Sophie Scholl

I had originally planned to write a horror movie review in the spirit of Halloween, but I happened to stumble on this film and it is too good to not write a review on it. I am a big fan of WWII movies so this was a must watch for me, but it really is like no other nazi movie.


Sophie Scholl is a movie based on, obviously, a german girl named Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans Scholl who are part of the White rose non-violent resistance group in nazi germany. They are college students and are devoted to writing anti war leaflets. However, they are caught and convicted of high treason. This film is based on the unpublished transcripts of these two students interrogations.

This is such a horribly terrifying film, knowing that what you are hearing was once said by two very brave college students who gave their lives for an ideal. The ideal of freedom. It may seem cheezy of me to say this, but this movie was incredibly moving and made me think about wether i would do the same. My answer is no. I feel horrible admitting this but im not sure if you would do the same. I dont think very many people today have the courage these two students had to speak up for the freedom of others. They didn't have to do what they did. This movie made me appreciate the world i live in even if it is a terrible one. I have the freedom many people didn't have and that some dont have today. I hope you give this film a chance and feel the same.

10/10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM5A4ETW_Io





Sophie Scholl            and       Hans Scholl
9 May 1921 – 22 February 1943,  22 September 1918 – 22 February 1943

Hedonistic Me

Philosophy lectures are working too much to my advantage. These past lectures on hedonism are especially convincing and i find myself using the the method of figuring out how an action is right or wrong.

This wednesday, there was a Born Ruffians show at UCSD and i knew i should not have gone because i had  class the next day, an overdue assignment, and two art projects due. But it was Born Ruffians and i said what the hell. The amount of hedons i gained from listening to them play the song titled Hedonistic Me  was about a million. (coincidence? i think not!) Born Ruffians have an amazing sound that will cheer you up no matter what. The singer has a very unique voice, which i don't know about anyone else but, a unique interesting voice is the first thing i look for in a good band.

The down side, i lost a lot of Hedons the next day. About 700,000. I was an hour late to class, i didn't finish my overdue project, and i couldn't find parking. I think back and i don't think i would take it back though. Born Ruffians are an amazing band and we got first row and got to meet the band members as well. In the end, i came out with 300,000 hedons haha which is more than enough for me.


* By the way, hedons are a unit of measurement for happiness created by the philosopher Bentham.

hummingbird- born ruffians
what to say- born ruffians

Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Yet again, another Wes Anderson film. Life Aquatic is about an oceanographer (Bill Murray) who sets out on a journey to find a supposed shark that killed his partner. Accompanying him are his wife (Anjelica Houston), a journalist (Cate Blanchett), and a man who he later finds out might be his son (Owen Wilson).

This film is a bit more on the comical side, but that doesn't mean it isn't visually striking like all other Anderson films. I can't say it matched that  of The Darjeeling Limited, yet the use of color, is simply amazing. And who doesn't want to see a movie where Owen Wilson has a southern accent, Bill Murray wears a speedo, and Willem Dafoe plays a hilarious jealous foreigner! (yes,the green goblin from Spiderman!) Oh yeah and there is also a crew member who plays all of David Bowie"s music in Portuguese. 

I don't know, maybe i'm just an Anderson freak, but this movie is downright hilarious. It kept me laughing from beginning to end. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po6rv9GHl3o

7.5/10

Cria Cuervos

Cria Cuervos is a film is about a young girl and her two sisters living in spain who have to deal with the loss of their  mother and father. Anna (the main character), after the death of her mother, finds her father in a separate room of the house with a mistress. She is not quite sure of the meaning of this, but has always known her father to be up to no good and believes that all the pain and suffering in the family, is a result of her fathers actions. She then thinks that after seeing her father die of heart failure while with his lover, his death was caused by her own wants of him dead. The young girls are then forced to be raised under strict rule of their aunt. 

This film is told by Anna (the middle child), through the eyes of the mother. The title Cria Cuervos  comes from the spanish saying, "Cria cuervos y te sacaran los ojos." which translates to "Raise ravens and they'll take your eyes out." 

This is such a beautiful movie although the ending is quite ambiguous. I watched this movie with my mom and i think it was the first time we agreed on the quality of a foreign film. It reminded me so much of my mom while i was watching it and the only think i was left thinking when the movie was over was how so many people think that childhood is the best time of one's life yet, for many children, it could be the worst, just like for the character Anna. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpGv5NL3x8A

9/10

The Drums

Today I will write about the band I cannot stop listening to. The Drums. May I say, they are amazing? They are amazing. Their sound is like that of like the Smiths yet vey 1950's pop. Every song reminds you of one thing and that is summer or the beach. I really don't know why that is but i think you might agree. Earlier on, the band was.. everywhere. The band members tried making different types of music from indie, electronic, and love songs. In the end, the band members all ended together again and decided to cut the crap with the synthesizers and switch to guitars. The first song they made as The Drums was Best Friend and since then the band has continued making great music which they recorded themselves!


On their website biography, they say:  


"We only write about two feelings: one is the first day of summer when you and all of your friends are standing on the edge of a cliff watching the sun set and being overcome with all of your hopes and dreams at once. The other is when you're walking alone in the rain and realize you will be alone forever." 


This really is the best way to sum up The Drums. I had a chance to watch them play at Amoeba in Hollywood for free! (which is why you should head down there, if you've never been.) The band is so humble and genuinely nice they even signed cd's and took time to chat with fans. 


The band will be playing again in L.A. November 16 at Spaceland. You can also check out their website: www.thedrums.com 


"Pop without apology…It’s an old, limited vocabulary, but the Drums know its every nuance." -- The New York Times

"One of the best indie pop debuts of the year" - Rolling Stone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeZbbx5SPTs

The Darjeeling Limited Review

This blog is for my dear friend Chris who introduced me to the amazing films of Wes Anderson. Ever since   he made me watch the Royal Tenebaums, I have been hooked. Wes Anderson's films have such a distinct style that lets you know you're watching one of his films, including his repetitive cast, use of the font futura bold (in yellow), and ending his films in slow motion.

Anyway, about The Darjeeling Limited, this film is about three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) that go on a journey together to India after not seeing each other for a year. Their plan is to go on a spiritual journey that will help them find themselves and each other.

This film is overall amazing! The cinematography, the characterization, the storyline, are all equally captivating. Another great part of this film is the soundtrack. (another of Wes Anderson's film qualities) This movie is not only witty, but heartfelt, and humorous. An absolute must watch for film lovers of any genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNc1QNoROZQ
(because i love Wes Anderson so much..)  5/5