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

The Sound of Music

Title: The Sound of Music (1965)
Director: Robert Wise
Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer
Rank: 40

"If you have faith and persevere, you can follow every rainbow."
-Julie Andrews

Those are the words that introduce the Special Edition DVD of The Sound of Music, spoken by the star herself. Personally, I had been looking forward to seeing this movie for years, and never took the time to sit down at watch it. Now, I wish I would've watch it years ago, as it easy is now one of my favorite films.

There are so many reasons that The Sound of Music is on the list. First off, the production value is spectacular- beautiful sets, great script, and an excellent cast make this movie a joy to watch. Of course, the music is astounding! Add to that the worst kind of villians in history (the Nazis, which appear in several movies on the list, one of which being The Raiders of the Lost Ark) and a splendid story and it makes The Sound of Music easily one of the most memorable films of all times.

But what I particularly like about The Sound of Music are the bits of inspiration it has to offer. The character of Maria is so full of spirit. She has strength, courage, and a genuine lust for the beauty of life. When she enters into the Von Trapp household, she changes them. Bringing back music to their house is not just bringing back and art form, but bringing back the intimacy the family shared before their mother passed away. There is something truly magical about music, something that has the power to bring people together. My family shares a connection with music: each time we have a family reunion, we spend time singing old American folk songs together- TV off, cell phones silenced, and a couple of uncles playing the guitar as the rest of us sing along. To many people, this may seem a bit corny, but some of my fondest memories with that part of the family is when we're sitting around singing "Grandfather's Clock" or "Grandma's Feather Bed," songs that are all much older than I am. We may not be quite as musically inclined as the Von Trapp family, nor do we ever break out in synchronized dances while we sing those old songs, but the connection is the same. As The Sound of Music illustrates time and time again, family is of the utmost importance. The children all band together each time a new governess comes into the house, the family looks out for each other throughout their daily activities, and eventually Maria becomes a part of the family (literally- she married Captain Von Trapp). The most important time the family bond comes into play is when they are fleeing from the Nazis, heading towards an uncertain future in the hopes of keeping their safety and freedom. They know that no matter what they face, as long as they face it together, they can conquer even the hardest of situations.

Through Maria, we see that just as important as family is the tendency to be true to oneself. Life is too short to live it as someone the world expects you to be, and far greater things can be accomplished when we just be ourselves and stop worrying so much about "presentation." Maria starts the film as a nun, but realizes that this is not the path for her. There's nothing wrong about being a nun, but there's also nothing wrong with being Maria. Some of us may feel out of place, sometimes even a bit odd, but who isn't? And as Sister Margaretta says "After all, the wool from the black sheep is just as warm." Be yourself, no one else can do you as well you can.


Movies to Go: 80

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Title: Raiders of the Lost Ark (also sometimes known as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark) (1981)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen
Rank: 66

Raiders of the Lost Ark is the ultimate adventure, and I'm pretty sure that is why it is on AFI's list. It has everything: a sexy hero, beautiful and exotic settings, religious legends brought into reality, amazing music, fun dialog, and a terrible enemy.

Set in 1936, Raiders uses Nazis as the enemy. Nazis symbolize an unyielding evil and there are few people who would sympathize with a Nazi or anyone who follows Hitler. They are portrayed as mindless shells of men who are not quite human, have no consciousness of humanity, and are like programmed droids set to do der Fuhrer's bidding. When Indiana Jones fights the Nazis, we feel as though we are right there with him, giving evil a swift kick in the ass.

Spielberg does a fantastic job with this film. His use of shadows is brilliant, almost as though the shadows themselves are their own character. And the music! John Williams, who also composed for Spielberg on Jurassic Park, Jaws, and many other of Spielberg's films as well as composing for the Star Wars series and many other great musical works, has made for the Indiana Jones series some of the most memorable music in Hollywood's history. (He also happens to be my favorite film composer.)

I do believe that Raiders of the Lost Ark is the ultimate adventure, one that I can escape into easily any time I watch the film. The only thing that scares me are the snakes. "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"

Trivia:
•Currently in the works is Indiana Jones 5, and as of now the official title has yet to be released.

Movies to Go: 97

P.S.- Sorry for the delay in posting. I was without internet connection for four days. Looks like you will get a two-fer today because I watched the next movie last night and will hopefully have the post up this afternoon.