38th Cleveland International Film Fesitval

CIFF38: March 19-30, 2014

            As I write down the memories of my very first film festival, I admit I am a bit distracted by Daniel Day-Lewis' performance as Abraham Lincoln playing in the background of my apartment. Every single great film, including the one you quote on a daily basis, started with a single idea inside a creative mind. Sometimes these ideas never get past the dreamer's thoughts, but, for those who have a little more drive, that idea appears onscreen and tells a story that captures the attention of even the most random of audience members. Lincoln may be a biography, nevertheless, the vision of making the life of one of America's most revered figures into a film sat in Mr. Spielberg's head at one point. Everything that is great once had to become great.

            Movies are a part of life and I have made them a big part of mine. What better way to celebrate this passion than attending a film festival? Every year, usually in March, Cleveland is home to an International Film Festival that welcomes films from all over the world, most of which have to be accompanied by subtitles. I finally was able to attend it this year and better yet, with my father, Dale.

            After making the RTA trip to Tower City, we found our way to to the cinema. All you have to do is just take the escalator down to the bottom level and hang a left past the food court, you'll see the signs, don't worry. Anyway, we were lucky enough to see two films that afternoon. A Russian drama entitled The Major and an Irish documentary, Here Was Cuba. At the end of the festival, there are awards given out for various categories decided by a panel of judges but the top prize, The Roxanne T. Miller Audience Choice Award For Best Film, is decided by--you guessed it--the audience. How it works is, before each film, you are given a card with the film name, on each of the four corners there are the words EXCELLENT (4 Stars), GOOD (3 Stars), FAIR (2 Stars), and POOR (1 Star). After the movie is over you are to tear off the corner that indicates how you rate the film then place the card in a box held by one of the volunteers. The highest number of praises are calculated from there. Everyone's a critic, right?

            Since this blog revolves around film reviews, why not have a little fun:

            The Major is a Russian drama about crooked cops. A man is speeding through his gears down the street to greet his wife in labor. A young boy runs into the street and is brutally killed by the frantic driver. the only witness: the boy's mother. The driver is the major of the Russian police and, with a lot of help from his friends at the station, gets himself involved in a gripping and mind-boggling journey to cover his crime as well as his reputation. Despite being a touch slow during its 99 minutes, the action is heavy and unforgiving as we are taken into the way cops run things in Russia. Corner Ripped: GOOD (3 Stars)

            Here Was Cuba tells a story that is very familiar to many Americans. From the minds of Irish documentarians, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a point in America's, as well as the world's, history that could have ended a lot different. So different that I would not be able to type this right now. For a 22 year old kid like myself, a film like this is just what I need to see to fully appreciate the turmoil our country was in not too long ago. The tagline for this film is "A Cautionary Tale" and serves very well as so. Equipped with audio recordings inside JFK's Oval Office discussing these pressing matters with much worry and anticipation. Interviews included the likes of Kennedy's chief speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, and the son of Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid. The chilling music that is paired with the dialogues and interviews sucks you in as a viewer and re-creates this very worrisome time. There is no speculation or rumors about it, life on Earth almost ceased to exist in October 1962. Let's pray we can learn from our past. Corner Ripped: EXCELLENT (4 Stars)

             "Awesome! We're doing this again next year." Actual quote from my dad as we made our way back to the Rapid. Find Your Story at The Cleveland International Film Festival!

Muppets: Most Wanted

It Ain't Easy Being Green

            When I was 10 years old, I remember walking through the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and seeing all the glamorous and historical icons of pop culture. Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, Fonzie's Leather Jacket, Michael Jordan's Bulls Jersey, and so much more evidence of Hollywood's footprint on society. Apart from everything else on display, there was one window in the corner by itself that seemed rather dimly lit so I wandered over and was met with a familiar face staring back that sticks in my mind clearer than all the other artifacts. Jim Henson's original Kermit The Frog puppet was now an off-green and very worn down. I imagine being controlled by a human arm can sure take a lot out of you. Nevertheless, he sits, silently, in the Smithsonian for a reason, and that reason is why we continue to love and never forget the things Kermy and his friends have taught us since childhood: Life's better surrounded with the ones you love and love you back.

            And now there's a sequel!

            The Frog. The Pig. The Bear. The Animal. The Weird Blue Thing With The Hook Nose<Gonzo>. They're locked, loaded, and ready for a good time so I hope you are too. These are The Muppets and now they are on a world tour with their show! They have a new manager (Ricky Gervais, Night at the Museum) that might have a different agenda for this mega road trip than originally planned. Gervais plays Dominic Badguy (that's "bad-jee") who is teamed up with Kermit's Russian doppelganger, Constantine, the Number 1 most wanted criminal on Earth. Kind of a bummer for someone who looks like you. Together, the East-European wannabe frog and Badguy are in pursuit of the Crown Jewels and they know a few puppets that can lead them right to it. This international journey might be the most fun you'll have so far in 2014 and there are a few surprises along the way!

            One of the signature elements that The Muppets have brought to television is their interraction with pretty much name on the Who's Who list. The number of celebrity cameos in James Bobin's film is expected but still appreciated every time you turn the corner. "Oh look it's [insert A-lister here]!" is an example something you'll be saying to yourself at least 37 times in the 112 minutes of its duration.

            Besides the one-liner cameos, the three homo sapiens that atop the cast list are Ricky Gervais (as mentioned), Tina Fey, and Ty Burrell (that guy from Modern Family that's not Ed O'Neill). Separately but equally, they add a comedic charm that mixes perfectly with the humor and excitement that comes with the Muppets. This won't be up for Best Picture in next year's Oscars but you can still count on old friends like these to deliver any time of the day. After all, "Time's fun when you're havin' flies!" Right? GRADE: 7.9/10

The 86th Academy Awards

             One of the best nights of the year in my opinion. The magic of the Oscars is something that no other award show can rival. This tradition is one that has morphed over the past 86 years into the most famous and coveted of honors.

             Part of the fun is making your own ballot which I have done every year in recent memory, this year included. I hope you enjoy my predictions and fill out your own printable ballot in anticipation for what awaits inside the envelopes later on tonight. Without further ado.... Shall we?

Best Picture
Will Win: 12 Years A Slave
Close Second: Gravity

Best Director
Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Close Second: David O. Russell, American Hustle

Best Actor
Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Close Second: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actress
Will Win: Amy Adams, American Hustle
Close Second: Sandra Bullock, Gravity

Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years A Slave
Close Second: Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Close Second: Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years A Slave

            Every year there are certain commendable performances that are believed to have been overlooked by the Academy altogether. Here are my top SNUBS of 2014:

Tom Hanks: Best Actor, Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks: Best Actor, Saving Mr. Banks

Joaquin Phoenix: Best Actor, Her

Emma Thompson: Best Actress, Saving Mr. Banks

James Franco: Best Supporting Actor, Spring Breakers

Blackfish: Best Documentary

Sit back and relax, The Academy Awards never fail to light up the night!