Ahh, Drama. How sweet you are
May 12 '05
The Bottom Line Drama is a fantastic genre, and here are the best of the best. Some great films here!
I love a good Drama. As much as I like movies that are simply mindless, fantastic, fun like the Terminator franchise, a good Drama surpasses them all. Dramas have the power to be moving, touching, powerful, funny, and virtually any other good thing out there.
There's a lot of terrible Dramas out there though. So here I am, once more, to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. This is my top ten list of my favorite Dramas ever.
10Finding Neverland : This is a fantastic movie in nearly every way. It concerns the life of playwright J.M Barrie, and his quest to write his masterpiece. Because of the influence of a family of young children who have gone through a tragedy, he is able to write Peter Pan. This movie is very touching, in a cute kind of way. It also features some interesting insights into the writer's mind, and what inspires people to write. There are some great performances to, from Johhny Depp and Kate Winslet. A first class film.
9The Pianist : Easily Roman Polanski's best film, this is a powerful and grippingly individual story of survival. It is set in W.W.2 Warsaw and is set around a Jewish Musician named Spielman. Spielman loves to play the piano, and plays on the Warsaw radio until the German's invade, and he is forced to survive under the occupation. This wonderful, low budget film is a testament to the power of the individual human spirit. Unlike so many Drama's, this one centers on Spielman front right and center, and thus gives it a very realistic and tragic feel. And it features a helluva performance from Adrien Brody.
8Its a Wonderful Life: A classic for a very good reason. This is the story of George Bailey, a man who gave up his dreams and his desires in order to help save a little town. When he thinks of ending his life, miraculous things start to happen. Like the Butterfly effect, this film shows how much influence little tiny things, little acts of kindness, can have on peoples life. With a great script and first class acting, this movie is surely one of the greatest and most uplifting films ever. Remember "No Man is a Failure Who has Friends."
7Titanic : The most successful film of all time with a reason. This movie is about two passengers who step aboard the Titanic, and start to fall in love. Just as things seem to be going well, the boat crashes. From this simple concept comes one of the most gripping and tear jerking tails of all time. It's really the little touches that make it great, the band playing on into the night, the images of the doomed ship sinking. Masterfully directed, and with a great score. A real beaut it is.
6The Butterfly Effect : This one may come as a surprise. But it deserves it in every way imaginable. This film is about a young college student who has big holes in his memory, concerning sections of his life that were tragic. However, one day, he discovers he can go back to those points and change them. This marvelously good movie came out of nowhere, and shocked me again and again. Ashton Kutcher in a non-comedic role, and doing a good job? It happened, and it was great. All the actors do a great job, but the dialogue and story ascend this movie into greatness.
5Good Will Hunting : Another original screenplay by two seemingly unknown actors broke out of nowhere, grossed huge money and made stars of it's two authors, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. With good reason. Good Will Hunting is about a boy, nearly a man, who works as a janitor at Harvard. One day, he is discovered solving ludicrously hard math problems, with ease, on the board. This story though is as much about how he deals with these gifts as the gifts themselves. It is a lovely coming of age story, directed with grace and care by Gus Van Sant. Matt Damon pulls of his first great performance as Will Hunting, and even Ben Affleck does a good job.
4Cast Away : This great movie did huge business back in the day, with good reason. It is a tragic and very individual story. Chuck works for Fed Ex, and leaves his girlfriend to deliver a passage. The plane goes down and he is stranded on an island, with only a volley ball for companionship. A simple story, for a simply stunning movie. Accompanied by a terrific score, this is the only movie that ever made me genuinely cry, about a volley ball of all things. Hanks delivers his best performance ever, and the direction is beautiful. A masterpiece in every way.
3Finding Forrester : I've probably watched this more than any other Drama. It concerns a young man living in the Bronx. He is a mediocre student, but with hidden talents he doesn't show. One day, he breaks into a house, and discovers a Pulitzer prize winning author to guide him. This movie is another Van Sant movie, that has never been as appreciated as it should be. It is another terrific coming of age story, with acting that is second to none. J. Murray Abraham is fantastic as the evil professor. And Van Sant delivers his film with love and with care.
2Schindler's List My now second favorite movie ever is well deserving of it's place. This haunting tale of the Holocaust is from the perspective of Oskar Schindler. He is a German businessman who decides to take advantage of free Jewish Labour, only to find himself increasingly moved and disturbed by the plight of the Jewish people. This excellent movie by Steven Spielberg is his masterpiece. The decision to do it in black and white was a stroke of genius. The plot is extremely powerful, but it is the music and acting that really make it great. Liam Neeson does a fantastic job as Oskar Schindler, portraying such a multi-layered man it is difficult to decipher.
And now, for number one
1The Last Temptation of Christ : Screw it. I don't care. This film is my new favourite, the best movie I've ever seen. It blows even my beloved Schindler's list out of the water in every way possible. It is simply, the best drama ever made.
The film is about Jesus, his humanity, his passion , his weakness and his unbelievably strength. It talks about Christ's desire to live in peace, his desire to have a family, his desire to be loved. He didn't want to be scorned by the world. The Devil tempts him with everything that he wants, tells him to let it all go. But it is an eternal Testament to his power that in the end, he ascended above it and became great. Jesus's final lines "It is Accomplished!" is one of the most powerful statements ever made.
This movie is genius. It almost seems like it was made by the divine. The plot is superb, the direction is beautiful and the acting is second to none. Willem Dafoe delivers one of the most complex and difficult characters in history, and does it so well, he almost seems to become the character. The music is absolutely phenomenal. It is simply great in every way.
And there we go. My top ten list.
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Member: Matthew
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About Me:
A full time student, friend and lover. Passionate about all things book and movie related.
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