Film Review: The Great Gatsby

Grade: B+

It has been said that Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby is a case of style over substance. If this is true it is either by deliberate design or is completely appropriate nonetheless. The film, like the title character, is flashy, mysterious, magnificent, and grand. Like Gatsby himself the film shows off to conceal what is in reality much simpler than what meets the eye. There may be a case of style over substance, a sort of magnificent hollowness, but intentioned or not it feels like the perfect fit for Fitzgerald’s work and confirms that Baz Luhrmann was meant for the material.

From the outset Gatsby seems fit for Luhrmann. Having made his name on pageantry and pomp with films like Moulin Rouge and Rome + Juliet, the glitzy, fabulous world of Gatsby is as fantastic, extravagant, and explosive as the director’s reputation would suggest. From the stunning, other worldly portrayal of New York City to Gatsby’s wild and unbelievable parties, the film’s visuals are coursing with an unrestrained glamour and animation which borders on surrealism. This in part serves to present the roaring twenties in all their hyperbole. The visuals in Gatsby, as equally striking as even the best science fiction or fantasy, seem to ask if this time was really as we remember it and if this world of indulgence ever even really existed. The Great Gatsby moves like a dream across the screen, never feeling fully grounded or surefooted but always with the hint of a greater depth.

Much has been made of the soundtrack, which was produced by rap/hip-hop mogul superstar Sean “Jay-Z” Carter. Popular contemporary music has been a signature of Luhrmann’s movies and Gatsby is undoubtedly the most dramatic example of this staple. Visuals of twenties era America, in both its splendidness and horror, are accompanied by the distinctly twenty-first century sounds of Jay-Z himself as well as other modern artists such as Beyonce and Jack White. The effect can be overstated and is sure to be controversial but ultimately succeeds in shaping an identity for the film.

All of this overblown artistry may have fallen flat if it wasn’t supported by some truly amazing performances from an all star cast composed of Tobey Maguire,  Carey Mulligan, and Lenoardo Dicaprio. Dicaprio and Maguire are both in full stride and it can be argued that the film represents a new peak for both of the decorated actors. There is a sincere and palatable chemistry between the two and every scene featuring them both is a high mark of the movie. Dicaprio is every bit the charismatic enigma that Gatsby is imagined to be while Maguire’s trademark softness and sensitivity is perfectly suited to the real lead character of the story Nick Carraway.

The Great Gatsby is an unabashedly ambitious film and always soars towards monumental heights even when it doesn’t always quite reach them. Some may not connect with the severe visual emphasis and boldly creative artistically intense direction. Many may have wished for something more understated and otherwise typical of what one would expect from a great work of literature from the twenties based on the period. Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby was born as a divisive, unusual, and passionately expressive effort from a militantly individual perspective. It is already shaping up to be one of those works of art you either love or hate, with not  a lot of potential for middle ground. That is often the mark of a great work of art and while, again like the title character himself, The Great Gatsby doesn’t always achieve its sky high ambitions it at least always stays comfortably off the ground and in the clouds for trying. 

Posted by Terry Pierson, Library Clerk/Page

Star Trek: Hope in Tomorrow

Science Fiction often paints a rather bleak portrait of our future. Whether it is human creativity or consumer appetite that is prone to pessimism regarding technology, the majority of future fiction in print and film is dedicated to horrifying dystopias where everything that can go wrong with technology and social progression has. The Hunger Games, 1984, Minority Report, and The Terminator are just a few examples in an endless list of dour future prophecy in fiction.

Star Trek is somewhat unique in science fiction in that overall it shows a positive utopian future as compared to the dystopian “technology has betrayed us” approach so common in the genre. In Star Trek (The Original Series) technology has catapulted humanity into a bright, exciting future where “no man has gone before.” Technology has reignited the flame of freedom in humans, serves and conveniences their every need, and rarely goes awry or backfires. Civilization has not just unified on Earth but largely across the entire universe under the banner of Starfleet, The United Federation of Planets. The show first aired in the sixties so this optimistic faith in peace came at the height of social unrest in the United States and in the middle of the Cold War. The Original Series featured one of television’s first multiracial casts, which was inclusive to almost absurd lengths but at the purpose of demonstrating how irrelevant race would be in the future.

Star Trek has always been a series full of unbridled hope. This is symbolized even in the visual tone of the original show and new movies, which are characterized by full colors, bright lights, and crisp clean textures. The show’s original run coincided with the peak of the Apollo Program in the United States and whilethe countries’ imagination for space, technology, and the future was at an all time high. Star Trek encapsulated these hopes, fears, and desires and represented them in a fun pulpy science fiction adventure show.

In a bit of beautiful creative irony it has since been well documented just how influential the show has actually been on the development of real world technology. Cell phones, tablets, lasers, robotics, space travel, and even the internet all have roots in Star Trek. As much as I love films such as The Terminator or Alien, their bleak, doomsday prophecies of the future and the effect of technology have been largely unrealized while some of the wonders and marvels of Star Trek have already come to fruition. Based on the show’s track record, I believe it is more likely that in the future we will be boldly blasting off into space at warp speed than fighting a war against turncoat murderous cyborgs.

 

Star Trek Into Darkness releases in theaters nationwide this Friday, May 17th.

Posted by Terry Pierson, Library Page/Clerk
 

Library Sleevefacing - May 11, 2013

The country singer and songwriter seen here is displaying his love for rabbits near our puppet collection. Don’t let the manly facial hair and serious stare fool you, Eddie Rabbitt is a softie at heart. You can check out the melodious sounds of Eddie Rabbitt in our very own record collection. The Library's extensive puppet collection, including the cute bunny photographed here, is available for checkout in the Ruth Eckart Programming Resource Center (PRC) and in the Children’s Library. Be sure to mark your calendars for July 23rd, which will be your next chance to purchase records like these and much more at the  Friends of the Library Book Sale. Can you tell which of our librarians is portraying the softer side of Eddie Rabbitt?

Posted by Courtney Locandro, Library Clerk

Library Sleevefacing - May 3, 2013

This American singer and musician seems to be relaxed and enjoying his time in our computer lab. This librarian chose the jazzy, big band legend Nat King Cole. You too can enjoy the convenience of our computer lab with a valid picture ID. Also available for you to enjoy, are the soulful sounds of Nat King Cole and many more musicians in the library's vinyl record collection. Records like this and more are also available for purchase at our Basement Book Sale or Rummage Sale this weekend, May 3rd and 4th from 9am to 5pm. Ten records for just $1.00! Can you guess what staff member is portraying this unforgettable talent?

Posted by Courtney Locandro, Library Clerk

Library Sleevefacing - April 26, 2013

This Rock n Roll Hall of Famer, who you might have also spotted at this past presidential inauguration, is keeping his cool around our newspapers in the non-fiction section.  For this sleeveface, this librarian has chosen the laid back rocker, James Taylor. You can find Sweet Baby James in our record collection or order it through our new Polaris Card Catalog. Can you tell which of our librarians has captured the James Taylor essence? Remember that you can also add records like these to your own collection from our Basement Book Sale or Rummage Sale next weekend on May 3rd and 4th from 9am-5pm.

Posted by Courtney Locandro, Library Clerk

Library Rummage & Book Sale May 3-4

Attention all yard sale fans! The Collinsville Public Library is hosting a two-day indoor rummage and book sale on May 3-4 from 9-5pm. You will find great prices on gently used (sometimes new) items and a great selection of books. No need to drive around from sale to sale looking for the right thing.  Let your friends, neighbors and relatives know about this great opportunity! Cash only please. Proceeds will benefit programming at the Library. Call Jessica at 618-344-1112 for more information. 

Posted by Jessica Lawrence, Librarian

10 Reason Why...

Library Clerk Jed Robbins will say goodbye to the MVLD on April 30th, as he embarks on a new career in the country music industry. In honor of his departure we have compiled a list of the top ten reasons our library will miss Jed.

10 - Who else is going to wear flannel in the middle of summer?
 9 - That's $10 less for our staff to win in our annual Oscar pool.
 8 - Public bathrooms don’t just clean themselves.
 7 - Our staff now has zero Juggalos.
 6 - Computer busts will go down 80%.
 5 - He's taking our Polaris bear with him.
 4 - We can no longer brag about working with the future Mayor of Collinsville.
 3 - His next issue of the library newsletter was going to include a six page essay detailing how Justin Timberlake's new album is really all about Ross Perot's 1992 presidential campaign.
 2 - Library lanyards are going to get a lot less exposure.
 1 – Obviously, the ladies.

Posted by Grahm Underwood, Library Clerk

Film Review: Oblivion

Grade: B-

          Oblivion is a big budget science-fiction action adventure starring Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman directed by Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy). One of the most pure, traditional sci-fi blockbusters to come around in a while, in certain ways Oblivion harkens back to the simpler yet more wondrous sci-fi films of the genre’s early years while retaining the knock out spectacle of a modern $100 million plus blockbuster. While the futuristic dystopian world of the movie is breathtakingly beautiful and elaborately imagined, Oblivion may stick to close to genre conventions for diehard sci-fi fans while conversely be overly genre indulgent for casual moviegoers.

          Kosiniski has said that Oblivion is a tribute to the science fiction films of the seventies and that influence is clear in the film’s unabashedly bold mythology and narrative. In the film the year is 2077 and Earth has been ravaged by an alien invasion. Much of the world is uninhabitable wasteland and no civilization exists across the desolate globe. The remaining population of the human race lives either in a gigantic spacecraft orbiting the planet or on the newly colonized Titan, moon of Jupiter.  Jack Harper (Tom Cruise), Technician 49, is one of the last remaining humans on Earth. Jack is a maintenance technician for the flying robotic security machines known as droids, which are designed to protect resources and hunt alien opposition. When a mysterious craft crashes in Jack’s patrol area and he rendezvouses with a woman he has been dreaming of but does not know or remember, questions arise and Jack finds himself at the center of a conspiracy with galactic ramifications.

 

          Above all Oblivion is a stunningly gorgeous film. The sweeping, ravaged landscapes of the desolate Earth and “future tech” armory of weapons and vehicles will give sci-fi fans plenty to drool over. Unique and creative designs such as that of Harper’s sleek hovercraft help establish a signature feel to Oblivion’s world and further develop the film’s mythology.

 

          Even with all the genre fan-service Oblivion is unmistakably a big studio movie. The film rests heavily on Tom Cruise’s shoulders, who is more than up to the task and carries the narrative almost single handedly through the two hour running time. The cinematography and soundtrack are direct and unobtrusive, with little risk or flair. The elements are all merely supportive of the core here as the film focuses on its narrative, star power, and visuals while eschewing any type of aggressive filmmaking.

 

          Oblivion is a great treat for science fictions fan and has the potential to be a fun popcorn and soda getaway for moviegoers. However it is a sort of peculiar release as it may be too safe and familiar for its target audience but also just a little to out there and spacey to attract the casual crowd. Releasing within a month of Summer heavyweights Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness will stint Oblivion’s run at the box office and is bound to leave it buried and overlooked in the long run. That’s a shame because while maybe not groundbreaking Oblivion is a solid, fun family friendly science-fiction spectacle that if it was made thirty years ago would today be a cult classic Easter egg in all fans of the genre’s Netflix queue.

Posted by Terry Pierson, Library Page & Clerk