It's been a while since I've been able to continue the journey through my movie collection. Most of that is because I was, for some reason, preparing to become a student for the first time since 2005. Unfortunately, I was able to achieve this goal and will be attending Wake Tech Community College this fall semester. In an attempt to console myself, I decided to watch two movies I hadn't seen before from my instant Netflix, Mary & Max and Following, and only watch one from my personal collection, Traffic.
I started with Traffic, director Steven Soderbergh's sprawling account of America's war on drugs, or lack thereof told through a number of point of views, all of which are connected in some form or another.
2000 was the year of Soderbergh. In addition to Traffic, he also directed Erin Brochovich, and both movies made over $100 million. What's even more impressive was that Steven was actually nominated as Best Director at the Oscars for both movies, a fact that many thought would cost Soderbergh the award due to splitting of the votes. He ended up winning for Traffic though, and it easy to see why. It's a two and a half hour movie dealing with at least 4 separate stories in two languages, and yet somehow it feels effortless. It's not exactly an easy movie to watch, but Soderbergh ensures that there is not a moment or character wasted, no matter how small. The pace of the film is another major asset, assuring that you don't feel too exhausted by the end of the 147 minute run time. If you are even the smallest Soderbergh fan, I highly recommend this one. It may not be his best, but it's definitely up there.
Next up was the Clay-mation film Mary & Max, an extremely heartfelt story about a young Australian girl who becomes pen pals with Max, a 44 year old man whose only wishes in life are to have a lifetime supply of chocolate and a friend. What follows is a 20 year correspondence affects their lives in both good and bad ways.
I don't want to say too much about this one, as there are many surprises throughout, but I will say that I was completely taken aback at how emotionally honest the movie is. Even though it is animated it's actually much more for adults than children. The filmmakers instead use the medium to help convey the characters growing relationship and feelings of happiness and pain throughout their lives. It's a move that adds unexpected weight to the material, not to mention the fact that this is apparently based on a true story. It's a truly original and touching film, and one I strongly urge anyone and everyone to check out.
Finally I watched Following, the first film by none other than Christopher Nolan, director of The Dark Knight and Inception.
The movie focuses on a young writer who becomes obsessed with following people and breaking into their homes in an attempt to gain material for his stories.
Unfortunately, there's much to say about this one. It's definitely interesting to see a young Nolan play with storytelling techniques that we would later see in film's such as Memento and The Prestige, but again it's more interesting than entertaining. Even with a run time of 70 minutes, the film tends to be a bit slow, though never completely boring. I would say only check this one out if you are absolutely dying to see where Nolan started. For everyone else, just enjoy all the wonderful movies he has made since.
I'm hoping to continue my mission over the next two days while I celebrate what's his name's excuse for a day off, so until then, later dudes.
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