“And here we go”… Classic Rewind unveils personal picks of greatest films

My last post was dedicated to AFI’s list of the top ten cinematic classics so this week I’ve decided to present my picks for the best five films I’ve ever seen.  Enjoy!

5. The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger. Is there a better way to start off a greatest films list? Christopher Nolan’s 2008 Batman flick, The Dark Knight is awarded the number five slot in my favorite movies. Nolan didn’t just create a typical summer superhero blockbuster; he invited audiences into a world where unusual-looking criminals bargaining with organized crime seems normal and terrifying. As for that unusual-looking criminal, Ledger spooks audiences as the twisted “magician” of sorts, the Joker. Ledger posthumously won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the role. While his most known role, rivaling Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain, Ledger’s talent flourished long before The Dark Knight. I encourage readers to check out his earlier films such as Candy, Casanova, Four Feathers and I’m Not There to name just a few! Ledger’s talent could morph into any character type, which made him perfect for the cynical Joker.

4. A Streetcar Named Desire

Take a ride on the “rattle-trap streetcar that bangs through the Quarter” and you’ll end up at the #4 ranking film, A Streetcar Named Desire. The film based on Tennessee William’s play stars none other than Marlon Brando as the vulgar brute, Stanley Kowalski and Vivien Leigh as the flighty and disturbed Blanche DuBois. As a reader of the play first, I may be slightly bias on how much I love this film; but then again, Marlon Brando. Through a writer’s lens however, the script, as well as the original play, masters creating strong characters just through the written word. Each character is uniquely their own through the strategic word choice. For example, Blanche puts on an air of sophistication and charm when speaking while Stanley’s violent temper directly impacts his dialogue.

 

3. The Departed

By this point there should be no surprise a Martin Scorsese film is on this list. The Departed, a winner of four Academy Awards, is an outstanding example of a film that captures the human condition. Set in South Boston, this film gives an audience action and suspense while following a who’s who trail of rats and moles in organized crime and the police force. The dimensions of the film editing, especially the temporal relations, convince the audience to believe exactly was Scorsese is intending. Scorsese does an incredible job at framing the image to show the audience the true meaning of every shot. The Departed interprets strong ideas and emotions visually by using every camera angle, close-up, medium shot, and long shot purposely. A fun hidden visualization used in the film to look for is when a character dies, somewhere in the scene the audience can scope for some type of X in the shot. Other than the cinematography and film editing, the film has arguably the best cast, consisting of Jack Nicolson as Irish mob leader, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg. If you’re looking for an intellectual film combined with the grittiness and corruptness of organized crime in Boston, this 2006 Best Picture is for you.

 

2. When Harry Met Sally

If you haven’t watched this movie yet then I don’t understand why you are still reading my blog. I’m out of “cutesy” ways to say this: this movie is the excellent blend of wit and reality. Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner created a beautifully light-hearted but honest representation of friendship between the sexes. Read a more detailed analysis of the movie on Classic Rewind and if that still doesn’t sway you, maybe the smooth jazz of Harry Connick Jr.’s music in the film will.

 

 

1. Life is Beautiful (La Vita e Bella)

“Buon giorno, Principessa!” Topping the list is Roberto Benigni’s 1997 film Life Is Beautiful. If there were a list of how many emotions you can feel all in one movie, this film would again win. Life Is Beautiful depicts the story of a young man who uses his charming humor to not only win over his wife, but also keep his son’s innocence during their time in a Nazi death camp. What makes me absolutely love this film is the way the comedy is used to not only cause laughter, but to make the audience truly feel for Benigni’s character and his family. Comedic bits from the beginning of the film follow the characters through till the end. While I guarantee you’ll probably cry, everyone needs to see this Italian film that shows that even when things seem to be awful, life is always beautiful. This film is now available on Netflix.

Do you agree with my film choices? What are some of your all-time favorite movies? Comment below and take the poll!

 

When romance meets comedy, I’ll have what she’s having

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, there is no better week than this to present the best classic romantic comedy. While the winner isn’t exactly deemed an “older” film, this movie had all the aspects of a champion. When Harry Met Sally only made the No. 6 slot on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Laughs list; however, I believe this romantic comedy is the most enjoyable for both men and women.

This 1989 classic broke the icky unrealistic-love stereotype romantic comedies are almost always doomed with. The plot revolves around Harry Burns and Sally Albright, a mismatched pair who end up driving from Chicago to New York together after college graduation. Throughout a span of 12 years Harry and Sally try to answer the age-old question: Can men and women really be friends?

Filled with witty dialogue written by the late Nora Ephron, Harry and Sally partake in the ultimate battle of the sexes. What works so well in this movie is the fact neither the male or the female is favored in the fight. While written by Ephron, the movie is directed by Rob Reiner. By having a female writer and male director, gender balances each other out. There is no moment where it is clear the female is right or vice versa. This creates a movie relatable for both men and women, the perfect Valentine’s Day date night.

Another great aspect of the film is the precise characterization of not only the leads, but the supporting cast as well. In typical film cliché fashion, the lead character’s best friend is goofy and eccentric, providing mainly the comedy in the genre romantic comedy. However, in When Harry Met Sally, comedian Billy Crystal plays the leading man, delivering a load of laughs with Harry’s pessimistic charm.  Meg Ryan, queen of romantic comedies, doesn’t back down to Crystal as Sally, uptight “thinks she’s low maintenance but really is high maintenance” working woman. The added quirkiness to this film is that the best friends are also just as humorous. As shown in the clip below, Sally and Harry’s friends Marie and Jess shine right next to Crystal and Ryan.

I highly recommend this movie, if not for Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, then with a group of friends, or alone with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Finally a romantic comedy with the perspective of both genders, this film is not one to miss. I dare you to watch it and try not to quote it in everyday situations afterword.

What do you think? Is When Harry Met Sally the greatest romantic comedy of all time? Can men and women be friends? What are some of your Valentine’s Day favorites?