The Believer

What makes a person who they are? Is it what they are born into or is it what they make themselves into? Do we define ourselves? These are some of the many questions that The Believer tries to explore in its exploration of character Daniel Balint, a raised orthodox Jew who becomes a Neo-Nazi. I took a course recently, Theologians Under Hitler, where we explored the culture and religion behind the Nazi movement so I was very interested in the subject matter. It is a subject that need careful handling and cannot just be used loosely or else it will come across as an insult; like Life Is Beautiful came across. This was not the only reason I wanted to watch this indie flick from Henry Bean, it was also one of the earliest performances from the astonishing Ryan Gosling. I am a huge fan of his with some of his best performances that include Blue Valentine, Crazy Stupid Love, Half Nelson, Lars and the Real Girl, and of course Drive. I always enjoy seeing great actors and actresses roots and see what made them into the superstars that they are; see also Michael Fassbender and Hunger. So read on if you want to see my thoughts on The Believer...

The Believer follows the tale of Daniel Balint, a passionate Neo-Nazi who is vocal and physical about his beliefs. What makes Daniel stands out from most Neo-Nazis is that he is born Jewish and was raised in a Yeshiva yet still is one of the most anti-semitic characters on film. From the beginning as Daniel physically assaults a Jewish male he sees on the subway, to raising to power in a Fascist organization in hope to being it to America.  While Daniel rises, his inner struggle between his people and his beliefs becomes harder and tougher to deal with. Will Daniel be able to live with his beliefs and his heritage? Will the Fascist organization rise to any power or will Daniel sympathize with his Jewish people?

Devdas

          I had little to almost none interaction with Indian Cinema before this class. I was aware of its style, songs, and typically approach to film but this class was the first time I got to see legitimate Indian film. We started with Devdas, a 2002 Bollywood film by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali that really blew me away. Everything from the visuals, songs, choreography, story, and casting was something that rivaled even the greatest films of the 2000s.

The thing I was most worried about was the musical side of the film, which is a big and important aspect to a majority of Indian films. Their culture just loves the songs and dances and I was nervous that it wasn’t going to be my style. Luckily Devdas is able to capture the spectacular and magnetic energy that makes Indian Cinema so unique. All the songs are very catchy and memorable, even though it is in a different language! I found it hard to keep myself from singing the tunes from this film. This is the highlight of the film, where it really shines. The songs are incredible and amazingly choreographed! What makes it stand out is that it is something very unique to India, not many other countries embrace musicals this much, and Devdas is an example of the pinnacle that Indian cinema can reach. Not only that but the choreography is awe inspiring from the mind blowing dances move and the mass extras in the film who add depth to the dance scenes. This really is thanks to the incredible direction by Bhansali by creating the perfect combination of dancing, music, actors, characters, set pieces, costumes, and atmosphere that gives a true one of a kind experience. It also needs to be said that the colors are dazzling to look at and the film just feels like a vibrant painting come to life.

            More than just a musical, the movie’s story also proved to be surprisingly deep and mature which surprised me. The story has a rather unfortunate and sad ending, which explores the consequences of planned marriages and lost love. It’s depressing and a rather left turn from what the rest of the film feels like. I felt that it was very daring and it paid off, taking this film to higher levels than I ever expected it to go to. It explores some pretty deep themes like alcoholism, true love, class systems, planned marriages, and gender that I did not expect from a musical! Also the casting for the film is spectacular, as I have said Aishwarya Rai might be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Overall Devdas is a great output from India and a great example of the where the country’s creativity is. Indian cinema deserves respect and study that any other country gets. What gives me great hope is that this film is fairly recent and it excites me to see where Indian film is headed. Without a doubt I suggest this movie to film lovers, the musical may not be everyone's favorite genre but trust me and give this a chance. 

Paul Thomas Anderson: Family, Religion, and some analysis

Very few people can consider themselves a master of cinema; even less can call themselves good at it. Very few directors are able to put themselves above the rest by being innovative, imaginative, and powerful with a film camera. Enter Paul Thomas Anderson who by the age of 41 has written and directed five movies, four of which have gathered universal critical proclaim, been nominated for five Academy Awards, won the Golden Bear, and won the Best Director award at the Cannes film festival. A master of the long take and being able to craft epics that focus on multiple characters, Paul Thomas Anderson is a one of a kind filmmaker unlike anyone else before him. As Entertainment Weekly put it, Anderson is “one of the most dynamic directors to emerge in the last 20 years” with movies that “crackle with energy and typically showcase volcanic performances” (EW Staff). What makes Paul Thomas Anderson so great? He explores deep themes like family as he explores the ideas of surrogate fathers and creations of new families. He also analyzes religion in his films by comparing it with consumerism and letting Exodus and liberation play a big theme in Magnolia. In this paper I will attempt to explore the story behind Paul Thomas Anderson by analyzing his autobiography and how his life is seen through his films, then explore the themes of family through all of his films, and religion in Magnolia and Boogie Nights.

The Avengers

It all started back in 2008, when a young man in a theater sat patiently during the credits of Iron Man in hopes of seeing something special. Little did he know what he was in for as he watched Nick Fury step from the shadows and say the words we all have waited for “Avengers Initiative.” Then The Incredible Hulk came out and it was then Tony Stark who stepped out from the shadows to discuss this Initiative to General Ross. The Iron Man 2 promised us the emergence of another superhero, this time of Norse mythology. Thor arrived on the scene and this time things got serious and Loki and Hawkeye came unto the scene along with the all-powerful Cosmic Cube (called the Tesseract in the film). The next obvious step was Captain America and we are getting eager as Nick Fury tempts Rogers to help him save the world. Then, after years of waiting and contemplating, The Avengers is announced. Not only that but the studio has trusted it in the hands of Joss Whedon, one of the best decisions by Marvel Studios. The cast is back (Mark Ruffalo replacing Edward Norton as Banner) and Loki its villain. Now trailers are released and every frame is debated and discussed as we await the premiere of hopefully the greatest superhero movie ever. SO…would The Avengers be able to meet the epic expectations and step up the bar for Marvel superhero films?  Read on to find out…

Building on the previous Marvel films, The Avengers is the epic climax of the long building storyline of Loki’s quest for dominance. This time Loki is on the hunt for the Tesseract (Cosmic Cube) in exchange for helping his conquest of Earth. With new powers and abilities, Loki starts brainwashing hundreds of people to bend them to his will. With the Tesseract stolen, Nick Fury has no choice but to call in the team. Captain America, Tony Stark, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Bruce Banner, and Thor (after a few misunderstandings) come aboard to unite against the rise threat of war. With Loki and his army approaching, The Avengers must get over the problems and challenges to come together and save the day for New York and the World.

La Jetée

You know you haven’t studied International Cinema without visiting the Chris Marker classic La Jetée. Made in 1962 the film follows the aftermath of World War III as the surviving humans start testing time travel on prisoners in order to send them back to save the world from destruction. What makes this film stand out from the rest of cinema is that it is shot through black and white still images. While this is not the first movie to do this it still is in such a unique style and flair that it is revered as a masterpiece and rightfully so.

            The film has a very dark and gritty feel to it which perfectly matches the aftermath of any war; here the aftermath of the war to end all wars. We see the destruction of ruins of the world, Marker using pictures from World War II, and then we move underground where the surviving humans are (supposedly to escape radiation). We learn quickly that scientists are conducting experiments on humans and the film shot by shot brings our protagonist through he whole experience. Where Chris Marker works his magic is in two fold: the lighting and the fluidity of the film.

            The lighting is amazingly shot here making great use of shadows, darkness, and faces to create an eerie and trapped feeling. From just looking at shots individually we can tell the horror that has happened in the world and the hopelessness of their situation. Then the fluidity of the film is quite impressive. Even though the whole film is shot by photographs edited together, the audience slowly but surely begins to feel like the characters are moving. The editing and sound is combined with the pictures to create the feeling of movement in our minds. We forget that we are watching pictures for a while.

            Though the overall themes are what carry this film: The dangers of tyranny and the inescapable past. As we reach the end of the film, our protagonist getting a better control of time travel, he has fallen in love with a woman and wishes to be with her. As people from the future time travellers contact him offering him freedom, he only asks to be with his love. He then appears at the airport he remembers as a child, a vivid memory that has been in his mind for years. As he runs to the end of the jetty he notices an agent from the scientists that have been experimenting him and is shot. The man he saw shot as a kid was himself. It is a great twist that you never really see coming and fits into the inescapable past idea. Our protagonist will never be able to escape the scientists that have trapped him. The world will never be able to escape World War III and that your fate is set and locked. Nothing you can do will change it. A little pessimistic but a great theme that is worth exploring.

            Overall I adore the look and feel of this film. The soundtrack, narration, and even little whispers all play their part in the film. The story is brilliant and it is beautifully told. Enjoy the Vertigo reference in it as well as realizing that 12 Monkeys is based entirely on this.

4/4