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.