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

Movie Review Monday

  Now welcome to movie review Monday, a new element of my blog I would like to create. In said element, I will be reviewing and commenting on all the movies I've seen since the last post, as well as a few timeless classics. Now since this is the first one, I am going to be picking a few films that I saw a while ago, as well as a few I saw recently. Enjoy.

1. Marie Antoinette (2006)

Rating: 8/10 ★★★★★★★★☆☆

  As a kid, I had this strange fascination with princesses and royal figures of past times. Perhaps I was a dark kid, because Marie Antoinette and the guillotine were my favorite. Coincidentally, around the time I began this obsession, the 2006 film "Marie Antoinette" staring Kristen Dunst had just been released. Now, being of the age I was, I didn't see this film due to the sex (which didn't really happen a lot in this movie, I just knew I couldn't watch PG-13 movies at that age so I didn't see it) as well as the mature themes. No third grader would understand this plot or history.

Living the dream.

  I found the film to be brilliant, ranging in ravish and expensively-decorated parlors to the bright and Edward Scissorhands-esque colors of the fields and countryside. I love the costumes, I love the makeup, and I love the actors. Marianne Faithfull even makes an appearance as Marie Antoinette's mother, Maria Theresa. But my favorite part of this movie has to be how it takes place in the mid-late 1700's, yet the soundtrack is full of modern hits. It's like a strange, exotic time where old traditions take place with a modern soundtrack, although this film is trying to be historic rather than science fiction. Overall, if you're a history or princess nerd like I am, this film is brilliant will definitely quench your thirst.

Definitely my favorite song from the film:

2. Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)

Rating: 8/10 ★★★★★★★★☆☆

  The ultimate outcast film, Welcome to the Dollhouse is the story of Dawn Wieners, (and yes, she is played by Anne Hathway's best friend in The Princess Diaries)  a shy and unpopular seventh grader battling her days through middle school. Dawn doesn't have any friends except for 5th grader Ralphy, with whom she shares a homemade clubhouse in her backyard. She is constantly surrounded by nuisances, like her nerdy older brother Mark or her spoiled ballerina younger sister Missy. Dawn's parents hardly pay attention to her, much like anyone else. She is the constant butt of every joke, the victim to every locker vandalism, and the cruel turnout to a deranged suburban life.

Ah, Dawn Wieners, my spirit animal.

  That all changes one day when Brandon McCarthy, a bully who has almost as much trouble socializing as Dawn does, threatens to rape her. Through numerous attempts, he pulls her aside after class, keeping up with his threats. Eventually he does get Dawn alone, though all they do is kiss before he runs back home. To add to Dawn's relationship trouble, Steve Rodgers, an older boy in Mark's band catches Dawn's eye. Although she is much younger than Steve, she hears Steve will "basically fuck anybody" and acquires hope. This obviously fails, and along with many other various situations, Dawn is always on the short end of the stick. If you were ever an outcast or a loner, you can relate to this dark comedic masterpiece and Dawn Wieners. It's seriously brilliant, and a wonderful example of how all movies don't need to be glamorized.

3. Groupie Girl (1970)

Rating: 7/10 ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

The opening credits are on a psychedelic-painted tour bus, with groovy cheesy music playing in the background. You can already tell its a good movie!

  I'm going to start this off by saying Groupie Girl is not for everyone. It had nudity and sex, so it's not for those of you who aren't into films with that. It's also from 1970, so for those of you who don't like cliche 70's terms and vintage underground bands. I personally liked this film a lot, but that's only because I love the 70's and the groupie scene quite a lot.

The only thing that sucks about this movie is the band members Sally hooks up with aren't even cute! There's even a flamboyant Mick Jagger character, but he definitely isn't close to the real thing.

  This isn't a well-known film, so don't be surprised if no one you know hasn't heard of this film. The film itself is about a groupie named Sally and her experiences dating various band members. Although she is treated like crap by these band members, she somehow always sticks around. This movie has a very cheesy 70’s feel, but it made me cry at parts because of how brilliant it is. If you're one of those girls who is always saying "I wish I could have dated a bandmember in the 60's/70's!", this film will make you rethink your choices with its dramatic climax.

The ending to this movie makes you rethink your entire decisions about being a band member fangirl.

4. But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)

Rating: 9/10 ★★★★★★★★★☆

  I must start this review by saying I love this film like no other. If you are a feminist or any other type of person seeking equality, you will definitely relate to this film. That being said, this is a lesbian film, so if you're not interested in watching girl-on-girl scenes, you might not like it.
  But I'm a Cheerleader is about Megan Bloomfield, an apparently happy heterosexual high school cheerleader. However, her friends and family are convinced that she is a homosexual (Because she becomes a vegetarian, of all reasons) and arrange an intervention, sending her to a residential inpatient conversion therapy camp to cure her lesbianism. There Megan soon realizes that she is indeed a lesbian and, despite the therapy, gradually comes to embrace her sexual orientation, while falling for one of the fellow patients.

Just look at the house Megan has to stay in! Filled with the ultimate feminine stereotype of exaggeration and pinks.

  This whole film is based off of a story about a young woman finding her sexual identity to explore the social construction of gender roles. The costume and set design of the film highlighted these themes using artificial textures in intense blues and pinks. I think the costume designs incredibly enhanced the film and made it much more fun to watch the stereotypes of both women and men. Although most of these stereotypes are exaggerated, I highly praise this film, and the love story it creates is incredibly intense. I highly recommend this film.

This film is filled with cheesy qualities, but all on purpose. One of my favorites is the vibrant "true directions" cake.

Welcome to the Dollhouse from itsamodmodworld on 8tracks Radio.

1. "I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow
2. "Laisse Tomber les Fills" by France Gall
3. "Groupie Girl (It Doesn't Matter What You Do" by Opal Butterfly
4. "There's No Business Like Show Business" by Mary Hopkin
5. "Les Sucettes" by France Gall
6. "I'm Not Like Everybody Else" by The Kinks
7. "Stay With Me" by the Faces
8. "Outsider" by The Ramones

If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out

  I absolutely adore the film Harold and Maude (1971). If you want to watch it, click here, it's on youtube. Although, with copyright complaints, I don't know how long it'll be there. Anyways, Harold and Maude is about a young teenage boy named Harold who is obsessed with death, and even fakes his own suicide multiple times throughout the movie (to which his mother gives almost no reaction). He also spends his free time attending funerals, where he meets Maude, and almost-eighty-year-old woman, and the two fall in love. However, Maude is more eccentric than Harold and brightens up his life with her energy. Of course, the film is a wild black comedy and every minute is filled with both laughs and horror.
  The thing I think completes this film is the soundtrack. It is entirely by one of my all-time favorite artists, Cat Stevens. Now, Cat Stevens writes and sings the most lovely 1970's folk music and his lyrics are enchanting. This got me thinking: That's probably my favorite style of 1970's music: The slow, calming acoustic guitar songs sung out by such brilliant artists like Cat Stevens. So here is a playlist dedicated to some of my favorite 70's songs that give me 'that calming mood.'

Bell Bottom Blues from itsamodmodworld on 8tracks Radio.

1. "If You Want to Sing Out" - Cat Stevens
2. "Sister Golden Hair" - America
3. "My Sweet Lord" - George Harrison
4. "Everything I Own" - Bread
5. "Day After Day" - Badfinger
6. "Wild World" - Cat Stevens
7. "Aubrey" - Bread
8. "Baby Blue" - Badfinger
9. "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" - Edison Lighthouse

A Trip to the Cinema.

  I love the calming sense of serenity one gets after they watch a good film. For me, that sense of an overall calm feeling is much better if the movie itself is filmed a certain way. I like films that have a vintage feel to them, whether that movie be set in the past itself of if it is filmed like it was. I also have appreciation for movies filmed decades ago. Anything before 1990 is considered a classic to me. Let's have a look at some of my favorite movies that have also left me feeling that 'sense of serenity' afterward.

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

I love the interior of the Lisbon girls' rooms!

  What a gruesome title, isn't it? Despite the title, The Virgin Suicides is about the five teenage Lisbon sisters living in the mid-1970's. Each girl has their own set of problems, but the film is mainly based on Lux, the 14-year-old daughter. This movie is told from the perspective of a few teenage boys who live in the neighborhood of the Lisbon girls and watch their lives while collecting souvenirs and interacting them.

Again, the Lisbon girls minus Cecilia.

  The movie is told from the perspective of an unknown boy who apparently was one of the boys who watched the Lisbons' slow down-spiral into depression. Although the movie does have a grim and somewhat sudden ending, the film is definitely worth watching. I've watched it four times in the past year and I never get sick of the mystery that was the Lisbon family.

Watch The Virgin Suicides trailer here.

 

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Suzy and Sam reviewing their map.

  I'm normally not a fan of movies from 2000 and on, but Moonrise Kingdom is a great exception. I wanted to see this movie so badly that I actually went out and bought tickets to see it in theaters, which is rare for me. I usually wait for it to come out on TV. 

Suzy out on the lake in her wonderfully-sixties dress.

  Moonrise Kingdom is yet another wonderful Wes Anderson film. I'm personally a huge Wes Anderson fan, mainly because the way he films everything is so vintage and wonderful. The movie itself is set in 1965 and is about two twelve-year-old kids named Sam and Suzy who fall in love after meeting accidentally backstage Suzy's play. Following this they write each other letters and eventually meet up, running away together until they are caught by the local police. The movie's filmography is absolutely brilliant and I enjoyed every minute of it in theaters, from the wonderful clothing the characters wore to the amazing soundtrack.

Watch the Moonrise Kingdom trailer here.

Carrie (1976)

Carrie winning prom queen, a great surprise.

  Although I've made a Carrie post before, the film is so brilliant that I thought I must include it. The film is based off of a Stephen King novel of the same name, published in 1974. It is about a young girl named Carrie who is taunted after she receives her time of the month for the first time in the gym showers. She had been harassed before, but now the harassment increases. She is also struggling with her telekinetic powers that she hides from everyone, but eventually tells her bat-crazy mother. From there she is constantly bullied until asked to the prom by Tommy Ross, a popular boy from school.

The crazy ending to Carrie.

  At first Carrie thinks it is a joke, but she eventually agrees. On the night of prom all havoc breaks loose after the infamous pig-blood scene. I won't spoil the ending, but Carrie is an absolutely brilliantly-written film that defied horror movie standards in the 1970's. It is absolutely lovely.

Watch Carrie full length for free here.

Quadrophenia (1978)

  Quadrophenia is a film based off The Who's 1973 concept album of the same name. The album and movie are similar, although it is a little harder to figure out the plot by simply listening to the album. The movie is about a young teenager named Jimmy living in the early 1960's who decides to take up the mod lifestyle. Throughout the film he seems to be enjoying being a mod, although his spiral downward into popping pills and wrecking havoc increases. 

  While Jimmy is out with friends enjoying himself, he's battling the demons of his multiple personalities inside. Some may say he has schizophrenia; this is why the movie is titled Quadrophenia, as Jimmy had four different personalities (one for each member of The Who.) Soon bad things start happening to Jimmy. During a mod riot he is taken in by the police, the girl he likes named Steph goes for another guy, he is kicked out of his house, and his mod scooter is smashed. Jimmy realizes he's hand enough when he finds out his idol, fellow mod Ace Face (played by Sting) is actually a bell boy at a local hotel. He steals Ace Faces scooter and crashes it over a cliff, jumping off before he himself plummets to his doom. The movie ends with Jimmy walking on a Brighton beach, the same way the film started, leading to think that the entire movie was simply a flashback.

 Watch Quadrophenia full-length for free here.

The Soundtrack to My Life. from itsamodmodworld on 8tracks Radio.

1. "Sunday Morning" - The Velvet Underground & Nico
2. "Run of the Mill" - George Harrison
3. "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34" - Benjamin Britten 
4. "If You Want to Sing Out" - Cat Stevens
5. "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls are Coming to the Canyon)" - The Mamas and the Papas
6. "Winter" - The Rolling Stones
7. "Sun King" - The Beatles
8. "Aubrey" - Bread
9. "Wild World" - Cat Stevens

Carrie

Carrie and her gym teacher talking.

  Carrie is one of my absolute favorite movies. I just watched it for maybe the third time yesterday because I recently found the book at a local consignment shop, and I have to say, I love both. Both the imagery and dialogue are incredibly great in both, but in the movie, the soundtrack adds an extra affect. But this movie and book got me thinking... why are people considered ugly? In the movie, Carrie is absolutely beautiful. Of course, she is played by Sissy Spacek, who I personally find adorable, but the character of Carrie in the movie is very likable to me. So what if she isn't too well in gym class? She seemed like a nice girl who just wanted to fit in. (Some of these images may spoil the movie!)
  I've provided a playlist that at first was supposed to be of songs that reminded me of Carrie, but when I couldn't find too many, I just made a list of songs with girls names in the title. Enjoy!

Watch Carrie on Youtube here

  themadmod also has a great Carrie post, I swear I didn't copy her though!

Carrie White and her insane mother, who believes Carrie has sinned simply for getting her time of the month.

Carrie and Tommy, finally happy at prom.

Carrie's insane mother smiling as she is about to kill her.

Girls, Girls, Girls. from itsamodmodworld on 8tracks Radio.

Songs about girls and their names. Doesn't have much to do with Carrie, but what else can you put on a Carrie playlist?

1. Julia Dream - Pink Floyd

2. Michelle - The Beatles

3. Angie - The Rolling Stones

4. Layla - Derek & The Dominos

5. For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her - Simon & Garfunkel

6. Pictures of Lily - The Who

7. Oh, Yoko! - John Lennon

8. Lady Madonna - The Beatles

9. Jennifer Juniper - Donovan