See It Because I Said So

Dorian Gray

2009, R Rating 112 minutes


Cast: Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin, Rebecca Hall, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Caroline Goodall, Emilia Fox, Douglas Henshall,Fiona Shaw, Maryam d'Abo

Director: Oliver Parker

Geres: Drama, Supernatural Thrillers, Dramas Based on Classic Literature, Period Pieces


This movie is based on the book “The Picture of Dorian Gray” written by Oscar Wilde. Dorian Gray (Ben Barnes), heir to a family fortune, is introduced to a life of hedonist debauchery by envious frenemy Lord Wotten (Colin Firth) who succeeds in corrupting and freeing this philosophical protegee from his perceived existence of mundane conforming. Wotten gave so much more meaning to the verse “Do it till your satisfied” than B.T Express aimed to emphasize.

Wotten’s manipulation began by captivating Dorian with his own image in a self portrait created by commissioned painter, Basil Hallward (Ben Chaplin), who is Wotten’s acquaintance and later becomes Dorian’s close friend. Although Basil cares deeply for Dorain and has heavy reservations regarding Wotten’s influence, he indulges limited amounts of pleasure being a devotee to such a rich, becoming young man and fails to redirect his fate.

The music and costumes in this movie is consistent with the Victorian era and allows you to enjoy a visual trip to a time when the extremely wealthy struggled to maintain a facade of chasteness and civility in every public arena. The acting was a bit blase which made it difficult for me to connect with any of the characters. What kept me interested? I was drawn to learn more about the immortal Dorain Gray character portrayed in Stephen Norrington’s film adaptation of the cult comic series, “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”. Mysterious, alluring, discerning men with a secret always draw me in. I guess it’s because I watched too many 007 and Dracula movies in my early childhood.

If you are a fan of supernatural fiction, I would recommend checking this one out if you have some sleepless nights to occupy. If you are not, this film is a sufficient anecdote besides counting sheep.

See It Because I Said So

JUST B-CAUSE YOU HAVE FREE TIME ON YOUR HANDS

The pleasure of taking in a B-film in this day in age, leaves the B-film aficionado that has 90 minutes in their lives never expecting to get the most out of the movie or to get those minutes back, feeling less guilty. Today, B movies have grown past their double feature intention of the pre-1950's to the self sustaining main feature that is guaranteed to entertain the young, curious, old, and the bored.

These films serve the same purpose for it's audience as it did the production companies; to fill the time between the availability of major films. They are always available and worth the time and money put into them because they give you an opportunity to explore the depths of hell or the vastness of space without making you bend your thoughts around the profoundness of the plot or the skill level of the actors.

Over time, the line between determining what films would fit the B genre has been considerably clouded by the increasing fiscal demand of the film making market, increasing and eliminating the authentic low budget nature of B films. Producing a film with a higher budget allowed B-film makers to create a higher quality film which in turn eliminated the most significant criteria of a B film. Today, films like "Scream", created with a multi-million dollar budget and grossing millions in revenues, has further ushered this genre of film into A list territory. The campiness of this films antagonist and long list of lesser known actors met and sustained the criteria of a B film although it impacted a greater audience bringing in A-list millions.

This change in standards has created a more enjoyable waste of time leaving the viewer satisfied with their money spent.

See It Because I Said So

GOSSIP

2000, R Rating, 90 minutes


Cast:James Marsden, Kate Hudson, Lena Headey, Joshua Jackson, Sharon Lawrence, Marisa Coughlan

Director: Davis Guggenheim
Genres: Thrillers,
Psychological Thrillers, Mystery, Suspense,



At first, allow me digress. Now of course for this movie I may be a bit late but for these blog posts, I will review old and new movies and sometimes episodes or series that are on television or the internet. My critiques/reviews will seldom include plot spoilers of any kind and if I choose to divulge crucial plot information, it will most likely be in the comment threads. If I divulge in the blog entry, it will be because I want to identify a specific subject that I just cannot hold back on.

Well although there are many that frown on the concept of gossiping especially in personal circles, places of business and social cliques, this film gives a perspective of how gossip dictates a large percentage of our society and displays a convoluted scenario that I am crazy enough to assume someone may have actually experienced. Come to think of if, now that I have seen this movie, I wonder if there is a percentage of "I didn't do it" inmates that are gossip victims.

The films primary setting is a loft that deserves the envy of those who wish they lived in it, houses three college roommates, Derrick Webb (James Marsden), Cathy Jones (Lena Headey), and Travis (Norman Reedus). Derrick, the lead male, leads a lifestyle that I could only revel in a hacked version of my "The Sims" game. The opulence of his life leaves him a young, rich, generous, intelligent, jaded cynic who keeps his two selected roommates indulging in his carefree, careless lifestyle.

These roommates also share a common Communications class which after a lecture on gossip, they chose to combine efforts to deliver a final project on the topic of gossip and the effect it has on it’s subjects by starting a rumor and tracking the results.

The delivery of the subject of gossip has me thinking twice about sharing anything with anyone without expecting it to stay just between us. The very nature of gossip beginning with the initial recipient of confidence, makes me recognize that nothing should be repeated if you do not expect it to be shared. It’s like now I have to just take it in the chin and know that whoever I share something with, that information is not immune from the “Six Degrees” theory. If I share information, my intention is only to get the perspective of someone I trust with information that was given to me from someone who trusted me. So it really boils down to identifying those you trust and who they trust and if you can trust them. Forgive me for this one, remember I did say that the scenario is convoluted.

The actors did an awesome job and the writers get my bravo on putting together a script that will capture its target audiences interest. It’s decadent and intese delivery can be appreciated by the Shaynenay’s & Treyshawns to the Constnace’s & Trevor’s. “Gossip” shows that those who choose to engage in it should perhaps give the six degrees web an acute analysis before deciding to get tangled in it. It also draws attention to the premise that rumors have an intention and if a disastrous reaction occurs, it's likely giving great pleasure to at least one person included in it. So if that floats your boat, this movie is a great tool to apease your guilty pleasure. If it doesn't, stick around, there's something in this movie for you too.

See It Because I Said So - Film Critiques & Reviews

After waking up from the sound of someone rifiling through my closet, I figured that I would take this time policing my room by adding a new film critique and review segment to my blog tagged and titled "See It, Because I Said So".

This addition comes from the many nights I spend dousing my insomnia with movies on Netflix's, Amazon On Demand, Apple TV, or the many many streams of visual companionship I can find on my Roku box. When searching for movies, I often rely on the comments and critiques of other users to determine if I would enjoy my wasted sleeping hours. Most times I would agree with the top comment poster and sometimes share my opinion because I just need to share my thoughts with someone at 4am and waking my hunny is not an option.

For those who know me personally, they know that I LOVE MOVIES, especially ones that leave me delightfully paranoid and ready to take down zombies in a crisis situation. I do not discriminate when it comes to critiquing movies, many times I have blown the mood for my husbands choice of adult films with scathing in-depth reviews that render the very nature of some of those films pointless.

Now of course I don't expect everyone to appreciate my take on a movie, so every comment will be appreciated and if you want my opinion on a movie you've seen, send your recommendation to SEE.IT.BECAUSE.I.SAID.SO@GMAIL.COM.