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wp J0-- Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday , May 4, 1993 _ From Chaplin's City Lights to Coppola's Apocalypse Now The best on screen, according to John at the flics. with john foote In 1915, while movies were still considered to be frolicking novelties, pioneer director D.W. Griffith was 'creating the narrative film with the firm belief that audiences were prepared to sit and watch & two- hour film. His great epic, The Birth of a Nation redefined the film industry, as well as advancing the cinema as an art form. Since Griffith's work, movies have come a long way, both in terms of being entertainment, an ever evolving art form, and powerful educational tool. While millions of people still go to the movies to be entertained, an equal amount greatly appreciate the cinema as an art form. With the recent success of our cable TV program, Reel to Real, | have found myself asked, more and more, what I consider to be the greatest films ever made. Naturally, it is a question I cannot answer because there are so many levels that I look at a film, and how can one even begin to choose one film as the best ever made? I look at films in different ways than most people, and freely admit that I prefer dramatic works to either comedies or musicals. However, . after a great deal of 'thought, I sat down to compile my personal ten best list of all time. Now, let me be clear on the fact that this list represents what 1 consider to be the greatest works in cinema history, my opinion, and not necessarily my favourite films. Art and entertainment often merge, but more often are drastically different. In chronological order, here are the films I consider to be the greatest in the history of the cinema; The movies that best demonstrate all that is exciting in cinema! City Lights (1931)..is Charlie Chaplin's greatest comedy, which naturally means it is one of the greatest films of all time. The first film maker to explore and master the art satirical comedy, City Lights tells the tender story of the little tramp's efforts to help a blind flower girl regain her sight. Directed, performed and written by Chaplin, it is a masterpiece of screen comedy, but as in all Chaplin's work has a tragic, undercurrent. The Wizard of Oz (1939) ...may be the most perfect film ever made, from its perfect acting, wonderful music, enchanting sets, to Victor Fleming's direction. Is there anyone who has not taken that trip down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and her friends? As ical now as it was in 1939. Citizen Kane (1941)...is often thought to be the greatest film ever made. While I am not sure I feel that strongly about Orson Welles' brilliant portrait of a newspaper tycoon, I do readily admit this film advanced the arts of direction and photography unlike any film before it. A haunting landmark that revolutionized dramatic film. On the Waterfront (1954)...is often remembered for Marlon Brando's astonishing performance as the ex-boxer who is betrayed by the mob on the New York docks. While Brando's performance dominates the film, one must remember the superb neo-realistic direction of Elia Kazan, as well as the outstanding acting of Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, and Eva Marie Saint. The Searchers (1956)...is the greatest western ever made. A demanding story of an embittered racist who searches for his niece, abducted by Indians. John Wayne gives a towering performance as a man consumed with hatred, and John Ford's direction is remarkable. A textbook film for great moviemaking. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)...David Lean's majestic biography of WWI hero T.E. Lawrence is such a remarkable film on so many levels it often 0% THREES OFF Sale ends May 31/93 COLORADO SPRUCE (Great for Windbreaks) 1 gal. potted Reg. $9.50 NOW ... $6.50 Bed ALSO of fo 30% Off MULCH Sale ends June 30/93 Cocoa Bean Mulch - 85 L., reg. 9.95 ..... Bark Mulch - 3 cu.ft., reg. 7.50 . Bark Mini-Nuggets - 3 cu.ft. reg. 8.50 ...NOW 5.95 Bark Nuggets - 3 cu.ft. reg. 9.50 .......... NOW 6.65 NOW 6.96 NOW 5.25 GREENBANK GARDEN CENTRE .ro. Located on N.E. Corner Hwy. 12 & 47 (416) 985-7667 or 985-4862 defies description. The desert has never looked so beautiful nor haunting, and for that matter, neither has Peter O'Toole who gives a brilliant performance as the tortured, homosexual Lawrence. 2001: A space Odyssey...is not an easy film to watch, not to enjoy for that matter. However when you consider that the film was made one year before man landed on the moon, and looks pretty much like a documentary, you begin to see Kubrick's "accomplishment. The movie explores the birth on intelligence, from the Dawn of Man, through to a stunning trip to Jupiter. Breathtaking, cerebral film making. The Godfather (1972), and The Godfather Part II (1974)...both films detail the saga of the Corleone crime family, using the American dream as a metaphor for warped corruption. Francis Ford Coppola directed and wrote the films that feature brilliant performances from Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton, Robert de Niro, John Cazale, Richard Castellano, Lee Strasberg, and Robert Duvall. Coppola creates a loving family, but their business happens to be crime, where murder is a way of life. Apocalypse Now (1979)...is Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece, the definitive film about the Viet Nam war, that more than any film before it, shows us the horror of war. Often exhilarating, Apocalypse Now merges with Conrad's Heart of Darkness, at which point Coppola explores man's attraction and capability of horror. Possibly the greatest directed film ever, Apocalypse Now js superbly acted by Martin Sheen, Brando, and Robert Duvall as a napalm loving Colonel. Incredible assault on your senses, this is a deeply disturbing film. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)... may seem like an odd, (or at least controversial) choice, but I have included the film because of the courage that went into making it, and the brilliance with which it was presented. For the first time in cinema history, Christ (Willem Dafoe) was portrayed as a man, often confused, certainly frightened, but very human. It is to director Martin Scorsese's credit that we feel as though this is a Christ we might .be able to relate to. Astonishing, but not for everyone's tastes. If you are a close minded religious person, do not bother, but if you can muster the courage it took to make this film, watch it. So, there you have my personal choices for the best films of all time. Regrettable ommissions include King Kong (1933), Modern Times (1936), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Cabaret (1972), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Taxi Driver (1976), close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Raging Bull (1980), ET 91982), Empire of the Sun (1987), and Dances with Wolves (1990). This week, Thursday, May 6, our TV program Reel to Real will be a live call-in show. If you want to argue with our choices, or tell us yours for the best movies, call us at 9 p.m. to 10 p-m. at 436-4142. You'll be live on the air! I iE i= FEY and TIMING is the CRITICAL PART of applying HERBICIDES to get the WEED CONTROL you want. Let us help you by CUSTOM APPLYING your HERBICIDES this year and get the _ 'timing and accuracy your herbicide requires for a clean crop. 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