Movie Review: The Elephant Man

David Lynch's Elephant Man is a masterpiece. It's brilliantly executed and beautifully presented. Based on a true story, it revolves around John Merrick, named 'the elephant man' because of his severe facial and skin abnomalities. If you enjoy psychological movies, or if you like movies with great content with a social critique, you can't miss it. And yes, it's old but I only found out about this film recently and I want the whole world to appreciate this great movie like I did!


The movie is based on the real 'elephant man', Joseph Merrick

Plot:
Doctor Frederick Treves from a London hospital discovers John Merrick, deemed the elephant man at a carnival freak show. Treves is instantly speechless and utterly baffled at Merrick's grotesquely deformed face and body, resulting in others to label him as a monster. As one can imagine, Merrick is treated brutally by his 'owner' and endlessly exploited for his owner's selfish purposes.Treves is intrigued and motivated by science, willing to examine him in the hospital. The elephant man's owner states that he is an idiot but eventually, we realize Treves is bright, kind and intellectual and also capable of speech. However, Merrick is under danger once again just as he begins to adjust to his new life in the hospital ward after Treves' efforts. Watch the movie to find out more!

The Elephant Man offers a critique of the exploitative nature of freak shows and even science, as pop culture and science both want to make use of Merrick for its own purposes. Ultimately, it left me asking, who's the real monster?

Rating: 9/10

The movie is available on youtube, with the rest of the parts at the side bar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1x2pndJfjg

Movie Review: Young Adult (Now Playing)

I watched young adult with a couple of friends, all of us expecting it to be funny and entertaining. I wanted to watch this movie because of Charlize Theron! I'm a fan and she delivered. Believable and engaging.

 Plot:

Charlize Theron acts as Mavis, a writer of the 'Young Adult' book series targeted for teenagers, living in Minneapolis. She's a lot like the characters of her own book series; lacking substance and maturity. She returns to her old town, expecting to get back her ex-lover from high school, Buddy Slade. Slade is already a father, who is happily married to his pregnant wife.

I cringed. A lot. I felt embarrassed for Mavis, cringing at her shameless attempts to get back Buddy, who is clearly content with his life. It's an interesting movie but I felt like the movie didn't reach some of its potential at certain parts involving her mental health. The movie scratches the surface about her alcoholism and hair picking, but doesn't dig into the issue. Considering it's a comedy, it makes sense the movie didn't focus too much on that aspect but I still wanted to know more.

Buddy and Mavis. Photo credit: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/new-movie-reviews-new-years-271549

I didn't feel bored at any parts, though it's definitely not feel-good movie, if that's what you're expecting. Kind of a downer towards the end, but overall, entertaining and witty.

Favorite Quote:
Mavis: You can come to the city with me like we always planned.
Buddy: Mavis, I'm a married man. 
Mavis: I know, we can beat this thing together.


Rating: I give this movie a 6.8/10. My friends ranked it higher; 7/10 and 8/10.

Trailer: