1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- When Harry Met Sally...

#830- When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher
Directed by: Rob Reiner


Plot Summary: After graduation at the University of Chicago, Amanda Reese asks her boyfriend Harry Burns to carpool with her best friend Sally Albright as both are on their way to New York. Due to their conflicting theologies on friendships and sex, they part on unfriendly terms. Throughout the years, they keep running into each other unexpectedly. As their friendship continues to grow, so does their attraction for one another, leaving Harry and Sally feeling uncertain on if their friendship will last if they decide to sleep together.


Romantic comedies have always been my biggest annoyance for films, at least in terms of choosing one to watch. To me, romantic comedies usually have the same type of story, the same type of characters, and in the '80s and '90s, Meg Ryan was in most of them. With so many of the same kind of movie, only a handful can be labelled a movie to "watch before you die," so is When Harry Met Sally... an appropriate choice? I wasn't sure what to expect, but after the film was over, I found it to be a shining example of what a romantic comedy SHOULD be. Sure it follows all the guidelines that other romantic comedies have done, there were others before it and others after it, but I still feel like it's one of the best films to blend a great love story with plenty of laughs.

Harry Burns, played by Billy Crystal, is sarcastic and arrogant, but has a charm and charisma factor that has the audience laughing and rolling their eyes at him, instead of loathing him. Harry is the character that offers the biggest amount of change throughout the film. His theologies and opinions on relationships are constantly changing through his life events. I found that to be very realistic and even appropriate for the film, as one would expect the characters to change in some way throughout the love story for the one they care about. What helps get Harry over with the audience is through Billy Crystal's performance. I'm not sure a "tall, dark, and handsome" type could deliver Harry's lines with the right amount of sarcastic humor and timing that Crystal could.

Sally Albright, played by Meg Ryan, is more structured and considered "high-maintenance." Just viewing how Sally orders her food, the audience can figure out that she is extremely obsessive and is in need of someone to help mellow her out (*cough* Harry). Of the two, Sally was the one I identified with least, but I think I'm more inclined to understand Harry more anyways due to my gender. Looking at some of the times where I've analyzed women in film, whether that's Jenny in Forrest Gump, Neytiri in Avatar or any of the women in the silent films I've reviewed, Sally is one of the better written and performed characters I've seen so far.

Harry and Sally have a great chemistry revolving around their conversations and conflicting theologies on relationships, which leads to many hilarious scenes of their banter. Of course, the film can't be talked about without discussing the infamous scene in the diner. They are having a casual meal at a diner, and talk about Harry's confidence in the bedroom, and Sally goes on to prove him wrong (I won't explain how, for the sake of spoilers and decency). From the timing of the banter, you can see two people actually talking, instead of actors reciting lines in a screenplay. The two also have great timing interacting with their friends Jess and Marie, played by Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher respectively, allowing Harry and Sally to interact with different types of couples.

Their critiques of the relationships help peel the layers for the relationship Harry and Sally are searching for, with each other. Knowing what type of characters they are, and the fact that they dislike each other at the beginning, you know EXACTLY how the film is going to end from the start. Predictability doesn't matter for the film, as long as it is able to pull the audience in through the personalities of the characters and the anticipation for the characters to finally get together. As you'd expect, they *SPOILERS* won't get together until the end, on New Year's Eve (hence why I'm choosing it as my last review of the year), and while Harry wins Sally over with one of the most predictable of movie ending speeches, it is still full of emotion and the audience can't help but smile as both of them will finally get what they want.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Often looked at as one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time, as well as a film that can be watched around New Year's Eve, When Harry Met Sally... is a great film full of enough laughs and romance to satisfy any couple, so I recommend all couples make it a date night movie this New Year's Eve.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

When Harry Met Sally... and movie images are copyrighted by Castle Rock Entertainment

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- It's a Wonderful Life

#199- It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Henry Travers
Directed by: Frank Capra


Plot Summary: Angels are watching the town of Bedford Falls, as George Bailey is depressed and suicidal on Christmas Eve. After sacrificing his life and money for numerous people, and feeling little to no recognition for his troubles, George feels that the town would be better off if he had never been born. Clarence, a 2nd Class Angel sent down to prevent George from killing himself, decides to show George what the town would be like without him and show him what his life is really worth.


It took me a very long time to finally watch It's a Wonderful Life. By long time, I mean I only watched it two or three years ago for the first time. Sure, it's a "timeless Christmas classic" that is viewed by millions of people every year, but I never was able to get into it. I'm not sure if it was because there were other Christmas films and specials that appealed to me more when I was a child, or if I was ignorant and didn't want to see an older movie around the holidays. By the time I was done watching it, I understood the appeal this film has on millions of people, the reason those people (including myself) will watch it every year, and the kind of message it can send not only during the holidays, but for every day of life.

James Stewart plays the main protagonist, George Bailey. Stewart commands the screen and is the focal point of the entire film. He is the star, while the rest of the townspeople serve as supporting characters. Because of the importance of his character, the audience identifies with George most. We see that he has hopes and dreams, and when he sacrifices those plans to help those we care about, we see his humility on display but can also empathize with his frustrations. We never look down on George during his downward spiral, as a lot of it isn't his fault, as is evident throughout the film. Even his loved ones acknowledge this in the beginning of the film by praying to God to help George because they know how much of a good man he really is. Subtle moments like that really help build the value of George as a character and set him up to be a character you'll love to follow throughout the film.

George's wife Mary, played by Donna Reed, is not an overly deep character, but I think that has to do with the time of the film's release. She's a loving wife, who stands by her husband throughout the film, and a nurturing mother, having to take care of four kids at home, but other than that, she's not a complex character. She is a good character though, with many scenes and interactions that help her stronger qualities shine through, but she's not the main focus of the film. I will say that if George was never born, Mary's alternate fate was not very politically correct. At the time, I'm sure it was acceptable by society's standards, but today, I think there would be many feminist rallies over the treatment of Mary's character in the alternate existence.

George's guardian angel is named Clarence Odbody, played by Henry Travers. Clarence serves as the embodiment of all things good, as he tries to show George the value his life brings to so many others. He is a charming character, with a humble personality and even has a few good laughs thrown in, but when you're playing a character that is so good, there's not much of a character analysis to give him. Like Mary, Clarence is not a bad character. He's just not an overly complex character. On the other end of the spectrum is Henry F. Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore, the epitome of all evil in Bedford Falls. Potter is a sick, old curmudgeon who is a physical representation of corporate greed that serves as competition for the Bailey family and their building and loan company. There's something about Potter that lets the audience know that he's up to no good, whether it's his smarmy voice, condescending comments, or cheeky smile, nothing about Potter is sincere and his main goal in the film is to put George Bailey out of business for the sake of profit.

One aspect about It's a Wonderful Life that I've been teasing about in my other reviews is that only HALF of the film should be considered a Christmas film (technically speaking of course). In order to fill Clarence in on George's life, he is taken through a retrospective on George's biggest life events, including his early childhood, courtship of Mary, and downward spiral of economic hardships. Through the point of view of Clarence, the first half of the film serves as great exposition for the audience, as well as being a character study of George Bailey. Since life is an important theme in the film, this is an important feature so the audience can appreciate George's life and empathize with him throughout the film.

The second half of the film is the film's most memorable part, the part that takes place on Christmas Eve. The premise of the second half has been parodied and imitated on many other shows and movies, showing the value one person's life can have on those around them. The strongest feeling it offers is in recognition and celebration of a good life, which I feel is something important to have during the holiday season. It's a Wonderful Life demonstrates that as long as you have people in your life that you care about and care about you, you will always be a success. Sure, it's schmaltzy and as clichéd as it can get, but it's the holidays, and it's full of stories like that, and THIS is one of the very best stories to be told this time of year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This film is the definition of the term "Christmas classic." If you haven't seen it already, I strongly suggest watching It's a Wonderful Life and owning it in your DVD collection. Also, have tissues on standby, because you WILL cry.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

It's a Wonderful Life and movie images are copyrighted by Liberty Films

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- A Christmas Story

#720- A Christmas Story
Starring: Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon
Directed by: Bob Clark


Plot Summary: Ralph Parker reminisces about the events of the Christmas when he was nine-years-old, and known as Ralphie. The one present Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB Gun with a compass in the stock, and "the thing which tells time." During the holiday season, Ralphie also has to encounter bullies, meeting Santa Claus, hungry dogs, leg lamps, bars of soap, and much more while trying to convince everyone that if he had a Red Ryder BB Gun, he wouldn't shoot his eye out.


One of my favorite Christmas movies to watch growing up was A Christmas Story. I always found Ralphie's pursuit of the ultimate Christmas present to be a story I could relate to. As I got older, I found a deeper appreciation of the film from the point of view of childhood memories. It's that time of year where I watch it again, and this year, the film still offers more laughs and appreciation towards childhood and the holiday season.

Ralphie Parker, played by Peter Billingsley, is a likeable kid that most audience members can relate to. There isn't a whole lot of depth to his character, as we mostly follow the adventures of the nine-year-old child during Christmas time. That doesn't mean that there isn't a lot there, as Ralphie has become one of the iconic faces of the holiday season (I even saw his face on a pair of sweat pants at Target last week).  There is just a charming quality to Ralphie, and he is the right type of child that the audience can like, as opposed to his friends who seem more sarcastic and snotty, and let's be honest, we all have been in Ralphie's situation before, so we can definitely understand him more than any other character (but I'll get to that a little later).

Ralphie's family embody the right amount of dysfunctional love for the film. There's Ralphie's brother Randy, played by Ian Petrella, who is mostly there for comic relief due to his eccentric behavior, and Ralphie's mother, played by Melinda Dillon, who can be nurturing with her family, but also no nonsense when the situation calls for it. But my favorite character in the film is Ralphie's father, played by Darren McGavin, who is one of the best film fathers I have ever seen. He knows when to be strict, but also offers some of the film's biggest laughs from his buffoonish antics (I laugh every time he yells "NOT A FINGER!"). 

A Christmas Story offers some of the best comedic moments you could ever imagine a Christmas film to have.  The film is famous for its hilarious scenes involving Ralphie visiting Santa at the mall, sticking someone's tongue to a frozen flagpole, and a subplot involving a seductive leg lamp. The film's narration is also clever and witty, as the older version of Ralphie is voiced by Jean Shepherd (the author of the film's source material).

The film not only offers a lot of laughs, but also has a lot of heart in the story it is telling. Look at the Christmas Ralphie had, the type of family he was in, the type of shenanigans he got into, and tell me you couldn't relate to at least one of the scenarios he went through. Regardless of the different time period, there are some elements to Ralphie's childhood that are applicable to most childhoods. In fact, I still can watch this movie with a friend or relative and have them say that some scenes got it done perfectly, such as the interactions between Ralphie and his family, dealing with a bully, and the overall excitement of the holiday season.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

A Christmas Story is the perfect film to watch this time of year if you love reminiscing on Christmas memories. It's a Christmas film that should be watched year round, and is a film I would recommend everyone seeing once a year, particularly this year if you haven't seen it before.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

A Christmas Story and movie images are copyrighted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Edward Scissorhands

#856- Edward Scissorhands
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest
Directed by: Tim Burton


Plot Summary: Local Avon saleswoman Peg Boggs visits an abandoned mansion and discovers a boy named Edward, with scissors for hands. She takes Edward to her home and he befriends her husband Bill and her son Kevin, as well as falling in love with Peg's daughter Kim. Through his unique hedge-trimming and hair-cutting skills, Edward becomes the talk of the neighborhood. Thanks to misunderstandings with the police and the neighbors, Edward is feared and treated as an outcast during the Christmas season, leaving the Boggs family to see his true beauty.

Here's one that a lot of you were probably not expecting, but one that I think deserves a look at. Edward Scissorhands was a film that I had always heard of, but never saw. I never thought I had to. I figured it was just like any other Tim Burton movie, having seen many of his other films. I had seen snippets of it on TV, but never saw any scenes that made me think of Christmas. That is until I finally saw it all the way through and I can honestly say that I understand why many will wait to watch Edward Scissorhands during the holiday season.

Johnny Depp plays the titular character, Edward Scissorhands. Depp is able to give great emotion and reaction through the use of facial expressions. When he's experiencing something new, Edward's eyes are always wide and full of amazement. Edward also keeps the same tone of voice throughout most of the film, but Depp is still able to make Edward emote through his reactions of what's happening around him. We can see when he's happy, when he's sad, when he's scared, when he's angry, and even when he's jealous. I think Depp's performance as Edward is my favorite of his Tim Burton roles for the amount of depth and emotion he is able to give to such a stiff character, allowing the audience to still love and empathize with him.

Like many Tim Burton movies, Edward Scissorhands gives a lot of attention to memorable characters, brought to life by a great cast. I'm normally not a big fan of Winona Ryder's acting, but I thought Kim's developing relationship with Edward, as well her connection with her family, was very believable. Dianne Wiest and Alan Arkin do a great job of playing Peg and Bill Boggs, with Wiest playing the over the top and lovable mother and Arkin playing the stern and dry witted father. Horror legend Vincent Price plays Edward's creator, in one of Price's last movie roles before his death, which served as a great little role Burton had prepared for his icon, Price. But by far, one of the more enjoyable characters to see was Anthony Michael Hall as Kim's boyfriend Jim. If you know Hall from his geekier roles, like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, you'll find it bizarre to see him as an antagonistic bully.

*WARNING* The following paragraph contains a rant about how I feel about Tim Burton as a filmmaker. It both praises his earlier work, as well as explains what's wrong with his more recent projects. Proceed with caution.

Besides Batman, Edward Scissorhands is Tim Burton's only other film on the list, which seems fitting because I think it is the film that best represents Burton's style of filmmaking. Besides frequent collaborators like Depp and composer Danny Elfman, Burton is able to create a modern fairy tale by offering a strange and twisted satire about the suburban lifestyle. Throwing Edward into the mix allows the neighbors to latch on to something new and unusual, and through their actions, the audience finds THEM to be stranger than Edward. Back in the day, it seemed as though Burton was experimenting with different genres and actors and directing more diverse films like Beetlejuice, Batman and Edward Scissorhands which were more enjoyable by critics and moviegoers than his modern recent adaptations and remakes. His earlier films all had that creepy and quirky vibe to them, but each provided a different cinematic experience. Now that he has found the style he is known for, his recent films all feel part of the same universe, with the same design style, with the same actors, and leave me with the same feeling towards Burton as a filmmaker, uninspired and tired.

Tim Burton must also really like Christmas as he supplied us with three consecutive Christmas projects, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns (I'm serious), and The Nightmare Before Christmas. With the film serving as a modern fairy tale, it is filled with the type of whimsical storytelling you would imagine in a holiday film, despite not being surrounded by Christmas trees for the entire film (but so does It's a Wonderful Life, but we'll get to that later). The film's climax takes place during the holiday season and supplies the film with the Christmas element of atmosphere. The use of lights, ice sculptures, Christmas trees, sweaters, and an angelic choir come together and demonstrate that in this dark, gloomy, Tim Burton world, there is room for something beautiful.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Edward Scissorhands is definitely one of Tim Burton's best films and offers a whimsical atmosphere for the holiday season. Definitely one to see and own in your DVD collection if you love Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, or are looking for a film that is often overlooked during this time of year.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Edward Scissorhands and movie images are copyrighted by 20th Century Fox

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Die Hard

#821- Die Hard (1988)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia
Directed by: Jon McTiernan


Plot Summary: New York City Police officer John McClane is traveling to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to reconcile with his estranged wife, Holly. John shows up to the Nakatomi Plaza for Holly's company Christmas Party. The party is interrupted when a group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber, invades and takes the guests hostage. It is now up to John, who managed to slip away in the chaos, to use his cop skills to stop the terrorists' plan and rescue Holly and the rest of the hostages.


When I'm asked what one of my favorite Christmas movies is, I casually reply with Die Hard. Then after the person starts laughing, I say "I'm serious." For years now, I have encountered many friends and family members who disagree with me and even laugh at the idea that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. To which I reply, "Why can't it be?" Actually, many people do bust this film out during the holidays and it is starting to grow and be recognized as a Christmas film, yet those scoffers I know still can't understand why it qualifies. Since I have a blog, and I know they'll be reading (HA-HA!), I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to fully express my thoughts on why Die Hard is one of my favorite Christmas movies and, more importantly, how it counts as one.

The best part of the film is easily John McClane, played by Bruce Willis. The audience can empathize with John from the beginning, knowing all he wants to do is reunite with his wife Holly, played by Bonnie Bedelia, and their children. Once the action starts, the audience is surprised by the kind of punch this character packs. His dirty cop-like attitude allows him to be hostile and hilarious when dealing with the group of terrorists.  His one-liners are what I love most about John McClane. You can't think about Die Hard, John McClane or Bruce Willis without thinking of Yippee Ki Yay... (you know what he says), or any other of his classic one liners that help make McClane and Willis the cool and funny hero you love to root for.

Alan Rickman plays Hans Gruber and he does a fantastic job of playing the leader of the terrorist group. Being a fan of the Harry Potter films (hmmm, I made a reference to those last time as well), I love seeing Rickman in other roles and Hans is arguably his most beloved. Hans is portrayed with a large amount of dignity and intelligence, rarely losing his cool when John starts ruining his plans. Hans may not be the largest or toughest villain in film history, but he may be one of the smartest. Hans is a massive threat and memorable villain because he is a criminal mastermind with a calm demeanor and presentable appearance, but is loaded with various resources, including explosives, machine guns and a dozen terrorists, to help him in his war with John McClane. 

Die Hard is definitely my favorite action film because of its famous action sequences. The action is the right blend of over the top explosions in situations the audience can understand. Set in one building for most of the film, every action scene takes place under one roof, limiting opportunities for larger explosions, but giving a tighter environment for the action to look and feel larger than life. Whether John is climbing through air vents, running across broken glass, constantly shooting at terrorists, or jumping off roofs, the action in Die Hard is nonstop and leaves the audience with the ultimate shot of adrenaline.

When you really think about it, what defines a Christmas film? Think about all your favorite Christmas movies and realize that Home Alone did not need to be set during Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life only takes place during Christmas for the last half, and A Christmas Story could have been told the same if Ralphie was looking for the ultimate BIRTHDAY present. So why can't Die Hard be a Christmas film? It's set during Christmas, in California without snowfall (being a Californian for most of my life, it's an easy Christmas environment to relate to) and helps add a late '80s flavor to the holiday season. I think it deserves to be looked at as an alternative to the traditional Christmas film because there is a theme of family and hope that is present in the film, you just have to look passed the bullets and explosions to see it.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Die Hard is not only one of the greatest action films of all time, but should also be considered one of the best Christmas films ever made. I strongly suggest anyone who hasn't seen the film to check it out during this holiday season, and any fans of action films should definitely own this in their DVD collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Die Hard and movie images are copyrighted by 20th Century Fox

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Hugo

#1146- Hugo (2011)
Starring: Asa Butterfeld, Ben Kingsley, Chloë Grace Moretz
Directed by: Martin Scorsese


Plot Summary: After his father perishes in a museum fire, 12-year-old Hugo Cabret is taken in by his alcoholic uncle Claude and is taught how to maintain the clocks at the Paris Gare Montparnasse railway station. Living in the walls of the station, Hugo lives day by day stealing parts to an automaton he and his father were working on. He is caught by a toymaker, who steals his notes on the automaton and threatens to turn Hugo in as a thief. With the help of the toymaker's goddaughter, Isabelle, Hugo embarks on a journey that will connect him, his love of movies and the automaton to the mysterious toymaker.


I remember a few years ago when EVERYONE was telling me I had to see Hugo. Directed by one of my favorite modern directors, Martin Scorsese, I had heard it was the feel good movie of the 2011 holiday season. When I saw the trailers for it I remember saying, "The director of Goodfellas, Shutter Island, and The Departed made THIS? This looks like a generic family film. What could possibly be so great about this?" And when I finally watched it, I threw my previous statements out the window. Hugo was more than some generic family film for the holidays. It served as a study of some great characters, submerged the audience in an environment with great visuals and a relatable setting, and gave a fitting tribute to the silent era in a way that many felt The Artist, a film that came out around the same time, was unable to do as well as Hugo did.

Hugo Cabret and Isabelle are played by two of the best child stars out there today, Asa Butterfield and Chloë Grace Moretz respectively. When you think about child actors in films, there are only a few that are able to captivate the audience, instead of annoying them. Butterfield and Moretz have both entertained me in other films (Butterfield in Ender's Game and Moretz in Carrie and the Kick-Ass films) and are still able to transform into likable child characters in Hugo as well. The toughest job these two had as main characters was commanding the screen already filled with a large ensemble cast. I think Butterfield and Moretz were able to not only do a good job for the film, but at the time of the film's release were also able to cement their status as future stars of the big screen.

The following paragraph contains a massive *SPOILER* so proceed with caution. If you don't wanna know, go past the first photo to the next paragraph.

Ben Kingsley plays the toymaker, who is also Isabelle's godfather Papa Georges. Kingsley offers many emotions for Georges towards certain characters. For example, he is very bitter and tough towards Hugo, as he sees him as a common thief. Yet we later see him being protective and strict with his goddaughter Isabelle. All of his motivations are approached with depth and mystery. The audience is left with no answers for half the movie and wants to know what Georges's reasons are. It is later revealed that Papa Georges is famous silent filmmaker Georges Méliès, director of A Trip to the Moon. Wanting to escape his previous life as a film director, the audience sees Georges as a tragic character and that there can be a fun and loving person in there, but it is going to take the right amount of convincing for him to overcome his fears and embrace his life as an innovator of the film industry.

Aside from the main characters, Hugo is filled with a tremendous supporting cast. One of my favorite characters is Inspector Gustave, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, who is able to have the audience love and hate him in various scenes throughout the film. There's also Hugo's father, played by Jude Law, who is very believable as a kind and loving father. There are also memorable appearances from Christopher Lee, Emily Mortimer, Ray Winstone, Michael Stuhlbarg and enough Harry Potter cast members for it to be merely coincidental. It's the type of large cast environment you would expect from a big-budget film directed by Martin Scorsese, and each performance is handled wonderfully.

One of the more important elements to talk about is the film's tribute to the silent era. Dealing with the filmmaking endeavors of Georges Méliès, the film also offers an in-depth retrospective of silent movies as a whole, thanks to Hugo's love and appreciation of movies. Through some montage scenes, the audience is shown various clips from many of the silent era's most memorable films (including ones I've reviewed on here, such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Great Train Robbery, and of course, A Trip to the Moon) and even shown some of the techniques used at the time to create cinematic magic that modern audiences could be surprised about. Although it was not a silent film, Hugo is a great tribute to one of the most influential eras in film history and is brought to life and given the right amount of heart thanks to the visionary style of one of the modern era's greatest directors.

Hugo came out during the holiday season in 2011 and I think it serves as a great transition into my next set of reviews where I will cover some of the movies on this list that can be celebrated during this Christmas season. Some will be conventional, and some will definitely need an open mind, but trust me when I say they can all have an element of the holidays in them. With Hugo, the holiday element is in its pure environment. The snowy atmosphere and heartwarming charm this movie has to offer creates a warm and whimsical mood for the audience that is perfect for the holidays.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Here's a film made by one of our greatest filmmakers and features a stellar cast of characters. If that's not incentive enough to enjoy Hugo, it also offers a great appreciation for the silent era. This is definitely one I recommend everyone seeing once, and is heartwarming enough for me to say it is worth owning in your collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Hugo and movie images are copyrighted by Paramount Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- The Artist

#1142- The Artist (2011)
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman
Directed by: Michael Hazanavicius


Plot Summary: It's 1927 and the biggest name in the silent film industry is filmmaker George Valentin. While taking pictures with fans, George meets Peppy Miller, who is trying to be the newest starlet in the business. As Peppy's popularity increases, the demand for silent films decreases. Recently divorced and bankrupt, George still has hope for silent films and does not want to cope with the possibility that the genre he loves could be extinct. To add to the situation, George is torn about his feelings for Peppy, with part of him wanting to love her, and the other part jealous that she is in the spotlight that was once his.


When The Artist won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2011, only one question was in my head, "Is there really still a demand for silent films?" I was confused, not understanding with all the films that were out there that year how a film with no sound could have been named the best film of the year. After reviewing many films from the silent era, my appreciation for it has grown. So, I thought it would be a good time to sit down and watch The Artist, and see two things: if it was deserving of winning Best Picture and if a modern film is able to serve as a fitting tribute to the silent era.

The main character of The Artist is George Valentin, played by Jean Dujardin. After sitting through Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin's films, it's easy for me to see that Valentin is supposed to represent what they were able to do during the era, being able to entertain as both a filmmaker and as a leading man. Dujardin is able to give George a natural screen presence that makes him easily likable. His charisma is able to keep the audience captivated on his story throughout the film, and his interactions with his dog Jack are darn adorable. My favorite part about George, and Dujardin's performance, is that he isn't one dimensional. I know that I was able to empathize with him as much as I could laugh with him.

George's love interest is Peppy Miller, played by Bérénice Bejo. Peppy is just what you'd imagine her to be, peppy. There's not really a whole lot of depth to her character. You can tell she loves George and wants to be a star, and that's about all we get from her. She pretty much captures the era's perception of female characters, like what you would see in Sherlock, Jr. or Modern Times, which I suppose makes for a good representation for the era, but doesn't translate well when looking at a modern actress trying to breakthrough in a modern film. 

When looking at a modern silent film, I couldn't help but notice the film quality due to modern technology. I actually think that hurts the film in trying to be a modern representation of a silent film. If it was trying to look like the era, I'm sure there's a type of filter, or even using old film, that would have helped it feel of the era, and ironically, give it a timeless quality to it. Making it look so crisp and pristine only reminds me that I'm looking at a film from the modern era. If the filmmakers wanted to dazzle me, making it look as accurate as a film from the 1920s would have given The Artist depth and dedication towards its tribute to silent films.

There's a minor controversy about whether or not this film serves as a fitting tribute to the silent era. While it visually captures the silent era, it is in the story's resolution that ultimately sparks debates about what it is trying to say. I think that there are two sides of history involved here. On one side, there is the idea of preserving what is popular at the time, but the other side is about the evolution of an art form. The ending gives what I think is a nice compromise of the two ideas. Both are presented, and historically, we know how it is going to play out, but there is still hope for films, like The Artist, to show us that we can still appreciate silent films.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Artist had me entertained, but I think it could have benefited by cutting down some of the smaller scenes for time in order to convey the main plot. Nevertheless, it was a film that got a lot of people talking in 2011 for its modern use of the silent style, so I think it's worth everyone seeing once to formulate an opinion on whether or not there is a place for modern silent films in today's cinema.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

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1001 Movies You Must See Befory You Die- Modern Times

#101- Modern Times (1936)
Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman
Directed by: Charlie Chaplin


Plot Summary: A factory worker employed on an assembly line suffers a nervous breakdown and is sent to a hospital to recuperate. After a mistaken encounter with the police, he is taken to jail and released on good behavior. He then meets a gamin girl and they begin searching for jobs and homes in pursuit of the "American Dream" during an economic nightmare.


For the final film in my first look at the silent era, I thought it would be best to end with arguably the most famous contributor to the era, Charlie Chaplin. Like Buster Keaton, Chaplin served as one of the era's greatest comedians and filmmakers. My introduction to Chaplin came through his film Modern Times, which I recently viewed in my American Literature class (isn't it amazing when stuff works out perfectly like that). Going into it, I wasn't expecting Chaplin to be better than Keaton, but I was looking for something to differentiate the two and luckily, I wasn't disappointed.

Charlie Chaplin, usually referred to as The Little Tramp, is portrayed as a quirky factory worker. Chaplin's brand of comedy is significantly different from Keaton's. While Keaton was able to do physical comedy with a stone face, Chaplin uses all forms of physical comedy. He has many scenes involving stunt work, such as riding on a hook and chain, and another scene involving roller blades. It is his facial expressions that convey humor, as he is able to showcase a range of emotions through various facial responses. We all know what Chaplin's Little Tramp looks like thanks to his trademark hat, cane, and mustache. All these elements add a quality of a comedic icon to the film. Chaplin is the reason that the comedy works, and naturally, he's the main reason that the audience wants to see the film in the first place.

Many wouldn't expect a comedy set during the Great Depression to be that funny, but I think that's what makes it work. While it is set during a time of financial crisis, it is satirical of what the time can bring about. There are scenes where Chaplin is blatantly stating that being locked away in a jail cell is more comfortable and homey than being out in the world starving and homeless, struggling to find work. It's one of the earliest dark comedies I've ever seen and it is his innocence and ambition for a better life that makes his time during the Great Depression seem bearable, as we hope he can overcome poverty.

Chaplin's hope and innocence plays a significant role in two of the film's key highlights. The first is in his romance with the gamin girl, played by Paulette Goddard. The second is in providing a central theme full of heart. There is a point in the film where all hope seems lost, but Chaplin nonchalantly sneaks in the idea that you can get through anything as long as you are with the right person, in his case the gamin girl, and most importantly, you must keep smiling and moving forward. In a movie nowadays, that would seem overly cheesy, but at the time, it could be argued that it was the theme we needed during the Great Depression.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Modern Times not only serves as a statement of the Great Depression, but also offers a tongue-in-cheek ending concerning the growing popularity of sound films. It's a great film and one that I would recommend all fans of comedy should see once, and hopefully own in their collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Modern Times and movie images are copyrighted by United Artists, MK2 Editions, and Janus Films/Criterion

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Sherlock, Jr.

#22- Sherlock, Jr. (1924)
Starring: Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire, Joe Keaton
Directed by: Buster Keaton


Plot Summary: A movie theater projectionist is in love with a beautiful girl, but is rivaled by the "local sheik." In attempt to get more money, the sheik steals a pocket watch from the girl's father and sells it, while also planting evidence in the projectionist's pocket. Studying to be a detective, the projectionist attempts to solve the case, until the evidence is discovered and he is banished from the house, framed for the theft. At his shift at the movie theater, the projectionist falls asleep and dreams of being Sherlock, Jr., the greatest detective alive.


During the silent era, there were two iconic comedians who made names for themselves by making and starring in some of the most hilarious films at the time. The first one I decided to look at was Buster Keaton. Sherlock, Jr. was recommended to me by a friend and my professor in my Studies in Film course, so I did my research on it before watching it. Clocking in at only 45 minutes, I thought it would serve as a small introduction to what Keaton's style as a filmmaker and comedian. Thankfully, I was entertained by the film as a whole and the comedy still holds up, but what is it about the comedy or Keaton himself that works?

Half the fun of Buster Keaton as The Projectionist and Sherlock, Jr. is through the actually storytelling of the film, which I'll get into later. What I will say about his physical comedy is in his size. Keaton is able to play a loveable underdog through his physical build, being 5' 5'' in height. We really root for him to clear his name and get the girl, but he's also able to be naturally funny in what he does. There are also some great shots of the physical dedication Keaton gives to his films, one scene involving a train and another involving a motor bike comes to mind.

What I really enjoyed about the film was Keaton's ability to give us two short stories that fit cohesively in a 45 minute film. The first half of the film deals with the story of The Projectionist, while the second half focuses on his day dream of him as Sherlock, Jr. Both stories are able to tell the same story in different stories. As The Projectionist, Keaton is able to portray the story with a vaudevillian sense of realism. A modern audience is self-aware that this does not take place in our modern world, but is still relatable through its use of basic storytelling. As Sherlock, Jr., Keaton adds over the top charm to the story. The overall day dream aspect allows the audience to not take Sherlock, Jr. seriously, and it is even more entertaining when other characters are overly impressed, or for the villains, intimidated by his presence and reputation as the world's greatest detective.

Some of the comedy that shines in Sherlock, Jr. actually surprised me. There are long continuous shots of Keaton that are done without the use of a stunt double and nothing is computer generated. There's also a great scene that involves camera and set tricks to create the illusion of going into a film through the screen and the film constantly changing settings in environments, forcing The Projectionist to react to the environments. It's a great testament to the amount of creativity in storytelling that filmmakers like Keaton were able to put to screen during the silent era.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The comedy in Sherlock, Jr. is both over the top and charming. This was a very entertaining introduction to Buster Keaton as a comedian and filmmaker. I strongly recommend any fans of comedy to check out this silent classic.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Sherlock, Jr. and movie images are copyrighted by Metro Pictures Corporation

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Nosferatu, A Sympathy of Terror

#15- Nosferatu, A Sympathy of Terror
Starring: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder
Directed by: F.W. Murnau


Plot Summary: Thomas Hutter is sent to Transylvania by his employer Knock in order to do business with Count Orlok. After being welcomed in Orlok's castle, Thomas begins to have second guesses about him staying there. After many suspicious incidents in the castle, Thomas begins to suspect that Orlok maybe Nosferatu, the "Bird of Death." Orlok's plan is to journey to the city of Wisborg and feast on the blood of Thomas's wife Ellen.


With hopes to watch a good silent horror film, I went back to German Expressionist films and found one of the more famous titles, Nosferatu, A Sympathy of Terror (which I will only refer to as Nosferatu for the rest of the review). Before watching it, I only knew a few things about it. I knew that it was based on Dracula by Bram Stoker, and I was familiar with some of the iconic scenes from the film. Oh, and I remember a reference to the character of Count Orlok in an episode of Spongebob Squarepants (which should totally give away my age and hopefully all '90s kids know which episode I'm talking about). Other than that, I didn't know if there was more to check out and remember it for or not.

The most memorable part of the film is Max Schreck's iconic appearance as Count Orlok. While he is technically supposed to be Dracula, you would never expect that with how his character looks on-screen. There's so much mystery and suspense with his character. Something as subtle as villagers living in fear and telling stories of him lets the viewer know that Orlok is going to be a creature of pure evil, and when you finally see him, he leaves you uneasy with those wide eyes, pointy ears, large teeth and tall frame. While Schreck's appearance is creepy, that is not the only thing that makes this film scary.

With so many vampire movies out there, Nosferatu is able to stay relevant through its innovative use of light and shadows to help accentuate the look and feel of a monster. There's so many great uses of shadows that allow this shadowy figure to expand and take up the whole shot. This is where I got most of my previous knowledge of the film, through scenes where Count Orlok's shadow ascends a staircase, or the shadow of his hands begin creeping after his victims. It left me with an eerie feeling about the film, which I think is the film's saving grace from something that for the most part I would consider tame.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

If you can make it through some dull scenes without Schrek, Nosferatu can actually be a pretty chilling film. Thanks to its creepy use of shadow and the unique design of Count Orlok, I feel comfortable recommending the film to be watched once by all horror fans.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Nosferatu, A Sympathy of Terror and movie images are copyrighted by Film Arts Guild

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- The Phantom of the Opera

#27- The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Starring: Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry
Directed by: Rupert Julian


Plot Summary: It's a new season for the Paris Opera House, debuting with their production of Faust. At the height of their popularity, management suddenly resigns upon discovering a phantom that occupies opera box #5. The phantom demands that the leading lady surrenders her part over to relatively unknown Christine Daae, in hopes that she can be his musical apprentice. The phantom also hopes that Christine will be his and will stop at nothing until she falls in love with.


When I went through my horror retrospective last month, I realized that I kind of breezed through silent horror films by only covering one, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. So when I knew I'd be covering silent films for a while, I thought I'd take the opportunity to cover a few more silent horror films. One of the more famous silent horror films is The Phantom of the Opera, which is normally known as the first of the Universal Monster Classics (one of the key eras I focused on in my horror retrospective). This film serves as the bridge between two very crucial eras in horror history, so is it worth seeing?

The biggest selling point for the film should be Lon Chaney's performance as Erik, The Phantom of the Opera. Erik's true identity is not revealed for the first half of the movie, adding an element of mystery and suspense to who the phantom is or what he looks like. Known as "The Man of A Thousand Faces," Chaney was able to use practical makeup effects to transform himself into many unique looking characters, with his most famous being Erik. Look at that makeup in the pictures below and tell me that wouldn't be creepy nowadays to see. To imagine that all that is through makeup is a true testament to Chaney's talent.

One of the more visually stunning elements of The Phantom of the Opera is how grand the film looks. There's great focus to detail and production design that helps bring the audience into this world and makes it feel a bit more third-dimensional. There's even a scene where Technicolor is used to accentuate the use of a red costume, which in 1925 could have been considered groundbreaking for film. Marketed as having a cast of over 5,000, even the extras feel like an important part of the film by helping create the look and feel of an actual opera house, making the film a faithful representation of stage productions.

While it is a silent film, The Phantom of the Opera is also labelled a horror film, which begs the question on if it is scary. For me, I wouldn't use the word scary. I'd more or less use eerie or haunting. The music and atmosphere itself is chilling, and Chaney's makeup job was so effective that some viewers fainted at the sight of it in 1925, but I would never rank it up there with other horror films of the time, like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. It has its following and it scared many when it was first released, but I don't think the horror has aged well.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Like most of the Universal Monster Classics, The Phantom of the Opera has its fair share of horror fan appreciation and following, primarily for Chaney's performance. For all fans of horror, I recommend watching this film at least once.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

The Phantom of the Opera and movie images are copyrighted by Universal Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- The Great Train Robbery

#2- The Great Train Robbery (1903)
Starring: Alfred C. Abadie, Broncho Billy Anderson, Justus D. Barnes
Directed by: Edwin S. Porter


Plot Summary: A group of bandits break into a railroad telegraph office, ordering the operator to stop the train. As the train stops to fill up, the bandits board the train, force the passengers off, and disconnect the locomotive. Having claimed their loot, the bandits get off the train and attempt to escape on horseback.


Growing up, I was never a big fan of Westerns. They just were never my preference for a film genre. I knew of the film legends like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne, but I figured if I was going to watch their films, I'd be able to appreciate them when I'm older. I guess now's as good a time as ever to start looking at them (and it will be a review series I'm planning in a few months if people are interested). I also thought that I should find one that crosses into my retrospect of silent films, in an attempt to peak my interest with the genre while I'm also looking at another unfamiliar genre (and no, I don't enjoy torturing myself mentally, that's just how it works out when I plan things), hence my first time viewing of The Great Train Robbery.

Compared to something like A Trip to the Moon, I couldn't help but notice the difference in sets used for The Great Train Robbery. While A Trip to the Moon is set in an environment that needed elaborate sets to be created, The Great Train Robbery is able to utilize the real world as a setting for a reenactment of the ol' west. Using horses and a real train for transportation also gives the film an extra depth of dimension to it. It's interesting to note the two kinds of films I chose to start out this retrospective, one being a gateway to fantasy and the future, and the other a stylized, but realistic representation of a previous generation in American history. It serves as evidence of how many different types of styles and genres the silent era helped create.

This film also really helped create a synonymous image of the Western. Not necessarily John Wayne or Clint Eastwood, but it still demonstrates a narrative of cowboys and bandits, robbing trains, shooting guns, and riding on horseback. The story and presentation itself could take viewers back to a time when they were young and were playing "Cowboys and Indians," or something like that. The aged camera style also allows the film to have a documentary-like look to it, as well as displaying a classic story depicting an iconic era in the shaping of America.


Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Great Train Robbery offers one of the earliest forms of the western, as well as delivers on a unique setting through its use of the real world. For any fans of silent films or Westerns, I recommend seeing this classic at least once in your lifetime.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

The Great Train Robbery and movie images are copyrighted by Edison Manufacturing Company

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- A Trip to the Moon

#1- A Trip to the Moon (1902)
Starring: Georges Méliès, Bleuette Bernon, François Lallement
Directed by: Georges Méliès


Plot Summary: At a meeting of the Astronomer's Club, a proposal is made to go to the Moon. Six astronauts agree to embark on the trip of a lifetime, in a bullet shaped rocket, to see what they can find on the Moon.


To begin my first set of silent movies to review, I thought it would be appropriate to review A Trip to the Moon, one of the most recognizable silent titles in history. I thought it would be important to cover considering that it is the oldest film on the list, and of course, that would also make it the FIRST film on the list. Well, I think I've hyped this one up long enough, let's see what A Trip to the Moon has to offer when looking at the silent era of films, and films in general. Does it still hold up, and if it does, what's the appeal?

Whether you're talking about the sets, the costumes or the story itself, A Trip to the Moon offers some of the most creative imagery I've ever seen for a film. Sure, the space stuff isn't as logical as you'd expect nowadays, but at the time, it took the world by storm because it showed us what COULD happen if we were to ever go to the moon. What would we see? What would it look like? All these questions would be answered decades later, but it was Georges Méliès who helped the world see what it could be like first. And what makes it even more extraordinary is to know that this level of creativity was portrayed on film at the time. 

A Trip to the Moon will always hold a spot in film history. Not only is it one of the most famous silent films of all time, but I also feel it was one of the most important. It was through the imagination that a story was conveyed and captured the attention of audiences around the world. Who knows, without films like A Trip to the Moon, would movies be where they are today?


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I don't think A Trip to the Moon will ever be remembered for a specific acting performance, but rather for the amount of heart and creativity that went into the project. Since it is one of the most recognizable names in the silent era, I strongly suggest watching it at least once.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

A Trip to the Moon and movie images are copyrighted by Star Film Company

IMPORTANT- Changes Coming to Fowler's Film Blog

Before I get started, I'd like to address all of my followers by simply saying "Thank you." You've really helped motivate me for the last six months to continue posting to this blog each week.

Now, on to what the title reads.

When I covered various horror films in October, it was one of the first times where I felt what I was saying was the most concise I had ever been on reviewing movies. While it had happened when I covered The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and reviewing Batman and The Dark Knight back to back, it was covering numerous films in the same genre in a loose chronological order that made my analysis improve with each film I reviewed. Not to mention the fact that it was fun. If you noticed, these reviews came out sporadically, instead of Thursday night like all my other reviews. My look at horror movies really helped breathe new life and motivation for this blog, so I thought I would take the time to announce the new format for Fowler's Film Blog.

1.  A Sporadic Schedule- Rather than post a review every Thursday night, my followers should be prepared to receive a blog post within a few days of each other. It could be as low as 2 to 3 or as high as 6 to 7, the important part is that the reviews will not be as structured and rigid in the release date and hopefully, that will allow me to incorporate fresh thoughts about the film after seeing it, instead of "HAVING" to wait a week to share my thoughts.

2. Focusing on Film Topics- Thanks to my horror retrospective month, I have the need to focus on topics like that for my reviews from now on. I don't have a specific number planned and or even limiting the time to only a month. The goal is to continue developing chronological analysis of a genre or era in film history. A good example to use is that after Christmas this year, I'll be starting a review series on Disney films through January. The goal is to NOT cover all the Disney movies on the list, only a handful (most likely half) to leave the topic open for me to come back to it in the future.

3. YOU Have a Say in What I Review- While I have been open to suggestions through my friends on my personal Facebook page, I know there are some wondering if I take requests. Yes I do, and I'd like to enforce it more than ever. If you want to comment with suggestions for either themes for a specific month or films for that month, please feel free to do so and I will most definitely put them into consideration, the only criteria it needs to meet is being on Steven Jay Schneider's 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die book. You can find many versions of the list online, with the most updated number being a total of 1154 movies listed.

4. Topics List- I thought I'd share briefly the topics I'm considering covering for the next few months, then you can feel free to leave a comment for a topic you'd either like to see in the near future.

• Silent Films (My next review series from November through mid December)
• Christmas Films (Only three reviews during the Holiday season)
• Disney Films (After Christmas through January)
• Musicals (Contemplating for February, that or Romantic Films)
• Gangster Films (Mobster March, come on, the title writes itself)
• More genre pieces (Science Fiction, Anime, Westerns, etc.)
• A look at a director's work? (Spielberg, Kubrick, Scorcese, Hitchcock, Tarantino etc.)
• A look at an actor's work? (Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, John Travolta, etc.)

This schedule is tentative and is open for other suggestions, so let me know in the comments below.

Thank you to those who have supported me for six months, and to those who will keep following me.

Sincerely,

Danny Fowler (a.k.a. The Author)


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