Thursday Movie Picks: Video/Arcade/Board Game Movies

Hello there and welcome to Thursday Movie Picks, a weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where each Thursday we, the people participating, have to pick three films that fit the week's theme. 

This week's theme is games and it was so exhausting. For some reason, my brain suggested me it was movies based on games, and I picked three films. I wrote the entire post. I check for any mistakes and I realise the entire post is a mistake. So I had to start (almost) all over, I was too lazy to think and picked the first three films that came to my mind. Please don't tell me my brain was right.

The Wizard (1989)

A kid an his autistic brother run away from home and hitch cross country to compete in the ultima video game championship. This one is tremendously awful. It's not even a film, it's like a very long commercial for Nintendo. The only good thing about it is the villain played by Will Seltzer. Yep, this film has a villain. 

Jumanji (1995)

After being trapped in a jungle board game for 26 years, Alan is freed by two children but so is a herd of creatures, so Alan must save his town from destruction. Not as exhilarating as I thought it would be considering Robin Williams stars in it, it still is a quite enjoyable fantasy adventure film with some laughs. I'm not sure kids would laugh though.

Ouija (2014)

After the death of a friend, a group of teenagers awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board and must confront their fears. This has to be one of the worst horrors ever made. It is dull, stupid, and extremely clichéd. Actually now that I think about it, it's a real horror.

Joyeux Noël (2005)

Genre

Drama | History | War

Director

Christian Carion

Country

France | Germany | UK | Belgium | Romania

Cast

Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis, Alex Ferns, Dany Boon, Daniel Brühl, Christian Carion, Christopher Fulford, Mathia Herrmann, Neil McNulty, Lucas Belvaux, Steven Robertson, Suzanne Flon, Bernard Le Coq, Ian Richardson

Storyline

In December 1914, the Scottish, the German and the French troops have a moment of truce and share moment of peace and friendship.

Opinion

I've been meaning to watch this for ages but never got around it because it's about WWI, the World War I never liked. The other night I finally decided to watch it and I do regret not doing it earlier.

Easily one of the best films about WWI ever made, "Joyeux Noël" is a wonderful and moving feel-good film that shows mankind at its best.

What makes this film different than other feel-good movies? The story. Since it's based on real events, it was a story worth telling, and the filmmakers did a wonderful job both writing and telling it. The plot is fantastic, well developed and extremely engaging. I'm not sure how many liberties were taken, but I'm sure they kept intact the message, a credible, genuine message of hope.

To successfully portray the flaws of war and the common desire for peace of the soldiers, director Christian Carion used a combination of comedy and drama that is just perfect. The heartbreaking moments are perfectly balanced with heartwarming ones. Also the use of three different languages makes the film even more beautiful because it shows that friendship can tear down all barriers.

Just like other before it, "Joyeux Noël" truly shows the absurdity of war, where young men are forced to kill each other while those who started the war, the political leaders, do nothing but stay at home enjoying their lives like nothing is happening.

This film not only is entertaining and does have a powerful message, but it's also beautiful to look at. The cinematography and the editing are indeed absolutely stunning and flawless. The sets are spectacular. Also, the musical score is fantastic, and the cast is excellent.

Unforgiven (1992)

Genre

Drama | Western

Director

Clint Eastwood

Country

USA

Cast

Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Jaimz Woolvett, Saul Rubinek, Frances Fisher, Anna Levine, Rob Campbell, Anthony James, Liisa Repo-Martell, Shane Meier, David Mucci, Tara Frederick, Beverly Elliot, Josie Smith

Storyline

With the help of his old partner Ned (Morgan Freeman) and a young man (Jaimz Woolvett), retired gunslinger William Munny (Clint Eastwood) rides off to kill one more time. 

Opinion

Like I said in the past, I am not a fan of western films. I don't dislike them, but it's not a genre I particularly enjoy watching. However, being a fan of Clint Eastwood, I decided to give this film a chance, and it was really worth the time.

"Unforgiven" is in fact a great dramatic western that feels so real it's shocking yet beautiful at the same time.

Although it's simple, thin and unconvincing, the story of a group of prostitutes trying to hire a killer to revenge the cut up of one of them actually works, in part because the writer filled it with plenty of human elements, and in part because it is presented more like a noir set in the west than a classic western. However, in spite of prostitutes being the foundation of the story, the film is actually the story of one man's redemption, and it's beautifully told.

The characters really surprised me. I wasn't expecting so well-developed characters in a western. It's unbelievable how each character feels like a real person. The transformation of the main character, Clint Eastwood's William Munny, throughout the film is also incredible. I have a complain though, not all the characters are interesting, most of them just happen to be there.

In here, Eastwood also proves his capabilities as a director, transforming violence into something unique and portraying a darker Wild West.

In addition to that, the film also benefits from the excellent cinematography by Jack N. Green, and a beautiful musical score by Lennie Niehaus.

And there's also a great cast. Other than Clint Eastwood giving a good performance as the main character, the supporting cast is really shining here, especially Gene Hackman in the role of the sadist sheriff, Little Bill Daggett, who gives an Oscar-worthy performance that easily eclipses Eastwood's.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Bob Clark

Country

USA

Cast

Peter Billingsley, Jean Shepherd, Ian Petrella, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Zack Ward, Yano Anaya, Tedde Moore, Jeff Gillen

Storyline

In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun, and sets out to convince everyone it is the perfect gift.

Opinion

I've found out the existence of this film only months ago - and by months I mean on March -, and decided to watch it. Now that December has come, and Christmas, like it or not, is in the air, it felt like the perfect moment to watch "A Christmas Story", a film that turned out to be a quite charming and funny holiday flick.

I was immediately sold by the story. Set in the 1940s, it is a nostalgic story told through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy who desperately wants a rifle for Christmas. And it's a hell of fun to see him trying to obtain what he wants and eventually see if he will shoot his eye out. That being said, it does not prevent the story from being cheesy, and thin. The main plot is so weak, the writers added a lot of subplots to make the film work. But at least it work.

The great thing about this film is that it's able to bring you back to your childhood, to those days you woke up early to unwrap the presents, or you went picking up a tree with your parents. There are really a lot of moments in this film that will remind you of your childhood.

What I loved the most about it though, other than the adorable Ralphie, a very likable character wonderfully brought to life by Peter Billingsley, is the film's subtle and edgy humour, and its ability to make you laugh about the silliest moments of Christmas season.

I triple-DOG-dare you to watch "A Christmas Story", and, please, don't shoot your eye out.