Man on Fire

Yesterday I finally watched a film that I had planned on watching for about a month. It was Man on Fire, a film staring Denzel Washington that was directed by Tony Scott. Much like Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, or Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe, Tony Scott and Denzel Washington's names almost go hand-in-hand because of their numerous collaborations. This includes the recent big hit blockbuster 'Unstoppable' and the almost 'Speed' like remake 'The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3'.

This particular Collaboration Chronicles the struggles of a body guard who has lost the target that he was assigned to protect. This target is played by a young Dakota Fanning who is mostly seen only at the beginning of the film in scenes in which she slowly bonds with the stubborn, almost emotionless body guard. Over time the little girl and the body guard develop a familial love for each other which later proves to be the base emotion that drives his vengeful cravings. Denzel Washington plays this role very well as he is very skilled at playing characters who are not only religious in a mafia like sense but also driven solely by revenge. He is very convincing as an artist of death and his motivation for his violent actions comes across as very real. My only criticism of this film would be it's lack of background story regarding the main character, and the choppy cinematography that seemed to stop the flow of the film dead in its tracks.

However, despite these small and maybe even far reaching criticisms I did very much enjoy this movie and did find the ending quite uplifting. I've always been fascinated with the feeling of revenge and what causes it as I often try to put myself in the shoes of these characters and ponder of how I would react in the same situation. This is a condition that most of us all have thought at least once about which is part of the reason why this movie was such an intriguing story to watch. I highly recommend this movie to any film enthusiast who enjoys thrillers such as 'Unstoppable' and the 2004 movie 'Collateral'.

Related poem: (in the perspective of Denzel Washington's character)

Revenge is that which drives my soul

Like a constant flame of burning coal

Only a dowsing of justice's water

can quench the needs of this angry cancer

I am but, a transformation of my stolen love

Who's life I failed to protect with my glove

And thus there is only one more goal I am driven to accomplish

Which is, Not to qualm my sadness

But to make you feel her anguish

Inside the Actors Studio with Jim Carrey

About an hour ago I finished watching an episode of Inside the Actors Studio which showcased the funny-man, Jim Carrey. Jim Carrey is most likely one of my favorite actors because of the innocence he portrays within most of his characters such as Truman in the Truman Show. Carrey portrays Truman as a somewhat "happy go-lucky" almost 1950s sitcom like husband who is stuck within a lifestyle that is completely designed around him by a film crew. Through his own detective-like abilities, Truman discovers the veil that had been cast over his life since the day he was born, and pursues a life of legitimacy and unfiltered realism.

Which is very much a pursuit of purpose and the veracity of our environment, which a pursuit we can all relate with. This is conceivably the genius of Jim Carrey. He has an uncanny ability to relate to his audience through the genres of drama and comedy. The personalities of his characters are often so unconventional that they parody the diversity of society while still showing their coerciveness with the communal human experience.

This is validated through his last speech within the episode in which he explains that his job, and the jobs of many within the film making business, is to tell the truth. To be a vessel to express the truthfulness and gripping abilities of human stories. This statement I cannot agree with more. It is a true sign of wisdom and has given me much more respect for an actor I used to only think of as only silly. However, now I realize his true potential in less parodying characters.

I love watching comedians succeed in the category of drama because I believe that the dramatic performances of comedians show the true actor within. Performances unshielded by their own abilities to cover up their insecurities and idiosyncrasies with laughter, leaving only a rarely touched surface of true emotion. I look forward to seeing his latest movie 'I Love You Phillip Morris' and watching him expand even more into original works like 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'.

An Introduction

In all honesty this blog is a creation of mostly my own ambitions and loves as well as my own guilt. Despite my desire to exterminate my procrastination it still lingers within my actions. I usually procrastinate by watching movies and shows and sometimes interviews of people I admire. One could argue that through this particular act of procrastination I am actually pursuing the interests I most adore. However, through the mental processes that keep me up at night, that point to the patterns in my life that are unsatisfactory, I have realized that even if watching films and cinematic stories is a true passion of mine I haven't been using it to the best of my benefit.

So in an effort to further my skills in writing and cinematic analysis I have created a blog in which I can use my procrastination as a motive for learning and understanding through art of practice. Through this practice I hope to sculpt an original personality that will open up pathways in journalism, literary writing, and perhaps professions in the film making process.

The primary function of this blog will be to serve as a blueprint for artistic expression based off of reverence for films I have recently watched, and a vessel in which to express the feelings I have after watching films, which may include an analysis or a tangent into opinions I have on a movie's topic. I will most likely provide a recommendation or rating at the end of every expression and I hope that this personal film journal of mine will not be so personal or private in the near future. In the end this is just an exercise of expression which I hope to be a fulfilling experience.