Movie Reviews

Some Like it Hot

" The movie too hot for words"

The 50's were a decade that is said to be "Predictable" and have no raw edges or surprises. However, I believe the movie Some Like It Hot defeys all of these comments it shows sex appeal, humour and scandal. It is set in the year 1929 and begins with the two musicians Jack Lemming and Tony Curtis witnessing the St. Valentines Day Massacre. In an attempt to run from the mob the men disguise themselves as women changing there names to "Daphne" and "Josephine". They board a train to Florida with an all girls band, although they try hard to keep themselves disguised there plan goes haywire when they meet Sugar Kane. Josephine(Curtis) who before was a ladies man, falls for her and plans to get her. While in Florida Josephine pretends to be the heir of Shell oil to win her over. He also convinces Daphne to go on a date with a real millionaire. He seems to enjoy pretending to be a women and fall right into the role. While this is all happening the mafia visits Florida for a confrence. It winds up with a halarious and memorable ending where Sugar, Joesephine, and Daphne and her millionair Osgood feilding driving away on a boat. After trying to convince Osgood not to want to marry her she finally admits that she is infact a man, in which he replies "well, no body's perfect".

Setting and Background

The film Some Like It Hot was directed by Bill Wilder. The movie was set in 1929 in Chicago and takes place during the alchol ban. The St Valentines Day Massacre is also included in the background for this movie. I think this was a good choice by the directed because it identifies it with that time, and also it adds a subplot to the story. The story becomes more interesting by adding the mob is chasing them rather than just one story line.

I found this movie to be pretty interesting, and grab the viewers attention. If people are still watching it 5 decades after it was made then it must have been very important. Back in the 50's when this movie was released men dressing as women was highly unacceptable. This movie shocked people, and was so original for there time period. The concept of the movie was awsome! The writers made an effective dialougue that got all the points clearly across to the audience while still remaining humurous. I think the main message of this movie is there is more to a person than the apperance. For example Osgood still loves Daphne even after he finds out she is a man. And Sugar excepts Tony Curtis' character after she finds out that she is not a millionaire.

The camera work was great for this movie and made the actors and scenes look good. The lighting for the time period was good since there was not many good special effects. Although it was in black and white the shadows and settings of the characters fit to make everything seem in place. They used filtering to make shots filmed in the day seem like they were at night. Also, the action scenes and stunts were very well done and detailed. For example the gun fight at the movie seemed very real, and almost impossible at the time.

The acting in this movie was very believable and considering the actors Tony Curtis and Jack Lemming were men preting to be men pretending to be women it was very good and suprisingly believable. Jack Lemming was my faourite character in the movie and i thought it was halarious how much he embraced his faminine side. Marilynne Monroe speaks for herself in the 50's she was the ultimate sex symbol and brings the movie to a different level. Although her character was kind of simple and predictable she performed her job well, and added sex appeal to the movie.

I give this movie a great review and highly recommend it. It is a classic and was far ahead of it's time. The ideas and concepts of it was so original and I think everyone should see it because it is a film that can appeal to all audiences.

Rushmore!

" I saved Latin. What did you ever do?"

When a person watches a movie they try to find a lead charcter which who they can identify with, and relate to. Everyone at times feels out of place, or like a misfit... enter 15 year old Max Fischer. From the begininng of the movie you can tell Max is a little different from the other students who attend Rushmore private school. He also comes off as a very bright young man, but it soon comes to the viewer's knowledge that Max is one of the worst students who attends Rushmore. Max is however involved with so many extraculicualur activities in which most he created or is in charge of. Max soon forms a friendship with an older industialist named Herman Blume. herman is very unhappy with the way his life is at the moment. he is disatisfied with his job, his wife is cheating on him, and his two twin sons are brats. The two are drawn to eachother immeditely, but there is a problem. Max falls madly in love with elementry school teacher Ms. Cross. After being kicked out of Rushmore and sent to a public school he finds that his friend Herman has also fallen for her. This means war! Max tells Hermas wife of his affair, this ending there relationship. And Herman crushes Max's prize bike. Max finally realizes that revenge doesnt matter because Ms. Cross will never love him anyway. Max falls into depression and stops caring about the things he once thought were so important. Max and Herman finally make peace at the end of the movie and Max realizes that him and Ms. Cross should be together. Max becomes happy again and even makes a play in which he invites both Ms. Cross and Herman and he assignes there seats next to eachother. the ending is one that is very interesting although it appears that everyone is happy and Ms. Cross and Herman end up together, and Max is with a girl who attends his own school. In the final shot Max and Ms. Cross dance together Max having almost a look of confidence, and it appears that Ms. Cross finds she loves him.

Wes Anderson was the director of this film. His idea was to create a slightly altered reality based on real people. I believe he successfully achieved this. The way the shots are layed out everything seems planned, and perfectly set up. There is alot of symbolism in this movie in the way all the shots are planned. It's filmed in a very interesting way with the way he is placed throughout all the scences.

I think the casting of this movie was perfect. Max Fischer who was played by Jason Schwartzman was perfect for his role and i cant think of anyone who would play maz better. Also, Bill Murry who is a very talented actor played fit his role perfectly as well. I do believe however that the role of Olivia could have been better casted. She seemed pretty plain, and not someone that either Max or Herman really had a connection with.

I believe the soundrtrack to this movie brought it all together. They used alot of "needle drops" which introduced a new mood or feeling. Also the closing song "Wish That I Knew What I knew Now, When I Was Younger" ties the whole movie together.

Fight Club

This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time

One of the most amazing books and movies of all time, in my opinion. This movie focuses in on lead character Edward Nortan( not named in movie just narrator). he attens support groups of every kind because " the only time that someone listens, actually listens rather than waiting there turn to speak is when your dying". During these support groups he meets Marla Singer. He find's that since he has met Marla he hasnt been able to sleep so he leaves to go on a business trip. On the plane ride he meets Tyler Durden. After getting off the plane he comes to find that his house has blown up and he has no place to go. Not knowing who he should turn to he finds Tyler's business card he gave him on the flight and calls him up. They meet at a bar and after a couple of drink tyler asks Edward to fight him. They begin to fight and after they both head to Tyler's appartment. After a while they begin to fight others in the parkinglot of this bar, then after some growth they finally move into the basement where fightclub truly begins. At the same time Marla phones up edward because she has overdose. Tyler comes to her rescue and saves her, and they begin a relationship. Fightclub's popularity begins to explode and soon turns into project mayhem. They begin to commit crimes throughout the city and a member even dies on a mission. After this he begins to investigate Tyler's steps and he finds fightclubs have been started in all major cities. He also finds that people idnetify him as Tyler Durden. Confused he calls Marla and finds that he is in fact Tyler Durden. In the end Tyler makes efforts to stop project mayhem, and ends up being held at gunpoint by Tyler. Edward then realizes that he and Tyler share the same body. Edward shoots himself in the cheeck which exsits through the back of Tyler's head killing him. Marla runs into the building and tyler says "I met you at a very strange time of my life." the bombs go off bringing the whole city down while Edward and Marla hold hands.

Brad Pitt and Edward norton are the perfect actors to play in the movie. Although they seem quite opposite you see resembelence form between them in the movie. Both of these men just represent the narrators different personalities. Brad Pitt is very tough, and edgy while Edward seems to be quite plain and straight forward.

The action sences in this movie are absuloutly incredible. The way they film the fight sences makes you feel like you are actually witnessing the fight. Also the special effects are great, at the beginning of the movie you can actually see Tyler flash in front of the screen while the narrator is speaking which is just one of the subtle hints that they are the same person.

The concept of this story is what makes it so good. The movie was based on a book by Chuck Palhuink. They did a great job turning it into a movie. My favourite scene throughout thw whole gthing is the ending where the bombs detinate and the narator and Marla are holding hands watching.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

GoD SAVe The SeX PisTols

Music Assignment

The Sex Pistols

"Undermine their pompous authority, reject their moral standards, make anarchy and disorder your trademarks. Cause as much chaos and disruption as possible but don’t let them take you ALIVE.”- Sid Vicious
SID VICIOUS ( Bassis)- Was born John Simon Ritchie on May10, 1957. He grew up in London and was given the nickname "Sid Vicious" after his friend's hamster bit him he replied " Sid is really Vicious. John joined his first band in 1976 which was named, The Flowers of Romance in which he played drums. Sid was in a couple of other bands after this but never hit big success until he played his first gig with The Sex Pistols in 1977. Sid met a heroin addict groupie named Nancy Spungen. They fell in love fast, and this was a rocky relationship which often had effects on the band. Sid vious died on February 1st, 1979 from a heroin overdose.

JOHNNY ROTTEN ( vocals)- Was born on January 31st, 1956 in London England an John Lydon. There are many explanations for Johnny's nickname, the most famous is because in the mid 70's he began to disregard his own hygiene and his teeth began to turn green. After the band released there album God Save The Queen Johnny was attacked by an angry mob and stabbed repeatedly. Johnny was chosen to be the front man for The Sex Pistols, because of his unique seance of style, and attitude.


STEVE JONES (guitarist)- Born on September 3, 1955 in London England. He began playing guitar when he was 19 and co founded The Sex Pistols in 1975. As a teenager Steve was a kleptomaniac and says that The Sex Pistols saved him from a life of crime. He self taught himself to play the guitar just three months before the sex pistols were founded.

PAUL COOK ( drummer)- Born on July 20, 1956 in England. Formed a band in 1972 he formed a band named "The Strand". Paul was the only member of this band to actually buy an instrument instead of stealing one, and this band "The Strand" evolved into The Sex Pistols.

BiOgRaphY
Decades after there success The Sex Pistols are still said to be the most influential punk band in history. The Sex Pistols were formed by the drummer Paul Cook, and guitarist Steve Jones, in 1972 but were originally called " The Strand". The band's music even at this time was very different from other music, while others wee playing mostly "hippy" music. The band member's use to hangout at a clothing store called Malcolm McLaren's, and here was were they first stumbled upon John Lydon. John drew there attention because he was wearing a home made " I Hate Pink Floyd" t-shirt. After seeing this Malcome McLaren who was there manager convinced John to audition for the band. They instantly knew that John would be the perfect front man from his outrageous behaviour. In November 1975 the band started touring, anywhere that would take them. After there shows many people were left angry, or confused by the band's performance, and only a few understood there anarchist views. The band started to develop a following, and there outrageous behaviour soon attracted the record companies, The Sex Pistols were signed to EMI records on October 8th 1976. The bands first single "Anarchy in the UK'!" was released just a month after they signed the record deal and the British press was shocked. However, The Sex Pistols made there huge entrance on to the large music scene when they earned a gig on "The Today Show" with Bill Grundy. Bill Grundy thinking he was superior to these "Kids" wasn't showing them any respect at all causes the band to exploding into a fit of F-bombs. Little did the band know that this was being broadcast and all of London was seeing there interview. The day after this incident they were all over the press, and were giving the name "Punk Rock". John Simone Ritchie (Sid Viscous) was recruited to the band in 1977. After being hired, and fired from A&M records, the band found a place in Virgin records where they released there next single, "God Save the Queen". This single caused the nation to be in a frenzy, no one had ever publicly ridiculed the royal family. Member's of Parliament even suggested the band should be hung at "The Traitor's Gate". As in all show business, any publicity is good publicity and The Sex Pistols shot to number 2 on the charts, even thou they did in fact sell out Rod Stewart's record. The band had made themselves a target, and people who supported the queen and her monarchist views showed this with acts of violence, Johnny Rotten and Paul Cook were both beaten violently.


The Sex Pistols released there one and only album on October 28, 1977 in titled "Never Mind the Bollocks" which included the singles Pretty Vacant, and Holidays in The Sun. They came to the states in 1978 to tour throughout America, avoiding most big cities. The band however was starting to fall apart, they were feeling new pressure, personal problems, and Sid's drug addiction. When they reached Sanfransisco Johnny Rotten became ill, and Sid was strung out on drugs. The Sex Pistols broke up the following day when Johhny left, because Jones would not leave McLauren. Although the sex pistols went on I believe they ended the day Sid Viscous died. Just months after Sid's heroin addict girlfriend Nancy Spungen died, Sid overdosed on heroin on Febuary 2nd, 1979. The Sex Pistol's broke down doors, and brought new concepts to the music business, and will always be remembered for there attitudes and there music.

Influences/ Importance
The Sex pistols were very original type of band at the time, which is one of the reasons they were so popular. They created a music of there own, so there influences are hard to trace, however it is said they admired bands such as The Who, Alice Cooper. The Sex Pistols resulted in many punk bands such as Oasis, NOFX and Nirvana. They were one of the first people who brought forward the ideas of rebellion, and anarchy, this changing the way many people live and view there lives.

Target Audience Description
Jimmy wakes up up to his teacher yelling his name, it's third perios and he has fallen asleep again. He stayed up late again last night playing Pacman, and is now exhausted. He attends St. Jacobs Catholic school and feels trapped tge majority of the time. He's sick of being told what to do by teacher's, and his parents. HIs parents get him in crap for eveything to staying up too late, and listening to what they think are "satanic" records such as Led Zeplin and Black Sabbath. Jimmy's can't wait to get out of highschool so he can start a life of his own, he's never really been much for school, and has always had dreams of becoming famous. Him and a couple of his friends have started a band, they arent very talented but they make up for it in enthusiasm. I think The Sex Pistols attract teenagers like Jimmy because they go against all authority. The 70's were a time of revouloution and I think teenagers wanted a voice in all the chaos. I think at this age people want to seperate themselves from parents and other things like this because they want to become there own person.

Song Analysis
ANARCHY IN THE UK'!
Right! Now ha ha ha...
I am an antichristI am an anarchist
Don't know what I wantBut I know how to get it
I wanna destroy the passerby
'Cause I wanna be Anarchy
No dogsbodyAnarchy for the UK
It's coming sometime and maybeI give a wrong time stop a traffic line
Your future dream is a shopping scheme
'Cause I wanna be Anarchy
In the cityHow many ways to get what you wantI use the bestI use the rest
I use the N.M.EI use Anarchy
'Cause I wanna be Anarchy
It's the only way to beIs this the M.P.L.A orIs this the U.D.A or
Is this the I.R.AI thought it was the UKOr just another countryAnother council tenancy
I wanna be Anarchy
And I wanna be Anarchy(Oh what a name)
And I wanna be an anarchist(I get pissed, destroy!)


There is not much to decieiefer in this song, no hidden messages. The song is basically telling people to go against what they know, and not to be just average. It also states "your dream is a shopping scheme" by this I think the band is trying to get people to notice that there lives are so planned out. Something they also talk about rather than just anarchy, and going against thing's is geting what you want. "Don't know what I want But I know how to get it", " How many ways to get what you want, I use the best, I use the rest." By this I think they mean to do just what makes you happy rather than doing what people tell you to.

Video
The Following is a link to sex pistols - bill grundy tv show live on 1 December 1976
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEvGzd8k6WQ

I chose to review this video because they didnt have any music videos, and I beleieve this video would tell you evrything you need to know about The Sex Pistols. It shows there attitudes, and how they dont take crap from anyone. Even though they were the underdogs next to Bill Grundy at the time they still stuck up for themselves. I think this is also the video that helped make them so famous and really showed England what they were all about. CHeck It OUt!!

Assssssignment numbero 2

Top 5 Most AMAZING Bands According to me

5. The Pixies- This band came out of Boston Massachusetts in the year 1986. It is consisted of four members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal and David Lovering. Most of there popularity came from Europe, although they were never considered mainstream. There music is influenced by punk and some surf rock. Punk rock singers such as Black Flag, David Bowie and Iggy Pop. After there career there music went on to influence many successfull bands, most notably Nirvana. I chose this as my number 5 most amazing band because of there lyrics. The songs that best demonstrate this are Where is My Mind, and Wave of Mutilation. I also think the band is so good because of there lead man Black Francis who is the guatarist, vocalist, and song writer.

4. Bad Brains- One of the earliest, and most respected raggae/ punk bands. They were formed in 1977 in Washington D.C. The band are followers of the Rastafarian movement, and were originally called Mind Power. Many of there songs have to do with the Rastafara religion such as " Jah Love" and "Leaving Babylon". They were influenced by bands such as Black Sabbath, The Sex Pistols, and The Ramones. Bands they had a big influence on are Beastie Boys, Sublime, and Black Flag. Bad Brains is my number 4 favourite band because there music was so original and advanced compared to the other music groups of there time. They blend several types of music including funk, raggae, punk, and metal in a way no other band before or after them has accomplished. A song that best shows this is House of Suffering.

3. Elliot Smith- Originally born Steve Smith, changing his name to Elliot in highschool was a musical genious he was able to play guitaur, bass, clarinet, drums, harmonica, and sing. . His first record came out in 1994, at a time when grunge was hugely populaur. Smiths' music was opposite of this heavy music, his voice was raspy, almost whispery and most of his songs were accoustic. Also, the first of his music seemed very dark,a nd almost depressing however as he grew as a musician the moods of his music began to show variety. Elliot began reaching success in 1997, and after this he fell into depression making suicide attempts frequently and also batteled with drug and alchol abuse. On October 21, 2003 Elliot Smith died, some saying the reason was suicide, and other's believe it was homicide. Influences of Smith's were The beatles. U2, Modest Mouse and Scorpions. Elliot Smith is my number the favourite musical artist becaus e of his voice. It is clear, yet raspy at the same time. Also, he layers his music to make it sound more complex and interesting. A song you should check out that shows these qualities is Say Yes and Dont Fear the Reaper.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers- Formed In 1983 in Los Angelos California. The band members include Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, Flea, and Chad Smith. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were an underground band until here fourth album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This album sold thirteen million copies,a nd threw them into mainstream. The band released three albums after this Californication (1999), By the Way (2002), and Stadium Arcadium in 2006. Today they have sold over 50 million albums all over the world. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are my second favourite band because there music is so unique, they combine ounk, rock , and funk to make masterpeices. They have been around for over two decades and are still producing legendary hits, and still managing to grow. A song you hould check out is Parallel Universe.

1. Bob Dylan- I believe that Bob Dylan is the most influencial artist of all time, five decades later and he is still influencing music. He was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941. He was most populaur around the 1960's and known for his songs about Civil Rights. He used various musical styles such as gospel, folk, blues, and rock and roll. No other musician after him was ever the same and by mixing lyrics with poetry he made them mean something.

Media- Assignment 1

Media has a huge impact on my life, almost every moment of the day I am being influenced. Whether it is by listening to my ipod, reading a magazine, or watching t.v media is all around me. As a 16 year old girl I am a main target to marketers and corporations, they are trying to sell me anything they can put a price tag on. There are millions of products out there that are all being pushed on people like me, and it is my job to decide what I should spend my time and money on. The following shows how the media effects me.





Music- My favourite band is The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I love this band because I think the way the mix funk, rock, and punk is amazing. They have such an original sound, that no other band has yet to master. The band has been together, successful and playing music for nearly three decades, which in the music business is almost unheard of in the music industry.


My favourite singer is Jack Johnson, I saw him live at Burl's Creek this summer, and it was the best concert I have ever seen. He sounded the exact same he did on his albums and came back and played an hour encore.
Some of my other favourite music includes, The Submarines, Dandy Warhols, Streetlight Manifesto, Pink Floyd, Sam Roberts, Slightly Stoopid, Sublime, Radiohead, and Bedouin Soundclash. Music is probably the biggest way the media effects me because I am constantly downloading, and listening to music.

Movies- My favourite movie is Forrest Gump. I love this movie because it shows how a simple person can do amazing things. As a child Forrest was always described as slow, and had trouble learning no one expected him to do anything with himself but he achieved great things with his life. Forest went to Vietnam and won a purple heart, played in a national ping-pong league, and fell in love. This is a movie that anyone can relate to in some way.

Another favourite movie of mine is The Breakfast Club. I like this movie because it is such a classic, it gives a pretty accurate view of all teenage groups. It shows how people judge people by which groups they are in, and what they have heard about the person rather getting to know them yourself. Other favourite movies of mine include Super Troopers, Dazed and Confused, Detroit Rock City, and Pulp Fiction.

My favourite novel is Scar Tissue by Anthony Keides. What first interested me about this novel was that it was about my favourite band The Red Hot Chili Peppers, but after reading it I liked it for so many other reasons. It was one of the only books that I have read that kept me untested the whole way through, without leaving anything out. I have reread this book so many times I have lost count, and I am still not board with it.

As you can see media has a huge impact on my life, and influences many of the decisions I make and things that I do.