''Gone with the Wind'' (1939 movie)- Review

Directed by: Victor Fleming
Released: 1939
Country: United States

Main cast: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Carroll Nye, Hattie McDaniel, Butterfly McQueen, Harry Davenport, Ona Munson

Genres: Romantic drama, War

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

Scarlett O'Hara is certainly one of the most unique, one of the most memorable characters I've ever come across. At some point of the film, Rhett Butler makes a comment about her: ''What a woman!'' Scarlett O'Hara is indeed a memorable character, and through the film, her character undergoes a lot of qualities: flirtatious, romantic, kind, desperate, ambitious, vicious. Sometimes, she is an immensely likeable character, a character you feel kindness and sympathy for, and sometimes, she is unpleasant. She repeatedly reminded me of Becky Sharp. But no, she is not heartless as Becky Sharp. Scarlett O'Hara, the protagonist of ''Gone with the Wind'', is a character difficult to describe. She is unique.

The film starts in Tara, a beautiful plantation in Georgia. The film starts with two young men flirting with our protagonist, Scarlett, the daughter of Gerald O'Hara, the owner of the plantation. The people of Tara are going to visit the nearby plantation, Twelve Oaks, the home of the Wilkes. The two young men inform Scarlett that Ashley Wilkes has decided to marry his cousin, Melanie. Hearing this, Scarlett is shocked. She had always thought that Ashley Wilkes is in love with her.

The next day, at the barbecue in Twelve Oaks, it is evident that Ashley Wilkes will be marrying Melanie. Scarlett is disappointed, but flirts with every young men present. She is the subject of attention of every single young men present in the party. At the library, Scarlett confronts Ashley, revealing how much she loves him. The two have an argument, Scarlett slaps Ashley, who thereafter leaves the room. Their conversation, however, is overheard by a visitor, Rhett Butler. Scarlett, jealous and disappointed because Ashley is going to marry Melanie, marries Melanie's brother Charles, in hopes of taking revenge from Ashley. As the American Civil War starts, most men, including Ashley and Charles, enlist. However, Charles dies in the war, making Scarlett a widow.

But Scarlett has her plans, her ideas, of getting back Ashley again. She goes to Atlanta to live with Melanie, in hopes that when Ashley will come to Melanie and she (Scarlett) can woo him again. On the other hand, Rhett Butler also apparently is in love with her, though she knows that she only wants Ashley in her life.

The Civil War takes away everything: the glamor, the beauty of the South, the beauty of the plantation, and the beauty from the lives of people like Scarlett, Melanie, and Ashley. It is during this point that Vivien Leigh, the actress who plays Scarlett, gives perhaps the most memorable, most emotionally intense performance. The carefree, flirtatious girl with a lot of beaus, has to struggle with so much hardships, and her determination to take care of the pregnant Melanie. During this hard time, her taking care of everything so wonderfully, almost can makes us forgive her flirtatious nature. However, things change after the war. Having worked so hard throughout the time of the war to provide her family, she is now ambitious to get back the wealth that the whole South had lost during the Civil War, and will do anything for this. Her character takes a vampish, coquettish turn.

Scarlett O'Hara is a character not afraid to take any risks, even it is a great danger to her prestige and reputation. Her marriages for revenge and wealth, her wooing. 

How wars can affect lives, how wars can affect cultures- is so wonderfully portrayed in this film. The glamor of the lives of the people living in the South is portrayed very well at the beginning of the film, through the barbecue at the Twelve Oaks. And how all these charms, grace, are devestated, destroyed, burnt, are clearly portrayed.

Vivien Leigh's performance is so excellent, so touching. Clark Gable is wonderful as Rhett Butler. Olivia de Havilland as Melanie, is perfectly amazing. I liked each of the characters. I liked how they are well developed. Each of the characters, major, supporting or minor, are memorable, are important.

''Gone with the Wind'' is about Scarlett O'Hara, it is about the effect of love, it is about the devastating effects of war, it is about the devastating effects of ambitions. Gone with the Wind is certainly one of the most beautiful, one of the most depressing, and one of the best films I've ever seen.

5 out of 5

''The African Queen'' (1951 movie)- Review

Directed by: John Huston
Released: 1951
Country: United States, United Kingdom

Genres: Adventure drama, War, Romance

Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Robert Morley

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

The African Queen shows a lot of promise when it starts, and it definitely fulfills all the promises. It's an absolutely amazing, thrilling and tense adventure romance film!

Rose Sayer (Katherine Hepburn) and her brother, Samuel, live in Africa. World War I starts, and the German soldiers start burning the house of the village. Samuel dies because of the shock that he receives, witnessing these incidences. The place is no longer safe. Rose starts a journey on a boat named ''African Queen'', along with the boat captain Charles Allnut (Humphrey Bogart), who drinks a lot. They begin a dangerous and thrilling journey, their aim being to destroy Queen Louisa, a German ship. A dangerous journey that makes them encounter waves, rocks,  leeches, and love.

This film was tense, thrilling, adventure packed, romantic, humorous, with EXCELLENT performances from Hepburn and Bogart. I liked both the main characters, especially Hepburn's character, who was brave, adventure loving, and curious. There are also many funny scenes (one of the scenes I found funniest was the scene where Bogart's character mocks the sound of the animals). And sometimes it gets sad and shocking, such as the scene with the mosquitoes. It was also sometimes touching, especially at the last few scenes. The screenplay was excellent, humorous at times, adventurous at times, thrilling at times. Overall, The African Queen is an excellent film!

  

''The Bridge on the River Kwai'' (1957 movie)- Review

Directed by: David Lean
Released: 1957
Country: United States , United Kingdom

Genres: War, Drama, Adventure

Main cast: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, James Donald

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
 
Review

Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson is a stubborn and firm character, and so is his rival, Colonel Saito. David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai, is set during the World War II in a Japanese camp for prisoner-of-wars. This is not a violent war film; the war violence is really mild and the overall presentation is not violent at all, yet it is an intense film, and sometimes, overpowering.

Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) has the orders to complete a bridge by a due date. He orders all the prisoners, including even the officers, to work on the bridge. But Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) says that employing officers in such manual labor is strictly prohibited. But Colonel Saito is stubborn and firm in his decision. And so is Nicholson. And when Nicholson orders his officers not to join in the work, Saito keeps them all (including Nicholson) locked up.

But as mentioned, Nicholson can be extremely stubborn as well. He won't give up his decision. And finally, after a rather long time, Saito agrees, because he has to complete the bridge in time. And if such inconvenience and disagreement continues, there would be more and more delay on the work.

Meanwhile, Commander Shears (William Holden) manages to escape from the camp. Soon, he manages to arrive in Ceylon. There, Major Warden asks him to help them to destroy the bridge that is being built. And after some hesitation, Shears agrees. 

On the other hand, in the camp, Nicholson is working wholeheartedly and co-operating with Saito to build the bridge. And he is working with all his spirits. When asked by someone why he is working so hard on the bridge, Nicholson says that he wants to prove to the Japanese that they will never be able to break the spirits of the British. And one day, after the war, when trains will run over the bridge, people will know that the bridge was made by British soldiers, not by slaves of a prisoner-of-war camp.

The hard work of the prisoners in building the bridge, and the mission of Major Warden, Shears and the others with them, to destroy the bridge- is shown together, is merged together. The adventures of Warden and Shears and the others with them is very well told through the well-created situations and beauty, remarkable cinematography, locations, and score.

The very first scene, where a prisoner-of-war bribes a Japanese Commander so that the latter enlists him as sick (so that he doesn't have to participate in the constant manual labor), made me really very interested in the film. There was something so very remarkable about the storytelling, that it became very engrossing. So excellently acted and written and directed, the film sometimes can become overpowering. It remains engrossing throughout. One of the most memorable scenes is  the scene after Colonel Saito changes his mind. The joy of the prisoners after hearing this declaration was so beautiful, so well-written. The climax is slightly disturbing yet can be so very emotional and intense!

Alec Guinness does justice to the character. The stubbornness, the firm determination of the character, all these are really very well-acted by Guinness. Also remarkable are William Holden, Jack Hawkins and Sessue Hayakawa.

The Bridge on the Rivers Kwai was an engrossing film throughout. Not my favorite war film, but I did love it.

4.5 out of 5
 

''Paths of Glory'', ''The Children's Hour'' and ''50/50''

Paths of Glory (1957 movie)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Released: 1957
 Country: United States

Genres: War drama 

Main cast: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, Joe Turkel 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Short review: Paths of Glory takes place during the World War I. General Mireau takes the responsibility of taking the Anthill, a strong German position. Mireau gives the responsibility of the task to Colonel Dax's (the great Kirk Douglas) regiment. The attack, however, becomes unsuccessful. Mireau is furious, and decides to court martial 3 soldiers from each company. However, Colonel Dax tries to protest, saying that the soldiers must have had their reasons for not advancing towards the Anthill. Mireau doesn't pay attention. Despite Dax's attempts to protect them, the three soldiers are sentenced to death. Awaiting their death, the three soldiers lament that they had their reasons, the attack was unsuccessful because of the facts that so many soldiers were dying, there was gunfire and violence all around... So why have they been so unfairly sentenced to death?

I loved this film. It was sentimental and sad. The subject matter was very emotional. Surely, one of Kubrick's best films.

4.5 out of 5

The Children's Hour (1961 movie)

Directed by: William Wyler
Released: 1961
 Country: United States

Genres:Drama

Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn, James Garner, Miriam Hopkins, Fay Bainter, Karen Balkin, Veronica Cartwright

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Short review: The Children's Hour is nothing short of a masterpiece. It's a very emotionally intense, sad and touching film. The plot centers around two young women who run a girls' school, Karen Wright (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha Dobey (Shirley

MacLaine). Among their students is Mary (Karen Balkin), whose misbehavior often causes the two teachers to punish her. Mary wants to get rid of this school. She thinks that the teachers hate her. Eventually, Mary runs away to her grandmother one day, and tells her that Miss Wright and Miss Dobey are lesbians, and describes to her such things which make her grandmother believe the lie. Mary's grandmother, Mrs Tilford (Fay Bainter) spreads the lie, causing the parents to take away their children from the school. The lives of Miss Wright and Miss Dobey turn upside down. This lie destroys their life. People point at them and laugh. They become miserable. Karen's fiance is forced leave her...

This is a very sad and touching movie. How a lie can change people's lives, is clearly portrayed in this film. The screenplay and dialogues are brilliant. I won't comment on the acting of MacLaine, Hepburn and Garner, because perfection can easily be expected from great stars like them; it is the acting of the two child actors, Karen Balkin and Veronica Cartwright, that impresses me. Balkin, as the little antagonist Mary, gives a splendid performance. Cartwright, who had played a supporting role in Hitchcock's ''The Birds'' and whose sister, Angela, starred in ''The Sound of Music'', gives a terrific performance as Rosalie. Mary strengthens the lie by blackmailing Rosalie. Rosalie had stolen a bracelet from one of their classmates, and Mary blackmails that if Rosalie won't support her in her lie, she (Mary) will reveal what Rosalie has done.

This is a great film, with a great subject matter and great direction from William Wyler, and great performances from both the lead and supporting cast.

4.5 out of 5

50/50 (2011 movie)

Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Released: 2011
Country: United States
 
Main cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anna Kendrick, Seth Rogen, Bryce Dallas Howard, Angelica Huston

Genres: Comedy-drama

Rating: 4 out of 5

Short review: Here's a lovely, bittersweet comedy-drama. It's about Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a 27-year-old man, who discovers that he has a rare cancer, and that he has only 50/50 chance of survival. And there is a mother who worries too much, a father with Alzheimer's disease, a best friend whose behavior is not quite pleasant, a girlfriend who is cheating on him, and a very caring young therapist. The film lightheartedly explores the difficulties, thoughts, tensions, and fears that a cancer patient has to go through. Though dealing with a very realistic topic, the film presents it in a light manner. The film gives us a portrait of what cancer patients go through, their tensions, fears, longing; the tensions and fears that are always present, the fears about whether they are going to survive or not. 

The acting is top-notch. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as Adam, is excellent. Anna Kendrick, whom you may know from the Twilight saga, is excellent as the therapist. The beautiful Bryce Dallas Howard is excellent as always (she plays the role of Rachel, the girlfriend who is cheating on Adam). Rachel, a young painter, after knowing that her boyfriend has cancer, does all she can. She doesn't leave him, rather takes care of him. But later when Adam comes to know that she is cheating on him, he breaks up and burns the painting that she made for him. It's sort of shocking, because though Rachel was cheating on him, she indeed cared for him, and though it's natural that Adam was furious, his response also wasn't totally fair, because, despite what she did, Rachel had tried her best to take care of Adam.

The film not only gives us laughs, but also smiles, tears, and tensions. The film talks about a very grim subject matter mostly lightheartedly and humorously, and presents to us a very realistic topic that rarely becomes disturbing; the film helps us to look in depth of the suffering of cancer patients, and along with it's light manner, the film also has an inner depth that is grim and thought-provoking.

4 out of 5
 

''Just Beyond That Forest'' ''The Impossible'' and ''The Host''- Reviews

Just Beyond That Forest (1991 movie)

Directed by: Jan Lomnicki
Released: 1991
Country: Poland

Genres: War drama

Rating: 3 out out of 5

Review

I was quite interested about this film after reading the summary, thinking if it is not great, at least it would be a satisfying and emotional experience. Bu

t this film was not what I had expected. It was not as good as I had thought it would be. It had it's moments, but had several drawbacks as well. The story is about an Aryan woman, Kuglawcova, who once used to work as a washerwoman for the Sterns, a Jewish family. In 1942, Mrs Stern calls her to Warsaw Ghetto, and requests her to take her daughter, Rutka, to a safe residence with a Christian family. Though she initially argues, later she agrees when Mrs Stern gives her expensive dresses and jewelries. Rutka poses as Kuglawcova's granddaughter, and together they start their journey. Kuglawcova's feelings towards Rutka soon becomes deeper; they form a warm and intimate friendship, and amidst the danger of being caught by Gestapos, they walk amidst the forests, with the goal of safely reaching the place they are heading towards, and now Kuglawcova is even prepared to risk her life for the girl.

The story and concept is good, but the screenplay and presentation wasn't as good as I had expected. The beginning and the early parts, were quite good, and it kept me interested in the film. But however, then it had a lot of problems. For example, the length. Despite building up an interesting situation, the short length actually prevented the film from becoming something really good and deep. It could have been much, much better. Also, the conclusion leaves a lot of questions. If only it had been slightly deeper with a better screenplay, it would have been far more memorable.

But however, what it has is quite powerful. And it didn't bore me or made me think it a
 terrible movie. It was an average film, and had the potentiality to be more, much more better.

 The Impossible (2012 movie)

Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
Released: 2012
Country: Spain

Genres: Drama, History

Main cast: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Juan Antonio Bayona's ''The Impossible'' is a vividly disturbing, effective, and realistic film, and it's surely one of the best films of 2012. The story, set in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, gives us a vivid portrait about the tragedies and horrors that can happen as a result of such natural disasters.

The story centers around a family who have come on a vacation to Thailand, and fall victims to the tsunami. The mother, Maria (played by Naomi Watts, the character is based on María Belón) and her oldest son Lucas (Tom Holland) manage to survive, and are soon escorted to a hospital. Unknown to them, the father, Henry (Ewan McGregor) and the younger sons, Thomas and Simon, have also survived, and Henry is desperately searching for Lucas and Maria. The family is separated, but their emotional bondage stands powerful against the horrors of the outcomes of the tsunami. Will they be reunited?

The film gives us a picture of the horrific outcomes of natural disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Along with this, the emotional unity of the family shown in this film is beautiful. How families can be so terribly impacted by these terrible natural disasters like this, is skilfully portrayed in this film. The screenplay is extremely powerful, and the performances are excellent. Naomi Watts, for example, is excellent (she always is, such a talented actress). Ewan McGregor, whom I first saw in Tim Burton's Big Fish, is excellent. More mentionably, young Tom Holland gives a terrific performance.

Overall The Impossible is an excellent film, giving us a vivid portrait of the terrible outcomes of such natural disasters; it is a very skilfully made film.

The Host (2013 movie)

 Directed by: Andrew Niccol
 Released: 2013
 Country: United States

Main cast: Saoirse Ronan, Jake Abel, Max Irons, Chandler Canterbury, Frances Fisher, Diane Kruger, William Hurt, Boyd Holbrook, Scott Lawrence, Emily Browning

Genres: Sci-Fi, Romantic-drama, Adventure, Action

Rating: 2 out of 5

Review

The Host was one of the 2013 films that I had been eagerly waiting to watch. I had loved the original novel written by Stephenie Meyer. I don't like Twilight, but I simply loved the novel The Host. But I must say that the 2013 film adaptation disappointed me. Really disappointed me. Now, I try never to judge a film according to the original novel or story or play. If I do that, it would be judging the film as an adaptation, not the overall film itself. But I must say that The Host is disappointing not only as an adaptation, but also as a film itself.

The Host is a weak film, first of all. First I would discuss the storyline (which is great; but it just wasn't presented nicely). Set in a future, the earth has been invaded by an alien species, called ''Souls''. They are parasitic aliens, and they are inserted in a human host. Human race is nearly extinct (as their bodies have been occupied by the souls), and the few surviving humans are in hiding.

A human, Melanie Stryder (played by Saoirse Ronan) is captured, and a soul, Wanderer, is inserted into her body. Wanderer finds out that her host is resisting; that the host still exists. The Seeker (Diane Kruger) wants Wanderer to go through the memory of the human body, and give her information about the hiding humans. But however, Wanderer has grown to love the humans in Melanie's memory: Melanie's lover, Jared, and her brother, Jamie. So, she, with the help of Melanie, sets out to search for Jared and Jamie. She finally reaches the hiding place, where many other humans besides Jamie and Jared are hiding as well. But none trusts Wanderer, nobody believes that Melanie is still with her. Meanwhile, Wanderer falls in love with Ian, one of the hiding humans. Jared and Melanie, on the other hand, deeply love each other. What will happen? On the other hand, the Seeker is searching for Wanderer and the humans... Wanderer's innocent presence sadly poses a threat to the humans.
 
I love the storyline. I loved the original novel. I loved the depth. But however, the screenplay of this adaptation was just not okay. It had little depth in it. Melanie's loud voice in Wanderer's head made thing unintentionally funny. The voice was supposed to be somewhat different; not funny at least! Saoirse Ronan, one of my favorite actresses, gives a good performance, but the problem is, her character is not well-written. No character is well-written, to tell the truth. Almost none of the scenes have the depth to make it a good film. The love triangle has none of the depth and sweetness found in the original novel. The effects and cinematography, on the other hand, are quite good.  

That doesn't mean it was a terrible movie. The Host had it's moments; at least, they were not cliched like Twilight. The Host did have some effectively emotional moments, for example, the last few scenes. Finally, for those who haven't read the novel, this film might seem slow and boring and ridiculous; on the other hand, those who read the novel (and loved it) will find this film to be disappointing. On the whole, it's a not a recommended film.

 
  

''Casablanca'' (1942 movie)- Review

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in ''Casablanca''

Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Released: 1942
Country: United States

Main cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Dooley Wilson

Genres: Romantic drama, War

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

I don't have enough words to describe how I felt about ''Casablanca''. I loved it? No. It was more than that. It was much, much more than that! I absolutely fell in love with ''Casablanca''. Seriously, it's one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. The compelling film has one of the best screenplays of the 1940s, some of the most memorable dialogues, some extremely memorable characters, a wonderful direction by Michael Curtiz, and last but not the least, wonderful acting from such stars as Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains.

The film is set in French Morocco. During the World War II, many people have escaped from Europe to Casablanca, French Morocco, from where they are waiting for exit visa to America. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a man with a past revealed in course of the film, runs a nightclub and gambling dean. News reaches that two German couriers have been murdered. A man named Ugarte tells Rick to keep letters of transit, which has apparently been obtained by murdering the couriers. However, soon Ugarte is arrested and later dies mysteriously.

German Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) arrives in Casablanca. It is known that Victor Laszlo, a Czech Resistance leader, will be arriving in Casablanca in order to go to America. Strasser orders to make sure that Laszlo cannot leave America.

Laszlo (Paul Heinrid) arrives, and with a twist, brings his wife, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), with him. It is revealed that while Rick had been in Paris, Ilsa and Rick had had an affair, and Rick didn't even have the slightest idea that Ilsa was married. They were supposed to go to Casablanca together, but on the date when they were going to leave, Ilsa left for him a short letter, informing him that she can't go with him- and that she can't explain the reason. Why hadn't Ilsa, during their short affair, let Rick know that she was married? Why, why, why, did she make a promise and then broke it? Why did it all happen?

But meanwhile there are other problems as well. Laszlo HAS TO leave Casablanca for the safety of Ilsa and himself. And the way he can get out are the Letter of Transit, which were originally intended to be sold to him. On the other hand, the Gestapos are also after Laszlo.

The film has got some very compelling performances. Humphrey Bogart, for example, listed as the greatest American male star of all time by the American Film Institute (AFI), brings the character of Rick to life. We feel a lot of sympathy for the character. Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa, oh, how very amazing! These two amazing stars bring the sweetness between the relationships to life. Paul Heinrid as Victor Laszlo is no less remarkable. Oh, Claude Rains! Playing the very odd Captain Louis Renault (and being nominated for an Oscar for this role), he gives another great performance.

The screenplay, based on the unpublished stage play Everybody Comes to Rick's, is absolutely fascinating and filled with lots of memorable dialogues. For example, ''We'll always have Paris.'' is such a very memorable dialogue. 

One of the main themes of ''Casablanca'' is that many things happen in our life, that remains in our memories forever. Many beautiful things happen in our life, and many of those beautiful moments we will lose. But yet, life goes on. And we often can't go back to the past. We have to live, if we want, sometimes looking back at those memories.

Wonderful movie, a great masterpiece, a favorite film! :)

5 out of 5

Pan's Labyrinth (2006 movie)- Review

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
Released: 2006
Country: Mexico, Spain

Genres: Fantasy, Drama, War

Main cast: Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones, Adriana Gil, Alex Angulo, Roger Casamajor, Pablo Adán, Federico Luppi

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

Pan's Labyrinth. A movie where reality and fantasy is intertwined, a tale of good vs evil, a tale of fantasy, of triumph, of horror, of dark reality. It's something too beautiful, too excellent and a movie as excellent as this one is perhaps rarely seen. I think I'm slightly exaggerating, but if it is not among the best movies of all time, it certainly ranks as the best film of 2006.

''Pan's Labyrinth'' mixes the reality and fantasy, harsh real world and the dark fantasy, and awaits a fairytale world where our heroine belongs in fact. At the beginning of the film, the narrator tells us that centuries ago, the Princess of the underworld had escaped in order to learn about the human world. Blinded by the sunlight that erases her memory, she falls ill and dies. But her father, the king, believes that his beloved daughter will return to him one day.

Then the story shifts to Spain, 1944. The Civil War has ended, but still the rebels are hiding, and will anytime face the Fascists.

Ofelia is a young girl who is an avid reader of fairytales. Her mother, Carmen, is pregnant, and they are traveling to her stepfather, a Fascist captain. Carmen insists that Ofelia should refer to the Captain as her father, as he has done a lot for them.

But after reaching the countryside, Ofelia is sad. Everything is new, and she can never accept the unpleasant Captain as her father. One night, Ofelia notices an insect, who she instantly believes to be a fairy. She follows the fairy to a labyrinth, and there is a big hole in the ground, and there is a staircase that leads under the ground. She goes down the staircase, and there she is met by a faun (according to Wikipedia: The faun (Latin: faunus, Ancient Greek: φαῦνος, phaunos) is a rustic forest god or goddess (genii) of Roman mythology often associated with enchanted woods and the Greek god Pan and his satyrs.) The faun tells her that she is not the daughter of a human, she is in fact, the Princess, and in order to prove that she is the Princess and in order to return to the fairytale world, she needs to complete three tasks before the full moon is seen. Ofelia returns to the real world, and from then on, she works hard to complete the tasks, and besides this, she tries hard to protect her mother and the unborn baby.

The Captain is the evil antagonist of the film and I started hating the character. He is merciless, cruel and heartless. And his deeds, and the things he does in the film, oh, they are utterly terrible.

Ofelia befriends the maidservant Mercedes (Maribel Verdu), who has a secret of her own, that she and the family doctor have been helping the rebels secretly. Her own brother, Pedro, is himself a rebel. After Ofelia, the character for whom I really felt sympathy and likeness is Mercedes.

The reality, fantasy, and fairytale are mixed in this film. None of them are subplots. They are all the essential parts of the story. While we see Ofelia trying to protect her mother and the unborn child, to her protection of herself from the stepfather who hates her, to her constant desire to complete the tasks and return to the fairytale world, they are all the main story. But one of the basic things of this film is the good vs evil matter, that how the fascist Captain is cruel and heartless, and his tortures, and how good people in the story face the evil.

The most striking thing of this film is the cinematography by Guillermo Navarro. The cinematography and overall looks of this film is so beautiful. The film is a real visual treat with the darkness, and occasionally the color blue is the main color, and so the credits for dark and beautiful looks of this film easily goes to the wonderful work of cinematography.

Similarly, the screenplay is wonderful, and the Guillermo del Toro's direction is similarly amazing. The other things of this film that deserves special praises are almost every other thing, because this is a beautiful, excellent film. The sound, makeups, costumes- it would become a really long review to describe all these excellent elements of this film individually.

The star of the movie is Ivana Baquero, a young actress who gives such a powerful and intense performance. Baquero gives one of the most excellent performances ever given by a young actress, and I'm not exgrarating. The nervous, innocent character is brought to life by Ivana Baquero.

Sergi Lopez is similarly excellent in his role as the evil antagonist of the film, giving a talented performance making us hating the character. I also liked Maribel Verdú, playing the maid who hates working there and is secretly helping the rebels.  As the goodhearted doctor Alex Angulo is wonderful.

This one is a beautiful film, and maybe one of the most darkest, sweetest, beautiful fantasy films ever made. But however Alice in Wonderlandish the film may sound, there are scenes of brutal tortures and reality which make it a film unsuitable for pre-teens, and this film is absolutely not for children. This one is both a visual treat, and an emotional journey from the beginning to the end, making it a must-watch and a masterpiece, a classic.

5 out of 5

Lincoln (2012 movie)- Review

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Released: 2012
Country: United States

Main cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Tommy Lee Jones, Hal Holbrook, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Jackie Earle Haley, Lee Pace, Gloria Reuben, David Constabile, Michael Stuhlbarg

Genres: Historical, Biographical, Drama, War

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Steven Spielberg, in his biopic of Abraham Lincoln, tells the story of the Lincoln, the President of the United States from March 1861 to April 1865. He was assassinated in April 1865 by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln is revered in history because of his hard work to abolish slavery in the United States. 

 ''Lincoln'' is not really a biography of Abraham Lincoln as it does not tell the story of his whole life. Instead, it tells the story of the last days in his office. Set during the Civil War, the film shows us of Lincoln's continuous efforts to abolish slavery, what happens after the abolishment of slavery, and ends with his assassination.

Daniel Day-Lewis is perfect in his role as Abraham Lincoln. He gives a performance so stunning. He also resembles the real Abraham Lincoln quite much. Sally Field (''Forrest Gump'') in her role as Lincoln's wife is extremely good. The others, notably Tommy Lee Jones, David Straithairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and all others, are very good in their roles. I also liked Gulliver McGrath, who played Tad, Lincoln's youngest son who is very close to him.

The film is made excellently. With it's intensity and great screenplay, wonderful direction by Steven Spielberg, excellent performances from the actors, wonderful cinematography and occasionally beautiful scores, it can easily be said as a great movie. The time has been recreated wonderfully with the sets, makeups and costumes. 

While this is a powerful and skilful motion picture, it's main fault is that many parts of it are a bit boring. At the beginning and middle parts of the film, it is often boring with infrequent exciting moments. But however, the last 40 minutes or so gets extremely exciting and wonderful, and at times, heartwarming.

While it may be boring at parts, it cannot be denied that Steven Spielberg's ''Lincoln'' is a powerful motion picture, wonderfully deep and intense, superbly-made. 

4 out of 5!

Lifeboat (1944 movie)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Released: 1944
Country: United States

Cast: Hume Cronyn, Tallulah Bankhead, Mary Anderson, William Bendix, Henry Hull, John Hodiak, Walter Slezak, Heather Angel, Canada Lee, William Yetter Jr.

Genres: Drama, War

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

How emotionally intense Hitchcock's ''Lifeboat'' is! It's the most emotional Hitchcock movie I have seen. So powerful, so strong, it can bring tears at the eyes because it is so intense.

The natural Hitchcock thrills (that are so very impressive) are present in this wonderful picture as well, but they are very subtle and less in number. What the movie focuses on is the emotions, and on human nature. It's exploration of human nature is so very powerful. It can be said as among the best movies Hitchcock ever made. Maybe not as excellent as ''Psycho'', ''Vertigo'' or ''Strangers on a Train'', yet excellent enough to be mentioned on a list of the 10 best movies directed by Hitchcock.

Anyways, more of that later. ''Lifeboat'' is set during the World War II. After their ship has been sunk by the Germans, several British and American civilian passengers find themselves in a lifeboat.

Another hand can be seen, rising from the water. The passengers help the person to get on the lifeboat. The person was not with them at the ship. Who is he? Then he speaks. He speaks German. He is from the same U-boat that had made their ship sink, and the U-boat had sunk too. Most want to kill him, but a few of them decide that it would be inhuman to kill him. Rather, they should take him as a prisoner-of-war.

A journey starts, a journey that examines human nature, that explores kindness and betrayal. There's more, much more, including a twist about the real nature of Will, who is not the innocent person as he first seems, and makes the others fall in his traps.

There is no protagonist in this film. Everybody is important, everybody has great importance in this film. Tallulah Bankhead's performance remains the most memorable. Her role is that of Connie Porter. She is a writer who writes about many cultures in her books but in fact writes only about herself, none about the people of the cultures she writes about. She may seem haughty at first, but her soft heart that is revealed in course of the film, and the amusement and emotions that she delivers makes her character unforgettable.

There are more people in this film, Hume Cronyn (who had played a role in Hitchcock's 1943 film Shadow of a Doubt), Mary Anderson playing a nurse, William Bendix as Gus who has got a serious injury in his leg, John Hodiak, Henry Hull, and Canada Lee as the calm steward Joe, and Heather Angel as a woman whose baby has died. Walter Slezak give a noteworthy performance as the antagonist. At the end of the film, William Yetter Jr. plays a role. Alfred Hitchcock, like most of his films, has a cameo appearance, this time in pictures of a newspaper.

That said, these are the people who appear in the film. I noticed no extras.

How brilliantly written and how talented the filming is... The emotionally intense film was made so powerful by the screenplay, the dialogues. For example, the woman whose son his dead cries out for her baby. Plus,  The scenes where they struggle to survive. The performance and dialogues enrich the emotional intensity of the movie. The camera works are brilliant.

Overall, a brilliant film from Hitchcock; a Hitchcock film that concentrates more on the emotional aspects than the general thrills and suspense that is found in Hitchcock movies. This is a great Hitchcock film; it shouldn't be missed.

4 out of 5

The English Patient (1996 movie)

Directed by: Anthony Minghella
Released: 1996
Country: United States, United Kingdom

Main cast: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas, William Dafoe, Naveen Andrews, Colin Firth, Julian Wadham, Kevin Whately

Genres: Drama, Romance, War

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

I would like to start this review by saying that this film is indeed a masterpiece. It's one of the best films I've seen yet.

The English Patient is a romantic drama film which is set in Italy and Egypt, The English Patient is a deeply moving motion picture. Told through a brilliant series of flashbacks, the film has a prologue and epilogue- which is explained throughout the movie. Confused? Oh well. I won't be revealing much!

At the beginning of the movie, we see a plane flying. And there are a woman and a man there. Well, this is the prologue...

A few scenes passes, I won't describe all of them. The film is now set in Italy, during the World War II, a horribly burnt man (played by Ralph Fiennes) is in Italy and is being taken care. Hana (played by Juliette Binoche), a nurse, takes care of him in an abandoned monastery. Well, slowly the man beings to remember something, and then there are flashbacks. The man's actual name is Count Lazlo de Almasy. He is a Hungarian cartographer working in Egypt with his partner, a man named Madox (played by Julian Wadham). Then, a British couple, Geoffrey (played by Colin Firth) and Katherine Clifton (played by Kristen Scott Thomas) join them. Both the Count and Katherine are attracted to each other. And their relationship deepens in an expedition... But there are problems behind this. That is, Katherine is already married. And then the war starts and everything goes different...

The film shifts between flashbacks and the ''present time'' (that is 1944 in Italy). Often, there are scenes which shows Hana with the wounded Count, and then there is a flashback.

Meanwhile, a visitor, Caravaggio (played William Dafoe) starts living with Hana and the injured Count. This Caravaggio is quite mysterious and had known the Count previously. I won't reveal that much, though.There is a subplot about the romance between Hana and Kip, a Silk sapper in the British army.

Caravaggio hates the Count, he accuses the Count of several things. I won't like to spoil the wonderful movie for you so I won't reveal what these things are. The Count then explains several things, several things which which helps us to understand everything in the storyline. All of the puzzles, all of the mysteries are solved at the end.

Wow, what a wonderful presentation! Really, such excellent presentations are probably rarely seen. The film is told between flashbacks and the ''present'' time (Italy, last periods of the World War II). Slowly, the viewers come to know everything, from what happened in the prologue to what are all the reasons, what are all the answers to Caravaggio's doubts.

All the characters are so strong: Count Lazlo de Almasy, Katherine Clifton, Hana, Kip, Caravaggio, even Geoffrey Clifton... These characters, and the actors who played them, contribute to make the film highly engrossing and interesting. Along with the movie's wonderful story and presentation, the actors, and the characters, play an important role to make this movie more excellent, more lovely.

The English Patient won nine Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche), Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, and Best Director. And I believe, it deserved all the nine Oscars that it won.

With elements of tragedy, drama, romance, war, and a wonderful presentation, an excellent cast, some touching music, a great storyline, and very good cinematography, The English Patient has been, according to my opinion, one of the best films of the 1990s. It is a deeply touching film which almost brought tears to my eyes.

5 out of 5.

Atonement (2007 movie)

Directed by: Joe Wright
Released: 2007
Country: United Kingdom

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Plot synopsis

In the 1930s, 13-year-old Briony Tallis accuses the housekeeper's son, Robbie Turner, of a crime he didn't commit. This consequences of this lie spans over decades and this lie changes the lives of several people, including that of Robbie, Briony's sister (and Robbie's lover) Cecilia Tallis, and that of Briony herself.

Based on the novel by Ian McEwan. 

Cast

Keira Knightley as Cecilia Tallis
James McAvoy as Robbie Turner
Saoirse Ronan as Briony Tallis (age 13)
Romola Garai as Briony Tallis (age 18)
Vanessa Redgrave as Briony Tallis (age 77)
Brenda Blethyn as Grace Turner
Benedict Cumberbatch as Paul Marshall
Juno Temple as Lola Quincey
Harriet Walter as Emily Tallis
Michelle Duncan as Fiona Maguire
Daniel Mays as Tommy Nettle
Alfie Allen as Danny Hardman

Achievements

Atonement was nominated for seven Oscars, and won one for Best Original Score. It also received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Saoirse Ronan) and Best Adapted Screenplay, among others. Saoirse Ronan is one of the youngest Oscar-nominated people. It also received fourteen BAFTA Award nominations, and won BAFTA Awards for Best Film and Best Production Design.It also won two Golden Globe awards (including Best Motion Picture- Drama), among numerous other awards and nominations.

My Opinion

Atonement is, in my opinion, the best movie of 2007. And it's one of my favorite movies of all time.

Atonement is a deeply moving movie. It's story is very emotional and is told beautifully. A very touching romantic movie with great performances by Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Romola Garai and Saoirse Ronan. The performance by the 13-year-old Saoirse Ronan is highly remarkable: her performance as the confused, strange teenager Briony Tallis was excellent. 

Among Joe Wright's other movies, Pride & Prejudice, was excellent as well, and Hanna was also quite good, but none of them are as moving, as excellent as Atonement. It's a beautifully told movie with a great cast, great music, and a deeply moving story.

4.5 out of 5.