Guardians of the Galaxy

Alright, I'd like to start off by apologizing for not keeping up to date. I'm going to be starting my senior year of high school and things got a little crazy there for a little bit. But I'm back!

And I'm back to talk about one of my favorite-est things ever. Yes, I realize that favorite-est isn't a real word, but I'm so excited and in so love with this movie and the Marvel universe in general I needed to make a new word to express my inner nerdy spaz.

So getting to the point, we all know that this day and age might as well be known as the comic comeback. Because let's face it: we all love our superheroes. And they are all exciting and entertaining. But we know most of all of them and we are all familiar with their general existence. I mean seriously, who are you going to recognize more: Captain America or Star Lord? Iron Man or Grout? The Hulk or Rocket? The Avengers or The Guardians of the Galaxy?

But Marvel has struck again despite the anonymity of the newest hero team. Another hit movie that the public is loving. I know I personally loved it. The soundtrack was great and the plot was good too. There are a bunch of things I could talk about, but right now I want to focus on how good of a base movie this is. Now by "base movie" I mean the screenwriters, producers and directors have created enough interest to keep this once unrecognizable series going. We could come back to learn about Peter Quill/ Star Lord's father or continue to pursue Thanos. And we can't forget the infinity stones!

As for the performances, I think Zoe Saldana is my favorite. She does an excellent job of creating this strong female character without making her cheesy. Too many times, strong female characters are over done. They lose a certain air of femininity in the process. But Zoe Saldana builds a strong woman who is smart and talented. She is also physical capable of handling herself. Basically, Gamora saves the day. Another performance I enjoyed was that of Vin Diesel. I mean, seriously, the man has three words to convey all of his character's feelings in. And it's great.  Finally, I would like to applaud the rest of the cast. Lee Pace is terrible (in a very good way) as Ronan the Accuser and Chris Pratt has made a very lovely jump from voice acting (The Lego Movie) and supporting roles to taking a lead. And we can't forget Bradley Cooper as Rocket either. Bravo!

Anyways, my general opinion of this movie is probably biased because of my love for superheroes. But honestly, from what I've been hearing from others, Guardians is a hit all around. It's funny and action packed. It's a true summer blockbuster! So if you haven't seen it yet, I highly suggest you hop in your car now and get to the nearest movie theater, drive-in or wherever else you might catch a feature presentation near you. If you have to wait a while, please enjoy the soundtrack provided above!

Now Is Good

So you've heard of The Fault in Our Stars. We've been caught up in the tragedy that is Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace. However, but have you ever heard about Tessa?

Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine come together in Now Is Good based off of the novel Before I Die. It's all about young Tessa who, after years of treatment, gives up. She's tired and done. All she wants to do is live before she dies and that is exactly what she does. In the process, we go along a roller coaster ride of emotions. From her mother to her father and from her little brother and best friend to her boyfriend, you will feel a strange happiness and deep hurt as well.

Beautifully crafted and expertly told, this film shows why sometimes the visual images and audio effects of a film can be just as powerful, if not more powerful than the written word itself.

On a personal note, I would strongly recommend wiping off all make-up you had on before if you have any on because you will cry... A LOT. It was haunting and stayed with well into the next day, but is a definite must.

The Beauty of Silent Films

This year in my U.S. History class we happened to begin to discuss movies. And I was delighted for who knows what reason. I mean seriously why on earth would I ever enjoy talking about movies?

Anyways, as we discussed the 1920's and the new forms of entertainment coming about in that era, silent films were brought up. My teacher started out by asking who had ever watched a movie. Naturally 27 students (aka everyone) raised their hands. Next he asked who had seen an old black and white film. More than a few hands dropped and we were down to 19. I was shocked. He proceeded to ask who enjoyed watching black and white movies. The total dropped to 2 people in the room: myself and a friend of mine. Then he asked who had seen a silent film. 3 hands were raised. 

Then came the final question: Of you 3 who likes silent movies?

My hand was the only one up. 

I got quite a few stares and was even teased for it. We watched Charlie Chaplin's Gold Rush only a few minutes after the inquiry and a girl turned to me and said, "You actually like this stuff?" 

"Yes, yes I do."  She looked at as if I was insane. 

You see, what my classmates failed to see that day was that without silent films, without black and white films, without anything that had come before what we had today we would not have what we have today. 

Classics are golden.

They should be valued and cherished because without them, the art form of film making would not be what it is today. And even then, films today could learn a thing or two from the pictures before the talkies.

It doesn't matter if they are colorless. It doesn't matter if they are soundless. Those actors, those set designers and those special effects artists and those directors, they all worked with what they had. And many times, all their hard work paid off. Because many times, the end result was a timeless classic that is revered today.

If you tune in to TCM every Sunday at midnight, you can experience these films. And while silent films aren't for everyone, there are always a few that might stick out when you stumble upon them. Some will leave you breathless. The video above is an example of a film that is like that for me. It's known as "The Serpentine Dance." You'll notice is has color even though it was made before that was technically possible.

That's because the makers went through and painted each and every frame. Can you imagine having to do that?

A Single Man

I was on vacation with my family in Canada when I happened to stumble upon Tom Ford's directorial debut. It was a bit rainy out and my family had all gone to the main lodge at our resort to chat with other guests. I, however, stayed in.

While browsing through the channels I happened upon a title page. "Next: A Single Man starring Colin Firth and Julianne Moore." 

For a moment, heavens knows why, I thought to myself, "Colin Firth...isn't that the guy from Total Recall?" (Side note: Colin Farrell was the one in Total Recall. I don't know why I was so confused.) But back on track...I continued to think, "Hmm...I can be okay with this." So I started watching as a man floated and drifted through water and the opening title sequence began. 

By the end, I was shocked. This was a film like in other for sure. 

It takes place within one day, shortly after the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is about a gay man, played by Colin Firth, who is just trying to get through the last day of his life. You see, he wants to kill himself because his lover, Jim, died in a car accident. 

And so ensues a very artistic interpretation of a man giving up. With a style of its own, Tom Ford's lighting shows the highlights of George's final hours. I was very impressed by this movie and if you don't mind watching a film about a gay man I strongly suggest you check this out. And even if you don't like the idea of watching a movie like this I would still encourage you to go in and watch it with an open mind because this is a story about life.

It is a story about life and how everyone struggles with it but their are always people and moments that make it worth while.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Alrighty!

This is a movie I've been wanting to see for a while. It had always intrigued me, this idea of Keira Knightley and Steve Carell playing opposite of each other. It is obviously not the most obvious pick. But that, strangely, ends up being the best part about it.

You see, the whole premise of the movie is basically as follows:

• There's only 3 weeks left on Earth until the apocalypse 
• Dodge's (Steve Carell) wife leaves him 
• ...because the world's ending.
• Penny (Keira Knightley) can't see her family in England because all air traffic has been shut down
• ...because the world's ending.
• They team up together to find Dodge's long lost love
• ...because the world's ending.

Now I'm not going to spoil the ending for you because the ending is the best part about it. It's heart wrenching and sad, but it's also heart warming and a weird kind of happy. And while it's definitely not one of the best movies I've seen, the ending makes the okay middle parts worth it.

So check out Seeking a Friend for the End of the World before the worlds ends! 

Was that too cheesy? 

Probably, but that's okay. 

The Riot Club

Do the Brits know how to do it or what?

No.
I am not addressing the fact that they have put together a film full of heart throbs. You do not put a bunch of pretty faces together to portray a drama, especially one such as this. (Although it definitely doesn't hurt.)

Based on Posh, a play originally by Laura Wade, The Riot Club tells the story of 10 young men who attend Oxford and as the preview says they're, "Filthy...Rich...Spoilt...Rotten." The story goes along to tell how these young men abuse their power and position, going wild and crazy for a night. But things do not last forever. No one can out run the consequences no matter how rich you are.

With no release date yet for the United States, some patience may be required in waiting for it. However, these characters, without a doubt, will be some that we will love to hate.

Bill Murary

Need I say more?

He's entertained us for decades and he still hasn't stopped. Whether he's Carl Spackler in Caddyshack, Mr. Bishop in Moonrise Kingdom or even himself in Zombieland, Bill Murray is a non-stop laugh. But he has also brought us great depth in films like Hyde Park on Hudson as he plays FDR and Wild Things as Kenneth Bowden.

He has a  new film coming out though. And from what I can tell St. Vincent is something to look forward to. In this new feature film, coming out on October 24, 2014, Murray plays an antisocial and angry old man who is charged with the duty of watching his new neighbor's son, Oliver played by newcomer Jaeden Lieberher.

With a supporting cast that includes Melissa McCarthy and Naomi Watts, this comedy (as advertised) actually seems like it will be a heart warming story sure to entertain us.
But it's sure to be a while until October...

So until then here is one of my favorite scenes from Moonrise Kingdom.

Movie Camera Militia

A friend of mine goes to Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. He is majoring in film there and one of the organizations that he participates in is called, you guessed it the Movie Camera Militia. They have a page vimeo.com that you should definitely check out.
But until then, I want to share this cute little story with you. I believe it is a great example of how film, even in a short amount of time can show some of the most powerful images. In this case, the story is about a lonely little robot. It's really quite awesome.

Now I can't upload the video, but I can give you the link------>  http://vimeo.com/73198871

Check it out and some of the other videos that they are making in Carbondale in their free time.

Welcome to the Fourth Dimension!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually feel and smell all the things that happen in a movie? I mean, 3-D is cool and all, but what if our seats rocked around and gave us the motion that the characters would feel? What if we smelled the bacon that was cooking in the next room over? Mmmm...bacon. Wouldn't that be cool? I know I've thought about it, but that couldn't be possible. Or could it?

Apparently it is and it has been for a while. In fact the first 4-D movie was James Cameron's Avatar in 2009. 4-D just hasn't been in the United States. That is, it hasn't been available in the United States up until now. Now movie goers can experience this fourth dimension in Los Angeles, California at the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14. Which is the 110th 4-D theater in the world. But...

Why?

Well, that's what some consumers are asking. The thing is movie ticket sales are on the decline. They have been for a while now. Ever since TVs started to become more easily accessible to consumers in the late 1940's and 1950's, people have been able to find entertainment from the comfort of their own home. And now with so many more amusements at the very tip of people's fingers due to smart phones and tablets, movie ticket sales have begun to plummet even more than usual. Why pay the high prices of a theater when you can just look a title up on Netflix? You lose the expense of the trip to and from the theater, the expensive refreshments and the ticket.

But what will this new dimension do to our wallets? If you thought 3-D was expensive, try adding $8 to that for the experience of 4-D. In some places that's more than $20 a ticket! I don't know about you, but even for me, a movie lover, that's almost enough to make me want to go running home and waiting an additional 3 months or so for a film  to come out on DVD. 

So what can the average moviegoer expect to experience if they go to a 4-D feature film? Well, you can expect your typical 3-D experience plus your chair taking you along for the ride, wind and/or rain if you so choose (there is an button to turn it off) and smells of whatever. So basically if you go see the new Transformers be prepared for some burning rubber and oil.

http://www.etcentric.org/cinemacon-4dx-theater-technology-coming-to-los-angeles/

But after all of this, can we blame Hollywood for this as so much the theaters?

To check out more reasons why people aren't going to theaters, check out Roger Ebert's article here:  http://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/ill-tell-you-why-movie-revenue-is-dropping
And for more info on this 4-D experience click here:
http://hometheaterreview.com/first-us-4dx-theater-opens/

Happy Birthday Leslie Maron!

There is a movie.

It is about a girl. 

It is about a man.

(Go figure, right?) 

However, this particular movie is one of my favorites. It is called Lili. 

Now if you are familiar with Leslie Caron, you know she is a French dancer who was discovered by Gene Kelly as he looked for the perfect co-star for his film An American In Paris.  She was dark haired and almost pixie like which Hollywood took full advantage of. It didn't hurt her either that she was not only a dancer and actress but a singer too. And yesterday was her birthday! A few of her films included The Doctor's Dilemma, Gaby and The Glass Slipper.

Lili is my favorite though. 

In it, Caron plays a 16 year old orphaned girl who runs into a married magician. This man, Marus le Magnifique, takes Lili to the carnival and tries to get her a job. She ultimately becomes apart of a puppeteer's act, a puppeteer who seems hot headed and rude but in fact is quite the opposite. And so a love triangle ensues. The puppeteer, Paul, in love with Lili and Lili in love with Marcus.

It is a beautiful, heartfelt story from which blossoms a love story and a coming of age story. It is sweet and adorable. And I highly recommend it. And I also suggest checking Leslie out in some of her other films. She truly is quite talented.

Above is a clip of the movie and probably one of my favorite parts. As Lili, innocent as she is, talks and sings with Carrot Top, a puppet mastered by the seemingly cruel Paul who is falling for her.  I hope you enjoy! 

Welcome to The Film Experiment

Film: /film/ 

1. 1.

   VERB capture on film as part of a series of moving images; make a movie of (a story or event) 

   
   

This is only one of the many definitions you can find when you look up what film is. However it is not the definition I would like to focus on as so much the meaning.

And this is where you pause to say, "Katrina, the meaning of a word is the definition. You're just crazy." To which I now respond, "Yes, dear reader. You are quite correct, about the definition part. Not me being crazy. Or at least I hope you're wrong about that. Anyways, I'd like to elaborate on what the essence of the word means." So just stick with me for a bit longer.

What is film? What is the meaning of this momentous industry?

Some may say that Hollywiod is glamour and stars. More than a few could say that it is heartbreak and ruin. And still others might say that it is for dreamers and for those with their heads in the clouds.

And while each are correct in their own fashion, I'd like to think that film is more than that. I like to think that film is the ultimate expression of humanity and that it is something that can bring everyone together if we let it. 

Whoa! That was deep...

And dear reader I'd have to agree with you. That was deep, but then again humanity is deep and complex. We all like to think that we are alone sometimes, lost in our own little worlds. But through film I think we all connect whether we know it or not. We see that we aren't alone and that people face struggles similar or even more difficult than our own. Film also brings us together as we seek to leave our worlds for two hours. It provides us all with the opportunity to laugh, to cry, to smile and to enjoy someone else's story.

Throughout this little project of mine, I'd like to explore film and it's industry. The Film Experiment is here to review movies (good and bad, but hopefully mostly good), discuss Hollywood news (but not the silly gossip) and most of all appreciate the 120 year old tradition of visual story telling.

And plus finding people who like and appreciate film like me would be cool too. 

So comment away and let me know what you think, if there is something you want to talk about or improvements that I can make. 

Until next time, I'm Katrina Medernach...the girl with an extremely German last name.