Top 5 of July 2018

Here we are again!

This is the seventh time I've written a post like this, but it excites me every time. A rare chance, once a month, to look back at everything that happened to me and the amazing films I watched for the first time.

Outside of movies, nothing much happened really. I took a vacation to Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast with my family and received my physical Associates degrees from Scottsdale Community College. I've taken this summer easy, trying to relax and clear my mind before the upcoming year at Vancouver Film School.

When it comes to new films that I watched this month, I didn't slack off in the slightest. I have the pleasure, yet again, of making a difficult top five list again. Here's the top five movies I watched for the first time in July of 2018:

#5: Captain Fantastic (2016)

Written and Directed by Matt Ross

In addition to watching new films this month, I had a chance to re-watch the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. They're among some of my favorite films of all time, and have influenced me heavily in my journey as a filmmaker. Out of this obsession of the one ring spawned my love for Viggo Mortensen, a true artist in front of and behind the camera. Alongside a perfect cast of children to play his own, Viggo and writer/director Matt Ross deliver a heartwarming and slightly depressing story about family, moral code and staying true to yourself. Albeit it was a bit intense at times, the film's message is clear and wonderfully acted and directed.

#4: The Princess Bride (1987)

Directed by Rob Reiner

It was long overdue that I watched this film for the first time just this month! I had seen bits and clips from it in the past and understood what was happening, but only watching the film in its entirety now can I truly appreciate its awesomeness. The dialogue and story is fantastically written, the cross-cutting between the story and the grandfather telling it is on point and the excellent cameo roles truly surprised me. Christopher Guest as the six-fingered Count Rugen had me in hysterics! However, what I really appreciate most about this film is the writing and story structure presented by William Goldman. The Princess Bride is a clinic in storytelling and executes it masterfully.

#3: Being John Malkovich (1999)

Directed by Spike Jonze

After watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind earlier this year, I instantly became a Charlie Kaufman fan. I have yet to watch his other works like Synecdoche, New York and Adaptation but I was extremely excited to get the chance to watch this film centered around the masterful actor John Malkovich. The film's premise is strange enough as is: what happens when you find a portal into someone else's mind? On top of that, what if it's the highly esteemed actor John Malkovich? After the mind-twister that was Eternal Sunshine I didn't know what really to expect from Kaufman here but it was just as strange, if not even stranger. And just when you thought it couldn't go any farther, it goes even deeper and becomes even crazier! The film itself is a portal into some other cinematic realm entirely and is definitely worth a watch.

#2: The King's Speech (2010)

Directed by Tom Hooper

At first, I was hesitant to watch this movie. On the surface it seemed like a long and boring British, dialogue-driven film. Although it is very British and very dialogue-driven, it's far from boring. As a matter of fact, I found myself glued to the screen the whole time! In two masterful performances from Colin Firth and his co-star Geoffrey Rush, they tell the story of the struggle behind King George VI's speech impediment and how he overcame it to deliver a historic broadcast the the people of Briton in their time of need. Combined with excellent storytelling techniques employed by the filmmakers, The King's Speech makes for a truly unique and memorable film unlike any other. I look forward to re-watching this movie and learning from it in the future.

#1: Shutter Island (2010)

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Out of all the Scorsese movies that I've watched in my life, none of them scream Scorsese like this one does. It's only a added bonus that Shutter Island is such a truly remarkable film. If you've seen any of his movies in the past, you know that Martin Scorsese has a very definitive style about him. It's this style that makes him and his movies so great, but what separates this film from his others is that his style truly serves the story unlike ever before. The long takes, the fast cuts, the dream sequences...ugh, I could go on. It's a massive bonus that this movie has a mastermind director behind it. On top of that you have an all-star cast in Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow and Michelle Williams KILLING their time on screen. Even the minor characters are big-name actors that nail their roles, all serving the illusion that is the mental institution of Shutter Island. Definitely the best film I watched this month, and even more-so worth a second and more careful watch in the future.

That sums up my list for this month! Some films that didn't make my list here include The Untouchables, Zombieland, Man on the Moon, Good Morning Vietnam and The Constant Gardener. I would highly recommend all of these movies to anyone who hasn't seen them. But until next time, thanks so much for reading and I'll see you all at the end of August in Vancouver, British Columbia!

-morgan