This is something I wanted to write about for a long time now.

When it comes to movies, in general, you can tell if the movie is going to be good in the first 15-20 minutes or so. Very unlikely that if the movie is boring in the first bit that its going to be interesting in the later half. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that movies that start out great will be a masterpiece.

One example of a movie peaking at the opening sequence and then gradually slipping is the ‘Crossing Guard’ (starring Jack Nicholson). The movie starts with Nicholson walking through the streets of NYC and the Springsteen song – ‘Missing’ in the background. Perfection. The camera angles, the atmosphere, the music, the voice. Unfortunately, the movie peaked in that song and then started dragging a bit. Here’s a link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUOB_kopu_o

On the other hand, there are movies that have a wonderful opening sequence and then they just keep going up. The movie ‘Midnight Cowboy’ starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman. Starts out with the song ‘Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson and what follows in the movie is what can only be described as a ‘masterpiece’. Here’s a link to the opening sequence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBemzu1Fchk

Enjoy!