“1776” to “2001: A Space Odyssey”
1776 (1972) An intelligent musical retelling of how the Declaration of Independence came to be written and John Adams (William Daniels) struggle with the Continental Congress. Historically accurate with very few liberties taken. A plus if you love history and the Revolutionary War period like I do. The DVD director’s cut includes a previously deleted song, “Cool Considerate Men” and is worth a look. (SF)
12 Angry Men (1957) How do you put so much drama in 96-minutes? You get excellent actors (Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, E.G. Marshall, Henry Fonda) lock them up in a stifling hot jury deliberation room, and ask them do decide if a young man should live or die. This B&W film is powerfully effective. Yes, they are all men. Yes, they are all Caucasian. But put societys politically correct programming away and use your mind, wisdom, and emotions as these men do. The issues are as relevant today as they were in 1957, as they were in 1857, as they will undoubtedly be in 2057. This film deals with the sanctity of American juris prudis. Beyond a reasonable doubt is repeated often. These men want to go home big game tonight lets get this over with. One lone voice begins to question the rush to judgment. Minute-by-minute tensions grow, explode, seethe and grow again. It is both exhilarating and exhaustive. We see our own prejudices, questions lifes situations, and see how un-classy the upper-class can be. How did they put so much in so little time? (KWR)
12 Monkeys (1995) I don’t think Terry Gilliam ever made a film that wasn’t at least interesting. This is no exception. Bruce Willis is appropriately desperate and befuddled; and everyone who insists that Brad Pitt can’t act must be compelled to see this. And though you think you have it figured out… you don’t… or do you? (KCL)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) Gorgeous adaptation of Jules Vernes novel, with a terrific cast (James Mason, Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre) and charming, if a tad antiquated, special effects. (GS)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Big, broad, surreal, mad Stanley Kubrick allegory about mankind’s past and future. Full of startling images although whether it all makes sense without degrees in physics, psychology and bullshit is another matter entirely. Hugely influential over three generations of SF filmmakers. (KT)
Originally published in Raspberry World – Volume 2, Issue 1 (June / July 2007)