91. Sophie's Choice

In Progress: If it says anything... I dozed off while watching this movie and it is still on as I type this. I'd rather be working on my Botany paper. Here's hoping it eventually proves me wrong when I come back to finish this post.

Left this hanging from April.

Re-watching as of July 9, 2009.

If it says anything, I have watched it 3 times now. All 3 times I have yet to update this blog. Let's get this going here...

"I've barely saved enough money to write my novel, for I wanted to be and hoped or dreamed to be a writer. But, my spirit had remained locked, unacquainted with love and a stranger to death." -Stingo.

As far as Holocaust films go... I think Steven Spielberg has spoiled me with his masterpiece we know as Schindler's List. It's good... but I just didn't like it. Ever have that film where you recognize its greatness and see is strengths... but really just don't care enough to like it? I tried. I tried my damnedest to get into this movie. First time I watched this, my mind continually drifted to other things (See the Botany paper reference.) The second time I watched this, I fell asleep. The third time I let this movie grace my television, I just flat out didn't want to finish it, so I chose The Village instead. (If you don't know me, I can watch The Village 9000 times and never get tired of it.) I'll give you all an outline.

Stingo = southern writer
Sophie = Meryl Streep
Kevin Kline's batshit insane character = batshit insane.

All set in BROOKLYN. I have expressed my views on the state of New York in this blog already, so I believe nothing else needs to be said here. I can't tell you all about the only good part in the film because that is probably the one pivotal scene that makes this movie eligible for AFI's Top 100. Actually, screw it I am telling you all.

Sophie (the wonderful Meryl Streep who played a phenomenal role) is a Holocaust survivor. Not Jewish, just at the wrong place at the wrong time... not 100% sure on this because all 3 times I just didn't care enough to watch it. She is in line to the Concentration Camp and a Nazi asks her to choose which one of her children to save or he will kill both. After some struggling, she gives up her daughter.

I'm not going to lie.
GROUNDBREAKING.
This was the only part that REACHED me, that actually made me feel any emotion other than boredom. It is a choice that nobody would dare ponder, but this woman had to make and lives it with it to the present day.

Then she goes to Brooklyn and shacks up with Kevin Kline who is some weird Holocaust fanatic. I blame Kevin Kline, he was just too eccentric. Not funny eccentric, boring eccentric.

That is it for this review.
I blame Kevin Kline for being too crazy.
I did not care enough for Stingo, regardless of his southern roots.
I wish Meryl Streep narrated the film and centered around her life in Poland.
Screw Brooklyn.
I'm actually kind of mad at how much I did not like this movie.

Not saying this is a bad movie... but there will be no 4th viewing. That is all folks.



Next Movie: Swing Time (1936)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Time_%281936_film%29

96. Do The Right Thing

" My people, my people, what can I say, say what I can. I saw it but didn't believe it, I didn't believe what I saw. Are we gonna live together, together are we gonna live?" -Mister Señor Love Daddy

Like Blade Runner, Do The Right Thing was meant to make people think and interpret it as you will. (As are all movie honestly, but in contrast to tight endings that give you every plot point's end in a neat little package, you have to look for your own. Let's get into the summary here...

This tells the story of separate races on one street in Brooklyn. Several SEVERAL characters with their own stories. The main races though were African Americans, Italian Americans, Latin Americans and a small branch for a Korean immigrant couple. It's set during a 24 hour day and during the hottest days of the year. 

With any movie, you know heat is going to represent a building of tension and this is just what happened. Each group had their own prejudices against others. They all had their own problems. They were real. There were bits of comedy and slices of drama. I was also overjoyed to see a younger John Turturro I must admit.

It's hard to really let you all know what I thought about without giving away the ending. I can say that I believe it ended with however you interpret it. There are two quotations at the end advocating two different sides... and I must say there's a time for each. 

If you see it, I think it all started with one accidental act and had horrific consequences for each person. I think people want to see a clear "winner" in any conflict, and I think nobody won in this film. 

Sorry it's so short, but I don't want to say too much without giving it away... and I could really use some sleep. Can't wait for the next one. =D 

See it though. See it.

Next movie: The Last Picture Show (1971)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Picture_Show

97. Blade Runner

"Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave."  - Roy Batty

EDIT: I thought upon it more and realized this was a really good movie. Looking past the music of course, I'm digging the sci-fi feel the more I look back on it. I really love the innocence of the replicants until they discover their fates. I do recommend this one and while I won't type any more, I will leave the review below untouched because first impressions always count. Least, that's what I hear.

I'm not going to lie about this... this movie is a bit weird. Even more truth, I'm still on the fence about how I feel about it. You all deserve a bit of background.

Harrison Ford plays Deckard, a sort of cop from the year 2019. He held the title of Blade Runner whose job required him to destroy criminal replicants. Criminal replicants are engineered human-like organisms to do certain jobs on colonies "off earth." They are designed to have a four year lifespan (by the Tyrell Corporation) so that they will not gain emotions and a desire to get out and live their own lives. If they want these things before their four years are up, and have taken action (such as fleeing the colonies and coming to Earth) they are considered criminal, and that is when the ball lands in Deckard's court*. There has to be conflict, so of course four of these replicants escape and search frantically to locate the head of all things replicant, Tyrell of Tyrell Corporation.

It feels quite nice to have the plot organized before you, take a bit of a breather here.

...

All set?

Good, let's continue.

I let my guard down a bit with this one. I thought the story to be interesting, but it did sort of move too slow. We also watched the director's cut which meant that narration was cut out which meant these long shots of pure silence on a character's face. (Apparently, it also meant we missed out on statements that that bring about intriguing questions, such as whether or not Deckard was a replicant). I can say the leader of the replicants, Roy, was pure evil maniac but also innocent. I enjoyed his character quite a bit, hence the quote, but the film just left me behind.

I'm all about looking for positive things, so I liked the plot and where it could have gone... but it still feels like it was missing something. I look back and see the themes spread throughout.. but it was...just....so.........slow it was almost painful. 

I partially blame the music... something about saxophones and synthesizers get to me. Nothing against Vangelis... but at times it felt like I was watching a more vicious version of Labyrinth. Every single time I heard synthesizer...I immediately thought of this:

Suffice to say... it was hard to focus on Roy gouging someone's eyes out with David Bowie dancing with Muppets in my head. 

Perhaps the film was too dark for my tastes? Even though I've seen some pretty dark movies... so maybe the sci-fi elements got to me? There's no way I'll blame it on that though, I thoroughly enjoyed them. I'm just not as gung-ho for this one as the others and it's a bit of a disappointment. 

Sort of one of those things where you can see how it'd be great... but just don't feel it. About out of things to say on this besides how disappointed I was, but more than likely for the wrong reasons. I hope it's one where I can perhaps watch again and get with it more.

Just to sound fancy, I did notice the neo-noir feel. Kudos Ridley, kudos.

* Upon more Wikipedia research... the replicants are outlawed on Earth and THAT is what makes them criminal... or maybe it's because they turn violent. The internet/cult following and the 6 or 7 versions of this film conflict greatly,  so I'm trying to stick to one story.

Next movie: Do the Right Thing (1989)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_the_right_thing

98. Yankee Doodle Dandy

"My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you." - George M. Cohan

Went in with much skepticism for this film... I try to not read anything about the movies before watching and to go in knowing as little as possible to get the whole experience. I did the most logical thing and judged a book movie by its cover... this one in fact:

I'm...just going to say I went in not really expecting too much. "Oh, look at his cute white gloves. The Broadway dancers. That New York vivacity*." 

The best thing that can happen to a person, is to be wrong. I personally loved it. It is a sort of musical, but more like a movie about music. It centers around the Broadway mastermind, George M. Cohan. For those who don't know the first thing about Broadway or its celebrities,  (such as myself) his works defined what we think of as Broadway. He penned the songs "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Over There" which have now become American themes.

He was an amazing patriot and is the epitome of the American spirit. His quick wit, determined manner, and pure love for the country really raises spirits. In comparison to some of the songs inspired by America today (which are either actually anti-American heavy metal calling for anarchy or twangy boot stomping country melodies that make you think of faded denim and cheap leather) these are the quintessential songs for the everyday Patriot. It all boiled down to the pure adoration of his country, and you can really see it in this film.

I have never seen a James Cagney film, but after this one I don't think I could ever see him as anyone else (which means I better check the list...just to be sure). Even if he is playing a violent mob boss, I'll recollect the playful banter, fast paced tapping and lively spirit that he brought to George Cohan. 

The film was made in 1942 and set roughly between 1878-1936. It is sort of amazing to see what all was included in the film that movies today would consider horrible and be frowned upon by society. I made a mental list of what all would cause a media backlash:

- Smoking galore (remember, they don't glorify it like they used to)

- Spanking (Now it may be shot as a scene of child abuse, when it was comical back in the day)

- People in blackface (I think that one speaks for itself, but it was part of that time period so it may avoid the media exposure.)

Not saying that these things offended me and should be taken out, but if shown to today's audiences, I think the message would be lost amongst the minor things.

Back to the actual movie. It is based on Cohan's life and his rise to fame along with how his cocky attitude hinders him at times. There are points where you can't believe this guy could have such a huge ego, but it immediately turns as he reaches out to his loved ones with his sly and extremely touching acts of kindness. (Of course there are historical inaccuracies, but I think it best we ignore those and focus on the film.) The patriotism takes a backseat at times, but it still plays a major role, coming off as corny at times but you just can't help but love it and how it adds to the overall mood.

I realized last night that I don't go too much into the movies and what they are about. I apologize for this and will try to give as much info possible without spoiling a thing. I am still an advocate of really losing yourself in a movie, watching it with no idea what it is about and being open to just about anything. I honestly believe being wrong in judgment can be a truly beneficial and marvelous experience. You learn more that way. When I was younger, I would not give a movie a second glance if it was black and white. I've grown and I came close to not giving this one a chance based on cover alone... then I remembered something my mother always tells me: "You only regret what you don't do." I can safely say that I would regret missing this film and I recommend it to all who come across this.

Ah, the things we learn.

* For the record, I have nothing against New York... but I don't really have as much of an admiration for it as the rest of the nation seems to. Again, nothing against it, just no spirit for it.

Next movie: Blade Runner (1982)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_runner

99. Toy Story

"I've set my laser from stun to kill" -Buzz Lightyear

I'm positive anyone who was born in the late eighties/early nineties saw this movie and loved it. If you didn't, you're either being lied to about your age or you were/are devoid of imagination. Not saying it to be mean, merely relaying the facts of life.

Phenomenal movie which ushered in the age of computer animated movies. Unfortunately it brought with it Fly Me to the Moon, Space Chimps, and several attempts to recreate human beings which always result in glossy, creepy eyeballs See Jane and the Dragon. Fortunately for us, Pixar knows what they are doing and created the bandwagon. See Wall-E, A Bug's Life Monsters Inc., The Incredibles...

Back to the actual movie and no more gushing on about how Pixar struck animation gold. For those who aren't into the kid movie circuit or have lived under a cinematic rock, it's the story of Woody, the cowboy doll. He has risen to the top of the toy ladder and is the favorite toy of his boy owner, Andy... that is... until Buzz Lightyear comes in and replaces the antiquated sheriff. This tears Woody up inside, especially since Buzz has no real attachment to Andy and believes that he is the only Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger of Star Command. In short, the story is filled to the brim with conflicts and that keeps it alive. Pixar goes the extra mile and by keeping it alive and funny, which is the best combo you could ask for in film. It is also one of the few to utilize the "squeak" sound effect perfectly.

This one was tough on my dad... he's not really one for musicals or anything animated over 30 minutes. When he did stay awake, he said he had never seen it... which...struck me as odd because it was one of those tapes I wore out as a kid. I had a Buzz action figure, a Woody doll and even Bo Peep with her conjoined sheep. Watching it now with some years behind me, it's easy to see how revolutionary it was and to compare how far the animation has come. To see actual developed characters... and to let yourself laugh for 5 minutes straight at the small things:

Next movie: Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yankee_doodle_dandy

100. Ben-Hur

"By condemning without hesitation an old friend, I shall be feared" - Messala

Did a bit of research after watching this and found out the film had 300 sets and more extras in one scene than an entire movie nowadays. Even though it was this huge sprawling epic... it was sort of difficult to look past some of the effects at times. I think because of the grand films nowadays with quicker camera movements, more authentic fight scenes and high quality effects.

Suffice to say, there were a few unconvincing punches and one particularly funny whack on the head with chains.

Otherwise, it was a powerful film. The script just sounded solid and the music (every epic needs an amazing score of course!) built the emotions and the actors delivered heavy performances.  The plot... actually existed! Modern movies might be more aesthetically pleasing with their high definition picture and gruesome fights, but their plots? I think those speak for themselves... The story though had all the essentials of a good epic: strong characters, romance, family dilemma, struggle to rise up and a few chuckles. I was actually surprised the story of Jesus was included as well, truth be told. I never saw the full title of the movie/novel (Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ) so when Joseph and Mary were in the introduction, I did think to myself, "Oh hey, Jesus has a cameo." But I love the decision to never let his face be seen or his voice heard. Graceful.

Back to the effects, which were probably groundbreaking at the time (and Charlton Heston was considered attractive) but now, there are new standards. I'm not putting it down because when you put it in perspective this was a GARGANTUAN project at the time. I see why the chariot scene has become such a huge part of film history, because what you think is a miniature is actually a gargantuan arena in Rome and filled to the brim with real people. I searched for a decent picture, but couldn't find one so I can say it took up 18 acres. There were convincing death scenes in it, destruction, excitement and basically it was Roman Nascar in short.* 

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. The plot grabbed you and when it hit a few lulls, the action brought you back. Due to the length I probably won't watch it again for a year or 7 but I don't regret the time. 

*I have never watched an entire Nascar race... nor do I really intend to.

Next movie: Toy Story (1995)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Story

Endeavor.

So, I have created this blog to help with my 2009 goal. This is a serious quest, a journey into the very soul, and shall present unto me numerous questions about life in general.

The American Film Institute's Top 100 Movies.

This list contains 100 movies that more than one person has deemed worthy of presenting to the world as "the best." Actors that are now legend showcase their talents, directors step forward with their innovative works, and composers let us hear themes and scores that have been integrated into the classics.

This blog shall serve as a stand to describe what I thought of these films and the thoughts of others who may have watched them with me. Of course, there are rules to this, and they are as follows:

1. Start from 100 and work backwards.

2. If you have seen it. You will have to see it again.

3. Seriously, NO SKIPPING.

4. Must watch the entire film.

5. Be finished by 2010.

With only 52 weeks in a year and 100 movies on the list, it does average out to be about 2 or 3 movies a week. For anyone else doing this somewhere, they may have more time but I am currently a student enrolled with 12 hours (plus a lab) and a part time employee (with full time hours unfortunately) so this will probably be full of obstacles...but I am optimistic that all 100 shall be seen.

I'm excited also to be sharing this with my family... and while my brother is participating, he is really just cheating since he's picking and choosing, but we'll still count it. I hope to bring my friends into this and I hope they realize there may be a few that they miss, but overall they will be a part of it somehow?

With the reviews I want to keep in mind best I can that these films are on here for a reason. The entire movie itself may not be a phenomenal thing, but there will always be something in it that basically blew people out of the water and helped redefine the art of cinema. 

Excited about it all.

Next movie: Ben-Hur (1959)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben-Hur_(1959_film)