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1920 1930 DRACULA
1950
REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE 1960 1970 1980
STAND BY ME 1990 FIELD OF DREAMS CAN'T HARDLY WAIT #RADIO FLYER #BLAIR WITCH PROJECT #SILENCE OF THE LAMBS #HOUSE ON A HAUNTED HILL MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING #EMPIRE RECORDS
1950 NORTH BY NORTHWEST By: Drew Linnenbom 1999 NORTH BY NORTHWEST is considered to be one of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest films. The “master of suspense” is up to his old tricks once again as he creates a movie with more plot twists than Lombard Street in California. The movie centers around Roger Thornhill, an executive from New York played by Cary Grant, one of the all time greats. The movie picks up speed when he is kidnapped by men who are under the belief that he is not Thornhill, but a false spy named Kaplan created by the CIA to keep a group of spies from realizing a CIA agent on the inside. They try to kill Thornhill by getting him drunk, placing him a stolen car and driving it over a cliff, but Thornhill manages to save himself.Thornhill eventually falls in love with Eva Marie Saint, who plays the lead lady. It is a forbidden romance, because she is the CIA contact on the inside. In the end, they end up married, and Thornhill saves the day and prevents the spies from carrying out their plans. As for the black thread in the film, the only black actors used were put in small part that fit general early movie stereotypes. Black actors served as valets and attendants and did what the white actors told them to. This is typical for Hitchcock films. On the downside, the character development of Thornhill is difficult to believe. At the beginning of the film, he is an ordinary Wall Street executive, and by the end of the film, he is able to outsmart the world’s top spies and the CIA at their own game. That is difficult to believe. Hitchcock does the best he can though, and makes it almost believable. There were some interesting details in the film that become apparent the more one views the film. For example, during the scene where Eva Marie Saint shoots Cary Grant, there is small boy in the background who covers his ears before the gun is actually ever fired. Also, another interesting fact is that the woman who played Grant’s mother is actually six years younger than Grant was. Also, there were dome things in the film I had trouble understanding. For example, how was Grant able to maintain his footing on a slippery rock surface after he had been given a brand new pair of leather dress shoes a mere hour earlier. Also, last but not least, it seemed odd to me that a Southern Pacific train would be in transit between New York City and Chicago. Despite these flaws, I truly enjoyed the film “North by Northwest.” The continuity in this film was better than the continuity I had ever seen in any film. The different plot twists kept me watching with interest and I believe this film truly deserves the ranking it got as the nineteenth best film of all time. I give it a grade of a solid A+. Amanda Lannon 2001 This film is about an interracial couple in sixties. This film has a very humorousand serious side to it. A daughter of a very wealthy couple the Draytons goes on a trip to Hawaii and when she returns early has some very interesting news to tell her parents. She wants to tell them that she has fallen in love and is engaged to be married shortly to a black doctor John Prentice. I don’t think that Mr. and Mrs. Draytons reaction had a lot to do because he was black but because it was so soon and unexpected. They didn’t want Joey to rush it. The reactions of her parents were quite natural for the time I’m sure. Joey’s mother and father weren’t prejudiice and didn’t bring Joey up to be either. In the end everything turned out all right and everybody got along . John and Joey will marry. I gave this movie a b-. TERRA GUANDOLO 2000 Easy Rider directed by Dennis Hopper in 1969 was a low budget movie that made forty million dollars. Dennis Hopper not only directed the movie but also co-starred along with Peter Fonda. The film was about two hippies and their troubled journey across America on motorcycles. Two outcasts begin their journey across America on their flashy motorcycles. Throughout the movie the two hippies did things that were opposite of how people acted and believed. For example Dennis and Peter smoked marijuana any chance they could get. On their trip to New Orleans they stopped at different towns along the way and were not well received. They were not accepted because of their long hair and their habit of smoking pot. Through the character’s experiences, the director exposes the prejudices in America. When Hopper and Fonda are sitting in a café the waitress would not even wait on the two hippies. In numerous scenes, the main characters are treated different because of their appearance and life styles. The director makes the viewer sympathize with the main characters even though they are outcast. The movie deserves a B+ rating. Easy Rider at times was slow due to minimal action. However, the director keeps the viewers attention by focusing in on the main characters. This technique enables the viewer to become a part of their feelings and emotions.
BADLANDS by Chris Roberts 2000 Martin Sheen exhibits classic psychotic behavior in this 1973 production Badlands, a film about a crazed garbage man turned felon. Director Terrance Malick displays violence without crossing the line into unnecessary gore; thus, the audience is not strongly disgusted with the actions, which might otherwise make the film less enjoyable. To install too much violence would leave the audience bored. The audience sees how Martin Sheen’s character, Kit Caruuthers, violently and uncontrollably quickly reacts to one situation after another, rather than with calculation. Kit demonstrates his insanity by murdering at a whim, by burning at a whim, and by running at a whim. Mr. Malick seems to treat death as somewhat trivial in the film as more and more characters are blown away by Kit. We also see Kit’s romantic interest, Holly Sargis, (Sissy Spacek) act with indifference as she witnesses Kit’s neurotic actions, and the doings of her father. Holly stands by as Kit kills people in cold blood; consequently, she becomes an accomplice to his crimes. She expresses little remorse when Kit needlessly executes his co-worker; it appears that she has been benumbed to the whole experience. The violent content in the film is however needed to reinforce the concept of Kit’s insanity to the audience. Not only does it buttress the idea of madness, but also it is performed with a degree of taste. In light of the quality of the acting in the film, I give Badlands a B-. I would recommend it for anyone who would want to view an offbeat, somewhat obscure film with quality acting by Martin Sheen, and excellent psychological content. 1930 DRACULA Chris Roberts 2000 When you think of Count Dracula, what actor comes to mind? For me, Bela Lugosi in Universal’s 1931 serious horror movie Dracula, comes to mind. In this movie, he delivers the pivotal performance of his career that would launch him into stardom and movies, drain the blood from the faces of audiences nationwide, and forever make him Count Dracula. Using his naturally thick Eastern European accent and his experience on stage, he masterfully makes Count Dracula come alive so to speak on the silver screen. With supporting actor help, the storytelling is very effective with no particular character being too overbearing, or scene stealing. When this movie, where almost all violence is either suggested, or left up to the imagination of the audience, and more recent versions of Bram Stoker classic tale which rely more heavily on special effects the difference is minimal. Lugosi’s Dracula makes you mentally picture him animalistically biting the throat of his next victim, or Professor Van Helsing driving the fatal stake through Dracula’s heart. Newer movies display the blood dripping gore for all to see, which provides the shock value element typical of special effects, allowing the viewer to see exactly what happened. In my opinion, suggested violence, while not as “cool” as gore, is almost always more descriptive because everyone’s imagination is different, and depicts the most horrible picture the mind can muster. Bela Lugosi is not alone in his scare ability in this picture. Dwight Frye, who plays the “strongly influenced” Renfield, portrays insanity in a very convincing manner. With the use of seed statements, deadpan silences, and clever lighting, I give Dracula an A+. It is a must for the horror movie genre enthusiast, Lugosi fan, or anyone who wants to see a calmly violent, passionately terrifying, and well-performed movie. 1950 JOSH MORRISON 2001
REVIEW BY MATT MIHALCIN 2000 I enjoyed watching this film and was able to more or less identify with it. The class was finally given a movie that was directed toward them. The thing that has bothered me the most during class discussions is the debate on swearing. If you take a close look at the subject, you will see that everyone is right. Mr. Cole says the swearing is overdone, and the class says it is realistic. For the time that this movie takes place, the swearing is overdone. Kids might have sworn then, but not with as much frequency or vulgarity. It was not considered cool back then to use vulgarities every five seconds. You must also look at it from the other side of the spectrum. The director did not make the movie for kids back then, he made it for kids of a different era, an era of rebellion. About the time the movie was released, it was cool for kids to do what their parents did not want them to do. So what better way to portray kids from the past, ones that very rarely broke the rules, than to portray them as kids of the future. Ones that would rebel at the drop of a dime. They leave town when they want to, knowing that their parents would never let them, and not a big deal yet, they take a stolen gun into the woods, too. The director deserves a reward for pulling this movie off. Face it, would you want to watch the movie if the scenes of profanity had all of the words replaced with bleeps or the fillers that television networks use like "puck off", or "why don't you go flambe yourself, you son of a pastor"? The answer is no, you would have left flipped the channel or left the theater in a heartbeat. I would give "STAND BY ME" a B and not a A because of the ending. It left too many open ends, too much blank space. I found the introduction of the dead boy interesting, but pointless. To me, it added nothing to the movie except length. What about the group of older kids, what ever happened to them? They were not important to the movie until the final few scenes. I just feel that the director did a poor job of thinking this movie through. DREW LINNENBOM <3h>Shattered Spirits is a very strong addictive based film starring Martin Sheen as an out of control alcoholic. The movie follows the standard adddictive based format, showing Sheen going through steps as denial and hittting a rock bottom. Martin Sheen was portrayed as having all the terrible characteristics of a man who let alcohol take over his life. I feel that Shattered Spirits depicts too strongly a man addicted to alcohol. I believe that all traits shown in this film are traits possessed by alcoholics in general. I do not believe, however, that very many alcoholics manifest al the traits acted. A few, probably, but very few, posess all. Therefore ,I believe it portrays alcoholics incorrectly. The husband is not the only person stereotyped too strongly, however. The wife, I feel, is portrayed as being too submissive. There was no evidence of physical abuse(writer did not consider mental and emotional), and I find it hard to believe she would be so submissive without abuse. I like the way the two boys are portrayed---I think their characters are realistic. The daughter is another story. The director never decided if she was for or against her father's disease. One scene, she would would be portrayed as being strong, having to be the adult in the house, and telling her mom what to do. In essence she took on the adult role of the mother. In another scene, however, she would be portrayed as weak, yelling at her brother for standing up to the father. I find it hard to believe she would not stand up to her father, also. The unrealisticness of the movie SHATTERED SPIRITS and its poor character development of the daughter and the stereotypical portrayal of the mother and father force me to give the film a B-.
1990 Trent Wissner 1999 I recently saw the film “The Jackal” starring Bruce Willis and Richard Geer. It takes place in Russia where two mobsters from the Russian Mafia are making a deal. The Russian KGB and United States CIA break in and apprehend the two making the deal. The bust goes bad and Agent Preston ends up shooting one of the mobsters. It just so happens that his uncle is the head of the Russian Mafia. He swears that he will get the man who shot his nephew. So then comes the “Jackal”(Bruce Willis). They hired the jackal to give the United States something to worry about. The FBI found out about the retaliation. They thought that the jackal was planning to assassinate the director of the FBI. But they were wrong. He was planning to assassinate the First Lady. The Jackal planned this for several months under several different aliases. He had a big gun specially made and bought a van that changed colors. When he was to practice with this gun, he chose people to shoot at. This showed just how cold the jackal had to be. To track the Jackal they had to get someone who knew who and how he was. They pulled an Irish spy (Richard Geer) out of jail to track him down. They track him down and get close to catching him many times but they were never successful. They found out where he was planning to assassinate the first lady. But there was one problem, they didn’t know who he was. They were looking for a man with a gun but they couldn’t find one. Finally they saw that the gun was in the van, so they blew the van up. And they chased the Jackal through the subway and killed him. I give The Jackal a solid C for a grade. I think that there could have been a better story line and I also thought that the plot was a little far fetched. If I didn’t like action films like this, the grade may have been worse.
Jennifer Russell 1999 First off let me just say the only way you will enjoy "The Matrix" is if you use your imagination. You must go into the theater open-minded. Only when you allow your imagination to wonder will you see how real "The Matrix" could become. The Matrix is a digitally enhanced dream world. Inside the Matrix all you fantasies can come true. The Matrix is a lot like virtual reality with the exception that if you die inside of the Matrix you will actually die. Other than that the Matrix is this really great place to live. Have you ever had a dream that leaves you almost scared because it seemed so real. You know the ones where later you are not sure if it really happened or if it was just a dream. That is what the Matrix is like. The special effects in the film were Phenomenal, especially the action scenes. The scenes really made it seem as if the characters were in a different world. The best part was when they would run extremely fast. Even though they seemed to be going at warp speed the people appeared to be in slow motion. The over all best part was how the director used the antithesis. The film ended and stared the same way but with different people. In the beginning of the film this man communicated with Keanu Reeves via Keanu’s computer. He had called Keanu to bring him into the Matrix. Well during the film the man died and Keanu took his place as the leader of the Matrix. The film ends with Keanu calling someone through the computer. He is attempting to recruit someone just like he was earlier in the film. This allowed the film to actually end but left room for a sequel. Overall the film was really great and I recommend everyone go see it. I give "The Matrix" an A-. Troy Weatherley 1999 After recently seeing the movie "Pleasantville" I found myself awestruck from the symbolism that it retained. The movie is set in the 1990’s, but takes place in the 1950’s. This is possible because of a young man’s love for a television show entitled "Pleasantville". This young man and his sister get sucked into the show after a mysterious television repairman bives them a fancy remote. Bud and Mary Sue are to live their life in the 50’s according to the way the episodes on the television show went. Perfect lives with perfect people, for nothing ever goes wrong in Pleasantville. There is one problem though. Mary Sue has never seen an episode of "Pleasantville". She begins acting in ways she should not, and doing things that were unheard of for that time period, and especially in Pleasantville. Soon things begin to go very wrong, and strange thing begin to happen in Pleasantville. This movie follows the general theme of rebellion, and mischief that children tend to have. It uses much symbolism to bring across points of discrimination against colored’s, women’s rights, and other freedom’s that one should have. There are also many symbols of Christ in this movie. For example, when the unspoken rules of Pleasantvillle begin to get broken, a tree outside catches fire, symbolizing the burning bush when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Another example is when Bud was dating a girl he should not be dating, and they picked an apple from a tree that was different from all the other trees in the park. This symbolizes the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden. I really enjoyed watching the movie "Pleasantville". It was one of the best movies that I have seen this year. I recommend seeing it to anyone who likes movies in general. It is good to watch with friends, or even to use in school as a basis for a discussion. I give it an A+. Chris Pietrandrea 2000 Jim Carrey, who played Fletcher Reede, was a lawyer who lied and always broke his promises. He lied very well to everyone. When his son, Max, was asked by his teacher what his parents did for work; Max said, "My mom is a teacher and my dad is a liar." After school was over, Max was at home waiting for his dad to pick him up. Whenever Fletcher won a case, he was late to pick up his son; however, he was interviewed by the media, after he asked the newspaper crew how his hair was. When he picked up Max, he lied about why he was late. work. Fletcher forgot that the next day was his son’s birthday, but Greta, his secretary, had already known that he would forget. Therefore, she had already bought Max something and signed the present from Fletcher. Then, his boss gave him a big stack of papers to do, so he had to break his promise again to Max about going to the wrestling match. Finally, the next day, he promised to be at Max’s birthday party. Fletcher called and said that he couldn’t go because he was busy with work; but actually, he was sleeping with his boss to get a case. Max was very hurt and upset because his dad wasn’t at his party. When Max blew out his candles, he wished that his dad could not tell a lie for a whole day, but little did he know that his wish would really come true. All in all, Fletcher finally wakes up, and he keeps telling the truth, which gets him in a lot of trouble. His secretary quits, a cop pulls him over, his car gets towed, and he says mean things to people, which hurt their feelings. His boss overheard Fletcher saying that he could not tell a lie; therefore, she makes him tell Mr. Allen, who owns the company, exactly what he thought of him. However, her plan backfires because everyone laughed and they all thought he was just being funny. During court, Fletcher’s case was not going very well because all he was able to do was tell the truth. He asked for a bathroom break. When he goes to the restroom, he beats himself up. He did that because he was hoping for a continuation. However, when the judge saw him, he asked him if he could still proceed. Since Fletcher could not lie, he said yes. Luckily, by him telling the truth helped Fletcher win the case. After the case was over, he talked back to the judge, and was held in contempt. Meanwhile, since Fletcher did not show up for Max’s birthday, Audry took Max and went away with her boyfriend, Jerry. Greta showed up at the police station, and paid his bail. Fletcher had to hurry before he lost Max forever. He showed up at the airport, hijacked a flight of steps, and looked in each airplane window. He finally found them. Then he threw his shoes at the pilot’s window to get the plane to stop. His plan worked because they stopped the plane. When he realized they were stopping, he accidentally crashed into a luggage cart, and flew off the steps. An ambulance came and took care of him. Max said he didn’t want to go to Boston. Jerry told Audry and Max that they did not have to go. Max finally got his dad back. One year later, at Max’s birthday party, Fletcher and Audry were back together. Even though they had aversion towards each other; their attachment and love was stronger and got them back together. Max made another wish, only this time he wished for roller blades. In conclusion, I gave this movie an A+, because the movie showed that sometimes people take their loved ones for granted. Not only did the movie show that people can be so caught up with their work that they forget what really matters, but also the movie showed that they might not always have a second chance. This movie might open up eyes for mom’s and dad’s who are going through a similar situation. Jim Carrey played a prestigious, prominent, and prodigious part. Go out and rent Liar Liar tonight. Tina Tassone 2000 As a result of becoming the first full-length feature film animated solely on computers, Toy Story was an instant hit. This miraculous movie is directed by John Lasseter and it stars the voices of Tim Allen and Tom Hanks, two admirable actors. Toy Story is a comical film that projects a positive moral message applicable to the whole family. The message of the movie is, in a common phrase, do not judge a book by it’s cover. To state it differently, friendship can be hiding in even the most unexpected person; therefore, all one has to do is find the friendship and uncover the tremendous treasure that is a friend. Toy Story takes place in six-year-old Andy’s bedroom. Woody, a pull-string cowboy, is content with his station as Andy’s favorite toy. Following Andy’s birthday party, however, a new toy, who could possibly overtake Woody’s position, joins Andy’s collection. Buzz Lightyear is a fancy new space ranger complete with laser action and pop-out wings. Soon, all of the toys, with the exception of Woody, befriend Buzz. Woody becomes jealous of Buzz since Woody does not want to be demoted from his position as Andy’s favorite toy. Throughout the movie, conflict exists between Woody and Buzz. At the end of the film, Woody and Buzz become lost from Andy’s room and they have to work together to find Andy. Eventually, the two realize that they have found friends in each other. To have a true friend is a priceless gift. Woody and Buzz finally realize this fact and, of course, Toy Story has a happy ending. Everyone should have friends, and I’m glad that John Lasseter illustrated this idea throughout Toy Story. Having friends is important. Since Toy Story was such an exceptional visually and morally stimulating movie, I give this movie an A+. CHRIS CONLEY 2000 If you’ve ever wanted to see a great film about hardship, happiness and the great American past time, then a "Field of Dreams" is the movie for you. This film was not only a nominee for an academy award for best picture but also the New York Times movie of the year. It stars the unremarkable talent of the Kevin Costner who plays Ray Kinsella, James Earl Jones who plays Terance Mann, Amy Madigan who plays Annie Kinsella (Ray’s wife), and Ray Liotta who plays "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.This Movie starts out in a town in Iowa; Ray is a farmer working on his cornfield. One day he hears a voice out of no where saying, "If you build it he will come." Ray suddenly gets a vision of a baseball field on his lawn. He tells of this to his wife Annie who thinks he is definitely going crazy, and begins working on his baseball field. To build this baseball field he has to plow over his major crop, which is his corn. He is already fighting to keep his farm and this is killing him financially, but he is determined to build the field. Everyone in town thinks he is an idiot for doing this, but Ray just tells them that they would not understand. Well about a year has passed and the field has been completed. Ray and his family are hanging on to the farm by the skin of their teeth. But the banks are pressuring them terribly. On one evening Ray’s daughter notices a man on the field. She tells her father of this and at first he does not believe. Then he looks out the window and sees the man for himself. To make a long story short, the man is "Shoe less" Joe Jackson, an old dead baseball player. Ray has made reference to him prior in the movie. Ray believes he is the reason the field was built. They get to talking and Joe tells Ray to go embark on another amazing journey; a journey to find his father. This story is really put together neatly. The use of the old baseball players and the characters in the story are quite exquisite. I recommend this movie to anyone in the business of baseball watching. I also give this movie an A+ for its rich texture and comedic twists.
CHRIS ROBERTS 2000 Who can make an elevator, an overworked foreman, a poor worker on a building site, and some bricks funny? That person is Charlie Chaplin, one of the founding fathers of the American comedy movie. Of the numerous movies and shorts he made, the one I have reviewed in "Pay Day" made by Chaplin in 1922. The short is only 28 minutes long, which prohibits full plot development of classic Chaplin aspects such as a love interest. The movie starts with Chaplin arriving late at work. His boss, the construction site foreman, is not happy. He then struggles to complete digging a ditch with extreme effort, removing only a small bit prompting the foreman (Mack Swain) to tell him, "You get paid by the hour, not by the ounce." After the hilariously legendary brick tossing and catching scene, Chaplin makes use of a construction elevator to eat lunch. This blends slapstick with sight gags to form a well-performed sequence. When the workday is done, he receives his paycheck. He then discovers that he has not received the proper amount, and tries to argue with his boss, but loses. Depressed, he drinks his problems away at a local bar. Singing drunk with his buddies proves painful, as angry neighbors hurl water and heavy objects at them to stop the singing. He stays dry after tricking his drunken buddy into using his cane as an umbrella during a rainstorm. It then appears that he will make it home on a streetcar. But alas, try as he might, every car is either too full, or he fails at getting on. Finally, in the dead of night, he hitches a ride on the last route of the night, arriving just in time for his angry wife to wake up. As he prepares to go to sleep, the alarm clock rings announcing that it is time to……… go to work. The movie ends with his yelling wife angry with him using the traditional spousal weapon- the rolling pin. Most of the humor is simple and clean in this picture, combining slapstick, sight gags, and farcical situations. Not only is the humor presented clean, but also easy to understand. The music score suits the film well, reinforcing the humor when needed. With Chaplin’s acting, there is no need for sound to make the film be funny; all emotion and humor is conveyed through gesture and expression. Overall, this ranks as one of Chaplin’s greatest comedy shorts in my opinion. I give this film a serious A+. I recommend it to a Chaplin fan, or anybody who wants a clean, honest laugh presented from the roots of American Cinematic humor. MEGAN FRAZIER 2000 Recently I viewed the film Can’t Hardly Wait. This film was about graduating from high school, partying with friends, and eventually, leaving for college.The movie begins at graduation. Not only are the students very excited to be there, but also are excited about their plans for that night. A huge party is being held at one of their classmate’s house. Whoever attends is sure to have a blast. Finally, the party has started. More and more kids come; many are drunk. Rebelling teenagers are everywhere. As the night progresses things get even more out of hand. Finally, the cops show up. Frantic, fearful teenagers scatter, and their night of fun has come to an end. Getting busted and in trouble are not the only things that have come out of this party. Many new friendships have developed, and most of the kids there have learned a lesson. In conclusion, I give this movie a B. It was a funny movie that portrayed some of the crazy things teenagers sometimes do. I don’t think I will ever watch this movie again, but it was entertaining for one night.
BY CHASITY ENGLE 2000 I recently watched the film Radio Flyer directed by Richard Donner. I categorize this film as an addictive base film for many reasons. Throughout the film there is serious alcohol abuse, and also physical abuse. This film is rated PG-13, because of the language, abuse, alcoholism, and several other abusive elements that are not suitable for children’s eyes. This film is one that you must watch and carefully pay attention to the littlest details, children might have a difficult time interpreting and understanding this film. Radio Flyer is about two young brothers, Mike and Bobby whose lives are turned upside down when their mother meets their soon to be abusive alcoholic step-father. Their step-father also known as "The King" has a severe drinking problem and also has a tendency to take his frustrations out on Bobby. The boys search far and wide for a solution to get out of this terrible environment. Mike and Bobby feel it would be best if they kept this problem from their mother, so they are on their own to find a solution. One day the boys came to the conclusion that they would build an airplane for Bobby to fly away in out of their favorite wagon. The building of the airplane took a great deal of time and when they finished they called their final product "Radio Flyer". In the end Bobby feel his only way to get out of this terrible mess is to fly far, far away. In reality Bobby doesn’t fly away, he commits suicide. Mike knows that Bobby is much happier now and doesn’t have to deal with the abuse anymore. Richard Donner uses several motiffs and images throughout the film such as the buffalo. Donner also uses a wide variety of shots allowing the viewer to see the movie from several different points of view. Donner uses many severe close up shots to show the intenseness of the actor. The film expresses good continuity by shots fading in and out. I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend it to young adults and older. I would give this film an "A" because of my knowledge of film study and I was able to pick out several things that I would have never been able to. BY JESSICA DIAKIWSKY 2001 The Blair Witch Project is probably one of the most popular independent films of the 20th century. The actors talented improv acting makes it unique to its kind. The layout and setting make it a creatively scary movie. The irony that is created during the film helps it become more and more involving. With the characters disappearing one at a time causing high volumes of tension. The film is taped with only two cameras, a handheld camcorder and an actual movie camera. The three actors in the film tape it all. The shots in the movie vary. Either you have nice steady, balanced shots, or they are chaotic, dizzy, and dark. There is a scene where the three characters were awoke by children laughing, and cackling of someone or something. This sent the three characters running in a panic, out of the tent. At this point Heather, one of the main characters, comes running out of the tent, holding a camera and a flashlight. So the scene becomes dizzy and confusing. With most of the scene pitch black, you could barely see anything, except for the scared victims running for their life. This movie personally scared me, a lot! It was hard to decipher between reality and make-believe. A person can lose all concept of what is really happing and forget that is a movie. One of the best features is it keeps you on the edge of your seat. With scenes that take audiences around corners and walls, and viewers have no idea what is behind them. The suspense that takes place is unreal. All together I would have to give this movie an A-. Courtney Adams 2000 Do you enjoy horror films that grab you so fast and hard that they make you shiver, or would you rather be caught by surprise by a psycho wielding a knife? If you’re the fan of one of these types of horror films then I do not suggest this movie for your tastes. Sure, it might give you a fright here or there but this movie is nothing but a twisted story line that has been reused and updated to our age, backed up by poor actors, more than enough graphic gore, and, the film’s only upside, awesome special effects. William Malone recently released the House on Haunted Hill in late October of 1999 as a remake of the 1958 classic of the same name. The story starts off giving us the all too gory background of the demonic practices that were supposed to be for medicine’s sake that led to a much gorier massacre in the Vannacutt Psychiatric Institute for the Criminally Insane, that we come to know as "the house on haunted hill." Everyone in the massacre was killed except for five staff members that managed to escape and of course the Institute itself. This moves quickly to the man we come to know as Gregory Price (Geoffrey Rush), the wealthy and well known designer of Price Amusements, a collection of amusement rides whose soul purpose is to strike fear into the human heart, and his twisted affair with his conceited wife, Evelyn. The real story begins when Evelyn (Farnke Janssen) catches word of the institute and prepares it for her birthday celebration. Unfortunately her original guest list was never carried out. Instead of the invited guests, five strangers come together (4 guests) to brave the house for the night in hopes of receiving each’s promised reward, one million dollars a piece on behalf or Mr. Price. What was set up to be a cruel joke to scare the visitors out of their wits turns into murder, desiccation, and conspiracy. The whole night is a gorefest, just what the house had planned for its guests. The story line for this movie is easy; a mad doctor killed and tortured many in the Institute, the Institute was overrun in one huge bloodbath, the souls haunt the house, and the house wants revenge on those who survived. The mini plots are what kill the movie. There is one love affair, many separate conspiracies, and two characters that just don’t fit in with the story line. They are killed off quickly and ignored. Some of the actors are strong but the others just don’t seem to fit their parts. Their internal character conflicts too much with their role. Black roles were that of great importance in this film. I can’t explain it without giving away the movie’s ending. The gore in this movie is unbelievable. The movie starts out with mass murders, all too graphically portrayed which never ceases till the end. I became absolutely nauseous within the first twenty minutes. It wasn’t needed. The special effects with the ghosts and disappearances were outstanding but the highpoint of the movie was the set. The set was completely put together and well arranged. It brought on the whole effect of an Experimental Institute and made me feel as if I was there, from the abandoned autopsy rooms and the bad wiring to the abandoned basement. Everything that one could possibly dream in one’s worst nightmares is in this movie multiplied by much blood and gore, in unnecessarily graphic taste. If William Castle, the original creator, would have looked upon this now he would cringe in disgust. The special effects, such as a scene where the walls reach out for Mr. Price as he tries to escape, are outstanding but overall the movie is poor. When you aren’t’ holding back the nausea it will bring, you will be frightened. Imagine it as the gore of Saving Private Ryan and the twistedness of Night of the Living Dead in one huge house on a lonely hill. I give this movie a C+ for scaring me. It’s one dark movie, survive it if you can. AMANDA BERNAT 2000 Having just been recently released onto video, this romantic comedy would definitely be considered a "chic flick" or a woman’s film. Even though it did not rate badly among men, women were more prone to enjoy this film. Men seemed to enjoy this film because they enjoyed the comedy found within this film. With an exceptional cast including Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz, and Rubert Everett this melodrama was brought into a comedic aspect. When a woman, Julia Robert’s character, finds out that a long-time friend, played by Dermot Mulroney, is engaged, she realizes that she is in love with him herself. She sets out to make him fall in love with her with only days before his marriage to his fiancé, played by Cameron Diaz. This film contains powerful close-up shots where one or two faces fill the screen at once. Plus a long shot is portrayed when Julia Roberts is lying on the floor of a hotel room. In this shot, her hair is fanned out on the floor, which just amplifies her beauty. With a sharp script and a fast pace, this film will keep the viewer on the edge of their seats. There is an exciting old typical American film chase scene toward the ending of this film that has the viewer wondering what the outcome of the chase will be. In this scene, Julia, Dermot, and Cameron are induced into a chase down the streets of Chicago. This chase adds excitement and suspense to this film. I rate this film as an ‘A’ grade. Filled with powerful close-up shots and a great musical score, how could anyone resist this wonderful film? If a viewer loves zany comedies with a touch of romance and magnificent young actors thrown in, this is worth adding to their video collection. The story is not particularly complex, but My Best Friend’s Wedding is a fine film that will entertain and amuse. JUSTIN LANEVE This early 90’s film was designed for late teenage to early 20 audiences. This comedic film was certainly not for children’s eyes. This film was equally enjoyed by both the man and women gender. The two main characters, Chris Tucker and rap artist Ice Cube ruled the screen with their comedic performances. This film also involved a hint of violence with the usage of handguns and machine guns. Even though this film was considered a slow pace film, there was a suspenseful chase scene during this film that held the views attention. The two main characters were involved in an old American film tradition chase by a group of men in a van. They escaped from this scene by jumping in the back of a pick up truck. This film begins on a Friday with the wakening of a man Ice Cube, who had just gotten fired for false accusations. This film occurs in this one day, Friday, hence the title of the film. The main characters mainly just sit on the porch, talk, and fear the hostile group of men after them. In my opinion this movie rates an ‘A’ grade. Yet people of older generations may disagree with this rating. This film with many moderate type shots was an enjoyable comedy film. For a fun evening with many laughs I recommend the film. JUSTIN KIER 2000 A few days ago I rented the movie, Silence of the Lambs. It continues to thrill and surprise me each time I watch it. The story follows FBI agent Clarice Starling’s (Jodie Foster) investigation of a mysterious serial killer. This hideous monster is only known as "Buffalo Bill," because of the unthinkable things he does to his victims skin. In order to solve the case Clarice must consult psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. (Anthony Hopkins) Agent Starling must use Hannibal’s genius to capture a mad man. This film was directed by Jonathan Demme, and was released in theaters in 1991. Silence of the Lambs has a very appropriate "R" rating. It is easily grouped into the violent film category with other movies such as Capefear, Fallingdown, and Scarface. Several graphic murder scenes make the most tolerant person feel sick. The shots in the film also helped to set the mood and foretell if something was about to occur. A medium close-up shot of Hannibal Lecter masked and shackled showed the audience that this was a violent individual. An extreme close-up shot only revealed his eyes from behind the bars of the mask he was wearing. This view displayed the furies of Hannibal like a caged animal. Continuity was delivered excellently towards the end of the film leading to the climax. A door would start to open in one scene and then it would finish opening as another door in a totally different place. This switched the position of where the action was about to take place quickly and smoothly. An interesting quote that stood out in the movie was made by "Buffalo Bill" to his victim. She was begging for mercy and telling him about the pain she was enduring. Then in an angry and hurt voice he told her, "You don’t know what pain is!" This illustrated that "Buffalo Bill" probably had a tragic past filled with suffering and disappointment. This movie has epitomized what violent movies should be like. Few films have shocked me the way Silence of the Lambs has, or ever will. Due to some very unsettling and dark images by Hannibal Lecter, I give this film an A-. CHERYL BLUM 2000 Rediscovering this hilarious movie from my family’s stash, I recently watched Empire Records. This movie stars a young Liv Taylor, Rene Zelwigger, and Ethan Embry who work in a hip record store. Rated PG-13 the movie takes you through a day of complete chaos in the record store. Laughing at the acts and attitudes of the eight clerks who all show up at work because of Rex Manning day. Rex is a washed up has-been who sings music geared towards young teens. The musical motifs run strong in this movie adding to its’ allure. For example during a chase scene of a shoplifter the music played is about running away from trouble. Also when dancing in the store a guy and girl meet, and a song about Romeo and Juliet comes on. Another is when Gina gets to full fill her dream of being in a band, she sings about being on a sugar high. The crazy angles and camera movements keep the audiences attention. Moving from close-ups to long shots the viewer gets to span the whole picture. The director uses shots from above and below to give new looks to the characters. Such as when Joe the manager is yelling at his employees the camera is looking up at him making him appear large and mean. He also uses fading to jump from one story line to the next, but all the stories are connected. True this movie is geared toward young adults because of the flashy fashion trends, new music, and crazy conversation topics, but I rate this movie a B+. I give it this rating because of the bad language, sexual innuendoes, and drug use of some of the characters. I still encourage anyone out for a good laugh to rent Empire Records, then sit back and enjoy. Michelle Young 2000 Controversy was brought about in this film after actor Edward Norton made his own cuts to this fascinating film; however the director did not think they were so great. Director Tony Kaye found the cuts Edward Norton made without his authorization unexceptable and took his name from the movie. After it was released in Toronto and was a big hit he was quick to jump back into the films making. This film is about two Neo Nazi skinhead brothers. After the oldest brother Derek Vineyard (Edward Norton) is put into jail for killing three black guys who broke into his car. His chest emblazoned with a huge swastika, who rages for retribution over the murder of his father and despair over the America of his childhood that he sees slipping away. His brother Danny (Edward Furlong) is put through a tough task after his report Mein Kampf is not acceptable. His high school principal who is black , asks him to do a report on his brother about the night it happened. The day he was asked to do the report Derek was released from jail. It shows Danny looking back to that night using black and white. When Derek was in jail he was taken in immediately by hate members like him. After realizing they talk to others of different races he goes on his own way and found out a black guy that he cleans sheets with is just like him. After breaking his family apart and teaching his brother to have hate like he does he realizes it isn't worth the hate he use to feel. Danny learns in the end loving each other is more important and when he goes to turn in the report it makes an interesting ending. The viewer will have to check it out for themselves. In American History X they use silence as a treatment of death, Throughout they use slow motion to express emotion. This film contains strong language and some nudity.I would classify this under a thematic film. I give it a A+ , because it shows how hate can turn a person's life around. However giving people the love while they are here is all that matters. I think it's appropriate to conclude the paper with this quote from the movie. "So I guess this is the part where I tell you what I've learned. My conclusion, right? Well, my conclusion is, hate is baggage. Life is too short to be mad all the time. It's just not worth it. Derek says it's always good to end a paper with a quote. Since someone else has already said it best, if you can't top it, steal from them, and go out strong. So I picked a guy I thought you'd like. "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be by the better angels of our nature." - Abraham Lincoln
MICHELLE MCCAULEY 20000 "A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down." This phenomenal movie was directed by Robert Stevenson, and spectacular music by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. This marvelous movie had many great actors including Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns. "Mary Poppins" was a winner of five Academy Awards including Best Actress, Best Song, Best Original Music, Best Film Editing, and Best Visual Effects. "Mary Poppins" is about a nanny, Julie Andrews, who soars out of the London skies. She lands on the Banks family doorstep on Cherry Tree Lane. Throughout her days at the Banks’s many exciting and magical things happen. Mary’s magical carpetbag brought many magical adventures to the children from jumping into chalk pictures to dancing on chimney tops. Mr. and Mrs. Banks are always very busy with their work and never have time for their children. The children grow closer to Mary then they are to their own parents. The children have conflict at the bank where Mr. Banks works and Mr. Banks almost loses his job. Soon winds come from the East and the weather changes and Mary must go. The children reluctant for Mary to go try and make her stay, but fail. After Mary’s departure Mr. and Mrs. Banks realize that they are missing out not being with their children and become a happy family again "Practically perfect in every way" Mary brought live-action, dazzling dances, and made it an award winning production. "Mary Poppins" is an awesome movie with great music and dance scenes. "Mary Poppins" has a happy ending and has many lessons involved. "Mary Poppins" was an exceptional movie and I give it an A+.
MELISSA FOLEY Blank Check is a Walt Disney video and is directed by Rupert Wainwright. It was made in 1996. It stars Brian Bonsall as Preston Waters. The video rated PG and would be appropriate for any age as there is no swearing or violence. Blank Check is a movie about an eleven year old who gets exactly what he wants only to find out money isn’t everything. In the first part of the movie, Preston is not happy with the fact that he doesn’t have enough money. He feels his two older brothers, Ralph and Damian, are favored in money matters over him by their parents and always have money thanks to their own business, Hand and Foot, Inc. After receiving a birthday check from his Grandma, Preston makes a trip to the bank and on his way home stops on his bike and his bike is run over by a car. It just so happens the driver of the car is a thief and in his haste to escape from the police he hands Preston a blank check to cover the cost of his bike. Meanwhile, at home in his room, he fills in the check in the amount of $1,000,000.00 and goes to the bank to cash it. Later on, the loan officer, thinking Preston is a cover-up person sent to collect $1,000,000.00 from a previous crime, cashes the check. In the meantime, Preston is being tracked down by the FBI and the criminals for the recovery of the money during the movie. Furthermore, while he has all this newfound money, Preston is having the time of his life on a spending spree. He buys himself a mansion, has a limo driver and numerous entertainment items such as a batting cage, racetrack, virtual reality games, bungee jumping apparatus and a pool with water slides. After he spends most of the money, the criminals are caught by the FBI and things calm down, the viewer sees Preston and his Dad walking home. When he arrives home, his Mom and two brothers are waiting there for him with a birthday cake. As he blows out the candles he is advised "Be careful what you wish for". He replies "Everything I need is right here" but then as he notices a picture of Shay, a beautiful FBI agent, he thinks "…on the other hand…" and that is how the movie ends. Several outstanding film shots in this movie are as follows: First of all at the beginning of the movie, a man is shown running down some railroad tracks apparently looking for something as he glances around. It is raining and the effects from the combination of rain, darkness of night and lightning make for an interesting opening shot. Next, another area of shots that was different were the scenes where the kids are riding amusement rides. They were shot from different angles and are most effective. Lastly, there is a sequence of shots filmed at a fountain that prove to be highly entertaining. Generally speaking, this movie is a comedy designed to entertain, but I think there is a greater lesson to be learned. Sometimes we wish we had something but when we get it, we realize we had what we needed in our possession all along. Blank Check is a thematic movie. This movie may be most effective for young children who see Preston having all the toys and playthings in the world, but in the end they see that these items do not buy happiness. I would give this film an A not only for its entertainment value but for the lesson it teaches. Tim Chorle Until the 1927 unveiling of Metropolis, the world had not seen a science fiction film of such epic drama. Directorial genius Fritz Lang, brings to life the futuristic city of Metropolis. This finely crafted films brings home a rating of A+ in drama and science fiction fantasy, thats sure to please even the most contemporary movie goer of today. What magic within the city of Metropolis awaits the viewer? The year is 2026. At first glance it is a perfect world. In addition to its glamorous surroundings and towering skyscrapers, the city of Metropolis is inhabited by a visionary race of human beings. The people live a life of perfect bliss, unhindered by burdensome tasks and physical labor. One almost begins to feel that the future is without worries; however, below the streets of perpetual pleasure, lies a working class environment of mechanical mayhem. Living only to descend each day into this world of grueling horrors, the workers slave away so that the chosen few may live a life of luxury in the city above. German director Fritz Lang creates amazing images of a living city that must have astounded his1927 audience; those same images still make the story believable many decades later. Utilizing revolutionary techniques of mirrors and set models, he brings Metropolis to life. Many different versions of this black and white German classic film are available to select. Unfortunately, the original cut as finalized by Fritz Lang no longer exists. However, the many versions that do exist are near complete, and are just as enjoyable. In some restorations, the viewer can enjoy a modern sound track and color tinting. While neither were part of the original masterpiece, both add a certain enjoyment that appeals to those who would not otherwise cherish a silent film. Although the visual presentation is superb, the true satisfaction one derives from watching the film can be ascribed to its storyline. The story begins with Freder, one of the elite who lives aboveground in a life of luxury and relaxation. Like those around him, he has no concern for the underclass that is the lifeblood of the city. Everything soon changes for the privileged Freder, when he falls in love with a beautiful worker named Maria. Part of the exploited work force below, Marias charm captivates Freder and worlds collide as he tries to understand her plight. Meanwhile, paradise begins to crumble as the unstable ties of class repression diminish. This film is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a story questioning society and what the future holds. Science fiction enthusiasts as well, will also find themselves enticed by the movies plot and overall effect. This masterpiece of the silent film era captures points of interest in everyone. JEFF ONDRUSEK "TomBoy", unsurprisingly, instantly became a box office hit. This outrageously funny movie staring the genius duo of Chris Farly and David Spade was about to set some limits in the field of comedy. Tomas "Tommy" Callahan III (Chris Farly), a big good natured doofus who has finally graduated from college after seven years. Fortunately, big Tom Callahan (Brian Dennehy) owns an auto parts company, and plans to have Tommy Boy follow him in running the family business. The opportunity has come sooner then expected when big Tom dies on the day of his wedding; However, he left behind a business in financial trouble. In an attempt to save Callahan Auto Parts, Tommy goes on the road with Richard Hayden (David Spade), his dad’s sarcastic right hand man, to sell Callahan’s new state of the art brake pads to retailers. If Tommy Boy Can’t learn to be a great salesman, Callahan will be sold to a competitor (Dan Ayroyd). A film which will have you and your friends reenacting scenes in years to come. Not only is "Tommy Boy" hilariously funny but also a heart warming motion picture. Making it my all time favorite and a must see for everybody. Without a doubt, I give it a ferocious a+. Sheena Donovan When Labyrinth was created, it was a spectacular movie that began with real inspiration; thus, it was made with great pain and infinite care. Director Jim Henson decided to produce a fantastic fantasy based upon drawings by M.C. Escher. Not only is this an idiosyncratic production, but some thought actually went into its creation. Sarah, our heroine, is played by Jennifer Connelly. She has lived her entire life in a dream world of magic and enchantment. While baby-sitting her brother, she teasingly wishes that the goblins would take him away. Unfortunately, she receives her wish. The beguiling goblin king, Jareth (David Bowie) is the ruler of a mystical world, who comes to take the baby away. Sarah may recapture the child IF she finds her way through twisting, endless labyrinth to the castle in the center. Sarah’s journey through the labyrinth reminds us of Alice in Wonderland. During her adventure, Sarah encounters some very crazy creatures. These "muppets" represent Jim Henson working at the top of his form. Because this movie takes place in a nightmare, the movie isn’t as suspenseful or logical as it could’ve been. The rules are always changing, reversing, or switching. What is isn’t, and what isn’t is. Labyrinth is an extension of Jim Henson’s brilliant muppetry. He tried to create a variety of characters that are more realistic and scary. But, they are still muppets. Also, the movie is too long. Without a strong plot line, the film becomes a series of uneventful incidents. Sarah is strung along on little adventures where a whole lot of nothing happens. Even though this film had a great deal of talent working behind the scenes, the film does not have a strong supporting story that does justice to the production. All in all, I give this movie a creatively, boring B-.
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