Film frenzy

Lately, I have been escaping into films. Though this is not uncommon for me, it was how I chose to spend my free time, visiting the Hippodrome weekly in Gainesville, before moving up here to North Carolina. However, after relocating and sadly finding there was no art house or local theatre playing foreign and or non-mainstream films, I turned my attentions elsewhere when free of work and class obligations.

Recently, even though I have not had the luxury of free time, I have been escaping to the theatre on campus that shows two movies changing them each week. Generally, the films include one blockbuster and one less mainstream. This is where I saw the film 'Junebug' that I reviewed on the movie blog I contribute to, which is listed under my blogworthiness links. Even if it was not a movie I had been wanting to see but was unable to afford a tix at the local cash only, no student discount theatre here in town, it is a nice break that I would otherwise waste on non-efficient activities.

The recent films have been well chosen; I must give props to whomever is picking them out. The film 'Junebug' was thought provoking. It was very well done. I had not seen anything the director had done before but I was impressed with his representation of the story. It was an interesting storyline as well and the acting was well performed. Though it seemed so simple, it was a very intricate lending to a variety of unspoken topics and perspectives that could be expanded upon.

This past weekend, 'Stay' was showing at the theatre, in addition to the blockbuster 'Saw II'. I saw 'Saw' and thought it was good, plot wise, but too gory and the director did not expand represent it as well as it could have been shown. Needless to say, I was not interested in seeing 'Saw II,' but decided to check out 'Stay'. After looking it up on IMDB, I was excited to see that Ryan Gosling was in it. I have only seen him in 'The United States of Leland,' which was a good film; so good that I had to buy it. I enjoyed his acting in that film and was interested to see how well of an actor he was and have been looking to see him in something new. Additionally, Ewan McGregor, who I first saw in 'Moulin Rouge' and have enjoyed his later performances, including the young Ed Blum in 'Big Fish,' is also in the film. Naomi Watts is also in the film, but she seems to play similar characters or she seems to play her characters similarly, in my opinion; however, I have not been following her career.

Getting back to the movie 'Stay'; my overall opinion was that it was good. I would give it a 4 out of 5. The film was well acted, the cinematography was good with some interesting shots, and the story was interesting.. leaving one something to ponder as they left the theatre; however, there seemed to be something missing... something more that didn't have to be there but could have been. What is it that I am speaking of? I'm not sure at the moment, I'm still trying to figure it out. The film was well done and effective, but I guess the message it was trying to get across didn't seem as heavy or significant as it could of been. I did feel the film tried something new and was not a trite story or reliance of one, which always a pleasure.

I would not say it is a must see, but it is an enjoyable watch. Something nice to watch to get one's mind thinking about something different for a change.