Forrest Gump

  Tom Hanks stars in the classic film Forrest Gump. The film is about the life of a man who is faced with many handicaps. Throughout the film Forrest has many triumphs including meeting three United States presidents and surviving the Vietnam War. Forrest also has his heart broken many times by his childhood friend Jenny.

   This funny film really shows the effects of great acting. Tom Hanks plays the role of a man who is a little slower mentally than most. This film is successful because of Hank's wonderful performance, making the character lovable and truly believable, from his body language to his voice.

   The dialogue in this film is very moving. The line spoken by Forrest, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get”, pretty much plays out the plot for the rest of the film. Forrest comes across many important moments in life that he never expected. Some viewers may not have believed that a man of little intelligence was able to participate and contribute in so many events in history, but I personally take this as inspirational. Forrest Gump shows that no matter who you are or what life hands you if you just live your life to be happy instead of becoming “rich” or “important”, you will receive what you deserve.

   Although Forrest receives so much good in his life time he is never really happy unless he is with his beloved Jenny. Jenny, who Forest fell in love with in his early childhood, abandoned Forrest many times. The love Forrest has for Jenny is the base for the film, everything he does is for Jenny. I found myself happiest at the end of the film when Forrest finally ends up with Jenny because this is when he is at his happiest. Though Jenny dies, Forrest defies the odds again by becoming a full time father.

  This movie is incredible and watching it was like watching a brother grow up; every moment I cared for him and I only wanted what was best for him. When he hurt I hurt. I would give this movie a 9 out of 10.

Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire

 
The documentary Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire shows the journey of Dallaire’s trip back to Rwanda for the 10 year anniversary of the genocide. Dallaire brings his wife along and the audience watches as he shows her and others the city of Kigali through his eyes.

    As Dallaire walks through Rwanda he reveals his pain and guilt he feels for the lives of so many Tutsi and Hutu moderates who were brutally murdered. The setting of the film was crucial for this documentary not only for the audiences understanding but as well for the health of Dallaire. By viewing the destinations along-side of Dallaire’s flashbacks the audience gets an in depth look at the horrific events that occurred during the genocide. We are also able to see the effects that the genocide has on people, not only Dallaire but the many people interviewed throughout the film.

   The documentary allows the genocide to become much more realistic to all who viewed this film. Previous films although are factual they do not show real footage or interviews of those involved. This was very effective because I felt true emotion towards those who struggle to understand why they weren’t good enough to save or help. The visuals were so horrific it made me understand the importance of catching genocide in early stages. I know now that if anything like the Rwandan genocide happened again I would like to be one of the hopefully many trying to stop it.

  Although the film was more about the effects on Dallaire and his struggle to cope then the genocide itself. I give this movie a 7 out of 10.

Shake Hands with the Devil

   Shake Hands with the Devil tells the story of a Liuetenant General on his first mission with the UN. Romeo Dallaire enetered into Rwanada ready to keep the peace, although what seemed like an easy mission quickly turned sour. The Hutus gained power and began a genocide killing Tutsi's and Hutu moderates. With no help from the United Nations or from American and their allies Dallaire sat back an watched as 800 000 people were brutally murdered. Throughout the film the audience witnesses Dallaires struggle with the events that occured in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, both during and after the it happened.

     The costume and make up in this movie was done suppurbly. Due to the fact that the genocide in Rwanda was in fact a real occurence, it was very important to give a true image of the event. The UN soldiers were all dressed in the blue burrets and UN helmets. Roy Dupuis played the role of Romeo Dallaire. He was a great choice for numerous reasons but what sticks out most is his resemblance to the Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire. This infact makes the movie seem much more real.

   The realism in this movie is almost scary. From killings, to dialogue this movie seemed to nail the facts. Unlike most blockbusters the storyline  of Shake Hands with the Devil is not fabricated. The audience is made to feel as if they were in Rwanda during the time of the genocide. Nothing is left up to interpertaion. To see Dallaire in such a personal place, thereapy really made him a much more likeable character. In other movies such as Hotel Rwanda he was made to look much harsher, although in this film we caught a glimpse of the man inside the soldier.

   Shake Hands with the Devil made me believe in the good of people. It truely showed how one man can make a huge change in the lives of others. I give this movie a 9 out of 10.

Hotel Rwanda

   The film Hotel Rwanada is based on the life of  Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) a hotel marnager. During the genocide in Rwanada in 1994 he housed thousands of Tutsis refugees while excaping the Hutu militia. Hotel Rwanda is not only an amazingly insperational movie but is also a very effective movie.

   Hotel Rwanada is a very moving film. Don Cheadles character shows to be an amazing man. Throughout the film you see Paul help thousands of Tutsie Refugees by housing them in his hotel. Paul does not only house them but he tends to all their needs, provides food and water as well as medical help. The courgae Paul demonstrates while struggling to keep UN soldiers protecting the hotel and having to ask for supplies from Hutu members of the milita is extraordinary. Pauls character entices all audience member to become a better human being.

   The acting in Hotel Rwanda is phenominal. Each character is played with such authenticity its easy to get lost in the film. As I watched Hotel Rwanada each piece of movement felt as if I was witnessing it first hand which of course is horrible yet satisfying. I was able to feel the raw emotion of all the scared Tustsie refugees and hatred toward the Hutus militia.

  Hotel Rwanada although slightly changed for Hollywood is an incredible story of a man who expressed the uttermost courage and bravery. Paul Rusesabagina is an incredible influence for all people and should encourage those to fight for their rights. The use of acting truley made the film realistic.

Hotel Rwanada deserves a 9 out of 10 for performance, substance and realism.

Godzilla

     Godzilla the Japanese movie about a nuclear monster destroying their country was a very influential movie. It reflected on Japan's feelings towards the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombimbgs that occured during the war. The movie was first realeased in 1954 and had many remakes and sequels.

     This movie was huge on special effects, with Godzilla blowing flames through his mouth and stepping on buildings as he parades through town. Not to mention the Japanese army trying to gun him down. Although for its time the special effects were amazing, they did not make up for the horrible acting.

    Everything in this movie was overplayed. The tears from main character Momoko Kochi (Emiko Yamane) made me want to keel over and die. Half the time you couldn't even tell if she was laughing or crying. She ruined this movie for me.

    Of course speaking english the subtitles did not help this movies case, although there is nothing they could do about it.

   Overall this movie receieves a 6 out of 10 for me. I do recomend people seeing it though due to its historical significance.

Children of Men

   Great acting, strategic colour shcemes, action beyond belief. These are all aspects of the Children of Men which I loved.

  Clive Owen showed great acting ability in this movie. I truely believed  his character until the end. With the use of body language everything seemed perfectly timed. I also found Theos character to be oddly relatable. Although he lives in a world nothing like our own he is still stuggling with problems that the population of today deals with all the time. This includes death of a child and ex love and dealing with a changing world.

  The grey colour scheme really helped to portray the type of depression the world is in. I felt the colours really reflected the emotion and events that occured within this movie such as the unbelivable amounts of death, the war, and the infertile world.

The war was everywhere, but against who? People were shooting at each other for reasons only apparent to themselves. In my opinion if there is an infertile world doesnt killing each other just kill off civilization that much faster? I thought people should just live their life to the end as well as they can because they are the last of us and mo one could help that. Although I have to admit I do love the action especially they last scene in which Kee must get to the Tomorrow boat.

Overall I really enjoyed this movie I would give it an eight of of ten!

V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta was a very intriguing movie. It showed the different bias between those of power and those who take orders from people with power. It as well used a variety of different Elements of Narrative to demonstrate different points of the movie. They also allowed the movie to be more entertaining. One of the most important aspects of the movie is the line between good and evil in which I think V plays both, very well. 

I really enjoyed watching V for Vendetta. I found myself on the edge my seat throughout the whole film.  I think the way they laid out the story line by using characters to reveal the past was really creative. It also kept me waiting to see who else would show up causing havoc to unavel. The writer also used a number of twists which changed the course of the movie and the way I viewed each character. For example the chancellor had much more to do with the virus that affected so many then the audience originally believed.  At first I did not like that V’s face was not shown because I didn’t feel like I was able to connect to him, although after giving it some thought I appreciated the mystery involved. At the end of the movie those who had died were at the rally taking off their masks, this made it easier to connect V to all those around him, because he did not have a face he was the face of everyone around him. I also really enjoyed the use of costumes in the movie.

The use of costume was really important in this film. V was dressed from head to toe revealing no skin.  The scene in the movie in which he is not wearing his gloves shows how important being clothed is to V. It allows him to feel less vulnerable and mysterious. Same goes for the mask. Without the mask there would be no mystery to V it also played a large roll in saving his life on more than one occasion.  The costume also help build the aggression toward the government by causing them to kill innocent people assumed to be V.  These actions however could also lead people to believe that V had only bad intentions.

It is hard to pinpoint the intentions of V. On one hand you can see he is trying to gain vengeance on what happened to him, on the other he is trying to good for the country.  I personally believe that V is not a terrorist. He gets lost in his anger and acts upon it but is still working for the greater good. In the end when he decided it is not his choice to blow up parliament that is a major indication that he uses sense and logic rather than irrational behavior that is something terrorists are not able to do.

V for Vendetta was a very interesting movie which demonstrated that the world isn’t always black and white. With the use of costume design, story line and character development a great movie was created.