Oldies Review - The Godfather

Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 175 minutes
Year: 1972
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert DuVall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, John Cazale
 
Description: The aging patriarch (Marlon Brando) of an organized crime dynasty in postwar New York City transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant youngest son (Al Pacino).

Review: Don Vito Corleone, better known as The Godfather, is the head of the Corleone mafia family. When an attempt is made to take his life, son Michael unexpectedly steps into the family business.
For many, including myself, “The Godfather” is an all-time favorite and an absolute timeless classic. It is and remains a great mafia epic and probably one of the most influential films ever made.

As soon as the film starts with the atmospheric music of Nino Rota, you are transported to the past and become part of the Corleone family. The head, Don Vito, commands the screen with his presence. With this, Marlon Brando won an Academy Award for one of the most iconic roles ever.

It is a film completely focused on the Corleone family. Despite all the criminal acts within the world of the mafia, the story also highlights the love, frustration and misfortune within the family. This makes the whole realistic. In doing so, each member also leaves an impression. Daughter Connie who allows herself to be in an abusive marriage, tough brother Sonny with his anger issues and even the more sleezy Fredo, who has a more prominent role in “Godfather Part II” (1974). The film’s lead role is given to the youngest son of the family: Michael Corleone.

This was Al Pacino’s big break, an it is understandable why. We frequently see event sfrom Michael’s perspective, which makes him somewhat sympathetic. Michael’s character development, which begins here and continues in the two sequels, is fairly tragic to see. Someone who had no interest in the family business at first, but unexpectedly follows in his father’s footstep, becoming the head of it.

“The Godfather” is not only a timeless classic, that every person, film fan or not, should see. But it’s also a masterclass in filmmaking. I think it’s every filmmakers dream to create aa masterpiece such as “The Godfather”. After so many years, the praise for this movie is still justified.

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Director: Isao Takahata

Genre: Animation/ Drama/ Fantasy/ Adventure

Runtime: 137 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Chlöe Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, James Marsden, John Cho, Beau Bridges, Dean Cain, Darren Criss, Lucy Liu, Oliver Platt

Description: Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter (James Caan) and his wife (Mary Steenburgen), a tiny girl (Chlöe Grace Moretz) grows rapid fast into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthralls all who encounter her, but ultimately must confront her fate, the punishment for her crime.  

 Review: A farmer finds a tiny princess in a bamboo plant, takes her home and soon she’s turned into a human baby. It all happened without any commotion in the first few minutes. Where Disney would accompany it with sparkling star rains and magical music, in “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” is brought as something familiar and logical. It’s a true fairytale from Studio Ghibli.

The young Kaguya grows up as a normal child on the farmland, but her adoptive parents understand that they are dealing with royalty and only want the very best for her. Father and mother address their child with greatness and take her to the big city to make her a full-fledged princess. In the meantime, the child herself has nothing to contribute. She does not want to get married at all, but in order not to disappoint her proud father, she agrees to choose from a number of selected noblemen.

That this search for love is actually a little too long and predictable can be taken for granted, because the rest of this fairy tale is beautiful. When more is known about Kaguya’s background, the film gains strength to end in a deeply movie scene.

Director Isao Takahata, best known for “Grave of the Fireflies”, gives the message to be merciful and supportive towards each other in the last act, but puts a lot more in his film through symbolism. References to the story of Jesus Christ and other religions for example.

Apart from symbolism and fantasy elements, “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” is above all a drama in which human emotions such as mercy and melancholy are central. This is recognizable for everyone. in addition, the animations department provides a number of beautiful scenes. Not everyone might like the style, since it’s more outlined art or sketch-like, with a more limited color palette. But I think it looks beautiful.

If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli movies, you should not miss this one.

Rating: 4/ 5

00s Movie Review - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Director: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Genre: Animation/ Family
Runtime: 90 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Mr. T, Bruce Campbell, Benjamin Bratt, Neil Patrick Harris, Al Roker, Lauren Graham, Will Forte, Andy Samberg

Description: Local scientist Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) is often regarded ad a failure until he invents a machine that can make food fall from the sky. But little does he know, that things are about to take a turn for the worst.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 16: A MOVIE BASED ON A CHILDREN’S BOOK

Review: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is the debut film of Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Flint Lockwood still lives with his father in a town that is known for sardines. In his room, he works on his inventions and every single one of them has turned into a disaster. Until he creates a machine that turns water into food and it actually works. By accident, the machine gets up in the air and all of a sudden it starts raining food.
The set-up is pretty standard. Flint has a struggling relationship with his father, he meets journalist Sam Sparks that also likes ‘nerdy stuff’ and both relationships and Flint’s journey to success are going to develop towards the end. In between there is enough to enjoy both visually and comedically.
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is definitely a fun animation, with an enjoyable story based on the children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett. A great family film.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 17: Brian's Song

Director: Buzz Kulik
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 73 minutes
Year: 1971
Starring: James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden

Description: Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.

Review: If you want a story where a friendship inspires you, you must see “Brian’s Song”. It’s a really good film, it’s actually a made for TV movie.
We see how football players Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo meet each other and become friends. The two are very different. Brian is an overachieving loud mouthed man. Gale is a gifted and shy man. They go through a lot together.
James Caan and Billy Dee Williams were both upcoming stars when this movie came out. The story is powerful, relatable and touching. You come to like the two friends and I bet you will tear up in the end.
“Brian’s Song” is probably one of the best made for TV movies.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 130: A Fighting Man

Director: Damian Lee

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 85 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Dominic Purcell, Louis Gossett Jr., Famke Janssen, James Caan, Adam Beach, Freddie Roach, Kim Coats, Michael Ironside

 

Description: An aging fighter (Dominic Purcell) is in search of redemption. He steps into the ring with a hungry young pugilist (Izaak Smith) with something to prove.

 

Review: The boxing veteran Sailor O’Connor has never been knocked out in over sixty matches he has fought. Still he’s a broken man, haunted by a tragic past. When Sailor gets one more chance in the ring, he takes the opportunity. His opponent is young and much faster. With the help of his old coach, Sailor prepares for what is probably going to be his last fight.

Boxing is a source of inspiration for Hollywood and many great movies about boxing have been made already. The heroic feel and the controversy are perfect for a movie.

The constant factor in the film is the fight between Sailor O’Conner and King Solomon. In between we see flashbacks, from both perspectives. Everything that happened before the fight. This way of storytelling works pretty good. Most questions you have as a viewer, are answered at the end of the movie. For instance the story of Diane Schuler. “A Fighting Man” isn’t just a boxing movie, but also a film filled with symbolic. The punches Sailor receives in the ring symbolize the rough life he has lived.

Visually the shaky shots and quick montage fit the character and the feel of the film. And the story isn’t told chronologically, which really works and doesn’t make it a standard boxing movie with the big fight at the end of it. The movie does have some clichés and some storylines that have loose ends.

All in all “A Fighting Man” is a pretty good film, definitely worth your time.

Rating: 3/ 5