No Country for Old Men thoughts

In the film No Country for Old Men, directed by the Coen brothers, the audience is treated to an exciting yet disturbing and uncomfortable string of events.  The film is categorized as a thriller suspense genre, however there is more meaning to this film than an individual may pick up on.  The film focuses on the main protagonist character, Llewelyn Moss, as well as the other protagonist, Ed Tom Bell, as they interact with Anton Chigurh, the antagonist.  An individual could take the movie for what it is, an exciting chase movie, based on money, or they could look deeper.  The film has an underlying theme of death and no escape.  Throughout the film Chigurh chases his target without rest or remorse.  Also Chigurh does not hesitate to kill those who cross his path.  Often Chigurh will flip a coin, allowing whoever he has crossed a chance to live.  This takes death out of Chigurh’s control and instead leaves it to chance.  Chigurh appears impossible to kill as well and does not show reaction to pain.  Almost as if he is already dead.  Chugurh is a representation of death, chasing man and never resting.  Chigurh is described as a ghost my Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) at one point in the film, which points further that Chigurh is a supernatural being.  However, the film does not focus entirely on Chigurh, but instead on Llewelyn Moss and his actions and how they affect those around him.   At the beginning of the film Llewelyn is hunting a herd of animals, making him in control of death and killing, however when Llewelyn finds a case full of two million dollars, he takes a chance, and risks it all for it.  He put everything on a coin toss.  Llewelyn had to call it, for Chigurh could not call it for him, take the case or leave the case.  He chose the wrong choice, and for that death must come and take him away.

What makes the Shining Shine?

Stanley Kubrick's The Shining was a film that changed the thriller/horror genre forever.  Its considered one of the grandaddies of the modern day cinema and an instant classic.  Kubrick’s interpretation changed the story of a man losing his mind, into a subliminal thrilling joyride to the audience.  The film is full of many subliminal images and metaphors, so there is no real "right" way to view the film, as everyone will have a different interpretation. However some ways to view its meaning are the feminist view, a view on racism towards native Americans and the Constitution, and the power of the human mind and how it can bring nonliving things to life.  The film overall is fantastically well done, Kubrick really knows what he is doing.  With amazing performances, mind bending messages, subliminal onslaught, terrifying music score, uncomfortable camera angels, and a fantastic story this film is well worth seeing.  Its a movie that has left an imprint on me and makes me crave more on the edge of my seat.  I defiantly recommend it.

3D films

In the last few months 3D films have been everywhere.  It's hard to think of an example of a theatrical release that has not had a 3D version tacked onto it.  Where as some of these films are understandable, such as the Disney releases (Lion King, Beauty and the Beast) others are just completely uncalled for, such as the soon to be re-released Star Wars films.  I see these as a ploy to just get more money out of our wallets.  Now, I mentioned that I enjoyed the Disney 3D films, however these add a new style and artistic affect to the films.  These are 2D films, in the sense that they are illustrated.  Making them in to 3D films makes them almost like pop-up books.  Conversely, a film that is not illustrated really doesn't need a re-release.  True some may enjoy seeing Titanic in 3D, but personally, film is an art, and this is moving film in the wrong direction.  When I ask people what they think the point of 3D is, they generally answer "it's more about the experience of being in the movie."  Well, I wouldn't argue with that normally, but isn't that the point of rides and not film?  I still see film as a art, something that can get allow someone to speak their mind, through action or metaphor.  But 3D is turning film into something different, something that is never was suppose to be.  Re-release of films in 3D is much like a snake oil salesman, they are playing you for the money in your wallet.