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Megan Rochlin

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Megan is a senior studying English, Computer Science, and Portuguese at Cornell University. She loves watching horror films, even though she usually has to watch them through her fingers.

This is a really unique interpretation of Shakespeare's King Lear. The film opens by panning over a shot of a group of ragged people shuffling towards something unseen. From the opening shot, you know this is going to be a political film. The actor playing Lear does a great job of portraying Lear as fool from start to finish. Speaking of fools, this film has one of the most memorable interpretations of Lear's fool that I have seen. The film is well acted, well shot, and beautifully scored (courtesy of Dmitri Shostakovitch). This cynical - and deeply soviet - interpretation of King Lear is definitely worth a watch.
I imagine it must be really difficult to stage Merchant of Venice respectfully. If it is a comedy, then it is a deeply problematic and anti Semitic one. If it is a tragedy, then it is a strange one. Director's Chris Hunt and Trevor Nunn do an excellent job of staging Merchant of Venice so that the comedic story line is preserved without lessening the impact of Shylock's tragedy. I think the decision to set this production in pre-war Germany was really smart. In every scene WWII seems to be lurking just around the corner, and it looms over the film. Goodman delivers an astounding performance as Sylock, and the other actors, although not terribly memorable, do a commendable job with their parts. Overall one of the best - and most introspective - adaptations of Merchant there is.
I absolutely love this film. I don't understand why some are being so hard on this film. Sure, the premise is kind of silly and requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief. You could also say that some of the satire and character depth has been lost in the translation from book to film. For all it's flaws (and I don't think there are that many), however, this is just an awesome film. I can't think of many other action films that pack as much of an emotional punch while still packing so many actual punches. The action is both gritty and super stylishly choreographed, the stakes feel high, and the characters are likable. If you're a fan of the Hunger Games (well... you have bad taste), but you will love this movie.
I think if you're going to adapt Shakespeare, you have to have some new and interesting take. I just don't think changing some of Shakespeare's few female character's to male is a particularly groundbreaking adaptation. Lady Kaede, who is roughly analogous to Lear's Edmund character, is an interesting addition, and her actress does a commendable job but she just can't save this bloated film. The film is visually interesting, and I appreciated the brightly colored uniforms. I felt, however, that part of the reason the director had to have the different characters dress in distinctly different colors is that with no distinguishing features or unique personalities they would be impossible to tell apart. I read an interview with the director that said part of the decision to change Lear's daughters into sons was because Japanese audiences would not be able to imagine daughters inheriting property. I'm sorry, this is a fantasy film. You can't even imagine women inheriting property? Just yuck.
This film was the inspiration for Midsommar, and I think this film is just scary in a way that Midsommar just doesn't quite achieve. This film is just so weirdly upsetting (in a good way!). You might see the ending coming, but the way it unfolds will definitely shock you. And the final image of the film... probably one of the most memorable and unsettling endings ever.
I judge horror movies by how many times I have to pause the film to see how much of the film is left. I vividly remember pausing The Babadook to check how much more of the film was left, and being disappointing that I would have to survive another 20 minutes. The Babadook is genuinely chilling, and, unlike most horror films, it has heart.
If you are familiar with Taika Waitit's work, you will not be surprised by just how hilarious this film is. This movie is perfect. The characters are funny, and about as likable as a bunch of centuries old murderous vampires can be. Some of my favorite parts of the movie include the group not being able to get into any clubs because, as vampires, they have to be invited in. There's also a particularly funny line when one of the vampires explains why vampires prefer virgin blood, "If you were going to eat a sandwich, you'd just enjoy it more if you knew no one had f-----ed it"
Confession: I did not get this film. My French friends all liked the film so maybe it lost something in translation, however I thought it was just weird. The story seems to be grotesque for the sake of being grotesque. It's based on a best-selling book (which I admit I have not read), but if there is any magic in the book it has been lost on it's way to the screen.
When I first watched this movie in high school, my only takeaway was a lifelong crush on actor Gael Garcia Bernal. I recently re-watched this film again recently, and realized how stunningly beautiful and realistic this film is. It really captures the nature of the kind of relationship you can only have when your young; where your so incredibly close but also petty and yeah, really stupid. The movie is funny, and definitely deserves its sexy reputation, but its also incredibly thoughtful and heartbreaking. Also, my boy Gael Garcia Bernal is - and always will be - a snack.
Saoirse Ronan is, as always, excellent. The film as a whole is heartbreaking, and sweet, and delightful all at once.
Ok, this movie is technically extremely well done. The star of this film is whoever did the sound design. I actually rarely notice sound design in films, but it's just so well done here; the sound designed plays with the score and perspective in ways I have never seen before. But beneath all that technical excellence and stylish exterior is a rather bland action film that lacks substance.
My absolute FAVORITE studio Ghibli film. Honestly, everything about this story is perfect. It lacks the stakes of some of studio Ghibli's other films, but that is what makes it so good! It's about a young witch who delivers baked goods, what's not to love? Kiki's delivery service is a lovely coming of age film with just the right amount of magic.
You know why no one talks about Avatar anymore? Because it wasn't good! Strip away the visual effects and this is just a fairly derivative adaptation of Disney's Pocahontas with all the problematic colonial messaging intact.
This is one of my absolute favorite films of all time. it is so hard to adapt a book that is both as beloved, and as complex as the Lord of The Rings. Peter Jackson gives us a faithful adaptation that captured the spirit of the original books and introduced a whole new generation to The Lord of the Rings.
The film isn't exceptionally great or anything. For a film about Che Guevara it is notably apolitical and seems to have no clear consciousness of exactly what statement it wants to make. That being said, it is well acted and has some stunning cinematography. It's worth a watch if only for the beautiful scenery and even more beautiful Gael Garcia Bernal.
I was skeptical of this film. It's hard to justify yet another adaptation of Emma, when, as everyone knows, Clueless is the ultimate Emma adaptation. Can any film really hope to reach the comedic heights achieved with the famous, "You're just a virgin who can't drive" line? I'll admit - I liked this film more than I thought I would. The sets were gorgeous, it was funny, and there was good chemistry between the lead actors. The relatively unknown Anya Taylor-Joy was surprisingly delightful in the role of Emma, and I liked Johnny Flynn (of little loved British series Scrotal Recall) as well. I just don't think this film was good enough to justify it's making. Clueless was - and always will be - the ultimate Emma adaptation. This production, although lovely, is just another imitation with little new to say.
A really wonderful film about late Brazilian Singer Cazuza. Biopics about famous stars are rarely particularly original, and this film is no exception. Regardless, Cazuza - O tempo nao Para, offers a respectful and heartfelt take on Cazuza's rise to fame and final years before his death from HIV.
I have never so vehemently disagreed with critics about a film. I absolutely love this movie. I'll admit, I cannot view this film impartially. If you grew up in 90's or early 2000's, you probably remember reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. You might have come across it at the back of your school library, innocuously tucked next to magic tree house. When you read it, it felt like you were getting away with something, like it wasn't quite appropriate for a child's eyes. I remember not sleeping well for weeks after my sister showed my some of the pictures. I had high expectations going into this film, and this film only succeeded them. It is hilarious, while still being scary, and has some of the most likable horror movie characters ever. If you read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark as a kid, and remember being absolutely terrified by the drawings, this is a must see movie!
This film is unfairly maligned. Past adaptations of Gatsby have failed precisely because they tried to be too reserved and respectful and as a result produced dull, lifeless adaptations. Baz Luhrman tries to infuse his movie with the same lurid energy of the book. Yes, this film is over the top and no, it did not need to be in 3D. But in making this film so extra, I think it has really captured the spirit of the book.
I disagree with those criticizing the age different between the leads. Although perhaps unsettling to American audiences, critics miss the fact that age gaps like the one in the film are much more common in European countries. That being said, although Timothee Chalamet and Armi Hammer both give understated and engaging performances, they seem to lack romantic chemistry. The cinematography and set design is beautiful, and it's overall a really well made and affecting film, but the lack of romantic chemistry between the leads keeps this film from taking its place among the best onscreen romances.
I am a sucker (pun intended) for all things vampire, but being human is an especially excellent addition to the vampire genre. This show includes nothing particularly ground breaking, but the excellent cast makes for a great drama and this is one of the only shows i can think of that doesn’t give it’s main characters a pass for their (sometimes murderous) behavior.