Movie Review Monday 2

Dirty Girls (Shot in 1996, edited in 2000)

Rating: 8/10 ★★★★★★★★☆☆

 

  Although Dirty Girls isn't a movie, it is a short eighteen-minute documentary on the lives of the "dirty girls," a group of eighth graders who are famous for their bad hygiene and careless attitudes.The beginning of the documentary features all the other students in school giving their opinions on said dirty girls, but the thing is, everyone's opinion is negative. Many interviewed students even go as far to say as these dirty girls are bad because they dress and act the way they want, and not the way society wants them to act.

  These girls, whether they mean it or not, are the perfect example of the everyday struggles of being a woman. They are ridiculed constantly simply because they don't dress in all pink and wear the "right shade of lipstick" and wash their hair every day. These girls are so quick to be judged, and I find it ridiculous. I know society has "changed" since 1996, but it really is pretty much the same sadistic formula. Torture the ones who "aren't as good as us." If you are a feminist or activist of any kind, I highly recommend this film.

Melancholia (2011)

Rating: 6/10 ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

 

  Melancholia is one of those films you either love or hate. Staring Kristen Dunst, this is the story of a depressed bride and her fiance's wedding, which they are over two hours late to. Throughout the evening, Kristen's character becomes increasingly depressed and slips away several times. The night ends when her newly-wed husband ditches her, calling off the whole wedding altogether.
  From there, the film takes a turn for the weird: between everyone getting depressed, a giant red star appearing in the sky, and the supposed end of the world. Everyone is panicking about the planet Melancholia, which is set to crash into Earth and end mankind. Along the way, all sorts of disaster unravels and makes the apocalyptic world these characters live in seem like the most depressing piece of hell imaginable.

  While I personally found the film to drag on at times, it was created around a unique plot (although similar to Donnie Darko) and featured wonderful imagery and scenery. This film isn't for everyone, but if you're every in a depressing mood, you might want to pick up the overlooked Melancholia.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Rating: 8/10 ★★★★★★★★☆☆

  Although I've seen Donnie Darko before, I watched it again this week because the previous film I reviewed, Melancholia, reminded me of it so much. Donnie Darko takes place in 1988 (October 2, to be exact), staring a troubled teen named Donnie Darko, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. One evening, he is awoken and led outside by a figure in a gigantic, zombie-like rabbit costume, who introduces himself as "Frank" and tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds. That night, Donnie awakens on a golf course, only to find out that while he was gone, an engine has crashed through his room. From there, it only gets more eerie and strange.

  I'm not going to spoil the ending, but last year, I had an absolute obsession with this film. Donnie Darko provides the ultimate confusing plot twist, as well as an example that even the strangest of people can find love. Through time travel, an apocalyptic-like setting, and the eerie life of suburbia, Donnie Darko shows real life with a dreary ending.

Dark Melancholia from itsamodmodworld on 8tracks Radio.

1. "Because" by The Beatles
2. "Vera" by Pink Floyd
3. "Trouble" by Cat Stevens
4. "These Days" by Nico
5. "Beware of Darkness" by George Harrison
6. "No Time" by The Guess Who
7. "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd
8. "Why D'ya Do It" by Marianne Faithfull
9. "Magic Man" by Heart