The REEL Addict 

Since the conensus on DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL starring Keanu Reeves is it’s not worth seeing, I recently took that as inspiration to fire up my Blu-Ray player and go back and revisit the original Robert Wise film from 1951, recently released in high defintion (always a good reason to rewatch a movie).

Watching THE DAY THE EARTH STOOLD STILL, aside from being flabbergasted that I somehow managed to completely miss the blatant Jesus parallels last time I saw it, what struck me the most was not only that it holds up, but that it remains relevant. Yes, it certainly falls prey to some of the cheesiness and heavy-handed finger-wagging most science fiction films suffered from in the 1950s and 60s. Still one allows for it, especially since there is an effective genuine humanistic and populist streak that runs throughout the movie that never excessively over-sentimentalizes its anti-war, “can’t we all just get along,” message. Besides, with the recent terrorist attacks on Mumbai, or Israel bombing Gaza, or Russia invading Georgia, how can Klaatu’s warning about man’s warring ways not ring a little true?

With that thought, it had me wondering what other classic “message” films would still hold up and be relevant today? Movies like GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT or GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER? certainly had their place in their times, but they certainly feel like antiques now. Then we have movies like DR. STRANGELOVE which still feels like it was made only yesterday.

So, fellow addicts… What classic “message” films do you feel still remain as relevant today as the day they were made?