Hey, Why Do You Like That Movie?

There are many things that make a compelling film. First off, they have to be interesting in general. This is a given because if the audience is not interested during their movie viewing experience they will not leave the theater with a smile, unless of course they're the pseudo intellectual type who claim to be "thoroughly intrigued and actively watching" films such as The Tree of Life aka 2 hours of colors and voiceover (however don't get me wrong the score was very nice to listen to).

Anyway, the important thing is exactly what makes the film interesting? Here are three examples...


American Beauty
The character development in this film is beyond words to me. Sometimes I think Kevin Spacey portrays a washed up middle aged man stuck in the middle of life, better than I portray my own self. Everything from the dialogue to the facial expressions are spot on in this movie. Not to mention, Annette Bening is the perfect neurotic unsatisfied housewife/realtor. Their combined spunk and apathy is one of the things that makes this quirky dark film interesting. I could watch Spacey as Lester Burnham for hours on end.

Persepolis
Visuals are very important as well when it comes to watching movies. Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis has some very creative and compelling visual scenes despite it being animated. The animation is different and unique compared to any other that I have seen. It isn't trying to replicate real people or settings as well, which makes it all the more unique. In other words, it embraced it's animation and did more with it than many other non animated films.

Donnie Darko
The combination of the score and the visuals create an overall atmosphere and emotion. To me emotion is one of the most important parts of a production. The type of emotion or lack there of is what makes it real for the audience. Every film should invoke some type of feeling or aura and Donnie Darko does exactly that. The eerie scenes and music make Donnie Darko extremely emotional. After watching, you aren't sure what to feel, but you definitely feel something.

KEVIN SPACEY IS A GOD <--(click this link)

"We've met before, but something tells me you're going to remember me this time"