Five Movies That Defined Me

We all have our favorite movies - and it's extremely hard to rank them. So, I'm simply just going to list five movies, in no particular order, that define me, inspired me, and shed light to my inner creativity and soul.

1. Halloween (1978)
It's not the dark itself that scares me, it's what's in the dark that terrifies me. Halloween is one of those movie that is iconic in it's own right but holds a special place in my heart. This movie made me love the adrenaline of being scared - horror movies really get you to react. You don't watch a comedy and yell at the screen "DO SOMETHING FUNNY!!"...you tell the stupid bitch lurking around in the dark to get the hell out of there! Michael Myers is a menacing villain who isn't funny like Freddy or gargantuan like Jason - he's a human being which is more terrifying than any Hollywood monster.

2. The Breakfast Club (1985)
Every high school has their cliques. The jock, the princess, the basketcase, the geek, and the criminal. Which one did you fall into? John Hughes is the master of teen movies and without him, we wouldn't have the teen films we have today. This movie helped define me because I was just a wallflower in high school. I didn't really fit in anywhere, sure I had friends and all that, but in an ironic way - The Breakfast Club defined me to be undefined. Not having a clique to fall back on, to just be my own person, but have fun at the same time. In other words, I was the kid in the back row making fun of everyone while they were making fun of others. I was kind of a reverse bully, if you will.

3. Almost Famous (2000)
A lighthearted movie that changed my outlook on life. Without this movie, I wouldn't have the music taste I have today or the self-awareness I have today. The lesson learned from that movie is to not befriend people who are going to use you so that they can move forward. And while the movie is packed with awesome music, GREAT performances, and an epic plot - the lesson of that movie was far more stronger and that helped me know who I am and what kind of people I should avoid. And the rest is history :)

4. Walk the Line (2005)
Johnny Cash was a great man who made great music - and his story helped me define my life. I really wanted to change my life once high school let out and this movie made my path clear. His life was hard but he knew how to make his life worthwhile and go after the things you desire and love. It showed me what I really need to aim for and not dwell on the past or hold grudges - just move forward and you'll be okay :)

5. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Fast cars, a bad attitude, and breaking the rules aren't exactly the first things you think of when you think of me - but this movie is so much deeper than what it's initially known for. The movie has tremendous heart and a charm that has lasted more than fifty years. And while this is a new addition to my favorite movies, it helped me shed new light on my life. And while some people may think that my James Dean obsession will be short-lived, I beg to differ. Sure it's new, I will admit that, but I haven't felt more rejuvenated and refreshed in my life since reading about his life and discovering his movies. He was one of those people who lived life to the fullest and didn't let stupid things get to him. And I'm thinking, I let stupid things get to me and I really don't live my life to the fullest. So I thank you Mr. James Dean for being my inspiration on changing my life for the good. :)

Rebel Without a Cause

So, before I get started I wanted to apologize for being a LAME BLOGGER. I truly apologize to those who are out there reading this somewhere - but I promise, I will start getting back to movie reviews which I was I am writing about today :)

So lately, I have been getting tired of the modern media. Everyone is just copying each other and I feel that films today (not all, but some) are taking a step backward rather than forward. But in some cases you do have to take a step backward to reach something that is ahead of you - and that is what I did. Going back to a time where soda shops were the place to be and not wearing a leather jacket made you beyond uncool.

Rebel Without a Cause is not only a great film from the 50's, it's reached iconic status. Thanks to the late, but great James Dean. I am in absolute love with this guy and he's been dead for over fifty years. I thought this was just going to be a little kick I would be on but it's become somewhat of an obsession. Not a bad one though at that. He's one of those few actors that you can't pry your eyes from - male or female. And once you sit down to watch this movie, you're in for a good treat. However, modern audiences may find this movie a little odd (and I did, too at first) but you get sucked right in. They don't make movies like they used to. And this film is a good example on why you need to go back and rediscover the classics.

Before Juno, Mean Girls, and the John Hughes movies, RWaC was the definitive teen film. For the first time, teen elements were brought into cinema and left an indelible mark on society. The story is rather simple - Jim Stark (Dean) is new in town. He's rebellious, insecure, and adorable and just looking for the right group of friends. Sounds rather cliche and even boring - but this was groundbreaking in 1955. It even introduced one of the first sympathetic gay characters which was unheard of during this time.

Whether you like him or not (and I want to meet this person who doesn't) James Dean is an icon. He only made three movies before he died and he is still referenced to this day. I would say that's pretty remarkable. It makes me sad that he died so young, but he will always be 24 - forever young. If you come across one of those nights where you are in dire need of a classic movie to break away from the mainstream, I highly recommend this one. You won't be disappointed!

Summertime Blues

So, the summer is coming to a much needed end. There were high points of course, but this isn't summer for the record books. But like every summer, I did compile a short (but sweet) list of songs that not only made the summer, but presented itself as a crucial life lesson for each aspect of the summer. Some good, some bad, but most importantly, life-enticing.

"Sins of My Youth" - Neon Trees {Lost Innocence}
We're all guilty of it. Some of us aren't innocent as we seem. This summer amplified this aspect of "innocence lost". Sure, this summer wasn't exactly "party-filled" but definitely an eye opening one in a sense of being a smoking gun. Though I didn't necessarily travel anywhere, I did have fun just sitting around having a good time. What's wrong with that? Not a damn thing.

"Ours" - The Bravery {Fear of the Future}
Have you ever just wanted to be frozen in a moment you don't want to escape? How one night can be so unbelievably awesome that you want to stop the clocks from turning? The time from summer to fall is an emotional time. Whether you're sad to see friends go or happy that you're actually doing something with your life. There were nights I didn't want to end - just to be in that moment forever. But, we can't stop time and must come to accept that things move on with every breath we take. However, the memory remains fresh in my mind - this time is ours.

"I Was a Teenage Anarchist" - Against Me! {Being Young}
Do you remember when you were young and you wanted to set the world on fire? I had the privilege of becoming friends with a group of people who preserved my youthful persona. While being a few years younger than me, that wasn't an issue at all. I'm getting older and it's getting harder to play with that little kid still buried inside - but having friends that rightfully so held that youthfulness inside, made it easier to breathe.

"Teenage Dream" - Katy Perry {Summer Romance}
I, myself, wasn't involved in a summer romance this year but had a chance to witness a few blossom over the summer months. Having that one person give you butterflies just by thinking of them is an exhilarating feeling and having someone there is a relief. Sadly, that disappears over time. Summer, on the surface, seems like the perfect time to start a relationship, and while some flourish passed August, most of the time, the butterfly wings dissipate. I picture it this way - summer romances are a, ahem, *teenage dream*...however, we must awake from that dream and come to face reality.

"Dog Days Are Over" - Florence + the Machine {Autumn Approaches}
As August winds down and school begins to start, we must come to conclusion that summer is over. A happy feeling? Yes. A sad feeling? Of course. No one really wants summer to end...deep inside. As for me, I'm relatively optimistic and want to see what Autumn has in store. This summer may have been lackluster, sure, but it definitely taught me a few things - that its okay to just have fun, that you can stay preserved in a memory long after it happened, that remaining young at heart isn't a bad thing, that summer romances are great for in the moment and not so great once September rolls around, and that with each new season, we're always prepared.

What's Your Favorite Scary Movie?

I was eight years old when I watched my first slasher movie. This was a time where the slasher genre was dead and nearly buried. But take a smart screenwriter and a legendary horror director, add some comedy, and a fresh cast and you have Scream. I remember it was almost night time when my mom, my sister, and I popped this good old tape into the VCR (ah, nostalgia) and was uncertain about what kind of movie we would be watching. Keep in mind I was eight and my sister was FIVE. I don't know what my mom was thinking but it may have been the smartest thing she's done - with us, anyway ;). As we all know, the opening sequence with Drew Barrymore is classic and hasn't been touched as far as slasher movies go. I was left on the edge of my seat - not particularly scared, but enthralled. This movie rocked my world and was ready to see what other horror movies were out there. I recently watched this movie, now being able to recite the dialog, and it still has the same effect on me.

About a year or so later, USA was broadcasting Halloween. And I was lucky enough to watch that around Halloween time - come to think of it, it may have been trick or treating night - making it more appropriate. However, unlike Scream, Halloween scared the beejeezus out of me. The presence of Michael Myers made me uneasy and felt he was lurking in the shadows outside of my own house. What a great feeling! Halloween has been a staple in my top favorite movies of all time and I don't see it falling out of that list - it's not just a movie, it's an institution. For me, anyway. Many sequels have followed but none have captured the essence of the first film. But I am a huge nerd when it comes to the franchise, knowing even the tiniest of details and family lineage of the Myers' family. What can I say? We all have our little obsessions, don't we?

The 90's faded away giving us slasher films like Scream 2, Halloween: H20, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Urban Legend. All movies I adore in different ways. Scream 2 and IKWYDLS remind me of my obsession with Sarah Michelle Gellar (also, IKWYDLS captures the summertime as a kid), Urban Legend came around the time when slasher movies were being made just because Scream made it popular again as well as H20. These films have a special place in my heart and horror movies today just don't capture that feeling. I guess that's why they call it nostalgia.

As far as horror films go today, I'm somewhat disappointed. They're either torture porn or remakes. I applaud the original Saw for reinventing horror films but come on, they're planning a seventh Saw? I guess it has to do with audiences today. If they're not exciting for one second, the movies don't sell. And as far as these remakes go nowadays - is no original horror film sacred? They're something to see however to see what they do with them. The only remakes I thoroughly enjoyed was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Ring.

Anyways, this blog was just a trip back to a time where the VCR was sacred in my room and when slasher movies were fun popcorn flicks you could watch with friends. Friday nights were epic when I was around twelve years old watching either a new release or a movie that needed dusted off in the video store. Boy, those were the days.

The House of the Devil

Some horror movies play by the rules. Some horror movies don't. And some horror movies do both. An obedient deviant. The House of the Devil is that kind of movie. This movie taps into our psyche, taking itself seriously, but then throwing that idea right out the door.

Samantha (a stellar Jocelin Donahue) is a broke college student who just got her first apartment. She finds a Babysitter Wanted ad on her school bulletin board and has high hopes for some quick cash. The voice on the other end of the phone is chilling, but nonthreatening. She accepts the job and thusly has her friend Megan (PJ Soles-esque Greta Gerwig) drive her out to the house in the middle of nowhere. Sounds rather cliche, and it is, but what happens in the next hour is complete unease. Elements of a slasher movie are present as are religious horror and the old Hammer movies of the 70's. Movies based on things that go bump in the night don't necessarily sell out audiences anymore. This movie may be the exception and may reinvent the genre.

When I first watched this, I was shocked this was made two years ago. The movie is set during the early 80's and the director does an amazing job at capturing that era. This film seems like a lost 80's classic that fell behind the shelf at the video store for years and later rediscovered. The production design is that good. I'm a sucker for atmosphere, suspense, and appropriate music so this film was like a 90 minute orgasm for me.

I call this film the "Anti-Saw" because this movie has little to no in-your-face horror relying solely on suspense and atmosphere. My kind of movie :) I was raised on movies like Halloween which had little blood and excess suspense. However, this movie isn't for everyone. The ADD audience of today will definitely grow bored and will not appreciate the early 80's throwbacks. I guess that's why they call this film a new cult classic which is greatly deserves.

Also, it was a breath of fresh air to not see the characters in peril rely on technology. No cell phones. No internet. No Facebook. Nothing except a rotary telephone with a fifty foot cord. *Sigh* Back in the day if you were shit out of luck, you really WERE shit out of luck. Kind of nice isn't it? :) One of the best horror movies in recent years and needs more appreciation than it already gets.

5 stars out of 5

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

It’s rare for me to go into a theater with exceptionally high expectations and come out exhilarated. The last movie to do that for me was The Dark Knight. Eclipse did exactly the same thing. This film is not only a vast improvement over the previous installment, it gives me a ray of hope that this series can be respected, not only by the fans, but everyone else. I may be dreaming big here because a lot of people think this series is a joke, but you have to take it as it is – an angsty teen sexual fantasy. Laughable? Yes. An abomination? Definitely not.

I am clearly speaking from a fan’s point of view; I very much enjoyed this movie and this has officially become my favorite of the series…so far. Unlike New Moon, if you are not a fan of the series, I think non-fans will enjoy this. It is much darker and while the pace may be slow at times, it satisfies. Much like what human blood would be for the Cullen family.

This film finds Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) graduating from high school and thinking about the future. Bella wants “the change” to happen, but Edward is, well, pessimistic about that. Jacob (Taylor Lautner) soon finds out that Bella wants to become like Edward, throws a quick tantrum and spends the rest of the movie cracking jokes and being shirtless. Meanwhile, Victoria (a surprisingly good Bryce Dallas Howard) is concocting a plan to eliminate the Cullens by forming an army of new, bloodthirsty vampires.

While the first installments had somewhat ham-fisted acting, the actors dive deeper into the characters making the performances truer, but never become show-boaty. Kristen Stewart gets better with each movie, as does Robert Pattinson. Billy Burke, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, and Anna Kendrick are standouts – while having little to work with. The rest of the supporting cast is equally good in their roles – feeling more comfortable than the first two installments. The weakest link is Taylor Lautner. He is just not a good actor and his performance is stale, much like it was in New Moon.

The feel of the film was the definite high-point. I love horror movies and this felt like a suspenseful vampire film. Sure, they still sparkle, but you remain uneasy when they are on screen, lurking in the shadows. Taking over direction is David Slade, who also directed 30 Days of Night, a more brutal vampire adaptation. His direction differs from Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight), who gave the first one a gritty, indie-type feel, and Chris Weitz (New Moon), who has an eye for detail and made New Moon an epic endeavor.

I was very satisfied with this installment, having aspects of horror, humor, romance, and drama – mixing well together. The soundtrack fit well, the acting felt more real, and the plot kept you in the film. Even if you are not a fan, I would give the film a chance. You might be surprised.

4.5 stars out of 5

Eclipse Soundtrack

Ah, yes -- the first good thing about my summer so far. With the chaos that our lives entail, it's good to soak in some fresh air. And here in lies the Eclipse soundtrack, which is breathtaking. I have a spot saved in my heart for the Twilight and New Moon soundtracks, but this one, just wow. Every single song is amazing. Even if you are no way a fan of the Twilight series, rest assure, I guarantee you will love this soundtrack. Even if you do not love it at first, give it another chance.

1. Eclipse (All Yours) by Metric - A bouncy, carefree tune by Canadian rockers Metric. Great opener for this album, though this is just the beginning. 4/5

2. Netron Star Collision (Love is Forever) by Muse - The Twilight series' band that has appeared on every soundtrack so far, yet this one is the soundtrack's headlining song much like "Decode" by Paramore was for the Twilight soundtrack. This overly-theatric, Queen-inspired, and heavy song with a dash of disco-esque beats (yes, I said disco) is beyond awesome and screams out of the speakers. 5/5

3. Ours by The Bravery - My favorite song on the album, quite possibly my favorite song of the moment. Everything about this song is incredible. On the surface it just seems as an indie rock tune, but it's so much more than that. I am a fan of The Bravery and this song shot them up on even further on my list of favorite bands. In somewhat of serendipity, alot of my favorite bands appear on the Twilight soundtracks. Paramore being on the Twilight soundrack and the Killers being on the New Moon soundtrack. Now, The Bravery appearing on this one. I think it's in the stars, don't you think? ;) 5/5

4. Heavy in Your Arms by Florence + the Machine - Wow, just wow. The pipes this girl has is amazing. Definitely a song to blast on your stereo if you're feeling depressed or just down - will definitely change that mood once the song ends. Speechless. 4.5/5

5. My Love by Sia - This song is getting alot of praise from critics who have reviewed the album and this song deserves the praise it receives and then some. This haunting piano ballad channels Lykee Li's "Possibility" though not as depressing. 4.5/5

6. Atlas by Fanfarlo - Believe it or not this song seems out of place on the soundtrack. But once I gave it a second listen, I was completely wrong. This song is very folky, but for all the right reasons. Definitely one of the songs you will be playing at a barbecues during the summer - it's almost country-esque, but never sounding like a typical country tune, thank goodness. 4/5

7. Chop and Change by The Black Keys - Definitely Twilight-esque, deserves it's spot on the soundtrack, though it would have been better if Muse would have performed the song. Great tune nonetheless. 4/5

8. Rolling in on a Burning Tire by The Dead Weather - Very bizarre song, but I love it. Can't say too much about this song because it's unlike anything I've heard in a while, if ever. 4.5/5

9. Let's Get Lost by Beck & Bat for Lashes - I love Beck, always have. He's somewhat of a guilty pleasure and I adore Bat for Lashes, though she has been a secret I've kept from people - until now. Very atmospheric and very romantic. Can't get enough. 5/5

10. Jonathan Low by Vampire Weekend - What can I say about this song? It's very well put together and I F-ING LOVE Vampire Weekend. This is definitely a soft listen and quite magical. A great song to drive around and think to. 5/5

11. With You in My Head by UNKLE - Psychedelic pop seems somewhat dated but UNKLE brings it to a whole 'nother level in all the right directions. Great tune, amazing lyrics, and awesome beat. 4/5

12. A Million Miles an Hour by Eastern Conference Champions - Deathcab-inspired tune that flows smoothly through the headphones. One very haunting piece and would like to see more from this band. 4/5

13. Life on Earth by Band of Horses - A very brave song, if you will. I am going to give this song a few more listens because this one feels lost. An awesome song, don't get me wrong, but I'm not totally feeling this one...just yet. 3.5/5

14. What Part of Forever by Cee Lo Green - "What the hell is the guy from Gnarls Barkely doing on this album?" is what I asked when I first read the lineup for the soundtrack. Boy was I surprised when I first heard this soung. Very catchy and since when did Cee Lo sound like The Smiths? I'm very fond of this track and can't wait to listen to it as I type this. 5/5

15. Jacob's Theme by Howard Shore - Haunting, profound, and stellar. I can't wait to see what the rest of the score sounds like and by an amazing composer. 4/5

So, there you have it. If you haven't bought or downloaded this album, I encourage you to do so...right now! It may not change your life, but will definitely give you a better sense of the day.