"Velvet Goldmine" Review

Audience: Kalamazoo Gazette Readers

As a long, pale, billowing scarf slowly morphs into the smoke gathering in a poorly lit club, the underground of a sexual awakening is introduced. Every turn brings a new face complete with sparkling blue eye shadow and cheeks highlighted with soft pink blush. This one scene captures the essence of “Velvet Goldmine.” This film is vivid and stunning, however it is too over the top and shocking to fully enjoy.

“Velvet Goldmine” follows the ups and downs of the life of Brian Slade. In this film Slades’ life loosely mirrors the lives of British pop star David Bowie and is filled with Oscar Wilde quotes. The plot revolves around Slade, Curt Wild, an American rock artist, and Arthur Stuart, a journalist attempting to solve the possibly staged death of Slade.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers is completely believable as the bisexual “glam rock” superstar Brian Slade. Decked out in bright colored, wild outfits, Mr. Meyers adopts the persona of an over the top rocker quite easily. Ewan McGregor stars as Slades’ love interest, Curt Wild. Mr. McGregor, a native of Scotland, is amazingly crass as a stereotypical American rock star, even flashing a large crowd at his public concert. Both Mr. Meyers and Mr. McGregor, quite impressively, contribute their own vocals to the multiple engaging rock songs in this film.

Christian Bale stars as the journalist assigned to explore the supposed death of Brian Slade. He does this in a series of flashbacks in which he relives his boyhood days as a “glitter kid”. Mr. Bale portrays a sexually confused boy coming of age flawlessly. His facial expressions alone convey his distress and turmoil.

While Mr. Meyers, Mr. McGregor and Mr. Bale were thoroughly impressive, Toni Collette, who played Brian Slades’ wife Mandy, had to stretch to reach their level. With her British accent fading in and out throughout the film, it was hard to focus on her acting capabilities. Although she does portray the scorned rockers’ wife well, it was hard to get past the presence and lack of an accent.

One of the most magical and dramatic elements of “Velvet Goldmine” is the stark contrast between loud rock and roll scenes and utter silence. This use of noise, and lack thereof, heightens the intense emotions portrayed throughout the film. The songs in the film were easy listening songs in which foot tapping or head bobbing is almost required.

Todd Haynes directed “Velvet Goldmine”, the script of which was also written by Haynes and James Lyons. Haynes previous films, including “Poison” and most recently “Safe”, were as controversial as this film will prove to be. Those who respect the arts will have difficulty denying the amazingly abstract and beautiful film that Haynes created, but it is a bit too bizarre to enjoy without a slight feeling of shock.

With outstanding acting and music, brilliant colors and exciting scenery, it is easy to appreciate “Velvet Goldmine” in some way. However, the film contained an abundance of sensitive material that will make even the most light-hearted people blush.

Helpful Articles for "Avatar" Context

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20299731,00.html?xid=rss-movies-Avatar

This article was very helpful in giving some background information about Cameron's dream and hopes for "Avatar". It also talked about Cameron's other movie ventures which gave context for him going so all out for "Avatar". This article showed that what Cameron did with CGI for "Avatar" really was advanced well beyond what his production company thought possible.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/movies/18avatar.html

This review from the New York Times also gave background information that was usable as context. This review was even more detailed in it's knowledge of Cameron which was helpful and beneficial when considering how to go about writing my own review. This review was very thorough and helped me see how to explain multiple things in a limited space.

"Avatar" Revised

In a society that rejects reality and embraces films set in the future with alien races, such as “Star Trek”, “The Terminator” and “District 9”, “Avatar” is bound to round up fans willing to paint themselves blue adorned with glowing freckles. Although the movie received negative press for being a $300 million remake of “Dances With Wolves” loaded with computer generated imagery, this film has much more to offer than just being an amped up version of an old story. “Avatar” is engaging, thought provoking, and utterly enthralling in an unexpected way for a film about a fictional world.

James Cameron wrote and directed this 2009 blockbuster that follows the story of Jake Sully, Sam Worthington, a young paraplegic jarhead sent to the planet Pandora. Jake’s mission is to befriend the native people of Pandora while inhabiting the body of an “avatar,” a being created from both human and native Pandorian DNA. His mission is to find a diplomatic agreement that will achieve access to a valuable element. Jake struggles to fulfill his duty once he forms a deep connection with the land and people. The plot follows the thread of Jake’s internal struggle through to his outward conflicts with scientists, military, and businessmen. The exploration of Jake’s internal conflict coupled with his external hardships leads to a powerful conclusion.

Cameron began writing “Avatar” fifteen years ago. Typically science fiction and action flicks do not have the most scintillating dialogue. “Avatar” is no exception. Although Cameron put many years into this script, it is hard to make conversations about power and destruction incredibly intellectual. However the audience never blatantly scoffed at the dialogue.

Although Cameron did not give the actors much to work with in terms of dialogue, the acting is phenomenal. Worthington portrays Jake with such conviction that his struggles are easily felt. Zoe Saldana is impressive as the native Neytiri. Although the actress is never seen as herself, her verbal intonations easily create a believably exotic character.

Cameron accomplished his dream of a computer-generated world that is incredibly visually stimulating. Pandora, a world with beasts of various sizes, shapes and colors, and floating mountains is completely believable. The breathtaking imagery and luscious depiction of the forest is entrancing. There is not a moment of second guessing the reality of such a place existing.

Cameron makes a bold plot decision considering the issues in the film are relatable to current issues. The film makes a statement about the propriety of exploiting indigenous populations for the United States’ monetary gain. The timing of this film makes that theme incredibly thought provoking.

It seems that in a two hour and forty minute movie, a viewer would begin to notice an uncomfortable stiffness in his or her body. However “Avatar” is so action packed and emotionally charged that it is hard to peel ones eyes from the screen. Although it has a familiar story, “Avatar” is a film that people of all walks of life will enjoy in one way or another.

Avatar Review

While watching television one evening, I saw an extended trailer for Avatar. As I watched I was thoroughly confused. In fact, when it was over, I laughed and scoffed. I had heard about the movie coming out with amazing computer generated imagery that cost around $300 million and had initially been excited. But once I saw the trailer, I was immediately turned off. I had absolutely no interest in seeing a film about partially naked blue aliens. I knew little about the plot, other than that it was a sort of Dances With Wolves meets Fern Gully, but was pleasantly surprised by the film I originally mocked. Avatar evinced many intense emotions and provoked deep thought that kept me engaged and enthralled for the duration of the film.

James Cameron wrote and directed this 2009 blockbuster which follows the story of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a young paraplegic jarhead sent to the planet Pandora. Jake’s mission is to befriend the native people of Pandora in the body of an “avatar”, a being created from both human and native Pandorian DNA. His mission is to find a diplomatic agreement that will achieve access to a valuable stone. Jake struggles to fulfill his duty once he forms a deep connection with the land and people. The plot follows the thread of Jake’s internal struggle through to his outward conflicts with scientists, military, and businessmen. The exploration of Jake’s internal conflict coupled with his external hardships leads to a powerful conclusion.

Avatar contains incredibly impressive computer-generated imagery. Cameron created a world that seems completely unrealistic and impossible. The special effects, however, made Pandora completely legitimate with beasts various sizes, shapes, and colors. The breath taking imagery and luscious depiction of the forest contributed greatly to the emotional impact the film created. However it was more than the exotic glowing forest that draws the viewer in. The characters were all portrayed very strongly by the actors that audience members truly feel Jake’s confusion when he finds peace and a home on a foreign planet. The struggles of the characters in the film simulate events and conflicts that are very true to today’s society and create a deeper understanding of all sides of current issues. The viewer feels certain empathy towards foreign people that are at times beyond their understanding.

It would seem that in a two hour and forty minute movie, a viewer would begin to notice that his or her legs are falling asleep, or backside is beginning to ache. However that was not the case in Avatar. There was not a single moment in the movie when I was bored or hoping for more action. With so many ups and downs in what appeared to be a fairly simple plot, I found my hands clamped against my mouth in anxiety and excitement multiple times throughout. Avatar is a film that has the power to be life changing, and if not, at least the visual accomplishment to be a truly amazing cinematic experience.