Sayre Says: Iconic Characters

What makes a good film? Is it simply a great plot? A skilled director? The emotion within the actors? An in-depth character? Or a recipe of everything mentioned and more? What makes a movie memorable to me is a great character. A character that you become or become friends with. A character that you hope to follow until the end and that you wish them their desires.

Here is a list of 8 bold characters that have stuck out to me:

8. 

Harry Potter

The Harry Potter Series

First and foremost, I am slightly obsessed with Harry Potter. Reading the books is the reason I love to read, so when I discovered the movies, my life as a second grader was complete. I saw the characters that only existed in my mind come alive through child actors. Throughout the years, I followed their every move in every film. As I grew, I watched the trio grow and cried during the credits of the final film. There is a reason the craze was so incredible for Harry… it was his lovable character. The lone boy, chosen to brave hardships after having much bad luck. Through trial and error and with the help of great friends, Harry always manages to succeed. And we love him.

7. 

Ferris Bueller

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Go ahead. Just do it. “Bueller… Bueller… Bueller.” (Even as I read it, I said it in Ben Stein’s monotone voice). What kid wouldn’t love to play a day of hooky? And not only does Ferris accomplish it, but manages to have a HELL of a day (complete with a dance routine on a parade). What makes Ferris so memorable? His quirky, I-Can-Get-Away-With-Anything wit. Matthew Broderick was cute, funny and extremely likable. If I had the chance, I would play hooky with him ANYDAY!

6. 

Vito Corleone

The Godfather

Epic. Basically sums it all up. The Godfather is famous for a reason. The criminal gangster who has strict honor rules and always puts family first. He is an icon for a reason. Even though the viewer knows he is part of a mafia and that he murders for revenge, you root for the man. He becomes “The Godfather” to you. Marlon Brando is incredible in the first film, but I believe I prefer Robert DiNero as the young Don than the older Don. There’s just something about the Don’s background that you learn to sympathize with him.

Sayre Says: If Your Life Was A Movie Soundtrack

As I mentioned in the previous post, I am a huge fan of music in movies. When I hear a particular score that sticks out to me I keep notice (and then download it to add to my Study Playlist because classical music is the best to study to!)

This week I thought I would go with something different. Have you ever had a day where you were going to-and-from your everyday activities and all of a sudden this really awesome song comes on your iPod and you suddenly feel inspired? Now imagine if you had a soundtrack to your life…

That is what this post is! I’m going to take you through an average day and add a theme song from a film to it. So, next time you need to feel a little jump start, play one of these:

10:30am: WAKING UP! (Hey, I’m allowed to sleep in)

Pride and Prejudice

Mmmm. (If I could have this whole song as my alarm without bothering my roommates, I definitely would). Imagine yourself deep in sleep, dreaming in a wonderful world of imagination. You are relaxed. Happy. Asleep. The slow piano in the introduction is the definition of that. Imagine that it’s spring time (imagine reeeeally hard, Ohioans) and that you’re just now waking up and you are about to have a truly busy and successful day…

11:30am: GETTING READY!

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark

You’re up! Now to begin your day… What better way to prepare yourself than this epic theme song? Even the most difficult of tasks (what to wear, which breakfast food you should eat, or whether to floss or not) you suddenly feel as though you can conquer anything!

1:00pm: WALKING TO CLASS!

2001: A Space Odyssey (Also Sprach Zarathustra)

Great. It’s time for class. This class is not any regular class, but a class with a TEST. How else shall you mentally prepare yourself other than THE MOST EPIC SCORE EVER?? Just picture it now: you are in front of the classroom building… you see a set of stairs connecting you with the door… one… by… one… YOU ARE READY! Not only will you be able to pass this test but you’ll probably take over the world soon after.

Sayre Says: Movie Trailer Mashups

I have been really excited for this post because it ties in a lot of my interests: movies, more movies, editing, and creative soundtracks. First off, I should probably explain what a movie trailer mashup is. Basically, it’s where someone takes a trailer of a well known film and either a) combines it with another movie or b) modifies the genre of the film.

In my opinion, it takes a lot of work to make a great movie trailer mashup. Editing is key: the best ones have the lips of the characters sync with the alternate audio. Music is also really important. I think a lot of people take the soundtrack of a film for granted. Music is what helps guide you through the film… it evokes feelings of the audience and embraces the emotions of the film.

Here is a countdown of my favorite movie trailer mashups… enjoy!

6. Up Torino

Up & Gran Torino

When I first saw the title, I said to myself, “There is no way they could combine these two movies… I mean, it’s Disney and Clint Eastwood!”

I was proved wrong. As I continued to watch, I was stunned. Astonished. The grumpy, territorial old man that stuck to his old ways… the new foreign neighbor just trying to help… a tragedy for the characters to intertwine… a friendship beginning to evolve… IS THIS THE SAME MOVIE?

No, but I loved this trailer anyway. As you can see, the editing is really great: there are great examples of lip syncing the visual and the audio and I was impressed.

5. The Lion King Rises

The Lion King & The Dark Night Rises

I got chills after I saw this. I was drawn to it at first because I grew up with The Lion King. I was curious… how would they make a multiple movie mashup without one of the films even being released? The key was the audio to the trailer (which was epic by itself).

Once again, the editing skills here are wonderful. Zazu? As Alfred? YES! Nala saying the words of Catwoman? Great idea! The hyenas as the people of Gotham even seem fit. I never would have thought to combine the two movies but now that someone has done it, it seems almost perfect. Love!

Sayre Says: Personal Favs

In honor of my first blog, I felt that it was only right to include my personal favorite movies. Some of these movies are classics… while some of these films are downright silly that I have a personal connection with. Nonetheless, I feel as though everyone should experience what I will call: The Greatest Movies Ever.

An added extra: My absolute favorite movie rating system (Rotten Tomatoes) will also be featured beside my posts.

12. Black Swan (2010)

(87% on Rotten Tomatoes)

I really wish I had done this costume for Halloween…

I was absolutely blown away after the initial viewing of this film. It was during winter quarter of last year and I was enrolled in a Comparative Studies class, which focused on Freudian works. Freud? Sigmund Freud? The old pervert who only thinks about sex?

Yeah. I felt this eery feeling like this film had a connection… (I wasn’t the only one)

It’s a beautiful portrayal of the fight of good vs. evil… of the ID vs. the Superego. Natalie Portman’s performance is absolutely phenomenal (winning an Oscar for Best Actress). It’s as if you can feel Nina’s pain… her hopes… her fears… and you dive into the movie as a dancer.

I suppose it’s a good thing ballet didn’t work out for me…

11. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

(94% on Rotten Tomatoes) 

Ah sweet victory

Sometimes I am ashamed to admit that this film isn’t lower on the list. The 11 Academy Award Winner (tied for first for most awards won) is the epic finale of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and director Peter Jackson knows how to deliever.

It was after this film where I gave up denying that I was a nerd and became obsessed with the story.  (I even own the soundtrack).

I became immersed in a different world, where creatures of my imagination grew and fought for their lives. I had fallen in love with the characters that I had travelled with since the Fellowship of the Rings. I even shed a tear at the end…

This film is a necessary watch for anyone who enjoys a well-put together CGI science fiction masterpiece.

10. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

(72% on Rotten Tomatoes)

Mmmmm Brad Pitt

I love Brad Pitt. I know it’s cliché of me to say so, but he is incredible. Not only is he beautiful, but he can act.

This is a curious story (ha ha) about a man who is born old and then ages backwards. As odd as that seems, it’s easy to catch onto.  Watching the trailer helps too.

Benjamin is raised in a retirement home and slowly becomes younger. He befriends a young girl named Daisy and a Forrest Gump love begins. It’s a film that proves age really doesn’t matter. (You go, Hugh Hefner!)

Speaking of Forrest Gump, there are many parallels between the two movies because the same man, Eric Roth, wrote the screenplay. Maybe that’s why I love it so much!