Ebert to Spielberg

Movie fans have become critics. Critics have become the voice to the film maker rather than an opinion to the audience. Yet film makers are still film makers. I have myself written many reviews and thought that I could be a critic one day. The truth is I do not want to have the job to tell another artist that their film lacks flair because they broke a rule of film making. I want to understand why they made the scene they did, how they chose the actors, I want to learn about the film makers imagination to have a better understanding of the art they created.

Me, my producer, and cast at 2013 LYS Film Festival

I have myself written a few storyline and scripts. I am not an Oscar winner but I did have a film win the Best ‘E’ for Everyone short at the 2013 Love Your Shorts Film Festival in Central Florida. It was an amazing feeling having people appreciate your ideas and connect with your story. The best part was people asking the hows and they whys about your film making experience. It is a rush and a high greater than any other. Since I have written and directed my own film, I have seen different perspectives on films and what really puts the flair in them. I have been inspired by others and I read more reviews to gain a wide range of perception on the artist behind the camera.

I am going on a journey to writing a new script, and directing a new short. I am going to put a lot of emotion into this film and I want to invite you on this journey. I will begin to document on this blog where my inspirations are coming from and the how and where I am within the film making experience. If you follow the blog for reviews or fun ideas, keep on following because the ride is about to turn into a rollercoaster. Lets journey the experience together whether you are a Ebert or a Spielberg.

Top 10 Films to Watch for During Oscar Season

The moment you realize the holidays are around the corner is the moment you realize it is Oscar Season. Most of the movies that are entering theaters between August and December are usually advertising to be in the Oscar running in February. Entering the season are the top 10 films to look out for:

Foxcatcher- Directed by Bennett Miller. In theaters November 14. The film is gaining buzz on the acting standpoint, anytime you see actors go further than their comfort zone in an Oscar buzzing film you will see the possibility for the Academy recognizing their efforts. The film is based on a true story (only to bring more attention to the Academy) about the Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz and his sponsor. Starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Anthony Michael Hall, Mark Rufallo.

Boyhood-  Directed by Richard Linklater. This film is most defiantly been on watch for years. Sorry Avatar but Boyhood has been in the making for 12 years, using the same actors and watching them age. The story is about a boy from age 5 to 18 years old. The film is the first of its kind and has more authentication then any film ever made. Already nabbed best Picture, Actress, and Director in Seattle’s Film Festival. ONly more to come from the star-studded cast. Starring Ethan Hawk, Ellar Coltrane, and Patricia Arquette.

The Grand Budapest Hotel– Directed by Wes Anderson. A film about a concierge and lobby boy who become good friends at the legendary hotel. The film is a Anderson Classic with humor and his regular cast. The film has won the Silver Berlin Bear at the Berlin Film festival. Anderson does not fall short with his witty humor or attention to detail. This is a must see for this years Oscars. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jude Law, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, and the list goes on. 

Gone Girl- Directed by David Fincher. The film is based on Gillian Flynn novel, about a mans who is the center of attention in his wifes disappearance. Fincher has directed many mind-blowing suspense films including Oscar-winning Social Network, and Emmy Winning House of Cards. This film has the attention of audiences for its twist and darkness, and has the Academy looking right at Affleck and Fincher for acting and directing. Dont let us down!  Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris

Interstellar– Directed By Christopher Nolan. Batman in space. Just kidding. This film is about the experience explorers take toward a newly discovered worm hole. So it is Gravity meets Armageddon. An intense action film in space with all the wonderful actors and new film technology you could want. The film is a buzz because of its originality and having Nolan’s name on it doesn’t hurt. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain.

Mr. Turner– Directed by Mike Leigh. Timothy Spall will most likely get nominated for best actor already winning Cannes Film Festival 2014 for his role as British Painter Mr. turner. Spall has played some iconic characters in such films as Harry Potter and Sweeny Todd.  Now he has his chance to express range as he reenact the life of. Leigh has been nominated 7 times for an Oscar, so maybe Mr. Turner will turn number 8 into some luck. defiantly a film on your watch list this Oscar season. Starring Timothy Spall, Paul Jesson, and Dorothy Atkinson.

Unbroken- Director Angelina Jolie. The film tells the story of another Olympic star, Louis Zamperini, who in World War II was taken prisoner by the Japanese. And no one can deny that they aren’t slightly interested in seeing Jolie’s directing skills. The Film is currently in post production. the Oscar buzz is not far away with the Coen brothers having written the screen play, you can be sure to find a poetic and symbolic story line.  Starring Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, and Jai Courtney.

Big Eyes- Director Tim Burton. Amy Adams plays Margaret Keane the 1950’s painter who was famous for her painting of a eyeless girl. Burton has had many nominations and well as Adams, seven together but no wins yet. Many are excited to see the collaboration come to life. The film has not yet been released. Also starring Krysten Ritter, and Oscar Winner Christoph Waltz.

Into the Woods- Directed by Rob Marshall. A Disney musical brought to life with an Oscar-winning cast such as Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, and the forever queen of the Oscars  Meryl Streep. They made a movie from the depths of storytelling, a lot like ABC’s Once Upon A Time series, the film mends different fairytale plots together. The costume design, music, and directing skills will be buzzing in the next few months, Academy can you hear it?

Fault in Our Stars- Directed by Josh Boone. Shailene Woodley is certainly a top candidate for best actress this year, if not for this film it will be for White Bird in the Blizzard. This film is defiantly a fan favorite among a younger audience, as well as a buzzing feed for the Academy. Anytime a plot has a current social dilemma and love together you will see the flair, and the nominations for Oscars flowing in. This film has all the flair to be on the must watch Oscar ballet list.

 

Watch out for these films as they come out for rental or come to a theater near you. These are sure to have great true story line plots, intense twist, and amazing acting as they all will be in the running for February’s Oscars.

RIP O Captain My Captain

As most stunning news, Monday August 11, 2014 Robin Williams was found dead at his place of residence in CA. Genreations have been truley touched by his work, and more generatiosn to come. Below is a poll. What is your favorite Robin Williams character:

 

Top 5 Romantic Book-to-Film Adaptation

“While we look to the dramatist to give romance to realism, we ask of the actor to give realism to romance.” -Oscar Wilde

Audiences love the epic, once in a life time, happy ever after, conquer all, bleeding love type of romance. We find the perfect heart throbbing love in literature and film. The final ‘seal the deal’ on a great romance is the realistic take, or the believability factor.

When researching book-to-film adaptations I kept these concepts in mind. A book can give you every detail about the story between two lovers, but when the story hits the big screen the director must reveal the journey and adventure in two hours, and the actors must portray the emotions of the characters perfectly aligning with the ideas set in place in the literature. Much goes into play with a romance adaptation. These 5 films, in my opinion, conquer all factors in an epic romance that flow from paper to film.

5. Bridget Jones Diary (2001)- Novel by Helen Fielding.  Starring Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger. This film demonstrates a personal and comedic look at how romance can come when one might just not be looking. The realistic take on the story is that this very average woman takes a vow to change herself, and in the process finds love. The ideas are so relate-able, and delivers a sense of romantic hope for the average woman.

4. Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)- Novel by Truman Capote. Starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. The beauty of the love story here is that both characters live in an unrealistic world to escape their fears of facing their true selves. Director Blake Edwards carefully builds the friendship between the characters of the film and symbolism to expose the theme of facing ones true self. This journey leads to one unforgettable monumental kiss in the rain.

3. Brokeback Mountain (2005)- Short story by Annie Proulx. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.  A unique romance is what pulls in the audience, to gain an understanding of how far love can go. This film we can truly say brings to light the Oliver Wilde quote, “…dramatist to give romance to realism, we ask of the actor to give realism to romance.”

2. Wuthering Heights (2011)- Novel by Emily Bronte. Directed by Andrea Arnold. A new interpretation of the classic dark romance by Emily Bronte. Many people are ready for this film to be released in theaters in the US this year.  The film not only expresses the truth behind the revenge and romance in the underlining story but Arnold does this with such grace shown through beautiful breathtaking imagery that tells the story so poetically, just as this novel deserves.

1. Pride & Prejudice (2005)- Novel by Jane Austen. Starring Keira Knightley  and  Matthew Macfadyen. By far an iconic love and recently iconic film. Fans of Jane Austen can be refreshed to know that this version of the story is true to the dialogue and the beauty of the book. Director Joe Wright had such innovative ideas on camera angles and scenery that highlighted the demanding honesty that is demonstrated in the novel.

As we fall in love with a romantic novel, the story itself provides that flair we love. It gains more independence when a director can establish truth and express the beauty we first fall in love with when reading the book. As the actors provide a realistic and relate-able feel, we gather more love and appreciation for the romance itself when it can be accurately displayed on film. These 5 films have all the flair you could ask for in the perfectly executed book-to-film romance.

The Best Movie of All Time!

OPINION! Who can really judge the best movie of all time? What is the criteria to have this honor? Sold the most tickets, had the most big named actors in it? Directed by one of the greats? Winning at the Oscars?

Everyone has their favorite movie, sometimes comedy, musical, drama, horror, thriller, adventure, etc.

The point is that there can’t be named a ‘best movie of all time’. Film is an art form of storytelling. Everyone perceive art differently. Who is to say that The Last Supper is the best piece of art work of all time? It might be your favorite, but that doesn’t justify the title.

People make movies to grab a niche audiences attention, in order to make money, and communicate an emotion or message to that audience. So to some people Nightmare on Elm Street is the greatest movie of all time, others may say The Godfather, BraveHeart, 50 First Dates, or Hott Fuzz. Who’s to say they are wrong?

Films are made with flair in order to become someones favorite movie. So to give a list of top movies because so many people still talk about it, or they broke film industry history at the box office, that is a do able list. But you can not honestly name a movie ‘the best ever’ without it being in your opinion.

What would you name the best movie ever, also known as your favorite movie?