All in Cinematters
Oh the 1980s. No matter how you feel about the fashions and music of the decade (I happened to love both), you have to admit that it was a stellar decade for movies. Science fiction, fantasy, and geek chic were all the rage and many iconic films were catered to those of us who loved a story about underdogs and oddities saving the day.
Have you ever been feeling sick or overcome with the blues and you needed something to shake you out of the funk that you are in? Of course, you have. One of the best ways to reassemble your deteriorating world is to curl up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, and go on a movie comedy binge. They say that “laughter is the best medicine”, and “they” (whoever “they” are) are absolutely correct! For my money, here are a dozen film comedies that are guaranteed to make you feel better, no matter what is ailing you!
There are hundreds of wonderful films in existence that feature screenplays that are literate, intelligent, and compelling in ways that elevate them beyond mere entertainment. Citizen Kane, The Godfather, The Lady Eve, Ordinary People, My Man Godfrey, and Moonstruck are all screenplays that reside within the upper echelons of the sublime writing of which cinema can aspire to. Beyond that, there is a special niche of cinema where screenwriters are not afraid to utilize prosody in writing screenplays, adding a special shimmer of poetry and majesty to the storytelling. These ingredients heighten emotion and theatricality through a carefully chosen rhetoric that may not come across in a way that is familiar speech for audiences, but may be far-more effective in conveying character and situation. These screenplays are an art unto themselves. Today’s column is a celebration of ten-films that demonstrate this style to great effect.
A few nights ago, I had the pleasure of seeing the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz on the big screen. Even more thrilling was having my two nephews in tow. The younger one is only a few months old, but sat quietly for the duration. The older one is two-years-old and this was this was his first time seeing this beloved film. Sitting with him, I watched it through new eyes, witnessing his rapt attention and his visible excitement. It suddenly occurred to me that there is a reason why this movie musical sucks us in at an early age and remains ensconced in our hearts for a lifetime. Through my older nephew’s responses, I saw exactly which ingredients facilitate this life-long love affair with The Wizard of Oz.
