When
I began this series, I didn't realize the extent of the journey I would
be taking. You would think a list comprised of 25 movies that
Hollywood shouldn't touch would be simple, but as I continue researching
these films, I am finding that this list, by the end, could have a lot
more than just 25 movies on it. I would like to remind the reader that
this is just my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of
the majority of movie goers. If you see one I have not included on
here that you feel should be included, don't take offense. We know that
opinions differ from one individual to another. You may e-mail me with
some that you would like included and I will be more than happy to
continue on after my 25 are done. So, once again, thanks for reading
and I hope this week's will be just as enjoyable for you to read about
as it has been for me in researching them.
#6: "The Princess Bride" Released in theaters September 25, 1987
With a script that was as witty and well-written as the actors
delivering said script, this had to be included. In a world of
swash-bucklers, secret romance, and giants, this was enjoyable for
anyone of any age group. The narrative being done by the late, and
great, Peter Falk, made us feel as if we were Fred Savage sitting in bed
hearing this story ourselves.
There was no need to include special effects rendered by computer
imaging as the director, Rob Reiner, was able to make each moment
magical using real world scenery. The cast included, but was not
limited to, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, and the late Andre the Giant, with
each one of them shining in their own way. Round it out with
appearances by the very funny Billy Crystal and equally funny (if not
funnier) Carol Kane, and the recipe was sweeter than grandma's chocolate
chip cookies.
A remake of this film could have me begging for a glass of Westley's
wine, not caring if the one I was drinking was poisoned. In fact, I'd
just shoot both of them down the hatch to be on the safe side.
#7: "Gone With The Wind" Released in theaters January 17, 1940
The set designs, location shooting, costume design, and script could
not be done in a more splendid fashion than the entire cast and crew did
with this classic.
For a history fanatic, the ability to criticize even the tiniest of
details is near impossible. The cast fantastically drew in the audience
to a well crafted, and sometimes comical, script. To make a movie
capturing the moments of the civil war is not impossible, as many
witnessed with "Cold Mountain.". However, one would wonder how many
movie goers from current generations would applaud a movie like this?
Frankly my dear, I don't think many would give a damn. That, in a
sense, is just sad, too. This movie should be shown in American History
classes at the high school level for it's periodic accuracies. Plus,
it may just teach some of our youth to appreciate what they haven't had
to work for. Eh, maybe that's a bit of a stretch. One can wish.
#8: "The Dark Crystal" Released in theaters December 17, 1982
What Jim Henson showed us with this was that movies with Muppet's
didn't always have to be bright and shiny with rainbows and sunshine.
No, this movie had one word in it's title to let the viewer know what
to expect from it: It was a dark journey.
The set director, Peter Young, showed us that his abilities weren't
some fluke, as he had a hand in the 1989 Tim Burton vision of "Batman"
starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson and even more recent with
"Troy (2004)."
Even though we were witnessing puppets acting out this beautiful story,
the environments were done in a manner that made them believable, all
made with sweat and imagination. When someone can craft a world using a
computer, it's amazing. When someone does it using manual labor, and
carpentry skills, that is a whole level of craftsmanship that sometimes
seems to be a dying art form these days.
#9: "True Romance" Released in theaters September 10, 1993
When you see that Quentin Tarantino scripted a movie, you know you are
in for a wild ride. When you see that Dennis Hopper, Christopher
Walken, and Gary Oldman (just to name a few from this absolutely stellar
cast) are in said movie based on a Tarantino screenplay, prepare for
sensory overload to the nth degree.
Finding the love of your life is awesome, especially when she's a
prostitute. Upon retrieving her belongings from her pimp, you kill said
pimp and take a suitcase supposedly containing her belongings. In the
confusion of shooting up the pimp and his bodyguard, you are instead
given a suitcase containing a boat-load of mob owned cocaine.
Of course, the mob is not going to just chalk that up as a wedding gift
to the newlyweds, so expect someone to be hunting you down. If there's
one thing we have all learned from mob movies, when they do catch up
with you, they do not kindly ask for it back and write it up as a
mulligan. So, you try to do what any rational person in this type of
predicament would do: Call your good friend Michael Rapaport to see if
he can help you unload it for a real good price. Don't forget though, a
"Part Eggplant Mob Guy" is still looking for you (by far, one of the
best monologues in a movie EVER).
If new generations haven't seen this film, instead of remaking it, do a
20th Anniversary Re-Release in theaters, followed by a super-stellar
Blu-Ray release in stores. That would make more sense to me than trying
to "fine-tune" details. This was well-crafted, well-acted, and just
plain fun the first time around.
#10: "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" Released in theaters November 21, 1975
When preparing for this movie, all of the actors spent one day in a
mental facility as a means of research. That is, everyone except Jack
Nicholson, who went on to win Best Actor for his portrayal of Randall
Patrick McMurphy. On top of this fun fact, the movie was actually
filmed in the Oregon State Hospital, creating an environment depicting
the feel of an actual mental hospital.
Storytelling is an art form and this movie was lacking nothing of the
sorts. The cast played well into one another's characters and created a
linear story meshing the differing psychological issues each one
posessed. I felt that it was not actors and actresses telling a story,
but rather a documentary outlining the daily goings on at a state run
mental facility.
Redoing this film could only be done if the new cast and crew followed
the book by Ken Kesey a little bit more true to his original writing.
This would make the Indian chief the center character, and while that
could be enjoyable, it may lose the essence the first film delivered.
That type of change could have some fans of this film volunteering for
the same labotomy Mr. Randall McMurphy received for his rebellious
attitude towards the infamous Nurse Ratchett.
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