The Graduate (1967)

(Go to full size to see the trailer)

Tay's Rating- :D :D :D : D

Interesting Facts: -In Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft's first encounter in the hotel room, Bancroft did not know that Hoffman was going to grab her breast. Hoffman decided offscreen to do it, because it reminded him of schoolboys trying to nonchalantly grab girls' breasts in the hall by pretending to put their jackets on. When Hoffman did it onscreen, director Mike Nichols began laughing loudly offscreen. Hoffman began to laugh as well, so rather than stop the scene, he turned away from the camera and walked to the wall. Hoffman banged his head on the wall, trying to stop laughing, and Nichols thought it was so funny, he left it in.

-Ronald Reagan was considered for the role of Mr. Braddock.

-Jack Nicholson was considered for the part of Benjamin Braddock.

-The movie's line "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" was voted as the #63 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100), as the #5 of Premiere's "100 Greatest Movie Lines" (2007).

-The leg in the poster for "The Graduate" belongs to Linda Gray.

This movie was one of the movies selected from my Intro in Film teacher and the assignment was to write my own review so here it is. 

The Graduate

The movie I watched was The Graduate from 1967. The main theme of this film is be careful what you fall for. The film was filmed in 1967 filmed by Mike Nichols. The lead actors were Dustin Hoffman (Ben), Anne Bancroft (Mrs. Robinson), and Katharine Ross (Elaine). Most of locations in the film were filmed in Los Angeles. The society at the time was in the late 60’s and the early 70’s. At the time, people would do their own thing. It can be a mid-life crisis, cheating, sexual frustration, drinking, drugs, and anything.

When I watched this film, I was impressed with the cinematography and the story plot. There were a lot of twists and a few of big climaxes. There were a few things unexpected happened. I loved the story of the romantic part and the drama part at the same time. The main thing about this film was to focus on the character, Ben Braddock, and his struggles after graduating college which was social problems and moral implications. The twists and the climaxes are my favorite parts. I was surprised that Ben had an affair with Mrs. Robinson.  All of the sudden, Elaine came into the picture, Ben fell in love with her. But she found out the woman in the affair was her mother and she broke the short-lived relationship off. She married someone else but ran away with Ben at the wedding.

But the cinematography was the part I was impressed at. There were a lot of close-ups of the characters’ emotions. The natural frame was included. Natural frame is when the camera focuses on the main subject but there was something surrounding the main subject close to the camera. It comes out blurry but the main subject is clear. Another name for natural frame is Rack Focus. The film used many types of filming to make the film happen with the story the film has. It used close-ups, panning, and zooming into the character and zooming out was used. The lighting was dramatic and bright at the same time. The film had high-key and low-key lighting at the same time to emphasizes the scene. There were some inside/out editing to show close to the main character’s true emotion and turns into the climax part of the movie. There was some repetition from Mrs. Robinson to Ben by manipulating Ben into an affair. She kept going and going and Ben fell for it. Also there was external conflict with Ben and Elaine when he lost contact to her and she found someone else.

My opinion and summary of this film is to be prepared the unexpected. If I would tell someone else about this film, I would say, just watch it and you will enjoy it. The cast was well picked. The story plot was unpredictable and predictable at the same time. The film was well filmed with filing techniques and editing. Also the story plot was perfectly written. I was not bored but yet surprising at the conflicts and the externally observable truths in the story of the film. 

Saving Mr. Banks

(Go to full size to watch the trailer)

Tay's Rating- :D :D :D :D 

Summary:  When Walt Disney's daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers' Mary Poppins (1964), he made them a promise - one that he didn't realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney's plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn't budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp. It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history. - Written by Walt Disney Pictures

Interesting Facts: In the movie Tom Hanks is playing Walt Disney who is his distant cousin.

-Tom Hanks was 55 when filming began, making him only 5 years younger than when Walt Disney began work on Mary Poppins (1964).

-The audiotapes of the working sessions between Travers and the Disney creative team amounted to 39 hours, all of which screenwriter Kelly Marcel and later Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson had access to

-Second movie Tom Hanks has done with the word 'Saving' in the title, after Saving Private Ryan (1998).

9i9

My Review: I went to see this film with my family. I really can relate to this film because of my family. My family went through tough times but we still are family no matter what. I really liked Travers' backstory of her past. it was interesting and sad at the same time. The script, cinematography, cast, and the screenplay was well done. I LOVE the cast for this film. The thing that got my attention from the trailer is one of the actors in the film was B.J Novak. B.J was from the office and haven't see him on screen for a long time. My sister and I were like "okay we must see this!". The film has a few of hidden messages that I noticed. One of them was Travers complained and stating that the film (Mary Poppins) must have NO RED......she was wearing red clothing and red lipstick. I was taken back and inside laughing. Another thing I like is the film included Walt's smoking cough right before he comes into a room. It shows one of his traits from the past that not a lot people knew. 

Inception

(Go to full size to watch the trailer)

Tay's Rating- :D :D :D :D : 

Summary: Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. 

Interesting facts: If you take the first letters of the main characters' names - Dom, Robert, Eames, Arthur, Mal and Saito - they spell "Dreams". If you add Peter, Ariadne and Yusuf, the whole makes "Dreams Pay", which is what they do for a mind thief.

-Joseph Gordon-Levitt performed all but one of his own stunts during the fight scene in the spinning hallway.

-Joseph Gordon-Levitt went to his audition after a brief character summary, wearing a full suit "just in case", unknowingly matching his character's wardrobe perfectly.

-Dom Cobb's main objective is to get Home. His name, Dom, literally means 'home' in most Slavic languages. The root word "*dom" comes from the Latin word "Domus". Words like 'Domesticated' and 'Domicile' all share the same "*dom" root.

-The running time of the movie INCEPTION in DVD is exactly 8888 seconds.

-Despite prominent billing, Michael Caine only gets three minutes of screentime.

-In the city scene on the first level of the dream with Fischer, the state motto on the license plates of the cars reads "The Alternate State".

My Review: This movie was one of my favorites of the year of 2010. I LOVE IT. It can be confusing at the same time. I asked around to my friends and family for what they think of the movie. They either say: “I love it”, “mindf**ked”, “amazing”, or the most popular one, “confusing”. I agree to all comments but the back story of Cobbs was interesting. It’s interesting and sad at the same time.

          

The special effects and the editing of the movie were breath-taking. The part when part of the town “folds” over part of the town. Scenes when Ariadne manipulates the “dream” were well edited. Examples: The endless mirror scene without a camera, the bridge scene, and successfully creates a road without bothering Cobb’s subconscious.

          

Some scenes have perfectly amount of dramatic touch. The scene with the hotel hallway spinning, the group of people tied up floating, and spinning while unconscious. I have a weakness for dramatic scenes/visuals/anything. This movie is on my top dramatic movies list.  

Sliver Linings Playbook

                                                (Go to full size to watch the trailer)

Taylor's Rating- :D :D :D :D :D

Summary: Life doesn't always go according to plan. Pat Solatano has lost everything - his house, his job, and his wife. He now finds himself living back with his mother and father after spending eight months in a state institution on a plea bargain. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive and reunite with his wife, despite the challenging circumstances of their separation. All Pat's parents want is for him to get back on his feet - and to share their family's obsession with the Philadelphia Eagles football team. When Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own, things get complicated. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his wife, but only if he'll do something very important for her in return. As their deal plays out, an unexpected bond begins to form between them, and silver linings appear in both of their lives.

- Written by The Weinstein Company

Interesting Facts: -The results of Eagles and Phillies games mentioned in the movie are all real and all took place in 2008.

-Robert De Niro actually teared up during the scene when Pat Sr. tells Pat he wished he was closer to him, which was not scripted.

- Rachel McAdams, Olivia Wilde, Elizabeth Banks, Blake Lively, Rooney Mara, Kirsten Dunst and Andrea Riseborough were considered for the lead female role that went to Jennifer Lawrence.

- This is the first film, other than a Rush Hour (1998) movie, that Chris Tucker has been in since Jackie Brown (1997) in 1997. Both films feature Robert De Niro.

My review: I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS MOVIE!! It felt real because I can relate to Pat (played by Bradley Copper) with his depression issue. I love how this movie is also a "mini love story" because of Tiffany who also has problems (played by Jennifer Lawrence).  Pat and Tiffany's relationship was interesting to me because of the "healing" solution of both of their problems they have. This movie really tells an important message to be positive.

This movie was filmed in Philadelphia which one of the cities I LOVE. I am from outside of Philadelphia so I can relate to Pat's love with the Philly's football team the Eagles. The dance practice and competition was a great idea for both of the main characters. It made them happier in many ways. They had to do the dance competition for a football bet for Pat’s father (played by Robert De Niro). At the same time, an unexpected bond begins to form between them, and silver linings appear in both of their lives.

BIG UPDATE

Dammmnnnnn.........

I completely forgot about this blog and I didn't post anything since May of 2013......
I just recently started a Intro to Film class at my class and I am LOVING it. I realized that I have this blog so I need to start using this blog.....seriously hahahahaha

Movies I might rate/critique soon:
Sliver lining Playbook
Cinema Paradiso
The Breakfast Club

More later on

Warning....I might not post often due college but I will do the best I can do. :D :D :D :D

Toodles!  

Tay AKA the movie lover 

Introduction!

Hello Everyone!

Introduction

My name is Taylor and not many people know this but I LOVE movies! I have a quite collection of DVDs and of course NETFLIX! This is a start of my movie blog. It will have all types of movies. Each post of a movie will have a short summary and my critic or opinion of the movie.

For me to start this, I will pick some of my favorites movies and some current movies are in the theaters now. BUT, if you have an movie that you want me to watch or give my opinion, I will happily do that! Just email me tayphoto24@gmail.com Give me a name and year (if there is an remake unless you want me to watch both).