Don't Miss It

Rent it. Watch it. Enjoy it. Talk about it. It's worth it.

Tim Burton's Wonderland

Here's one I'm definitely excited about.
Tim Burton, who is known for creating great atmospheres, is directing with Disney a live version of Alice in Wonderland. For a story as atmospheric and bizarre/haunting as Alice in Wonderland, I can't think of anybody better to direct. We still have a while to wait though...2010.

Do not miss this "ordinary" film

Since Wall-E, I have not had much to comment on regarding quality films, (with the exception of The Dark Knight which I will write about later). Ordinary People, a film that was released in 1980 and Best Picture winner for that year, is a film that I am not sure if many people know about. The story itself is not one that viewers would immediately gravitate towards; however, I am very glad I took time to watch this film.

This story of a upper-middle class family stricken by tragedy does not aim at telling a thick plot driven story, but instead focuses on the subtleties of daily family life. It is obvious that the director (Robert Redford) wanted the viewers to understand that financial security in no way guarantees peace or happiness. This story, sad and very true, digs deep into the human psyche (so much that one of the major characters is actually a counselor) and brings us into the lives of several individuals primarily being a family who recently lost a son in a boating accident. The raw humanity portrayed so effectively in this story will quite possibly lead the viewer to self-reflect their own life situations.

The acting is very engrossing and very real. While some moments are very intense and dramatic others are powerfully nuanced. It is evident that Redford knew exactly what he wanted these characters to do, think, and feel, and he did a superb job leading these actors to portray these lives. One can sit there in the silence of this film and watch these actors think; in fact, some of the best moments in the film are silent, just watching the actors react and process.

While this film is not an easy film to watch, it is an authentic representation a life that is not easy to live. Watching Ordinary People could easily lead someone to reflect the peace and sanity that resides or lacks in their own life, which is a reflection, I believe, that everybody needs to have.

Positive Points:
*Excellent acting, intense but not melodramatic.
*Well written and insightful script
*Genuine thought provoker