2008 Woodie Awards
Baum's book-turned-film remains a timeless classic
Movie Reviews: "The Wizard of Oz"
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: LifeStyle
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Five Stars: "Oz" appeal never wanes
by Anthony Barsanti
Go ahead, tell me this is a completely futile exercise and a waste of perfectly good ad space. C'mon, I dare ya'. You're saying that if there's any film out there that need never be reviewed again, again and yet again, it's "The Wizard of Oz."
Unfortunately, I have disappointing news for you fellow readers: this movie has probably been seen by more people on this planet than any other celluloid concoction ever made. No, not even "Star Wars" comes close because, remember, it's only been around since 1977, and that doesn't quite beat Oz's 67-year reign.
The film and everything that comes with it is going to be sticking around for quite some time after you read this review.
I suspect it has something to do with a combination of things, mainly the universal nature of L. Frank Baum's perfectly-constructed tale, the flawless reproduction of said tale onto the big screen and certainly the general nature of fantasy enterprises to be latched onto by millions of leechlike fans. Fans so dedicated to their alternate reality of choice that nothing else matters, and that desk job they have during the day is more of a dream than anything.
What other genre has the privilege of bringing a 90-year-old little person to presentations of films they briefly appeared in nearly 70 years ago? Indeed, what other singular film can be held responsible for a century's worth of cultural proverbs and cliche's? The first five to 10 minutes in Technicolor alone are enough to make "The Wizard of Oz" a distinguished classic.
Understandably, it becomes overly burdensome when it seems the phenomenon has seeped its way into nearly every aspect of society, from endless remakes to Judy Garland fanatics and, oh yes, the penultimate anti-Oz story that's turned into a phenomenon of its own, "Wicked."
Four Stars: Fantasy flick leads to self-discovery
by Maria Adams
"The Wizard of Oz" remains a tantalizing mix of the typical and the mystical.
In today's market, the film industry has reached impressive feats of visual effects to elicit awe in the minds of the public. Still, even in the midst of modern marvels, few films manage to thrill and delight moviegoers in the manner of "The Wizard of Oz."
Sixty-seven years after its initial release, "The Wizard of Oz" still captures the hearts and minds of children and adults throughout the country. Dorothy Gale, a young Kansas girl, is caught up in a twister and taken to a strange land of Munchkins, witches and wizards. However, despite her dreams of traveling to such a fantasy world, Dorothy finds that all she needs can be found in her own backyard.
The film's simple message has withstood the test of time and went on to be one of the most recognizable icons of American culture. The film is a reflection of the American dream, of the national spirit. It teaches children one important fact - they have the means to achieve whatever they desire.
Throughout the story, Dorothy encounters many obstacles and unusual characters. Though she is faced with difficulties, she manages to overcome each of them with the help of her friends and through her own merit. She sets off on an arduous journey only to find that everything she wanted was with her all along, as was the case for her companions.
The Scarecrow didn't need brains. He developed several of the plans that helped the travelers make their way safely to the Emerald City. The Tin Man didn't need a heart. He showed some of the truest emotion throughout the entire story.
The Cowardly Lion didn't need courage. He found that all he needed to lead was the confidence hidden inside himself.
Even the wizard found that he truly had magical powers. He helped everyone around him see the potential in themselves - a difficult trick to pull off. Dorothy found she didn't need to travel to distant lands to find adventure. She had the power of imagination to take her wherever she needed to.
The film is a message of triumph and inner will. All one needs to achieve goals in life is the desire to do so and faith in themselves. Though the film is fantasy, complete with wondrous lands and beautiful effects, the idea behind it is a plain one.
No one needs to escape.
The world already is waiting to offer more than the mind can comprehend. There is already so much to explore inside one's self.
Five Stars: Society learns from cinematic giant
by James Hansen
A major test for any film in determining a classic is to see how the film translates through the test of time. "The Wizard of Oz" came out in 1939 and has proved itself to be a timeless classic over and over again. Not only is it still the greatest fantasy film ever made, but a film with powerful cultural significance that is often overlooked.
The values and ideals found in "The Wizard of Oz" give Americans a positive cultural message. We can overcome the Depression, the Vietnam War and even the Bush presidency by seeking the values the film places in our hearts.
This political significance comes in the messages portrayed by the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion. All three characters join Dorothy on a quest to Oz, not because they want to dance along a yellow-brick road, but because they are searching for values and ideals that America is constantly seeking. Looking for brains, heart and courage creates a journey into the political identity of America.
In 1939, America was a country in transition. America was still bouncing back from the Great Depression and in full swing of Roosevelt's New Deal. Despite an arguably isolationist policy in the 1930s, it would only be two years later that the United States got involved in World War II and put their heart, brains and courage to the ultimate test.
At its heart, Roosevelt's New Deal was seeking the same things for America that our unforgettable trio in "The Wizard of Oz" was. If Americans can find heart, brains and courage, then surely they can bounce back from any situation placed before them.
These messages, so prominent to post-Depression, New Deal, American political policy, are equally as important today. The world often seems to have lost its heart, courage and brains. Separated by political parties, Americans seem afraid to face each other and use their brains to become united and quit pointless finger pointing for the world's problems.
If only Congress could take a magical trip down a yellow-brick road. Filled with problems of division and lacking the courage to stand up to their citizens, maybe it's time to familiarize Congress with a timeless American classic. If Americans could use the values given to us 67 years ago and seek brains, heart and courage, then maybe we could make sure a House is not falling down on top of us.
by Anthony Barsanti
Go ahead, tell me this is a completely futile exercise and a waste of perfectly good ad space. C'mon, I dare ya'. You're saying that if there's any film out there that need never be reviewed again, again and yet again, it's "The Wizard of Oz."
Unfortunately, I have disappointing news for you fellow readers: this movie has probably been seen by more people on this planet than any other celluloid concoction ever made. No, not even "Star Wars" comes close because, remember, it's only been around since 1977, and that doesn't quite beat Oz's 67-year reign.
The film and everything that comes with it is going to be sticking around for quite some time after you read this review.
I suspect it has something to do with a combination of things, mainly the universal nature of L. Frank Baum's perfectly-constructed tale, the flawless reproduction of said tale onto the big screen and certainly the general nature of fantasy enterprises to be latched onto by millions of leechlike fans. Fans so dedicated to their alternate reality of choice that nothing else matters, and that desk job they have during the day is more of a dream than anything.
What other genre has the privilege of bringing a 90-year-old little person to presentations of films they briefly appeared in nearly 70 years ago? Indeed, what other singular film can be held responsible for a century's worth of cultural proverbs and cliche's? The first five to 10 minutes in Technicolor alone are enough to make "The Wizard of Oz" a distinguished classic.
Understandably, it becomes overly burdensome when it seems the phenomenon has seeped its way into nearly every aspect of society, from endless remakes to Judy Garland fanatics and, oh yes, the penultimate anti-Oz story that's turned into a phenomenon of its own, "Wicked."
Four Stars: Fantasy flick leads to self-discovery
by Maria Adams
"The Wizard of Oz" remains a tantalizing mix of the typical and the mystical.
In today's market, the film industry has reached impressive feats of visual effects to elicit awe in the minds of the public. Still, even in the midst of modern marvels, few films manage to thrill and delight moviegoers in the manner of "The Wizard of Oz."
Sixty-seven years after its initial release, "The Wizard of Oz" still captures the hearts and minds of children and adults throughout the country. Dorothy Gale, a young Kansas girl, is caught up in a twister and taken to a strange land of Munchkins, witches and wizards. However, despite her dreams of traveling to such a fantasy world, Dorothy finds that all she needs can be found in her own backyard.
The film's simple message has withstood the test of time and went on to be one of the most recognizable icons of American culture. The film is a reflection of the American dream, of the national spirit. It teaches children one important fact - they have the means to achieve whatever they desire.
Throughout the story, Dorothy encounters many obstacles and unusual characters. Though she is faced with difficulties, she manages to overcome each of them with the help of her friends and through her own merit. She sets off on an arduous journey only to find that everything she wanted was with her all along, as was the case for her companions.
The Scarecrow didn't need brains. He developed several of the plans that helped the travelers make their way safely to the Emerald City. The Tin Man didn't need a heart. He showed some of the truest emotion throughout the entire story.
The Cowardly Lion didn't need courage. He found that all he needed to lead was the confidence hidden inside himself.
Even the wizard found that he truly had magical powers. He helped everyone around him see the potential in themselves - a difficult trick to pull off. Dorothy found she didn't need to travel to distant lands to find adventure. She had the power of imagination to take her wherever she needed to.
The film is a message of triumph and inner will. All one needs to achieve goals in life is the desire to do so and faith in themselves. Though the film is fantasy, complete with wondrous lands and beautiful effects, the idea behind it is a plain one.
No one needs to escape.
The world already is waiting to offer more than the mind can comprehend. There is already so much to explore inside one's self.
Five Stars: Society learns from cinematic giant
by James Hansen
A major test for any film in determining a classic is to see how the film translates through the test of time. "The Wizard of Oz" came out in 1939 and has proved itself to be a timeless classic over and over again. Not only is it still the greatest fantasy film ever made, but a film with powerful cultural significance that is often overlooked.
The values and ideals found in "The Wizard of Oz" give Americans a positive cultural message. We can overcome the Depression, the Vietnam War and even the Bush presidency by seeking the values the film places in our hearts.
This political significance comes in the messages portrayed by the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion. All three characters join Dorothy on a quest to Oz, not because they want to dance along a yellow-brick road, but because they are searching for values and ideals that America is constantly seeking. Looking for brains, heart and courage creates a journey into the political identity of America.
In 1939, America was a country in transition. America was still bouncing back from the Great Depression and in full swing of Roosevelt's New Deal. Despite an arguably isolationist policy in the 1930s, it would only be two years later that the United States got involved in World War II and put their heart, brains and courage to the ultimate test.
At its heart, Roosevelt's New Deal was seeking the same things for America that our unforgettable trio in "The Wizard of Oz" was. If Americans can find heart, brains and courage, then surely they can bounce back from any situation placed before them.
These messages, so prominent to post-Depression, New Deal, American political policy, are equally as important today. The world often seems to have lost its heart, courage and brains. Separated by political parties, Americans seem afraid to face each other and use their brains to become united and quit pointless finger pointing for the world's problems.
If only Congress could take a magical trip down a yellow-brick road. Filled with problems of division and lacking the courage to stand up to their citizens, maybe it's time to familiarize Congress with a timeless American classic. If Americans could use the values given to us 67 years ago and seek brains, heart and courage, then maybe we could make sure a House is not falling down on top of us.
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