William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet

Personally, I don't feel I need to go over the premise here. I was watching the theatrical trailer, and whoever wrote it decided that this tale was "the greatest love story ever told". I disagree, but that's not important.

Let me make this clear: Baz Luhrmann is a genius. He has some of the best cinematography I have ever seen. Moreover, the art direction in this film is simply beautiful. Exquisite, really. Even if you hate Leonardo DiCaprio or can't stand Shakespeare, you will be forced to admit that Luhrmann plunges the viewer into a world saturated with colour and beauty.

In addition, John Legizamo (?) is an inspired choice as Tybalt. He brings anguish and passion to a disillusioned young man the likes of which has rarely been seen before.

Alright, I'm about to admit something somewhat controversial. I believe that Leonardo DiCaprio can act. I know, I know, now it looks like I just seem to favour boyish teen stars, but I assure you that that is not the case. Honestly, if you don't believe me, rent anything else he has been in, minus the disaster that was The Beach. There's really no explaining that. Regardless, DiCaprio brings an almost tender innocence to the empty existence of a teen caught in a world he cannot explain or understand.

Romeo and Juliet's characters live outside the hate that embroils their families. While their love may not be the stuff of the "greatest love story ever told", it is a powerful example of the all-consuming pathos many teens experience at one time or another. If that doesn't work for you, you can just admire how pretty it all looks.

Bend it like Beckham

Sliding away from the downer of yesterday, let's focus on something a little more upbeat. Plot summary: An Indian girl in England is a kick footballer, but her traditional parents don't want her to play. She secretly joins a team with a dreamy male coach. Fun ensues.
Seriously, though, that movie is hilarious! At first, I wondered what this plug for Beckham was all about, but I feel you should wait 'til you see the movie before you understand it, too. The juxtaposition of the main girl's family and her English football buddy is too much for words. By the way, the older sister is getting married, and there is some strange hilarity there.
Okay, it seems I don't have a lot to say about this film. Honestly, though, it's a good one to rent if you need a quick pick-up. A solid A-, I say.

The Butterfly Effect
Today's movie is out in theatres right now, so you can go see it and make up your own mind about it if you want to.
First, the premise: Cameras follow a young boy through his quite frightening childhood, complete with blackouts when some of the scary things happen. At thirteen, Evan moves away from his horrid life. We jump ahead to when he is twenty, living blackout free at university. When a girl prompts him to read some of the journals he has kept in order to help him remember things, he slowly discovers that he can travel in time. Following a tragic incident, Evan decides to travel back to make things right. As we all can surmise, every time he tries to put things right, something else goes wrong.
As shocking as this is going to sound from a cruel cynic like me, it is possible that Ashton Kutcher (?) can actually act. I know, movies like Road Trip and Just Married suggest otherwise, but he displayed some real talent here. Don't get me wrong - I'm not pretending that this movie is an A+. Nonetheless, it is powerful and enjoyable.
Personally, I feel one of the true tests of a good movie is what you take away from it. If you leave with a warm, fuzzy feeling, it was okay. If you never think about it again, except when you remember how much it sucked, then it wasn't good. Now, if you spend time afterwards talking about ideas suggested in the movie and the movie itself with the people you saw it with, then it really was worth your while. It's as simple as that.
So, beware. This movie will cause you to discuss, imagine, and recollect. Also, puppies and kiddies get hurt in some awful ways. If you can't handle that, then don't watch this movie.

Let's get some things straight if you are going to read this site: 1) My name is April, and I am overly opinionated. 2) I am extra fond of sharing my opinions with absolutely everyone. 3) I love movies. So, if you put those things together, you get this extra-special blogspot. Enjoy at your own risk.