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The Apartment (1960)
The Apartment - My Review
I was genuinely surprised with this. It at first started off like any typical romance film and yet it covered many important topics that still exist in today's society. At the time this was made the understanding of it was not full comprehended, but I think it's important to consider the time it was made and what was going on in mental health at the time.
Also, the photography and its filming was superb, and a clear indication of the time and effort put into making it visually interesting. I also appreciate how they don't distinctly show the self-damaging scenes that the female lead does to herself as a guessing game to what she's thinking. And even if it may not be portrayed in a light that is not understood fully, I appreciate that they interpreted it as a way for the victim to get help and to be taken care of rather than be shipped off to a psychiatrist's hospital to be drowned in pills and medication. That is so, so important to the audience so that they can understand the characters' plight.
This was a worthy winner in my book. The 2 hours were well put together and appropriate for the topic at hand, and overall is stellar.
Chinatown (1974)
Chinatown - My Review
I'm not sure if it was the story that didn't draw me in or the content, but I wasn't as thrilled with it as I thought I was going to be. It had really lovely photography and stunning color, but a lot of what went on didn't hold my attention.
The concern for water was a realistic and very appropriate topic that still applies today, so its messages regarding that was promising and well documented. However I found the story hard to follow, even in the two hours it took to explain it. A quick trip to wikipedia didn't help, and it didn't help me keep my interest because of this. Even so, it was interesting to notice how it was filmed, especially when it made the scenes more dynamic with its obvious widescreen bars above and below the screen.
It also didn't feel too much like the time period it took place in, too, especially when everything was in color. I felt this would have worked a lot better as a black and white film, and maybe with a little color put into certain scenes depending on the content.
Scarlet Street (1945)
Scarlet Street - My Review
What a very bad-tempered film. I wasn't a huge fan, personally. It felt like they kept throwing the main lead under the bus when he did nothing wrong, but then again he was terribly naive and the whole time everything was just a massive mess without a good ending. It wasn't the best of stories or scenarios.
It never seemed like the ending would end up the way it did, either. It felt so random. It was all about art and getting money and love affairs, and it ends like that? It doesn't make sense to me. I did not care for the plot of the film for the way it handled the characters or their development or lack thereof. If anything they didn't change at all, and it only focused on the negativity and the deceit rather than how they characters responded to it. Sure Kitty and Johnny had a lot of interaction but there was nothing substantial to them. That and the plot holes are enormous; how did the two know Chris was going to come to the rescue when he did? How did the police know who and when the killers were located/were? Those were major key points in the plot and they are easily debunked.
Overall, not as good as I would have hoped. The photography isn't as good either, and there was nothing particularly interesting with the execution of it either. This would have made an excellent noir film if it was made better. At least in my opinion.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Rosemary's Baby - OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL
I don't even know what to say. Why was this movie made? I mean, it's really good, but why? I don't understand.
I found myself being a little frightened by it, even. The tension and suspense in this is great, and the ending was surprisingly uplifting. I just found it interesting how this whole movie planned out, and the creepiness of it all was genuinely frightening. I feared for poor Rose's life.
I don't get why all of them were involved, however, and I wish that had an explanation. The suspicions were confirmed in subtle ways, but I never understood the meaning behind it other than the obvious. It could be the time period, but I found the portrayal of these topics a little judgmental. I know people who are genuinely fascinated by topics like these and they do not get involved in something like this. For the circumstance, I understood why they went down this route, but knowing people who have a particular fondness for these topics makes it hard for me to see them as evil characters.
Overall, a surprisingly well-done film. I didn't expect a lot from it but was surprised in a good way.
Marty (1955)
Marty - My Review
Boy... I was not expecting this.
I gave this a good rating, but watching this was like a stab in the heart. Right from the start I was just so upset with this. What a shitty world these people live in. I could relate with the main characters right off the bat, which I guess was the point, but everything felt so mean-spirited, so pushy and superficial and just damn mean--calling women dogs, turning down Marty for his appearance, basing peoples' success on their ability to hold down jobs and who marries whom, and everything in between.
But! BUUUUT... it slowly returned to something resembling real life once the two main characters met. Then from there on out things got so much better. They were so cute together I cried so much, holy crap. The characterization of Marty, especially, got me pretty hard. What a nice guy, so full of heart, even when people asked him to go with other girls when he had Clara with him. Needless to say I could relate to some extent, and it was so nice and refreshing.
One of the issues I had with it was that we never get to see a lot of Clara's back story, and whenever we did it was about other men in her life. I wish we had more to go on with her, but at the same time I could tell that there was a lot of character with her. It felt like her shyness was enough of a clue of how she was as a person.
That, and in general I felt like they handled these two very well. They were different people, people who didn't base their values in life off of the general social norms, and I liked that. It was cliché, but it was really nice to see in a movie from the 50's.
I was genuinely surprised with this movie, and didn't expect it to be anything more, but I was happy that it ended up being just that.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Do the Right Thing - My Review
I'm not sure what to make of this movie.
For some reason I wasn't drawn to it, probably because I couldn't really understand what was going on. It had some interesting effects, like the constant red light that you see throughout the film no matter the time of day (excluding the riot scene), and the racial tensions throughout the film were vulgar yet realistic all the same; but I couldn't quite wrap my head around it completely. I felt like I was watching a film that was outside my realm, probably because I could not understand the world in which these people live in. The characters felt like stereotypes at times, which was probably intentional but got irritating after awhile, but at the same time it was poignant in its delivery.
I gave it the rating because I understood the context of how it was made, so even if it wasn't my cup of tea I gave it a higher rating simply for that reason.
Psycho (1960)
Psycho - My Review
I've seen this long before the film classes I took. I remember watching it for the first time and really liking it, and it struck me as a different film I could thoroughly enjoy simply for its content and camera work. Of course it had the famous shower scene, but how everything was put together was just so, so pretty. Its black and white film is stunning and crisp, and even the opening credits were interesting to watch.
I'm not really sure why certain characters did what they did since it sometimes made them seem out of character, but I guess for the sake of its environment and sequence of events it made sense for what it was. The lighting was great too, especially when the main lead talks with Norman with his taxidermy in the hotel rooms. It looks so eerie yet it draws you in and you want to know more about it when you see it. That and I could see how this movie could be so inspirational for future filmmakers, especially with shows based off of this film like Bates Motel (which I need to watch), simply because Norman's relationship with his mother was mysterious and vague, yet the film showed just enough for you to get the best impression without too much of an explanation. Then again, would anyone really want to know? Considering what happened? All in all, a pretty good watch and something I would recommend to anybody looking for something interesting to watch.
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
NIght of the Hunter - My Review
I rated this ages ago but finally got around to making a review now. By far one of my favorite films, ever since I saw it back in high school for a similar film class taken as an elective. The amount of symbolism and interesting camera choices makes this such a fun watch, though not necessarily for the psychology of it all.
A lot of interesting things that are symbolic include the LOVE and HATE on the preacher's knuckles, the talking of Jesus and calling the children 'lambs', among others. I still remember the majority of what they stood for, and its still fun to watch on my own now that I can decipher the themes.
The few times around, however, left me feeling a little bored simply because I've seen it before already, but regardless it was nice to sit through it again and watch it from the beginning. It's still hauntingly beautiful to this day, one of my favorite scenes being when Harry road over the road when sunrise began while the kids were hiding in the barn. His singing is lovely, and despite the crudeness of the situation at the time it's still very nice to look at. Definitely a recommendation to anyone who wants to watch something more substantial.
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - My Review
Well damn, if this wasn't the most awkward film I've ever seen. Not because it was bad, far from it. It was the situation. Most of the time I felt really disgusted at the white parents for their ignorance and hypocrisy, but at the same time I felt like I understood why they felt the way they do. They've grown up being more accepting than others, but were not exposed to the issue they supposedly supported.
I didn't understand the black family's side too much, however. Maybe it's because I'm white, but even when they showed their perspective I was still feeling a little off about it. It dealt a lot with how blacks detested themselves and their skin color based on cultural and social opinion, which is still prevalent today and I completely understand why they feel that way (for instance: the father when being reprimanded by his son). However, I felt like we could have still gotten more out of the black family if they explained more as to why marrying a white person would be considered taboo. We all know why white families feel that way about blacks, but do blacks feel the same towards whites? Do they just hate them based on generational cruelty and hatred? Or a combination of the above? I feel so ignorant asking those questions, but I still struggle understanding since I am indeed a privileged white person and wish to treat everyone with respect. This movie did an amazing job with the messages it portrayed, as well as make me question myself and society in general. The sad part about it is that this film's message has not aged at all.
The Graduate (1967)
The Graduate - My Review
This was another movie I saw previously in my high school film class, and like Night of the Hunter I did enjoy it a lot. It's symbolism is amazing and the use of its camera is delightful and interesting (though that doesn't need much saying). As well as surprisingly comical. Ben as a character is likable (and cute, if I do say so myself, haha), and the development is fluid and you know how and when changes in them take place.
One thing I found so eerily beautiful is the integration of Simon and Garfunkel's music and the scenes put in place. Their songs are just beautifully composed and match the situations well. I still have some of their songs on my iPod to this day because of it, and I picture the scene in my head almost instantly.
One thing I did find creepy is Ben's infatuation with Mrs. Robinson's daughter. While I understood the symbolism involved in it since Ben represented the young generation seeking values outside the norm, the values outside the norm being Mrs. Robinson's daughter, but even so it was just awful watching him lose his mind and follow this poor girl. Shame on you, Ben.
He got his crap together eventually, though... or not. The wedding crashing is so funny and crazy yet very meaningful as well. I kind of like how Mrs. Robinson almost seemed to crack a smile when she noticed that Ben chased after her daughter, even when she told him not to. In a way I felt like she was only restricting him just so he could want it more and go after it, unlike when she was his age (based off of what their talk was about). It only sealed the deal in my book that it was all based in real life, in an environment that was real at the time and still is to some extent.
It's a substantial movie so I wouldn't recommend it for someone who wants to watch a weekend film with their significant other, but if you want a thoughtful night, then give it a fling.
Annie Hall (1977)
Annie Hall Review
I don't necessarily remember ever watching a Woody Allen film. I've heard him here and there from my parents but I don't think I knew who he was. For the first film I've watched him in, it was actually quite well done.
The dialogue was especially the most enjoyable. I'm a fan of witty dialogue and a lot of movies can't pull it off as well as Woody Allen did. His character is hilariously awkward and almost ironic since someone like him could be anything but a catch. The women he's seen with are all 9's and 10's, yet they end up with a balding skinny guy with glasses. The whole thing seems kind of funny to me. Yet even with that funny dynamic I found it actually quite realistic since it stuck closer to real life and how life changes at the drop of a hat, rather than following a storyline. I think the haphazardness of it all was what made it a good movie.
The photography was very pretty as well, but I didn't find it as interesting in my opinion. It focused more on the characters and less on how it actually looked and portrayed certain environments. The camera angles were there and sometimes showing them in certain areas that are purposefully blocked out by the camera (like when Annie and him were talking in the bedroom together, etc.), but most of the time was spent on fleshing out and retelling a flashback of Woody's character.
8/10 for an overall good performance.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Singin' in the Rain - So Damn Fun!
I'm a musical fan, ever since I was a kid. I grew up with everything from Disney films like Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and a plethora of Broadway productions I went to see in NYC. Yes, I know it's corny and unrealistic, but that was the point of the musical, hence why this was such a win-win for me.
First and foremost: it is just so, so fun. And quite funny! I've been meaning to watch this movie for ages and never got around to it, and now that I've finally seen it I was not disappointed. The characters were entertaining and well-acted, the humor was spot on, and had lovely photography with deep, saturated colors. My favorite scene had to be when the main character was dancing with the female lead in an imaginary sequence of their talky film; highly artistic and dynamic even for what was supposed to be just a small part of the movie.
I didn't expect to like the songs as much as I did, especially the movie's title number. Something about it makes me just so happy, and I can't put my finger on why but I was smiling the whole time. I do recall being on the Great Movie Ride in Disney World and it showed that one part and ever since it's been ingrained into my mind. So for that, I give it a well deserved 10 for nostalgia's sake.
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Mildred Pierce - My Review
I didn't know what to expect from this film, but I was very well surprised. Not that female leads are bad, quite the contrary, but I didn't expect such complex characters from an era where women weren't as well respected. Maybe I exaggerate in that statement, but this movie was extremely well done and I admire it greatly for demonstrating people in this way.
Every character was likable in at least some aspect, which is important for the audience to identify with each individual. In a way, I identified with every single character in there at least in minor ways (no, not with Veda; if I did, then be terrified). I found that so profound that I was able to like every character and see their flaws yet still appreciate them even when they did horrible things, like Pierce's late husband and Veda. Maybe it was because I saw some of their history before everything crapped out on them, but regardless the amount of detail put into each character despite their circumstances was quite a rare occurrence.
I didn't quite understand Pierce's attachment to Veda, however, even from the start. I'm assuming it had to do with her being a devoted mother and only wanting the best, which was said, but even still I found it hard to believe that a good mother and person like Pierce would dive so low as to support her daughter in situations like the ones in the movie. If I were the mother, I would have dropped her like a sack of potatoes, or if not drop them fry them and eat them with ketchup. A lot of it was outrageous, but at the same time believable if that makes any sense. I guess in a way it's not unheard of that people would do crazy things for love, and because Pierce was the person that she was she took every fall. I admire her a bit for that, because I suppose I see myself in her. My heart went out to her.
Along with a few rare films I've rated this high, this is one of them. An astounding movie capable of gripping the emotional psyche as well as its ability to capture those emotions in stunning photography. 9 out of 10.
Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
Young Mr. Lincoln
Overall, this movie wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I thought it was very charming, and their portrayal of Lincoln was a lot different than what I was expecting. I expected a much more serious take on Lincoln, but the laid-back personality was very relaxing and fitting for the 'character'. I'm not sure if that's how he was in real life, but it fits in this setting.
Considering Lincoln is such a recognizable figure, it was nice seeing how the camera viewed the look-alike actor from different angles. Usually viewing him from the back on his horse or standing up with his top hat were also interesting to look at, especially during a scene in the beginning during the Tar Burning ceremony (spoilers). It was pretty dark other than right in the center where it was mostly light grays, seeing the people interacting in that area while Lincoln's dark suit and top hat are viewed in the foreground, looking onward towards them. It was almost powerful viewing this, as if it was foreshadowing Lincoln's success as a president.
The only thing I got confused about was whether or not this was some sort of recreation of Lincoln's youth based on historical fact, or was just a fun project with a president that hadn't died that long ago at the time, but for what it was I thought it was cute. That and the actor playing Lincoln was easy on the eyes, so that was a plus, haha.
Fantasia (1940)
Wow what a shock that Vicky Moore would review this film
The epitome of my childhood, right here, in 2 hours. A brilliant piece of cinema that I have enjoyed again and again as a child as well as an adult. I never get over its wonder, its beauty, and its presentation. Even if Fantasia 2000 is just as good, this one holds a special place.
This was when Disney had it made. This was when Disney made quality films that would not reach this kind of quality until the 90's. I didn't even re-watch this film to give this review, because I know it by heart and it is just stunning all on its own. Growing up on Disney films in general doesn't hinder my love for this film as well as many others.
As a child, and an adult, I adore the Rite of Spring scene, the Pastoral Symphony, as well as the Night on Bald Mountain with the devil on the mountain. I don't remember being afraid of any of it, and I loved its color, form, and transition. I never get over it. I was--am--an animal lover and those scenes made my life as a little girl obsessed with horses, dragons, dinosaurs, fantastical creatures, and everything art. Fantasia is a fire to the imagination and a major inspiration for me as an artist.
One thing though that has bothered me for a while was The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Even as a kid, I never liked it as much as I had everything else. I was never into Mickey Mouse as a character anyway (I preferred Donald and Goofy); I liked the old cartoons, but nowadays Mickey has been sugar coated beyond recognition, and he seems more like a children's cash cow more than a beloved character. He used to be so very charming, like he was in this short, but even now I can't really enjoy it as much as the other ones. It felt kind of out of place for me, simply because we have this lovely bounty of beautifully drawn Pegasus horses and devils and realistic-looking dinosaurs that are anatomically incorrect juxtaposed to modern science; and yet, even though it is their company's namesake, they add Mickey Mouse to an otherwise serious yet lighthearted picture? It is in the Disney style, sure, but I wouldn't be missing it. That sounds harsh, but it's just my personal taste. On its own, though, I like it. It's a nice story and I love the work that the company went into it. I understand why so many people loved it as a short.
10 out of 10 is rarely a given, but this is something that holds an importance to me and for film in general. It was a masterpiece of its time, and it continues to be. I loved Fantasia 2000 for bringing what Fantasia did before, and all the love and attention was put into both pieces. A well-deserved rating, at least for me.
Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca - My Review
I remember viewing this on iTunes a long while back, when I was in high school. I had obviously heard of it and I was curious about it as a film. I rented it on iTunes and watched it for myself, but at the time I didn't get into it as much as I did now. I couldn't quite follow the story and it was hard to discern because of the history in which this movie was made. Now is a different story.
I was very impressed with how this film was presented, because the darks and lights in this film was wonderful, especially with Rick in the bar; very aesthetic and lovely to look at it. That, and having known some of the history now, the movie was so much more enjoyable to watch now that I had a better understanding of what was going on. It was still a bit hard on occasion to catch up to the story but its progression was an interesting one.
The one thing that put me off was Rick's character. The actors were apparently German, so his NYC accent was a little funny. I enjoy British TV Shows and notice that some actors who do American-based characters tend to go with this monotone-sounding accent to distinguish an American one from the Northeast. It wasn't bad, but I could tell that he was foreign. That put me off just a little bit, but his acting in general was what made it for me.
Witnessing that famous scene at the end was a like a blast from the past. My family has a Disney Vacation membership and I used to go to Disney World every year for several years before stopping when I was 15, and at the time (before MGM was renovated) the Great Movie ride in what is now Hollywood Studios featured that scene from the movie with the airplane and all. I loved the Great Movie Ride, which has since been revised from what I remember from my childhood, but that part of Casablanca was something I could not describe in words. It really made me smile, like it did when I was in the Great Movie Ride. I will return there for my 21st birthday, but I'll miss the way the Great Movie Ride used to be.
For the film, though, the rating I gave is not based on what I think it is, but what it deserves. It's a classic of its time and I found its characters so engaging and interesting that I felt like it was an apt rating.
Nothing Sacred (1937)
Nothing Sacred - My Review
For a comedy, I didn't find it very funny. The manipulation and caught-in-the-lie plot is just bland. I was never a fan of that kind of movie (though there are exceptions), and just seeing the characters trip over themselves coming up with the right stories to fool people was just painful. It had some good acting, and the dialogue is great, but it reminds me of every other movie that came after it.
I did enjoy the interactions between Wally and Hazel, particularly at the end. It would have been nice to see their relationship evolve as Hazel is fooling everyone, but for what it was I thought it was okay. The last 10 minutes of their characters are some of the highlights for obvious reasons.
Also, while this isn't the point of the movie, I was not a big fan of the cultural appropriation in this. That show Hazel had to attend to where women ride horses on stage was awful; Pocahontas and the Indian portrayal made me cringe, especially when she yelled and smacked her mouth with her hand. Ugh! I'm thankful I don't see this crap today. I know this was the late 30's and no one cared back then, but to put something like that in a comedy is terrible.
ANYWAY. Now that I got that out of my system, I'll at least comment on the cinematography. It was quite pretty, and the color is lovely. I especially love some of the camera work, especially when Stone and Wally were talking back and forth, where they have to lean forward a bit to talk to each other since the flowers were in the way of their line of sight; very interesting point of view there, though I don't know why they used it. I also really liked how blue the colors were while Wally and Hazel were at the river (spoilers); the camera slowly drifts from the back of the duct all the way to the front where we could see their shadowed faces. An interesting transition without cutting from shot to shot.
In general, this movie was so-so, but it's not my favorite. I wish it was funnier, hence its genre. Maybe I'm missing something, but from my perspective it could have been executed a lot better.
Stagecoach (1939)
Stagecoach - My Review
I couldn't quite get into this movie. I grew up on my dad loving spaghetti westerns and his plethora of Clint Eastwood films, but for some reason, whether it's the concept or not, I couldn't wrap myself around it all. The only part I enjoyed was the parts with the Mexican family and the chase scene with the Indians.
I didn't find it very interesting, either. I found it a bit dull and not as exciting as it could be. Then again, I was never too stricken by westerns in general. I love the concept of westerns, because there's a certain romanticism with westerns and that time period that people find so endearing. I love cowboys and gunslingers and horses and riding into the sunset, and I can see that with this film, and I liked that it captured that lifestyle as one of the first westerns that wasn't a B flick. I just wish its plot was a bit more engrossing.
Overall though, I can see what made it critically acclaimed because of the nature of it, and its character development (even though I couldn't really see any, but that's just me--unless I missed something?). I guess it's just not my cup of tea.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
My Man Godfrey - Hilarious!
Any movie that makes me laugh is good on me. I don't think I laughed like this in a while, which is horrible, so I really liked how this was done and portrayed in a fashion that can be really enjoyable for anyone.
One thing I noticed about this film was how beautiful it was photographically. The film was so clean and easy to see, and it had a nice use of brights and darkness. The brights I found especially noticeable, which is obvious since the subject of this film was humorous. I have no idea why but the way the characters act and respond to each other reminded me of the Addams Family. I... I don't even know why but it was just how it was played off.
As far as characters go, Godfrey was so enjoyable out of all of them. I LOVE his character and how he may seem like a cynical schmuck with a bad attitude, but he's really quite knowledgeable and goodhearted. Not to mention he has my favorite kind of humor I like to imitate: crude sarcasm. Every comment that comes out of his mouth is hilarious and I could not get over his use of words. That, and it was nice to see how very generous and polite he can be despite his overall demeanor. He reminds me a lot of Niles from The Nanny (show from the 90's), probably because of his stoic yet comical performance. Bravo on the actor's part.
I can tell by the use of some very over-the-top acting by the other butler and the wife that it's a common theme in screwballs, and I never found it getting old or grading on my nerves. I find it really endearing, and it's nice to see that this kind of humor once existed and did not consist of sexual innuendos and snide remarks towards peoples' genitalia. Not that there's anything wrong with any of that, but despite the code being issued it was a huge breath of fresh air to laugh at something that wasn't considered perverted or having underlying meaning.
There was never a dull moment in this movie, and for that I give it a near perfect score for its ability to entertain even to this day.
White Zombie (1932)
White Zombie - The Campiest Camp that Ever Could Camp
Like Frankenstein, I'm not sure what to make of this movie. On the one hand, I did enjoy it and really liked the attention put into the lighting and camera angles and how it played on the characters faces, but on the other hand, the sheer amount of CAMP was brilliantly corny. Needless to say the corniness was endearing rather than annoying.
I liked how it was campy, because I felt like that was the point. It was never meant to be a major blockbuster, so they just ran away with this hilarious idea that if a guy just stared at his victim then he'll be controlled somehow. Logic is power. I kept laughing, I couldn't help it. Sometimes I stared back at him to see how long the shot would go on.
As for the characters, not bad. Even with Madeline having little dialogue, I liked her the most. I'm not sure why, maybe because she's super pretty and I wanted her to be my wife instead. But that's not the point. The husband Neil I kind of liked, too, and even that guy who gave Maddie the flower at her wedding (I can't remember his name) despite what he does later (spoilers), but in general most of the characters fell a little flat.
Also, what exactly is the point of having zombies anyway? They didn't come across as zombies to me at all. More like people who were hypnotized rather than creatures of the dead. It would have helped if more makeup were applied or there was an indication that differentiates them from others. Yeah they walked weird and had a blank stare, but unless they're trying to stick to Haitian lore (I doubt that) they could have used more creative ways to showcase the main attraction of the film to begin with. I wish more was put into that aspect, because I did not care for it. The vocalizations in the background were nice, though; I liked their attempt at tribal music.
What is with this guy who's controlling these 'zombies' anyway? Like... what are his motives? Why is he bringing people back from the dead? Is he one of them? Is he some voodoo witch doctor? EXPLAIN MOVIE. EXPLAIN.
Don't get me wrong, I thought this was a cute movie and I did enjoy it, but I can definitely see some flaws in it.
On a final note: someone shut that vulture up. They don't sound like that. At all.
Frankenstein (1931)
Frankenstein - My Overall Thoughts
I, to be honest, was expecting to really like this film but I couldn't find myself getting into it. It had nothing to do with the atmosphere or its "creepy", gloomy mood, but mainly with how it was executed. I'm mot sure what put me off about it but it didn't really thrill me at all. Maybe it was because I've already been surrounded by the culture of Frankenstein and was bored by it? I can't really say which came first, but whatever I didn't like in this film had nothing to do with how it is as a movie in general and it's mostly my personal preferences.
One thing that I really liked was its similarities to Noir film, with all the darkness and attention to shadow as a means to expression. Things like that are always fun to watch, and despite its campy acting everything seemed well put together.
I wasn't too thrilled with Frankenstein, however, because his character just came off as simplistic as it can get. If I had to go for a Frankenstein, it would be the version that Glen Wilder played in Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks, because his interpretation, while humorous, managed to make him intriguing. The original Frankenstein character, of all things, was unlikable. Nothing to do with the actor, mind you, but I could not attach myself to him.
I enjoyed the monster, however, because it was portrayed in a light that didn't play him off as completely innocent yet managed to show that he was a thoughtful person with emotions and feelings. I believe their portrayal of this message towards the audience was good, but it could have been better. Maybe I've been spoiled by other films that managed to fill in a broader concept of Frankenstein's monster, but for the first adaption I can see where others grasped it from.
I also HATED the ending. Very anti-climatic and unresolved. It felt like the director got sick of working on the film and went on a permanent coffee break. It felt very lazy and I wish they added more to it, or at least show how Frakenstein reacted to this, or even give him some character development upon realizing the implications of what his monster really was capable of.
In general, though, I wish I liked this movie more than I do, but I appreciate it for what it is.
Hell's House (1932)
Hell's House - Overall Impression
I managed to find this one netflix, and immediately the ratings told me that it wasn't going to be fun. While I don't think it's all that good, I can tell they tried to get the audience transfixed.
One thing I do not understand is how it goes from Jimmy losing his mother to him getting involved in the prohibition movement without his knowledge? How does this transition, exactly? The two events don't correlate to me and I didn't find it all that intriguing. That and it doesn't help that the acting isn't all that good. Sometimes the dialogue makes me cringe, especially when it comes to exclamations the characters give towards other characters, especially when Shorty was in the reform school. It just felt soooo scripted and unorganized and it was disappointing to see how little attention was put into how the dialogue was constructed.
One thing that I thought was kind of interesting was the friendship between Shorty and Jimmy. A lot of the interactions between the boys in the reform school was corny in general, but these two were the icing on the cake. That and I couldn't help but laugh whenever Shorty called him Big Boy. I'm sorry, but there is innuendo written all over this relationship and it's funny as hell. Being gay isn't funny, but combined with the corny dialogue and poor acting, it made things like that ten times more hilarious than they should be, especially when certain scenes intended to be moving. That isn't good.
I also had an issue with the Jimmy character. He's 15, and yet he acted much younger than he did; much too polite (that sounds awful, I know), too gullible, and very childlike. The actor was young himself, and died tragically two years after this film, but his work here wasn't very believable to me. He played off a kid pretty well, but maybe played it too well. Ironically the actor had a male lover before his death; it speaks VOLUMES. He stands just a little too close to other male actors and the whole time I am just begging for someone to kiss him--Mr. Kelly, Shorty, somebody! Give this poor boy some sugar!
I'm being generous with this and giving it a 6 out of 10, but I wasn't too crazy about this, despite my humor. I felt like they had a lot of wasted potential by spending so little time on filming it. A shame. I felt the topic would have made it similar to I Am A Fugitive In A Chain Gang. Awe well...
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
Best thing I've seen since Night of the Hunter
I don't say things like this lightly. I'm not always so picky about movies, but sometimes, especially these days, I'm even more annoyed at people like Michael Bay than I was before. This movie surprised me.
I didn't know what I was expecting before viewing this, but when I did, it did NOT disappoint at all. It's wonderfully acted, with likable characters and an apt approach of the subject of its time. It's probably been watered down content-wise since the actual event wasn't nearly this... charming (for lack of a better word), but for what it was aiming for and for how it was made, it was wonderfully executed and some of the best films I've seen in a long time. Black and white films are always very endearing, and they made use of the camera angles and lighting in artistic ways, especially with shadow and its stark contrasts in general.
Overall, I gave it this rating because I thought it was brilliant; enough said.
The Gold Rush (1925)
The Gold Rush - My Overall Thoughts
I decided to go ahead and watch another Charlie Chaplin film since I am familiar with his work anyway, and I thought he was charming and hilarious. While I did enjoy The Circus, I wasn't as thrilled with this one as I was with his other works.
While the humor in this is just as good and entertaining, I found it lacking. In my opinion, I found it a tad bit dull compared to precious movies of his. Maybe I'm being too comparative, but I didn't find this movie as thrilling as some of his other concepts. I don't know, I think the plot kept bouncing around to characters that were in the first part and I didn't understand why some characters needed to come into the plot again when Charlie was dealing with Georgia in the dance hall. It's not a bad film; far from it, in fact. For my personal tastes, though, I wished it was something more gripping. I felt like he could have done a lot with the idea of being trapped in the cold north with arctic animals and the like, instead of it drifting back to Georgia. I think it would have made a funnier movie if it kept to the main point in the beginning and went with it. I felt a little disorganized watching it because I didn't know what to focus on in the main storyline.
I give this film 7 out of 10 mostly because of how it was executed, so it wasn't as high a rating as before. But, overall, it's a cute movie but not his best.
~ Vicky
The Circus (1928)
The Circus by Chalrie Chaplin - Quite a Treat
I remembered viewing this movie a few years ago when I was away for the summer at a college program camp. I was 16 at the time and I recently went with my "classmates" to an old theater that played silent films and used a live orchestra for the sound. I remember really enjoying it and it was so much fun for me. After the night was over, I went back to our little dorms and, since we had wifi, I went on YouTube to look up more of Chaplin's work. I watched this one.
That being said, it brought back so many good memories watching this lovely movie again. The second time around is better than I ever thought possible, especially for the time period this came from. I love how Chaplin is able to capture our hearts almost instantly, even if you didn't even know he existed beforehand. I can tell that a lot of care and attention was put into this movie, and it shows by how symbolic it can be. The time period this came from was from an era where women were just receiving rights, and to see Chaplin give respect to women when others abuse her is a major plus; it might also have to do with his divorce during its production, so I like how he brought his personal life to work with him, so to speak. I think it captures what kind of character Chaplin was, as well as in real life. It's a warm feeling that you don't experience when watching movies anymore, and it's almost nostalgic despite not being born in the late 1920's.
Overall (I don't want to drag on), I found this movie to be highly enjoyable yet mature in its overall message-especially the ending. The Circus isn't sophisticated by any means, but I think what made it so popular was its ability to grip us at a human level, including myself as some 20-something. It made me fall in love with Charlie Chaplin all over again. ❤ ~ Vicky