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Reviews
The Ox-Bow Incident (1942)
The ox-bow incident
As someone who does not typically enjoy films within the Western genre this film really surprised me. Although there are the elements common of most Westerns like gunfighting there are scenes that are quite moving. In particular the scene in which Henry Fonda is reading the letter from Donald in the saloon is very moving and the camera-work is fabulous. During the reading of the letter most of the shot is focused on Fonda but as he finishes the camera pans out to get the reaction from all of the men in the bar. Another moving scene is where the group finds the men suspected of murder and proceeds to hang them. The scene is hard to watch because of the terror in each one the men's faces. The best part of the scene I think is that the hanging of the men is not shown, instead the ropes are shown being tied to the horse and the horses feet moving and afterward one man is left singing a hymn. The music during the scene built up the suspense and put me on the edge of my seat. The film really exposes the weakness of the human condition and it is very well done.
Five Easy Pieces (1970)
5 easy pieces
This film is quite similar to the other films that were made during this time period in the sense that it is very honest and the both the acting and the film-making is raw and truthful. Jack Nicholson's character drops out of his life in upper class America to get away from the problems he is dealing with and every person that he meets is very honest with him and gives their opinions regardless of their importance. Two of my favorite scenes are when with Jack Nicholson in traffic and he gets out of the car and starts screaming at the other drivers and playing the piano, and of course the diner scene in which he yells at the waitress. The camera-work of the film is very beautiful, the shots of the car driving along the beach pans out so you can see the whole beach at sunset are particularly beautiful. The shots within the car while it is moving are fabulous especially the scene where Jack Nicholson and Karen Black pick up the 2 hitchhikers and 2 of the women get into an argument. The way the camera is shooting you feel as if you are in the car with them making it a bit uncomfortable but it also pulls you into the scene. Overall this film is fantastic.
Stranger Than Paradise (1984)
Stranger than Paradise
From the opening scene of this film in which shows Eva standing alone at what i am assuming to be an airport, there is a sense of isolation. Most of the sets are decorated sparsely. Willie's apartment has very little furniture and the walls a quire bare. The city that Eva is walking through in the beginning seems almost abandoned. Althuogh not a a lot of action occurs within the film it is very interesting. It was very intimate, I felt as though I was a fly on the wall and watching these people live their lives. The acting was very well done because all the actors kept their characters true to life. Although the film was shot in the 1980's it is made in black and white. Giving the feeling of desperation and loneliness. The shots of Eva walking through the city are beautiful, as she walks past the trucks and buildings there is not another person in sight. She looks so small compared to rest of the objects on screen giving me a good idea of the way she must have been feeling a that point in the film. The film was a bit strange but the title already prepares you for that. All in all I truly enjoyed the film.
The Naked Kiss (1964)
The naked Kiss
i am still not sure how I feel about this film. I commend Samuel Fuller for being brave a touching on subjects that many films before this one had been unable to or too afraid to. The subjects of child abuse and prostitution were prohibited and it is good to see those being brought to the attention of the audience. However, the acting in the film did make it very believable it all seemed a bit hokey the slaps in the film did not seem very realistic and Constance Towers speech of how she had become a changed women didn't seem to come from the heart at all. Besides the acting the editing in the film was not very well done. It saddens me that a film with such a unique message had to be made in such a careless manner. The only element of this film that I would say is well done is the story itself.
Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca
This film has elements of any great film, romance, action and suspense. The cast is just wonderful and they fit so well together. Humphrey Bogart plays Rick so well changing from the reserved night club owner into a man in love and willing to risk everything. Peter Lorre who is a fabulous character actor plays Ugarte so well, his character is endearing in a way but a the same time you are always worried what his next move will be in fear that it will endanger the characters. The slow build up of the suspense between the German soldiers and the patrons of the night club makes this movie one that you can't take your eyes off of. From the beginning scene in which Ugarte tells Rick that he has the transit papers I was on the edge of my seat. The scene in which Rick allows the French to sing their national anthem while the German soldiers are singing theirs is one of absolute triumph. The lighting throughout the film mimicked the feelings of the characters. During the scene in which there is tenderness between Rick and Illsa the lighting is soft and seems to frame their faces but in the scenes with suspense the lighting is much darker. It is no wonder that this film has gone down in history it is remarkable.
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
the grapes of wrath
As someone who has read John Steinbeck's novel this film is somewhat of a letdown. The book was so beautifully written that I expected the film to be equally as beautiful however, I was wrong. Although it did not compare to the book it was still a well made film. I find it difficult to match actors with the characters in the book however, Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, the hot head. Fonda did a great job of portraying his character as the common man and his performance allowed me to understand the way many individuals were feeling during that period of history. While the movie did leave out many important scenes that were included in the book the scenes included showed the struggles of the Americans that experienced the Dust Bowl. The scene where the Joad family is kicked off their land was quite emotional and a good depiction of the past. The setting of the film was very accurate to the book and the way the scenes were The shot of the family traveling to California were very well done. Using what seems to be a process shot of the landscape giving the impression that the vehicle is in motion. The shots of the landscape itself were breathtaking. While the film did portray every part of the film, it was still a moving piece of cinema.
Love Affair (1939)
Love Affair
As someone who is a lover of romantic comedies I thought this film was excellent. I have seen films like Sleepless in Seattle and An Affair to Remember and this this blows those films out of the water. Charles Boyer is absolutely charming fitting the bill for French playboy. Irene Dunn's play her character to well and she is quite likable, she is not one to fall for Boyer's attempts to woo her and she has a great sense of humor. The two are the typical polar opposites that are necessary for a film like this. The chemistry between the two actors is quite believable and I found myself praying they would get together in the end. The sets for the film were quite elaborate, the scenes shot on the cruise ships and inside the passenger's cabins offer an element of verisimilitude although it quite clear it is all shot on movie sets and not on location. The softness of the lighting is quite telling of the era that this film was made but it works beautifully for this film and adds a more romantic element to the film. The camera-work and the acting make this film just stunning.
Fargo (1996)
Fargo
I have only seen one other Coen Brothers film but after seeing it I am definitely intrigued and am going to see many more. The combination of comedy and crime was just perfect in this film, the directors balanced the comedy, violence and suspense very well. The movie was not predictable so while I had some idea of what might be coming up next, I was completely sure and it kept me entertained for the duration of the film. The acting done by the whole cast was great each character was extraordinarily normal. The each had their own oddities but also seemed like people that you might run into in your own town. This aided in the comedy relief which was necessary at certain point especially during the wood chipper scene. while it was quite alarming there was one moment that changed the whole scene. Frances McDormand's character is yelling to the man stuffing the body into the wood chipper and when he does look up she point to her hat with expression of shock that the man could be so dumb as to continue after he had noticed her. The camera work also captured my attention. The shots that panned across the desolate landscapes really gave me the feeling of being there. The sudden zooming on character's faces during pivotal scenes sucked me right into the movie and allowed to me to feel what they were feeling. I did not expect too much from this film at first but it really surprised me, I thought it was very well done.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
I'm afraid of Virginia Woolf
This film made me uncomfortable from the very beginning, with that being said I was completely entertained at the same time. Almost immediately the two main characters, George and Martha are fighting, and by fighting I mean ripping each other apart and embarrassing one another. The dialouge in this film is unbelievable and the rate the the actors spew these insults at one another is quite impressive. Once you think this can't become any more uncomfortable Martha announces that she has invited another couple to join them. The young couple arrives just as Martha is screaming at George and sets the tone for the rest of the evening. What was most interesting to me was how George and Martha's brutal honesty allowed the other two characters to be honest as well, with themselves and others. The secrets about one another seemed to pour out of each character's mouth almost instantaneously. The use of black and white for the film when it could have very easily been made in color, was very interesting and drew me in a bit more, it gave an intimate feel to the film, as if you were in George and Martha's living as well. The whole film captures each character's attempt to destroy one on another and yet it ends with a somewhat sweet and gentle moment between George and Martha. The film is one I would definitely watch again.
Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Sunset Boulevard
This film was suspenseful but at times did seem to drag on. At the start of the film the viewer is introduced to the main character and the narrator of the film, floating dead in a pool. Right off the bat the audience is waiting for his demise during the whole film. Norma Desmond played by Gloria Swanson is one of those characters that the audience is just waiting to break. The entire film she seems to be on the brink of a meltdown and her obsession with reviving her movie career and her romance with Joe always seem to be pushing her closer and closer to the edge. In a way I found myself loving and hating Joe, at one second I would rooting for him to escape and be with Betty but at the same time he was stringing Norma along. The use of dark and light in the film give a real feel of what life was like for everyone inside Norma's estate. Most of the scenes inside her home are quite dark and gloomy while any of the scenes in which Joe escapes are bright and jovial. This reflects Hitchcocks use of dark and light in his film Notrious. Although the audience knows the whole time that Joe is going to be murdered and the film does not let you forget it, it really draws you in with the acting and camera-work.
East of Eden (1955)
East of Eden
This film was absolutely breathtaking, every element including the camera-work, the acting or the locations used in the film were beautiful. James Dean is known for his emotional acting and he really shines in this film. Born the youngest of two brothers he is not exactly his father's favorite. For most of the film he is struggling with finding out the truth of his mother's identity and searching for affection from his fatherand the audience is taken along on this ride with him. One of the most heart wrenching scenes is when Dean is speaking with his father, played by raymond Massey and Massey rejects him, at that moment Dean just throws himself into his father's arms and weeps. I was just as surprised as Dean's father in the film, in fact the look on his face really made the scene. Other than the acting the large sweeping shots of the farmland and the coast line during the film truly take your breath away. Those shots really show the viewer the scope of the land. The music in the film was also entertaining it seemed to fit the moods of every character, whether they were happy or upset, there always seemed to be some sort of musical precursor to a breakdown or a fight. The film while it is a bit emotionally draining is fantastic.
Stardust Memories (1980)
Stardust Memroies
Woody Allen's Stardust Memories is an interesting film as long as the viewer works at it. This is not a mindless film with predictable characters and plot for the most part the film seems to be as scatterbrained and confused as its main character. The film is follows a veteran director around a film festival honoring his work and it also attempts to follow his train of thought. Woody Allen does do a great job of playing the main character who is torn in at least two different directions and between two very different women. Charlotte Rampling plays the conflicted Dorrie quite well considering most of the scenes that she is in she seems to be having some sort of emotional breakdown, because she does show the viewer some sense of why Sandy still thinks of her. The camera-work is almost as nutty as the characters in the film. At one point Sandy is reflecting on the moment that he and Dorrie broke up and her face is shown in flashes and she begins repeating herself as if that conversation is forever repeating in Sandy's head. The scenes with the aliens near the end of the film are a bit tacky but are a great reflection on past films. The film as a whole was confusing but is one that if watched a few times can be quite enjoyable.
Psycho (1960)
Psycho
Psycho was the first of its kind in many respects, most notably would be the violence and sexuality that was shown in the film. The film opens with a shot of two lovers threw a hotel window then goes on show Marion Crane, played by Janet Leigh, changing in her hotel room and of course, the infinite shower scene which combines nudity with violence. Such violence had never been shown before in fact caused a great deal of terror within audiences and although film has certainly progressed in terms of the allowance of sexuality and violence this film is yet to seem outdated. In fact, any of the scenes the involve Norman Bates still terrify me. Hitchcock allows the interactions between Marion Crane and Norman Bates to unfold slowly and switches the camera's point of view back and forth between Norman's when he is observing Marion and the omniscient allowing the audience to watch Marion go about her business in the motel room this adds to the suspense during the entire beginning of the film. Anthony Perkins is outstanding in his role as Norman Bates and his mother of course. He plays his role so well that the audience fears and feels for him. He allows the audience to see the struggle between his wants and the control his mother still has over him. There is nothing bad I can say about this film it is fabulous in every aspect.
Stagecoach (1939)
Stagecoach
As someone who is not a big fan of films that fall into the western genre, I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this film. The combination of the different personalities and use of suspense during the film was great. Each character represented different things causing the film to have multiple layers to it. For example the doctor and the prostitute are shown being thrown out of the town and the start of the film, therefore they were looked down upon for most of the movie and represented the social outcasts. John Wayne's character and Claire Trevor's characters seemed to be bad individuals because of what they stood for, Wayne being a criminal and Trevor being a prostitute but those two turned out to be the kindest and most caring characters.
Foreshadowing is used quite often during the film most notably in the beginning when the passengers are warned of the Native Amercians, this helped to build up the suspense. The closeness inside the stagecoach also added to the tension, not only could the characters not escape one another inside but they had no where to go if they were attacked by the Apaches. The suspense is built all during the movie and the scene in which the passengers are being attacked the camera work is fantastic. Wide shots are used to show just how many Apaches are attacking the small stagecoach while the on screen movement of the horses the actors, and their weapons keeps the viewer on the edge of his or her seat. The combination of the acting the camera-work, and storytelling techniques makes this a great film.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing is a movie that combines real life issues with different levels of drama and comedy. The overall tone of the film is tension, tension between all the different races in this specific neighborhood in Brooklyn. The time elapsed in the film is one day, one very very hot day and Spike Lee does a great job of fitting the entire day into the film. In certain ways it seems as if this is a normal day in each actors' life but from the beginning the audience to sense that something is going to happen eventually. The suspense built up so slowly during the entire film. This is done by showing every characters' part in that process, Buggin' Out, played by Giancarlo Esposito, has an argument with Sal the shop owner and proceeds to incite other members of the neighborhood throughout the film. Mookie's strained relationship with Pino also hints at the films' ending action. Samuel L. Jackson was the film's part narrator and part moral voice during the film and that was very apparent during the riot and the hours following.
The sets used in the film were very colorful and drew the audience in. The use of music was also a key component honing in on scenes that were especially tense. Radio Raheem carried his radio around the whole film playing, "Fight the Power" and during times of tension like the scene leading up to the riot and scenes in which two group of people were arguing he would walk through. The film was very contemporary and did a great job of showing the attitudes of the time in a very honest way.
Easy Rider (1969)
Easy Rider
Easy Rider seems to epitomize the feelings and attitudes of the time period in which it was made, this is seen in both the acting and film-making. The way the film is shot is very gritty, the sets seemed mostly locations shoots in the deserts of the West and small town regions near New Orleans. The people that the two main characters run into seem to symbolize the different ideologies of the the time. At first the two run into a hippie hitchhiking and then into a town full of conservative and more closed minded individuals. For a good portion of the film body language and then use of eye contact is used between the main characters and other characters but it effectively gets its point across. Wyatt, played by Peter Fonda, is the more thoughtful and philosophical of the two and there are many shots of him deep in thought. While Billy, played by Dennis Hopper is the goofier one, added comic relief at times. Many of the scenes in the film are quite shocking, the scene where the townspeople come and bludgeon Jack Nicholson's character to death was a bit disturbing but comes in third to the drawn out psychedelic drug use scene and the finals scenes in which the Wyatt and Billy are gunned down the some men who murdered their companion just days before. The film is definitely shocking but does get its point across.
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Mildred Pierce
Among the films in the category of "Film noir", Michael Curtiz's film Mildred Pierce stands out. Not only does it break genre's normal pattern of a troubled male lead but it adds a great deal of excitement and draws the viewer in. Joan Crawford's portrayal of a hard working single mother turned successful businesswoman charms and the audience and allows them to sympathize with her throughout the film. The supporting cast was spectacular as well. Mildred's daughter played by Ann Blyth was fantastically selfish and manipulative and the dynamic between the two actresses set the mood for the film from the very beginning. Monte Beragon, played by Zachary Scott, was also fabulous and the relationship between those three characters added a great deal of suspense to the film since the viewer is always waiting for the ball to drop causing some sort of catastrophe. The filming techniques that were used in the film were quite fantastic as well. The use of flashback was probably the most utilized technique in the film since most of the film was Mildred's conversation about thee vents leading up to the murder. It was also interesting to have Mildred be the narrator of the film, it really put the viewer in her shoes. The scene work and locations chosen for the sets were magnificent. The shots of the beach house and the water where Mildred and Monte were spending time together are beautiful. The intricacies of Mildred's restaurant was fantastic. As a whole the film was great and brought the genre of Film Noir to a completely different level.
In Cold Blood (1967)
In Cold Blood
In most cases I get through about 15 minutes of crime-dramas but in this case I sat through, and was fully entertained the entire 2 hours and 14 minutes of this film. The fact that it is based on true events makes it more important that the ctors involved know their roles and understand them. Robert Blake and Scott Wilson are fabulous at playing the two emotionless criminals, merely focused on getting money they're after and making sure there are no witnesses. The shooting of the film really drew me in, while being shot long after color had been used in many films, the director chose to shoot in entirely black and white which caused the film to be more chilling. The wide lens helped to portray the vastness of the Kansas area that it had been shot in and made it clear to the viewer just how isolated the Clutter family was from any source of help. The match shots in the beginning of the film between Robert Blake's character and the Clutter family allowed the audience to see the complete opposite ends of the spectrum those characters were from each other. Another point to be made is how well the murder of the family was shot. The film goes from the light going out in the Clutter home, which seems to be symbolic for their deaths and the Clutter's family friends finding them, in fact the viewer never actually sees the bodies themselves just other's reactions to seeing them which adds to the curiosity. The score used in the film adds to the nervousness and wild energy of the film as well. The combination of all of these elements makes this a great film.
The Graduate (1967)
The graduate
The Graduate did a great job of capturing the atmosphere of the 1960's from the point of view of the older and younger generations. This is shown perfectly at the start of the film which is the "Welcome Home" for Ben, thrown by his parents. The use of the camera during that scene puts the audience in Ben's shoes and it feels as if you are at the party with him. While Ben is greeting his guests the camera whirls around to each one and remains on Ben's face as he tries his hardest to seem interested and excited. Dustin Hoffman does a fantastic job of being the nervous, unsure young man. His obvious tentativeness with Mrs. Robinson is endearing. Anne Bancroft is just amazing as well, she has a way of owning every scene that she is in and the combination of her strength on screen and Hoffman's naivety really makes the film.
Masny interesting shots are used in the films as well. The setup of the camera inside the scuba mask when Ben is showing off the scuba gear for his guests is fantastic. The match cut shots which were used mostly during the affair between Ben and Mrs. Robinson portrayed Ben's double life and how inane his life seemed to be without her. One of the best scenes in the entire film is the last shot when Ben and Elaine are sitting on the bus. At firs the two are laughing and seem happy with their decision but as they sit there both of them seem to realize the repercussions. It brilliantly demonstrates the state of minds of much of world at that in time in history. Overall the film was just fantastic.
Lifeboat (1944)
Lifeboat
This film is interesting in many respects, the greatest of these is the setting of the film. The entire 97 minute film is shot on a small lifeboat. There are no shots of the characters in their former lives, the stories they tell are the only look back into their past. Saying this, each actor did a great job bringing their respective characters come to life, each one was vibrant and very much alive. The diversity of the cast added to the tension, which is felt quite strongly throughout the entire film. Other than the work of the actors, Hitchcock's use of the camera and special effects worked very well for them film as well. The constant rocking of the boat narrow shots never let the audience forget that the characters were stuck on that boat. At times shots faded into one another giving the impression that the days were dragging on and on. The combination of the directing and the acting made this film a very interesting psychological thriller.
Notorious (1946)
Ntorious
Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious is filled to the brim with suspense. In order to do this Hitchcock employed many different techniques. The romance between Alicia and Devlin certainly sucked the viewer always waiting for the two fall in love after their first meeting and then to be reunited after Alicia has married Mr. Sebastian. Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergmen were a perfect match. The chemistry between the two was entertaining from the very beginning.Claud Raines was wonderful as well because he was able to make the audience feel badly for him and dislike him a great deal .In one aspect it was clear how much he did love Alicia, however, the revenge he takes out on her is awful.
Besides the turbulent relationship between the main characters, Hitchcock used a variety of camera and editing work to allow the audience to feel as though they were experiencing everything the characters were. Camera distortions were used when Alicia began getting sick to give the impression she was becoming weak and disoriented. The use of light and dark also helped to signify the mindset of the characters. The lack of lighting was used most frequently in Mr. Sebastian's home to portray Alicia's unhappiness. However, when Alicia is outside of Mr. Sebastian's estate it often sunny and bright. Both the acting and the filming made this film very entertaining.
His Girl Friday (1940)
His Girl Friday
Howard Hawk's film His Girl Friday focuses on the wacky relationship between a woman and her ex-husband. Cary Grant, who plays Walter Burns, has an unbelievable wit and Rosalind Russell, plays Grant's ex-wife, Hildy matches this. The duologue between these two throughout the entire film is so fast paced and smart it's almost hard to keep up. It's as if each actor is always one step ahead of the other. Along with the acting, the storyline itself moves along rather quickly and doesn't give the audience time to become bored or disinterested. At first it seemed as if the plot would be solely centered around Walter breaking up Hildy's new marriage, but as it progresses a entirely different story is included in the film. The filmmakers did a wonderful job tieing the story of Earl Williams to Walter and Hildy's rocky relationship. The Earl Williams case brought a level of seriousness to the film which I think brought it to completely new level. In the beginning of the film the banter between Grant and Russell is quite funny but as the Earl Williams case is weaved in you begin to see a more serious turn to the movie. There are multiple scenes where the filmmakers tie comedy in with a bit of drama, for example at one point the sheriff is given news of Willaims reprieve by a bumbling assistant and the next scene is of Hildy being held at gun point by Earl Williams. The sets were also very well done, although most of the film is shot indoors the sets were so intricate and believable that I hadn't even noticed until the end of the film. Overall this film was very well done and each aspect whether it was the acting, directing or set design brought the film together very well.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
The comedy about the Great Dpression
During the depression era of the 1930's there was an obvious inequality between the citizens of the United States, this film gives a comedic look at this divide. The scavenger hunt at the start of the film troubled me a bit but as the film progressed I began to appreciate the point of view it was trying to portray. Carole Lombard's character, Irene was lovable as the ditsy high society girl. At times her overreactions were a bit too much to handle. This same manic personality was seen in many of the characters of the film like Irene's mother. This was a lot to take in at times. However, Godfrey, played by William Powell, played a good balance between the antics of the upper class. The sets used on the film were quite elaborate for that time period and scenes changed flawlessly from one to the next. Although much of the story takes place in the Bullock household the filmmakers did a great job showing the extravagance of the upper class and the poverty that the "forgetten men" lived in. Overall this film was entertaining, although the acting was a bit much at times and it seemed as if the actors were trying too hard at certain points. The film did do a good job of putting a comic spin on the sadness of the depression and the ridiculousness of the upper class at that time.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
Mervyn LeRoy's film of a man wrongfully accused of a crime and his life on and off a chain gang.
This film is an excellent combination of social commentary and entertainment. The plot of the movie is centered around Paul Muni's character, James Allen, who was wrongfully accused of robbery and sentenced to 9 years on a chain gang. The main theme in the film is the mistreatment of prisoners on chain gangs. Paul Muni does an incredible job of causing the audience to sympathize with his situation as a fugitive. His facial expressions and tone of voice throughout the entire film really causes you to understand and feel the anguish that he has to endure. Muni's mannerisms also do a great job of showing his change from prisoner to a man of high social standing. The way Muni first shuffled his feet after escaping and then began walking normally was a great indicator for me that Allen was regaining his confidence and once again becoming a member of society. The music that seemed to be music playing throughout the entire film added to the excitement of the chase scenes and the happiness of his success. Other than the acting in the film the way it was shot also made this film great. The chase scene at the end was seamless although it was so fast paced and hectic. Each element of the film whether it was the acting or directing was great.
The General (1926)
The General
When I heard that Buster Keaton starred in this film I expected it to be filled with physical comedy using the Civil War as a backdrop for a light hearted story. While this film was by no means a heavy drama there was a lot more action than I expected. I was very impressed by the stunts that Keaton performed throughout the film one in particular was when he was riding on the front of a moving train. The other aspects of this film that caught my eye were how elaborate and different the scenes were. At the start of the movie Buster and and Marion Mack were sitting in a living room and then a few moments later Buster's character is in a rural town square filled with other individuals and buildings, all seemingly realistic. The shots that incorporated the moving trains were stunning, they accurately displayed the speed that the train was moving and helped me to feel like I was a part of the action. I was surprised at the range all of the actors were capable of performing in. While the dialog was shown to the audience there were instances were facial expressions and body movements were all that were necessary. This movie was fabulous, there so many different genres and they were mixed in together so cohesively.