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Pulp Fiction, arguably one of the most graphic American films made, has made an impression on me. Of course, I am still deciding whether this is a good or bad impression. Personally never having seen this film before, it certainly took me off guard. I went in with no idea of the premise, and even halfway through the movie I still was lost as to the plot line. However, I came out of the theatre, 2 and a half hours later, knowing that it was a movie you could never forget.

I have never been one for violence for the sake of violence or cursing without due purpose, but I also understand the use of such when aimed to make a point. In Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, I certainly was aware that such intense visuals and particular vocabulary got a reaction out of the audience. And at least on some level, I do believe that that may have been Tarantino’s goal: to make in impact. Much of the dialogue was intriguingly unique, the plot line was fairly original (though arguably without direction), and a lot of the characters had been pushed to such extremes that the film could truly be called ‘one of a kind’. However, I am not sure if this originality was the entire purpose of the movie.

Many a Pulp Fiction fan argue that the film holds some deep significance. I am not sure if I can fully do this viewpoint justice considering I myself did not notice such philosophical underpinnings, but I can try my best to explain what people have told me. First off, there is an obvious cyclicality to the storyline wherein the end brings the characters back to where they began in order to make it seem coincidental that everyone just happened to interact with each other throughout the movie. The start and finish both take place in the diner, with the same event, only the second time you view it you feel enlightened as to the situation. Also, Jules Winnfield, contract killer and leading character, ends the movie repeating the same lines he uttered in the beginning-a fake quote from scripture, questioning who is the shepherd in this world of evil. Jules ends the movie feeling reborn, having decided to end his life of crime, giving the movie a feeling of redemption after all its inexplicable violence. Additionally, Butch, the only character I found myself rooting for, is able to make peace with Marsellus. In this way, Pulp Fiction gives the audience a resolute sense of completeness in each character’s storyline.

However, I cannot account for the indescribable amount of stress I experienced while watching this movie. In every scene I felt as if I was waiting for someone to rip my heart out, and with every additional conflict or death I could feel my body tense up. I am unsure why I had such a reaction to this movie, but I imagine that the suspense combined with the satisfactory ending may be what makes a Pulp Fiction fan. Personally, I do not intend on seeing this movie again, simply for personal preference. However, next time someone orders a Royale with Cheese I will understand why the person next to me is laughing.

When: Sunday September 7 at 1:30 or Tuesday September 9 at 7:00

Where: Michigan Theatre

How Much: Adult ($10), Student/Child/Senior/US Veteran ($8), Michigan Theatre Member ($7.50)

What: A viewing of the American classic, Pulp Fiction, as part of the Kerrytown Market and Shops Summer Classic Film Series! If you’ve seen it a million times and it is one of your favorite movies, it is a great opportunity to go see it on the big screen with all your friends! If you’ve never seen it before, or have never even heard of it, well go check it out! The movie changed American film and pop culture forever. The film features Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta and is one you have to see.

I have a confession to make when I first saw a poster for Mr. Peabody and Sherman. I thought that this movie was about Droopy the dog, I saw on Saturday morning cartoons! Furthermore, when I heard that that Ty Burrell.. a.k.a. Modern Family’s Phil Dunphy was doing Droopy’s voice, I thought that it would be amazing because, I could totally hear Phil’s monotonous voice filling in Droopy’s monotonous, slightly gloomy- but intriguing voice.

But, then later on a second or third glance, I noticed that it wasn’t Droopy from my Saturday morning MGM cartoons. But that it was actually a segment from one of my other-watched cartoons and Rocky and Bullwinkle and it was known as Mr. Peabody and Sherman.

Once I realize what cartoon this was, I was more curious than super excited because I had seen Droopy hundreds of times, and remembered him well. But Mr. Peabody and Sherman- I hadn’t seen quite as much. So I had a bit of homework to do to compare the movie to the cartoon and on that basis I think that the movie. And after seeing the movie, I thought that both characters were portrayed accurately. Peabody was shown as the cool, and slightly emotionally detached dog. And Sherman was portrayed really well, as the happy upbeat-all over the place boy. And I think both voice actors did a good job portraying these characters well.

Ariel Winter does Penny’s voice and she does a good job of showing her sassy, quick-paced personality. I am also surprised at how Ariel Winter was a consummate professional and didn’t let her TV Dad’s presence ( she is Ty Burrell’s TV daughter on Modern Family) affect her doing the voice of Penny. When she does the voice of Alex on Modern Family she doesn’t sound as sassy–but here she sounds like a complete sasspot!

This film truly did a great job being hilarious, but it also wasn’t afraid to show the complexities and issues that surrounded their characters lives. It showed how Sherman had issues with bullying, especially coming from a family where a dog is the parent. It showed how Peabody was nervous in trying to please Penny’s parents ( as many parents would be in his position) , so that the social worker didn’t take the case up further.

I love the small comedic touches in this movie -especially when they travel back in time. One of my favorite touches was when Penny was in ancient Egypt, and every time the grand vizier dropped something, there was a servant who ran by him and picked the object up. Another great touch, was when Mr. Peabody needed his machine to be refueled and he went to say ‘Hi’ to his friend Leonardo da Vinci. Here, the audience gets to meet Leonardo’s.. em.. baby. Well, Leonardo tried to make his own baby- which was this creeping looking wooden doll-rolly-cart-baby! And every now and then ‘the baby’ just rolled through the streets’ terrifying everyone.

But perhaps my favorite part of all was at then end when Peabody resolved the situation with the social worker, and the next day he took Sherman to school. Unlike the past times, when Sherman tells Peabody, I love you and Peabody responds by saying, ‘I have an equal admiration for you too Sherman’— this time Peabody actually tells Sherman in return, ‘ I love you too Sherman.’ Not gonna lie- that melted my heart a little.

This film is a great see, especially if you are looking for some light hearted comedy which has some ups and downs in the middle of it. It definitely holds your attention and you walk out of the theater feeling better than when you came in.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

This was one movie which had a lot of hype and one which had a lot of intrigue to it. Having a title with the words Hustle in it? And in addition, all those 70’s clothes.. and that movie poster of all of them together.. it all the begs the question- what is this all about?

But to quote Barbara Walters’ as she said on the View, “I really didn’t understand what American Hustle was about.” And I must agree with Ms. Walters because I too, didn’t understand what this movie was about. Were they trying to say that in the 1970s America was a place filled with hustlers and that quite a handful of people turned to hustling in order to make a buck?

I understood to a degree what Christian Bale’s character’s meant when he said that in life we have to con people and that they have to con us sometimes. I could see this being applied to different aspects in life. For instance, when we love someone and make them fall in love with us, in a way we are conning them. Or if we want to impress our boss, this is what we have to do, in order to keep our jobs. But the problem is that I don’t think that everything in life is a con– there are a lot of avenues in life in which we get what we want, without having to con others. So, if the main philosophy in this movie is that conning is the key to life, and that life is one big con anyway, then I think that this movie is very off.

I also didn’t like how the movie brought down Bradley Cooper’s character. He was trying to move ahead in his career, and was a loyal brother and son to his sister and mother. He also was working for the FBI– the ‘good guys,’ if you will. But, in the end his character was conned. But why? It wasn’t as if he was a villain or something or that he had done some major harm to other characters- he was just doing his job as an FBI agent. He was a nice man who got jilted

Some of the acting could have been a bit better too, I didn’t think Amy Adams’ character’s British accent was all that great. She was a very weak ‘Lady Edith.’ In addition, some of the characters roles..didn’t have roles that were would one would describe as very meaty. Not sure if these is totally the actors’ faults, or if they were written the best way- but not sure if they have the quality to captivate audiences.

But in terms of good aspects in this film, I will say that certain scenes were definitely stealers. For instance, the dance scene between Bradley Cooper and Amy Adams character was quite hypnotic. The lighting in that scene was spot on with what would have occurred in a 1970’s discotheque. Plus, the way Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper danced, oozed sensuality.

Even though, most of the characters were not written or acted in the most radiant way, there is one exception. That being Jennifer Lawrence’s character whom I thought was hilarious and magnetic. In one of the first scenes, the way she keeps talking about things in circles in this crazy-off kilter voice makes her sound nutty- but radiant. There is something in her, that makes you want to see her in the next scene.

It’s also quite hilarious that she does the opposite of what she is asked. When her husband tells her not to say confidential information- that’s exactly what she does. When her husband asks her not to put something in the microwave- that’s exactly what she does. It was sooo funny to see her trying to put the fire out in the microwave.

It should also be noted that to some Jennifer Lawrence is cute, but she doesn’t possess the striking, bold features that say Angelina Jolie or say January Jones possesses. She’s pretty, but maybe not naturally gorgeous. BUT, in this movie- she looks very sensual, and at times, like a complete knockout. The way she always has her hair in a updo. One of the few times, I really agreed with the conning theory of this movie, was when Christian Bale’s character said, that she was the biggest con of all, as she seduced him to bed. She was also quite sensual when she described at the dinner party that she loved the nail polish which smelled great, but had a bit of garbage smell at the end. But perhaps, her sensuality was at its peak when she was arguing with Edith and she just bent over and gave Edith a kiss!

The last and best piece about this movie was the costumes and make up. Everything Edith’s hair, her jacket, pants, Jennifer Lawrence’s character’s hair, her gowns, Bradley Cooper’s perm, and Christian Bale’s sideburns and suits. All these aspects truly helped transport the movie back to the 1970s. And even though a movie might have trouble with the storyline or depth of their characters- it always does help if the look of the characters have some veracity to them.

Stars: 3 out of 5 stars

To many, this film at first glance maybe a film of not much substance, something about an aging borderline- demented man possibly suffering from dementia who has the insane idea of winning a million dollar sweepstakes prize; And through all of this he somehow manages to drag his family and the audience through this ridiculousness, in worst of settings- Nebraska! This film couldn’t be any worse, right? Well, just as with the state of Nebraska, there is more to this story about this man, than what the first glance offers.

This movie is actually a great, witty, film full of dark deadpan humor about an aging man named Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) who wants to reclaim his past, and erase all the mistakes of his past with the help of one elixir: That of a $1 million Sweepstakes prize. Not only does he wish to correct his past with this prize, but similar to Stephen Colbert’s book’s title, “America: Re-Becoming the Greatness we Never Were…,” Woody wants to become the greatness he never was- albeit with the help of his $1 million sweepstakes prize.

Though his sons and wife Kate ( played by June Squibb) does not wish for him to go on this journey to Omaha, Nebraska from Billings, Montana to get this prize, they realize after a few attempts of thwarting him, that there is no use to this, and his son David ( Bill Forte) agrees to take him there.

While in South Dakota, David tells Woody that he has notified Woody’s family that they will spend the night with Woody’s family in Hawthorne, Nebraska. Woody, vehemently opposes having to go through Hawthorne. And would rather go around Hawthorne to Omaha to seek his prize. But in life, as with other things, one never gets a free lunch. And if the universe wants Woody to get his prize or-rather- his-elixir, then he will have to deal with his past first.

Audiences soon realize that Woody’s origins were not ideal, and truths of Woody’s past are revealed. Some of which include Woody’s infidelity, his lack of love for his wife, his desire not to have children, his alcoholism, etc. Soon they encounter problems with friends and family ganging up father, son, and once Kate arrives her, about getting the money. Later, it is shown that Woody did not actually get the $1 million dollar prize. Upon discovering that Woody wanted to buy a truck with his savings, his son, trades in his car, with a truck for Woody to have. Then they make sure to drive through Hawthorne, where Woody’s former flame, ex-friend, and brother see him. Later, David and Woody switch seats later.. since an aging Woody has trouble with driving.

It was so interesting that Woody had such a dismal life. I cannot help but wonder if his interesting childhood/family life made me grow into a man who was uninterested about life. For instance, he did not want to have children and he wasn’t interested in getting married. He also seems to have picked the wrong people in his life, and let go of the right ones. It’s also evident that his wife and him aren’t the best fit. She is a lively character, who is the antithesis to Woody’s taciturn. She always seems to be interrupting Woody…while he passively lets it happen. Yet, his former love seems like a lovely sweet person who was a good fit for him, and yet he didn’t marry her. He also brought in a wrong business partner who stole something of his.

It’s also obvious that he sought escapes and elixirs in not the best way. He had an affair with a multiracial woman when he felt trapped and restless in his loveless marriage and had sought alcohol to fix his a lot of his problems. It is no surprise that this man who is drifting through life eventually thinks that a large sum of money will fix his large past.

It makes one think whether or not a lot of people, especially a lot of everyday people are drifting through life not fully realizing what they want, don’t make right choices in the process, never face those bad choices, and along the way they look for the erasers for the past. On that note, it also makes you wonder about the lottery system what winning the lottery means to people psychologically.

The ending is borderline neorealistic, evoking back memories of films such as The Bicycle Thief- albeit a bit more hopeful. I say it is neorealistic, because neorealistic films showcase reality, as life is- both the good and the bad; and the endings don’t always indicate what will happen next, or if things will be ok. They just show, life as is. Here in Nebraska the situation in Woody’s life, doesn’t look clearly resolved. I say that because he wanted a truck to drive in — but Woody cannot drive properly. So I don’t know if having the truck fixes everything. Yea, he was able to showoff to his friends and family.. but its not like the truck will do himself all that good if he cannot drive it.

Speaking of the truck, my favorite character was the truck getter himself, David or Bill Forte’s character. He seemed to be the most level-headed in the group of people who all evoked some serious headshaking. I am a person who is usually rooting for the the offbeat, unique, slightly crazy ( think Dwight Shrutes) in television or movies.. but for once, I rather go with the the level- headed of the group. David’s level-headed shines through , when he was sitting with the rest of the men in his father’s side of the family. All of them seemed a bit weird- especially the two cousins who sexually assaulted someone. And here was David, with his dark hair and big eyes innocently looking about. With both his immediate and extended family, David has an aura of the Greek Goddess Hestia about him because like Hestia he stays out of family trouble. He also managed to bring his parents closer together, defend his father against father’s former business partner, took time off from his own life to help his father, and finally traded his own car to get a truck in his father’s name. David didn’t seem the most emotionally effusive person- but clearly has a heart. Something that is admirable. But I am sure that, June Squibb was perhaps the audience’s most favorite character. And that Woody’s character gave the deadpan, dark comedy it’s tone.

On the note of dark, deadpan comedy I must say that this film’s comedic effect might not have been felt as much, had it not been for the the Black and White visuals of the film.
Now, some might say that the black and whiteness is a bit too much.. and tries to make the notion of a dark comedy- a little too obvious. But I say that the black- and whiteness makes the deadpanness of the comedy stronger, and somehow brings out the angular, stark quality of the humor even more. But then again, I am a bit biased
being an ardent lover of the Black and white medium.

As a side note, I wonder if we are having a Black and White film mini renaissance- in the last 5 years or so- there have been a few Black and White films made, which have all received critical acclaim. More Black and White films is something I wouldn’t mind..

I also think that this movie is just as much about the state of Nebraska and the midwest as it is about this family. Many people think these places are full of farms and sooo boring. But a movie like this shows, that excitement and drama can happen to anywhere.. even in places people unfortunately think are so boring. Once again, on a personal note, I am a little biased about Nebraska because I have been even though I have lived in over 5 states.. I have lately had an incurring to move to states like Nebraska. So once, maybe my personal biases are partially making me like the setting this story was set in..

But personal biases aside.. this movie is unarguably a must see, because it is a dark comedy at its best.

Stars: 5.0 out of 5.0