the Godfather | American Men

February 20, 2011

5 Movies All Men Should See

Note: These are in no particular order.

1.) Animal House

Made in 1978 about fraternity college life in the 60’s; this film is still hailed as one of, if not the funniest movies off all time. But one of greatest things about this movie is a little known fact that this movie was such low-budget that they could only shoot each shot once. With this being said, some of the best parts of this movie were mistakes that were not supposed to happen. For example when John Belushi’s character is trying to sneak into the dean’s office and slips on the grass, that was real and the director is in the back ground yelling “get up, get up”. Another little tidbit, if your like me and enjoy seeing little mistakes, watch the golf bag in the scene where some of the fraternity brothers are hitting golf balls at the ROTC drills. By not seeing this movie your missing out on some big laughs.

Storyline: Faber College has one frat house so disreputable it will take anyone named Delta House. It has a second one full of white, Anglo-Saxon, rich young men who are so sanctimonious no one can stand them except Dean Wormer. The dean enlists the help of the second frat to get the boys of Delta House off campus. This film gives high-jinks and fooling around a bad name. The dean’s plan comes into play just before the homecoming parade to end all parades for all time. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>

2.) The Godfather (Trilogy)

These movies I combined because the first two could possibly be two of the greatest movies ever made. The third on the other hand could have never been made and I don’t think any one would be really upset. So if you don’t have time to see it or never get to it don’t worry your not missing out. Back to the first two movies, these are led by an all-star cast including Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, and Talia Shire. Spoiler Alert- they might not all be in both movies. The first and second movies have a great story and great direction from Francis Ford Coppola, with a mixture of awesome action and gore, so let’s be honest what else do men need.

Storyline: (Godfather Part I) The story begins as “Don” Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia “family”, oversees his daughter’s wedding. His beloved son Michael has just come home from the war, but does not intend to become part of his father’s business. Through Michael’s life the nature of the family business becomes clear. The business of the family is just like the head of the family, kind and benevolent to those who give respect, but given to ruthless violence whenever anything stands against the good of the family. Don Vito lives his life in the way of the old country, but times are changing and some don’t want to follow the old ways and look out for community and “family”. An up and coming rival of the Corleone family wants to start selling drugs in New York, and needs the Don’s influence to further his plan. The clash of the Don’s fading old world values and the new ways will demand a terrible price, especially from Michael, all for the sake of the family. Written by Charlie Ness

Storyline: (Godfather Part II) The continuing saga of the Corleone crime family tells the story of a young Vito Corleone growing up in Sicily and in 1910s New York; and follows Michael Corleone in the 1950s as he attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba. Written by Keith Loh

Man-Morale: A man does what he needs to do to protect his family regardless of what he wants to do, or how he feels.

3.) Caddyshack

Another movie hailed as one of the funniest of all time is Caddyshack made in 1980 , and led by another all-star cast including Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Bill Murray. This movie is also known as a golf movie even though the movie has very little golf. Definitely watch it but just as a warning, you will never look at a Baby Ruth candy bar the same.

Storyline: Comical goings on at an exclusive golf club. All the members are wealthy and eccentric, and all the staff are poor and slightly less eccentric. The main character is ‘Danny’; he’s a caddy who will do almost anything to raise money to go to college. There are many subplots, including the assistant green keeper’s pursuit of a cute (obviously stuffed) gopher. Written by Rob Hartill

4.) Braveheart

A 1995 movie led by Mel Gibson before his breakdown, but actually there are some sences where he looks crazy, maybe he wasn’t acting. Braveheart is based on a true story which makes it a little more awesome, and while the movie does take some liberties it really doesn’t take away from the story even by learning what the liberties are. This movie is an action packed biography/ Drama, but the key word is action lots and lots of action and it shows what lengths a man will go for freedom. A little side note I just learned that the blue paint they wore into battle was not just for intimidation it was an antiseptic that they would rub into cuts that they would receive in battle.

Storyline: William Wallace is a Scottish rebel who leads an uprising against the cruel English ruler Edward the Longshanks, who wishes to inherit the crown of Scotland for himself. When he was a young boy, William Wallace’s father and brother, along with many others, lost their lives trying to free Scotland. Once he loses another of his loved ones, William Wallace begins his long quest to make Scotland free once and for all, along with the assistance of Robert the Bruce. Written by David Landers <dml@gwis.com>

5.) Saving Private Ryan

This movie is billed as an action, drama, and history film and it is every thing that it says it is. With Tom Hanks at the helm in some of his best work, and Steven Spielberg directing this movie can’t lose. This movie is a very vivid look into the violence of war, specifically World War Two. It shows the storming of the beaches at Normandy almost as if your a soilder there. It shows the fear that was present, the massive loss of life, and just the craziness all around, not just from that battle but the whole war. I don’t want to give too much about this movie away but I do recommend watching it in the dark with an awesome surround sound system that will give the full effect.

Storyline: Opening with the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944, members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion under Cpt. Miller fight ashore to secure a beachhead. Amidst the fighting, two brothers are killed in action. Earlier in New Guinea, a third brother is KIA. Their mother, Mrs. Ryan, is to receive all three of the grave telegrams on the same day. The United States Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall, is given an opportunity to alleviate some of her grief when he learns of a fourth brother, Private James Ryan, and decides to send out 8 men (Cpt. Miller and select members from 2nd Rangers) to find him and bring him back home to his mother… Written by J.Zelman