1 Year…100 Films, #83: TITANIC (1997)

“I’m the King of the World” – Jack Dawson

Basic Premise of the Film: Two star-crossed lovers meet and fall in love on the ill-fated ship’s maiden (and only) voyage.

Honestly, what can I say about this film that hasn’t already been said? It’s very hard to say. Like “Ben-Hur” before it, this could be called the film epic of my generation. Maybe it has, I don’t know — haven’t actually looked into it. As I’m sure you can tell, I’ve seen this movie several times before and I absolutely love it, not in my personal Top 10, but Top 20 for sure. When this movie first came out I was 8 so obviously I didn’t fully understand how much of a “big deal” it actually was. This thing was a cultural phenomenon. It was everywhere. I distinctly remember how Celine Dion‘s song from the soundtrack, “My Heart Will Go On” was pretty much on loop on every single radio station. That song did not go away for a good 6 six months, I swear. The times I’ve seen it as I’ve gotten older have helped me to understand why people went back and saw it 4 or 6 times in theaters. Yes, it has a running time of three hours but you don’t feel it. It is not only just about the events surrounding the ship but we were given people who we want to root for which is why this film was propelled to the great success it was.

Now, before we get anything further we have to talk about James Cameron – the writer and director of this film. Without this man we wouldn’t have this film. He was  obsessed with this ship and the story surrounding it which is why this film was made. He loved this story so much that he ensured that no expense (and detail) was spared to ensure that it was as accurate as possible and boy did he knock it out of the park. Before someone corrects me on it, I know the story of Jack and Rose is fictional, but I was referring just now to the story of the ship. In the film he covers the details of what factors lead to this tragedy. So, instead of watching just some basic story of this tragedy, we also got a romantic story thrown in there to keep us interested and to add to how great this tragedy was about to be. When you throw all of this in the same pot you can completely understand why this film is the second-highest grossing film of all time without adjusting for inflation (it was the highest grossing film of all time until it was passed by another Cameron film: Avatar). James Cameron had had a very successful career prior to this film, but this is one the that will definitely be the one that will always be mentioned when he’s referred to.

Lastly, if it wasn’t for this film we probably wouldn’t have gotten Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as soon as we did. What I mean by that is that had this film not propelled them to super stardom, we wouldn’t have fully paid attention to their work until years later. They played these characters from opposite ends of the social spectrum so well we rooted for them to get that happily ever after. We almost got it too, but as always, we can’t have our cake and eat it too. Besides the acting (of everyone involved), the editing and pacing of the movie was excellent. James Honer‘s music score is definitely one of the best ones of all time! I actually got to see this film in theaters last year and, honestly, I was blown away. My husband went with me somewhat reluctantly but even he was blown away by how amazing the movie was on the big screen. It was made to be watched on a giant screen!

When the list was first introduced in 1998, while eligible, I think this film was just too new for it’s significance in film history to be felt. 10 years later it significance and brilliance was noticed enough for it to make it’s debut at #83. Awards-wise it was nominated for a record-high 14 Oscars (tied for most with “All About Eve”), it won 11 of those including for Best Picture and Best Director. Those 11 wins tied it for most Oscar wins with “Ben-Hur”. Funny how it all came back full circle, huh? I fully expect this film to remain on this list whenever it is updated next. I also expected to climb a bit higher in the rankings – I say it can make it to 78 tops. We shall see, though.

This is another film I didn’t have to watch because I’ve seen it several times – totally still rolling with my 2-VHS box set. 

And now, for funsies…

Here’s the original trailer for ya!

1 Year…100 Films, #84: EASY RIDER (1969)

“Dude means nice guy. Dude means regular sort of person” – Wyatt

Basic Premise of the Film: Two guys are cruising through Southwest USA on their way to Mardi Gras. Lots of bike riding, scenery and pot smoking.

Here’s a film that I’ve never seen before until today, heard it was a good one, but honestly: WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?!?! What was this movie even about!? I swear there was little to no plot, overall, and little character development. That ending though: UGH! I’m a little upset about this one guys. Now that that’s out of the way, we can get down to discussing the merits of this film — as I see them at least.

If there was ever a film I would call a period piece, this one would be it without a doubt. It’s a time capsule to a way a life that could have been possible, was for a bit, and was lost just as fast. It captures the spirit of a life that you rarely see these days. Sure people try to go against “the man” and all, but it’s not in the same sense as it was nearly 50 years ago. Yes, believe it or not, the 1960s were 50 years ago. What Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (the late Dennis Hopper) wanted was just to live easy. They had a plan and man were they sticking to it. It also doesn’t hurt that the two leading actors were also avid real life participants of this lifestyle: drugs and good times. Maybe rock and roll, who knows. What this film also captures so well is the music of the time. That is one thing I will sing this film praises about. It’s soundtrack is top notch. Every song is an iconic song of that era. You hear them and you’re think, “Yep. That song is totally of the times.” Just a quick sidebar here: The American Film Instititue also has a list for the “100 Greatest Movie Songs” and the film’s iconic song, Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” was ranked #29. Just through I’d throw that out there.

Now, a little more about the film. This film was written by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper — son of Henry Fonda of “12 Angry Men” and “The Grapes of Wrath” — and directed by Hopper. I think it’s fitting that these men were also able to be the two leads in this film so they could make it in the exact way they envisioned it. The film also starred a relatively unknown actor, at the time, by the name of Jack Nicholson who shot to super-stardom as the drunk lawyer so joins Billy and Wyatt on their journey. So, all things considered, while I didn’t really like the film overall, the cast was superb – at least for what this film was about. It was an immediate hit and big awards contender. I mean it  Nicholson was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and the film received a Best Original Screenplay as well. What I did read after viewing is that this film helped to usher in a new way of making films in Hollywood. Because this film was made on such a small budget and it was such a critical and financial success movie studios realized that indie/small budgets could be as successful as their big budget films.

When the “100 Greatest List” first debuted it was ranked at 88, at the update, obviously, 84. I would guess that’s it’s considered one of the greatest because as mentioned before it’s a period piece/time capsule, changed the way studios handled their indie/art films, and because it is just so darn iconic. I do believe that if, and when, this list is updated it will probably move a couple spots higher at most just because its one of those films that is going to age well — whether you like it or not. Let me state again, I didn’t absolutely hate it (even if it came off that way). I just think it started out with so much potential and then it just didn’t deliver for me personally. If you’re looking to be entertained and enthralled, I wouldn’t recommend this film. If you’re in the market to watch an important film in film culture, this one is definitely it. Just don’t complain to me when that end (and the entire film) seems like a waste of time. I will end on saying that I’m glad I watched it so I never have to watch it again.

I feel that I should also mention that there was a very ill-fated sequel/prequel made to this film. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper had nothing to do with it. Here is the link to the trailer.

I viewed this film on a hosted site. CLICK HERE to view. Available to rent  from $2.99 on these platforms: YouTube, Amazon, and VUDU.

 

For fun today, I’m including the intro (comes about 5 mins or so into the film). It pretty much shows you what 70% of the film is like: no dialogue and lots of scenery.