Clueless

Rating: *

A classic? I don't think so. Not bad enough to laugh at ironically, not good enough to genuinely laugh at. I do however believe that without this movie mean girls may never have existed and thus I deem it a necessary evil.

The Tree of Life

Rating: ***

This has got to be the weirdest movie I have ever seen. A close look at a borderline abusive Texas family with an oldest son that I felt sure was to grow up and become psycho interwoven with scenes that would have felt quite fitting in a discovery documentary on space. I was left with the feeling that I had not fully understood what I had just witnessed but with the comforting notion that this was perhaps what I was supposed to feel. After all, shouldn’t life and the creation of the universe leave us perplexed? I felt as though the movie was a nudge on the shoulder of any religious beliefs as a strictly christian family was followed and compared to the beauty of the creation of atoms, hinting at the delicate balance that the Earth must continue in order to prevent life from ceasing to exist. A balance that is perhaps obtainable by chance, without God. My favourite concept however was a simple one, introduced at the very beginning (if I had known this would be the case it possibly could've prevented the several hours worth of difficult to follow plot lines and mild mind fuck) it was that a human being can follow the path of nature or of grace. The interesting part of this being that the path of nature is the one represented by those who want the best for themselves and will do whatever it takes to achieve this. Nature described as a vice rather than a blessing is a concept that tends to be lacking as we like to believe that it is in our human nature to be kind and caring towards others. Logically, why should we be any different to any other organism on Earth? But I digress. This film is heavy. Prepare for your attention span to be challenged. 

(watch for aesthetic) 

The Lion King

Rating: *****

Not only does this movie hit right in the childhood but stirs emotions inside even those usually devoid of such things. The vibrant colours and brilliantly written music transports everyone to Africa, no matter who's living room you're sitting in, no matter how much the howling English rain is battering the windows. I watched this recently expecting it to be something that seemed great as a child but having experienced a lot more animated movies created with much more high tech computers would seem disappointing in comparison. But still the goosebumps formed at the opening sequence and for some reason all I could do was watch the animals that I could believe where alive because he animators had done such a great job capturing the essence of all the creatures on the savannah. So animators (from which Big Hero Six are excluded - it was awesome) step up your game and stop with the crappy proportions of your characters.
So maybe it is just me who feels this way about this movie. But if this is the case then I hope that every person gets to see a movie that connects to them as this one has to me. It's an experience that I wish upon the world.

Insurgent

Rating: ****

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie having been bored and unimpressed by the first in the series ('Divergent'). The storyline in 'Insurgent' was not completely predictable and there was an abundance of future tech and cool housing which kept me satisfied. However, I feel that my most valid complaint is to do with the naming of the series which I can imagine might have sounded clever at the time but is honestly off-putting to anyone under the age of about twelve. 

What also ran through my mind during the film is that casting directors are either really lazy or protective of the movie industry..? with most of the actors already being heavily associated with each other before 'Divergent' (as you probably already know): See 'The Fault In Our Stars, 'the spectacular now' where shailene plays the love interest so well that Insurgent feels uncomfortably incestuous. Seriously. I'm sure there are several aspiring actors/actresses, stop it. 

Also the amount of 'troops running in to save the day just in time' almost outnumbers the burst ins in the 'Lord of the Rings' series which may leave you assuming that Tris etc will be saved when in trouble. This, although allowing me a pleasant/ sweat free experience, is probably not the best for a movie supposedly designed to get your blood pumping. 

And to finish, yes Miles Teller is hot, but that does not excuse him from stabbing someone in the eye because they were more talented than him in the first movie (don't conveniently forget like the director does and worship him like a hero). 

Sound track is good though. 

Titanic

Rating: *****

After hearing teenage girls hanker on for months about the supposed God that was Leonardo De Caprio I just had to witness it for myself.

This was the first time that I had ever seen titanic (stop judging) and I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. The plot is not only about the overly talked about Jack and Rose, instead the director uses their chemistry to draw us in as viewers and to distract us from the well-known impending doom, to spare our feelings for a good 2 hours before soul crushingly sinking a titanic ship along with killing all the passengers on board. Well played James Cameron. Well played. 

I can think of no better way to demonstrate the absolute monstrosity that was the Titanic ship with its arrogance and ignorance on display in this movie that sounds too long but doesn't feel too long.

However, although I can confirm that younger Leo is not difficult to look at Kate Winslet is in my opinion is about 10x more good looking. However, you are almost guaranteed to come running after/during your 'Titanic' viewing (as I did) screaming that Rose is not only stupid but also a selfish whore. 

'Titanic' for once deserves the credit it has been given so do watch it and try to have fun as you cry tears of frustration and attempt to yank hair from your scalp in shear disbelief at the stupidity of humankind. There's also some romance or whatever.  

The Spectacular Now

Rating: ****

Having originally dismissed this film as 'just another love story' I decided to watch it on the basis that Shailene and Miles Teller looked good together because thoughtful, meaningful decisions come naturally to me. I wasn't sure what to expect and was confronted with the rare feeling that the movie was far more intellectual than I had originally thought. However, I do feel that in the story was far too dependent on chance as so many movies are and Aimee (who spells it like that?!) unfortunately slipped into the 'my world revolves around my boyfriend' category which I fear may have come from watching 'Highschool musical 3' too many times. 

The movie certainly hit home with the theme of decisions and the future, riding up to meet us all like running towards the edge of a very very tall cliff. Although coming from somewhere where decisions are made for us and not working isn't really an option I'm convinced that a small bit of Sutter in everyone wouldn't hurt, that warm and youthful mayhem shouldn't be stomped out of our adolescence so completely. 

Other than that Miles and Shailene deliver an utterly spectacular (wahey) performance worthy of goosebumps and tears.

The Purge

GUEST WRITER *EHEM* ELLA WITTS.  Ok yes it's because I don't watch horror. Pls explain to me why you want to not be able to sleep at night.

Rating: **

Soooo I don’t really know what to think. I feel like this film should’ve been good because the whole concept is original and exciting….but it just wasn’t. Maybe that’s because I felt that the plot was based on some dodgy possibilities… Like why does everyone suddenly turn into ruthless killers?!? Come on – those villain people in masks are like possessed. And of course the saviours managed to turn up at the exact right time on several occasions.

Also so many horror film clichés were used which kinda ruined this film for me. The creaky door, the abandoned swing, the creepy childish tunes…

I’m gonna be honest… this film really annoyed me. Especially Charlie – possibly the most frustrating character of all time. Most of the plot was based on his stupid actions, like letting that homeless guy in in the first place.

But… I’ve got to admit that I was on the edge of my seat for much of the film, and Rhys Wakefield was really well cast as the main villain. And I fell in love with the homeless guy in the end, even though I was screaming for the parents to sacrifice him before that.