THE GREAT GATSBY
PLOT
Set in the economic and cultural boom of 1920's New York, Nick Carraway is a stock broker who gave up on his dream of being a writer and lives in a small house in the rich part of town. He also lives right beside the notorious and mysterious Jay Gatsby. He's known to throw lavish and huge parties that everyone in town goes to, yet rarely seen at. One day, Carraway is given an invitation from Gatsby to one of his parties, the first time its ever happened. Once at the party, he meets this Gatsby and soon becomes sucked into his world and his scheme to rekindle an old flame named Daisy, who just so happens to be Nick's cousin.
PROS
Once again, Leonardo DiCaprio gives an amazing performance. I actually forgot that he was playing a character and just saw him as Gatsby. If he this doesn't get him the Oscar, someone is going to pay with their life...savings.
The visuals in this film are spectacular. Not only the CG, but also the costume and set designs. They're very elaborate and impressive.
This is probably more of a compliment for the book rather than the movie, but I've yet to read the book. Anyway, the characters, especially Gatsby, are very deep and interesting. While the movie doesn't go too deep into these characters, there's a lot you can infer and project from the amount of info we're given.
CONS
The first hour of the film, at least until Gatsby meets Daisy, is very Baz Luhrmann, which for me is a bad thing. If don't know who Baz Luhrmann is, he's the director of Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet. My biggest problems with all three of these movies is that the first hour or so is very fast-paced, random, and disorienting. I know some people love that, but I personally hate it. While the film does significantly pick up afterwards, it's still there.
There's a jarring use of modern day music in the film. It's either rap or 1920's covers of modern day songs. It makes sense, since the soundtrack was produced by Jay-Z, it just felt out of place when put over images of the 1920's and really pulled me out of the film.
CONCLUSION
While not perfect, "The Great Gatsby" is certainly Luhrmann's most cohesive and best film. I didn't love it, but I do feel that it's worth seeing in the theater and perfect for anyone who's read the book and wants to see a new interpretation of the classic novel.
RATING
WALK TO
JOHN DIES AT THE END
PLOT
I'm going to try and describe this film as best and vaguely as I can, because 1) the less you know the better, and 2) I'm still not a hundred percent sure how to describe this film. Anyway, the film begins with our main character Dave meeting with a reporter. The reason he's doing this is because he has a crazy and unbelievable story to tell this reporter that involves his friend John, a new drug called Soy Sauce, and the discovery of how deep, expansive, and messed up the universe really is.
PROS
This film is full of surrealist humor, which means a lot of the comedy comes from how weird the images and situations are. Yet what makes this film great is that all of those odd and random things actually make sense in the context of the film.
The comedy in this movie very funny and rarely falls flat, at least in my opinion. It's very weird and niche, and I love it.
The special effects in the film are mostly practical and awesome. They're also extremely creative and fun to watch.
For a surreal and hallucinogenic drug-fueled plot, the story is surprisingly cohesive and attention grabbing.
CONS
There are a few scenes that don't really add anything to the film are mean anything, they're just there. While they're still great, they just seem useless. Luckily, there's only a few.
The special effects, while having awesome practical effects, also have some terrible CGI. It's obvious this is a lot budget film, and it especially shows when ever they use CG effects. While it doesn't hurt the film too bad, it's still a problem.
CONCLUSION
While it's certainly not for everyone, "John Dies at the End" is a unique experience that you'll know in the first 5 minutes whether you'll it or not, and if you love that first 5 minutes, you'll go crazy for the next hour and 25 minutes. Personally, I loved it and can't wait to read the book it's based off of.
RATING
RUN TO
No comments:
Post a Comment