Since nothing really exciting comes out this week (and I’m saving all of my energy for Transformers) I’ll give you the lowdown on a classic movie that many of you might have over looked.
Planet of the Apes. Not the one with Mark Walberg… that one sucked. I'm talking about the original with our favorite deceased Oscar winning gun-carrying member of the NRA Charelton Heston made in 1968. The film is based on a book of the same name written in 1963 as a comment to the social dystopia (and all out chaotic crapfest) that was happening in France at the time. Of course you didn’t need to know that, but it is the summer and I always like to provide a little history lesson. I’m tryin’ to keep you fresh for the fall!
The concept centers around an astronaut and his crew fighting to survive in a world that is completely different from their home planet. In the end, they realize they are much closer to these “ape-men” then they thought they would be.
The film itself has an interesting twist on the battle of the races theme seen in many films. You’ll notice that the one and only black person in the movie is shot in the very beginning (trust, I’m not ruining the movie for you). The film is pretty much about slavery, oppression, and prejudice, something that the African-American community is very used to seeing depicted in movies and at the same time identifying with, but some white audiences tend to cringe a little at the brutal treatment of Heston’s character by the apes.
The National Film Registry has placed this film as one of the most culturally significant movies of all time. Of course it is!! It is known for one of the best cinematic endings ever and many classic lines that you have probably said a time or two. It’s the perfect movie to watch with dad this Father’s Day weekend. He was probably there (and coherent) when it came out. Why don’t you ask him… I’m sure he would LOVE to tell you. It's a fantastic film that you have always wanted to see, but never got the chance to watch. I know you've been thinking about it. Don't lie :)
Planet of the Apes is rated PG and runs about 1 hour 52 minutes
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