"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) is an American psychological comedy-drama starring Jack Nicholson, based on Ken Kesey’s novel of the same name. When i google it and I looked up the novel, I found out that the title One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest comes from a children’s folk rhyme: "One flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo’s nest." The phrase "flying over the cuckoo’s nest" is a way of saying someone has gone insane since "cuckoo" has long been a slang term for "crazy." The film follows a criminal who ends up in a mental institution - why and how is something you'll discover as you watch. Jack Nicholson delivers a phenomenal performance, which earned him the Best Actor Oscar. If you need more proof of his acting skills, I’d also recommend The Shining (1980). This film wasn’t just a win for him; it swept five major Academy Awards in 1975, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. I really loved the direction and screenplay. There was a time when deserving films actually won awards, but these days, it feels like Academy members just vote based on short runtimes - IYKYK. As the story progresses, you’ll start caring for the characters and appreciating their chemistry. The comedy isn’t forced; it feels natural and smart, making the film all the more engaging. Verdict – Must Watched

So I gotta say, this is such a truly beautiful movie. I can't describe what I adore about it, but it's truly one of the best there is. The acting, the writing, the directing, the music, it's all so well put together. All the awards it received, it deserved. If I had to go into specific things I loved, obviously our two leads are exemplary and have Oscars to back it up. Going further, I like how, depending on how you choose to interpret it, neither McMurphy nor Ratched are exactly a traditional hero and villain. McMurphy is a bit of a smarmy thug who just so happens to have a positive effect on the lives of people who so desperately need it, while Ratched may be doing her job to the best of her (emphasis on her) ability, but in doing so puts strain on the mental stability of those with so little stability to begin with, not to mention that more sinister layers lie underneath her cold, placid exterior. Overall, this is a movie that makes you laugh, makes you cry, and makes you simply feel all sorts of emotions, and to me, the best kind of movies can make you feel just that!

Perfection Episode Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2697X7q1auBdDRh34XteW8?si=1XoV2wmWSzi_Ao2kyEaIvg

Director: Miloš Forman Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson Story: Randle McMurphy, a man serving time at a mental institution inspires his fellow patients to rebel against the head nurse, Mildred Ratched. Pros: - Incredible performances - Extremely emotionally impactful - Balances tones well, with some comedy sprinkled in with the drama - Fully developed and unique characters - That ending… Cons: - Gets a bit slow in the middle - I wanted more from some of the side characters

First watch - I finally got to it. Also, I feel like we all knew the kid that acted just like McMurphy in school. Nicholson is such a great ignorant fool as McMurphy, balancing being a total jerk just for fun to revelations that other's paths can be different than ours. Every performance is great but Dourif's Bibbit delivers a gut punch of a reality for some when they step out of their comfort zone I guess. A full movie of false perceptions of each character until we get to know them with an ending that is freeing, in one way or another, for two of our characters. I liked it but maybe it'll grow on me as the days pass. 27/500 movies & tv for 2024