The Shawshank Redeption - 1994

After being begged and pleaded by my brother for many months, I finally saw The Shawshank Redemption, and I absolutely loved it. 

The Shawshank Redemption tells the story of a quiet man, Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) who is sent to Shawshank prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, even though he pleads innocent. Over a period of twenty years, he learns the prison system and wins the respect of the guards and governor by using his banking skills to do their tax returns. Accompanied by his friend Red (depicted by the brilliant Morgan Freeman), he wishes for freedom, which ultimately leads to a climactic and satisfying ending. 

When I first saw that this film was directed and written by Frank Darabont, I was overjoyed, as he also produced and developed one of my favourite television shows, The Walking Dead. Though I was aware this film was nothing like the zombie thriller, I knew that what I would see would be entertaining and well thought out. The careful piecing together of the narrative as well as frequent comic relief provided by the brilliant dialogue make this a film to watch. 

Andy Dufrense: Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

My one complaint about this movie was the ending, though while satisfying, did not sit well with me. A wide shot of a deserted island and the two companions, Andy and Red, finding each other again? While clearly not making any rational and logistical sense, it does follow along with the strong antiestablishment themes created throughout the movie. 

Overall, The Shawshank Redemption is a moving and engrossing tale, rich with characterisation and well deserved as a must-see movie. 

The Great Train Robbery - 1903

The Great Train Robbery, directed by Edwin S. Porter is widely regarded as the first Western, initiating a genre that, in a few short and eventful years, became the most popular in American cinema. This could have been largely due to the extreme success and imaginative storyline of this film. There are many different scenes that propel the storyline towards its ultimate heart-pumping climax, demonstrating a degree of sophistication, given the early release date. 

The Great Train Robbery tells the story of a group of bandits attempting to hijack a train, running into multiple problems along the way, eventually leading to the death of the robbers. The most famous shot of this movie is when one of the bandits points a gun directly at the audience, firing multiple shots. This effectively places the audience amidst the action, a revolutionary concept of the time. 

Overall this movie was quite engaging, and is able to tell a complete narrative in the space of ten minutes. I was entertained, mostly due to the interesting ways the director managed to capture certain feelings with so little technology.

 

12 Angry Men - 1957

"Life is in their hands- death is on their mind"

Sidney Lumet's courtroom drama deals with the moral dilemmas that surround humanity in a claustrophobic and restless way. 

The film explores one afternoon in which a jury of twelve men have to come to an agreement as to whether a young boy has murdered his own father. Henry Fonda stars in this movie, playing a man who's reasonable doubt and well-reasoned resistance gradually brings the eleven other distinct characters around from their swift verdict of guilty. Lumet utilises quippy dialogue, sudden twists and impassioned speeches to create a claustrophobic and sweaty intensity unlike any other film. 

Subsequently, this film was engaging and absorbing, accomplishing a filmmaker's main goal: persuading the viewer to think about their own society in new and interesting ways. Though, the uncertain ending was satisfying in a completely unsatisfying way (in other words: perfect!)

Fonda plays his main role in a very Hollywood-esque way, the shadows of the black and white falling on his glimmering eyes in traditional 1950s fashion. As a 21st century viewer, this made me feel slightly uneasy, since that same look has been now mocked and parodied to no end, but I can definitely see the movie-star charm that would have had the audience swooning. 

Overall, I was captivated by the film's plot and circumstance. Class and ethnic prejudices, private assumptions and personalities all come out in the colossal struggle for unclouded judgement, winning its place as one of the most highly regarded movies of all time. 

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Le Voyage Dans La Lune/A Trip to the Moon - 1902

If I am completely honest, this film blew me away.


Le voyage dans la lune (or A Trip To The Moon in English) tells the story of a group of scientists who long to take a trip to the moon in order to explore it. The missile-like vessel that the group use to get to there lands in the eye of the moon, which is represented as an anthropomorphic being- the simplistic special effects stunning the audience of the time. Once there, the scientists encounter aggressive inhabitants, who then capture them and take them to their leader. The men manage to escape and arrive safely back in Paris, and were then honoured as heroes.

Being one of the earliest films accomplished purely for the enjoyment of others, it stunned me in an extremely surreal way. It represents a revolution for the time, this fourteen minute film standing out amongst its common two minute peers. When thinking about this film, my mind is instantly transported to the original whimsy surrounding filmmaking- where a shot of a rocket "hurtling" into space drew gasps from the crowd. These special effects inarguably have been accomplished due to the director, Georges Meliès, who had a background in theatrical acting and as a magician. He also contributed to the movie as a producer, writer, set and costume designer and cinematographer, seemingly understanding of the vast possibilities surrounding the motion picture camera.

Though, due to the now-poor special effects, grainy quality and black and white colouring, this may not be the perfect movie for a relaxing night at home. Though, if one does really enjoy film I would advise you sit through the whole thing- it is worth it trust me!

Widely regarded as the first sci-fi film, this silent movie cannot be missed by anyone looking for the origins of the cinematic conventions that widely dictate the movies that are created today.

Caio for now!
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My First Post

Welcome to my blog! I have to admit, I’m still trying to work out how to use it, and all the intricacies that go along with it, but I am extremely excited! I’ve always loved films and how they are made, but for my 18^th birthday my brother bought me a book named “1001 movies you have to see before you die”. The book goes through all of the best movies made throughout the 20^th century, each with a bit of background, the reception the film received and why it is important to view said film. A fact about me is that I have an absolute passion for history, so watching these films set the ever-changing landscape of the 20^th century through fresh 21^st century eyes is fascinating to me.

As soon as I began watching these movies I reveled in the certainty that as soon as I would finish watching, I would write about it, purely for my own personal gain. This was when I decided “hey, might as well post it for others to read!” My goal, therefore, over the course of the next year is to watch, learn and write about each of these 1001 movies, giving my personal perspective on each film.

So here goes! Enjoy a wide landscape of films both old and new, foreign and western, and each and every genre.

You are welcome to come on this journey with me. So for the first time- cue the review!

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