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.