Movies To See Before You Die - Part 1

While on that small social networking thingy the other day (Facebook) I noticed a application to say which five films you must see before you die. Now it is a repeated formula but still intriguing. So over the next few weeks I'm gonna try and reach about 50 essentials that must be seen...well it may reach more than that but we'll see! I think we will start with the best movie of all time...in my humble opinion that is...!

The Shawshank Redemption -

Well the picture above says it all really. A movie about hope essentially but also involving loss, hopelessness, violence, friendship and a burning desire for one innocent man to free himself from the brutal and unforgiving Shawshank jail. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are terrific as is the direction by Frank Darabont. Somehow this film missed out on Oscar's to Forrest Gump. I really hope I never have to see that again before I die, what a mess that is. Hanks is adequate at best and Zemeckis's direction is laughably bad. And the film sucks. Anyway back onto Shawshank. It does so much more than just touch the audience, it entertains, thrills and shocks with the stunning attempted escape scene and the absolutely mesmerising end. No film will make you feel so uplifted and satisified as this movie. I've seen it 5 times and each time I get a new perspective, sometimes focussing more on Red's character or other times it will be Andy's. The death of Brooks for example struck me more the second time I watched it, an absolutely shattering scene. It's not all doom and gloom though with lashings of terrific humour that clash brilliantly with the extreme violence that anchors the movie's realism and lifts the picture above the other redemptive and heartwarming films that are on constant release for Oscar notoriety like Forrest Gump...

Pans Labyrinth -

It is hard for me to put into words how amazing this picture is. Guillermo Del Toro is a magician behind the camera as we can see with Hellboy but this is a different kettle of fish entirely. Many may be put off by the fantasy element but it would be foolish to ignore this film because of that as this film is firmly based in reality. The moments of fantasy and imagination are wonderful and breathtaking but they are not occurrent that much. The stroy is of a young girl (Ofelia) and her mother moving to live with a brutal and vile General during the Spanish Civil War. Her three tasks that are given to her by a Faun are exciting and tense but also redemptive. Despite their danger they present the audience some respite from the horrors that are lying within reality and the brutality that is faced by the rebels, her mother and the housekeeper Mercedes. The film is perfect full stop. It encompasses violence, love, loss and a stunning visual concoction of fantastical creatures. The acting is outstanding and the direction is exceptional with a darkly realised picture of innocence lost and a devastating reality of violence brillaintly captured by Del Toro. Hellboy 3 must get made, the imagination of this guy is unlimited!

Requiem For A Dream -

Hmm. The most depressing film I've ever seen by the best director working in Hollywood right now. Darren Aronofsky's second picture is so intense and excruciating to watch it's a miracle that I've watched it three times! It is incredible but boy does it exhaust you emotionally. The story of four lives collapsing without them noticing is portrayed mesmerisingly by Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly (the best actress in the world), Marlon Wayans and Ellen Burstyn. The grainy and rapid cutting that is constant in the picture enhances the despair and uncontrollable horror that is enveloping on all the characters. Believe me if they want kids off drugs or not to take them make them watch this. Whose collapse is the most shocking is debatable but Burstyn's fall into self destruction is absolutely horrible to watch in all honesty and the ending is just on another level of astonishing. I warn you to approach this with caution as it is a really tough experience but it must be seen or all the reasons above and the stunning score by Clint Mansell. Mansell created the score for The Fountain and The Wrestler and is phenomenal.

V For Vendetta -



Very rarely does a comic book movie achieve anything except entertainment. Spider-man, Superman, Daredevil and despite its pretensions The Dark Knight all provide thrills but little else. V For Vendetta is not like these films. A film that can be viewed on big or small screen and still not lose its effect. A comci book movie (or Graphic Novel if you prefer!) that contains little action and a lot of story. Unheard of really! A totalitarian state that is controlled by CCTV that could be read as a future anywhere in the western world and a Chancellor (brilliantly played by John Hurt) that is a fascist and brutal dictator. Natalie Potman nails her role as the only person who truly knows V. In essence this is a political thriller in a bleak, dystopian future but with a masked vigilante with an uncompromising view of right and wrong. One might say he is a killer and villainous but that would be taking away from a character so dark and troubled that the audience accepts his black and white approach and ultimately feel devastated at the astonishing climax to this movie. What surprises the most however is the emotional impact of the film. The relationship between Portman and Hugo Weaving's V and the sequence where she is locked up inside the jail provide stunning and unexpected moments of heartbreaking tenderness. A truly stunning movie proueced by the Wachowski's but retaining a heart and soul that is somewhat lacking in Matrix and Speed Racer.

Godfather - Part 2

I am not the biggest fan of gangster movies so I approached the first Godfather with caution. I loved it. Great acting from Pacino, Duvall and especially the late Marlon Brando. It also retained a classiness absent from Goodfellas or Casino with its Italian roots remaining at the forefront of the movie. With the second instalment of Mario Puzo's book however, the film achieved something unique, it bettered the outstanding prequel. Godfather Part 2 cannot be described as a sequel, it is far too good for that label.

The film does something near impossible by telling two narratives set decades apart and still retaining its excitement, intrigue and interest. From the opening in Italy with a completely Italian feel the film excels. De Niro producing a great performance as Vito Corleone the founder of the Corleone Mob. The ensemble cast also give excellent turns in their respective roles but it is the great Al Pacino who really turns heads. How he did not win the Oscar for this performance I will never know. His descent into controlled madness and anger is devastatingly portrayed by a frighteningly real Pacino. The scene where his wife played by Diane KEaton threatens to take the kids from him is unreal in how Pacino gets redder and redder until he crack and lunges at KEaton. The last scene will also live long in the memory. The young and innocent Michael Corleone from Part1 has disappeared and power has corrupted him completely.

Everything about the picture reeks of class from the long passages of Italian to the exceptionally shot scenes within the Corleone estate especially in th winter. Coppola does a stunning job of directing and the film is a magnificent success.