Lily of the Valley Productions
Top 100 Movie #1: The Shawshank Redemption
The Sawshank Redemption is widely considered one of hollywood's most beloved films. This is for good reason. The writing, filming and acting of this piece is impeccable, and the underlying message applies to all humanity: to put it simply, get busy living or get bust dying.
While i watched this piece, I constantly found myself pausing and rewinding to look at specific shots that were particularly interesting. I could tell that in the shots for this film, especially those inside the prison focused on symmetry. It seemed to represent to the audience the institutionalization and strict order that all people in that environment were subject to. Scenes that represented freedom, hope, and happiness, were accompanies with more "disorganized", natural looking shots. It is obvious that every shot in this film was planned, and than nothing happened by accident. It was very much a case of what Muench likes to call "working your ass of to look like you didn't work at all". One of my favorite scenes in this film does just that.
This is the scene where Andy either just of out of "the hole" and is processing the news of Tommy's death(the young prisoner who he helped pass his school exams.). Tommy was killed at the Warden's orders because he had evidence that Andy was an innocent man. Even though it is not explicetly said in the film, the characters are smart enough to know the reality of what occurred, including Andy. Red comes over to give him company and Andy tells him about his dreams of moving to mexico, building a small hotel and buying an old boat to restore. Red tries to convince Andy that hoping to get our will only cause him more suffering and that he should just accept ther reality of the situation, but this is directly against andy's nature and even though his hope may be wavering due to recent events. He responds to Red by saying "I guess it comes
"Get busy living, or get busy dying"
down to a simple choice really: get busy living, or get busy dying." He stands up, and begins to walk away. But here's where things get interesting: the audience sees a wide shot of the two of them at a distance, but Andy is standing in the sunlight now, while Red still is standing in the dark -- a direct parallel to the line just uttered before.
Another interesting aspect about this film is that it flips the idea of a generic prison film on its head. Sure, there is a jail break towards the end of the film, but that jailbreak comes as a legitimate surprise to the audience, as does so many other aspects of the film. One of the ways it redefines this type of movie is the way it illustrates how not everyone really wants to get parole and leave the prison. This is exemplified in the character of Brooks, who almost killed a friend because he so badly did not want to leave. After he did, he ended up killing himself because he was not able to adjust to life outside of Shawshank. And this is very understandable -- if you've lived most of your life inside the walls of a prison, that is your life. You don't know anything outside of it. We can see this same institutionalization to a lesser extent in Red, who sums this up perfectly when the news about Brooks first breaks(another brilliant scene in my opinion): "They send you here for life, that's exactly what they take."
Another way that the film strays away from the traditional prison film, is that it focuses on the people of the prison and not just the prison itself, and it shows certain people, especially Andy, making the best of their situation, instead of constantly thinking of ways to get out, or dwelling on their inability to. It almost comes across to the reader that being in a place such as a prison, where the worst of humanity is supposed to go, can actually bring out the best in humanity. The prison break takes a backseat in the story to the relationships made, and what life is really like inside of this prison, which makes it all that more surprising and exciting when it is
discovered and you see back in time how andy pulled it off and also managed to expose the prison and the Warden. The novel of this book was written by Stephen King, which makes sense given the incredible storyline and dialogue of the film. Some interpret this film to hold a message of the true meaning of christianity (which is ironic given that the only overtly "Christian" character is the warden, who turns out to be a monster), but that is a whole other paper in itself that doesn't need to be written at this time, given that this one is already almost 3 weeks overdue...sorry.
I could write about this film for hours so, Needless to say, I would recommend this film to anyone and everyone, as it is a moving story of undying hope and friendship that is applicable to all of our lives Additionally, it is just plain amazing to watch. The use of shots and lighting is brilliant and play a gigantic role in bringing this story to life, and making it as impactful to the audience as it is, as well as making in arguably one of the best films ever made.
Top 100 Movie #2: Singin' in the Rain
Singin' in the Rain is widely regarded one of the most classic movies of all time. With its impeccable singing and dancing, and overall playful nature, it is easy to see why this would be the case.
Singing in the Rain is about a Hollywood actor that is in a frustrating situation. He, Don Lockwood, is being forced to fake a romantic relationship with his regular co-star, Lina Lamont, as a publicity stunt to better his career. Lina is convinced that their relationship is real, even though Don has insisted many times that it is just for the media. Still, Lina persists. Frustrated and feeling hopeless, he turns to his childhood best friend, the less famous but objectively more likable and funny(in my opinion), Cosmo Brown. When they try to escape a fancy party to find some peace and quiet, Don is bombarded by a crowd of fans. He manages to escape only by jumping on the car of a stranger named Kathy Sheldon. As she is giving him a ride away from the crowd Don begins to flirt with her but Kathy quickly shuts him down by saying that screen acting isn't "real acting" and that it doesn't take a lot of talent.
It is important to keep in mind here, when this film is set and what state the movie industry was in at that time. One can assume that this film takes place in the 1920s during what some refer to as the "roaring 20s". The movie industry was still relatively in its infancy, with only black and white silent films being able to be made. it was a means of escape for americans, even into the early 1930s with the great depression. Therefor, Kathy feels as if stage acting is far more serious of an occupation than screen acting.
This encounter bruises Don's fragile male ego and despite Cosmos best efforts to cheer him up, Don cant get Katherine out of his mind. Meanwhile, the studio that Don works for is trying to catch up with their competitors in the production of the new 'talkie" movies(movies with sound). In real life, during the 1920s, this was a real problem, as many screen actors were at risk of losing their jobs as they did not have a voice that was "fit for the screen". The characters in the movie are also faced with this problem, as Lina Lamont did not have a voice that the company wanted to showcase in their film. The company hires Kathy for the role instead, but Lina, resenting Kathy for accidentally throwing a cake in her face and for how much Don seems to adore her, insists on playing the female lead. Don, Kathy, and Cosmo are now in trouble as there is no way to make the film good if people hear Lena's real voice. So, they decide to take matters into their own hands.
This movie is very feel-good, happy, and colorful. It feels very much like a classic old-hollywood film, which is refreshing sometimes given how much the music industry has changed over the years. The singing would certainly bring a smile to anyone's face, and that doesn't even include the impeccable choreography displayed in this film. The singing and dancing numbers were absolutely insane. Perhaps most notably "Good Morning" which is virtually a 4 minute long synchronized tap number, where the actors have to do a number of small stunts as well. Apparently, if took the better part of 14 hours to film that one song, and it was incredibly taxing on the actors, as one can imagine, but to the audience it seems effortless. Additionally, after the filming of "Make em' Laugh", Donald O'Connor(Cosmo) was on bedrest for 3 days. This film, even if the plot and writing isn't so, is very creative.
Towards the end of the movie, there is a 10 minute scene("Gotta Dance") of just choreography and very little to no singing at all. This scene basically took place in Don's imagination so it is wildly colorful and energetic. It kinda feels like you are on the 1950s equivalent to an acid trip. This scene was especially interesting as it showcased a couple of different types of dances that were popular around 1920s time period, as well as costumes that fit that era. Personally. I was not a fan of the writing of this film or the romantic story line, but in the aspects that it is best known for, i believe that Singin' in the Rain is rightfully considered a Hollywood classic.