Movie Review: ANOTHER EARTH

On November 22, 2006 Darren Arnofsky's The Fountain hit theaters. I remember when the credits rolled I sat in my seat, pleasently traumatized by what I had just seen. I hadn't had a feeling like that until watching Another Earth.

Another Earth is directed by Mike Cahill and stars Brit Marling (who also co-wrote with Cahill) and William Mapother. If you've watched the trailer and I hope you have, you know that on the eve of a terrible accident, Rhoda causes an accident that ends the life of a mother and child; leaving the husband a widower. On this night the discovery of a second Earth is revealed. Rarely in a summer, where numerous sequels and big budget blockbusters are released; are we given a movie that truly makes us use our brain. Aside from context of the movie, there is a beautiful and yet tragic relationship between the two main characters. Their relationship is extended by various doctors and scientists who ask those moral questions such as "what would you say to the to other you?" or "Has the other me made the same mistakes that I have". These question tap into the basic human emotions of ours to figure it all out and figure our why we are here.

Those questions and the actions of the characters are what make the movie such an emotional powerhouse. Brit Marling who plays the main character Rhoda, has a very interesting acting style. With no formal training she delivers a very deep and neglectful performance that doesn't make the audience feel sorry for her, but more or less ask ourselves if we'd do the same thing that she is doing.

I'm sure that the thought of focusing on the sci-fi aspects of this film would be more attractive and commercial but there is subtext here that truly makes you think and is fuel for an amazing after movie conversation with friends. While my review isn't that long, only because its something that you should experience and not have someone like me explain it to you, I must say that this is by far one of my favorite movies of the summer. It holds more in its soul than that piece of shit Transformers movie! If your looking to be challenged and maybe discover something about yourself; see this movie!

Oh and one more thing, the end is also breathtaking!

Another Earth makes its way into theaters on July 22nd, 2011

Deuces!
StuntmanBob

Trailer Premiere: Darren Aronofsky's BLACK SWAN

Imagery!

My first Darren Aronofsky movie was The Fountain; a movie that starred Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. The movie spanned the course of three time periods and dealt with life, death, and a possible afterlife. While it got mixed reviews, I thought it was a beautiful piece, visually and emotionally, of how we as people deal with wanting to live forever and what we would do, if we had the power to save the ones we love from death. I'll be honest when the credits rolled the night I saw the movie, everyone was just still in their seats as they all soaked in what we had just experienced. It's something about that movie that even though I couldn't fully come to an end in my mind about it; the visuals, the music, and the emotionality of it all struck a very hard chord with me. So resonant that I simply didn't mind the ambiguity of it all. Its these kinds of movies that I appreciate because they work so well upon multiple viewings!

This prompted me to learn and experience everything I could bout Darren Aronofsky, I proceeded to head out to Circuit City, yes you heard me right, and purchase a double disc of Requiem for a Dream and π (pi). Simply Amazing! I could write separate blogs on each!

Next, Aronofsky directed The Wrestler, which starred Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei. The Wrestler is about a beat up "WWE- like" wrestler who is still trying to keep the glory days alive. But after suffering a deadly match, he must come to terms with his own mortality and attempts to right wrongs he's committed in his life. A story of redemption and trying to find your place in this world after it seems its passed you by, really tugged at my heart strings. The striking imagery and reality of the pain this man puts himself through just to feel appreciated was painful to watch. But it brought Mickey Rourke back and made that character worth my feelings. This movie really taught me the sense of character. I had already known little things could go a long way, but just to pick up this guys life after such a successful run and then watch him try and piece it back together as best he can, really gave me an idea of the human spirit.

Which brings us to Black Swan, which stars Natalie Portman as a young ballet dancer who has just been cast as the lead in a new production of Swan Lake. After though, a new ballet dancer appears in the form of Mila Kunis and potentially threatens to take Portman from the limelight. Along the way it looks like our perception will be tested as the trailer looks to take a dip into the physiological. Or does it?

Natalie Portman has starred in the most recent Star Wars Trilogy's and V for Vendetta. Vincent Cassel has been in Ocean's 12 and 13, Brotherhood of the Wolf, and his new movie out is called Mesrine, which is based on a true story about French criminal Jacques Mesrine, and Mila Kunis who has been on That 70's Show, Extract, and most recently The Book of Eli. The person who is really surprising me here is Mila Kunis. I think I was one of those naive persons who could only see her as Jackie from That 70's Show. But with her work in The Book of Eli and from what I see from Black Swan; she's definitely spreading her wings....giggle.

I really hope that this is the ONLY trailer that comes out for Black Swan cause I don't want to know anymore than what it shows; and honestly why would you want to know more?! This trailer does its duty as a teaser because it merely gives us a basis for the story then shows us random images that are some how related to that story. Mission Accomplished. The images seem to invoke a great sense of loss of identity, pressure, perfection and a serious dose of a psychological break with reality. All this with what sounds like some original Clint Mansell and I smell hit!

With all of this building up in the trailer; Desire, Perfection in an imperfect world, and the grueling nature of dance and ballet; we are given the last scene of Portman's character pulling what seems to be the beginnings of a feather, out of scar on her back, that we see randomly worsen throughout the trailer. If this, isn't enough to make you want to see what the hell is happening on December 1st, you should seriously consult a physician.

This trailer is definitely a lesson in how much you can do, with so little. This write up is proof of that. The simple story and images given provide a plethora of speculation and excitement. I for one cannot wait to see this psychological ballet thriller; just listen to how that sounds, PSYCHOLOGICAL. BALLET. THRILLER. Where do I pre-order tickets from already!?


Dueces!
StuntmanBob