eagle795 Blog

Under discussion:

It's a Wonderful Life  (1946)

 
I have an affinity for Christmas films, & James Stewart is my favorite actor. I will only watch the black & white version, &  it’s gotta be viewed in cold weather, i.e. not before November and not after January. The film’s message of the impact that an ordinary guy with an ordinary life can have on people just by being a good friend & a good family man is timeless.

Under discussion:

Die Hard  (1988)

 
I’m usually not an action guy, but this is a great action flick. Bruce Willis is just an ordinary guy caught in an odd situation, and he’s funny too. Alan Rickman’s villain is one of the best ever. And if you really really wanna get technical it’s a Christmas film, an added bonus.

Under discussion:

Forrest Gump  (1994)

 
Yes Forrest is inexplicably present at a few too many historical events. And he does get to meet a few Presidents (which is really well done from technological standpoint). That stuff is all well & good, and it makes the movie more amusing. Gary Sinise is amazing as Lieutenant Dan. But what puts this movie over the top is Tom Hanks. The scenes where he meets his son for the first time and where he says goodbye to his beloved Jenny are…well…wow. Great stuff.

Under discussion:

Lethal Weapon  (1987)

Kind of follows the buddy movie formula…cops…one black, one white…an implied generation gap…very different family lives…one is crazy, one is stable. But the reason formula movies become a formula in the first place is because it is successful. This movie does it better than any of them. Another Christmas movie in the loosest sense, and with the additional benefit of Gary Busey as the bad guy.                                

Under discussion:

Halloween  (1978)

Without a doubt the best horror movie ever made. What makes it so great is its subtlety. It’s not super gory. The violence is understated, with more of an emphasis on suspense & “atmosphere”. This is largely due to the fact that the filmmakers were working on a shoestring budget. I say thank goodness. Definitely a case of “less is more”.

Under discussion:

Rocky  (1976)

Anyone who has ever believed that the underdog just may win, that the little guy from out of nowhere may actually have a chance against clearly superior competition, has obviously seen Rocky.