Movies, by Will Stanton

My taste in movies is somewhat eclectic, yet I do insist upon good quality in order for me to thoroughly enjoy them, rather than merely tolerate them. To me, good quality means intelligent thoughtfulness and experienced creativity in all aspects of film-making.  Among other criteria, the movie should have a theme that is worth watching and considering.  That usually means adult topics.  I will clarify what I mean with a few just a few movie examples.

Already, that leaves out so many Hollywood movies of today that are based upon comic books and their almost endless sequels, impossible action-adventures with superheroes and villains. Apparently, the scripts are written by Southern-California twenty-year-olds with little formal education and virtually no cultural upbringing.  They are not interested in making good quality movies; they just want to make lots of money, catering to easily satisfied audiences.

I also have developed over the years a concerned sense that such “100% good guys versus 100% bad guys” themes indoctrinate Americans, e.g., adolescent boys with limited rational capabilities, into believing that all challenges in life are threatening and physical, as opposed to cerebral and spiritual, and that we must attack and kill the enemy to solve all of our problems.  The degree of gratuitous violence in so many movies worries me.  It stands to reason that this general behavior now is reflected throughout our society, ranging from pervasive lack of civility, pervasive crime, mass-shootings, unwarranted wars, and bad votes.

I also find even the dialogue and acting often distasteful.  So many young American actors regularly are supplied lines that are supposed to sound clever and cool, reflecting affected self-assuredness, hubris, and arrogance.  Also, their facial expressions and body-language are so affected, portraying arrogance or even physical threat to others.  I cringe each time I hear and see such behavior.  I prefer natural, unaffected portrayals.

In contrast to banal films, there have been many movies and television series that I have admired and, consequently, often have watched more than once.  Some are from independent film-makers.  A good number of these have been British or other foreign film-companies, writers, directors, and actors, who demonstrate a high degree of maturity and professionalism.

For example, the superlative 1979 BBC series “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” is one of the all-around best-quality productions I ever have seen.  To begin with, the superb writer of the book, David Cornwell (pen-name “John le Carré”), has worked for both British MI5 and MI6, most likely has continued his contacts, and obviously knows what he was talking about.  Secondly, this well-informed, highly intelligent man writes honestly, reflecting the good, bad, and often mediocre behavior and character of governments and human beings.  Then, the screenplay-writer also was excellent, as well as the director and all of the crew.  For the leading role, they chose the consummate actor Sir Alec Guinness as George Smiley.

Once word of that selection got about, the casting-director had his choice of the very best actors in all of Britain.  In addition to their great experience and professionalism, their appearances, voices, and mannerisms fit the roles like a glove.  Unfortunately, a discerning viewer must obtain the uncut, British Region-2 DVDs for the best experience and clearest plot-development, for some crucial scenes were cut for U.S. audiences in order to force the episodes into one-hour time-slots; and the idiots used those shortened episodes for the American DVDs.  Also, don't bother to watch the more recent movie-version.  I gave it a C- rating in my review on Amazon.

For theater-movies, I admire many aspects of New Zealand director Peter Jackson's “Lord of the Rings.”  For the thousands of people involved over several years in this major project, this effort was a labor of love.  So much care went into making these films that, for example, the set for Hobbiton was constructed and planted way in advance of filming so that the flora would have a chance to develop.  Professional sword-smiths were hired to create masterpieces for the major characters.  Fine-tuning the script continued to the very last minute, requiring the London Symphony Orchestra to also  fine-tune their  sound-track recordings.  Even after Jackson won the Oscar with the final episode, “Return of the King,” he had his crews continue filming to make improvements for the DVD sets to come.  I know of no other film-project that has done this.

American independent film-makers and foreign film-makers have made many films over the years that explore human nature and realistic situations, such as docudramas like the acclaimed, German film “The Bridge.”  Based upon a true, 1945 event in the last days of the war, schoolboys were forced into uniforms and ordered to guard a small bridge in their own village, the very route American tanks were approaching.  One boy was severely wounded.  All the others perished.  The western allies required Germans to view the film to further emphasize the terrible consequences of their too easily having let themselves be led in to a catastrophic war.  “The Bridge” is considered to be one of the two best anti-war films made.

I also appreciate serious fiction, such as the British “Remains of the Day” that explored the unnecessary self-denial and repressed emotions of an all-too-traditional butler.  I realize, as much as I appreciate these films, that many people who are used to hyperkinetic, childish adventure-films, don't care for mature, cerebral films because these are regarded as “too slow, too boring.”  As a matter of fact, just such a person gave me his copy of the “Remains” DVD because he was disappointed that it didn't have more action and wartime violence.

One of my all-time favorite films is Italian director Luchino Visconti's prize-winning “Death in Venice” based upon, what many literary critics declare to be, “the best novella of the twentieth century” and written by “the best novelist of the twentieth century” Thomas Mann.  The Cannes Film Festival awards once held a retrospective contest covering films from a quarter of a century.  “Venice” won the grand prize and was declared “a masterpiece.”  The cinematography alone is a masterpiece with many scenes resembling tableau-artwork.   The lead actor Dirk Bogarde deserved  “best-actor”  awards from all such contests.  Most of the sublime accompanying music is by the great composer Gustav Mahler.

Because of my interest in the remarkable voices and music of the European Baroque era, I like the unique, Golden-Globe-winning film “Farinelli,” loosely based upon the reputation of the acknowledged greatest singer in history, Carlo Broschi, stage-name “Farinelli.”

As entertaining as the film is, anyone who has bothered to learn history knows that the screenplay accurately reflects only about 10% of the real person, 20% based upon the reputation of other contemporary singers, 20% based upon the Baroque culture and opera of the time, and 50% simply made up to entertain the audience.  Even so, I enjoy the film.  There is no other like it.  I recommend the music CD.

I do admit, however, that not all the films which I enjoy are worthy of winning Cannes' Palme d'Or, perhaps the most prestigious film award.  Even my most sober friends and I have enjoyed the “Harry Potter” movies.  In addition to their being very imaginative, they seem to succeed as an antidote to the banality of the real world, even despite the scripts' frequent egregious errors in diction, grammar, and style.  And, I have to admit also that I often have watched some good quality films and DVDs simply because I am inclined to identify with attractive characters whose attributes and lives appear more interesting and satisfying than, too often, my own life.  I'm not sure that the practice of watching such films is of any practical purpose, but they are a captivating distraction.  Still, some are included in my DVD collection.

And, last of all, if I suddenly became a billionaire, I would like to produce to perfection several films based upon topics dear to my heart.  Of course, that is a real fantasy.

© 31 May 2016 

About the Author 

I have had a life-long fascination with people and their life stories.  I also realize that, although my own life has not brought me particular fame or fortune, I too have had some noteworthy experiences and, at times, unusual ones.  Since I joined this Story Time group, I have derived pleasure and satisfaction participating in the group.  I do put some thought and effort into my stories, and I hope that you find them interesting.