Release Date: April 29, 2016
Starring: Jeremy Irons as G.H. Hardy
Dev Patel as S.. Ramanujan
Directed by: Matt Brown
Written by: Matt Brown based off the Biography by Robert Kanigel
S. Ramanujan is a low income young man from India who has an extraordinary gift. He creates these extraordinary mathematical figures without a basic knowledge of what they are or how he got to the conclusion. He keeps looking for someone to help him understand what they are and how they can be used to help the world. However, no one will take him under their wing. He reaches out to a great mathematician in Great Britain by the name of G.H. Hardy. Hardy looks into his work and decides that he is worth working with. Ramanujan is asked to come and study with him and makes the journey to Great Britain. Hardy learns that he may have bit off more than he can chew with his new pupil. Ramanujan knows, and see, that the complicated equations are correct but he has no idea why they are correct. The reason being is because he can not show the basic proofs to show how he got to the bigger idea. When Hardy finally asks him why he can't show the proofs Ramanujan says it's because the equations are given to him by god.
Hardy, a stock atheist, believes that Ramanujan believes that this is how he gets the equations. He believes in him so much so that when Ramanujan's home life starts to fall apart he does everything in his power to give him credit for the genius that he is. In an effort to get him elected as a Fellow of Trinity College he turns to other professors to trust that Ramanujan's equations, although they all can be proven as of yet, are true. His efforts fail on the first go around.
With the nearing outbreak of World War I and the fact that he has now contracted Tuberculosis, Ramanujan believes that his time in England is done and he needs to return to his family. Hardy, in a last effort to prove to Ramanujan that his work is worth it, Hardy gets him elected as Fellow of Royal Society and makes promise to come back in a years time in order to continue their work. However, that year turns into infinity when Ramanujan's illness takes life before he can see more of his work published.
This is one of those movies that makes you see just how important movies are. Only movies can take a person that not many people even know about and make you see how your life if effected by them. The story about S. Ramanujan is one that effects all of us because the equations that he has created are those of what we use now in some of our technology. They are also being used to study black holes and other aspects of space.
Even though we think that we learned about every important person in our history books this shows otherwise. That we are far from knowing about every person that has made a historical difference in the world. Who we need to thank for working through their difficulties and hardships in order to help other people down the line.
This movie was very inspiring. I man who no one wanted to help kept chancing after his dreams to publish his work, to make a difference in the world. The beautiful thing about this movie is that it was compelling without any action, or over zealous drama. It's a simple story told through his faith, friends, and legacy.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
The Meddler
Release Date: May 27, 2016
Starring: Susan Sarandon as Marnie
Rose Byrne as Lori
J.K. Simmons as Zipper
Directed by: Lorene Scafaria
Written by: Lorene Scafaria
Marnie is a nosy woman with a good heart. After her husband dies she decides to follow her only daughter out to Los Angeles. Her husband left her with enough money not only to get by but to give away as she see fit. She could have everything she wants but all she wants is a relationship with her daughter. Lori, Marnie's daughter, thinks that her mother is way to clingy and needs to let loose the reins a little bit. She feels like her mother won't let her breathe, even more so now since she is going through a rough patch since her boyfriend left her. Marnie does everything she can to stay close to her daughter, even if it means interfering with the lives of her daughter friends and in the process opens the door to her own life of freedom since the loss of her husband.
A very unique look at how people deal with loss in their lives. Granted it's not the typical way things play out. Now a days not many people can leave a person with that much money to live out the rest of their life without a worry in the world but if they did it shows what good can be done. Not only to the people that you give the money to but how helping others helps you process your own grief by giving. The act alone can give you a sense of purpose.
That is all Marnie really wants to be needed. She feels that since her husband is gone and her daughter is grown that she won't be needed anymore. That is why she is spreading herself thin in order to make other happy because she is trying to find out where is place in the world is again.
The heart of this film is ultimately love. Whether it be in love, falling out of love, or finding love again the story is that of love. Loving those who need it the most. The ones who other think that they are never going to make anything of themselves, or the ones who keep rejecting you because they think they can do it on their own. Yet, it can be the person who is trying to shower other people in love because they don't realize that they are the ones who need it the most.
Starring: Susan Sarandon as Marnie
Rose Byrne as Lori
J.K. Simmons as Zipper
Directed by: Lorene Scafaria
Written by: Lorene Scafaria
Marnie is a nosy woman with a good heart. After her husband dies she decides to follow her only daughter out to Los Angeles. Her husband left her with enough money not only to get by but to give away as she see fit. She could have everything she wants but all she wants is a relationship with her daughter. Lori, Marnie's daughter, thinks that her mother is way to clingy and needs to let loose the reins a little bit. She feels like her mother won't let her breathe, even more so now since she is going through a rough patch since her boyfriend left her. Marnie does everything she can to stay close to her daughter, even if it means interfering with the lives of her daughter friends and in the process opens the door to her own life of freedom since the loss of her husband.
A very unique look at how people deal with loss in their lives. Granted it's not the typical way things play out. Now a days not many people can leave a person with that much money to live out the rest of their life without a worry in the world but if they did it shows what good can be done. Not only to the people that you give the money to but how helping others helps you process your own grief by giving. The act alone can give you a sense of purpose.
That is all Marnie really wants to be needed. She feels that since her husband is gone and her daughter is grown that she won't be needed anymore. That is why she is spreading herself thin in order to make other happy because she is trying to find out where is place in the world is again.
The heart of this film is ultimately love. Whether it be in love, falling out of love, or finding love again the story is that of love. Loving those who need it the most. The ones who other think that they are never going to make anything of themselves, or the ones who keep rejecting you because they think they can do it on their own. Yet, it can be the person who is trying to shower other people in love because they don't realize that they are the ones who need it the most.
Sing Street
Release Date: April 15, 2016
Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Conor
Jack Reynor as Brendan
Lacy Boynton as Raphina
Directed by: John Carney
Written by: John Carney
Cosmo is a teenager living in 1980's during Ireland's depression. To escape some of the struggles of real life he forms a band with his friends to impress a girl that he likes Named Raphina. They do covers of popular artists at the time and eventually write their own music. Trying to win her over Cosmo asks Raphina, an aspiring model, to star in the music video that his is making. While his love life starts to take off his parents love life is coming to an end. With the announcement of their divorce real life slaps him in the face and shatters his dreams. His Brother, Brendan, helps to show him that there is more in the world than just Ireland and helps Cosmo and Raphina find their dream.
This movie was a surprise to me. I though this was going to be a lame, super cheesy film that was going to be forgettable later. However, it's one of my favorites this year. It's fun, it's original, and one of the most hope filled movies I have seen.
John Carney wrote a beautiful story about young different backstories of young adults in a difficult time period. Not only did he show how difficult it is for young adults during a time when parents are at war with each other and with their finances. Shows a unique look at how music, or art in general, can take you to new heights or change how you view your reality. While Cosmo's wold is still falling apart he found a way to cope with it in his music. Carney does excellent work in showing that any body of art can have power to pull them to greater heights than they have ever known. He really got how escapism can hurt and help people going through a difficult time. What I mean by that is when Cosmo finds out that his parents are getting a divorce he is disappointed because he hasn't really been thinking about their situation as much, because it was obvious that something was bound to give sooner or later. He was also disappointed because whenever he thought about his parents seeing him play live he thought of them together and somehow his dream would fix their problems. All of this is shown when his older brother has to be the voice of reason that just because you dream something doesn't mean that it will come true. Even though Cosmo is old enough to know that it's a bitter pill to swallow.
I have to say that everyone in the cast did a fantastic job, even though it's a little weird seeing Aiden Gillen in any role other than Little Finger, I would have to say there is one actor who stood out the most. That would have to be the role or Brendan played by Jack Reynor. It is by far one of the most memorable roles of the year. He shows a lot of discipline balancing between a high teenager with no cares in the world and a boy who had to become a man way too soon. At first you really think that he is just a drop out teenager with no dreams of his own but when the world is falling apart you find that he is the only one really prepared for it. He is the oldest and the one who has been there through most of the problems that his parents has faced and has tried all he could to accept the fact and make the piece that life is not how he really want it to be. He see a lot of hope in Cosmo that he really can do what he sets out to do because he was there to lead the way when his parents didn't.
In fact it his words about Cosmo following in his wake that lead to the powerful ending of the film when Cosmo decides to carve his own path by following in the wake of other travelers before him.
This is a film for dreamers and achievers alike. It's about looking for hope when you think there is none and finding a dream even when your are crushed. That sometimes you have to reach your dream by helping someone else achieve theirs.
Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Conor
Jack Reynor as Brendan
Lacy Boynton as Raphina
Directed by: John Carney
Written by: John Carney
Cosmo is a teenager living in 1980's during Ireland's depression. To escape some of the struggles of real life he forms a band with his friends to impress a girl that he likes Named Raphina. They do covers of popular artists at the time and eventually write their own music. Trying to win her over Cosmo asks Raphina, an aspiring model, to star in the music video that his is making. While his love life starts to take off his parents love life is coming to an end. With the announcement of their divorce real life slaps him in the face and shatters his dreams. His Brother, Brendan, helps to show him that there is more in the world than just Ireland and helps Cosmo and Raphina find their dream.
This movie was a surprise to me. I though this was going to be a lame, super cheesy film that was going to be forgettable later. However, it's one of my favorites this year. It's fun, it's original, and one of the most hope filled movies I have seen.
John Carney wrote a beautiful story about young different backstories of young adults in a difficult time period. Not only did he show how difficult it is for young adults during a time when parents are at war with each other and with their finances. Shows a unique look at how music, or art in general, can take you to new heights or change how you view your reality. While Cosmo's wold is still falling apart he found a way to cope with it in his music. Carney does excellent work in showing that any body of art can have power to pull them to greater heights than they have ever known. He really got how escapism can hurt and help people going through a difficult time. What I mean by that is when Cosmo finds out that his parents are getting a divorce he is disappointed because he hasn't really been thinking about their situation as much, because it was obvious that something was bound to give sooner or later. He was also disappointed because whenever he thought about his parents seeing him play live he thought of them together and somehow his dream would fix their problems. All of this is shown when his older brother has to be the voice of reason that just because you dream something doesn't mean that it will come true. Even though Cosmo is old enough to know that it's a bitter pill to swallow.
I have to say that everyone in the cast did a fantastic job, even though it's a little weird seeing Aiden Gillen in any role other than Little Finger, I would have to say there is one actor who stood out the most. That would have to be the role or Brendan played by Jack Reynor. It is by far one of the most memorable roles of the year. He shows a lot of discipline balancing between a high teenager with no cares in the world and a boy who had to become a man way too soon. At first you really think that he is just a drop out teenager with no dreams of his own but when the world is falling apart you find that he is the only one really prepared for it. He is the oldest and the one who has been there through most of the problems that his parents has faced and has tried all he could to accept the fact and make the piece that life is not how he really want it to be. He see a lot of hope in Cosmo that he really can do what he sets out to do because he was there to lead the way when his parents didn't.
In fact it his words about Cosmo following in his wake that lead to the powerful ending of the film when Cosmo decides to carve his own path by following in the wake of other travelers before him.
This is a film for dreamers and achievers alike. It's about looking for hope when you think there is none and finding a dream even when your are crushed. That sometimes you have to reach your dream by helping someone else achieve theirs.
Love and Friendship
Release Date: June 3, 2016
Starring: Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan Vernon
Morfydd Clark as Frederica Vernon
Tom Bennett as Sir James Martin
Directed by: Whit Stillman
Written by: Whit Stillman based off the novel "Lady Susan" by Jane Austen
Lady Susan Vernon is trying to find a mean to live... without working. After her husband dies she seeks to find wealth again by marrying off her daughter, Fredrica, to a fool who loves her. When her daughter turns him down Lady Susan looks to marry herself off to her young, handsome, and very rich brother-in-law. This witty comedy tells the story of a lady... if you can even call her that... that is trying to make ends meet.
This film is as witty as they come. It's a lot of humor that makes you think and makes you laugh out loud. The costume and the set are beautiful, the only rival against them is Miss Beckinsale herself.
The charm for this movie is this uncomplicated plot.. The fun comes from the complicated relationships. The movie wont' keep you on the edge of your seat but it will keeps a smiles on your face.
Starring: Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan Vernon
Morfydd Clark as Frederica Vernon
Tom Bennett as Sir James Martin
Directed by: Whit Stillman
Written by: Whit Stillman based off the novel "Lady Susan" by Jane Austen
Lady Susan Vernon is trying to find a mean to live... without working. After her husband dies she seeks to find wealth again by marrying off her daughter, Fredrica, to a fool who loves her. When her daughter turns him down Lady Susan looks to marry herself off to her young, handsome, and very rich brother-in-law. This witty comedy tells the story of a lady... if you can even call her that... that is trying to make ends meet.
This film is as witty as they come. It's a lot of humor that makes you think and makes you laugh out loud. The costume and the set are beautiful, the only rival against them is Miss Beckinsale herself.
The charm for this movie is this uncomplicated plot.. The fun comes from the complicated relationships. The movie wont' keep you on the edge of your seat but it will keeps a smiles on your face.
The Lobster
Release Date: June 3, 2016
Starring: Colin Firth as David
Olivia Coleman as Hotel Manager
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by: Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Fililppou
In a not so distant future people are making matches. However, if you don't keep your match you are transported to a hotel for 45 days. You make a match within those days or you get turned into an animal, of your choice, so that you can have a "second chance" at love.
By far the most mind numbing, confusing, strangest, worst movie I have ever seen. It's attempt at dry humor was a disaster at best. It seemed like it was trying to be too artistic. None of it really made any sense at all. They did not tell you why the world has become like this. What changed and why the world thought that people weren't capable of making their own love life happen.
Then to go on and make it that if you don't have someone to love that you aren't even human. That you have to risk the rest of your life to find love, or be eaten, or be killed by another animal. That if you are a loner that is worse than being an animal. That you have to be hunted down by the people in the hotel and forced to become something that you don't want to be in order for you to find happiness. Who can tell you what makes you happy? Not the majority!
The message of the film is to show that if you allow others to control your life then it's not going to make you happy as it's going to make them. However, they did not have to make such a horrible film to make that point.
Starring: Colin Firth as David
Olivia Coleman as Hotel Manager
Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Written by: Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthymis Fililppou
In a not so distant future people are making matches. However, if you don't keep your match you are transported to a hotel for 45 days. You make a match within those days or you get turned into an animal, of your choice, so that you can have a "second chance" at love.
By far the most mind numbing, confusing, strangest, worst movie I have ever seen. It's attempt at dry humor was a disaster at best. It seemed like it was trying to be too artistic. None of it really made any sense at all. They did not tell you why the world has become like this. What changed and why the world thought that people weren't capable of making their own love life happen.
Then to go on and make it that if you don't have someone to love that you aren't even human. That you have to risk the rest of your life to find love, or be eaten, or be killed by another animal. That if you are a loner that is worse than being an animal. That you have to be hunted down by the people in the hotel and forced to become something that you don't want to be in order for you to find happiness. Who can tell you what makes you happy? Not the majority!
The message of the film is to show that if you allow others to control your life then it's not going to make you happy as it's going to make them. However, they did not have to make such a horrible film to make that point.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Me Before You
Release Date: June 3, 2016
Starring: Sam Clafin as Will Traynor
Emilia Clarke as Lou Clark
Directed by: Thea Sharrock
Written by: Jojo Moyes based off the book by Jojo Moyes
When Louisa Clark loses her job she seeks any work she can to help her family. When she hears of a caregiver job for a paralyzed man she is worried but take the job. She soon learns that Will Traynor is a bitter person because of his accident. When he starts to open up to her she lerans that he is going to die with dignity at a specialty clinic in Switzerland in six months time. Lou's new mission is to show him the life that he can have even though it's not like it used to be, to try and change his mind.
This is one of those movies that gets you worried before you even walk through the door. It has the potential to be a great love story, yet there is great potential for it to me way to cheesy, and also offensive with the subject at hand.
It was excellent. There were a couple of naysayers online but there are always some with everything. It wasn't too serious and it was too cheesy either. It was the perfect balance for everything the film wanted you to feel. They made you see both points of view of the story of a man who thinks his life was taken from him way too soon.
Starring: Sam Clafin as Will Traynor
Emilia Clarke as Lou Clark
Directed by: Thea Sharrock
Written by: Jojo Moyes based off the book by Jojo Moyes
When Louisa Clark loses her job she seeks any work she can to help her family. When she hears of a caregiver job for a paralyzed man she is worried but take the job. She soon learns that Will Traynor is a bitter person because of his accident. When he starts to open up to her she lerans that he is going to die with dignity at a specialty clinic in Switzerland in six months time. Lou's new mission is to show him the life that he can have even though it's not like it used to be, to try and change his mind.
This is one of those movies that gets you worried before you even walk through the door. It has the potential to be a great love story, yet there is great potential for it to me way to cheesy, and also offensive with the subject at hand.
It was excellent. There were a couple of naysayers online but there are always some with everything. It wasn't too serious and it was too cheesy either. It was the perfect balance for everything the film wanted you to feel. They made you see both points of view of the story of a man who thinks his life was taken from him way too soon.
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Release Date: May 27, 2016
Starring: Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter
Mia Wasikoska as Alice Kingsleigh
Helen Bonham Cater as Iracabeth
Anne Hathaway as Mirana
Sacha Baron Cohen as Time
Directed by: James Bobin
Written by: Linda Woolverton based off the books by Lewis Carroll
After a whirlwind adventure, Alice returns home to find that her mother is battered down with debts and if forced to sell either their house or her father's ship. She is also being forced to change jobs, to something less adventuress mind you, and is left confused and heartbroken that the world she was hoping to return to is being shattered all around her. That is until a familiar butterfly comes along and tells her that the Mad Hatter is losing his life to sadness. When she learns that he believes that his long lost family is alive, Alice must talk with Time to change their fate in order to save her truest friend. When Time refuses, Alice puts all of Wonderland in Danger when she take time into her own hands.
I was a little skeptical of this movie. I did not like the first one very much, however, this one was much better than I expected. I loved the outfits and the set. What impressed me the most was the story. I read an article about this movie months ago and the writers wrote the movie based off of one line in the book. Referring when the Hatter was talking about how he and time quarreled. It caught the writers eye because the Hatter was talking about Time as a person and not an object, or a moment. All through the movie I was thinking "This whole movies was inspired by one sentence from a book and how many people missed".
Overall it was a wonderful time back in Wonderland.
Starring: Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter
Mia Wasikoska as Alice Kingsleigh
Helen Bonham Cater as Iracabeth
Anne Hathaway as Mirana
Sacha Baron Cohen as Time
Directed by: James Bobin
Written by: Linda Woolverton based off the books by Lewis Carroll
After a whirlwind adventure, Alice returns home to find that her mother is battered down with debts and if forced to sell either their house or her father's ship. She is also being forced to change jobs, to something less adventuress mind you, and is left confused and heartbroken that the world she was hoping to return to is being shattered all around her. That is until a familiar butterfly comes along and tells her that the Mad Hatter is losing his life to sadness. When she learns that he believes that his long lost family is alive, Alice must talk with Time to change their fate in order to save her truest friend. When Time refuses, Alice puts all of Wonderland in Danger when she take time into her own hands.
I was a little skeptical of this movie. I did not like the first one very much, however, this one was much better than I expected. I loved the outfits and the set. What impressed me the most was the story. I read an article about this movie months ago and the writers wrote the movie based off of one line in the book. Referring when the Hatter was talking about how he and time quarreled. It caught the writers eye because the Hatter was talking about Time as a person and not an object, or a moment. All through the movie I was thinking "This whole movies was inspired by one sentence from a book and how many people missed".
Overall it was a wonderful time back in Wonderland.
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