Gone With The Wind

By Jonathan Goodsell

Through one of the darkest periods in American history comes the most frustratingly beautiful romance story in Hollywood history. Gone with the Wind is the Academy Award winning Civil War chick-flick that won the hearts of a nation and still holds the overall box office record, if adjusted for inflation of course. Starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, Gone with the Wind tells the emotional and romantic life of Scarlett O’Hara (Leigh) and her love affair with Rhett Butler (Gable) as they live through the Civil War and fight for what they believe in and for what they love. As Scarlett O’Hara famously says, “As God is my witness, I will never go hungry again”.

This film had a very unique and almost charismatic screen play. It’s riddled with humorous phrases and remarks that keep the story flowing. My personal favorites are Scarlett’s use of phrases like “fiddle-dee-dee” and “great balls of fire”. The lighting and use of silhouettes was rather well done. The final shot with Scarlett standing silhouetted against the tree at Terra was, in my opinion, the perfect way to end the film has it set this conclusive mood that everything was complete. 

The charismatic Rhett Butler was rather enjoyable to watch. His carefree look upon life even during the war was what made me really love him. But the thing that really drove the movie was the chemistry between Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. Their romantic tension was perfect. Granted you wanted to slap Scarlett for all her blunders and immature actions, it all worked out. The only problem I had was that when the movie ended, it seemed like something was missing. The story appeared to be going one direction and ended going another, and which direction I’ll leave unsaid so as not to spoil it. But I guess that’s how the story goes and that’s how the director chose to do the film, so I can respect it.

            Overall, this was a very enjoyable film. Filled with humor, drama, romance, and even some action, it’s a film anyone can enjoy. It’s a film that, even though the life and time portrayed has gone with the wind, the story will last for generations to come.

Schindler's List

Schindler's List- R

By Jonathan Goodsell

In my opinion, this is one of the greatest movie ever made. Starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley; Schindler's List tells the story of Oskar Schindler and his attempt to protect the Jews from the cruelty of the German Nazis. Schindler's List was a work of art. Despite the R rating, this is still a movie that all should see at one point in their lives. 

I loved this movie. It's no surprise that it won seven Academy Awards including best picture. It is extremely emotionally draining though. After I watched it, I sat around for probably an hour in a stupor of thought. What makes the movie so horrifying is that it's a true story. All the terrible things that happen in it, really happened. I think that's why it's so hard to watch. It's kind of like Titanic in that way. The acting was just superb. I don't think I'll ever be able to watch Ralph Fiennes the same again, which means it's a good thing I've seen all the Harry Potter all ready. But this was Liam Neeson at his best. I'm not sure if I've ever seen an acting job as good as his. It didn't surprise me that this was a Steven Spielberg film. He seems to be behind all the major hits. But this, this was special. This is by far one of his bests. The whole film was just so amazing and really well laid out. It wasn't complex and hard to understand, it was simple yet so full of detail it was just stunning. It was, simply put, a masterpiece. As good as it was though, I won't be watching it again soon. It's just so emotionally straining to watch, It'll take a while to want to watch it again. But when I do, I know I'll love it as much as I did the first time.
This movie was rated R for a reason, and that's something you need to realize before you watch it. But, there was no way the film could have been filmed and not received an R rating. Leaving out parts to get the lighter rating I believe would have been like telling a lie, it would have been immoral. We can't just pretend it never happened. We tell the story or we don't. There are a lot of bloody and merciless killings of Jews by Nazi soldiers. If the movie wasn't black and white, the blood and gore would have been way to much to handle. You also see plenty of other disturbing hardships the Jews are put through in the camps.You see groups of Jews stripped of their clothing and put through physicals; if they pass they were sent to get their clothes back, if not they were sent to the gas chambers. As graphic and clear as these scenes are, it's not meant to be in an inappropriate way, it's just what happened. There was some strong language, the one factor of the movie I believe they could have toned down. It wasn't exactly necessary to tell the story. I see why it was there to set the mood and try to explain the feelings going around, but for this film I believe it was still a lot more than needed. Most importantly I think you just have to remember that this movie is about the holocaust; it's depressing and almost aggravating to watch. So watch with caution, it's definitely not for your younger generation. But as strong as it is, I personally believe it to be a movie that almost everyone should watch at some point in their life.
As hard as it is to watch, this movie is still amazing. The feeling and emotion put into along with all the talent in and behind it made this movie one to be remembered. It's personally one of my favorites.So in my reviewer opinion, Schindler's List gets a loving and very well deserved 9.5/10

Dr. Strangelove

Dr. Strangelove- PG

By Jonathan Goodsell

Dr. Strangelove oddly pulled off #39 on AFI's top 100 list. I'm still not quite sure how it did it. Dr. Strangelove is about an insane general who orders a bombing of nuclear missiles on Russia without telling the President or the Pentagon. With the bombers given orders not to respond to any orders cancelling the mission, the Pentagon and President stumble around trying to prevent WWIII. Starring Peter Sellers as, well, almost everybody, and George C. Scott, this cold war era is one worth seeing at least once.

This odd film is filled with cold war humor that I didn't even come close to understanding most of. It was fun seeing the origin of jokes I've seen in other films, but my dad and I were laughing for different reasons throughout. I guess I can see how this film made it onto AFI's list, but only slightly. It was a very clever idea, and rather well put together. Peter Sellers plays three different main characters, see if you can find them all, and puts on a rather humerus act. The racism, as horrible as it is, was probably the only part I understood and found funny. Most of the script was rather witty, though at times it seemed like they dragged on just a little with some parts. So I don't know, I guess it was a good movie, it's just a little hard to understand I guess. Maybe I'm just young, I don't know. 

This movie was actually very clean. Very little if any language, maybe only a handful of exclamations. Some very brief and not even very inappropriate crude humor. There is some gunfire as a squadron of soldiers try to brake into an air force base to stop the insane general. However there is no blood and no seen deaths. The general eventually commits suicide, but it's off screen, so no blood, and is used more as a punchline then a disturbing fact. The whole movie was rather decent. I'd almost say It would be alright for your kids to watch with you, but they would probably get bored very quickly. 

So I don't know, It wasn't my favorite movie, but it's critically acclaimed and I can see why. It's a movie you should see at least once, others may understand and love the humor more than I did. So in my review opinion, this cold war relic earns a 8.5/10

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane- PG

By Jonathan Goodsell

Citizen Kane is considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made.And while I wouldn't say the greatest, it is definitely up very high on the list. Starring and directed by Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is the story of Mr. Kane as he grows a newspaper company into a massive industry. The story is told in flashbacks as a reporter, after the death of Kane, tries to figure out the meaning of Kane's last words.

This film was rather stunning to watch. Orson Welles did an excellent job depicting the conflicted Kane. His direction of the film was also really well done. The plot was thick and really well thought through. It left you wondering what was next and kept you watching throughout. Part of it was kind of confusing though, at parts you wondered where in the world it was taking you, or what it had anything to do with the plot. But in the last ten seconds of film when it all wrapped up, everything came together and it all made sense. Once that happens, you see why it's considered one of the greatest movies of all time. At least that's when the feeling finally hit me. 

This movie was completely clean, no language, no violence, and no inappropriate scenes. It's a little dramatic at parts, but other than that there is no problems with this movie.Though even though it's perfectly clean, it's not a movie that would interest kids, they would get bored in five minutes flat.So if your looking for a good family show, look somewhere else.

It doesn't surprise me that this movie is considered one of the best ever, it is excellently made.It's definitely worth seeing once. So in my reviewer opinion, Citizen Kane gets a classically deserved 9/10

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings- PG-13

By Jonathan Goodsell

So I decided to review the trilogy as a whole because, frankly, they were all filmed almost the same and I'd end up just repeating myself for three articles. Now for an interesting fact, they are so identical because Peter Jackson made the biggest gamble Hollywood could make and filmed them all at the same time before releasing. Luckily for Jackson, it paid off, majorly. The films included The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Starring an all star cast including Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and Christopher Lee. This tale is one that will last for generations and that all ages will enjoy.
Telling the classic tale off the books by J.R.R. Tolkien, these films follow the adventures of Frodo (Wood) and his hobbit friends as they journey with a wizard (McKellen), an elf (Bloom), a dwarf (Rhys-Davies), a ranger (Mortensen), and a soldier (Bean) to destroy a magical ring and stop the evil king Sauron and his orc armies from taking over Middle Earth. Along the way they are faced with perilous trials, but with the help of Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Lady Galadriel (Blanchett), and their elf armies, King Theoden (Bernard Hill) and his calvary, and the rest of Middle Earth, they are able to over come these trials as they travel onward to Mordor  to destroy the ring and face Sauron.
These films were spectacular, winning several Academy Awards each including Best Picture for The Return of the King. The acting was unlike what you see in almost every other movie. Every actor did spectacular jobs, each bringing something new to the film. Filmed in New Zealand, the scenery was fantastic and extraordinarily beautiful. Peter Jackson just did a stunning job on these films. The editing and effects were also excellent. They made the world of Middle Earth look as magical and stunning as it deserved to be. The musical score was also beautiful. Howard Shore pulled off yet another classic score that's entertaining to listen too and brilliantly brought out the feeling of the films. He even won Academy Awards for the music in the films. I also must say that  these films contain some of the most intense and awe inspiring scenes that I've ever seen. The battle scenes are so immense and well filmed, and the slower emotional scenes are just moving. They were just so excellently filmed, it's hard to beat. The other thing I loved about these films is that the story is one everyone can love and watch. There are so many aspects of these movies, everyone can find something to love and enjoy. It's definitely a guy flick, but I know plenty of girls that love these movies just as much as the next guy. It doesn't surprise me how they appear on Top 100 lists. They are definitely high on my favorite list.
You can't walk into this movie expecting to see a family friendly film. These movies are intense and even a little scary at times. There was no language at all in any of them. They are all rated PG-13 for epic battle sequences and some scary images. And that's what you'd expect, especially if you've read the books. Like I said earlier, the battle sequences are extremely epic and rather intense. Though they are the best I've almost ever seen. There is a little bit of blood and gore occasionally, but not a lot and nothing extreme. A lot of the creatures, the orcs, goblins, the Witch King, Golem, etc. are rather creepy and would be extremely scary to younger kids. But as intense as the movies are, it was expected and, in my opinion, could have been a whole lot worse then it was.
I can not express how much I love these movies. They are just so incredibly amazing, you have to see them yourselves to know the feeling of a good movie. After the original releases, they released extended editions of the films, which is what I own and watch. I would recommend these versions if you want to see it. Sure it adds like an extra hour or more to the experience, but it adds a whole lot more to complete the story and increase the experience. So if you haven't seen them, see them! If you have, well, why not watch them again and enjoy these amazing films for a second, or third, or, for my case, sixth or seventh time because these films will never grow old.
I hesitated to write a review for these films because they are so amazing, I feared I couldn't do it justice. I know I haven't covered every great thing about these movies. So if you want a real review, go watch them your selves and experience it yourself. So in my reviewer opinion, as a series and also as individual movies, the classic Lord of the Rings trilogy gets a well earned 9.5/10

Rear Window

Rear Window- PG

By Jonathan Goodsell

Rear Window is a classic Alfred Hitchcock film. It's not a horror like some of his other films, but it's an interesting mystery. Starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly, Rear Window tells the story of a magazine photographer (Stewart) who, after breaking his leg, is stuck in his apartment with nothing to do. He takes up the nasty habit of sitting at his window and watching all his neighbors across the alley. His girlfriend (Kelly) and landlady both complain about this nasty little habit, but nothing will dissuade ever stubborn Stewart. Eventually, Stewart gets the idea that one of his neighbors murdered his wife. So the stake out begins as he tries to convince Kelly and his detective friend that he's not crazy. 

This was a really well done movie. You never could tell whether or not Stewart was right and it kept you at the edge of your seat until the end. The acting done by both James Stewart and Grace Kelly was spectacular, and as always, the story line done by Hitchcock is a masterpiece. This is well deserving of it's place on the list of Top 100 movies of all time as chosen by the American Film Institute.

This movie is completely clean. There is no language at all. Yet you do see one of Stewart's neighbors dancing in their under garments, its not bad and completely in humor. It is a little tense to watch the mystery resolve and the ending scene is a little frightening. 

This movie is fantastic and a must see. Alfred Hitchcock pulls off another classic. So in my reviewer opinion, Rear Window has earned a well deserved 8.5/10

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird- PG

By Jonathan Goodsell

To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic of growing up and depicts a terrible black patch on this countries history. Starring Gregory Peck as the loving and wise lawyer Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of an African American wrongly accused of rape and assault in the depression struck South. Atticus Finch is called to defend the man and is pulled into the racist struggle ever present in the South. He struggles to protect his children, Jim and Scout, from the prejudice attacks on his name for defending the man while trying to bring justice to the innocent. However the show is also about Jim and Scout growing up and their adventures in the town and neighborhood. Their main interest and the ever present mystery in the movie is their neighbor, the hidden Mr. "Boo" Radley. Mr. Radley, brilliantly played by a very young and debut of Robert Duvall., is the item of ghost stories for the kids as he never comes out in the daylight and has never been seen and they only know him from the old stories told by Atticus and the other town members.

So I loved this movie. It was fun and easy to follow. It truthfully depicted the problems of the South and was almost heart wrenching to watch as the trial events play out. Ever playful Jim and Scout were excellently played by one-hit wonders Phillip Alford and Mary Badham; neither of which went on to have big acting careers out of childhood. Their adventures in the neighborhood were entertaining to watch as they continually tried to figure out the mystery behind "Boo" Radley. The directing was excellently done and the emotionalism portrayed by the characters was completely believable and convincing in a way that made you really feel for the characters. I also really enjoyed the silently brilliant appearance of Robert Duvall. His acting, in my opinion, was the best of all in the whole movie.

This movie is one that all ages can love. Their are elements for everyone to enjoy. Language was non-existent except for very brief rude name calling at the African American on trial. During the testimonies of the trial, the accusations of the rape and assault are discussed extensively. A woman talks about how she was beat and taken advantage of and others testify of seeing bruises and struggles etc. Yet the talk isn't explicit or inappropriate and in terms that kids wouldn't understand so the scene remains safe for the whole family to watch. The is a scene near the end where Jim and Scout are attacked  that could be slightly terrifying to younger people. But the movie as a whole is extremely clean and enjoyable to watch. It's a movie that should and will last for generations to come as the morals in it can be used for so many different scenarios. So in my reviewer opinion, this movie was a work of art, a well deserved classic, and it's getting a 9/10