The pursuit of happyness

General informations:

žRelease date: December 15, 2006

žDirector: Gabriele Muccino

žCast: Chris Gardner – Will Smith

           Christopher – Jaden Smith

           Linda – Thandie Newton

           Alan Frakesh – Dan Castellaneta

           Jay Twistle – Brian Howe

Will Smith starts in this moving tale inspired by a true story. In 1981 San Fransisco, Chris Gardner invest his entire life savings in portable bone-density scanners which he tries to demonstrate and sell to doctors. The investment proves to be a white elephant, which financially breaks the family and as a result, his wife Linda leaves him and moves to New York. Their son Christopher remains with his father. While downtown trying to sell one of his scanners, Chris meets Jay Twistle, a manager of Dean Witter and impresses him by solving a Rubik's Cube during a short cab ride. This new relationship with Twistle earns him the chance to become an intern stockbroker. Concluding his internship, Chris is called into a meeting with his managers. His work had paid off and he is offered the position. ''This part can be called happiness.'' Fighting back tears, he rushes to his son's daycare, hugging him. The epilogue reveals

that Chris went on to form his own multi-million dollar brokerage firm. With self- confidence and the love and trust of his son, Chris Gardner rises above his obstades to become a Wall Street legend..

Themes: Determination, Encouragement, Homelessness 

Determination: Chris' determination finally pays off when he lands an unpaid internship in a brutally competitive stockbroker- training program, where only one in twenty interns will make the cut. Despite arriving there unkempt and shabbily dressed due to being arrested the previous day for unpaid parking tickets and Chris didn't have enough time to make the appointment on time, Chris is offered the internship. Disadvantaged by this limited work hours, and knowing that maximizing his client contacts and profits is the only way to earn the one paid position that he and his 19 competitors and fighting for, Chris develops a number of ways to make phone sales calls more efficiently. He also reaches out to potential high value customers, defying protocol.

Encouragement:    

žDespite all the difficulties Chris Gardner faces, he always find the strength to encourage his son not to give up and believe in his dreams. After squashing his son's dream of becoming a pro basketball player, Chris realizes his error and then encourages his son to pursue any dream. 

 

Homelessness: Chris is further setback when his bank account is garnished by this IRS for unpaid income taxes and he and his young son are ericted. As a result, they are homeless, and are forced at one point to stay in a bathroom at a subway station. Motivation drives him to find the Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, which has a homeless shelter primarily for single mothers and their children. The church's owner does not let him stay due to the fact that it is for women and children, although she tells him about a local church that also provides shelter, but has very limited space. Due to demand for the limited rooms, Chris must frantically race from his internship work early each afternoon on order to land a place to line.

 

Worth seeing:  

žYou have to see this film because it affects many aspects of today’ s society with the most important homelessness.

žThis film gives us many messages and convinces us that whoever tries really succeeds!

žWill Smith gives the most touching performance of his career.

 

Bibliography: http://inspiredground.blogspot.com/2010/08/pursuit-of-happyness-2006-struggling.html

Eleni's favourite film? Safe

Eleni's favourite film?

Safe

Plot:

Mei, a young girl whose memory holds a priceless numerical code, finds herself pursued by the Triads, the Russian mob, and corrupt NYC cops.  The Russian mob wanted to steal a safe, and they wanted that the girl be able to keep in her mind this code. 

Coming to her aid is an ex-cage fighter whose life was destroyed by the gangsters on Mei's trail and now he wants to help her to take revenge. 

In the end the ex-cage fighter, named Luke Wright, managed to help her and since she had no parents he decided to adopt her and protect her forever.

Why I chose this film??

I have seen this film about a year ago and it was amazing!  I don't usually watch action films but this one was perfect.  The film's plot was very clever and not out of reality.

 I believe that the writer and director of the film, Boaz Yakin, made a good job.  Also I can't leave behind the mane actors Cathrene Chan, Chris Sarandon and of course Jason Statham and I want to congratulate them for their job.  

I chose this film because I think it is a very nice film, and those who like action should watch it. 


I recommend this film to my classmates because I think they would like it based on action, good plot and of course happy end! 

Watch the trailer:

Characters:

Director: Boaz Yakin

Writer: Boaz Yakin

Actors/actresses: Jason Statham, Cathrine Chan, Chris Sarandon, Robert John Burke,    
James Hong,   Reggie Lee, Danny Hoch, Igor Jijikine, David Kim,  Anson Mount

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_(2012_film)

                   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1656190/

Step Up 4

My Favourite film: Step Up 4

 

Step up is an American dance film produced by Step Up director Jon M.Chu and directed by Scott Speer. The film features choreography by Jamal Sims, Christopher Scott, Chuck Maldonado and Travis Wall. The production design was created by Carlos A. Menendez. 

PLOT

Emily, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, arrives in Miami with the ambition to become a professional dancer. Falls in love with Sean, a young man who is the leader of a modern dance group makes unexpected happenings. The group called MOB and trying to win a dance contest to find a sponsor, but soon Emily's father threatens to buy the historic neighborhood of MFA to expropriate, driving thousands of people from their area. Emily along with Sean and the MOB should unite so that the dance performances to make moves protests, otherwise they risk losing their dream: to fight for a higher purpose.

 The character of the film

• Katharine McCormick was born in Georgia. Her mother is a dance teacher and her father a professional golfer. At the age of 11 years to win competitions tap and jazz dance, and at 19 she moved to Los Angeles, having already turned to classical dance. After many unsuccessful auditions, she was accepted to the program "So You Think You Can Dance", which won the Top Girl Dancer Award. This is the cinematic debut.
•  Ryan Guzman grew up in Sacramento, California. At age 7 began to show a keen interest in the martial arts, and at 10 he had already earned his first black belt in tae kwon-do-. He was involved in the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and fastball. After an accident turned to modeling, and starred in campaigns for brands such as Reebok and Abercrombie & Fitch. This is the first film.

 
Bibliography:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_Up_Revolution

Why i chose this film? 

•   I chose this film because it's a film where all ages can watch it. Can dance and have fun when they see it.

Antri Moulazimi

 

Rafaella's favourite film?? The notebook

       

 Ιn recent years I have seen many movies but there is one that i call " my favourite" and i highly recomended  everyone to see it.  My favourite movie is "The Notebook", an american romantic drama written by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi. 

Plot:  The film is staring at a couple from early years to old age.  An ederly man (James Carner) is narrating the story of the couple to an ederly woman(Gena Rowlands) who is living in the same nursing home.  The story who  man's narattive begins at 1940 in Seabrook insland, south California.  A country boy called Noa (Ryan Gosling) is felt in love with a 17 years old  Allie (Rachel McAdams) after they had met in a carnival. A summer idilic love is started.  Unfortunately Allie's parents are forbitten to Allie seeing Nora again and her mother inform her that they are return home to Charleston. Allie went to find Nora to tell him that she love him but she found his friend Fin and ask him to tell Nora that she loves him and then Allie leave with her family.  Nora writes a letter to Allie every day but her mother keep them hidden .  Noah and Allie have no contact from each other, and the only choice they had is to move with their lives. Nora went to war and when he come back he see that Allie got engaged another man, Lon.  Despite her commited for Lon Allie visit Nora again and being again together. At present, the man and the woman who are in nursering home, are Nora and Allie.  Allie have alzheimer and dont remember anything.  Nora is reading his notebook every day to Allie in order to remember him. He tells how they met, they lost each other, and how they found each other again.  One day Nora has a heart attack and didnt see Allie again.  Many days later Allie questioned Nora what it will happend when she is didnt remember anything anymore and Nora promise her that he will never leave her.  At the end they died together in each other arms.

Why i choose this film?

This film show the power of love and that nothing can seperate  a couple who truely love neither death. Its very important to find someone who loves you with all his will.  Loves you so much that he is trying everyday to gain your love for him  from the start.  

Why i recommend  you to watch this film?

Its a very touching film and I think that everyone will love it. It gives you the power not to give up when you really love someone, despite any difficulties.

sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Notebook_(film)

The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

 This is a fantasy, adventure film, released in 2005. It’s based on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe novel, written by C.S. Lewis which is the first novel of The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series. The topics of the author are influenced by Christianity, so we can find deeper meanings in them! The film is directed by Andrew Adamson and the screenplay was written by Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus.

The story is about four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy that were sent to stay in a house of an old professor, during the World War II, in England. There, they discover a magic wardrobe that leads them to another world, the world of Narnia! This world is placed under a spell by the Witch who rules this place, where is always winter but never Christmas!  But the true king of Narnia is Aslan, the great lion that he will put everything right again, by dealing with the witch. But the Witch’s reign will be over only if the ancient prophecy is fulfilled! The fulfillment would come when two sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve are enthroned at the castle of Clair Paravel. So King Aslan needs the help of these four children. But Edmund threatens to ruin everything, by coming under the power of the Witch. Then, the Witch decides to kill Edmund because he didn’t bring to her castle his three siblings. Then she sends her wolves to chase the three children. Edmund is rescued by Aslan’s army but the Witch demanded before the king the traitor’s life! Aslan offers to sacrifice himself in Edmund’s place. So, he is killed by the White Witch at the Stone Table. The next sunrise, Aslan rises from the dead and leads his army to victory against the Witch. Finally, the four children are enthroned and the prophecy is fulfilled.

I chose this film because I like watching fantasy movies with epic plots and heroes from older days that fight for ideals which most of them are now forgotten. I recommend this film because it keeps you on the edge of your seat for the next scene and it also has a great plot and graphics. If you like watching films like ''Lord of the Rings'', ''The Hobbit'' and you haven’t watched The Chronicles of Narnia, then you should definitely put it on your must watch movie list!

Bibliography:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia:_The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN_nZOrSiGs

C.S. Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, (Collier Books 1970)

Marley & Me

My Favourite Film: Marley & Me

  John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow fur ball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

  Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry. Obedience school did no good—Marley was expelled. 
   And yet Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy, and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. Through it all, he remained steadfast, a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end.

  Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans. :) 

Character

• The star of the film, Marley! Not a man but a wonderful and beautiful Labrador
• The Owen Wilson as John Grogan is surprisingly good and touching in its interpretation.
• Well the kids of the family and especially the Nathan Gamble as Patrick (age 10)

I chose this movie because it's very fun and you can watch and great kids.

The sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lShipoEMI6Q

https://www.google.com.cy/search?hl=en&q=marley+and+me

By Maria Demetriou

WHITE CHICKS

WHITE CHICKS 

White Chicks is an American buddy cop comedy film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans.  The two fabulous protagonists are Shawne Wayans in the role of Kevin Copeland and Marlon Wayans as Marcus Copeland.  

PLOT

Two disgraced African American FBI sibling Agents, Kevin and Marcus Copeland are assigned the duty of protecting cruise line heiresses Brittany and Tiffany Wilson from a kidnapping plot. After losing their job because they failed in a mission of getting someone, their supervisor, Elliott Gordon has given them one last chance by protecting these two very rich girls.  The Wilson sisters, who are in town for a beauty competition get minor facial cuts in a car accident. They refuse to leave the hotel. Kevin and Marcus then disguise themselves as the sisters in order to save their jobs.  However, the troubles and a new life begins at the same time for the two guys.  Kevin is single but Marcus not and for that reason his wife starts to have doubts: if he has a girlfriend or if he isn't straight.  Nevertheless, in the end they achieve to catch the criminal and defeat their enemies...

WHY THIS MOVIE?

This movie was extremely funny. I saw it with my family and we were all on the edge of our seat because we couldn’t stop laughing. I saw it many times and I never be bored.  I really admire this comedy from the beginning and I suggest anyone who wants to pass their free time pleasantly to watch it!! The film has not any moral meanings to give to it can offer to us some beautiful moments if we have the chance to see it with friends.  So, do not hesitate and dedicate about two hours to entertain yourselves!! HAVE FUN AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS!!

BY GABRIELLA SOUID