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b-kelly13
Reviews
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Good message!
This film greatly reminded me of the 2005 film, "Guess Who" starring Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac. I love the message of the film. It is so funny to see how people are okay with interracial marriages, until it is their own child!! I loved the message behind this film. It was good to see how people can overcome a color and be happy together no matter what someone says. I liked how this film took place over one day, although maybe a weekend would have been more fitting. I loved the dialog and script. It was humorous at parts and serious at other parts. It was as though you could feel the awkwardness and tension, like you were sitting in the house yourself. It was good to see that in the end "True Love COnquers All!"
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Jack Nicholson is always good at what he does!!
Jack Nicholson truly did an amazing job in the making of this film. Although he is a man from prison just trying to get out of work duty by coming to a mental institution, you are still on his side the whole time. He befriended all of the patients and saw them as people not patients. He formed a clan with them. He helped shine the light on how tragic and terrifying the staff of hospitals and such places can truly be. Although she was such a horrifying character, Nurse Ratched, was very well played. You couldn't help but just hate her!! I liked that this movie showed that any sort of patient is still a person. It was good to see that even a criminal can have a heart and befriend them, even when he could talk his way out of prison. A MUST see film!
The Killing (1956)
A great film by Kubrick
I was very eager to watch this film because I have enjoyed films by Stanley Kubrick before; such as "A Clockwork Orage" and "The Shining." And this film was no disappointment. This film was a great film noir. I greatly enjoyed the storyline of the robbery at the horse track. I was constantly on my toes and always wanting to know what happened next. I thought the characters played there roles really well. I felt as though I was watching real people, rather than people pretending to be someone else. Some of the scene changes were a bit confusing however. It would jump from the race track, to it suddenly being the next day. This is a film I would definitely enjoy to watch again and tie all of the loose ends together.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
A new kind of western!
I am not one who enjoys western movies at all. Watching "Stagecoach" i nearly fell asleep! This film was surprisingly different. Rather than all the tough, cold action from normal westerns, Butch and Sundance added much humor to the film. It was a film where you are actually on the bad guys side because their characters are so likable! I enjoyed how Butch, played by Paul Newman, and Sundance, played by Robert Redford were such a dynamic duo! The script was very well written. Most western films have very cheesy lines, and an unnatural tone, but this film worked just perfectly. The dry humor was such a nice touch.
It was interesting to see how quickly after the Hays Code had ended that there was nudity in films in the late sixties. For example when Butch's girlfriend undresses in front of him. This type of material never would have been allowed even ten years prior.
The Big Sleep (1946)
a stand out Bogart film!
This film definitely showed what a great actor Humphrey Bogart truly was. The on screen chemistry between him and actress Lauren Bacall was truly astonishing. It really grasped my attention, and got me into the film.
This film was a very good suspense movie, with Bogart being hired as a private investigator. The lighting throughout the film made it all the more suspenseful, and romantic. The action scenes also helped to keep my attention, because sometimes it was easy to get lost in the plot.
This film was very well made and I would enjoy seeing it again. My only complaints were that it was a little dragged out, and the plot did not seem to have a nice flow, the rhythm seemed staggered.
East of Eden (1955)
a film any young adult can relate to
This film showed James Dean as the mysterious character Cal, a confused, quiet young man with an adventurous spirit. Although Cal seems to not know what is going on, he actually knows more than anyone in his family. He knows that his Mother is still alive and where she is. It was hard to watch because you could tell that Cal's brother was favored by his father over him.
I did not like the character of Abra. She honestly ruined the film for me. I disliked how she would constantly flirt with Cal, when she was dating his very brother. I thought she was a dislike-able character, and I could not figure out in the movie why everybody loved her so much. I thought her acting seemed fake, with forced emotion, just my opinion.
I loved the ending when Cal and his father have the big powerful moment of exchanging respect and love to one another. This scene showed very talented acting by the father. He had to appear as if just having a stroke, and he did so very well. It was so nice to see how a boy was finally accepted by his father, which is all he ever really wanted from him.
The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
another mysterious film by Orson Welles
The suspense of this film made it enjoyable. It was surreal to see who the actual murder was at the end. It was very unexpected that is would be Mrs. Bannister. All she ever really wanted was money.
It is interesting to see how films from the late 40s and 50s seem to have many women in charge and showing independence. Mrs. Bannister for one really owned and manipulated everyone she came in contact with.
I fully enjoyed the acting job by Orson Welles. It was clear to see how passionate he truly was about making this film. His Irish accent was very good. I loved the ending when he just walked away from the carnival, listening to Mrs. Bannister cry for life. Even though he narrates saying how he never knows if he will truly forget about her; leaving her laying there was enough to show that he had overcome her games. It was a very powerful and mysterious ending. I definitely think one would benefit from watching this film more than once.
Gun Crazy (1950)
she really was GUN CRAZY!
"Gun Crazy" directed by Joseph H. Lewis was a good story which really kept my attention. Although it was a low budget film, some shots were very well made. I really enjoyed the scenes when Annie, played by Peggy Cummins and Bart, played by John Dall were in the car and the camera was placed in the backseat. It was as if you were sitting in the backseat of their car and were part of the robbery yourself. This effect really kept you wanting more, a good directing move! I also enjoyed the chase scene in the meat factory. All of the effects were very realistic. Such as someone slipping and someone running the wrong way. This made the chase scene more believable because those are things that would really happen.
It was interesting to see a film where a woman was in control of her husband. Anything she asked he did. She wanted to do one more robbery, and even though he knew it was a bad idea, he did it anyway. For the early fifties, this seemed out of the norm, which made it all the more enjoyable.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Did Mookie Do the Right Thing....?
An excellent, and emotional film. The story line was very good because it deals with an issue people deal with everyday. An Italian pizza shop is located in a mostly African American based neighborhood. This causes problems when one of the locals notices that there are only Italian- Americans located on the shops hall of fame. This leads to the delivery boy Mookie, an African American stuck between doing what is right for his neighborhood, or what is right for his job.
The ending of this film is powerful. The scene where all the locals destroy the pizza shop is so emotional. It all starts when Mookie breaks the pizza shop window. The effects were very realistic such as the fires, and garbage everywhere, the riots, and the firemen hosing down the men responsible. It is very sad to see the aftermath of the riot as well. All the characters played their roles perfectly, with all the emotion necessary.
Overall I feel as though Mookie did NOT do the right thing. He should have tried to break up the riot, and explain to his neighbors why there were only Italians on the wall, and explain how much love Sal really did have for all the people. This is definitely a film I would watch again. It was such a powerful movie, with a good message.
On the Waterfront (1954)
A stand out film for Marlon Brando
If you enjoy mafia films, then this is a good film for you. I really enjoyed the effects of the film. For example when Terry is running down the alley way and the truck is coming and he punches out the window and runs in the door. This scene was shocking and left me on the edge of my seat.
This film has such a powerful ending. When Terry fights Mr. Friendly and wins, and walks back up the boardwalk and everyone follows him. This scene really does give you goose bumps, because it is filmed in such a way where you really just want to stand up and cheer for Terry. The makeup was done very well for the 1950s, because both men really did look beat up.
This film has inspired me to see more Brando films. His acting and his accent really draw you in. He had such a good way of portraying Terry in this film, I would really enjoy to see more of him!!
Criss Cross (1949)
A man blinded by love...
I had never seen a film from the film noir era prior to this film. I really enjoyed the story line of this film. It was interesting to see the male and female roles reversed. Normally we see the women in distress, and the man coming to her rescue. This film was the complete opposite. Steve, played by Burt Lancaster, was a man blinded by the love he had for his ex wife Anna, played by Yvonne DeCarlo. I enjoyed seeing a woman in charge.
By Steve getting back involved with his ex wife, he was dragged into a secret underground world that she was now a part of. She was now involved with a man named Slim, who is nothing but trouble. Slim is involved with L.A.s mafia scene, something in which Steve did not expect to get dragged into.
If you enjoy melodramas with some action, then this is a good film for you. I would enjoy to watch it again.
The Graduate (1967)
A New Film For the Time
This film was a new kind of film for it's time. For one it showed things which never would have been shown before such as nudity, dry humor, and a love affair. I enjoyed the scene when the main character Banjamin is under water in his scuba suit and all you can hear is the sound of him breathing into the air tank. I feel as though this is a metaphor for how he really feels with his life. For one, he just graduated from college and his parents are expecting great things from him. This puts a lot of pressure on him because he does not know exactly what he wants to do. I feel as though it represents how he feels he has no where to turn, and he is just drowning in his own life. I liked how this film showed the consequences for infidelity. It is also a very romantic love story, seeing as how Benjamin will do anything to prove to Mrs. Robinson's daughter Elaine how much he loves her. It is interesting to see how the affair between Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson turns out, and what happens between Ben and Elaine.
Easy Rider (1969)
an unexpected ending!
This film directed by Dennis Hopper has a slow start. If you enjoy hippie 1960s drug type films, then this is the film for you. The dialog seemed very monotone. It was as though you had to force yourself to listen what they were talking about, without any sort of change in their tone of voice. Although it starts off slow there are key moments of suspense and action toward the end. For one, the scene where the two bikers find the two girls, and decide to do LSD with them in the cemetery. This scene was shot very well. There is different sort of effects and colors. This scene keeps you on the edge of your feet because it seems as though all of them had a bad experience with the LSD so you see many different things on the screen that they were seeing during their drug experience, which I thought was a realistic touch. This film also had a very unexpected ending! So if you enjoy a good ending, which you did not expect, then this is the film for you!
Stagecoach (1939)
a movie great for western fans
Stagecoach is a classic action western film. This film stars John Wayne, in a classic masculine role. When the cast was attacked by the natives in the stage coach, it was by far the most exciting part of the movie. The special effects were similar to those you see today. There were gun shots, men being thrown off horses, horses falling down hills. It was very realistic. Also when the stagecoach needed to cross the river, and the horses were up to head level in the water, this scene shows how well trained the horses are.
This movie had many great special effects. The story was a little hard to get into at first, but it is definitely worth seeing. I did not really understand when exactly Dallas and Ringo made the connection they did, but it works for the story. Miss. Mallory having a baby was very confusing; I didn't even know she was pregnant. This movie was very action packed, and is good for anyone who is a fan of westerns.
Casablanca (1942)
Too complicated
"Casablanca" is definitely a movie that I would need to watch more than once. Each scene is so jam packed with information about either the love story between Rick and Ilsa, or the café, or the Nazis. Each scene is very busy with so many people; your eyes do not know where to look first. It is almost as if it is too many stories in one film. All the the sets of the film were rather beautiful. In the city of Casablanca there are stone sidewalks, and dim lights. Ricks Café and the Blue Parrot are just two of the many "cool" places to be in Casablanca. The characters also fit in well with the story. Although I did not care much for Ilsa. This is because it always seemed as though she wanted to "have her cake and eat it too." She was married to a caring and loyal man, and she decides to cheat on him with the mysterious Rick. For this reason I very much so enjoy the ending when Rick forces Ilsa to go on the plane with her husband. We expected the opposite out of such a suave love story. For being known as a "classic" I truthfully expected more out of this film.
Citizen Kane (1941)
"What is Rosebud!"
"What is Rosebud?" This is the question we are asking ourselves throughout the film. Charles Kane is a mysterious and controlling character who just wants more, more, more!! This leads everyone to believe that Rosebud is a material item, when it really relates to his family and his childhood. The ending was perfect. It was unexpected, and you were left guessing until the very end. I would recommend this film to anyone. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I particularly enjoyed the effects of the filming. I like how the camera would fade in and out or would film a scene down at foot level and then look up. It seemed very modern for its day. All of the characters were also perfect at their roles. This story just seemed like a more realistic love story compared to others of its time. It dealt with divorce, cheating, and many others wrongs in marriage. He was scarred from childhood, made the best of his life, and he still wasn't happy.
Dracula (1931)
"To die, to really be dead, must be glorious." -Count Dracula
"Dracula" was a tremendous movie. It is a great horror movie for the time in which it was made. It is not so scary that it will keep you up at night, but it definitely gives you chills and gets your mind thinking and questioning. I loved the setting of Count Dracula's castle. It really sets the scene for the movie and gets your mind right into the castle. It was a big old stone castle, with spider webs up and down the walls; you hear wolves howling in the background, and a dark lit set. Count Dracula's accent makes him all the mysterious and eerie. The story of the film was also great, a mysterious man who needs blood to live. The actor played the role of Dracula perfectly.
The only negatives of this film were the special effects. For example the flying bats were very unrealistic. They were massive rubber bats on a string, and the wings would barely flap, which made for a good laugh. Another negative in my opinion is that I wished they actually showed when Dracula actually bit his "victims." It always seemed to move on to the next scene right when he was about to bite! The ending was also very questionable, it leaves you hanging. Was Mina actually a vampire or not
?
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Impressive, but Longggggg
"The Grapes of Wrath" is a very powerful movie indeed. This film shows the truth of the Great Depression and what people really went through. The living conditions at all of the camps were for the most part unbearable. Rarely would there be running water or edible food. The effects of this movie were pretty realistic. Such as when Tom gets hit in the face, the makeup looks as though he was actually hit in the face.
This movie was just too long for my taste. I feel as though a good portion of it could have been taken out, and we still would have received the message of the film. To me it did not make sense why Tom would be a former prisoner, and then in trouble with the cops. I feel as though all of that could have been left out because it took away from the actual point of the film, which was the Joad family going to California for work.
His Girl Friday (1940)
Good comedy with witty lines
This film is a very funny; I could see it as one that could be made more modern today. The movie has hysterical moments in the beginning such as when Walter purposely shakes the old man's hand pretending that he is his ex-wife's fiancé. Walter was also very clever in the ways he set up for Bruce, (Hildy's fiancé,) to get arrested three times in one day. I also enjoyed how Hildy, (Walter's ex-wife) was a tough girl. She would always give her opinion right back to Walter. The only time she acted like a normal "in-love" woman was at the end when she decided she really did love Walter, and they started talking about the honeymoon they would now take.
This movie starts off strong, with a lot of humor, but by the end it seems somewhat dragged out. The whole time Earl Wilson (the murder) was hiding in the desk just seemed much dragged out. The effects of when Earl escaped were very realistic. The gun shots and all the police cars running down the road, you feel like you are really there.
Frankenstein (1931)
A horror story with a sad side
"It's Alive!" a powerful line of the movie, when you realize Dr, Frankenstein's obsession of creating a man has become a reality. This movie contains an eerie feeling with all the dark lighting, the laboratory in the mountain, the rain, and the lightning. All these effects add to the mood of the film. A powerful scene when the human is raised into the sky and struck by lightning to become "the Monster." This movie was meant to fear the monster, but in a way you feel sorry for him. By being given the murder's brain, he became a person he was not supposed to be. And because he was created, not raised, he does not understand certain things, such as when he through the girl in the water, because they were throwing the flowers into the water. The monster was always scared of fire, and Dr. Frankenstein's assistant would constantly scare him with it and make him mad. This makes for an ironic ending when the Monster dies because of fire. The theme of the story in my opinion is to not mess with fate. People should not be created through science.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
a well done comedy, in a time when comedy was needed
This is a screwball comedy for sure. The humor of the Bullock family is just genius. It shows that not all the rich are so perfect after all, they have their flaws too. This in a time of depression was an uplifting thing for the audience to see. Godfrey was once a man living in a city dump, and then was a honorable butler. It seemed as though when Godfrey put on his suit and became butler, he turned into a man. His dialogue was more refined, his mannerisms were more delicate, and overall he became more proper.
The humor of the ladies of the Bullock family was incredible. After having a crush on Godfrey, Irene became more and more ridiculous, with her fainting and crying. The mother also seemed nearly clueless as to what is going on. If you enjoy outrageous humor, and dramatic gestures, this is definitely a movie for you.
Baby Face (1933)
Baby Face= too innocent of a title
The movie "Baby Face," Has a very good lesson to be learned. You cannot buy happiness. In the end, the main character Lily realizes that she could never compare real love to jewels and money. This movie is very interesting because it shows how easy it is to move up in the world, just by being charming. The movie teaches a very good theme. This movie was very true to the time, it showed how in the era of prohibition, how many people acted. Lily was always being treated by men as a possession, she found a way to use this to her advantage and make something of herself.
Overall I found that this movie was very realistic. It was sad to see how many people are willing to cheat on their wives, or risk their jobs, just for sex from a beautiful girl. Sad, but true. This is something that still continues on today, and it is interesting to see that it was the case many years ago. I thought the ending where Lily realized that true love is better than using all the men was a good touch, although I do not see why her husband lived. It did not make sense for this girl to get everything she ever wants!
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
so much irony!!
The film "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang," is a very good story with much irony. This irony is shown at the end when Jim Allen explains that the reason he stays alive and lives is stealing. The irony in this is that he was put into the chain gang for stealing in which he did not do willingly. There is also irony because the people who represented the state of Illinois said that the chain gang turns people into good, hard working citizens, which was actually the complete opposite for James Allen.
The effects of this movie were also very realistic. The car chase showed many good effects. You could hear the brakes, all the sound effects, the spinning of the car. This all seemed very realistic for 1932. It was also interesting that the ways of the chain gangs were exposed, such as the horrible living conditions, the lack of sanitation, and the uneatable meals. Along with the terrible working conditions, being hit and whipped by the wardens. For being made in the 30s, this movie had many great characteristics of a modern day film.
Don't Change Your Husband (1919)
a typical love triangle story!
This silent film's plot is similar to many modern day films. This film shows a typical love triangle story with a woman not realizing what she has until it is gone. I enjoyed in the film when Gloria Swanson's character Leila compares her husband Jim, to the charming Schuyler, and the slides fade in and out from one man's collar to the other, one man's cigar to the other and one man's shoes to the other. All signs showed Schuyler of being the man she was more attracted to. It did not seem at all realistic for 1919 whoever that it was so easy for Leila to leave her first marriage and then remarry. I liked how the movie revealed that things are not always how they seem. For instance, although Leila thought that Schuyler was such an amazing man and he promised to always love her, he still was out with other women and buying them things. This movie seemed as though it was a modern day filmed in the early 1900s. I could definitely picture this similar plot in any modern day movie.
One thing that seemed out of place was the music. The music seemed as though it was a disc playing over and over. The song would just end at random times and start at random times. It is almost as though the music did not fit with the film. I did love this movie and do recommend it. Although it is a silent film, it is almost as though you can hear what the characters are thinking.
The Gold Rush (1925)
Loved the comedy!!
"The Gold Rush" has very realistic effects for being filmed in 1925. For instance even though this movie was filmed on Hollywood sets, it really looked as if all the characters were actually in the mountains of Alaska. The cabin, the clothing, the town, everything really helped to set the mood that they were actually there. The effect when the house is hanging off the mountain actually seemed real! Whenever there was too much weight on the side of the house which was over the cliff, the house would actually tip, with all of the items inside it sliding. This seems very good effects for the '20s. I also enjoyed the effects when Charlie Chaplin's character faded in and out from being a chicken, to the tramp.
The comedy also seemed genius for the time. Many of the humorous parts that happened throughout the movie, you still see in movies now. Even though there is no dialogue, you really get what is happening. For example, when Charlie's character completely trashes the apartment because he is so excited that Georgia has agreed to come to dinner, and then Georgia returns because she has forgotten her gloves, and the tramp is humiliated. This similar scene was in the movie "Just Friends" with Ryan Reynolds. Also the scene where the tramp is dancing with Georgia and his pants will not stay up, and he accidentally ties the dog leash around his waist; you could definitely see where that would be in any sort of modern day comedy. What a great movie for being almost 90 years old!