Twenty Thousand leagues under the Sea

Join Disney under the sea in a film that has none of the classic Disney stereotypes such as singing lobsters, talking clown fish, and mermaids. This film instead has real life character feelings and conflicts, with an adorable fun-loving seal that melts the hearts of all. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea brings the classic novel to life.

20,000 Leagues movie cover 

In the late 1860s the seas have became an unsafe place, with several ships being lost. Sailors have returned to tell horrifying stories a savage narwhal that keeps sinking ships. A group of professor, assistants, and a professional whaler, all join in an expedition in attempts to unravel the mystery.

James Mason; Captain Nemo

James Mason plays the misunderstood Captain Nemo who only seeks revenge. Kirk Douglas portrays Ned Land a simple man and harpooner. Paul Lukas plays professor Pierre Arronax the marine biologist.

Final Blog

Throughout this film class eagerly at times viewing several movies in the back far right of a class several facts about movies have became known to me. Most movies have a main story, but along with that a deeper side story, which is mostly a theory and not proven. As several know, another important and obvious fact is that movies can have great writing, but horrible actors, and make a disaster of a film, or they can have great actors, but horrible writing, and have the same effect. When watching movies I have also learned that production values are an asset, no matter who is acting or directing.



With all movies there is of course a main story, but with several that I have viewed in this class there is another story to the main one. This sort of second story, is never evident, and sometimes just a theory and a mere thought and myth in the movie. One example is the classic western, The Searchers. Several have said that the main character, Ethan Edwards, is the father of the missing daughter Debbie, and not that of his brothers.






Several movies that we have viewed in this class have had horrible actors but fantastic writing, well at least in my opinion. One actor that stands out to me in this category is Karen Allen in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film was of course fantastic, but Karen did a horrible job of portraying Jone's love interest. Karen was great in the film Scrooged, but other than that she only disappoints. Another actor who displayed this action was Cary Grant in North by Northwest. The writing for the film was not superb, but it wasn't bad either, and with a good actor this can be hidden, but with Grant it was only highlighted.



Production values have been proved to be an asset, and a sometimes even the savior to a horrible film. The money invested into a film has always been a large factor in a success of a film, but with times changing and new technology being made the old film advances and classic great scenes have been reduced to a chuckle now, even though it use to make headlines in papers. Lord of the Rings would be nothing without the glittering special effects and CGI. E.T. would of not had the buzz and success it did without the whooping 10 million used to generate a smile on eager faces.




Film studies has forever effected how I view any movie. Instead of sitting and waiting for the end, I now analyze every detail, and attempt to find the morals of the film. When I see a special effect rather than my jaw dropping open in amazement, I wonder how much that cost. The way I watch movies has been changed, but for the better.

West-Side Story

West side story takes Romeo and Juliet to a musical point of view. With several song selections that have had audience members singing and dancing along with for almost sixty years. The film teaches that though people may be different fighting can get you nowhere, and that love never dies.

West Side Story film cover 

Two rival gangs of New York the white jets led by Riff, and the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. One of the former jet members, Tony, met Bernardo's sister, Marie at her very first dance. Though the two mooks have only recently met they instantly feel in love, a passionate love they no one can stop. They both begin meeting each other in secret, with plans to run away, a rumble between the sharks and jets broke up for control of the streets. Maria sends Tony to stop it, and then tragedy strikes the streets of New York as several gang members die.

Marie and Tony 

This film is considered a classic now and even in its time. It has won a number of prestigious awards such as Golden Globes and Academy awards. West Side Story is a classic that once watched forever ponders in your mind. The forbidden love classic has helped to teach millions the morals and how love can conquer all.

Citizen Kane

A rich man whom the world knew by Kane, dies and utters the word “Rosebud” as his final remark. The town spends several precious hours investigating in attempts to decipher, what this last word could have meant. Reporters prod through his life speaking to past loves, and people who were closet to him.

Citizen Kane Movie cover 

Kane was known by many things throughout his city. He was called a collector, humanitarian at sorts, newspaper tycoon, but most importantly he was called millionaire. Though, he lived a rich life, he was not rich in the beginning, living with his mother she cautiously signed him over to a wealthy men. When the film visits this flashback it shows a young Kane happily prancing through the snow, and holding a sled, but then he hears the news and is immediately broken. Reporters had no power to investigate this memory, thus no power to know that rosebud was Kane’s childhood sled, which was incinerated inside his mansion.

Kane's childhood sled

The renowned Kane is played by Orson Welles. Jedediah Leland Kane's friend and colleague is portrayed by Joseph Cotten. Susan Alexander who was his mistress help the reporters to shed light onto the case and is played by Dorothy Comingore.

North by Northwest

When an executive producer is mistaken for a government agent he must flee from airplanes, irritable men, and an imposturous woman. The man pleads with several people of the incidents, but no one seems to buy his story, until he meets a team of American agents/spies. This case of mistaken identity dramatically alters his day, and future, possibly for the best.

North by Northwest movie cover

Roger O. Thornhill, the man who has been mistaken, was forced to drink a bottle of bourbon. He was then shoved into a vehicle on a downward hill slope, he victoriously survives the dangerous ride through nothing but luck. He was charged with drunk driving and had now damaged his records, and his relationship with his Mother. To make matters worse while in attempts of clearing his name, he witness a man get a knife to the back, and he being at the wrong place at the wrong time was charged with murder and wanted. To escape this he flees on a train where he meets Eve, who is secretly an agent, and not who she says. Thornhill still in attempts of cleaning this giant mess of a mistake, he follows clues to a rural highway. There at the highway one of the most famous scenes occurs, an armed crop-ducting plane swoops over his head and viciously begins attacking him. Thornhill somehow survives, once again, and finds new love and the proper identity.

Famous plane scene 

 

Thornhill is played by Cary Grant. His love interest with a back story is portrayed by Eva Marie Saint. Philip Vandamm a foreign spies and pretend art collector is portrayed by  James Mason.

Yellow Submarine and Let it Be

Two films, by the most influential and renowned rock stars, Yellow Submarine a hallucinogenic LSD trip, and Let it Be a documentary. Yellow Submarine takes you on a journey to a place where music has been banned and the towns people are still and blue. Let it Be takes you through an everyday rehearsal with the superstars.

Yellow Submarine movie cover 

In Let it Be even the most inattentive viewers can notice the tension between all the artists. Which is said to be the most likely reason for the split, creative differences. This brief documentarian film takes you through the creative process, by filming an everyday secession of the four practicing, then ending with the legendary rooftop concert. The ending truly is a gem to see as you listen to them play at their best, and view the smiling faces of the neighboring people, who have just realized The Beatles are playing outside, for their amusement.

Roof top concert at the tail end of Let it Be

Yellow Submarine is an animated, and very different styled type of film. Many possible drug references are said, some obvious and others only sly remarks. Having difficulty following can be common, because the film takes you one way, then goes a different direction, and continues to do so confusing several, but maybe not members of the mushroom kingdom.

Ben Hurr

Acclaimed as several things in its time a cinematic masterpiece, one of the greatest movies in history, and winner of three Golden Globe awards including best picture. I anticipated in viewing this movie mainly because of the hype brought with its film history, but I couldn't help but fall asleep. This so called masterpiece manged to put me into a deep sleep with every attempt, that I spent viewing it.Although, I had no interest in the story, and was solemnly entertained I very much admired the fact that it took place in the time of Christ and is refereed to as The Christ Story.

Scene from the chariot race, shown here is Ben Hurr in his chariot 

The plot has simple elements, nothing is complex about the story. Prince Judah Benn Hurr hears that his lifelong childhood friend, Messala, has been named commander of the Roman Garrison. He was thrilled in hearing this news, but after meeting Messala he realized he had changed. Messala  wanted Hurr to help him force the Jews into to converting to Roman Catholicism.  Hurr of course refused this and because of this refusal he was forced into the galley to become a slave. Judah escaped with pure luck and skill and finds his mother and sister, and plans revenge on his past friend.

Movie cover for Ben Hur

The divine Charlton Heston plays the main character, the heroic Ben Hur. Haya Harareet was a woman that was in a forced marriage to be freed from slavery. Stephen Boyd portrays the evil and conniving Messala.

Sci-fi Week Close Ecounters of the Third Kind and Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Both movies are about the unknown, the possibility that there is other life inhabiting Earth, rather than just humans. Close Encounters is about believing that their is other life, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers is actually about seeing the other life forms, but in the form of larvae. Body Snatchers is a fast-paced film that quickly escalates with the rising population of aliens that have invaded humans, the only difference is the invaders can feel no emotion. Close Encounters is more slow paced, which is always expected when viewing something from the genius Spielberg, it takes you through the emotional journey that is associated in coming in close contact with these supernatural being, if they don't abduct you, they will abduct your thoughts.

The video cover of Close Encounters of the Third Kind

 

 

In Invasion of the Body Snatchers the aliens are sneakily trying to infiltrate the members of the human race in the big city, of San Francisco. They do this by making  identical features of that person, only lacking finger prints. The supernatural beings, place these eggs or larvae in hidden places, they then hatch and an exact copy of a person is made. These invaded bodies have everything just as the person, but lacks emotional feeling like love, happiness, sadness, and even hunger.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1956s movie cover 

Close Encounters of the Third Kind the leading character Roy, has seen the spaceship of the third kind, after a single mother's child Barry was abducted. Roy and the mother, Jillian have both been plagued by the aliens making them almost insane, where the only think they breath is that of the third kind. Although, the end is long waited it truly is a sight to see, the giant mother-ship opens the doors and standing there are grey skinned, naked aliens with no hair that choose Roy and some volunteers to journey with them.

The Searchers and High Noon

High noon is the tale of a recently wed sheriff who has recently learned that the notorious criminal Frank Miller has been released from custody, and is now seeking revenge. The searchers is tale of a man by the name of Ethan Edwards, who recently returned from the civil war, is now in search of his niece Debbie. Though, both of these seem to have great plots, neither of them peaked my interest and literally bored me to sleep. Of these two, High Noon, was by far the better one, but still horribly boring.

                                                                                 Film cover for High Noon


Debbie who Ethan Edwards is on the hunt for, has been captured by a tribe of Comanche Indians. Ethan suffers internally with choosing between killing Debbie, because she has turned into these Indians, or doing the right thing and keeping her in the family, and in his life. Many theories have circulated about Ethan and Debbie's relationship, one claims that he had left for the civil war because of supposed previous relations he had  with Debbie's mother. Making Debbie his daughter,and explaining why he had left for the Civil War and then made a sudden unexpected appearance.

                                                                              Film cover for The Searchers


Both of these movies are said to be cinematic marvels, and the greatest movies of history, but they are nothing but an hour and about thirty minutes of sleep. Neither have any excitement, or exciting storyline. These movies are said to of paved the way for all westerns in film history, which is probably accurate considering westerns, or dreadfully tedious and dull films, are a dying art.

Pride of the Yankees

Lou Gehrig, a major league baseball player who at the time of a series of unfortunate events, adopted a disease that happened to be the first who had been discovered with Lou Gehrig's disease. This is a documentation film about the life of Lou. With a heart breaking end where he bids farewell to 62,00 of his fans on July 4, 1939.Though this was tragic, the most tragic part of the movie was the forbidden knowledge that his wife knew of his soon to come death, which he didn't know that she knew.

                                                                        Movie Cover for Pride of the Yankees


This film has its ups and downs throughout the movie. The ups being the perfect relationship he shares with his beloved mother, the marriage of he and his wife, and his abduction into the Yankees. The downs are truly the entire ending. Those being when he is diagnosed, when his wife figures about his disease, but doesn't let him know to spare his feelings,  and when he bids farewell to his fans and teammates. 

                                                       Lou Gerif (Gary Cooper) and Babe Ruth

Gary cooper plays the triumphant Lou Gerig, the famous renowned baseball player. Babe Ruth, is portrayed of course by Babe Ruth. Teresa Wright plays Eleanor, his adored wife, with whom he had always liked and possibly loved.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

When an innocent boy scout is elected into the senate to fill a vacancy, things become heated. Smith dreams of  building a boys' campsite, and even proposes it to the senate, but he soon becomes aware that because Mr. Taylor has mischievous plans of building a dam in the same location that it is likely to not happen. Learning about his plans of building a dam Smith attempts to expose them, but Taylor and Paine counter Smith, and attempt to ruin his reputation. Ready to leave, Smith is persuaded by Saunders to stay and fight which result in an twenty-four hour filibuster. Finally, Smith is victorious and his name and reputation is renewed, and new love is found with Saunders.

                                                             Pictured here is Mr.Smith and Clarissa Saunders 

 This movie takes place at a time when racism and sexism where not thought of and were seen as acceptable and normal. While viewing this movie one can notice that the bag carries, butlers,  who were serving the white folks, were all African Americans. Another thing, that one can notice is that the women are mistreated, often referred to as kid even if the same age, and told that they are doing pretty well for a woman.

                                                                Mr. Smith viewing the Lincoln Memorial

  

 Mr. Smith is played by the infamous James Stewart, who plays the impressionable new senate. Jean Arthur plays  the new love of Mr. Smith, Clarissa Saunders. Edward Arnold play the evil Mr. Taylor who attempts to trash Mr. Smith's reputation and political supporters. Claude Rains plays Senator  Paine the henchmen slash helper of Mr. Taylor, who Mr. Smith would never expect to sort of go against him, because of the previous relationship the two of them shared through Mr. Smith's father. 



























 

Lord of the Rings The Two Towers & Return of the King

         The classic middle story, picking up directly where the first Lord of the Rings left off, and leading up to the exciting tale of the final end of the suspenseful journey of the last Lord of the Rings. With the climax slowly increasing in the second Lord of the Rings with Frodo and Sam journeying to Mordor, with an unlikely guide, Gollum. While Frodo is on his journey Gimli, Legolas, and Aragon arrive in Rohan and battle Sauramon's army of over 10,000 blood-thirsty creatures trained to fight to the death. All this leads up to the climax where Frodo finally rids himself of both the ring and Gollum, whom had ferociously jumped into the fire after the ring. The kingdom of Gondor can once again have the rightful king, Aragorn who has returned to the thrown, and because of this the white tree of Gondor can now bloom once again. With the ring now destroyed Frodo goes to the
Undying Lands to heal with Bilbo, and Gandalf leaving Merry, Pippin, and Sam.

In the final, and second LOTR we see bravery and persistence shin through. Sam is by far the most brave of them all. He may not seem like the bravest person, especially in the first, but if you take into account the whole journey, it makes since. It's obvious that Frodo would be no-where without Sam, and he could of never properly destroyed the ring without the success of his helpful hobbit friend. They all have their brave moments, and for most of them it is expected to be brave such as Aragon, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandalf, but one viewing braving from the hobbits perspective Sam is by far the bravest and definitely lives up to his name, Samwise the Brave.










All together Lord of the Rings has a happy ending, the bad guys are victorious, and those who thought they had lost their love gained it back. Sam married the woman who he constantly eyes at the pub, so when Frodo left it was hard and painful, but he still had people there for him. Éowyn whom had become helplessly in love with Aragon, felt broken, but with Faramir she found new love.  Aragon becomes king of Gondor and is reunited with his love Arwen.

Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring

Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring is an exciting thrill ride full of creative creatures, enchanting elves, and daunting dwarfs. This movie is a spiritual journey with the world’s favorite pack of adventurous friends. The gang Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, Aragorn, and no one could forgot the joined at the hip trouble making brothers Pippin and Merry. Join them in a fictional nirvana as you yourself explore Middle Earth.

Bilbo, Frodo’s uncle, gives Frodo the ring because he feels that he is ready to move out of the shire and into a sort of retirement. This is no ordinary ring it was forged in the fires of Mount Doom by the evil king Sauron, and the possessing of
this ring puts Frodo in grave danger of either getting caught by orcs or the Nazgul or by poisoning his mind, like it did with the former hobbit Smeagol. The king Sauron is always in search of the ring with the eye that sees all, he tries to lure it back to him, the rightful owner. Although, Sauron is the maker of the ring he and no one should posses this power, and because of this it must be destroyed where it was made, in the fires of Mount Doom, in Mordor.

Overall this is movie, and the trilogy as well is a cinematic masterpiece. A story that peaks your interest from the very beginning, and leaves you hanging by the end of the first one. Usually, cliffhangers make for a horrible movie for me, but the fact that this radical story continues, with more movies make it acceptable. Though these movies may be long, they are certainly memorable movies that are difficult to forget, and at times to not stop thinking about.

Harvey

A pleasant and well mannered-man, Elwood P. Dowd, is in the constant company of one of his best friends, Harvey. Harvey is a six-foot 3 and a half tall inch rabbit whom is claimed by Elwood to be a pooka. A pooka is defined in the movies as a,"Fairy spirit in animal form, always very large. The pooka appears here and there, now and then, to this one and that one. A benign but mischievous creature."

                                                  Movie cover for Harvey, pictured here is Elwood and Harvey.



At the start of the movie you get the impression that Elwood, is crazy, as both  his sister Veta and Myrtle May claim, but further in viewing the movie you realize others can see him. Others including the doctor and Veta, though she is ashamed to admit this, and only sees him sometimes. Knowing this lead me to believe that Harvey is real, but only if you believe he is real. This concept can be related to the bell from the Polar Express that only rings for those who believe in Santa, or from Peter Pan where not believing in Tinker Bell can kill her.Personally, I think that Elwood has the belief of Harvey to possibly fill a void that was caused by the death of his mother.

                                              Elwood marveling at his portrait of himself and his companion Harvey



James Stewart plays Elwood, the pleasant man that instantly becomes your friend and dinner guest with just one conversation. Elwood is mainly beloved by everyone at first conversation, until he introduces you to his "very good friend," Harvey. This beloved tall white rabbit is played by himself. Veta the sister who tries countless times to commit Elwood to the mental institution is played by Josephine Hull. Lastly is Myrtle May, the young woman and daughter of Veta, who never thinks any guy will fancy her is portrayed by Victoria Horne.

The Grapes of Wrath

                                                              The Joad family loading up their truck to head for California in search of jobs



  A tragic, gloomy, and joyless tale about the Joad family. The grapes of Wrath takes you through the 1930s lifestyle of an "oakie" suffering through the dust bowl and the great depression. While viewing this movie you hopelessly watch as the Joad's struggle to find jobs, a place of residence, and food to eat. As the Joad family migrates from Oklahoma to California they lose family members along the way such as the deadbeat husband/soon to be father, the former preacher, a senile grandfather, and an olden grandmother.

                                                                                      Pictured here is Ma' Joad, Tom Joad, and Pa' Joad
 


Though this movie may seem depressing, just know that throughout the movie it manages to get even more depressing. Although I did love the movie, I felt as though the Joad family deserved some happiness, or just a glimmer of hope. Toward the end what was left of the family had been completely torn down, and lost all optimism. While the family was hopeless, I was filled with hope and even anxious in viewing the ending in expectations for a happy ending, but was left with a horrible cliff hanger that gave no inside to the rest of the family. 

                         Pictured here is casy, "A fellow ain't got a soul of his own, just little piece of a big soul, the one big soul that belongs to everybody,

Ma' Joad is the one that keeps the family strong and most of the time keeps them going, all big decisions are made mostly with Ma's choice. While Ma' is the caretaker of the family Pa' seems distant and little is know about him through the movie except that he is looking for work like everyone else. Tom Joad, the main character, is a recently incarcerated man who in my opinion becomes the symbol of freedom for the people going through tough times. My favorite character is Casy, the sweet and innocent preacher who lost the spirit, even though he never says why he l believe it had to do with the Great Depression.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark is an exciting action packed thrill ride, with a hard to follow plot. The movie takes you through Indiana Jone's quest for the last Ark that the Nazis also seek. While also engaging in these shenanigans he finds lost love, his recent ex girlfriend Marion. While succeeding in both obtaining the Ark he also manages to obtain his lover's heart.

                                                                      Raiders of the Lost Ark movie cover



With vibrant characters portrayed by some influential and others not so influential actors. I found the role of Indiana Jones played by the Fantastic Harrison Ford was very well done, frankly I don't think the Fantastic Ford could have done a better job. While on the other hand, you have Karen Allen who plays Marion. Allen did not do such a great job, and provided little to the plot. A better Raiders of the Lost Ark movie would be less love and more face melting.

                                          Face melting scene with the Nazis after the ark had released it's power


While viewing this film I felt connected to the actors, mainly Indiana Jones. His victories were my victories, and when in trouble I even felt defeated as he did. The special effects were nothing compared to the films today. But when viewing an older film one must take into consideration that 1981 special effects, were limited due to the lack of today's technology.