The Avengers (2012) - ★★★

Director: Joss Whedon
Writers: Zak Penn, Joss Whedon
Stars: Robert Downey Jr. Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner

The Avengers didn't live up to its hype. I expected to see a visually amazing, funny and thrilling action-packed movie, which is what I got. For me, the problem with the film was that it wasn't as fun or exciting as I had hoped it would be.

It was boring in parts, which I wasn't expecting whatsoever. However, much of the comic relief was given by Ironman Robert Downey Jr. He was pretty funny throughout the film and without him I wouldn't have been entertained much beyond the visual effects and action. Chris Evans was also pretty entertaining as Captain America. I was surprised at the how much I liked his character, considering he can't do much more than the other Avengers. Chris Hemsworth as Thor surprisingly became my favorite of all the Avengers, because he exuded the most power and always lit up the screen with his scenes. Mark Ruffalo was pretty awesome as The Hulk, but he didn't really get as much screen time as the others which was disappointing. In my opinion, his story is more interesting than Captain America's and Ironman's combined. Scarlett Johansson really shined as Black Widow, who surprisingly was just as thrilling and entertaining to watch as the others. She outclassed all the others with her screen presence, which is certainly not an easy feat to accomplish. Jeremy Renner played Hawkeye, who came across as relatively useless and weak. His character felt unnecessary, but I suppose his story coincides with Black Widow's and will perhaps become a separate movie one day. Tom Hiddlestone played Loki in what I consider to be one of the most fragile and pathetic excuses for a movie villain I've ever seen in a hero movie. Everything about him exuded weakness, which didn't add much to the film except that I wanted him to disappear. For the life of me, I will never understand why people think he plays a fantastic villain.

This movie achieves what it sets out to. It WOWS people and it stays true to the heroes origins. It just isn't that great of a movie. Its funny, but not that funny. Its action-packed, but not very original. There are great characters, and many not-so-great characters. The story is standard and nothing special. The Avengers is an entertaining film, but not a very effective or memorable one.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - ★★★★★

Director: Michel Gondry
Writers: Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry
Stars: Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo

This is without a doubt my favorite movie of the decade. The story, the acting, the music! Everything about this movie was pure bliss to see and hear. With a masterful cast including Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey, Kirsten Dunst and Tom Wilkinson, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was literally breathtaking for me to watch. It sealed Winslet's status as one of the greatest actresses today showing her versatility in playing Clementine, a neurotic but likable person that changes her hair color in accordance with her mood. Carrey delivered the greatest performance of his career playing Joel, a nerdy, shy and good man that leads a boring life. Together, these opposites meet on a train (or so I thought) and click like Yin and Yang. Their chemistry was so natural, it instantly sucked me into their relationship.

After their relationship turned hateful, Clementine had Joel erased from her memory by a clinic that provides permanent amnesia services. When Joel learns of this, he has her erased from his mind so that he won't feel the pain of the bad break-up. The whole movie revolves around Joel dreaming about his memories, which in turn has them erased as he's hooked up to a machine that tracks and wipes them. It starts from his most recent memories which are all bad, showing that they had grown apart and displaying the events that led to their split. Further on we see the love and connection that they have with each other, bringing life and comfort into their lives. When Joel reaches his good memories with her he realizes that these memories are too good to erase and tries whatever he can to delve into other memories to save the ones with Clementine; but to no avail.

The movie is heart-breaking as we see Joel fall in love with Clementine all over again, yet he won't remember her at all once he wakes up. Carrey's acting was moving and real, which is why it was such a sin of omission by the Academy to not nominate him for Best Actor. Eventually, after many tender and bittersweet memories Joel has erased, we get to the first memory he ever had with Clementine. When they first met. Except according to his memory they met at a beach party, which contradicts what the beginning of the movie had us believe was their first ever meeting. Through reliving how they first fell in love, she whispers 'Meet me in Montauk.' I will not spoil the ending for my readers, however it is a delightful twist that had me speechless with a radiant smile.

Kate Winslet deserved the oscar for Best Actress for this role because she played a character with ever changing feelings and moods. She made me hate her for being so hurtful, but love her for being so honest. The music completed this movie, being one of the best soundtracks I've heard. Although this movie is hard to follow, anyone who manages to find meaning in their words and understand what is happening will find this film remarkable. I can not praise this film enough. I will leave you all with a quote from the movie that was masterfully read by Dunst.

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Each prayer accepted, and each wish resign'd." This poem symbolized that their fate is a happy one and that everlasting happiness exists on their pure and clean minds.