H is for animated, suicidal, journalists

I am madly in love with anything Hayao Miyazaki does. And Howl's is probably my favorite. It is the wonderful story of a young woman who's mundane life is turned upside-down after a fateful encounter with the Witch of the Waste. This is a rare production by Miyazaki because it is adapted from a novel by Diana Wynne Jones. Typically he writes his own screenplays, but the book follows a similar theme used often in his films: a heroine who must overcome adversity to save something. This time Sophie must find a way to break the spell cast upon her by seeking the aid of Howl, a wizard who, legend says, steals young girl's souls. This film is visually stunning. It's so wonderful to watch traditional animation. Miyazaki is a master of creating beautiful landscapes with wind blowing through tall grassy fields and clouds floating in the sky. This is yet another movie my mother and I enjoyed together. What I love most is, whenever I feel sad, I just watch any of his films and they magically lift my spirits and take my cares away. That is exactly what movies should do.

 

This is another movie I grew up watching. I love telling the premise to those who've never seen it:

Harold, a teenager who attends funerals and commits suicide as a hobby meets and falls in love with Maude, an eighty year-old woman who is full of life. This is the most mismatched couple in film history, but their love affair is heartwarming, humorous and wonderful. I have to warn you, this is a very black comedy. The opening scene is at the same time somber and absolutely hilarious. After watching the introduction of Harold and his family, one has to wonder, 'who is the crazy one here, Harold and is death obsession or his mother, who is obsessed with appearance and status?' This movie is a must for anyone who has forgotten what life is truly about. Ruth Gordon's spot on performance envelopes the viewer in Maude's love of life. Pure joy.

 

You may have noticed that I have quite a few older films on this list. There's one reason for that: Hollywood used to make really great films. There was a time when it wasn't all about the money. In fact, there are many movies considered 'classic' that did horribly at the box office. I don't know how this film did. What I do know is this is truly a great film. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are flawless as ex-spouses, one of which pines for 'the good ole days' with his ex/newspaper buddy and the other is trying her best to break away from her ex's charms. This film is also a perfect example of another nearly extinct creature in Hollywood, the great script. This film is one of the first, if not the first, to use overlapping dialogue. And when it's Grant and Russell delivering those lines, it's pure genius. Loads of laughs and who doesn't need to laugh a lot these days.

Unlike the last letter where I struggled to find enough films, 'H' has a plethora of really good ones. There's Hope and Glory, the semi-autobiographical story of a boy's life in London during the blitz. And The Hitcher, a truly creepy tale with an equally creepy performance by Rutger Hauer (by the way, there's a remake of this that I haven't seen because you shouldn't remake perfection). Hero and House Of Flying Daggers are two more films I have to mention. They are visually stunning and full of lots of great martial arts. Let's not forget The Host, the best damn Korean horror film with the quirkiest family and the coolest monster...ever! Last but in no way least is the Oscar winning The Hurt Locker. This Best Oscar winner was one of the hardest movies I've ever watched and I may never watch it again, but I highly recommend that everyone watch it once to gain a little understanding of the horrors our soldiers go through for 'freedom'.

   

 G is for peaceful, prison, friendship

Included in many film industry top ten lists, Gandhi truly is a great film about one of history's most important figures. Ben Kingsley is superb as the Indian lawyer who takes it upon himself to rid his country of British colonialism. In fact, Dustin Hoffman considered trying for the roll, but starred in Tootsie instead. He lost the Best Actor Oscar to Kingsley. This film, directed by Richard Attenborough nearly 30 years ago, holds such resonance today with all the conflict that is occurring in the region. In a day and age where hatred and violence seem so prevalent everywhere in the world, it would behoove society to take another look at how a small man with nothing but love and peace in his heart can lead a nation toward freedom through nonviolence. 

I came upon this story first as a serial novel by Stephen King. Although he is known best as a horror writer, King has also written some very good 'normal' stories and this is a perfect example. Set in Louisiana in the mid-1930s, the film tells the story of John Coffey, a convicted murderer with a special gift. Directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clark Duncan, and Michael Jeter, this is the closest adaption of a King novel that exists. I can vividly remember watching the movie and crying because I knew what was about to happen. Basically, I cried through the whole movie. So if you are not in the mood to have your heart strings tugged, steer away from this movie. But I would beg you not to do so for long. This is a wonderful film and I would also recommend you read the novel. 

 

I would like to say that this last film is a bright, sunny, happy movie, but I would be lying. Gallipoli is set in several bright, sunny places like the Australian outback, Egypt, and the west coast Turkish peninsula from which the title comes. It tells the story of two runners whose friendship takes them on a journey that ends half way around the world in a horrific battle at Gallipoli. It features a young Mel Gibson as Frank Dunne, a womanizing layabout who follows his friend, Archy Hamilton, to war because he doesn't have anything else in his life. Little does he know it will change his life forever. I love this film. It's such a wonderful tale of the endurance of friendship and it is directed by one of my favorite directors, Peter Weir. Weir doesn't make films very often, but when he does, they are absolute magic. With a resume that includes such films as The Year of Living Dangerously, Witness, Dead Poet's Society, Fearless, The Truman Show, and Master and Commander, Weir's name alone will make me go see a film. And this one is masterful.

'G' was a hard letter to do. I'd like to say that's why there was such a long gap between postings, but that would be a lie. I could only find a few films to write about, but they were all very good. Another great film would have to be Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe as a brave general who loses everything and is forced to become a fighter in the Roman arena. He then takes the opportunity to seek both revenge and peace of mind. This achievement is only possible in 'Hollywoodland'. This is one of those films that has a musical score that sweeps me away. And Mr. Crowe in a skirt is easy on the eyes, of course.

My last entry is the only comedy for this letter, Galaxy Quest. This quirky, fun film stars Tim Allen as a has-been tv star who finds himself and his former cast mates in a world that mirrors the show that has haunted him for years. Lots of laughs can be had by all. So watch the heavy ones and save this one for last. Even Gandhi would agree, laughter is a much needed ingredient in life.

 F is for eternal, fantasy, zombies

As I've said before, my favorite movies often evoke certain memories. This movie will always remind me of my mother and the brief, but wonderful time we spent living together when I moved back to Michigan. I feel so fortunate that many of my favorite movie memories include her. In fact, I have watched over half of the reviewed films so far with her. Coincidence? Not at all. But let's get back to what makes this movie so special. Where should I start? Is it the wonderful story of a boy's imagination awakened? Or the heart-wrenching performance of young Freddie Highmore whose huge, hazel eyes reduce me to a blubbering idiot? Or is it just one more wonderful Johnny Depp film. I think it's a combination of all those things and so much more. I love the theme that imagination must be encouraged, nurtured, and kept from ever growing up. (thanks, Mom, for being there)

  

Beautiful, exotic locations. Amazing costumes. And a wonderful little girl who will both endear you and wrench your heart out. These are but a few reasons why this film exists on this list. It is the amazing expression of one director's love of movies. This is a wonderful fairy tale filled with tragedy, adventure, and love. It's one of those movies that I watch when I need to be reminded of all the fantasy and wonder there is in the world. My favorite films often do one thing-arouse specific, strong, emotional reactions that linger long after the end credits stop. The scene that does it in this film (actually there are a few, but this is the strongest) is the wonderful montage of great stuntmen. Yep, you guessed it. I become a blubbering idiot, yet again.

 

And now for something completely different. In fact, this is a complete 180 degree turn from the two previous entries. But I love it just the same. Actually it is a heart-warming tale like the other two. It's the story of a boy and his zombie. Yes, I said zombie. What I love about this film is the originality of the story. It takes true talent to make a zombie flick that completely breaks from the genre and gives a fresh, new voice to the undead. Combining the archetypal 50s with flesh-eating creatures, this is a hilarious romp of a movie. Billy Connolly is wonderful as man's best friend.

F is a good letter for great movies. I had to struggle to narrow my reviews to only three. I could have just as easily chosen Fantastic Mr. Fox, the Roald Dahl story told with great, traditional, stop-motion animation. Or The Fisher King, yet another fairy tale set in New York and starring Robin Williams as a tragic hero haunted by a horrific past. Perhaps you'd prefer Full Metal Jacket, Stanley Kubrick's jaunt into Vietnam via the harsh, dehumanizing journey through basic training with the amazing performances of Vincent D'Onofrio and R. Lee Ermey. And there's always Darren Aronofsky's time traveling love story, The Fountain. This is one of those films you either love or hate and I love it. Here's a little known fact-the backgrounds that appear to be CGed are actually micro-photography of chemical reactions.

 

 E is for sideshow, kiwi, prisoner

I have been horrible at posting and for this, I apologize. I could use the excuse that it was difficult to find enough 'e' movies to post, but that would be a lie. I'm just lazy. That being said, it was somewhat hard to find movies to review; however, these three are among my all-time favorites:

 

 

I can tell you where I was the first time I saw this movie. It was at the State theater in downtown Kalamazoo, MI. I remember this because certain movies have a resonance that makes the first time linger in my memory. This poignant story based upon the brief life of John Merrick is full of rich performances by John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins, and Anne Bancroft. David Lynch is one of those directors whose films are so odd that people either love them or hate them. This is not one of those films and I think it's because, in this case, reality is stranger than fiction. Filming it in black and white helps transport the audience to a time where sideshow freaks were commonplace. But instead of exploiting Mr. Merrick's life, Lynch successfully brings out the tenderness of a person who never was able to have a normal life. The makeup is stunning, bringing to life a vision which we might only see in a nightmare. And the music in one scene (I don't want to spoil it by saying too much) always brings me to tears, no matter where I hear it.

 

This truly odd story stars one of the most hilarious, new actors out there-Jemaine Clement. Fans of the brilliant but short-lived series, Flight Of The Conchords, know what I'm talking about. The best word to describe this film is quirky. Quirky storyline, quirky performances, quirky animated sequences, quirky everything. That's what makes it so funny. The audience is left to wonder, 'is all of New Zealand like this?' If you're talented enough to scratch your head in wonder at the oddness of it and hold your stomach from laughing so hard, this is the movie for you.

 

Long before Terminator and Batman, or Little Women and Newsies, there was this film. The first of many brilliant performances by Christian Bale and by far the best. With every scene, he proves that not all talent is created. Some people are just born with it. This is a different kind of war film. A tale of loss, imprisonment, starvation, and struggle. Based upon the autobiographical novel by James Ballard, it brings to life a lesser known story of the Japanese invasion of Shanghai and what happened to the British citizens living there. Bale was only 12 when this film was shot, but he holds his own acting with John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson. One of Stephen Spielberg's lesser known films, this is one of my favorites.

As I said before, there weren't a lot of 'e' movies to search through; however, it's interesting to note that most of them were really good movies. A few others to note would be Enemy At The Gates, another great war story about two snipers fighting during the battle of Stalingrad starring another favorite actor, Jude Law; Equilibrium, yet one more movie I love that stars Christian Bale, it's the future and emotions are outlawed in the movie that introduced me to gunkata; and of course, Escape From New York, the classic film that introduced the world to the best anti-hero of them all, Snake Plissken. My dad loves to quote him so I'll end this entry with one: "call me Snake."
 

D is for buried, zany, sibling rivalry...

 

 Get ready for another rave review. (In fact, there will be three.) I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about this film. And the premise is completely crazy. Who would think a movie about a man whose forced to get a job preparing bodies for burial could be funny. But it is, as well as poignant, compassionate and freeing. Masahiro Motoki brings a delicacy to the role of Daigo, a young man forced to return to his hometown after his dreams of being a concert cellist are suddenly ended. I hate to sound like a cheesy promo, but I have to: you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to see it again and again.

This, by far, is the funniest movie about nuclear war I have ever seen. In fact, it's in my top 10 best comedies. Stanley Kubrick gathered an incredible cast which includes George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, and Peter Sellers in an Oscar nominated performance playing three characters. How can a film with characters such as Pres. Muffley, General Jack Ripper, Col. Guano, and Major Kong not be hilarious. I don't think I can ever get tired of watching it. Surprising this came from the same mind that brought us A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Eyes Wide Shut. Finding out that Peter Sellers improvised most of his lines makes me love this film even more.

I have found Wes Anderson is often hit or miss. Either you really enjoy the film or you don't. This film is an absolute gem. I am the youngest of three daughters, so I found the sibling relationships fascinating to watch. I wouldn't go so far as to say each of our personalities matched these three, but there were some eerie, hilarious similarities. Add to this a great script, soundtrack, and cinematography and this is one of Anderson's best.

Here I thought 'c' was a hard letter to choose. I had to really think about which 3 to highlight. I could have easily chosen Das Boot, one of the best WWII films made. Or The Descent, a fantastic horror film about six women cavers who face all kinds of terror deep underground. Then there's District 9, a sci-fi film filled with so much social commentary you nearly forget there are aliens in it. And I can't end this post without mentioning one of my favorite Disney films, Dumbo. Not only does it have the cutest damn elephant in it, it also includes a song that has never failed to make me a blubbering idiot: "Baby mine don't you cry". Excuse me, I've got to get a kleenex.

 C is for animated, infertile, love...

I love claymation and Nick Park and Peter Lord (the makers of Wallace & Gromit-another favorite) are the best. Back when Mel Gibson wasn't crazy (remember those days) he lent his voice to this wonderful take on World War II escape movies like 'The Great Escape' and 'Stalag 17'. These references help to endear the film to adults as well as their children. With lots of obvious laughs and even more fun poked at Mr. Gibson, this is a great movie for the whole family. I never get tired of watching it.

If you haven't seen this movie, you are missing out on one of the best sci-fi movies of the past decade. This is not because it's full of amazing cg shots, great alien worlds, or lots of make-up clad actors. This film has a fascinating plot-a probable future of infertility, a strong, mostly ignored performance by Clive Owen, and some of the most intense moments caught on film in recent movie history. Director Alfonso Cuaron proves why he's one of the best film-makers around with his use of long shots that build in intensity until you practically fall out of your seat. The best example is the scene where Theo and Kee try to escape to the boat. Using a hand-held camera, Cuaron gives you the feeling you're watching a news report as the scene is revealed in over six minutes with no cut to another camera. For those of us who are movie geeks, this is incredible. You can't help but hold your breath.

 

I could not decide which to review, so why not do both? Both are wonderful stories of love that teach us to live life to it's fullest. Chocolat is a fairytale story of Vianne, a free-spirit who uses her talents as a chocolatier to both please the sweet-tooth and heal the soul. The cast includes stand-out performances by Juliette Binoche, Judy Dench, Lena Olin, and Johnny Depp. I strongly suggest you watch this film with plenty of the named confectionary. Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't.

Cinema Paradiso is a film after my heart. A beautiful story of one man's life and love of movies that grew from his friendship with the projectionist of his small Italian village. Full of laughter, heart-break, and tears, this film never ceases to get me. Especially the wonderful montage of film kisses. I cannot recommend this movie more. 

Over all, this was a difficult letter to choose. I had to pick from not only the previous films, but other such greats as the multi-Oscar winning Chariots Of Fire, Cube (a great Canadian sci-fi film), and Crash, another Oscar winner with an amazing cast. It will be interesting to see if 'D' can produce as many excellent films.

MEMORIES OF BIG JOHN

John came into my life at a typically difficult time. My parents had recently divorced, my sisters (being older) were entering a new, rebellious stage, and I was about to become a teenager. With all that weighing on my mind, in walked this tall man whose presence was anything but overbearing. ‘Big John’ not only described him physically, but in every other way as well. His laugh, his intellect, his heart, everything about him was larger than life. Everything but his ‘intrusion’ into a new family. He subtly and quickly became a very important part of my youth. He loved life and lived it to its fullest extent and that is the best lesson I learned from him.
My memories read like a laundry list of music, fun, and travel.
I can remember going to numerous bluegrass festivals. Initially, I didn’t want to go because I thought it was like country music which was full of tragic love stories and loss. I quickly found that it mirrored John’s upbeat attitude and found myself dancing and singing along with him. We also would go to square dancing nights at People’s Church. A typical teen would have found this uncool; however, I knew that it would be loads of fun.
One of his favorite tv series was M.A.S.H. I can remember a t-shirt he had that quoted Col. Potter: “the general answers his own phone, must be a Unitarian.” In fact, most of my memories of John include him laughing at some point. Watching M.A.S.H.; going to Le Bijou theater downtown and watching Monty Python films; spending hours at the dinner table with his kids sharing jokes. I can still hear that warm, addictive laugh.
My best memories are of the places I went with him. They weren’t far-off journeys to exotic lands, but that wasn’t what mattered. John’s presence was what made things fun. Listening to Harry Chapin on the drive up to the cabin on Lake Michigan; walking down the beach; watching him stoop as he walked through Taliesin East. I wouldn’t have traveled in the VW minibus with anyone else, if for no other reason than it needed an accomplished mechanic. John was great at finding Petoskey stones dry, which is quite a feat.
I will always feel fortunate for the time I spent with him. Our paths may have drifted different ways, but I cherish these memories and always will. He and my mother divorced when I started college, but he has always been and will always be my step-father, my friend:

Big John