Goodfellas - Trailer - (1990) - HQ I first want to start off and say that no movie has better imagery. Bold opinion to write down. (And of course maybe my opinion will change when the sequel to tenet comes out.) The camera work is fantastic. And what I mean specifically when I say that is that the camera movement is pulled off masterfully. To an untrained eye, it's hardly noticeable when the camera is zooming in as it dollies out. Or that the sequence where Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco are at the Copacabana is opened with a flawless one-shot. It's all just beautiful. The cinematography is made even better by the production design. Because what good is well-executed camerawork if there isn't a beautiful setting to capture? What I like of the production design is the use of warm tones that often contrast with the neutral or dark outfits that the mob bosses are wearing. What pairs nicely with a film that is visually appealing? A good story! A story that introduced us to a world we rarely see. Unless that is exactly the world you are part of, then you get to see yourself on screen! How cool! The script does a good job of explaining what exactly is so intoxicating about the lifestyle and not just from the eyes of the main character. And through catharsis, the audience can live that exciting life for two hours and twenty six minutes. And then go to sleep that night soundly knowing that police helicopters aren't looming over them. Scorsese assembled a great cast of actors to pull this story off. If you go to the Goodfellas IMDB, there's some really interested trivia there like "According to Henry Hill, whose life was the basis for the book and film, Joe Pesci's portrayal of Tommy DeSimone was 90-99% accurate, with one notable exception; the real Tommy DeSimone was massively built." Highly recommend you check it out! Yes this is a film about gangsters, but at the core this film really revolves around complicated family relationships: Some would say the Paul Thomas Anderson handles this subject expertly. And he does. However, I feel like not enough credit is due toward Scorsese. Families and broken families at that seem to be a common string throughout his films from Goodfellas to The Departed to Hugo. Complicated family relationships are a topic Scorsese seems to frequently grapple with and he shows it in different ways to this day. What would enrich your viewing experience? 10 years before Goodfellas was released, Scorsese premiered another film: Raging Bull. And perhaps you can appreciate Goodfellas more by watching how the filmmaker grew as an artist over time yet seeing the elements which stayed consistent. Raging bull has similar camera movement yet the film is shot mostly in black and white. The story in Raging Bull is also told retrogressively. Much like Goodfellas, Raging Bull is based on a true story. It stars Robert De Niro as well!

One movie I watched recently that stuck quite heavily in my mind long after was One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest. I had seen this performed as a stage play when I was younger. Though as I've slowly made my way through the AFI top 100 list this year, I had not known quite what to expect from this film. Pleasantly, I found respect. There are layers to this film and as the audience, we can disagree with some characters' morality, and view on the grander scale what a beautiful story this is. Cinematography is pivotal in any film. But what struck out to me were the many reaction shots that perhaps tell the story better than the dialogue. As I said. Layers. In many scenes we hardly see the person talking but rather how the others around them are handling the situation at hand. It drives home this topic of voyeurism. As an audience member, I felt that I was in the ward. And eagerly, I was looking out to see how the others who I'd became acquainted with. Though I could not speak with any characters, I was within the action. I was voyeur. Looking in. I saw moments where people thought nobody was looking at them. Silently, I could pass my own judgement as the events unfolded in front of me. And the best part about that is that there was no way that I could be reprimanded in the consequences of the action. Something story-wise that stuck out to me with this film was the boat scene. On a grander scale. It represented the drastic lengths people will go to for an opportunity to feel free. To feel normal. And the same theme is explored in the movie Shawshank Redemption. It is an essential part of the human condition. It's mentally ruinous to be caught up in a relationship where permanently you are the subordinate. Doubly ruinous if you have no free-will. And I very much hope you never find yourself in that spot. But it also reminds us free-folk that simple joys mean the most. So in turn we appreciate our own lives much more (or rather we should. Quick question, do you appreciate your life? Leave a comment!) I know that in the novel, this narrative is told through Chief and Chief is the main character. And you can imagine the disagreements the writer of the novel had with the people who made this movie. Ultimately, I agree with the filmmaker's decision to make R.P McMurphy the main character. Not only because it's made the action more dynamic but it makes the ending much more of a surprise. Chief is a great character, I do not discount that. I admire the stoicism that allowed him to carry on as he did. And it isn't often that stories involve a character like him. And realistically, Chief reminded me of what Victor Frankenstein referred to as the 'Demon' in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. So as a writer, I've taken notes and hope to find an opportunity to draw on Chief as inspiration. SPOILER: I really think that McMurphy didn't want to escape. I think he had become tired of his own shenanigans. And I think with the others in the ward, he found a companionship he never had before. People as well that were around him not just because they had to be. And he wanted to belong. Had he left and trust me, he would have if he wanted to, his life would have become more of the same things he had been doing before. So yes, it may have killed him in the end, but doesn't that show the most profound character development?

I am surprised this film is not considered a classic. I think it possesses many of the elements that other classics do. Or perhaps that is just what I see only in my minds eye. For me, this film reads like a Jane Austen novel yet it is set in the Edwardian Era and in takes place in two very important geographic locations. One of which being the lovely, picturesque city of Florence. Where the music and art are pleasing to all five senses. The second being the lovely Surrey (SURREY! THAT’S WHERE I GREW UP) which can feel a bit more staunch or reserved when it comes to social practice though it is a gentle and polite environment in which to relax in. The settings themselves enhance the action of the story as each one either accentuates through contrast or absorbs the characters within itself. The plot can very easily be summed up by one of the film’s own characters, Eleanor Lavish, an expatriate British novelist known for her pulpy yet popular prose. "A young girl, transfigured by Italy! And why shouldn't she be transfigured? It happened to the Goths!" It is rare that we find a movie in which Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith get to share a screen. These heralded actresses have been good friends for decades and yet they’ve only appeared in five movies total (don’t you worry. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel will indeed be up for discussion one week). Other recognizable faces make their first impressions on the silver screen in this film. Most notably miss Helena Bonham Carter is debuted in the leading role. Other actors featured early on in their careers are Rupert Graves (Death at a Funeral, Sherlock) and Daniel Day-Lewis (Literally any movie. Pick any movie. He’s in it). The film was released in 1985. A Room with a View was made by British Director/Producer pair Merchant Ivory and written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Like any great piece set in the Edwardian Era, class is an outlined topic brought up. Yet in the way it is done, it seems only to reflect and distinguish in a bad light those peripheral characters who bring it up disparagingly toward their “subordinates”. The contrast of cultures also come into play here. The group of British tourists are out of their element in heat of Florence. Whereas back in England, it can be clear that Lucy (our heroine) is feeling out of sorts in what supposedly is her home. The greatest theme comes from another line early in the film and has impacted my own actions since my last viewing. The reverend makes a comment to Lucy after she’s had a turn with the piano about what she might be if she were to live as vibrantly as she played. Perhaps our actions should be less restrained. I mean, what would your life look like if you wouldn’t hold back? And to end this, I want to share perhaps my favorite quote from any film ever. "He's the sort who can't know anyone intimately, least of all a woman. He doesn't know what a woman is. He wants you for a possession, something to look at, like a painting or an ivory box. Something to own and to display. He doesn't want you to be real, and to think and to live. He doesn't love you. But I love you. I want you to have your own thoughts and ideas and feelings, even when I hold you in my arms."

Our Honest Book Club of the week is an entire Twilight saga because if we’re being honest, we’ve already seen these films haven’t we? The cultural phenomenon that kicked off careers for some and not so much for others and has us still today thinking that our opinion as fans can influence character’s choices. Say what you want about the series (actually please do. In the comments!) but this was made with heart. People that truly cared about a book series written by first-timer Stephanie Meyer and created something of a zeitgeist when the books became motion pictures. I will be honest as this is the ‘honest book club’. These aren’t great movies to revisit especially when it comes to the visual effects. But that is actually what I enjoy so much about this saga. These films are time capsules of eras that have long past us. The style of clothing scored by genres of music in which both have gone out of style since. Our technology can now masterfully pull off visual effects that weren’t executed so well in these films. Most notably our cultural values have evolved drastically that these films feel as though they are from a different America. So even though we’re long past the years between 2008 and 2012, this saga still remains within our hearts and minds. And I was hoping that if I make this ENTIRE SAGA the HBC of the week that hopefully one of my readers will know or have at least some idea why. So if you have an idea as to why or how, do share! Also do you have a favorite movie (or book) within the saga? And most importantly, are you team Edward or team Jacob?

You wake up one day and you are the only one who can remember The Beatles. What an interesting concept just to start out with. And in 2019, Universal Studios released the film ‘Yesterday’ based on this idea. Directed by Danny Boyle and screenplay by Richard Curtis, this film (for me) eeks out nostalgia for my upbringing in England and part of why it is this week’s Honest Book Club title. Among other things in this film, I love the recurring gag every time Jack (our protagonist) finds something else in addition to The Beatles that has been erased from human memory! Dialogue with humor and verisimilitude (or likeness to real life) is what keeps me coming back to this movie no matter the mood or time of day. If I were to be completely honest, the music that The Beatles made (though I know it well) has rarely crossed my mind. So a film like this serves as a polite reminder that there is really great music out there I do not touch on very often. With a soundtrack like that, you know you should be glad (yeah yeah yeah). For such a high-budget studio film, something that stuck out to me was the actors seem well, inexperienced. While Lily James is a literal Disney princess, we have a protagonist played by an actor making his first appearance on the big screen (Himesh Patel, he is outstanding!) The only other recognizable faces were comedy-actress Kate Mckinnon and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeren (a non-actor… if we don’t count GOT). Compared to other studio films that are studded with as many stars as they can find. And there is a reason that studios do this too. It is in order to minimize risks when it comes time to market the film and shove movie-goers through the box-office and into the chairs. So knowing this, I appreciate Universal even more for their casting decisions when it came to this film! What was your favorite part of the film? Do you have a favorite Beatles song that Jack covers in the film? Is there a Beatles pun that I should have worked into this tidbit?

In celebration of America’s independence, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is HBC’s movie of the week! From the iconic director of american cinema, Frank Capra. Starring also my all time favorite actor, Jimmy Stewart. Now, in my own opinion, I think this is a very good film. I think you also will like it. What seems to me most earnest about it is the patriotism it shows when this film came out in between wartimes (1939). Meaning this movie was made without any illicit propagandistic intention (like say ‘Casablanca’). This movie displays the moral of standing up doing the right thing even when others do not (a classic Capra move!) Jean Arthur embodies the smart yet jaded Saunders in a fantastic manner as well. Her character shows that by supporting those you believe in, you can make a difference. Even if something keeps you from being on that senate floor, there is still a power that you hold yourself. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington encourages us all to show more compassion and earnest behavior. This film is simply stunning too. While the focus in some shots seem to be soft (and not meant for viewing on a 4k TV in my living room). This film contains some of the greatest cinematography I’ve seen. If this movie were to be made today, technicolor simply wouldn’t do. Cinematographer Joseph Walker honed the power of contrast marvelously. Especially in the “stolen footage” where Jimmy Starwart is visiting the national landmarks around Washington D.C. Let me know if you agree! The college student may say that our country belongs to landed gentry. The nihilist would say that this country belongs to those who buy it. (While the Zionist could say this whole country belongs to Israel!) But what this movie says is that America belongs to We The People. Yes there is corruption and yes our elected officials bend to greed at times. However, there is a way for good yet to proceed. The power of our government derives solely from the consent of the governed (that’s us!)

Tim Burton kicked off an entire decade of great art when in 1990, Edward Scissorhands premiered. And that film, my friends, is the honest book club of this week. Starring Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp in the titular role. (Oh boy do I love the term ‘titular’.) This film features Vincent Price’s last performance on the silver screen. TRIVIA TIME! These on-screen lovers were lovers in real life at the time as well. Funny enough, the idea for Edward Scissorhands came from a drawing Burton drew when he was a kid. And finally, the name ‘Edward’ was based on the screenwriter’s (Caroline Thompson’s) dog. Any film directed by Tim Burton is going to come with its expectations. As movie-lovers, we sit ourselves down and expect a Tim Burton movie to take on a certain aesthetic with a very muted color palette. And do not get me wrong, there are scenes where this monochromatic color palette comes into play. But what’s brilliant about Edward Scissorhands is how those scenes are juxtaposed with the rest of the film. The setting primarily takes place in bright colorful suburbia. What Tim Burton somehow managed to pull off was being able to make us dread the imagery we associate most with happiness and yearn for the comfort of the cold dark castle on the hill. Juxtaposition plays an even greater role when it comes to showing the individual qualities that the seemingly-generic housewives all have. The film really takes place in its own world. Because of that and many other great technical aspects of the movie, Edward Scissorhands has aged phenomenally well. You could tell me this film came out within the last ten years or that it came out in the 70s or both. And I would indeed believe both. Timelessness is very hard to master in a film and Burton absolutely nailed it! This film plays a role as well in educating the aspiring filmmaker. You see, Tim Burton had originally planned for the film to be a musical. According to Burton "it seemed big and operatic to me". Obviously the idea was not carried through to fruition. Edward Scissorhands, though not a musical, is still a big and operatic movie which remains culturally significant to this day. I treat this as a lesson that artistic visions can change. And sometimes less really is more. There is a lesson within this movie too of how to blend the amalgamation of your own life experiences with ideas unique to you.

For this week’s honest book club, I want us all to watch the pilot episode to the cult series phenomena Twin Peaks. From the year 1990 and shot on location in Washington. This series was created by none other than Mark Frost and David Lynch. There is so much I want to say on this show. And I could go on for eons about what I love about just every character. But I will keep my mouth shut for this once. I am eager for my audience to give it a watch and develop their own opinions over the ensemble that makes life in the small town of Twin Peaks so lively. This show, if anything, is a variety. I started the first and every episode after that in a state of peace while watching perhaps the most peaceful title sequence to In one moment, you’ve got gooseflesh and you are scared that a certain “bob” is going to get you. You’re perplexed in the next moment, anxious to see the next big reveal. But after that, you’re laughing at silly nonsense that exists only on autor David Lynch’s whim. One shining question is on my mind: > WHO KILLED LAURA PALMER

This week’s honest book club is a very special film based on a true story set in 1930s Austria. It is the Sound of Music. From the year 1965, Julie Andrews and the late Christopher Plummer dazzled the screen with their opposing personalities. What’s funny to think about while watching is the fact that the local Austrians did not know what film was in production at the time. Before certain scenes were shot, officials had to give notice around town so the locals wouldn’t freak out at the sight of set decorations such as the flag of the third reich. And to this day, most Austrians are not aware of the song ‘Edelweiss’ which -in the film- is said to be such an important song in Austrian culture. What I find most humorous is that throughout production, Christopher Plummer found Julie Andrews’s chiper demeanor incredibly annoying. Perhaps this helped fuel Plummer’s performance as the cynical captain. In the end, Plummer and Andrews remained friends until the end of Plummer’s life. With knowing these facts about the production, let’s see how this influences the way you see the film! The Sound of Music is available to stream on Disney+. What keeps this film relevant throughout the years are the themes. The triumphant manner in which art can show us the strength we have in overcoming tumultuous times. Danger is a sure thing in life. Opponents as menacing as the third reich are no joke. And yet, when you watch the film you cannot help but feel happy and comforted. I attribute that to being the power of music. Another aspect I never thought of before my most recent viewing was the truly beautiful scenery captured on location. Take the story out of the film and you’re still left with something I personally could spend hours watching. Beautiful mountains and vibrant towns with simple people living happy lives. I have a hard time imagining what could be better. It’s only a shame more films have not taken notes from this movie. But what about you? > Is there a film you can think of that better captures the beauty of nature? > Do you have a favorite line of dialogue? Because when you pay attention, a lot of this film is just hilarious. > Most importantly, do you have a favorite song?

We’re entering that season again where someone we know will be donning the cap and gown and maybe they’ll be crossing the stage to be given their diploma. So ladies and gentlemen, our movie for the week is The Graduate. Released in 1967, director Mike Nichols had an absolute hit on his hands. This was his second film in which he’d directed for the silver screen after starting out in the theatre world. I along with many others love this movie so much so without further ado, let us turn off the-sound-of-silence and enjoy the Graduate. A major theme in this film is that of isolation or emotional detachment. Through dialogue, camerawork, through the somber soundtrack. There is so much that reinforces this idea that everyone is living only for themselves. And what’s worse is that most of these characters seem to like that. It’s Mrs. Robinson who seems to see the walls built up around her. Walls she chose to build up herself. Actress Anne Bancroft who embodied the character of Mrs. Robinson said something I really liked about her role “...I gave a voice to the fear we all have: that we'll reach a point in our lives, look around and realize that all the things we said we'd do and become will never come to be - and that we're ordinary.” Carrying the weight of this on her shoulders, it’s no wonder that Mrs. Robinson can smell the same desperation in Ben Braddock, the new college graduate. Which makes sense why she approaches Ben in the first place. Many that graduate can relate even today that feeling of leaving academia when that’s what you’ve done your entire life. And you’ve been so busy and you accomplished so much during your time in school that once you leave, life feels so quiet. And the next step is not obvious to you. And the pressure to start the next chapter in the most impressive way can be immense. And when you find yourself in that position it can feel as though every interaction is a performance and you’re merely only meant to entertain the onlookers around you. Thus making it hard to relate to anyone in the circles around you. Dustin Hoffman’s performance as Ben was brilliant in communicating that without ever saying anything. Most film directors who come from theatre tend to focus on getting the performance to be just right. Then camera work subsequently becomes more basic and proscenium (if that makes sense.) However when Mike Nichols paired with Director of Photography Robert Surtees, a masterpiece was born. (And it’s funny that I said that because Surtees was the DoP for (1976) A Star is Born.) The first part of the film intentionally is given a glassy or plastic look. It reinforces the coldness Nichols wanted audiences to feel. If you notice, water was used as a motif to symbolize Ben’s feeling out of depth with his life. Glass barriers were also deliberately used to cut characters off from one another. An interesting camera trick was also used to play on western audiences’ psychology by having things on screen go from right-to-left. To western eyes, movement as such feels unnatural because we are used to reading from left to right. All in all, The Graduate involves some of the most profound camera work so keep an eye out for it when you watch the film. This movie is just fantastic. It’s no wonder that by this film’s third year of being released, it had become the third highest grossing movie to that date. The Graduate has also earned a spot on the AFI top 100 list. This movie is really a “filmmaker’s film” though I believe everyone should give this a watch. It is currently available to watch on HBOmax. Good ‘ol HBOmax. Let me know what you think of it. How do you react to The Graduate? > I only want to ask one question. I know there are some who are confused by this movie. Actually I think all of us are a little confused. Do characters’ actions confuse you? Because we never know why these characters act the way that they do. But that’s also why this film hits home personally. In our own reality, there’s a bunch of characters that seem to do these things without much thought or logic to them. And then in turn, we react without much thought or logic. And it takes a long time before something can bring us down to earth again.

Perhaps the only socially-acceptable way to openly be a weeaboo (a fanatic of anime and subsequently japanese culture) is to discuss your love of the films produced by Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation film studio founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and Isao Takahata. This week we’ll be watching one of their most heralded films, Kiki’s Delivery Service. Originally released in 1989 to Japanese audiences and released in 1998 to Canadian and American audiences, this movie has captured young-hearts and young-at-heart hearts alike. This is the first animated film to be featured on the ‘Honest Book Club’. This film features Kiki at the center of the plot. Kiki is a teenage witch-in-training, having reached the age of 13. According to tradition, all witches of that age must leave home for one year, so that they can learn how to live on their own. Kiki, along with her talking cat Jiji, fly away to live in the seaside town of Koriko. She finds work in this new setting by starting her own delivery service using her unique abilities to fly. Kiki runs into trouble when she finds difficulty adapting to her new life, especially after she loses the power to fly. I love this film because it is simple. It is uplifting. It teaches me that in order to achieve who I am supposed to become, I’ve only got to believe I am capable. Positive thinking has a tendency to help someone rather than hurt them. We’re all human beings (I’m assuming. Plz let me know if you aren’t). We are imperfect and sometimes we need reminders that our needs or desires are within reach. This is the reason that even in my twenties I come back to this and other films like Howl's Moving Castle or Porco Rosso. These kinds of movies tend to spark lots of discussion so DON’T HOLD BACK! > Are you a fan of Hayao Miyazaki? Or have you never heard of Studio Ghibli before today? > How does this film rank compared to other Ghibli films? Which is your favorite? > Do you find it sad that Kiki and her cat lose contact by the end of the film? Or do you view it as a positive sign that both of them are growing up and maturing in their own right?

The Oscars ceremony aired Sunday which I doubt you watched after a dystopian year of studios pushing back the release dates on some of their most anticipated films. Yet good movies still came out. Some of my favorites this year included Tenet, Impractical Jokers The Movie, and lastly this week’s discussion topic Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. It’s marked as a 2019 film when IN FACT, it was released on January 24th, 2020 (so it counts). First thing I need to establish is what a fantastic filmmaker Guy Ritchie is. His films are always action-packed, they’re funny, and he does a damn good job with representing good ‘ol Britannia (I consider live-action Aladdin as a one-off because that’s what it is). This film is available for streaming on Hulu. Close your eyes and imagine the best ensemble of actors. Do you envision putting Michelle Dockery in the same film as Hugh Grant acting alongside Charlie Hunnam who shares a number of scenes with Colin Farrell? I know I wouldn’t. Not to mention casting Henry Golding who is perhaps the most charming actor there’s ever been as the power-hungry antagonist? Guy Ritchie sincerely outdid himself in this time with this character driven action-comedy. The demeanor of all these characters is elevated which I applaud Guy Ritchie for. Movies about drug wars typically entail characters who are unrefined or belong to “the underbelly of society”. Yet in this world The Gentlemen creates, every character holds their neck high. There is a certain amount of pride each character holds within themselves no matter what their background is and I appreciate that most. It shouldn’t matter how humble beginnings you’ve got, hold you chin up and act in a manner that earns respect from others. I normally remark on the aesthetics or scoring of films in these tidbits but all I can say for this movie is *chef’s kiss* and that I wish that Michael Wilkinson (the costume designer) could put together my own wardrobe. The screenplay itself involves one of my favorite dialogue devices which is characters telling one another anecdotes. Filmmakers like Tarantino It happens often in real life so it adds nicely to the veritas of the world. Also the audiences love stories and the more stories added (within reason) to the narrative seems to make for an even better story. I truly think with this film that Guy Ritchie had outdone himself. I walked out of the theater wondering how in the world could that man ever dare make another film? Well a director does what a director does and he has an upcoming spy thriller called Five Eyes starring Jason Statham and I predict a fantastic lot of actors nobody but Ritchie could piece together. What I want to know is: > Do you appreciate Guy Ritchie as much as I do? Elaborate. > I cannot pick out a favorite moment in this film for the life of me. Can you? > Are there characters you would recast if you could? Viola Davis as Lord George? > What would you change if you were named director? > Who knew Hulu was a platform for streaming good movies?

A brilliant film by director Guillermo del Toro. Actresses Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer stole the screen in this mid-century modern fantasy. Premiering on December 3rd in 2017, this film raised eyebrows and most viewers couldn’t see all the beautiful elements the film has to offer due to their intense focus on the mute protagonist “falling in love with a fish”. I truly hope you all can appreciate this amazing movie and notice some of the more refined elements during the movie’s runtime. The Shape of Water is currently available for streaming on Hulu. I want to start off by briefly talking about the things that happen in this film plot-wise (which is very much a challenge). Very much happens in this film rightfully so for how many characters there are. For starters this film takes place in the year 1962 and the cold war is in full swing. Elisa’s neighbor/closest companion finds himself in love with a pie shop operator and shunned for it. Zelda is on her own journey to standing up for herself. And our loving couple both achieve freedom. Every named character in this film has their own story and thus the audience has so many different perspectives through which to view the events as they unfold. On the topic of character I lastly want to address the antagonist Richard Strickland played by the oh so talented Michael Shannon. There are few other antagonists so perfectly fleshed out and well acted (save for Thanos). For everything our modern standards may disagree with when it comes to Strickland, he is a consistent character. The role is that of a man who takes his position seriously and does so with the weight of the cold war on his back. For every fault or mistreatment towards others, Richard shows his motivations transparently which is why I find him sympathetic. Perhaps had Elisa not fallen in love with the creature, Strickland could have very well been the hero of this film. And that really is the goal especially with a character driven story, because in real life we all view ourselves as the hero and act accordingly. This is a strength that is hard to master perfectly and Guillermo nailed it! That last paragraph was not brief but perhaps I can be more brief at the design of the film. No film has a better soundtrack to match this film’s. The film’s composer, Alexandre Desplat hit yet another film out of the park (after other stellar works like Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel). The songs along it are mostly sweet and all gentle. These lighter songs score a deeply somber setting (notice me transitioning to talking about set design?) The color scheme and its consistency is what really set the film apart from any other movie released in 2017. The color palette is unique in that it is hard to pull off in any setting let alone a mid-century modern fairytale. Yet it all feels so natural and helps gravitate the audience into this marvelous world del Toro established. I want to ask you a couple things: > What were your first reactions to The Shape of Water? Did you think it would win Best Picture at the following academy awards? > When you are watching this film, from which character's eyes do you view the story? > Did you notice Elisa’s increasing use of wearing the color red as the film progresses? > Is there a certain favorite song in the soundtrack that dances in your head afterward? La Javanaise is just that for me!

Let us all sit down and enjoy a fantastic film known as “Midnight in Paris”. This film is a personal favorite of mine from the collection of films written and directed by Woody Allen. Released in 2011, this film is the highest grossing of the jewish autor’s. Rightfully so as Midnight in Paris draws on so many themes such as nostalgia and modernism. Midnight in Paris is available for renting on Amazon Prime and Youtube. What strikes the chord within me is that by the end you realize that everybody is wishing they were somewhere else. Save for perhaps the modest F. Scott Fitzgerald. I come away from this movie always appreciating where I am and knowing I am capable of doing great things in my own time. Being French as well is part of why I adore this film too! I mean Woody Allen is able to capture the city I was born in so beautifully and unlike others I’d seen before. If someone has captured a more beautiful montage of Paris, PLEASE tell me in the comments below. I love Woody Allen’s use of real French actors. My heart leaps when I see Gad on the screen, Léa Seydoux, and the first-lady at the time herself (and lovely singer) Carla Bruni. I hope as you watch you also can picture yourself in Gil’s shoes. Imagine meeting the likes of your artistic idols! Woody did a great job in casting. I mean, the way in which the actors give these great people new life is uplifting. I really believe we should consume their literary and artistic works. Would it necessarily make us better people? Well quite frankly I have no clue as to whether or not you’re already a good person. I like to think that you are, but there is no way in which for me to exactly know that. Thus I recommend anything of any of these artists if you haven’t already read their books or seen their paintings. They’re classics for a reason you know. But enough about me, what about you? > Is there any better city or time period in which you wanted a film such as this to take place? > What actor do you think inhabits their character best? Is it Corey Stoll in the role of Ernest Hemmingway? Or do you think Owen Wilson does a better job bringing to life a more relatable character from our time? > Woody Allen himself is a hot button topic. Are you a fan of his? Do you have a favorite movie in which he’s directed? Spare no details!

Join me in watching Pride & Prejudice this week. This modern classic movie starring Keira Knightly and Matthew McFayden was released in 2005 by Universal pictures. Be mindful that you may also see some other familiar faces risen to house-hold name status. This movie is available currently on Peacock. Nothing relieves those hard days and gloomy moods quite like Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice. Most notably what makes this specific adaptation of the famous novel so great in my eyes is the year they chose to set it in. While most adaptations stick to the year Pride and Prejudice was published (1813), Wright chose to set it in the year Jane Austen had started writing the novel (1796). On Joe Wright’s first go at directing a feature film, he created an absolute masterpiece. Period pieces have their challenges. They drive up the budget for sure. Depending on the era the filmmakers are recreating, it may be hard to find living first hand accounts that can provide details on the nuances of the social culture of the period. That rings true for this production. Nobody alive back in 1796 ideally should not be alive today nor alive back in 2005 when this movie was released. (But who am I to say what someone should or should not be?). Everything in this film feels so consistent to the period from the costuming to the music used and locations in hand with the production design. The tone of this film is so gentle and delicate which is what keeps me watching over and over again. Also notice how key pieces of music are used in multiple scenes in multiple ways. The use of these pieces are just genius. I enjoy this film watching what is happening in the background. Especially in both ball sequences, you can see love stories forming (or Mary Bennett’s lack thereof) among the actors in the background. If you’ve ever lived in England you understand the magic of a peaceful dewy morning such as the one Wright so perfectly captures in the beginning. I could go on forever about bits I adore about this movie but let me hear some of your thoughts on the film: > Have you read the book or seen another adaptation? If so do you have a preference between all the iterations? > When it comes to the setting, is there a particular location you admire most? > Which instance of Elizabeth Bennett’s brutal honesty is your favorite? > I hadn’t touched on themes within the movie as they aren’t specific to this particular adaptation but is there a theme in Pride and Prejudice that you find most interesting? > Is there a character you relate to the most? On my bad days I feel as though I reflect Lady Catherine de Bourg and I’m not ashamed of it.

This is the second round of the Honest Book Club, I would like to invite everyone in joining me to watch 'Wet Hot American Summer'. This cult-classic was released in 2001 by Universal Pictures. This movie was written by two friends David Wain and Michael Showalter. Wain went on to direct this movie while Showalter stole the show (hehe) in the leading role of "Coop". At this moment, 'Wet Hot American Summer' is streaming on Amazon Prime. I associate this movie with the fond memories of my time working as a counselor at a summer camp. Not very shockingly, there were counselors working that seemed copied from the film and pasted straight into my work life. Ensemble stories can be hard to pull off let alone on such a small budget as what their production was operating on (about 5 million USD). What makes me love this movie is the style of humor, the music, and most of all that it was something that two friends came together to make. That last part is what I find most inspiring as someone who has created a production company with her greatest friends. You don’t need approval from the bloated hollywood giants to see your goals through. Needless to say ‘Wet Hot American Summer’ sets a bar personally and in everything I aim to create. The creative use of the soundtrack helps to set the scene and solidify the era and speak to the current happenings for story beat to story beat. Outside of that is what’s actually in the movie itself. Plenty of jokes and gags that I’d recommend watching this multiple times because I guarantee you’d notice something new each time. I know I still am. This goes to show that there was a lot of methodical effort that went into making Wet Hot as great as it is down to a scientific level. (I always like to say that comedy is a science. My boyfriend makes fun of me for it. I make fun of me for it.) Share your thoughts on the movie in the comments below. I'd love to hear them! Here are some discussion questions to start you off: > What was your favorite character arc (and why)? > Do you think the sounds design or the props used play a bigger part in selling certain gags? > Which part do you think was scored the best? > Is there a cast-member you were surprised to see in this microbudget film?

For the inaugural Honest Book Club, I would like for everyone who would like to participate to join me in watching 'High Noon'. Released in 1952 by United Artists starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, this movie has rightfully earned a spot on the AFI top 100 list. High Noon is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime. Watching this movie reminded me that some of the best film education is simply to movies and be inspired. What's inspired me most about this film is the shot compositions. Coming from a theatre world before I jumped into the film world, blocking was already something I was mindful of and had studied. But the blocking from scene to scene in this film appeared very profound to me. Power dynamics play a big role in this film and the blocking shows just that. The triangulation of characters' positions plays a big part in communicating who holds power in certain scenes. And very equally, it shows which characters are taking the power and which characters are releasing power willingly (or not) when the characters move about. As for the camera angles, I find some of these shots just fantastic in how they communicate characters' inner struggle. Much like in the picture to the left. This still communicates the extent of the isolation that the protagonist is experiencing at that moment in the film with a high angle looking down in an area that normally is bustling at a time such as high noon. What I liked most about this movie is that it invokes the question: Would you still do the right thing even if everyone else thinks you are wrong? I like to think that I would and Marshal Kane certainly does in this film. However, we find out in the end there isn't much reward and I feel the same happens too in life. Share your thoughts on the movie in the comments below. I'd love to hear them! Here are some discussion questions to start you off: > Was there anything about the film's story that you didn't like? > Which character did find to be acting the most logical? > Did you find Marshal Will Kane's explanation as to why he needed to stay and defeat Frank Miller sufficient? Or do you think there were motivations undisclosed? > High Noon was the first movie to have its own theme song. The ballad is composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, lyrics by a one Ned Washington, and sung by a man named Tex Ritter. Now, I on one hand thought the song was great and I loved Tex Ritter's vocal performance. My mother however, disagrees with this (specifically with the part about Tex Ritter). My question is this: Which one of us is right?