Back to this meme after an invigorating weekend!
J
The Jungle Book
Walt Disney died during the production of The Jungle Book. If this movie had not done well at the box office, the Disney animation studio would likely have been closed down, and we would have seen fewer animation films in our lifetime if that had happened.
The Jungle Book was not revolutionary in any way. Neither was it a landmark of any kind. Yet, it is one of Disney’s most memorable films. Universally accessible to people of all ages and geographies. Wonderful music, great story-telling. Disney also showed that animation films with a story based in a jungle of India can also be successful at the American box-office.
The narration and dialogue is intelligent. There are three villains – the king of the monkeys who wants to be like Mowgli, the tiger who wants to kill him, and the snake who wants to eat him. The film has a large cast and none of the animals are characterized in a superficial or monochromatic way. The characterization has depth and has shades of gray that endears them.
What makes this film special is that if any kid grows up without knowing about Mowgli and his friends, we’ll feel he’s lost a part of childhood that should never be lost.
Runner Up
Judgment at Nuremberg
Judgment at Nuremberg is an adaptation of a true story about the post-war trial of those who served as judges during the Nazi regime. This serious courtroom drama tackles important philosophical questions of blame and responsibility regarding Nazi crimes. Were these judges just doing their jobs in the socio-political climate of their time? If they were guilty of crimes against humanity, what about ordinary German citizens?
The various details of the day-to-day life of the judges during the Nazi regime reveal how Germany, a civilized country, lost its soul to Adolf Hitler.
Judgment at Nuremberg is most memorable for the stunning performances of Schell as the defense counsel and Spencer Tracy as the honorable, intelligent, warm and objective judge. Tracy’s 11-minute speech at the end is said to have been done in a single take!
Noteworthy Mentions
Jaws, the thriller that launched the career of Steven Spielberg, one of the most important film-makers of our times. Jaws also showed that characterization, dialogue, and suspense make a better thriller than special effects alone.
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (Just Let It Go, Friends) an Indian cult comedy, always enjoyable in repeat viewings. The climax, in which the movie plot becomes entwined with a stage production of The Mahabharata, is unforgettable.
As I continue this series, I am getting exhausted. 
A writer has only so many words in his vocabulary, and I am just an amateur film viewer and writer. It is difficult to go on and on writing about genius!
F
Fantasia
This choice was a no-brainer. Walt Disney makes us want to keep our eyes open while listening to classical music. The first motion picture with stereo sound, it was a highly ambitious project, financially risky, original and provocative. Disney was treading unchartered waters, going where no film-maker had gone before.
To ask whether the 2000 version is better than the 1940 one is like asking whether Mozart’s 41st is better than the 40th. To ask which of the episodes is the best is like asking which of Beethoven’s symphonies is the greatest.
Mickey Mouse as The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is the cute centerpiece. Who can dream of visualizing Beethoven’s Fifth or Bach’s Toccata and Fugue? Who can bring the cosmic reaches of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring to the screen and how? Did Elgar write Pomp and Circumstance for Donald Duck ushering animals into Noah’s Ark? Gershwin definitely composed Rhapsody in Blue for the Fantasia episode. This is simply mind-blowing creativity.
Runner Up
Forrest Gump
The honesty and dignity of a simpleton with the most atrociously unlikely life story, made believable and heartwarming by Zemeckis and the only actor who could have carried it off, Tom Hanks. The ingenious script requires walking a tight rope between comedy and sadness, and Hanks excels at it wonderfully to get your heart intertwined with this very likeable character.
There are awesome special effects of the non-sci-fi kind. There are plenty of hilarious moments. There are plenty of emotionally touching and uplifting moments. To weave all these together into a constantly engaging, constantly surprising, and constantly entertaining drama, is an achievement. Zemeckis comes a long, long way from his technology obsessed Who Framed Roger Rabbit, focusing more on content and emotional substance.
Noteworthy Mentions
Finding Nemo, an animation classic for all ages
Fanny and Alexander, Bergman’s masterpiece with Sven Nykvist’s beautiful cinematography
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An Unquiet Mind by Mahendra Palsule is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
