Best Writings that you can learn from
These are some of the movies that has very good screenplay.As a film writing student, I learnt a lot from these movies. I am still preparing the list and so it takes some time to complete them
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- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.Whether it is characters or plot or structure, this will remain as one of the best screenplays in film history.Some call this a love story and some drama and some war genre and so on.But this is one of the very rare movies which has combination of many genres.That is the greatness of the story of casablanca. An evergreen classic
- DirectorOrson WellesStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenDorothy ComingoreFollowing the death of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, reporters scramble to uncover the meaning of his final utterance: 'Rosebud.'Fantastic way of narrating about a man who had everything in life but love. A millionaire who could buy everything in this world but failed to get mother's love or even wife's love.This film starts with death of the character and then we,the audience along with the reporter starts learning about this character from different points of view of his friends, colleagues,ex-wife and so on.Isn't it the way of life?We human beings could be defined in the same way as the main character in this movie where different people has different opinions.Great biographical study which is very close to our own lives.Must see
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneClaire TrevorAndy DevineA group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo and learn something about each other in the process.Westerns has cruel villains and heroic protagonists.But what about their good heart?This movie is not an action western but a drama.What fascinated me in this film is the interpretation of characters through social standards in the beginning of the movie which is exactly opposite to their original characters.Who else is better than John Wayne to be a cowboy with John Ford as director?A rare western that can be watched by entire family
- DirectorHarold RamisStarsBill MurrayAndie MacDowellChris ElliottA narcissistic, self-centered weatherman finds himself in a time loop on Groundhog Day.One of the best comedies and excellent character of Bill Murray makes this an unforgettable movie. A man struck in time loop is unhappy,frustrated,gets superior and whatnot, becomes a human at last.We,in our lives also never analyse ourselves and do the mistakes without sharpening our mind and do the same mistakes like this protagonist. This movie shows that we all humans shall take a break to analyse our lives and become better than what we are
- DirectorSydney PollackStarsDustin HoffmanJessica LangeTeri GarrMichael Dorsey, an unsuccessful actor, disguises himself as a woman in order to get a role on a trashy hospital soap.Cross dressing is a fun for some.Not always.But here comes a comedy that is far superior than 'some like it hot' and an inspiration for 'Mrs.Doubtfire' because of its very good undercurrent meaning and subtexts. Dustin hoffman is superb as a person who never respects women in his life but starts doing so when he had no choice and attires himself as an woman.Wonderful script performances by all the star cast
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.Many core action films with excellent CGI works are coming and going.Some may be hit at box office but not close to 'die hard'.Why?This film is not just an action movie with bullets and bad villains. This has human drama, redemption,sacrifice and humanity.A action film is always a feast to your eyes but any movie shall be a feast to heart and this is the one.Still very fresh and compelling drama even after 24 years.Must see for not only action lovers but to all
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsBilly CrystalMeg RyanCarrie FisherHarry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.Why is it 'When' harry met sally and why not just Harry met sally? Right from that title justification to characters which still stood as archetypes for many romantic comedies, this movie is simply wonderful. Boy meets girl.That's what many people define a romcom and it is true.But it shall have real interesting plot and characters which are believable to make it stand as one among many rom-coms which are released in a large number every year.If you had watched many rom-coms but not this one,consider it that you have not yet watched the real rom-com. Hats off to the director robreiner and late Nora ephron who gave us the real taste of romance with comedy.You can't help adoring sweet Meg Ryan
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsZooey DeschanelJoseph Gordon-LevittGeoffrey ArendAfter being dumped by the girl he believes to be his soulmate, hopeless romantic Tom Hansen reflects on their relationship to try and figure out where things went wrong and how he can win her back.We have many rom-coms but still struggling to get better than 'when harry met sally'. Either try to go for something new or if we go by the form of 'boy meets girl',we are always a victim to comparison with the classic.But this movie simply takes that challenge and proved that something good can be made with the same form. This might be the best rom-com after 20 years of release of 'when harry met sally'. Very good writing using the non linear structure and very much trendy according to this times
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.What a movie.Every scene has a subtext.Every moment is filled with thriller element.Every thing that happens in the script(movie) has logic which is perfect.From the beginning jogging scene containing the subtext about the hurdles that clarice has to face to killing the antagonist or even the ending shot,this is a thrilling experience. One of the best movies that Hollywood produced and you can watch it even after 20 years from now and still feel the thrill
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.Super hero films are always entertaining.They are not new in the concept of saving public and not just for self protection. People sometimes feel that this is concept and so what difference do they make except more wonderful visuals and a better direction. Is there any importance for writing super hero flicks?That too about the same batman who we had seen in the films made by directors like tim burton?There is.A very well written film,this is about a man who saves Gotham from a very intelligent psycho-one of the best antagonists in film history,the joker. Joker amuses us,batman steals our heart and his lover rachel breaks it. Excellent screenplay and you must watch the way more sequences are used instead of scenes in this film.A must see and you may start liking super hero flicks even if you had never liked before after watching this
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsGary CooperJean ArthurGeorge BancroftA unassuming greeting card poet from a small town in Vermont heads to New York City upon inheriting a massive fortune and is immediately hounded by those who wish to take advantage of him.30s and 40s.What an era.Especially for hollywood films.This is a movie about how anything can be corrupted by fame and money including a good heart.This is an evergreen subject. The failure of the remake of this movie 'Mr.Deds' in 2002 shows what difference writing can make to the same story point.Money can make or break anything.A very good moral story which looks like a fairytale
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsOwen WilsonRachel McAdamsKathy BatesWhile on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.Can't claim as the best of Woody's works but this movie follows many principles of screenwriting.There may be some short comings but it has a very good story and story values which shows that you have to live in present but not in future or past whether you like it or not.Visually excellent and well written movie with very good performances and art direction.This film shows that cool films can be made with contemporary setting even in these times.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonTony RobertsAlvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.Woody Allen at his best. What is a technique and who invents it?We have answers which always gives ideas related to CGI or cameras.But here, woody proved that movies can be made from mind and brain together.Whatever you want to say or have to say can be said uniquely.You do not need great camera work or technique but heart to say. A new movement in genre of romance and comedy,annie hall is another great film in hollywood and shows how gifted a single person is who has great talent in writing,directing and also acting in the form of woody allen.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsMia FarrowDianne WiestMichael CaineBetween two Thanksgivings two years apart, Hannah's husband falls in love with her sister Lee, while her hypochondriac ex-husband rekindles his relationship with her sister Holly.A classic in non-classical narration.This is one of the best in woody allen's works.But this has very good theme and subtext through out the movie.Mood and theme is maintained very well in the movie.Performances are superb and so are direction and writing.One can learn how to write non-classical narration movies with this where theme is important.Ending of the movie is unusually positive which elevated movie to an extent
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJack NicholsonFaye DunawayJohn HustonA private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.Regarded as one of the best mysteries,this is a very intelligent film and a writing which has to be preserved and learn from.Writing a movie with genre has some principles and they can be learnt from this one.Mystery and suspense has differences and I myself has learnt a lot from this movie.We learn things one by one in the most unexpected way in mystery.It excites us a lot to learn like that and makes the movie a classic like this one.If we fail to do so,it will be a dud and there is nothing in middle between these two.So writing mystery is a lot different and we need to be careful and this is not a second cousin to this genre
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsAl PacinoMichelle PfeifferSteven BauerIn 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.What happens to anyone who chose his career in mafia?The answer had been given many times on celluloid.But never so strongly as this one.Oliver stone's excellent screenplay structure joined by master story teller brain de palma's direction made this a classic.Oliver stone very cleverly divided this screenplay into 3 parts(my personal interpretation).First,rise of tony montana from nothing to a new joiner ambitious of becoming a don and then second part of how he became what he wanted to become-a Mafia person,then the third part-his downfall.Visuals are fantastic and mood is maintained in such a way that you can't turn your head even for a single moment and all the scenes are very well written.No introduction need to Alpacino
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroJodie FosterCybill ShepherdA mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action.'Are you talking to me?'.Yes indeed.Passionate writing and exceelent direction with wonderful performances made this dark film a must see. We are all mad people one time or other.We all have obsessions.We all like certain things which helps us become bad but we hate certain things which may made us famous.Going deep into ourselves makes us discover ourselves.But putting them on celluloid takes lot more than that.Showing the emotions,negative mostly in the more natural way makes us feel that we are all like travis bickle but afraid to reveal so.if you say,you are not like travis, then it means you are not good enough also. This deep character study is one of the best in character writings and no wonder it inspired someone to do the same act in real
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.A movie shall start like this.Then this shall happen.then...so on.But why?why not in other pattern.Why don't we try that?Quenten tarantino gave the answer.This film was a sensation and I fell it still is.This gave a way to many other films to follow this standards. We had many movies which has stories of different interrelated stories woven into one like some robert altman films.But pulp fiction has non linear structure also and this is a crime based movie having a lot of black comedy.Stars are simply superb in this one
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.A bull should be on a rage to win.But up to what extent is it good?It is very bad if limit is extended.But here,bull's rage went out of control and the result is not bad but very and very very good.A classic but none other than martin Scorsese with all time great actor Rober de niro whose performance is soul to the movie.This is an excellent biographical study about a boxer whose rage inside the rope made him a super star and the same rage outside the rope made him a bum.Outstanding character study
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.The protogonist is sent to jail and at the end,his wife leaves him and he can no longer lead a king's life nor a normal human life.yet he says that it is fun to be in crime world.That's his interpretation of life but the makers made it sure that the audience's interpretation should be the opposite.What a beauty.Made with the crime backdrop and a semi autobiographic study of a gangster, this is a classic portrayal of lives of people and their families in crime world. Another beauty is that the movie has voice over of not only the protogonist but also the protogonist's wife from her point of view.Protogonist says about his life in crime from childhood to middle age where as his wife's voice over shows the life of wives of those crime lords.An inspiration to many aspiring writers
- DirectorGarry MarshallStarsAl PacinoMichelle PfeifferHector ElizondoJohnny has just been released from prison, and gets a job in a café beside waitress Frankie. Frankie is a bit of a loner, but Johnny is determined their romance will blossom.This is not a classic.Agreed.But this is one of the best rom-coms with more of romance and less of comedy and a little bit dosage of melodrama. But here,this is a feel good movie with wonderful performances from lead stars.From writing point of view,there is a lot about the supporting cast(or secondary characters).There are many secondary characters which elevates the main theme of the movie but never mars it.We get the feel that we are present in location of the movie.Fantastic direction.Watch this for fun and good writing
- DirectorSandra NettelbeckStarsMartina GedeckMaxime FoersteSergio CastellittoWhen a headstrong chef takes charge of her equally stubborn 8-year-old niece, the tensions between them mount... until an Italian sous-chef arrives to lighten the mood.Who is your enemy?yourself.Yes.But need bigger enemy?A person who is just like you and you cant leave him.Its true.This is a very soft drama and fun sometimes.A food movie,which is very rare,this film has a good style and format.What I liked is what happens if you meet yourself which the protagonist faces in the form of her dead sister's daughter.This is both funny and dramatic
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.A classic.How can it not be?made with WWII backdrop,this is a story of a very great protagonist schindler who is a playboy and is turned into a man who makes sacrifice for the sake of people.A very good character study and fine performances and what words can describe steven speilberg?Made in black and white and there are many heart wrenching moments in this wonderful film.Lives of people in concentration camp are shown beautifully in this film.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonMarty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.Simply put,we go to films for entertainment.here is the movie that is like roller coaster ride.Excellent story and character makes you feel out of world and this is one of the most funniest entertainers.Writing wise, a lot of logic has to be used and if failed at even a single point, entire effort is lost.Looks simple from outside but very tough writing and I reckon the writers had a lot of concentration when writing this.Best entertainer
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksHelen HuntPaul SanchezA FedEx executive undergoes a physical and emotional transformation after crash landing on a deserted island.Robert Zemeckis and versatility go hand in hand.ANother variety movie which is more serious this time.Observe the movie.Plane crash scene is not at all dragged to show how advanced we are technically.But more concentration is on drama.That shows how important a script and story are to any film than simply graphics or disaster scenes. of course this varies from film to film or genre to genre. How do you engage audience with only one character in same location for a long time.Very simple.Become that character while writing and audience too become one while watching.That's the writing(or making).If entertainment is making audience sit in theatre and make them feel for character and forget themselves, no rules are needed nor character(s).Watch this for great experience
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsTom CruiseJack NicholsonDemi MooreMilitary lawyer Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee defends Marines accused of murder. They contend they were acting under orders.Beautiful movie.Great court drama.Sometimes, larger the concept,smaller the concentration on character development and tension in plot.But this is very cleverly and cautiously written film.Wonderful plot along with the character arc makes this a compelling film.Visually wonderful just like any Rob Reiner's movie,this court room drama leaves an impact in you even after coming out of theatre and the reason is obvious-wonderful screenplay