It's a Wonderful Life

So I'm in a film class where we watch movies and have to review them all the time so now I know the proper way to do a review!! But I might have to add a little more ~spice~ bc these are originally written so that my teacher can read them, i.e. significantly less personalit-ay. Here's It's a Wonderful Life:

George Bailey is a kind man who has been helping people since he was a child; he saved his younger brother when he was drowning in a frozen pond and stopped a drug store owner from delivering poison. Through persistent financial troubles with the family bank, George helped keep the institution afloat, until some money goes missing. Distressed by this, George lashes out on his wife and kids and contemplates suicide. That is, until an angel named Clarence is sent from the heavens to show George what life would be like without him. George soon learns that you can get through anything as long as you have friends. Clarence is George’s guardian angel brought down from Heaven to save his life. Clarence is kind and resourceful. He is also still an amateur angel, as he has not yet received his wings. He is a little clueless as to how life on Earth is, as seen when he talks aloud about being an angel and wonders why Nick is so perplexed. Clarence was personally my favorite character because he was able to succeed and exuded a positive energy throughout the film. Mary Hatch is a girl who makes brief appearances in George Bailey’s life as a young adult. She is enamored by George since the minute they might and later on, George reciprocated and they get married and have kids. She is a conscientious mother, which we witness when George gets upset and helps the kids handle the situation. She is a fun character and the perfect wing-woman for George. The screenplay of It’s a Wonderful Life was very effective, as it impacted me and many others throughout the years. I think the reasoning behind George Bailey’s stress could have been something more interesting than bank problems, but I suppose it was relevant for the time. Some of the references date the film a bit but the message and the character’s relationships are timeless. The setting, Bedford Falls, was a wonderful addition and played an important part of the story. I thought it was really neat how much effort the set designers put into making each individual building. It really had a homey feeling but was also very unique as a town. The central bank of the story was cozy and just the right size for the whole town to fit. Their house was a nice touch because it also seemed to be a metaphor for how a bad thing can turn out to be something great in the long-run. The best scene in It’s a Wonderful Life is definitely the end scene where George finally realizes how blessed he really is and the snow is falling and he goes around town and spreads his glee around. When he and the town rejoice at he and Mary’s house and even the bank people start giving him money was so exciting and worth the wait of George’s strife throughout the movie. I thought this was a very important film. George and Mary’s relationship was heartwarming and real, unlike some other movie relationships. George’s relationship with everyone around town was a pleasure to experience. I thought the scene where George first experiences life without himself was a bit overdone; his confusion was a bit annoying. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and thought it was a great lesson. I would give this film 4/4 stars.

Peep World

From IMDB.

This family is super messed up. I came for the plot, I stayed for the cast. They each do a good enough job, as none of the cast members ruined their whole acting careers for this movie. But, just to be safe, the actors should probably keep this movie to themselves. They all gathered for this, well, bad movie. I usually try to stay away from critics for smaller movies like this unless they are glowing but perhaps I should have listened to the 23% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Anyhow, every character had quite a glaring flaw and then, well, nothing else really mattered. That's all they were, walking flaws. Maybe they were more human than I am accustomed to seeing in Hollywood. This movie makes me think that there might be a reason for the sugarcoating some movie characters get. I was kind of nervous and uncomfortable in a lot this film but I kept watching, like a train wreck, or whatever that phrase is. I was reminded of movies my mom has watched and looked upon with disgust: The Break-Up and This is 40. What each of these movies have in common is that they center upon the real world fights that take place about issues we tend to hide from the general public. We often view movies to escape from our everyday lives. When movies highlight the bad side of the everyday, we want nothing to do with it. That's how this movie felt, whether or not you have a hatred for your family. I like to end things on a positive note so <3 TARAJI P HENSON <3

1/5 stars

1 star for every Taraji P Henson

Bronies

Not mine. Found from Google/IMDB.

If you know me IRL or tumblr or twitter or- wait- literally anywhere else, you will not be surprised that I watched this doc. I went into it thinking it'd be a laugh (how very Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging of me) and came out of it thinking that I should be happy that something is making others happy and that's all that matters. My sister and I discussed how lots of "bronies" (followers of My Little Pony in case you didn't know) are the type of males that claim they are just "nice guys" and don't know why "no girls like them" but they are really just weird assholes. I honestly don't think any person profiled in this movie were that type of guy, although the boy with the OO0O CONSERVATIVE dad could easily grow up to be one. Who knows. My fave was the boy with Aspergers because he faced his fears and idk he just seems like he is an acceptable representation of the audience. In no way am I saying that you need a mental illness to like My Little Pony, he was just a nice kid. And !surprise! a couple got engaged through My Little Pony! Honestly, it's maybe not worth watching for entertainment purposes, but it may give you a new perspective on this confusing group of people. There were concerned parents and guys in fedoras and cosplayers big whoop. I suppose I let up on the judgement because of this movie but it didn't help me understand why people were obsessed. Fan described the show in a way that any other show could have been described. It is much more sugar coated than the average television show but all the same values are there in other. Only much more subtle.

3/5 stars

Ai Wei Wei (sung to the tune of ay bay bay)

No pictures are mine. Found through Google.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I haven't been putting little synopses before these because I figure you can just imdb/wikipedia the plot. Also, these may be better to read after you've watched the film. Is that stupid? I NEED HELP.

Ai Wei Wei makes me wanna give the finger to everyone and hug them all at the same time. What a cool dude. Besides the cheating, but we'll get to that later. I don't think I'm exactly smart enough for this movie but what I took away from it was that Ai Wei Wei sticks to his convictions and fights for what he believes in. It's great that he had some sort of window to speak out but it was ultimately taken away from him. I now follow the English translation of his twitter because his activism is important and he's super sassy. I like that this documentary displays him as imperfect but still revered. He has a child with "a friend" while he has a wife. But, just like the A+ title of this film, he is Never Sorry.

3/5 stars

The Godfather

I would do a Godfather review (first time viewing!) but I don't wanna beat a dead horse hahahaha! Wow, what a fantastic opportunity.

AntiTrust

John Lennon, datchu?

This whole movie I was like "oh shit oh shit oh shit." This film was super fun and stars two actors I like to stare at; the original Sebastian himself, Ryan Phillipe and my beloved Josie, Rachael Leigh Cook (god she spells her name so weird). These people are the only reason I tuned in to this film but it was worth it. It helps if you have a Computer Dad of a father like I do to talk about how LOL no one uses CDs anymore! But you don't really need it. There are a few parts where the plausibility is like um ok but I really don't care because there was a lot of engano (i looked up how to say deception in spanish for this dont ask me why) that made my heart race. That could have been the coffee I had since I watched this at like 8 in the AM because I woke up at 6:55 ON A SUNDAY MORNING. Anyways, it was oh-so-90s but not like in your face. Though I think the credits had a Sugar Ray-like artist's song that I was like "yes my new jam." They sounded familiar but I'm too lazy to look them up so if anyone wants to comment and let me know, you'd be the bee's knees. But, you know, you already are.

I forgot on the last post!:

3.14159265/5 stars

for all you nerds

thats just off the top of my head idk if thats right ha

xox Gina

Frances Ha

The character of Frances anchors this wonderful film. Her exuberances amplifies the whole 20-something trying to find her footing plot. In the same breath, I think Frances knew what she wanted and actually did have it figured out (even if she herself didn't believe so). My favorite movies, at their heart, have stories of unforgettable friendships and inextricable bonds. The relationship between Frances and Sophie (eep cute names) was lovely. It's just what I want in a friendship (but not all friendships), where we're the same person, and that might get annoying but you just get each other. Frances says it best when she says, "It's that thing when you're with someone, and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it... but it's a party... and you're both talking to other people, and you're laughing and shining... and you look across the room and catch each other's eyes... but - but not because you're possessive, or it's precisely sexual... but because... that is your person in this life. And it's funny and sad, but only because this life will end, and it's this secret world that exists right there in public, unnoticed, that no one else knows about. It's sort of like how they say that other dimensions exist all around us, but we don't have the ability to perceive them. That's - That's what I want out of a relationship. Or just life, I guess." That was taken from imdb.com, I didn't memorize it, but now I kind of want to! 
I love the spontaneity of France's spirit and her confidence. She is who she is and I admire that.
In conclusion, I <3 Frances and I'm ready to embroider it on a pillow.