May 11, 2012
| ENTERTAINMENT
A bucket list for the modern teenage cinephile Five pre-1990 movies to put in your Netflix queue
Joshua Timm & Soren Ramsey Entertainment Editor & Commentary Editor
“Blazing Saddles” he 1974 Mel Brooks parody of the Western movie genre, “Blazing Saddles” is a lewd, vulgar, and satirical comedy that led to other hilarious films like “Space Balls” and “Young Frankenstein” (two other must-see comedies). The movie follows the story of Rock Ridge, a town in danger of being torn down by Hedley Lemar, who wants to build a railroad directly where the town sits. The sheriff of the town is killed, and the Governor sends in his replacement, Bart, the first black sheriff the West has ever seen. The movie ends in a preposterous fight scene in which the actors break through the Western set into the Hollywood studio, ruin tours, destroy the sets of other movies, and even break into traffic to hail a cab, completely destroying the illusion of the Western movie in a hilarious surprise. Overall, the best thing about “Blazing Saddles” is that it’s filled with scenes that are surprisingly funny; a lot of the jokes in the movie are completely unpredictable, which has become exceedingly rare in today’s comedies. Mel Brooks’ comedy is often basic, slapstick, sight humor, but it’s also really smart at times and makes audiences think.
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“The Graduate” 1967 movie starring Dustin Hoffman, this is a story about youth, sex, ethics, and outright defiance. Its humor is great because it isn’t obvious and overplayed; the comedy comes out of the things the actors do and the things that happen to them. The movie itself is funny, unlike some movies in which the jokes are forced and patronizing. The story follows Benjamin Braddock, who graduates from college and returns home to be pressured by his parents about what he is going to do next in life. At a family party, he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father’s law partner, and while at first Benjamin frantically scampers
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out of the situation, he eventually has a fling with her. He falls in love with her daughter, Elaine, and goes to great lengths to win her favor, going so far as to perform a kidnap/rescue at her wedding, fighting off guests with a large cross and using it to bar the doors of the church to prevent the guests from following them. The greatest thing about the movie is Benjamin, the protagonist and anti-hero. He isn’t a perfect guy, and makes some morally questionable decisions, but it’s hard to imagine yourself doing things differently, as he is always earnest in his actions. Too often, people dismiss movies because the main character isn’t likable or perfect, but that’s only because people identify with the protagonists in movies, and nobody wants to see their own flaws projected on the screen. “The Graduate” is a fantastic story about youth, and doing what you want despite what everyone else says or thinks. It’s been emulated many times, but it’s one of the first, and one of the best, movies about the youth experience. “Goodfellas” gangster movie on the same level as “The Godfather,” this 1990 Scorcese picture is one of the best films of all time. Horribly violent, sadistic, vulgar, and even funny at times, “Goodfellas” is an extremely diverse film that impresses in every aspect. The story is based on the book “Wiseguy,” which itself is based on a true story. The plot centers around Henry Hill and his associations with the Lucchese family, a large crime organization. Getting involved with “wiseguys” as a child, Hill goes on to become an important player in the Lucchese family. From petty theft and destruction of property to armed robberies and participation in murder, Hill was always happiest as a gangster; if he wasn’t living on the edge, he wasn’t living. The movie is an exciting, dramatic, and accurate depiction of a very exciting, fastpaced lifestyle. “Goodfellas” has influenced films since it’s premiere, and it has been referenced, emulated, and parodied countless times. From “Swingers” to “iCarly,” the movie has its hands deep in Hollywood. It’s interesting to see this movie, and better under-
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stand where a number of Hollywood ate fear through things jumping out motifs stem from. or gruesome violence, but through dead silence, and subtly. It’s the sort “Rear Window” of movie that can be watched repeatlfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Win- edly, with new details to be discovdow” remains one of cinema’s ered every time. most iconic and influential films. “Rear Window” is a movie that Shot entirely without special effects, should be on everyone’s “mustcomputers, or dubbing, “Rear Win- watch-list,” from die-hard Hitchcock dow” is far more captivating than fans to casual viewers. any multi-million dollar Michael Bay explosion-packed blockbuster. “My Cousin Vinny” The template for 2007’s “Disturhis movie is by no means deeply bia,” “Rear Window” tells the story of moving or artistic, nor does L. B. Jeffries, (James Stewart), who is it claim to be. It’s just a genuinely confined to his apartment after an ac- smart, funny movie. The movie is cident leaves him with a broken leg. based around two boys who, misTo entertain himself, Jeffries takes takenly charged with murder, must to watching his neighbors, when he call upon a cousin who failed his Bar notices the suspicious behavior of exam six times and had never taken his neighbor Lars Thorwald (Ray- on a case in his life. Vinny Gambini mond Burr). Jeffries is drawn into (Joe Pesci) is the quintessential New the mystery of the disappearance of Yorker, completely out of place in ruThorwald’s nagging wife. Hitchcock ral Alabama. immediately pulls the viewer into his However, what makes him great is web of suspense and danger. the way he can look at any situation What makes this movie so impres- and immediately sort the truth from sive, however, is it’s use of more sub- the falsehoods. Gambini’s witty, selftle means of conveying its message. confident arguments with the judge, Long periods without dialogue allow the prosecution, a meathead at a bar, viewers to form their own opinions and pretty much anyone show an as to the reason for the neighbor’s acute talent for honing in on people’s collection of knives and saws, as well weaknesses. as the disappearance of his needy, Vinny is perfectly complimentbedridden wife. The omnipresent ed by his fiancée Mona Lisa Vito plinking a of jazz piano creates an (Marisa Tomei), who, if anything, is air of a relaxed summer afternoon, even more acutely aware of the way which turns to distant horns and si- things work around her. Tomei endrens when Thorwald’s apartment is ed up winning an Academy Award shown. Hitchcock’s ability to control for Best Supporting Actress for her the audience’s nerves makes a scene role as a snarky sidekick to Gambini. in which Jeffries’ girlfriend scouts for The movie stands out for its beautiful evidence in Thorwald’s home almost wordplay and smart writing, and can unbearable. The film doesn’t cre- be appreciated by just about anyone.
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