My top picks for the week of January 2-January 8th; which highlights the apprehension of the Yorkshire Ripper; Aretha Franklin's induction into the hall of fame; Elvis Presley's recording a demo at Sun Records; Birth of Robert Duvall; Birth of Loretta Young; Birth of Nicolas Cage and the Birth of David Bowie are all noteworthy events that happened in history. A favourite movie for each day's theme (serial killers; movies with female singers; Elvis Presley; Robert Duvall; Loretta Young; Nicholas Cage, and David Bowie) will be featured in the following list-enjoy!
1 Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) Director: John McNaughton
Disturbingly dark film loosely based on the life of Henry Lee Lucas.
This is one of my top film picks for a a variety of reasons (1) it proves that truly gripping films can be made on a shoe string budget (2) it shows that evil predators are not grotesque looking or brilliant or glaringly different from everyone else as slick Hollywood films often portray them to be (3) this is not a movie for everyone, but it is one that skillfully portrays the dark side of humanity...
2 Funny Girl (1968) Director: William Wyler
Streisand is mesmerizing as real life Fanny Brice and Omar Sharif is fantastic as the love of her life...
As mentioned, this is a top pick because of the great performances by its two leads Streisand and Sharif, and the great music and comedic numbers based on the life of Fanny Brice...
3 King Creole (1958) Director Michael Curtiz
One of Elvis Presley's first efforts and considered by many to be his best film (Including Elivis himself) shot in black and white and co-starring Walter Matthau as New Orleans Crime Boss...
4 Godfather (1972) Director Francis Ford Coppola
It just didn't feel right not to have one of the all time classic gangster movies as a top pick, and there are many reasons why it is on my list of favourites (1) it is a great sweeping epic that captures the times so well (2) the writing, the acting, the cinematography are all top notch (3) the violence is not gratuitous, but rather used to show a very particular way of life (4) Al Pacino and Marlon Brando show how acting is supposed to be done...
5 The Bishop's Wife (1947) Director Henry Koster
Better known Christmas classic with Cary Grant as an angel who comes to the aid of Bishop Brougham (David Niven) while charming his beautiful neglected wife (Young). Later remade as The Preacher's Wife starring Whitney Houston...
6 Leaving Las Vegas (1995) Director Mike Figgis
All time favourite film which won Cage an Academy Award for his role as washed up screenwriter who decides to drink himself to death. Co-star Elisabeth Shue is equally moving in her role as a prostitute that Cage befriends during his last days. Wonderfully painful and touching film... a must see.
7 The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) Director Martin Scorcese
Controversial film based on the book by Nikos Kazantzakis depicting Jesus Christ as a man who faces the temptation to live a normal life. Fascinating movie which garnered director Martin Scorcese an oscar nomination...
I hope that this list of top movie picks will provide hours of quality movie entertainment-enjoy!
Dianezy
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