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All in Historical Period Drama
This week, we watch a slow burn historical drama, that could also be classified as an art-house horror movie. Based on much researched real events and people, this film is broken into two - the one you see, and the one you hear. The results are astounding and hard to watch. The Zone Of Interest (2023), directed by Jonathan Glazer.
This week, we watch the film that makes Scorsese the oldest director to be nominated for best director at the oscars. This epic (read: long) film takes on the story of the murders of members of the Osage nation a century ago, and the birth of the FBI. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), directed by Martin Scorsese.
This week, we watch the highly enjoyable action packed film RRR. Loosely based on historical figures, this movie has some amazing action sequences and great characters. Not to mention some great music and a spectacular dance battle. RRR (2022). Directed by SS Rajamouli.
This week, we watch the film that tells the true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a man who survived the holocaust. This film brutally portrays the suffering and murder in Warsaw during the nazi occupation, and should be required viewing for everyone of a certain age. The Pianist (2002), directed by Roman Polanski.
This week, we watch the film that allowed Stanley Kubrick full creative control over all his subsequent projects. This film was out of his control, however, and he later tried to disassociate himself from it. Structured as one half war epic and the other half sappy romance, Kirk Douglases chin might not be enough to save this one. Spartacus (1960), directed by Stanley Kubrick.
This week, we watch a film version of a magic trick. With a star studded cast and a great performance by David Bowie as Nikola Tesla, the first viewing experience of this film will likely leave you with your mouth open. The Prestige (2006), directed by Christopher Nolan.
This week, we watch the oldest Kubrick movie on the list. With a great script and the help of Kirk Douglas, Stanley made a World War 1 classic that not only started his own path to an amazing career, but created a dramatic film that stands up over 60 years after its release. Paths of Glory (1957), directed by Stanley Kubrick.
This week, we watch the Bosnian film that has been nominated for the the Best International Film at the Academy Awards. Documenting the horrible, historically accurate events occurring during the Bosnian war in 1995 through the eyes of a fictional UN Translator, this films unrelenting tone will likely ruin your day. You will feel stressed, you will feel sad, and you will be wondering how the Oscars passed up an acting nomination for Jasna Djuricic. Quo Vadis, Aira? (2020), written and directed by Jasmila Zbanic.
This week, we watch Mel Gibson’s first foray into period-piece gore. He wins best picture / director as he massacres history alongside fictional Scotsmen. Is the story true? Who cares! Lets watch some horses eat ****!! Braveheart (1995), directed by Mel Gibson.
This week, we watch the historical epic that not only paved the way for all blockbuster films to come after it, but also one that stands the test of time while being a work of art that will never see an equal. The list of films influenced by this masterpiece is massive, and includes every single Steven Spielberg movie, as seeing this in the theater as a child was the reason he became a director. Lawrence of Arabia (1962), directed by David Lean.
This week, we watch the fictional story about the real musical genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This film is remembered for its performances and its period piece elements, with real locations throughout the majority of the movie, and ridiculous costumes at every turn. If you can get past his laugh, this one is a classic. Amadeus (1984), directed by Milos Forman.
This week, we watch the controversial Netflix best picture hopeful that reunites De Niro and Scorsese, De Niro and Pacino, De Niro and Pesci, De Niro and Keitel… you might want to call it a 3.5 hour reunion tour from Scorsese, but the emotional retrospective weight of the characters makes this one of the most impactful of all his films. The Irishman (2019), directed by Martin Scorsese.
This week, we watch the controversial film that depicts the last ten days in Hitler’s bunker. Pulling stories from multiple sources and combining them to paint a full picture of what life was like for those involved, hiding underground, knowing that the end is coming. Downfall (2004), directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel.
This week, we watch the last epic made by the man who is widely regarded as one of the best directors of all time. With thousands of extras, hundreds of horses, full scale battles, and castles built on the side of Mount Fuji, Kurosawa takes his time and lets each shot linger, recreating the paintings he made that were used as storyboards. Ran (1985), directed by Akira Kurosawa.
This week, we abandon the list to watch one of the best movies of last year, and a Best Picture Academy Award nominee. Combining the comedy of a buddy-cop film with the heavy drama of real historical and present day events revolving around racism in the United States, this film packs an enormous emotional punch, and successfully provokes conversations about the state of this country that we should all be having. BlacKkKlansman (2018), directed by Spike Lee.
This week, we watch the spiritual sequel to Goodfellas, when De Niro and Pesci move from New York to Vegas. Based on the true life story of Frank Rosenthal (who still claims no knowledge of the events depicted in this film), this movie is probably the most historically accurate film we have watched so far. Casino (1995), directed by Martin Scorsese.
This week, we watch the story of the man who suffered from an extremely unfortunate disease that made his appearance monstrous. This film focuses on the time during his life where he met Doctor Treves, played by Hannibal Lecter himself, Sir Anthony Hopkins. The Elephant Man (1980), directed by David Lynch.
This week, we watch the modified story of actual trials that took place in Nuremberg, Germany, after the end of World War II. This film brings up the topic of where to place the guilt for war crimes, and how far down the blame should. Spencer Tracy comes up with some ideas. Judgement at Nuremberg (1961), directed by Stanley Kramer.
