Cinematography Stills: Winter's Bone

Hello!

Today I am bringing you the photographic work of Michael McDonough the cinematographer responsible for the beautiful film, Winter's Bone.

Winter's Bone is such a beautiful expression of a slice of American culture that is hidden behind the veil. For those who have any awareness of this country outside of what is presented on television, know that the landscape of this film is strangely familiar, if on the peripheral of our everyday life.

I know people living in abject poverty. I know children who are charged with responsibilities far beyond their years. I know people addicted to meth. I know people who live a lifestyle far outside the regulations of common law. There are parts of the United States, places like the where I live, that seem operate in accordance with their own codes of conduct.

That is what I love about Winter's Bone. I am uninspired by the idyllic portrait of America we're constantly fed. I am uninterested in a country that is portrayed as the land of opportunity, or a place with white picket fences and apple pie in the window. Those of us who live in 'real' America know that our opportunities are limited even if we do work hard. And that is why we love Winter's Bone. It's because we know people like Ree (Jennifer Lawrence) and it is a portrait of the US that is far closer to our everyday realities than what we see on TV.

Winters Bone (2010)

Directed by: Debra Granik

Cinematography: Michael McDonough 

 

Watch this clip! It is hands down one of the best scenes from the entire film.

Winter's Bone is a very character driven film and so we see lots of theses close ups of the main players. That is what I particularly love about this film. There is a shallow depth of field throughout the film which really emphasizes the unease we feel throughout. Beautiful work. 

American Hustle: A Solid Piece of Cinema

American Hustle

Directed by: David O. Russell

Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence

Hello! I have a new review for you today. This time, it's David O. Russell's American Hustle. For those of you who follow this blog with any regularity you'll know that the real reason I saw this film was because of Jennifer Lawrence's supporting role. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the film was an incredible platform for all of the actors in this star-studded cast. 

American Hustle feels like cinema. It is not big explosions or body counts larger than a small midwest town. In fact, it's mostly talking, a lot of talking. While Lawrence was the big draw for me, I was also attracted to Russell's second big screen hit in the past two years and I had to see how using essentially the same cast of characters in a new film would play out. Silver Linings Playbook was a genuinely well crafted film that enjoyed quite a bit of success and I was eager to see what Russell was going to come up with next.

It should be said that I love films from the 1970's. Barbra Streisand, Faye Dunaway, Jane Fonda, and films like Klute, Chinatown and A Woman Under the Influence, are all such incredible expressions of an under appreciated era in American film culture. The 70's are distinct far beyond disco, the dark, gritty crime dramas influenced heavily by the Vietnam war, Civil Rights, Watergate and the Kennedy Assassination are like the Iron Age in American cinema. The gloss of Hollywood had fallen out of favor with audiences that were neck deep in the realness of the world. 

Fast-forward 40 years and it's a challenge for contemporary filmmakers to capture such an enigmatic time in society with any sense of authenticity. There is not only a particular look that needs to be replicated with the environment but there is also a unique attitude in the way people talked, walked and carried themselves. In some respects, American Hustle did a pretty good job capturing the feel of the the time, much of that came from Amy Adams in the role of con-artist Sydney Prosser.

Amy Adams has always been a non-entity on my radar. She has done some very reputable films and has always had a favorable view in the general populous. However, she never has made much of an impression on me. Until now. I was absolutely mesmerized by her performance, she was glowing. And it has nothing to do with her beauty, but her complete dedication to her role. She walked the walk, and talked the talk and when she put her hair in tight, slightly frizzy curls, she looked as if she walked out of a time machine straight out of 1978.

There is a great scene where Sydney and Irving (Christian Bale) have an argument in their hotel room. Sydney has decided that their relationship isn't working and she wants to break it off. She is crushed that despite the love they have for each other, he still feels obligated towards his wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) and their son. The break up is complicated because Sydney and Irving are intertwined in a federal bribery/fraud investigation and working as informants to avoid jail time. Sydney tells Irving that despite him breaking her heart, she is going to play her role perfectly (that of a wealthy British investor) and she is going to do everything she can to remind him of what he is losing as well as keep both of them out of jail.

During this conversation her hair is looks like a ginger Marcia Brady and she wears a long silk night gown like Faye Dunaway in Eyes of Laura Mars. The way she moves, her expressions, everything about Adams is great, she embodies the era with the cadence of her voice, and every gesture that she makes. Though it must be stated that with Adam's triumph, there was equal failure. 

I really liked this star studded cast. I think there was a truly great chemistry between the characters and the actors who played them. Though I am teetering of whether or not Bradley Cooper was the right choice for the role of the police investigator, Richie DiMasio. He seemed less dedicated to the authenticity of the role and seemed to get a little caught up in the theatrics. The 70's cop is an easy role to parody and very difficult to get right. His character was meant to supply some of the films comedy but in the end it was a bit of a lost opportunity.

Christian Bale surprised me in this film, and it's not because his performance wasn't satisfactory. In fact, the role of Irving Rosenfeld is somewhat outside of what we have come to expect from the Dark Knight himself. Bale has always been known to take on roles that are larger than life, but this did not keep with that trend, which isn't a bad thing. Irving is what I consider to be a meek character. He is caught between his love for Sydney and his obligation towards Rosalyn, he is a lousy, mid-grade con-artist and willing to sell out his friends to save his own skin. I found that this was a really interesting character for Bale and it was not, at all, what I was expecting.

The supporting cast in this film is pretty outstanding as well. Jennifer Lawrence really captured Irving's wife Rosalyn perfectly, and Rosalyn is a real piece of work. She is a fast talking, chain smoking wino whose level of irresponsibility and smart-assery are off the charts, she also supplies almost all of the comedy in the film. What I loved about her character was her compulsive need to be right, and to be validated in her rightness at all costs. She takes credit for things she had nothing to do with, and while it's played for laughs, one can see that she does it as a way to protect herself in a world and in a relationship where she feels vulnerable.

#scienceoven

My favorite scene in the film is when Irving, Dimasio, Sydney and Rosalyn all attend a fancy cocktail party that is crucial to Sydney's and Irving's con to entrap the people's politician Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner) in a bribe. Sydney is upset upon seeing Irving and the stunningly gorgeous Rosalyn together, but that doesn't even come close to the incensed look on Roslyn's face upon seeing Sydney staring her down. Rosalyn creates a scene and announces to everyone that Sydney is her husbands 'whore.' She fumes as men buy her drinks to calm her down.

Moments later, Sydney meets Rosalyn in the bathroom and starts telling her that she should leave Irving because she doesn't love him and knows he is sleeping around. Rosalyn launches into the most beautiful monologue in which she tells Sydney that, "sometimes in life all you have is a set of fucked up choices," then she laughs maniacally, kisses Sydney and walks out. It was hands down, the most perfectly executed scene in the entire film. Adams and Lawrence together are electric, and it has nothing to do with the kiss. They play off each other so well that I wish the film had been entirely about the two of them.

The biggest piece of criticism I have for this film is the cinematography. I was so, wildly disappointed. I felt like there was a pretty massive opportunity to do something truly gritty and 70's. They should have used some grainy film stock or bumped up the oranges, browns and grain in post. The film was far, far, far too glossy for my liking and it reminded me with every frame, that this was just an interpretation of the 70's, it didn't actually immerse me in the era. The film had its fleeting moments of cinematic beauty, but it still felt too contemporary. However, the overall production design was pretty flawless, though I think it would have been better served if the cinematography had been held up to a higher standard.

Overall, there is a lot to love about this film. It is not my favorite of the year, but it is worth seeing. They are pitching this film as a comedy but I didn't find it particularly comedic. I think a drama punctuated with some funny situations is a far better characterization. The biggest strength of this film is clearly the cast. The story is ok, I was interested in it, but it's not remarkable in any sense. I think the average person will thoroughly enjoy American Hustle. It's a solid, well executed film.

B : The film gets a solid B thanks to flawless performances by Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence and an interesting performance from Christian Bale. The film is fun, if a little heavy on the dialogue. The cinematography was disappointing for me, but it was slightly softened by great production design, interesting costumes.

Have you seen American Hustle? What did you think? Comment below! 

Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Shit Just Got Real...

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Directed By: Francis Lawrence

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland

Strap in ladies and gentlemen. 
I have written about The Hunger Games a few times in the past, if you want to catch up on what I've already said, check out The Hunger Games: Girls Rule and Hunger Games Trailer.

If you read this blog with any regularity you'll know that I am a huge Hunger Games fan and was extremely excited for the release of this film. So excited in fact, even my job couldn't supersede my desire to see this film and I left a pretty fancy event a bit early in order to make it to the theater.

The excitement and buzz in the theater was palpable and my eagerness was mirrored back in the faces and jittering of those around me. My friends and I talked about how great it feels to have something to help fill the vacuum left by the end of Harry Potter. While the Hunger Games is certainly no Harry Potter, this franchise film has a ton of power behind it and gives us a reason to go to the theater on a weekday.

There will obviously be those who say that the Hunger Games is pulpy young adult fiction without much substance, but I am not so quick to dismiss it. Currently, young adult books and the movies they spawn are huge. They are reaching audiences of all ages and resonating with people from many diverse demographics. I have discussed my dislike of the books in past reviews, so I am not going to compare the two at length. But the movies are strong and stand quite well on their own. It is not worth reading the books before you see the movie. This story plays much better on screen than it does in print.

Right out of the gate, Catching Fire has a bit of a different metabolism and a different tone than the first film. There is a marked sense of change which can only be the result of Gary Ross being replaced by Francis Lawrence in the directors chair. Besides capturing the theme more successfully than the first film, Catching Fire was far more cinematic in its execution, and more believable as a not too distant future universe.

Austrian director Francis Lawrence (no relation to star Jennifer Lawrence), is far less experienced than Gary Ross (The Hunger Games, Pleasantville), and 15 years his junior. But Lawrence comes from a different, more pop-culture perspective with films such as, Water for Elephants, Constantine, I am Legend as well as a decent collection of music videos for artists like Green Day, Britney Spears and OK Go. His sensibility works well with grandeur of this franchise whereas Gary Ross's more classical techniques were lost on a younger generation of viewers.

Catching Fire opens on the shore of an icy lake with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) crouched in silhouette against the silvery-blue forest landscape, her bow and arrows draped across her back. It was quite memorable, it's one of my favorite frames in the entire film. Katniss is unique in the current high grossing film climate, a female heroine is rare gem in a sea of male leading roles, though I see the trend changing. Opening with Katniss in such a powerful and stoic position really set the pace for this film.

It is easy to get drawn into the story whether or not you're a hardcore fan. We get a much closer look at District 12 and the nation of Panem which sets the stage for the rest of the series. In the beginning of the film Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) travel throughout the other 11 districts on a post-games 'Victory Tour.' Upon arriving in District 11, the nation of Panem, beyond Katniss's home district of 12, begins to come into focus. We see that widespread poverty, and militaristic security isn't limited to 12 and the inequality between the Capital and everywhere else is put in stark contrast.

This is perhaps one of the greatest strength of this film. Previously, we didn't get a chance to see the system that created the districts, the circumstances that lead to the inception of the Hunger Games or the political overtones entrenched in the theme of the story. However, much of that comes through in the first several scenes of Catching Fire. The source of these story elements come mostly from the dialogue scenes between President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Philip Seymour Hoffman is arguably the most significant addition to the cast. As head game maker he is vast in his talent, but he plays his character with great subtlety. While he has few scenes, with only a handful of lines, he leaves an impression. His scenes with Donald Sutherland are like watching two wise sages casually talk over glass of fine scotch. There is a calm, thoughtfulness that comes through in their scenes that balances the hysteria seen throughout the rest of the film.

I don't want to spoil too much because I am sure some of you who are reading this are waffling on whether or not it's worth the time and money to see this film. While this might not be the best movie of the year, and suffers from strange pacing and a less than inspiring Hollywood venire, it still has plenty of redeeming qualities. The biggest draw is clearly the cast. The long list of top actors and actresses from different eras is incredible and gives a significant amount of credibility to the film over all.

We are all very familiar with the leading lady Jennifer Lawrence as she is currently America's sweetheart, and my favorite person. The Kentucky born star won her first Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook last year and has been on a very unique trajectory for an actress of her age. She is not only capable of carrying a massive franchise on her back with grace and a sense of humor, she is also a truly great actress with no fear.

I was satisfied with Lawrence's performance, but it's far from her best work. Most of that comes down to the writing. I feel as if the writers were working to instill some humanity into Katniss's rather stoic personality and ended up making her look overly weepy. I hope to see the writers resist that urge moving forward as we can expect two more Hunger Games films.

One of my favorite scenes is when Katniss and Peeta arrive in Rue and Thresh's district, District 11. We see the families of both fallen tributes standing above the crowd in tears as Peeta expresses his heartfelt thanks to Rue and Thresh for their bravery and kindness. However, it is when Katniss steps up to the microphone and talks about her 'friend' Rue, and the unfairness of her death that may reduce fans to quiet sobs. Rue's face and name are used as motifs throughout Catching Fire as a symbol of deep, systemic injustice.

We also get great performances from Josh Hutcherson, who is perfect for the role of Peeta, Sam Claflin who plays Finnick Odair, and Lynn Cohen who plays Mags. I won't spoil too much about Mags because her scenes were some of my favorites and she really gives this movie the character depth it needed. Mags is mute and elderly but she volunteers herself for the Hunger Games in place of a young woman who was driven crazy. Mags is sweet and kind, and bravely saves Finnick, Peeta and Katniss in the arena and just like with Rue's death, it was such an unfair way to go.

However, the most exciting addition to the cast for me is Jena Malone, who despite tons of talent and an impressive indie resume, hasn't been involved in major studio films for the past few years. Some of her most notable films include the cult classics Saved!, Sucker Punch, Into the Wild, and Donnie Darko. Each of these films have a special place in my heart. Malone is rather underrated in my opinion and I think her role in Catching Fire is perfect.

Malone plays Johanna Mason, a previous winner of the Hunger Games who secretly teams up with other tributes to take on the Capital. Johanna is a badass, perhaps even more badass than Katniss. She is cut throat yet seductive. She is a blood thirsty killer, but compassionate. She is also angry, but uses her anger to propll herself and those around her forward. Malone is so much fun to watch and I was glad that she was used to the extent that she was. She was the unconventional choice and it paid off.

Even though I am a fan, that doesn't keep me from noticing the glaring flaws in this film. The most obvious is the writing. Although the film followed the books almost to the letter, there was very little interpretation on the part of the director which gives the film a humdrum by the book formula that isn't as much fun to watch.  The dialogue was also sloppy, unbalanced and far from effortless. The actors seemed like their mouths were full or words that weren't necessary to move the story forward. There are many scenes, especially early in the film involving Gale and Katniss that I felt the film could have done without in favor of more character development, especially for Peeta and Heavensbee.

The cinematography is unremarkable with its overly glossy Hollywood veneer. I was disappointed but not surprised, though it still took a bit of soul out of the film. There was a lost opportunity to do something unexpected, gritty, and dark especially within the arena. However the entire film was one dimensional and didn't seem to culminate into anything substantial. The film felt too perfect, too steril. The imagery lacked depth, landscapes disappeared into nothing, the technology lacked intricacy, and the people looked and moved like plastic dolls. The futuristic interpretation was a bit of an uninspired Bauhaus that lacked visual detail.

The film was focused too heavily on the overly bloated script and runs about two and a half hours. That isn't unusual for a film of this magnitude, but I didn't feel like it was necessary. They could have told the same story in two hours and cut out several scenes of dialogue if they had instead focused on the type of detail that allows audiences to draw inferences.

Overall, the film is great if you're a fan. Even if you're not a fan you'll probably enjoy at least some aspects of the film. The actors performances are good, and fun to watch. The cinematography isn't terrible and there are a few beautifully crafted scenes. But the film does feel a little bit like the middle child. Francis Lawrence is slated to finish out the rest of the franchise as director, so it feels like he paid less attention to Catching Fire and is hoping to make some real impressions with Mockingjay Part 1 & 2. I hope that's the case.


B- : Great for fans, fun to watch, good acting, but the writing is bloated, cinematography is stale, the film lacked depth.




What did you think of the second installment of the Hunger Games series? Comment Below!

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE TRAILER

Oh. My. Sweet Mother Goddess above! The Hunger Games: Catching Fire trailer is out, and needless to say I am jumping out of my chair. Any of you who know me, know that I absolutely love the Hunger Games. Prepare to see several Hunger Games updates over the next couple months.  It is a close second to my obsession with Harry Potter, and Star Wars, which have been the center of my nerdy fandom for the majority of my life. Iron Man is pretty high on my list too but, like the Hunger Games, it has been a more recent fixation. But there is certainly something special about Katniss Everdeen and her distpoic universe that just sucks me in.

I loved The Hunger Games books, despite the fact that they're not exactly the pinnacle of literary achievement. While Susan Collins's writing is a bit sloppy in my opinion, the story is strong and it's the perfect series, tailor made for the screen. While box office dollars are not the best gauge of cinematic achievement, the first Hunger Games film, directed by Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, Pleasentville), maxed out at about $700 million dollars world wide, which is quiet an achievement. $700 million that was well deserved. 

The real star was clearly Jennifer Lawrence who, more than any other person involved in the franchise, has made the Hunger Games explode. I love Jennifer Lawrence. She's my favorite. Not just because of her genuinely quirky charm, but because she is an incredible actress with a wide range of skills. She has a bravery and an integrity not seen very often in the young and super famous. She's the actress who dives right in without abandon, with no apologies, and no asterisks. I respect that. The fact that she is so legit has really done wonders for the reputation of The Hunger Games film(s).

If you question Jennifer Lawrence's talent, go watch Winter's Bone. It will blow your mind. It is a film that despite the critical acclaim was still WILDLY underrated. Jennifer Lawrence's acting is just the tip of the iceberg with the film. The written and direction by Debra Granik and cinematography by Michael McDonough, are incredible. It's a beautifully articulated piece of art. It pulls Lawrence out of the Emma Watson/Kirsten Stewart teen romance territory and places her firmly in a much higher class of actress. 

Jennifer Lawrence has done Hollywood the old fashioned way with lots of, hard work, talent, charm and a healthy dose of smart-assery. The Hunger Games role was lucky, like Emma Watson's Harry Potter or Kirsten Stewart's Twilight. But Lawrence has proven herself as a quality working actress having achieved an Oscar at the age of 22 for her starring role in Silver Linings Playbook. There are people in Hollywood who work 60 years, star in dozens, if not hundreds of films, and never come close to what Lawrence has achieved before being legally able to rent a car. Let that sink in.

But there are so many other things to appreciate about The Hunger Games besides Jennifer Lawrence. I also happen to be a huge fan of Woody Harrelson, ever since I saw White Men Can't Jump when I was just a kid. He's a damn good actor with a wide range and an interesting perspective. His role as the drunken Haymitch provides dark comedic relief. There is also the adorable Josh Hutcherson, as Peeta Melark, and Elizabeth Banks, as Effy.

There are also lots of new and surprising additions to the Hunger Games cast. The most significant is clearly the brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman. He, like Lawrence has really upped the legitimacy of the franchise. 

When asked why an Academy Award winning actor would get involved in what has been considered a 'teen drama' Hoffman said, "I liked the people involved. It's a great group of actors. It's a great environment. And the character was something I was attracted to. It was an interesting role. He's somebody who's part of the revolution, but you don't know it. The idea that somebody would be risking themselves in such an extreme way to join something that's dangerous because he think it's the future...that's interesting stuff, you know?" 

Also joining the cast is Jena Malone who is among my favorite young actresses. My first introduction to Malone was her role in Saved, which is a classic film for anyone in their mid-20's. She also had a very interesting role in Sucker Punch (2011), where she played a concubine/warrior in the sci-fi-esque action movie. Malone usually works in the independent arena, so to see her in Catching Fire is really exciting. 

Rounding out the star studded cast is Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz, Stanly Tucci and Sam Claflin. 

If you've read the books, you know that Catching Fire is when shit starts to get real. If the slaughter of children for the sake of entertainment wasn't enough, we get to see the Capital's systematic brutality towards the citizens of Panam.

While this was just the teaser trailer, I am a little dismayed that they didn't show any of the tropical area that dominates the story of Catching Fire. The images inside of the various districts are quite compelling, and the fashion is absolutely stunning. But I am hoping we get a glimpse of the arena in the next trailer. 

So, here's the teaser trailer. Bask in the glory of Jennifer Lawrence and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be released November 22nd 2013

Pictures off of google. 

Find Your Silver Lining: Silver Linings Play Book

Silver Linings Plybook

Directed by: David O. Russell

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro

Directed by David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook is a look at a modern American life and the strange and often uncomfortable truths we deal with in our relationships. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of romantic comedies. I find that 90% of the time they portray unrealistic expectations of men and women, and appeal to the lowest common denominator. But, before you go running for hills, in an attempt to avoid sappy dialogue and cliche themes, let me say that this film does romantic comedy right.

What makes this film funny is its honest portrayal of two damaged people and their stubborn unwillingness to accept or deal with reality. The film follows Pat (Bradley Cooper), a bipolar man recently released from a psychiatric facility and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) a young widow with a sorted past and a less than flattering reputation.  It is not clear from the beginning what Pat did to land himself in the psyche ward, and we meet him as he returns to his parents house and starts to readjust to a regular life.

Tiffany is an amazing character, however, I don't know how much of my opinion of her comes from my love of Jennifer Lawrence. Tiffany is the sister of Pat's best friend's wife and lives in a converted garage in her parents back yard. She is highly emotional and says what she feels when she feels it. She has a spit-fire attitude and is incredibly reactionary to the people and situations around her. While she can be over the top, she is mostly fragile and emotionally unstable after the accidental death of her young husband. We see her go from aloof, to enraged in seconds, causing scenes without any reservation. We all know a crazy chick like Tiffany, but the film taps into the nuance of her character and shows us what makes her the way she is. She is not a weak woman, she is very real in all her beauty and chaos.

Tiffany's character can be summed up by one particular scene. The first time she goes out with Pat, he takes her to a cheap diner and orders cereal, to prove that they were not on a date. The two begin to discuss their messy lives in graphic detail. Pat discusses his relationship issues with his wife and his time in the hospital, and Tiffany talks about how many people she slept with after the death of her husband. Pat insists that everyone else is to blame for his problems, and that he is a victim of circumstance, while she was clearly just crazy slut.

This accusation sets Tiffany off, and she flies into a rage complete with yelling, smashing dishes, and storming off. Pat follows her out onto the street and we see a glimpse into Tiffany's inner dialogue as she chastises Pat for judging her. She goes through a rapid succession of emotions, from angry to hurt to vengeful to apologetic, in just a few minutes. It is the type of emotional roller-coaster a lot of people can relate to.

Pat is also a deeply complex character and is played perfectly by Bradley Cooper. In the words of my friend, "damn, who knew Bradley Cooper could act?" Pat is a former teacher and on the outside a generally normal guy. But we learn thought out the course of the film that he was in the hospital after nearly beating his wife's lover to death in a fit of bi-polar rage. He was sentenced to 8 months in a psychiatric facility and served a restraining order by his estranged wife Nikki (Brea Bee).

Pat is obsessed with Nikki and believes he can win her back if he loses weight and gets his illness under control. He adopts the slogan, "find your silver lining" as his mantra and desperately tries to find the good in every situation, even when things are clearly out of control. While it seems like a good practice for someone being treated for mental illness, we see how self-destructive he can be. He is manic and hyped up all the time, and seems to never sit still. You can can't tell when Pat is going to laugh or fly off the handle at any given time and it causes everyone around him to walk on egg shells.

As a condition of his release, Pat was put into the care of his parents. Pat Sr. (Robert DeNiro) and Dolores (Jacki Weaver). As older parents of an adult child, they are unsure how to act around their son. They are torn between wanting to allow him freedom, and wanting him to stick to a routine with medication and therapy. Pat Sr. and Dolores urge Pat to forget Nikki and focus on himself and family. But Pat ignores these requests and follows his own selfish path which puts him at odds with his concerned family and friends.

The most compelling scene in the film starts when Pat finishes talking with his therapist and returns home to look for his wedding video. He starts out calm, checking closets and boxes, but quickly becomes angry. Dolores comes in and attempts to help him look for the video, in hopes of calming Pat down. The situation becomes out of hand as Pat loses control, tearing apart his room and yelling. Pat Sr. intervenes and beings to fight with Pat which causes Dolores to become hysterical. The whole situation dissolves to the point that Pat hits his mother, knocking her to the ground. Pat Sr. then pins Pat to the bed. Pat relents as he gains control over himself and begins crying and apologizing.

The pain and the shame reflected in him in that moment underscores the struggle Pat faces daily, and how his mantra, while lacking in substance, seems to be the only thing that gives him a sense of control.  We also see the confusion and helplessness Pat Sr. feels looking down at his crying son. I think the film does a good job of portraying the difficulty mentally ill people face and lack of control their families feel. Robert DeNiro does an amazing job portraying Pat's obsessive compulsive, football crazy father, who blames himself for Pat's illness.

American culture has this resistance to dealing with mental health issues. When mentally ill people are portrayed in film, they are often portrayed as the villain, or lack nuance and complexity. What struck me about Silver Linings Playbook was the humanistic way they approached Pat's issues with being bi-polar and Tiffany's struggle with grief.

But it is not all serious, there are lots of comedic moments provided throughout the film by supporting characters like Danny (Chris Tucker) and Ronnie (John Ortiz). Danny is Pat's friend from the psychiatric facility who is always sneaking out of the hospital to see Pat. He portrays the lighter side of mental illness with his quirky enthusiasm and obsession with hair. Ronnie is married to Tiffany's older sister Veronica (Julia Stiles) and struggles to live up to her expectations and expensive taste. Ronnie is over all a good husband, but he is the type who complains about his wife behind her back, but always smiles and tries his hardest to please while in her presence.

The film unfolds rather predictably to be honest, and at the end of the film all the loose ends are tied up, which audiences love. After careful consideration I have concluded that all the accolades and the 8.1 rating on IMDB are all a bit overrated. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this film and it is absolutely worth seeing. But you will be rather disappointed if you go in expecting to see something new. It is a great movie about an often hidden side of the American family, but the cut and dry nature of it doesn't really feel right in the end.

(Ladies, if you are having a hard time talking your man into seeing this movie, tell him that they talk a lot of football, especially if he's a Eagle's fan.)

B+ : Over all a great film and worth seeing, but a bit too predictable in my opinion. It would be rather forgettable if it wasn't for all the award nominations/wins.


Pictures off of google

THE HUNGER GAMES: GIRLS RULE

The Hunger Games

Directed By: Gary Ross

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson

The Hunger Games has finally arrived in theaters, to my extreme excitement. I read the books very recently, and, like many fans before me, I got sucked into this incredibly addicting story immediately. I have shared my opinion on the books, in earlier posts, so I will not bore you with my criticisms of Suzanne Collins. However, what is clear, is that Lions Gate finally has a winning franchise on its hands. The Hunger Games has enjoyed 4+ weeks at the top of the box office to date, and has grossed over 500 million dollars.

Hunger Games Cast

It has taken me some time to gather my thoughts about this film. I watched it a few more times and did a bit of research on the actors, crew and production. I wanted to make sure that my review was not completely tainted by my fandom. I wanted to see if I could approach this review from a place of understanding, rather than a place of emotion.

Firstly, I am going to say, I am not going to compare this film to the Japanese blood-bath, Battle Royale, or the botched abortion that is Twilight. Just about every review I've read has mentioned one or both of these films as a way to delegitimize The Hunger Games. I reject the premise that just because a story has roots in an older idea, that it is somehow not as good.

No idea is original. The absolute hubris involved in claiming 100% originality, especially when it comes to literature, and its offspring, theater and narrative film, is mind-boggling. So repress the urge to brush something aside just because its 'been done before,' especially if you consider yourself a student of film and art.

The Hunger Games is a pretty simple concept. In a future American distopia, 12 districts are ruled by the brutal Capital. In payment for the rebellion of their forefathers, every year, each district must give up two young people between the ages of 12 to 17 to fight to the death. The entire event is broadcast on TV and is mandatory viewing for all citizens.

Not everyone is going to like this film, and it suffers from a great many flaws. But overall, I think it's enjoyable, for those of us who read the book and are fans. I don't know if the film plays as well for audience members who are not familiar with the story. I thought the book was rather predictable, and I felt the movie followed suit. The predictability is not a bad thing, and I think that is part of this story's appeal. You know Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is chosen as tribute, and you know she is going to win, but nevertheless you want to take that journey with her.

The film is quite refreshing for those of us who love these types of films. It is a rarity for big blockbusters to have a female heroine who is strong, independent, and capable of doing more than pining over boys, talking about shoes, and suffering though high school. I think this film proves that there is a place for women and girls in this genera and that they can generate just as much buzz and box office returns as their male counterparts.

Unfortunately, this film is far from perfect and I am sure my criticisms will be shared by many. I think the number one biggest, (but understandable) mistake was the PG-13 rating. I understand that the rating was set in stone from the beginning in order to ensure teen fans would be able to see it. But it did a great disservice to the film. Part of the appeal of this story is the violence and they cut the film off at the knees, and made it watered down and soft.

The film also suffers from a lot of jarring camera movement. I personally love this style and use it quite often in my own films. But I understand that for some accustomed to a more traditional shooting style, the handheld becomes too distracting. On one hand, the shaky cam emphasizes the driving nature of the film, but on the other hand, it is relentless and there is not enough variety.

Overall though, the cinematography was one of the high points of this film, which is not surprising coming from veteran Tom Stern. The lighting was great, and the general look and feel was just right. I was afraid the film would take effects too far, especially the scenes in the Capital, and it would become cartoonish. But I think Ross and Stern showed a lot of restraint by approaching it from the reality point of view instead of the sci-fi point of view.

Our heroine, Katniss, played by Jennifer Lawrence is perfect. Lawrence is poised to be a huge star, and it's not just her girl next door appeal. She's the young starlet for a generation sick and tired of air heads, and fame whores. As Katniss, she's one of those girls who lives in the shadows, not because she isn't beautiful, not because she isn't smart, but because she has more on her mind than young love and pretty dresses. Katniss is a hunter, a caregiver, a breadwinner, a fighter, and not about to take shit from anyone. I think there is a part of all girls that wish they could be more like Katniss, which is why this franchise is going to be so massive.

The film has a decent supporting cast. It stars one of my all time favorites, Mr. Woody Harrelson as the perpetually drunk tribute mentor Haymitch, and Elizabeth Banks, as the uptight, clown faced Effie. The two play quite well off of each other and I think its safe to say that this is one of Banks's best roles to date. Too long has she suffered in B-movies and crappy TV shows. Too long I say! I am happy to see Banks in this film and she did quite well.

The film also stars Josh Hutcherson as the all too adorable and romantic Peeta Mellark and Miley Cyrus's boyfriend, as Gale, Katniss's ruggedly handsome hunting buddy, who does little more than look good. Hutcherson, is the perfect Peeta, gentle, slight, and great at looking like he's in pain. I am excited to see how the 'love triangle' plays out in the next films. It is not the most interesting part of the book, but Huterson and Lawrence have great on screen chemistry and I want to see more.

So if you want to see this movie, see it in theaters, if you don't have any interest in this franchise then go ahead and skip it. You wont be missing anything mind blowing. However, there are 2 more movies coming out over the next few years, and the word is, Gary Ross is out, and they will be bringing on a new director. So, don't put this to bed quite yet. The Hunger Games still has some surprises to come.

B- : Great cast, entertaining, but far too soft.