Its been a few weeks, but I have seen a couple of movies I want to comment on. However, a format change: my plot summaries are going to be a little skimpier, so we can get to the meat of the review.
All right, first up, a quirky film that won best picture in 1960, The Apartment, which stars Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLain. For us Gen X/Yers it was kind of fun to see these two actors when they were so much younger than we are used to seeing them. Click here for a run down of the plot.
It is an oldie, but wasn't too bad actually. As you know, I am not a huge fan of the really old flicks, but this one is pretty witty though the dialog and acting was a little overdone at times - but that is to be expected with such an old movie. Shirley MacLaine is by far the most attention grabbing character in the movie, and she rightly deserves the Oscar nomination that she got.
So, verdict: good movie if you are in the mood for an oldie. Not amazing though.
Showing posts with label MPAA: No Rating (Prior to introduction of rating system). Show all posts
Showing posts with label MPAA: No Rating (Prior to introduction of rating system). Show all posts
April 27, 2008
March 15, 2008
Casablanca (1942)
Here is another golden oldie - considered by many as one of the greatest films of all time, the iconic Casablanca.
The film features Rick (played by Humphrey Boghart), who plays a slick and unscrupulous American ex-pat that runs a night club in Casablanca during World War II. Through a series of flash backs the audience comes to know his long lost love, played by Ingrid Bergman. The two split inexplicably after a short stint together in Paris. Years later, Rick leads an emotionless life after his heart break. Finally one day, by chance, Bergman's character walks into Rick's bar and upends his life. To further complicate matters, she is married to a prominent player in the resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. Oh yeah, and there are a few other delightfully corrupt characters to mix up the pot. Political and romantic tensions combine to make a really great drama.
I am a big fan. This movie has everything - romance, drama, backstabbing, politics, great music, and even a little comedy here and there. If you haven't seen this movie, I accuse you of not being a true fan of the silver screen.
At the risk of giving away the end of the movie, I am giving a clip from the final scene, which is easily the most iconic and memorable. If you haven't seen the movie, don't watch the clip below - although, it is so famous, you have probably already seen it.
The film features Rick (played by Humphrey Boghart), who plays a slick and unscrupulous American ex-pat that runs a night club in Casablanca during World War II. Through a series of flash backs the audience comes to know his long lost love, played by Ingrid Bergman. The two split inexplicably after a short stint together in Paris. Years later, Rick leads an emotionless life after his heart break. Finally one day, by chance, Bergman's character walks into Rick's bar and upends his life. To further complicate matters, she is married to a prominent player in the resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. Oh yeah, and there are a few other delightfully corrupt characters to mix up the pot. Political and romantic tensions combine to make a really great drama.
I am a big fan. This movie has everything - romance, drama, backstabbing, politics, great music, and even a little comedy here and there. If you haven't seen this movie, I accuse you of not being a true fan of the silver screen.
At the risk of giving away the end of the movie, I am giving a clip from the final scene, which is easily the most iconic and memorable. If you haven't seen the movie, don't watch the clip below - although, it is so famous, you have probably already seen it.
March 10, 2008
Citizen Kane (1941)
Citizen Kane is regarded by some in Hollywood as the greatest film ever made. While I may not agree quite to that degree, I can definitely understand their reasoning.
The film begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane, played by Orson Welles, a fabulously wealthy media mogul, who utters the cryptic word "rosebud" just before he dies. A reporter goes on to try and uncover the secret behind the word, interviewing Kane's friends and associates. The story of Kane's life unfolds as the movie progresses through these interviews.
The ending is poignant and thought provoking, though I won't ruin it for you here. Although I am not sure it is the best movie ever made, no one can deny the incredible use of cinematography which was groundbreaking at the time. Even to those of us who love modern movies, and are used to the innovative use of camera angles and lighting, there are some very striking scenes. There are many scenes where the camera was very low to the ground (in some cases, I am told, it was embedded into the floor to get the angle right), and in others you will notice that objects and people in the foreground AND the background remain in focus at the same time. In addition to the remarkable cinematography (that could hold the attention of movie lovers by itself) stands the amazing performance of Orson Welles as Kane.
I was hoping to find one of my favorite scenes on youtube which features some innovative use of lighting and shadows, but alas it was not to be found. Here is another very interesting scene - pay attention to the camera movement, and the action in the background and the foreground:
The film begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane, played by Orson Welles, a fabulously wealthy media mogul, who utters the cryptic word "rosebud" just before he dies. A reporter goes on to try and uncover the secret behind the word, interviewing Kane's friends and associates. The story of Kane's life unfolds as the movie progresses through these interviews.
The ending is poignant and thought provoking, though I won't ruin it for you here. Although I am not sure it is the best movie ever made, no one can deny the incredible use of cinematography which was groundbreaking at the time. Even to those of us who love modern movies, and are used to the innovative use of camera angles and lighting, there are some very striking scenes. There are many scenes where the camera was very low to the ground (in some cases, I am told, it was embedded into the floor to get the angle right), and in others you will notice that objects and people in the foreground AND the background remain in focus at the same time. In addition to the remarkable cinematography (that could hold the attention of movie lovers by itself) stands the amazing performance of Orson Welles as Kane.
I was hoping to find one of my favorite scenes on youtube which features some innovative use of lighting and shadows, but alas it was not to be found. Here is another very interesting scene - pay attention to the camera movement, and the action in the background and the foreground:
March 9, 2008
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
When AFI came out with its list of 100 best movies a few years back, I noticed that one of the oldest films on the list was All Quiet on the Western Front. I am not usually partial to really old movies, as I am of the school of thought that film has gotten better over time, and as such most of the best movies have been made in the last 20 - 30 years.
However, I was astounded with this film. Released nearly 80 years ago, and a paltry 3 years after the first movie with talking sequences, this movie paints a picture of war that is just as horrifying and moving as Saving Private Ryan. The film is based on the novel of the same name, and follows a group of young soldiers as they are recruited into the Army to fight in the trenches during World War I. As they train and are finally sent to the front, they find that war is a truly terrible experience.
The quality of the sound and picture is nothing near modern standards, but I soon forgot about that as the plot progressed. There are some very vivid scenes in this film, such as where one of the primary characters, Paul, gets trapped in no man's land in a bomb crater with a dying soldier from the opposing army, and begs his forgiveness for killing him, or Paul's anti-war speech when he goes home after being wounded on the front. I was actually surprised at how violent and psychologically disturbing the movie was, despite being so old. But in the end, that is where the movie truly shines - as an attempt to portray war for what it really is. The film's message is timeless and will likely be important for all generations. I was deeply moved by the film, and highly recommend it to anyone.
Here is a clip of the film from youtube - warning, this is violent:
However, I was astounded with this film. Released nearly 80 years ago, and a paltry 3 years after the first movie with talking sequences, this movie paints a picture of war that is just as horrifying and moving as Saving Private Ryan. The film is based on the novel of the same name, and follows a group of young soldiers as they are recruited into the Army to fight in the trenches during World War I. As they train and are finally sent to the front, they find that war is a truly terrible experience.
The quality of the sound and picture is nothing near modern standards, but I soon forgot about that as the plot progressed. There are some very vivid scenes in this film, such as where one of the primary characters, Paul, gets trapped in no man's land in a bomb crater with a dying soldier from the opposing army, and begs his forgiveness for killing him, or Paul's anti-war speech when he goes home after being wounded on the front. I was actually surprised at how violent and psychologically disturbing the movie was, despite being so old. But in the end, that is where the movie truly shines - as an attempt to portray war for what it really is. The film's message is timeless and will likely be important for all generations. I was deeply moved by the film, and highly recommend it to anyone.
Here is a clip of the film from youtube - warning, this is violent:
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