Sherman's March

Every human being’s life is a story, filled with all sorts of colors and history, yet some people learn to seize the moment and find more color in their day-to-day life. When we hang out with friends and tell them how our day went, we’re sharing a bond and communicating those colors of our lives. Creating a personal documentary or writing an autobiography is no different, except in the choice of medium used. For those who understand how to express the colors of their lives in an exceptionally vivid manor, they have the potention to become passionate artists. While Ross McElwee could be described as monotone and lacking color, the story behind his escapades and travels are genuine and absolutely intriguing. I will listen to the life of any man who, after being dumped and against all doubt, still preservers in his desire to travel and make a movie, let alone a man with a strong enough drive to travel across the country to find love. Regardless of McElwee’s monotone character, the sincerity of his choices and actions lead him down a vibrant life that couldn’t be mimicked by another. McElwee isn’t caught up in superficialities and establishments, and instead is choosing to “do him” by living his life to whatever extent he desires. He may be a hopeless romantic, but in seeing his motivation and drive to chase down what he loves, I developed an envy for his dedication. The world deserves to see the day-to-day life of a man who seizes the day like McElwee does, which I believe is what draws audiences to spend three whole hours watching his movie.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Viewers who watch and expect to be delivered a message from Exit Through the Gift Shop are choosing to watch this tale unfold from the incorrect angle. Banksy's story is not a journey with a rewarding end, but a tale showing art and beauty occurring on our very streets every night. The passion these street artists possess for their craft is immeasurable, to the extent that they risk their rights and freedom with the possibility of being arrested: all for an art form. They risk their health and safety by climbing and traveling to deathly dangerous locations, all just to find their perfect canvas. This movie isn’t about some Frenchman who has a tick for filming everything, or about a prankster’s vision; Exit Through the Gift Shop brings an underground art form into the light for the public to gain a better understanding of. It’s not just vandalism and graffiti; the artists are just choosing to use the side of a building instead of an easel and canvas. The authenticity of the film is questionable, and possibly manipulative in the method Banksy uses to edit the film together, but the story told here is less focused on the people and events, but more of the underground culture continuing to form. Banksy message and aim wasn’t to profoundly change the lives of the audience in some over-the-top manor, but instead to refute the negative connotation that street art typically receives, and to draw viewers into understanding the stories and lives of the performers. When you look out your window, or as you drive down the interstate and see those colors sprayed alongside the underpass, don’t view it as vandalism and graffiti, but consider how the artist felt and the passion coursing through his hands as he sprays his art and love onto the canvas of the world.

When Harry Met Sally

The romantic-comedy genre maintains a bad reputation and, quite often, deservedly so. It isn't easy to find a good romantic comedy in this day and age, but When Harry Met Sally breaks that cliché mold and brings to light a fresh approach to romantic comedies. It's the story of two friends, trying their hardest to keep sex out of the relationship so as not to complicate things. The film is funny in its own subtle way without the use of stupid humor or sight gags.

When Harry Met Sally is a perfect example of Rob Reiner’s comedic style and it never loses its touch throughout the entire film. And while the wit and intelligence of the film remains the same all the way through, it changes its tone and pacing multiple times, making for an intriguing and diversified watch. The creative way in which the story progresses breaks away from the way thousands of other romantic comedies play out, and that makes for something so fresh and original that you can't help but love it.

When Harry Met Sally is a fantastic film that defines how all romantic comedies should be structured and filmed. Its intelligence and wit is something you don't see much anymore, making it a film that stands out among the thousands of others like it. While most romantic comedies are worse than the relationships they aim to mimic, When Harry Met Sally will stand the test of time and is a film that any viewer can take to heart.