Cinema is a powerful force that has been around for generations. It has the power to make us laugh, cry, and even challenge our beliefs. From the early days of silent films, to the modern blockbusters we see today, cinema has evolved and shaped the way we view the world. Throughout the decades, there have been certain classic movies that have had an undeniable influence on the industry, changing the way we view cinema today. From timeless classics like The Godfather, to the revolutionary works of Stanley Kubrick, these 8 classic movies have left an indelible mark on the world of film. They have inspired generations of filmmakers, and even today are still influencing the way we watch movies.
1. The Godfather (1972)
It’s impossible to mention classic movies and not include The Godfather. This mafia-crime drama is widely regarded as one of the best films ever made, and has had a profound influence on the film industry. It’s widely considered to be one of the first modern films, and the ‘Godfather Effect’ is still being felt to this day. The film features a wide variety of filmmaking techniques, but perhaps the most significant is its use of long takes.
The Godfather features many scenes that are entirely in one take, which is extremely rare in modern filmmaking. Director Francis Ford Coppola was inspired to use this technique after seeing the Japanese film Rashomon, which features one long take throughout the whole film. The Godfather has inspired countless filmmakers, including Robert Altman and Quentin Tarantino, who has repeatedly cited it as his favourite film. It’s certainly one of the most important films of all time.
2. Jaws (1975)
Jaws is widely regarded as one of the best movies ever made, and was a revolutionary film for its time. Before it was released, most studios were making G-rated family films, but Jaws was a horrifying thriller that pushed the boundaries of cinema. The film was a box office success upon its release and was even nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It was also the first summer blockbuster, and made a significant amount of profit during the off-season. Jaws was also the first horror film to be given a wide release since The Exorcist, and is widely considered to be the birth of the summer blockbuster. It’s an incredibly influential film that has had a lasting impact on the industry.
3. Star Wars (1977)
If Jaws was the birth of the summer blockbuster, Star Wars was the beginning of modern blockbusters. This sci-fi space opera was an instant box office smash hit that changed the way Hollywood thought about movies. Before Star Wars, most successful films were low-budget, R-rated dramas and comedies. But after the success of Star Wars, Hollywood began to focus more on big budget sci-fi and fantasy films. It’s widely considered to be the film that sparked the modern era of blockbuster filmmaking. It’s inspired countless filmmakers, and is the reason we have franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and even the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
4. E.T the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
E.T the Extra-Terrestrial is often considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. It’s a timeless coming-of-age story that has become a staple of childhood. It features a heartfelt narrative and a wonderfully charming central character. E.T is a film that both children and adults can enjoy, and has become a cultural icon. It’s widely considered to be the film that saved the movie industry from a slump. After the 1970s saw a decline in the popularity of cinema, E.T was the film that brought audiences back to the theaters. It was successful both critically and commercially, and is still one of the highest grossing films of all time. It’s an incredibly influential film that helped shape the future of cinema.
5. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is an excellent example of a film that transcends genre. It’s a horror film, a psychological thriller, and a crime drama. It’s a film that is best enjoyed when the audience is caught off guard, and, as a result, it’s one of the most influential films of the 1990s. It brought new attention to the crime genre, and has had a lasting impact on modern filmmaking. The film is also responsible for popularizing the use of the ‘false protagonist’, a narrative technique that sees the story being told from the perspective of one character before switching to another. The film has been praised by critics and has won multiple awards, including five Academy Awards. The Silence of the Lambs is a film that will continue to influence filmmakers for generations.
6. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is a film that successfully transcends genre. It’s a crime film, a neo-noir, a black comedy, and a dark satire. It’s a film that challenged the way people viewed cinema, and has had a significant impact on modern filmmaking. It’s widely considered to be the film that brought independent cinema to the attention of the mainstream. It helped the world recognize the talent of directors like Quentin Tarantino, and kick-started the ‘New Hollywood’. The film was praised by critics for its innovative narrative, and was awarded several accolades. It was also a commercial success, and introduced a number of younger audiences to independent cinema. Pulp Fiction is a cinematic masterpiece that is well-worth revisiting.
7 .The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is a sci-fi film that is equal parts action, philosophy. It’s a film that explores themes like identity and reality, and has had a significant impact on the way we view cinema. It introduced the world to a new generation of filmmakers, including the Wachowski siblings, Avi Arad, and Andy and Lana Wachowski. The film has had a lasting impact on modern filmmaking, with many films being compared to it. It has inspired countless works, and is often referenced in pop-culture. It’s one of the most influential films of the late 90s, and has gone down in history as one of the best sci-fi films of all time.
8. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
The Lord of the Rings is a timeless fantasy series that has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s one of the most successful book-to-film adaptations of all time, and has had a significant impact on modern filmmaking. It’s inspired a whole new generation of filmmakers, and has transformed the way studios approach fantasy cinema. It’s a series that has successfully managed to combine high-brow fantasy storytelling with blockbuster filmmaking, and has been praised by critics and audiences alike. The Lord of the Rings has even been credited with reviving the fantasy genre, and has received numerous accolades. It’s a series that is well worth revisiting, and has certainly left an indelible mark on cinema.
Conclusion
These are the 8 movies that have had the most influence on cinema. From the 1940s to the 2000s, these films have changed the way we view movies, and have inspired filmmakers for generations. They have broken new ground, challenged the status quo, and have become cultural icons. These films have shaped the industry, and have helped to create the modern film we know and love today.
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