Are you bored of the current hollywood movie style, with the emphasis on profits and lack of plot? do you struggle to find a good 'classic movie'?
Fear not, I have put together a (very small) list of some of my favourite classic movies. I hope you enjoy!
*disclaimer this list is compiled with my favourite movies and is solely my opinion, this is copyright and merely for you all to enjoy*
The Shining (1980) Stanley Kubrick- If you are into horror films this one is truly a classic. The plot was written originally by Stephen King, it consists of Mr Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) and his family (Mrs Torrance and their only son Danny). Jack Torrance agrees to become the caretaker of the overlook hotel, which is an isolated hotel with a sinister history. During his interview he is informed that previous caretakers have struggled with the isolation including Mr Delbert Grady who murdered his entire family before killing himself. At first Jack Torrance believes that the isolation will benefit his writing career but finds his mental health slowly eroding. Why does the film work? Stanley Kubrick does an excellent job with the screenplay, music and manages to scare the audience with flashes of images that stay in your head long after seeing the movie. Examples include, flashes of the Grady twin girls, and the colour red is used and emphasised a lot in this film. The film also works because the storyline is strong and not too far fetched. It also has a good build up. Jack Nicholson's performance should be noted as one of his best and most memorable films. He does a convincing job of playing a man who is slowly losing the plot. What doesn't work? The actress who plays Mrs Torrance (Shelley Duvall) is slightly irritating, I suppose it is a reflection of the different era, where women were merely no more than housewives. The character does have some grit to her, but it is swamped by her irritating voice. I also found that the relationship between Mr and Mrs Torrance was odd and cold even before Mr Torrance lost the plot. For example, in the beginning there is a scene where they are in the car and its not really clear whether Mr Torrance even likes her. The ending of the film could also be better explained. Why is it a classic? Most people associate this film with the catchphrase 'HERE'S JOHNNY'! it's been used in other shows since. Overall I give this movie 8/10.
Raging Bull (1981) Martin Scorsese - This is based on the true story of the washed up boxer Mr Jake Lamotta, the film focuses on his career highs and lows and his personal life. Jake Lamotta is played by Robert De Niro who needs no introduction. Why does the film work? The cinematography works very well, the film is so gripping that you do not even notice that it is in black and white. Unlike glamourised films where the characters are likeable and fit in. Jake Lamotta is a the opposite of that, he is not glamorous and in the true Scorsese style he has chosen to focus an entire film on a misfit. It takes a certain amount of talent to make a film where the main character is barely likeable at times, but the point is you do not have to like the character in order for him to be watchable. The film is incredibly raw and shows a side to America that is not so hollywood, including depicting life for those who live in the bronx. The transformation that Robert De Niro went through to play the boxer should be commended as he gained a hefty 27 kilos to play the role. Joe Pesci is raw and believable as Joey Lamotta and Cathy Moriarty also does a good job in her part as the young Vicky (wife of Jake Lamotta). The film places an emphasis on tenacity, strength and perseverance. There are some memorable lines in this film, one where boxer Sugar Ray Robinson is winning a fight, continues to assault Lamotta with relentless punches and Lamotta does not react, but remains standing and even after losing the fight Jake walks up to Sugar Ray with his eyes barely open from the swelling and says 'you never got me down Ray'. There is something about this scene that line that stays in your head long after seeing the movie. There is also the other lines such as 'you f**ked my wife?!' which is somehow amusing and yet scary at the same time.
What doesn't work about this film? Viewers may be squeamish with some of the scenes which include some domestic violence. If this deeply affects you this film may not be for you. Why is this film a classic? The rawness, the fact that it is a true story. The real tragedy of this film is that Jake Lamotta is trained to be an animal, he is awarded for being an animal but once his career finishes he doesn't know how to be anything else.
The Sound of Music (1965) - Robert Wise - Ok, so I know the other two movies have been more dark. This one is a classic and a more 'family friendly' movie than the other recommendations here.
Maria (Julie Andrews) is a nun in Austria and is struggling to fit into the abbey. The other nuns make fun of her and comment on her different behaviour. The head nun gives Maria an assignment to be a governess for the Von Trapp family which consists of a Captain (known as 'Captain') and his seven children. At first Maria struggles with the children's behaviour towards her as well as the Captain's strict disciplinary methods with the children. Soon enough this all changes as the children warm to her as well as the Captain. Why does the film work? while I usually don't like musicals, the songs are good, the storyline is fun, watchable and the songs do not really take away from the plot. The film is more than just a musical as deeper themes emerge as the movie progresses such as the rise of nazism and the threat to Austria's identity. Julie Andrew's voice is truly impeccable and with time I have begun to really appreciate that. There is also stunning panoramic views of Austria's hills. What doesn't work about this film? there is one song that I didn't like 'somewhere in my youth' but mostly the film works.
Why is it a classic? The message that emerges from the film is to 'climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow till you find your dream' which to my interpretation is to keep searching until you find what you want to do in life. There are good messages in the film and overall it minimises the cheese factor and is a classic for the whole family.
Hope you enjoyed my small list of recommendations. Cheers for reading :)
Fear not, I have put together a (very small) list of some of my favourite classic movies. I hope you enjoy!
*disclaimer this list is compiled with my favourite movies and is solely my opinion, this is copyright and merely for you all to enjoy*
The Shining (1980) Stanley Kubrick- If you are into horror films this one is truly a classic. The plot was written originally by Stephen King, it consists of Mr Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) and his family (Mrs Torrance and their only son Danny). Jack Torrance agrees to become the caretaker of the overlook hotel, which is an isolated hotel with a sinister history. During his interview he is informed that previous caretakers have struggled with the isolation including Mr Delbert Grady who murdered his entire family before killing himself. At first Jack Torrance believes that the isolation will benefit his writing career but finds his mental health slowly eroding. Why does the film work? Stanley Kubrick does an excellent job with the screenplay, music and manages to scare the audience with flashes of images that stay in your head long after seeing the movie. Examples include, flashes of the Grady twin girls, and the colour red is used and emphasised a lot in this film. The film also works because the storyline is strong and not too far fetched. It also has a good build up. Jack Nicholson's performance should be noted as one of his best and most memorable films. He does a convincing job of playing a man who is slowly losing the plot. What doesn't work? The actress who plays Mrs Torrance (Shelley Duvall) is slightly irritating, I suppose it is a reflection of the different era, where women were merely no more than housewives. The character does have some grit to her, but it is swamped by her irritating voice. I also found that the relationship between Mr and Mrs Torrance was odd and cold even before Mr Torrance lost the plot. For example, in the beginning there is a scene where they are in the car and its not really clear whether Mr Torrance even likes her. The ending of the film could also be better explained. Why is it a classic? Most people associate this film with the catchphrase 'HERE'S JOHNNY'! it's been used in other shows since. Overall I give this movie 8/10.
Raging Bull (1981) Martin Scorsese - This is based on the true story of the washed up boxer Mr Jake Lamotta, the film focuses on his career highs and lows and his personal life. Jake Lamotta is played by Robert De Niro who needs no introduction. Why does the film work? The cinematography works very well, the film is so gripping that you do not even notice that it is in black and white. Unlike glamourised films where the characters are likeable and fit in. Jake Lamotta is a the opposite of that, he is not glamorous and in the true Scorsese style he has chosen to focus an entire film on a misfit. It takes a certain amount of talent to make a film where the main character is barely likeable at times, but the point is you do not have to like the character in order for him to be watchable. The film is incredibly raw and shows a side to America that is not so hollywood, including depicting life for those who live in the bronx. The transformation that Robert De Niro went through to play the boxer should be commended as he gained a hefty 27 kilos to play the role. Joe Pesci is raw and believable as Joey Lamotta and Cathy Moriarty also does a good job in her part as the young Vicky (wife of Jake Lamotta). The film places an emphasis on tenacity, strength and perseverance. There are some memorable lines in this film, one where boxer Sugar Ray Robinson is winning a fight, continues to assault Lamotta with relentless punches and Lamotta does not react, but remains standing and even after losing the fight Jake walks up to Sugar Ray with his eyes barely open from the swelling and says 'you never got me down Ray'. There is something about this scene that line that stays in your head long after seeing the movie. There is also the other lines such as 'you f**ked my wife?!' which is somehow amusing and yet scary at the same time.
What doesn't work about this film? Viewers may be squeamish with some of the scenes which include some domestic violence. If this deeply affects you this film may not be for you. Why is this film a classic? The rawness, the fact that it is a true story. The real tragedy of this film is that Jake Lamotta is trained to be an animal, he is awarded for being an animal but once his career finishes he doesn't know how to be anything else.
The Sound of Music (1965) - Robert Wise - Ok, so I know the other two movies have been more dark. This one is a classic and a more 'family friendly' movie than the other recommendations here.
Maria (Julie Andrews) is a nun in Austria and is struggling to fit into the abbey. The other nuns make fun of her and comment on her different behaviour. The head nun gives Maria an assignment to be a governess for the Von Trapp family which consists of a Captain (known as 'Captain') and his seven children. At first Maria struggles with the children's behaviour towards her as well as the Captain's strict disciplinary methods with the children. Soon enough this all changes as the children warm to her as well as the Captain. Why does the film work? while I usually don't like musicals, the songs are good, the storyline is fun, watchable and the songs do not really take away from the plot. The film is more than just a musical as deeper themes emerge as the movie progresses such as the rise of nazism and the threat to Austria's identity. Julie Andrew's voice is truly impeccable and with time I have begun to really appreciate that. There is also stunning panoramic views of Austria's hills. What doesn't work about this film? there is one song that I didn't like 'somewhere in my youth' but mostly the film works.
Why is it a classic? The message that emerges from the film is to 'climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow till you find your dream' which to my interpretation is to keep searching until you find what you want to do in life. There are good messages in the film and overall it minimises the cheese factor and is a classic for the whole family.
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