MEOW!
I was going through my head about what to write for my next big post, and then it hit me: why not do a list of the best films that I saw when I was a freshman at Rhode Island College? Not just the films released in theaters during that time period, but also the films that I saw for the very first time, either from the library, Netflix, or some suitemate named Josh. So without further adieu, here are The Ten Best Films I Saw As A RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE Freshman! Starting with...
My Neighbor Totoro--Out of all the films created by Hayao Miyazaki, this is personally my favorite, primarily due to its quietly serene simplicity. I admired that the family is not treated as the stereotypical 'nice' family you would probably find in a '50s sitcom. They happen to be people going through a tough situation while remaining as optimistic as possible; it's an excellent interpretation of hope. There aren't a lot of hyperactive action sequences, nor a bunch of crazy animation from the master himself. Instead, it's just a simple story that respects everyone's intelligence--the mark of a true family film, indeed.
9.) Spring Breakers--The critical equator of this film has been divided into two camps: those who love it, and those who wish to burn it in the Hellfire. Count me in the former camp. Harmony Korine's colorful and remarkably insightful vision is responsible for one of the most interesting surprises of 2013. James Franco's Alien (you will never watch OZ The Great and Powerful the same way again) is an excellent character study, diving deep into what made him such a...um...an alien in the first place. The message is also an honest one: sometimes we have to head deep into Hell in order to genuinely find ourselves. Let it also be known that the message comes from a film titled Spring Breakers. It won't be for everyone's tastes--it certainly won't be for my mother's eyes--but it's the first great film of 2013 for anyone willing to take a chance.
8.) Silver Linings Playbook--Weinsteins, you win this round. Silver Linings Playbook, directed by David O. Russell, is a terrific film with absolutely winning performances from Bradly Cooper and Katniss Everdeen, THE GIRL. ON. FIRE (Academy Award Winner and Dolby Theatre Stair Tripper Jennifer Lawrence)! It's rare to come across a film about two people with mental illnesses that are actually likable, without having to dip their toes into classical Hollywood territory (well...maybe except for the ending...but even then, it's as natural as love can be). David O' Russell's screenplay is also briskly paced and wonderfully written, with a couple of scenes that manage to break into 'instant classic' territory. Out of all the nominees nominated for Best Picture, this was the one that I was rooting for. A terrific film overall.
7.) Evita--When I chose to review Evita as a part of MEOW'S MARCH MOVIE MUSICAL MADNESS, I didn't know what to expect, except that my suitemate Josh said it was his favorite movie musical of all-time. And after seeing it for the first time, I have to say, he's not that far off at all. With a bold vision by Alan Parker, excellent performances by Madonna y Antonio Banderas, and AWESOME music by Tim Rice y Andrew Lloyd Webber, Evita is an amazing film and one of the best movie musicals that I've ever seen. What's more? It's not just a one-sided argument. You get to see both perspectives regarding the life of Eva Peron (Madonna): one from Eva herself, and the other from a guy named Che (Antonio Banderas), who breaks the fourth wall on numerous occasions when discussing about how Eva is a fraud. It makes for a fascinating political debate...only sung-through! Wow! Who knew that politics would turn out to be a great subject for a musical?
6.) Rise of the Guardians--You're kidding me. THIS was the film that was responsible for the 350 lay-offs at Dreamworks Animation? And NONE of those lay-offs were from the marketing team that did a poor job of having this film appeal to children of all-ages? FOR. FREAKIN'. SHAME. From the moment I was attempting to reach for a snowflake with my 3-D glasses on, I knew I was in for something special. Rise of the Guardians is an absolutely wonderful film that understands child-like wonder, and most importantly, children themselves. There are also oh-so beautifully imagined visuals that help enhance its overall message rather than just providing amusement. And I dare you NOT to get chills during the film's climax, or at the very most, I dare you NOT to hold back the tears by the time the words "For Mary Katherine Joyce--A Guardian Fierce And True" appears just before the end credits. Without a doubt, this is one of Dreamworks' best films, and quite possibly one of the best animated films that I have ever seen. Where it ends up on that list, I'll let you know. For now, "open up your heart and change your mind. Oh what you'll find if you still dream."
5.) South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut--Wow. I mean...yeah. Wow. Wow. Wow. I've rarely seen a film, let alone an R-rated one, that was able to take as many risks as it could, and have them all pay off brilliantly. I mean, really? How many films do you see when Satan is paying homage to a song a la The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and how many films do you see where the parents want to "Blame Canada" for all of the foul ruckus caused by just one motion pictuire? Yes, the film may contain...um...a few moments of profanity, but I wouldn't mind so much if it's used for a purpose. And the purpose here goes back that good ol-fashioned moral: we're all human. We make mistakes. We curse. We cheat. But everyone has their good side, and that can be released by another's spirit. My lord, what a great film. This is right up there with some of the best animated films that I've ever seen, and one of the best comedies ever written for the silver screen. All that's missing is a bunch of Mormons.
4.) Cloud Atlas--"What is an ocean but a multitude of drops?"
I'll just cut straight to the heart: I absolutely LOVE Cloud Atlas. Every time I watch my favorite scenes on the internet, I always notice something different while my feelings remain the same. The ensemble led by Tom Hanks is nothing short of miraculous, having to portray more than five parts due to the profound idea that everything is connected in the universe. How the make-up was ineligible for an Oscar nomination is a mystery for the twenty-first century; the end credit roll where you get to see who plays who is one of those moments of pure cinematic magic (My jaw dropped to the floor when I found out what Halle Berry played). But the finest aspect of Cloud Atlas is, no question, the score composed by Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek and Tom Tykwer. Ever since I was introduced to their compositions for this film, I've listened to them every day. The score already speaks for the film itself: it's breathtaking, exciting, mysterious, passionate--it's just beautiful experimental filmmaking at its finest; one of the best films that I've EVER seen.
3.) The Perks of Being a Wallflower--Walking out of this film the minute the credits ended, I was hypnotized for a good half-an-hour, so much to the point of riding on the wrong bus, where I would eventually walk another frustrating twenty minutes to the campus with a Yankee Candle item for my loving mother. But by god, it was worth it. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is not just a film; it's an experience. Even when you watch it on a tiny television set, you can feel the powerful and subtle emotions that come from each of the characters. You can feel the passion from Stephen Chbosky's nostalgic direction and beautifully written screenplay. Forget that these characters are high school students, and forget that these actors are much older than the characters they are attempting to portray: they are people. People with dreams, flaws, and infectious personalities. They are people you wish you can hang out with for another couple of hours, but that's the bittersweet reality of life. It's also one of the more positive qualities about life as well: you have to let go sooner or later, but when you do, the amount of accomplishments are just waiting a couple of feet away. And in that moment, I swear, you will feel infinite. This is a magical film--one of the best films ever made.
2.) Samsara--I watched this film during my phase of taking DVDs out of the RIC library for my viewing pleasure. I randomly picked this film since the cover of the DVD looked interesting and vibrant. So I figured, eh, this might be worth it. I pop it into my laptop...
....A couple of hours later...I felt as if everything was right in the world. I literally felt as if I had a peaceful conversation with God. I was entranced for a good hour afterwards, and realized that I was probably never going to see another film like this. What is this film, you ask? According to Buddhism and Hinduism, it's the neverending round of bith, death and re-birth to which all conditioned beings are subject, and is conceived as having no beginning or end. It's one vision's perspective of our own home planet, and that vision allows us to indulge in some of the most beautiful imagery ever intended for a moving picture. In fact, that's what the film really is: moving pictures. I'm sure the Lumiere Brothers would certainly appreciate that. There's not a single phrase of dialogue spoken, but the images are filled with such artistic depth and emotional resonance, that it's irresistible to create unabashed references to the openly-interpreted meaning of life. It will not be for everyone's tastes, but for those who are wondering how cinema can stir the everlasting soul, take a dive into Ron Ficke's Samsara, an enchanting, mesmerizing, soul-stirring journey through the optimistic, vibrant eyes of God. Prepare to be wowed.
And the best film I saw as a RIC Freshman is...
Wreck-It Ralph--You can't change the Disney fan inside of me. When the advertisements and clips came out for this film on the internet, I was hyped like Rhino the Hamster in Bolt. It was one of my most anticipated films of 2012, and I was hoping that it would live up to my expectations, while also keeping them relatively normal like a good little wooden puppet. The moment the 8-Bit Walt Disney Animation Studios logo appeared on the screen, I was transformed into the giddiest seven-year-old over the next couple of hours. After those couple of hours, I was re-introduced to a word when I view such an exceptional piece of cinema: joy. That's what Wreck-It Ralph is, really; it's the equivalent of when Vanellope Von Schweetz (the WONDERFUL Sarah Silverman) is joyous over the new kart that she and Ralph creates (Also known as "I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT! IT'S GOT WHEELS AND AN ENGINE AND -kisses wheels- I LOVE IT!"). I could honestly go on and on and on about how astonishingly wonderful Wreck-It Ralph is, but for now, I'll stick to the basics. The animation is a kaleidoscope of bold and enchanting colors that allows you to taste the rainbow. All five of the focused characters in this story are incredibly likable and unique (it's impossible for me to resist the laughter of King Candy (Alan Tudyk)). All of the voice actors give the characters brains, (ENORMOUS) hearts and infectious personalities, whether they are cynical or optimistic. The script...I can quote the film all day. There are too many lines that are memorable, such as my personal favorite:
"Are you hurt, sire?"
"No, he just glazed me. GET THEM!"
"No, he just glazed me. GET THEM!"
Those two lines of dialogue and how it's delivered is the mark of perfect comedic timing, and is an excellent marriage of animation and screenwriting.
And unlike a certain superhero flick that's opening this weekend, there's one BRILLIANT twist towards the end that will make your jaw drop even though it's glaringly obvious in repeated viewings. But part of the fun is to fit the pieces and see how it all comes together, while finding out that the script is truly ingenious, and not a 'typical animated comedy just for kids.'
Wreck-It Ralph reminded me why I love watching movies, and why I love going to the movies, and why it's great to talk about movies. Because when you find something as special as Wreck-It Ralph, well, "there's no one who I'd rather be than me." And I am the writer of MEOW!: Movies? Entertainment? Ohhhhhhhh Wow!, here to make sure that my posts are worth a few minutes of your amusement. Well, all I can say now is...
LET THE SUMMER MOVIE SEASON BEGIN!
Until next time,
MEOW!
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