THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, THE BOY WHO SMELLS LIKE FISH & ME EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

So I know that this film has been criticised by many, and after re-watching it, I cringed at all of the unrealistic dialogue between the characters in the film. I also feel that this film doesn't really go deep enough into the issues which it deals (tries) with, and maybe, if it were a bit longer and a bit deeper it would do a better job at being a good film. However, this film, for some reason gives off really good vibes. It reminds me of the first time I got Tumblr when my dashboard was full of gifs and photosets of this film, and gifs of Lana Del Rey's Blue Jeans and Luli from Hick. It reminds me of winter, and my journals and when I started to get into films and I think it's great if you're alone in your room with some ice cream, and you want a sweet film with an excellent soundtrack. 

In summary

- Hipsters

- Cool music

- Life

THE BOY WHO SMELLS LIKE FISH

So I found this by looking through Zoë Kravtiz's films and it looked quirky and awesome. I think it's set in Stockholm? Or some place in Sweden? Or maybe I just think I saw that somewhere, but either way, it gives me these Swedenish, Amsterdamsih vibes and I don't know why since I've never actually been to any of those places. However that is besides the point. This film is so strange and funny and at some points I just had to pause and stare at the screen because the things that happen are just so random. It's great though, and the end credits are awesome, so you should at least watch it for that.

In summary

- Fish

- Strange neighbours (???)

- Zoë Kravitz & Douglas Smith

- Colours

ME EARL AND THE DYING GIRL

So this was an interesting film, and a hell of a lot better than The Fault in Our Stars (even though I've never seen that film. I've read the book though, and the film was better). The film is basically about a girl with cancer and her friends around her, but the girl with cancer isn't the main protagonist so I haven't spoiled it completely for you. Overall, the film was very angsty, but at the same time it wasn't? Yet even though angsty is the completely wrong word to describe the film (I think) I also think it is the perfect word too. There is a whole load of creativity in this film (as in the characters are quite arty, but they don't really recognise that part of themselves in that way), and a lot of awkward humour which I definitely understood when watching it.

In summary

- Cancer

- Films

- Life

Films and TV shows with POC

• The Colour Purple (film)

• Scandal (TV Show)

• Precious (film)

• The Help (film)

• How To Get Away With Murder (TV Show)

• Poetic Justice (film)

• Pulp Fiction (film)

• Suits (TV Show)

As I write this post, I've realised how awful the film industry is, in regards to race. I have watched many, films. A very large amount, and for some reason, I am finding it difficult, to find an average film, where there is a POC that is the main, or one of the main characters? I haven't exposed myself to a lot of TV shows, so I can't really say much in that department, but I can when it comes to films. There have been so many films released. Year after year, so many films are made, and I've watched so many of them. Yet, I'm finding it difficult to think of any with POC? And I'm not talking about historical films that highlight our past oppression etc. No, I'm talking about the awful teen films that you watch as a young teen before you start watching more artistic and well thought out films. Where are the POC? Why aren't they getting roles? Why aren't people writing roles for POC? Or why can't POC fill in those lead roles, which don't necessarily need a particular face, or look to film them in. Anyway, I will attempt to continue this "master list."

• Orange is the New Black (TV Show)

• Belle (Film)
• Ugly Betty (TV Show)

• The Pursuit of Happyness (Film)
• Dreamgirls (Film)
• The Secret Life of Bees (Film)
• Django (Film)

Okay, so I can't think of any other films or shows that have POC as main and significant characters. It's really disappointing to be honest. Anyway, if you know any other films, please mention them down below. I'd love to watch some of them! 

CONTAINS SPOILERS: EMPIRE RECORDS, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, GHOST WORLD

I haven't done one of these in a while, and I've changed the format slightly. Oh well, enjoy anyway and comment your thoughts on the films talked about below.

GHOST WORLD

So I absolutely loved Ghost World, definitely one of my favourite films. I think, that this film does a really good job, of bringing the characters to life and really interesting? I don't know how to describe it. Firstly, Enid and Rebecca (in my opinions) are total brats, I mean they stalked this man and woman because they were "totally satanists." Yet, you love them? And what about Seymour? The prank they played on him was just cruel, but they (Enid even more so) are so cool and I want to be their friend. Also, the cinematography and outfits in the film are all so awesome and simple and brilliant. It's kind of a teen film for teen bloggers who are full of ideas and art but the only thing that will listen to them is their cat and maybe their 30 followers online - aka me. I wish there were more films like this, to satisfy my needs of weird indie movies. If Hollywood pumps anything out, it should be films like this. I found Ghost World through Lauren Rose on YouTube. She's not active on her channel anymore and has moved to the world of podcasting and she has a "series" kind of thing on Soundcloud called Vagina Slims and it's awesome. Anyway, she reminds me of this film. Everybody watch this, it's cool and definitely worth your evening.

EMPIRE RECORDS

This film is so awesome! The story is pretty simple, but just like Ghost World, the characters make it everything. Everybody is so carefree and in their own individual way and the film is just really refreshing. I think my favourite character in the film was Gina, played by Renée Zellweger. From the beginning when she made out with Corey's record, she had me. The styling of the film is also everything too. Maybe because it was filmed during the 90s, I don't know but all I can say, that the styling is great. For some reason, the film kind of reminded me of those shows where a bunch of people are all living in one big house and they all have to learn to get along and somebody gets eliminated each week. But with more of a sense of family.  Corey making those cupcakes (it made me want cake too actually), A.J and his love for her, Joe is kind of like the father, Lucas is ... What I'm trying to get at is the relationships in the films made me all warm inside, and it's a great teen film to eat ice cream and pudding to. 

TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

First of all, Heath Ledger is the best in this film (he becomes even better when you realise the same guy plays The Joker in The Dark Knight), second of all the feminism in this film is also so cool. I really like how strong Kat is, and is an obvious feminist and is into literature and not into misogyny, but even though her feminist beliefs come out throughout the film, you can still see that she is really sweet and DOESN'T HATE MEN. I also see that the only two developed female characters are Kat and Bianca and the rest are just men. Men literally dominating them and trying to seduce them, whether the men be honest and sweet or just straight up jerks. I feel that even though that is so, Kat and Bianca aren't fully "trapped," and even though the men get their way (though the feeling is mutual) in the end, the feminist messages in the film are not drowned and forgotten. Basically, this is a cute teen film with themes of feminism, literature and music running through it.

CONTAINS SPOILERS: HICK, WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE AND HEATHERS

Hick

WHO IS THIS FOR?: This film involves abandonment, anti-ice cream and rape. If you can't handle any of this, then do not watch this film.

WAS THIS ORIGINALLY A BOOK?: Yes, it was.

PLOT SUMMARY: A Nebraska teen gets more than she bargained for when she sets out for the bright lights of Las Vegas.

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: Another favourite. This has been such an inspiration for me. The soundtrack, the vibes and colours in the film, the story line, the characters personalities, even the setting. Everything about this film has helped me explore different areas and characters in my writing that I had no idea I'd love, or had no idea existed at all. I can't pin point anything that I would say is my "favourite," because I love everything equally, but what I would've loved to see in the film (more of it. Did Luli settle down eventually in California? What happened to her dad and mom?), is more explanation. There are several moments in the film, where there are things that are left unexplained, or aren't really gone into a lot of detail and that confused me quite a bit on the first watch. This film, and didn’t get many stars, but I think it is one of the best films I’ve ever watched, and I honestly think everyone should give it a go.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

WHO IS THIS FOR?: Anybody who can handle Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio in the same film.

WAS THIS ORIGINALLY A BOOK?: Yes, it was.

PLOT SUMMARY: Gilbert Grape lives in Endora, a place where nothing much happens. The only times the police got something to do is when Gilbert's autistic brother Arnie tries to climb up on the water tower nearby. Taking care of Arnie is mostly Gilbert's task which can be pretty demanding, at least while you are working at the local grocery store. Then one day Becky and her grandmother passes through Endora getting trouble with the car. Gilbert falls in love with Becky, but gets problems when he tries to find time for his own private life.
- Written by Lars J.

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: Even looking at this shot from the film makes me want to cry.  Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp’s performances were equally on point. I especially want to give credit to Leonardo DiCaprio for really taking on his role and really being, his character Arnie. Once people first watched the film, they actually thought Leonardo DiCaprio was mentally ill, because his performance was so believable. Another thing that I particularly liked about this film, was the colours. I know I tend to go on about the colours in films, but I really feel that the main colours in a film, can really give it the vibes you feel when watching it, and it can put you in different moods. The setting and the colours of the whole film really put me at ease whilst watching the film, and I think it has a similar sort of vibe to Hick. I would definitely recommend this film to anybody to be honest. You may even cry. Arnie will make you cry.

Heathers

WHO IS THIS FOR?: Anybody who likes Mean Girls, crazy teenagers, dark humour and American Beauty

WAS THIS ORIGINALLY A BOOK?: Not that I know of.

PLOT SUMMARY: A girl who half-heartedly tries to be part of the "in crowd" of her school meets a rebel who teaches her a more devious way to play social politics; killing the popular kids.
- Written by Murray Chapman

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: I was quite confused when I first watched this film, but as it progressed I actually really enjoyed it. I personally think that you have to be into the strange, psycho killer teen sort of persona to be into this film. Teenagers killing other teens, death threats taken to the extreme, suicide turning into a sort of trend, fire, explosions and croquet all packed into one film. The “Heathers,” kind of remind me of Regina George, Gretchen, Karen and Cady from Mean Girls, but more psycho weird. In the film, I think Winona Ryder shone. Maybe not as much in Girl, Interrupted, but she definitely took the film and placed it on a new level of brilliant. I really like films that were filmed during the 90s, just because of the camera quality and the dressing and just the vibes that films that were filmed back then give. Think of this film as a quirkier version of Mean Girls.

CONTAINS SPOILERS: PULP FICTION, GIRL, INTERUPTTED AND SE7EN

Girl, Interrupted 

WHO IS THIS FOR?: Anybody who can deal with mental illness, suicide and brilliant acting.

WAS THIS ORIGINALLY A BOOK?: Yes, it was.

PLOT SUMMARY: Susanna is depressed and directionless after finishing high school in the late 1960's. A suicide attempt lands her in Claymore, a mental institution. She befriends the band of troubled women in her ward (Georgina the pathological liar, the sexually abused Daisy, the burn victim Polly) but falls under the hypnotic sway of Lisa, the wildest and most hardened of the bunch. Will Susanna "drop anchor" at Claymore and perpetually act out like Lisa, or will she finally pull her mind together and leave institutional life behind?
- Written by Martin Lewison <mlewison@utk.edu>

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: This movie is definitely one of my favourites. I loved Angelina Jolie’s performance in it, and Brittany Murphy’s alongside Winona Ryder. All three of their performances really just left me in complete and utter all of their acting abilities. I’ve actually read the book, and I thought that the film was a great adaption, and that the cast was perfect. There was something about the film which just hit me, and it’s very memorable. Each character, even the ones that we don’t know in much depth are memorable to an extent. All the relationships and the background stories to between the characters were brilliant, and they really felt like real people. That's something that the actors did brilliantly. They brought the characters to life, and that is very, very evident when you watch it. The vibes, the colours and the acting and narrative of the film are brilliant and I do feel like this film can change you. I personally think that this film is my favourite Angelina Jolie film, and I think when you see it, you'll understand why. You'll really be able to feel the characters pain, especially, if you’ve gone through what the people/characters have gone through too. I  haven’t been diagnosed with any mental illness, but I can relate to the feeling of escape, when Susanna writes. Everybody should definitely watch this film. There is humour throughout the film, and that's something that I found very, very enjoyable. "Girl, Interrupted," is not, a comedy, but it has funny parts in it. Another thing I must say about this film, is that it isn't a light film. Within the film you do see "Polly's" burns, it does talk about suicide and is pretty much all about mental illness, so if you're not comfortable with that, then don't watch this film. If you are okay with that stuff though, then I really do recommend this film. Jared Leto and Whoopi Goldberg also star in this film.

Pulp Fiction 

WHO IS THIS FOR?: People who can handle a lot of cussing, guns, dance scenes, drug use and humour.

WAS THIS ORIGINALLY A BOOK?: Nope.

PLOT SUMMARY: Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega are two hit men who are out to retrieve a suitcase stolen from their employer, mob boss Marsellus Wallace. Wallace has also asked Vincent to take his wife Mia out a few days later when Wallace himself will be out of town. Butch Coolidge is an ageing boxer who is paid by Wallace to lose his next fight. The lives of these seemingly unrelated people are woven together comprising of a series of funny, bizarre and uncalled-for incidents.
- Written by Soumitra

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: Quentin Tarantino made me want to watch all of his films after watching this. I haven't gotten round to watching Kill Bill, yet but after this and Django, what could possibly go wrong? Plus, it's got Uma Thurman in it too. Pulp Fiction, is a strange film, but you will love it all the same. There are three storylines throughout the film, and you will never know what's in the briefcase. Tarantino leaves that to his audience, so if you're not into "using your imagination," then this film may get on your nerves a little bit. In the film, the characters are very strong I somehow managed to connect with them all on a certain level. Yes, even Marsellus Wallace. Another great thing about this film was the dialogue. The dialogue between the characters, was hilarious, I think especially between “Vincent,” and “Jules.” It really gave the film its edge and the amazing lines obviously made it a film which is easy to quote from. I think one of my favourite lines of the film is when Vincent is talking about France, and Jules asks what a “Big Mac,” is, in French. Vincent replies: “Le Big Mac," and then Jules says, "Le Big Mac," in a French accent. The film is also kind of mysterious in a way, too. The stories aren’t really explained that much, or go into much detail, but you kind of get what is going on, at the same time. Another aspect of this film, that definitely needs to be praised is the soundtrack. The soundtrack seriously puts the film together, and you're dancing from the beginning of the film. The credits reel you in with "Jungle Boogie," playing behind it, and throughout the music accompanies the film brilliantly. I can definitely tell you now that it’s not your typical “gangster, drugs, money,” sort of film. You should definitely give this film a go, though. Everything about it, including the soundtrack is brilliant to me, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone.

Se7en 

WHO IS THIS FOR?: Anyone who can handle a lot of rain, Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, gore and suspense.

WAS THIS ORIGINALLY A BOOK?: Nope.

PLOT SUMMARY: Taking place in a nameless city, Se7en follows the story of two homicide detectives tracking down a sadistic serial killer who chooses his victims according to the seven deadly sins. Brad Pitt stars as Detective David Mills, a hopeful but naive rookie who finds himself partnered with veteran Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman). Together they trace the killers every step, witnessing the aftermath of his horrific crimes one by one as the victims pile up in rapid succession, all the while moving closer to a gruesome fate neither of them could have predicted.
- Written by David Foyer

MY OVERALL THOUGHTS: In the beginning, I didn't like the film. It was the colours that really did it for me. They put me in a bad mood, and the fact that it was already raining outside when I was watching this film made it even worse However, now that I think about it, the colours really helped pull the film together. I thought they really put me down, and they literally made me feel cold. I think colours can really set the mood of a film, and one hand, the colours of the film (grey, blue, black, etc) really helped give off the vibes the film wanted to give, I personally didn’t like it. It made me feel as if I had been standing out in the rain (it rains a lot in the films), and it made me feel uncomfortable too (another thing, I think the film wanted to do and succeeded in doing). The film itself, however, was one of the most intense and amazing films I’ve ever watched to date. The last ten or so minutes of the film literally had me on the floor because of how intense it was. I literally had to pause each minute to have a ten minute freak out before getting back to the film. The characters are great, and I think the killer was created to well. He is so mysterious, and his train of thought is so disturbingly interesting. Kevin Spacey isn't even put in the credits at the beginning, so his character isn't given away. I thought that that was brilliant. It’s fun to see Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, running around trying to find this killer. Some of the scenes aren’t particularly nice to look at though, so if you’re squeamish, you may not like this film. I’m kind of into that stuff though, I kind of like the feeling of my stomach doubling over. I wouldn't categorise this film as "horror," but it could be quite scary for somebody who doesn't like films like this. For the acting, I don't think it was "astounding," and I wouldn't put it next to the performances in in Girl, Interrupted, but the actors were definitely able to create characters that made me feel something for them. I think that's incredibly important in film, and in any piece of art. You need to feel something towards what you're presenting. For me, if you do, then you've succeeded in making a good piece of art (or in this case, a good film).