The Godfather part 2

I could have easily wrote about the godfaher both part 1 and 2 in one post. However both films are diffrent and deserve there own review. I have to say I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. I was surprised to hear the film did twice as well as part one. Either way when ever there is a trilogy it's important to watch the films back to back. I did this with all three "Lord of the rings" and both Godfathers.

The Godfather part 1

I can't believe I've come this far without seeing some of the most important ad popular films ever made. So I guess I'll say that after starting this challenge I saw the Godfather for the first time. I have to say it's been one the most enjoyable films I've seen. With a great cast that includes Diane Keaton, Marlon Brando, and Al Pacino, the story of how valuable and powerful a family can be was very entertaining and intriguing. I would recommend you see the film and any other popular film, you just might be surprised as to how they have shaped our culture.

American Beauty

Many of the films I've watched for the first time were so good that I ended up watching them more than once. American Beauty was one of those films. I truly did enjoy the story of an average suburban men finding out that there's still more to life than his everyday routine of working a job he hates and coming home to a uncaring Wife and Daughter. I also enjoyed the Hilarious performance by Kevin Spacey ( whose films i'm obsessed with). Because the film is a bit newer many of you may have already seen it,but it's defiantly one to be watched again.

So I haven't yet counted how many film's i've watched so far but this is my list of films that are so far my top ten. If you don't watch any of the films posted, these are the ten you must see.


1.) A Clockwork Orange: directed by Stanley Kubrick

2.) Chinatown: directed Roman Polansk

3.) Apocalypse Now: dircted by Francis Ford Coppola

4.) Moulin Rouge! : directed by Baz Luhrmann

5.) Eraserhead: directed by David Lynch

6.) Casino: directed by Martin Scorsese

7.) Dog Day Afternoon: directed by Sidney Lumet

8.) Raiders of the lost arc: directed by Steven Spielberg

9.) The Manchurian candidate: directed by John Frankenheimer

10. The Unusual Suspects: ditrected by Bryan Singer

Performance

I'm a fan of the Rolling Stones however, when I found out that Mick Jagger was in the movie Performance and that it was on the list of movies you must see I couldn't understand. After watching the film I realized that Mick isn't such a bad actor and th film was pretty good with it's plot and very surprising ending.

Casino

Many of Martin Scorsese's films have made it on the list, in fact more than I can count. Casino is so far my favorite (besides "The Departed") one. Though very violent, I did enjoy the story of two friends trying to make it in Vegas. And if you've ever seen a Scorsese film you won't be dissapointed.

Chinatown

If it weren't for this film I proably would have never picked up the book that lead me to this challenge. I was actually more intrested in how many of Roman Polanski's films would end up on the list and this included Chinatown. Proably the film I wanted to see the most Chinatown with it's part humor and unravling story was has also become one of my favorites.

A Clockwork Orange

I've been thinking of posting my top five movies of the week to show you which films are becoming my favorites, I guess if I were to do that "a clockwork orange" would be number one. The film, based on a novel by Anthony Burgess's and directed by my new favorite filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, was one of my favorite to watch. I had never heard of the movie or book until this point but I enjoyed the film that was both funny and abstract. Defiantly one worth watching.

Lord of the rings

"I think I should have a t-shirt that Say's I survived the Lord of the rings" as I joked with my brother after spending my weekend watching the whole "lord of the rings" trilogy. By the time I had reached the third film (which was 4 hours and 15 minutes long) I knew I had to be completely devoted to this challenge, because if I weren't I would have never considered watching the movie cause it's really not my thing. I actually felt really good about myself once I finished the films ( and even more relived it was over, and everyone in the house could stop saying when is over) because I knew I was a step closer to reaching my goals, and I had gotten through what for most is the hardest part.

Night of the living dead

I'm always complaining about how bad horror movies are today. Too much swearing,gore, and no originality. Though the 1968 version of "Night of the living dead" was one that was completely original. The film (which made me laugh because of it's effects that looked completely silly compared to today's standards) was actually a slightly clean film, with an actual story. Night of The Living Dead is the second horror movie I've watched on my list so far, but I'm already convinced that many horror films today are pure garbage compared to those of yesterday.

Spirited Away

I can't say I haven't draged my family into this whole thing because I have (but who wants to watch good movies alone) and I'm kind of glad I did. Spirited Away is defintly my brothers kind of film, but I found myself enjoying it just as much. I personally would suggest everyone to watch this, despite your age.

Rasing Arizona

One good thing about this list is the fact that it's filled with films now one would think to make it on the list of films you must see before you die. Raising Arizona staring Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter is one of those films. The story of a couple desperate to start a family, Raising Arizona has earned it's spot on the list. I personally like what the couple actually does in order to have a family and hope that you'll enjoy both the humorous and emotional side of the tale.

The Last Picture Show

"What is this movie about" as said by my aunt millions of times while watching this film (and many of the other films I've viewed the past week) I realized like any many films there is never a real plot, but more of a story to be told. The last picture show was one of these films. The story of a small town Texas teenage boy in the 1950's, viewers will be quite surprised at how much has changed since then (even though the film was made and 1971). In the end I enjoyed the film starring Jeff Bridges and Cybil Shepard, and realize there's a reason it ended up on the list. The bottom line though is this, when I started this challenge it took a moment to realize how much of a challenge it would actually be. Over the past week I've saw films that I probably would have never viewed or never heard of for that matter and no doubt have I become more open-minded while watching films that are very popular, to foreign films that are unknown by many. So if this blog inspires you to watch any of the films posted, erase all expectations and go experience something new.

Apocalypse Now

I don't actually think I've seen any of Francis Ford Coppola's film's before, Though after watching Apocalypse Now, he's definitely one of my favorite filmmakers. With pretty much an all star cast, including Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Laurence Fishburne and Dennis Hopper. The entire cast gives a very well performance as images of the Vietnam war are re-captured. Once again I don't want to give away much of the story,I will say this is a must-see...unless your not able to take to much gore I would skip it, though it's your loss!!

Bonnie and Clyde

This is a couple who today are just as famous as they where during there time and though the film starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway didn't show their entire story (though it has inspired me to learn more of the infamous couple), It's in the top five films I've watched so far. The movie is one that I would truly recommend you to watch. Though beware of the films tragic ending.

Braveheart

Never have I been a Mel Gibson fan, but I have to say that I did get into some of the film. After four hours watching I think viewers will walk away satisfied and wondering how they survived. Braveheart tells the story of the scottish reveloution against the british. It's not my kind of film however,I know many who would enjoy it this tell, so once again i'll let you be the judge.

Laura

One of the older flicks on my list "Laura" is a hour and a half Murder mystery much like an Alfred Hitchcock movie though alot less intense. It wasn't my favorite, though it was the first Vincent Price film I had viewed (besides his apperance in Edward Scissorhands, which was also his last film) and enjoyed hs performance as the fiance who is no doubt the number one suspect. The film with it's slow build and somewhat unexpected ending was quite alright, and in other words one you should see for your self.

Fargo

Listed as a crime/drama and based on a true story, I found this movie to be quite entertaining and ironically funny. It's actually hard to think of the film as one based on real events considering it's humor, but no doubt is it anything like the genre its listed under, Fargo is the complete opposite and on your sure to enjoy.

The Apartment

It was odd watching a much younger Shirley Mclaine (though i've seen her in the childeren's hour with Audrey Hepburn)I really enjoyed her role in this flick with co-star Jack Lemmon. The picture is about a men who lends is apartment to his superior co-workers and eventually climbs the coparate ladder. I think you'll enjoy it but don't get discouraged by my short summary, I don't want to give away the story and ruin it for those of you seeing the film for the first time..or any of these films in that class.

The Stranger

I wasn't crazy about Orson Welles until I saw this, but now I'm starting to understand why he was such a popular actor and director. The stranger tells the story of a former Nazi who poses as a professor in a small town ( like many did after the war of avoid being jailed or killed) and is hunted down by a secret agent. I always loved films that touched on the subject of WWII and this was a great film for those who like to watch a mystery unfold.

Fatal Attraction

I'm getting closer and closer to reaching my goal of watching every film on this list, In fact I woke up at 4 in the morning just to see this movie. I have to say i'm surprised that it took this long to watch the flick, but i'm glad I didn't miss it. the storyy of infidelity and how it can destroy a family, is said to put all men on the edge of their seats. I would suggest that this is a great choice for those who consider turning a stray. Defintly one that makes you think twice.

Harold and Maude

Proably one of my favorite films on the list so far (after been blown away by eraserhead) Harold and Maude is the ultimate cult classic. In fact I tink it's the beginning of the use of cult films. this is one of the films on the list that i've seen before but had to watch again after seeing it on the list. If you love a good unconventional love story, there's no doubt you'll enjoy this one.

Dog Day Afternoon

Dog day afternoon is probably my favorite Al Pacino film to watch. I've yet to see the Godfather films and Scarface, but no film can tell a better story then a men who robs a bank to pay for his Husbands (or wife, as they perfer to him in the movie) sex change. Dog day is defiently a film that deserves a spot on the list of movies you must watch before you die!!

It Happened one night

When I first saw this 1930's love sory staring Clarke Gable I didn't thinkI could sit through it but turns out this film was a great story of a runaway women who finds love with the men helping her. one thing I can say I enjoy about classic love stories is the fact that they always have an happy ending.

Saturday Night Fever

Disco may not be as aperciated now as it was then but I surley id enjoy the soundtrack to this film. In fact the story would not have been the same without the music. My all time favorite BeeGees song "How deep is your love" and "More than a women" which highlighted the best part of the film in which tony and his partner compete in the dance competion. Saturday night fever was a great movie and another popular film that I can't believe it took me this long to watch.

Scream

So I'm a little older and horror movies like scream don't seem to scare me. However I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed the horror flick. Like many of the movies mentioned in the book, scream is ver popular and has been mentioned as a pop culture refrence many times. While watching the movie I felt it was more humourous then frietning. overall it was the first horror movie on my list that i've watched and a perfect choice for those who are easily scared.

Eraserhead

Now this is what I call a pure art film. I actually stayed up till 4:00 in the morning watching this film and why I couldn't get it in the beginning (which resembled the opening credits of the twilight zone) I ended up enjoy the Films oddness. I've always liked to venture out when it comes to entertainment, and if you do also you'll enjoy this film.

The Challenge

So, I'm in the libary the other day and I discover this book "1001 Movies you must see before you die" I pick up the book but never did I think I would challenge myself and watch every movie on the list (besides The Exorcist). I started this commitment July 15,2010 and now I'm four days in. After viewing each film I'm going to write my opinion ( many films I have not viewed before and some I have over and over). I have not yet set up a certain date to where I want this goal to be accomplish though, I do want to watch atleast 100 by January, which at this point is starting to look pretty possible.