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1998: Saving Private Ryan

Posted: July 9, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Monumental Movies | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
Saving Private Ryan

Image via Wikipedia

Saving Private Ryan, easily one of the most well-crafted war movies of all time, is set after the Normandy landings in 1944. During the bloody battle on the shore, two brothers are killed. Shortly after, news arrives that a third brother has been killed in action in New Guinea. However, one brother still remains, who is behind enemy lines. It’s up to Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his men to save Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), sparing Ryan’s mother from the torture of having to mourn the death of all four of her sons.

Right from the start, this movie is just a classic, with the opening 10-15 minutes showing the battle on the shores of Normandy, displaying the brutality and cold-blooded murder associated with war to an impressively realistic degree. Miller leads his men forward, to secure the beachhead, whilst all around him soldiers are being slaughtered and killed in a split-second. Even right from the start, whilst they’re on the boats heading towards the shores, the great acting shows realistic reactions and emotions that occur in soldiers before running straight into battle.

Miller, along with his team, head straight into the enemy territory, risking their lives to save Private Ryan. All the way through, they face death at every corner, persevering even through the toughest of times. The movie ends with Miller and co. finding Private Ryan, although it seems he is right in the middle of heavy enemy territory. After an epic and tense battle scene, the movie ends with Miller laying on the floor, talking to Private Ryan, telling him to “Earn this. Earn it.”. The movie then skips forward more than 50 years, showing Ryan reading a speech at a graveyard, standing next to the grave of Captain Miller.

From start to end, this movie is outstanding. Filled with action, suspense, and highly emotional dramatical scenes, this movie is sheer brilliance throughout. And, although very sad at parts, which would make any person feel like crying, this movie really is a feel-good one, with the themes of perseverance and determination to reach your goals being emphasised. With the genius directing skills of Steven Spielberg behind this movie, all of these factors plus more, that make the movie, are only greatly amplified.

This movie really does represent war movies at their finest. A masterpiece of cinematic display, that will always be a classic.

By Manpreet Singh

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Toy Story 4 Is In The Works

Posted: June 27, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Rumours, Gossip and News | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
Cover of "Toy Story: An Original Walt Dis...

Cover via Amazon

Acting legend, Tom Hanks, has recently shared the news that Pixar are currently working on a fourth installment in the Toy Story franchise. Hanks, who did the voice of Sheriff Woody in the three Toy Story movies, shared this news with us when speaking to BBC Breakfast, stating, “I think there will be. Yeah I think they’re working on it now. There you go!“.

Now, I’m an absolutely huge fan of all three toy story movies, with them being up there with my favourite CGI movies, and favourite movies in general. I think the third movie, released in 2010, was a brilliant ending to what we all thought was meant to be the end of a great era. It seems weird that Pixar would decide to go and make another sequel to the already brilliant trilogy, with the possibility that it could damage the high amount of respect and appreciation associated with the current trilogy.

This being said however, I love Toy Story, as mentioned, and although they could put their effort into making a completely different movie, I welcome a Toy Story 4 with open arms. Pixar, have a knack for making awesome movies: Monsters Inc., Wall-E, Up, and so on. And although there really are no expectations or obligations for a fourth Toy Story, I think it would be great to have a fourth in the franchise – and I trust that Pixar would do a great job of it.

So, what do you think? Are you excited about the prospect of another Toy Story movie, or do you think it will be another movie sequel that will run its course?

Relating to this debate, is a post about sequels that run their course, by Daniel Hart, check it out: http://wp.me/p1aSRl-iP

By Manpreet Singh

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1995: Toy Story

Posted: June 11, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Monumental Movies | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments
Toy Story

Image via Wikipedia

The Monumental Movie for 1995 is the classic, CGI comedy, Toy Story. The original, which began the brilliant trilogy, stars the voices of acting legend Tom Hanks as Woody, and Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz Lightyear – the two voices combined with the two characters we all know and love. This movie brings to life the imagination of every kid. It starts with a boy named Andy, who, like any other kid, loves his toys, ranging from toy cowboys to dinosaurs, playing with them everyday. However, when Andy isn’t around, his toys come to life. His favourite toy, Woody thinks he has life good, enjoying his life with Andy and his other toy friends; until a new toy arrives for Andy’s birthday…Buzz Lightyear. Everyone knows the classic line, “To infinity, and Beyond!!”.

Buzz Lightyear, fails to believe that he is a toy, and believes that he is a real life space cadet, and he soon takes over the role of Andy’s favourite toy. Woody, is now determined to get rid of Buzz, but during the process they both end up getting lost, and need to find their way back to Andy’s house before he realises that they have been missing. But unfortunately for them, they are in the worst place possible for a toy… Sid’s house. Sid Phillips, is a ruthless child, whose main hobby involves brutally murdering toys.

After having to survive in Sid’s house, through some although disastrous for them, hilarious for the audience, experiences, Buzz and Woody manage to begin forming a friendship, before realising they have to escape Sid’s house before they too, are killed. Fortunately, they manage to do this, whilst in the process, mentally scarring Sid for life… In the end, Buzz and Woody manage to make it back to safety, through a risky and daring escape, and in the nick of time, managing to land safely next to Andy in the car, which his mum is driving to their new home.

For many people, including myself, Toy Story was a huge part of their childhood. This movie brings to life the imagination of every kid; at one point or another, we all hoped that our toys would come to life, and this movie made it possible. With a load of humour, which people of all ages will enjoy, whether you’re 6, or 60, this movie delivers brilliantly. Even when watching it as an adult, it brings back that happy feeling of being a child, back when nothing mattered.

The CGI for its time was brilliant, and still is for today, being one of the first movies of its kind. A definite classic movie from Pixar, this is one that audiences will never get bored of, re-living their childhood every time they watch it. This movie even has a great theme song, which is also used in the latest and final installment of this trilogy, Toy Story 3, which, as soon as I hear, instantly reminds me of this film, bringing back childhood memories. I’m pretty sure everyone has seen this movie, but if you haven’t, it’s never too late to watch Toy Story…

By Manpreet Singh

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