Prison Movies ( #atozchallenge )

The Green Mile (Photo credit: jaci XIII)

The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming.   The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

         There are so many Prison Movies to choose from that this becomes a tough category to narrow down.   The prison movie has been highly popular throughout the era of talking pictures and remains popular to the current time.  It's an ugly and rough world where sometimes good guys end up and those are the ones we often root for.  I'm sure you'll have many favorite films to add to my list.

        Here are some of my favorites in the Prison Movie genre:

In Hell (2003)-- Recently my wife and I have become big fans of Jean-Claude Van Damme.  He has been much maligned as an actor and I'm not sure why.  We have yet to see one of his films that we haven't liked.  In Hell is no exception.   We sympathize with his character as he is sent to a brutal Russian prison where he becomes as vicious as the environment he is thrust into.  This a violent film with a message.

Midnight Express (1978) --One thing you never want to happen to you is to be an American thrown into a Turkish prison.  This film shows why.

The Count of Monte Cristo  (2002) --My wife and I both love this film.  What's not to like here?  The story of a guy falsely imprisoned in one of the worst places you can imagine.  He's a survivor and you can't help but cheer him on.

The Green Mile (1999) -- Much beloved film based on a story by Stephen King.  You've probably seen this film and agree with my choice.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) -- If you haven't seen The Green Mile I'm somewhat surprised, but if you haven't seen The Shawshank Redemption I'll be amazed.   Everyone has seen this film and if you haven't then you must be the only one.  Probably the best prison movie ever made, this one makes it into many a film fan's top ten list period.  A must-see film!

         Am I right about The Shawshank Redemption?   What do you think of this list?   Do you have any favorites that I've missed?

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Open Ended Movies

The Star-Child into which Dr. Bowman is transformed, looking at Earth. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming.   The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

        Another one of my favorite film sub-genres is the open ended movie.  This is the head scratcher "what-was-that?" film that either leaves the viewer frustrated or gets them discussing and pondering the film long after they've seen it.  The ending may be considered to be ambiguous, confusing, or not an ending at all.  Many people don't like this movie genre because they want a clear cut and dried ending.  If a movie sticks in my head and makes me start wondering what it all meant then I'm kind of pleased.

        Here are some of my favorites in the Open-ended genre:

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) -- With one of the trippiest endings of any movie, this film is greatness throughout.   Breathtaking visuals culminate in a spaced-out enigma.  Whoa, heavy man!  That was far out!

The Tenant  (1976) --This psychological thriller by Roman Polanski is not all that difficult to figure out, but it's a bit of a mind-bender.  Very weird and creepy.

Limbo (1999) -- I saw this one in a theater and at the end I heard people cursing they were so angry about the ending.  I, on the other hand, thought about it for days.  How did it end?  Eventually I realized the brilliance of the ending in what my interpretation was.  It's a well-acted ensemble piece by talented writer-director John Sayles.  I think this is an excellent work of film art with one of my favorite movie endings.

A Serious Man (2009) -- This Oscar nominated film by the Coen Brothers is a thoughtful excursion into weirdness.  There are some contemplative issues addressed in the film.  It has one of those "okay" endings, and by that I mean you stroke your chin and say "Ooo-kaaay, now what does this mean?".   I like the image at the end of the movie.

Take Shelter (2011) -- This is one of those films that taken as a whole could have more than one interpretation.   The question of the film is was the story what we thought it was during the movie or does the ending make it a different story?   I suppose the interpretation is what you want it to be so you'll have to watch it to make your own decision.

Life of Pi (2012)-- This is a film of breath-taking beauty.  Most of you have probably seen this already.  If you haven't, you should.  Like the previously mentioned film there is more than one way to interpret this film and that is the crux of the meaning of the story itself.  In the end, the viewer is left to decide.  This is a very fine film.

         Which of these have you seen?    Can you think of some open-ended films that are your favorites?  Do you like a film with a puzzling ending or do you prefer a clear ending?

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Nuclear Apocalypse Films (#atozchallenge)

Cover of The Day After

The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming.   The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

      One thing that World War Two brought us was the nuclear apocalypse/radioactive mutant genre of films.  These were some of the films that played a big influence on me as a film viewer during my childhood and continue to fascinate me to this day.   Giant insects, revived prehistoric creatures, and zombies have all been part of this genre.

       My focus will be the attack and aftermath as depicted in movies.  Here are some of the films in this genre that I have particularly enjoyed:

On The Beach (1959)-- I first saw this at the drive-in theater with my parents when I was a kid.  I didn't totally understand it all, but I knew enough to have this film etch itself into my memory.  The last people on Earth after a nuclear war are in Australia.  A U.S. submarine crew checks out the California coast but there is no one to be found.  They return to Australia where the remaining humans prepare for the end.  It's still a powerful movie.

Panic in the Year Zero (1962)-- Another film I saw at the drive-in with my parents.   In this movie, a typical American family from Los Angeles heads out for a fun camping trip and ends up fighting for survival in the aftermath of a nuclear attack.  This film freaked me out when I was young and I loved it.  It's still a pretty good film to watch.

This Is Not a Test (1962)-- In this curious relic of its time, a group of travelers on a desolate stretch of highway learn of a nuclear attack that is underway.  This is a low-budget psychological drama with no effects, but it's an interesting study of how people respond in time of disaster when there is little information available to them.  I had never seen or heard of this film until fairly recently.

Planet of the Apes (1968) -- Most of you probably know about this film, but I won't say anything about it for those who don't.  If you have not seen this original version, check it out and you'll understand why I've included it in my list.

The Day After (1983)-- Originally released as a TV movie, but it's available on DVD.  This film is an excellent depiction of a nuclear attack on the United States and what happens afterwards.  The film created quite a sensation when it debuted.  It's still worth a watch for those who are interested in this genre.

Testament (1983)-- A film originally intended for PBS, but first received a theatrical release in theaters before being shown on television.  No big effects here, but a good story.  A small California community is isolated after a devastating world nuclear war.  The citizens try to make sense of what's going on elsewhere as the effects of radiation begin taking its tragic toll.  The story focuses on a mother trying to help her family survive in the bleak aftermath.  Mothers especially will find this a heartbreaking film to watch.   Look for a small role by a young Kevin Costner.

       Which of these have you seen?    What other films about nuclear apocalypse can you recommend?  How has the threat of nuclear war affected you in your life?

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