The Manchurian Candidate

Another AFI 100 film to cross off the list. I watched this with my roommates (they came back) and some other way cool friends on Saturday.

Review: Wow. I really, really liked this movie. The plot is well thought out. The suspense is real. At the end you are completely engrossed in the story and wondering what will happen. I thought I guessed what would happen right, then a surprise! Now, there is a bit of a slow start to this film. Thankfully I had Jamie to talk through the beginning to make sure we were both aware of important points. Frank Sinatra is great, as is Lawrence Harvey. But the shock, well maybe that's not the right word, but what was so surprising was to see Angela Lansbury (who still looks old even though she's at least 30 years younger than I've ever seen her) play a fierce, driven, power-hungry character. Not only is she playing that character, she's playing it like she was born to do it. The cinematography is impressive, especially for the time. It's fantastic, you'll never look at a Queen of Diamonds the same.

Bottom-line: It's fantastic! Superb script, awesome acting, perfectly pulls you into the story plot, aesthetically pleasing cinematography (I got tired of my attempt at alliteration). Overall I completely and totally recommend this film! If you haven't seen it, go forth and rent!

August Rush

On Friday, I went to see this at Provo Towne Center with Dani, a friend of mine from back home who was also here in Provo for Thanksgiving.

Review: I really liked it. I'm not going to say that it's a spectacle. It is not a movie that I will be giddy to share with my children, but it was a good movie. I liked the music, it was really enjoyable. I've always thought that music was an essential element in life and in this movie music is what brought Keri Russell's character and Jonathan Rhys Meyers' character together and its what brings them and their son back together 11 years later. Some of the cinematography is great. I did like the opening sequence, but on the whole the beginning was a tad slow, but it wasn't too bad. The final rhapsody was fantastic! This is a good film that families can see without having to go to an animated film (nothing against animated) What I'm saying is there are few movies out there that a family can see without it being animated. Thankfully there are some out there still.

Bottom-line: I would see it. I'm not saying you need to pay full price and see it ASAP. But it's definitely worth seeing at the dollar theatre or renting it.

My Fair Lady

Here's number three on my Thanksgiving AFI 100 list. I started watching it on Wednesday night but after realizing it was almost 3 hours long finished it while digesting Thanksgiving dinner.

Review: I liked it. Audrey Hepburn gives a great performance. She truly is stunning to watch. You can't help but enjoy watching her on the screen. Rex Harrison also had a very good performance. I thought the costumes were really quite good. The songs were fun, not my favorite musical songs but fun nonetheless. I really liked the scene where she goes back to visit where she used to sell flowers. It allows the audience and Eliza to look at how she's changed.

Bottom-line: I think this would be a great film to watch when you've got a lot of time, like a rainy day or a snowday. I would recommend it, it isn't my favorite musical, but worth seeing. I would enjoy seeing it performed.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Well here's #2 for this week of AFI 100 movies. I watched this one with Bryce on his big TV.

Review: The director knew how to tell a story through film. Some of the scenes were really beautifully shot and just the scenery was really good. The friendship and the bond between Butch and Sundance is evident. Occasionally, I felt it was a little slow but I attribute that more to Bryce and I watching it during a peak nap time. The lighting was artfully done, but sometimes I was frustrated because it was so dark I couldn't really tell what was going on.

On a side-note, Bryce and I watched an interview with Paul Newman in 1994 about the film and he said something that proves Hollywood isn't what it used to be. He said something along the lines of whomever they got to act the movie it would have gone over about the same, because of George the Director. I just don't think you would see that in today's Hollywood.

Bottom-line: Good movie, not my favorite but definitely worth watching. Redford and Newman demonstrate their great chemistry, which would follow in The Sting. Plus who can deny watching such handsome men as Newman and Redford? Not I.

The Philadelphia Story

This Thanksgiving I found myself without roommates in Provo. So I decided to have a theme for myself this weekend, watch as many AFI 100 films that I haven't seen as possible. So here is the first movie on the list.

Review: I loved this movie! The script is fantastic. It's witty and captivating. Some of the lines, are pure script bliss. You don't know exactly what's going to happen, until it happens! Katherine Hepburn gives a captivating performance. Cary Grant is handsome and I just love watching James Stewart. It is rightfully on the AFI 100.

Bottom-line: So good, please please go see it! It's a great one.

Sliding Doors

Oh, Sliding Doors. I actually watched this film on Nov. 10th, I've just been busy. Sarah and I have watched this movie many, many times together. At one point it was practically on a monthly basis.

Review: The basic jist of the film is we get to watch Gwyneth Paltrow's character live two separate lives. One where she catches the train and comes home to her boyfriend with another woman. The other where she misses the train and is mugged. The audience gets to watch the two separate lives evolve in parallel.

One reason I like this movie is Paltrow's character is in public relations. Also, the relationship between Paltrow's character and her best friend is fun. It's easy for Sarah and I to see parallels, when we both emulate both of the characters. It's set in England. Although, I'd say it's a more drama/romance film, there are some hilarious lines. Finally, although the premise of the movie isn't plausible, the characters, emotions and situations are real.

Bottom-line: I realize that some of the reasons I like the film, may not apply to everyone. But it's interesting to see the different lives Paltrow's character leads just because of catching/missing the train. It's fun to think about in our own lives, (but don't do it for too long, you could go crazy). I recommend it but would understand if you don't love it as much as I do.