The Tribeca Film Festival

"A Festival With Broader Horizons," by Stephen Holden, is an article about the up coming "Tribeca Film Festival," starting on Wednesday and lasting two weeks in New York City. The article is also a summary of all the highlights of the film festival, and a descriptive outlook on why it's better than ever. The article also mentions that the the competition of the festival is a lot tougher this year, which is most likely due to the heavier emphasis on quality films. Another change is in the programming of the festival, which is  led by a team of highly creative individuals, who are each experienced with the film festival circuit. With the higher demands and expectations of the film festival, there are also some excellent films that meet and surpass those high expectations.

The author of the article takes on the angle that while Tribeca may not be the most commercially successful of the festivals, it is one that offers some unique films that explore into that physical and psychological emotions of people. For example, the author writes "Tribeca may not be a commercially powerful clearinghouse like Toronto, but it is something equally useful: an unconstructed wild-card showcase in which happy surprises can come from anywhere, with minimal hype." The author writes this to explain to the readers that the Tribeca Film Festival offers an interesting experience for movie-goers, and  is uniquely different than its Film Festival counterparts, like Sundance and Cannes. The author also writes, " Although it is risky to generalize about submerged themes in any film festival, Tribeca, unlike Cannes, doesn’t have an auteur focus; the world according to Tribeca is one of porous borders, of people searching for their place, as they try to reinvent themselves in territory where the only constant is instability." The author writes this to show the personality of the types of films at Tribeca, and how they touch down on issues and emotional states that relates to a lot of people. In this article, the author tries to detail a possible rejuvenation of Tribeca, and why you shouldn't miss the opportunity to view the at times awesome and emotional films. 

The idea of a film festival so close to were I live is a great asset, and something that I should be thankful for. With film making being my passion, this is something of an ideal situation for me, because it's great to have the opportunity to see films that maybe aren't so well known, especially if it's from the indy community. It's also great to know that I can just hop on the subway, and see an amazing film before it has been picked up for theatrical release. In conclusion, this was a very informative article, yet it was inspiring to see films that were made in Brooklyn, and across all the boroughs of NYC. 


Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/movies/at-tribeca-film-festival-porous-borders-on-display.html?_r=1&ref=movies

"The Wilhelm Scream," by James Blake

"The Wilhelm Scream" by James Blake is a song about a man on the brinks of giving up his life. It's as if he is trapped in his own nightmarish dream, but he can't escape. The song starts out with a slow minimal drum beat, with an ambient electric rift in the background. Then the beat overlays with his voice, which is a slow, peaceful tremor. Every so often, it's as if the song comes to a halt, and it becomes swallowed by this massive dark hole. This song conjures up an image of a man falling down a hole. It's as if he's unable to move his body, so he's forever trapped in this vicious cycle of depression.

Lyrically, the song follows a repetitive pattern, where each stanza practically follows the same layout. He ends each stanza by saying that he's falling in.  The repetitiveness shows how he's trapped, and unable to escape from "fallin in." Also, the last line in the last sentence says, "I might as well fall in." This shows how he's unable to deal with the situation he's in, so he'll give in just to end his pain. I think he wrote this, because it elaborates on the idea of how this man is trapped in this endless cycle. In turn, he offers a solution by giving in to giving up. While a depressing ending, it shows how some people cope with their issues. In this case, he decides that this man copes by giving in. 

This song isn't about happy endings. Instead of saying that everything is all right, it's more about the real struggles of how people deal with their problems. It shows how everything in the world isn't perfect, because the world isn't that simple. In this scenario, it's difficult for the man in this situation to cope with his problems, In turn, it's creating this harmful circle that is trapping him from facing the truth. When the song comes to an end, there's no light at the end of the tunnel. Instead, there's this eerie, abrupt stop, that leaves me wondering whether the man in this song overcomes his problems, or lets it consume him.  

Bon Iver- "Skinny Love"

"Skinny Love," by Bon Iver is about love, loss, and all things beautiful. One can't even fathom the utter beauty of this song- from the echoing lo-fy guitar melody, to the almost weeping and passionate voice of Justin Vernon. I can feel his pain; his loss. Every word sung gives me goosebumps, and spiritual empowerment- like non that I've ever experienced before. It's almost magical.

The lyrics speak of someone who is hurt; someone who is suffering. This is clearly expressed when he sings, "Pour a little salt, we were never here." It's as if someone is pouring salt on an open wound-that wound being his broken heart. It's as if he says the pain of you leaving is not enough, so you have to make it worse by torturing me for loving you. He also says, "Cut out all the ropes and let me fall." Listening to his voice, I can just sense his fear and desperation. While he still loves you, it's trying him mad. It's like he doesn't want to be committed to you, so you just have to let him go. Every time I listen to this song, I can connect and relate to these lyrics. I just want to curl up in a ball next to the fire, while listening to his voice on a cold winter day. 

This song is no average breakup song. You'll never here this grace and beauty coming out of the Biebs. When I hear Justin Vernon (Frontman) utter the lyrics, there's substance beneath these lyrics. When I hear Bieber singing songs similar to this (if that's what you can even call it) there's no substance, and no depth. Justin Vernon broke up with his girlfriend, broke up with his band, and moved to this wilderness. That gave him inspiration to write his song, and many others on his LP. This song is one of my favorites. The voice of Vernon is powerful, and the lyrics are just perfect.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssdgFoHLwnk

WHY THE HUNGER GAMES MOVIE IS SO OVERRATED

With the recent release of the movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins's "The Hunger Games," it has generated much hype and excitement, as expected with any teen movie blockbuster (Think Twilight meets Harry Potter). Where the book generates great character development and special relationships between the audience and the characters, the movie unfortunately falls short. Like any movie adaptation, it will never replace your emotions and feelings for the book. While you would expect the movie to somewhat meet your expectations, it doesn't even come remotely close. As someone who has read and thoroughly enjoyed the books, it seems like another terrible Hollywood remake.

Here's my biggest gripe: Character Development. As someone who is interested in cinema, being able to tell a story where the audience can understand, relate and emphasize at an emotional level with the character is extremely critical. In the book version, Katniss was this strong heroine-type figure, yet nervous and vulnerable on the inside. Her father's death is what gave Katniss the strength to sacrifice her life for the most important thing in her world:  her family. While dealing with poverty and oppression, being there for her sister and taking care of her family is what let Katniss to persevere though these hard times. Katniss had to act like a women in a teenager's body. As a reader, I not only emphasized with Katniss's struggles, but I felt like I was listening to her inner thoughts. That's character development. The only glimpse of that in the movie is in the Reaping scene, where Katniss sacrifices her life for her sister. However,  even that is fast forwarded. The movie focused on the "Games" part of the book, which is fine. However, it's Katniss's strong moral and family values that allow her to preserve through near death experiences and win it all.

In perspective, this movie will probably not win an oscar. All jokes aside, this was a great movie for those who just want to see a fast paced and action pact movie. However, for those who loved the dark undertones and the great character development of the book, you for sure will be truly disappointed. There were themes and parts of the books that were just flat out missing in the movie. At the end of the day, what do you expect? This is just another over-hyped teen love/action movie, not something done by the likes of Hitchcock, Scorsese, or even Malick to name a few ( this is certainly not "The Tree of Life").  So just sit back, relax, and let the disappointed wash over you with this movie adaption of Suzanne Collins's, "The Hunger Games."

The Girl Who Kicked Ass (The Hornet's Nest)

"The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest," by Stieg Larsson, is the third and final installment of the Millennium series. This book takes place right after the second, where Salander had the big ordeal with Zalachenko. So far, this book is more about the people who covered for Zalachenko than anything else.  It focuses on the secret organization within the Swedish Organization, called "The Section." Their job is to basically babysit for Zalachenko, whenever he did anything foolish. This organization is so secretive, that they are unknown to the majority of the Swedish government. "The Section" would even be considered illegal, unconstitutional and is comparable to the K.G.B or Joe McCarthy's illegal infringement on people's rights with his "war" on Communism in the U.S.

In the book, the conflict between Salander and Zalachenko has become mainstream, so "The Section" is currently trying anything in their power to make this problem disappear. If Zalachenko reveals "The Section's" activity, then there will be a legal nightmare, resulting in the probable incarceration of "The Section's" members. Their plan is to bribe policemen and illegally adjust their case to their advantage. It's incredible how this organization can legally operate, even though it's infringing on our basic constitutional rights. It's incredable how Zalachenko can commit crimes all he wants and this organization can just sweep it under the table. This problem between Zalachenko and Salander has been blown way out of their liking. In order to control this situation,  this organization is reverting to illegal measures just to protect their own skin. Sadly, corrupt governments are nothing new to us, just read the newspaper.  

Whether it's in a book, or real world, people will do anything just to protect their own skin. Unfortunately,  "The Section," will try to save their own skin by violating the law, something that isn't unusual to their protocol. For this organization to be blown, hell and worse we be thrown down on the Swedish Government. However, I think that this asks a good question: would you rather save your own skin or get what you rightfully deserve? I think that the normal person would do the former and only the exceptional would do the later. When most people are thrown into desire situations, they think about themselves more than anyone else. I think that this is clearly demonstrated by Stieg Larsson in his book. 

The Ear, The Eye and The Arm

"The Ear, the Eye and the Arm," by Nancy Farmer, is a sci-fi novel set in Zimbabwe, 2194. Although a strange choice for setting, it's in no doubt a very clever and intentional choice by the author. When most people think about futuristic cities, they about think huge, densely populated, urban jungles. In the future, not only is Zimbabwe modern, but its size, mass and importance is comparable to any colossal place on Earth. The story follows the children of one of the most important people in all of Zimbabwe, General Matsika. Living a sheltered life, the children one day decide to be adventurous and explore the bustling city of Harare. The children are able to convince their parents to let them go, and set out for their journey into the unknown. Unfortunately, they go through a period of time where the get kidnapped, escape to an old village, get kidnapped again, escape, and get kind of kidnapped again. Through her book, the author is comparing this new city-way of life to the ways of old Africa, and how people want to live in the past, because they deny the problems of the present.

The city of Harare is modern, high tech, yet deals with the problems that most cities deal with: crime. A problem for all the citizens, gang activity is ever so prevalent. It's an urban jungle. Some people can deal with it, but others can not. Set a side to keep the ways and traditions of the old Africa, many people created a state that is the complete opposite of Harare. People who live there are completely isolated and kept away from modern society. It's as if one took a time machine 200 years in the past. People live in huts, and there isn't a trace of modern ways anywhere: no medicine, no filtered water, and definitely no modern medical practices. With all of this tradition and almost ancient heritage, there is a negative. While Harare has crime, there is very little disease, plenty of food, water and modern medical practices. When the children find refugee here, there is a bit of a culture shock. At first they are amazed, and too feel that they have taken a time machine, but all of the realizations kick in. While trying to live in the past is nice on the outside, what actually occurs is completely different. While the present is difficult to handle some times, there are many advantages too. When trying to live in the past, not only are you denying the future, but you are also disadvantaged to those discoveries found in the present.

The message of this book is very accessible, because many people including myself have had these thoughts. It's easy for one to say that they would rather live in the past, because deep down they know that living in the present is a struggle. Life isn't supposed to be easy. If it were, we wouldn't appreciate how easy it was. Pain and suffering teaches us how to appreciate what's good and what's bad. We need that scale, because it balances life. I realized that while reading the book, and it influenced me to think differently.

Romeo & Juliet: THE MOVIE

This is the film adaption of William Shakespear's, "Romeo and Juliet," by Baz Luhrman. The film takes place in the modern era, but the actors speak in verse, just like in the original version. The film follows the story of Romeo, who falls in love with Juliet. Unfortunately, she is a member of a rival house.

Although I appreciate how the film tries to replicate the language of the original version, it falls short in terms of being believable. While talking in verse seems like a good artistic choice, it ends of leaving the characters seeming dry and scripted. While I like the director of photography's choice of color tone, the film troubles me when there are random speed ramps when panning the camera. This choice almost makes the film seem comedic, and like a Disney movie.  On the brighter side, there are many good things that I like about this movie. I   like how the film uses almost angelic color tones when Romeo is talking, but uses harsh and striking blues when a villain is talking. It's interesting how the film uses the television as vehicle for bringing news and information to the masses in the movie.

In conclusion, there are many negatives to this film, but there are also some positives. The film isn't perfect, but I like how Baz Luhrman managed to reinvent such an old and well known text. Out of all the movies I've ever seen, this is one of the more off beat ones. (2001 Space Odyssey and The Tree of Life) The cinematography was very unique, and so was the film over all. The acting wasn't terrific, but the superb directing definitely made up for that. I'd give the film a 7/10