Rating: 7.5/10

Tagline: With the right song and dance, you can get away with murder.

Summary: Chicago centers on Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, two criminals-of-passion who find themselves awaiting their trials for murder in 1920s Chicago. Velma, a vaudevillian, and Roxie, a housewife with aspirations of having the same profession, fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows.

Stars: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore

It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed a movie, well…because it’s been quite awhile since I’ve actually seen a movie. I watched two yesterday, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape ? (starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo Dicaprio), and Chicago. I’m a huge fan of musicals and had been dying to see this as well as Moulin Rouge! (which is still overdue) for a long time.

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“A poem needs understanding through the senses. The point of diving into a lake is not immediately to swim to the shore but to be in the lake, to luxuriate in the sensation of water. You do not work the lake out, it is a experience beyond thought. Poetry soothes and emboldens the soul to accept the mystery.”
-John Keats

Bright Star promotional poster

Caption: First Love Burns Brightest.

Starring: Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox

Summary: The drama based on the three-year romance between 19th century poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, which was cut short by Keats’ untimely death at age 25.

What I Liked: Abbie Cornish was absolutely amazing in her portrayal of Fanny Brawne – her talent was especially striking in the more emotionally heavy scenes of the movie. I was amazed at the chemistry that existed between both Ben and Abbie – I felt absolutely sucked into their romance. I found myself willing a happy ending for the two of them, even though you know full well that there will be none. I also enjoyed the random bursts of Keats’ poetry, especially since Ben Whishaw did such a wonderful job of reciting them. The film was also stunning on a visual level.

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Miss Stubbs: You seem to be old and wise.
Jenny: I feel old. But not very wise.

Special thanks to Krissy for the recommendation!

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Emma Thompson, Dominic Cooper, Olivia Williams, Alfred Molina, Rosamund Pike

An Education Promotional Poster

Summary: In the early 1960′s, sixteen year old Jenny Mellor lives with her parents in the London suburb of Twickenham. On her father’s wishes, everything that Jenny does is in the sole pursuit of being accepted into Oxford, as he wants her to have a better life than he. Jenny’s life changes after she meets David Goldman, a man over twice her age. David goes out of his way to show Jenny and her family that his interest in her is not improper and that he wants solely to expose her to cultural activities which she enjoys. Jenny quickly gets accustomed to the life to which David and his constant companions, Danny and Helen, have shown her, and Jenny and David’s relationship does move into becoming a romantic one. However, Jenny slowly learns more about David, and by association Danny and Helen, and specifically how they make their money. Jenny has to decide if what she learns about them and leading such a life is worth forgoing her plans of higher eduction at Oxford.

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Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross

Summary: Recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock is trapped into an affair with Mrs. Robinson, who happens to be the wife of his father’s business partner and then finds himself falling in love with her teenage daughter, Elaine.

What I Liked (Spoilers): I honestly really enjoyed this movie. What I found the most interesting was seeing Dustin Hoffman at such a young age – I think this is the first movie that I’ve seen him in that he was that young. I love how controversial this movie must have been when it was first released in the 60s. I really loved Ben’s character, who was just adorable, awkward and likable. He’s definitely a character that is easy to identify with. I also really enjoyed his relationship with Elaine – I don’t think I’ve ever seen Katharine Ross in any other film before, but I definitely enjoyed her performance. As I already mentioned, she and Dustin Hoffman made a cute couple. I also very much enjoyed the dynamic between Mrs. Robinson and Ben, even though it differed greatly from that which he had with Elaine. The music was also incredible, as was the directing (which I later found out won an Oscar). I fell in love with Simon&Garfunkel while watching this movie.

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