I was inspired to put together another double feature of two films I really love. These two films are subtle, quiet, and intimate. Both are extremely well made and both just so happen to be current favorites of mine. I present to you the double feature: Slice of Life
Film #1: The Spectacular Now (2013) This film feels special to me and also extremely personal. It's not your typical high school romance film, honestly I might not even call it a romance film, as each character and their motivations, struggles, insecurities, and such are more important than the romance at the center of the film. Not to say the romance isn't important because it's the bottom layer of the film's foundation, but the characters are so well written and so deeply human that it feels like their individual stories, not the romances story. This film transports you back into high school, or at least it did that for me. It takes place when I was in high school so that helps a little, but what puts it into this double feature is the fact that it doesn't blow everything out of proportion. It's not a Nicholas Sparks romance, it's much more tangible than that. This film focuses on the little moments, the small insignificant conversations, the moments they don't show in movies like this, and I think that is what makes it more personal, why I connect with it as much as I do. Add in some beautiful cinematography, stellar performances from Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, and a great score, well you got yourself a great film. Also it's on Netflix so you can see for yourself. Film #2: Columbus (2017) To me, this is pretty much a perfect film. Everything about it is done masterfully. Every single shot is gorgeous. I'm not hyperbolizing either, literally every single shot of this film is amazingly beautiful. As I write this, I'm listening to the subtle, mesmerizing score for this film, it's sweet and soothing, yet still has that melancholy feel to it. The leads, John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson, give extremely real performances that are extremely moving and the script is so good. The editing of this film, is some of the most restrained and masterful editing I've ever seen in a drama. This film isn't flashy, ever, it let's the beauty of it's location and story do the talking and I love that so much, but the reason I think it goes well with The Spectacular Now is that it also focuses on the small and everyday moments, probably more so. Yet each of these small moments means so much to the characters, from the cutting of a tomato, to the grabbing of a camera, to the sharing of a cigarette, every moment matters, and none is wasted. It feels like real life. How a seemingly small insignificant moment to one person, can mean the world to another. This film is oozing passion and creativity and it is easily one of the best films I have ever seen, honestly. Also it's on Hulu so please go check it out. These two films aren't flashy like the last two I talked about, some may find them boring and devoid of meaning, but I find them profound looks at everyday life. They look at what is important to us, what connects with us, what brings us joy, and what brings us sorrow. I highly recommend these films, and maybe if you look outside and feel that melancholic haze from the snow, take the time to watch these two films back to back. Who knows, you may find something you like about them.
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So there's this YouTube channel called CineFix (who make great content about movies) and they have a series called double feature where they pair two films together that would make a good double feature viewing experience. For whatever reason I have really enjoyed this series as it's fun to view films with similar themes or structure together to see how different filmmakers work. This new series of blog posts I am starting right now is heavily inspired by this series. I'll be talking about two films that have some sort of connection and why it would make for a good double feature.
And so now I present the double feature entitled: White Supremacy Sucks Film #1 - BlacKkKlansman (2018) BlacKkKlansman is based on the ridiculous true story of Ron Stallworth, a black man, who in the 70s, infiltrated the KKK and became an active member. True. Story. Now of course he had the help of one of his colleagues to actually be his face while a part of the KKK, but this man actually got a membership card. However, the more insane thing to me, was how unabashedly racist, antisemitic, and sexist people could be. The people portraying the KKK members in this film are so over the top and just plain ridiculous that I almost couldn't believe it was true, that humans could be like this. But when director Spike Lee includes real footage from the Charlottesville's riots and white supremacist gatherings and such, it became all too real. And after the wild and crazy ride that was BlacKkKlansman, you're brought back to the sad reality that times may not have progressed as much as we think. This film is a very interesting, fun, and ridiculous, but also it is a very timely film and one that I hope you take the time to watch. Film #2 - Green Room (2015) Now Green Room is a very different film, but one that I think you will find a lot of enjoyment out of after watching BlacKkKlansman. Green Room is the fictitious story of a struggling punk band who are searching for a gig and they find one! It just turns out it is for a group of skinheads or, you know, neo-Nazis. After the set is over, one of the band members goes back into their waiting room to grab something and witnesses that someone was stabbed in the head and killed. The manager of this skinhead bar keeps the band held in this room at gunpoint while trying to figure how to handle this situation. Thus, let the tension commence. This film then turns into a straight up survival-thriller, as this band tries to do whatever it takes to stay alive and get out of the situation safely. While not politically charged like BlacKkKlansman, Green Room does still show the ridiculous extremes that white supremacist men will go to to hold some sort of power and dominance. That's why I think these films make an interesting double feature. And while this film doesn't deal with racial issues at all, there is something cathartic about watching people fight against a purely evil power, even if it is just in a survival atmosphere. And while these films don't have much in common, it is a fun journey to go from seeing what modern day evil can look like, to fighting back against this evil. Plus both these films are very good and even if you don't watch them together I highly recommend both of these films. They are just really good filmmakers doing what they do best. Why not celebrate them together? Thanks for the read guys! Let me know what you thought of this double feature idea and if you want to read more! Catch you in the next blog! (Whenever that is). |
Austin VincentJust a guy with a passion for film and Jesus who's trying to show that He can be found in our creative endeavors. Archives
November 2018
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