The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby (2013)
Direct by: Baz Luhrmann
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48%

F. Scott Fitzgerald is credited with writing a "Great American Novel" with The Great Gatsby. First published in 1925, Gatsby has been read by millions of people all over the world. I am one of those millions. I am not one of the millions by choice however. No, I was forced to read the novel in my Freshman Lit class in high school. I wasn't and still aren't a big reader. I am a more visual person so I enjoy seeing the images (hence why I am a film reviewer). I had to get a Spark Notes guide to make it through Gatsby, and I barely made it. Now that I am older I am sure I could read and enjoy The Great Gatsby, but why do that when I can see Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation? I wanted to see Gatsby after the first trailer I saw last year. Not because I have fond memories of the book (I think I made it clear that I didn't want to read it), but because I am a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio (and Carey Mulligan). As the release date grew closer, I became more excited. That excitement waned when the first reviews started coming out. Joe Morgenstern of the Wall Street Journal states that it is "...a spectacle in search of a soul" and The Chicago Reader essentially calls the film an adaption of Animal House in the 1920s. I cannot say I agree.

The Great Gatsby begins with Nick Carroway (Tobey Maguire) speaking with his therapist in a sanitarium. It is revealed that he suffers from depression and is "morbidly alcoholic". He speaks about how he hates New York City now and everyone in it, but there is one person he could never hate; Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). His therapist insists that he write down his experiences as a type of catharsis. Nick is hesitant at first but easily settles into his groove as both biographer to Gatsby and autobiographer to himself. Nick begins his story with his arrival in New York City after he takes a job with a bond company. He rents a small cottage in the village of West Egg which is where all the "New Money" lives. Nick often sees his mysterious neighbor standing at the end of his dock reach out towards the green light at the other end of the bay. Directly across the bay is East Egg; home to "Old Money" and Nick's cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) along with her husband Tom (Joel Edgerton). Nick's neighbor is revealed to by Jay Gatsby, a big shot millionaire from mysterious origins. Nick and Gatsby become fast friends and Nick begins to change the way he lives. Never been much for alcohol, Nick starts to drink daily and often drinks to excess. Eventually, one of Nick's friends, Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki), tells him that Gatsby knew Daisy previously. They had an affair five years prior and everything he has done in those five years has been in an effort to be with her. Nick arranges for the them to have tea one afternoon and that's when the drama starts.

**OBLIGATORY SPOILER WARNING...BUT THIS STORY HAS BEEN OUT SINCE THE 1920s SO...**

The Great Gatsby was a lot of fun to watch. I am positive that it will AT LEAST be nominated for costume and art Oscars. I didn't see it in 3D but I can imagine that it would have been an experience. I'd like to dispel the criticisms from the reviews quoted above. While Gatsby absolutely is a film of spectacle and excess it is not devoid of soul. DiCaprio brings the same passion to this role that he does with everything he's ever done. DiCaprio is one of the very few stars in Hollywood that really hasn't done a terrible film. Seriously, check out his filmography. The dude is a talented beast and he only gets better with age. Gatsby's passion and love for Daisy is palpable. He aches every moment he isn't with her. Imagine yourself at your hungriest; your stomach in knots and head throbbing. I imagine that is every minute of Gatsby's life without Daisy. The scene when Gatsby meets Daisy for the first time in five years is absolutely fantastic. Nick and Gatsby arrange for the tea time to be at Nick's cottage as to not arouse suspicion in Daisy. Gatsby has gardeners come out and lay sod, install a fountain, and deliver flowers...

Lots and lots of flowers...

Some may say too many flowers


The over saturation of floral arrangements is another nod towards Gatsby's desire for everything to be perfect. When he met Daisy five years earlier, he had no money to his name; he was penniless. Daisy, who is now married to an exorbitantly wealthy man, is accustomed to lavish scenery and Gatsby knows this. The flowers are a way of peacocking in a sense. While Nick and Gatsby wait for Daisy's arrival, Gatsby grows increasingly anxious and threatens to leave if she doesn't show up promptly. When Daisy's vehicle sputters down the road in front of Nick's home, Gatsby freezes and fidgets with his coat. Nick goes out to meet her and walks her inside. When she sees the flowers she is immediately giddy at the sight however Gatsby is nowhere to be found. He had slipped out the back door in fear of disappointing Daisy. Nick hears a knock and opens the door to a dripping wet Gatsby (it had been raining profusely). The moment that Gatsby and Daisy lock eyes is intense. There is instant recognition and it is as if no time has passed. The emotion in this scene alone is enough to negate the naysayer above.

Now, to speak to the idea that The Great Gatsby is one big frat party...they are absolutely right, however is this a bad thing? The twenties weren't called "The Roaring Twenties" for nothing. It was a time of excess and flamboyance. Luhrmann captures the feeling of the era perfectly. The parties are impossibly glamorous. The people are polished and perfect for the time. I think that everything Luhrmann did in the film aided towards to overall feel of the story. You feel like you are transported to a time when the booze flowed freely and the people were just as fluid. It is truly remarkable.

No BS

The Great Gatsby is a lot of fun and is a fantastic story. If you've read the book, I feel you can find a kindred spirit with the film. You get the same feelings that Fitzgerald relayed through his text. If you're a stickler for historical accuracy and anachronisms then you may find yourself at a loss. Modern hip hop music is used in the soundtrack and score to keep things upbeat but, I feel, it doesn't detract from the story overall.

My Score: 7.5/10

Oz the Great and Powerful

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%

Tonight, I saw Oz the Great and Powerful. I am going to preface everything I am about to write with a few things. Thing the first: I consider myself more of a Dark Side of the Rainbow fan as opposed to a Wizard of Oz fan. Sure, I have seen the film (numerous times) and know the story inside and out ,but I don't seek it out on a rainy Saturday because it's one of my favorites (It's A Wonderful Life falls into the same category). Thing the second: I have never seen (nor do I really care to see) Wicked. I am not a big musical person and Wicked just doesn't appeal to me. Sure, I can see why some flock to it. The original Broadway cast features two of the most amazing voices in the world (Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel) but I stick with a few classics and I move on (I'm a sucker for RENT). Thing the last: I enjoy me some Sam Raimi. The Evil Dead series, the first two Spider-Man movies (he made a third??), and his collaborations with the Coen Brothers are all examples of why he has a flourishing career. With all that being said, let us move into why I feel that this one is simply too good to pass up.

Oz the Great and Powerful refers to Oscar Diggs; played by the always great James Franco.

Oz is making a living as a circus "magician" performing amazing feats for those that give him their hard earned money, which isn't much (this is Kansas in the early 1900's after all). He takes everybody he knows for granted. He treats his assistant (played by Zach Braff) like a servant and he has a knack for womanizing. When Oz is finally confronted by an ornery circus performer he takes to the sky in his hot air balloon. He is swept up in a tornado and is taken to the land of Oz. He is discovered by Theodora,

and she takes him to the Emerald City where he meets Evanora,

who tells him that he must kill the Wicked Witch...

I love this cast. The film is a lot of fun and is most definitely worth seeing. It is also incredibly well filmed.

If you're not familiar with Sam Raimi's work then shame on you. This video explains one of his most well know trademarks: The Danger Follow Shot (I just made that name up but you'll see what I mean).

The above video goes into detail why this technique is so beneficial to a director like Raimi. He started in horror films. Evil Dead was made on a budget of...(I actually think they had a negative budget) BUT it went down as one of the best horror films of all time because of the atmosphere. What this following shot portrays is an otherworldly danger. Watch this clip

and this clip

and this clip

to see examples of Raimi's technique (that last one is actually a Coen Brothers film but it utilizes Raimi's techniques because they borrowed from him). Oz is such a vibrant and fantastical setting that it feels different from anything Raimi has ever done (Spider-Man included) but there are Raimi marks. For instance, when Oz is being swept away in his hot air balloon, wooden fence pickets are hurled at him by the storm. The camera follows the pickets as they pierce through the balloon basket and narrowly miss impaling him. His deft directing hand really makes the world of Oz come to life and his casting director chose some fantastic people to fill the roles of the film.

One of the most unique parts of the film is touched on in the trailer. Oz the Great and Powerful starts off as a black and white film utilizing a rather small screen aspect ratio. The world feels like a stage and the actors are putting on a show for the audience. The background looks like a cloth draped down behind the set pieces. When Oz jumps into his balloon to escape, the world still feels like there is a finite area; there is a ceiling. It isn't until Oz is transported to Oz that the environment changes; it opens up. The screen grows and the color floods back with vengeance. Raimi populates his world with vibrant and energetic characters and colors. This, juxtaposed with the opening scenes, creates an incredible contrast. It seems as if the colors are brighter than they should be because we associate Oz with a drab, dreary setting. The difference is amazing. I really enjoyed Oz the Great and Powerful.

No BS

Oz the Great and Powerful tells the story of Oz before Dorothy arrived. It is wonderfully directed by Sam Raimi and the cast does a great job of bringing the world of Oz to life. The flying monkeys (which terrified me as a child) are even scarier in this version as well as the witches guards. I think that this film can be enjoyed by anybody and should be seen as the true canon in the Oz mythology (not Wicked). I saw it in 2D but I would recommend 3D if possible because Raimi really filmed it to be enjoyed that way.

My Score: 7.5/10