Hollywood’s Hall of Presidents
November 6, 2008
‘W.’ stuns with emotional portrayal
<swatermeier@hilite.org>
In an early scene from “W.,” a character says, “Politics do not define a human being. There’s more to people than how they vote.” This statement is the key to director Oliver Stone’s (“Platoon,” “JFK,” “Wall Street”) take on George W. Bush. WARNING: “W.” is far from the full-fledged, biting satire the previews suggest. While it does poke fun at the President’s inarticulateness and occasional confusion, Stone is never mean-spirited. His effort is to humanize Bush by exploring his insecurities and frustrations. By focusing more on his personal life than his politics, Stone gives Bush’s story a universal appeal.
“W.” bounces back and forth from Bush’s time as President to his early days of hard partying and failed jobs. The film shows how Bush’s recklessness deeply disappointed his father, played by the excellent James Cromwell. This disappointment is the catalyst for Bush’s insecurity. Much of the film depicts his struggles to impress people, especially his father. No matter what he accomplishes (even becoming President), he never gets the respect and love he wants from his family and peers. This is the real tragedy behind “W.” that makes it such a poignant character study.
For the emotional power that results from this biopic journey, give credit to Josh Brolin for his sympathetic portrayal of our current president. He transcends mere imitation of Bush and creates a charismatic and often tragic character. He engages the audience by portraying Bush as an everyman. At times when he is being panned by the media for his political decisions, his charm evokes sympathy. Brolin also brings a saddening pensiveness to the role. In every scene, he makes Bush seem like he is quietly judging himself. By the end of the film, he convinces the audience that Bush has no respect for himself and that he will never love or accept himself for who he is. The most important strength of Brolin’s performance, though, is his ability to cause the viewer to empathize with Bush not only as a character but also as the President in reality. This is quite the feat considering Bush is one of the least popular presidents in American history.
-
“W.”
- Starring: Josh Brolin, Richard Dreyfuss, Elizabeth Banks
- Directed by: Oliver Stone
- Rated: PG-13
- Overall: A
‘The Counterfeiters’ offers real, heart-wrenching perspective
November 6, 2008
By Lexi Muir
<lmuir@hilite.org>
There is a small following for foreign films in America’s society. No matter how intriguing or exciting a film may seem, the language barrier intimidates and draws many people away. Stefan Ruzowitzky’s “The Counterfeiters” proved to be both intriguing and effective despite its German dialogue. Read more
Around the World in 10 Miles: World Market
November 6, 2008
By Rebecca Xu
<rxu@hilite.org>
Cost Plus World Market has been a familiar location in Merchants Square for quite a long time, standing alongside the well-known Marsh and Hobby Lobby. Over the years, many students have probably stepped foot in the store, but they should consider going back. World Market actually offers many inexpensive products that would interest not only interior designers, but also teenagers. Read more
Around the World in 10 Miles: Taiwan Teahouse
November 6, 2008
Tired of the same old culture? The HiLite invites you to embark on a multicultural exploration - without ever traveling beyond 86th Street
By Meher Ahmad
<mahmad@hilite.org>
Searching for the perfect after-school snack is like searching for the holy grail. It has to be sweet, fruity, filling and somewhat nutritious. Most of all, it has to be inexpensive.
Taiwan Tea House, at 86th Street and Dean Road, fulfills all these requirements, and best of all, at a price that students can afford. Read more
‘Body of Lies’ breaks spy thriller mold
October 20, 2008
By Sam Watermeier
Get ready for a new type of super spy: He’s fat, old, bearded, and tired. Look out James Bond. I’m referring to the two main characters in “Body of Lies,” the new thriller from master Ridley Scott (”Alien,” “Blade Runner”) written by Academy Award winning screenwriter William Monahan (”The Departed”). “Body of Lies” is a refreshing change of direction from the hectic, relentless, fantastical spy movies of late like “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Casino Royale.” Unlike those films, “Body of Lies” delivers “average Joe” characters that are relatable and credible. This is a plus because it’s getting difficult to connect with invincible super spies. However, the film’s plot is not as captivating as its characters.
Based on the novel by David Ignatius, the film revolves around two CIA agents: Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his boss Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe). Ferris is frustrated and tired of all the death and destruction he witnesses on the job. Hoffman could care less about Ferris’s emotional trauma because he is just the guy behind the scenes, the one that sits in an air-conditioned office “pulling the strings” while agents risk their lives for him. Since he cannot relate to Ferris’s struggles and has not experienced the same destructive events, he remains indifferent. The plot kicks into action when Ferris and Hoffman create a terrorist and stage bombings in order to lure another Middle-eastern terror-monger into a trap. Sounds exciting, right? Well, unfortunately the pace of the film does not quicken at this point and the movie does not offer the thrilling spectacles and action implied. However, the depth of the characters makes up for this disappointment.
Most spy thrillers like the “Bond” or “Bourne” films focus only on thrusting their heroes into exciting action. Unlike James Bond and Jason Bourne, Ferris and Hoffman do not constantly chase enemies in fancy cars around exotic locales. With its exploration of the principal characters’ personal lives, “Body of Lies” transcends the spy thriller genre. The film juxtaposes the men’s spy business with their non-work related routines. For example, there are several scenes where Hoffman is doing ordinary things like eating cereal or taking his kids to school while talking to CIA operatives over the phone. We also see Ferris on a date with a girl in one of the war-torn countries where he is stationed. These scenes add an emotional layer that the “Bond” and “Bourne” films lack. “Body of Lies” shows that men are more than their profession.
DiCaprio and especially Crowe create the most relatable spy characters I have ever seen. Crowe gained 50 pounds for the role and sports a gray wig. His attitude in the film is that of an ordinary middle-aged man. He does not seem like a sneaky mastermind, but an average Joe which makes his performance complex and engaging. DiCaprio displays a vulnerability unlike other famous spy characters that is very touching. He shows genuine fear and sadness. When a girl he’s dating in the Middle East is kidnapped, he falls apart. Any other film spy would show little or no emotion.
“Body of Lies” is not the best film in theaters right now. It is a little slow and dull in parts. However, it is worth seeing merely because it breaks the mold for spy thrillers with its credible characters.
“Body of Lies”
Grade: B
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe
Rated: R
Spectacular Scares
October 17, 2008
Forget the recent Halloween releases, HiLite reporter Lauren Mugavin brings you the top 5 classic movies to scare you silly
By Lauren Mugavin
<lmugavin@hilite.org>
1. ‘The Exorcist’
At first I had no idea why everyone was making such a big deal about this movie about a girl named Regan MacNeil who is possessed by a demon…until I saw it. It had an incredibly intense effect that both surprised and scared me. Considering it was made in the ‘70s, it is extremely dark and evil–in an entertaining way, of course. The stair scene was delightfully disturbing, something that’s sure to leave an imprint in my mind for a while. Regan was entrancing as the little girl possessed and as the normal, happy girl. The entire time she is possessed, you aren’t even aware that it’s a little girl, only that it’s a demon in a deceiving form. Some of the events that occur from the time the demon enters are shocking and horrifying, tearing the viewer between the desire for more and the desire to cover their eyes. I love the whole trek through trying to discover the truth behind the little girl’s “personality disorder” until they realize they don’t need a doctor, but an exorcist. Read more
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