Memento is a memorable revenge story

Christopher Nolan assembles a psychological thriller that is unlike most films. Based on a short story by his brother Jonathan, Momento uses non-linear editing style along with two timelines, one in black-and-white and the other in color. The black-and-white scenes are in chronological order while the color sequences are in reverse. At first, it is confusing, but once the structural device is understood, the film reveals its unique story of revenge.

Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), is looking for his wife’s killer, but he has anterograde amnesia, which doesn’t let him store new memories. He has developed a system of recollection using hand-written notes, tattoos, and Polaroid photos. Audiences are drawn to Leonard’s character because he is heroic and tragic at the same time. Nolan puts the viewer into Leonard’s shoes and you cannot help but feel his frustration. The cast gives everything they got to produce one of the most “memorable” films of all time.

WORD COUNT: 155

Adam’s Grade: A

Chuck’s Grade: A

The Matrix blindsided everyone

The Matrix is a mind-blowing piece of science fiction that blindsided everyone with its camera tricks, original story, and interesting characters. The Wachowski Brothers masterpiece packages an everyman hero working as a corporate computer programer by day and hacker by night. NEO (Keanu Reeves) and his understanding of the world as he knows it is turned upside down and inside out when he meets the legendary Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss). This plot challenges audiences to think, which may turn off some people, but for those that buy into the film’s post-modern theory it becomes a mantra and a movie that will be seen more than once.

Once again, Keanu Reeves has defied his critics by creating another memorable character whose lines will be on the lips of the original audience for generations to come. The Wachowskis vision is uncompromising and their passion for their project is seen in every detail. The Matrix is a must see.

WORD COUNT: 159

Adam’s Grade: A-

Chuck’s Grade: A+