I love movies. Everything about them from the way they are made to the overall enjoyment I get fromwatching them. They are something special to me and I would like to share four of my favorite movies with you.
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train (2020) Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXnUSiuzweM
I have been following Demon Slayer’s Japanese manga release ever since it was first published back in 2016. The series has always been one of my favorite works of fiction, and when I found out they were creating a film on one of my favorite parts of the series I was ecstatic. This movie did not disappoint either.The visuals and animation are by far the greatest part of this film. The Demon Slayer series is about a boy and his adventures slaying demons in order to turn his demon-sister back into a human. This movie specifically covers the Mugen Train arc of the series, covering the main cast’s ride on a train that is infestedwith demons that they must fight off to protect the civilians on board.
With only around a 16-million-dollar budget, this movie pumped out arguably the most appealing visuals of any animated film ever made. The film is action-packed and full of emotion and drama and is a perfect lead from Demon Slayer’s anime adaptation. Both the 2D and 3D scenes are put together and composed so well and the music is just incredible. That combined with the incredible plot and voice actingmakes this my favorite animated movie of all time, and my 4th favorite movie overall.
- It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLR3gZrU2Xo
A big shift from Demon Slayer’s action-packed animation, It’s a Wonderful Life is a more laid-back film with a great message to go along with it. The film is so heartwarming and leaves this feeling of satisfaction every time you watch it. Without spoiling too much, the film is basically about how a man learns to appreciate his loved ones and everything he has. For me personally, the message of “being thankful for who you know and what you have” has stuck with me. Family is important to me, and unfortunately, they won’t be around forever so cherishing good moments now is one of the best ways to live life.
The way this message is portrayed is the highlight of this film. It’s represented through JamesStewart’s amazing acting and the overall atmosphere of the film, taking place during the Christmas season. I first watched this movie in my Film class my junior year, and this was the first movie I’ve had to watch for school that actually caught my interest. I cared about the theme, I cared about the characters, and I didn’t mind doing worksheets and completing writing assignments about the film.
- Venom (2018)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Mv98Gr5pY
I’m usually not a huge fan of superhero movies like Marvel or DC, but Venom was one that has always been interesting to me. The plot of this movie is nothing super special, but th
e action scenes are the highlights of the film. The CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) for symbiotes Venom and Riot are very realistic, and thefight scenes towards the end with Riot are choreographed in a way that glues your eyes to the screen and areoverall put together so well.
I also find the whole alien concept of the film interesting. I enjoy the idea of symbiotes and alien-based creatures in general, like Blue Beetle or the Alien movie series. Venom, however, is my favorite of these. Venom is an alien that can take over a body and use it as its host, becoming more powerful than its base alien form. The chemistry between Venom, the symbiote, and Eddie Brock, the host, throughout themovie, is a treat to watch and is a mixture of humorous and coolness. Also, the fact that a stronger bond between symbiote and host results in a more functional creature is a nice touch.
- Halloween (1978)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NrREGTS-Ws
Everything about Halloween is perfect to me. The music, cinematography, acting, setting, it’s allperfect. This has been my favorite movie ever since I first watched it as a kid, and most likely will be for the foreseeable future. Halloween is a story about a girl named Laure who gets stalked by a serial killer. The music is my personal favorite part of this film. It adds to different scenes, regardless of the actual content. When the killer Michael Myers attacks, a terrifying score plays. When Laurie is finally safe from Myers’ grasp, a light satisfactory theme plays.
The horror aspects of this film are also perfect. I’ve seen this movie many, many times so it isn’t scary to me anymore, but I can still appreciate the dark and creepy mood the film presents. I mentioned how the music adds to the horror, but the cinematography also amplifies it. The film is filled with wide shots of scenery with Myers very cleverly hidden in the background, stalking, and creating feelings of tension for the viewer while Laurie thinks she is safe.
My favorite movies have almost nothing in common. One is a light-hearted slice-of-life while another is about a mentally insane serial killer. But despite the variety, these are the movies I enjoy the most and the ones I find myself watching repeatedly.
