My top 8 favourite masterpieces

I classify a masterpiece by this:

• no matter how old it is it will not feel dated (or will feel only slightly dated)
• every aspect of the film is great
• it hasn't lost significance
• You can derive more enjoyment each time you see it
• Unforgettable

Now keep in mind that these are just my favourite masterpieces, there are far more great movies out there, but these are my favourites that are considered 'masterpieces'. I'll try to rank them as best i can.

8. Toy Story 3 (2010)
a beautiful film. i never, ever was so close to crying in a 'children's' movie. Me and one of my friends went to see it because the guy would'nt let us in to see Predators so we went in sort of disappointed from the start. but within the 1st 5 minutes i was in a far better mood and loved the whole film. it was funny, heartwarming and extremly memorable. Some people might say that Toy Story should be on here more than TS3, but i disagree, it is rare for a third installment to live up to it's predecessor, let alone better it. Even The Godfather couldn't do that.

7. Singin In The Rain (1952)
It's hilarious. What more can i say? how about... great script, cool dances, catchy songs, one of the best dumb blondes ever (Lina Lumont, played by Jean Hagen) and, of course, we get to see Gene Kelly splash around in puddles and wreck that nice suit.

6. The Wizard Of oz (1939)

I was unsure of whether or not to put this on here. But it fits my criteria and i really love the movie. I am not going to lie to you though: When i was little Margaret Hamilton scared me half to death. This childhood memory stopped from watching it for years, until i finally perked up the courage to look at it again a few years ago. And now it is one of my favourites. From the naive joy of Dorothy (Judy garland) and her pals Tin Man (Jack Haley), Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) and Lion (Bert Lahr) all the way to The Witch (Hamilton), this movie keeps it's comedy and thrill even after 72 years. And expect it to do so for many more.

5. Titanic (1997)

I was bored by Titanic. I wont lie. But I respect it's contribution to cinema and it really is a great film. When i hear 'My heart will go on' (sung by Celine Dion) there are chills. It's is visually stunning and after watching it a second time i was still bored, but i liked it. I know that that sounds strange but i really did. It was a beautiful film. Even if Avatar is the new highest grossing film, I'll take Titanic over it any day.

4. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

I love this movie. I grew up watching it, in fact, besides Peter Pan, this may be one of my first movies. The effects are amazing- even by todays standards. What astounds me is that the technology was vastly different in the 70s, and yet, George Lucas still made a better sci-fi film than anyone ever could. Except maybe Stanley Kubrick, but even though 2001: a space odyssey was pretty cool and a marvel, some how i never liked it as much as Star Wars.

3. Psycho (1960)

I couldn't decide whether to put Vertigo or Psycho on here. I knew that there had to be a Hitchcock film, but which one? Finally i decided on Psycho because of that unforgettable scene at the end, where we see Norman for the final time, with his mothers voice talking to us. It was a great ending to an even greater film. The shower scene, while tame by todays standards is still great to watch, it looks fake NOW, but in 1960 that scared every single person in any given theatre. I mostly like it for the music though. Especially in the shower scene, the music that frightens you so much more than the scene. Amazing experience.

2. Gone With the Wind (1939)

I did a lengthy review on this not too long ago, but it's probably on the 'older post' page. I loved it. Every aspect was superb and i would watch it again right now if i could. From the fantastic acting all the way down to the costumes (which i usually don't notice at all) this movie is a feast for the eyes, the ears and the mind. The definition of a masterpiece.

1. West Side Story (1961)

It's got everything. Everything! a classic plot, great score, brilliant dancing, great acting and it is visually bewildering. I will admit that i like this is largely because i am a huge Natalie Wood fan and plus i really love Tony (Richard Beymer) because he is really just incredibly romantic. I will also admit that i missed a lot of great films, but i can't really consider them my favourites.

I missed City lights, which was a really good movie and Charlie Chaplin Masterpiece. I also missed Return of the jedi, but that doesn't really matter. Then theres The Godfather (1972), which- while i think it's a great movie- i haven't seen it twice so therefore don'y know if it was great the second time. Citizen kane just about put me to sleep but i can appreciate Orson Welles revolutionary technique. Those are just to name a few. Oh and Ben hur, which i couldn't really get into. Maybe i just don't like swords and sandals things (explaining to absence of Lawrence of Arabia, which was actually good but i didn't like it as much as these).

Well that's my list. Disagree if you must but thats just my opinion. I would be delighted if you told me your's in the comments.

"The force is what gives a Jedi his power, it's an energy field created by all living things, it surrounds us and penetrates us and binds the galaxy together" Obi Wan Kenobi (Alec Guiness) Star Wars: A new hope.

Gone With The Wind (1939)

i have just completed the classic: Gone With the Wind starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard (whom i keep calling Ashley by mistake) and Olivia De Havilland. There isn't much to say about this marvelous film (but i'll try hard) except that it is worthy of every praise and reference it has ever had.

It rarely feels like a film from the 30s, almost every movie from that era i have ever seen has felt like a 30s movie but this one didn't, it felt just as fresh and as new as ever. The camera angles couldn't ever be improved upon, not even by todays greatest directors and i think Victor Fleming was a genius. The only time when i felt like it was from 1939 were the closeups of faces, the falling (very rehearsed) and the annunciation of the actors. But somehow this added even more to it's charm, it's a 30s film with barely any hint of it's time and when it does hint to when it was made, it hardly makes a difference. Ah movie's that don't feel dated now THAT's something gone with the wind.

The costumes and sets were sublime, the clothes Vivien Leigh wore were a sight to behold, especially when the costumes were green, red or blue. Green and blue seemed to match her eyes (sometimes they looked green and sometimes they looked blue) and red suited the name of her character: Scarlett O'Hara (but who didn't know that?). The costumes worn by Melanie (Olivia De Havilland) complimented the humbleness of her character perfectly and although she didn't look half as glamorous as Scarlett there was far more... i can't think of the words for it, well anyone who has seen the movie will know what i mean.
The clothes worn by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and Leslie Howard (Ashley Wilkes) were nicely understated and dignified, they added ruggedness to Rhett and respectibilty to Ashley.

The sets were beautiful and rich with vibrant and emotive colour, sometimes they looked painted (a 30s staple) but most of the time they looked realistic. Especially that beautiful plantation by the name of Tara.
A little bit of trivia: my Dad named my sister Tara after that house, what do i get named after? a race horse!

The music was beautiful. Tara's theme perfectly captures the essence of the film, it is about love, survival, hate, friendship, or in other words: life. A life that hasn't changed so much from the time it was set: before, during and after the civil war. Yes there are no slaves and yes no-one says 'fiddle dee dee' but the love/hate relationships and cruelty of living is still here and every time the music plays it is a constant reminder of this fact. The music adds emotion when it's either playing softly in the background or erupting into it's encompassing beauty. The movie would not have been as good without it's music.

Now for the actors: 
Clark Gable was a great one. To be honest i'd never really thought twice about him, i thought he was one of those actors who played himself in every damn movie. But it wasn't so. He adds emotion and humour to his handsome tough guy character, in those old movies it was rare to see such a realistic father-daughter relationship, much less one that is torn apart. He should have won that Oscar, he lost out to Robert Donat in Goodbye Mr chips, which while good, wasn't as good as this.

Vivien Leigh deserved her Oscar. The life in the character of Scarlett O'Hara is greater than any i have ever seen on film. Her wit, beauty, charm, stubbornness, selfishness and devotion to Tara adds up to a tour de force performance. Not to mention those scenes with Olivia De Havilland (Melanie), even when Scarlett is hopelessly in love with Ashley (whom Melanie is married to) Scarlett does all she can for her. Scarlett is the kind of character many people wish they could be like (perhaps so they can attract a guy like Rhett) and in some scenes you love her, in others you hate her and in some you just don't know.

Olivia De Havilland should have won that Oscar (not saying the Hattie Mcdaniel didn't deserve to win but when you compare the performances it's pretty obvious). The heart and soul she gives the selfless and humble Melanie is joyful to watch and it is sad to see her go through so much in the film when she is so undeserving of it. Melanie is practically a polar opposite to Scarlett which is why they work so well together on screen. Melanie is the friend we all wish we had.

Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes is a strange thing. at the start of the movie i'm not sure i could understand how Scarlett hated Rhett and was in love with this guy. This skinny guy who really wasn't that good looking, seemed sort of soft spoken and far too different from her. But as the movie progressed i found it easier to believe. The character, while not physically strong looking nor handsome was a man of honor and respect, i think a lot of women want a man who is honorable in the end. It seems that almost any ordinary woman would fall for the Rhett kind, but marry the Ashley kind (not Scarlett though, because she wasn't ordinary nor were the circumstances).

The supporting players like Hattie McDaniel were pretty good. I can't tell you how dedicated McDaniel's character Mammy is to the O'Hara's and how good her all too brief scenes with Rhett are. The little girl who plays Bonnie (Rhett and Scarlett's daughter) was well cast, she had the right kind of face to be a young Scarlett and her scenes with Leigh and Gable (especially Gable) show the family dynamic very, very well.

I've seen biographical movies about real people, but somehow i never saw them as real people, they were characters to me, but this was completely different, the actors made me see (perhaps even wish) as though these fictional characters were real. I think if there were more Melanie's and Ashley's in the world the world would be much nicer.
When we reach the end of this 4 hour film (personally i would have been just as happy if it had been longer) we see Rhett walking away in the mist and we see Scarlett, she should be a defeated woman. But she is there with the camera aimed squarely at her face, she has hope that she will get Rhett back. And we hope with her.

I've seen a lot of movies in my lifetime, not all of them good and i enter some with extremely high hopes, i entered this one with them too and in a very rare moment (maybe even for the first time) i was completely satisfied with a film.

"I can shoot straight if i don't have to shoot too far" Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), Gone With The Wind.

Duck Soup (1933)

i watched this Marx Bros classic with high hopes of it being one of the best comedies i'd ever seen. It is expectations like that usually let me down the most in the end. And this time was no different. Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo are all fine in it (although Zeppo seems like has no idea what he's doing), but somehow it wasn't that great. I like satires on war and government but the film seems dated, maybe it's just the 1930s lingo.

The plot is that Rufus T firefly has been brought in to help the country of Freedonia with it's troubles with Sylvania and Mrs Teasdale is with him all the way. I'm not sure it's a plot but i usually don't care about plot, some of my favourite movies have stupid (see: Carefree [1938]) or non existent plots.

When i watch a good comedy i feel the need to drink a lot of water (to keep hydration levels up so i can laugh more) but in this i did not feel thirsty. In fact i watched the 1st half of Gone With The Wind almost straight after this and i felt the need for water more than i did for this (i'll review GWTW once i finish the 2nd half). I'm not saying it wasn't funny, i'm just saying that it wasn't as funny as it made itself out to be.

The musical numbers are hardly memorable and are actually very annoying and weak, the cast weren't bad singers, Groucho's song 'Lydia the tattooed lady' is very memorable and catchy, but thats in another film, not this one. The songs in this are no good and should have ended up on the cutting room floor.

The infamous mirror scene provided a good laugh as did the war scenes and the first meeting between Rufus T Firefly (Groucho, who is a joy to watch when he insult people) and Mrs Teasdale (Margaret Dumont). I suppose the Marx Bros were a sort of 'when it rains it pours' kind of team, either they were drop dead hilarious or stupid. This movie had equal moments of both. I'd still see it again because i happen to think that it was quite an acceptable movie that demands multiple viewings so as to pick up things one may have missed, usually these kinds of films make it on to my favourites list (see: West Side Story, Romy and Michele's HS reunion, The Wizard Of oz). So i will certainly watch again just make sure.

I suppose it wasn't necessarily that the movie was bad- i can think of worse films- but it's the fact it has garnered a reputation that it is a masterful comedy, well it's not. But again: it is not a bad comedy.

"Married. I can see you right now in the kitchen bending over a hot stove. only i can't see the stove" Rufus T Firefly (Groucho Marx) Duck Soup.