Oldies but goodies

Over the break, I had a chance to catch up on many new movies releases. Although I found some of them to be painfully adorable (Marley and Me) and others to be slightly over the top (Bride Wars) I couldn't help but think about my own movie collection at home, and how many of my friends had never seen some of my all time favorites. I guess with the hundreds of films released each year; it is easy to overlook many of the classics.

So, if you can't exactly afford to see the newest releases at your local cinema, checking out a couple of "oldies but goodies" is definitely the thing to do. Here are a few suggestions:

Harold and Maude

Released: Dec. 20, 1971

Director: Hal Ashby

Stars: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort

Why watch?: This is my absolute favorite movie of all time. In a few sentences, this movie is about an elderly woman with the energy and spirit of a teenager, Maude (Ruth Gordon) and an actual teenager, Harold (Bud Cort) who both attend funerals on a regular basis but for very different reasons. Harold and Maude can both be described as very eccentric characters but to the opposite extreme. Maude has endured many hardships in her 80 years but sees every situation as a learning opportunity and embraces life and lives it to the fullest. Harold's life is a bit stagnant and his adventures don't really begin until he meets his new friend Maude. This movie is amazing with a rather surprising end, and the soundtrack (featuring all Cat Stevens songs) is just as great.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Released: Jan. 29, 1964

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Stars: Peter Sellers, James Earl Jones

Why watch?: This black and white movie is one of the most unusual films you will ever see. It is about a U.S. Air Force General, Jack D. Ripper, who is insane and calls for a nuclear war on the U.S.S.R. because he believes that they are conspiring to contaminate the "precious bodily fluids" of the American population. When the president gets word of the order he must frantically communicate with the Russians to stop the nuclear holocaust before it is too late. Oddly enough, with such a "serious" plot, the movie is full of humor and the viewer will undoubtedly find the communication between characters extremely odd. The ending will blow your mind…or maybe just confuse you. Also, if you like this one you might also want to check out another one of Kubrick's more well known films, A Clockwork Orange.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Released: Nov. 19, 1975

Director: Milos Forman

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito

Why watch?: Jack Nicholson plays main character R.P. McMurphy, a convicted criminal who would rather be committed to a mental asylum than serve his time in prison. Over time McMurphy interacts and bonds with other patients in the psychiatric ward (like Lloyd and DeVito), and most make more progress by McMurphy's point of view/way of life than with the hospital tactics enforced by Nurse Ratched, the head nurse. When actions taken by Nurse Ratched lead to the death of a patient, McMurphy shows just how "crazy" he can really be. This movie keeps you interested throughout its entirety and the end will undoubtedly bring tears to your eyes.

The Graduate

Released: Dec. 21, 1967

Director: Mike Nichols

Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Ann Bancroft, Katharine Ross

Why watch? The main character, Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman) is a recent college graduate who returns home to figure out what to do next with his life. What he finds is a love affair with his father's business partner's wife, Mrs. Robinson. He tries to ignore Mrs. Robinson's advances but eventually gives in, awkwardly, and begins a lasting affair. The problem? Mr. Robinson insists that Benjamin meet his daughter Elaine and take her out. Benjamin's parents agree and force him to take Elaine out, believing that it would be a nice gesture. In an attempt to not fall for her he treats her horribly but cannot keep it up when she becomes upset. He then begins to fall for Mrs. Robinson's daughter. The end of the film is not what most would expect and leaves many wondering …what happened?-and what will happen? Also, a definite plus to this movie is the soundtrack. Simon and Garfunkel tunes certainly make the film that much better.

Terms of Endearment

Released: Dec. 9, 1983

Director: James L. Brooks

Stars: Jack Nicholson, Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger

Why watch? OK-so many might not consider this to be one of the "classics," but I couldn't help but include it on the list. You have a great cast (Nicholson makes the list once again) and a film that will make you cry so hard you won't be able to stop. Appealing, right? The film is about a mother, Emma (Winger), who marries and moves away from home to start a family. She must learn to adapt to the ups and downs of married life and the stresses of having children, while her mother, Aurora (MacLaine), must learn to adapt to life on her own and find her own love. In comes Garrett Breedlove (Nicholson), next-door neighbor and astronaut who could perhaps be just what Aurora is looking for. What makes this film really great are the interactions between all of the characters, the situations they find themselves in, and of course, the ending. If you need to cry but can't seem to start the waterworks-rent this movie. I saw it when I was about seven…and I'm still crying.

This writer can be contacted at copy@theeastcarolinian.com.