The guidance counselor is a surprise and Kat's English teacher is delightful - I'd almost watch it again just for his biting wit and no-nonsense attitude! Their father lives in a world all his own - one filled with underage mothers, STDs and sexual irresponsibility.
. Coincidentally, it's this very lack of connection with the real outside world that prompts him to not allow his daughters to date. Early in the movie he rescinds his position and says that Bianca will be allowed to date only once her harsh and acerbic older sister dates... several minute plots and schemes follow in pursuit of relationship goals from all sides. The primary scheme involves Patrick Verona's 'taming' of Kat - he is paid to take her on X number of dates so that her younger sister will be allowed to date an incredibly studly (note sarcasm) and self-absorbed model. Things don't go as planned and Patrick ends up falling for her - though certainly not taming her! But how can Patrick explain when Kat finds out what prompted him to date her?
. Though this movie undoubtedly falls in the realm of comedy, I was drawn into the moments of drama and sweet high school romance. At no less than two points my legs curled up under me and I hid my face in my hands, hoping that things would work out right, getting caught up in the characters and the craziness surrounding them. I left feeling very positive about the movie and might even return for a second showing - the one-liners and comebacks alone would make this movie amusing! Jay also felt that the movie was well worth the money spent on it, though he teased me for reacting as I did to certain scenes.
. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good laugh and a bit of subtle romance. It's not the deepest, most insightful movie, but it's certainly a reflection of the times, and it's very enjoyable even if the interactions seem a little more college and a little less high school at times. And for all of you who were wondering, I am officially much more charmed by Julia Stiles (Kat) than her sister, played by Larisa Oleynik. And what makes me say this? Larisa Oleynik, a basically one-dimensional character, is the focus of at least three separate Internet fan clubs, and, my two cent's worth, I really can't figure why.

. I went to the theater with little sense of what to expect - only a very limited sense of plot, no familiarity with the actors - and was immediately pulled in to the world that those involved in its production expertly created. The music, the hand-coloured feel, the clothing and the mood altogether created an atmosphere and a sense of expectation seldom experienced that needs be relished when met.
. Though my brother was decidely less optimistic than I (he's seldom met a movie he fully enjoys, and when with him I tend to turn any movie into an object of ridicule :), I saw how involved he was in the movie when I tried to share comments with him. And he, as with both Pete and I, could not claim that he knew what would follow with the unfolding story... I turned several times to venture guesses, small insights into what I thought was happening, and though these insights proved correct, I had no sense of the bigger picture - thus an element of surprise/intrigue that was fun to experience, further sucking me into the story.
. I did enjoy this movie, it's true, but my enjoyment of it is limited. In trying to describe exactly how I felt about it, there's a vast sea of ambiguity. The story was DEFINITELY intriguing, and the atmosphere that they created not visibly short of perfection, but there was something necessary lacking. I'm trying to figure out what it is and I think the closest I can come is that it's altogether too mellow given the circumstances. Perhaps it's just a matter of personal preference, but I didn't find myself becoming fully involved in the characters the way that I usually do, watching rather than participating, which is a BIG thing for me. This is only partially because the actors were some of the sorriest I've seen for a while - aside from D'Onofrio and Bierko (who might not have been the most stunning actor in a while, but had a certain understated appeal and darker attractiveness :), I'd almost rather have thrown my Austin Powers cardboard standup doll in and had him improvise on the remainder of the roles. And yet - always qualifiers - I have to admit that they still did manage to create some sense of plausibility, so I can't just down them outright.
. The recreations of '37 clubs and cities is probably my favourite aspect of this movie. I'd watch it again just for the innovative way they play with the lighting to recreate the attmosphere of earlier times - the music, the dancing, the lighting, the colour, all of it. The way that the lighting changes from - well, let's just say, the way the lighting changes for those of you who havent seen it - reflects some interesting things on the state of the world and the human experience. . What's it actually about? I don't want to say very much as part of my enjoyment of the movie was based on the fact that I had no idea what to expect, but it is VAGUELY reminiscent of the Matrix, although I personally found the story and environment far more intriguing than the more blatant Matrix. The 1937 computer simulation that Hall and Fuller have created leads to unexpected discoveries - you'll have to find out about those elsewhere, because I'd recommend that you watch the movie to find out. It may not be the most amazing movie that I've seen, but it's definitely unique in a variety of aspects, and it's well worth the minimal cost paid to watch it. And when it comes down to it, if you're debating watching this versus watching Star Wars, this is about one thousand times more interesting, unique and thought-provoking, **FAR** more enjoyable overall. So if there's any question, you know where I stand!

Coming soon:
My least favourite movies ever!
My favourite movies ever
Movie party favourites (+ movie party pictures, yay!)

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