Don't Judge a Movie by its Commercial

Film: Friends With Benefits
Genre: Comedy, Romantic Comedy
Director: Will Gluck
Actors: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis
My rating: 3 stars

Today at USAO I learned to look past the initial feeling that a commercial gives: not all movies are what they seem.

Last night my friends and I were determined to go to a movie, which we narrowed down to either Friends With Benefits or The Zookeeper. Despite our fears that it was going to be completely centered around sex (as some commercials indicated it to be), we decided to take our chances with Friends With Benefits.

I was delightfully surprised. Recently released in theatres, Friends With Benefits is a unique comedy about two people who decide to have sex with no emotional attachment. The film, though predictable, prides itself in differentiating itself from the classic, romantic comedy by endlessly poking fun at the cliche' and spouting off several untraditional jokes that keep the flick delightfully upbeat. This fun is somewhat dampered when heavy family drama sets into the plot line, giving the film an almost too serious tone for it's casual story line. Despite this issue, it is saved by it's incredibly loveable characters, the leads played by Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis who stun the audience with their incredible chemistry and who make it impossible not to have a good time. Admittedly, Friends With Benefits is nothing we haven't seen before, but it gives off a much different vibe then the classic romantic comedy. Did it live up to the film released months ago with almost exactly the same plot line, No Strings Attached? I wouldn't say so, but it certainly is not a bad flick to see if you're bored on a Friday night.

So the lesson here is, don't judge a movie by a commercial as we almost did; it may surprise you.

A Blast from the Past

Film: Dracula
Genre: Classic/Horror
Director: Tod Browning
Actors: Bela Lugosi

Today at USAO, I learned the ability to rediscover the joy and thrill of old 1930's films.

Now, do not misinterpret, I understand the cheesy qualities. I watched Dracula on Netflix yesterday (Netflix is absolutely magical) and I noticed the humorous effects, such as puppet bats and the silly addition of there being cobwebs everywhere. Despite its lesser quality, however, it was actually quite enjoyable.

Dracula, like other films of its time, had talented, dramatic actors and some very interesting characters. The film portrays the attitudes of a different era, giving us insight into the ways of the 1930s such as the women's short hairstyles and so-forth. It also provides a totally different outlook on the common conception of vampires, especially comparitively speaking to the recently popular Twilight Saga. Dracula portrays a malevolent, evil character with a sense of oddity and seduction about him that makes him strangely appealing to the characters in the film, yet sinister at the same time.

Another different outlook the original Dracula provides for us lies within the power of the vampires themselves. The film portrays the vampire as having not only the powers of immortality and transformation into a bat, but also connects the creature with that of a werewolf, mentioning a vampire's particular dislike of wolfsbane, and saying how they cannot only transfigure into that of a bat, but also of a werewolf.

Unfortunately I cannot rate this film due to its time period. However, despite the pitfalls of watching such a primitive movie, they are certainly entertaining and almost educational in their own way. As for myself, I must be in the right mood to watch them. If you find yourself in the mood to watch something different, subtle, and even a little educational, 1930's films are the way to go.

Horror films of the Past:

http://sapolsky.comm.fsu.edu/research/bookch/slasher.html

Director Tod Browning Bio:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0115218/

Bela Lugosi Bio:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000509/