-"If you've ever wondered where your dreams come from look around."
There is one sentence in the whole spoken word language that I may never understand...
"I don't really like movies."
Let me tell you a bit about myself, I was a bit odd (at least to some people) when I was younger. 5th -8th grade, I didn't really have any GOOD/BEST friends that I would go out with. I mean I had friends that I hung out with at school, but any Friday or weekend I stayed home. And I was/am perfectly fine with that! It was staying home all those weekends that turned me into the raving movie maniac I am now, I and couldn't be happier. Movies, are without a doubt my favorite past time. Movies are those magical things that can take you away from your hum drum lives for a few hours and transport you wherever you'd like to go. At least that's what they did for me when I was in my ugly middle school days; and still do today. Never fear, I'll have you know that I am now happily blessed with a very large, wondrous, and diverse group of friends...and what do we love to do when we all spend time together?
WATCH MOVIES!!!
So for me to be told or to overhear "I don't really like movies" just breaks my heart because if you just sit down and truly let yourself enjoy a film there are endless opportunities for discussion, discover, and dreaming!
Which brings me to the first official Miss Morgan Review. Tonight I'll be taking you through the magical modern masterpiece of Hugo.
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Released: 2011
Staring: Ben Kingsley, Sarah Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Lee, and Jude Law.
When the trailer was first released, I wasn't really sure what I should be expecting from this movie. A "children's" movie directed by one of the foulest mouthed, violent, and most loved director, Martin Scorsese. Ladies and Gents, this is the man who brought us Raging Bull, Gangs of New York, and Taxi Driver. None really appropriate for any viewer under 13; however, he remains one of the greatest directors of our generation. I should have known right away I was in for many pleasant and unexpected historical film treats, touching moments, and great visuals. Not to mention as truly FANTASTIC story line.
Hugo Cabret is a young boy, living in a Parisian train station after the untimely death of his father. Hugo scurries around the station, working the clocks and discretely following the on goings of the station and it's patrons; as always making the life of an orphan appear to be the grandest adventure one could have. Way to go Hollywood. When Hugo is not busy winding clocks or being chased by the always comical Sarah Baron Cohen's Station Inspector and his Doberman Maximus, he strives to finish his fathers last project. Yes that creepy, creepy little doll, man, robot...thing. Try as he might, Hugo cannot coax life into the little man of metal. Through a series of happened meets and circumstances, Hugo discover the origins of the mysterious Automaton as well as resurrects a forgotten legend. This is where I truly fell in love with the film.
Hugo develops a strained relationship with the owner of the train station's toy store. A cold unforgiving man who forces Hugo to work for him in order to repay him for the tools and gears Hugo's stolen from him. During this time Hugo also meets and befriends the toy maker's goddaughter and ward Isabelle. Isabelle longs for adventure and is more than thrilled when Hugo sneaks her into a movie theater to see a picture; something Papa George (Her godfather) never allows. Through some good old fashion book reading and investigation, Hugo and Isabelle discover the reason for his resentment. Papa George is the long lost film maker George Méliès. An artist who lost his life's work due to war and the declining interest in the magic of movies.
George Méliès was firstly a magician and one of the most amazing and inventive film makers of all time. The role is play spectacularly by Ben Kingsley. Kingsley manages to capture the bitter, cold regret of an old man who has had everything he loved and worked for taken away; as well as the vibrant and passionate artist and film maker that Méliès was in his youth. Make-up assisted the performance greatly by not being over bearing as almost all Hollywood make-up is. It was subtle and bright, not caked on and heavy. Other films take note. I suppose the story of Méliès rise and fall was thing I enjoyed most about the film because I LOVE the history of film. Film tells us so much about ourselves and serve as a place where your dreams come alive. Exactly what is illustrated in the last hour of Hugo.
George Méliès was firstly a magician and one of the most amazing and inventive film makers of all time. The role is play spectacularly by Ben Kingsley. Kingsley manages to capture the bitter, cold regret of an old man who has had everything he loved and worked for taken away; as well as the vibrant and passionate artist and film maker that Méliès was in his youth. Make-up assisted the performance greatly by not being over bearing as almost all Hollywood make-up is. It was subtle and bright, not caked on and heavy. Other films take note. I suppose the story of Méliès rise and fall was thing I enjoyed most about the film because I LOVE the history of film. Film tells us so much about ourselves and serve as a place where your dreams come alive. Exactly what is illustrated in the last hour of Hugo.
In creating the story of Méliès lost work along with the story of the lost boy, Scorsese brings to light a cause he himself has rigorously campaigned for. Film preservation.
You may have seen him in AFI commercials on film preservation in several dvd releases. Scorsese is a founding father of The Film Foundation-film makers for film preservation, an organization that will be getting a large donation after I'm dead and gone. http://www.film-foundation.org/common/11004/default.cfm?clientID=11004&thispage=homepage
Why you ask? They're just films...there will always be new ones. The fact is, I personally believe film is one of the most important historical documents as well as artistic pieces we as humans have created in this last century. Film can tell you so much not only about a time and place in history, but HOW that film was created truly shows how we as humans and artist view our past. Films made today will show later generations what kind of society we live in. Values, beliefs, lifestyles, music, politics, religions, relationships, all of these can be told through the story of film which is why it's so important we preserve it now and restore what could potentially be lost.
Beautiful examples of the preservation work that The Film Foundation has done. Another reason I have such appreciation for this film is because this is the era of film we're currently studying in Film class and here's one thing I've noticed. The Lumière Brothers created the first real moving picture and used their invention to capture everyday life. The Edison Company of the US exploited it (as we Americans do with all beautiful things) and used it as source of revenue (Dancing girls, cockfights, act.) But Méliès was the first to discover the power that film had to tell a story. To connect people, make them laugh and gasp...as a good magician should.
Apologies this has become more of a rant on film preservation and history but that really is the underlying story of this film is. But I might say, this film is never dull or slow. It keeps the viewer engaged at all times with a colorful pallet and equally colorful characters. As I said before, Sarah Baron Cohen and Ben Kingsley are the stand out performers in this piece and wonderful to watch. Hugo is a fantastic film for all ages, which shows what a truly versatile director Martin Scorsese is. I highly recommend you to seek out this gem if you haven't already. It will undoubtedly put a smile on your face and an appreciation for films and the magicians that create them.
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| Sarah Baron Cohen as the Station Inspector and Maximus. Cohen has one of the more humorous roles physically as well as some of the best lines. |
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| Ben Kingsley portrays a man of forgotten dreams. |
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| Asa Butterfield's Hugo discovers that Chloe Grace Moretz's character Isabelle may possess the key to his fathers final project. |
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| "This book was intended for my grandson. I believe it is now meant for you Monsieur Cabret." Christopher Lee as the all knowing train station librarian |
