Category Archives: Emma Watson

2012 Films, Drama, Dylan McDermott, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Independent, Independent Drama, Joan Cusack, John Malkovich, Julia Garner, Logan Lerman, Paul Rudd, Stephen Chbosky, Tom Savini

The Perks of Being a Wallflower-2012

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The Perks Of Being A Wallflower-2012

Director Stephen Chbosky

Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson   

Scott’s Review #415

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Reviewed June 18, 2016

Grade: A-

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) is a coming-of-age gem of a film.

It reminds me of a strange combination of The Ice Storm (1997), Donnie Darko (1999), and American Beauty (1999), but a bit more straightforward and less weird than those films.

Perhaps with a bit of The Breakfast Club (1985) thrown in for a lighter touch.

This movie felt very real to me and not like the typical high school schmaltz usually crowding the cinemas these days. It’s dark at times but also humorous and well-written.

Each teen in the group of friends has demons to face and complex, intricately written characters. All are insecure in some form and many teen issues are addressed, in a mature, sensitive way.

It’s nice to see Emma Watson breaking away from her Harry Potter image.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) is a character-driven treat worth seeing.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best First Feature (won)

2014 Films, Adventure, Anthony Hopkins, Darren Aronofsky, Drama, Emma Watson, Epic, Finn Wittrock, Frank Langella, Jennifer Connelly, Nick Nolte, Ray Winstone, Religious, Russell Crowe

Noah-2014

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Noah-2014

Director Darren Aronofsky

Starring Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly

Scott’s Review #3

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Reviewed June 16, 2014

Grade: B+

Learning that Darren Aronofsky, a very dark director (Black Swan-2011, Requiem for a Dream-2000, and The Wrestler-2008), would be tackling a religious film piqued my curiosity.

Those expecting an uplifting, happy film about “god” will be disappointed.

This film is generating controversy from the religious folks, which I find interesting, but nobody wants me to go off on a tangent.

The film tells the tale of the biblical figure, Noah, and his quest to do God’s will through the signs he is given.

It takes incredible talent to make a film like this not seem silly and Aronofsky, Russell Crowe, and Jennifer Connelly succeed.

The film is quite dark and at times Noah comes off as more of a madman than a savior.

The visual effects and the musical score are wonderfully effective.

Noah (2014) has a few plot holes but is a nice fantasy/apocalypse-type film.