1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- The Wizard of Oz

#137- The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger
Directed by: Victor Fleming


Plot Summary: A tornado takes Dorothy Gale away from her farm house in Kansas and transports her to the magical Land of Oz. In order to get back home, she must go to Emerald City to speak to the wonderful Wizard of Oz and ask him to help her. Along the way she encounters a scarecrow without a brain, a tin man without a heart, and a lion without courage. Dorothy is also being watched by the Wicked Witch of the West, who is after the magical, ruby slippers that Dorothy is in possession of.


When it comes to movies you watched as a kid, The Wizard of Oz should be one that is present on most lists. For whatever reason, this film is usually introduced to moviegoers at a very early age and offers memories that stay with us throughout childhood and into adulthood. It is a very nostalgic movie, not just for the generation that the movie came out, but for every generation after the film's release. Even if you haven't seen the film, or at least haven't seen it in a while, you should be able to be familiar with it. The Wizard of Oz is often recognized as one of the greatest films of all time, and after re-watching it, it is easy to see why.

The main character of The Wizard of Oz is Dorothy Gale, played by Judy Garland. One thing to note about Garland's performance is that she was older than the original character of Dorothy was written. Because of this, the modern audience could possibly see her performance as overacting or even annoying for her age. But I went into it with the idea that she is supposed to be younger and I didn't mind her performance. Her biggest moment in the film is her singing of "Over the Rainbow," which is regarded as one of the greatest songs in film history. With Garland's wonderful singing voice to accompany the memorable melody and lyrics of the song, the song and character was forever cemented as one of film's finest moments.

Dorothy's companions on her journey are some of the most memorable and lovable characters in film. Dorothy first meets the Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger. He is trying to acquire a brain because his head is full of nothing but straw. I'm thankful that he wasn't played up as too empty headed, or else he would be less charming and more annoying. Next, they meet the Tin Man, played by Jack Haley. The Tin Man is looking for a heart so he can feel emotions, which he feels will make him feel more cultured. Haley gives the Tin Man his charm through his stiff body language and dancing ability. Finally, we have the Cowardly Lion, played by Bert Lahr, who is my favorite character in the film. In a bit of character irony, he is a proud, majestic lion, labeled the "king of the forest," who is afraid of everything and in need of some courage. The Cowardly Lion gets a lot of the film's best lines and Lahr's comedic timing is impeccable, making him one of the film's true highlights.

Since The Wizard of Oz is a film that we are shown at an early age, The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton, is one of the first villains we are ever introduced to. The Wicked Witch is usually the first image people would think about when saying the word "witch." The green skin and pointy black hat is the most common aesthetic that people would associate with a witch. She also has one of the most memorable theme songs in villain history, making her every move feel threatening. What's even more frightening about the Wicked Witch is her motive. She isn't after Dorothy because she dropped a house on the Wicked Witch's sister (a likely motive for any villain), she's after Dorothy simply because she has a pair of shoes that the Witch wants. The Wicked Witch is a villain you love to hate because she is a character that is like the rest of The Wizard of Oz, iconic.

One aspect I often forget about The Wizard of Oz is that it has elements of a musical. I'd label it more as a fantasy adventure film, but it does have memorable music. Besides "Over the Rainbow," The Wizard of Oz has other memorable songs for the characters. The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion all get musical numbers for their introductions. One of the best and worst features about the music is in the lyrics, particularly when Dorothy gets to Oz. The lyrics are written very witty but are performed at a pace that makes it a little difficult to keep up with and fully understand, at least for me. But, the confusing lyrics played a big part in symbolizing the confusing world that Dorothy is in, making it just as foreign to us as it is for her.

The aspect of the film that I am able to appreciate more than I did as a child is the visuals. The integration of color is wonderful. When the film takes place in Kansas, the picture is in black and white, then transitions to Technicolor once Dorothy is in Oz. The make-up and costume department also deserve a great amount of credit for giving every character the proper look. From the farmhands in Kansas, to the Munchkins in Oz, every costume is done to perfection. When looking at the visual scope of the film, it's amazing to see that every set piece, costume and special effect was on a budget of $ 2.7 million. A modern movie usually has a budget of $ 200 million and incorporates just as much as The Wizard of Oz was able to do nearly 75 years prior, proving that the visuals for this movie were ahead of its time.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

The Wizard of Oz is a film that has stood the test of time for almost 75 years as one of film's greatest achievements because of its iconic characters and groundbreaking visuals. Definitely recommend seeing it, if you haven't already, and owning it in your collection.
 
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1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Pulp Fiction

#908- Pulp Fiction (1994)
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino


Plot Summary: The first of three stories involves Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield are sent by their boss, Marsellus Wallace, to retrieve a mysterious briefcase from one of his business associates. In the second story, Vincent is asked by Marsellus to escort his wife, Mia, for a friendly get together while Marsellus is out of town. The final story features professional boxer Butch Coolidge, who does not live up to a deal he made with Marsellus and is now on the run before Marsellus and his associates can get to him.


When I saw Pulp Fiction for the first time, I was blown away by it. Never before had I seen a film do what it did and have such an impact on pop culture. The plot outline is nonlinear, there are numerous discussions that are irrelevant to the plot, and the characters, in any other film, would be unlikable. By the end of the film, it easily became one of my favorite films, one that I am able to watch over and over without losing interest in it. Quentin Tarantino has become one of my favorite filmmakers because of his recognizable style of writing and directing, which I feel is at its finest in Pulp Fiction.

Tarantino is notorious for creating classic characters that are able to leave a lasting impression on the audience. John Travolta was able to revitalize his career through his portrayal of Vincent Vega. Vincent is able to leave an impression on the audience as he is utilized in all three parts of the movie.  When the film focuses on him taking out Mia Wallace on a friendly get together, Vincent has a natural charisma and chemistry in his scenes with Mia, and has a very strong conflict of whether or not he will give in to his temptations when it comes to Mia, as he feels a spark with her as they have dinner. Travolta plays Vega as a character that epitomizes the word "cool." From dancing the twist, to talking about cheeseburgers in France, Vega has a way of making anything look or sound cool.

Vincent's partner in crime, Jules Winnfield, is played by Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson is one of the film's greatest features as he delivers one of the films greatest lines in its most famous scene. Before killing Brett, a business partner of Marsellus Wallace who is in possession of an important briefcase, Jules recites Ezekiel 25:17 from the Bible. Jackson's recital of the Bible passage is a moment that will forever cement Jackson's reputation as a bad mother-you-know-what. Jules also has a major moment of clarity in the film, as he feels that God has used divine intervention to speak to Jules about his life. The film concludes with Jules contemplating the true meaning of the passage, and finding a new perspective about how he wants to live the rest of his life.

Uma Thurman plays Mia Wallace, who Vincent accompanies to dinner as a request for Marsellus. Mia is as a smooth talker, with an answer for almost anything. She not only loves good conversation, but also enjoys an awkward silence, as it is a sign to her that she is comfortable with the person in order to just sit there in silence with them. My favorite part about Mia is that in this film of crime and violence, she acts as a free spirit, which is shown through her actions, as well as through music. Tarantino uses "Son of a Preacher Man" to introduce Mia, which I found was a song that fit the scene, as well as Mia, very well. As the film's poster girl, Mia is another strong character that adds something captivating to Pulp Fiction.

Butch Coolidge is played by Bruce Willis. Butch agrees to throw a boxing match for Marsellus, only to win the fight and try to flee town. Butch's strongest quality is that he has dedication to what is important to him. This is most apparent in the gold watch he carries. The watch is a family heirloom, dating back to Butch's great-grandfather, and has been carried through World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. Butch is willing to risk his life to go to his apartment to retrieve the watch, knowing that Marsellus's men could be there waiting to kill him. Butch has a 1950s "tough guy" look, which is what Tarantino was looking for when he picked Bruce Willis for the part. Tarantino felt that Bruce Willis was the only guy with the look and attitude to do Butch justice, and I fully agree with him.

Pulp Fiction is not only a great film because of its characters, but also for the directing style of Quentin Tarantino. What is now considered a recognizable style for the director, was a style that was still considered new to mainstream film in the '90s. The film is shown out of order, which I think helped the film feel unique. While it has an unconventional structure, any viewer can put the film together as the pieces are presented throughout the film. Tarantino incorporates pop culture references in his dialogue, such as conversations about McDonald's and a restaurant dedicated to 1950s nostalgia. Tarantino's screenwriting creates conversations that most filmmakers would not consider putting in their films, which is what makes Pulp Fiction stand out as a great film and makes Quentin Tarantino an influential name in filmmaking.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Pulp Fiction is one of those films that I could talk about for hours. It has a tremendous cast, great writing and cemented Quentin Tarantino as one of film's greatest directors. An easy recommendation for seeing and owning in your film collection.
 
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1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Se7en

#926- Se7en (1995)
Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey
Directed by: David Fincher


Plot Summary: Detective William Somerset is only a week away from retirement, but is put in charge of the most bizarre case of his career. Somerset is partnered with recently transferred Detective David Mills. Somerset and Mills find themselves searching for a serial killer known as John Doe. Doe's killing spree leaves clues for the detectives that point to the seven deadly sins: Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Lust, Pride, Envy, and Wrath.


While it does fit in the genre of a noir-thriller, Se7en was also considered a groundbreaking horror film in the mid '90s because people were looking for something different. No longer were moviegoers afraid of characters like Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers. They were looking for something "real" to scare them, making serial killers and crime thrillers the newest trends in horror movies during that time. It was easy for me to see the film's appeal among horror fans. It stands out to me as one of the more effective thrillers due to its brilliant cast, engaging premise and horrifying ending.

Brad Pitt plays Detective David Mills. Mills is transferred into Somerset's department, making him a "rookie" detective. His dynamic with Somerset is that he acts more on impulse and emotion, rather than think things through. Mills does not care about understanding John Doe's motives, as his ultimate goal is to catch Doe as fast as they can. Mills has a few shortcomings, such as knowledge of literature, which Somerset is able to make up for. If Somerset is the brains of their duo, then Mills acts as the brawn. There is a great scene where Mills and Somerset have tracked down John Doe to his apartment and Doe flees from the scene. Mills, impulsively, goes after Doe in an intense chase scene. Despite his impulsiveness, Mills is still made a likeable character through scenes that take place outside of work with his wife Tracy, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.

Detective William Somerset is played by Morgan Freeman. Somerset is a more experienced detective than Mills. He adds personality to the case by looking at every detail he can to figure out the mindset of the individual criminal he's investigating. Scenes where Freeman uses classic literature and biblical scripture to research the seven deadly sins shows the audience why he is the brains of the duo. Freeman plays Somerset as experienced, but never over the hill. Somerset goes through each scene not only wanting to catch John Doe, but to also understand him as a person and know why he's doing what he's doing. Somerset has a very calm demeanor throughout the film that only Morgan Freeman could give to the character. Freeman is very powerful through his dialogue and is one of Somerset's strongest qualities in the film.

(Next paragraph may contain *SPOILERS* Read at your own discretion)

Kevin Spacey plays the serial killer, John Doe. One of my favorite aspects about Doe is how he is able to get under Mill's skin. He knows just the right things to elicit an impulsive response from Mills, which is what Doe is looking for, to know that he is making an impact. Spacey is not seen on screen until the last half hour, but his presence is felt throughout the entire film. Each crime scene reveals a different part of Doe's plan, and even though the audience doesn't have a face to match the crimes, they are left wondering who the killer is and what he hopes to gain from his crimes. When the audience gets to see and hear John Doe, he reveals what his master plan is and notes that while people may not understand him, they will not be able to deny him. By the end of the movie, Doe's motives become apparent and the audience is left wondering if they actually agree with Doe's actions.

One of the reasons that Se7en has been labelled a horror film is most likely due to the gruesome and inventive death scenes that John Doe inflicts on his victims. An interesting aspect about Doe's victims is that he handpicks them based on their personalities and fits them to a specific deadly sin, giving a method to John Doe's madness. Some of the death scenes can be very gory, while others show very little and the violence is described in dialogue, which was more effective for me because it left my imagination to create the death scene. The crime scenes not only reveal one of the seven deadly scenes, but they also reveal a new piece of John Doe's master plan and helps give Se7en a plot that makes it stand out as one of the better crime thrillers of the '90s.


Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

The only problem I have in recommending Se7en is once the mystery is solved at the end, many viewers would be content with only seeing it once. While it is a great film, I'd say majority should rent it, and only owning it if you enjoy seeing this crime thriller more than once.

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Se7en and movie images are copyrighted by New Line Cinema

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- The Breakfast Club

#751- The Breakfast Club
Starring: Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson
Directed by: John Hughes


Plot Summary: When a criminal, an athlete, a princess, a brain, and a basket case are given Saturday detention, they come together as representation of different high school cliques. They spend a lot of time arguing, but find out that they have a lot in common. Through discussion, they all become friends when they realize that they all suffer from similar issues, including pressure at school and at home. The group also wonders if they will still be friends when Monday comes, or if they will go back to their cliques, forgetting the bond they have shared with one another.


I think I watched The Breakfast Club at the perfect time. I was a senior in high school and was not only planning on graduating from high school to college, but I was also planning on moving across the country a month after graduating. When I saw the movie, I was really able to appreciate it from the point of view of a high school student and go "I've been there." The movie opens and closes with the song "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds. That song really captures the theme of the movie involving high school cliques.

It's hard to describe a lot of the scenes or moments that make The Breakfast Club a good movie. This is not a film with a complex plot, but is more like a character study. All five characters are memorable for different reasons. Allison Reynolds, played by Ally Sheedy, is labelled as "the basket case." She's a character that most of us have probably seen in school. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and from an outside perspective can exhibit odd and eccentric behavior. Allison is a tough character to grasp, only because she doesn't reveal a whole lot about her until around the end of the movie. I don't even think her name is mentioned until about halfway through the movie.

Brian Johnson, played by Anthony Michael Hall, is "the brain." Brian is considered a geek by the popular crowd at school and it is easy to see why. He is involved in the Physics Club and the Math Club, he does well in his classes and is friends with people like him. Brian is a fun character for the movie, as he is a character that many can relate to. In high school, many people feel like they are not a part of the popular crowd and can probably say they are more like Brian when it comes to fitting in at school. Brian's biggest pressure is about his grades, so much so that the idea of him getting a B pushes him to extreme measure.

"The athlete" is Andrew Clark, played by Emilio Estevez. Andrew is a varsity letterman on  the wrestling team and is doing detention so he doesn't blow a scholarship. He tries to go by the rules and get through detention as quickly as possible. His biggest character flaw is peer pressure, which is a common problem for teenagers. He is described as not being able to think for himself and goes along with what the others are doing just because it looks like fun. To me, Andrew is the glue that holds this group together, as he is able to have great love/hate relationships with all of them. A major piece of character development occurs in the relationship he has with his father, resulting in a monologue that is one of the most dramatic moments in the entire film.

Claire Standish, played by Molly Ringwald, is "the princess." She is the popular girl who loves to go to the mall and is up to date on all of the latest trends. Typically, those kind of characters are ones that many people would dislike, but Ringwald has a quality about her that is likeable and even relatable. There is a great moment in the film where Brian is being teased for being a virgin, but Claire stands up for Brian and says she thinks its ok for a guy to be a virgin. Moments like this is where Claire can really shine as a likeable character. Claire also has her tendencies to annoy me as well. There are times when she has a "holier than thou" mentality when it comes to the rest of the teenagers. There is a scene where she tells the group that she doesn't think they'll be friends on Monday, speaking on behalf of who is and is not popular.

Finally, there is John Bender, played by Judd Nelson. Bender is "the criminal" of the school and my favorite character in the movie. Bender is responsible for delivering most of my favorite lines and moments in the film. He is not just comedic though, he also has his fair share of dramatic moments. While all of the characters are able to have good friendships with one another, Bender is able to have an added relationship with Vice Principal Richard Vernon, played by Paul Gleason. Bender and Vernon are naturally combustible elements and their confrontations can range from hilarious to dramatic in an instant. Bender is one of the best characters in the film because he is an embodiment of teenage rebellion in the '80s. Bender is just one of the numerous reasons I love The Breakfast Club and is a movie that I won't be forgetting about any time soon.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Easily recommend owning this movie in your collection. Anybody that has an appreciation for anything '80s needs to see this movie. The scenes, lines, and characters are all iconic, and help make The Breakfast Club one of my favorite films of all-time.

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1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- No Country For Old Men

#1096- No Country For Old Men (2007)
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin
Directed By: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen


Plot Summary: After finding over 2 million dollars, a man finds himself on the run from a merciless hitman determined to get the money back and enjoy killing his target. However, this hitman does not have a traditional code of ethics, as he carries a cattlegun, kills random people and leaves some of their deaths up to chance by flipping a coin. The town sheriff is also called to investigate the hitman's trail, but finds himself in over his head when this new evil makes his presence felt.


I remember seeing No Country For Old Men when it first came out. When I saw it, I was about 13 or 14. I wasn't able to understand the deep themes or even keep up with the dialogue, so I was left feeling very confused about what was actually going on in the film. After recently reading the book, I decided to check out the film for a second time. Once I understood what was going on, I was able to appreciate the film and understand why it won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The film's most famous aspect is Javier Bardem's portrayal of Anton Chigurh. Despite his bowl haircut, Chigurh is actually a very intimidating antagonist. Chigurh's calm demeanor and unique accent genuinely made me feel uncomfortable during his scenes. His philosophies feel confusing, but to him, they make perfect sense, and that is what is the scariest part. You really can't figure out Chigurh's motives, or even his back story, resulting in a villain with an element of mystery. Bardem has the audience captivated, as well as disturbed by his career-defining portrayal of Chigurh, and was well deserving of winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

While Bardem is considered the most memorable part of the film, he is not the only great performance. Josh Brolin gives, in my opinion, a very underrated performance as Llewellyn Moss. Moss is more of an anti-hero than a main protagonist. The main point of view used in the movie is from Moss, as the audience spends a majority of film time with Moss as he is trying to outrun Chigurh. When we see what he sees, we can also see the wheels turn in his head to get himself out of a certain situation. While he is not the most likable of characters, there is something charismatic about his wit and his resourcefulness while running from Chigurh.

Tommy Lee Jones plays Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, an old-time sheriff called into action at the end of every scene involving Moss and Chigurh. Bell is at the end of his days being a Sheriff, and Chigurh's arrival is proof to Bell that he is not prepared for the new type of evil that is out there. Bell has a deep knowledge as a Sheriff upon his introduction, but it is when Chigurh is introduced that Bell actually starts to show signs of uncertainty for society as a whole.A lot of the scenes involving Bell is where I find most of the themes present for the film. Many would probably be surprised with how the film actually ends and think it's anti-climactic. I think it ends the way it should be, with how the events of the movie affect the main character, and that is Sheriff Bell.

Another important element is the film's pacing. I felt that for nearly two hours, the movie's dialogue and suspense helped move the film along at a natural pace. The dialogue, for the most part, is incorporated straight from the source material and it doesn't feel like lines written for a book or film, but instead feels like a natural flowing conversation people would have. The action scenes are full of suspense. One of the reasons they are suspenseful is that there is usually no background music to distract the audience's attention during the action scenes. The scenes are also gritty in their violence and feel very realistic and not overplayed for violence. The performances of the main actors really help accentuate these elements and turn a book I enjoyed reading, into a film I enjoyed watching.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

No Country For Old Men is a film that made me pay attention. This is not a mindless action film, but rather a film full of great dialogue, suspense, and ideas to get the audience thinking. Highly recommend seeing the movie, and owning it in your movie collection.

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No Country For Old Men and movie images are copyrighted by Miramax Films and Paramount Vantage