The Essential Films
A blog devoted to the discussion of the greatest movies ever made, or The Essential Films. From the beginning of cinema history to present day, these films are crucial to the education of anyone who loves the art of film making.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Sunday, September 22, 2024
I Wrote a Book!
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
NORTH BY NORTHWEST *Reaction & Commentary!*
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Freaks (1932)
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975)
3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR
1975 • Sydney Pollack
Screenplay: Lorenzo Semple Jr., David Rayfiel; Based on Six Days of the Condor by James Grady
Producer: Stanley Schneider
Cast: Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, Max von Sydow
Cinematography: Owen Roizman
Music: Don Guidice
Paramount Pictures
I don't interest myself in "why". I think more often in terms of "when", sometimes "where"; always "how much".
Grab your tinfoil hats and get ready to dive headfirst into the thrilling world of 1970s paranoia with 3 Days of the Condor. This film takes us on a rollercoaster ride filled with conspiracy, danger, and a dash of CIA antics. It takes us on a journey where trust is scarce, and everyone is potentially a double agent. Exciting, right?
It's 1975, and the world is knee-deep in Cold War tensions and cloak-and-dagger shenanigans. Our protagonist, played by Robert Redford, is a mild-mannered CIA analyst who spends his days diving into books, looking for hidden meanings and secret codes.
One day, Redford's character stumbles upon a sinister discovery. He finds out that his fellow co-workershave been brutally murdered. Suddenly, he finds himself thrust into a web of intrigue and danger, desperately trying to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy before it's curtains for him too. Let's just say it's a good thing he's got those CIA skills up his sleeve.
As Redford's character digs deeper, he realizes that he can trust no one. Everyone is suspicious. The office intern? Probably a double agent. The mailman? Definitely hiding some secret documents in those mailbags. Even the office vending machine might be keeping tabs on him. Paranoia at its finest.
Let's not forget the technical achievements of this gem either. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film Editing, it's clear that the masterful editing played a pivotal role in creating the suspense and tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Audiences appreciated this film as well, raking in a cool $41 million at the box office, which would be about $240 million in 2023 money. Not too shabby for a bunch of spy games and cloak-and-dagger antics.
3 Days of the Condor is a must-watch for fans of 70s paranoia thrillers, secret agent escapades, and those who just can't resist a good conspiracy theory. With its gripping plot, snappy dialogue, and some killer performances, this film will have you questioning everyone you meet for at least a week.
It will happen this way. You may be walking. Maybe the first sunny day of the spring. And a car will slow beside you, and a door will open, and someone you know, maybe even trust, will get out of the car. And he will smile, a becoming smile. But he will leave open the door of the car and offer to give you a lift.
Notable Awards & Accomplishments
• Academy Award Nominee: Best Film Editing
• Golden Globe Nominee: Best Actress - Drama: Faye Dunaway
• 6th Highest Grossing Film of 1975
Availability: Digital, 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Let the Right One In (2008)
Friday, February 2, 2024
PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006)
PAN’S LABYRINTH
(El laberinto del fauno)
2006 • Guillermo del ToroCast: Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones, Ariadna Gil, Álex Angulo, Pablo Adán
Screenplay: Guillermo del Toro
Cinematography: Guillermo Navarro
Music: Javier Navarrete
Warner Bros. Pictures
A long time ago, in the underground realm, where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamed of the human world.
Fascist Spain. 1944. Imaginative and aloof Ofelia is the young stepdaughter of the sadistic Spanish army Captain Vidal. Ofelia and her pregnant mother are brought in to live with Vidal while he finishes killing off the last of the rebel soldiers. Ofelia hates living under the tyrannical parental authority of her new stepfather and in an effort to distance herself from his cruelty, she escapes into a world of fantasy. Ofelia stumbles upon an ancient faun living in a labyrinth outside her new home. He tells her she has to perform three tasks and she will become a princess of a magical kingdom. Definitely not for children, Pan's Labyrinth is a film that pays homage to children’s fairytales and films like Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. But is it all really happening, or is it all in Ofelia's vivid imagination?
It is a seemingly straightforward fantasy plot that is in actuality rich in its depth and complexity. While it follows the journey of Ofelia into a fantastical labyrinth, it forces us to confront the harsh truths and brutalities of the world while also delving into the power of imagination and resilience in the face of adversity. Guillermo del Toro invites audiences to contemplate the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, innocence and brutality, leaving a lasting impact on you.
Pan’s Labyrinth masterfully intertwines two parallel narratives: a magical quest and a political war drama. Del Toro skillfully balances these contrasting worlds, seamlessly shifting between the enchantment of Ofelia's quest and the grim horrors of a war-torn society. As the fantastical and the grim reality converge, Pan's Labyrinth explores themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit amidst the tumultuous backdrop of Francoist Spain.
A beautiful lullaby bookends the film called "Long, Long Time Ago" ("Hace tiempo, mucho tiempo" in Spanish). It was composed by, Javier Navarrete, who also composed the film's entire score. The haunting melody of the lullaby adds to the film's ethereal and melancholic atmosphere, capturing the essence of Ofelia's journey and the film's themes of innocence and loss. It is sung by Mercedes, the housekeeper (and secret rebel collaborator), and while it is the same soulful song, it evokes different moods. In the beginning, it serves as a “Once upon a time,” with its sense of nostalgia. At the end of the film, it is different. It almost serves as a “and they lived bittersweetly ever after,” but with a sense of longing and sadness.
Sergi López delivers an amazing villainous performance as Captain Vidal, the not-so-subtle metaphorical stand-in for Francisco Franco. Vidal embodies the epitome of a well-groomed gentleman, meticulously attending to his appearance by personally shaving and shining his boots, reflecting his meticulous attention to detail and obsession with control. Despite his outward facade of military perfection, Vidal harbors a monstrous and sadistic nature, a trait he conceals beneath a veneer of unemotional detachment. As a brutal Falangist Captain, Vidal ruthlessly pursues his mission to eradicate leftists from the hills of Northern Spain, embodying the authoritarianism and violence of Francoist Spain. Sergi López's portrayal of Vidal captures the chilling duality of a man who presents himself as a model officer while harboring a dark and evil interior.
Ivana Baquero delivers a remarkable performance as Ofelia. At just 12 years old, Baquero portrays Ofelia with maturity beyond her years while capturing a sense of Alice-like wonder. Ofelia's journey into the labyrinth unfolds as she encounters a host of mystical creatures and challenges laid before her. Ofelia is innocent, but brave and determined. You root for her to triumph against the dark forces that threaten her world. While the creatures pose their own challenges and mysteries, it is Captain Vidal's menacing presence and violent nature that truly terrify Ofelia. Ofelia understands the very real dangers posed by Vidal and the oppressive regime he represents. His cruelty towards those he perceives as enemies, including herself, instills a deep sense of dread and apprehension in Ofelia.
But perhaps she should be more careful. One of the compelling aspects of the film is the ambiguity surrounding the character of the Faun. Throughout the film, the Faun serves as a mysterious and enigmatic figure who guides Ofelia on her journey, presenting her with tasks and challenges that test her courage and resolve. However, the Faun's motives and intentions remain shrouded in mystery. On one hand, the Faun offers Ofelia the promise of reclaiming her identity as the princess of the underworld, leading her to believe in a destiny beyond the confines of her mundane existence. On the other hand, the Faun's methods are often cryptic and ambiguous, and his demands for obedience and sacrifice raise doubts about his true nature. By the end, we get a definitive answer… or do we?
One of the lingering questions you may have when the credits role is: Is the quest an imaginative coping mechanism for Ofelia? Did any of it actually happen? Is it like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz, was it all just dreams and imagination? It's widely interpreted that Ofelia's quest is indeed an imagined escape from the brutality and hopelessness of her situation. By embracing the role of the underworld princess and undertaking the tasks assigned to her by the Faun, Ofelia can assert her identity and assert control over her own life. I, myself, choose to believe the fantasy. However, what makes the film great is that both interpretations are valid.
Life isn't like your fairy tales. The world is a cruel place. And you'll learn that, even if it hurts.
Notable Awards & Accomplishments
Academy Award Nominee: Best Writing, Original Screenplay
Academy Award Winner: Best Achievement in Cinematography
Academy Award Winner: Best Achievement in Art Direction
Streaming: Not currently streaming
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at major digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
THE TERMINATOR (1984)
always look spectacular and he’s always breaking new ground. The Abyss and Terminator 2 used special-effects technology that was still in its infancy and those movies STILL look amazing. Avatar, while being a recycled story, was a groundbreaking film visually, and hell, yes, even Titanic looks incredible. James Cameron knows how to make a movie. But, the most impressive film to this day still has to be the original Terminator. Why? While Avatar, Titanic, and T2 all look better, they also had HUGE budgets. Terminator was made for practically nothing (by Hollywood standards) and Cameron was put in a position where he had to create a visually impressive movie on pretty much no money. Do some of the effects look hokey in 2011? Sure. But in 1984 that was cutting-edge technology.
- Inducted to National Film Registry: 2008
- 3 Saturn Awards Wins: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Make-up, Best Writing
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills - #42
Monday, January 22, 2024
THE EVIL DEAD (1981)
THE EVIL DEAD
1981 • Sam Raimi
Screenplay: Sam Raimi
Producer: Robert G. Tapert
Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly
Cinematography: Tim Philo
Music: Joe Loduca
New Line Cinema
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The timeless look, the bananas cinematography, the disgusting practical effects, and the unrelenting pace of the last half of the movie make this one the standard bearer of over-the-top 80s horror. This ridiculous horror extravaganza introduced video stores all over America to director Sam Raimi and the unique acting chops of Bruce Campbell.
Before Raimi directed the billion-dollar Spider-Man franchise, he came from these humble beginnings. The plot is not all that groundbreaking (although it did popularize the trope): Five friends head towards a secluded cabin in the woods for the weekend. Once there, they find an old creepy-looking book that was left behind. After heading to the basement they also find and play a tape recording of demonic incantations that release the spirits of the cabin to raise hell upon the five unsuspecting college students. One by one, the friends fall victim to possession, leaving only Ash (Campbell) to face the nightmarish onslaught. Will he be able to survive until dawn breaks? The narrative may be familiar, but The Evil Dead elevates it with its unique style and execution.
Although Evil Dead is at times goofy it adds to the film's charm. However, you can see flashes of Raimi's later brilliance in this film, and the makeup and special effects are impressive considering this film cost about $2.53 to make. Regardless Evil Dead is essential horror viewing. On top of that, all of the film’s sequels and spin-offs, such as Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, the 2013 remake, the "Ash vs the Evil Dead" TV series, and 2023’s Evil Dead Rise have only solidified its place as a cult classic.
Evil Dead remains a beloved horror film that deserves its reputation. With its striking visuals, relentless pacing, and introduction of talented individuals who would go on to make their mark in the industry, it is a true gem in the genre. Despite its occasional silliness, this movie has aged well and continues to be a thrilling and entertaining watch. Whether you're a fan of Sam Raimi, or Bruce Campbell, or simply enjoy a good scare, The Evil Dead is a must-see for horror aficionados. Watch out for the trees, though.
Groovy.