Movie Review: Forrest Gump

On this day in 1994 the world was introduced to one of the most beloved characters in film. Based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump has become an absolute phenomenon; no matter how young or old you are this will always be a favorite of any generation. If for some reason you haven’t watched Forrest Gump, here is the spoiler alert. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks who won an Oscar for the part with Michael Connor Humphreys as the younger version) is waiting for a bus in 1981 and tells sttangers how he got to this point. He talks about his first day of school in 1951, his mother (Sally Field) was very adamant about his education despite others pointing out his leg braces and very low intelligence; Mrs. Gump tells Forrest that he is the same as everybody else and to not let anyone say otherwise. The other students make fun of Forrest, except for one; Jenny Curran (Robin Wright and Hanna R. Hall as a child). Forrest immediately loves Jenny and throughout hid life never stops. His mother opens their home as a boarding house and Forrest inadvertently inspires a truck driver with his hip thrusting attempts at dancing (yep, Elvis Presley). Forrest eventually breaks his leg brace and becomes very fast, which helps when he outruns bullies; with Jenny telling him “Run Forrest, run.” He becomes a big football star at the University of Alabama because of his running; even meeting President John F. Kennedy. Forrest would then enlist in the army and befriends a man named Bubba (Mykelti Williamson). They plan to open up a shrimping company when they get discharged. Forrest and Bubba get shipped off to Vietnam where they meet Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise nominated for an Oscar for this part). During an ambush Forrest gets shot in the butt but saves the members of his platoon; Dan loses his legs and is depressed for a majority of the film (Forrest does later pull him out of his funk) while Bubba is killed. Forrest kerps his promise to Bubba; he opens a shrimping company along with Dan. Forrest reunites with Jenny many times in the movie, but because of her issues has trouble committing to Forrest despite loving him as much as he loves her. Probably as far as I should go without spoiling the rest of the film.

What can I say about this movie that hasn’t already been said? It is a true cinematic masterpiece. Tom Hanks is one of the best actors to ever grace a camera and, this probably goes without saying, Forrest Gump is one of his most iconic roles. Forrest is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but his heart more than makes up for it. Robin Wright shines as Jenny, the woman with a bad past but always had Forrest’s heart. Admittedly Forrest and Jenny’s love story feels a little one-sided, but it’s still lovely to watch. Sally Field is fabulous as Mrs. Gump; she’s caring, tough and, if I may be so bold, probably one of the best mothers on film or television. Gary Sinise is so good as Lt. Dan (he was nominated for an Oscar for the part). Iloved Williamson as Bubba; I can listen to him talk about shrimp all day.

The casting isn’t the only part I loved about Forrest Gump. I’m absolutely positive everyone enjoyed the pop culture references throughout the movie (John Lennon, Watergate, Apple and so much more.) The writing, cinematography and even the visual effects placing Forrest with the famous people is great. Forrest Gump won six Oscars including Best Actor for Hanks, Director, Film Editing, Visual Effects, Writing for an Adapted Screenplay and the biggest of them all Best Picture; it was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Sinise, art direction, cinematography, make-up and hair, score, sound and sound editing. The movie was also included on multiple American Film Institute top lists: Top 100 Quotes at #40 “Mama always said ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.'”, 100 Cheers at #37, Top 100 movies at #71 and finally the 10th Anniversary edition at #76. To call this a must watch would be a big understatement. Grab your own box of chocolates, sit down and watch this classic Tom Hanks film.

Movie Review: Casablanca

You ask any film critic what is the greatest film of all time and I guarantee most if not all of them will say this 1942 film. From its wonderful script, once in a lifetime performances, beautiful cinematography to its beautiful story Casablanca is everything the critics say and more. As always spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

During World War II many traveled to Casablanca in order to find transportation to the then neutral United States, however those who did not have papers saying so could be arrested or worse. A petty crook brags about killing two German officers in order to get letters of transport but gets it to bitter nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) before he is arrested and dies in protective custody under the command of Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains). Rick attempts to remain neutral despite his past in previous wars, but becomes involved after the reason for his bitterness is revealed. Years ago Rick fell in love with a woman believed to be a widow named Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Berman) and the two have a passionate relationship. However she left without explanation one day and he’s been a bitter person since. Until now that Ilsa has returned along with her not so dead husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) trying to escape to America from German Major Heinrich Strasser (Conrad Veidt). Despite being extremely bitter Rick agrees to help as he still loves Ilsa, and she still loves him. About as far as I should go without spoiling the rest of the film, but the ending is very famous.

What can I say about Casablanca that has not already been said by basically everyone that has watched the movie? It is one of the best movies of all time (if not the absolute best); Bogart and Berman are amazing as the leads. Rains and Henreid are fantastic supporting actors along with the rest of the cast. The writing, cinematography, location; all the little tiny details are spot on perfect, which should not surprise you when I say this won the Oscar for Best Picture, Director and Screenplay while nominated for Actor, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Film Editing and Music. In fact the film is listed on multiple American Film Institute top 100 lists: 100 movies at #2 and in the 10th Anniversary at #3, Thrills at #37, Passions at #1, Cheers at #32, Heroes for Rick at #4, Songs for “As Time Goes By” at #2 and finally SIX quotes more than any other film on the lists in Best Movie Quotes: #67 “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine”, #43 We’ll always have Paris”, #32 “Round up the usual suspects”, #28 “Play it Sam, Play “As Time Goes By””, #20 “Louie I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship” and #5 “Here’s looking at you kid” (which Bogart improvised a lot). What are you still reading this for? Go watch Casablanca now!

Classic Movie Review: West Side Story

Haven’t done a classic film review in some time and this one definitely fits the bill. Based on the 1957 musical and inspired by the famous Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet, this 1961 musical is one of the most successful not just musicals but movies of all time; it still holds the record for most Academy Awards wins for a musical. If for some reason you haven’t watched West Side Story a spoiler alert is being issued. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

In 1957 Manhattan two gangs run the streets, the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. The Jets leader Riff Lorton (Russ Tamblyn with Tucker Smith providing the singing voice for two songs) decides to challenge the Sharks leader Bernardo Nunez (George Chakiris who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this part) to a rumble at the upcoming dance. Riff insists his best friend Tony Wyzek (Richard Beymer with Jimmy Bryant as the singing voice) who left the Jets and has an honest job at a drug store join the Jets at the dance. Tony doesn’t want to, but after he says he feels something important will happen to him agrees to go. Meanwhile on the Sharks side Bernardo’s little sister Maria Nunez (Natalie Wood with Marni Nixon as the singing voice) talks with her best friend and the girlfriend of Bernardo Anita Palacio (Rita Moreno who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for this part) that she does not like the man Bernardo brought to America for her to marry Chino (Jose DeVega). At the dance the gangs refuse to dance with the other. Tony and Maria look at each other from across the dance floor and instantly fall in love. Bernardo warns Tony to stay away from his sister as he agrees to a rumble with Riff. Tony and Maria plan to run away together, but their respective gangs may tear the new couple apart. I probably shouldn’t say any more but considering the material this was inspired by I’m sure it is not hard to figure out.

This is without a doubt one amazing musical is many ways. From the acting, writing, cinematography, songs; OK basically all. Don’t believe me, check out this fact. West Side Story was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 10. Two of them were for acting as already stated, the other eight were for best cinematography, sound, music, film editing, costume, art direction, director and of course the biggest of them all Best Picture (it was nominated for best adapted screenplay and I can’t argue with the one that won). While Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood were not nominated they were absolutely fantastic as the star crossed pair of Tony and Maria; they are often listed as one of the best couples of 1960 movies and musicals which shows how much chemistry they had as well as the incredible writing. George Chakiris and Rita Moreno are also adorable as Bernardo and Anita but they definitely earned their Oscars for their parts. The rest of the cast is just as good, but there is so much more than just the acting and writing. West Side Story has also been listed on five of the American Film Institute 100 Years lists: 100 movies, and the revived list, three songs on the 100 songs, 100 Passions and finally Greatest Movie Musicals.

The songs in West Side Story have gone down as not only some of the best Steven Sondheim numbers, but some of the best songs in musicals (film or Broadway). Here are some standouts: “Something’s Coming” by Tony before he goes to the dance, “Maria” by Tony shortly after he has met and fallen for Maria, “Tonight” by Maria and Tony confessing their love, and then later on a quintet with the Jets, Sharks, Anita, Maria and Tony as they get ready for the rumble, “America” by Anita, Bernardo and other members of the Sharks talking about the good and bad things about living in America for them, “I Feel Pretty” Maria’s number where she is happy to run off with Tony, “Somewhere” Tony and Maria’s somber duet planning to find their place where they can be together, “Cool” the Jets song after the rumble where talks of revenge begin to form and finally “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love” Maria and Anita’s number after Anita catches Maria with Tony. There are more songs, but these are the ones any musical fan knows.

I have heard that Steven Spielberg is doing a remake of the movie and it is supposedly open casting. I won’t lie and say when I heard about this I was a little worried as I love this story (both the movie and the musical which I saw in 2009). However I know Spielberg has way more hits than misses so my concern is not as big, I just hope we have a great cast and writing; I do not know if it will be as good as this one, but I cannot wait to see it. Regardless if you are a musical fan or if you love great movies West Side Story has to be on anyone’s must watch list; I promise you will fall in love just as fast as Tony and Maria with West Side Story.

Movie Review: Spotlight

Being a journalist this was a movie I had to see as soon as possible, and I was not disappointed. Released in 2015, Spotlight was nominated for six Oscars and won two for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. I probably should say before you watch the film if you have not already the topic is very uncomfortable, as it is based on a true story (even then it is not easy hearing the details). I also read the book attached to this film and let’s just say sleep did not come easy those nights. Spoiler alert as always. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

In 2001, The Boston Globe team of investigative reporters, known as Spotlight, is pushed by their new editor Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber) to investigate claims of a priest sexually abusing children and those who kept the stories covered up. The team of reporters includes Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) Ben Bradlee Jr. (John Slattery), Matt Carroll (Brian d’Arcy James) and Editor Walter “Robby” Robinson (Michael Keaton). The team at first believes it was one priest they were investigating, but more clues and people coming forward, including a lawyer named Mitchell Garabedian (Stanley Tucci) who represented the victims, to speak with them makes them realize a pattern is forming, a truly disturbing one. The team must also get by legal documents that may prevent them from publishing their story. About as far as I can go without giving away the rest of the movie.

As I watched the movie with my best friend we both knew going in the number of priests was going to get higher, but as the number kept growing and at the end of the movie they showed how many scandals involving priests (not just in the United States but in the world) we could not believe it; my skin was crawling by the time I left the theater. I have to give a huge round of applause to the entire cast; Ruffalo and McAdams were nominated for Oscars while I also loved Keaton, d’Arcy James, Tucci, Schreiber and Slattery (on a side note there is no doubt in my mind Ruffalo will win an Oscar one day). I know this was probably a topic not just the actors but the real life reporters must not have been comfortable with, but this was a huge story. As a reporter myself I know to do my job regardless of personal feelings, or at least not write about it in the article. Spotlight is a truly amazing film; I would even call it must see, but prepare to have your eyes opened, and your skin crawling.

Movie Review: The Sound Of Music

As this is my 100th blog, thank you for sticking around if you’ve been here since blog 1 and if not still thank you for reading, I wanted to do one of my favorite movies of all time, not to mention one of the greatest musicals of all time. The Sound of Music, released in 1965 and based on not just the legendary Rodgers & Hammerstein musical but a true story, has been in my life for as long as I can remember, not to the point of I can name exactly where the 1 hour 45 minute 53 second mark is; I’m not that obsessed. That being said my mom introduced this movie to me when I was very young because Julie Andrews is one of her favorite actresses, and mine as well for many reasons. While I do not watch it every time it is on TV (it’s almost 5 hours with commercial breaks), this film will always be near and dear to my heart. If you have not seen it spoiler alert. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Taking place in Austria, Maria (Julie Andrews) is a free-spirited nun which sadly makes her a “problem” for the other nuns. The Mother Abbess (Peggy Wood) who thinks Maria will be happier outside of the abbey has Maria become the governess of the seven children of a retired Navy captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) who runs the house like a ship. It takes a while but soon Liesl (Charmian Carr), Friedrich (Nicholas Hammond) Louisa (Heather Menzies) Kurt (Duane Chase) Brigitta (Angela Cartwright) Marta (Debbie Turner) and Gretl (Kym Karath) warm up to Maria and accepts her as part of the family. The Captain returns from his trip and almost throws Maria out of the house because it disrupted how he runs the family, until he sees how happy his children are because of her. It is not long before the Captain and Maria fall madly in love, much to the chagrin of the two people the captain brought back, a man known as Uncle Max (Richard Hayden) and the Baroness Elsa von Schraeder (Eleanor Parker) who hoped to marry him. Meanwhile Liesl has her own love story with Rolfe (Daniel Truhitte) which sadly doesn’t end well and the Second World War has begun, which is a huge part in the second half of the movie. Cannot go into more without giving the rest away.

The Sound of Music is constantly listed as one of the best musicals of all time, however if it was just for the songs it may not be as high. The story is so beautifully written, the acting is top notch, cinematography is gorgeous and oh so much more. It won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Music among others, and was nominated for Best Actress in both Leading and Supporting Role for Andrews and Wood respectively. I seriously cannot say enough good things about this movie. Julie Andrews is absolutely fabulous in this movie; she is one of the very few actresses than can say so much with her eyes more than a 10 minute monologue. I know Christopher Plummer strongly dislikes this movie, I was somewhat surprised but I wasn’t even born and wasn’t there so he has his reasons. That being said he was still so good in the movie. The actors playing the Von Trapp children were great as was the rest of the cast.

If you are not singing along with the legendary songs in this musical than I strongly suggest checking your pulse. I’m not saying you have to sing as well as Andrews or Wood (God knows that’s almost impossible) but you can do the best you can with so many incredible songs such as “Maria”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, “Edelweiss” “Do-Rei-Me”, “The Sound Of Music” and my personal favorite, pun completely intended, “My Favorite Things”

There have been many adaptions of this musical; perhaps the most famous was the NBC live musical adaption staring Carrie Underwood, which may show up at a later time. If you have not seen this amazing musical put it at the number one spot on the must watch list.

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

To say this movie is one of the biggest sleeper hits of all time would be arguably the biggest understatement I’ve ever made on this blog. Released in 2008/2009 Slumdog Millionaire, based loosely on the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup, cleaned up at the 2009 Academy Awards winning eight out of the 10 awards it was nominated for, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song, Best Director for Danny Boyle and the biggest one of all Best Picture. If you have not seen this amazing movie here is the spoiler alert. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

The film opens with Jamal Malik (Dev Patel with Ayush Mahesh Khedekar as the child and Tanay Chheda as the teenager) on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and is one question away from winning 20 million (about 310,000 in U.S money but still nothing to sneeze at.) However the police detain and torture Jamal believing he is cheating because he is just a Slumdog and he wouldn’t know the answers. Through a series of flashbacks we learn, along with the police, just how Jamal knows the answers and who matters in his life.

As a child Jamal, along with his brother Salim (Madhur Mittal with Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail as the child and Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala) flee their village during the Bombay riots after their mother is caught in the blast. Jamal convinces Salim to take another child from the slum; Latika (Frieda Pinto with Rubina Ali as the child and Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar as a teen) saying she could be their third Musketeer. The three of them stick together for a long time until they meet Maman (Ankur Vikal) a gangster who uses children for his profit. Salim deliberately leaves Latika behind when he and Jamal escape, much to Jamal’s horror. Jamal spends the next few years trying to find Latika, having fallen in love with her, but many obstacles including Salim stand in his way. About as far as I can go without giving away the rest of the film.

I actually watched the Oscars that year and even though I had not watched the movie yet I was pretty happy when Slumdog won basically all of their awards. I had wanted to see the movie as soon as possible. It took a few years, but I did watch it last year and absolutely loved it. Dev Patel was incredible as Jamal, his character had me hooked every time he was on screen, and I will say he is pretty handsome. Frieda Pinto is also amazing as Latika, she is so sweet, beautiful and strong; I could definitely tell why Jamal fell for her. The other characters are just as amazing; I cannot say enough good things about this movie. My favorite scene is of course the ending with Jamal and Latika dancing to “Jai Ho” in true Bollywood fashion; I have never seen a Bollywood musical, or anything Bollywood for that matter, so this for me was just awesome. If you have not seen Slumdog Millionaire put this at the top of the list. Just a word to the wise put on the closed caption, there is a lot of whispering.