Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Gustav Arndal 02.09.17 / 10am

   Your enthusiasm is contagious. There’s so many good things to say about this film it’s hard to get it all down into a review.

   I especially like the idea of the city of dreams and the city of rejection, it really sums up the way this movie uses Los Angeles as a setting.

   Also love clarity of the recommendation, like I need to watch this. NOW!! I’m glad I’ve already seen this movie, but you make me want to watch it again.
2. Susan Cochran 02.09.17 / 3pm

   I usually don’t like musicals and was surprised at the amazing use of music, song and dance in “La La Land.” Ms. Lambert’s enthusiastic review highlights Damien Chazelle’s directing skills to transform his script and vision onto the screen. The dream quality of the song/dance sequences lends itself well to theme of following one’s dream. The use of vibrant colors on the sets and costuming energizes some scenes while cleverly using a subdued blue or red hue in other scenes sets a mood that the audience can feel. I assume this movie will be a wonderful teaching tool in the future on many levels.
3. Carol Angeli 02.14.17 / 8pm

   I am in agreement with Laurine Lambert’s review of La La Land.
   because If you generally do not like musicals you may just change your mind in this wonderfully crafted musical 50’s type movie. Damien Chazelle does capture the musical spirit in this romantic musical of the life of Mia, the actress and jazz enthusiast Sebastian as they seek their dreams.
4. Susan Scaduto 02.15.17 / 6pm

   I love that he filmed everything on location, in the style of cinema verite.

   I want to see this film again soon. It was so fun and inspiring.
5. Laura Simpson 07.21.18 / 10pm

   Damien Chazelle’s La La Land (2016) is a wonderful film, filled with fun colorful costumes and choreography. Laurine Lambers mentions that this film “takes the style and the feel of a 50s movie with a modern twist”. I couldn’t agree more. The now famous opening scene is a synchronized dance in a busy Los Angeles highway. This scene gave the appearance of one long, seamless shot featuring dancers in vibrant costumes reminiscent of an older era. This sets the fantastical theme for the film. The open framing, modern props, and a script that integrates slang commonly used in today’s culture as well as the old jazz world feed the idea that this film is realistic. However, there is still an air of fantasy laced through the film through its use of seemingly impromptu musical numbers. It’s a wonderful adventure!
6. cassidy cole 03.07.19 / 10pm

   Unlike you, I typically do not enjoy musicals. But I thoroughly enjoyed La La Land, the music included. You mentioned the use bright colors, but adding onto that the bright colors gave the movie such an upbeat and retro vibe. This upbeat vibe intensified the relationship between Mia and Sebastian, and made them out to be a match made in heaven. In reality, they both were following their dreams which had them going different paths. Like you said, this film projects the unfortunate reality of a lot of people trying to make it big in a city, like Los Angelos.
7. Madison McGovern 09.12.19 / 3pm

   I really liked this review, Laurine. She definitely highlighted the main points of the film by touching on the plot, the actor’s performance, and discussing some of the cinematic aspects that made the movie what it was such as the color design (which is really important in this film), the costumes and set, and shot variation.

   I personally enjoy musicals, and I’ve seen my fair share of them, however, La La Land changed the game for me. As an aspiring actress myself and having a love for jazz, it really hit home and is very inspiring. As Ms. Lambert stated before, the colors of this film are extremely apparent. Being a musical, it seems that cinematography needs to be very theatrical and the it’s portrayed heavily by lighting and colors. Low lighting and more solemn colors would indicate a more sad scene while high key lighting and bright, vibrant colors would be seen in fun, and uplifting scenes. It really sets the tone for each scene. Although I’ve only seen the film once (even though it’s one of my top favorite movies), I can distinctly remember one scene that was one elongated shot. The camera followed Mia throughout her house without any cuts or edits. It was unusually long which added to the feeling of actually being in the movie.

   This review reminded me why I love this movie so much. I really enjoyed reading your input Laurine, very well said!

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