Friday, January 21, 2011
501 Must-See Movies: 'Charade' to 'A Clockwork Orange'
Charade: 1963, USA (Mystery & Thriller)
Right out the gate the author contradicts himself by saying this movie doesn’t fit into any one genre even though he has clearly classified it as a mystery and thriller. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn star in this suspenseful mystery. Sounds like a good movie.
Charge of the Light Brigade, The: 1968, Great Britain (Action/Adventure & Epic)
There is nothing like a British movie about their involvement in the Crimean War during the 19th century. As with most war movies of the late sixties, the theme is mostly anti-war.
Chicago: 2002, USA (Musical)
I have never seen this recent hit. Many people seem to enjoy it though. With the sort of tribute to 1920’s Chicago lifestyle, I should give it a chance sometime.
Child’s Play: 1988, USA (Horror)
Chucky is a classic icon of horror. Pumping the franchise dead with crappy squeals may hurt the reputation of the film, but even those who haven’t dared to watch it know who the doll is and what movie it came from. The book states it is the last quality example of the 1980s vicious slasher.
Children of Paradise: 1945, France (Drama)
40’s black and white French drama with a mime as a main characters reeks of not good to me. It is most famous for being shot during the occupation of France during World War II and no doubt why it would be heavily remembered.
Chinatown: 1974, USA (Mystery & Thriller)
This is a true cinema classic and a defining role for Jack Nicholson. It was the first movie Roman Polanski made after his wife was murder by the Manson family which probably leads to the down, despairing feel of the movie. It may be one of the greatest mysteries of all time.
Citizen Kane: 1941, USA (Drama)
Most people will point to this as the greatest movie ever and rightfully so. Its influence can be seen in the film industry since. Orson Welles was only 25 years old when he co-wrote, starred in and directed the movie.
City of God: 2002, Brazil (Mystery & Thriller)
This movie sounds so interesting. It tells the gritty story of Rio through the eyes of two youth. The film is gritty and violent as murder and robbery are everyday events for all the people of the slums. It was shot using hand held cameras that led to very inventive camera work. I am putting this on my list to try to watch as soon as possible.
Cleopatra: 1934, USA (Action/Adventure & Epic)
Cecil B. DeMille went over the top in great classic Hollywood fashion. It is campy and stretches the historical truth for full movie effect. Everything everyone loves about old Hollywood film making.
Clockwork Orange, A: 1971, Great Britain (Science Fiction & Fantasy)
This film caused plenty of controversy upon its release. Due to the subject matter of violence, it was of course blamed for every current act of crime. The movie shows a dystopian future that really isn’t too far off from our current state. It is one of my favorites.
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I watched Chicago, but really don't remember all that much about it. I think it turned heads for being a musical. Unless it's a disney cartoon, musicals are rare in modern film. The cast also was filled with stars, which helped. Overall, an OK flick.
Citizen Kane is something everyone interested in filmmaking should watch. The Rosebud scene has been parodied so many times that it may lose some flavor to a younger audience. Although the Simpsons parody was probably the best.
I know Clockwork Orange was so trippy that the first couple times I watched it, I wasn't really sure what the hell was going on. It is one those films that makes it seem like you're watching it for the first time when you pop it in the DVD player.
Also, had the huge poster of it on the Dorm Wall in College, which as I look back on it, none of us were what I would call huge fans of the movie, but it still ended up on our wall.
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