Pi

 π (1998)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Screenplay by Darren Aronofsky

Story by Darren Aronofsky & Sean Gullette & Eric Watson

Stars: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart, Stephen Pearlman, Samia Shoaib, Ajay Naidu and Kristyn Mae-Anne Lao

The blog-a-thon was a good excuse to see the movies that I want  to see from directors that I love like Tarantino and Aronofsky. I am Aronofsky loyalist that will love every movie that they have done no matter what people think about them. Pi was the only movie of his that I have not seen. This must be the end of days, because there is a Darren Aronofsky movie that I didn't like.

Maximillian Cohen (Gullette) is a mathematical genius that is holed up in his apartment trying to figure out a genius equation to solve the secret of the universe. He has built a super computer in his apartment. He is typing away. On the rare occasion that he goes out, Max meets a Hasidic Jew, Lenny Meyer (Shenkman) that share their love for mathematical equation. There is also this sinister subplot about a corporate crony, Marcy Dawson (Hart) want to get a chip from Max somehow.

I completely understand what Aronofsky was trying to do here. He wanted to make movie that has a genius trying to get that history making solution that could revolutionize society. I get it. He is consumed by it that he would go crazy. Fine. I don't find the movie interesting as whole. Having characters talk about complex mathematical equations is like you are stuck in Calculus class at a remedial school. I didn't care for it to be honest.

I know that Aronofsky received a lot of praise for his directorial debut with a Directing Award from the Sundance Film Festival and a Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Award. Good for you. The black and white choice was fine. I saw some similarities with this movie and his follow-up Requiem for a Dream. It has the same sequences when a character is showing popping pills in the same matter repeatedly. Fine.

I felt completely disconnected to this movie from start to when the disk stopped before the film ended. I guess, that was a sign that to waste more of my time with this movie.

My Rating

Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine (2010)

Directed by Derek Cianfrance

Written by Derek Cianfrance and Joey Curtis & Cami Delavigne

Stars: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Mike Vogel, Ben Shenkman, Faith Wladyka and John Doman

I really wanted to watch Blue Valentine for a long time, but I did not get the chance to watch it in the theaters. When I saw that the movie was on VOD, I jumped at the chance to see it. I am glad that I did.

The movie shows the beginning and the ending of the relationship between Dean (Gosling) and Cindy (Williams). The action takes place in flashbacks when the two met and fall in love with each other. On the other hand, it shows in t he present when Cindy is done with Dean who is very lazy and has no ambitions in his life. Her revelation occurs during a seemingly harmless romantic getaway to a space themed motel room.

The movie reminds me of Closer where it dealt with the beginning and ending of the relationships of the people involved, but I think this movie dealt with it in a raw level. Closer dealt with it on the surface.

I think that Gosling should have gotten an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Dean-- he got an Omie Award instead-- for playing a guy that has no clear path to life when he meets Cindy. Everything seemed clear that he wanted to be with this woman forever. The love doesn't last when when you are growing older. Sometimes, the things that you love about that person would get on your nerves.

Williams deserved her nomination for playing a woman that is very driven woman that is sideswiped by the charming Dean, but when she believed that Dean would have some ambition in his life instead of being drunk and painting houses for a living.

Together Cindy and Dean gave every emotion known to man. They were not afraid to look vulnerable onscreen. Their story was life affirming, heartbreaking and gut wrenching. Now, I understand the title after watching the movie. What would you do when the love is gone?

My Rating: