Don't You Forget About Me **** (rave)

When I first started this blog 6 months ago, I made a list of possible topics I would maybe one day like to write about. Included in this list was " John Hughes films ." So when my friend told me she saw a great documentary on Rogers on Demand about a group of filmmakers from Toronto who drive to Chicago in 2008 (in the hopes of interviewing the elusive John Hughes), I couldn't have been happier to punch in my secret Rogers code and watch the movie on my big screen T.V. As soon as Simple Minds began singing, a smile spread across my face, and it stayed there for the hour and a half duration of the film. I loved this movie!

Yes, part of the reason is simply because I got to see many clips from all of my favourite teenage films from the 80s. Movies like The Breakfast Club (that made me want to kiss a "bad boy" because really underneath it all he's just misunderstood), Pretty in Pink (that taught me being different is okay but red-heads really shouldn't wear pink) and Some Kind of Wonderful (that showed me that tomboys can be desirable -which sparked in me a mad crush on Eric Stoltz that has been going strong for over 20 years now). All of these life lessons topped with a great day of playing hookie with a guy named Ferris. What more could a teenage girl ask for?

After watching Don't You Forget About Me, I realised that I was not the only one who cherished John Hughes movies. I assumed the other
(a-hem) 40-somethings would share some fond memories, but when I saw present-day teenagers being interviewed and expressing their connection to Hughes' beloved characters, I was surprised. And I couldn't have been happier.

This documentary is a testament to how Hughes' films have stood the test of time. Even with all the technological advances we've made in the last 25 years- and the effect that that has had on how teenagers today are socialized and communicate with one another- it seems that teenage angst really hasn't changed that much since I wore tight jeans with pumps and plastic turquoise earrings. (Just as I found someone in a Hughes film that I could identify with, and thereby help me with my angst, it seems his movies still have the power to do that today). One teenager interviewed in the documentary explained how Hollywood movies today really don't relate to real teens and real teens' issues. "I have never had sex with a pie" he states "But I have skipped school on occasion".

The disconnection between teens and teen movies nowadays is explored further throughout the documentary through interviews with various film critics (including Roger Ebert) and present-day filmmakers (including Kevin Smith). And their insights made a lot of sense to me. Because I don't watch a lot of teenage movies anymore, I wasn't aware of how much the formula had changed. But as one film producer explains, a movie like The Breakfast Club would never get made today. A script with age appropriate actors sitting in a room and talking for two hours would be deemed slow and boring. It wouldn't matter if the script was good. It wouldn't matter if the young actors were talented. It wouldn't matter if the subject matter was relateable to the audience. Teenagers talking in a room just doesn't pique anyone's interest anymore- or so the movie makers (or should I say money makers?) in the industry believe nowadays.

However, as the filmmakers of Don't You Forget About Me are on their road trip driving to Illinois (taking the occasional pit stop to explain how their 2 and 1/2 year journey has brought them to John Hughes' door) they continue to discount the theory that teens today don't want another Hughes' film. Sure the clothes and the great 80s soundtracks of John Hughes movies might be out-dated now (although those 80s styles do keep coming back - whether or not we want them to), the stories and the characters are still considered genuine. And when you think about it, this does make sense - What geeky guy doesn't want to get the girl? What popular girl doesn't feel social pressure? What kid from a 'not so perfect home life' doesn't want to lash out from time to time? And who wouldn't want to have one perfect day away from it all? ( I know I still do!). This documentary explores all of this.

I won't tell you how Don't You Forget About Me ends (whether or not they get the John Hughes interview) because I want you to punch in your secret Rogers code (or find the DVD somewhere) and watch the movie in the comfort of your own home. I will say though, that after seeing the movie it made me sad all over again about John Hughes' death, and it made me want to revisit ALL of his movies. Of course, I will start with my personal favourite (which, if you haven't guessed by now, is The Breakfast Club). I know we all have our personal favs and when people ask me why I pick this particular Brat Pack film I have to say that part of the reason is I distinctly remember where I was when I saw this movie for the very first time... It was 1985 and I was sixteen years old. I went with some friends from school. And I got all dolled up and gelled the sides of my hair back. When we got to the movie theater it was packed and we had to sit in the very front row with our heads looking up to the screen and our feet resting on the stage. When the movie ended and the lights went up I cheered like everyone else and I thought it was the coolest movie I'd ever seen.

25 years later... it's still on my top 20 list. Needless to say I've seen a lot of movies in the last 25 years (and I've got the movie blog to prove it!) But I guess what has stayed true to me, in all of this time, is I still believe that in each of us you can find a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. It is one of the many things John Hughes' movies has taught me. It is without a doubt the film I related to the most as a teenager. To quote (the then skinny) Anthony Michael Hall ..."Does that answer your question?"

John Hughes, you will be missed! SVFRRIS!

2012 *** (rave)

If you like disaster movies you will like this film. It has everything you'd expect from 'an end of the world' thriller - great visual effects and a weak story line - some familiar faces and a bunch of unknowns who have about 5 seconds to live - some crazy scientific explanation for the cause of all the destruction, and really exciting scenes of tidal waves rising up and crashing down on everything. 2012 delivers no more than what you'd expect, but it is a visual roller coaster ride that should be seen on the big screen and enjoyed like a fun day at a theme park.

This movie was directed by Roland Emmerich, an expert in the disaster movie genre who also brought us Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. John Cusak and Amanda Peet are reunited again (both starred in Identity) as the stars of the film who play one of the family groups trying to survive 'the end of the world as we know it'. Oliver Platt (my personal favourite from Lake Placid) plays the selfish/bad-guy politician. And Danny Glover (who 20 years ago claimed he was "getting too old for this sh**t) really had to deal with it as the President of the United States. The film has many co-stars of all nationalities and varied life expectancies. Some play scientists, some live on a mountain top, some are entertainers on a cruise ship and some have paid a lot of money to try and ensure their survival. Not everyone endures the same fate, but when you know the world is coming to an end and fire balls are exploding all over the place, the odds for most aren't good.

The general plot of 2012 goes something like this... the Mayan people's prediction of the end of the world has come true. Scientists have found the something something earth's crust displacement theory something is happening, and happening much sooner than originally expected. Only a selected few of the world's population have been informed of humankind's impending doom and they have spent a whole lot of money to board a vessel when the time comes that will hopefully ensure their safety.

John Cusak's character, Jackson Curtis is separated from his wife and 2 kids but when he hears of the end of the world predictions from a conspiracy theorist hippie played by Woody Harrelson, Curtis immediately goes to collect his family and then they journey to find these rescue vessels. Meanwhile, the chief science advisor played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is struggling to keep the White House informed and prepared while still maintaining a sense of decency and humanitarianism.

What I enjoyed most about this film was the fun and excitement of Jackson Curtis' family flying through all the disaster scenes. I was also pleased with all the special effects, and was happy that 2012 did not contain the really bad CGI created dogs that The Day After Tomorrow had to offer.

What I least liked about this film was the length. It felt too long in the end. Apparently, it wasn't enough that the world was ending and crumbling down before everyone, there also had to be multiple problems with a door on a rescue vessel. Personally, I thought the earthquakes, fireballs and tidal waves were more exciting obstacles and the rest just dragged the movie out unnecessarily.

Overall though, I did enjoy watching 2012. It was like a fun ride at a theme park. And, as long as you know what to expect, I would recommend that others buy a ticket.