Friday, May 28, 2010

The Rachel Papers (1973 Novel), Martin Amis

Overall Rating:
(out of 5)
This book can be very hard to read... in fact, it may take multiple reads to fully understand this one. I'd liken the style of this book with that of the movie "The History Boys"... Both of them are so intelligent, creative, and witty, that it can leave you feeling sort of stupid. This is a great read though, very risque, but also hugely unique.

The Story:
(out of 5)
A teenage boy, trying to get into Oxford, lives his life as a play... rather than just living it, he plans out every moment of his life, keeps papers for each person he knows, etc etc. He meets a girl named Rachel, and perhaps is experiencing his first true love.

Characters:
(out of 5)
Charles Highway: The main character.
Rachel Noyes: The girl with whom Charles falls in love. Her only previous lover is a boy named DeForest, who moved there from New York.
Believability:
(out of 5)
Its a little hard to believe that a person can live their life like that, but I'm sure there's some people crazy enough out there. This guy's adventures, family, and friends are a riot; it definitely keeps you on your toes.

Weight:
(out of 5)
Perhaps after a couple reads the weighty issue at hand would come clear, but at the first its all a little mind boggling. However, this man's imagery will stay with you forever.

Style:
(out of 5)
Like I said, this book kind of makes you feel stupid... the common knowledge within this book is only held among a select few of the US population, I'd say. He has great imagery and style, and I'd definitely read his other books.

Spun (2002), Jonas Akerlund

Genre: Comedy, Drama
Overall Rating:
(out of 5)
I think I would've liked this movie a lot more if it didn't seem like just a cheap ripoff of "Requiem for a Dream." Sure, its a bit different... and its definitely a lot cornier... but that really irked me.  This movie is pretty funny at times, extreme at others.  If you liked Requiem, or like movies like it, go ahead and watch it... otherwise definitely back off from this one.

The Story:
(out of 5)
1 Point: Interesting
2 Points: Original
1 Point: Unpredictable
1 Point: OMGZ
We follow a college drop out through his journey and payments in order to get his hands on some meth.  He goes to his usual setup with no luck, and so is led by a pretty girl to her boyfriend's motel room where he cooks the stuff up himself.  In payment, he has to drive them around whenever they need.

Characters:
(out of 5)
1 Point: Well-Played
1 Point: Original
1 Point: Relatable
1 Point: Emotional Attachment
1 Point: OMGZ
Ross (Jason Schwartzman): The college drop out who finds himself in a helluva rut due to his meth addiction.
Nikki (Brittany Murphy): I love her so much.  She's brilliant in this role.  She's the trashy-esque meth addict whose boyfriend makes it all himself.

Believability:
(out of 5)
1 Point: No Disbelief
1 Point: Well-Explained
1 Point: Characters Fit Conceivably
1 Point: Not Foolishly Omniscient
1 Point: OMGZ
Eh, drugs are huge.  It happens.  
Weight:
(out of 5)
1 Point: Relatable Lives
1 Point: Relatable Choices
1 Point: "Wow" Moments
1 Point: Lasting
1 Point: OMGZ
This is forgotten easily.  Doesn't have nearly as much impact as Requiem.  

Visual:
(out of 5)
2 Points: Visual Quality
1 Point: Unique Visual Perspective
1 Point: Special Effects
1 Point: OMGZ
You could say the visuals were unique, but again, its really kind of a cheap ripoff of Requiem.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

American Beauty (1999), Sam Mendes

Genre: Drama
Overall Rating:
(out of 5)
So... I love this movie.  Just watching the trailer got me all worked up.  I first saw this movie many years ago, and yet it seems at least once a month since something has reminded me of it.  This movie is beautiful... and if you haven't seen it yet, you better get yo ass to BlockBuster stat.

The Story:
(out of 5)
1 Point: Interesting
2 Points: Original
1 Point: Unpredictable
1 Point: OMGZ
A typical, suburban father starts to realize the patheticness of his own life.  His mid-life crisis consists of quitting his job with a bang, buying a sports car, getting a job at a local fast food restaurant, experimenting with drugs with his new teenage neighbor, and fantasizing about his daughter's best friend. 

Characters:
(out of 5)
1 Point: Well-Played
1 Point: Original
1 Point: Relatable
1 Point: Emotional Attachment
1 Point: OMGZ
Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacy): The suburbanite going through his mid-life crisis.  Spacey is a god.
Carolyn Burnham (Annette Bening): Lester's wife, who deals with her depressing marriage in a more active and sexual way.
Jane Burnham (Thora Birch): Lester and Carolyn's daughter, a not so popular girl who is best friends with a pretty and sexual blonde.  
Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley): The Burnham's new neighbor, he takes an interest in beauty most people don't see (including that within Jane).

Believability:
(out of 5)
1 Point: No Disbelief
1 Point: Well-Explained
1 Point: Characters Fit Conceivably
1 Point: Not Foolishly Omniscient
1 Point: OMGZ
Nothing is far-fetched.  I'm sure this type of thing happens time and time again.  

Weight:
(out of 5)
1 Point: Relatable Lives
1 Point: Relatable Choices
1 Point: "Wow" Moments
1 Point: Lasting
1 Point: OMGZ
This movie will stay with you til the end of eternity.  Its beautiful, weighty, gorgeous, relatable... you will see yourself or those close to you in many of these characters.

Visual:
(out of 5)
2 Points: Visual Quality
1 Point: Unique Visual Perspective
1 Point: Special Effects
1 Point: OMGZ
As goes with the title, this film is beautiful and captures the most looked over beauties of life.