The Departed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Departed#/media/File:Departed234.jpg

For the eleventh film of the month we have The Departed

First off, we have the story which has an undercover cop who goes undercover in the Irish mafia on an operation not knowing the same mafia has sent a spy into the police force. I thought the story was very entertaining with a consistent pace 

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were very compelling and developed. The acting as a whole was outstanding especially from the main players of Di Caprio, Damon and Nicholson who were the standouts. The chase between Damon's and Di Caprio characters was very entertaining.

Now we have the action which I found to be very entertaining as well as thrilling from both sides of the law. As the tension throughout the film built up so did the action as both sides become suspicious of what's happening. As for the film's visuals I thought the cinematography of the film was one of the best aspects as it because it gave the film a gritty look as well as being consistent through the whole film. Moving onto the tone of the film which I really enjoyed and constant tension built up as each of the undercover agents become embroiled with the mafia and find out about each other. I thought the soundtrack of the film fit the it very well with a mixture of tracks that felt stylised for this type of film.

Overall, I thought this film was excellent and it kept me hooked throughout with a great story, compelling characters and a gritty tone. This has now become one of my favourite films. 

I give The Departed a score of 10/10

The Pianist

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pianist_(2002_film)#/media/File:The_Pianist_movie.jpg

For the tenth film of the month we have The Pianist 

First off, we have the story which tells the story of a Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman a Polish-Jewish composer. I thought the story was very depressing and sad but because of the main character you wanted him to get through it.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were very compelling and developed. Adrien Brody puts in an immaculate performance as Wladyslaw Szpilman and you can see how the war and environments he stays in effects him right until the end. The chemistry with his family was nice to see and you can see how he cared for them. 

As for the film's visuals I thought they were one of the best aspects of them film. Over the course of the film you watch as the horrible acts are committed by the Germans and you can only shiver and the things they did makes it haunting to watch. The lighting and camera choices mange to get right into the events and show you the detail of destruction the city goes through. Moving onto the tone of the film which although very bleak and horrifying managed to capture the darkness of being a Jewish person during the time the film is set. I thought the soundtrack of the film when used worked very well and even when no music was used it added even more to the film as a whole.

Overall, I thought this film was a fantastic film showing the survival of one character through the events of WW2 and it shows as what he sees and goes through gives you insight into the time period which is why it is one film I would watch again but not for a long while. 

I give The Pianist a score of 9/10

The Intouchables

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intouchables#/media/File:The_Intouchables.jpg

For the ninth film of the month we have The Intouchables 

First off, we have the story which has an aristocrat after becoming a quadriplegic after an accident hires a young man to be his carer. I thought the story was very touching but also entertaining with the character interactions being the main focus.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were very complex as well as entertaining and as the chemistry between Driss and Phillippe grows the film became even more entertaining as Driss helps with Phillippe to change things as well as try new things he didn't before. As the film progresses you can see how well they effect each other positively. 

As for the film's visuals I thought it had a nice look to it in terms of the cinematography with it's lighting and choices of camera angles, the location footage of Paris complemented the film especially showing the lifestyles of Driss and Phillippe live which oppose each other just like their characteristics at the start. Moving onto the tone of the film which I found to be enjoyable and when Driss starts to get into the job more and have some nice moments Phillippe it felt deserved and well executed. I thought the soundtrack of the film was very good and the newer music that Driss listens too starts to be liked by Phillippe who just listened to classical music and nothing else and was very uneducated.

Overall, I thought this film was very enjoyable and I had a great time watching it. The highlight of the film were it's characters who felt different to previous films I have been watching and it felt very refreshing to watch. 

I give The Intouchables a score of 9/10

Modern Times

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Times_(film)#/media/File:Modern_Times_poster.jpg

For the eighth film of the month we have Modern Times

First off, we have the story which has the Little Tramp who get's employed at a factory, many mishaps happen along the way as well as him meeting an orphan girl and together face modern life. I thought the story was very funny as well as entertaining and another great film from Chaplin.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought again just like in City Lights were enjoyable and simple with the Tramp just looking for work to get through life. There is also the orphan girl who together with the Tramp just want to earn money and have a good life and their chemistry was fun to see. 

As for the film's visuals I thought were very good and the choreography of the jokes but also of the many sets throughout were well made for the time this film came out. Moving onto the tone of the film which I really enjoyed and found myself laughing at most points through the film but also managed to show the struggles of what it would have been like during the time period. I thought the soundtrack of the film was very good and added to the visual jokes throughout the film. Also there were more sound effects used in this film than City Lights with a few characters talking and they all worked well too.

Overall, I thought this film was another great film by Chaplin and going back and watching movies from this time period shows how much film has come and influenced future films.

I give Modern Times a score of 9/10

Casablanca

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casablanca_(film)#/media/File:CasablancaPoster-Gold.jpg

For the seventh film of the month we have Casablanca

First off, we have the story which has a nightclub owner who helps protect an old flame of his and her husband from the Nazi's in the city of Casablanca, Morocco. I thought the story was very entertaining and I can see why this is one of the greatest films ever made.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were very interesting as well as complex with Rick as you can see his development because of the relationship he had with Ilsa and how it changed him especially when she comes back into his life and the chemistry between the two shines through.

As for the film's visuals I thought they were outstanding and the way it used film noir with the use of light and shadow was excellent. I thought the location footage of Casablanca and the many sets around the city were good looking and it brought out what the time period in the city would have been like. Moving onto the tone of the film which I enjoyed as the way it used espionage and romance together to create a well-balanced tone. I thought the soundtrack of the film was very fitting and added to some of the more famous scene.

Overall, I thought this film was an entertaining one with a thrilling story and characters that carried that story well. This will be another of those films that I will revisit sometime in the future.

I give Casablanca a score of 10/10

City Lights

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Lights#/media/File:City_Lights_film.jpg

For the sixth film of the month we have City Lights 

First off, we have the story which has a tramp who falls in love with a flower girl and tries to provide money for them, on they way he meets a drunken millionaire who can help him. I thought the story was a nice and enjoyable one that as my first Charlie Chaplin movie was a good choice and I look forward to more.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were very enjoyable and the simplicity of them worked to add to the movie with Chaplin's funny but kind Tramp, then there is the millionaire who the Tramp meets along the way, finally there is the main interest of the Tramp, the blind flower girl who's interactions with the Tramp were nice to see.

As for the film's visuals I thought they were done really well and when it came to the comedy the visuals made the jokes work to get a laugh from you. Moving onto the tone of the film which I really enjoyed as I found myself laughing at various points throughout but I also liked the way it worked the romance elements from Chaplin's character. I thought the soundtrack of the film was very good and added to the comedy especially the slapstick comedy. It also manages to work with the light heated moments as well as the emotional scenes.

Overall, I thought this film was an enjoyable watch with a simple story and well done characters that make it work and I look forward to more silent films that I may watch in the future.

I give City Lights a score of 9/10

Once Upon A Time In The West

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Time_in_the_West#/media/File:Once_upon_a_Time_in_the_West.jpg

For the fifth film of the month we have Once Upon A Time In The West 

First off, we have the story which has a widow who's life is in danger from an assassin and a harmonica playing loner and a desperado team up to help her. I thought the story was very entertaining and I enjoyed my second Sergio Leone film and I look forward to more of them..

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were very well acted on all fronts especially Charles Bronson as Harmonica and Henry Fonda as Frank who stole the show with their captivating performances and the chemistry and history was very interesting to find out.

Now we have the action which I thought was entertaining and thrilling with Harmonica having to take down the villains throughout the film. As for the film's visuals I thought they were the best part of the film with sweeping shots of the desert but also the settings felt like real places you would have seen and visited in those times. Moving onto the tone of the film which I thought was very tense and as scenes built up I was on the edge of my seat. I thought the soundtrack of the film was excellent and the way it portrayed western music to create a score that was serious but also managed to capture the vastness and openness of the desert. The best track was the song that Harmonica would always play.

Overall, I thought this film was an amazing and well done epic that I enjoyed throughout with some entertaining sequences that were shot brilliantly with the cinematography as well as all the other aspects which make this a truly great film.

I give Once Upon A Time In The West a score of 9/10

Psycho

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho_(1960_film)#/media/File:Psycho_(1960).jpg

For the fourth film of the month we have Psycho

First off, we have the story which has a woman who goes on the money after embezzling $40,000 and ends up at the Bates Motel and encounters the manager Norman Bates. I thought the story was very entertaining and I can see why Alfred Hitchcock is one of the best directors.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were interesting with the acting throughout shining through especially Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates who standouts because of the way he portrayed the character.

As for the film's visuals I thought the film looked really good and the cinematography used especially the use of shadows and lighting helped to add to the suspense and tension throughout to add to the overall experience. Moving onto the tone of the film which I thought captured the horror genre very well and the creepy setting of the house and Motel allowed the film to focus on the story. I thought the soundtrack of the film which was one of the most talked about aspects of the film and I can see why as it added to the horror as well as building the tension in particular scenes. 

Overall, I thought this film for my first delve into Alfred Hitchcock's filmography was an entertaining one and even though i'm not into horror films, the way it was done in this film showed how it can be used without going over the top.

I give Psycho a score of 9/10

American History X

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_History_X#/media/File:American_History_X_poster.png

For the third film of the month we have American History X

First off, we have the story which has two brothers who become embroiled in the Neo-Nazi movement and after getting out of prison one brother decides to help the other out to not make the same mistakes. I thought the story was an interesting one mainly because of the subjects used and at times some of the film was hard to watch but I still found it intriguing to what it might have been like being in those gangs. 

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were very interesting indeed as Edward Nortan's character starts off as someone as you hate but as the film progresses you can feel for him and the chemistry with his family especially his brother brought the film together which shows why he is the standout performer of this film.

Now we have the action which was a very touchy aspect of the film as it they related to crimes that related to racism so it went to certain places that I didn't think went to over the top but still allowed you to think about them. As for the film's visuals I thought the way the story was told with the flashbacks being in black and white and the present story being in colour was a good way to show the non-linear aspect of the story like other films that did the same thing. Moving onto the tone of the film which because of the subjects that were tackled in this film made it had to watch in places but to get the points across it probably needed to go down that path. I thought the soundtrack of the film when used added to the overall film.

Overall, I thought this film as a character and story driven one was excellent and it wasn't afraid to tackle serious topics like the ones shown in this film although very depressing it was a great watch.

I give American History X a score of 8/10

Interstellar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstellar_(film)#/media/File:Interstellar_film_poster.jpg

For the second film of the month we have Interstellar 

First off, we have the story which has a group of explorers who go through a wormhole in an attempt to ensure the survival of humanity after food starts to become scarce. I thought the story was very intriguing and I was hooked throughout with some interesting story revaluations that add to the movie.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were compelling and interesting with Matthew McConaughey stealing the show especially with the relationship with daughter at the start of the movie and I thought the chemistry with him and Anne Hathaway's Amelia Brand was fairly good.

As for the film's visuals I thought the film looked stunning especially for the designs of the different worlds but also on the Earth as it slowly dies with the dust storms that frequently appear and that crops are slowly dyeing. Moving onto the tone of the film which I thought managed to balance the scientific aspects of the film but also the drama between the characters. I thought the soundtrack of the film definitely added to the futuristic and otherworldly nature the film captures especially after they go through the wormhole with a lot of orchestral tracks.. 

Overall, I thought this film was very interesting and different from what Christopher Nolan usually does but his signature visuals, direction and intriguing plot continues his run of great movies.

I give Interstellar a score of 9/10

The Green Mile

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For the first film of the month we have The Green Mile 

First off, we have the story which focuses on the past of a prison's head guard and one of the prisoners on death row with one of them who seems to have strange ability. I thought the story was emotional and impact-full and I was captivated throughout.

Next, we have the characters which overall, I thought were well realised and well acted with the standouts being Tom Hanks who managed to bring across the hard nature of his job and the position he finds himself in with Michael Clarke Duncan's John Coffey who brings across the innocent man with an extraordinary power even if there is no evidence to help him and their chemistry was fantastic. 

As for the film's visuals I thought  the film had some great direction and cinematography with gritty and harsher style when it comes to the cell block scenes. Moving onto the tone of the film which hit both the serious and emotional aspects of being in a prison but also the few funny and hopeful moments spread throughout. I thought the soundtrack of the film was really good and it managed to hit the right emotional beats throughout the film's story to give weight to the story that unfolded. 

Overall, I thought this film was very solid in terms of a character driven perspective which hit at the emotional parts of you and i thoroughly enjoyed it and the running time was well spent developing every part so you cared at the end.

I give The Green Mile a score of 9/10