The Oldies, but Goodies
This week I thought I would go over some classics, the movies that changed cinema forever. Yes, their are musicals that have changed cinema. These are the films that inspired a generation and have stood the test of time. Please know that this is my list and is very opinionated. These are the films I personally thought belonged at the top.
Let’s begin…
3) “West Side Story” — Never has dance/fighting been so cool. This film was and is one of the best adaptations of Romeo and juliet to be told ever.
2) “Singing in the Rain” - If you’re not a fan of Gene Kelly, I don’t know how you could or will ever truly appreciate the art of dance. HE IS THE MAN. If you ever want to study dance, look him up, he’ll change your world.
Gene Kelly + Roller Skates = INCREDIBLE
This is also very neat…
and 1) “The Wizard of Oz” - Perhaps THE film that changed cinema. It has been called the #1 fantasy film of all time and it’s easy to see why. It has everything you want in a movie and more!
I would love to know what you guys consider to be the greats. Any others you believe to be up here in the three? Do you agree with my picks?
–Admiral Eo
I don’t think West Side Story should count, because it’s a film adaptation of the stage musical. The musical may be good, but that wasn’t the sort of thing that changed cinema. Studios did it all the time.
For sheer brilliance, you could add “An American in Paris” to the list. The first “bio-pic” musical was “Yankee Doodle Dandy” starring an absolutely brilliant James Cagney. “Moulin Rouge!” revitalized the movie musical market. “Across the Universe” highlighted the freedom of imagination that film can give you over stage productions. And it featured music by The Beatles.
May 22nd, 2010 at 9:29 amI concur with everything. Except that… I’ve never actually SEEN “West Side Story.” Looks like I’ll have to make that happen.
May 22nd, 2010 at 11:34 amIf we’re talking great movie musicals, then I’d have to throw in “This is Spinal Tap,” which all but created the mockumentary genre.
May 22nd, 2010 at 4:10 pmNo “Lawrence of Arabia?” For shame! Also (maybe not enough of an oldy) but, I think that a case could be made for the original “Star Wars” trilogy.
May 22nd, 2010 at 6:54 pmI’m not sure which biopic of T.E. Lawrence you were watching, Dr. Cellus, but if there was one that turned his rebellion into a musical, I want to see it. Unfortunately, I think the theme of this post was movie *musicals* that changed cinema.
Good call on “Spinal Tap”, Sgt.
May 25th, 2010 at 12:53 pm