I was watching Braveheart a couple of days ago and thinking what makes a good movie. Then I come upon this link in Yahoo about the biggest flops in movie history Reading the top of the list is Dune one of my brothers favorite movies. Then I agree with the critics that many of the movies listed:

Ishtar (1987)
Hudson Hawk (1991)
Soldier (1998)
Wild Wild West (1999)
Battlefield Earth (2000)
The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
Speed Racer (2008)

weren't good at all. Then there is Waterworld, which in my opinion is an ok movie. The only thing, it cost 500 million to create. Costner wanted a full working stage for his movie set which was an excess giving the title "blockbuster flop" in hollywood standards. All of these movies had blockbuster actors backing them with gifted talent only to fall off the revenue train to be called flops. To name a few of the great actors Bruce Willis (Die Hard series), Will Smith one of the best talented african american actors, Eddie Murphey once considered a king of comedy. I can still remember the Beverly Hill Cop series.

So then what is it that makes a good movie? To answer the questions we have to review what is involved in making movies. There are scenes, music compositions, editing, story lines, etc to name a few. All the little intricacies have to meld together into one seemingly effortless production. Without getting into all the small details I would like to put focus on where I believe makes or breaks a movie. To me it's all about the dialogue.

The dialogue that goes on between actors creating magical scenes. Words that if spoken in the real world would only seem preposterous. However, in the world of fiction it's perfectly ok and acceptable. The banter that goes on between two people, witty remarks, the fluctuations of the tones in voices, as well as the perfect timing from the small silence between words.

Why are words and how it's said more important than all the other aspects in a movie? Well many movies have similar if not the same story lines. They are usually ideas based off other ideas? Nothing new. How many underdog boxing movies are out there? Rocky I, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV. I only mention these titles not because there aren't others out there, but because I don't recollect the others due to their lack of luster. Think of how Stallone protrays Rocky, someone who is lacking the intelligence to use words that are bigger than a 5th grader. Think of how annoying it'd be interacting with this person as a classmate or coworker instead of watching on the big screen. Think of the classic line " Yo, Adrienne I did it!" works really well in the movie, but how bout if he had to use the name Martha instead? "Yo, Martha I did it!" doesn't sound right. The words just don't jive well enough to have a lasting ring in my ears. It is the tones in certain words that culimate together leaving lasting impressions to ponder in the minds of people. The witty little remarks that if chosen wisely bring forth chemistry and uninterupted interactions between people.

I believe this: "wars have been fought over words. " "The pen is mightier than the sword." The way you say it, how you say it, to whom you say it to has a profound impact. The sword may show strenght and the means to back up what is said, but nothiing creates a more dramatic response than words. In many ways it is the cause to many reactions. This is why I believe words are on the top of the list when making a movie because at the core words effect us emotionally. It can hurt, bring joy, and well as have no meaning.