While We're Young (2014)

Written and Directed by Noah Baumbach
Starring Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried

A middle-aged couple find themselves stuck in older bodies when they feel young at heart. They attempt to counter this feeling by befriending a couple of twenty-somethings and changing their lifestyles to match that of their new found friends.

Having a familiarity with directer Noah Baumbach's work, I find that this is his most relatable, coherent and well thought out film to date. While his other films are plagued with characters who are depressed about where their life is at, yet refuse to try to change it, the characters in this film do the opposite.

Brilliantly comparing and contrasting the lives of the two generations, displayed for the audience is a showcase of situations in which we can see a little of ourselves and laugh together at how ridiculous we all really are.

What is surprising to me is the very rarely untold side of "millennials" which is the generations desire to connect face-to-face with people. Portrayed by the indie film industries go-to guy, Adam Driver, the aspiration to experience life without a screen in front of him is a refreshing change from the overplayed, long running joke that all young people are drones completely content with texting someone in the same room rather than speaking with them in person.

Engaging and honest, "While We're Young" is a movie that I feel is relatable for anyone over the age of twenty-one. It has a sense of maturity and reverence that is often lost in a film that compares generations and a necessary self-deprecating humor that enforces the fact that we're all just humans trying to live our lives.

My Rating: 9/10

Oscar Best Picture Nominee: Boyhood

With the Oscars coming up in a little over a week, I decided I would take these next few days to discuss my opinions of the Best Picture Nominees.

"Boyhood"
Written and Directed by Richard Linklater
Starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke and Lorelei Linklater

Formally known as "The 12 Year Project", "Boyhood" is a groundbreaking film in which Richard Linklater told the story of a boy growing up by using the same actors and filming a little bit each year to show the highlights of his life at each age.

I'm not going to lie to you guys. Some of you will not like this movie. I could sit here and say it's because you won't understand it, but that's simply not true. I have heard from others that they felt this film was slow-moving and uneventful, and I completely see where they are coming from. But I have to disagree.

While the image above is the main reason why I believe this film deserves every bit of attention it is getting, I also believe that it is a story every single one of us can relate to. Man or woman. At the surface it doesn't feel like much, but when you really dig deep into your own past you can truly connect with Mason. His growth as a person, every single person reading this has dealt with that. The struggle to really find your identity and figure out who you want to become.

It gives us such an impressive and immersive look into how we are all in control of our own destiny. Every decision we make affects the outcome of our lives. And whether that gives you solace or anxiety is up to you. Personally, it gives me solace. And the three hours of this movie go by smoothly and seems like less time than that.

I will not promise to everyone that you will love this movie. I know for a fact some of you might not even get through it. What I can promise you is a film like nothing you have ever seen before. And while you might not be able to connect with every aspect of Mason's life, I guarantee that there is something in there that is a little piece of you. Watch this movie!

My Rating: 9.5/10