1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Ferris Bueller's Day Off

#778- Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara
Directed by: John Hughes


Plot Summary: On a beautiful day in Illinois, high school senior Ferris Bueller decides to take the day off from school, his 9th absence during the school year. Getting ready for a day of fun in Chicago, Ferris brings along his girlfriend Sloane Peterson and his best friend Cameron Frye along for the journey. Ferris has the entire town convinced that he has a serious illness, everyone except his sister Jeanie and Edward Rooney, the Dean of Students. Wanting to seize the day in style, Cameron reluctantly allows Ferris to take his dad's 1961 Ferrari out on the town. While in the city, Ferris and his friends visit the Art Institute of Chicago, Wrigley Field, Sears Tower, and many more fun destinations before they make their way back home. But throughout the day, they must make sure they aren't caught by Ferris's parents, Jeanie, or Mr. Rooney.


I'm going to say it again: I love '80s pop culture. But do you know what I enjoy specifically about the '80s? The high school movies that have become so stereotypical nowadays we have to reinvent them every decade, like Clueless and Mean Girls and so on (we'll touch base on Clueless very soon). And then to put a cherry on top of that genre, there are the '80s high school movies made by John Hughes (like Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, and The Breakfast Club) and set in Chicago, where I am currently living while I attend college. So when I needed a movie to watch this week and saw that Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a film that meets every one of the criteria I just listed, was available to watch on Amazon Prime, I just couldn't pass it up. In all honesty, I had seen MOST of this movie before, just not the entire thing. I had seen the key scenes and heard the most important quotes in order to give me a general impression of what the movie was like. With my first time viewing this film all the way through, I can guarantee that it became an instant favorite of mine and one I will definitely be watching for years to come.

Matthew Broderick stars as the young, cocky, and surprisingly wise Ferris Bueller. Ferris is a character whose development is summarized in one word: reputation. Even when Ferris isn't at school, his peers are displaying the impact Ferris has on the school. Ferris doesn't have anything to learn by the end of the film because he already has everything mapped out and how it's going to go. He doesn't feel the need to think about any repercussions for his actions because he doesn't plan on getting caught and his main motivation is to enjoy life and have some fun while he still can. Alright, Ferris will never be the student most kids should model themselves after, but you still have to admire his determination, his craftiness, and the fact that his day off is to not only benefit his life, but also of those he is closest to. I'd go as far to say that Ferris Bueller is one of film's greatest "cool" characters, because from start to finish he knows who he is and what his objectives are, and goes to any lengths to accomplish his plan.

Because of that, Ferris can't embark on a day of fun by himself, so he brings his girlfriend Sloane Peterson, played by Mia Sara, and his best friend Cameron Frye, played by Alan Ruck, along for the adventure. Cameron is definitely my favorite character of the film because he is the type of best friend a guy like Ferris SHOULD have. He is very cautious and logical, but still wants to have fun with Ferris because he is his best friend, which I think is safe to say describes a lot of friendships (I know I'm more of a Cameron than a Ferris at least). The biggest amount of character development is given towards Cameron, as he slowly gets more adventurous throughout the day, but remains cautious of getting caught or damaging his dad's prized 1961 Ferrari (which he says his dad loves more than he does his own family). Sloane is a solid enough girlfriend character for Ferris to have, but I honestly was more fascinated by her relationship with Cameron. As she discusses her future to Cameron during a parade, you can definitely sense a motherly or sisterly nature in how she treats Cameron that I even think blurs the line of potential boyfriend/girlfriend relationship if things didn't work out with Ferris (just saying). Still, you can see that she does care a lot about Ferris and is hopeful that the fun doesn't end after high school, which is something I'm sure most couples nearing the end of high school can relate to (props to John Hughes for his in-depth and realistic depictions of what high school teenagers actually think about).

In order to get the day off from school, Ferris first has to pull a wool over the eyes of his parents, played by Lyman Ward and Cindy Pickett. They are your typical parents who believe that their child is an absolute angel who wouldn't do anything wrong. However, Ferris's sister Jeanie, played by Jennifer Grey, knows that Ferris is lying through his teeth and it is absolutely hilarious to see how upset she gets at other people's expressed sympathy for her brother's "medical condition." I can honestly say that the element of Ferris's family isn't essential to the main plot, but it does help paint a better picture of Ferris as a character via the inclusion of his life at home, how he is able to manipulate his parents, and how he is constantly able to get under his sister's skin.

For every student like Ferris Bueller, there must be an authority figure in his way like the Dean of Students, Edward Rooney, played by Jeffrey Jones. I always love authority figures like Rooney, who are completely justified in not trusting kids like Ferris, but everyone else thinks they are too harsh. He's the proper amount of over the top goofy, while also mixing a little bit of an intimidation factor thanks to the amount of power he really does hold over a character like Ferris if he was to get caught. I also really love Rooney's scenes with his ditsy secretary Grace, played by Edie McClurg, because of the timing and chemistry that these two characters have together (it's the classic opposite personalities dynamic on display).

I'm sure that majority of students have dreamed of the perfect day away from school, and with that said, Ferris Bueller definitely provides one of the greatest blueprints for a day of playing hooky. In many ways, Ferris Bueller's Day Off seems like a very familiar type of movie: the high school film, thanks to many of the character types and story elements. However, this film raises the bar by the elaborate scenarios that are given to the characters. Currently living in Chicago, I can guarantee that Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron had a PACKED day in the city, with trips to The Art Institute, Sears (now Willis) Tower, Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs, and even atop a float in the middle of a parade. It's the kind of day off that everyone dreams of, and Ferris makes it a reality. Sure, it's morally and ethically irresponsible for a plan to go this perfectly, but as Ferris said "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it," and THAT right there is enough motivation and inspiration to live vicariously through Ferris and his friends as they embark on a very epic day away from high school.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Admittedly, this movie sets a very poor example for students, but it's an absolute classic from the '80s, so who cares? There are so many great characters and moments throughout the film that everyone should find something to like while watching it. I strongly recommend owning Ferris Bueller's Day Off in your collection immediately, as this has been the most fun I've had with a movie on this blog all summer (so far).

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

Ferris Bueller's Day Off and movie images are copyrighted by Paramount Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Top Gun

#780- Top Gun
Starring: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer
Directed by: Tony Scott


Plot Summary: In the world of Navy fighter pilots, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and his Radar Intercept Officer Nick "Goose" Bradshaw are selected to enroll in the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, also known as "Top Gun." Maverick is a loose cannon pilot with a chip on his shoulder, thanks to the infamous reputation of his father, but hopes to be the best fighter pilot. His biggest opposition is in the form of Tom "Iceman" Kazanski, who is just as cocky as Maverick but plays by the rules. Maverick falls for a civilian contractor with a Ph.D. in astrophysics, named Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood. With Charlie's support and Goose by his side, Maverick is confident to take on any challenge at "Top Gun," become the best pilot and a future instructor at the academy.


Now we've come to one of my favorite decades in all of pop culture, the '80s. Within this movie list, there are tons of movies I've always wanted to see from this gloriously cheesy decade. One of the films from the '80s I've wanted to watch the most was Top Gun. Like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, or anything starring Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger, Top Gun is one of those '80s action movies that are necessary for most moviegoers to see because it summarizes a lot of what the genre is about. Sure, the characters are unoriginal and you can map out every plot detail a mile away, but that doesn't mean the movie isn't good. While it is predictable, Top Gun does the one thing that most blockbuster movies strive to do: entertain the viewer.

The main protagonist of the film is Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise. Maverick is exactly what his nickname would suggest, a hot shot pilot who doesn't play by the rules, and Cruise does a spectacular job of giving Maverick all those qualities by still making him likable. I think Cruise's biggest selling point in his charm is through that smile (which he flashes almost every time the camera is on him). The audience is able to see the amount of dedication Maverick has in being the best, so we are able to respect his ambitions and hope that he can accomplish his dreams, a very strong formula for a well-developed and memorable hero to follow. If Risky Business was the movie that put Tom Cruise on the map as a star, then Top Gun is definitely the movie that has cemented his status as one of the most iconic leading men of our generation.

Maverick's main competition at "Top Gun" is Lieutenant Tom "Iceman" Kazanski, played by Val Kilmer. Iceman is really only a bad guy because he is as good, if not better, than Maverick. He's a bit cocky of his abilities, but then again, so is Maverick. He really is like a mirrored image of Maverick, except he plays by the rules, and perhaps that is why he gets under Maverick's skin as well as he does. He is given the nickname Iceman because of his cool demeanor in flight, yet does show some moments of humanity when the situation is appropriate (thank goodness he wasn't your stereotypical '80s bully). Not everyone is a threat to Maverick, as is evident through his Radar Intercept Officer, Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, played by Anthony Edwards. Goose adds many fun moments to the narrative, as he is the stereotypical comedic best friend character to our main protagonist. The best part of Edwards playing Goose is that I never found myself annoyed at Goose's antics, which can be a VERY big problem with modern-day sidekick characters.

The stereotypical character archetypes don't end there however. Maverick's main love interest is Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood, played by Kelly McGillis. While she is described as a woman with a Ph.D. in astrophysics, it's very much glossed over. Most of her time is spent being pursued by Maverick. Even though she is supposed to be his superior, she throws all forms of professionalism away for a romantic relationship with Maverick (in a very awkward sex scene for an PG film in the '80s). Luckily, Maverick is able to seek professional guidance from his chief instructor, Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf, played by Tom Skerritt. Skerritt plays Viper the way he's supposed to be, a no-nonsense mentor figure for Maverick, but is also kind and compassionate when he needs to be.

Every cheesy '80s movie needs an equally cheesy '80s theme song, and Top Gun has one of the absolute best in "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins. A lot of people think about "Danger Zone" when Top Gun is brought up and the two are mostly used together in homages and parodies (my personal favorite being with Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother) and it's not difficult to see why. It's a great song that knows how to energize an audience and sets a perfect tone for the action that takes place on-screen. The song is used so perfectly in the film, that it is used THREE different times. I'm sure there are millions of people who have driven down a highway and get hyped up when "Danger Zone" plays because it feels like an appropriate song for some feels the need for speed.

By this point, EVERYONE has pointed out the homosexual undertones in Top Gun. Admittedly, there are a lot of scenes and moments that people could point out, but I think I'll give the movie and plot the benefit of the doubt and say it was unintentional. Think about it from these two perspectives, the first being that there are only a handful of female characters in the film, and the second being that these are adolescent male characters bonding and joking around with each other (don't pretend that high school and college guys don't act this way). If anything, the recruits at "Top Gun" are like a fraternity of fighter pilots. What this film should REALLY be remembered for is that it is an action classic from the '80s in every sense of the word. There are certainly many moments that are over the top, but it is still a fun and exhilarating film from start to finish.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Top Gun is one of those '80s movies that are a perfect representation of the decade. The entire movie is corny and clichéd, but it is darn entertaining. I strongly recommend checking the film out at least once, and would even say it's worth owning in your collection, especially if you love all things '80s.

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

Top Gun and movie images are copyrighted by Paramount Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Saturday Night Fever

#651- Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Starring: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller
Directed by: John Badham


Plot Summary: Tony Manero is a 19-year-old Italian American living in Brooklyn, New York. Tony works a low-level job and puts up with his dysfunctional family life, and is rewarded every Saturday night when he is able to go to 2001 Odyssey disco club with his friends. As "king of the dance floor," Tony is looking for the perfect partner for an upcoming dance contest. At first, Tony settles for Annette, who constantly hangs around Tony and his friends, but is captivated by a woman at the club named Stephanie Mangano. Stephanie agrees to be Tony's partner, but only if they keep it professional. At the same time, Tony's brother, Frank Jr., comes home to let the family know that he has left his profession of being a priest. Encouraged by his brother and no longer feeling like the black sheep of the family, Tony believes he can do great things as a dancer.


As far as '70s pop culture goes, there is nothing more important than disco (except for Star Wars, but I'll review that later). In the world of film, no disco movie is more important than Saturday Night Fever. I was really hoping to get an overall enjoyable experience here, but instead I got a movie that can be more classified as "hit and miss." The things I expected to like, I did, and the things I knew nothing about I found absolutely distracting from the entirety of the film. Does that mean that I didn't like the movie? Or were there enough positives to keep the movie stayin' alive (you know I couldn't pass up a joke like that)?

John Travolta has one of the defining roles of his career as Tony Manero. There's not much I can say about this role that many others haven't said. It's John Travolta putting on a stellar performance as Manero, who is vain mainly from his lack of confidence and his insecurities. Most of that stems from his dysfunctional relationship at home and his pinhead friends (we'll get to them soon). He channels a lot of his insecurities and focuses his frustrations on his roller coaster relationship with his dance partner, Stephanie Mangano, played by Karen Lynn Gorney. The best thing he knows how to do is dance, and everyone tells him that, but he has no confidence in himself to take it seriously. The only real time I was ever against Tony was in his treatment of women, particularly Annette, played by Donna Pescow. It's clear to see that Annette is into Tony and that he does not feel the same, but man does he string her along for most of the movie. You feel completely sorry for her because she's actually pretty harmless and all it is is a game of "he's just not that into you," but you would hope it could be done with a little more compassion. Despite all that, Tony is still a very sympathetic character, amplified by Travolta's likability and charm.

His friends, on the other hand, are anything but likable and charming. Joey (played by Joseph Cali), Double J (played by Paul Pape), and Gus (played by Bruce Ornstein) feel completely interchangeable. Gus is taken out by a gang early on in the film, and I didn't even realize he was missing until they actually address it near the end of the movie. Joey and Double J really feel like they could have been the same character (Double J could probably stand for "Joey Junior").  The biggest exception in Tony's group of guys is Bobby C, played by Barry Miller. You can tell that he's the punching bag of the group and he's sick of it. All he wants to do is show his worth and have friends that genuinely care for him. When he gets a girl pregnant, he's sincerely looking for help, but no one is taking the issue seriously. The only person Bobby C trusts is Tony, which admittedly is one of the stronger relationships in the film.

The biggest problem with Saturday Night Fever is that it is full of distractions. I hear a lot of people cite the film as a "feel good" movie, which left me scratching my head by the end of the movie asking "how am I supposed to feel good?" Aside from Tony's dysfunctional relationship with his family and his struggling relationship with Stephanie, we have two scenes where rape is implied (only attempted in one scene, but the second scene has it happen back to back), a large story arc dedicated to pregnancy and abortion, and to top it all off we have a suicide near the end of the film. HOLY COW! It's a good thing Travolta is charismatic and the Bee Gees are catchy or else this movie would be depressing film from start to finish.

The biggest impact through Saturday Night Fever is in its music and dance sequences. Nowadays, it's common for people to mock the disco era, but when you see a movie like this dedicated to depicting the movement, you can't help but enjoy the style of music that might appear "cheesy" in modern discussions. The Bee Gees were arguably the biggest names in disco, and their biggest hit "Stayin' Alive" is used in the film's opening sequence (which is also arguably one of the most iconic opening scenes in film history). The rest of the songs are used fantastically to create a time capsule of the popular music movement occurring during the film and at the time of its release.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The most memorable qualities of Saturday Night Fever are Travolta's star making performance and the quality of the soundtrack, and it's probably best to keep it that way. The rest of the characters and dysfunctional themes that occur are not worth direct association to this film. Give it a weekend rental if you like John Travolta and the Bee Gees.

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

Saturday Night Fever and movie images are copyrighted by Paramount Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Rocky

#636- Rocky (1976)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers
Directed by: John G. Avildsen


Plot Summary: World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Apollo Creed is set to defend his title in Philadelphia on New Year's Day, but his scheduled challenger has backed out of the match due to injury. Desperate to find a new challenger for the fight, Creed selects Philadelphia native and small-time boxer Rocky Balboa. In preparation for the fight, Rocky undergoes a rigorous training regimen under the guidance of his trainer, Mickey Goldmill, who wants to help unlock Rocky's true potential as a boxer and go the distance in the ring with Creed, something no other boxer has done. While training for the fight, Rocky is also courting Adrian Pennino, a clerk at the local pet shop and the sister of one of Rocky's good friends, Paulie. With not many expecting Rocky to win, he enters the fight an underdog but intends to fight like a champion.


When it comes to sports movies, the biggest story told is that of the underdog. You see these types of movies all the time to the point where they seem overdone. But in 1976, when Rocky was released, there weren't too many movies like it. In fact, Rocky is one of the most influential films in the genre, with many of its plot details laying the foundation of the "overdone" sports film stereotypes that we have today (so do we owe this movie a "thank you"?). Whether or not you have actually sat down and watched this movie, I'm sure you have a pretty vivid impression of what happens in this movie. Rocky's a boxer, who runs up the steps to epic music, and is the ultimate underdog who must overcome all his adversities to win the match at the end of the movie...you get the idea. Even though, I had a pretty strong impression of what happened in the movie, I was still surprised by the amount of good acting performances in the film as well as the tremendous pacing and storytelling to make this underdog story one of the top contenders to be the champion of sports movies (see what I did there?).

Sylvester Stallone stars as the titular character, Rocky Balboa. One thing that I absolutely loved about this movie is that it doesn't really feel like a boxing movie, but is instead a film about a character that boxes (see the difference?). Usually, sports movies establish the conflict that the team or athlete that is considered the underdog by having them lose their first game or match. Rocky doesn't need to have any of that happen to him, and instead, we spend the movie getting to know Rocky as a person before he needs to step into the ring at the end of the film. Little subtleties in storytelling like that really help the audience connect with the character of Rocky, instead of just him being just a boxer. Also, I know nearly EVERYONE likes to make fun of Stallone's voice while quoting Rocky (I'm guilty as well), so there's some extra fun to be had while watching the movie.

The biggest challenge in Rocky's boxing career is in the form of the World Heavyweight Champion, Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers. I wouldn't say that Creed is an antagonist, because he isn't a stereotypical villain doing dastardly things. He's over the top only in terms of his charisma to entertain his fans (his star spangled attire is enough to have everyone's eyes rolling), and only proposes the match with Rocky as a marketing strategy (what he thinks will get the public to rally behind the match). Admittedly, he doubts that Rocky will be a legitimate threat, but he learns very quickly into their fight that Rocky is the real deal and a legitimate threat to his title. Weathers provides just the right amount of charm into this role, but is also flashy enough for viewers to side with the more relatable.

Rocky's main love interest is Adrian Pennino, played by Talia Shire. Her relationship with Rocky develops very naturally, with the clichéd love that can be classified as "opposites attract." I'm not sure if it's strange to call their relationship "cute," but I do think it is a very charming relationship to watch unfold throughout the film, and it feels realistic enough to believe that these two characters would be in love throughout these events. Adrian's brother Paulie, played by Burt Young, is also one of Rocky's close friends and helps train him for the big fight. Paulie is a very complex character to find "likable" since he's a drunk who berates his sister and openly criticizes her relationship with Rocky. However, he gets some sense knocked into him by Adrian when she finally grows the confidence to give him a verbal tongue lashing (which is VERY entertaining to see). Afterwards, they're all on the same page heading into Rocky's fight.

In order to train for the match against Apollo Creed, Rocky seeks training from Mickey Goldmill, played by Burgess Meredith. Mickey's one of my favorite characters in the movie for one reason and one reason only: his one-liners are PHENOMENAL. He says arguably the best line in the entire movie "you're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder," and has a very compelling relationship with Rocky that stems far more than comedy. It's almost awkward to see Rocky and Mickey dance around agreeing to work together, as you get neither man wants to show "weakness," but you can also see they know that they'd make a very formidable team.

The training montage in Rocky is arguably the greatest montage in film history, accompanied by the equally iconic "Gonna Fly Now" composed by Bill Conti. The running on the steps in Philadelphia, punching large amounts of meat in a freezer, drinking raw eggs, and the overall training for a big fight with the accompaniment of epic music are used in nearly every type of sport movie that is either paying tribute or satirizing this famous scene. It's the perfect type of scene that belongs in a film like this, because it gets the viewer pumped up and inspires them that if Rocky Balboa can go the distance, so can they.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Even if nowadays the sports underdog story has been done to death, Rocky was one of the earliest forms of this genre, and is easily one of the best films this genre has to offer. Thanks to the development of one of film's most legendary character, I'll give this movie a solid recommendation, and worth owning in the collection of all moviegoers.

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

Rocky and movie images are copyrighted by United Artists

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Planet of the Apes

#499- Planet of the Apes (1968)
Starring: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter
Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner


Plot Summary: Astronaut George Taylor and his crew are in deep cryogenic hibernation when they crash onto an unknown planet in the year 3978. After abandoning their sinking spacecraft, they explore the planet and realize they are not alone. Taylor and his astronauts, Dodge and Landon, discover a group of mute and primitive humans, when they are captured by a group of intelligent, talking apes and taken to Ape City. Taylor, having been shot in the throat, is unable to speak but still finds a way to communicate with animal psychologist Zira, who saved his life after he was captured. Zira and her fiance, Cornelius, are fascinated by Taylor, whom they have nicknamed "Bright Eyes," and listen to him intently to discover the origins of where he came from. Taylor finds out that not all apes are this compassionate, however, as many of his attempts to prove of his origins are swatted away by one of the most respected elders in Ape City, Dr. Zaius.


With Dawn of the Planet of the Apes being released next Friday in theaters, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to look at the original Planet of the Apes film. Often looked at as one of the most influential science fiction films ever made, it took the world by storm when it was released, spawned a handful of sequels, a crappy Tim Burton remake, and is currently in a new, rebooted franchise. Thanks to the star power of actor Charlton Heston, a groundbreaking idea adapted from a French novel by Pierre Boulle, and a famous twist ending, Planet of the Apes is one of the most iconic films in history, but all icons have their fair share of problems and this film is no exception.

Charlton Heston stars in one of his most iconic roles, astronaut George Taylor. This wasn't the greatest of introductions to Heston as a leading man, as his portrayal of Taylor in the beginning had him come off as either creepy (thanks to some really bizarre sequences of his laughter) or antagonizing as he bullies his fellow astronauts after they've landed. I also found it very confusing why Taylor would be calm that they traveled 2000 years into the future (he accepts it REALLY quickly). Once he's amongst the apes, he becomes our window into this mystifying world. We understand what Taylor knows, and his proof of where he came from (such as knowledge of flight, writing, and speaking) makes sense to us, but not to the apes. Still, I can't help but feel that there's something off about Heston's portrayal, and I know there are better roles out there that he has played that I just haven't watched for myself yet.

Of course, what's a review of a movie called Planet of the Apes without talking about the apes? In looking at the key characters, there are really three worth mentioning. The first is the main antagonist, Dr. Zaius, played by Maurice Evans. Perhaps the most intriguing part of his character is found in his motivations to preserve the history of the apes (making him a hero in his own mind). Zaius is the kind of generic, intolerant villain the audience would expect in a film like this, so he's nothing TOO spectacular to discuss. The ape that helps Taylor the most is Dr. Zira, played by Kim Hunter. There's playfulness in Zira's curiosity about the human and her sympathy and compassion towards him is very genuine. Her fiance, Cornelius, played by Roddy McDowall, is my favorite character of the film. Cornelius serves as a character that is torn between loyalties. He wants to remain loyal to Zira (and by extension Taylor) based on the proof that he has seen, but remains reluctant for the first half of the film and sides with Dr. Zaius out of fear and respect. He is responsible for a number of fun zingers toward Taylor (many of which caused me to respond with a "HA!").

Remember when I said this film had its share of problems? Well the biggest is that a majority of the effects haven't aged the greatest, particularly in the sets and the ape effects (most of the mouth movements don't sync up). Because of this, Planet of the Apes has the look and feel of a cheesy science fiction film from the '60s. Most film enthusiasts would disagree with that claim of course, but if you were looking at the film purely on an effects budget, this film would just BARELY be greater than your SyFy Channel movie of the month (ok, that's a pretty BIG exaggeration, but you get my point). Thankfully, the story and interactions between the main characters make up for some of the goofy (and I'd dare to say cheap) production quality.

The most appealing facet of the film is its contributions to the science fiction genre. Right off the bat, we are put into the normal world that Taylor and the rest of the astronauts are in. Then, after the opening credits, we are transported directly into this bizarre world that is ruled by apes. Nothing is explained and it is up to the audience, through Taylor, to figure out how this planet came into existence. Obviously, the answer comes to us at the end, in one of the most iconic twist endings in film history (I won't spoil it, but you probably already can guess what happened). Even if some of the effects are campy, they still add to the allusion of this unfamiliar world, and give the film a form of sincerity and charm, as you can tell they are doing their absolute best to make bring this unique story to life.


Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I think for a movie like Planet of the Apes, you really need to be in the right mindset for it. With a new one on the way, this seems like a perfect opportunity to give the original a watch out of curiosity. If you can accept that a lot of the original hasn't aged well by today's film standards, then this should be a fairly entertaining DVD rental.

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

Planet of the Apes and movie images are copyrighted by 20th Century Fox

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- To Kill a Mockingbird

#405- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford
Directed by: Robert Mulligan


Plot Summary: In the town of Maycomb, Alabama, lawyer Atticus Finch is asked to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, a white teenage girl. Atticus, with a strong morality toward doing what is right no matter who the person is, accepts the case. Atticus is also a widowed father, raising his children Scout and Jem on how to properly treat others. Scout and Jem also spend their childhood making a new friend named Dill Harris, tackling the day to day issues at school, and spying on Maycomb's most secluded personality, the mysterious Boo Radley.


I can honestly say that up until this point during the summer, I hadn't been as excited to watch a movie for this blog as I was for To Kill a Mockingbird. I originally saw this movie in high school, as a tie-in to reading the novel by Harper Lee, and really enjoyed it, but that was from the point of view of a freshman in high school. Seven years later (WOW...time files), I found myself wanting to go back and watch the film from an older perspective. Fortunately, it not only held up to how I remembered it, but it got BETTER. This film really rejuvenated a funk that I felt I was in with the films I was watching this summer and has made me very hopeful that I'll have the same amount of energy for the rest of my summer review series (knock on wood).

Gregory Peck stars as Atticus Finch, in one of the most celebrated acting performances in the history of film. From the way Peck carries himself, to his commanding and booming voice, Peck is able to make Atticus Finch one of the most respectable characters you will ever see in your life. I love that Atticus is a man of perspective and what he teaches is not only told to his kids, but to whomever he feels needs to hear it. He really is the definition of a role model character, and he never comes off as preachy because there's a lot that he is still learning through other people (he's able to bring information in, process it, and applies it to his life). Not to mention, he gives one heck of a speech in the powerful courtroom scene (that itself is worth checking the movie out for).

To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming of age tale, which means that the narrative follows a handful of child characters. Atticus has two children, Jean Louise (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus (Jem), played by Mary Badham and Phillip Alford respectively. Scout and Jem are also accompanied by their friend Charles Baker "Dill" Harris, played by John Megna. All three child actors are solid, well-developed characters that never range on the obnoxious side. All three have understandable motivations and personalities that all feel like a part of being a kid and maturing into young adulthood. Nowadays, it's RARE to find kid characters that are this well done, so I very much appreciate the efforts put forward in casting and directing these young actors (and of course give credit to the actual actors for their acting abilities).

Of course, one of the most controversial and heavily discussed issues in To Kill a Mockingbird is the role of race in the form of the character Tom Robinson, played by Brock Peters. Based on the court case, EVERYONE can tell that Tom is OBVIOUSLY not guilty, and when Atticus is the only one to defend him, it's just infuriating. The real rage factor in all this is through the accuser, Bob Ewell, played by James K. Anderson. He really knows how to get under the audience's skin, and thanks to that, we root for Atticus and Tom all the more. Brock Peters is so powerful in his delivery in the court scene, that his testimony is one of the film's strongest highlights. The role of race is realistic given the time period, so it's not an issue that I can really find fault with in its execution.

Arthur "Boo" Radley is a very interesting plot point and figure (and metaphorical reference to the title according to Scout), that really could have been played by anybody. A lot of people remember Boo, however, because he is played by a young Robert Duvall (in his feature film debut). He's an important character already, and having a future screen legend like Duvall play him is the cherry on top of a stellar cast of characters.

I remember that I enjoyed reading Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in high school. In order to appeal to the young "let's just watch the movie" crowd, we were shown this film to go along with the book. Needless to say, I was blown away with BOTH mediums. It's a great story whether it is told in the form of a novel or a film and because of that, many refer to the film version as one of the greatest book to film adaptations of all-time. There's a lot of competition there, and even some of the more popular adaptations alter key plot and character elements (I'm looking at you Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter), but To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those rare occasions where I don't recall too many key things being changed, if anything some elements are more subtle and implied than anything else. Then again, I haven't read the book in about 7 or 8 years, so maybe it's time I read the novel again (I'd certainly be willing too after seeing this fantastic movie once again).


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This movie really has it all. Great story, well-developed characters, important issues of morality, and it captures all the quality of the novel and brings it to life on film. It's just overall a masterpiece, and I would definitely recommend To Kill a Mockingbird as a film that everyone should watch and own 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 

To Kill a Mockingbird and movie images are copyrighted by Universal Pictures