So here’s the list of what we, The Change Makers of makeachangeplease, decided on. Enjoy! (note, these movies are arranged in random order)
#1: Inside Out
Film Name: Inside Out
Year Released: 2015
Director: Peter Docter, Ronnie del Carmen
Main Cast: Amy Poehler (Joy), Phyllis Smith (Sadness)
Studio: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $175 , 000, 000
Synopsis:
Riley is a cheerful 11-year-old girl who live in the Midwest, suddenly reality flips around when she and her parents move to San Francisco. Riley’s emotion – controlled by Joy, attempt to guide her through her life. With all the stress she is facing, Sadness started acting differently. In Riley’s mind, the only emotions left behind were in Headquarters are Anger, Fear and Disgust after Joy and Sadness were brought to Riley’s long term memory
Why this movie rocks?
This film shows us that you don’t always have to be happy, it is ok to cry once in a while. Joy, who has desperately been trying to shield Riley from Sadness, has a realization that sometimes, you need to go through something terrible in order to grow stronger, which will eventually lead you to happiness. And so it is that the most unlikely of emotion saves the day, and makes everything better. The lesson we have learnt by the end is a powerful one that is is all-too unusual in the upbeat world of movies for kids: it’s ok to be sad. There’s always a rainbow after the rain.
Best scene:
My favourite scene was when Joy planned to wake Riley up from her sleep as the train of thought only works when Riley is awake. Joy and Sadness decided to dress up as a dog and scare her in her dream. Bing Bong also released some balloons to make it look like a party but still there is no sign of Riley waking up. Suddenly, the cloth of the of the dog ripped off which make it seems like as though the dog is cut into half. The dog kept on chasing its other half which made Fear scared which caused him to wake Riley up.
#2: The Pursuit of Happyness
Film Name: The Pursuit of Happyness
Year Released: 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Main Cast: Will Smith
Studio: Sony Pictures Studios
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $162,586,036
Synopsis:
Chris Gardener, now a single parent, proceeds to seek after a superior paying occupation. He manage to get a position at a prestigious stock business firm, and in spite of the fact that there is no compensation, he acknowledges, cheerful he will end the system with a vocation and a promising future. Without a budgetary pad, Chris and his child are soon expelled from their condo and compelled to rest in safe houses, transport stations, bathrooms, or wherever they can discover asylum for the night.
Why this movie rocks?
Will Smith did a great job as the father trying to protect his son from their circumstances of becoming homeless as much as he can, while at the same time trying to work in the competitive world of stocks as an un-paid intern. Jaden Smith was outstanding as the preschool-aged kid who knows things are going wrong and tries to have a stiff upper lip, but just can’t do it all the time. The story is very touching and was close to home for me. This movie just reminded me of how much my parents struggled to provide for our family and yet kept life fun as much as they could.
Best scene:
Christopher Gardner is painting a house, covered with paint, and gets arrested for delinquent parking tickets. He’s released just in time for the interview that will literally make or break his life and he sprints from the police station just in time to walk into a Wall Street conference room, filthy and covered in paint.
#3: The Help
Film name: The Help
Year Released: 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Main Cast: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard
Studio: DreamWorks SKG
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $169,705,587
Synopsis:
Skeeter (Emma Stone) has gone back to her hometown, Mississippi, after graduating from college. She is an aspiring writer who is searching for a mind-boggling story to write. Set in the 1960s, Skeeter started interviewing African-American women, who has been working for prominent white families, to reveal their side of the story. Aibileen was the first among all black women to speak out which caused a chain reaction; more African American women had the courage to open up, and they have quite a lot to say. A book that can turn her friends’ – the whole Mississippi town – lives upside down.
Why this movie rocks?
This movie rocks because Director Tate Taylor showed the race relations taut but not strident, it was as if we were living in a world where civil right movements are emerging slowly but the equality is inevitable. We have grown used to scatological humor of the Hangovers, Change-Up and other rom-coms, the fundament motif in the Help is as low key as will ever be depicted in the film. The idea of the antagonist eating sh*t is effective yet funny and poignant. The film displays the ambivalent nature of slavery ready to burst out of its chains.
Best Scene:
The best scene is obviously when Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) baked a chocolate pie for Hilly Holbrook ( Bryce Dallas Howard) in which it turns out to be made out of feces. Another memorable scene would be when Aibileen (Viola Davis) told Mae Mobley (Eleanor and Emma Henry) that “You is kind, you is smart, you is important”.
#4: Pitch Perfect
Film Name: Pitch Perfect
Year Released: 2012
Director: Jason Moore
Main Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittan Snow, Anna Camp
Studio: Brownstone Productions (III)
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $64,998,368
Synopsis:
Beca (Anna Kendrick), a rebellious and aspiring music producer, is forced to join an acapella group. A clique with different personalities found a common ground through singing together. She becomes the leader of the acapella group, Barden Bellas, who had faced a huge humiliation during the competition. She then takes up the challenge to change the perception of the audience on Barden Bellas by bringing the Bellas out of their comfort zones of singing traditional songs into modern contemporary music in a competition amongst college acapella group.
Why this movie rocks?
This movie is like Glee, Bring it On and Mean Girls had a baby, but the baby is much more quick-witted, with sharp-tongue dialogues and commentary. BOOM! It just gave birth to the funniest movie ever. Although the commentators Gail and John’s comments are deemed as inappropriate and not funny at all, in our opinion they portray as drunken middle-aged parents who wants to be hip and cool by attending frat parties, now that is annoyingly funny. Also, it gives us insight knowledge of the world of acapella; which allowed us to have a sudden interest in joining an acapella group.
Best Scene:
The scene where the Barden Bellas, the Treblemakers and other acapella grouped gathered in the pool to have a riff off. The improv of each groups are amazing!
#5: Whiplash
Film Name: Whiplash
Year Released: 2014
Director: Damien Chazelle
Main Cast: Milles Teller, J.K. SImmons, Paul Reiser
Studio: Sony Pictures Classic
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $33,020,729
Synopsis:
Do you have it in you to become the best of the best or are you simply not good enough? Drumming his blood out (literally, though), Andrew Nieman put his soul into his dreams in becoming one of the greats in the life of Jazz as he enrolls in an eminent music school. He then met a man who may not be conventional in his teaching methods but a true visionary for greatness. This movie depicts the egotistical battle between two men of passion and obsession towards the art of music, no matter the cost.
Why this movie rocks?
Intense, riveting and potent, this tale brings life towards the blind ambitions of two men in a music-musical world and the mad drive that they have within them which makes it ever-more entertaining. This is one movie where sugar-coating does not even breathe to exist when actors such as the award-winning J.K. Simmons, who received a Best Supporting Actor award thanks to this movie, plays the no-nonsense and brutal of a mentor who would awaken your worst nightmare. Remember Spiderman Peter-Parker’s merciless and egotistic journalist boss? Well, imagine him now but 10 times worse in terms of personality and language in this brilliant movie-masterpiece.
Not exactly a pretty sight huh? http://www.qcindependent.com
Best scene:
Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) finally gave Andrew a chance to showcase his talents in jazz-drumming rather than being a stand-by in practice and Andrew shone with such confidence as he drummed his beat towards the band’s musical number. All is well and full with rhythm as Andrew gave out a look of pride while Fletcher coordinates along with satisfaction. The music went down to a pin-dropping silence when Fletcher, out of nowhere, grabbed a chair and threw it at Andrew, almost hitting him directly in the head if he hadn’t ducked. Fletcher then questioned if he was rushing or dragging the tempo whilst Andrew couldn’t give him a direct answer which leads to a jaw-dropping scene of Fletcher giving Andrew a few slaps while throwing words of profanity and terror at him.
#6: The King’s Speech
Film Name: The King’s Speech
Year Released: 2014
Director: Tom Hooper
Main Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter
Studio: Elstree
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $414,000,000
Synopsis:
Power and statuses, these are words that describe the royalties but the words that can describe King George VI that was so eloquently depicted in this outstanding movie is elegance and poignant. George (‘Bertie’) grew up with a stammering problem that gave both the people and himself an illustration of his failed capabilities as a ruler. He then became king after his brother abdicated in order to marry a divorced woman but found no light to his situation until he met Lionel Logue, a speech therapist whom have both provoked and established the great potential within him as both a man and a ruler of a nation in times of need.
Why this movie rocks?
You don’t get to see a movie ever so often where it portrays the side of a man, especially one as a king, that fails to meet a certain degree of expectations. This not only opens to a whole new perspective of the way a man should be but also beautifully illustrated the life of Britain’s once great ruler. War serves as a very distraught event for it wears down the hearts of the people but one can find hope in a mere simple speech given by their nation’s highest authority. One would wish to be led by a great king but one would be willing to be under the leadership and guidance of a true man who sets his heart for the people above his own needs.
Best scene:
Lionel Logue was quite a delinquent as he happily sat at the famous St. Edward’s chair that can only be seated by a royalty. George was fretting about his competence as the nation’s ruler and the dependency towards his speech but as he was provoked by Lionel according to his act, he actually demanded out in great anger for Lionel to listen to him. Lionel then counter his response by saying that George himself denied his own identity as king and the questionable reason of why he should fathom with the idea of wasting his time listening to George. George then replied in condescension saying: “Because I have a right to be heard! I have a voice!” Lionel then allowed the tension to settle in then gracefully replied George with a line that spoke to the hearts of the viewers: “Yes, you do.”
#7: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Film Name: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Year Released: 2007
Director: David Yates
Main Cast: Daniel Radcliffe
Studio: Warner Bros.
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $939,885,929
Synopsis:
After a lonely summer on Privet Drive, Harry returns to a Hogwarts full of ill-fortune. Few of students and par nuts believe him or Dumbledore that Voldemort is really back. The ministry had decided to step in by appointing a new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher that proves to be the nastiest person Harry has ever encountered. Harry also can’t help stealing glances with the beautiful Cho Chang. To top it off are dreams that Harry can’t explain, and a mystery behind something Voldemort is searching for. With these many things Harry begins one of his toughest years of Hogwarts School of Witchcrafts and Wizardry.
Best scene:
Fred and George leave Hogwarts: This scene stands out because it is a fun and light interlude among a very dark film. That, and the fact that it is one of the most visually exciting sequence in the entire series. But the main reason that this scene is included in the list is an entirely different one. We all hate Umbridge, not only because she is a terrible human being, but because we all have known a teacher or professor like her. We all know an oppressive, unfair, and evil educator and we all just want to stand up one day and revenge them back. Fred and George don’t quite get physical with her, but more or less made our fantasy come true. After being oppressed for the majority of the year, the twins use what they are best at (practical tracks) to stick it to Dolores Umbridge, and it made me, and I’m sure that the rest of the rest of the works as well, want to stand up and cheer for having the courage to do what we would never do.
#8: The Dark Knight
en.wikipedia.org
Film Name: The Dark Knight
Year Released: 2008
Director: Christopher Nolan
Main Cast: Christopher Bale, Heath Ledger
Studio: Warner Bros.
Worldwide Box- Office Gross: US $1,004,558,444
Synopsis:
The movie begins with a gang of men with clown masks breaking into the bank where the mob has a large portion of their money stashed. It begins with 5 clowns, each getting a cut of spoils. They suggest the sixth member of the gene is known as ‘The Joker’. With the help of allies Gary old man ( Lt. Jim Gordon) and Aaron Eckhart (DA Harvey Dent), Christian Bale(batman), has been able to keep a tight lid on crime in Gotham City. But when the vile young criminal calling himself the Joker suddenly throws the town into chaos, the caped Crusader begins to tread a fine line between heroism and vigilantism.
Best scene:
The White Knight vs The Dark Knight The real finale. The one we were promised when Gordon, Dent and Batman meet on that rooftop in the first act. Things got dirty and all of these three decent men in an indecent time were torn to shreds by the joker, but none more than tragic Harvey Dent. Batman knows what up. Cause he is the world greatest detective. But Harvey Dent is the apparent loser in the room, having lost his fiancé with no knowledge that Bruce carried similar feelings towards Rachel. In the comics, Bruce Wayne blames himself for not revealing to Harvey Dent who he was. For not showing Dent who fought alongside him for soul of Gotham. For remaining anonymous and letting Gordon and Dent take the brunt of mob vengeance. In the movie, even in this immerse time of crisis, Batman is able to vocalize the importance of Harvey Dent to Gotham and the reason he was chosen.
#9: The Blind Side
en.wikipedia.org
Film name : The Blind Side
Year Released : 2009
Director : John Lee Hancock
Main Cast : $309,208,309
- Sandra Bullock
- Tim McGraw
- Quinton Aaron
- Kathy Bates
Studio : Warner : Warner Bros. Pictures
Worldwide Box Office Gross : $ 377.9 million
Synopsis:
A movie based on the award winning 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. This movie starring Michael Oher, a quarter back alongside Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy. Also multiple appearances from current and former NCAA coaches, this movie tells the story of how Michael Oher, one of thirteen children with a mother who was addicted to crack. Growing up he didn’t even knew his own name, real father, his birthdate or to read or write. Taken by a rich, white Evangelical family who plucked him of the streets, together Oher felt the family’s love and the how being the quarterback of his football team changed his life.
Why the movie rocks?
This movie was an amazing watch for me. It surpassed my expectations as an individual. Before going into this movie, I had expected of more football. Highlighting on football the sport, I who was not a football fan could not understand the draw. One of the main draws of the movie was the interpersonal drama being the centre of the film. It is very rare to have movies these days that relies heavily on the emphasis of major cinematic effects or actors visuals. This movie centred on a simple yet impactful story with a mission to share a very important message.
Best Scene:
A scene where Michael was brought home for the first time after being picked up by Leigh Anne and her family. Leigh made sure that Michael had a room. This scene was captured of when he mentioned that he was thankful for the room. Also adding that he had never one of those before. What taken us by surprise was when asked if it was the bedroom that he had never had to his own, he briefly answered that it was a bed that he had not owned before. That scene really tugged our heartstrings. Saying such with so little change in expression really got us, and as Sandra Bullock left the room with her smug expression was what really made the impact.
#10: Slumdog Millionaire
Film name : Slumdog Millionaire
Year Released : 2008
Director : Danny Boyle
Main Cast :
- Dev Patel
- Freida Pinto
- Madhur Mittal
- Anil Kapoor
- Irrfan Khan
Studio :
- Celador Films
- Film4 Productions
Worldwide Box Office Gross : $ 377.9 million
Synopsis:
Slumdog Millionaire, set and filmed in India, this movie tells the story of Jamal Malik played by Dev Patel who lives in the slums of Mumbai who appeared on an Indian game show called, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Jamal’s performance exceeded everyone’s expectations. Later on that night, he was arrested for on the suspicions of cheating. The jaded Police Inspector spent the night probing Jamal’s past, through the riveting tales from the slums together with his brother, his encounters with local gangs and experiencing a terrible heartbreak by Latika played by Freida Pinto.
Why the movie rocks?
While watching this movie, get ready to be taken on an emotional ride through emotions like joy, happiness, anger and sadness. This movie was told so seamlessly. It reveals a look into the sums of Mumbai. It was definitely an eye opening experience. Not implying that Slumdog Millionaire is the only movie that reveals the slums of India but this movie told the story in a different perspective. The kids in this movie were incredible showing both the beauty and horrors of growing up in the slums of Mumbai. After watching this film, I felt like it had made me grateful to be in have been as privileged as I am.
Best Scene:
Our favourite scene in this movie was the last scene. It was a scene where while Jamal was having a mental breakdown, he suddenly sees Latika from afar. Seeing her, he quickly went to her, walking through train railways with his eyes on her the whole time. As they met, they started having flashbacks of all their previous encounters and how they were unable to be together all those times before. And now that they had a chance, they were united. This scene never fails to get us everytime. The melody was very suiting to the scene. It was a very sweet and personal moment in the movie.
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