Title: Raging Bull
A.F.I. Ranking: 4
Director: Marin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent
Release Year: 1980
Brief Synopsis: This movie is based on the book Jake La Motta wrote about his life. Jake was a middle weight boxer during the 1940s and 1950s. Jake had a winning career, a supportive brother, and a loving wife until he takes the anger he uses in the ring, out of the ring. Jake’s jealousy pushes him over the edge and he begins to mentally and physically abuse the people most important in his life putting everything he loves about his life in jeopardy.
My Thoughts: This role is arguably the best of De Niro’s career. He gives a powerful, raw performance and at times is unrecognizable in his role as Jake. This movie shows what a great actor Joe Pesci is and makes me wonder why he ever went down the road of the Home Alone type movies. Along with the acting, the fight scenes, both in and out of the ring, are what make this movie so great. They are in your face and don’t hold back. You know a fight scene is good when blood gets splattered on the crowd watching the fight. Joe Pesci has one fight scene involving a car door that actually had me yelling out loud at the TV. Chills. Adding to the grit of this film was Scorsese’s decision to film it in black and white.
I really enjoyed this film, which can be compared a little bit to On the Waterfront. De Niro actually quotes On the Waterfront towards the end of this movie. I will say this movie was good, but I think I enjoyed On the Waterfront more, but that might just be because of my love for Marlon Brando.
“If you win, you win. If you lose, you still win.”
Rating: List worthy.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
#19 On the Waterfront
Title: On the Waterfront
A.F.I. Ranking: 19
Director: Elia Kazan
Starring: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Eva Marie Saint
Release Year: 1954
Brief Synopsis: Terry Malloy at one point thought he would be a prize winning fighter, but is now working the docks of the corrupt John Friendly. After witnessing a murder, Malloy befriends a priest and the sister of the murder victim. Malloy begins to realize that if he does not stand up to the corrupt union and mob bosses, he is just as guilty as the people doing the killing, so he decides to testify to uncover the truths of his boss, and putting his own life in danger.
My Thoughts: Real, gritty, powerful can pretty much sum up any Marlon Brando film and this one is no exception. The movie, which was based on the real life experiences of its director Elia Kazan, was filmed on real east coast docks, streets, and roof tops, and some of the actors were real life ex-fighters taken from the streets to make this movie as real as possible, and it pays off. Every single scene is gritty and powerfully acted. Marlon Brando has the audience on the edge of their seats constantly wondering what he is going to do next. Brando always amazes me because no matter how tough the character he is playing is, he always has a sweet boyish charm that shines through. This well deserving movie won 8 Academy Awards including best picture.
“You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.”
Rating: Top of the List!
A.F.I. Ranking: 19
Director: Elia Kazan
Starring: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Eva Marie Saint
Release Year: 1954
Brief Synopsis: Terry Malloy at one point thought he would be a prize winning fighter, but is now working the docks of the corrupt John Friendly. After witnessing a murder, Malloy befriends a priest and the sister of the murder victim. Malloy begins to realize that if he does not stand up to the corrupt union and mob bosses, he is just as guilty as the people doing the killing, so he decides to testify to uncover the truths of his boss, and putting his own life in danger.
My Thoughts: Real, gritty, powerful can pretty much sum up any Marlon Brando film and this one is no exception. The movie, which was based on the real life experiences of its director Elia Kazan, was filmed on real east coast docks, streets, and roof tops, and some of the actors were real life ex-fighters taken from the streets to make this movie as real as possible, and it pays off. Every single scene is gritty and powerfully acted. Marlon Brando has the audience on the edge of their seats constantly wondering what he is going to do next. Brando always amazes me because no matter how tough the character he is playing is, he always has a sweet boyish charm that shines through. This well deserving movie won 8 Academy Awards including best picture.
“You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.”
Rating: Top of the List!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
#26 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Title: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
A.F.I. Ranking: 26
Director: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains
Release Year: 1939
Brief Synopsis: When a seat in the U.S. Senate becomes vacant due to a sudden death, Jefferson Smith is appointed. Smith is young and inexperienced, so it is thought that he will sit quietly and not try to rock the boat. The Senate gets the exact opposite. Smith, who is trying to continue from where Abraham Lincoln left off, see the corruption that fills the senate and will not sit idly by and watch it happen. He will do whatever it takes to get his point across.
My Thoughts: Frank Capra and James Stewart, who also did It’s a Wonderful Life together, make a great pair. Just like It’s a Wonderful Life, this movie is very powerful and has a lot of heart. This movie is a true underdog story and is acted wonderfully by Stewart. His performance makes anybody who sees it want to be a better person. He will give you chills. Take Stewarts already fantastic performance in It’s a Wonderful Life, multiply it by ten on the powerfully moving scale and you have Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Are you sensing how much I like this movie? LOL
“I guess this is just another lost cause, Mr. Paine. All you people don't know about lost causes. Mr. Paine does. He said once they were the only causes worth fighting for. And he fought for them once, for the only reason any man ever fights for them; because of just one plain simple rule: 'Love thy neighbor.'... And you know that you fight for the lost causes harder than for any other. Yes, you even die for them.”
Rating: Top of the List!
A.F.I. Ranking: 26
Director: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains
Release Year: 1939
Brief Synopsis: When a seat in the U.S. Senate becomes vacant due to a sudden death, Jefferson Smith is appointed. Smith is young and inexperienced, so it is thought that he will sit quietly and not try to rock the boat. The Senate gets the exact opposite. Smith, who is trying to continue from where Abraham Lincoln left off, see the corruption that fills the senate and will not sit idly by and watch it happen. He will do whatever it takes to get his point across.
My Thoughts: Frank Capra and James Stewart, who also did It’s a Wonderful Life together, make a great pair. Just like It’s a Wonderful Life, this movie is very powerful and has a lot of heart. This movie is a true underdog story and is acted wonderfully by Stewart. His performance makes anybody who sees it want to be a better person. He will give you chills. Take Stewarts already fantastic performance in It’s a Wonderful Life, multiply it by ten on the powerfully moving scale and you have Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Are you sensing how much I like this movie? LOL
“I guess this is just another lost cause, Mr. Paine. All you people don't know about lost causes. Mr. Paine does. He said once they were the only causes worth fighting for. And he fought for them once, for the only reason any man ever fights for them; because of just one plain simple rule: 'Love thy neighbor.'... And you know that you fight for the lost causes harder than for any other. Yes, you even die for them.”
Rating: Top of the List!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
#2 The Godfather
Title: The Godfather
A.F.I. Ranking: 2
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall
Release Year: 1972
Brief Synopsis: The Corleones are a big and powerful Sicilian family. After Don Corleone, the head of the family, survives an assassination attempt, war breaks out on the streets between them and other powerful gangs that are trying to take charge of the streets. Meanwhile, one of Don’s sons, Michael Corleone, who is considered a war hero, is sucked back into the family business in a big way.
My Thoughts: I could say I don’t know how it took me so long to see such a legendary movie for the first time, but that would be a lie. I haven’t seen this movie because it isn’t even close to my type of movie, but I must say I loved this movie. Sure it was a movie about a street war, but it was even more a movie about family loyalty. All of the performances in this film were amazing, and acted as the start of many great careers. On the other end of that was Marlon Brando and his amazing, almost unrecognizable, performance. What I think is amazing about this film is that Coppola has the audience caring for and cheering for this family of harden criminals, that do some pretty horrible things. By the end of this movie you find yourself loving the Corleone boys, but then you’re thinking what a minute… That is just pure genius on the part of the writer and director. I think this is done because you see their family loyalty and you never see them perform crimes on innocent bystanders.
“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”
Rating: Top of the List!
A.F.I. Ranking: 2
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall
Release Year: 1972
Brief Synopsis: The Corleones are a big and powerful Sicilian family. After Don Corleone, the head of the family, survives an assassination attempt, war breaks out on the streets between them and other powerful gangs that are trying to take charge of the streets. Meanwhile, one of Don’s sons, Michael Corleone, who is considered a war hero, is sucked back into the family business in a big way.
My Thoughts: I could say I don’t know how it took me so long to see such a legendary movie for the first time, but that would be a lie. I haven’t seen this movie because it isn’t even close to my type of movie, but I must say I loved this movie. Sure it was a movie about a street war, but it was even more a movie about family loyalty. All of the performances in this film were amazing, and acted as the start of many great careers. On the other end of that was Marlon Brando and his amazing, almost unrecognizable, performance. What I think is amazing about this film is that Coppola has the audience caring for and cheering for this family of harden criminals, that do some pretty horrible things. By the end of this movie you find yourself loving the Corleone boys, but then you’re thinking what a minute… That is just pure genius on the part of the writer and director. I think this is done because you see their family loyalty and you never see them perform crimes on innocent bystanders.
“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”
Rating: Top of the List!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
#94 Pulp Fiction
Title: Pulp Fiction
A.F.I. Ranking: 94
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis
Release Year: 1994
Brief Synopsis: It’s really hard to write a synopsis about this crazy movie that goes all over the place. This movie is a series of stories where the characters seem to get caught up in situations that just won’t go right. All of the stories are connected by Vincent Vega, a hit man who would rather be in Amsterdam eating a burger.
My Thoughts: I feel silly reviewing a movie that has become such a cult classic, and a movie that many wouldn’t believe I‘ve seen before. I feel even stranger writing a bad review for a movie that so many love, but I didn’t really enjoy this movie at all. Sure I smiled once in awhile at the cool lingo, but that was about it. Even though I didn’t enjoy this movie, I can appreciate why others would. The dialogue is quick and snappy and Travolta and Jackson are the essence of cool, but yeah whatever. I really don’t enjoy movies that jump all over the place, and have a bunch of crazy side stories for no apparent reason. This movie was less of a good story, and more of a showcase for a bunch of actors and directors to get together and show the world how cool they think they are.
“I love you Honey Bunny.”
Rating: What’s Up with This List!
A.F.I. Ranking: 94
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis
Release Year: 1994
Brief Synopsis: It’s really hard to write a synopsis about this crazy movie that goes all over the place. This movie is a series of stories where the characters seem to get caught up in situations that just won’t go right. All of the stories are connected by Vincent Vega, a hit man who would rather be in Amsterdam eating a burger.
My Thoughts: I feel silly reviewing a movie that has become such a cult classic, and a movie that many wouldn’t believe I‘ve seen before. I feel even stranger writing a bad review for a movie that so many love, but I didn’t really enjoy this movie at all. Sure I smiled once in awhile at the cool lingo, but that was about it. Even though I didn’t enjoy this movie, I can appreciate why others would. The dialogue is quick and snappy and Travolta and Jackson are the essence of cool, but yeah whatever. I really don’t enjoy movies that jump all over the place, and have a bunch of crazy side stories for no apparent reason. This movie was less of a good story, and more of a showcase for a bunch of actors and directors to get together and show the world how cool they think they are.
“I love you Honey Bunny.”
Rating: What’s Up with This List!
Friday, January 8, 2010
#46 It Happened One Night
Title: It Happened One Night
A.F.I. Ranking: 46
Director: Frank Capra
Starring: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert
Release Year: 1934
Brief Synopsis: Ellie Andrews jumps off her father’s ship and swims to shore when her rich, banker father threatens to have her recent marriage annulled. When Ellie gets to land, she hops on a train to New York to escape her father. While on the train she meets Peter Warne, a journalist who just got fired. Peter recognizes Ellie from the newspaper and agrees to keep her identity under wraps until she gets to New York if she agrees to give him exclusive access to her story in an effort to try to get his job back. Oh the craziness that ensues.
My Thoughts: This is a sweet, funny, romantic movie. Gable is charming and funny in his role. I read that nobody wanted to do this movie, but then Louis B. Mayer who had Gable under contract at MGM loaned Gable to Columbia Pictures because the two were feuding and Mayer thought Gable needed to spend some time doing a movie where he would be stuck on a bus for weeks, but Gable got the last laugh when he won an Academy Award for his performance.
“Don't fall out of any windows!”
Rating: List Worthy!
A.F.I. Ranking: 46
Director: Frank Capra
Starring: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert
Release Year: 1934
Brief Synopsis: Ellie Andrews jumps off her father’s ship and swims to shore when her rich, banker father threatens to have her recent marriage annulled. When Ellie gets to land, she hops on a train to New York to escape her father. While on the train she meets Peter Warne, a journalist who just got fired. Peter recognizes Ellie from the newspaper and agrees to keep her identity under wraps until she gets to New York if she agrees to give him exclusive access to her story in an effort to try to get his job back. Oh the craziness that ensues.
My Thoughts: This is a sweet, funny, romantic movie. Gable is charming and funny in his role. I read that nobody wanted to do this movie, but then Louis B. Mayer who had Gable under contract at MGM loaned Gable to Columbia Pictures because the two were feuding and Mayer thought Gable needed to spend some time doing a movie where he would be stuck on a bus for weeks, but Gable got the last laugh when he won an Academy Award for his performance.
“Don't fall out of any windows!”
Rating: List Worthy!
Friday, January 1, 2010
#18 The General
Title: The General
A.F.I. Ranking: 18
Director: Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton
Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Charles Henry Smith
Release Year: 1926
Brief Synopsis: When Johnnie Gray tries to enlist to fight for the Confederates during the American Civil War, he is rejected b because it is thought he would be of more use at his regular job as an engineer on a locomotive. Annabelle, his girlfriend, doesn’t believe that he tried to enlist and dumps him because she thinks he is a coward. A year later Johnnie’s locomotive is hijacked with his girl inside, so he sets off to rescue both his train and girl and in the process uncovers some useful information from the hijackers.
My Thoughts: I came into this movie knowing I would not like it, but I was wrong. I loved it! The reason why I didn’t think I would like it is because I have tried to watch old silent films before and have gotten bored twenty minutes in and turned them off. I didn’t take my eyes off of the screen the whole time this movie was playing. It is non-stop action the entire time. Buster Keaton’s character is such a goofball that you can’t help but love him. Although Keaton is great the best thing about this movie for me was the score. The music was so great, that twice I turned it up. It is hard pounding music to go with the crazy train chases that you wouldn’t expect to hear in a 1920s film. What made this movie interesting for me was afterwards I did some reading and found out that Buster Keaton did all of his own stunts, amazing when you see some of the crazy things he does jumping on and off of moving trains. This is nothing that I am sure would happen with the stars of today. The best compliment I can give this movie is that half way through I completely forgot the characters weren’t talking.
“After a nice, quiet, refreshing night's rest…”
Rating: Top of the List!
A.F.I. Ranking: 18
Director: Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton
Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Charles Henry Smith
Release Year: 1926
Brief Synopsis: When Johnnie Gray tries to enlist to fight for the Confederates during the American Civil War, he is rejected b because it is thought he would be of more use at his regular job as an engineer on a locomotive. Annabelle, his girlfriend, doesn’t believe that he tried to enlist and dumps him because she thinks he is a coward. A year later Johnnie’s locomotive is hijacked with his girl inside, so he sets off to rescue both his train and girl and in the process uncovers some useful information from the hijackers.
My Thoughts: I came into this movie knowing I would not like it, but I was wrong. I loved it! The reason why I didn’t think I would like it is because I have tried to watch old silent films before and have gotten bored twenty minutes in and turned them off. I didn’t take my eyes off of the screen the whole time this movie was playing. It is non-stop action the entire time. Buster Keaton’s character is such a goofball that you can’t help but love him. Although Keaton is great the best thing about this movie for me was the score. The music was so great, that twice I turned it up. It is hard pounding music to go with the crazy train chases that you wouldn’t expect to hear in a 1920s film. What made this movie interesting for me was afterwards I did some reading and found out that Buster Keaton did all of his own stunts, amazing when you see some of the crazy things he does jumping on and off of moving trains. This is nothing that I am sure would happen with the stars of today. The best compliment I can give this movie is that half way through I completely forgot the characters weren’t talking.
“After a nice, quiet, refreshing night's rest…”
Rating: Top of the List!
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