Wall Street...: The Collector's Collection

Thursday, April 20, 2006

The Collector's Collection

As per a request by Lazzybum, I shall now give a small write up about each of the movies mentioned in the post below.

Disclaimer: none of the plot descriptions are my own. I have used them from sites obtained by google :-)

The Breakfast Club - John Hughes writes and directs this dramatic comedy about five Chicago high school kids that are from different circles and stations in life being forced to spend a Saturday together in detention. Before the day is over this group finds out that they have more in common than they thought and even some friendships are created.
The Kid - Charlie Chaplin's study of a tramp teaming up with a street kid (the cute little Jackie Coogan) has a fine line to tread between humour and pathos, and true to what you would expect of his best work, does it superbly. The tramp always manages to wring the hearts of his viewers and adding a little boy to the mix was the finishing touch.
Gold Rush - Gold Rush is one example that Charlie Chaplin was the father of American comedy. Even though Chaplin loves to press political, economical, or social messages in his films, The Gold Rush remains true to its genre.
Before Sunrise - Before Sunrise is a passionate and intelligent romance between a young American (Jesse) and a French student (Celine). A chance encounter on the train incites intrigue, and Jesse provocatively suggests that Celine postpones her return to France and embarks instead on a spontaneous expedition to Vienna. In the course of their 14-hour relationship, the two share in their love for the unrehearsed and their appreciation for the unexpected as they explore in a powerful meeting of hearts and minds.
Before Sunset - Jesse, a writer from the US, and Celine, a Frenchwoman working for an environment protection organization, acquainted nine years ago on the train from Budapest to Vienna, meet again when Jesse arrives in Paris for a reading of his new book. As they have only a few hours until his plane leaves, they stroll through Paris, talking about their experiences, views and whether they still love each other, although Jesse is already married with a kid.
Wonder Years - This 1988-1993 period dramedy takes place during the turbulent times of the late 1960s and 1970s. The show focuses on Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage), a young teenager living in a quiet middle-class suburb, and his family and friends. Throughout the series' 5-year run, Kevin deals with middle and high school, encounters puberty, has ups and downs with childhood sweetheart Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar), deals with annoying older brother Wayne, and hangs out with geeky-but-lovable Paul (Josh Saviano). The series is told from Kevin's point-of-view through the narration of Daniel Stern.
Taxi Driver - A New York City taxi driver violently and brutally lashes out at the scum of society after encounters with several diverse individuals, including a beautiful campaign worker, an underage hooker, a murderous pimp, and a presidential candidate.
O Brother Where Art Thou - Three stumblebum convicts escape to go on a quest for treasure and meet various characters while learning where their real fortune lies set in 1930s Deep South.
The Bicycle Thief - Antonio Ricci, unemployed for over two years, is overjoyed when he's finally given a job putting up posters. There's a catch, though - he needs a bicycle as a requirement of the job, so he pawns the family linen to get a pawned bicycle back. He goes off to his first day's work, truly happy for the first time in years - and the title of the film gives away what happens next...
Amelie - Amélie is a shy waitress in a Montmartre café. After returning a long-lost childhood treasure to a former occupant of her apartment, and seeing the effect it has on him, she decides to set out on a mission to make others happy and in the meantime pursues a quirky guy who collects discarded photo booth pictures.
Forrest Gump - Needs no introduction, I hope.
Life is Beautiful - Once again, this ought to be known by all!
Cool Runnings - Based on the true story of the First Jamacian bobsled team trying to make it to the winter olympics.
Meet Joe Black - Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins enter into a most unusual gentleman's agreement. Wealthy media tycoon William Parrish (Hopkins) leads a charmed existence until Death (Pitt) comes calling with an extraordinary proposition - he'll delay Bill's imminent demise in exchange for a tour of life. Innocent, enigmatic and often hilarious, Joe (Pitt) disrupts Bill's world of privilege and corporate intrigue. But when he falls for Bill's beautiful daughter (Claire Forlani), Joe threatens to change the rules. Now Bill must fight not for his future, but for those he loves in this bittersweet tale of life and death.
As Good As it Gets - The trials and tribulations of a compulsive writer, Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson). After his homosexual neighbor (Greg Kinnear) is brutally beaten, he is entrusted to the care of the neighbor's dog, with a difficult relationship with a waitress (Helen Hunt) to add on top of that. What develops is a weekend trip/triangle between these three individuals, and together they learn the true meaning of "the sunny side of life".