My contribution Nov 22 '02 (Updated Dec 07 '02)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Movies Under the Tuscan Sun From $9 Casablanca From $3 The Bottom Line Ok. I was redundant but I enjoy these and want to share. All are top notch movies. Sorry GWtheTW, WofOz, CKane etc. All Quiet on the Western Front Starring Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim (1930). I may be wrong on this but I heard this was the first movie academy award and the first movie to cost one million dollars. The script was already written in the form of a very successful WW1 novel by the same name. This movie is profoundly moving, with its simple message and black and white format (1930). If you have read the book, you have a blueprint for the movie. This simple movie has been banned in many countries at various times. Definitely should be seen to understand the "way of the world". The battle scene in the center of this movie is not for the faint hearted. Poignant and awesome, this one minute movie in a movie tells all about the Western Front 1914-1918. Billy Budd black and white. This is Herman Melvilles powerful yet simply told story of a great moral dilemma. The scene is British Navy between the wars. Routine life on a military vessel sailing on the high seas. Under these terms a British Naval Captains word is the Law. Enter a new sailor, brought over from a merchant ship because it looked like a good romantic life. Billy’s merchant superiors try to warn him but to the military goes Billy Budd. His life definitely changes as the harsh, stern rule of military law creates a caste of men here to fore unknown to Billy. Watch carefully a treacherous conversation between Billy and one of the ship officers. It has been years since I saw this movie and my memory is not exact. The conversation is barbed and fencing as the first officer (a foul and distasteful man) attempts to get the goods on Billy. Charges are filed and the ship personnel (officers included) choose side behind the person of their liking. The surprise ending will floor and choke you. See this movie to explore the savage wiles and treachery of fellow companions. Watch, as rule of law becomes oppressive and hostile. Naval offices will follow duty even past reason. None of them wish to cast their vote, yet vote they must. Breaker Morant Starring Edward Woodward, others. This is one of my all time favorites. The scene is South Africa during the Boer Uprising. Morant is a soldier in the Australian army, colonials under the British. Morant is "out on the veldt, fighting the Boer". This in a fashion that neither suits his military training nor his desire. He wryly observes " a new war for a new century". Morant finds himself suddenly condemned by his British Commanders while enforcing the distasteful practices those same British officers mandated. Morant and two fellow officers are court martialed in a highly charged, deeply moving court room scene in which Morant (Edward Woodward) gives a dissertation on duty, orders (rule .303), commanders and the nature of things the likes of which you have not heard nor will you ever hear again. Lying and treachery climb into the drivers seat and rule in this outstanding, highly emotional movie. The closing scene will leave you breathless and grasping. See this movie to understand a little of how the world works when the chips are down, the door is closed and the power base must be preserved all cost. Empire of the Sun Starring John Malkovich, others. This is an outstanding movie about the trials of civilian prisoners of war. These British and Americans one day are employed in Singapore and the next simply are overrun by the Japanese conquest at the outset of WW2. As prisoners they are forced into a draconian civilization (at least by their standards) and treated semi harshly by Japanese military overlords for the duration of the war. On the periphery of their camp is an air force base and the signs are unmistakable that the war is going badly for the Japanese. Kamikaze pilots train and depart in deeply moving ceremony and all of this is not lost on the movies main character, a 12 - 13 year old boy, separated from his parents and forced in to this hostile world by no free choice of his own. He is semi befriended by John Malkcovich. Malkovich is sort of mentor and sort of user and the boy (Will?) must grow up fast and develop street sense. Aviation buffs will hold fast when a fly by of a P 51 in slow motion with Will on the tower screaming P51 - Cadillac of the sky! This is a first rate movie of substance and plot and excellent acting. Strip the glitter away and this is the story of every boy growing up. There are many tremendous scenes. Will salutes Japanese pilots, P 51 fly by, Will reenters the barracks as triumphant hero, having bested his guards. One of Hollywood’s great all time scenes with Will and family riding to a private up scale costume party in a Rolls Royce (early on) while outside the windows are mobs of people in near chaos. I would give this a five star rating although a little odd. The sound track is fabulous, if you love Suo-Gan sung in Japanese, you will love this. The translation is loosely in English To my lullaby surrender, warm and tender is my breast, Mothers arms with love caressing, Lay their blessing on your rest, nothing shall harm you, have no fear, lie contented calmly slumber, On your mothers breast, my dear. This singing as kamikaze pilots take off on their one way journey. Realize that all lives are not like ours. Yes we face trials and we have misery but at least we are free. I loved this movie and want to share it. It is a testment to the strength of people under duress. Fishhawk Starring Will Sampson. This is a wonderful heart moving video with a cast no one ever heard of, filmed by a company doubtlessly out of business and filmed several years ago (30?). The genre would include Old Yeller; this move is about 3 times as moving. I do not know why it was not more popular. Will Sampson played Chief in One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest. In Fishhawk , Sampson is the town drunkard and laughing stock. He is hired to hunt down a rogue bear and due to drunkenness he losses his dog. As was said by his 9-year-old best friend, the dog was all he had in the world. Sampson quits drinking abruptly and begins to realize he has to return to the north where his people live. There is one more terrifying hunt scene (surprise) ending to the hunt and powerful anti sport hunting tribute), a wonderful scene in which Sampson explains to the little boy why he must leave, and the townspeople all giving testimony to their new and creditable friend as he does so. This movie is 5 out of 5. Oh Brother, where art thou ? Starring George Clooney, Holly Hunter, Others. This probably medium budget affair is one of the most entertaining movies I have seen in years. I was spellbound by the trio’s antics throughout this flick. Clooney convinces the duo to whom he is chained to assist him in a break out from the 1930s Mississippi chain gang. He does this by convincing them a fortune is buried in an area about to be flooded. They must hurry to recover the easy pickings. The movie takes place as they are hounded (literally) through the south in depression 1930s. As the viewer you are privileged to explore life through the trials of these three persons. I loved many of the scenes and the sound track is stuff of legend. This is life in thin section. Live with guts! Life on parade and the viewer is treated to many experiences and many human dilemmas with out having to leave your seat. The movie is dedicated to Homers Odyssey and many of Homers episodes appear.... John Goodman (one eye) is the Cyclops, the 3 women washing on alabaster are the sirens, the fortune = the Golden Fleece and I’m sure many other parallels can be found. This movie is deep and not a comedy although one can laugh throughout. I loved seeing Holly Hunter without make up, her stature is much elevated in my opinion because of this part. The simple country wit often masks the human condition allowing us to view our shortcomings and ourselves. Facing the noose, Clooney make a beautiful humble confession. As soon as the pressure is off, he reverts to his blowhard ways. The reform governor isn't for reform at all; in fact reform is the same strain intensified. See this movie to enjoy a fine movie and to learn about life lampooned. My favorite scene is early in the movie as penitents seeking salvation gather at the river to a haunting gospel sound track. Don't delay...see this one Ox Bow Incident (1943, B& W) Starring Henry Fonda, Henry Morgan. This is a powerful story taken directly from the novel. Be careful whom you judge and for what. Watch this simple movie to learn how things go awry. If I am ever again asked to teach a leadership class I will incorporate this little film somehow. This is a lesson for every one. Attitudes such as certainty, righteousness and frontier justice do not mix. This movie cost very little to produce and the plot is first surface. All characters are obvious, i.e. the bad guy wears dark clothes the good guy has a white hat, the swing vote is cast by an incompetent, ect. Your reasoning will not be shocked but you sensabilities certainly will. Salvador Starring James Woods, Jim Belushi. This is a brutally honest look at U.S. policies in El Salvador in the early 1980s. Woods plays a powerful role as a flaky and unreliable reporter bent on scoring a few bucks and cheap dope in war torn El Salvador. He leaves all behind in the States when he discovers his wife has left him (duh). He and not-to-sure sidekick Belushi head south to find their fortune. Woods falls in love with a simple country girl and it to Archbishop Romeo he makes his confession (his first in 30 years). Woods goes to confession for all the fringees and outcasts in this beautiful scene. His motivation is his genuine love for the girl. Bishop Romero detects this. Mean while Belushi meets a lady of the evening and he to falls in love. Belushi changes role from timid follower to rather bold leader. Woods overwhelming concern for his girl causes him to change from devil-may-care to deeply concerned for her welfare. After all he loves her completely. She is so innocent she fears for her salvation knowing Woods is not in good standing with the church. Actually her life is in danger with the authorities because she does not have an all-important schedula (document). We will see the Archbishop Romero incident played out and the rape of the four Maryknoll nuns in graphic detail. This movie is not for the timid! Oliver Stone outdoes himself in this one. I recommend this movie highly! Slingblade Starring Billy Bob Thornton(as Karl), John Ritter, others. I loved this low budget, simply done movie very much, It held my head for a month or so. Karl is a gentle, kind man of physical strength and consideration toward others. He is also of low intelligence and has difficulty functioning in the "big world". He will soon be released from a state institution where he has been held since his childhood for the murder of his mother and one of her boy friends. He is no longer considered a threat but the folks in town aren't too sure about their new neighbor. Karl is employed as a small engine repairman at which he excels. He take a shine to a small boy and the boys mom. Also included in Karl’s circle of friends is John Ritter, a decidedly gay friend of the Mother. Things are real nice until moms boyfriend reveals himself as a monster , cruel to all around him exp. the boy and mom. Frankly boyfriend is a drunken bully bent on ruining everyone’s lives. Karl sacrifices his freedom to save his friend (the boy). It is clear that boy will be ruined as the boys mom is powerless in the presence of her live in. Karl gives up his freedom so that the little boy (for whom he has great love and affection) can have a life. See this movie to explore prejudice, anger, loving relations, friendship under unlikely terms, forgiveness and watch as Karl buys a young boy a life. You will not approve of Karl’s method. You will agree the boy has been freed to live his life and grow up. This movie will cause one to think. The Prime of Jean Brodie Starring Maggie Smith. Thisis an outstanding academy award role for Maggie Smith ( maybe just a nom.) in which she imagines herself in her prime, when actually she is about 55 - 58ish and past prime by about 15 years. No matter - the teacher Jean has 2 or more adgenas, one school teacher at Marsilla Blaine School for Girls and two, reliving her prime years through the group of senior girls she brings to her confidence. Ms. Brodie is quite destructive and not a very good teacher we learn. Follow her wiles through this excellent movie. The Witness Starring Harrison Ford, Danny Glover, others. This movie allows a social setting and a world to exist for 2 hours and allows one to move in and take part. This is the highest compliment of a movie that is mostly for entertainment. It is very good and I enjoyed it. Harrison Ford plays the part of a big city policeman ( detective I think) and he is called to special assignment by his boss. At same time a young boy is witness to a murder in the same city. You guessed it boys escort is a beautiful woman. Both boy and mom are Amish from a strict sect. Long story short Ford ends up being chased out of town and into the Amish settlement. I loved the comparision between the worlds and the give and take between Ford and the Lady. The bad guys figure out where Ford hides and come to finish him off. The scenes of Ford and the bad guys fighting in hate and insanity contrasted against the simple and gentle amish people is thought provoking and disquieting. I loved this movie as a demonstration that our world isnt quite as wonderful as one thinks and we have much room for improvement. If you are choosing a movie for an evenings entertainment this is a sure candidate.

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