The Fifty Year Test

I was looking round the internet the other day, and I began thinking, how many films made fifty years ago are still remembered today?

There are countless films made long ago that were both critical and commercial hits, but if you mentioned them to people nowadays they'd have no clue what you're talking about. The Wizard of Oz was panned by critics upon release and wasn't all too successful either, and it's gone on to become one of the most popular films of all-time. Even the Academy has gotten it wrong on many accounts looking back through the looking glass. Such timeless classics like It's a Wonderful Life and Citizen Kane were overlooked for the top prize both in their respective years, beaten by films that I've never even heard of. All of this got me wondering, fifty years from now, what are the films from this past decade that will be remembered?

I've decided to try and use some foresight here and predict the ten films that I think are most likely to be remembered fifty years from now. My choices range from films that were both well received and successful, to films that were not so lucky. Without further ado, here it goes (in no particular order):

* Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Eternal Sunshine is a really terrific film and was well received upon its release, growing in popularity to become a cult classic. I feel that in fifty years time this film will be considered one of the best films from this decade and will be remembered as a genuine classic. It's a film that gets better each time you watch it, and I feel it captures the spirit of this generation perfectly. Besides, who knows, fifty years from now the premise of the film could be for real.



* Once - A delicate love story that flew under the radar of many. It was an all digital production about two musicians falling in love through their music. It went on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song and it has a sense of timelessness about it that will allow it to transcend generations.



* The Dark Knight - I'm going ahead and getting one of the more obvious ones out of the way. Not only is The Dark Knight a Batman film, it's a modern day Western that echoes the chaos of the times so perfectly. It's a film that is timeless in its story, but will also be seen as a time capsule of what the new millenium decade was like.



* Brokeback Mountain - While I'm not the biggest fan of this film, there is no denying that it was well made. This was a film that was covered in controversy upon its release, but in fifty years time I think it will be seen in a far better light by future generations.



* Up - The most recent film on this list has easily earned its place as an instant animated classic. Not only is the film probably one of the funniest I have seen in the longest of time, it also happens to one of the most touching I have seen in a while. It will be remembered for years to come.



* Big Fish - I'm not the biggest fan of Tim Burton, but Big Fish is one of his few films that I enjoy a great deal. It's an odd fairy tale that is anchored with a genuine heart. I think it is Tim Burton's best film he's ever made, and I think it is a timeless story that many will continue to enjoy for years to come.



* Stranger than Fiction - A highly enjoyable film featuring a terrific performance from Will Ferrel. The film was not a big hit upon its release, but the few that did see the film have morphed it into a cult classic, one that I think future generations will catch on to and love.



* Elf - Spreading a bit of pre-seasonal cheer, I've decided to include the only Christmas film from this past decade that I think will be remembered fifty years from now. Elf is a funny, heartwarming film about a human who was raised by Santa's elves. It's a film that is smart, witty, and highly enjoyable. A true holiday classic.



* Minority Report - Spielberg's best film of the past decade manages to make the list. Minority Report was a very fresh take on the science fiction genre upon its release. While the film didn't perform up to Spielberg's usual standards at the box office, the film went on to inspire countless sci-fi films and not to mention it's a highly entertaining thrill ride to boot. Minority Report has all the makings of a science fiction classic.



* Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Saving this one for last, I strongly believe that this film will go on to become the Wizard of Oz of its time. This first Harry Potter film is a genuine children's classic, filled with tons of laughs, adventure, and heart. It's already got a huge following, one that I think will only increase through the years.



Sound off in the comment section to display your thoughts on my list and perhaps post a list of your own.

Movie Review: Ponyo

It's rare for a film to sweep you away within its world and leave you wanting more once the credits roll. Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo is such a film.

The film is the story of a young goldfish named Ponyo who wishes to become human. She swims to shore and is found by a young boy named Sasuke who promises to take care of her. Of course Ponyo's father, an ecologically obsessed sorcerer named Fujimoto, tries to keep Ponyo from becoming human in order to maintain the balance of nature, which is eventually upturned when Ponyo finally transforms into a little girl, causing a massive typhoon.

Ponyo is a very rich film. It is full of wondrous fantasy, lovable characters, and genuine heart. What director Hayao Miyazaki has done here is tell a simple little story, and in the process, has created authentic movie magic.

Ponyo is an enchanting experience. The love between Sasuke and Ponyo is very pure and true. As well the environmentalist within Miyazaki is still as evident within this film as in all his previous works. Miyazaki shows the filth and grime that fall into the ocean in an almost startling light, not to mention Ponyo's father is on an obsessive mission to clean the world's oceans. While the story is simple, Miyazaki manages to add this extra layer to provoke thought with expert proficiency.

The film is a beautiful work of art, each hand drawn cell looks like a wondrous pastel painting. The film looks very different than many other Studio Ghibli productions, but the artistry is still just as spectacular as ever before. The scenes underwater are simply beautiful to watch, Fujimoto's fortress under the sea is highly inventive, and the sequence where Ponyo runs across the jumping fish within the typhoon is iconic.  Of course it is thanks to the wonderfully executed characters that makes this film such a memorable experience. Sasuke is a young boy who acts older than he actually is, and the energetic Ponyo is a laugh a minute. Every character is just so enjoyable and highly memorable.

Overall, Ponyo is a wondrous experience, enchanting in every single way. While the film may be sold as a children's fairy tale, I believe many adults will be swept away within its fantastic world along with their children. While the film may lack the density of some of Miyazaki's previous works, here he keeps it pure and simple, being true to himself, delivering a film that is funny, heartwarming, and entertaining all in one. This is a magnificent film.

I give Ponyo a perfect 10 out of 10!

Top 5: Hayao Miyazaki

In celebration for the American release of Hayao Miyazaki's latest flim Ponyo tomorrow, I've decided to count down my top five favorite films from the famed Japanese filmmaker.

For those who do not know, Miyazaki is essentially Japan's equivelant of Walt Disney. His films tend to be highly imaginative, deep, thought-provoking, emotional, and above all else fun. Miyazaki's latest, Ponyo, released in Japan last year to great reviews and wound up being the highest grossing Japanese film of the year. Tomorrow Ponyo releases here in America with the help of the head of Pixar John Lasseter, who has overseen the American release of all of Miyazaki's works. I'm very excited about Ponyo, but needless to say this is not about his new film, but is more about what truly is my favorite film from a filmmaker that I deeply admire?

5. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind - Nausicaa is the story of Princess Nausicaa who leads the people of the Valley of the Wind, one of the few remaining places in the world that hasn't been consumed by toxic jungles. Nausicaa is an epic adventure filled to the brim with deep ecological and pacifistic messages. Not to mention the film features some trully thrilling action set pieces and has a wonderful heart that is inherent in nearly all of Miyazaki's works. The film finely treads the line between science fiction and fantasy to create a spellbinding film that is an animated classic for adults, not children and it definitely deserves its place on this list for its sheer scope and wonderment. The last ten minutes of the film are some of the most awe-inspiring I've ever seen in any film, whether it be live action or animated.



4. Spirited Away - For many Miyazaki fans this film would top their lists, and I must say that it surprised even me to find it at number four, but alas these things happen. Spirited Away is the story of a young girl named Chihiro who finds herself working in a bathhouse for the spirits. The film is a deep film that is about the triumph of the human spirit. It's a serious film that many children will not appreciate, but adults will revel in the density of the story and the genuine emotionality inherent in the film. It is a film that has all of Miyazki's trademark themes alive inside of it, and it might just be his most personal film he has ever made. Even though the ending to the film feels slightly rushed, there is no denying that Spirited Away is a genuine masterpiece.



3. Princess Mononoke - This one nearly made the top spot for me, but the two films that precede this one are just a slight notch ahead. Princess Mononoke is an epic story set within feudal Japan about the war between the spirits of the forest and the encroaching humans that try to destroy them. Princess Mononoke is a beautiful film, rife with imagination, wonderful characters, and epic battles. The film is sweeping in its scope, giving live action epics like The Lord of the Rings a run for its money. The story is wonderfully told, the romance between Ashitaka and San is truly beautiful, and the finale is one to be remembered. This is an emotional film that truly deserves all the accolades bestowed upon it; one of the few animated films that transcends its hand-drawn exterior to become simply an amazing film.



2. My Neighbor Totoro - I featured this film a few weeks back in my Hidden Gems segment, and I stand by what I said then. My Neighbor Totoro is a wonderful film; it's funny, emotional, and entertaining all wrapped into one. It is quite possibly Miyazaki's most human film he has ever made, the human characters taking the forefront and the fantasy the back. This is easily one of the finest children films ever produced. It's a film that is all about hope and it is because of this that this film is so high on the list.



1. Howl's Moving Castle - No other film on this list can make me feel quite as good as Howl does. It's a quirky love story about a wizard and a bewitched woman who transforms into a 90 year old woman. Howl is a funny film, highly imaginitve, filled to the brim with awe-inspiring fantasy. When I say that I have never seen a film quite like this before, it truly applies to this one. There is no other film I've ever seen that it can be compared to. The film is deep and thought-provoking, it features a very dense story without ever feeling convoluted, and it tells a very sweet story of romance and true love. Miyazaki has made what I think to be his finest achievement with Howl's Moving Castle. The characers are all lovable and very well layered; the action within the film is exhilirating and really adds to the story; and the world is so intricately conceived and jam-packed with detail its beautiful. This is a film that will have you with a smile on your face for the rest of the day after watching it. It's one of the most enchanting films I've ever seen.

Movie Review: (500) Days of Summer

500 days. Doesn't sound like a very long period of time, but when given the right circumstances those days slowly creep by. A lot can happen in just a mere 500 days, one can find love, lose it, and then discover their true happiness and have their beliefs completely reaffirmed. That is the film (500) Days of Summer in a nutshell.

(500) Days of Summer is the story of Tom, a greeting card writer, and his romantic relationship with Summer, his boss's assistant. The story follows the ups-and-downs of their relationship over the course of 500 days. Tom, a hopeless romantic, hopes to find true love around every turn, while Summer doesn't want a serious relationship.

The film unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, beginning at the end, then skipping to the middle, and then back to the beginning again. At first it catches one by surprise, throwing all anyone has ever known about story structure out the door, but after the midpoint of the film these transitions simply feel natural in order to tell the story the way it was meant to be told. Director Marc Webb infuses the film with a very pleasing visual style, giving the film this dream-like feel. As well the acting from the two leads, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel is fantastic, in particular Gordon Levitt. Gordon Levitt's performance as Tom is deeply affecting. He is funny while also being the everyman. Gordon Levitt at times reminds one of a young Tom Hanks or Jimmy Stewart, and I feel with the right role he can become a mega star.

(500) Days of Summer is a film that feels as if it is a modern day fairy tale, while also being highly realistic at the same time. The dream-like look of the film and the hilarity that ensues in many situations is not always channeling realism (not to mention the omniscient narrator who comes in from time-to-time), but what makes this film feel real is the emotions of the characters and their relationships. I think every guy can relate to Tom and his pursuit of true love. Every guy has known a girl like Summer, a girl that they wanted but could never truly have. It is because of this I believe that this is not your typical romantic comedy. It's actually a romantic comedy told for men rather than women, and it's from this viewpoint that I managed to identify with Tom so much. Of course what this film offers most importantly is hope, letting us realize that there truly are other fish in the sea.

(500) Days of Summer is a highly entertaining film. It is funny, charming, and hopeful all in one. While this film will ultimately not appeal to all, it is definitely worth a look.

I give (500) Days of a Summer a 10 out of 10!

Hidden Gems: My Neighbor Totoro

I've decided to start a new series highlighting movies that perhaps the casual filmgoer may have never heard of. This current edition I'm choosing to take a look at a film from Mr. Hayao Miyazaki, considered by many to be the master of Japanese animation. He has made many classic films in his career, but I've decided to highlight one of his finer films that tends to get lost in the shuffle of his more popular works. A truly heartfelt adventure that kinda makes one think of E.T., called My Neighbor Totoro.

Hayao Miyazaki's films always seem to amaze me. Whether it be the dense and extremely poignant Princess Mononoke, or the beautiful and deeply affecting Spirited Away, he always manages to capture the viewer's imagination, but no other film in his catalog manages to ensnare the viewer quite like My Neighbor Totoro. In a way it is very different than many of his other films.

My Neighbor Totoro is a simple film, but told in a very affecting way. It's the story of two young girls who move to the country with their father so that they can be near their ailing mother in the hospital. While at their new home the girls discover an ancient forest spirit called Totoro that can only be seen by children, and Totoro helps them to find hope within all their inner turmoil.

It is safe to say that My Neighbor Totoro is quite possibly Miyazaki's most human film he has ever made. While there are many other Miyazaki films that are perhaps more breathtaking in scope and may have far more intriguing plots, My Neighbor Totoro puts all of its focus on the characters rather than the fantasy. As a matter of fact the fantasy within the film is very sparse, and appears at all the right moments to strike the perfect chord with your emotions. Though this should not lead one to believe the film doesn't have some awe-inspiring fantasy. It wouldn't be a Miyazaki film if it didn't. There are many sequences, such as the catbus scenes or the flight with Totoro that are simply magical and help solidify this film amongst the pantheon of other Studio Ghibli productions.

Miyazaki makes the smart choice of telling the story through the eyes of the children rather than giving it a cynical adult spin. In doing this he draws us into this world; you literally feel as if you stepped in a time machine and went back into your childhood. The children treat the world as if it's this magical place, full of mystery and wonder. We never see the dark side of human nature within this film, cause as children we never did. What Miyazaki does show is how to enjoy life and its simplicities, but not only that he makes us remember that it's alright to feel emotion; to be scared, to laugh, to cry. As adults we very often forget these simple things, bottling everything up, making us bitter and cynical beings.

Of course My Neighbor Totoro is just as gorgeous as any other Studio Ghibli production. My Neighbor Totoro features some of the finest hand-drawn animation I've ever seen. It's amazing that this was done back in the days before computers. Many of the shots are so complex to draw that most animators would shy away from doing without a computer, but not Miyazaki. Now while some fans may despise the dubbed versions of Miyazaki's films done by Disney, I've never minded them, and this is easily one of their better dubs thus far. Dakota and Elle Fanning are perfect as the two sisters. Their authentic chemistry really comes through on screen.

Overall My Neighbor Totoro is a funny, heartwarming film. Miyazaki perfectly struck a chord with the audience on this one. It's an innocent look back at childhood, bringing back the sheer wonder that following a mysterious animal in the backyard could have. Though what this film truly does is make us as adults forget what we are truly missing, but as Totoro does with the girls, Miyazaki shows that there is hope in us rediscovering that innocence and simplicity once more.