The title of a
movie plays a big role when one is deciding on a movie to watch. Any movie with
the word ‘disaster’ in the title is setting itself a low standard. This movie
could go one of two ways; it could either blow it out of the park with how
amazing it is or be a complete train wreck.
(Image via Fox Searchlight Pictures, found at WUNC)
The idea of
Birdman was brilliant. A washed up actor (Michael Keaton) known for playing a
superhero (*cough* Batman *cough*) wants to finally be taken seriously in his
acting (perhaps via a film such as this).
(Image via Universal Pictures, found at TMV Tours)
Boyhood has received nothing by praise and exultation
from many movie critics. The New York Times referred to it as ‘one of the most
extraordinary movies of the 21st century’, while Film Comment labeled it
‘wondrous’. Unfortunately, I did not agree, earning Boyhood a place on the list
of overrated films.
(Image via Universal Pictures, found at The Guardian)
Boyhood was filmed, written and directed over the
course of twelve years by Richard Linklater. The film uses the same actors and
watches as Mason literally grows up from a child of 6 to a young man of 18. Starring
Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents, and Lorelei Linklater as
his sister Samantha, Boyhood captures the struggles of growing up and
parenting.
I didn't entirely hate Boyhood. It does nostalgically
capture the moments of childhood and adolescence incorporating important scenes
of family relationships, milestones, school and work. However, I thought it was
at best, an average film with a production technique more interesting than the
actual film.
(Image via Universal Pictures, found at Forbes.com)
With a star studded cast including the likes of Sam
Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver (just to name a few) and director
James Cameron at the helm, Avatar created a hype and expectation of a
blockbuster for the ages. Yet, even with incredible and revolutionary Visual
Effects and Motion Capture Technology, 9 Academy Award Nominations (with wins
in Art Direction, Visual Effects and Cinematography), a rating of 7.9/10 on
IMDB and 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the Highest Worldwide Box Office Income in
history (Nearly $2.8 Billion), Avatar offers an almost incomprehensible plot
that drags outs over 3 hrs and leaves more questions than it answers. As
explained by James Cameron though: “Nah it’s all good, I’ll Just announce 3
more sequels” (Not actual quote)
