by Michael Lyons
Here we go again.
The end of another year. With that comes resolutions and looking ahead.
Also, with that comes reflecting and looking back.
In that spirit, Screen Saver continues an annual tradition of "Reel Reflections," celebrating some films that reached anniversaries in 2024:
“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994) -30th anniversary
Writer and director Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King's short story is still as inspiring, touching, spiritual, and endlessly rewatchable 30 years later. The story of a wrongly imprisoned man named Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and a veteran inmate named Red (Morgan Freeman) throughout multi-decade imprisonment together tells a relatable story of keeping hope alive.
“The Terminator” (1984) -40th Anniversary
Director James Cameron’s first major film is a game-changing sci-fi groundbreaker.
Arnold Schwarzenegger made iconic Hollywood history as the title character, with his emblazoned “I’ll be back” line of dialogue.
He’s sent back to terminate Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), saved by another time traveler Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) from an apocalyptic future. It's still one of the best of multiple genres.
“The Towering Inferno” (1974) 50th Anniversary
This oh-so-epic saga of the world's tallest building engulfed in flames emerged from the midst of the Disaster Movie craze of the 70s.
With a cast - Paul, Newman, Steve, McQueen, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, and even O.J. Simpson -that could never be accomplished today and amazing, Oscar-winning practical effects- this is still a spectacularly entertaining film.
And with its groovy tuxedos, shag carpeting, and yacht rock-type music, it’s also a nice throwback to another time when going to an event movie was indeed an event.
One of the most original visions ever put on film. Master Director Alfred Hitchcock tells the story of Photographer L.B. Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart), with a broken leg that has him trapped in his New York City apartment with a full view of the other apartments in the courtyard during a summer heat wave.
He believes that there’s been a murder in one of the apartments and drags his caretaker, (Thelma Ritter), and his girlfriend, Lisa, (Grace Kelly), into the situation.
Never has a filmmaker or actors done so much with so little – the whole film takes place in Stewart’s apartment with a view of the courtyard, with the other residence and the building becoming a character in the film.
It is one of Hitchcock‘s best and one of the shining moments in movie history—a masterpiece.
And, there you have it, movie anniversaries for four more of '24 before the year heads out the door.
Wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year!
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