Year in Review

By Emily Bonkoski

This past May, I found myself in a bit of a personal lull- I was done with my Master’s program but still felt directionless.  For the first time in three years, I actually had time to read the books I’ve been collecting and watch the films I’ve been missing out on and been wanting to see for many years before school that I just never made time to see.  I decided in June that from now on, any new film I see I have to write my thoughts on it, whether I liked it or not.  Since I started this notebook, I’ve seen 102 new-to-me films (and just think about the number of films I’ve rewatched this year- I’m looking at you, The Graduate).  I carry this notebook with me just about everywhere I go.  When I flip through it, I remember some great films I’ve seen this year– one’s that want to tell everyone about, one’s I can’t stop thinking about, one’s that challenged my perspective on what I think about people and situations, and one’s that didn’t make much of an impact initially but then I realized to which my mind kept bouncing back.  So, for the last week of 2014, here’s some of the best I’ve seen this year (I’ll delve into these deeper in the future).

Every time a bell rings…: “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Written by Emily Bonkoski

“Strange, isn’t it?  Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

I’m willing to bet that if you were to ask a number of people what classic movie they watch around Christmas, that the majority will answer with “It’s A Wonderful Life.”  Today we know this film as a staple of Christmastime; it’s one of James Stewart’s most famous roles.  Originally released in 1946, this was the first film he made after returning from World War II, where he served as a pilot (earning numerous military honors).  Amazingly though, when this premiered in December of 1946 it wasn’t well received– it was a box office flop and reviews were fairly mixed.  It was heavily overshadowed by William Wyler’s hit The Best Years of Our Lives, which went on to win seven Academy Awards including Best Picture.  However, It’s A Wonderful Life stood it’s ground and snuck in with five nominations, including a third Best Actor nomination for James Stewart.  Although a disappointment when originally released, 70 years later it has become ingrained in culture not just because it’s a good story, but because of what question it poses to you: what would your life look like without you?

Great balls of fire!: The lasting impact of “Gone With the Wind”

Written by Emily Bonkoski

This date today, 75 years ago, one of the most influential films ever created premiered in Atlanta, Georgia.  It’s held it’s position as highest grossing film ever since it’s release in 1939.  The public unanimously declared Clark Gable their Rhett Butler, the biggest star of the time.  It was notoriously plagued with issues from the beginning, one issue being the public upset that a unknown British actress was cast as the Southern bell heroine.  Producer David O. Selznick was a mastermind at publicity and turned public opinion around while keeping many production, financial, and director issues out of the public (it rotated between 3 different directors hands, ultimately landing in Victor Fleming’s, who at the same time was filming the Wizard of Oz).