Not just an after school activity anymore...Aug 14 '00 Write an essay on this topic.What makes a good drama? To me a great movie is one that leaves an impact. Impact is found in every movie, but it is rare when a movie comes along and can change your week, month, year...or even life. Here are some of the best movies in my opinion. (Mind you I am going to show my age a bit when I don’t pick what some may consider classics...I swear I will get around to watching them) 10: Usual Suspects The Usual Suspects is by far one of the best movies of all time. It is all based on five guys meeting in a “line up” then deciding to go from there with some organized crime. The plot takes some twists and turns and is sure to keep the audience on their toes. 9: Shakespeare in Love: The movie that brings a new light to Shakespeare. The plot cleverly makes up Shakespeare’s life as a basis for all his plays. It is co-written by, Tom Stoppard, who is a Shakespearian master. The movie is not my favorite piece of Stoppard’s work, but it is the most well done. I am talking cinematography, costumes, and acting. Everything is put together in a virtually seamless movie that is truly unforgettable 8: Of Mice and Men (1994): I love the book, which generally signifies that there shouldn’t be a strong love of the movie, however...I have to be the odd one out. I love the movie too. Gary Sinise and John Malkovich are wonderful, in this story of two men...one slightly impaired. It is John Malkovich as the slow but strong man that is the movies strong hold, so much so that by the end there is never a dry eye in the house. Gary Sinise also does an amazing job, not quite as grand as Malkovich. However a little known fact is that the two were in an acting company together in their early days. 7: Elisabeth: The movie is based on the once Queen Elizabeth (hence the clever name) She was referred to as “The Virgin Queen” because she refused to get married in a time when men where forever in charge. The movie however shows that all though she wouldn't get married she would indeed sleep with others. Enter a familiar actor...Joseph Finnes, this cutie played Shakespeare himself in the above mentioned Shakespeare In Love. The movie was wonderfully thought provoking, and something I could watch over and over and over. 6: Dead Poets Society: A touching story of how important one man can be. It can be grouped with “coming of age” films, but is so much more. It showcases a all male prep-school, and its students. The students have been taught all their life that there is an equation to life...Hard work equals money which equals success which equals one mans greatness. They know there is more to life than that, but they are never taught what that is or how to obtain that. Until one day a teacher comes in and shows them how to be free thinkers...and in the quest for greater understanding a student kills himself...the movie gives the audience a roller coasters worth of emotions, and, in the end teaches us all to “seize the day” 5: Cradle Will Rock: Tim Robbins proves that “Dead Man Walking” wasn’t just a fluke. He shows his real talent when he puts together this charming, dramatic, funny movie. Not only that but is this movie cast to perfection or what? Hank Azaria, Ruben Blades, John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Bill Murray, Vanessa Redgrave, and Emily Watson just to name a few. The cast did live up to the expectations amazingly. This movie has the perfect blend of entertainment and art. 4: Amadeus: This movie is an instant classic in my eyes, it came onto the scene in 1984 and has been wowing audiences since. Much like other movies mentioned here it won its fair share of academy awards including Best Actor, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Director, Best Make-up Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Sound. So obviously I wasn’t the only one impressed with this movie. It follows part of Amadeus Mozart and his struggles with Salieri, whom today most people don't know ever existed. Definitely a wonderful story and a wonderful movie to go along with it. 3: American Beauty: American Beauty is the modern day “Death Of a Salesman” Lester Burnham is the Willy Loman of the future, in an all too sad tale of family dysfunction. This movie also has special ties to my heart. I saw it in the theatre on Sunday October 10th, the day my aunt and uncle died. The movie chronicled a dysfunctional family and their struggle to appear normal. Much like my aunt and uncles case, the movie ends in tragedy. My aunt and uncle lead a seemingly normal life until the day my uncle killed my aunt and then himself. By the end of the movie the lead character played by Kevin Spacey is shot and killed... The ending always gets me because of the odd similarities I draw between life and the movie. As the movie is ending you hear Kevin Spacey’s character saying his good bye’s to the audience.... “I guess I could be pretty pi**ed off about what happened to me, but its hard to stay mad when there is so much beauty in the world” 2: American History X: A modern day Schindler’s List in my opinion. American History X shows Neo-nazis. A group of white skin heads in present day America are the basis of this movie. It too utilizes black and white film for impact. The follows a family tribulations when the oldest son becomes a virtual god in the underground world of white supremacy. 1: Schindler’s List: Schindler’s List is by far one of the most touching and thought provoking movies that was ever made. The movie broke barriers by going places movies hadn’t gone before. Possibly the most disturbing image ever to me was in this movie. There is a scene where an old one armed man comes in to thank Schindler for employing him. It broke my heart to see him try to thank Schindler when he wouldn’t even look at him. Seconds later the proud Jewish man was out in the street trying to shovel snow, when a soldier approaches him. All the old man can do is proudly tell the man that he is an “essential worker” only to have the soldier shoot him moments later. Other notable mentions: Mr. Holland’s Opus Forrest Gump Swing Kids Boys Don’t Cry Little Woman With Honors The Game The Other Sister Cider House Rules Its a Wonderful Life Basketball Diaries Foxfire Fried Green Tomatoes Best Potential....perhaps if there was a larger budget... Crucible Twelfth Night Scarlet Letter Great Gatsby And there you have it....a key into the inner workings of LaurenMarie’s Mind....its a nice place to visit...I live here.  |
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