SENNA (2010, GREAT BRITAIN)

'Wondering how am I ever going to get through the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list if they keep updating it with new entries' month.

(Post 1 of 10)

Senna

In Garth Stein’s clever novel, the Art of Racing in the Rain, the canine narrator shares the love that his owner has with Formula One racing. He is especially enamored by the ability of these drivers to be able to race effectively during inclement weather. And the best of these racers during the 80’s and 90’s was formula one superstar Ayrton Senna.

This led me to view the first film on the updated 1001 list, the British documentary about the above mentioned formula one racer, simply titled Senna. I’ve never particularly been a fan of Formula One racing (unless you count that I always thought Jackie Stewart had a cool accent when he used to be on The Wide World of Sports). However, once the story of Senna is put together in this documentary through interviews, archival and racing footage and news reports, the story of the man and the legend really takes shape. One sign of a good documentary for me is something that involves you about something you wouldn’t normally be interested in. And Senna does that.

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CHARIOTS OF FIRE (1981, GREAT BRITAIN)

80’s movies I forgot to watch the first time around month Post #11

Chariots of Fire

"I saw where Chariots of Fire just won Best Picture. I’ll get around to seeing it."
Chris, a student, sometime in 1981

"All right. I still haven't seen Chariots
of Fire, and now I can't get that song
out of my head. "
Chris, a librarian, the first blog post on 1001: A Film Odyssey from August, 2009

I’ve listed Chariots of Fire several times as a heading on this blog whenever I couldn’t think of any other heading to use, even though I’d never seen it. I was going to keep using this and have Chariots of Fire as my last movie of the 1001 list, but I thought since I was doing 80’s Movies I never got around to seeing before this month, I figured it was probably time to watch it. I guess I’ll have to find another film for my heading for any more miscellaneous blog listings.

When a lot of people think of Chariots of Fire, the first think you think of is the theme song by Vangelis. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’re probably familiar with the majestic theme, usually associated with Olympic runners running dramatically in slow motion. This has been referenced and parodied countless times, from National Lampoon’s Vacation to Madagascar.

The actual film isn’t bad, though doesn’t really strike me as a Best Picture winner. Some thought that Reds or even Raiders of the Lost Ark should have won that year.

What strikes me as interesting about this film is how old fashioned it is. If you take away the sophisticated camera angels and slow motion of the actual athletic competition and the use of the score (though I think the score is used even more dramatically in the accompanying Vangelis music video), I think this film could have been made in 1951 just as easily as 1981. It’s a definite throwback plotwise, which is interesting that it came as a Best Picture winner in the aftermath of radical 70’s cinema. Definitely a sign of a change in direction.

Now that I've gotten that Chariot off my back, I can feel the closure and know it's finally time for me to forge ahead.

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FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986)

80’s movies I forgot to watch the first time around month Post #10

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Why haven't I seen this before: I actually have seen parts of it. I have never really understood the movie stardom of Matthew Broderick, but Ferris Bueller is on the list and I’ll give it a go.

After viewing: For the romp it is, it isn’t too bad. Many can relate to 80’s high school hooky players with the 80’s designer names: Ferris, Cameron and Sloane-all being pursued by the persistent but always faltering principlal Mr. Rooney.

We know Ferris and his friends will thwart Mr. Rooney in the end. You know there will be the potential for growth for Cameron, his never seen father and their red '61 Ferrari-This is an 80’s movie after all. But what if this movie had a more 70’s type ending? I think it would go something like this.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: Epilogue

Ferris, Sloane and Cameron are playing hooky again. We see them outside driving the '61 Ferrari down a road, clearly outside the busy streets of Chicago and their safe neighborhood of privilege.

Cameron and his father have clearly had a moment of understanding, since the car has been restored and he is letting Cameron drive it. The joy the three of them feel as they are speeding down the road is clear.

It is then that Ferris spots an image in the distance, which causes Cameron to slow down. A mysterious figure is blocking their path. As the Ferrari approaches the figure, they see a Harley Davidson parked sideways in the middle of the road. A leather cladded figure wearing a helmet with an American flag decal gets off the bike and approaches them.

It is then, the group notices that this figure is carrying a shotgun. He pulls off his helmet. It is none other than their principal, Mr. Rooney!

Mr. Rooney's only words (which he says inexplicably in a rural Louisiana accent) are “Why ain’t you kids in school?”

We see the shocked expression on their faces as Mr. Rooney turns the gun in their direction.

The first shot flies out of the rifle and hits Cameron in the chest. Ferris grabs onto his slumping friend, who looks back into Ferris's eyes and says, “Ferris, we blew it,” before closing his own eyes for the last time.

Sloane screams as she leaps out of the car and begins to run away, only to be cut down by a single shot from Rooney’s shotgun.

The blood soaked Ferris leaps out of the car and runs madly toward Rooney. Rooney takes careful aim before taking his final shot in Ferris’s direction.

We don’t actually see Ferris get hit. Instead we see the symbolic image of the Ferrari exploding into a fiery heap.

Cut to an aerial shot that clearly shows the carnage below as Mr. Rooney speeds away on his motorcycle. As the picture continues to ascend, we hear the strains of Fraternity of Man’s Don’t Bogart That Joint on the soundtrack. As the credits begin to roll, the song then changes to one more round of The Beatles version of Twist and Shout.

THE END

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DO THE RIGHT THING (1989)

80’s movies I forgot to watch the first time around month Post #9

Do the Right Thing.


Why haven't I seen this before: Honestly, I'm not sure. I've seen other Spike Lee movies, just not his most famous one.

After viewing: I remember now why I haven't seen this before. There is a hell of a lot of unpleasantness depicted here! Of course, it does have some light moments early in the film.

Overall, it does ring true, and has a lot to say about race relations and living in poverty. And It's definitely a film that should be seen once...though I'm not sure I'd want to see it twice.

Personal note: Ossie Davis (pictured below) was the commencement speaker at my graduate school graduation ceremony from Clark Atlanta University. He was a very inspirational speaker, and is even better as The Mayor in Do the Right Thing.

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DANGEROUS LIAISONS (1988)

80’s movies I forgot to watch the first time around month Post #8

Dangerous Liaisons

Why Haven't I seen this before?: 18th century setting with the French aristocracy…once again you got to be in the mood for it.

After viewing: The major appeal of this film is in watching the interchange between the main characters in their hathcing of various plots and intrigues. Once the these intrigues between Glenn Close, John Malkovich and the rest of the cast get going, the story becomes very interesting.

And a note to Uma Thurman: Please put your clothes on, there might be kids watching!*

*Unless there aren't any kids in the room and then it's fine.

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THE COLOR PURPLE (1985)

80’s movies I forgot to watch the first time around month Post #7

Why haven’t I seen it before? The combination of Steven Speilberg and Alice Walker always seemed a little odd to me. I know that isn't a very good reason to put off seeing it for twenty-seven years, but there you have it.

After viewing: It’s a pretty strong and involving drama, I must admit. I’m not usually a big Whoppi Goldberg fan, but she seems perfectly cast in the main role of Ceily.

Other memorable supporting players include Danny Glover as Whoppi's reprehensible husband, Margaret Avery as Shug and Oprah (I forget her last name) as Sofia.

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BABETTE'S FEAST (1987, DENMARK)

80’s movies I forgot to watch the first time around month Post #6

Babette’s Feast

Why haven’t I seen it before?
It certainly got good reviews when it came out. It was also studied quite often (at least the Isak Dinesen short story) at the college library where I worked. It became one of those “I’ll see it eventually movies” that I never got around to seeing.

After viewing: This is a film that starts very slowly. It is about as far to the opposite side of the adrenaline scale from an Indiana Jones movie as you could possibly get and I did have a little trouble getting into the story intially. But I think if the viewer reamins patient, and waits for the servings to come out, Babette's Feast really does beat the hell out of the standard Hollywood burgers and fries.

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