James Cruz

I love to make fun of Hallmark movies. I think they are formulaic and, to put it bluntly, hot garbage. This is probably why I had low expectations for John Carney’s Once. It seemed like just another romance flick for 40 year old moms. I’m glad to report that this is no Hallmark cash grab. I don’t like to use the word “cinematography” a lot because most people aren’t that involved with the film industry to know what it means, but cinematography is really the key to what sets this film apart from most other romance films. It is shot almost like a documentary or a home video. That really makes the viewer feel closer to these already wonderfully written characters, even though we never find out their names. And it probably helps that this film doesn’t necessarily focus on the romance. Some people might not even classify it as a romance because the music is at the forefront of the story. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová wrote the music for this film, and they also played the main characters, which just allows the songs to be tailored to the actor’s style, in addition to the story. People have sung the praises of “Falling Slowly” to no end, but it’s truly an essential part of the film, despite only being sung twice. Overall, it creates a type of chemistry between the two leads that can’t be found in any other film, and a narrative that doesn’t try to sugarcoat anything. It is one of a kind.

Let me get one thing straight: Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” is no holly jolly Christmas movie. It doesn’t shy away from just how stressful the holiday season can be. It shows a man who wants everything but makes himself have nothing because he wants to do the right thing. A character even considers suicide to claim a life insurance policy! And the film is all the better for it. The writers understood that, in order to have such a joyous ending, they need to go to those dark places. It is the only Christmas film that has made me cry, unless of course you consider “Edward Scissorhands” a Christmas movie.

Some films are exciting, but lack emotional depth and artistic integrity. Some films are emotional and artistic masterpieces, but don’t have enough action for modern audiences. The Outsiders is neither of these. It is consistently exciting, but has scenes that can make people audibly weep. 8.9 out of 10.

This film is just brilliant. It is a comedy, but that makes the more serious moments hit that much harder. This isn’t just PG-13 because it has a lot of adult humor and swearing (even though it does have a lot of that). It also covers subject matter that makes the Charles Dickens story seem as dark as a typical Disney renaissance film, and is entirely unexpected in a Christmas movie. It also has great music, despite being “from two guys with questionable pitch”(Ryan Reynolds). I usually think of most Christmas movies as cheap cash grabs or the same old story told again except worse, but this film is neither. 4.5/5

This film excels in nearly every aspect. Johnny Depp gives a truly touching performance as Edward, even when he rarely speaks at all. Vincent Price, director Tim Burton’s favorite actor, gives his final film performance as the inventor, which is perfect for what Burton considers his most personal film. The writing is perfect. It is tragic, but also funny when it needs to be, and this film would have cause its audiences depression without the comic relief. Danny Elfman’s score is haunting and beautiful, which could be use to summarize the entire film. If you can, you should watch it. As an aspiring filmmaker myself, this film is such an inspiration to me. And also make sure to have a box of Kleenex on standby.

This film is both the worst musical fever dream of all time and a timeless masterpiece. In the opening, half the time I’m questioning who allowed this to release. Yet, at the end, I am nearly in tears because of the brilliant plot and (in most cases) perfect lyrical rewrites of the songs that probably took some effort. And, this might be because I don’t listen to songs released around the time the film was made, but the songs being ones that were written long before the film was not too distracting. If you like movies that are so bad they’re good, but also genuinely well made stories, this film has both. I think it’s best to watch it with some friends to riff on it.

This film is a godsend. The acting is great, the writing is fantastic, and it is mostly biblically accurate. Even if you aren’t Christian, it is still an entertaining and inspiring story.