Memorable Movie Songs

Music is a major part of a great movie. A song sets a mood, creates atmosphere, and stays in our minds after the credits roll. Hearing a song that played in our favorite movie instantly takes us back to the scenes we loved, and sometimes even the ones we hated.
 
Though there are so many movie songs that are amazing and memorable, below is my list of the Top 10 Movie Songs (not in any particular order).

1. All for Love (Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, Sting)- The Three Musketeers
2. Hungry Eyes (Eric Carmen)- Dirty Dancing
3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Judy Garland)- The Wizard of Oz
4. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)- The Bodyguard
5. Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing (Aerosmith)- Armageddon
6. I Do it for You (Bryan Adams)- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
7. Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)- Rocky III
8. Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel)- The Graduate
9. My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)- Titanic
10. Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)- Ghost

Honourable Mentions List:

The Time of My Life (Jennifer Warnes & Bill Medley)- Dirty Dancing

Ghostbusters (Ray Parker Jr.)- Ghostbusters

If You Leave (OMD)- Pretty in Pink

Hard Out Here for a Pimp (Three 6 Mafia)- Hustle and Flow

Storybook Love (Mark Knopfler)- The Princess Bride

Stand by Me (Ben E. King)- Stand by Me

Maniac (Michael Sembello)- Flashdance

Wind Beneath my Wings (Bette Midler)- Beaches

Moon River (Audrey Hepburn)- Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Take My Breath Away (Berlin)- Top Gun

Footloose (Kenny Loggins)- Footloose

Don’t You Forget About Me (Simple Minds)- The Breakfast Club

Blaze of Glory (Bon Jovi)- Young Guns II (Oscar nominated song)

Twisty Thriller: 2010’s Best Film So Far

Shutter Island is hands down the best movie of 2010 thus far. I know it is only March and there is a long road ahead to the next Oscars ceremony, but I’m sure we’ll hear from this film again.

It had everything a film could possibly want and need to succeed: a great director, an amazing writer, and an extremely talented cast. The story was a good balance between dialogue and action, and it kept you riveted until the last line was delivered.

Unless you read spoilers beforehand- or are a genius- this film will leave you guessing and wondering how it will end.

The screenplay, adapted by Laeta Kalogridis from Dennis Lehane’s novel, skillfully combined murder mystery and psychological thriller.

In a manner reminiscent of an old Hitchcock film, director Martin Scorsese brings to life a story mixed with paranoia, fear, misery, and the examination of the human condition.

In 1954, two U.S. Marshals- Teddy Daniels (Leonardo Dicaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo)- are summoned to Ashecliffe Hospital, a fortress-like facility for the criminally insane, located in Boston Harbour. Investigating the mysterious disappearance of one the patients, they find themselves trapped on the island amidst a hurricane.

With its heavily guarded brick buildings, and barbed wire fences; the island becomes a sinister setting. The marshals begin to ponder the reason they’re really there in the first place, and wonder if Dr. Cawley (the facility psychiatrist played by Ben Kingsley) is truthfully presenting all of the facts.

As the inquiry unravels into a mysterious mess, Teddy begins to believe that he was brought to the island for much more than a routine investigation. With medical ethics on his mind, and a dark past haunting his dreams, Teddy starts to question everyone and everything around him.

Everything about their exploration into the disappearance seems to be fraught with secrecy, and Teddy can’t quite figure out what the island, and its inhabitants, is trying to tell him.

Using many incredible scenes- including close calls with the “patients”, and a dangerous journey into a graveyard and mausoleum- Scorsese (along with the writer) created a world that doesn’t bare the truth at first glance.

With a plot that twists and turns at every plot point, this film will leave you puzzled, even when you think you’ve got all of the answers in front of you.

Though it wasn’t the genre of film I would have pegged Scorsese for, it certainly held many elements his fans expect (including a cast struggling with inner demons).

An intriguing and thought-provoking screenplay brought to life, Shutter Island, presents the idea that reality isn’t always what it seems. Though it isn’t bone chillingly scary, it certainly creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and trepidation.

Books on the Big Screen

Have you ever read a great book and wondered if it would make a good movie? Or, watched a movie and thought you would like to read the book? I know I’ve done both.

Though many people say “the book was way better than the movie”, there are plenty of great films that were based on a great book. This idea got me to thinking. What are the best screenplays that were adapted from pages of a book?

With some research I’ve started a list. I’d be interested to know your opinion, and what films you think belong on this list!

Books on the Big Screen: Classic Adapted Screenplays

1. The Wizard of Oz- This classic tale was adapted from the children’s
book by L. Frank Baum
2. The Color Purple- Pulitzer Prize winning novel written by Alice
Walker.
3. Jaws- Adapted from Peter Benchley’s novel
4. Schindler’s List- Steven Spielburg loosely based the script on a
novel written by Austrian writer Thomas Keneally
5. The Shawshank Redemption- Based on a novella by Stephen King
6. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory- Novel and screenplay
written by Roald Dahl (who was nominated for an Oscar)
7. The Shining- Stanley Kubrick adapted and directed this Stephen
King’s story
8. The Lord of the Rings trilogy- Written by J. R. Tolkien and adapted
by Peter Jackson
9. To Kill a Mockingbird- Great screenplay and equally great book
written by Harper Lee
10. Fight Club- Cult classic film based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk

Reel Short Review: Alice in Wonderland

By Clarissa Andersen

Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland has been hyped for months, and I’ve been patiently waiting to see it.

From the teasing trailers to the artfully crafted movie posters, it seemed this was going to be the blockbuster event of the year (sorry to all of you Twilight saga fans).

Photo courtesy of daemonsmovies.com

If you’ve seen anything from Tim Burton, you know what you’re getting into. His films are usually over the top, filled with fantasy, and often contain dark tones, but are always entertaining.

To say that Alice in Wonderland measured up to Burton’s reputation as a filmmaker thus far would be a stretch. Tim Burton is better than Alice in Wonderland.

The movie wasn’t a total waste of a sunny Saturday afternoon. The cinematography was beautiful, filled with vivid colors, amazing costumes, and sets that take you to another world.

The characters were also well thought out and thoroughly developed, and the viewer got a glimpse into what motivated their actions. Also, writer Linda Woolverton created dialogue that was creative, witty, and believable within the storyline.

The plot, however, lacked overall cohesiveness. Though Woolverton’s screenplay was clearly a combination of both Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass (books written by Lewis Carroll) it wasn’t clear what genre director-producer Burton was going for.

Was this a dramatic tale meant to ask questions of its audience and evoke a certain emotion? Or, was it meant to be a large budget action film filled with intense scenes that brought the characters to one specific plot point?

Whatever Burton was aiming for in this remake of the children’s classic, he didn’t quite hit his mark.  Though Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter) and Helena Bonham Carter (as the Red Queen) delivered superb performances (as per usual), and even the actress playing Alice (Mia Wasikowska) was enjoyable to watch, the film as a whole didn’t quite live up to its expectations.

Can you remake a classic?

Influenced by the incredible success of Tim Burton’s recent 3-D release “Alice in Wonderland”, and following James Cameron’s epic sci-fi tale Avatar, there has been talk floating around that Warner Brothers is moving forward with a remake of the childhood classic “The Wizard of Oz”.

There are two possible projects on the table, both very different from one another, yet each putting a different spin on the original Frank Baum story which was made into the 1939 film starring Judy Garland.

There are probably many people out there who think that this is an obvious choice, that this story allows for amazing creative opportunities on the big screen.  But is it really okay to take something so beloved as “The Wizard of Oz” and remake it to fit the current film interests of the mainstream public?

Though this story has been remade before- The Wiz which was released in 1978 and starred Michael Jackson-  Warner Brothers is just trying to cash in on the 3D craze that is attracting millions of people to the theatres worldwide. Pushing aside what is already an amazing movie to make the money they know a film of this nature would bring in.

The Wizard of Oz is an absolute classic and should remain untouched. Would any studio ever consider “remaking” classics such as Gone With the Wind, Citizen Kane, or even the original Star Wars films just because the technology has advanced since the orginal film was produced? I think not!

Half of the appeal of The Wizard of Oz is the wonder it created on the screen in the 1930s. The original filmmakers were ahead of the game and brought to life a fantasy world that amazed young and old alike when the real world they lived in was so dark. I think remaking it would take away from the reason the film was made in the first place.

Really, would you put a fresh coat of paint on the Mona Lisa when you think its starting to look shabby compared to the paintings of today?

The changing of the list

On Name In Lights I’ve included, as you can see above this post, a Top 100 Movies page.

This page began as a list of movies I really wanted to watch and had never seen. They were movies I’ve heard a lot about, read reviews for, or had been recommended to me.

However, after some advice from a couple of my readers and some research of my own, I’ve reevaluated my list and decided it was time for an update.

Though I love movies like Benny and Joon, Don Juan DeMarco (Johnny Depp is my favorite actor if you haven’t guessed), and My Best Friend’s Wedding, are they deserving enough to be on a Top 100 Movies list?  I decided not!

After some careful review, I feel I have a more balanced list. I’ve taken out the movies that don’t belong and have replaced them with others that are more fitting of the title Top 100.

Though it is fun to have a running list of movies that you love and will watch over and over (kind of like a guilty pleasure), I want this list to be a good representation of film over the years.

Instead of Hook and Caddyshack I now have Nosferatu and Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights. Rather than listing Disney musicals and feel-good romantic comedies, I’ve opted for more foreign and silent films.

So, if you are looking for a film to watch, and don’t know where to start, check out my updated Top 100 Movies page!  I think you’ll find there is something for everyone!

All that Glitters is Gone

The wonder that is the Academy Awards is over for another year. The designer dresses have either been returned, conveniently “lost”, or stowed away in massive closets.The speeches have been cut short, the thank- yous tearfully delivered, and the parties enjoyed.  The moment in time that represents awards season is coming to a close.

Each year I gear myself up starting in about October. I wonder about which films will be nominated, read the Oscar buzz, and watch as many movies as possible leading up to the big day.

This year in particular I’ve been excited about the caliber of films, performances, and story telling. The film community really brought some amazing art to the screen, and I was thrilled to have even a small part in the excitement of it all.

But, as the memories of the ceremony fade, I have reflected back on the greatest moments of the greatest night of the year in Hollywood. Compiled here is a list of the things I remember the most about last night’s event.

Memoriable Moments:

1. Steve Martin as co-host! With his witty banter and comedic expressions, I   felt Martin delivered marvelously as host. As far as Alec Baldwin goes? The jury is still out on him, though his friendly competition with George Clooney was pretty funny.
2. The touching tribute to the late John Hughes. Though his films were never nominated for an Academy Award, they live on as cult-classics that captured the esscene of being a teen.
3. Ben Stiller dressed as a Na’vi while presenting the award for Makeup.
4. Mo’Nique’s acceptance speech- “Sometimes you have to forego what is popular to do what is right”
5. The Academy finally producing a show that gives more attention to those filmmakers without the big names. It was especially nice to get a behind the scenes look at why the short film categories are so important for a filmmaker.
6. Jeff Bridges sounding like “The Dude” in his acceptance speech!
7. Oprah delivering her feelings and perspective on Gabourey Sidibe. What a moment for an actress who walked in off the street, landed her first roll, and ended up securing herself a spot in the Academy Awards history books.
8. Sandra Bullock winning Best Actress Leading!
9. A woman finally winning the award for Best Director.
10. The amount of buzz that having 10 Best Picture nominations created, and the great competition that unfolded throughout the entire evening.

So that is a wrap for another year! Though the ceremony is over, and the awards have been handed out, it is never to0 late to check out some of the amazing films that captured the attention of Academy, and in some ways, the entire world!

What will be the Best Movie of 2009?

Best Picture

Nominated Films:

Avatar

The Blind Side

District 9

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

A Serious Man

Up

Up in the Air

Okay, so this is where things get difficult!

With this year’s Best Picture category being opened up to 10 films instead of the original five, there are nominations on this list that I didn’t expect to see.

Up– This was the second fully animated feature film to be nominated for Best Picture (the first being Beauty and the Beast). Disney created a masterpiece with this tearjerker. It not only induced many laughs, but also made you stop and evaluate life’s journey. I loved this film! Do I think it will win? Not a chance. But it was a great gesture as we often overlook animated films.

District 9– The alien movie that is about so much more than aliens! It showed how government can be corrupt, how knowledge really is power, and how a mind can be swayed by the influence of the media. I truly think this was a great film, but probably won’t walk away the winner tonight.

An Education– An artsy flick about love, lust and education in the 60s. Powerfully written, this story is heartbreaking and funny all at once.  Though it didn’t get as much exposure as many of the films on this list, it is certainly worthy of being nominated.

Now for the prediction! If I were a part of the Academy looking at this list, trying to decide which film should win overall, whom would I choose? My personal choice, hands down, would be Avatar. Though the story was predictable, and the characters didn’t run very deep, it was a movie that sold out theatres, had everyone talking, and was utterly amazing to watch. It really was the movie of the year!

However, who I want to win and who I think will win are two different stories.

When it really comes down to the end- which will be an exciting battle between a big budget masterpiece and a shoestring tale- I believe that The Hurt Locker will walk away with this prize.

Heart set on Bridges

Best Actor Leading

Nominees:

Jeff Bridges- Crazy Heart
George Clooney- Up in the Air
Colin Firth- A Single Man
Morgan Freeman- Invictus
Jeremy Renner- The Hurt Locker

Playing Bad Blake, a country singer who has lived a tough life on the road, Jeff Bridges delivers a performance in Crazy Heart that should win him the title of Best Actor Leading.

Photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com

In a similar role to that played by Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, Bridges created a character that tugged at your heart-strings, and made you believe that there is always hope and giving up on a dream isn’t an option (even if it is often difficult).

Though he is up against some major competition in the form of George Clooney and the ever impressive Morgan Freeman (I don’t think the others in this category stand a chance against these three), Jeff Bridges made you feel and kept you interested.

Any actor who can clearly deliver lines with a lit cigarette dangling from his lips is worthy of an award of some type, and why shouldn’t it be an Oscar?

Grit versus Wit?

Best Actress Supporting

Nominees:

Penelope Cruz- Nine

Vera Farmiga- Up in the Air

Maggie Gyllenhall- Crazy Heart

Anna Kendrick- Up in the Air

Mo’Nique- Precious

Photo courtesy of http://www.altfg.com

For delivering a performance so gritty that it made you feel her pain and bitterness, Mo’Nique  should be given the title of Best Actress Supporting at tonight’s Oscars ceremony.

Though Maggie Gyllenhall’s character was intriguing in Crazy Heart, Anna Kendrick was endearing yet witty in Up in the Air, and Penelope Cruz is always fire on the screen, Mo’Nique’s character in Precious left you speechless.

For an actress who rose to fame on the UPN series The Parkers, and is best known for her stand up comedy, Mo’Nique pushed her acting skills to another level, and really broke out of her mould with this film.

For an incredible transformation away from her comfort zone, and a role that helped her forgive her own molester, Mo’Nique should certainly be awarded the coveted Oscar statue.

Birdman- Strangely intriguing

I’m kind of caught in a rabbit hole of movie trailers. I love seeing what’s coming to theatres next. This black comedy is out in theatres tomorrow. I think you should go see it!

Third time’s a charm?

Silver Linings Playbook. American Hustle. And now, Serena.

Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence have once again harnessed their obvious onscreen chemistry in this Depression-era drama about a husband and wife who run a timber empire in Western North Carolina.

Since premiering at the BFI London Film Festival critics have been trashing the film,  calling it bland and unsympathetic, even with strong casting and top notch production.

However, there are many fans out there who love these two on screen together. Who can deny their charm really? I loved Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. They have a repertoire that cannot be faked.

What do you think? Are you interested in seeing Cooper and Lawrence in Serena?

 

Ugly = Oscar?

Very excited to see Reese Witherspoon’s upcoming film Wild. It got a lot of buzz at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, and many believe she could be in the running for Best Actress. But, I have to ask, does “going ugly” always equal Oscar buzz? Let me know what you think! Will you go see this film when it’s released on December 5?