Film of the Month (July): Edward Scissorhands
Possibly the easiest film to define as Burton-esque, this 1990 fantasy tells the heartbreaking tale of a misfit trying to fit into society. Perfect for the 90's, a decade of youth confusion and isolation that caused Generation X and all of it's by-products i.e. Grunge and emo music, both often connoted with the film. Although the description may sound generic, the misfit in society story has not been handled as well as this since King Kong. Very much like King Kong or Charlie Chaplin, no words are needed in this film to make it any more heartbreaking. However, the dialogue and attitudes of the more cynical characters in the films are ingeniously captured in Caroline Thompson's screenplay. With ultra-realistic and believable performances from Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, this film has and will break hearts and speak to anyone who has ever felt different for years to come. The stellar combination of Burton's direction of the film and Stefan Czapsky's cinematography makes this film one of the most visually beautiful and heart rendering pieces of cinema ever committed to film.
It may not be the most notable moment of the film, but it is hard not to give a mention to the very last screen appearance of horror legend Vincent Price in this film. His short passing after the film's release makes the moment he meets his end in the film even more sadder in real life.
Classic Line:
The eponymous character rarely gets a chance speak throughout the whole film, but his total soul crushing delivery to respond to Winona Ryder's request of a simple hug will break hearts of every generation to come. He replies simply yet effectively with:
I can't
Classic Scene:
Though it may no be the most recognisable moment of the film, it is hard to ignore the last on screen appearance of Vincent Price who's death, not long after the films release, makes the moment of his character's passing even more sentimental.
Film of the Month (June): Withnail & I
British cinema and theatre have always gone hand in hand with each other. At the end of the day it is Britain that produced Shakespeare and so the theatre has always been in the heart and heritage of the country. The marriage of the two forms of performing arts can be witnessed in one of the funniest yet most Thespian films to have ever existed. Bruce Robinson weds the Thespian characters and eccentric dialogue with the filthy and aggressive nature of everyday life and of some of the people alive towards the end of the 1960s to produce a wonderfully dark comedy, featuring possibly the most quotes from any film to date. There is full connection with the characters, which makes you forget that the people you are witnessing on screen are actually concocted works of fiction and a plot that is just oh so British. With powerhouse performances, most notably from Richard E. Grant's intimidatingly realistic Withnail, the film has aged like as well as a '53 Margaux'.
Classic Line:
Robinson's screenplay features charm, wit and emotion that makes it near impossible to hone in on one line in particular. However, the first presentation of the eponymous Withnail perfectly captures everything that we love so much about the character, especially his first utterance that captures his dependence of alcohol and his friend known only as 'I':
"We've just ran out of wine, what are we going to do about it?"
Classic Scene:
Although the whole film is memorable, it is the scene in the Penrith tearoom that is invaded by drunken versions of the eponymous duo that stands out as a moment of light within the darkness that is the life of these characters.The fact that this is aided by alcohol is despite the point. Shout out to the emotional recital of Hamlet by Withnail at the climax of the film.
Possibly the easiest film to define as Burton-esque, this 1990 fantasy tells the heartbreaking tale of a misfit trying to fit into society. Perfect for the 90's, a decade of youth confusion and isolation that caused Generation X and all of it's by-products i.e. Grunge and emo music, both often connoted with the film. Although the description may sound generic, the misfit in society story has not been handled as well as this since King Kong. Very much like King Kong or Charlie Chaplin, no words are needed in this film to make it any more heartbreaking. However, the dialogue and attitudes of the more cynical characters in the films are ingeniously captured in Caroline Thompson's screenplay. With ultra-realistic and believable performances from Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, this film has and will break hearts and speak to anyone who has ever felt different for years to come. The stellar combination of Burton's direction of the film and Stefan Czapsky's cinematography makes this film one of the most visually beautiful and heart rendering pieces of cinema ever committed to film.
It may not be the most notable moment of the film, but it is hard not to give a mention to the very last screen appearance of horror legend Vincent Price in this film. His short passing after the film's release makes the moment he meets his end in the film even more sadder in real life.
Classic Line:
The eponymous character rarely gets a chance speak throughout the whole film, but his total soul crushing delivery to respond to Winona Ryder's request of a simple hug will break hearts of every generation to come. He replies simply yet effectively with:
I can't
Classic Scene:
Though it may no be the most recognisable moment of the film, it is hard to ignore the last on screen appearance of Vincent Price who's death, not long after the films release, makes the moment of his character's passing even more sentimental.
Film of the Month (June): Withnail & I
British cinema and theatre have always gone hand in hand with each other. At the end of the day it is Britain that produced Shakespeare and so the theatre has always been in the heart and heritage of the country. The marriage of the two forms of performing arts can be witnessed in one of the funniest yet most Thespian films to have ever existed. Bruce Robinson weds the Thespian characters and eccentric dialogue with the filthy and aggressive nature of everyday life and of some of the people alive towards the end of the 1960s to produce a wonderfully dark comedy, featuring possibly the most quotes from any film to date. There is full connection with the characters, which makes you forget that the people you are witnessing on screen are actually concocted works of fiction and a plot that is just oh so British. With powerhouse performances, most notably from Richard E. Grant's intimidatingly realistic Withnail, the film has aged like as well as a '53 Margaux'.Classic Scene:
Film of the Month: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The final piece of Sergio Leone's 'Dollars Trilogy' boasts being the most successful and arguably the best of the mega-trio that changed both the Western genre and cinema in general forever. The film tracks three men in search of lost army gold during the U.S Civil War and the bonds that are made and broken throughout. Described by Quentin Tarantino as 'the greatest directed film of all time', Leone's camera work, stunning landscapes and being not only sound tracked but accompanied by the unmistakeable scores of Ennio Morricone has engraved the film in cinematic and pop culture history alike.
Classic Line:
Eastwood's ice cool delivery of his lines is just one of the many aspects that has cemented 'The Man With No Name' character as the icon for Western films. However, it is his line that proves that he has emerged the victor of all the events of the film. After killing Angel Eyes and leaving Tuco without a weapon, the buried treasure is all but his and he reminds us with this genius of a line:
'You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig'
Classic Scene:
We may appear to be focusing more on the climax of the film, however, it is perfectly understandable why. Leone's heart pounding directing, that incorporates rapid fire cuts and extreme close-ups synchronised to Morricone's thrilling score has left this scene to be used frequently in homage and creating tension that most film makers aspire to reproduce.
Film of the Month: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig'
Classic Scene:
We may appear to be focusing more on the climax of the film, however, it is perfectly understandable why. Leone's heart pounding directing, that incorporates rapid fire cuts and extreme close-ups synchronised to Morricone's thrilling score has left this scene to be used frequently in homage and creating tension that most film makers aspire to reproduce.
.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*)
Film of the Month: Pulp Fiction
After bursting on the scene in 1992 with Reservoir Dogs, expectations for new film-maker on the scene Quentin Tarantino to follow up on his independent masterpiece were high. Needless to say, he bloody delivered. Arguably the defining film of the 90's, Pulp Fiction glorified the non-linear narrative, pop culture references and one hell of a soundtrack that changed the conventions of films forever. Reviving the careers of many legendary actors such as John Travolta and Bruce Willis and boosting the careers of actors like Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, Tarantino's 1994 tale of crime, violence, loyalty and relationships in L.A proved to be a modern classic.
Classic Line:
Out of the many ultra-quotable lines of dialogue to chose from, we decided to go with Jules Winnfield's biblical quote used just before gunning down Bret, a man who Jules has been hired to assassinate.
"Ezekiel 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I shall strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is The Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"
Perfectly displaying the acting talents of Mr. Samuel L. Jackson
Classic Scene:
Once again difficult to select a defining scene from such a timeless film. However, it's the dance between John Travolta's Vincent and Uma Thurman's Mia to Chuck Berry's 'You Never Can Tell' that has helped make the film as iconic as it stands today.
Classic Line:
Out of the many ultra-quotable lines of dialogue to chose from, we decided to go with Jules Winnfield's biblical quote used just before gunning down Bret, a man who Jules has been hired to assassinate.
"Ezekiel 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I shall strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is The Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"
Perfectly displaying the acting talents of Mr. Samuel L. Jackson
Classic Scene:
Once again difficult to select a defining scene from such a timeless film. However, it's the dance between John Travolta's Vincent and Uma Thurman's Mia to Chuck Berry's 'You Never Can Tell' that has helped make the film as iconic as it stands today.
No comments:
Post a Comment