NINETY NINE...

Like I promised with my 50th post, when I reach 100 I will share ten more of my 5 star rated movies with you. And as this is post number 99, let me just remind you first of the movies I already mentioned on my blog so far in this category:

 

Maybe, at this stage, I should also give you an idea of how my rating system works:

DUD

Rubbish and should never have been made in the first place.

1STAR

The movie is watchable.

2STARS

The movie is good.

3STARS

Technically, the movie is excellent.

4STARS

I am able to make some emotional connection to the movie even though technically it might not be very good.

5STARS

Not only am I able to make an emotional connection to the movie but it touched me in such a way that it stays with me for days afterwards.

Hope you look forward to post #100! 

 

DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989)

The other day I was watching the third installment of the Night at the Museum series and realized that this was one of the last movies Robin Williams appeared in before his tragic death in 2014. And although I own several DVDs of films he starred in, to my mind one of his best performances ever was that of Mr John Keating in Dead Poets Society.

For those who are not quite familiar with this masterpiece, in short it is the story of an English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), who inspires his students at a strict boys academy to discover their love for poetry and in the process how to seize the day (carpe diem). In this multi-award winning movie (among others, an Oscar) and directed by Peter Weir, Robin Williams underplays the role in such a brilliant way that you cannot but root for him despite his unorthodox teaching methods.

This is truly one of his greatest performances and it is a pity that he did not receive the Oscar which he was nominated for in this role. However, he did go on and eventually win an Oscar for his equally brilliant role in Good Will Hunting in 1994. His untimely death was for sure a great loss for all of us but fortunately he has been immortalized in the numerous films we have of him today. I rate Dead Poets Society a solid 4 out of 5 stars.  

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lj185DaZ_o

 Robin Williams and one of the many memorable quotes from the movie

DISCONNECT (2013)

Some might find this movie about the often devastating effect modern technology has on the lives of ordinary people a bit far fetched. But, on the other hand, this must be one of the best social commentaries on this very relevant subject in recent years.

The plot is made up of seemingly unrelated vignettes that, through brilliant direction by Oscar nominated director Henry-Alex Rubin, are neatly drawn together in the end. When what seems to be an innocent childish prank on social media turns into tragedy, it is not only the life of the intended victim that changes irrevocably but also that of the young prankster. And then there is also the question of how mistaken internet identity can potentially lead to disaster.

This DVD is highly recommended for everybody who is engaged in social media on a regular basis. It is also nice to see young new talent as displayed by the likes of Max Theriot and Colin Ford. Watch it and see if you agree with my rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkoM0IbbLiY

  Colin Ford and Jason Bateman

THE MAZE RUNNER (2014)

Anybody who is familiar with the popular MTV series Teen Wolf will know who Dylan O'Brien is. And among the young talented cast there are also a few other familiar faces like Thomas Brodie Sangster (Entrusted 2003 and many other guest appearances on both the big and the small screen), Will Poulter (Son Of Rambow 2007 and more recently in The Millers 2013) and Joe Adler (who played the roll of Jason Wylie in the last series of The Mentalist)

Based on yet another best selling novel (this time by James Dashner) The Maze Runner tells the story of Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) who awakes without memory in a strange place called the Glade. There he encounters several other teenage boys in seemingly the same predicament. What's more is that they are surrounded by what appears to be an impenetrable maze. But unlike most of the boys who have been there for various periods of time, Thomas refuses to accept his fate. So then begins his quest for escape.

As I did not read the book yet, I do not know how closely the movie follows the plot which at times tends to become rather pointless. But again, maybe I am not quite fair in my criticism as this film is only part one of the series. The acting by the young cast is very good though and for that alone I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64-iSYVmMVY

 Dylan O'Brien (middle) with some of the cast