Week 44 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

• Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
• Released: 6/30/1971
• Starring: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear, Julie Dawn Cole, Leonard Stone, Denise Nickerson, Nora Denney, Paris Themmen, Ursula Reit, Michael Bollner, Diana Sowle, Günter Meisner
• Director: Mel Stuart
• IMDB Page

Welcome back! It’s Week 44 here at 52 Films, 52 Portraits! Time is just whizzing on by! This week’s film was chosen by one of my best friend’s little sisters, Amber. I grew up with Amber and her twin sister Adella, and often felt like they were my extra set of younger siblings. Plus, Amber and I have a deep frenemy relationship going. Amber now works at Books A Million in Trussville, AL.

Amber and I at her older sister Ashley‘s wedding a few years ago.

Amber told me right off the bat that she considers herself to be a big film fan, but she doesn’t go to see too many new ones in the theater. She said that she loves watching Netflix and Turner Classic Movies and she’s grown quite proud of her own film collection.

Amber said that, like her sister Ashley, her earliest film memories revolve around watching them with her father. She remembers asking Santa Claus for a copy of Gone With the Wind because of how pretty Scarlett O’Hara was. She also said that from a very early age, she considered herself to be huge film buff. She told me a story how her and her twin sister Adella dressed as Glinda and Dorothy, respectively, from The Wizard of Oz for a Halloween costume contest when they were 5 years old. Adella was asked to click her heels like Dorothy does in the film, and though she was adorable, Amber took issue with the way she did it. It was NOT true to the film. Still, she told me, Adella won the contest, and Amber learned a valuable lesson about how not everyone pays as much attention to details as they should, even when judging very important costume contests, where details should be key.

Lately, Amber is still drawn to those childhood favorites – and films like them. She said that she loves most Disney and Dreamworks films, as well as musicals and comedies. She also told me that she has a tendency to love films that have been adapted from books, even when she didn’t realize that the book existed. She is also a big fan Mel Brooks and the Cohen brothers and her favorite actors include Judy Garland, Gene Wilder, and – more recently – Emily Blunt. She said that she loves that Blunt chooses a variety of roles and doesn’t allow herself to be typecast, but she regularly picks exciting projects.

Amber told me that there were two alternative movies that she considered choosing: The Wizard of Oz and The Princess Bride (both of which WERE chosen for this project!). Both of those films were more than just classics for her, they were family traditions, and they both mean a lot to her. They both have fairy tale qualities, which she loves. She also really enjoys the themes of family found in both, and loves the relationships between Dorothy and Aunty Em in The Wizard of Oz and Fred Savage’s character and his grandfather in The Princess Bride. Additionally, they are both films based on books, and although she loves reading, she actually thinks that both of these are cases where the movie adaptation is superior to the source material.

Amber told me that she picked Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory for many of the same reasons that she loves the previously mentioned films. She loves the fairy tale elements, and loves the whimsical world created in the film. She also said that she feels like the world created is just something that can’t be done the same way on film anymore. Amber said that so much emphasis is always placed on the film once Gene Wilder shows up and they enter the factory, but that she loves the first part of the film just as much. She really appreciates the adults in these scenes and how hilarious it can be (she gives a shout out to Charlie’s teacher in particular), but she also liked how sad the beginning could be, and how much you really got to understand Charlie’s wishes and desires and how unlikely they would ever be for him. She said that pretty much every time she watches the film, she cries during these early scenes.

Amber said that what she really loves about Willy Wonka, and film in general, is how magical it can be. It transports you to a different world in a really unique way that no other art form can really duplicate. She also said that film, for her, can be a huge catharsis. She usually cries when she watches the film, and that’s something she loves about it. It can pack so many emotions into one short period of time. There’s humor, drama, tragedy, and even horror (that tunnel scene, though).

Finally, Amber said that she always enjoys that moment when you find out that someone else loves the same movie as you, and you get to share that feeling.

Before I jump in, I have to point out yet another funny coincidence! According to IMDB, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was first released 46 years ago this week! Fun!

I, of course, grew up watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory as a child, but it was never one of my absolute favorites. That’s probably the reason that it had been maybe 15-20 years since I had seen the film when I sat down to watch it this weekend. And I have to say, I really enjoyed it! There were so many things that stood out to me now that I had never appreciated before, and the things about it that I did like as a child definitely didn’t diminish with age.

I really enjoyed the music this time around, especially “Pure Imagination,” “Cheer Up, Charlie,” and “The Candyman” (please forgive me if those last two titles are incorrect, but you know which ones I’m referring to if you’ve seen – and remember – the film). The songs fit so perfectly into the fantasy world Charlie was living in. And starting the film off with the candy shop scene really set the tone perfectly. I remember when I was younger always feeling like the film was dragging when it got to “Cheer Up, Charlie,” but I really enjoyed it this time around. I liked all the set up to get the characters to the point that they were ready to go to the factory.

One thing that I definitely didn’t appreciate as much in the past were all the little throw away scenes during the hunt for the Golden Tickets. All the newscasts, and especially scenes like the one with the woman whose husband is being ransomed for a box of Wonka Bars are another way that the film really did such a great job of creating this world that resembles the real world so closely and yet feels like anything can happen.

Obviously, I have to give a shout out to the performances. All five of the main child actors in the film really did a phenomenal job. The boy who played Charlie, Peter Ostrum, never did another film, but he did a really great job in this one. And the girl who played Veruca Salt did a particularly nice job, especially with her big solo. She played bratty so well! And, of course, Gene Wilder was perfect as Wonka himself. He had just the right amount of charm and whimsy to pull off the really quite disturbing character without bringing him into monster territory. His performance in the infamous tunnel scene is really impressive.

Okay, that’s it for this week! I’m sure many of you have seen this film, so please let me know what you thought of it in the comments and feel free to like, follow, etc.! I love hearing your thoughts! Thanks!

Next Week: Mars Attacks!

Week 43 – The Blues Brothers (1980)

• The Blues Brothers
• Released: 6/20/1980
• Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Carrie Fisher, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Henry Gibson, John Candy, Kathleen Freeman
• Director: John Landis
• IMDB Page

Welcome back to another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! We are in the final ten weeks! This week’s film was chosen by none other than my very own boyfriend, Joe! Joe is from Wheaton, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, and moved to the DC area for college a little over a decade ago. He now works in public relations for a federal agency. His parents  and sister have already been featured on this blog in the past.

The most recent selfie of Joe and I. Headed back home from Birmingham a few weeks ago.

I obviously had a pretty good idea of Joe’s film preferences and history going into this week, but I still had him answer the same questions as everyone else to make sure that he had the full experience.

The first thing Joe told me is that he does not consider himself to be a huge fan of movies in general. He said that he does try to see some big new releases, but he doesn’t go out of his way to do so and he doesn’t keep up with the latest entertainment news (except for what I tell him :D…). He also said that it takes a lot to get him to sit down and watch something for more than an hour. However, he said that when done well, he is amazed “at how the combination of an engaging plot, great acting, good cinematography, and good music and make time fly by.”

When I asked Joe to tell me what some of his favorite film memories were as a child, he told me that he didn’t have any, because he was born 30. Although I know this to be very true, I pressed him on it and got a little more out of him. He told me that he remembers enjoying movies involving the Muppets, as well as a number of Disney films. He specifically named Disney’s animated Robin Hood (“You know, the one with the animals”) as a personal favorite. Still, he said that none of these films really made huge impressions on him and none of them left big impressions for him. It wasn’t until later in life that he found the films that really spoke to him.

Joe said that as he’s gotten older, he’s found that he can generally sit down and enjoy just about any genre under the right circumstances. The only exception to his being horror, which I can tell you is very true. Joe does not like horror films, and refuses to watch them. This extends to other outlets, such as the ghost hunting shows that litter basic cable network lineups. He also said that although he does try to see big releases when he can, he isn’t necessarily drawn to any particular actors or filmmakers.

When I asked Joe whether there were any other films that he considered for this project, I already knew the answer. He had gone back and forth a couple of times and had even asked me once or twice to switch his film to Dogma. However, I had a strict cut-off, and he had already picked his film. Ultimately, I think he was happy with his original decision, but he still had some praise for Dogma to share. He loved what the film had to say about religion. He grew up in a fairly religious area, and in a family with a strong Catholic background. He found himself “looking at a lot of religious customs and practices that I found silly or downright hypocritical.” He told me that he found a lot of his feelings about religion represented in Dogma. The film showed that “believing can be a great thing, but being dogmatic in your beliefs can cause problems.” He added that the film had a great cast, and singled out George Carlin’s portrayal of a cardinal as a highlight.

Joe told me that he ultimately chose The Blues Brothers because it has a special place in his heart. First of all, the film takes place in Chicago, where he grew up. Any time he gets to see his hometown represented on screen, especially when they really film in the city, is fun for him. More importantly, he said, the film was one of the first that he can remember sitting down and watching with his dad. Although he noted that they probably watched the TV version, since his mom would not have agreed with some of the language in the film.

Joe also said that he loved the music in the film. He said that he and his dad once drove from Chicago to St. Louis listening exclusively to the film’s soundtrack. He pointed out that much of the film takes place while the characters are traveling from one place to  another, so “it makes great road trip music.”

Finally, Joe brought attention to the film’s fantastic cast, and said that he really enjoyed all of the cameos by famous musicians, that were brought in naturally and didn’t feel forced. He just finds the whole film to be fun.

Before I jump into my thoughts on The Blues Brothers, I just want to say that according to IMDB, this blog is being published on the 37th anniversary of the film’s initial release date. Another funny coincidence!

I had seen The Blues Brothers once before, and it was a year or two ago with Joe, because it’s one of his all-time favorites. Therefore, I had a fairly fresh impression of the film this time around. This may be the only film in my project that I had already seen exclusively through the lens of it being a favorite of blog’s subject’s. If that makes sense. That was a hard sentence for me to write for some reason.

This time around, Joe agreed to watch it with me again, and even made comments here and there about parts he liked, or quotes he found particularly memorable. He clearly had seen it a number of times, and was able to make sure that I paid special attention to certain scenes so that I wouldn’t overlook anything, or miss what the characters were about to say.

It was also a little sad to watch, as I believe it was the first film I’d seen with Carrie Fisher in a major role since her death. She did a great job in the film, and it was nice to be reminded of her work outside of Star Wars.

The two leads in the film do a great job, and you really buy their relationship and their ridiculous actions because of their performances. In the hands of lesser actors, Jake and Elwood could have really been terrible, even unwatchable, characters. Belushi and Aykroyd not only make them watchable, but they make you root for them, and make you want them to succeed.

I can’t finish this blog without talking about the music in the film. I’ve pointed out before that all of Joe’s family members picked films that have been turned into Broadway musicals (Groundhog Day, Elf, and Legally Blonde). Joe is the only exception, but he picked a film that is really a musical already. The music sequences in the film are so fun. They are done in such a surreal way, sort of merging the traditional musical style of characters bursting out into song with the less magical style of having the music come from characters in a film that are actually sing. The musicians in the film are so legendary, and I love that so many of them agreed to be a part of the film, and really got the humor.

That’s it for this week! Let me know what you think in the comments, and please like, follow, etc.! See you next week!

Up Next: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Week 42 – The Birdcage (1996)

• The Birdcage
• Released: 3/8/1996
• Starring: Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Hank Azaria, Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, Christine Baranski
• Director: Mike Nichols
• IMDB Page

Welcome back! It’s time for another exciting installment of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! This week’s film was chosen by my youngest cousin, Max! Max just graduated High School last month (making him the youngest participant in this project!) and is heading to Philadelphia University in the Fall to study fashion design and textile design.

Max, with most of his family, including (clockwise) brothers Kevin and Samuel, his dad, Mark, and his mother, Sally. Oldest brother, Drew, not pictured.

When we discussed films in general, Max told me that he always considered himself to be a big fan – and sometimes critic – of films. He went as far as to say that he considered film to be the “current most accurate form of storytelling,” though he did caveat this with the fact that he believes theater is a close second.

Max said that he can remember walking into the living room during the Christmas season at our grandparents’ house, where his brothers and cousins (myself included) would be in the middle of a film. He would sit down to watch with us and be instantly transported into new worlds. He said that he specifically remembers the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films making a lasting impression on him as a child. Later on in life, this love of film grew to include television. He remembers stumbling upon the rather cinematic sci fi epic series Lost, and immediately falling in love with it.

Max’s love for Lost is not surprising, given that he immediately followed up talking about the show by telling me that his favorite film genre is science fiction, although he did add that he loves a good comedy every now and then as well. He also said that he is often drawn to Tim Burton/Johnny Depp films. He said that he is really drawn to the unique perspective Burton brings to his films. He told me that the “shift of reality and constant overplayed drama” is something that keeps him coming back to films that Burton creates.

When I asked Max whether he had considered any other films, he told me that he originally wanted to choose something in the action/adventure/sci fi genres, because that is what he is usually drawn to, but ultimately decided to go with The Birdcage for a few different reasons. He told me that The Birdcage is a film that has meant a lot to him for a long time, and that meaning has only intensified since Robin Williams passed away. To Max, The Birdcage is a moving comedy that manages to keep the laughs coming while also providing a very clear message. He said that, in his opinion, the film’s message is that everyone comes from different backgrounds. It opens with two families who are complete opposites of each other. However, as the film progresses, they each have to learn to become more accepting in their own ways.

Max said that he first remembers watching the film with his best friend, because they both heard that it was a gay classic, and they wanted to check it out. He loved that although there was a lot of stereotyping in the film, it was actually pretty accurate for the most part, and didn’t discriminate. It equally lampooned the extremism that can be found both in the LGBT community and the conservative right.

I have loved The Birdcage for a long, long time, and I was really excited to watch it again with Max’s answers in mind. The first time I was exposed to the story of the The Birdcage was when my aunt and uncles took me to New York for my 16th Birthday. While there, we saw the revival of the Broadway musical, La Cage Aux Folles (literally, ‘The Birdcage’), which just-so-happened to be the very first show I ever saw on Broadway. La Cage Aux Folles was originally a show in the 1980s, and was based upon the hit French comedy film of the same name. The Birdcage would later be adapted from the same film. Anyway, the whole thing was very exciting, and we even ended up getting to go backstage to meet some of the cast. Obviously, this experience had a lasting impression on me, and one of the first things I did when I got home was going to find The Birdcage on DVD so I could compare the two productions. As you either know, or can probably tell from this blog, the film is not a musical, but the storyline and tone of both are so similar, that I instantly fell in love with the movie as well, and have felt a strong sense of nostalgia for it ever since.

I definitely agree with Max that the film has taken on even more meaning in the light of Robin Williams’ passing. He was such a great actor, and is a part of so many of my favorite films, and this is definitely one of them. The rest of the cast was superb as well. Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria both shine as over-the-top caricatures of flamboyantly gay men, somehow managing to never offend me in the process, and Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest nail their portrayals of the uptight conservative power couple. The way all of these characters bounce off of each other in the final act of the film is so much fun.

I also think it’s funny that this film happened to be the one that came up over Pride weekend. So fitting! And once again, no, I did not push the films around or change the order in any way. It was truly random. It just happened to end up with a number of fun coincidences.

That’s it for this week! Please let me know what you thought in the comments below and feel free to like, follow, share, etc.! Thanks!

Next Week: The Blues Brothers

Week 41 – To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Released: 12/25/1962
• Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcox Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley, Robert Duvall
• Director: Robert Mulligan
• IMDB Page

It’s time for another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! This week’s film was chosen by one of my bestest friends, Blair. Blair and I met the summer before 8th grade, and have been friends ever since. Blair works as an engineer in Birmingham, AL, and lives in the greater metro area with her boyfriend, Brian. Blair and Brian also go on annual adventures with Joe and I.

Me, Blair and Ashley doing the signature selfie pose that Blair and I are known for on a trip to our High School last year.

As many of the participants of this blog have so far, Blair told me that she would not consider herself to be the biggest fan ever of film. She said that if she were to sit down and invest time in watching something, she is much more likely to choose to binge a television show. She said that she is almost always far more interested in the beginning and middle of a story than the end. For her, the most interesting aspects of a story are the ones that show the characters’ journeys, more than where they actually end up. For this reason, it makes a lot of sense that she would be more interested in televisions shows than films in general. With shows, you can get years and years of ‘journey’ before the end comes along, and even then the ending can be much less resolute than is often the case in films.

Blair also said that she generally prefers books when she is choosing something to pass the time, because they can transport her anywhere at any time. But she also loves photography, and loves that film can use similar elements and include music and tone to create a unique story-telling experience.

Blair said that some of her earliest memories related to film take place in a small movie theater in Prattville, AL. The theater had two screens, which may have been separated by a thick curtain or some other not-totally-effective material. She said that you could always hear what was going on in whatever film was playing next door. She also told me that it was often the case that one of the screens would play a film aimed at adults, and the other would play one for children. She said that she remembers seeing 101 Dalmatians there (although she admits that this may be a false memory, as that film would have been multiple decades old by the time she would have been going to the theater).

More often, however, Blair said that she and her family would go rent movies from Movie Gallery, which even had a plastic slide in the kid’s movie section (I definitely don’t think MY Movie Gallery had this. Kid me is pretty upset right now. Adult me is totally cool with not having a bacterial cesspool marring my childhood film rental experience). More often then not, she would pick either Fern Gully or The Land Before Time as her choice to rent. Other films that she mentioned loving as a child include Free Willy (which she said she watched on countless sleepovers), Titanic (which she saw in 3rd grade for a friend’s Birthday), and Disney movies including The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and The Lion King. She said she has been watching these classics again recently with her nephews, and she’s pretty sure that she and her sister enjoy this far more than her nephews actually do. She also said that It’s A Wonderful Life was a Christmas staple in her family, and they’d watch it every year with fondue. Finally, she said that she can remember her sister introducing her to The Princess Bride at an early age, and let her watch it with her and her friends (which made it even cooler).

After such a diverse childhood of film experiences, it’s only natural that Blair is now drawn to different genres as an adult as well. She said that her two favorite types of movies now are generally dramas and romantic comedies. She said that she is tired, however, of the big budget superhero films that are so popular now. She prefers films about life and experiences that could actually happen in the real world. She admits that romantic comedies are often fairly unrealistic, but at least the generally “obey the laws of physics.” She said that she enjoys subscribing to Netflix’s DVD service, and gets at least a couple of titles a month. Her queue includes these genres, but also has documentaries, suspense films, musicals, foreign fare, etc.

When I asked her whether there were any people in the film industry that really drew her to films, Blair said that she really loves Joseph Gordon-Levitt. She told me that she had a big crush on him when he was in 3rd Rock from the Sun and her love for him has only continued since then. She listed Inception, Lookout, Looper, and 50/50 as Gordon-Levitt films that she has really enjoyed. She also gave a shout-out to his epic cameo in the amazing Todrick Hall creation, Straight Outta Oz. She also named Kristen Bell as one of her favorites, and said that she follows Joss Whedon’s work, but mostly in the television realm. She said that although she loves good cinematography and camera work, she rarely takes time to note the directors and cinematographers of films that she really enjoys, and said that that may be something she works on in the future. Overall, however, Blair said that she mostly just takes suggestions from friends when choosing what to watch, although sometimes it takes her longer than she’d like to actually get around to doing the watching.

When I asked Blair whether there were any other movies that she considered choosing, she gave me a few titles. First, she said It’s A Wonderful Life, mostly for the reasons mentioned earlier. She said that she doesn’t watch many of the more modern Christmas movies and all of her Christmas nostalgia is wrapped up in this film. It makes her cry every time, and even listened to (and cried during) a radio play of it produced last year. She even named one of her cats after a character from the film.

Next, Blair named the remake of Ocean’s Eleven. She said that this is the newest movie that she considers herself to be obsessed with. She said that she loves all of the little details in the film that work together to just take it to the next level. When she went to Las Vegas, she visited as many of the spots from the film as she could.

Blair also named The Princess Bride (just because it’s a film that has been with her for a long time and that she has always loved) and The Goonies, which she said is her favorite coming-of-age film, and a number of Disney films, including The Lion King, Mulan, and Toy Story.

When it came down to choosing one movie for this project, however, there was really no question about what Blair would pick. I can remember her agonizing over whether To Kill a Mockingbird was too obvious a choice for her, but in the end, she went with her gut – and rightly so. She told me that she thinks it’s a slightly cliché choice for a Southern liberal, but it’s what she had to go with. The story, book and film just really resonate deeply for her. She loves the message and themes of the story. “It’s all about compromise, and being sure to look at the world” with a child’s eyes and doing what’s right, even if that’s hard, because how else would you be able to respect yourself? Beyond that, it is a film that she grew up on. Her family raised her with it from a very early age, and she told me she can’t even count how many times she’s seen it. When she was young, they had a VHS of it recorded from a television airing, and they watched it so much that it wore out around the middle. Her mom read the book to her as a child for a bedtime story (albeit in a highly censored form, she’d later discover). She also said that the flute music is instantly recognizable for her and immediately takes her back to the film.

Ultimately, the movie is more than just a movie for Blair. She reads the book nearly every year, sometimes more. Every time she reads it, she takes something new from it, whether it be feminism, religion or how the world changes around us over time. And all of these things are reflected in the film, which she views as one of the best novel adaptations of all time. Which is especially impressive when you realize just how high her bar is for it.

The film also reaches certain aspects of her nostalgia, and I can definitely relate to that aspect as well. There’s a certain timelessness about the innocent Southern childhood portrayed in the book and film. Blair said that “things like biscuits, fresh lemonade, climbing trees, playing out in the road and just having to be within whistling distance of the house, and having to be home when the street lights came on” are part of that childhood, and although the film may not specifically mention those things, it captures those same feelings and emotions. She also said that she related to Scout as a child. She, too, hated wearing dresses and would play in different clothes.

She told me that she has seen the live production in Monroeville, AL (I have, too!), which is performed at the courthouse that Harper Lee based much of the action in the book around. Her family has also named two of their dogs after characters from the book/movie: Boo and Scout. She also has dreams of naming a wise looking tabby cat Atticus someday.

The story has simply had such a profound impact on Blair’s life. She loves that it has so many subgenres in one story. There’s action, adventure, mystery, courtroom drama, and moral lessons, to name a few, all backed by a gorgeous score. She said that she hopes that the story has had an effect on the world in at least a fraction of the way that it has had on her.

In closing, Blair mentioned that she has heard rumblings that there is interest in remaking the film. She said that she is open to this possibility, especially since having a more modern – and colorized – film may reach a wider audience, but she has reservations, because the original is so close to her heart. She said she can’t imagine anyone but Gregory Peck playing Atticus Finch. She hopes that if it was remade, it would cause more people to read the novel, watch the original and share the story in general. In the end, though, she doesn’t really think about what the story could mean for others too much. It’s enough just knowing how much it means to her.

Like Brian, Blair left me with a lot to read, write and think over as I worked on the blog for this week. I really appreciate everyone who has participated (and those who will participate) in this blog, but there are definitely a few who have really thrown themselves into it and I love that!

I have very similar emotions to Blair when it comes to To Kill A Mockingbird. It is my dad’s favorite book of all time, and I definitely feel a nostalgia for it and the movie. I actually didn’t read the book or even watch the movie until around 9th grade, but when I did, I felt like the story had been a part of me my whole life. It just connects with a certain part of you, especially if you grew up as, as Blair said, a Southern liberal. I can remember being young and staying at my family’s cabin in Georgia and finding a stray dog. We played with it all day, and – like Blair’s family – my dad named it Scout. We didn’t end up keeping Scout, but it’s definitely something that has stuck in my mind.

To be honest, there isn’t much that I can say that Blair didn’t, but I’ll do my best. One of the thing that really sticks out to me when I watch the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird is the performances. Gregory Peck did such an incredible job, he truly is Atticus Finch. The kids all did a great job, as well, and felt like real children in the South. The courtroom scene is so well done and acted that it’s hard to believe that it’s actually about a quarter of the film. It doesn’t feel that way when you watch it, but it’s so intense that it just flies by. It also manages to make you feel as though you are watching it through the eyes of the children, since they are the characters that take you into the courtroom, and that just adds a whole other layer to it.

I also definitely agree with Blair on the score. The music is beautifully done. It creates its own world, while reminding you of your own. From the very first shots of Scout coloring over the score, you are instantly transported into her world, and you already know so much about it. It’s just so well crafted.

I am going to end this here, since this blog is already over twice the length of my usual posts, but it’s just because Blair gave me so much to work with! Just know that this story has also had an incredible impact on my life and the book is probably one of my favorite novels, perhaps even my absolute favorite if I had to choose. With my family, you pretty much had to love it and that still didn’t ruin it for me, so that should really tell you something.

Thanks again for joining me! Let me know what you think? What do you think about To Kill a Mockingbird? How about the movie vs. the book? See you next week!

Next time: The Birdcage

Week 40 – The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

• The Muppet Christmas Carol
• Released: 12/11/1992
• Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Don Austen, Jessica Fox, Robert Tygner, Steven Mackintosh
• Director: Brian Henson
• IMDB Page

Welcome back to another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! We have officially broken into the 40’s! How crazy is that? Really crazy, that’s how crazy!

This week’s film was chosen by my cousin (technically second cousin? Or second cousin twice removed? I don’t know. Her mom is my dad’s cousin. I don’t feel like Googling it), Sarah Alyce! Sarah Alyce is a grad student at the University of Alabama. She also happens to be engaged to one of my best friends, Charlie!

Charlie and Sarah Alyce at the University of Alabama!

Sarah Alyce told me that she actually credits Charlie for somewhat changing her relationship with film. She said that on her own she doesn’t spend much time watching films or television. It’s not that she doesn’t enjoy them, it’s just not usually her first choice for a way to pass the time. Charlie, however, is a pretty big film fan. Because of this, Sarah Alyce has seen a big increase in her film viewing time since she began to date Charlie.

Despite this relatively recent development, Sarah Alyce said that she does have many great memories revolving around movies as a child. When she was younger, her family had a small wooden cabinet filled with all of their VHS tapes. She said that she can remember rifling through it, looking for the best film to watch at any particular time. She said she could remember arguing with her siblings over which film would be best to watch.

Now that she is a little older, Sarah Alyce said that she has found that she is drawn especially to musicals and comedies. She quickly added, however, that she is generally up for giving any film a try, as long as it isn’t a horror film. She said that she scares easily, and does not enjoy it.

Sarah Alyce also said that her favorite actor is Anne Hathaway, which makes sense, as she has starred in many comedies and even a couple of musicals. She told me that the reason she loves her so much is because of how relatable she finds her. She said that she always finds Hathaway’s performances to be genuine and that it makes it seem like she’s not even acting. She added that Hathaway also seems to be this honest and genuine in person and that only adds to Sarah Alyce’s enjoyment of her work.

When I asked Sarah Alyce whether she had considered any other films for this project, she told me that there were two movies that were close in the running: The Prestige and Mad Max: Fury Road. She said that both of these were films that she was dragged to see with little to no excitement on her end. Both, however, ended up being two of her favorite films. She loved the ending of The Prestige, and although she doesn’t normally consider herself to be a very big action fan, she found Mad Max: Fury Road to be so entertaining that she couldn’t take her eyes off of it.

Really, though, she said that The Muppet Christmas Carol was an easy decision, and the others couldn’t come close to touching it. She told me that when she was young and going through that wooden cabinet, she grabbed this film over and over again and watched it many, many times. She said that she doesn’t think any other film had the impact on her childhood that it had.

Sarah Alyce also told me that her family would watch The Muppet Christmas Carol every single Christmas that she could remember, and that that is part of the reason that she feels such a deep connection to it. In fact, not only did they always sit down and watch it all the way through together at least once each year, but they also would have it on repeat in the background as they did other things. It never truly felt like Christmas until her family was watching the film. She said that she loves the music and one-liners of the film, and that it is a surprisingly faithful adaptation, despite the Muppets and a few little tweaks here and there, much of the film is taken from the book word for word.

Sarah Alyce ended our conversation by noting that The Muppet Christmas Carol isn’t just a great Christmas film. “It’s a great movie, period.”

I’m slightly ashamed to admit that I do not think that I have ever actually seen The Muppet Christmas Carol before this week. I’ve obviously seen many different adaptations of the book, and many different Muppet films and shows, but somehow this one slipped through the cracks. I have not, however, read the source material either. I know. Shame. But, I’m very well acquainted with the general story, so I was really looking forward to seeing it with a Muppet twist.

Even without having read the novel, it was clear that the movie was using some of the writing directly from it, and I really appreciated that. I also love how they were able to make it their own and insert their Muppet quirks while staying so true to the story.

I loved seeing Michael Caine (who has starred in two movies in a row on this blog now!) interacting with the Muppets. He’s a great actor, and this was a perfect role for him.

Like Sarah Alyce, I definitely enjoyed the music, and I feel like if I had watched this film growing up, this is one of those soundtracks that I would have played until the tape no longer worked or the CD was all scratched up.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed visiting this film that was released in my early childhood, but that I somehow never got around to seeing. It’s definitely a family Christmas classic for a reason!

Thanks so much for joining me! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! Did you grow up watching the Muppets? What is your favorite Muppet movie? See you next time!

Up next: To Kill A Mockingbird

Week 39 – The Dark Knight (2008)

• The Dark Knight
• Released: 7/18/2008
• Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• IMDB Page

Welcome to another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! This week’s film was chosen by cousin, Samuel. Samuel is Mark and Sally’s third son, and Drew and Kevin’s younger brother (there is one more coming up in a few weeks). Samuel is currently a student studying history at Grove City College, and lives in Grove City, PA.

(Most of) the cousins at Christmas a few years ago. Me, Mamie, Samuel, Max (coming in a few weeks), Ramsey and Kevin.

Samuel told me that he considers himself to be a fan of film, but not a huge one. Still, he said that he loves watching them and discussing them. In many ways, Samuel said that he usually prefers books, because they are able to get deeper into intellectual territory. However, he added, there are times when a film is the right medium for a story and is perfect for reaching the emotional depth required from a story.

Like his brothers, Samuel told me that he grew up loving The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars films. He said that some of his favorite childhood memories involve our family’s “annual Christmas pilgrimages” when we would all shuttle off to the theater to see the latest Lord of the Rings film, which would precede many hours of playing as the characters in our grandparents’ yard. Samuel did note, however, that he was always forced to play as Boromir, despite the fact that (spoiler alert) he died in the first film. Sorry about that, buddy. He said that these films and experiences had a lasting impact on him. Although he no longer plays with a stick in his hand, he still feels the investment in the characters and story. He said that he thinks that these experiences are part of what molded his love of studying history.

Samuel said that he doesn’t get to watch as many movies as he’d like to these days. When he does find time to watch a film, he prefers to sit down to something relaxing that can transport him into another world. He said that, for him, this usually means fast-paced films that keep the action moving. He does, however, enjoy slower paced films when he has the time for them, and likes to branch out further away from the big Hollywood blockbusters from time to time.

Samuel told me that he really enjoys directors who consistently churn out great work, without sacrificing the story or characters for style. He said that Christopher Nolan is definitely one of his favorites, and that he has yet to direct a film that he didn’t enjoy. He also named Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Francis Ford Cappolla as directors that he has consistently enjoyed. Additionally, Samuel said that he is a big fan of film scores, and thus often pays close attention to composers in films. He said that Hans Zimmer is his absolute favorite, but named Howard Shore, John Williams, James Horner and Ramin Djawadi as others that he loves. He said that he doesn’t necessarily have any ‘favorite’ actors, but said that he really appreciates any actor who does their job well and who can transform into a variety of characters.

When I asked Samuel whether there were any other films he considered for this project, he said that he very nearly chose Warrior, which he called a “fantastic movie about motivation, loyalty and family.” He said that he also considered Disconnect. He said that it is not an easy film to watch, but that it does a great job of capturing modern tragedy. He added that the performances, story and themes all combine to create a really remarkable film experience.

Samuel told me that he ultimately chose The Dark Knight for a multitude of reasons. He said that it may not be the best film he has ever seen, but that it ranks among them. He said that it is the kind of movie that he can just watch over and over again and still enjoy. He also said that he loved the world that Nolan created in the film, and the way he allowed the story to unfold. He crafted “complex characters” and was able to rise above the superhero genre.

Samuel added that the performances in the film are terrific. Obviously, he said that Heath Ledger’s performance was phenomenal, but he also loved the performances from Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. Although he doesn’t feel Hans Zimmer does his finest work on this film, he did really enjoy the score and appreciates what it added to the film.

He also said that he loved the clear themes presented in the film. There are multiple scenes that discuss the effect that a small number of people can have on a city (or state or country or so on). There is so much said about the “soul of Gotham” and how it will be won or lost by the actions of a few people. This is reflected in the scenes on the ferries, but also in smaller scenes, such as the more intimate standoff between Batman, Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon. Samuel said that he loves how the film can be viewed as a commentary on society as a whole, and that the way that plays out truly makes this more than just a superhero movie.

I was actually a little surprised when Samuel told me that he was choosing The Dark Knight for this project. Not because it isn’t a great film, but just because it didn’t seem like the kind of film that he would pick to me. But after hearing his explanations, it definitely makes sense. This is especially true after hearing him talk about how the film is a commentary on society, and how the actions of a few can impact the whole. Pretty interesting stuff. Also, I think it’s funny that this was the second Christopher Nolan film in just a few weeks, and they were both from my cousins.

I had seen The Dark Knight before, but I believe I had only seen it once and it was soon after it was released. The only thing that really stuck with me from that viewing was Heath Ledger’s incredible performance. Oh, and Christian Bale’s ridiculous Batman voice.

It’s really tragic how things turned out for Heath Ledger after this film, but what he was able to turn this role into is really something incredible. He won a posthumous Academy Award. For a superhero movie. That just doesn’t happen.

Other than the silly voice, Christian Bale did do a great job as well, and the rest of the cast was really stellar as well, but it will always be Heath Ledger’s film.

I do really like how Nolan was able to take the superhero genre and turn it into a serious film. Over the past decade or two we have seen so many different approaches to the genre, and this trilogy is one of the only ones that takes an established, world-known hero and puts him into a film that really feels like it has something to say. It also says something about this film that it is the second in a trilogy and it is by far the most well-known of the three.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed revisiting this film, and it makes me want to watch the rest of the trilogy, as well. I’ve actually never seen Batman Begins all the way through, so maybe now is a good time.

That’s it for this week! Thanks so much for joining me! Please comment, follow, like, etc. below! See you next week!

Next: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Week 38 – The Lion King (1994)

• The Lion King
• Released: 6/24/1994
• Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly, Rowan Atkinson, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Robert Guillaume, Niketa Calame, Madge Sinclair
• Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
• IMDB Page

Welcome back to 52 Films, 52 Portraits! This week’s film was chosen by Raph, my friend and brother-in-theory (my phrase for my sister Mamie‘s boyfriend: before it’s a law, it’s a theory!). Raph works and lives in Birmingham, AL, and has basically been a member of our family for years. We all met while working at the Birmingham Zoo years ago.

Raph and my sister Mamie visiting us last summer!

Raph told me that he would consider himself to be an above average movie fan, but maybe not the biggest ever. He said that he loves film as a storytelling device and that, although it can’t always provide the level of detail of, say, a novel, it has it’s own characteristics that make it great. He told me that he grew up watching and loving Disney animated movies, and that that love has stayed with him. One of the earliest films he remembers watching was actually The Lion King. He said that it and other Disney films made huge impressions on him as a child, because they are some of his earliest memories of really being emotional. He also said that he loved Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie when he was younger.

Raph said that nowadays, his favorite genres are comedy, action, science fiction and thrillers. However, he said that he is not one to turn down a movie solely for genre or the people involved. He generally judges a film based on its own merits, and is fairly open-minded when it comes to choosing what films to watch.

When it came time to pick a film for this project, there were a couple of films from his past that Raph considered. In addition to The Lion King, he also considered the other film that he previously mentioned, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. He said that he almost chose it simply because it was one of his earliest and most favorite film memories. He also said that he considered the Batman film, The Dark Knight (a film that may just be coming up on this blog very soon), because it’s the film that he credits for getting him interested again in films when he was a little older and that, for his money, caused a resurgence in the film world.

Raph told me that he picked The Lion King for a few reasons. First, as he said previously, it was one of the first movies that he can remember seeing – and loving. Additionally, he picked it because of how emotional the film was for him. He said that his earliest memory of watching the film was “WEEPING” at (Spoiler Alert!) Mufasa’s death. Finally, he said that he chose the film because it has always provided a “great nostalgia trip” for him, and that he loves revisiting it.

Like Raph, I grew up loving Disney films, and although my favorite was probably Aladdin, I definitely loved The Lion King. I have many memories of watching it as a child and beyond. I also remember going to see it in 3D when it was re-released in theaters a few years back.

There are so many great aspects of the film that stand out to me. First of all, the voice cast is really phenomenal. James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Rowan Atkinson, etc. all do amazing jobs. And I always love some Nathan Lane (stay tuned for a few more weeks for an even bigger dose of Nathan Lane!). They all really sell the performances, and that’s probably the most important thing when it comes to animated films. The story is obviously hugely important, but if the actors can’t bring it to life, the movie will still fail.

Another thing that really hit me in this rewatch was just how beautiful the animation was in this film. This was around the middle of what was definitely my favorite Disney era. It came soon after The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, and preceded Pocahontas, Mulan and Hercules. The filmmakers were definitely at the top of their games. This is also probably one of the Disney films with the biggest emotional impact of all time. Maybe the biggest.

Obviously you can’t talk about The Lion King, without talking about it’s iconic songs from Tim Rice and Elton John, and score from Hans Zimmer. The Lion King, thanks to big hits and a wildly successful Broadway adaptation, has what is arguably Disney’s most well-known and successful soundtracks. So many amazing songs. “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Hakuna Matata,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” These are all such incredible songs that have survived over two decades and remain just as awesome. And Zimmer’s score is just as powerful, and provides the perfect backdrop for the film.

It’s also worth noting that in addition to the Broadway musical, the film has also produced a number of spin-offs and sequels, including a current series, and The Lion King 2. I don’t remember too much about the sequel, but I do remember that I loved, and still highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t seen the film, the song “We Are One.” It’s not The Lion King iconic, but it is still a great song, especially for a direct-to-video film.

I definitely enjoyed revisiting this film, and it’s been nice to have a couple of light, fun films in a row as a sort of palette cleanser from quite a few weeks of great, but heavy films. Although, to be fair, The Lion King is pretty heavy now that I think about it.

Thanks for joining me for another week! Don’t forget to comment below, like, follow, etc., and don’t forget to join me for another installment next week!

Next time: The Dark Knight

Week 37 – Legally Blonde (2001)

• Legally Blonde
• Released: 7/13/2001
• Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, Holland Taylor, Ali Larter, Jessica Cauffiel, Alanna Ubach
• Director: Robert Luketic
• IMDB Page

Welcome back to another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! This week’s film was chosen by Emily, my boyfriend Joe’s younger sister. Emily is a Junior at Tulane, where she is studying Sociology and Social Policy.

Clockwise from Left – Joe, Emily, myself, Blair and Brian on a visit to New Orleans last year!

When I spoke with Emily, she told me that she is usually drawn to films in the rom com and psychological thriller genres, for very different reasons. She said that when she sits down to watch a film, she is usually looking to be laugh and enjoy a happy ending. She wants a film to allow her to escape from real life for a couple of hours and to cheer her up when she is feeling down. For these reasons, romantic comedies are her usual go-to. However, when she is not in the mood for one of those, she loves psychological thrillers, because they provide the “edge of your seat” scare without the lackluster stories of your standard horror film.

When I asked her if she had any favorite actors, Emily told me that she absolutely loves Reese Witherspoon, a feeling which probably derives from her love of Legally Blonde. She added that she also loves Johnny Depp, because she thinks that he is just a really interesting actor and person who always picks the most interesting, “strangest” films and roles, a quality that she really appreciates.

Perhaps because of her love of Johnny Depp, Emily said that she considered choosing Edward Scissorhands for this project. She said that she watches it every Halloween and it has become one of her favorites through the years (note: I love this movie, too!). She added that another film she considered was The Princess Diaries. She told me that she and her mother, Chris, have been watching it together ever since it was released, and that it is still one of their go-to movies whenever she is home from Tulane.

Emily ended up choosing Legally Blonde, however, for a number of reasons. She told me that it has been her favorite movie since she was around 10 years old. She remembers seeing the case at Blockbuster when she was young and wanting to watch it because of how pretty Reese Witherspoon looked on the case. Her mom wouldn’t let her watch it, because it was rated PG-13, which of course only added to her desire to see it. When she finally did get to see it, she was instantly drawn to the character of Elle Woods. She said that Elle was everything that she wanted to be when she grew up. She’s “blonde, beautiful, has the best wardrobe, and really believes she can do anything she puts her mind to.” She said that now that she is older, she really appreciates the message of the film. She said that it is a reminder that if she works hard, she can achieve anything.

Emily added that she loves that the film is, at it’s heart, just a great feel-good film packed with girl power. She admitted that she has never read the book on which it is based, but said that the film on its own does a great job of “conveying the feelings and emotions of its characters and keeping its viewers engaged with the plot.”

Emily closed by telling me that she knows so many people who love the film, both men and women. She also said that she thinks that the fact that it has been turned into a Broadway musical is really a testament to its popularity. , and that one day it could even be called a classic.

I have really been looking forward to this week of the blog, because I have always loved Legally Blonde, and it has been way too long since I’ve seen it. I actually got to watch this film with Chris, so that added a fun element as well, since she was able to give me a little more insight into Emily’s history with the film. Like Emily, I love Reese Witherspoon (Pleasantville is another of my faves from her), and this movie was a big reason for that. She is just such a fun actress who really does a great job of making her characters relatable and lovable. In another actress’s hands, Elle Woods could have been such a disaster of a character. She played it so perfectly, making her journey believable and fun to follow. Also, I don’t usually go for small dogs, but Bruiser is such a perfect little companion for Elle.

I really enjoyed the time capsule that was the music in the film. It’s so late 90s/early 00s. I did not realize that the “Perfect Day” song (by Hoku) is actually originally from this movie. The more you know!

Like Emily, I also really liked the elements of ‘girl power’ in the film. I loved the relationship between Elle and Paulette and the fact that Elle and Vivian were ultimately able to become best friends despite everything. Also, I have a soft spot for the stern, but caring professors, so Professor Stromwell was right up my alley. Very Professor McGonagall.

One of the best things about the film is how endlessly quotable the film is. From “bend and snap” to “what, like it’s hard?” to “whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed,” there are just so many great quotes to pull from the film.

I really think Legally Blonde is just one of those films that you can pop in and have on in the background and enjoy, or sit all the way through and pay full attention to it and get so much from it. It just leaves you with such a great feeling in the end and leaves you wanting to see what Elle does next (thank goodness there’s a sequel! I barely remember it, so I may have to revisit it soon).

That’s it for this week! Have you seen Legally Blonde? If so, let me know what you thought! If not, what’s wrong with you? Go watch it now and then let me know what you thought!

Thanks for joining me for another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits!

Next up: The Lion King

Week 36 – The Belly of an Architect (1987)

• The Belly of an Architect
• Released: 10/16/1987 (UK)
• Starring: Brian Dennehy, Chloe Webb, Lambert Wilson, Sergio Fantoni, Stefnia Casini
• Director: Peter Greenaway
• IMDB Page

Welcome back to another week of 52 Films, 52 Portraits! It’s Week 36 here, and we are officially in the final 3rd of the project! This week’s film was chosen by one of our closest family friends, Ron! Ron is an author, who lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Sondra.

Ron with his wife, Sondra, and my aunt, Mary Beth! Both of whom will be featured on this blog in the future!

Ron told me that he has always been a big fan of film, but finds it to be a much more exhausting past-time now than it was in the past. He said that when the only option to watch a film at home was to see it at a specific time when it ran on television, it was more like an event. Now, there are so many options at the viewer’s fingertips – Netflix, Hulu, On Demand, etc. – that it becomes more of a chore to even pick what you want to watch to begin with. He also said that, to him, this project is kind of going against that idea, because I have committed myself to watching specific movies that I didn’t choose for myself.

Ron said that he likes films because the can transport the viewer into an entirely different realm. He said that it may even be the best form of media for this, aside from the novel, which requires you to create your own world as it is described to you. He also said that today’s forms of media are becoming more and more personal, with friends and family providing the entertainment we consume via Facebook, Snapchat, etc., and these don’t provide the same wide, creative experience that film can.

Ron told me that some of the movies that he grew up on – and that had a big effect on him from an early age – included Oklahoma, The Searchers and The Manster. He said that he watched all of these films over and over again in the 60s on 13 inch black and white TV. When he was young, he also enjoyed the Sean Connery James Bond films, and even saw Dr. No when it was released in theaters. Additionally, he said that he remembers staying up until 2AM to watch Night of the Living Dead because it was the only time that it would ever come on television.

As he’s gotten older, Ron said that he has grown to love certain genres in particular. He often enjoys films in the Criterion Collection and was a big fan of 70s auteur films. He also admitted that he is often drawn to film that could only be described as “Incredibly Strange.” He said that he likes films where a director “pushes for an uncompromising vision.” He said that in the past, this may cause a film to earn an X rating (he named Taxi Driver and All That Jazz as films that either earned that rating or had to fight hard to avoid it at the time). Nowadays, he said, television shows can get away with more than films could in those days.

When I asked Ron what films he considered choosing for the project, he told me that Antonioni’s L’Avventura is probably his favorite film of all time. He said that the National Gallery in DC still shows it every few years or so, so he gets to see it on the big screen. He said that he decided not to choose it for the blog because “some people might mistake it for watching paint dry.” Still, it’s one of his favorites. He said that other films he may have considered, but may have equal paint-drying qualities, were Pauline at the Beach and My Night at Maud’s. However, he warned the uninitiated against jumping into these, and advised that anyone interested should try a film by Claude Chabrol first.

Ron said that he chose Belly of an Architect because, well, “what’s not to like?” The story is hilarious, the acting is excellent, the cinematography is beautiful and the soundtrack is terrific. He said that he loves Peter Greenaway’s “twisted humor” and that all of the pieces may not add up to the perfect film, but it’s still one of his favorites.

Of all of the films in this project, I had the least knowledge about this one going into it. I don’t believe that I had ever even heard of The Belly of an Architect before Ron chose it. It was also the only film out of all 52 that I was unable to get on Blu Ray. I have seen Brian Dennehy in things before, and he did a really great job in the film, but that’s about as far as my familiarity with any elements of the film goes.

Overall, I’d say that I enjoyed the film. It wasn’t my favorite ever, but I did enjoy it. It definitely had a certain dark humor and there was a lot going on in the way that the film was shot that was very interesting. I kept finding myself drawn to what was going on in the background of scenes just as much as the forefront.

Also, as Ron mentioned, I thought that the film had a great soundtrack by Wim Mertens and a lot of the cinematography was really fantastic. I really enjoyed those aspects of the film.

That’s it for this week! Sorry for the brief post, it’s a busy week! But thanks so much for joining me once again! Please comment, like, follow, etc. below and don’t forget to come back next week for a very different kind of comedy!

Next Week: Legally Blonde

Week 35 – Inception (2010)

• Inception
• Released: 7/16/2010
• Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Dileep Rao, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine, Pete Postlethwaite
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• IMDB Page

Hi there! Welcome back to 52 Films, 52 Portraits! This week’s film was chosen by my cousin, Kevin, who is currently a PhD student studying biological oceanography at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and living in Falmouth, MA. He grew up in Grove City, PA, with his parents, and three brothers, including his older brother, Drew.

Kevin and I a few years ago around Thanksgiving time.

I knew that Kevin and his family didn’t spend a ton of time watching movies or television growing up, so I was especially interested to hear what movies did make an impact on him as a child, and what types of movies he grew to love as an adult. He told me that he still wouldn’t consider himself to be a big film fan, but he does enjoy the occasional trip to the theater, especially for big blockbuster films. He said that he really likes that films are able to incorporate so many different elements as a storytelling device. It combines writing with the visual and audio elements to create a much larger experience. He said that few forms of media have to handle so many different elements at once, and that’s what makes films stand out. It allows great movies to flourish, but also makes it that much easier for a movie to be brought down from just one sub-par element.

Kevin said that the first film he can remember having a big impact on him was Disney’s The Lion King. He said that it is still one of his favorite movies, along with the other Disney animated features that he grew up on. He said that as he grew a little older into later childhood, films like the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars series became huge parts of his life. He was always drawn to those types of stories and can remember running around in the woods pretending to be those characters. I can definitely remember all of us cousins playing all sorts of games like this in our grandparents’ yard when we were younger.

The love for these genres has stuck with Kevin, and he said that he would now consider action and sci-fi to be his favorite types of movie. The bigger and more “spectacular” a film is, the better. He loves a lot of excitement and a fast-paced plot in his movies. He said that he also loves the superhero genre. Specifically, he told me that he is a big loverof the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Kevin said that he doesn’t usually pay much attention to directors, so he could really say if he has a favorite, but he does have a favorite composer: John Williams. He said that this may have to do with nostalgia, because John Williams composed the music in so many of his childhood favorites.

When I asked Kevin whether he considered any other films, he said that he thought about naming one of the Lord of the Rings films since, as mentioned above, they had such a big impact on his childhood. He also said that he considered picking Remember the Titans, just because it’s one of his favorite films and he has always loved it.

Kevin told me that he decided on Inception for a few reasons. First of all, he said it’s one of those films that he can watch over and over again and still find himself engrossed in the plot. Second, he said that the loves the complexity of the plot and that it can take multiple viewings to begin to unwrap it all and that there are so many layers that all start to connect to each other as the film progresses. Next, he said that the film is very unique, which is something missing from many hits, especially in recent years. Finally, he said it’s just such a grand, exciting movie with a great score and very entertaining story, and that’s what he is looking for in a great film.

I was excited to watch Inception this week, because I don’t think I’ve seen it since it was in theaters. I believe I saw it once and really enjoyed it, but then never revisited it. And that was nearly seven years ago! It was definitely time for a second viewing. I remember that I really liked the film and I had a clear memory of the final shot, and a few other snippets, but other than that, I didn’t remember too much about the plot or other elements of the film. I think that ended up liking it even more this time around. Maybe it has something to do with Kevin’s point about it being a film that takes a few viewings to fully appreciate.

The biggest thing I appreciated about the film was it’s originality and visual style. It really was just a great concept and I feel like they did an amazing job of pulling it off. The special effects were pretty fantastic. I remember being blown away by the scenes in the hotel the first time around and they really held up.

The other thing that I really loved about the film was the incredible cast. Obviously DiCaprio is amazing, but my personal faves in the film are Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as well as Marion Cotillard. I think this may have actually been the first film in which I ever saw Cotillard. I just remember that she reminded me a lot of Rachel Weisz, which was definitely a compliment.

Overall, I really enjoyed the film and definitely recommend it to those with enough patience to really devote their concentration to a film for two and a half hours. This is not a film for watching in the background. But if you do give your time to it, it is definitely worth it!

Thanks for joining me for another week! Have you seen Inception? What did you think? Let me know all of your thoughts in the comments below and please follow, share, like, etc! Thanks! See you next week!

Up Next: The Belly of an Architect