Titanic (1997)

“I’m the king of the world!” -Jack (and also James Cameron at the Oscars)

Number of Times Seen – Too many times to count (Theater, video, DVD, 7 Jul 2013)

Brief Synopsis – A socialite and a vagrant fall in love on the maiden voyage of the Titanic.

My Take on it – Every since I saw this movie in the theater, I have been mesmerized by it.  I have always loved watching Epic movies and this is no exception.

I recall reading that most people in Hollywood thought this movie would be a dud disaster movie, but it went on to grossing more money than any other movie ever made.  The reason for this is simple:

What most people enjoy about movies is the ability to travel to a different time and place and believing that what is on the screen actually happened or at least is possible in the realm of the imagination.  To me that is the best description of the movies that I have come to love; that I can honestly believe that what is happening on the screen is real to the characters in the world they live in.  I have always believed in the love between Jack and Rose more so than in many love story movies made prior or since.  In many movies the quick love affair seems too rushed and unreal, that isn’t the case here.

As much as I think James Cameron is a bit high on himself and a self righteous SOB (He screamed the quote above from the movie after he won one of his Oscars..not cool), he definitely made an amazing epic love story that is one of the best movies ever made in all aspects including technical ones.

Tied for most ever Oscar nominations at 14 [with All About Eve (1950)] and also tied for the most wins at 11 [with Ben Hur (1959) and The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)].

It won Picture, Director, Song, Music Score, Art Direction, Costumes, Cinematography, Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects, Film Editing and Sound.

It only lost 3 – two acting (Actress – Kate Winslet and Supporting Actress – Gloria Stuart) and Best Makeup.

This was the first Best Picture winner to not get a screenplay nomination since The Sound of Music (1965) 32 years prior.

During one of my many viewings of this movie, I was watching the credits role and saw the name of one of the many Visual Effects companies who provided effects. The name was “Banned from the Ranch“. I knew exactly what ranch they were referring to and then after doing a bit of research read how this company came to be; it was started and continued by effects men “kicked out” of Lucasfilm’s Skywalker Ranch.

It also showed me that no matter how much competition there is between the effects companies, when it comes to making a movie better, they will generally work together to try and advance the effects and quality of a movie.

Bottom Line – Great epic love story, expertly done by James Cameron. Highly Recommended!!

Rating – Oscar Worthy