Booyahhayoob - Saving Private Ryan (1998) - I've seen this movie in parts before in Social Studies (history for canada) but not all at once so I was very excited! Just out of the gate, its so intense and impactful like damn. 30 minutes of just chaos and its hard as hell to watch. I can't imagine the PTSD war vets had seeing this movie. Vin Diesel dying so fast in the movie left me shook! This movie is also remarkably well shot. Its beautiful yet tragic and desaturated yet colorful. The drama is also very impactful. I have no idea what its like to be in war or combat but movies like this that don't glorify it give a pretty good understanding of it. Of course, we are almost in a third world war anyways but yeah I love this movie and considering what was nominated i'm so shook this lost. The only thing I know of Shakespeare in Love is Brenda Meeks from Scary Movie watching it in the best theatre scene ever so yeah Saving Private Ryan should have won.
CarolinaSteele - Selma (2014) - That opening literally left my jaw to the floor and I already had to take a break. Jesus man that was rough. This movie is a masterclass in filmmaking and storytelling. I was riveted and invested throughout the whole movie. From that very impactful opening to the death of Jimmy Lee Jackson to Bloody Sunday and the subsequent march. This movie was phenomenal and this is stuff I wish I learned about more in school. Obviously as a canadian I don't get to learn alot about American stuff but this event and others like it are things that can be taught everywhere. I don't think I have had a movie in this game (both seasons) that has truly impacted me like this. Which now brings me to the oscars, looking at the year, it was stacked so while I can't really say it should have won (although it definitely deserved to), I do think this movie should have gotten alot more nominations than just Best Picture because it is drected beautifully. It is very tightly written and looks besutiful. So thats multiple snubs in its own right and I get that 12 years a Slave won so many awards the year prior and probably didnt want to be seen as pandering but the art should stand for itself and to me, Selma is an artistic masterpiece.
JayElVeeIsBack - Goodfellas (1990) - I don't think I have ever seen a Martin Scorsese film so this is very exciting! I think i've come to the conclusion that I love mob gangster movies. I grew up on Grand Theft Auto IV and loved the story (I still play it now) and it has definitely rubbed off on me because this movie is just people talking and saying crazy shit yet I loved it! It was tense, it was dramatic and it was insanely entertaining. Robert De Niro just kills it out of the park. His facial performance is just yes. Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci are also really good! I loved the use of freeze frames at the beginning to focus on the narrative while also as a transition into the next scene (by use of songs). I don't see that often so pop off! Considering what was nominated that year, I am shocked that this movie didnt win. I've seen part of Dances With Wolves and while that is probably a good movie and deserved praise, seeing that Goodfellas is considered by so many to be one of the best movies ever yet not win is shocking. But its the Oscars so its normal. Damn I loved this movie.
Voila - It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - This movie is very relatable to being an adult. Having so much aspiration but life just doesn't work out that way, its very heartbreaking to see. I felt very much for George he just wanted to live a life worth living. The message though is timeless and it is conveyed so well. I love the philosophy of everylife is worth living (even if I don't see it clearly for myself) and sometimes it takes another perspective to see it. I'm not really well versed in pre 60's cinema (aside from the Universal monster movies) so it is so nice to dive more into it and see how truly inspiring these films were to others. The movie looks really good. The performance of James Stewart is solid and very heartfelt and you were right it is such a great character arc. What a great movie!
And with that the top 2 of the week and earning a spot into the finals are...
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. CarolinaSteele & JayElVeeIsBack! But only one can win the round and that person is...
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. CarolinaSteele! Congrats! Your film was truly moving
And with that we have two left....
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Which means Voila...you are SAFE as well! Yeah I can't eliminate anyone. All of the films were truly worthy of a spot in the finals and its my game so fuck it! You all stay!
So with that we are down to 4...again but next round only 1 person can win. Stay tuned for the final round in a little bit!
