Skip to main content

Blinded by the Light ... You can be Born in the USA anywhere

Blinded by the Light is a heart warming film based on a true story that is about strife, politics, and the incredible Bruce Springsteen. The movie stars Viveik Kalra who plays the tortured, young high school student Javed. In my opinion he nails the role from the way he moves to express how the music makes him feel, to how he expresses the emotions of his character. Viveik is supported by Nell Williams and Aaron Phagura, who both do well in their respective roles as friends of Viveik that serve as his escape from the pressures of his family. The movie plays with a lot of hard hitting themes of racism, familial obligation, and cultural differences. It demonstrates just how hard life can be for people who might stand out, especially in 1987’s Britain which is the year that the movie takes place. Bigotry and expectations weigh heavily on our young protagonists mind, but the movie really starts when he discovers the music of the one an only Bruce Springsteen. Although this movie heavily relies on the music, often having segments of just the music playing with occasional lyrics on the screen, it’s not what carries the film. The film is carried by the emotional journey of Viveik’s character Javed, which I believe is something everyone can relate to. There is one scene in particular towards the end that really hits home what music can mean for someone, and I know I’ve spent hours listening to the same music just engrossed by the feelings it could bring out in me. This is a movie that is about family, friends, and how both of them play into ones life. However, it is important to note that this isn’t a movie about Bruce Springsteen’s music because I found that the film would use the same songs over and again without a great amount of variety. This is a movie that is about how an artist can speak to someone and change the way they live their lives. I would recommend this movie if you know what it’s like to feel like the world’s against you or just want to see an uplifting true story.

Image result for blinded by the light movie poster

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

21 Bridges ... A grand chase in a single night

21 Bridges star Chadwick Bosman in a lead role as a detective known for being a killer of cop killers. A pair of robbers steal drugs in an unsuspecting job leading to a chase filled with mystery and action. I will say that what this movie really does is put Chadwick upfront as the star and mostly keeps it that way. The movie is straightforward as it begins to slowly unveil and unravel the circumstances of the chase through Manhattan island. The movie's linear nature is only broken up by the cuts of showing the perspectives of the cops and robbers. Overall there isn't anything too novel about the film, but that isn't to say that it's bad. Chadwick Bosman and a decent plot are the real saving graces of the film. It is also well directed and keeps the audience engaged, but it still lacks something to make the movie stand out on it's own. I would only recommend it if you just enjoy chase movies or if you can't think of anything better to watch.

NETFLIX SPECIAL The Irishman

The Irishman is a deep-dive into the underground world of Italian gangsters. It should be noted that when I say deep I mean 3 and 1/2 hours deep. Despite it's length, the movie also has several well known actors. The top 3 that shine in the spotlight among this group are Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. They all preformed very well with a shot out to Al Pacino for his acting as the role of the famous Jimmy Hoffa. That said while the de-aging of faces is done well, the old stiffer movements of the actors tend to show through the movie editing magic. There is a lot in this movie, not just because of it's length but because it almost functions as a documentary about gangsters after WWII. The movie doesn't have much in terms of comedy, not nearly enough to keep someone laughing for 3 hours. The way it captures the interest of it's audience is by relying on them to pay attention and be fascinated or intrigued by the story they are unraveling. In reality the film is a...

Ford v Ferrari ... What racing is all about

Ford v Ferrari is such a great film for so many different reasons. For starters both Christian Bale and Matt Damon do a phenomenal job in their respective roles, and they also have great chemistry with one another. The summary of this film is that it is a rookie takes on the giant movie that actually happened. The movie is about the two stars of our film tackling the challenge of winning the 24 hour race at Le Mans in France in 1966, which had been dominated by Ferrari in the past .  In Ford v Ferrari you will notice two distinct themes of the film. The first is the passion, love, and heart that racers and mechanics put into their work, truly showing that when you love what you do it's a feeling like no other. I should also note that this is a theme that I truly love to see in movies because I believe in that quality wholeheartedly. The second theme that is found is how this connection to a craft is disconnected by the corporate agenda, and how those who just want to make something...