Divergent (2014) - ★★★½

Director: Neil Burger
Writers: Evan Daugherty, Vanessa Taylor (Screenplay), Veronica Roth (Novel)
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet

I've seen so many YA (young-adult) films in the past 6 years, that they're all starting to blend in together and fade out of my memory. I disliked almost every modern YA movie I've seen during this period of time, because they're more silly than entertaining, they're poorly acted, poorly written, poorly produced, and quite frankly, poor excuses for films. While there are a few exceptions, like The Hunger Games (2012), this whole genre, whether they be book or film, stinks to high heaven with a lack of originality.

Divergent is a silly film.  Yet, I find its characters are interesting, the cast is brilliant, the soundtrack is unique, the set-production/cinematography is good, and most importantly, it's consistently entertaining. These critiques alone make Divergent stand as one of the best YA films made in recent years.

Heavenly Creatures (1994) - ★★★★★

Director: Peter Jackson
Writers: Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Stars: Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet, Sarah Peirse, Clive Merrison, Diana Kent, Simon O'Connor, Jed Brophy, Bill Perry

“You cannot know nor yet try to guess, the sweet soothingness of their caress. The outstanding genius of this pair, is understood by few, they are so rare. It is a miracle, one must feel, that two most heavenly creatures are real.” Those lines will always stick in my mind, for they describe a most captivating relationship, and come from what I consider one of the finest films ever made.

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.

Titanic (1997) - ★★★★★

Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron
Stars: Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet, Gloria Stuart, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bill Paxton

Titanic is a movie that has been described by many people as an epic, heart-wrenching, beautiful masterpiece. I for one absolutely agree with them. This movie is one of the finest crafted cinematic experiences that has ever been created.

The film starts with a shot of the ocean swaying in the moonlight to the beautiful theme of the movie. We then see the real Titanic submerged underwater which is an experience worth the price of a movie ticket in itself. The eerie yet beautiful shots of the halls and bedrooms of the former passengers are a sight to behold.

Throughout the movie we follow a young woman named Rose and a young man named Jack. Rose looks like a refined woman yet she's not afraid to ask questions or get her hands dirty. She's engaged to Caledon Hockley, a chauvinistic, snobby heir to a steel fortune that at first seems to try to love Rose. Jack is a man that Rose describes as having "limited means." He travels with his friend Fabrizio from country to country, barely scraping by. He has an impeccable talent for drawing and an admirable outlook on life.

The story turns into a classic forbidden love triangle between Jack, Rose and Cal which while it may not be an original plot, it is acted with such purity and fluidity that it's as if we're sucked right into the situation with them. With incredible CGI affects of the ship and outstanding hand built replicates of parts of the ship, The Titanic is recreated breathtakingly. Iconic moments such as the 'flying' scene during a pink and orange sunset with Jack and Rose are upon the most recognizable scenes in movie history, and arguably the most beautiful.

When the ship hits the ice-berg and begins to sink, Cameron's true genius shines as the panic sets in among the passengers. The most incredible thing about the sinking scene is that they actually built half of the ship so it could be used for the part when the ships rises and falls. Seeing all of the passengers, some we've seen throughout the movie, run for their lives to the railings of the ship as it starts tilting truly make your heart race.

It is scenes like these that make this movie saw raw and powerful. There have been previous movies made about the Titanic, all legendary in their own right, but none of them displayed the panic of the sinking as honestly and brutally as James Cameron's version of events. Once the ship has been submerged and the screams of the those freezing have all but died, Jack and Rose's love affair is over, and we are all left gutted even though we knew that the story ends with tragedy.

However that is not how the story ends for Jack and Rose, for the true end to their story can only be described as one of the most divine movie endings I have ever seen. Truly, this movie had me fascinated from start to finish. With brilliant performances from Kate Winslet, Leonardo Dicaprio, Billy Zane and Gloria Stuart, Titanic is a movie for the ages and will forever be one of the all time greatest movies ever made. Let's face it, this movie is almost guaranteed to make anyone tear up.