Hello there, it's Thursday Movie Picks's time, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.
This week we have the typical cliché of the sci-fi and fantasy genre, the chosen one. That sole person chosen by an invisible force to stop a disaster from happening. Usually, it's saving the world from a super villain, or fighting the system. Or why not, die for everybody's sins. Oh, look, I've just described my three picks. I won't blame you if you stop reading.
This week we have the typical cliché of the sci-fi and fantasy genre, the chosen one. That sole person chosen by an invisible force to stop a disaster from happening. Usually, it's saving the world from a super villain, or fighting the system. Or why not, die for everybody's sins. Oh, look, I've just described my three picks. I won't blame you if you stop reading.
Life of Brian (1979)
It follows Brian of Nazareth, an unwilling prophet who wants to free his land from the oppression of the Romans. It's basically the story of Jesus but hilarious. My-stomach-is-hurting-like-crazy hilarious. I dare you, I double dare you to watch this and not laugh, especially during that Biggus Dickus scene. A classic.
The Matrix (1999)
Computer hacker Neo joins Rebel warriors Morpheus and Trinity to fight the Matrix, a machine ruling humans, and set humanity free. It's one of the best sci-fi ever made and one of those few that actually have a deep meaning. In this case, it addresses the human obsession to create smarter and smarter machines that will eventually rule us.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Harry and his friends search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes (objects in which he has hidden fragments of his soul) in their effort to destroy him. I haven't seen it in a while, but I loved it. And I went with this one because the chosen one finally fulfils his destiny.
Love your picks and we match! I also chose The Life of Brian and there are so many classic moments like the alien spaceship scene. I love Harry Potter and all the movies. The Matrix is ok and they should have stopped at just the one as the others suck in my humble opinion
ReplyDeleteThe other Matrix movies do suck in my humble opinion too.
DeleteLife of Brian.... one of the funniest films ever. "All right. I am the Messiah!" "THE MESSIAH!!!!" "NOW FUCK OFF!!!!" "How do we do that?"
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteGood fits for the theme though I detest The Matrix, I found it incredibly stupid. Life of Brian is a terrific satire on the well trod Biblical epics. Funny with all the Harry Potters to choose from this is the only one I've seen turn up today and this is the second time. It is one of the best in the series.
ReplyDeleteFranchises are often born on the subject of the Chosen One or that special person so I decide to shy away from them and found three that are stand alones.
Excalibur (1981) - Director John Boorman’s amazingly evocative version of Le Morte d’Arthur where all the elements-casting, cinematography, acting, music, visual style and direction blend seamlessly. Following a prologue explaining how Excalibur came to be in the stone we meet the young squire Arthur (Nigel Terry) who is guided by Merlin (a brilliant Nicol Williamson) to the realization that he is The Chosen One by removing the Sword in the Stone. Initially as King Arthur he unites England, befriends Lancelot, takes Guenevere as his Queen and formulates the Knights of the Round Table but then his malicious half-sister Morgana (Helen Mirren) begins to take her revenge for the grudge she’s long held against both Arthur’s father and Merlin and a darkness descends on the land. Loaded with performers who went on to greater fame-Gabriel Bryne, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart and Mirren among them.
The Ten Commandments (1956)-C.B. DeMille’s final film is a huge pageant telling the story of how Moses came to realize he is The Chosen One to lead the Exodus to Mount Sinai and receive the Ten Commandments. Florid and often arch but loaded with great set design and effects that are still impressive 60 years later. Charlton Heston’s granite stiffness is actually a perfect fit for Moses, MISS Anne Baxter could not be more dramatically entertaining as Nefretiri torn between two men and emoting for all she’s worth over it and they are not alone, everybody more or less projects to the back row. Both Yul Brynner and Yvonne de Carlo are more naturalistic but they’re exceptions. If you enjoy BIG pictures making BIG statements this is one of the best.
The Last Starfighter (1984)-Teenager Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) spends all his free time playing the video game Starfighter at which he’s expert. He doesn’t think much of it when the new guy in his trailer court (Robert Preston) notices how good he is but the next thing he knows Preston has spirited him away to the edge of the galaxy and told him that he is The Chosen One who can save the universe! Turns out the video game was a test and Alex and his compatriot lizard/man Grig (Dan O'Herlihy) are leading the Star League in fighting the evil Kodan forces.
I haven't seen any of these but The Ten Commandments is already on my watchlist. I hope I'll be able to see it soon.
DeleteLife of Brian is fantastic and The Matrix is one of my all-time faves. I haven't seen the HP movie yet, but it's coming up soon for me.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy it.
DeleteHarry Potter, not surprised with that choice. And shame on me, but I think I haven't seen The Matrix as in, I might have seen it as a kid but I don't remember it.
ReplyDeleteSame here with The Matrix, I saw it as kid so I don't remember it and didn't really understand then too.
DeleteAll excellent choices - special love for Brian, a boy named Brian I wont dive into the song...
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete