In 1929, the world of movies was about to change forever thanks to a man that couldn't sing and couldn't act in a movie called The Jazz Singer. This film ushered in the era of the talkie, the voice, and movies haven't been the same since. But there were those who felt it would fail, and that silent films still would rule the silver screen. And so enters our story of The Artist, a man who came at the wrong place at the wrong time, with pride that would have shamed Barry Bonds at his most steroided self. The film follows George Valentin, a silent movie star is at the top of his game, but one meeting with a girl changes everything. In life this is true, and as The Artist entails, it never really is good. Her name is Peppy Miller, and she dazzles with her beauty and acting. She gets noticed through a picture taken with Valentin after the opening of his film. She stumbles forward to pick up her wallet, and stumbles into him. As they say, there is no coincidence, and this was exactly the case. They meet in a film, and we can see the changing of the guard is about to enfold. Then the talkies arrive. Valentin begins to disappear, but Peppy begins her road to being a major success, the world loving her every move, while Valentin sits in the background, refusing to believe silent films are dead. As Peppy's career begins to build, he falls so far as to commit suicide, and fails thanks to his dog who saves the day. In the end, Peppy saves him from himself, and gives him one more chance where they both shine. The film resembles Singin' in the Rain, or All About Eve, but does it in a way that modern audiences don't expect it, the way the movies were before the talkies. Silent. You may be thinking the silence would detract from the overall presence of the film , but in fact, it draws us in, the music leading us through the lives of these characters. Michel Hazanavicius creates one of the most magical films in this decade, creating a story that is charming, beautiful, and heart warming. The Artist is a triumph in modern film, creating a beautiful and memorable story without vulgarity recklessness. It has my vote for Best Picture.
Daniel Craig. Javier Bardem. Judi Dench. Ralph Fiennes. Sam Mendes. Roger Deakins. Thomas Newman. All modern legends in their own right in the filmmaking industry. You would think their new film, yeah not any film, a Bond film, would blow you away, wouldn't you? Not today, not today. Skyfall was a film that had so much promise. So much. And yet, it took a step back following in the footsteps of Quantum of Solace. Skyfall follows Bond as he is to retrieve a drive that contains all agents hidden in terrorist organizations across the world. He can't find it and the chase pursues. It ends on a train, where M orders an agent to shoot a man Bond is fighting. She shoots, and hits Bond. The rest of the film follows M16 and M, limping out with out Bond, hoping to stay afloat. But things get worse and worse, and low and behold, Bond comes back to save the day, and does, with a story that well, isn't Bond...
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