Archive for the ‘Post-Weekend Review’ Category

Post-Weekend Review: The Graduate

Monday, March 1st, 2010

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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Post-Weekend Review: Anna Karenina

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Title: Anna Kareninapevear_karenina

Author: Leo Tolstoy

Published in: 1877

Summary: Anna Karenina has two plots that run side by side throughout the novel: the story of Anna and the story of Levin. Levin’s story is an expression of Tolstoy’s pastoral nature and a reaffirmation of the novelist’s vision of the simple life. The beauty of the seasons and the pragmatic work of harvesting absorb Levin. Levin’s relationship to the land and life is contrasted with Anna’s enigmatic and destructive passions. Anna’s appearance in the novel represents a rift in the tranquil world which allows physical passion and irrationality to prevail.

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