Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Movies, Movies, Movies!

I feel like not being serious for once in my life. Since I'm in a really good mood, I want to talk about some movies that put me into a really good mood. I love movies. Movies are awesome. I think everyone loves movies. Even people who haven't seen movies love movies. They're just something that you have to love, like ice cream.

Apparently, I spend too much time on my blog talking about movies... so this will be the last one for a while. So... take that!

So in this next post of my rather ridiculous and pathetic blog, I'm going to talk about some movies that I absolutely love. If you haven't seen them, be sure to visit Blockbuster or order them on Netflix. You won't be disappointed, I promise. I have good taste.


SEVEN SAMURAI
I know! I already did an entire post dedicated to Seven Samurai... It's just so good! There has been an increasingly growing popularity lately at Provo High with Seven Samurai. It seems that everyone in my drama class has either become desperate to see the film, or they have become obsessed with it after watching this film.

If you didn't read my Seven Samurai post than I would recommend that you do so. I talk a little more about the film in it. I would post a link to the post, but I'm computer stupid and don't know how. So, I'll just say this: Seven Samurai is the definition of quality film making. Watch it. It is also my all time favorite movie.

MODERN TIMES
Since I am a loser, I did not have the privilege to watch Charlie Chaplin's film, "Modern Times" until I was in the Survey of Cinema class at Provo High. I recommend that everyone takes this class. You get to watch a lot of really cool movies, including Modern Times.

Modern Times might be the funniest Chaplin film ever made. I've seen a lot of Chaplin films, but no other film from him has made me laugh as hard as this film. The laughs never stop too; and Charlie Chaplin sings a song in French... sort of. What more do you need? Romance? Modern Times features a touching romantic story about his character, The Tramp, and a lovely woman that he meets on the streets. I highly recommend that you watch this film. Anyone can enjoy it, and it is FUNNY!

BIG FISH
If it weren't for the fact that Return of the King was released in 2003, then I think that Big Fish should have won the Best Picture award that year. If you haven't seen Big Fish, then you are missing out on one of the strangest love stories ever told. Think of Benjamin Button but done by Tim Burton. I think that says enough.

As we've come to expect with Tim Burton, the visuals are absolutely amazing. The story is touching and romantic, and the film has an interesting message on life. This is a definite must see. BUT! I must warn you, if you don't like weird movies... or Tim Burton movies, then you probably won't like Big Fish... but you should still watch it because it's a masterpiece, and it makes me happy. So watch it... now. For several years, I considered this to be Tim Burton's absolute best, but I've decided that the next movie is.


EDWARD SCISSORHANDS
Ever since Edward Scissorhands, Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have started working together in countless films. It also feels like Johnny Depp begins to look more and more freaky. But maybe that's just me.

Edward Scissorhands is a fairytale set in the 1980's in a perfect suburban world. Everything is normal... a little too normal. Everything is so normal that it's well, creepy. So when someone who is different like Edward shows up, things begin to quickly fall apart. The story ultimately is a story on why it snows, but it goes much deeper than that. Edward Scissorhands is a film that displays beautifully the traits and characteristics that make us human; it has a message on how we treat each other, and the musical score is beautiful. Edward Scissorhands is a work of art. In my opinion, and many others, it is Tim Burton's best film. It may very well be on my top ten movies of all time. I absolutely adore this film.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Definitely on my top ten movies. To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the most powerful movies ever made. Of all the movies that I say convey a strong message on how we treat each other, I could arguably say that To Kill A Mocking Bird pulls this off better than any other movie I've seen.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a powerful movie about a little girl who is growing up in a small town that is slowly being torn a part by a controversial trial case. The sad part is that her father is the lawyer in the case, and she has no idea what is happening in the town. To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the few movies that can make me cry. If a movie makes me cry, it is automatically one of the best films I have ever seen. If you haven't seen To Kill A Mockingbird, shame on you.

EVERY MIYAZAKI MOVIE


Forget the idea that animated films are for kids. Hayao Miyazaki proves that animated films are for everyone. Every single one of his films is a fantastic work of art. The three displayed above are my personal favorites from him, but people should watch all of his movies. They are not only fantastic to look at, but they are highly entertaining. Princess Mononoke is on Roger Ebert's Top 10 Movies, and has been called "The Star Wars of animated features." This is all pretty much true.

Miyazaki movies are cute, violent, and romantic. When was the last time you went to an animated movie and watched someone have their head cut off? If you answered never, then you haven't seen a Miyazaki movie. Watch these movies: Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Naussacai: Of the Valley of the Wind, and Ponyo. They are amazing. But be sure that you watch all of them in Japanese. Save for Spirited Away, they're terrible in English.

THE BOONDOCK SAINTS
Boondock Saints? What's that? Boondock Saints is amazing; that's what it is.

After a freak accident with members of the Russian Mafia, two fraternal Irish brothers begin the belief that God has called them to rid the world of all evil; thus they begin to slowly kill off members of the Mafia and other criminals in Boston. Meanwhile, the top FBI agent in Boston is vigorously tracking them down. But as he tracks them he begins to question his faith, and can't decide whether what they are doing is good or evil, and whether he should capture them or help them.

Boondock Saints is not only hilarious, but it has a perfect mixture of drama. The film is one of my absolute favorites; The content to the film is rather strong though. Definitely not for the faint of heart.





For some strange reason, people always seem to laugh when I tell them what The Shawshank Redemption is about. It's about a man that digs himself out of prison with a tiny hammer... I fail to see what's so funny, because The Shawshank Redemption is anything but funny.

I would say that this is the most powerful movie ever made. Why do I say that? Because The Shawshank Redemption is the only movie that really makes me cry. After having seen the film countless times, I still get teary eyed every time I watch it. The level of emotion in this film is almost unmatched by any other film out there. This film is so powerful in the message that it conveys. Just as the poster and the title of the film suggest, it is a movie about Hope and healing.

The entire film revolves around Hope and Redemption how they are beautiful things. The story centers on the inmates of a prison as they try to find Redemption for the sins they have committed.

I believe that The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most beautiful movies ever made. Definitely on my top three movies of all time. The Shawshank Redemption has been called countless times "The Greatest Movie Ever Made." That's why it's held the number one spot on Imdb for so many years. I find this kind of funny, since it wasn't really appreciated when it first came out.

This film is not only Tim Robbins' and Morgan Freeman's best movie, but it also has the greatest ending to a movie ever. I don't think I can do this movie justice by talking about it. It is simply a movie that must be seen to be understood. It is just as emotionally exhausting as it is amazing to watch. (If that makes sense.) The Shawshank Redemption is probably the number one must see film for everyone. If you haven't seen The Shawshank Redemption:

A) You haven't seen Tim Robbins in his undies

B) You can't call yourself a movie lover

C) You suck. (That's harsh. I apologize.) You don't really suck. You just need to see the movie.

3 comments:

  1. Nice list! I completley agree with pretty much all of those (accept for the ones I havent seen)
    I loved taking survey of cinema with Bauer. That is what really got me into movies!!
    To Kill a Mockingbird was amazing!!

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  2. Yeah, LOVE Tim Burton in general! Miyazaki, adore!! We just got Ponyo a few days ago and the kids watch it several times a day (while they've been sick) now back to school. I think Spirited Away is my favorite, but Howl's Moving Castle is a close second and so is Totoro, and Ponyo and Castle in the Sky....yeah well, you get it. Cute prom pic!

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  3. Oh, To Kill A Mockingbird IS amazing. Agreed!

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