Starring: Matthew Lillard (Scream), Annabeth Gish (X-Files), Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother), Til Schweiger (Inglourious Basterds), Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore), Adam Pascal (RENT), and Michael A. Goorjian (Hard Rain)

(1998) R rated, comedy/ drama/ music

This movie centers on Stevo and follows his quest in self-discovery with his best friend, Heroin Bob, as a steady flow of colourful characters weave in and out of their lives.

Stevo’s journey has always been a source of motivation and hope in times of need.

When I first saw SLC Punk! I was 15-16 and had no real idea where I fit into the grand scheme of things, or even if I wanted to. It spoke to me in such a way that few movies had. It made me realize that no matter who you are, or what others think of you, as long as you are true to yourself, you can’t be wrong. That if you surround yourself with likeminded people, who really understand you, then you just created a family, however dysfunctional they may be. Most importantly, it helped me come to terms with the fact that it was okay to not be certain in life, that it wasn’t a bad thing to not have everything all planned out. Things have a way of working themselves out in the long run. When it comes down to it, you WILL make the decisions you need to in order to move forward. It’s easy to substitute “punk” for whatever culture you hang your hat on, but one thing is for sure, the movie speaks volumes for finding yourself.

These two guys are trying to hold fast to their ideals in an ever changing and evolving society, something, I think, that everyone can relate to.

It is a completely character driven film, and you are taken on a journey by Stevo, our fearless leader, as he is shaped by the people in his life and the path he has chosen. The style of the film is reminiscent of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the straight to camera monologues, well developed characters, and hardly any adult figures throughout the film. While SLC Punk! is all about youth finding their way, it is certainly not a John Hughes film. It’s a much bolder statement on how some view the world. A character study on the punk movement in 1985 and a character that is relatable to everyone on one level or another. Not that everyone dyed their hair blue and thrived on chaos, but at one point or another everyone has lost their footing and needed to find a way back.

Oddly enough, this movie has always been my life line. Whenever I reach a point in my life that I don’t know where to go, what path to take, or what to do. Whether it was coming to terms with moving back East after living in Vancouver, or deciding to go back to school after three years in the “real world”, this movie has always helped me make the decision. Half the time I don’t even realize that there is a decision that needs to be made, it’s just a movie I keep going back to, and it’s always at a time when that lesson needs to be reapplied.

There’s no sense trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, do what fits.

“No man should part with his own individuality and become that of another” – William Ellery Channing

For more information on SLC Punk! please go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133189/

Apologies- due to unforseen circumstances I cannot bring you my weekly review as planned however be assured that normality will return and tune in early next week for a review and trailer for “SLC Punk”…

Thank you

Two wonderful speeches by Sir Ken Robinson who discusses the very ethos of the importance of creativity in schools- please watch and discuss!

ACCEPTED – (2006) PG 13, Comedy
When Bartleby Gaines gets rejected by every school he applies to, he takes matters into his own hands and creates one himself. Welcome to the South Harmon Institute of Technology.

Starring: Justin Long (Dreamland), Columbus Short (The Losers), Blake Lively (Gossip Girl), Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Lewis Black (Man of the Year), Maria Thayer (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Kellan Lutz (Twilight series)

B and his friends inadvertently started something amazing, a place where students, who would be forced to conform anywhere else, are able to be who they are and pursue their interests. Whether it is Art, Culinary, or Meditation, they have it all.

I found it incredibly easy to relate to B, the lead, in his quest to find his calling. A quest we can all remember, in fact, some of us are still on it, and that makes it so much easier to be invested in this film.

When this movie came out I had just decided to go to film school and was getting some comments about what a waste of time and money it was, how I was basically throwing my life away by taking a course that wasn’t “Practical”. This movie helped me realize that if I didn’t do it, I’d be cheating myself out of a learning experience that went way beyond a classroom. That creativity is as important in education as literacy, without some sort of creative drive, you’re destined to become a mindless drone of the 9-5. I needed to fully embrace my creativity, just like everyone should be given the chance to. In the film, South Harmon was that chance. Without it, these kids may not have reapplied to any colleges the following year, getting rejected from everywhere they applied could have completely shattered their confidence. Instead, they were giving a school tailored to them, with a curriculum they chose themselves, providing them with self-worth and a drive to succeed.

I think that if this sort of college were actually around, that students were given the option of taking a year off after graduation to attend, to figure out what they wanted from life, and who they are, the courses they choose to study afterwards will more closely resemble their interests.

If you have a child nearing their graduating year, are one yourself, are trying to find out where you belong, or are just looking for a really solid movie, I suggest checking out Accepted. The script is well written, everyone’s comedic timing is spot on and this group of friends really seem to be a group of friends. Watching this, I guarantee you’ll be saying to each other “I can totally see you/me/us doing that!”

I feel this movie helped inform some of the decisions I have made, and it is one that I go back to quite regularly. It is a true example of Individuality and creativity surpassing what is perceived as normal and excelling in its non-conformity. Also, watch for one of the best monologues I’ve heard in a long while.

When the world is an open book, sometimes the best place to be is between the lines.

To find out more information on ACCEPTED click here

Note:
I want to let all my readers know about a great opportunity to allow your uniqueness and creativity to shine on your shirts. Shirt Punch Tees is a company who I am helping promote to gain hands on experience in the promotional and advertising world. Since I am taking Marketing as my business concentration, I figured I would reach out to them and see if they wanted any help, to which their response was “whatever you want to do!” I have since spread the word on Facebook and Twitter, but wanted to make sure you were all aware as well.

If you would like further information on shirtpunch.com please CLICK HERE

The Ledge tells the story of Gavin, a man who has been given a choice, He must climb out on the ledge and if he does not jump after an hour’s time, someone else will die. The film is about faith, however you perceive it, and the lengths people will go for their beliefs.

R rated (101 min) drama/thriller (2011)

Right out of the gate, the topics of faith and belief structures are very touchy subjects, but this film deals with them in such a way that neither favours nor vilifies any particular mindset, while exploring several.

One of the first things I noticed was that the dialogue was very real, it wasn’t stagnant, overused cliché. Instead there were normal conversations that anyone could have had. It was like hearing someone tell a story more so than sitting down to watch a movie. Not only was it a good story, but it was told well, and they were able to get the bulk of the exposition out of the way within the first ten minutes, without it feeling forced or rushed.

It was very much a slow burn thriller, it kept an even pace and the tension steadily rose, it didn’t drag, but it wasn’t a race to the end credits either.

The whole story is told to the detective by Gavin as he stands out on the aforementioned ledge, and the film transitions seamlessly back and forth from past to present. The film covers many different convictions, from many different angles, philosophy, religion, and sexual preference are all touched on. It does not force any one belief on the audience, it simply puts the information out there and lets the audience decide for themselves where they stand.

I can’t write a review for this film and not mention the cast; it is made up almost entirely of the unsung heroes of the acting world.

The cast is comprised of Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Chris Gorham (Covert Affairs), Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy), Liv Tyler (Empire Records), and Terrence Howard (Crash), with Terrence Howard being the most recognizable name. They all put in an excellent performance, and apart from a slight slip here or there, I cannot think of one weak link.

The cast was great, the story was new and had enough twists, turns, and conflict to keep viewers glued to the TV.

If you like a movie that requires a bit of thought, and definitely makes you think, then I suggest you take a leap of faith and check out The Ledge.

For more information on The Ledge click here http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535970