Elf

    Elf is by far one of my favorite Christmas movies. Because kids are the targeted audience, the acting isn’t the best, but it is still extremely enjoyable.

          One thing many people probably don’t know is that Jon Favreau, director of Iron Man and Cowboys and Aliens, also directed Elf. Along with directing, he also plays the doctor the doctor who gives the paternity test.

          Once again, Will Ferrell is playing his usual perfect role, which he does flawlessly.  His roles usually consist of dumb jokes and hilarious lines, but this movie also shows a more sensitive side of Ferrell. Along with Everything Must Go (which was a disaster) and Stranger Than Fiction (one of my favorites), Elf shows a more fragile version of Ferrell which brings a wonderful change to his routine.

          One of my favorite lines in the movie is when Buddy (Ferrell) says, “I think you have the most beautiful singing voice in the whole wide world,” to Jovie (Deschanel).  I love this because Deschanel is actually a famous singer for the band She and Him. The casting for Jovie is perfect because she is a character who is a wonderful singer but is nervous about singing in public. I would have to agree with Buddy that she has one of the most beautiful singing voices in the world.

          Also, I found it humorous that Emily Hobbs (Mary Steenburgen) is Ferrell’s adopted mother because she plays his mother in the movie Stepbrothers. Once again, she plays a mother who is loving, caring, and extremely supportive.

          I am surprised when I saw the wonderful use of forced perspective in the film. This was used whenever the elves and Buddy were in scenes together. With a steady camera, the elves would be a great distance away from Will Ferrell in order to make the viewer think that they were smaller. This was also used in the Lord of the Rings franchise with hobbits and humans.

          Overall, I would have to say that this is a modern day Christmas classic that will be watched for many years to come due to the wonderful writing and acting.

(500) Days of Summer

          I must say, without a doubt that (500) Days of Summer is the most realistic movie dealing with romance. Its a cool breath of fresh air from the cliché romantic comedy.  Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) accurately depicts all of the cycles of love. Love at first sight.  Instant infatuation.  The awkward first conversation.  The puzzling first kiss. The uncontrollable mania a night later. But also the depression. Smashing everything in sight.  Denial that anything even happened.  The hopelessness of being alone.  All written and acted out to perfection.

          While it may not be the most entertaining movie, it certainly feels like the most realistic, which makes it a major success in my book.

          Stunning screenplay. Visually astounding. I lost my mind over the Expectations vs. Reality split video scene. I’ve always wanted to see something like that done perfectly.

          Its astounding how Tom goes from explaining what love is, to hating the word and anything else associated with it. This only adds to the realism because anyone who has had their heart broken can associate with this exact situation.

          Movies that successfully have an unchronological timeline are rare and valuable. Being able to jump form the end to the beginning to the middle takes talented writers, cinematographers, and a creative director. Luckily, (500) Days of Summer has all three.

          Even though this movie isn’t ideal for a date night with a girl, it adds a fresh light to the stereotypical chick flick which makes it special and memorable. Especially the last line.