Don Jon Review

Don Jon Stumbles, but proves that Levitt is A Promising Director

Porn is more gratifying than actual sex. Objective reality over an ideal lifestyle. These are just a few things writer, director, and actor Joseph Gordon Levitt attempt to convey in his director's debut Don Jon and whether the film succeeds in delving into these modes of thought is based entirely on the viewer. I only say that the success of the film resides within the viewer because the explicit use of sexual imagery may turn many viewers off. That said the film deals with modern take on the legend of Don Juan, a old tale of a man who is a womanizer and morally unrestrained, so if you are walking in with expectations of a classy and clean film you're better off playing chu-chu on Mr. Roger's train-set.

Now with all that considered, the movie does succeed for the most part in conveying its message. Jon Martello, known as the "Don" for scoring "10s" and being an all around womanizer, lives a objective lifestyle. He cares about a few things: his body, pad, ride, family, church, boys, girls, and most importantly his porn. This is an important distinction that Levitt expresses within his character; Jon views everything through an objective mindset, only giving minute details on the ways he conducts these activities. His lifestyle for the most part is presented as typical, mundane, and even at times boring. The only thing he gives much thought to is the pornography he watches, which is ironic considering that he lives his life so impersonally. Pornography is an idealistic vessel that he derives delight from because it presents everything in perfection and "that ass.. those tits," that Jon refers to is instant gratification. The idea being that all humans contain this feeling of aphrodisia, Jon wants to abstain from all these emotional ties and subjectivity and get straight to the point.

Hustling all these women, Jon begins to wonder that maybe the joy he derives from adult films can be acquired if he finds the right girl, which brings in the second vessel of illustrating humans obsession with idealism in place of reality. Jon's love interest known as Barbara Sugarman, portrayed by Scarlett Johannson, is someone he believes that can help him come in touch with reality; this reality being the absolutism he finds in pornography. However Barbara has her own mindset of love that he perceives through Hollywood depictions of romance: the man being a gentleman, the woman being the princess, and both live happily ever after. This presents an interesting contrast between male and female perceptions of love and its sensuality and animalism versus the romantic prospect. Considering how stark a contrast and yet how similar both mindsets are, it was very disappointing to see how the latter was not further explored or delved into. Other characters include Julianne Moore's Esther who does a great job in encapturing the holistic vision of the film in the third act, as student at Jon's community college to enlightens Jon that since the affair of sexual relations involves two parties, it cannot be solely delved in with a singular mindset. Tony Danza, who plays a supporting role as Jon's father, also does a great job at demonstrating why Jon thinks and acts the way he does being fostered by parents who live a archetypal lifestyle where the man watches Sunday night football, while the woman banters about how his husband does not care enough about him; creating the mundane outlook Jon has on social reality in contemporary society.

The narrative space from which the Joseph Gordon Levitt relies on to tell his story as a director is amplified by interesting visual imagery and camera work put off by the production crew. The audience is constantly bombarded with cuts of pornographic tapes that are assumed to experienced by the protagonist, simulating an almost schizophrenic and mental breakdown. Additionally the movie often and intentionally does present repetitive sequence of footage showing Jon going to the gym where he works on his body, meticulously cleaning his apartment, and going to the church to absolve himself of his sins. This sequence of footage becomes so familiar and repetitive it both hinders the films making it less amusing to watch but getting to the point of showing Jon's perspective on life and just how unappealing it is to him because of how routine it is. However it does get to the point where the audience wonders why the film-maker decide to constantly bombard the audience with this sequence making it seem almost preachy. Though that being said, I do believe that Levitt's ability to convey this message and the variety of camera work to express his delusions and point of view does show to a large extent his capability as a future film director.

Before concluding it is important to note that the film does cover the power of the church in absolving humans for their sins. Jon visits the church to tell his transgressions of watching porn and having premarital sex with various women. Additionally there are times where he lies to his priest about committing these "sins," however whatever the case may be he gets the same response "say 10 hail marys" and you shall be absolved of your sins. This may seem like thinly veiled in the case against religion, but it does raise questions about how one can be absolved of sin, how can one commit vices constantly and yet be so easily be forgiven. No matter what you do, forgiveness is granted. It is not fully explored, but it is a nice touch to provide some social commentary on the questionable practices of the Catholic Church and how people perceive the archaic aspects of religious in  modern society.

Don Jon is not a great film, but it is a good film that successfully illustrates the faults of  the idealism in romanticism found from both sides of Hollywood: the film industry and the adult-film industry. The repetitive nature of film does become cumbersome about half way through the film, but the interesting camera play makes the film some what compelling to watch. Furthermore the acting by the main cast, including the feat by Levitt being both director and the lead actor, goes on to demonstrate that Joseph Gordon Levitt is a very capable film director and story teller even if the film stumbles every now and then.

You're Beautiful Babe, can I go home and watch my porno now?

7/10 Woodys *This Review has not been edited yet...*

Breaking Bad Buried Review

Walter leaves the Meth business in order to uncover the family he buried behind him, however one cannot simply reemerge from a troubled past unscathed. Directed and written by Breaking Bad veterans Michelle MacLaren and Thomas Schnauz, we are given a glimpse of the reality. A reality that is chaotic and almost nonsensical, where bundles of money are discovered by an elderly man in order to find a man beyond repair. Jesse Pinkman, Walter White's partner, has reached an ending point where he does not know where to being or go. This is not some sort existentialist and hopeless outlook, not finding the means to define his existence, so if you are searching for some life-defining revelation on what it means "to be" then go look elsewhere (But please read the article). Rather Jesse has become fragmented as a individual losing those around him resulting in his life to both mentally and physically, as illustrated by the high-angle shot on the merry go around, spiral out of control. 

Elsewhere we see that Hank has contacted her sister Skyler, and asks her come meet him. Skyler is smart enough to assume that something is wrong, and the apprehensive scene that comes forth is only amplified by the irony that it occurs in a diner. Hank expresses his deep hatred for Walt's betrayal and as he puts it "the lives he's destroyed," and Skyler does not blatantly cast aside these truths. However, he mentions a slight detail about how Walt's cancer is back and Skyler instantly absorbed with a protective mindset. Many people may be put off by this turn of events, expected that Skyler would be more than happy than to turn in her meth conjuring husband in to the DEA. Although that is true in some respects, it was only a little over a month where Walt has quit the business. During that time she felt that she had her family back again, that there is some solace to be found to this world of peril that Walt's actions brought. Skyler feels threatened, as any mother would, by Hank's allegations to arrest Walter and take away her family. It's an interesting dynamic played off exceptionally by actors Dean Noris and Anna Gunn through the harrowing dialogue and mannerisms they exhibit. What we are given at the end is the interesting dilemma where Skyler chooses to side with Walt, and yet it is completely understandable given the circumstances.  

However this show is not all about death and despair, they are few moments where we there is a spotlight put on the comedic aspect of show. Saul Goodman's assistants, Huell and Kuby, are told extract Walt's money from the warehouse and bring it in for safe keeping. The show could have simply have progressed, however the show is already serious enough, considering the audience is watching a show about the rise and fall of a "drug-lord" who has lung cancer. Thus in a very Breaking Bad  fashion, some comedic elements are employed to given some humor within all this seriousness. Ideas like just skipping town and living life like Scrooge McDuck and sleeping on a large canvas of money creates a comical effect. This is drug money, but who cares money is money, and in any other situation anyone will be more than happy to take it. Sequentially, in the next scene Saul discusses with Walt his predicament with Hank finding out the truth. Saul amuses the idea of having him take a trip, like Mike, and visit Belize. Its moments like this that make me appreciate the show for not only conveying a true cinematic experience, but one that also finds ways to make people laugh in a seemingly hopeless situation; gallows humor is technical term for the lit aficionados.

Later on, Marie and Skyler have a talk about Walt's involvement in his nefarious affairs. When it comes to topic of Hank and whether Walt was involved with the cartel's attempt to murder Hank, she hesitates to answer. As fans of show we know that the hit on Hank was given by Gus, however Walt gives information about sparingly about his alter-ego Heisenberg, that it is safe for Skyler to assume the worst in people especially in the case for her husband. She simply answers, "I'm sorry Marie," and Marie answers with a slap to the face. This scene is hard watch and makes the viewers cringe at every frame, making both a grieving and enthralling moment to experience. Also it is interesting to note that the actors actually cried when performing this scene because they felt such an emotional attachment to these characters and their relationship, so no fake teardrops to expected here. Marie then returns to cleptic behavior by attempting to steal Skyler's baby daughter, which gives rise to chaotic scene. Skyler and Marie fight over this child as the baby cries over the background, amplifying the emotional atmosphere of the scene. Hank comes in resolve the issue and asks Marie to leave with him. They do leave, however with little resolve; this family will never again hold the aspects that a loving and caring family have, what we are instead left with a is broken ties and gloomy prospect of how it will all end.

Other notable scenes include Walt's visit to To'hajiilee, an homage to the desert where all this meth-business began back in the pilot. This is another powerful scene where Walt's anguish and suffering are given physical form with him having to leave all his money hidden and without trace by himself with his cancer, coughing and throbbing at any given moment. It also includes some interesting camerawork of framing each shot and putting an adhesive label over the camera lens to show the coordinates given off by a "gps device." Additionally the scene with Lydia and her reign to control in the meth industry by eliminating Declan and get full-fledge support by Todd and his coassociates of Neo-Nazis shows that even the meth industry that Walt operated is going down the shitter. Considering the effort given off the members of production set, the actors, and the editing crew this episode stood still and conveyed a cathartic experience that was extremely gratifying to watch as an
avid fan of show.