Flatliners: My Friday the 13th Thriller

I can't handle scary movies. Which is why, when I wanted to watch a movie for Friday the 13th, I had to look under "thriller" instead of "horror"; even the case covers in horror scared me. As I scrolled through the thriller options, I came upon Flatliners, the 1990 film directed by Joel Schumacher, which follows five medical students who kill and revive themselves in order to experience the afterlife and live to tell about it. This movie was a favorite of mine when I was in high school and I decided it was time for a trip down memory lane.

In typical Schumacher fashion, I was spoon-fed from the start. The opening credits had only just begun when, amidst shots of blatantly religious sculptures accompanied by a James Newton Howard score, I saw the Latin words "Scientia" {knowledge}, "Religio" {root of the English "religion"}, and "Medici" {doctor(s)}. (Ohhhhhhh. So this movie is about the tension between science and faith. Got it. Might as well stop now. Thanks, Joel).  And, since I had seen the movie before, I noticed that the name of the actor who represents each worldview flashed before the Latin: Kiefer Sutherland {cue Scientia}, Julia Roberts, Stephen Baldwin {cue Madonna (Stephen Baldwin's character is a womanizer), and Religio}, Oliver Platt and Kevin Bacon {cue Medici}. Gee, how clever and (not at all) subtle.

However, once I got past the credits - oh, wait, no, actually Schumacher continued to do the "here comes the airplane into the hanger" feeding bit throughout the entire movie. For example, each character had an entirely different lighting scheme to their afterlife/dream sequence, thereby assuring we would know exactly whose visions we were seeing. Apparently seeing the character on the table about to "die" wasn't enough; we needed color coding. Did you see that line between artistic and systematic? It's that one Schumacher just lept over with a single bound. 

Oh, and a brief word about the writing: Seriously?! Yep, that's my brief word. But I would be remiss to not provide an example of said writing. For your pleasure: "Somehow, we've brought our sins back physically... and they're pissed." I rest my case.

Despite my negativity, there actually were points where I remembered why I liked this movie. What happens after death has always intrigued me, as does psychology, so a movie where people experience the afterlife as issues that are plaguing their subconscious' is an incredibly interesting concept to me. It made me think, and I do enjoy a good thought every now and then. Oh, and who doesn't love the occasional Kevin Bacon film?


Flatliners is one of the films I think has a great concept, but the execution falls short. Had it been directed by, say, Martin Scorsese, it could have been awesome. As it is, I can only recommend it to those who are interested in or entertained by thoughts and perspectives on the afterlife... or Kevin Bacon fans.

Most Anticipated Films of 2012

Okay, so below are the five films I'm most looking forward to this year. Sorry for the delay, but these should be some great films and some reasons 2012 will rock in film.

5. Looper- September 28, 2012
Rian Johnson's first film that he wrote and directed, Brick, is one of my favorites. It also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is a lead in Looper. Though The Brothers Bloom could have been better, this appears to be the same feel as Brick. I have high hopes.

4. Moonrise Kingdom- May 25, 2012
Wes Anderson. Edward Norton. Frances McDormand. Bill Murray. AND Jason Schwartzman. I feel like explaining my excitement for this film would be redundant.

3. The Great Gatsby- December 25, 2012
I'm very interested to see what Baz Luhrmann does with this classic. Also, Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby is a marvelous choice and Tobey Maguire will be a fantastic Nick. This should be a good one, even though I didn't really like the book.

2. The Avengers- May 4, 2012
I have two words for you: Joss Whedon. I am somewhat of a geek and therefore I am excited not just for the gathering of so many superheros to finally make Avengers a reality, but for the writing and directing of one Joss Whedon.

1. The Dark Knight Rises- July 20, 2012
I am a HUGE Nolan fan. I am also a fan of Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Essentially, this film will be heaven. I am SOOOOO excited and I intend to watch this at midnight in IMAX. This is my number one in 2012.

My Best and Worst Films of 2011

I'm baaaaaack. Yes, I know it has been forever, but I recently finished up graduate school, and one of MY new year's resolutions is to write weekly, so no worries. There will be more Firestones on Film.

With so many people coming up with their lists of the best and worst films of the year, I thought I should give my votes. Keep in mind that there are several films I still want to see, but of what I have seen, this is my list:

The Best:

1. Beginners
In my opinion, this is the best and most underrated film of the year. I found it beautiful and understated. Also, its tagline, "This is what love feels like," really does sum up the movie. I much preferred Beginners to Thumbsucker, the other film by writer/director Mike Mills.

2. Crazy, Stupid Love
This film is fantastic for the complex simplicity of some of its scenes. The chemistry between all of the actors is brilliant. Love it.

3. Like Crazy
I love different films, and this was definitely one of them. There was great chemistry between the actors and a realism to it. Fantastic, and once again, underrated.

4. Hesher
Okay, this one may be less for the film itself and more for my love of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Regardless, Hesher is a film that definitely goes against the grain, and despite how hardcore it is, it's actually emotionally touching.

5. The Descendants
Another year, this probably wouldn't have made this list, but we're running low this year...not sure why, but it seems 2011 didn't bring the punch it should have.

The Worst:

1. Just Go with It
My mother rented this one day to watch as a family. We all agreed it was terrible. I had to watch The Wedding Singer to cleanse myself of bad Adam Sandler.

2. Your Highness
This movie should have been SO GOOD! Zooey Deschanel, James Franco, Natalie Portman, and director David Gordon Green...it seemed like a promise of something epic. But no. It was unbelievably terrible. I want my money and my time back...

3. Bad Teacher
Jason Segal gave us The Muppets, which is an honorable mention of a best movie, so I guess I will forgive him for this terrible film. I still don't understand what we're supposed to think at the end of this...any help?

4. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
All I ask is that we STOP with the apes...if Charlton Heston isn't telling apes to keep their hands off them, I'm not interested.

5. Something Borrowed and No Strings Attached
I just couldn't decide between which of these romantic comedies was worse...Do I want little girls to think the way to get a man is to have sex with him repeatedly? Or do I want little girls to learn that you should ignore your good guy best friend and chase after the hot jerk who is cheating on his fiance with you? Just so hard to decide...

The Worst of the Worst:
These were the movies that I knew would be so bad that I didn't bother seeing them...enjoy.

1. Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part One
Many critics have said this is the worst Twilight film. To me, that's similar to pointing out the least talented Kardashian or the worst Nicholas Cage role. I want none of it...

2. Jack and Jill
Adam Sandler has fallen so hard...did anyone actually think this would be funny?

3. Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star
See above...

4. I Don't Know How She Does It
I don't want to know how she does it...it looks terrible.

5. New Years Eve
Can we please start making original films instead of stealing ideas from other people? Love Actually was fantastic, but Valentines Day and now this? Just stop...

Hopefully, 2012 will bring better films. In the next few days, I will be discussing what films I'm looking forward to next year. Have a happy New Year and BE SAFE!!!

I love this movie Like Crazy

Thank you, 2011, for finally releasing a movie that I waited for with anticipation and by which I was not, in the least, let down.  I realize almost two months remain in this calendar year and 'tis the season for Oscar hopefuls, but I have yet to see a trailer that I think will hold a candle to the recently released film, Like Crazy.

Several months ago I came across a film trailer for Like Crazy. I had heard nothing of the movie prior to that moment (I am sadly behind in my Sundance news), but I was immediately drawn in by the authenticity and raw emotion I saw in the trailer which, in and of itself, is a beautiful piece of art. I began to wait eagerly for the day this film would bring its heartfelt images to a theater near me.

And so, this afternoon, I joined a theater full of movie-goers to see Like Crazy on opening weekend. The movie had me at its artistic hello. I immediately fell in love with the lead characters (played so genuinely by Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin). The chemistry they share, from the first awkward date, to the height of their romance, to the pain of any real relationship, is absolutely spellbinding. While some movies filmed without a script can seem forced or slow, Jones and Yelchin combine an ability to connect with each other and the audience with an excellent grasp on timing and execution to produce two of the most honest and engaging performances of the year.

In addition, thanks to director Drake Doremus' cinematographic eye, Like Crazy is filled with captivating shots and brilliant lighting. The major use of hand-held cameras adds to the realism of the on-screen relationship and practically demands that viewers enter into the story, that they feel as if they, too, are part of this relationship. And if real life had a soundtrack, I can only hope it would sound like the music in this film.

All in all, the title of this post is true. I love this movie LIKE CRAZY.

An Article That Rings Ever-So-True

I'm sad to say that I can't claim any credit for the hilarity of this article (especially the part about romcom characters).  However, I can claim credit for knowing awesome when I see it and passing it on:

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/10/03/111003sh_shouts_kaling?currentPage=all

When Did Summer Become All About Superheros?

Yes, I have not posted anything in an eternity. I could give you my excuses about just starting to work full time and still going to school full time and having to pack to move and barely having enough time to watch movies, let alone write about them, but I won't...because that's just a cop out, right? What I WILL discuss is the fact that summer films have made me sad. Not because they were sad films, but because there are barely any good ones.

It seems as though summer has become a time in which we can watch the big, blockbuster movies. While this is not always a negative (I'm fully excited for next summer, which will feature The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises), it can get boring and old. I found myself watching previews and having no desire to go to the theater.

While my local, bigger theater was continuing a revolving door of superheros, the smaller venues had films that I actually cared to see. I managed to watch Hesher, which is a fantastic story of a boy grieving his mother's death and how he works through it. I also saw Beginners, which is probably the best movie released in 2011 so far. I missed a lot of other smaller films, though, because of that lack of time. The only movie that I really was dying to see that made it to the bigger theater was Crazy, Stupid, Love. Frankly, that probably would not have made it to a larger theater without the bigger names and the fact that it's somewhat of a romantic comedy.

Can't we have a little more of a variety? I find myself knowing what films will be around just based on what season it is. The end of Winter brings about mediocre romances that are getting out there for Valentine's day. Spring brings any film that wasn't good enough to fit into another season. Summer has the blockbuster hits, the superheros, and the sequels. Fall begins with indie gems and then ends with Oscar hopefuls, and of course Winter begins with Oscar hopefuls as well. I am bored with the monotony. I want a buffet of films...so Hollywood, let's work on that.

Singh is good; The Cell is not

Until 2 nights ago, I did not know that a movie entitled The Cell even existed.  As I chatted with a friend over dinner, wine, and Shark Week (one of these things is not like the others), our conversation topic turned to the movies she owns that I hadn't seen. She described The Cell as a disturbing but "visually arresting" film.  After seeing it, I can agree whole-heartedly that the movie is, indeed, visually arresting (it is artistically acclaimed director Tarsem Singh, after all) but its flaws keep it from hitting the truly disturbing mark.

Taking on the depiction of the human mind, not to mention the psychotic human mind, is an almost impossible mission. Yet Singh completes his quest by beautifully, artistically, and often grotesquely drawing us into the brutal subconscious of a serial killer. Had the entire movie taken place within these creative images, I would have loved it. I will not even attempt to describe the visual richness of those scenes to you; it's something you just have to see and experience for yourself (if you so desire after reading the rest of this post).

However, and quite unfortunately, the movie does not remain in the killer's subconscious and, every time I was taken out of this imaginative world and thrown back into "reality," I was forced to notice the mediocre acting of Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn, the not-at-all clever writing, the characters I didn't give a rat's ass about, and the script that had at least 3 places it should have ended before it actually did. Not to mention the fact that the actual ending seemed out of place for such a visual, suspenseful movie.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie to just anyone.  While it is artistically amazing, it is also quite graphic and sexual. And if you are at all visually sensitive or prone to nightmares - this is NOT the movie for you.  But if you want to see an example of true, haunting artistic direction - grab a copy of The Cell, sit back, ignore the bad writing and acting, and enjoy some awesome images.