Gregory Lopez
Film History Journal
The Godfather
1) The Godfather, which is generally viewed as one of the best American films ever made, is a classic cinema: one of the most widely respected movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son, Michael. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is, in the life of organized crime, a "godfather" or "don," the head of a Mafia family. Michael, a free spirit who disobeyed his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II, has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago excluded himself from the family business, Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister, Connie with his non-Italian girlfriend, Kay who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later around Christmas time, the don barely survives after being shot by gunmen in the service of a drug-trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was prohibited. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt, Michael convinces his eldest brother, Sonny, and family advisors Tom Hagen and Sal Tessio that he should be the one to execute revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a crooked police captain and the drug trafficker, Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war explodes at home. Falling in love with a local girl, Michael marries her, but she is later assassinated by Corleone enemies in an attempt to kill Michael. Sonny is also exterminated, having been betrayed by Connie's husband. When Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him, his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals, realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been presented as the new don, he leads the family to a new era of affluence, and then launches a war of murderous revenge against those who once tried to annihilate the Corleones.
2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068646/
3) The article basically describes the events that occur in the movie. It talks about the plot and important themes present in the movie that made it such a classic. In addition, it puts into perspective the “life” of the Corleone family and the world of organized crime that they indulged in.
4) In the Godfather, the story arises as Don Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family", watches over his daughter's wedding. His beloved son Michael has just come home from World War 2, but does not intend to become part of his father's business. Throughout Michael's life, the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is benevolent to those who give respect, but ruthless and violent whenever anything stands against or in the way of the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country, but times are changing and some don't want to follow the old ways and look out for family An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Don's influence to further his plan. The Don declines and the clash of the Don's diminishing old country values and the new ways will become horrible at his own expense. Like anyone who has seen the Godfather and appreciates classic films, all I can say about this film is that it’s brilliant. From the cast to the cinematography, every moment of the movie will keep you guessing and craving for more. The variety of themes and genres present in the movie is staggering, which makes it a universal classic, which can be respected and valued by people of all ages.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Casablanca
Gregory Lopez
Film History Journal
1) Casablanca is a classic film, directed by Michael Curtiz that made its debut in 1942 and is thought to be one of the best movies of all time. There are many themes centered on Casablanca but the most notable ones are lust and love. Ilsa, one of the main characters, is married to Victor but had an affair with Rick in Paris, who is played by Bogart. The main summary of the film is that Rick runs a restaurant called Rick’s Café in Casablanca, Morocco. There was a girl named Ilsa who Rick met and fell in love with almost instantaneously when they first met in Paris. They both embraced each other’s company and couldn't get enough of each other. In this point in time, the Germans were going to invade and occupy France so they had to evacuate immediately. Ilsa kept a secret from Rick and chose not to meet Rick at the train station when they were supposed to leave together. The secret that she was keeping from Rick was that she was married to a man named Victor, who was a respected man who spent a year in a concentration camp and was a powerful leader in France. Later on in the movie, Ilsa walks into Rick’s Café and Rick and Ilsa see each other for the first time since their encounter in Paris. Towards the conclusion of the film, Rick and Ilsa reproduce the love that they always had for each other but Rick decides to let her go.
2) http://www.pictureshowman.com/articles_films_casablanca.cfm
3) The article basically talks about the film and its overall success. After giving a brief synopsis, a plot and cast overview, and a behind the scenes view, it states that "Casablanca" was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three, including the Oscar for Best Picture. The American Society of Cinematographers ranked "Casablanca" number 7 on their list of "Best Shot Films: 1894-1949". In 1998, the American Film Institute rated "Casablanca" second on their list of the "Top 100 American Movies of the Last 100 Years", using as part of their criteria: critical recognition; historical significance; and cultural impact. In 1989, "Casablanca" was among the first twenty-five films named to the National Film Registry.
4) The first time I saw Casablanca, I remembered how up-to-date it seemed. The themes of sacrifice and heroism stood out with emphasis and made the movie intriguing, as well as the witty dialogue. The characters played amazing roles and kept me interested throughout the movie. Although this movie was way before my time, I was able to appreciate its true value due to its classic, genuine nature and compelling storyline.
Film History Journal
1) Casablanca is a classic film, directed by Michael Curtiz that made its debut in 1942 and is thought to be one of the best movies of all time. There are many themes centered on Casablanca but the most notable ones are lust and love. Ilsa, one of the main characters, is married to Victor but had an affair with Rick in Paris, who is played by Bogart. The main summary of the film is that Rick runs a restaurant called Rick’s Café in Casablanca, Morocco. There was a girl named Ilsa who Rick met and fell in love with almost instantaneously when they first met in Paris. They both embraced each other’s company and couldn't get enough of each other. In this point in time, the Germans were going to invade and occupy France so they had to evacuate immediately. Ilsa kept a secret from Rick and chose not to meet Rick at the train station when they were supposed to leave together. The secret that she was keeping from Rick was that she was married to a man named Victor, who was a respected man who spent a year in a concentration camp and was a powerful leader in France. Later on in the movie, Ilsa walks into Rick’s Café and Rick and Ilsa see each other for the first time since their encounter in Paris. Towards the conclusion of the film, Rick and Ilsa reproduce the love that they always had for each other but Rick decides to let her go.
2) http://www.pictureshowman.com/articles_films_casablanca.cfm
3) The article basically talks about the film and its overall success. After giving a brief synopsis, a plot and cast overview, and a behind the scenes view, it states that "Casablanca" was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three, including the Oscar for Best Picture. The American Society of Cinematographers ranked "Casablanca" number 7 on their list of "Best Shot Films: 1894-1949". In 1998, the American Film Institute rated "Casablanca" second on their list of the "Top 100 American Movies of the Last 100 Years", using as part of their criteria: critical recognition; historical significance; and cultural impact. In 1989, "Casablanca" was among the first twenty-five films named to the National Film Registry.
4) The first time I saw Casablanca, I remembered how up-to-date it seemed. The themes of sacrifice and heroism stood out with emphasis and made the movie intriguing, as well as the witty dialogue. The characters played amazing roles and kept me interested throughout the movie. Although this movie was way before my time, I was able to appreciate its true value due to its classic, genuine nature and compelling storyline.
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