7 Things @ 7 #020
Discover more from The Art of Paying Attention
Hello — I’m Ryan J. Pelton, a writer, teacher, podcaster, and believe the whole thing runs on grace. Here’s a little explanation (About page) of why my newsletter/blog is called The Art of Paying Attention.
Hello my friends!
It’s Friday, yes Friday… and 7 PM. I’m back to the Friday rhythms for the newsletter. Let’s see how long that’ll last.
Hope everyone is well as summer gives a wink and a nod in the rearview mirror. I’m enjoying some low eighty degree weather here in the Midwest, which is odd for the middle of August. But I’ll take it!
Considering my last newsletter celebrating all things books, why don’t we rejoice in the grace of film? I watched Oppenheimer with my wife and perhaps was inspired to reflect on the power of cinema. But, let me say Christopher Nolan is a talented chap. Every film he makes is pure cinematic goodness. I’ll be writing something soon on his latest film.
Here is my scientific rubric for choosing these seven films:
The films have to be in a variety of decades (new and old).
I had to see the film more than once, and believe it’s re-watchable (unless I just saw it in the theater of late).
I had to like it, not because it was on some list of greatest and best films of all time.
Okay, that’s my scientific choosing system, which is flawed in so many ways.
On to the Seven…
1. Oppenheimer: Christopher Nolan is a genius. This film from a purely movie-going experience is intense, gut-wrenching, well-acted, and beautifully shot. Few films can move at a rapid pace without intense action in every scene, and only using dialogue, but Nolan somehow pulls it off. What I also enjoyed about the film is the invitation to reflect. The bombing of innocent people is not a topic to be taken lightly. There’s a complicated history with Oppenheimer the man, politics of the day, and the backdrop of America and its seeking of world dominance, perhaps unwarranted fears of Japan and what they might do after Pearl Harbor, which shapes the origins of the Manhattan Project. You can tell from the way the story is told, no loose ends are granted. The watcher has to determine where they stand on the place of nuclear weapons, power, war, America’s role in international affairs, etc. For another angle on the bombing of Hiroshima, check out this NPR interview.
2. Rear Window: Is an Alfred Hitchcock film made in the 50s which still holds up. The first time I saw the movie was in a film class in college. These were the days when you had to find the independent video stores that carried films made before 1990. Blockbuster was of no help. The setting is a man played by James Stewart who is recovering from a broken leg in a NYC apartment. They shot most of the film through his window to the apartments across the street. I won’t spoil it, but something happens across the way, and havoc ensues. What amazed me was the creativity and beauty in Hitchcock’s filmmaking. I watched Rearview in the late 90s thinking this was a mere credit for college. No way a film from the 50s is worth my time. Boy, was I wrong. I’ve viewed the film multiple times and with digital enhancement it does not feel dated. The Hitchcock canon is worth a watch, too.
3. Stand By Me: Is the iconic coming of age story from the 80s. This film is based on the novella by Stephen King called The Body. Two reasons this is on the list: 1. The film is brilliant. These child actors are on another level. River Phoenix would have been a monster actor if he didn't die so young. Stand By Me is funny, action packed, and has lots of heart. 2. They don’t make films like this anymore. Coming of age stories with kids growing up and the struggles of family and who we are, and what we want to become as adults. Long summers and boredom and dreams, etc. These period films (takes place in the 50s), are sadly missing from our time. We seem to forget things happened before cell phones and the internet.
4. Shawshank Redemption: Is a sleeper from the 90s. Many people love this movie, but forget it wasn’t a home run in the box office. The film is another Stephen King adaptation with Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins living in a prison. I won’t spoil the ending, but let’s say both men get out of jail. This film is another period piece taking place from the 30s to the 70s (or so). Full of great acting, action, and yes, much heart and hope and redemptive themes. When Andy says: “Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies,” sums up the greatness of the film. There was a time in the early 90s when many films had this same tone, period pieces, heart, great acting, and made you feel something. Can we stop making Marvel movies, I digress?
5. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: Is a great 60s Western. I’ve watched this one multiple times, and it never disappoints. It stars Robert Redford and Paul Newman at the height of their powers. Funny, action packed, and beautifully shot for the late 60s. I say that because often 60s film aren’t the greatest, especially early 70s stuff. Sometimes the quality is poor, too very poor. Butch Cassidy is none of those things. I also chose this film because the Western genre is going away at an alarming pace. Something about the wildness of America in the late 1800s is beautiful on the screen. Not to mention William Goldman wrote the screenplay, and he wrote nothing bad (Princess Bride, anyone?). Worth a watch.
6. Jaws: Okay, I did it. I had to include a seventies film, and the one with the big shark had to be on the list. If you listen to the making of Jaws it’s bonkers. Stephen Spielberg should’ve never become a famous director after the making of the film because of the problems getting it done. But Jaws is an example of what we can do on screen with creativity and ingenuity. You barely see the shark the entire movie and yet you're terrified. Much of the film was ad-libbed, and it still holds up today. Great acting, some over acting, and funny, and terrifying. It pulls on the fears we all have… especially getting eaten by a shark. Jaws is the example of how a film can work its ways into the popular culture and start a conversation. One of the first summer blockbusters. I’m not sure how things spread now, but Jaws has a special place in pop culture lore.
7. Remember the Titans: Is my last pick. It’s an early 2000s gem with Denzel Washington at his heights. My kids and I have watched this at least thirty times. I watch it and want to play high school football again. I’m inspired to fight racism, and hate it, and remember the times of much greater divisiveness that we can fathom. Many kids were at the heart of the battle. A story about growing up and hopes and dreams and wanting to belong. Titans is a period piece in the 70s with a kicking sound track, too. What is not to love? Again, these kinds of films need a renaissance in our current state of remakes, super hero drivel, and lack of creativity.
What would you have on your list of top films?
Talk soon,
Ryan