McCarthyism -- The Red Scare

McCarthyism -- The Red Scare

I almost forgot to post about this. This was a school project, so nothing super duper interesting, but I figured I’d post it anyway. It’s supposedly set in the 1950s. I tried to encompass a lot of different things at once, like the roots of the Feminist Movement, the consumer culture, and of course, the anti-communist stance. I don’t think it’s a bad video. It got me an A :D

Enjoy!

Some Random Movie Reviews

I've been neglecting my blog lately, but I've been thinking about it. Movie review time.

1. The Usual Suspects. I went into this movie without knowing a thing about what it was about. I had absolutely no bias walking into this movie. Knowing me, if I read any bad reviews of it, I probably would have given it a bad impression. Good thing I didn't. This movie was great. It starts off slow, and it starts off kinda confusing and weird and convoluted and everything. But stick with it. The ending is satisfying as hell because you never see it coming. I was thoroughly impressed by how the movie resolved, and it sticks in my head as one of the best ways to end a movie. My verdict: 8/10.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1. Honestly I didn't remember much of what happened in the 6th movie. I just thought "Hey, I'll remember eventually," and I did. Thing is though, the problem with this movie is that if you're starting the series with Deathly Hallows (which is a stupid idea from the beginning), you will understand NOTHING about this movie. It's definitely a sequel in that everything that happens in this movie draws from what happens in the last one. Other than that though, this movie is phenomenal. The cinematography is top-notch, and the acting is also great. Plus, Emma Watson :D. My verdict: 9/10.

3. Infernal Affairs. Ever watch of a movie called The Departed? Did you enjoy it? Now, picture this: Did you know that movie was inspired by a Chinese movie called Infernal Affairs? I bet you didn't. Infernal Affairs is basically the same general storyline of the Departed, but in Hong Kong. There's something about the actors in Infernal Affairs than the Departed that I liked better. It feels more organic is what I could say. The cinematography is great, the pacing is tense, you're always guessing what could happen next. Great movie. If you liked the Departed, you'll like Infernal Affairs, perhaps even more. My verdict: 10/10.

4. American Movie. Indie films ftw! Hands down, the most down-to-earth documentary ever made. We follow Mark Borchardt, an aspiring filmmaker, and his journey to complete his short film, Coven. However, he runs into so many problems, from a lack of funding to the ineptitude of his friends and family as his cast and crew. Nothing in this movie is scripted, and nothing that happens in this movie is at all fiction. I enjoyed this movie a lot because of the honesty and integrity of Mark and his pursuit of his American Dream. You feel his pain and you connect with him. His friend Mike is also hilarious in his own strange way. I seriously enjoyed this movie and it has definitely become one of my favorite movies. My verdict: 10/10.

And then, suddenly, there was an urge to watch The Breakfast Club again. Ahh, good movies make me feel all warm inside :D

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Note: I’m not including a trailer for this one because the trailer really gives off the wrong impression about the movie. Just see it.

Everyone has seen a movie that has blown them away completely, more than any other movie they’ve seen. It could have changed the way you thought about life. It could have made you cry more than any other movie. Regardless, chances are there’s a movie where you reached the credits and thought “Wow, that was the best movie I’ve ever seen.” That movie for me is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

The movie starts out kinda confusing, because you are introduced to the characters, and they become a couple, and they’re happy. Then, suddenly, it shifts to the guy crying his eyes out while driving home in the rain. And thus, the movie begins.

The movie is about a man, Joel Barish, who finds out that his girlfriend, Clementine Kruczynski, has erased him from her memory. He is devastated and decides to have the same operation done to him. His memories erase in reverse order—from the most recent to the first time they met. He experiences them as they slowly disappear from his memory, reliving them almost. As he slowly moves closer to the beginning of their relationship, he starts to fall back in love with her. But at that point, it’s too late; the operation can’t stop.

Some might think this is a chick flick romantic comedy. I beg to differ. This movie appeals to everyone at an emotional level; nothing cutesy here. It makes you think about love and life, and what they really mean. The real tear-jerking part is his last few memories, right before she is completely erased. He wants another chance, something everyone wants at some point. What happens next is what made the movie for me. The climax of the movie is what made this movie so great.

I remember finishing the movie and being completely astounded at its beauty. This was the movie that made me truly appreciate movies for all that they are, and it also made me hate other movies for what they weren’t. Since then, I haven’t seen a movie that has made me feel the same way, not even close. Maybe I’m a sap for these kinds of movies, but I don’t care. This movie is incredible, in all ways. There’s something about it that feels strangely relatable.

Watch it. You might love it, or you might hate it. Just watch it, it’s definitely worth your time. You will be very surprised at what it has to offer. I know I was, and now I worship it. For all you know, it might become your new favorite.

Well there’s my Top 10 Favorite Movies. I’m glad this is done, so I can do other stuff now too.

2. Pulp Fiction

Trailer

The only film to top Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs is Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, THE most quotable movie EVER MADE. This is the quintessential Tarantino film that won him the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or, probably the most prestigious film award in the world. Everything in this movie is iconic, everything is quotable, all the characters are memorable, and the story is one you’d never forget. If you don’t like this movie, then you don’t know good movies.

Tarantino dishes it out with an all-star cast: John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson star as two hitmen; Bruce Willis stars as a boxer on the run; Uma Thurman stars as the wife of the Los Angeles underground boss gangster; the list goes on. There are multiple characters to follow and multiple stories to follow. The characters are so dynamic and interesting to listen to, which means that the dialogue is NEVER dull, and NEVER boring.

Speaking of the dialogue, Tarantino’s writing in this movie is incredible. He has a knack for witty and memorable dialogue, and Pulp Fiction is proof of that. When you finish this movie, there will be many lines you distinctly remember because 1. They were hilarious, 2. They were badass, or 3. They were hilarious AND badass. There’s no possible way you can forget the dialogue. It’s too good.

The way the film is set up is in non-linear format: the movie ends where it began. It sounds odd, yes, and sometimes the movie jumps around, but by the end, everything comes together perfectly. There’s something about it that feels right.

I distinctly remember finishing the movie and desperately wanting more. I bet that you will finish the movie the exact same way. Like Reservoir Dogs, you will never forget this movie if you tried. If you haven’t watched this movie, then this should be a must-see for you. Or else I’ll get medieval on your ass.

3. Slumdog Millionaire

Top 3, let’s finish this up!

Trailer

Slumdog Millionaire, the winner of 8 2009 Academy Awards including Best Picture. Why is this movie one of my top three? Everything about this movie to me has such ridiculous artistic appeal: the music, the cinematography, the editing, etc. I find this movie truly magical because of the way it’s presented.

This movie was one of those movies that I had to watch twice to really understand it. I remember hearing first that it had won a ton of awards and whatnot, so I figured it was worth a shot. It certainly wasn’t what I expected, and it didn’t blow me away at first because I had a hard time following the story. But now that I understand the premise, I understand why it’s so acclaimed.

The way it’s presented is so avante-garde and experimental. What this does is add to the intensity of the movie, so much so that it’s overwhelming. I look to this movie to provide cinematography inspiration and ideas to springboard off of to use for my videos. The chasing scenes are absolutely incredible because of the music, the cinematography, and the editing. It’s a different feeling.

Here’s my favorite example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDC47NsoRE0

Basically, the story is about a slumdog who is accused of cheating on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. However, when he is telling his story, he reveals all the hardships he has faced since he was a child; it is his experiences that give him the answers to the game show questions. The story is incredibly intense in a ton of different ways, so I’d just watch it.

I admire this movie for it’s cinematography, editing, music, acting, and story. Something about it makes the whole experience magical, even though some of the themes are dark. Sometimes, I think the Academy doesn’t screw up.

4. Reservoir Dogs

Trailer

Reservoir Dogs: Quentin Tarantino’s directing debut, and arguably one of his best films. If you say you love indie movies, and you haven’t seen Reservoir Dogs, then you’re not a true indie movie lover. Reservoir Dogs represents the epitome of what it means to be a great independently made movie.

Everything about this movie is iconic, from the tipping scene, to the torture scene, to the frickin’ opening credits: A bunch of guys in suits, walking down the street in slow motion, to music. You will never forget these scenes; they glue to your brain like a tumor, and they will never leave. The movie is funny, vulgar, violent, and interesting in so many different ways that it’s impossible to not remember this movie.

Quentin Tarantino mainstreamed the non-linear movie format. Reservoir Dogs is about a group of guys robbing a bank. Thing is, you only see what happens before and after the heist; the actual robbery is never seen, but only mentioned through dialogue. This sets up a very unique storytelling method that sounds weird on paper, but shines on execution.

I like this movie because of how many boundaries it pushed, in terms of violence, language, and overall setup. Trust me, you will NEVER forget Reservoir Dogs, even if you tried. Whether you think it’s too violent, too vulgar, or too boring is up to you, but Tarantino undoubtedly debuted with unmatched intensity. It could arguably be the best independent film ever made. It’s that great of a movie, and a must-see if you love indie films, or anything about movies at all.