Stockwell review: Two epic films transport viewers in time

I was telling my students the other day how the second month got its name. It long has been misspelled because, due to winters in the northern hemisphere, it was Fe“burrrr”ary.

If that ain’t the truth over the last few days, I don’t know what is. I certainly hope that you are staying warm and safe, no need to venture out into this weather. Oddly enough in 1979, the Sahara Desert recorded snow for the first time in history on this date. So even the hottest place on Earth is cooling off, and it’s time for a few more blankets and some movies to keep our minds off the polar vortex outside.

Fortunately, I have just the prescription.

Before I get to our two films, speaking of cold, do you know how to make the coldest salad?

Include whatever vegetables you like, but be sure to start with iceberg lettuce.

And with that, I decided this week to give you two epic films that completely immerse you in story, character and some history.

“Dances with Wolves” (1990)

In 1863, at a fierce standoff during the Civil War, a Union lieutenant, John J. Dunbar (Kevin Costner), crosses a field in an attempt to break the stalemate and die in battle. When he succeeds in the first, but not the second, he is given the opportunity to go to any post he wishes. He chooses a remote western outpost, Fort Sedgwick.

Upon arriving, he finds the fort deserted and in poor condition. He rations his supplies in hopes of additional troops arriving, but when none do, realizes he has been abandoned. When he comes across an injured Native American woman on the prairie, he returns her to her home, a Sioux camp within riding distance of his fort. The interaction touches off an incredible series of events that transforms the solider into something even more.

The film is considered to be in the “western” genre, though not in the sense many fans of those films will recognize. Unlike most traditional westerns, “Dances” doesn’t portray the Native Americans as villains or savages. In fact, it is the direct opposite. They are shown as family-oriented, passionate people who look out for one another.

Mind you, it is a long film (236 minutes for the director’s cut) and it deeply focuses on character development, which it does expertly. With that kind of run time, Costner, who portrays the main character, also takes his first turn in the director’s chair and develops 12 different characters – two of whom can’t even talk.

The pacing is rather slow, much like a novel (the story is based on one). That is not an issue, because Costner provides the audience with a deeply cerebral, in-depth story about the frontier. It is a work of fiction, but a beautiful what if story that will prompt many a discussion.

It landed 12 nominations at the Academy Awards, bringing home seven including Best Picture. It is a film that, like a good meal, should be savored and enjoyed, not rushed through. Take an afternoon to travel back 160 years ago – it is worth every second. Prime has the PG-13-rated film (for violence and some brief male nudity) for $3.99.

“Titanic” (1997)

This historical fiction film is about the ill-fated ocean liner in 1912. The movie opens with a modern-day salvage crew poking around the sunken ship, looking for a rare diamond that was owned by one of the passengers. When a drawing of a woman wearing the necklace is recovered and broadcast on television, the still-living subject of the artwork is invited to come out to share her story.

The 101-year-old Rose (Gloria Stuart) recalls the maiden voyage of the “ship of dreams,” and viewers are transported back to the launching of the ship from England. As Rose tells of the final days of the Titanic and the events that took place, the salvage crew members hope to locate the necklace to fund their operation.

OK, I know this is one of those films that everyone has seen, right? Perhaps, but sometimes re-watching a film from days gone by provides you with a new perspective on an old favorite. Besides, what better way to spend a snowy evening than curled up with a special someone watching the self-described: Romeo and Juliet on a boat?

James Cameron wrote, produced, directed and even edited the three-hour-and-14-minute film. The film cost more than the original ship cost to build, but the result is a modern-day masterpiece. The opening shots of the actual ship were done by Cameron himself, below the surface of the north Atlantic. He takes us back to 1912 with style and grace. The film is beautiful to look at, bringing to life the ship that never arrived at its destination.

The acting is pretty good, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) are the star-crossed lovers who meet on the ship, and they make the fairly rapid romance believable. Billy Zane is excellent as Cal, Rose’s domineering and abusive fiancé, and the great Kathy Bates gives us the lovable and engaging Unsinkable Molly Brown. Cameron had nearly 200 extras to whom he gave a back story, depicting actual passengers.

The setting of the film is certainly the strongest point, for the attention to detail on board the Titanic brings the fantasy alive. Not to mention that the collision with the iceberg (see the joke came back) is heart-pounding and the sinking is gut-wrenching. Cameron hit this one out of the park, and brought home a record-tying 11 Oscars for his effort.

True, it is dramatized, but that is what we want from our films. Even if you have seen it before, it is worth another view. Prime has it for $2.99, and the PG-13 rating might be a little off, for the second half of the film is pretty disturbing and there is some nudity, though done in a beautiful and classy way.

Two old favorites for some winter viewing are not a bad way to beat the chill. Order some good takeout, or have that aforementioned salad. Just remember to keep the refrigerator door closed because of the salad … dressing.

Have a great weekend – happy viewing!

• Jim Stockwell is a tenured instructor of film and broadcast journalism at McHenry County College, teaching Introduction to Film, Advanced Film and Introduction to Public Speaking.