Requiem for a Dream (2000)
"Somebody like you can really make things all right for me."
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Two of them missing,
probably reminiscing. They went to get weed before 2am. They came back, eyes red. My Own Private Idaho (1991) "When I turn twenty-one, I don't want any more of this life. My mother and father will be surprised at the incredible change. It will impress them more when such a fuck-up like me turns good than if I had been a good son all along. All the past years I will think of as one big vacation. At least it wasn't as boring as schoolwork. All my bad behavior I'm going to throw away to pay my debt. I will change when everybody expects it the least."
I keep imagining that it's you. This time, it's you. I think about all the possibilities and I get myself excited. We could go here, we could go there, we could have fun.
I keep listening to these songs. Hoping one day they will have more meaning because I listen to them with you. You, you, you, or you. I keep going to these places, hoping that you'll be there, but you're not. I imagine it freezing out, we stand under purple light and look down at our feet. You step closer. I try to hide my nervousness. I think to myself, this could really be something. But you're not there and it's all in my head. I'm a wreck and you don't even know I exist. One day you'll be there, I can feel it. Then I'll be the one smiling. You, you, you, or you. The Virgin Suicides (1999) "We knew the girls were really women in disguise, that they understood love, and even death, and that our job was merely to create the noise that seemed to fascinate them."
Blue Valentine (2010)
"I don't know, I just feel like I should just stop thinking about it, you know, but I can't. Maybe I've seen too many movies, you know, love at first sight. What do you think about love at first sight? You think you can love somebody just by looking at them? But the thing is man, I felt like I knew her, you ever get that feeling? Yeah, I probably don't right... it felt like I did though."
Her (2013)
"Sometimes I think I have felt everything I'm ever gonna feel. And from here on out, I'm not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser versions of what I've already felt."
american honey
(2016) [R] 2h 43min Dir. Andrea Arnold
synopsis:
A teenage girl with nothing to lose joins a traveling magazine sales crew, and gets caught up in a whirlwind of hard partying, law bending and young love as she criss-crosses the Midwest with a band of misfits. initial thoughts: This movie was pure magic. Even though it ran a long running time, I found myself wanting to watch more. It was an adventure that most people haven’t experienced, and a thrilling one at that. I could actually compare this film to Gummo. They both showcase misfits in deserted, isolated southern locations. But the this film does everything right that Gummo does wrong. American Honey has characters that are interesting and likable and diverse in race and sexuality. While both films portray southern lifestyle in a realistic way, American Honey not only shows confederate pride, but the complex dangers of it and how it affects certain people. I completely loved the film from start to finish.The film utilizes unknown talent which makes the characters so real and human. Star (Sasha Lane) makes for a super compelling lead. She was perfectly cast, I couldn’t imagine the film with any other actress.From the music to the stunning cinematography, this film is truly a film for a new generation. aesthetic / style: + Cinematography, Colors + Realism + Music + Close ups to show intimacy + Shallow depth of field + Stickers, gummy bears, little touches
final thought:
2016 has been a ruff, slow year for movies. I would say American Honey has been my favorite this year and even last year (with the exception of Mommy). It's memorable and unique and the soundtrack is so very good. Also, it's so great to see such great, original female talent in front and behind the camera. worth watching? It's a must see. It's thrilling and interesting. Its a movie about people you might not see in your day to day life, the misfits and the "throw-aways". But I think many people can relate to the characters which makes it even more fascinating to watch. It's worth a watch, I know I'll be re-watchhing soon.
rating: 4½ / 5
written to me, by a friend:
"Yeah, I know.. It’s easy to feel sad about it (and that’s ok) but I think you should think of it as a good thing too. It’s not like you’re suddenly not going to be together again or not be as close again. That bond and relationship will always be there. It just might not be as immediate. It’s all a gradual thing, don’t focus on the "funk” because obsessing over feeling shitty won’t fix anything. I know we’ve been through different things, but I can tell you that change is really fucking hard. Growing up (dear god) can feel a lot like you’re falling apart from people you love and grew up with, but it’s not that. They’re always there, and those bonds get stronger. You’re just opening yourself up to more things and that’s a good thing. I know I’ve been saying 'Oh I’ve been doing so much better lately' and that’s true, but I’ve also had a lot of really bad moments where, like you said, it hits me in waves. It like sits on my chest and I feel heavier, my brain starts going all over the place like places I don’t want it to go, and I don’t know why or when it’s going to go away. But then eventually it does. And that’s all that matters. It’s okay to feel like shit, just know that it’ll get better. I know that was a long-winded answer but I hope you get something out of it, I don't know."
gummo
(1997) [R] 1h 29min Dir. Harmony Korine
synopsis:
Lonely residents of a tornado-stricken Ohio town wander the deserted landscape trying to fulfill their boring, nihilistic lives. initial thoughts: Oh, man. Yikes this was a mixed bag, for real. I mean it's just a tough film to decipher. Part of me wants to like it and part of me is terrible offended. Stylistically, its really fantastic and creative. But, otherwise it's just a montage of scenes put together with basically no reason or thought. So let me preface by saying, one of the major reasons I love film is because it's a gateway to see so many different walks of life. Here's the issue I have... it's hard to be empathetic towards people who are ignorant, racist, homophobic, misogynistic, and violent to harmless animals. Now don't get me wrong, I love an unlikeable character. But if I am getting constantly offended and disturbed to the point of contemplating not finishing the film, it's too much. I'm just curious as to why a movie like this needed to be made. Showcasing a community of such hate and ignorance is very problematic. The fact that the film does nothing to show consequence to the characters just makes it that much more problematic. I love experimental film and I can watch a film with no plot and absolutely love it. Bit if the characters are such horrible, offensive people that do horrible things without any negative repercussions or at least a statement or POV from the filmmaker showing how dangerous this lifestyle is, it's hard to enjoy. aesthetic / style: + Cinematography + Text over shakey cam shots + Quick photo montage inserts + Slow-mo Chloe Sevigny intro shot + Roy Orbison's "Crying" ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎
final thought:
It's a beautifully shot film with some stylistic aspects that have stayed in my head long after I watched it. But I just have a problem with showcasing a community that doesn't necessarily needs to be showcased. Yes, some might find it interesting, but there are so many more interesting, less offensive, diverse, communities that should have the opportunity to be showcased. worth watching? If you love experimental film, you should see for the style and flow of the film. It's shot and edited very well. But, aesthetic can only take the film so far. rating: 2 / 5Maybe one day I'll look back at this point in my life and laugh.
Hopefully. Can I fast forward to the point in my life where I can breathe easy.
Frances Ha (2012)
"It's that thing when you're with someone, and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it... but it's a party... and you're both talking to other people, and you're laughing and shining... and you look across the room and catch each other's eyes... but - but not because you're possessive, or it's precisely sexual... but because... that is your person in this life. And it's funny and sad, but only because this life will end, and it's this secret world that exists right there in public, unnoticed, that no one else knows about. It's sort of like how they say that other dimensions exist all around us, but we don't have the ability to perceive them. That's - That's what I want out of a relationship. Or just life, I guess."
it's midnight and i'm wondering what the fuck to do with my life.
Lost in Translation (2003)
"I just feel so alone, even when I'm surrounded by other people."
elephant
(2003) [R] 1h 21min Dir. Gus Van Sant
synopsis:
Several ordinary high school students go through their daily routine as two others prepare for something more malevolent. initial thoughts: So basically I always had this film in the back of my mind to watch but I never did. But when I went to Paris over summer there were posters all over the city of a Gus Van Sant cult classic movie event so I immediately saw it when I got back home. Here's what I think… its good. Really good. Like it stuck with me, still thinking about it weeks later good. It's not long in it's runtime and its very minimalist. It's simple yet very controversial. After watching, I immediately looked up all I could about how it was made and the buzz it garnered after it's initial release. The inspiration for the style and the violence is very interesting. I was worried about the film exploiting the school shooting idea for entertainment. Not glorifying the violence and portraying it as emotionless took all of the exploitation out of the question. The film didn't sway the audience into feeling sympathy or empathy for any of the characters, victim or killer. Instead it casually shows their normal interactions throughout a seemingly normal school day. This seemed to be the whole theme of the film... showing the events leading up to a school massacre, without manipulating any feelings. It leaves the audience with a clear, unbiased persecutive. Very interesting. aesthetic / style: + long, smooth tracking shots + colors, soft blues + multiple connecting perspectives
final thought:
It's an interesting and technically well done film. It affected me long after I finished it… I still think about certain shots and scenes and how it all came together so seamlessly. worth watching? If you're a lover of technically unique films, you'll love. It tackles such a tricky and unsettling subject matter but doesn't put forward a message. It just lets the events unfold and it's up to the audience to decide what's what. rating: 4 / 5 |
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