Dirty Harry (1971)

After a lengthy discussion on 80s New York vigilante Bernhard Goetz in class, we watched this classic featuring Clint Eastwood in his iconic role as inspector Harry Calahan.  Quoting from my course syllabus: "The film is, and was so regarded as, a critique of, and protest against, the Warren Court's imposition of new constitutional rules on police procedures in the 1960s."  The film makes a very clear statement, with the police finding justice when the law fails to do so.  There is the constant conflict between due process and crime control that in a perfect world would not exist.  The law since the 1960s has been designed to deter bad police behavior and protect criminals' rights.  Dirty Harry could not care less about criminals' rights.

Of course, Dirty Harry is known for his famous line: "Go ahead, make my day" which doesn't appear in this film, but instead we get equally glorious "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?".  Eastwood does what he does best, playing a character is filled with intensity; he is the ultimate tough guy.  The film editing is exciting, the action is enticing, and the score is just perfect.  

The Giver (2014)

The movie is never quite as good as the book.  This movie never really captures the essence of the Newbery Medal winning book for which it is based. Lois Lowry creates a world of her own imagination, rich with detail.  This "perfect" world eliminates choice through a strict set of rules, creating a society of equality, sameness.  To start off, Jonas narrates the rules of the society.  But he does not explain to the audience what this society is about, only scratching the surface of the Lowry's creation. For those who have not read the book, they are thrown into this utopia/dystopia without the proper background.  Hollywood created a love story where there is none, not understanding that the people in the society are not capable of love.  Even the ending is slightly different (read: worse), not leaving room for audience interpretation.

The dialogue moves very quickly, with characters almost speaking over each other with little pause in between responses.  It comes off as almost robotic.  Maybe the director was going for flat to depict the lack of emotions, because even the incomparable Meryl Streep (whose role does not appear prominently in the book) and Jeff Bridges gives uninspired performances.

It is a very short film and the plot moves very quickly, so the audience is not given much time to digest anything.  But in that short time, there is some really beautiful cinematography.  The contrast of the black-and-white and the vibrant colors is stunning, and the flow of memories produce some incredible images.  In conclusion, read the book. 

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Edge of Tomorrow avoids the trap that so many science fiction films fall into.  The concept is refreshingly different and makes you think and thankfully, the plot is not so insane that you can't follow the story.  That comes down to good execution.  The audience doesn't know exactly what's going on until Tom Cruise's character finds out for himself, at which point it is described in thorough detail to make sure we all get it.  My one complaint on the plot is a minor glitch in the timeline that is either not explained well enough or an overlooked mistake.  

The movie resembles a video game, in which death only means starting again from the last checkpoint.  If you get it wrong the first time, you can go back and try again.  What we take for granted in video games is used in the movie as military strategy in a battle that resembles an alien D-Day.  Each day plays the same way, much like a computer program written to do very specific things in a game. Continuing the theme, the imaginative design of the movie is reminiscent of video games, complete with full-battle suits and robotic aliens.