Movie review: Kill Your Darlings (2013)

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Dane DeHaan, Jack Huston, Ben Foster 
Directed by John Krokidas 
Rating: MA-15

If there is a film that will get Daniel Radcliffe as far away from being Harry Potter as possible, this would be it.

Kill Your Darlings has everything: sex, drugs, murder, poetry and even jazz. Based on a true story and directed by John Krokidas, the film follows the Columbia University adventures of young poet Allen Ginsberg (Radcliffe) and his Bohemian friends, who are better known as the “Beat Generation”.

In 1940s New York, young Allen is a wide-eyed freshman at Columbia University. For all intents and purposes, he is an average guy. That is, until he meets the charismatic piercingly-blue-eyed Lucien Carr (DeHaan), with whom he shares a constant push-pull relationship until the very end of the film. Lucien introduces him to William Burroughs (Foster) and Jack Kerouac (Huston), and together they break the rules of writing and morality.

In the film, Ginsberg’s fixation with Carr brings about the discovery and exploration of his own sexuality and his literary talents. Radcliffe’s performance as a young freshman following a senior boy like a lost puppy is something to be applauded, though it is DeHaan’s tense, smouldering stares and pouty angst that really get the whole dynamic going.

Sex and sexuality in the film are topics that aren’t discussed, but rather experienced or set aside for more important things like drugs or murder. Homosexuality is a topic that plays a big role in the film, even though it is never discussed and only acted upon through stolen kisses and awkward sexual encounters.

Only one thing is troubling about all the sex in the film and that is the fact that I may not be able to watch Harry Potter ever again without the images of Daniel Radcliffe in very compromising positions.

Krokidas certainly does a good directorial job of portraying the events in a romantic, almost sepia tone that can make even the younger viewers in the cinema nostalgic for a time they weren’t even alive for. In fact, the whole film and all its characters are so romanticised that, by the end of the film, you almost feel sorry for all the heart-wrenching things said and done by one Lucien Carr.

Despite being shot in a span of only 24 days on a shoestring budget, Kill Your Darlings is one of the better films out there that has covered the Beat Generation. The costumes and music throughout the film were so specifically chosen to fit the mood, which makes for a great experience when you’re trying to get into the vibe of the film.

Overall the actors played their parts well and made the film more than just some kind of coming-of-age story. Krokidas also does a great job with creating beautiful visuals and generally just making you feel like you’re experiencing things right along the group of writers.

He is, at times, able to portray something so well that by having so much happening on-screen you feel like you’re on drugs as well. There’s also the fact that during one sexual encounter, Krokidas is able to deliver a feeling of vulnerability and brokenness so convincing that it feels as if it is happening to us.

3 and a half out of 5.

Movie review: About Time (2013)

Just a short excerpt from my review on the film About Time!

“About Time is a sweet, but moreso odd, romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist that makes for a cute date night film.

Movie Review: Diana (2013)

“Diana plays out like badly written fan fiction that has been made into a film because someone thought it would be a good idea. Oliver Hirschbiegel, who directed Downfall, delivers a boy-meets-girl account of the secret affair between Lady Diana Spencer, the former Princess of Wales (Watts), and heart surgeon Hasnat Khan (Andrews).

One Direction in Melbourne

The UK boy band One Direction have returned to Australia and kicked off the Melbourne leg of their “Take Me Home” tour with a bang. 

Last night, I was lucky enough to be among dozens of other journalists standing/sitting awkwardly watching Niall, Harry, Liam, Zayn and Louis perform hit after hit as prepubescent girls around them screamed like there was no tomorrow.

I’m pretty sure everyone in the sold-out Rod Laver Arena sustained some sort of hearing loss and probably would have suffered a seizure or two courtesy of the never ending, high-pitched screams and blinding light show throughout the night.

Now, I’ve never been much of a 1D fan but I won’t lie, I have had a few of their songs stuck in my head once in a while. 

It’s no secret that One Direction have reached a level of fame that some might say rival that of The Beatles’ or even one Justin Bieber. With lyrics telling girls that it’s all about the “little things” that “makes you beautiful”, the 5 young men of the group have secured a spot in most 8 to 18 year-old girl’s heart. 

Again, I was never a fan however after seeing them perform live and interact with the crowd, I now know what all the fuss is about. One Direction are a group of 5 guys who are above average-looking, can sing lyrics that touch millions of girls’ hearts and are very cheeky with their fans and take the time to joke around in between performances for the crowd’s enjoyment. 

The night ended with a few thousand deafening screams and what seemed like “What Makes You Beautiful” with the boys donning Hawks jerseys. Though they got more flak than claps for that costume change, it was a great way to show support to the AFL team and to show that the boys do enjoy what Melbourne has to offer, as they so frequently repeated throughout the show.

There are another 7 shows in Melbourne this month and you’d best not miss them if you’re a Directioner. 

Not Ellis

(This was a short review for my blog but my longer one will be up on Youth Central‘s website soon.)

(I’m still on hiatus… I just felt the need to write about the D.)

Things you would want but probably not need

Sometimes things get tough and your world comes crashing down. What do you do to get back up again? You can do the “right” thing and talk to someone about your troubles or maybe write about it– be productive. Or you can be like me and go shopping online for things that may not have any use other than to make me feel better, albeit only temporarily. Now, if you’re not like me then the contents of this post will probably seem ludicrous for you. However if you are like me, then sit tight and join me for a great window-shopping trip. I’ve got my (father’s) AMEX ready, I suggest you have yours handy.

Our first stop: The Flying Hovercraft 
Price: $190,000

If you don’t want this, you’re a liar. SERIOUSLY, who doesn’t want to fucking FLY at 70 mph over land and water???? Thanks to the wonderful folks at Hammacher Schlemmer, you can now fly around like boss on this hovercraft.

Of course, all great things come with a great BUT, which in this case is the price. At $190,000 you could buy one of these babies OR you could pay for something boring like an education or your mortgage. PSH. We know which I’d rather pick.

Next up: World’s Largest Gummy Bear

How to watch a movie at a cinema

Taken by Kenneth Lu

This here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to  watch a movie at a cinema. Follow these steps and you will successfully have positive movie theater experience. By following these steps, you are also decreasing the likelihood of getting punched in the face at a cinema.

Step 1: Buy or collect your tickets from the box office
This is a fairly easy step but keep it mind, it requires basic manners and patience if there are long waiting lines. Remember that these tickets are being sold at fixed prices and that sales representatives are unable to “sell them at a special discounted price, if you know what I mean”. Also remember that being told they indeed are unable to give you a special discount does not entitle you to rage at them.

An ideal transaction would go as follows:

Sales rep: Hi may I help you? (Or something like that, who knows)
You: Hi, can I please get two tickets to [Insert movie title here] at [Insert showing time here]?
Sales rep: Certainly! Just pick your seats and that will be $25, thank you. 
Proceed to hand them your money in a polite manner and in turn they will hand you your tickets and you both say your awkward thank yous and welcomes. 

Step 2: Buy some snacks from the concession stand (Optional)
Again, another easy task that requires basic manners and patience. You may choose to skip this step if you are not up to spending extra for snacks you could get cheaper at your local grocery store. Seriously, just sneak that shit in, no one will notice. (Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee that no one will notice)

Step 3: Make your way to your seats
When you buy a ticket, you will be allocated a seat which you will most likely  have chosen before paying. Most of the time, you will be directed to your seat by an usher. However, this step may vary as some cinemas do not allocate seats, so it’s more of having to grab a good seat before someone else does. Be sure to say “excuse me” in cases where you have to move up and down a row, you don’t want to be a dick now, do you? 

You’re seated now. Great. Now is your time to have a quick chat with your friend about what you think the movie will be like or what you had for lunch that day. Maybe even sneak a pre-movie selfie to post on your Instagram. Please do not wait until during the movie to tell your friend about how hot that guy you saw last week was and how the main character reminds you of him.

If you are late and the movie has already started, do not try and look for your friend saving your seat by whisper-shouting their name. Try to send them a message beforehand asking what seat they are in or if you have your own ticket, ask an usher for help. 

Step 4: Sit back, relax and turn your goddamn phone off or at least put that thing on silent mode.
Need I say more? We don’t need to hear your awesome new ringtone and you don’t need to be taking calls in the middle of a movie, anyway.

Step 5: Watch the movie
Just watch the movie. No one wants to hear your commentary, your opinions, your discussions, your popcorn-filled mouth. No one wants to hear you. Just shut up and watch. If you’re eating, chew with your mouth shut, you uncultured swine. 

TIP: Got a bag of chips/candy? Open that shit up before the movie starts and get it ready in a way where you won’t have to touch it later on. Minimize your noise.

If you decide that halfway through you are in need of a good stretch, stay put. Do not put your feet up on the back of someone’s seat. They’ll probably punch you in the face.

Step 6: Leave
Unless you’re at a premier with the movie’s actors/director, do not clap when the movie ends. It is unnecessary and weird. Actually, you know what, go ahead and clap. I really don’t care.

Before leaving, remember to clean your shit up or at least leave it in a way that doesn’t make life hell for the person who needs to clean up after your nasty ass. There’s nothing worse than spilled soda and popcorn with some gummy bears thrown in for good measure. Don’t forget to check that you’ve got all your crap with you because it’s a hassle to forget a phone/wallet.

That’s it! Follow these steps and you will successfully have positive movie theater experience. By following these steps, you are also decreasing the likelihood of getting punched in the face.

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Just don’t be obnoxious and loud and everything will be fine. Yes, I know some people would say that it’s “part of the experience” to sit through a 2-hour-long movie with the guy next to you who just can’t seem to shut the hell up, but I say that’s just plain rudeness. Seriously, if all you’re going to do is talk about how shitty the movie is and how fake everything looks, just save yourself a few bucks and stay home and stream it or wait for the DVD to come out or something. I really can’t stand when people decide that right then and there is the perfect time to critique the movie they’re watching.

Another thing, when you sneak food in, at least be thoughtful about it. I’m sure you love your curry but is it really the right thing to bring into a cinema? It makes me feel like I should be watching a Bollywood movie.

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Excuse my lack of post on Thursday, last week. I was going through a bit of a crisis but I’ve dealt with it and now I’m all good and ready to go.

Hope you enjoyed today’s how-to guide.

Thanks for reading!

Not Ellis