The Great Gatsby (2013 Version)

My campus screened this recently as the Film Association's fall semester movie. I didn't have a chance to see it when it was out in theaters, so this was my first time seeing this version. I thought it was a pretty well-done adaptation. Though I haven't read the book recently, the plot points and symbols were all there, and you could tell that the director put a lot of thought into it. As a warning ahead of time, a lot of things happen when the film begins, such as a lot of camera movements, lots of color, and loud sounds/music. It's common with the director's (Baz Luhrmann) style to do this, but if you have not seen some of his films before, be prepared. I also thought it connected in an interesting way to Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge!, it had a lot of plot similarities and interesting choices of music. I think my only major critique is that Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) didn't really have great chemistry, which kind of brought down the romance that's supposed to be present in the movie. On a positive note, I really enjoyed the soundtrack that was used. Each song fit so well with what went on in the movie, and I especially enjoyed the motif of the song "Together" by The xx that played mostly when Gatsby and Daisy were onscreen together. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good adaptation of the novel and I would recommend it to those who liked the book.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuQhprtLJ3k

Reservoir Dogs

I just recently watched this movie because I am currently taking a course on the films of Tarantino. I have seen it before, and the first time I didn't really like it. This time around I ended up enjoying it. I really like how it is a non-linear narrative and how you only get the majority of the story through the dialogue of the characters. All the characters are really well-acted and each of them have their own sort of interesting personality. This was Tarantino's debut as a filmmaker, and it's a pretty good one. If you have never seen a Tarantino film before, be prepared for a good amount of bloody violence and lots of dialogue. I enjoyed watching this a second time, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Tarantino films, as well as anyone looking for a good movie to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irQR3WReVO8

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

I watched this today to pass the time in waiting for my next class. I remember watching this movie as a kid, but I couldn't remember much of what went on. I don't really know how appropriate it is for kids, so I would recommend watching it first and then deciding whether or not to show it to kids. I will say that this movie is technically impressive. It has animated cartoons interacting with real people, and it is really well done. The real-life characters and the cartoons react well to each other and it blends the worlds of Toontown and Hollywood very seamlessly. This was a fun movie to watch, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun and cool comedy to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYNqYC_jNAg

Thor

This is the first time I've ever seen this movie and I've been yelled at by my friends for not having seen it until now. I happened to enjoy this movie, and I have a soft spot for superhero movies (when they're done right). I thought everyone did a good job of acting, especially Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki. I also liked how the film focused on Thor trying to redeem himself worthy enough to control the power he was blessed with and instead of just trying to defeat the villain the entire movie. It also does a nice set-up for The Avengers, it does a bit during the movie, but there is also a clip at the very end (after the credits) that also sets it up. I had already seen The Avengers before watching this movie, so while Thor does set up The Avengers, you don't need to feel like you have to watch one before the other. Overall, I really enjoyed this movie and I recommend it to anyone who likes superhero or action movies.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOddp-nlNvQ

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

I am not a huge fan of chick flicks, I mostly try to avoid them at all costs. I was a little reluctant when I first went to see this movie, but it got good reviews so my family decided to go see it. Turns out it was a really well-done movie with a well-acted cast and a really good plot. On my first day back at school, my friends and I decided to watch this movie, and it was still enjoyable to watch. It creates a great balance between humor and romance, in which neither overpowers the other. Usually when I watch a chick flick, I get pretty bored because they usually have the same generic plot points and aren't really creative. This movie weaves a great plot through multiple characters trying to find love, but you never feel lost with what each character is looking for and it ends with a funny climax and a good conclusion. I would really recommend this to anyone who is looking for a chick flick or a good romantic comedy.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iCwtxJejik

We're the Millers

I saw this as a last minute bonding with my sister before I left for school, and we both found it to be really funny. There were some really funny lines that were said throughout the movie, and the idea for the plot was a funny one. While it was a funny plot, some parts of it were kind of generic to any other comedy. The scene stealer is definitely the kid the main character hires as his son, and it was really interesting/funny to see Jennifer Aniston play a stripper. While I didn't find it as funny as This Is The End (check out my review below!), it was still pretty funny. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a funny movie to watch.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vsy5KzsieQ

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

I bought this movie for 25 cents at a local sale as a Father's Day present for my dad, and my parents and I decided to watch it last week. I thought it was really cool to have it based on The Odessey by Homer. Even though I've never read the book, there are some parts that were recognizably from the book, such as the sirens. The movie was funny and interesting, and while sometimes I did get confused with what was going on in it, I enjoyed the twisted plot. Once and a while it was also hard to understand what the main characters were saying because of their thick accents and the speed of which they were talking. Overall I did enjoy the movie, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes The Odessey, is looking for something different, and anyone looking for a dramedy.

Oscar Nominee: Best Adapted Screenplay 2001

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1C2gCXo4Gs