The Breakfast Club (1985)

The Breakfast Club (Theatrical Trailer)
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Group Ratings (out of 5):

Stevox: 4
Val: 3
Kyle: 2
Micah: 3
Jenny: 3

Which averages to 3 angst ridden teens out of 5.

Shares this rating with 2001: A Space Odyssey, Thief of Baghdad, and The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Clueless (1995)

Group Rating (out of 5):

Stevox: 3
Valerie: 5

Averages to 4 outifts out of 5.

Shares this rating with Rope, Seven Samurai, Casablanca, Children of Men, Tootsie, Network, Contact and Love Actally.

The Great Movie Review: Rushmore

In college I saw this movie, and for some reason it has stuck with me as one of my favorites. I was really excited to watch it again to see just how keen my taste was back in those days.

Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman), a sophomore at upscale Rushmore Academy and the president and founder of a plethora school clubs, sees his world turn upside-down when he's smitten with widowed first-grade teacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams).

This is a quirky film. If you have seen a Wes Anderson movie before, you know what I am talking about. Dry wit, slow and wide angle visuals, musical plot devices, it's all here. And I love it.

Anderson truly knows how to tell a story by showing. There are lots of hints to personality, easter eggs hidden in the set, props and costumes that make you feel in on the joke. And of course, there are a couple slow-mo musical montages. What's not to love?

Characters seem to face each other head-on saying exactly what they think and feel. Who does that? Can you imagine if this is how everyone lived their lives? Actually talking about things directly? Heaven.

I can not finish talking about this movie without talking about theatre. One of Max's incredible talents is that of a playwright. He puts on the elaborate plays with surprising large audiences that, for me, turn into the highlight of the film. The sets are intricate and ridiculous, the last one containing a helicopter and tons of pyrotechnics. Check out the intro to one of his shows, "Heaven and Hell":

"Also, You'll find a pair of safety glasses and some ear plugs underneath your seats. Please feel free to use them." Yes.

All in all, one should at least be familiar with Wes Anderson. With good story telling, intelligent visuals and interesting characters, Anderson is one of my absolute favorites.

Another one to check out would be The Royal Tenenbaums. Classic.

Rushmore (1998)

Group Rating (out of 5):

Stevox: 5
Kyle: 3
Micah: 3

Averages to 3.66 extracurricular activities out of 5.

Shares this rating with Rain Man, Usual Suspects and Dial M for Murder.

The Great Movie Review: Twilight Samurai

Originally I was going to bring Infernal Affairs, the movie the Departed was based off, but it didn't come int he mail on time due to the icy weather. So I borrowed this from former GSMWer Jesse and we watched it instead.

This movie was great. I can absolutely understand why it won so many awards in Japan. It's very classy. I really liked the lighting. There was an incredible use of natural lighting throughout the film. Specifically towards the end of the film when he is looking in on his daughters and the only light is coming from his lantern, and the climax at the end of the film that takes place in the darkened house. Both of these are wonderful examples of the natural lighting that occurs throughout the film.

We can also divine from the title that the main character is a swordsman, and we progress through the movie, we find out just what kind of fighter he is. And mostly, it's the kind you don't want to mess with. I would probably rate this movie higher upon a second watch through. There isn't really a noticeable weak link in it. Even the acting by the two little girls was pretty good. This is a must watch.

Twilight Samurai (2002)

Group Rating (out of 5):

Stevox: 4
Val: 4
Kyle: 4
Micah: 5
Jenny:4

Averages to 4.2 name calling co-workers out of 5.

Shares this rating with two weeks prior Run Lola Run and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Run Lola Run (1998)

Group Rating (out of 5):

Stevox: 5
Valerie: 3
Kyle: 4
Jenny: 4
Micah: 5

Averages to 4.2 laps out of 5.

Shares this rating with The Apartment, Almost Famous and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.