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Se7en (1995)
Se7en is a beautiful film and worth watching. I agree with both parts.
Getting into the film noir genre was probably one of the best things I've done for myself as a person who loves film. Deep, moody stories all the while being stylish and evoking a despondent atmosphere are definitely my type of movies. Movies that ask important questions of us dealing with our humanity or depicting the ugliest parts of the human psyche that is disturbingly relevant to our modern society shows that movies are more than just mere entertainment. This is everything that makes Se7en a great movie, in my opinion.
I could go on and on about the film, but first I have got to talk about the atmosphere that makes the movie so effective in many ways. It is just pure grit and grime and I love the film's consistency in its tone. Not just through its sets, but also the color tones that were used to enhance every scene makes each scene moody and ominous. These aesthetics definitely make for a lot of great cinematography and there is quite a number of memorable shots in the film. A key scene for me would be all the scenes taking place in the library, which are definitely some of the most beautiful cinematography I have seen in film thus far.
What also makes Se7en stand on its two feet are definitely great performances from Morgan Freeman who makes each movie I've seen him in have depth and character. While Freeman delivered a performance to compliment the film's story, Kevin Spacey was definitely the one to steal the show. To deliver such a disturbing performance that elicits just as much fear as watching Hannibal Lecter on screen was a feat that I didn't even know could be accomplished. I was holding my breath in every scene he spoke to another character. He was that captivating in his acting performance.
I don't know what else to say without spoiling this great movie, other than that anyone who is a fan of the noir genre or just a person who enjoys a good story should definitely watch Se7en. The film is so good that I had to include this on my personal list of my top favorite movies of all time. A pure classic in every way.
Casablanca (1942)
Heartwarming in all the right places, Casablanca deserves every ounce of its iconic status in the world of cinema
As a child, I fondly remember watching the a Looney Tunes short which was a homage/parody to Casablanca, named Carrotblanca. I didn't think much of it, but it greatly gave me an idea of how iconic Casablanca was and knowing of Humphrey Bogart. Fast-forward to adulthood and now I've finally watched it and seen what the fuss was about.
Did it live up to the hype? I think so, but as I was watching it, I was starting to think I might not really like the movie by the time it ends. When things were getting too sentimental, my cynical side was cringing, but then once the story opened up more, I began to see that the story was addressing themes of love and virtue that we all can relate to as human beings. It's the two things that make a human being human and we as human beings know that those two things may require things of importance of us to be sacrificed and that can be either good or negative. It's a character study of one person's struggle with those two ideals.
What I love about Casablanca is that it is not at all cynical, but at the same time it's not all sunshine and rainbows. What it does have, most importantly, is a lot of heart and it is a film that can remind us all of our humanity in that we're all susceptible to our vulnerabilities to the people we cherish the most and that could potentially destroy us, but Casablanca finds triumph in that and asks each and everyone of us to find triumph in our adversities for the sake of keeping our hearts pure. Any film that asks something like that is a film that is sure to be remembered and to remain in the hearts of not only people looking for entertainment in movies, but also heart. And that is what makes Casablanca a pure classic, in my opinion.
Persona (1966)
Disappointing
Overall, I did not find this in the slightest bit interesting. I do enjoy movies with an out-of-the-box concept, but this seemed like pretentious drivel. I expect a movie to pull me in and give me some sort of reaction, but by the time I finished 'Persona,' it just left me completely cold and indifferent.
It seemed interesting from the get-go and just when I was expecting the movie to take an interesting turn, it didn't really go anywhere at all. I mean I do sort of appreciate the minimalist aspect of the movie, but apart from that, not much really happens in the movie to even make me care about its plot or the characters. Maybe someday I may get the feeling that I should watch this again, but as of now, I highly doubt that will ever happen.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Iconic Superhero film that not only sets the bar for its genre, but redefines it
'The Dark Knight' is everything I wanted a Batman film to be and it has that level of darkness that a lot of superhero films just don't have. The story has a lot of depth. The cast is great. The way Nolan used Chicago as his Gotham made the film look larger than life. There is a sense of realism compared to pre-Nolan Batman films. I could go on and on, especially since Batman is my favorite superhero and that character played a huge role in my childhood whether it was the cartoons or the Burton/Schumacher films. People say that they had a problem with Christian Bale's Batman voice, but to me personally it doesn't take away from the film, because the essence of the character is still there.
Heath Ledger's Joker in my opinion has a become an iconic villain of cinema. Unlike Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker, Heath Ledger's Joker will actually disturb you more than make you laugh. I always identified 'The Joker' with the animated series version voiced by Mark Hamill. That was the iconic Joker, but to have an actor being able to rise to that standard and reinvent a super villain was something I really did not expect before I even saw 'The Dark Knight.' And that is really evident especially when Batman and Joker are both on screen. Every interaction between them somehow brings back my memories of watching the animated series only this time its live action and its more mature and darker than I ever imagined my favorite superhero and supervillain to be.
I could go on about the rest of the cast such as Michael Cane, Gary Oldman, and Aaron Eckhart for their fantastic portrayal of the characters. Not only is this a fantastic superhero film, but this is also a fantastic piece of cinema. If I could ever go back in time to witness this film for the first time over and over again, I would just to feel the aura of excitement coming from me and everyone in the theater. I didn't know what to expect with 'The Dark Knight' just as much as I did not know what to expect with 'Batman Begins.' I was expecting a good ol' superhero story, but instead I was watching a reinvented Batman and a re-imagining of the story I always knew of the character.
The old Batman films were fun for me as a child, but the rebooted franchise definitely inspired me to read the graphic novels that played a part in influencing Nolan's vision. Every scene is shockingly dark, captivating, but most importantly iconic and memorable and I sure hope that this film has a far reaching influence on other superhero films, because the film really set the bar for the genre. Every other superhero I will watch unfortunately will be compared to 'The Dark Knight' and it will be judged based on that film. These are the only superhero films of its kind and the fact that it stands out from the rest shows how much quality the film has and how much it gets right. 'The Dark Knight' is a classic in every sense of the word not just as a superhero film, but as a work of storytelling in general.
Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
The Best Fairy Tale Ever
'Spirited Away' was a mere random movie I rented on a whim sometime during my days in middle school and the experience of watching it during that period of my life makes this one of my most sentimental films in which I dearly hold in my heart. Not knowing what to expect, my only assumption was that this looked like it could be a good movie, since I was getting a bit into anime/manga and anything that was a cartoon appealed to me more at the time, but what I got was something more. What I took away from this was an strange epic fairytale like no other. With so much memorable imagery, coupled with an atmosphere of mystery, this is one of those stories that manage to stick with you.
While my youth offered more of a sense of alienation than friendship at the time, it felt like this movie was there for me. Things have gotten a bit better externally, but if I were to talk about the highlights of my youth, it would definitely be times like this in which I made random discoveries where I was able to find unexpected comfort during those times where it felt hard for me in a world that wasn't exactly as bad as the real world I didn't even know of, until now. I will always hold this film dear in my heart, but this is definitely a film I look forward to revisiting again.
With its dreamy feel, the film holds so much surreal beauty while retaining all of its pure emotion. 'Spirited Away' to me feels like a milestone in the genre of animated films. What 'Spirited Away' proved is that you can convey so much through animation just as much as a live action film, and I would dare say it has gone places not a lot of live action films have even treaded on. The film immersed me into its animated world like no other animated film. 'Spirited Away' is not only a great anime film, but one of the greatest films in general.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
A Look into an Abyss
I expect a film like 'No Country for Old Men' to be polarizing for some, especially if they're expecting a big finale with the good guy and the bad guy drawing their guns in the end to settle the score. 'No Country for Old Men' is a film that dabbles more in existentialism, despite all the crime that occurs. Basically, what I'm saying is that the film adapted from the novel is very unconventional not only for its genre, but also in its approach to storytelling. What the Coen brothers do best is combining altogether different elements and creating something with its own unique character. While there are subtle throwbacks to the old wild west, the story takes place in modern society where technology has advanced, society has advanced and unfortunately crime has too.
What are Anton Chigurh's true motives? Does he have a philosophical doctrine that we the audience are unaware of or are just unable to comprehend? What Anton does is create a lot of questions that arise from his actions and his interactions with the other characters. To watch a character as odd as him is fascinating and I cannot give enough credit to Javier Bardem in portraying such a character that is so enigmatic and just his presence alone is able to evoke so much mystery. Even though Anton is very incomprehensive, it is all made up for by being able to be somehow captivated by him.
How every character deals with Anton is interesting, to say the least and as the film progresses, the feeling of despondency increases gradually. The lack of heroes is what gives this film its sense of hopelessness and that feeling of hopelessness is basically set in stone from the first few shots coupled with Tommy Lee Jone's epic voice-over narration in introducing the story. It is the perfect introduction to what we will witness in the story and what it all means for a sheriff like him in comprehending these events. As the events occur, we the audience reflect on these situations just as much as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. Tommy Lee Jones' performance in this role is impressive and is injected with a great sense of humanity. I commend his portrayal as Bell, in that he is the character who carries the weight of the story.
The acting is a huge fragment in bringing this film to life, but what also does that is how the visuals are executed and it is definitely utilized to a great effect. From its majestic shots to its beautiful lighting and color tones, the Coen brothers set a mood that permeates the whole film. Its barren settings really add a feeling of desolation that is at the same time hypnotic and surreal. While the film can be suspenseful and its suspense is definitely executed perfectly, the film still somehow manages to maintain an air of mystique. The non-existence of a soundtrack really gives the film a feeling of loneliness, all the while adding an even greater sense of sterility to its already barren wasteland.
I can go on and on about the great acting, its memorable shots and its great script, but what makes 'No Country' a great film is that it manages to be truly idiosyncratic in its execution just like how the Coen Brothers' other great films are. Even if a film like this leaves me more questions than answers, if it still manages to captivate me to a point that I'm willing to return to it, then that shows that it doesn't matter if I don't have any answers to my questions. There are only a few films that are able to pull this off naturally and 'No Country for Old Men' is definitely one of those special films that can do just that.
Fargo (1996)
Cold, Sterile and Morbid
I really don't know what from the film the Coen brothers claim is true or could be juxtaposed with actual happenings or actual people, but to comprehend that really does not take away from Fargo being a great movie, whether how true or fictitious it is. When a financially troubled car salesman hires and makes a deal with two people to kidnap his wife as a ruse to get his wealthy father-in-law to cough up money, you can already predict that something could go wrong, especially when these two people aren't the most professional.
While the movie can be oddly humorous, it really adds a strange dynamic effect when coupled with its winter setting, in that it gives a sense of desolation that is reflected in Jerry Lundegaard's life and really adds a lot more weight to the morbidity that carries on and escalates throughout the beginning of the film to the end. Fargo feels like a very morbid movie to me, but to add in some of the most quirky humor really makes the movie feel very idiosyncratic in that it seems incomparable to other films, with all of its distinct characters and its very strange, cold and sterile atmosphere. While Pulp Fiction does do a good job of combining humor and morbidity, I think I have come to favor Fargo a lot more.
What I love about Fargo is how distinct every major character is in the movie. The writing that went into him, coupled with each actor being able to breathe life into their character and giving them their own unique quirks was one of the things that kept me glued to the screen. From the mild mannered behaviors to the Minnesota accents, the characters come off very authentic in presenting a very regional film. If I would have to give a nod to any one performance in the film, it would have to be Frances McDormand. From her mild mannerisms to her unintentional humor, Marge was the foundation of the story and McDormand further accentuated that with her superb acting in that she makes her portrayal feel so authentic to its region, believable and at the utmost, human. To witness all the events in the film and to react the way she did is commendable, to say the least and I think that Marge Gunderson has got to be one of the coolest female characters on film that I have witnessed and I cannot praise the Coen brothers enough for writing such a great non-stereotypical female character.
Fargo may be a simple story, but I think that it's simplicity is what I really love about this film. I watched enough films from the Coen brothers to deem them as very unique in their style of telling stories that feels so different from other directors. Fargo basically sealed the deal for me. With its unique characteristics, it feels very surreal in a morbid sense. I have never described a film that way and I think that shows how special this film is. If you want to watch a film that has character, then watch 'Fargo,' because it definitely has a whole bunch of that.
Tôkyô monogatari (1953)
The Significance of Family
Tokyo Story is a beautiful, emotionally devastating film that really shows a side of society that immensely disappoints me. I guess you can say that I developed an instant personal connection to this film, since I've witnessed similar situations. Having to go through the immense lost of my grandfather (who was not only my grandfather, but someone who I can call my dad and my best friend) and knowing for a fact I will be missing him for the rest of my life until I die, I felt greatly disgusted by how a lot of the children in the film treated their parents. I come from a culture where we would NEVER put our parents or grandparents in an old person's home, and we would be more than willing to take care of the people who raised us just the same way they took care of us. If I have to make sacrifices in my job and my me time, then I would make no hesitation, because I LOVE, as well as RESPECT my grandparents/parents. Whatever differences we may have wouldn't even matter and in the end it never did. Not to trying to tell anyone how to live, but I think that showing some compassion and respect towards the people who did a lot for you shows a lot of character. My grandfather may not be with me now, but to know that I did the best that I could to make him happy and not feel alone gives me a sense of comfort in knowing that he was happy.
We unfortunately live in a society where we all are too busy and have places to be, and it sometimes cannot be avoided, but once we deliberately start to distance ourselves from people, then it becomes a problem, especially for the people we should give more time and attention to. This is the me generation, and we are flooded by technology and corporations trying to exploit many aspects of our lives, which dilutes so many of the basic, yet most important aspects of our humanity. A film like this just goes to show that our so called leaders in society don't put much of an effort in influencing us to stay connected or in at least trying to create outlets that will bring us closer as humans. Instead we live in a system that brings out selfishness. While life can be at times unrestrained in its cruelty, at least we have movies like 'Tokyo Story' that shows a sense of humanity in its most raw and purest form. I like to watch films to escape, but especially ones that show an utmost honesty about our society and what 'Tokyo Story' says to me from watching it is that while life is beautiful and still worth living, it can still be immensely disappointing. What makes Tokyo Story such a strong film is that it brings out the harsh reality that exists in our society, in that many people don't put in any effort to maintain the strength of a bond towards their family. What's the point of being part of a family if that person doesn't even have the heart to set things aside to spend time with their parents? The fact that this film can tug at many people's heart strings goes to show just how much this film is an emotional punch to the gut, in that it shows aspects of human nature that is far reaching and universal. While Japan is one of the many diverse cultures in our world, we still share many of the same issues that can exist in any family relationship. Any film that make me feel this much empathy for its characters is something special and 'Tokyo Story' is that special film.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Malevelontly chilling
In ways, I guess I could say that the first Godfather changed my outlook on film, in that you can enjoy movies for their artistic aspects, and that you don't necessarily have to understand the film inside out, in that you can enjoy for what it offers, and that is basically the experience of it. When I watch a gangster movie, I felt that the element of brutality was something that was lacking in the first Godfather, in that it came off too pretty and sophisticated, but I actually came to appreciate its dynamics in that the brutal scenes come as the plot escalates in that it serves as a contrast to the more sombre, melancholic elements of the film. I have to say that it brought forth something unique with that concept and gave the film a sense of grandeur that made it stick out in the crime genre.
And the things The Godfather did in setting the bar, Part II further expands on its ideas and opts for a darker, malevolent approach that greatly differs from the first film that has more of a sense of warmth. To see Michael's transformation was astounding in the first film, but to see what he has become is gutwrenchingly heavy. What Don Vito Corleone created was a foundation for his family, and to see Michael become corrupted to the point, he would do anything to stay at the top is horrifyingly disturbing. What makes this performance so intense is the lack of any human emotion or empathy coming from Michael, that makes him just pure evil. What is brought to this role is the stuff of legends and I cannot give enough credit to Al Pacino. He deserves every amount praise bestowed upon him, but who I think shines just as much as Al in the film is Robert De Niro and his portrayal of a young Vito Corleone during his rise to power. I would have never thought it would feel natural to have someone other than Marlon Brando portray the original Don, but Robert De Niro actually exceeded my expectations. From his accent to his mannerisms, he got the character down to a hair.
And not only with great performances, we are offered a great character study contrasting a father and son, and what drives these men to kill. We know how Michael came into his position, but as the film progresses we begin to see how Vito and Michael handle their business, as we see both their stories reach a conclusion that is downright brutal. The Godfather Part II shows what is set forth by Michael's rise to power and the movie retains its ambition, but becomes its own film that is gripping and memorable in its own unique character.
I originally preferred the first one, but then I realized how much the second one is dependent on the first film. While the second one is more gripping, the first one is grandiose in that it was the first to bring out these great ideas and execute them in a way that is incomparable, but I like to see the first and the second as one long epic story in that it depicts the rise and fall of an empire and while I prefer the first one, the sequel does something different, adding different angles to the story that are equally as compelling, dramatic and shocking as the first one. To make a sequel that does just that was no easy feat and this is the mark of Francis Ford Coppola's talent as a director. Even if the first Godfather were to never have a sequel, it would still be awesome on its own, but to have a sequel that is this good is more than anyone could ask for from a great director. The Godfather Part II is a film that you should definitely not miss out on.
Rear Window (1954)
A Window of Opportunity
If there is a movie that is just as influential as 'Psycho' for its genre, it would probably be Alfred Hitchcock's thriller masterpiece, 'Rear Window.' With its focus being voyeurism, it takes us through the eyes through Cary Grant's eyes as we the audience are with him spying on the rest of the neighborhood around him. As he begins to feel a strong sense of suspicion from one of his neighbors, we start to feel the tension escalate throughout the movie and how this is executed by Hitchcock is just mindblowing.
The movie already has enough suspense that Cary might be spotted and how this movie makes one feel a sense of paranoia is suspense at its utmost best. The sense that our characters might be in grave danger or they might just be making this all up in their hands adds a lot of psychological thrills to the story, because we the audience are trying to figure out the answers to a mystery where we don't have any proper evidence. I have honestly seen this type of story being mimicked by many movies/TV shows today and that just goes to show the amount of influence Hitchcock has on film.
From the performances to how the movie takes place in one location, 'Rear Window' is a work of pure art, but what I love is its consistent atmosphere that comes from its urban environment. The sense of claustrophobia alone adds to the suspense. It gives a great sense of just how vulnerable our characters are to begin with and as they get deeper into their suspicions, they are making themselves even more vulnerable and increasing their chances of danger and the film captivated me from start to finish. 'Rear Window' represents our curiosity in how this obsession can take control of us, no matter how hard we try to look away. Watching 'Rear Window' or any other film, it shows we all have this impulse within us to look into another world that holds a perceived mystery to us, but in this case, it's purely worth it.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Grotesque in its satire, yet hypnotic to the point you are drawn to its allure, as how one would be analyzing a beautiful painting
A film that is just as artful as it crazy, whether it be its visuals that are flamboyantly colorful, its use of Beethoven to compliment Alex's over-the-top personality, or its clever dialogue. This is a film like no other that portrays a society that blurs the line between good and evil, filled with characters possessing many different oddities, where the sane and insane are basically one and the same. Every line of dialogue is witty and quotable, that it makes every situation in the movie even way more absurd than it already is, in a really good way.
Malcolm McDowell is legendary in this and delivers a performance so electrifying that it will send shivers down your spine. He definitely brings out the most out of a character who is rebellious without any sense of constraint, and to see him suffer through what he's put through later on in the movie makes me feel a bit of sympathy for him, strangely, but just when we feel bad for him, he'll fill you up with disgust, once again to remind you how much he values his own grotesque freedom. His actions may be evil, but on the different sides of the spectrum, which are the sides of the good, 'do you're told' law abiding citizen to the anti-conformists, both their actions are situated in the utmost extremes that point out the flaws in each of their convictions.
While both flawed, the story definitely serves its purpose of satirizing a society that values its convictions in establishing order through a system that forces everyone to conform to what constitutes a good citizen. How can society grow if we cannot let aspects of our individuality flourish? And although we should conform to having a good sense of morality, unlike Alex, we should still be able to exercise our right to freedom, instead of letting ourselves be oppressed by what society deems as 'ideal' living. And although the film leaves out the last chapter of the novel, I feel the choice of going with this ending makes just as strong of statement either way in pointing out society's flawed system.
To sum everything up, 'A Clockwork Orange' is everything a satire should be, in that it is so shocking that it is able to get its points across directly. This is a film that shows ambition, but at the same time can make you laugh hysterically at things you'd feel strange for laughing at and whenever I watch this film, I feel a little twisted myself. While there are certain scenes that induce a feeling of disgust, there are many scenes that are just hilarious, and that is due to the outrageous dialogue. From watching every character interact with each other to listening to Alex's narration, there are so many overwhelmingly good lines filled with so much wit that this is bound to be a film you'd want to revisit again and again. To have a film mix dark humor with acts of a grotesque nature is one the weirdest dynamics in film and this is what I think that captivates many people to watch this film. On that note, that is what makes 'Clockwork' so great in that it executes what it sets out to do so well that you will find yourself trying not to look away at the screen, despite the horrific events that occur within in the film, and a film that can captivate me that much is in every way deserving of the title as a classic.
Goodfellas (1990)
A sharp-edges gangster film that has a script that is one the all time best. One of the greatest films of all time
What makes Goodfellas such an enjoyable film for me would have to be its hard hitting, witty dialogue. If I have to pick a film that is a winner script-wise, Goodfellas would definitely be one of the top contenders. With a script like this, there are many lines that are good enough to be quotable, and it's very long list to choose from. And the desired effect is not only achieved by the script, it had to be the select number of people who be up to the task at bringing out the sharp wit of the characters and we have a cast that really shines in that department.
With Ray Liotta playing Henry Hill, his performance in letting you in on the character by putting you through his perspective with his narration alone is enough to pull you in and become captivated by the film. And as he pulls you into his world, we get introduced to numerous criminals he gets mixed up with such as Tommy DeVito played by Joe Pesci, who he plays with a lot of intensity that brings out a lot of the brutal elements in the film. When on screen, you can always sense something is going to go wrong, and what Pesci brings to this character is deserving of all the praise.
Every character evokes that sense of intensity that really gives this film its distinctive edge, but one person I seem to be captivated the most by in the movie would have to be Robert De Niro's performance as Jimmy Conway, who is crazier, but in his own more methodical way that is a lot more subtle than Tommy. What Bob brings to the table is something special that again shows how versatile he is as an actor and gives me another reason as to why I think he is the greatest actor ever. He may not be in every scene, but he is the foundation of the movie for me.
These are all great performances that help to bring out this story and to know that these are true events makes this film even more insane than it already is. While The Godfather felt more graceful and has placed a heavier emphasis on subtlety to make the violent scenes have more impact when they happen unexpectedly, Goodfellas is sharp all around its edges. Whereas The Godfather was violent, it offered insight into the human aspects of the criminals and the reasons they murdered for business. That sense of sentimentality is nonexistent in Goodfellas and offers a bare bones, raw insight into the crooked lives these criminals were leading, and with that, you get a story that is sharp like a knife that when it hits you, you'll know you'll never forget it.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
For once, a movie that feels like real life
What I think makes 'The Big Lebowski' so great is its attitude and outlook on life and how it can easily resonate with people, especially with a non-confrontational attitude like 'The Dude.' In a world where we try to over-rationalize everything until we don't realize we're creating an altogether new problem which is a byproduct of an already existing issue, 'The Dude' makes everyone else look like a cartoon character or a caricature. To quote what the cowboy said which is basically we all need a hero for its time and place, or I don't know, I kinda forgot what he said. Umm.. Something to that effect.
What makes the movie great is you see this guy who gets placed in this sticky situation and how he gets tangled up with all these characters being the opposite with the obvious, Walter, who happens to be his buddy. To see these characters tick is just plain hilarious. And what is also great is watching The Dude just floating through every conversation and every conflict inadvertently making almost everyone else out to be taking themselves too seriously. I did not see the point about the film the first time due to being delirious from working, but upon my second viewing of the film, I found it funny in a way that resonated with my outlook on life.
I think we all yearn to be stoic in the same manner as The Dude, especially in a world in which a lot of people have their head stuck up their asses. To take no bullshit without feeling the need to protect a huge ego is an attribute that everyone should try to aspire to. 'The Big Lebowski' to me is not only a great comedy, but a great film that feels so human and I cannot help but smile with laughter and feel a sense of warmth from watching it. When there are so many characters in movies that feel like they are from an unattainable fantasy dream, we cannot help but alienated from them, and to have a film like 'The Big Lebowski' to bring these characters back down to a human level makes a movie that feels like real life, and at its core, is what makes this film a classic and a film that has a home in my heart forever.
Psycho (1960)
Hitchcock executes suspense gracefully in 'Psycho' in a way that feels organic and raw, with every shot being memorable and iconic
I am completely at a loss of words for what to say about 'Psycho' that has not already been said before, therefore I will just reiterate what others say and that the film is all deserving of its iconic status. Every shot is memorable and when I think of either the horror or the thriller genre, the shower scene instantly comes to mind, as well as the other scenes with suspense in the film. Everything feels so meticulously placed in that the suspense hits you the same way a song approaches a bombastic crescendo.
The genre has come a long way and today's generation's expectations are more harder to please due to the market in the genre, but 'Psycho' laid out the blueprint to making a thriller that has basically become the standard and you can see it in pretty much every modern suspense film, it's ridiculous. And while this might not shake up anyone today, this definitely shook up many people and to watch it in that context really shows how far we've come in the genre today.
And with that, I think it's safe to say that Hitchcock rightfully deserves the title as 'the master of suspense.' And with other classics under his belt, such as 'Vertigo,' 'North by Northwest, and 'Rear Window,' his diversity in utilizing the concept of suspense, whether its playing with his audience's perceptions or leaving them on the edge of their seats, is evident in each of them. As a growing movie lover (my first love being music), I have to say that despite its status in pop culture lore, 'Psycho' is still a crowning achievement in what it basically is: a great movie.
Vertigo (1958)
A classic thriller that is cerebrally captivating from start to finish
While there are films about how the meaning of true love is defined by lovers truly being able to accept each other, despite their mistakes a la "Sunrise," there are films that venture into territory that deals with how we think we have the answers in our hearts, until we find out that we've chosen to travel a narrow, linear path, when we could have thought more rationally outside of our own heads and realized we could have built more bridges to act as a "safety net."
Does this obsession mean we're isolating ourselves within our own subjective opinions and does it make us a bad person if we feel our instincts will lead to somewhere, or does it mean we're naive? All I know is that 'Vertigo' manages to tell a side of humanity, in that we are all susceptible to becoming vulnerable in the general sense. We may have our strengths, but we will always have our weaknesses.
Is there a lesson to be learned by any of this or do we just have to learn to live with this knowing that this type of ambivalence cannot be prevented all the time? Does 'Vertigo' answer any of this? I do not know if it does, but maybe you the viewer will think otherwise. Whatever you may be thinking about, 'Vertigo' is a film that every film lover should see. 'Vertigo' to me is a thriller that is very psychological in that it made me question a side of our humanity that plays a part in our interactions with people. Any story that can captivate me to a level beyond just being entertained for the sake of entertainment is the type of story I would definitely want to revisit again and again.
The Shining (1980)
Cabin Fever Blues
What I love about Stanley Kubrick is how he can intensely captivate me like no other director. There is a certain intensity to his movies that is so hypnotic in that it holds my attention so much that I find myself trying not to blink in order to catch every detail. Within every shot, there is a lot of attention to detail and from the films I have seen from Kubrick, he seems very meticulous about the visual details and he is so clever how he can make little things add to that disturbing intensity. These little things make Kubrick's films feel otherworldly and grandiose, which is definitely a bit of how I would describe some details about 'The Shining.' I knew who Kubrick was, but during the time that I first randomly watched 'The Shining' on television as a teenager, I was completely unaware that he actually directed it. All I knew after having watched it for the first time was that I was mesmerized by it. I had a thing for horror flicks, but this was the first horror film that I truly loved and the more I watched it on AMC, the more I discovered more nuances that made the movie even more disturbing. What made me love this movie was the fact that for the first time ever, I was actually analyzing a horror film.
It made an impact on me in that it brought out my worst fears, and that would be the paranoid feeling of isolation. Where most horror today only manages to startle, The Shining manages to actually disturb and that to me feels more effective in making me feel a sense of dread, and how Kubrick executes that is astounding. Whether it be imagery that is just straight up odd, or its cold, lonely atmosphere, all these scenes are capable of evoking some type of reaction from anyone who would watch this film. What really resonated with me were the long drawn out scenes of dialogue between the characters and knowing from listening to their tone, that something did not quite feel right and this is executed so well by Kubrick. The decision to film close-ups of the actors' faces added an even greater emotional effect that adds to the disturbing anxiety permeating the film.
I don't know what else to say about The Shining, but after watching A Clockwork Orange and 2001, I have come to respect Stanley Kubrick as a director more than ever. He has a style that feels distinct, but at the same time he is versatile in ways I didn't even know of. I wouldn't be able to name my favorite director, but Kubrick is definitely one of the top contenders for that title. Mr. Kubrick not only a great horror film, but one that is memorable in ways that it manages to leave a disturbing impression on you permanently. I will never forget the first time I watched 'The Shining,' and although it probably might not scare me as much the next time I will put this on, I will always be able to enjoy being disturbed by it.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character
Funny, philosophical, stylish, violent, and vulgar are some the words I would use to describe Pulp Fiction, along with idiosyncratic due to its unique nonlinear style of telling its story. What I also love about Pulp Fiction is the amount of interesting characters and their witty dialogue. Although this is a crime movie, what makes this stand out from other films in the crime genre is having these characters being placed in the most absurd situations and how they deal with it. This isn't some regular shoot 'em up movie just about people killing other people, it's pretty much its own movie about crime where each situation goes wrong in the most random and strangest way.
What I love about Pulp Fiction is that it does not try to make a point about anything, choosing not to take itself seriously. It really comes off as a movie about regular people who talk like regular people talking about some of the most random stuff, but with crime involved. This is especially evident with interactions between Vincent and Jules, which comes off pretty hilarious, since you can tell they're so use to the routine of their job that their having the most random conversations you would expect from two dudes and that's pretty much their way of passing the time before they blow a guy's head off.
And the events that follow continue this tone of humor in the most weird or disturbing way. Although this is a crime film, with a lot of dark comedy, I feel Tarantino made a film that feels like a genre of its own and one that feels very post-modern. Although this is not my favorite movie, nor would I consider it the greatest of all time, Pulp Fiction is a film so unique that I don't think I have even seen any other movie that similar to it and because of this, I think everyone should watch Pulp Fiction.
C'era una volta il West (1968)
The Beautiful West
One thing I love about Sergio Leone's style as a director is his execution of telling a story in that while there are moments that have a purpose in progressing in the story, we can appreciate the moments where not much is happening, allowing more room for reflecting, whether it is beauty of the atmosphere in the world these characters live in or how the music is given a chance to evoke the emotions and be its own character. To sum up with more clarity, Sergio Leone made me learn to appreciate films that chooses to take its time, where all the little subtleties are the ones that add the most richness to a film's quality. It made me realize that there doesn't have to be things happening every minute in a movie to truly enjoy it.
If I were to describe this stylistic aspect of Leone's directing, I would say he is able to inject a feeling of richness in his stories that makes his films feel very warm in tone, all the while being stories with a lot of grit and sharp edges. With 'Once Upon a Time in the West,' this was the first time this specific quality became evident to me in movies. From all the vast landscapes filmed for specific scenes, we feel more like we are delving into a world of beauty that is rarely visited, than watching a mere movie. How Sergio Leone is able to make his films feel larger than life is an astounding achievement and inspiration for those with an artistic vision.
And every acting performance is delivered with a sense of sophistication and grace in adding to this rich story. And with every performance, we are presented with characters that are memorable and pivotal to the world they exist in. The world that exists in the film is filled with dirt and grit, and how these characters behave are evident of the world they live in.
And this world that we see is the death of the west and the ushering in of a new era. These characters all play a pivotal point in that, but what plays out in the end is a revelation that brings out the full picture of what lurks underneath the motives that fuels each event that occurs, to bring everything full circle. And the way the movie ends on this note is moving.
'Once Upon a Time in the West' is a dark western filled with a lot of melancholy, but still possessing a quality of rich beauty. Underneath all the scenes of violence, there is an emotionally undercurrent that manages to seep through and how Sergio Leone is able to convey those emotions with so much subtlety shows the true mark of a great director. 'Once Upon a Time in the West' is a classic not only due to its ambition, but also in how grand it feels in every sense of the word.
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (1966)
'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly' with an emphasis on the 'good'
What makes 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly' iconic ranges from many things such as Ennio Morricone's memorable score not only defining this movie, but spaghetti westerns, to its unforgettable scenes, depicting beauty and grit in the world created by Sergio Leone. Watching the movie feels like listening to a long musical composition, watching it build and build into a heart pounding crescendo, at the same time basking in the scenes where time feels like it slows down so we could soak in the beauty that this ugly, fragile world has to offer.
What I love about this film, is how it can be light-hearted and fun, yet still feel deep, heavy and contemplative at times. We don't get to know the characters at all (except a bit about Tuco), but we get to know them through their actions, and we truly find out the nature of why these three characters have these titles of 'the good,' 'the bad,' and 'the ugly.' To see these characters interact is a treat to watch, but what captivated me about the film was the great Clint Eastwood and his performance at 'The Man with no Name' or 'Blondie' as Tuco would address him as. He is the definitive embodiment of the stoic, anti-hero with an air of mystery as to where he comes from and his motives, which is what kept me in suspense through out the movie. From his strategic thinking in outsmarting Tuco, he is basically floating through a world of chaos, adapting to any unexpected messy situation these characters get thrown into. Then, when we finally get to the ending, we don't know what will become of the characters and that unpredictability is what makes this one moment in the movie one of the most intense scenes in cinema. Without spoiling anything, all I could say is that I felt the ending was clever in a way I didn't see coming at all.
With a great setting, a great score, great performances and a simple, but very great story, this is a western film I highly recommend you should watch, if you have never watched any westerns before. On that note, this is not only a great western film, but a wonderful piece of art from Sergio Leone. From the films I've watched by him, everyone of those films possess that layer of depth to them that feels like that feeling of bliss in life that comes once in a blue moon. Even with a film as dark as 'Once Upon a Time in the West' or 'Once Upon a Time in America,' Leone still manages to emit a feeling of warmth through his stories, and with all its guns and grit, 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly' is pure beauty on film.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Anyone can become a prisoner in their own mind
I can understand how some people can feel that 'The Shawshank Redemption' feels underwhelming or bland, compared to other highly acclaimed movies. I guess having that notion that all classic films have to be complex, with a bunch of overarching themes can influence one's perceptions of what is supposed to be a quality film. I have learned that every director has a vision with its own distinctiveness that differs from other directors. Whether its small or large in its scope, sometimes that is not the point. Some directors want to prove something to make a point, while some just want to just make a story that's basically good, without the need to be over-politically or socially conscious to the point where it becomes pretentious.
And 'Shawshank' is basically that. A good simple story about one's will to hold on to hope despite how heavy the circumstances. Sure, some might not view it as realistic for a story about prison life, but applying to the concept of life in general is what fits and not if it rings true to how life in prison really is. It's a more of a 'life' film than a prison film. When one feels like they are in their own type of 'prison,' sometimes just having a friend to bring you a little freedom is all you need to feel free again, and that is a comforting message in all its beautiful simplicity.
With its 'floating on a cloud' atmosphere, it really has a soothing, calm, and tranquil atmosphere, despite the setting being a prison. This tone is what separates 'Shawshank' from other films and becomes its own distinct world and with that the film comes off feeling more hopeful than dark at times, and I think that's more than I can ask for from this great movie, at the end of the day.
The Thing (1982)
A Nightmare in Antarctica
What induces the most horror? Many different people will offer many different answers to this simple yet profound question. One of my strongest fears would stem from isolation. Not having any source of protection for myself would be a nightmare, but what I am trying to say is that I think the strongest stimuli of fear would be anything that triggers our vulnerability as human beings. I personally love to watch horror films not only for the thrill of the scare, but for its atmosphere for I feel it plays just as big of an influence on our senses just as much the plot.
That isolated atmosphere plays a strong role in triggering a feeling of dread in obvious films being Stanley Kubrick's The Shining (my personal favorite horror film) and Ridley Scott's Alien. Both are able to utilize this idea, but in ways that are each unique to its own story, and that could very well be said about the remake of 'The Thing.' In comparison to 'Alien,' it has that element of science fiction, but it not only gives a feeling of doom in its environment, but it also manages to evoke feelings of paranoia through the characters. While 'Alien' and 'The Shining' feel isolated, you also feel a sense of possible danger from anyone of the characters featured in and that is where that feeling of vulnerability is triggered while watching 'The Thing.' While in other horror movies, we may know who or what we're running from, but it seems in 'The Thing,' we lack that awareness and there is no place to escape.
This is a bleak film that will leave its mark on you that will get under your skin. There are grotesque moments, but the fascinating thing about it is that it uses no flashy CGI effects and the realism makes everything from the blood and gore really shock inducing. I would also like to add that the look of the alien monster is just as grotesque and manages to instill fear. While the alien in 'Alien' is horrifying, the creature in 'The Thing' is a much more rabid beast that will brutally kill anything to adapt. The scary thing about the 'thing' as compared to the alien from 'Alien' is it possesses no emotion and that is what gives these creatures the edge over humans.
I cannot recommend this film enough to fans or the horror genre. It is definitely a must see, not only for it being scary, but also utilizing the feeling of fear in its own unique way with its acting performances, set pieces, choreography, designs, and especially its story. If you are looking for a horror film that is memorable, then do yourself a favor and watch 'The Thing.'
Double Indemnity (1944)
A Price to Pay
If I were to describe 'Double Indemnity' it would be how the over-romanticization of love can pervert one's sense of morality. It's the blind purpose of alienating other people just for the sake of sacrificing for one person. Manipulation, lust, ignorance. 'Double Indemnity' is all these things that play a part in blindly "falling in love" with someone, without knowing that person is acting purely on lustful desires. Once the movie begins and we are introduced to our main character, we are already aware things have taken a bad turn, but we just don't know how bad. All we know is that things are not looking good as our character is about to begin his confession.
We cannot help, but feel pity for Neff, but I think we can all agree that this was a lot of stupidity on his part for not using his brain to investigate things further before he went in too deep. This is an engrossing story and as the story unfolds, many layers of the mystery begin to peel off, unveiling one shocking revelation after the next. With each twist and turn, we can feel our insides twisting more and more as the big picture starts to show revealing the disturbing truth.
This has everything I love about the film noir genre. From the witty dialogue delivered to its dark tone, its just all in all, a well thought out plot that is bound to cast a spell on its viewer and hold her or his attention until the end. It did for me, and I'll never forget the impact of its story.
12 Angry Men (1957)
A tug-of-war battle between morality and rationalization
It's amazing how 12 Angry Men can make other movies seem gimmicky having to rely on props or set pieces to make the audience feel immersed only to feel let down in the end. And that is due largely in part to its acting performances. Never would I have thought I would ever feel tension just from the use of dialogue, but '12 Angry Men' proved me wrong showing that if you have a good plot and a good script, then you can make a quality film without the use of large sets, car chases, gun shots, and beautiful scenery shots.
There was never one moment in this film where I was not paying attention. One reason I can give for this is the distinctiveness of each and every character. What I love is how every juror is different from one another hailing from many different backgrounds. Just listening to these guys talk made me want to get to know everyone of them and what their motives were and how it would affect the outcome of the story. As the story progresses, you get more and more immersed as things start to get tense and personal in situation in which extreme rationalization is required in using reasonable doubt.
What also makes this film rewarding is that you feel like one of the jurors and it makes you want to think just as hard as they're thinking about the case. There are twists and turns here and this is not a simple case to analyze when everything is not pure black and white. When we're only presented with very few details, we can only look to the unseen details that could give us a strong reason to doubt a person(s)' accusations. This is a story that is universal and how reasonable doubt must be taken into all accounts when there is blurred line between who is right or wrong and who is good or bad.
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Expanding on the idea of showing the personal side of a gangster ala The Godfather, Once Upon a Time in America tells a story that is completely different and ambitious
I am usually hesitant to sit through long movies, because not only does it require me to find the time, I question whether the story will be worth enough to hold my attention for that long. As long as the movie is good, then I can tolerate the length, but I have then never watched a movie as long as 'Once Upon a Time in America' and thought of it then was pretty daunting.
And to my surprise, every scene in 'Once Upon a Time in America' was able to do just that all the while making me forget about its long length. Every performance by the actors is perfect, especially Robert De Niro performance as Noodles. The reason why this man is my favorite actor of all time is the way every performance he does is intense and brooding, but from different perspectives from completely different characters from different worlds.
Here, he is a character that will make you sympathize with him and will also alienate you with disgust. Noodles is a fascinating character that makes me feel a lot of ambivalence. What is amazing is seeing the ugly world through the eyes of a gangster and seeing their flawed, but existing humanity. This is a bit reminiscent of The Godfather in that it shows the more personal side of a gangster's life, but this is a story that differs a lot of The Godfather and is a standalone story.
And not only that, but this is no cops and robbers shoot 'em up type story. There is actually a lot of beauty conveyed in its approach and it is also evident in its visuals that slow the movie down to let the viewer feel immersed in its opium drenched atmosphere. There are moments of reflection and moments of repulsion that occurs during the moments where we don't even expect it. Even the sweetest, almost innocent moments we expect to blossom becomes overshadowed by the characters' criminal nature.
And that is the story of 'Once Upon a Time in America' of how darkness can shroud the light at the end of the tunnel if we become corrupted by evil. If you loved The Godfather, then you will enjoy this movie. A tragic epic masterpiece that everyone must watch.
Memento (2000)
Is ignorance truly bliss?
The first time I watched Pulp Fiction, it took me a bit of time to fully grasp its nonlinear storytelling by trying to figure out when each event occurred to be able to know the occurrence of events chronologically. Now having watched Memento, I have come to realize that despite Pulp Fiction's unique narrative, Tarantino made a story that is still easy to grasp.
At first I didn't get the memo that Memento presents its story in reverse chronological order, and having figured that out in a few scenes in, it felt like I was falling behind in a race, struggling to catch up. And not only that, but the flashbacks scenes are shown in regular chronological order to make the pace even more insanely hectic for me. I think it is safe to say that everyone can benefit from watching this movie more than once to piece everything together, if one loses track the first time watching it. My first viewing, to say the least, was mindboggling, but thanks to subtitles and having a bit of patience with my second viewing, I managed to tie up a lot of loose ends that were beginning to drive me crazy.
And that's one of the things that makes Nolan such a talented director. When you watch Memento, you have to literally change the way you watch movies to grasp it. It is not a stylistic choice just for the sake of being innovative. Nolan utilizes this reverse storytelling technique to execute the drama in a very unique way, having the same effect as putting a puzzle together to know what the full picture looks like. As we go back into the past, that is when we discover the answer to the mysteries of what is really going on underneath it all, as opposed to a conventional movie where we get the bigger picture of the situation as the story progresses in regular chronological order, followed by a conclusion. Whereas the ending of Pulp Fiction occurs during the middle of all the chaos, we get our true conclusion to Memento at the beginning where everything started. Whereas we know the destiny of every character with Pulp Fiction, there is a bit of uncertainty as to what will happen next for the protagonist.
What I love about Memento is that it perfectly encapsulates the strange feeling of deja vu. While the protagonist is unaware of everything that happens to him, we the viewer begin to see the full picture in the last scene in the movie and we come to a shocking revelation of the events we just witnessed. I don't want to elaborate more and run the risk of potentially spoiling anything, but all I can say is that this is one of the most innovative mystery thrillers concocted by Nolan, and the subtle film noir influences gives it an extra charm. Watching this movie, you wouldn't predict he would he even direct the batman movies and that shows not only Nolan's diversity but also his versatility as a director.