Monday 21 June 2010

Dirty Dozen Blogfest (12 fav movies)

This blog fest is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Please do go to check out the other entries linked to his blog.
These are my 12 most favourite movies. Some made me cry for hours afterward. Some made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. Some soothed my teen angst. Some I studied at high school or university and will never forget because they have been analysed to death (but I still love 'em), and some inspired me to write. I won't go into any detail about each (manly because I could spend an entire day writing how each affected my life and I don't have the luxury to do so), but I'll include short summaries from IMBd (linking it to save my arse) in case you haven't seen them and would like to. If you'd like to know any specific details about how any of these movies influenced me, feel free to ask in the comments and I'll reply. Enjoy! They're in no particular order. 


Director:
Stephen Daldry
Writers:
Michael Cunningham (novel),
David Hare (screenplay)
Plot summary:
The story of how the novel "Mrs. Dalloway" affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives.

 
Director:
John Erman
Writers:
Olive Higgins Prouty (novel)
Robert Getchell (screenplay)
Plot Summary:
Stella is determined, courageous, vulgar, unfashionable...and all her daughter has. Through the trials of teenagehood, to the problems of adulthood, Stella will do anything for Jenny...ending in an selfless, unforgettable sacrifice.



Director:
Jane Campion
Writer:
Jane Campion
Plot summary:
It is the mid-nineteenth century. Ada is a mute who has a young daughter, Flora. In an arranged marriage she leaves her native Scotland accompanied by her daughter and her beloved piano. Life in the rugged forests of New Zealand's South Island is not all she may have imagined and nor is her relationship with her new husband Stewart. She suffers torment and loss when Stewart sells her piano to a neighbour, George. Ada learns from George that she may earn back her piano by giving him piano lessons, but only with certain other conditions attached. At first Ada despises George but slowly their relationship is transformed and this propels them into a dire situation.



Director:
Penny Marshall
Writers: 
Kim Wilson (story) &
Kelly Candaele (story)
Lowell Ganz (screenplay) &
Babaloo Mandel (screenplay)
Plot synopsis:
Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry.



Director:
Mark Herman
Writers:
John Boyne (novel)
Mark Herman (screenplay)
Plot summary:
Set during World War II, a story seen through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and unexpected consequences.


Director:
Ridley Scott
Writers:
Hampton Fancher (screenplay) and
David Webb Peoples (screenplay) (as David Peoples)
Philip K. Dick (novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?")
Plot summary:
Deckard, a blade runner, has to track down and terminate 4 replicants who hijacked a ship in space and have returned to earth seeking their maker.


Director:
John Waters
Writer:
John Waters
Plot summary:
"Drape" (or Greaser) Wade Walker, also known as Cry-Baby for his ability to shed a single tear, falls head over heels for square Allison Vernon-Williams who, incidentally, is tired of being good.



Director:
John Waters
Writer:
John Waters
Plot summary:
'Pleasantly Plump' teenager Tracy Turnblad achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show's former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber's manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963.


Director:
Jack HofsissWriters:
Barbara Gordon (book)
David Rabe (writer)
Plot summary:
Jill Clayburgh plays, as one character calls her, "a pill-popping dingbat" in this film adaptation of television producer Barbara Gordon's autobiographical account of her addiction to prescription drugs. Clayburgh plays Gordon in the film as a successful television documentary filmmaker whose mounting pressures force her to pop a Valium or two for nerves. She then ingests a few more pills after an argument with boyfriend Derek Bauer (Nicol Williamson). And thus begins her slow and steady compulsion to keep taking more and more Valium. Finally realizing her addiction, Gordon makes a disastrous attempt to go cold turkey but fails miserably, finally having to undergo a painful rehabilitation in an institution.
Post script:
This movie made my mother realise she wasn't sick, and that it was the Valium that was affecting her. This movie made her decide to quit taking the pills.

Director:
Marco Ferreri
Writers:
Marco Ferreri (scenario & adaptation) and
Rafael Azcona (scenario & adaptation)
Francis Blanche (dialogue)
Plot summary:
A group of men hire some prostitutes and go to a villa in the countryside. There, they engage in group sex and resolve to eat themselves to death.

Director:
Frank Darabont
Writers:
Stephen King (short story "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption")
Frank Darabont (screenplay)
Plot summary:
Andy Dufresne is a young and successful banker whose life changes drastically when he is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife and her lover. Set in the 1940's, the film shows how Andy, with the help of his friend Red, the prison entrepreneur, turns out to be a most unconventional prisoner.

This last film is my MOST favourite film ever. Check out the extraprdinarily brilliant scene in the vid below. If you intend to watch this film, don't watch the scene as it's the ending of the film.


Director:
Baz Luhrmann
Writers:
Baz Luhrmann
Plot summary:
Scott Hastings is a champion caliber ballroom dancer, but much to the chagrin of the Australian ballroom dance community, Scott believes in dancing "his own steps". Fran is a beginning dancer and a bit of an ugly duckly who has the audacity to ask to be Scott's partner after his unorthodox style causes his regular partner to dance out of his life. Together, these two misfits try to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championships and show the Ballroom Confederation that they are wrong when they say, "there are no new steps!"

45 comments:

  1. What a fun idea for a blogfest. I haven't seen most of these, which surprised me. Maybe I should rent a few of them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A wide variety of films Jesasica, excellent choices.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've seen and enjoyed (to varying degrees)all of these except two I haven't seen, and one I can't like (la grande bouffe) but am glad to have seen.

    I'll look up strictly ballroom, sounds like fun!

    You have quite eclectic tastes. : j

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oooo, Blade Runner! Rutger Hauer was so sexy back then.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't watch many movies, but I'm ashamed that I've only seen TWO on your list (and never heard of some of the others!)

    I saw the movie version of Mrs. Dalloway, which I loved, so I bought the book...just haven't read it yet. (sigh)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Might have to slip Blade Runner into my second list - if there's room! Thanks for particpating.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stricly Ballroom is one of my favorites too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a fun blogfest!!! I agree with several of your choices, and the one's I don't agree with are only because I've never seen them *blushes* so it looks like I have some renters on the way!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a BIG movie person, and first:
    OMG young johnny depp! squeee...but I prefer him now!

    Second: Shawshank has gotta be one of my all time favourites too. I LOVE this movie, script, actors, every snigle thing. Who cares Tim Robbins never got to do an awesome role such as Andy Dufraine ver again? All the matters is the redemption.

    Third: My husband is german, and when we saw The boy in the striped pajamas, it was very emotional. For me, he didnt mind...had to be all damn macho.
    But I cried, and cried so much, I thought I was having a nervous breakdown. I only remembered crying so much when I saw braveheart. God, how I cried on this movie...

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's so interesting to see the themes people are drawn to--they fit people pretty darned well. The ones of these I've seen I really like--about half, but somehow are on a different axis from how I picked my favorites--but it all FITS...

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love me some Shawshank! What a cool blog fest idea!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You've chosen so any great ones. Loved the video!! Great blog fest.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Is it sad that I've only seen one of your movies? Yes...yes it is! And even the "one" I've only seen part of.

    Me and movies just don't love each other enough. lol ;-) Maybe when I get old and retire, I'll have more time to watch what will then be called "classics".

    ~JD

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cool list! I loved Strictly Ballroom, too (Moulin Rouge not so much).

    ReplyDelete
  15. You've got some great movies here! Some I've never seen. I'm going to have a pile of movies to watch after this blogfest is over!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, I've only seen one of those movies. Well I think I've seen Shawshank Redemption. I'm not positive. Sad, huh?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great list! A League of Their Own is a fun flick and I still haven't seen Bladerunner, even though I know I should!

    This was a tough exercise when there are so many awesome movies to choose from!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So many GREAT movies on your list. Loved Cry baby and Strictly Ballroom. I'd include them in my Top 10 as well. It would be tough to narrow it down to 10 though. oy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ooh some great films there. I love Hairspray, Cry Bbaby and Stictly Ballroom (amongst many of the others). :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Definitely some good ones. So is that an older version of Hairspray? That would be fun to see. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yay for Strictly Ballroom!

    Also A League of Their Own is CLASSIC!

    i have the piano, The house and the boy in striped pajamas at the top of my netflix queue already. Some day i will get ti watching them

    ReplyDelete
  22. There are four here I have not seen, but the others are fine films. An interesting list.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  23. The Piano was great. Haven't seen The Hours yet.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great list. I love The Hours - such a fabulous film!

    ReplyDelete
  25. a list of a very sensual and romantic person in touch with her feelings :)) I love seeing STRICTLY BALLROOM, THE BOY IN STRIPED PAJAMAS and THE HOURS in your list ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I haven't seen The Hours but I have read Mrs. Dalloway. I really should watch the movie...

    CD

    ReplyDelete
  27. There are quite a few on your list I haven't seen yet. There are a few I know I won't be able to cope with because I'm such a sap - I don't just cry, I sob buckets, then can't sleep ... it's not pretty.

    I've added a few to my summer list for viewing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. "There's no crying in baseball!"

    Perhaps, the best line ever in a movie. Okay, maybe not the best line, but I still love that movie!

    I didn't participate in the blogfest, but I missed you and wanted to stop by and say hi!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I watched the video, What an awesome dancing and ending. I would look for the movie the next time I go shopping.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Not ones II would of picked except for a league of their own and shawshank redemption. Mainly because I haven't seen ur other choices. Girls picks are so diff from a guys

    ReplyDelete
  31. I haveb't seen any of these movies except Shawshank Redemption, which is a classic I see many people have included in their list. Myself included. I need to rent Blade Runner as I only saw it in part. I know the story of The Boy in Striped Pajamas. That would be too sad for me to watch.

    Stephen Tremp

    ReplyDelete
  32. Most of these I am not familiar with. I did see A league of Their Own and the Shawahank Redempton.

    I really ejoyed the Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

    Good list!

    ReplyDelete
  33. mr. waters does make some good candy movies. (cry baby and hairspray... Yes I think we're talking about the first one with Ricki Lake and Divine)

    Can't believe I haven't seen Shawshank yet.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I totally forgot about Hairspray! It's a great one.

    ReplyDelete
  35. A League of Their Own - "There's no crying in baseball!" One of the best line's ever. And Hairspray was excellent too. Great choices. =D

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oooh, fun fun fun movies!!! Thank you for sharing your faves with us!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  37. Howdy, ALLIALLO ~
    I've seen three of your movies and parts of one. Of the three I've seen fully, one I hated, one I thought was OK, and one I liked a lot. The one I liked a lot was your favorite: "STRICTLY BALLROOM".

    I guess if I'm really going to dig just one, it ought to be your favorite, eh? ;o)

    ~ "Lonesome Dogg" McD-Fens

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love the scene in "League" where there's a teenager in Geena Davis' car.

    He says, "Why don't we hop in the back seat and you make a man out of me?"

    She says, "How about I slap you silly?" (or something to that effect)

    He says, "Can't we do both?"

    I always had a hard time following "Blade Runner," as much as I loved the cast, the director, and even the author of the story that inspired the film.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Found your cool blog through Alex. Love your taste in movies. Shawshank surprises me a little bit as it is generally considered a guy movie.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have to ask how did Blade Runner influence you? I'm very keen to here your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Damien! Oh my gosh how can it not influence me? It's rich in symbolism and theme, a unique way to tell a story on screen for me when I saw it at that time (I was just 16). It paralized me. I wanted to know 'why' for every detail. I could write an essay on it (well I already did in school), but to cut 4000 words short, some interesting themes/symbolic elements include: paranoia, religion, genetic engineering/cloning, corporatism, environment, eyes and memories, death/immortality. Things that had not even crossed my mind at that age. It is one masterpiece of beautiful storytelling and imagery. It makes you think, re-evaluate your life, ask yourself questions. Fascinating film.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I always loved A League of Their Own. There was just something about the characters that really grabbed me.
    Thanks for sharing this list.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Nicely done; I love the variety!
    I love how profoundly some of these affected you! I am making another movie list, movies I need to watch or see again. Blade Runner was so intriguing and unique, at the time!

    ReplyDelete

“I'm using my art to comment on what I see. You don't have to agree with it.” ~John Mellencamp

“Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without comment is a wonderful social grace” ~Judith S. Marin

“I don't ever try to make a serious social comment.” ~Paul McCartney

“I'd make a comment at a meeting and nobody would even acknowledge me. Then some man would say the same thing and they'd all nod.” ~Charlotte Bunch

“Probably what my comment meant was that I don't care about the circumstances if I can tell the truth.” ~Sally Kirkland

“We're not going to pay attention to the silliness and the petty comments. And quite frankly, women have joined me in this effort, and so it's not about appearances. It's about effectiveness.” ~Katherine Harris