Saving Private Ryan

Title: Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Edward Burns, Adam Goldberg, Barry Pepper, Tom Sizemore
Rank: 71

It's not often that a film comes along that has such a compelling story and astronomical acting performances that it moves people deep inside. Saving Private Ryan is that kind of film- it completely captivates the audience with an amazing plot, carried by the best performances of many of the stars' careers.

Many are familiar with the story of Saving Private Ryan, and the aim of this blog has never been to give a synopsis of the films but rather to dig in to why it is on AFI's list and what social relevance the film has. This film's plot is the relevance, though. The story is of Captain John Miller (played by Hanks) and his crew that venture off to find Private Ryan, who has lost all three of his brothers to combat, and send him home to his mother. The group of men are just every-day Joes. Captain Miller is an English Composition teacher at a high school in Alabama when he's not serving his country. It shows us this: courage isn't the lack of fear, but rather going ahead with what you need to do when fear is present. These men, although there was certainly fear in them, went ahead with a mission that most of them thought was foolish and futile. They had a duty to perform, and some even sacrificed their lives for this mission.

A great acting performance is no easy feat. If it was, then anyone and everyone would be able to deliver Oscar-worthy performances in every project they take on. Great acting requires dedication, discipline, and a willingness to expose your vulnerabilities, as well as a slew of other traits. When a film has once exceptional acting performance, it is spectacular, but when a film has an entire cast that delivers award-worthy performances that can bring the audience to tears, it is truly a grand achievement. There is not a single actor in Saving Private Ryan who does not give himself wholly to his character, who does not completely devote himself to his craft in this movie. The cast is perfect- great chemistry with each other, total realism in their role, and consummate devoutness to telling a great story with their art.

Although, the great acting performances are not only because of exceptional actors, but also because of a director who is absolutely astounding at what he does. This is definitely not the first time we've come across a Steven Spielberg film on this list, nor will it be the last time. The name "Spielberg" is associated with great movie-making. Whether he directs or produces, his films are a great contribution to cinema. He is even one of the co-founders of DreamWorks. There are at least three of Spielberg's films on AFI's list that involve World War II or Nazis, and with good reason: Spielberg, who is Jewish, suffered from anti-Semitic attacks when he was a child. (source: Contactmusic News) His films that deal with Nazism are always so astonishing because of his personal passion for the subject. Antisemitism is not something that should be taken lightly, nor is any other form of discrimination, but making films that hit close to home for the filmmaker always make them much more powerful.

I hope that everyone will see this film, especially those who are interested in acting. Saving Private Ryan is a spectacular film, and I enjoy it (and always get emotional) every time I watch it.


Movies to Go: 75

Toy Story

Title: Toy Story (1995)
Director: John Lasseter
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Jim Varney, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger
Rank: 99



Change is inevitable, as we all know. Yet, even though we know change cannot be stopped, we often still fear change. It can be scary when the life you are used to and love suddenly changes, just as Woody's life changed. He was always Andy's favorite toy, until Buzz Lightyear arrives and captures Andy's playtime affections, threatening to leave Woody in the toy chest to collect dust. It doesn't matter if a king suddenly loses his wealth and becomes a peasant, or if a poor man wins the lotto and has riches beyond his dreams: change can be difficult for anyone. As humans, we tend to get used to things and like what we are familiar with, which is why it is so easy to fall into routines. But, as Woody learned, change isn't always a bad thing.

Through an amazing toy-journey, Woody and Buzz both discover new things about themselves. Change can be, and often is, a good thing. Woody and Buzz become the greatest of friends because of change. If we always stay in our comfort zones, we will never develop or evolve as people. My life is vastly different from what it was five years ago, and I know my life will be greatly different five years from now. To me, this is an exciting thing. I love life, I love where my life is right now, but if I thought that I was going to be here for the rest of my life it would make me sad. Change comes either by force or by choice, and adapting to change can be greatly rewarding, if we face the things that we fear about change. Life is not frozen- it's constantly moving, constantly growing and developing. It's a beautiful thing, really. Life without change would be uninteresting and nothing new would ever happen.

Toy Story may be about change, but it also made changes to the face of animation. It was the first full-length feature film to be completely computer animated. Toy Story paved the way for films like the Shrek tetralogy, the Ice Age trilogy, Kung-Fu Panda, Monsters vs. Aliens, How To Train Your Dragon, and of course all of the other gems PIXAR has given to the world (A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, and coming June 30th is Toy Story 3). Even Beowulf could fall into this category, as well as a slew of others that have already been made and are being released in the coming years. Toy Story gave birth to a new generation of films, ones which the entire family can enjoy: kid-friendly, but just as appealing to adults, with a few adult-aimed jokes hidden throughout the films (I noticed this time that at one point Woody mockingly calls his friend "Buzz Light-Beer" instead of "Lightyear"). These films are admired by fans of all ages, bringing families and friends together once again. See? Change isn't always a bad thing.

Trivia:
•Every PIXAR movie has four things in common: 1) A visual reference somewhere in the film to another one of their projects. 2) A list of "Production Babies" (babies that were born to people who contributed to the film while it was in production). 3) A short film that accompanies it in the theaters. 4) John Ratzenberger does the voice of one character.
•In Toy Story, the visual reference to another PIXAR project is in Andy's room: among the books on his bookshelf (can be particularly seen when Woody is hosting the toy-meeting) there are books whose titles are PIXAR shorts, one of them having John Lasseter (the director) listed as the author. Also, the gas station Buzz and Woody fight at is Dinoco- the company that Lightening McQueen hopes to be sponsored by in PIXAR's Cars (2006).
•Toy Story was the first film to be completely computer animated. Each frame took between four to thirteen hours to render. (There are 24 frames in each second, the film is an hour an twenty minutes- you do the math.)
•There's a nod to Disney on Andy's wall: he has a Mickey Mouse clock.


Movies to Go: 82

The Shawshank Redemption

Title: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Rank: 72

What is it about corruption that is so tantalizing to us? Why are we so drawn to scandals?

The Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite films. There are so many elements of life packed in to this movie. The characters never give up on the hope of life, for one, and make the best of their situation. Red and Andy become good friends while in prison and Andy brings a new life to the inmates. He's an interesting man who is wrongly convicted to begin with, but later becomes a crook while in prison. The warden and his guards are the ones who are really corrupt.

In a way, it is something that we all dream about. A good man is given the raw end of a deal after a little bad luck, while paying for something he didn't do being punished by people who get away with evil things, but gets his justice in the end in such a powerful way. We've all had a time where we were screwed over with no redemption. Seeing those who get away with wrongdoings get their comeuppance in the end is always satisfying.

The most remembered line from the film is when Andy says "It comes down to a simple choice: get busy living, or get busy dying." It took Andy years of work to get his justice, but he never just sat back and gave up hope. In life, we need to be proactive. If we just sit back and do nothing but complain about the negative things in our life, then nothing will ever change. When we take action in our life, we get results. I have this posted on my wall to inspire me to be positively proactive in my life: "If you want it, you must work for it. You can't get what you want without sacrifice. If you stay the same, then your situation will stay the same. You can have it all if you put your blood, sweat, and tears into it. Nothing is impossible- give it all you've got!"

Trivia:
• Tim Robbins was in another of the top 100 movies that I've already watched for this project: He had a small, non-speaking role in Network as one of the assassins at the end of the film.


Movies to Go: 85

Side Note: I just want to say thank you to all of you. I've been dealing with a painful medical condition in my jaw and it has been completely exhausting me. I appreciate your patience and understanding of the delay between the posts! I'm starting to feel much better and the doctors I've been seeing are really helping, so there will (hopefully) be no more breaks between the posts!

Pulp Fiction

Title: Pulp Fiction (1994)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Harvey Keitel
Rank: 94

auteur: [oh-tur] a filmmaker whose individual style and complete control over all elements of production give a film its personal and unique stamp.

It takes a lot for a director to become an auteur, but Quentin Tarantino will be considered one of the most unique directors of his time. Pulp Fiction, probably his most famous work (at least up until Inglourious Basterds), is certainly reeking of Tarantino's unique style and touch.

What I like about Pulp Fiction is that it is an artistic film rather than a film created to entertain the masses. It has become a classic, not just a novelty that people forget about a year after its release. These days, the films that come out of Hollywood seem to be based on previously made films, books, comics, toys, or just have a bunch of vampires in them. Hollywood rarely has a fresh taste nowadays. Hundreds of movies come out each year, only a few of them seem to have a flavor that isn't bland. With so many films coming from other sources over the past years, it is good to see Tarantino has his own style and is not afraid to try anything in his movies. He makes them to his own liking, without worrying whether or not the masses are going to like them. (I'm sure Tarantino couldn't care less how many screaming teenagers he can get to go to his movie's premiere.)

Pulp Fiction has a unique feel to it. Some parts of it resonate 1970's spy movies, while others it is difficult to put a finger on what kind of style it is similar to. For some reason, the first time I see one of Tarantino's films, I usually don't like it much. The first time I saw Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds, I hated them. After rewatching them, though, I fell in love with them. (Inglourious Basterds is one of my favorite films of all times, even!) Perhaps the reason I didn't like his films the first time around is because Tarantino's style is an acquired taste. There is a certain mindset you must have when watching a Tarantino film- they can't be taken too seriously or you miss the subtle dark humor, and they can't be taken to lightly or they will fly over your head.

With Hollywood churning out so many films that taste like steamed rice, it is nice to have directors out there like Tarantino who give us some authentic new flavors. I can't wait to see what Tarantino is going to serve up next!



Movies to Go: 87


Please Note: Due to a slight medical condition that is currently causing me a lot of pain, I won't be watching and writing about another film until later on in the week or early next week. I have not left or forgotten about you all, I am just in need of a little break while I recover. See you soon!

Titanic

Title: Titanic (1997)
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
Rank: 83

It's no surprise to see Titanic on AFI's list. Not only is it an outstanding movie about a tragedy that many people have a deep interest in, but it is also a beautiful love story. Titanic changed the face of Hollywood, setting new standards for the way films were made from that point on.

Essentially, the film is two stories that intertwine together, on real and the other fiction. There is the real story of the sinking of Titanic- the tale of living through the event, the passengers who died, and the legends that will live on forever. Just a few years shy from the 100th anniversary (April 14, 1912-April 14, 2012) of the actual sinking, and the story is still just has powerful and saddening as it was back then. It was an event that shook the world, and rattled the confidence that mankind had in itself. Deeming the ship "unsinkable" only to have it flounder on its first voyage was a hard reminder that we are not the most powerful force on earth, and that the beauty of nature should never be underestimated. It was also a wake-up call for a society that based status and worth completely on the amount of money each family had. After Titanic sank, stricter safety regulations were implemented for the sailing world, now making it mandatory to have enough lifeboats for all passengers aboard each vessel.

The other story is that of the fictitious romance. Jack and Rose are basically Romeo and Juliet- they come from two vastly different worlds, not supposed to love each other, and they don't end up together in the end due to death. Most people are suckers for a good "Romeo and Juliet" story, myself included. Many people fantasize about the ultimate love, one in which there is nothing that is capable of tearing the lovers apart from each other. Seeing a tale of ultimate romance on the screen allows the viewer to live vicariously through the characters.

Perhaps one of the most prominent reasons that Titanic is on AFI's list is the affect it had on the film industry. Titanic had an astronomical budget of $200 million, but because of the success of the film it is common for major many films these days to have budgets that reach in the hundreds of millions. It also brought the "blockbuster" status higher- instead of reaching $100 million to be deemed a blockbuster, films now have to hit the $200 million mark* to earn that title. Titanic was also the film that brought Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio up to A-List star status, and it also paved the way for films that were less star-driven. These days, moviegoers are more attracted to the concept and story rather than the headlining names. (Which is great news for those of you who are beginning acting careers out there- Hollywood is always looking for new talent. There are tons of Hollywood movie-makers who are eager to discover the next big star!)

It would be a crime to not mention director James Cameron's current box-office feat, Avatar, in this post. Once again, Cameron has changed the face of movie-making, having put new film technology that he himself developed on the map and making 3-D so much more than a passing novelty. (Of course, this isn't the first time 3-D has been popular, and only time will tell if this time it will become a long-term film feature, like color and sound were back in the day, or just another fleeting trend.) This also marks the end of Cameron's Titanic as reigning champion of highest-grossing film ever, Avatar having passed up the record just this past week. I, for one, am interested to see what James Cameron will bring us in another twelve years. It's no doubt he will once again setting new standards for film making.

*Source: Markovitz, Adam. "Did Titanic change Hollywood?" Entertainment Weekly 22 Jan 2010: 32

Trivia: (source: IMDb.com)
•The studio originally wanted Matthew McConaughey for the role of Jack, but James Cameron insisted on Leonardo DiCaprio. (I can't imagine McConaughey in the role of Jack- he just wouldn't fit the part in my opinion!)
•The scene during the sinking in which water crashes through the glass dome into the Grand Staircase had to be done in one take because the set and all the furnishings would be destroyed in that take.
•Gloria Stuart is the only person who worked on this film who was actually alive when the Titanic actually sank. (She was born July 4, 1910 and will celebrate her 100th birthday this year!)
•James Cameron is currently the director whose films have grossed the most money world-wide, even surpassing the great George Lucas.



Movies to Go: 91