Nói Albinói (2003)

Nói Albinói is a coming of age story set in an isolated fishing town in western Iceland. There is everything you would expect in a story like this – teenage love, defiance in education, intellectually gifted teenager, family problems, and death. Even though this is such an overused template, Dagur Kári finds a way to take this film a step further and single itself out there amongst the plethora of films similar to this. It just may be the fact that it’s a teen angst film set in a remote western Icelandic fiord that does this; nonetheless, it accomplishes a difficult task of removing itself from the mundane troubled-teen film genre. The lifeless little village where Nói resides has fleeting glimpses of a happier tomorrow, but only after disaster and utter obliteration of his family, friends, and town is he able to attain his View-Master’s promised tropical paradise. A story of rebellion, misdirection, and realization, Nói Albinói is one for the isolated and lonely at heart.

7.5/10 - steven

Bottle Rocket (1996)

I have come to be an avid Wes Anderson fan and all that there is in his style-over-content approach to filmmaking. I had yet to see his earliest film and it’s about time. The same techniques used in all his recent works can be referenced back to this first movie. It comes with everything we’ve come to love in Wes Anderson - static cameras, overhead close ups, side tracking shots, Mark Mothersbaugh and pop soundtracks, and a slow motion ending. Both Luke and Owen Wilson make their debuts on screen and Owen begins collaboration with Anderson that includes Rushmoreand Royal Tenenbaums as well; another definitive of Anderson works - repeated cast and crew. Bottle Rocket gets by with a certain quirky charm and has a refreshingly appetizing feel to it. I recommend this if not just to gain an appreciation for a consistent director who over time produces fresh and genuine work.

7/10 - steven

Margot At The Wedding (2007)

After having a previously unsuccessful encounter with Noah Baumbach's The Squid And The Whale, I was a little bit unsure as to what Margot At The Wedding would have in store for me. The lack of a backing musical score and uneventful, emotionally draining scenes made the film drag on and I slowly lost interest in the complete discord of two sisters preparing for a wedding. Jack Black may have been the only thing that kept me interested while I waited for this movie to reach some sort of finale, which I was once again disappointed to be left out of. Margot's character was very deep and intriguing which I thought was well done but I don't feel like I ever really got a good handle on what her major malfunction was. Quotes of interest.

"I don't even think I realized it was cold until you gave me your sweater" - Margot

and one of my favorite lines,

"I just wanna punch that guy in the nose" - Malcolm
"You've never hit anyone" - Pauline
"Yea huh, I have to" - Malcolm
"Oh yea? Like who?" - Pauline
"Lot's of people, you don't know them, cause there not around, cause I punched them" - Malcolm

6/10 - dylan

Metropolis (1927)

Fritz Lang's class-conscious classic really takes a step forward in its time. Metropolis lays the foundation for all there is technically, aesthetically, and stylistically in the science fiction genre. Huge, expansive sets, immeasurable amounts of cast and extras on screen, and an epic, twisted story. This film could easily get its footing in modern cinema. Spotted throughout are intertitles that mention a mediator between social classes. The end title reads "The mediator between head and hands must be the heart!" which bears an invaluable theme that binds this whole film together for me. This theme has such importance and deserves significance in any hierarchical economic society. For this, this film will always be deserving of attention and truly stand the test of time.

10/10 - steven

Magnolia (1999)

This epic film is so emotionally draining. Time flew by and the three hour mark arrived quite a bit earlier than expected after prolonging my first viewing due to its monstrous length. The musical score really helps bring some lengthy scenes together very smoothly. Although some parts are rather messy, things were surprisingly easy to follow except for some raining frogs towards the end. This is art for art's sake. And the cast is suberb.

It's just coincidence that Philip Seymour Hoffman was in my first two officially reviewed films. Or is it?...Ha.

8.5/10 - steven

The Savages (2007)

I enjoyed this film a lot. The authenticity and dialogue are at such a high level. There is so much subtlety that the bleak and melancholy feelings feel entirely desired and constructed but not too constructed. I thought this movie did wonders. 9 from me.

9/10 - steven

I'm gonna go with a 5.5/10 on the savages. I really like the opening scene in sun city Arizona and I liked the ironic stuff that was funny but not laugh out loud funny, but I thought a lot of the rest of it was really bleak and melancholy which I understand was the aim of the movie but I don't know if I would wanna watch it again. Philip Seymour Hoffman is still a stud.

5.5/10 -dylan

Both Hoffman and Linney are studs might I add. - steven