Author Vakeesh Velummylum

Films are far more than an escape for me, it is the most expressive medium of art. It contains many permutations and combination of possibilities and I like to examine it all with a fine tooth comb and see how well they bind together. So with much enthusiasm I share with you this keen interest.

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It is now New Years’ Eve and the staff of News Night are having an office party. As Will is discussing the district attorney’s budget cuts across the country with Mackenzie’s new boyfriend, Don is mischievously trying to set up Maggie’s roommate with Jim. Maggie is very vocally expressing how devastating the whole notion is, but reluctantly comes to terms with it. Neal, very annoyingly to his colleagues, and to myself, I will add, tries to explain and justify why he believes ‘Bigfoot’ exists. Terrible party story. Mackenzie soon interrupts the discussion between her current and ex-boyfriend; she finally gets Will to come out and enjoy the party. As he steps out of his office, his eyes are fixated on a woman who seems to be at this party by herself. Jim takes Sloan’s advice to introduce himself to this woman, and soon finds out that she is a columnist at a tabloid. Following his attempt to ‘civilize’ her, he gets a drink thrown in his face. Will is later slammed in the tabloid by the columnist for being a crude pervert, but ignoring his bad press, Will continues in his plight to ‘civilize’ and allow Sloan to set him up with dates. Ultimately, Will ends up with more drinks thrown in his face.

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We left off with Will declaring his commitment to Mackenzie’s content-driven programming with, “I’m in.” What he’s actually in, is trouble, and Charlie not Will is finding out just how much. The episode begins with Will’s public apology for his own inability to provide the American voters with the news necessary for an informed electorate, a vital element of democracy. Ratings-driven content, he says, has damaged and resulted in great injustices and detriment to the American public. He continues with a history lesson, discussing what news was intended for, and the repercussions of not stipulating the barring by Congress of paid advertising during informational broadcasts. He explains that News Night and his staff are no longer in that business, and are joining the minority in the media that are concerned about content, and relevant facts, over marketability. To validate his decisions, Will confidently declares Mackenzie and himself as the media elite, adding that their credentials are readily available.

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Moving forward from breaking the story of the BP oil spill, Will has a glow of revitalization. Perhaps it’s the satisfaction of doing the News the way he has always wanted to; or maybe it’s the reemergence of his old love in his office. Will’s pleasant self is now learning his staff’s names and profiles via flash cards.

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Will McAvoy is placed in a rather precarious situation. He is, by some obligation, partaking in a three-person panel of speakers at Northwestern University, interestingly placed right between a Democrat and Republican. As the host of the Newsroom on the fictional Atlantis Cable Network nightly primetime slot, it is imperative that Will keep his political views private, which he seems to have no difficulty doing during the discussion, through the use of vague and evasive responses.

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There are a few reasons why you may have heard of, or have garnered curiosity for this film. It may be the fact that two of Hollywood’s most influential and accredited actors, Sean Penn and Brad Pitt, co-star. It is quite possible that you are familiar with Terrence Malick’s small but powerful body of work. Or perhaps, its because, The Tree of Life is the recipient of the prestigious Palme d’Or award at 2011 Cannes Film Festival. In my case it, was all of the above.

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Make A Movie Like Spike, was featured at 2011 ReelWorld film festival in Toronto and my interest in watching this film was completely based on its title. Spike Lee, the infamous mascot of the New York Knickerbockers is just as equally well known for his film portrayals of the struggles of African Americans. Lee’s affluence and success has made him a role model for young aspiring filmmakers in the black community like Luis, from Los Angeles. Make A Movie Like Spike, is told through the camera of Luis who is creating a short film in the hopes of becoming like his idol.

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From David Gordon Green, the director of Pineapple Express and All the Real Girls, comes Your Highness; a fantasy ‘buddy comedy’ starring James Franco and Eastbound & Down’s Danny McBride. The story is about the stark contrast between two sons of King Tallious in the The Kingdom of Mourne. Fabious (Franco) is the model son and alpha male where as Thadeous (McBride) is the younger, lethargic prodigal son. Despite the difference in quality and personality, their relationship is amicable. Until they go on a quest to retrieve Fabious’ bride Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel) from her capture Lezaar (Justin Theroux), much to the dislike of Thadeous.

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I had the pleasant opportunity to catch the screening of Not Just A Game at the ReelWorld Film Festival. In the film, renowned sports commentator Dave Zirin, discusses the correlation of sports and politics through footage of significant and historic moments in American sports. In this narrative essay he addresses the intrinsic political elements of sports and its application to American society and vice versa, despite the overwhelming desire to keep both separate.

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In this consumerist society, one that now has a global prowess far extending western society, you cannot escape the need to be bigger, faster stronger and even drive a faster car.  I refine Chris Martin’s lyric here with the operative word need. 

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Have you ever wondered if life is a sequence of predetermined events? The Adjustment Bureau is a very convoluted yet intriguing take on this age old question and addresses the most popular component about fate and free will: love.

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