Young Adult-- an examination of loss

There are some movies that stay with you for some time to come and this movie is one of them. Even now days after having watched it, the story lines, the dialogue stays with me. I know I'm not perhaps in the great majority with my love as my brother and cousin who watched it with me found it below average, but for me, I loved it more than I could have imagined. 

Young Adult follows the life of a late thirties former prom queen current young adult writer who loves to drink and finds out that her exboyfriend in her small town has gone off and gotten married and had a baby. She is determined to win him back. This is not a funny zany love story as some of the trailers promise. This is a story far deeper than that with a subtle twist at the end, that helps tie everything together. What moved me about Young Adult was not the dark comedy storylines because at the end of the day this movie wasn't particularly hilarious, but that this movie was the sincere examination of loss. Loss of beauty, of life, of hopes and dreams. And the power of self-denial. This is a movie I will definitely see again. One of the best movies I've seen in a long time.

Shutter Island

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. I have to say this might be one of my favorite fun movies to watch. It left me thinking for days about perception. The story begins with a police officer sent to a mental institution situated on an island to investigate a missing person. As the cop investigates he learns that not everything is as it seems. I don't know how else to describe this movie without giving too much away. It looks like a scary movie but its not! It's suspenseful and engrossing every step of the way!

Wall E

ten out of ten

I loved this movie. I did not expect to. This is a sweet love story and a statement of how we use our resources and how technology perhaps could turn us into mindless zombies. But really, its a fun story. I loved it.

The Visitor

This is an unexpected movie. Richard Jenkins, the main character is nominated for an Oscar and after watching the movie I can see why. What an exquisite, haunting movie. This movie is like a novel focused on character development. We see an older professor dissatisfied with his life and sent to present at a conference at NYU. He unlocks his Manhattan apartment which he's owned for 25 years and finds a couple living there! What follows is unpredictable with twists and turns and leaves you thinking for days. Particularly in a time of detention camps for illegal immigrants, this is a must see film.

Slumdog Millionaire

A story of a boy on a game show trying to win the heart of his love but winning the gamea s he goes along. Each game show question delves deeper into his life as we see the reality of being a slumdog in India and witness another Indian love story told in anything but the usual way.

One of the best movies of all time. If you haven't seen it go watch it.

Bourne Ultimatum

Ten out of Ten

I never saw Bourne Supremacy or Bourne Identity but I LOVED Bourne Ultimatum. I don't normally like these sorts of action flicks where you trail a man on a mission as he does impossible and nearly impossible stunts but I LOVED Bourne Ultimatum. I think its partly because even though everything put together as a whole is probably impossible, each scene could happen and so you keep watching and you get hooked, particularly since it might be the last of the Bourne series so he really might die this time. Damon did a fantastic job and the editor was sharp and deserves a garland of roses for his/her incredible editing. Its a movie I would definitely watch again because seriously, I LOVED Bourne Ultimatum.

Enchanted

Ten out of Ten

I can't write a better review for Enchanted than Huda. So instead of trying, I'll just link to her review instead!

Paradise Now

ten out of ten

This movie has an almost documentary feel. It follows two boys who work at an auto shop and go about their day. One of the boys is starting to like a worldly traveled daughter of a "martyr" who is back in Palestine to live. Despite the fact that they do not appear especially angry, political, or even religious in the film, when they are called to become suicide bombers they accept it with the casualness of agreeing to cover someone else's shift at work. Perhaps even more so. One boy asks if his picture will be displayed on the streets like a hero's. In the middle of his dramatic "martyr film" send off, he interrupts his solemn patriotic pledge with a shopping reminder for his mother. It shows clearly that they are they are simply that, they are boys.

I liked the editing of the film because it kept going without one checking the watch. I liked Suha's character who pointed out the error in their logic. She was born and raised in a more western culture and she tries to affect these boys and their thought process.

It's a good movie but its sad. Very sad because it portrays a real life situation. Can't help but think of Steve Earle's song, I believe that one fine day all the children of Abraham will lay down their swords in peace in Jerusalem. Looking at the world today I dont know if I believe that will ever happen... but I pray for it anyways.