150. PINOCCHIO (1940) (Ani.) U.S.
Director: Walt Disney (Producer) / Ben Sharpsteen / Hamilton Luske / Bill Roberts / T. Hee / Wilfred Jackson…More
Screenplay: (Story by Carlo Collodi) / Webb Smith / Ted Sears / Erdman Penner…More
Even to this day it remains a standard on how beautifully animated, hand drawn, cartoons could capture the awesome, stunning moments of our imagination under the artistic guidance of visionary producer, Walt Disney. The Disney team of artistic creators took years to take this dark story by Carlo Collodi and transfer it into a Musical / Fantasy / Comedy / Adventure film, the 6th one listed. Pinocchio, voiced by Dickie Jones (He just wanted to be a ‘real boy’), Geppetto (Christian Rub), the Fox (Walter Catlett), Gideon (Mel Blanc), the Blue Fairy (Evelyn Venable) and, of course, Jiminy Crickett, his conscience (Cliff Edwards), make this a feast for the eyes (the Monstro sequence?) and ears. 1940 was a great year for Disney—he released Fantasia that same year. Considered one of the greatest animated films ever made, it teaches redemptive moral values, accountability, (watch Pinocchio’s nose) and, oh! the music, Cliff Edwards singing When You Wish Upon a Star…Glorious!
Link #1 The blue fairy changes the puppet, Pinocchio, into a “Real Boy,” with a conscience! Link #2 Search and escape from Monstro the Whale. Link #3 When You Wish Upon a Star.
https://youtu.be/D2zzXBg3FcI?si=9OBLE25GEdMlW7TI
149. GANDHI (1980) (BST) (Bio.) U.K.
Director: Richard Attenborough
Screenplay: John Briley
As one of the most honored biographical films ever produced, this movie stands out as not the most accurate, but one of the most treasured educational bio-films ever brought to the screen. Winners of 7 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and especially Best Actor, Ben Kingsley in the title role with one of the most stunning performances of the ages. Starting with his assassination in 1948 in which over 300,000 extras was used, we then go back to his early days and trek forward in his life. The all-star cast includes Rohini Hattangadi (his wife), Roshan Seth (Nehru), Candice Bergan (Margaret Bourke-White), with Edward Fox, Trevor Howard, John Gielgud, among others. As a 3+ hours, this sweeping epic tale of how Mohandas Gandhi becomes the most important activist for non-violence in the 20th Century, affecting hundreds of millions of people, and certainly one of the most polarizing. In any century, this feature an Incredible Accomplishment!
Link #1 Gandhi’s (Ben Kingsley’s) protest speech before all onlookers. Link #2 Gandhi’s solution, on his hunger strike, to the threat of war between Hindus and Moslems. Link #3 The greatest scene perhaps ever filmed for sacrificial non-violence, against the British.
https://youtu.be/5hS1YWtalPY?si=Yu1ASW_Gw1kDAI8y
148. HARVEY (1950) U.S.
Director: Henry Koster
Screenplay: (Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Mary Chase) / Oscar Brodney / Myles Connelly
What a treat—a whimsical dream of a movie, and one of James Stewart’s best performances as Elwood P. Dowd—it just doesn’t get any better than this for a heart-warming, gratifying movie experience. The film has aged wonderfully as a humorous Comedy / Fantasy / Drama story that never grows out of date. Dowd has numerous conversations with his best friend Harvey, (played by a 6-foot 3-inch invisible rabbit), a puca (Pooka). Josephine Hull is marvelous as Veta, Elwood’s sister, who’s uncertain as to whether Harvey really exists, or not. Charles Drake, Peggy Dow, Cecil Kellaway (Dr. Chumley) as the bumbling psychiatrist, all are splendid in their roles. The premise is that no one can see Harvey except Elwood, and that’s where the fun begins. Elwood’s eccentric, endearing, certainty and kind personality makes everyone afraid of disagreeing with him…so he helps everyone along the way. If life was only this positive and gentle!…A Crown Jewel in Joy and Whimsy!
Link #1 The bar scene with Elwood (James Stewart) the doctor (Charles Drake), Miss Kelly (Peggy Dow) and…Harvey. Link #2 Elwood decides on 2 martinis. Link #3 At Last, Elwood P. Dowd finds Harvey!
https://youtu.be/gS2sBzaEMTA?si=4WEC6fnswdBmaAgx
147. HOWARD’S END (1992) U.K. / U.S.
Director: James Ivory
Screenplay: (Based on E. M. Forster’s novel) Ruth Prawar Jhabvala
When the team of director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchasnt and screenwriter Ruth Prawar Jhabvala get together to produce an E.M. Forster’s novel, it comes out as a superb recreation of a period picture—this is one of those times! One of the best depictions of Edwardian times at the turn of the 20th Century, it portrays those 3 social classes, the upper aristocratic class (the Wilcoxes), the middle intellectual class (the Schlegels) and the struggling working class, the Basts. Especially praiseworthy acting performances come from Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson in an Oscar-winning performance, Helena Bonham Carter and Samuel West. It becomes amazing when a simple black umbrella is returned to its rightful owner—it forever changes three families. This is a stunning portrayal of how unfair people with privilege had over their underlings. With Tony Pierce-Roberts’ Cinematography and Music by Richard Robbins…A Feast for Eyes and Ears!
Link #1 The Official 1992 trailer for this exquisite film about class distinctions.
146. JANE EYRE (1943) U.S.
Director: Robert Stevenson
Screenplay: Adapted fron Charlotte Bronte’s novel - John Houseman / Aldous Huxley / Robert Stevenson
Multiple translations of this British Charlotte Bronte novel have been the source of multiple film versions of this timeless classic, but somehow, even though this movie version ends before the story ends—it prevails! Why? The Gothic atmosphere and cinematography by George Barnes, the direction by Robert Stevenson, the production design is spot on, and the acting by Orson Welles as Edward Rochester, Joan Fontaine as Jane as an adult, and child stars Peggy Ann Garner and Margaret O’Brian are wonders. It would have been more extraordinary if they had filmed the 2nd half of the book, but the romance between Jane and Rochester fuels the Mystery / Suspense / Drama in this suppressive love story. The appearance of Rochester on the horse is stunning, and Orson Welles seems from that moment on, to be larger than life. Bernard Herrman’s music is atmospheric and the horror of the captive hideaway in the great house has never been equaled…Simply Mesmerizing!
Link #1 Young Jane (Peggy Ann Garner) sneaks a piece of bread to her friend (young Elizabeth Taylor) at Lowood. Link #2 Edward (Orson Welles) Rochester’s abrasive way of getting acquainted with Jane (Joan Fontaine) after the horse accident. Link #3 Edward’s proposal.
https://youtu.be/Fz926zo5LYk?si=H8UmdiS-uXKU-V-D
145. PLACES IN THE HEART (1984) U.S.
Director: Robert Benton
Screenplay: Robert Benton
Link #1 Link #2 Link #3
144. THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Screenplay: Norman Reilly Raine / Seton Miller / Rowland Leigh
Link #1 Link #2 Link #3
143. JEAN DE FLORETTE (1986) Fra.
Director: Claude Berri
Screenplay: Marcel Pagnol
Link #1 Link #2 Link #3
142. AMADEUS (1984) (Bio) (Ed.) U.S.
Director: Milos Forman
Screenplay: Peter Schaffer
Considered among the world’s greatest of so-called Biofilms, this pseudo-educational musical treat takes us back into the 1790’s and gives us, not a diamond-in-the -rough true story, but a fictitious view about celebrities whose work changed the course of music history. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) is portrayed as the vulgar, irreverent, undisciplined, destitute musical genius, transforming the imperial music scene, while Viennese court composer, Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), who becomes so consumed and jealous of Mozart’s genius, that he eventually plots the theft of his music, as well as his death. No, not true to history—but an astonishing character study of musical genius. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and winner of 8, the movie was a sensation. F. Murray Abraham certainly deserved his win, narrating the story from an asylum in flashback, his jealousy and envy of the “a monkey who was the voice of God!”…Both Stunning and Amazing!
Link #1 Solieri (F. Murray Abraham) seeks to help Mozart (Tom Hulce) while entrapping his music. Link #2 Mozart’s wife (Elizabeth Berridge) gets acquainted with Salieri, and sees his perfect ‘originals,’ as the “Voice of God!” Link #3 From his deathbed, Mozart composes and Solieri writes…Inspired creativity!
https://youtu.be/ppMvosDVu3U?si=oxyfE5bu6zrl7PHS
141. AS GOOD AS IT GETS (1997)
Director: James L. Brooks
Screenplay: Mark Andrus / James L. Brooks
Time has been really good to this groundbreaking Romantic Comedy / Drama starring Jack Nicholson (Mevin Udall), Helen Hunt (Carol Connelly) and Greg Kinnear (Simon Bishop), the first two winning Academy Awards as actor and actress in a featured comedy role. Director James L. Brooks certainly knew how to get superb settings combined with great writing to elicit great performances from his actors. The unforgettable scenes in this film are almost unequaled in a romantic comedy, and the awards were deserved. How can we forget the scene when Cuba Gooding come to visit Simon (Greg Kinnear) after he’s been viciously attacked and robbed in his own home. Melvin is afflicted with OCD, but still writes romantic pulp novels with great success. Carol is a waitress in a fine restaurant, and knows how to handle him. Simon is a gay neighbor, with incredible tolerance to Melvin’s constant insulting barbs…But the ending somehow works out…Wonderful!
Link #1 Examples of one of the worst insulting persons who ever drew a breath. offensive to everyone! Link #2 “You make me want to be a better man.” Link #3 The first kiss, falling in love?
https://youtu.be/NsJ_PkplZrE?si=zDAnenttjVqdW7up
140. THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY of MISS JANE PITTMAN (1974) (TV) U.S.
Director: John Korty
Screenplay: (Based on Ernest J. Gaines’ novel) Tracy Keenan Wynn
In one of the most relevant and splendid films in TV history—this work of fiction speaks volumes about racial identity and equality, cementing it an important landmark as a film in the ongoing struggle for human dignity. As an 110-year-old Miss Jane (Cecily Tyson), relates in an interview with a sincere reporter, Quentin (Michael Murphy), we experience her trials and tribulations through a series of flashbacks. It traces her youth through the Civil War, all the way through the Civil Rights era. Several things really stand out, John Korty’s direction, Tracy Keenan Wynn’s writing, Stan Winston and Rick Baker’s makeup, but especially Tyson’s stellar, magnificent performance, captivating us as she ages until she can hardly walk, or speak. It moves at a brisk pace, showing her realistic struggle, never losing the emotional core of the book, or the lesson all people should learn about transcending above injustice and oppression…An Inspirational, Educational Film!
Link #1 Miss Jan’s adopted son, Ned (Thalmus Rasulala), delivers an integrity-filled message. Link #2 Miss Jane, at 110 years old, drinks from the water fountain, for everyone!
139. THE SEVENTH SEAL (1957) Sweden
Director: Ingmar Bergman:
Screenplay: Ingmar Bergman
Considered by many as one of the greatest if filmmakers, Ingmar Bergman has many masterworks—this is one of his best! He cruised through the 1950’s - 1980’s as a constant presence with almost all his films either being nominated or winning Oscars because of framing extreme closeups and presenting more questions than answers. Most of his classics were character studies featuring loss of love or faith, centered around an existential philosophy, requiring the viewer to have great patience—this is such a film. A disappointed Swedish knight, Antonious Block (Max von Sydow), seeks answers about the mystery of life, death and God’s existence, and plays a game of chess with his opponent, the Grim Reaper, during the end of the Crusades and the Black Plague of the Middle Ages. Is there any way to win? This historical Fantasy is still a masterpiece with Bergman’s small stable of actors and Gunnar Fischer’s b&w cinematography…Absolutely Contemplative!
Link #1 The Swedish knight (Max von Sydow) meets the Grim Reaper (Bengt Bjorstrand). A game of chess! Link #2 The final scene of the chess match.
138. SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
Director: Billy Wilder
Screenplay: Billy Wilder / I. A. L. Diamond / Robert Thoren
Billy Wilder’s 4th listed film may be the quintessential comedy farce of all time held by the consensus of most film historians. It is a wacky screwball comedy, without an agenda, an original “buddy” film, keeping its place as one with the most laughs. Can two guys on the lamb from witnessing a mob murder, a sax player, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) escape from the clutches of mobster Spats Colombo (George Raft). Only by disguising themselves as women, joining an all-female jazz band, and escaping on a train to Florida. Joe pretends to be a millionaire Shell oil exec but is sidetracked by trying to win the band’s sweet, alluring lead singer, Sugar Kane, one of Marilyn Monroe’s best comedy roles. Jerry eventually discovers he’s being pursued by millionaire, Osgood Fielding III (Joe E Brown.) The film was nominated for 6 Oscars and has become an ever-growing classic comedy through the years…Josephine and Daphne?…A Simply Hilarious Comedy!
Link #1 The Speakeasy gets raided. Link #2 Some funniest montage scenes. Link #3 Osgood (Joe E. Brown) and Daphne (Jack Lemmon) - “Nobody’s Perfect!”
https://youtu.be/3DqGxeDjSZI?si=4qutlq5xVVD1dCPU
137. WINGED MIGRATION (2001) (Doc.) Fra.
Director: Jacques Cluzaud / Michael Debats / Jacques Perrin
Screenplay: Jean Dorst / Jaques Perrin
When the French directors put this nature documentary together, it was certainly no easy task. This film focused on the the migratory patterns of multiple bird species, taking over three years to film, over all seven continents—no wonder it took three directors at the helm! In its many sublime scenes, we are awe-struck by the camera crew’s abilities and how the sky mileage was achieved, some with gliders, some with planes, even helicopters, some by attaching cameras to the birds after they imprinted with the crew after they hatched. In tracking the global patterns of these creatures, we learn endurance, determinization, courage and purpose. These feats by the world’s bird population have always been extremely intriguing, always attributed to science and nature, but not to an intelligent Creator that millions of people still believe in. How could the species have ever survived unless something greater than themselves imprinted those flight patterns?…Simplt Magnificent!
Link #1 An extended advanced trailer of birds from birth to migratory preparation. Astounding! Link #2 The mating dance! Link #3 Trailer #2 - Winged Migration.
https://youtu.be/AzJqF3WdN80?si=hBhHSiUxb129OmGF
136. DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) U.S.
Director: Billy Wilder
Screenplay: {Based on James M. Cain’s novel) Billy Wilder / Raymobd Chandler
Billy Wilder’s 3rd entry on our list is one of the most famous of all Film Noir Mystery / Dramas. This 1944 film classic is not so much a whodunit as it is a character study as a whydunit. The unraveling of the mystery we see unfold by super-sleuth insurance investigator, Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), Fred MacMurrray, as insurance man (Walter Neff), is seduced by Barbara Stanwyck (Phyllis Dietrichson), a manipulative housewife who schemes with Neff into a murder and fraud case of her older oppressive husband. With continuous narration by Neff, he becomes doomed of the crime the two of them have committed and consumed with guilt as Keyes slowly reveals the crime, letting him know, piece by piece. It becomes one of the greatest cat-and-mouse games ever filmed. Wilder paints a dark picture with broad strokes and the film takes on a mysterious life of its own—living proof, crime eventually catches up with you—-it does not pay!…Hauntingly Gratifying!
Link#1 A potential crime is born from an accidental insurance policy. Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) & Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwick). Link#2 Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), smells a rat and sets up Neff for the fall. Link#3 “Walter, you’re all washed up!”
https://youtu.be/LJq1auJq_gc?si=PbIXTHBcPzft7GVe
135. THE BIG COUNTRY (1958) U.S.
Director: William Wyler
Screenplay: James R. Webb / Sy Bartlett / Robert Wilder
This epic American Western, our 5th listed, is a whopping tale of a Texan range war that develops between the Terrill family led by (Charles Bickford) with his angry daughter, Pat (Carroll Baker), and foreman Steve Leech, (Charlton Heston), versus the Hannasseys, with Rufus (Burl Ives), and son, Buck (Chuck Connors). What happens is a conflict that arises over water rights owned by Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons) and the intro to former sea captain (Gregory Peck), who avoids fights. Not usually considered among the great Westerns because of its ending, it’s hands down one of the best studies of human frailty when trying to work out rights in a selfish way. Burl Ives (Oscar winner) is sensational from his screen intro (one of the greatest ever filmed) until the very end. Jerome Morass brings a philharmonic sound to the fabulous music score, and director Wyler gives the film several character studies simultaneously, in this panorama of tangled human emotions…So Big!
Link #1 Opening Titles by Saul Bass & intro of Jim McKay (Gregory Peck.) Link #2 Rufus Hannassey (Burl Ives), crashes Henry Terrill’s party—One of the greatest screen intros in film history! Link #3 McKay, who avoids fights, picks out Leech (Charlton Heston) for a twilight goodbye (fight). Link #4 The Blanco Canyon sequence— Henry Terrill and his man, Steve Leech.
https://youtu.be/QKdmOpXJHR4?si=-H4MpXFbTaAgOmzp
https://youtu.be/lw8XadFocVw?si=jBg8m8-5tBDcAqa9
134. THE PRINCESS BRIDE Director: Rob Reiner
Screenplay: (Based on the book by S. Morgenstern) / William Goldman (Based on his story)
Almost everyone is familiar with the fairy tale about the swashbuckling farmer, Westley, (Cary Elwes) and his unlikely companions who must rescue his precious Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from the evil clutches of Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon.) The narrative tale is spun by the grandfather (Peter Falk) for his sickly, bedridden grandson (Fred Savage.) In the following decades the story has taken on new life, appealing to fans as a Fantasy / Adventure / Romantic Comedy / Satire, largely because of zany, dark, unpredictable characters that Rob Reiner has gathered together, including Mandy Patinkin as Ingo Montoya, along with Andre the Giant, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Peter Cook, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal. Mel Smith and a host of others, all contributing to a touching, unforgettable, savory experience. Never has a Fairy Tale affected Pop Culture in such a winsome way. William Goldman’s screenplay is a marvel…You might say, “Inconceivable!”
Link #1 Great scenes leading to Miracle Max (Billy Crystal. Link #2 The battle of the wits (which one is poison?) Westley (Cary Elwes), Wallace Shawn (Vizzini), and Buttercup (Robin Wright). Link #3 The swordplay scene between Ingo and Westley. (Mandy Patinkin & Cary Elwes)
https://youtu.be/rMz7JBRbmNo?si=gO2D9LHnGwJI5vpW
133. METROPOLIS (1927) Germany
Director: Fritz Lang
Screenplay: Thea von Harbou’s (Based on her story) / Fritz Lang
German expressionistic filmmaker Fritz Lang was an auteur of sorts, with total control of his films. He excelled in art and set direction, technique and style in the 1920s, a leading master in silent cinema films. Years ahead of his time, and in this Sci-Fi movie, we experience an astonishing visual look into Lang’s perception of what the world would be like in the year…2026, a century into the future! You can see what Adolph Hitler saw, and why he wanted Lang in charge of Germany’s film production. Instead—Fritz Lang fled. The stunning visuals of a dystopian future of the rich elites ruling over a meaningless, despairing, underground working-class, seem to prophetically resemble the political systems, unable to bring peace or stability in the world of today. Especially noteworthy is the acting of Brigette Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Frohlich and Rudolf Klein-Rogge. In 1927, this was one of the most important, expensive films ever made…A Jaw-Dropping Restored Wonder!
Link #1 The Official trailer. Link #2 The opening scene of multitudes of dehumanized workers. Link #3 The Moloch scenes.
https://youtu.be/gdtZv3XROnc?si=BlYACX-uHLRoYgp8
132. BRINGING UP BABY (1938) U.S.
Director: Howard Hawks
Screenplay: Hagar Wilde / Dudley Nichols / Gertrude Purcell / Robert A. McGowan
Of all the screwball comedies ever made…this is one of them! When paleontologist, David Huxley (Cary Grant) meets Susan Vance (Kathrine Hepburn), sparks start flying—it’s obvious they were unmade for each other. Versatile director Hoawrd Hawks and writers, especially Nichols & Wilde, have crafted an instant classic. Is that really a tame leopard that plays Baby, or is it two? Was that a real brontosaurus dinosaur skeleton that David only needed one more bone for completion, resulting in…well, chaos! Could Grant and Hepburn really do that much physical comedy? Hawks has always been able to direct strong, independent woman and Hepburn and Grant are sensational in this timeless classic, the 6th screwball comedy listed. Charlie Ruggles, Walter Catlett and Barry Fitzgerald are also along for the ride. This could have been a live-action cartoon and still be funny!…Spontaneous and did we say Hilarious?…We meant too!
Link #1 David (Cary Grant) meets Baby, Susan’s (Katherine Hepburn’s) pet leopard! Link #2 Susan is in a fix—Is this the right leopard? Link #3 Susan and David and…the dinosaur!
https://youtu.be/BJNnNX9oEr8?si=lLbPkYziisOUc8EJ
131. GIANT (1956) U.S.
Director: George Stevens
Screenplay: (Based on Edna Ferber’s novel) / Fred Guiol / Ivan Moffat
Edna Ferber’s sprawling family saga comes to life on the big screen in this modern-day Texas Western, covering several generations of the Benedict’s million-acre cattle ranch. Nominated for 10 Oscars, it was a unique, 3+ hour epic, an influential film with larger-than-life characters. Rock Hudson (Bick Benedict), Elizabeth Taylor (Leslie, his new take-home, take-charge bride, and James Dean (Jett Rink) as his eventual rival as an oil baron in who slowly becomes his life competitor. Mercedes McCambridge (Luz Benedict), Chill Wills, Carrol Baker and Dennis Hopper have major roles—the film lives on with some unforgettable scenes with a thunderous, character-based soundtrack by Dmitri Tiomlin. The scene of James Dean stepping off his new property stays with you, and the events leading up to his striking oil are marvelous. The first half of the film is perfect, the second half still holds up, but George Stevens stellar direction gives the movie…Heart!
Link #1 Bick’s (Rock Hudson) sister Luz, wills Jett, (James Dean a piece of land on her passing.) Link #2 Jett shows hospitality to Bick’s wife, Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor) as Bick’s sister Luz, (Mercedes McCambridge) mounts Leslie’s horse. Link #3 Jett Rink steps off his new acreage - Dmitri Tiomkins thunderous, triumphant soundtrack. Link #4 The erupting fight for racial equality in Sarge’s Diner.
https://youtu.be/BgpD0Z0u0uE?si=gjEtQ2O65id39Mju https://youtu.be/u4cv7WZvOx4?si=0eX3MfOVvTtimxuG https://youtu.be/oDPTkRSM9Zo?si=244Gm1xHRCpztv0P https://youtu.be/e4ptm6F2KHQ?si=PyNQs5Eq0uz4l2jc
130. NIGHT AND FOG (1956) (Doc.) Fra.
Director: Alain Resnais
Screenplay: Jean Cayrol
This 32-minute French documentary, narrated by Michel Bouquet, was considered extraordinary at the time it was released, winning international awards and accolades for its brevity and its unflinching education in showing the history and horrors of Nazi Germany’s Final Solution to the Jews and other minorities. It provided the truth about the hellish world of dehumanizing and the wanton death and eradication of those on the inside. Filmed in 1955 when many of the concentration camps and structures were still intact, this feature is a very tough watch, because of its details in showing the horrors of the Holocaust with such honesty, all on its actual location in Poland. The atrocities slowly build as the narrative covers the advance of the war, some with graphic scenes, explaining its brutality with actual survivors, and with newsreel. Did we ever learn the lesson on intolerance and hatred—or could it happen again?…Unparalled!
Link #1 The official trailer of Night and Fog. Link #2 Several minutes as some of the atrocities are seen and explained.
129. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) (heavily edited) U.S.
Director: Frank Darabont
Screenplay: (Adapted by Stephan King’s story) Frank Darabont
From Stephan King’s novella, this story soars into the stratosphere, perhaps more than any prison movie ever made, growing more in popularity every year! A banker, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), is wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and sent to Shawshank Prison. Can he get a fair shake working through a violent prison system reeking of corruption? Years pass as he eventually flourishes on the inside by working within the system, and his growing unbreakable friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman). Has there ever been a prison movie where the odds are so stacked against real justice as this one? NO! Through years of patience, Andy devises an escape that is one of the most unique in film history. Impeccably acted by Darabont’s direction, and with authentic realism, (a heavily edited version is available), we experience justice and redemption in one of the most satisfying endings ever! “Get busy living—or get busy dying.” So Gratifying!
Link #1 Andy’s few moments of Mozart’s “Duettino - Sull’aria” from the Marriage of Figaro. FREEDOM! Link #2 Justice finally prevails! Link #3 Andy’s freedom and justice is served—warden Norton (Bob Gunton).
https://youtu.be/qzuM2XTnpSA?si=4zbmOgIT9b6WxsaE
128. CHILDREN OF HEAVEN (1997) Iran
Director: Majid Majidi
Screenplay: Majid Majidi
From the original screenplay by Majid Majidi, we see firsthand that not everything from Tehran, Iran, is religious extremism, but a filmmaker who makes a super movie about the human spirit…the love between a brother and sister. Amir Farrokh Hashemien (Ali), Bahare Siddiqi (Zahra) are the two children, and Ali’s father (Reza Naji) and Feresti Sarabandi (Ali’s mother), are the core family which comprise this simple story. In short, when Ali loses his sister’s only pair of shoes, they try to conceal the news from their poor fanther and ill mother. The siblings actually share Ali’s worn pair of sneakers, until new ones can be found for Zahra. Poverty sometimes introduce us to minor miracles—survival, loyalty, empathy and unselfishness. Those are the lessons learned in this poignant, warm-hearted family film. It has a graininess about it that enhances the time, and the final footrace of Ali changes the family’s destiny…A wonderful, Life-affirming Experience!
Link #1 Ali and Zahra devise a plan to share Ali’s shoes to get to school. Link #2 The race—the winner gets a new pair of running shoes.
127. TOP HAT (1935)
Director: Mark Sandrich
Screenplay: Dwight Taylor / Allan Scott / Alexander Forago & Aladar Laszlo (Hungarian play)
These older classic Musical / Comedy films never seem to go out of date, (This was 1935’s biggest hit at the movies) not when the illustrious Fred Astaire (as Jerry Tavers) and gorgeous Ginger Rogers (as Dale Tremont) take the floor and dance their way into everyone’s heart. In this fantasy of escapism, Jerry goes to London to headline a show produced by his friend, Horace (Edward Everert Horton), with funny moments offered by his valet, Eric Blore (Bates), with Erik Rhodes and Helen Broderick. When Dale (Ginger), arrives on the scene, the real competition begins. Michael Jackson once proclaimed, “Fred Astaire is the world’s best dancer”—See why! The sumptuous David Abel, black & white photography, Irving Berlin’s wonderful music, Hermes Pan’s choreography, Mark Sandrich’s musical direction, this film gets better with age. The pairing of Fred and Ginger almost seems unreal, a beautiful dance to behold, especially Cheek to Cheek…Stunning, Sensational!
Link #1 Critics pick best musical story numbers - Top Hat Link #2 “Cheek to Cheek” - Sophisticated, Unforgettable Elegance!
126. WALL-E (Ani) (2008)
Director: Andrew Stanton
Screenplay: (Based on story by Andrew Stanton) / Pete Doctor / Andrew Stanton / Jim Reardon
Since 1995, Andrew Stanton and Pete Doctor have been among the busiest creative artists for Disney/ Pixar, and they know just exactly how to aim for the heart—and hit it! Their collaboration, their 3rd listed—an instant classic. This little Sci-fi / Adventure story consists of Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter, Earth class), voiced by Ban Burtt, a lone robot in the year 2805, who’s left to clean up garbage on a deserted Earth. Strange as it seems, he is visited by EVE, (voiced by Elissa Knight), and oval-shaped probe robot, and falls instantly in love, following her across the galaxy. This story and the situation where humans are closely watched and preserved, covers environment, global catastrophic impact, obesity and sedentary lifestyles—with eloquence, education and nostalgia. It’s a masterpiece of voices, a music score by Thomas Newman, and stunning surprises. It has a minimum of dialogue in the first half and yet, never disappoints…Simply Luminous!
Link #1 Some of Wall-E’s funniest moments. Link #2 Getting acqauinted and falling in love with Eve.
https://youtu.be/IJ07DcGGmMg?si=8_bvptlNhmmSoF4d https://youtu.be/niw26Z5qZ1U?si=8eW6UgAWb8u3mIqx
