Schindler's List (1993)

My Rating: 100%

I think out of the plenty of ultimate classics; that I have failed to see for so long that I'm starting to see now, I think as far as what it brings, this one is the one I wish I especially saw sooner.

Plot: It's based on a true story about a businessman named Oskar Schindler of the Nazi party, who makes a factory working on army mess kits using jews and his employees during the German-initiated relocation of Polish Jews or 1939 because Jews costs less than catholic poles. But when SS Lieutenant Amon Goeth completes the new concentration camp, Schindler become affected when he witnesses from the hills, Goeth's men murdering countless jews from the ghetto. He nevertheless carefully befriends Goeth and uses him to build a sup-camp in order to keep his factory running and to keep his workers fro being randomly executed. and through that, Schindler start to work on helping as many lives a possible.

This is a very moving movie. The acting is well done, the story is powerful, and...well...it's a fricking good movie. They did a particularly good job with showing what it was like for jews at that time. Especially with the random killing. I mean the massacre at the ghetto was pretty brutal and if that wasn't enough, there's still things like seeing all those corpses being burned or all the ash coming from the chimney. And let's not forgive the symbolism with the little girl in the red dress and the candles.

Acting/characters:
Liam Neeson/Oskar Schindler: This was a very unique character...and Neeson didn't WIN FOR IT!?!?!?! I mean in all fairness, I haven't seen Philadelphia, but from what I understand about that movie comparing Hank's characters to Neeson's, it was a completely stupid choice. I mean it's no wonder that Oscar screw-up was at least nominated during Lord Naseby's blog of the biggest oscar f-ups. This character was unique in how he was playing both sides and even if he was more in the right one, he still would drink and sleep with women. But his last scene was the best part. I mean the pastor to my church has played it during a service at least a couple of times when his particular message has to do about helping or saving others. Just...well done Neeson. Well done.
Ben Kingsly/Itzhak Stern: So this is what this Kingsly fellow has done some excellent work before making movies like Prince of Persia and Tuck Everlasting. Well I have to say that Stern was a pretty good character.
Ralph Fieness/Lieutenant Amon Goeth: Gee, it's been enough that it's been over a month since witnessing the death of the Dark Lord Voldemort after ten years of my childhood spent on waiting for that moment, and now I find out that ol' Voldie has done things a bit more cold-hearted than just in Harry Potter. I mean he was killing people at random. and it seemed like he liked doing it. And I thought it was interesting when he started to get a little soft halfway through the film. and I can't believe he didn't win... I mean that f-up won in Naseby's blog so, if it was a heck of a mistake for Neeson to lose...I don't know if I want to see The Fugitive to know how big that particular mistake was.


Music: It was very good...then again, it was John Williams.

Editing: it was very well done. It won for best editing so it goes without saying that they did an excellent job.

And that is my review for Schindler's List. It is an excellent film, and I wish I saw it sooner.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

My Rating: 60%

It wasn't until shortly before my family and I went to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes that I finally went to see this film. but by the time I did, I already knew the general bit of this entire movie, so bear with me with what I'm going to say about this film.

Plot: Astronaut Taylor and his partners were in hibernation in space for slightly more than two thousand years until they finally crash on an unknown planet. One of them died in space while the rest of them went off to find life in this world. as they go deeper into the desert, they encounter some humans that are mute and primitive. But then some apes in horseback attack the humans and the astronauts killing one and capturing Taylor and another one who is knocked unconscious. The Apes are discovered to be able to talk unlike the humans and live in a strict caste system.


Don't get me wrong, this for the most part is creative and is well done. The problem is, I already know exactly what happens. I've heard about what happens, I've seen the musical spoof that's done in The Simpsons, and over a decade before that, I saw some thing where they showed how much Homer was impersonating the reaction to Tyler seeing the statue of liberty. and not only was there hardly anything unexpected, nothing went on after that. I mean there's the sequels but I wish there was something unexpected in just this particular film besides a few classic lines, getting to know the characters and a few other odds and ends. So that felt a little boring while kind of interesting to me.

Acting/Characters:
Charles Heston/Taylor: He did a pretty good job at his character. I'm a little curious as to hwo things go for him in particular in the sequels.
Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter/Cornelius and Zira: You do have to dislike how things go all around for them. they get so shut out. I did like how Zira looked with her hair & all as far goes as making the apes like we human are at that particular time.


Music: eh, nothing special to me. just same stuff from back in the time.

Editing: eh, it did it's job. nothing much.

and that is my review for Planet fo the Apes. I think it's okay but it has been spoiled too much for me.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

My Rating: 70%

Well I saw this shortly after seeing the original film like I said in my review to those films. So here's what I got for this film.

Plot: Will Rodman is a scientist working to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. He tests his current cure for Alzheimer on chimps. but one starts to attack and then gets put down and i later turned out to actually to have been doing that to protect her baby. Will takes the baby home and names him Caesar when he discovers that the chimp has the cure passed down through his genes . Caesar grows up to gain high intelligence and develops very quickly. as the years go on, Will uses the cure to cure his dad who has Alzheimer's, but the cure doesn't last, and eventually the Alzheimer's comes back and hit his father worse to the point where the unwittingly tries to drive a neighbor's car. When the neighbor threatens him, Caesar attacks the neighbor and so is forced into the primate sanctuary where the apes are treated poorly which gives Caesar the idea to rebel against the humans.

Most of this was predictable, I mean the trailer shows to much and I did see it in theaters several times. But it still had some stuff to add that made it interesting. I mean the characters were nice, I liked that it had the story about the dad, and I especially liked that when Will was introducing the cure, he said "the cure to Alzheimer's", not just "the cure" like he said in the trailer. that was just cheesy. And it didn't go as far as I thought it would with the whole event, thus the likely possibility of some sequels, but I thought how they ended it was a good way to end this particular beginning. The action was hardly there and it was okay with when there was. But what was really dumb was a lot fo the apes jumping of a few story building and landing on the ground fine...that doesn't make sense.

Actors/Characters:
James Franco/Will Rodman: I liked his characters for the most part. I mean he was one of those characters whose friend is misunderstood. I think Franco did pretty well all around.
John Lithgow/Charles: I liked his last scene. really because it was another one of those scenes where what the characters do without talking says it all.
David Oyelowo/Jacobs: *WARNING: spoiler* his death made no sense. I mean he was killed by that particular ape who he gave high intelligence to with the new version of the cure. Jacobs didn't do anything to that ape aside from that, and he killed him. That was a big hole in the movie.
Andy Serkis/Caesar:Once again, he did an excellent job with his character. Caesar was a very well put together character and i'm curious to see more.
Tom Felton/Dodge Landon: here's a hint: Draco Malfoy; a big jerk since 2001.


Music: The music was alright. it was nice.

Editing: I think it was well done. it had some nice and easy to understand.

and that is my review for Rise of the Planet of the Apes. A fair amount was ruined for me like the original Planet of the Apes, but it turned out to be a lot more interesting with what wasn't expected.

The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

My Rating: 90%

This is a very fun film. I enjoyed seeing it several times in my life, I had no problem seeing it again before writing this review.

Plot: Emperor Kuzco is about to turn 18 years old tomorrow, and he plans to destroy a village for a summer home. He also fires his advisor, Yzma for trying to take care fo the empire behind his back. Yzma attempts to poison him but the drink he receives turns him into a Llama instead. SHe orders her dim-witted right hand man, Kronk to take him out and kill him, but Kronk but he loses the sack containing him and it ends up in the hands of Pacha, the headman of the village Kuzco plans to destroy. So Kuzco reluctantly agrees to not destroy Pacha's village in exchange for Pacha taking him back to his palace.

This is a simply hilarious film. It's just complete cartoonish fun for everyone. it gets you to wonder why this film did not become as big as it really should have. from the little fly getting eaten by a spider to that guard
that gets turned into a cow, there's a whole bunch of fresh things that are completely funny in this film.

Characters:
Emperor Kuzco: You have to like how he still acts like everything revolves around him. I do also like how at some point he acts like he's use to the trouble that's happening like that waterfall. I love watching that.
Pacha: He has a good sense of believing that there's good in everyone and you have to like how that's challenged with Kuzco.
Yzma: while you can hardly take her seriously as a villain, the reason for that is just as fun. Especially when she has to deal with what Kronk does.
Kronk: Kronk is probably the funniest, his child dim-witted personality is cute and his shoulder angel and devil moments are the best parts with him.

Music: It was nice. again, fun. I know I'm using that word several times but that doesn't make it any less true. Plus some of the music during the credits is a decent song from Sting so yeah.

And that is my review for Emperor's New Groove. I know I'm not saying much, but it's much better to see for yourself for those of you who have yet to see it.

Battleship Potemkin (1925)

My Rating: 100%

Well currently, I'm finally back at film school, so right now i'm taking a Understanding of Film Expression class and with most of that comes watching a lot of film in order to learn particular things about all kinds of film expression. So a lot of the reviews i'm going to write in the future are going to be films that I'm going to watch such as this film, 400 blows, The Graduate, and Bonnie and Clyde. So without further ado, I give you my ado to this excellent silent film; Battleship Potemkin.

Plot: This is set in 1905 where a Russian crew od the battleship Potemkin create a mutiny against their officers and start to for a rebellion against the Tsarist regime.

This as clever but brutal film. The messed up thing to me was the stairs scene. no one was safe, not the little boy, not the mother or even her precious baby in that carriage. But what's messed up to me is that it didn't even actually happen during this particular event. It apparently was more something to put in the film to give an idea about that particular time. In fact, this film has been re edited by the government a few times to get rid of some of the more brutal moments.

Normally I'd give you a section that list the main actors but there isn't really any in this film. In a sense, the crew is all one in fighting against their enemies. There are some named here and their but nothing to me that was exactly the most important character in the film aside from the character Grigory Vakulinchuk's brief part in the film. That aside, I'll just say that the acting was very well done and everyone did an excellent job with showing us these suspenseful or brutal events.


Choreography/Editing: They've done and excellent job with the choreography and editing. This film was very well shot and I liked what they really did with the editing. most of what they did in something suspenseful was repeatedly showing several things in some very quick cuts to build the suspense and acknowledge every single detail that happens. especially at the very end where the music slowly but surly gets louder and louder as it focuses on the ship and the squadron, the cannons aiming, the engines going like crazy and so on. It's a very good film to show to give the idea of giving suspense by making a lot of quick cuts.


And that is my review for Battleship Potemkin. next class we'll be watching The General, and I look forward to what I may learn there.

Titanic (1997)

My Rating: 90%

I remember when I start to find out about the Titanic. My brother was starting to become very interested in it. It got to the point where he had a few books about it and one on it and other sunken ships, and he even was Captain Smith for Halloween in the 2nd Grade. From there, the rest of the family and I knew the story as well as we knew the story of all our favorite Disney films. Our mom only showed us the actual disaster from this film, considering out age. From there, I'm pretty sure that it wasn't until early in my freshman year in high school when my siblings and I (or at least my brothers and I. I'm sure if our sister did. I don't think she could've yet then.) Saw the whole film. And while it was a romance film at the same time, it still showed us a big idea of what that terrible night was like. And it really gets me every time.

Plot:Most of this film is the story of a rich girl and a poor boy who fall in love and are separated by their class. At the same time, It tells the story about the Titanic in it's voyage to America before the ultimate disaster.

Well as far as the romance goes, clearly a lot of us are over it. It's always stuck in our head with hearing lines like "Don't let go Rose" and "Jack I'm flying" and only heaven knows what. But it's still a little bit of a cute story no matter how much we are over it even if we've seen this movie less times than we've seen any Disney Princess movie. And it has a bit of fun like when they went to that third-class party or when they were being chased by Lovejoy. The ending is sad but at least it's sort of happy at the same time.
As far as the actual story of the Titanic, that was why it was truly Best Picture. Half of the film give you an idea how it use to be to grand to the point where people claimed that The Lord himself couldn't sink it. (may The Lord have mercy over them) And then the actual sinking happens and it touches you every time when you see people dying as the ship sinks more and more and then there's of coarse the band with playing Nearer, My God, to Thee. It's just powerful.

Acting/Characters:
Leonardo DiCaprio/Jack Dawson: Well obviously you have to like how he cares for Rose and worked on setting her free, and he didn't let go till the end and all that. I think DiCaprio all around gave a good performance. It's not Oscar worthy, but it's still good.
Kate Winslet and Gloria Stuart/Rose DeWitt Bukater a.k.a. Rose Dawson:I like Rose as well. She did have a fun, spirit which helped in making some sort of joy before...things really went to heck. Stuart did a very good job in making a very interesting character as far as who Rose became so many years later.
Billy Zane/Caledon Nathan "Cal" Hockley: well he was evil. But you do have to like how he's acting like gentlemen while still making sure that he makes his own luck.
Kathy Bates/Margret "Molly" Brown: She did an excellent job with her part. I only wish that they at least showed a little bit more...well actually a lot more about her after it sunk with how she became the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown. But I suppose that wouldn't work at keeping the whole mood like there's no hope at all until the Carpathia came in.
Victor Garber/Thomas Andrews: I liked his character. He was kind and caring and did his best to help other during the sinking.
Ewan Stewart/First Officer William Murdoch: I felt sad for the character. But I don't blame the lawsuit there was concerning his suicide when it came to his nephew. I mean there's some saying that he might committed suicide and Cameron did point out that some gun shots were fired, but still.
Jonathan Evans-Jones/Wallace Hartley: He did a very good job with this character. I mean he had to. The band did play to help those that were going to die and boy was it a big moment when they played Nearer, My God, to Thee and then his last line: "Gentlemen. It has been a privilege playing with you tonight."

Music: It was very well done. They were used well to set the right moods in whatever scene there was music. As for the song "My Heart will go on"...well I still like it. I can understand how most of us are over it but still.

Sound effects:they were good, but i'd like to mention how when the ship was breaking in two, some the effects they used for the break were gun sound effects.

Editing: Very good editing. As far as most powerful shots I think my top three would be 1) when the ship has fully sunk and while Jack and Rose are trying to get to the surface, you watch the ship continue to go down as somewhat of a last look before it goes all the way down. 2)when Rose gets to the surface and then the camera zooms out showing hundreds of people swimming and shouting in panic and 3) when the subs that Old Rose and her granddaughter and the crew were in, go up into the surface and the picture gets darker and darker as their sort of final look at the Titanic.

And that is my review for Titanic. I my not be perfect with the romance, but darn it, it's still an excellent film for so many of us to remember that terrible, infamous sinking of the RMS Titanic.

Guys and Dolls (1955)

My Rating: 80%

Okay, I've already seen this before, but I had to see this again before making my review. I already saw this again before I put the Brando marathon on hold but I had yet to write the review. So here's the next Brando film: Guys and Dolls.

Plot: Nathan Detroit is a gambler who runs unlicensed crap games. the movie start with him trying to start one while the cops are on the heat over him and is still working on trying to marry his fiancee, Adelaide, who he's been engaged to for 14 years. Meanwhile, his friend Sky Masterson takes on a bet with Nathan that he can go on a date with Sergeant Sarah Brown who works at the Save a Soul Mission.

This is a fun film. The characters are exciting, the plot is good, and the dancing and music is well done. It's a good musical film to enjoy.

Acting/Characters:
Frank Sinatra/Nathan Detroit: He is a very enjoyable character. And an excellent singer (duh). YOu have to like what he goes through.
Vivian Blaine/Adelaide:She is a very strong actress. you have to like how she performs her songs.
Marlon Brando/Sky Masterson:He has a pretty fun character too.
Jean Simmons/Sergeant Sarah Brown:Very good character. The best parts are when she got drunk.

Music: I love the music in Guys and Dolls. My favorite songs would have to be "Luck be a Lady," "Fugue for Tinhorns" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat"

Editing: They did a very good job with the editing.

And that is my review for Guys and Dolls. I know this is one of my more generalizing reviews. but that's mostly because it's better to see for yourself.