Easy A

Easy A, starring Emma Stone, is a fun and funny movie that I greatly enjoyed, and not just due to my undying love for Emma Stone (though I’m sure that helped). The movie centers on Olive (Emma Stone), an intelligent and quick-witted teen who makes up a small lie about losing her virginity. As things often go in movies such as this (and in real high schools all over the country) the tale becomes greatly conflated and Emma, once anything but popular, becomes the talk of the school in this clever retelling of Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter (a reference that the movie does not let you miss). And then, as one would expect, drama ensues.

Hollywood's God Complex: "Percy Jackson" versus "Clash of the Titans"

            Greek mythology seems to be perfect Hollywood fodder; a world based on strict rules where adventure is commonplace and damsels-in-distress lie around every corner. With all of these elements, a movie based in mythology would seem to be a no-brainer, a surefire hit… right? Let’s examine two recent releases, one that pulls the formula off correctly and manages to be fun, whimsical, and exciting; and one that is just a pile of cheap CG. Those two movies are Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and Clash of the Titans.

Ok, it's been a while...

BUT we graduated and there's a whole summer full of movies lying ahead of us, and a journey out to the big times: Hollywood. School has been keeping us too busy to post, but we recently finished our first film, The Night. We have lots more of fun things in store for the summer and beyond. So, keep reading and telling us what you think. In the meantime here's the movie, share your comments: The Night 

Movie Recommendation of the Day

2 Days In Paris - I was talking to my girlfriend and mentioned that a review I had read compared 2 Days In Paris to Away We Go. The expression on her face, as she said, "2 Days In Paris is a lot better," captured the sheer absurdity of the comparison. I do not want to say that Away We Go is bad, but 2 Days In Paris manages to capture the complexity and variation of emotions that occur in a relationship without relying on an unrealistic traveling couple plot. Written/Directed by Julie Delpy, who also stars, this film deals with the anxieties that come from intimate interaction with foreign cultures. Marion (Delpy) and Jack (Goldberg) are a couple on vacation in Europe. They take a train to Paris to stop by her parents' house and pick up her cat but decide to stay for two days. Any more discussion into the plot runs the risk of ruining the unexpected issues that arise and make it so interesting and entertaining. There are so many great things about this movie, a few examples include the characters, especially Marion's parents (played by Delpy's real life parents, Albert Delpy and Marie Pillet), the writing, and the general ambiguity. My favorite has to be the decision not to use subtitles (which might have been my own fault but definitely created a new and interesting movie watching experience). The lack of subtitles creates an environment where the solely English speaking audience does not always know exactly what is going on and has to figure out certain plot points from body language or reactions, basically recreates the experience of being in Paris with these people. A fantastic, deep, and entertaining movie.

Movie Recommendation of the Day

Brick - It's been a couple of years since I've seen this one, but an article on /Film has brought it back to my attention and I have strong craving to watch it again. This is one of those movies that grabs you by the balls from the beginning and drags you to the very end. It is original in a way that only indy films can be nowadays. It takes classic film noir and breathes new life into the genre by setting it in a high school. It's a revival of classic crime movies and should be watched by anyone who loves those types of movies and is tired of the repetitive nature they have taken on recently. Once again, available on Netflix instant streaming.

See the trailer

Movie Recommendation of the Day

Ong Bak and Ong Bak 2 - These movies are great for anyone who likes a good martial arts flick. Heavy on fights, light on story, these two movies are excellently choreographed and show off Tony Jaa, an actor out of Thailand who could quickly become the next Jet Li. The Muay Thai in these movies is a great change of pace from other fighting movies. The first is available on Netflix streaming and definitely warrants a watch.

On 3D

            Avatar has created quite the buzz in the movie industry. Indeed, it’s currently the second highest grossing film of all time and features “groundbreaking” 3D technology. And while I loved the movie, ignoring the poor script for the sheer beauty of the thing, I do not think that all movies could work in 3D, especially those half-classics of recent years that have already reserved a special place in our hearts with their 2D-selves.