Hello everyone! I just wanted to do a quick post introducing one of my new summer activities: Legendary Cinematic Pictures Through The Ages! I am super excited about this excellent list of movies because 1) I get to spend my time watching awesome, classic movies and 2) I can simultaneously watch and learn about how different cinematic techniques have developed throughout history! Below you will find the list of movies that I will be watching and analyzing this summer, feel free to join me as a critique them!
I was talking to my parents about these titles and if they remember them when they were kids or heard about them growing up and they knew quite a few of them! We decided that once or twice a week we are going to have a movie night and watch one of these legendary movies together! It is a great quarantine activity for my family (and hopefully yours too!) and it’s productive at the same time! Anyways, here is some information about each movie:
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977):
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire’s world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
The Godfather (1972):
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981):
In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
Ghostbusters (1984):
Three former parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994):
Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.
The Matrix (1999):
A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006):
A smart but sensible new graduate lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the demanding editor-in-chief of a high fashion magazine.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001):
Danny Ocean and his ten accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
Boyhood (2014):
The life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college.
Moonlight (2016):
A young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
Note*: As I am solely tracking the gradual changes of cinematic techniques over a century, some of these movies might be intense for younger audiences or outdated in their themes. If you are still thinking about viewing them with your family, or are just curious about the plot in general, I recommend going to https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ before watching to see movie reviews as well as open discussions about the themes in the movie.
I hope y’all enjoyed this article, I am very excited for this activity and I hope that you’ll consider subscribing to my blog so that you can keep up with my posts! Also, if you have any movie recommendations that you feel were quite ‘legendary’ for their time, let me know in the comments below! 🙂
Thanks everyone! Have a great day!
I remember a number of these movies, while others are new to me. I look forward to reading your analysis.
Me too! I thought that I had already seen a large chunk of the ‘big movies’ of each decade, but after I did my research I found that I was sorely wrong! I am excited that you are joining me on this journey 🙂
Kaitlyn, this is intriguing! As a not-very-sophisticated film viewer, I’d love to know what cinematic techniques you’ll be watching for in these selections.