Top 5 Magical Movie Moments
Yet another post inspired by channel hopping to films on TV. Back in October I told you about my Top 5 fight scenes, but today I want to get you thinking more generally about those moments that are just great pieces of cinema. The ones where the direction, the acting, the score, the cinematography, everything just comes together for a scene that makes you think “wow.” When I was thinking about what I’d put down, I realised that for a lot of these scenes, it’s the combination of the action and the music that really makes it a perfect scene for me. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, a great score can really make a movie.
Although I’ve called it Top 5, these aren’t necessarily in ascending order. It’s more 5 great moments.
1.Where does my allegiance lie if not here?
This is the scene that got me thinking. Now, we all know that I can rave about LOTR until the Orcs come home, but before you start rolling your eyes hear me out. This scene really is pure magic.
Howard Shore’s score is so perfectly matched it’s scary, building the drama and then breaking away for Billy Boyd’s (self-penned) haunting melody. What I think really makes this scene though is the foley work. As the score takes over, we lose some of the sound. The commands of the men and Orcs are silent screams, but the creaking of the bows remains, really hammering home the suicidal misson that faces the brave riders. It’s just epic. Add to that the juxtaposition of Denethor almost frantically eating while he tries to ignore what’s happening, with blood running down his chin, and you end up with an awesome movie moment that is just melodramatic enough without over doing it.
2. At the Moulin Rouge you’ll have fun!
I have written about this scene before but I just couldn’t exclude it when talking about my favourite cinematic moments.
Energy and colour are what Baz Luhrmann does best, so when it comes to Moulin Rouge that first scene when you’re taken on a rollercoaster ride through the dance hall is just mindblowing! In one 3 minute scene we get a mash up of no less than 6 songs culminating in a supercharged Can-Can. The best thing about the scene is that we’re seeing it from the same position as Christian, so we too are bewildered and enthralled by all the flashing colours (and flashing flesh!)
3. Welcome to Port Royal Mr Smith
Best. Entrance. Ever.
Before he even says one word we know eveything we need to know about Captian Jack Sparrow from his incredible entrance to Port Royal. Who else would stand so proudly on the top mast of a ship which was more than three quarters sunk? The best part is it doesn’t even seem to faze him.
As soon as he set foot on that board walk I knew I was going to love this film
4. He is The One.
Another great moment for movie music. This scene is slightly marred by all the crazy superman stuff we see Neo do in the two Matrix sequels, but when he first stands up and stops those bullets I always want to jump up and cheer! I love how effortless it all becomes for him, he just turns and says “No.” He even fights with one hand behind his back! It’s a great turn around having just watched him have the crap kicked out of him. The music is perfect here too, that great strings slide that runs through the film really captures the idea of being in a dream while still sounding artificial, but the addition of a choir brings back the human element, mirroring what’s going on on screen.
5. Oh Captain my Captain
I know it is incredibly cheesy. And I know that it is orchestrated to be a heart wrenching moment. But cynicism aside it’s still a great scene. Ethan Hawke makes it for me. It’s not so much the getting up on the desks that has the magic but the obvious guilt and pain of Hawke as everything he has been taught not to believe in is once more forced down his throat. And Robin Williams is a better actor than he lets on…(may have to come back to a post on that later)
Those are mine, what are your stand out moments of cinema?
**Disclaimer: thank you to all the YouTubers whose clips I’m borrowing.**
The Stories That Really Mattered 
The face off between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken in True Romance. Epic in the most literal sense.
Simon/Ripley
June 6, 2010
Not a film I’ve seen but I’m very intrigued now. Thanks Simon
Katie
June 7, 2010
Man, “Dead Poets Society” brings back fond memories. I fell madly in love with Robert Sean Leonard in that movie.
I didn’t see the Jack Sparrow bit coming, but bravo! His intro has everything: humor, pathos, drama, action.
mcarteratthemovies
June 10, 2010
Aww I love Robert Sean Leonard.
Jack Sparrow’s entrance is the best intro to a character I’ve ever seen. Whoever came up with that idea deserves a medal.
Katie
June 11, 2010
I just get a sense of magic every time I watch “Benjamin Button.” I had no idea that Brad Pitt was doing the face the whole time, so it was dually shocking afterwards. But there’s something about the seamless blend of technology with the period setting that just mystifies me.
Marshall
June 13, 2010
I have that film sitting on my DVD shelf and I’m yet to watch it. It’ll happen soon I hope.
Katie
June 13, 2010
Oh man, that DPS scene is one of the all-time greats. Wish I had had a teacher like Keating in my day.
Aiden R
June 15, 2010
Great list, couldn’t agree more with your choices. I also love the trial scene in To Kill a Mockingbird and the Tiny Dancer scene in Almost Famous.
laurenthejukebox17
June 20, 2010
thanks for the comment lauren.
I really though my choices would eb more contraversial but I seem to have you all on side which is nice!
That scene in Mockingbird is amazing good call.
Katie
June 20, 2010