by Haley GoetzMarie Antoinette, like the idyllic swath of rural France that it is set in, hits the eye like an exquisite Monet painting. Whether it is through its contrasted colors, its natural hues, or its evocations of a more-than-extravagant lifestyle, the film blends old and new artistic elements together to create a product that … Continue reading
by Haley GoetzPan’s Labyrinth (del Toro, 2006) Pan’s Labyrinth is both a metaphorical and literal look at life under Francisco Franco’s rule in Spain during the 1940s. The film is centered around a young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who discovers that she is the princess of an imaginary kingdom that lies just outside of … Continue reading
by Haley GoetzIn Act 1, Scene 2 of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Brutus tells Caesar to “Beware the Ides of March.” This was his way of letting Caesar know that his day of judgment was drawing near. In George Clooney’s political thriller The Ides of March, Brutus is represented in many forms, but it is in … Continue reading
by Elizabeth Esten & Haley GoetzBurkittsville, Maryland — a quaint town at first glance, but hidden in its dense forest is a dark secret. A few centuries ago, Burkittsville was actually known as “Blair.” A woman was accused of witchcraft, banished into the Black Hills Forest and presumed dead. It’s from this spooky mythology that … Continue reading
by Haley GoetzThere is no other contemporary film that explores modern romance as deeply as Like Crazy does. The movie tells the story of two college-aged lovers who become confined to their respective home countries due to visa troubles. Their relationship gets put to the ultimate test by the distance between them and the inevitable … Continue reading
by Haley GoetzI’m a diehard Purge fan and I’m not afraid to admit it. James DeMonaco, the writer and director of all three films, has created a believable cinematic world through his small yet successful horror franchise. Election Year packs the survivalist mentality of the first film while also adding in the craziness from Anarchy, … Continue reading
by Haley GoetzThis film has an angry, flame-covered great white shark jumping 15 feet out of the ocean. Yep, you heard me. Go see The Shallows if you want a load of that. Jaume Collet-Serra’s latest thriller features a solid lead performance from Blake Lively, effectively rendered visual effects, decent scares, and some pretty good … Continue reading
by Elizabeth Esten & Haley GoetzLawrence of Arabia (Lean, 1962) David Lean crafts one of the most compelling cinematic epics of all time in Lawrence of Arabia. From sprawling Arabian vistas to the homey confines of Dorset, every shot in the film is highly deliberate. In the role of Thomas Edward Lawrence, Peter O’Toole provides … Continue reading
by Haley GoetzAmores Perros (Iñárritu, 2000) The fact that this was Alejandro González Iñárritu’s first film is spectacular enough. Amores Perros, set in the sprawl of Mexico City, is about love, betrayal and loss. The scope of the film is huge, as three disparate storylines converge into one. A car crash is what brings a … Continue reading
by Haley GoetzWe Are What We Are is not for the faint-of-heart or for people like me who don’t have that strong of a stomach. Before the viewing, I read that what I was about to see was a “cannibal horror film” and I was as prepared as I’d ever be. I went into the … Continue reading
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