Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Contributed by Jess:
A golden olden, by – appropriately named – Arthur Golden. The film adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha was first released in late 2005, based on Golden’s best-selling novel of the same title. Unlike many novel-based films, this one certainly does the book justice. With the superb direction from Rob Marshall, the film takes place in Japan and centres on the life of a girl named Chiyo, whose poor family sells her to a geisha house (okiya) in Gion. Her sister, Satsu, is less fortunate, and, not being beautiful enough to have a promising future as a geisha, is forced into a life of prostitution as a mere teenager. Chiyo first enters the okiya as a pre-pubescent girl, and thus has to work as a servant until she comes of age. With her unusual yet beautiful ‘water-like’ eyes, the women who run the okiya are certain that Chiyo will become a successful geisha, and will offer her the adequate training on the condition that she works hard and behaves well while under their care. The leading geisha at the okiya, however, takes an intense disliking towards Chiyo, manipulating her and abusing her ruthlessly, which prompts Chiyo to run away from the okiya. Her attempt is unsuccessful, and as a result she is condemned to life as a servant. Is Chiyo able to escape this sentence? Does she reunite with her family? Does she find the love that she seeks so desperately? Well, I hardly think I’m going to spoil it all and tell you the ending – go find out for yourselves! You won’t regret it; I give Memoirs of a Geisha 4 stars.

Precious (2009)

If you're looking for "uplifting", then "Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire" might not be the film for you. However, the film is still powerful, and brings to light the abuse of poor youth in the U.S. Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is an illiterate, overweight teen living in Harlem, who suffers physical, sexual, and mental abuse by her mother and late father, who impregnated Precious twice. When Precious becomes inspired by her teacher and new friends at an alternative school, Precious realizes she's worth more than what her mother tells her she is. With the help of a social worker (played by Mariah Carey sans make-up), Precious seeks to find happiness outside of her abusive home. The true stand out of the film is comedienne Mo'Nique, who defies her typecast playing Precious's terrifying abusive mother, and her performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film won't become a classic by any means, but any film that attempts to shed light on human abuses can be worth a watch. 5 out of 10 stars.

Tree of Life (2011)

Defining "Tree of Life" is quite a challenge. For neutrality's sake, we'll call it "experimental". Summarizing it is even more of a challenge. The simplest storyline of the film is that of Jack O'Brien's (Sean Penn) life, traveling between his somewhat troubled youth and his current life as an architect. As a young boy, he is raised by his parents, played by Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain. Mr. O'Brien is a strict, rough father, who believes his tough parenting will help his boys succeed. Mrs. O'Brien is far kinder, and clearly the favorite of her three sons. In between this storyline, we are taken through apparently the creation of the planet, which is somehow supposed to tie in with Jack O'Brien's life. While Terrence Malick's film is visually beautiful, there doesn't seem to be much coherence to the storyline, and not knowing what to take away from a film is quite frustrating. If someone else can riddle out the meaning of "Tree of Life", let me know. 3 out of 10 stars.

Monster (2003)

Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci star in the crime drama "Monster", the story of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute turned serial killer who killed six men and was later executed in Florida. Theron stars as Wuornos, and Ricci as Selby Wall, Wuornos's friend/girlfriend. Aileen decides to quit prostitution and find a proper job, only to find that her lack of education, people skills, and good looks keep her from finding anything. She returns to prostitution to keep Selby and herself from starving. When one customer attempts to rape her, she murders him, and takes all his money, thus beginning her murder spree. While "Monster" wasn't the most uplifting film of the year, it was remarkable for how it was able to give the audience an understanding of Aileen's psyche. Having been mistreated and abused in younger years, she became more and more cynical of the world, and particularly of men (which is where her attraction to Selby develops). Feelings of sympathy towards a serial killer don't come often, but the film manages to invoke them. Above all, Theron gives arguably one of the most astounding performances of modern cinema, and she was award the Academy Award for Best Actress. Turning a beautiful leading lady into a decidedly unattractive murderer isn't always a safe gamble, but the results are astounding in this case. 6 out of 10 stars.

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo star in "Hotel Rwanda", a film chronicling the tragedies of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, which claimed approximately 800,000 lives. Tensions between Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups lead to war, and corruption and bribery become key to survival. When hotel manager Paul (Cheadle) and his wife Tatiana (Okonedo) witness the murder of several of their Tutsi neighbors, he takes his family and neighbors to the safety of his hotel. Soon, other refugees arrive at the hotel, and Paul takes them in, despite the dangers involved. He bravely attempts to protect both his family and others, despite being deserted by the U.N. Peacekeeping forces. Appropriately referred to as an African "Schindler's List", the film is both powerful and painful, and is a wonderful example of cinema's ability to inform an unaware public of the atrocities that nations and people often face. The suspense of the film helps propel the storyline and Cheadle and Okonedo are astounding in their career-defining roles. The film was justly nominated for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Screenplay. Much like "Schindler's List", it's a film that everyone should watch at least once. 7 out of 10 stars.

Spotlight On... March 2012

March 2012: Jennifer Lawrence

Spotlight On: Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence first came to prominence when "Winter's Bone" won Best Picture at the Sundance Film Festival. Her performance as Ree Dolly earned her numerous award nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, and at 20, Lawrence became the second youngest actress ever to receive a nomination, with Keisha Castle-Hughes being the youngest at 13. Following this, she starred as Mystique in X-Men: First Class in 2011. This month, she'll become a household name with her performance as Katniss Everdeen in the film adaptation of "The Hunger Games".

Spotlight On... February 2012

February 2012: Jessica Chastain

Spotlight On: Jessica Chastain

Perhaps the biggest breakout star of 2011, Jessica Chastain starred in 6 films, including 'The Debt', 'Tree of Life', and 'The Help', the latter two both garnering Oscar nominations for Best Picture. For her role as Celia Foote in 'The Help', Chastain received her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Being one of the biggest hits of the year, 'The Help' has helped launched her career as a major movie star, and she's definitely the star to watch in 2012, even if she doesn't take home Oscar gold.

Spotlight On... January 2012

January 2012: Meryl Streep

Spotlight On: Meryl Streep

One of the most revered actors in Hollywood, Meryl Streep holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any actor, with 17. She has won twice, once for Best Supporting Actress in "Kramer vs. Kramer", and once for Best Actress for "Sophie's Choice". This year, she stars in 'The Iron Lady', a biopic about Margaret Thatcher, Britain's only female Prime Minister. Already having become one of the most talented and hard-working actresses in Hollywood, Streep has outdone herself in her transformation into Thatcher. Expect a tight race to the finish between Streep and Viola Davis this year.

My Week with Marilyn

In a much-buzzed about portrayal of Hollywood’s most famous sex symbol, Michelle Williams shines stepping into the shoes of Marilyn Monroe. Set during the filming of “The Prince and the Showgirl”, the film follows the story of Colin (Eddie Redmayne), a young Brit looking for a life working in the movies. He befriends Monroe, and a romance ensues (during her marriage to Arthur Miller no less). Monroe struggles with her lines on the set, much to the frustration of the cast and crew (including Laurence Olivier, played by Kenneth Branagh). As the romance continues Colin chooses to ignore the advice of others that she will only break his heart in the end. The film offers a fascinating look into the off-camera life that Monroe suffered through, and Williams has undoubtedly captured the spirit of Monroe, despite a lack of resemblance between the two. Despite the material, the film drags a bit and doesn’t exactly offer a happy ending (though we knew that going in, didn’t we?). The film also stars Judi Dench and Emma Watson. Williams won the Golden Globe for Best Actress- Comedy, and has received her third Oscar nomination for the role. The film also garnered an Oscar nomination for Branagh. 6 out of 10 stars.

J. Edgar

If nothing else, ‘J. Edgar’ serves as a wonderful history lesson, bringing the audience through several decades of the 20^th Century, and bringing us into the world of J. Edgar Hoover and his days as the head of the FBI. This exceptional biopic travels back and forth between Hoover’s work, and his private life. Raised by a mother with some seriously intense standards (Judi Dench), Edgar learns to be a hard worker and suppress his inner desires. His work brought him both acclaim and criticism, but his creation of the centralized fingerprint file helped solidify him as one of the most respected names in government law enforcement. Though the film follows several events, including the missing Lindbergh baby and the days of the gangsters and public enemies, we are also introduced to Clyde Tolson played by Arnie Hammer, who works for Edgar and the two form a lifelong bond that neither ever mention, nor do they need to. With incredible aging makeup, a well-written script, two exceptionally talented actors, and the direction of Clint Eastwood, the film truly emerges as one of the year’s best. 7 out of 10 stars.

On Golden Pond (1981)

Two of Hollywood’s great Golden Age actors won the Academy Awards for Best Actor and Actress for their touching portrayals of an elderly couple struggling to cope with their slower bodies, and in the case of Norman (Henry Fonda), a slower mind. Ethel (Katharine Hepburn) does her best to keep her husband happy, and displays a saint-like patience when it comes to his frustrations with aging. When the two head to Golden Pond for a summer trip, they are visited by their daughter Chelsea (Jane Fonda), along with her fiancé and his son. Norman must come to terms with his age when Chelsea asks him and Ethel to take in her fiancé’s son Billy while she and her fiancé travel to Europe. Through spending time with Billy, Norman learns to enjoy life again and finds the desire to improve his relationship with his distant daughter. The film wouldn’t have been as poignant and beautiful without the charm of Katharine Hepburn, or the real-life father-daughter relationship of Henry and Jane Fonda. This one will leave you feeling more hopeful about life, and less terrified about the inevitability of age. 8 out of 10 stars.

The Iron Lady

With a character as well known as Margaret Thatcher, casting a non-British actress would seem out of the question, unless of course you cast Meryl Streep. ‘The Iron Lady’ is driven solely by the powerhouse performance from one of the greatest living actresses. The film travels a bit arbitrarily through the life of Great Britain’s only female Prime Minister, from early days of being elected to Parliament to her older years when Thatcher began showing signs of dementia. Streep faced the challenge of portraying Thatcher before she adopted her commanding voice, as well as playing Thatcher while she suffered from dementia, often having conversations with her dead husband (played by Jim Broadbent in a bit of a lackluster portrayal.). The film is surprisingly intense, with several bombings and war-related situations that leave you wondering how Thatcher could have possibly handled it all. For the sake of brevity, I will simply say that Streep has completely outdone herself. Already winning the Golden Globe for Best Actress- Drama, Streep is also up for her record 17^th Oscar nomination. 8 out of 10 stars.