Life of Pi (2012)

 

Director: Ang Lee

I survived three years without even the slightest desire to see "Life of Pi". But then came Christmas 2015, I had just finished watching a show on TV when a new film started and this film was one of the most unbelievable films I've ever seen. Frankly speaking, the reason why I had not watch this Ang Lee's masterpiece before even though it did win a good bunch of Oscars, was the fact that so many of my friends and acquaintances had said they were disappointed with the plot and the film was half-way boring. After the first 10 - 15 min, I was pretty sure I would go to sleep soon too, but then things got really exciting, and missing the outcome of the story seemed almost like a deprivation of an unforgettable experience.

Dora Bruder (1997)

Author: Patrick Modiano

Before I even began to read "Dora Bruder", I knew that this book would be something special. Partly because the author had won a Nobel Prize a year ago (and that means something), but mainly due to the fact that it would be my first novel in French that I would read entirely, from start to finish.

The novel is told by Modiano himself. In the late 80s, the author finds an old ad from 1941 saying that some young Jewish girl named Dora Bruder is missing. From that time on, Modiano tries to obtain as much information as possible to understand: a) why the girl went missing; b) what happened with the girl afterwards. It is a story that tells about yet another person whose life was destroyed because of one simple fact - she was a Jew during the time when being one was the biggest crime you could ever imagine. And as far as I understand this is not a fiction; all the characters are real and they actually lived during the twentieth century, which makes the story even more appealing.

The Grapes of Wrath (1939)

 

 Author: John Steinbeck

People without work are useless and miserable. They cannot make money; thus, they cannot buy food. They cannot buy food; thus, they are hungry and weak and have no strength to do the simplest job. It's a vicious circle that the previously happy and prosperous Joad family got themselves into because of the Great Depression and the malicious government actions. The economic crises tore numerous families apart and made people do things they otherwise would have never done. It made people go mad and create a whole different way of living - always on the road, no permanent house, no safety, no positive expectations. But how can you not become someone like this if there are only 4 potatoes left and 8 mouths to feed.

"The Grapes of Wrath" is a novel about the crushed dreams and destroyed lives of all those people affected by the Great Depression who drove to California having lost their houses due to debts and believing that life on the West Coast should be easy and pleasant. Hey, there were tons of workers needed in numerous farms after all. But little did they know that for every workplace there were 5 hungry people reaching after it, and those who already lived in California did not want any Okies taking jobs from them and make a mess. 

Yet again, Steinbeck proves what a great writer he is and how well he understands other human beings, and the South American English give the story a special touch and authenticity. Strong, diverse characters, a wide range of emotions, unexpected turns of events and the ending that makes you wonder what will happen next and why it ended like this - "The Grapes of Wrath" comprises the best features of a historical fiction and it is a must-read for everyone who thinks he/ she lives a crappy life. Better think again. Joad family lost their house, but they did not lose their spirit, and never did they stop fighting for a new beginning.

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Director: Sam Taylor- Johnson

It has finally happened - one of the most anticipated and discussed films of 2015 is released. No more teasing with short trailers, no more questions about how this or that toy, scene might look like in the real life. Yes, the unconventional love story between the innocent college student Anastasia and the domineering millionaire Christian is being show on the big screen, and the fact that its premiere was a day before the Valentine's day has already been the source of numerous negative reviews.

It's interesting that according to IMDB statistics, women on average have given higher score than men, though it seemed that the stronger sex should be much more satisfied with quite an amount of erotic scenes. However, the results showed the opposite, and men were the main critics. The main reason for evaluating the newly-released film extremely low was due to the fact that many viewers consider that women degradation is the main idea promoted in "Fifty Shades of Grey", and it also encourages sadomasochistic relationships. I would totally disagree with these claims. Yes, the film does show gender inequality, unhealthy relationships with Christian's predominance and willingness to control everything and everyone, and it does not focus on romance which is the crucial point of any Valentine's day's film. But let's face it, that's all because of the book and E L James's imagination, not because the director or the screen-writer would be out of their minds. If they had made Grey more romantic and less commanding, it wouldn't have been "Fifty Shades of Grey", it would've been a whole different story. Honestly speaking, the film is a much softer version of the novel; the bedroom scenes are dealt with rather delicately and they are not as many as in the book. The cinematographic adaption is likewise much lighter and funnier than the original, and the soundtrack, from my point of you, is superb; the selected songs create the right atmosphere, and I still can't stop listening to some of them. That's about the good things, but now let's turn to the flaws.

The Imitation Game (2014)

Director: Mortem Tyldum

Did you know that the course of our lives was pretty much shaped by one man during the WWII? Yes, don't be surprised, nowadays we can barely imagine ourselves without computers, and the man, the brilliant mathematician whose name was Alan Turing not only was one of the if not the most important figure behind Britain's victory in the war, but he was also the pioneer in computer science.

"The Imitation Game" is a war-time drama that focuses on the little-discussed part of the WWII, namely, the solving of the Nazi Enigma code. As it turns out, the real battles were won at Bletchley Park, but not on the front, since with the help of few bright minds, the war was shortened by two or even four years and its outcome might have been completely different as well. It had not been more than a couple of days after Britain had declared war on Germany than the government formed a cryptography team lead by Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) to solve the Enigma and outsmart the rival as soon as possible.

Wild (2014)

 

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée

An inspirational film about a woman's solo hike in the Pacific Crest Trail as a way to heal from the loss of a close relative and retrieve the former strength.  Determination to regain control of her thoughts, behaviour and life, as it once was, is what drives Cheryl Strayed, and though she is willing to give up after the first couple of miles and initial struggles, Cheryl keeps moving forward using her past memories and experiences she would never want to relive again.

"Wild" is a biographical story the basis of which is a 2012 memoir written by the same Cheryl Strayed. The main idea of the film is to show that no matter where you stand at some point in your life, you can always change its direction and start a new beginning. For some people, it takes a number of in-depth conversations and some time-off to forget the past; for others - a completely new world has to be created. That's what happened to Cheryl. Considering all the catastrophes she had gone through, Cheryl could not deal with her anymore and she could not accept her weak, apathetic self. That is why taking on the Pacific Crest Trail seemed like a great idea to escape from the reality and build a new Cheryl that is a responsible, strong and independent woman.

Boyhood (2014)

Director: Richard Linklater

12 years of filming have resulted in a unique project, an astonishing film that the screen has never experienced before. We have just witnessed the birth of a genie called Richard Linklater. What the Oscar-nominated director did was create a story that is so sincere and honest as if it was a documentary of your neighbour's, cousin's or friend's life from childhood to adolescence. Yes, after watching the film the actors will have grown so close to you that you will want to find out what will happen next, 10 years ahead.

Many films have showed the main characters in various stages of their life cycles, but none of their directors have been so patient to wait and film how the transition occurs naturally. In other words, they have always used different actors, but this time they are the same throughout the whole film. The story begins with Mason being 5 years old and centering his world around games and fun. As time goes by, the boy learns various life lessons when his family moves from one place to another after his mother's unfortunate marriages and puberty kicks in. First love, the first glass of alcohol, the first cigarette, bullying at school, crazy parties - Mason experiences everything a typical teenager does and from a troublesome boy he grows into a man who can take full responsibility of himself and has found his passion and aspiration in life.

Fifty Shades of Grey (2011)

 

Author: Erika Leonard James

Two years. Two years I had stood firm against the world sensation called "Fifty Shades of Grey", I had not read the Twilight sage, nor been the participant of Hunger Games or Games of Thrones. I've always been quite skeptical of works which are their author's first attempt in writing and have received incredible popularity among readers within a short period of time. This time it was different. I saw the trailer of the upcoming film, and I simply had to read the book.

 The story as such is quite predictable though rather unrealistic. How often do you see situations in real life where handsome, sexy millionaire goes crazy for innocent, middle-class girl with no sex appeal and previous experience whatsoever? It's like the modern version of the classic love stories, a mix of Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, just with more sex, pain and less love and modesty. Without doubt, James has created an interesting story that makes you want to read the next chapter and the one after that as fast as possible, but that's it. From the point of view of emotions and thoughts triggered by the story, most of the things are spread out before you and there's not much to think and left for imagination. Though the author tries to evoke sympathy in the reader by the mysterious and seemingly painful past/ childhood of Grey, it lacks deeper emotions. In places where additional details and a more thorough explanation would be necessary, James crosses them very fast, but then again the bedroom scenes are sometimes more explicit than preferable. Some traits of the other main character, Anastasia Steele, are quite annoying too, for instance, the constant complaining (girl, you chose your fate yourself, nobody forced you, so stop groaning). Her ability to master the art of sex so fast given she had no previous experience is quite unbelievable as well.