I'm 16 today. It's nice to be able to say, but I've realized you don't change on the birthday, you change during the ensuing year. Anyway, this will be my first movie post, but I will intersperse quotes found in the 'Sunbeams' area of "The Sun" magazine that I love.
My top movies:
Little Miss Sunshine-I completely adore this director. All the work he has put out that I have seen is incredible. He has also created a very distinct style to recognize him by. This is a hilarious comedy about a family's travels to a beauty pageant for their young daughter. It's heart-warming in the way that it portrays real family life. Most of us would be able to agree that our family is a little out of the ordinary in one way or the other-and this family is no different. The dynamic between the characters is also very genuine and moving. Although the background of all the main characters are revealed early, the type of interaction they all share throughout the movie brings the character development to a whole new level. I would recommend Little Miss Sunshine to anyone who understands the love of a crazy family, or just anyone who wants a good, long laugh. (Rated: R)
"If a white man falls off a chair drunk, it's just a drunk. If a Negro does, it's the whole damn Negro race."-Bill Cosby
Pan's Labyrinth-This is a beautifully made, heart-wrenching Spanish film. Taking place in Spain after the Spanish civil war, it shows the untied ends of the war in guerrilla uprisings and much more bloodshed. Ofelia, the young girl who is comforted by her fantasy imagination, must go through many hardships after her mother marries the persistent captain Vidal who is on a violent mission to stop the Spanish guerrillas fighting against the Franco regime. Besides the fairy tales, the only other comforter for Ophelia in the beginning is her ill and pregnant mother since her father died when Ophelia was young. It's a story filled with wonder, war, and horrifying beauty. To anyone who can appreciate a superbly-made film, or anyone who used to revel in fairy tales, I recommend this to you. (Rated: R)
"There's a stereotype that black people are lazy. I don't know if that's true, but I know white people went all the way to Africa to get out of doing work."-Lance Crouther
Saved!-No, I did no put the exclamation point just because it's really good, it's actually part of the title, but well suited if you ask me. This one holds a story of a girl named Mary at a christian high school battling with her faith due to a SURPRISE! pregnancy. Her biblical name could be symbolism for the fact that now gays (the father of her child) are technically not allowed to have children, therefor he couldn't have gotten her pregnant-so she's a virgin who happens to be with child. This teaches the conflict between the, perhaps not-so-happy, surprises in life and the strict christian morals. It also teaches the great loyalty of friendship. The characters go through a transformation in the viewers' eyes as we learn not to trust first impressions. Sometimes friendships are best when they go through large hardships for it proves the loyalty of each person. A funny drama love-story, this is recommended to people who struggle with their faith or have none, anyone who wants a twist on the usual love-story, or anyone who would enjoy a realistic portrayal of a somewhat thought provoking drama. (Rated: PG-13)
"In this country 'American' means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate."-Toni Morrison
V for Vendetta-"Remember, remember the fifth of November..." Those opening words provide the basis of the plot that an idea is greater and lasts longer than any face, life, or generation. The idea that "government should fear it's people" is harbored by a masked man named V who stands only for that idea. He rescues a women named Evey in one of his terrorist tactics to rile the public to give them control. Evey soon becomes an unlikely, yet needed necessity to spread that idea to the world on November fifth. Although the screenplay was adapted from a graphic novel by David Lloyd, it sports it's own well-directed idea of what the novel should look like. Using well-known actors Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman they create a movie that inspires the rights of the people. Fascist Britain is undermining it's subjects and setting strict rules throughout the country that intimidates people into following them. The power-hungry chairman is the source of the corrupt government and in turn, is the maker of V. While the story has many twists and turns it leaves viewers feeling more empowered and thoughtful. I would recommend this movie to any deep thinkers or anyone who is willing to be taken into the future to learn how to fix it. (Rated: R)
"There is inherited wealth in this country and also inherited poverty." JFK
The Kite Runner-Set in Afghanistan and America, this tale of redemption is beautifully shot and written. Based on the novel "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, it brings to life the challenges of racism faced by Afghans during the dawn of the Russian invasion, challenges that ruin a brotherly friendship for many many years. After Amir, a young boy whose loyalty is questioned while his friend, Hassan, proves his, hears of Hassan's son's troubles, he returns to Afghanistan to redeem himself by showing the huge amount of courage he never could show before. It is one of the most moving films I have ever seen. Recommended to anyone who believes in redemption through selfless acts. (Rated: PG-13)
"Jon Stewart: Your mother is from Kansas. She's a white women. Your father, African. Are you concerned that you may go into the voting booth and...your white half will all of a sudden decide, 'I can't do this.'?
Barack Obama: Yeah, It's a problem."
