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Reviews
The Terminal (2004)
Delightfully Entertaining
This was another great movie by 2 of Hollywood's best. Spielberg directing and Tom Hanks acting. Rather then trying to make a ground breaking movie with all the effects and editing he decides to do a simple movie that focuses on storytelling. It is nice to watch a movie where we see a movie that is about the moments between characters and the emotions that are shown and felt. A great piece of film that is able to be funny and entertaining enough to keep you interested. Tom Hanks plays a foreign traveler who becomes stranded in JFK after the country he is from breaks out in civil war and ceases to be a country. Since all this has happened Viktor played my Tom is not allowed to leave the airport. During his predicament he winds up making friends, a love interest and a rival. When he has his new adventure he ends up changing the lives of all those around him. This movies does a great job of being simple without really contributing much instead it becomes about just about the interactions of the different characters. It was interesting how he was able to make some kind of home for himself while he waits his fate. What made this even more incredible was that the airport was built from scratch since for security reasons were not allowed to film in a actual airport. This was a very charming film that leaves a lot for reflection. The looks were very beautiful and elegant it should be a must see for a film-goer.
Patch Adams (1998)
Another funny Robin Williams movie
This is another funny feel good Robin Williams movie. This is based on the real person Hunter (Patch) Adams. I have always thought Robin was more entertaining to watch when he is playing someone that is similar to his self. The real Patch Adams was a doctor who believed that treating the person first so that it could be a little easier to treat the illness. Sometimes when people get sick they don't get better, when you heal someones soul with a laugh or two it can sometimes make the end more dignified or lessen the amount of suffering. The death of a loved one is hard and when we know that their pain was eased because they didn't suffer as much when they died it can put us at ease too. Now days in the medical profession it can be easily wrapped up in treating a sickness that it can be forgotten to realize that there is a actual person and not just a number. This film all the more remarkable being a true story with a man who cherishes the chances to help people. The community at large do not agree with his practices and at every chance try to keep him from trying to help. Being the good hearted person he is and his stellar grades that seem to bring more criticism then praise keeps breaking the rules and sneaking into the hospital before his time. This and the appreciation from the patients and staff drive him even more to question authority and the status quo. The powerful message that this movie portrays is sometime breaking the rules when it's in the best interest of everyone can sometimes be a good thing. Robin knew in his heart that everyone needs to laugh every now and then and that laughter can sometimes be the best medicine. He also wasn't just a jokester or class clown he knew when to be serious and he treated all the people around him with respect and dignity. The way he lived would be recommended for everyone. There are some people who criticize the movie for being a big joke, or him being a jerk, or even that laughter is a cure for sickness. This movie doesn't really portray laughter as that. It says that if you have cancer and are going to die do you wanna die miserable and depressed or laughing. Its lessen the suffering and making life enjoyable again. There was a scene with a angry dying man with cancer who would throw things at the nurses, continuously kicking people out not wanting any help. Being the persistent and kind person he is he keeps trying to help the man showering him with kindness and jokes when finally the patient laughs and dies happy. All in all a funny heartwarming movie. See this if you like Robin Williams, comedies or positive movies.
Pleasantville (1998)
A great nostalgic movie
This was such a incredible movie, the way they blended color and black and white at the right times to convey different emotions rather then just music was very well done. After seeing this movie you start to realize that there was a purpose to integrating black and white and color. A main theme of the movie was living life to its fullest, taking the good with the bad, taking a chance once and awhile. Tobey Maguire's speech at the end when he talks about sweeping things under the rug and basically acting pleasant all the time isn't the right way to live. It is a part of life that bad things happen. When you show yourself having passion its going to come with positive outcomes and negative, when you keep in the passion for the sake of being kind or cordial it becomes a empty life. Its a everlasting key to the human condition. People quite often fear change, its universal from beginning to end of time. The film does a great job of showing this fear and when society comes together they grow as a society and it becomes a good thing even when scary. The transitioning from black and white to color expressed this fear perfectly. Some would say that the director is promoting promiscuity, out of wedlock sex. Although there was a suggestion of a point about openness and not conceal ones feelings. Reese Witherspoon's character was already promiscuous but when she finished a book with no pictures the act of completing something and changing her behavior is what changed her into color. The catalyst of people changing in the movie is the eagerness to experience new things and to become vulnerable. I feel that movies like Pleasantville confront the viewer and compel them to think are very rare in today's world of Hollywood movies. Which should be treasured by any avid film-goer. To wrap this all up this is more than the old way and the new way after change. We need to see ourselves inside and out. If you live a life that is stuck and not changing then what you get is black and white. It is when we allow ourselves to mature as people that we are granted with the ability to see in colors or outside the box. The town is only opened up to the rest of the world when everyone is in color and then they are all able to travel outside the few streets in town. Its odd how everyone knows what color is but then don't want it or change when it appears everywhere.
What Dreams May Come (1998)
Fantastic, stunning movie.
This is a true romance movie. Too beautiful of a movie to pass up. The way the creators explored the possibilities of the spiritual life and life after death, have created some of the most beautiful scenery in any movie, even matched with some movies today. Even though this deals with the afterlife, you don't need to be a true believer to enjoy this movie. If there is one you would hope it looks like this. If you are a believer in the afterlife and reincarnation this movie hits a lot of ideals. The idea of true soul mates and love lasting beyond death. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone. Especially those that have lost ones it can offer piece of mind in that they are in a better place. It also doesn't subscribe to any belief system or religion. If anything it can offer peace and harmony despite all outward differences and that if there is a heaven it is what you make of it.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
A wonderful film. One of best i've seen
This is one of my favorite movies of all time and a Christmas tradition in my household. This film is about sacrifice for the greater good. George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) having big ideas of the world around him and continually puts his desires behind the good of the town. Another thing this movie shows perfectly that no matter how insignificant we feel, we are all linked to each other and play a important part in each others lives. After George looses his way and a angel shows what the world would be like without him he soon realizes how important he was to the people and town around him. This will always be considered a classic in cinema and a great movie to watch every year during Christmas. So we can all remember the good and bad of the present year and when new years comes around we try to make the next year better for others and ourselves. This is a must see for any family or fan of cinema.