(500) Days of Summer: A Film Review

        (500) Days of Summer         

    

      Marc Webb's film (500) Days of Summer stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel as Tom and Summer, respectively. Tom, an aspiring architect who currently is employed as a greeting card writer, is a romantic. He believes in soul mates and, more importantly, love. He then meets Summer, the boss' new secretary. She thinks such thoughts are meant only for fairy tales and is not searching for romance. Hence marks the beginning of a failed relationship. The film is told through Tom's perspective - a nonlinear, memory-driven narrative. Despite knowing the outcome (the narrator proclaiming that "this is not a love story" within the first 10 minutes of the film), audiences still find themselves rooting for Tom and Summer, a couple who was destined to fail from the start.

      Stylistic in its nonlinear narrative, (500) Days of Summer is clever, original, and refreshingly realistic. Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel's fearless performances make the characters relatable and endearing. Before you know it, you will find yourself rooting for what you know won't come to be. The script is witty and relevant, shoving the truth about breakups in audience's faces, as it takes a conventional premise and adds an unconventional twist. The soundtrack propels the movie forward, complimenting the editing style to a T.  Beautifully crafted, this film leaves viewers demanding an alternate ending, or at least a happier outcome for Tom.

      Director Marc Webb is a storyteller at heart, having a rhythmic sense of pacing and a visual eye. Only under such direction could Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel go above and beyond acceptable performances and give us that extra mile. This romantic comedy shifts into a coming of age story for Tom, seeing as how breakups make up a large portion of every man's life. Webb, along with his editor and director of photography, shapes (500) Days of Summer into a bittersweet film that every young adult should watch. It's a modern take on the reality of relationships.

X-Men: First Class: A Film Review

     X-Men: First Class    
      
      X-Men: First Class (2011) is a fast-paced, visually appealing prequel to the X-Men saga. Following protagonist Charles Xavier, the stories of several beloved characters, including Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) and Raven (Mystique), from the franchise unfold, weaving together in ways that will surprise audiences who are not die-hard fans of the comics. Charles and Erik become unlikely allies, along with Raven and their group of other mutants, to defeat the villains of the X-Men universe. It is a coming of age story, history lesson, and stunning display of CGI and special effects that you won't want to miss. Spoiler: Professor X was a ladies man. Who would have thought?

      With stunning visuals and special effects, this action-packed prequel will keep you on the edge of your seat. While you are anticipating the inevitable epic battle, several plot lines reveal themselves, satisfying the ever-present need for drama and action. The intelligent script makes this summer blockbuster highly entertaining for the masses. Actors James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender stand out in their leading roles, captivating audiences with their charming portrayals of Charles and Erik. The production design was impressive in itself, pulling viewers into the X-Men world seamlessly. The only complaint is that too much was trying to be covered in a two hour time frame. With several characters, most possessing their own mutant power, and each character having a back story, the film bites off more than it can chew, resulting in an enjoyable film but not a memorable one.

      Director Matthew Vaughn was ambitious when he chose to cover so much ground with the X-Men script. Simply put, there were too many threads to the web of these characters origins. With that being said, however, Vaughn was able to craft a well-executed film for the amount he was given. Audiences are still able to enjoy the beautifully shot piece, as well as understand the histories of the essential characters. Overall, X-Men: First Class could easily be considered the best film of its franchise to date. 

Harold and Maude: A Film Review

           Harold and Maude            
  

      The cult classic Harold and Maude (1971) follows melodramatic protagonist Harold Chasen, as he grows from a rebellious rich, young teenager to a man who has learned to appreciate life with the help of vivacious senior citizen, Maude. Before Maude, Harold was misunderstood, merely existing rather than living. He would act out his own death on multiple occasions in hopes to provoke emotion out of his self-absorbed mother. In his free time, he would attend the funerals of people he had never met in order to live, or to be dead, vicariously through them. Enter Maude: an elderly free spirit who believes in "trying something new every day" and living life to the fullest. Within each other, they find a companion who accepts them for who they are. This eccentric duo brings out the best in each other and teaches the other a thing or two about life in this profound, life-affirming black comedy. 

      The driving force behind this Hal Ashby film was the witty screenplay, with clever dialogue and quality character development. Ruth Gordon  and Bud Cort breathe life into their quirky characters, making them both endearing and memorable. The universal truth that life is what you make of it is unveiled, and these unlikely heroes bring you into their carefully crafted world. The soundtrack -most notably Cat Steven's "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" - leaves audiences humming for months after their initial viewing, and reinforces the message of the film that "you can do what you want/the opportunity's on." 

      While many might consider Harold and Maude to be off-putting, this cult film is alarmingly charming. Under the direction of Ashby, everything fell into place. Despite a lull or two for the slower paced moments of the film, the overall piece is brilliantly written, directed, and acted. From the first scene of a staged suicide to the last of a life-affirming skipping and cartwheels, Ashby takes you for a ride of growth, love, and life.

Jaws: A Film Review

                           Jaws                        

      Jaws (1975) follows Police Chief Brody during a new reign of terror for Amity Island. After finding the remains of a recent shark attack victim, Brody's idea to close the beaches is rejected by the mayor of the town, whose business revolves around these shores. After another victim is claimed to the monstrous Great White, Brody, along with oceanographer Matt Hooper and pro fisherman Sam Quint, brave the isolated sea to find and to kill the beast that lurks beneath.  

This film adaptation boasts John William’s memorable score and compelling performances by Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss.  With meticulous editing under director Steven Spielberg’s careful supervision, this film coined the phrase “summer blockbuster” and quickly maneuvered its way into the classics. The two-note score left theater-goers tense, on the edge of their seats, and waiting for the threat of the unknown to make its appearance.  A masterpiece monster movie of its time, Spielberg’s film kept audiences from visiting the beaches, even in the intense heat of the summer, due to pure terror from the infamous mechanical shark.

Spielberg, despite being a no named director at the time, had a vision. With the help of Universal Studios, he was able to bring his creative vision to life. Meticulous by nature, he left nothing to chance. With careful blocking, story boarding  and scripting, Spielberg shaped an otherwise generic monster movie story-line into what is known today as one of the best films ever made.