Hello everybody! Well it's been about 10 months since I wrote my last (and so far only) blog. I figure I'm more than overdue for a new post. Problem is, as I wrote in my original blog, I have no idea what to write about! I'm not the type to air to the public details of my personal life. I tend to be private and prefer to keep those sorts of things to myself and people I've known for a long time and trust. Besides, I hardly have any juicy or exciting details in my personal life that are worth sharing!
With that said, I think what I may do is use this blog as a platform to give updates on school and professional projects I'm working on, as well as sharing my thoughts or reviews on music, movies, sports, TV shows, etc. Today's blog post will be a series of short film reviews.
I just finished taking a class at school last month called Film Arts. In the class we learned about the Hollywood studio system, film making techniques, major genres, and important filmmakers, producers, actors, writers, etc. We watched about a dozen films in the class and at the end of the semester had to write an essay with a short review of each film we watched and grade the movie (ie A, B, C, D, etc.) We then had to pick our favorite films from the semester. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on the movies I watched in this class. Hope you enjoy reading my thoughts, and I apologize in advance for the length of this blog!
"Citizen Kane"
I first saw "Citizen Kane" almost ten years ago, for a humanities class in high school. I recall being impressed by the incredible camerawork then, and as a college student learning about film technology I am even more impressed by it now. Knowing more about the film and Orson Welles as a filmmaker, I believe what I am most impressed by is the sheer ambition he had as a first time film director. I am equally impressed with the faith and confidence that RKO Pictures seemed to put in him as a director, actor, and playwright. While the films story clearly centers on Kane, its interesting to see how "Citizen Kane" is more of an ensemble piece than a star vehicle for Welles. By using multiple narrators and offering several points of view into the life of Charles Foster Kane, Welles gave all of his supporting players their moment to shine in the spotlight, something that unfortunately doesnt seem to happen very often in film.
Grade, "Citizen Kane": A
"The Searchers"
I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of Westerns, and have never held John Wayne as an actor in particularly high esteem. He always seemed to play the same character type, with the same alpha male attitude, speech pattern, and gait. My opinion of Wayne was changed drastically after watching John Fords "The Searchers". Wayne was downright frightening, a true force to be reckoned with as an embittered Civil War veteran hell bent on revenge for the massacre of his family. John Ford filmed Monument Valley beautifully, capturing all of the vibrant blue skies and deep orange-red mesas that outline the desert. The scenery helped provide an interesting contrast to the very dark and dramatic subject matter that is the focus of "The Searchers". The only drawback to the film for me was some of the rather silly antics we saw from the townspeople. I understand that much of it was used as a form of comedic relief from the intensity of the primary story arc, but some of it simply felt forced and unnecessary. Still, that is a minor complaint about what is otherwise an excellent film.
Grade, "The Searchers": A
"His Girl Friday"
I have always enjoyed a good screwball comedy, and "His Girl Friday" certainly does not disappoint. It was a treat seeing Cary Grant in a comedic role, and I was pleasantly surprised at how funny he was in the film. Rosalind Russell more than held her own as the films leading lady, often acting as the straight man to Grants antics. The rapid fire dialogue heard from the journalists lent itself well to a plot that moved nearly as fast. "His Girl Fridays" larger story, concerning the ethics in journalism, still has relevance today. This relevance makes the film feel less dated than many other screwball comedies from its era. The movie may not be the best comedy from Hollywoods golden era, but it is quite good and very enjoyable. Personally I think I would have selected for the class a Marx Brothers film, such as "Duck Soup" or "A Night at the Opera". Having said that, I am glad I had the chance to see "His Girl Friday", and would recommend it to anyone interested in seeing a classic screwball comedy.
Grade, "His Girl Friday": B+
"Vertigo"
I have been a fan of Alfred Hitchcock for many years now. What has always impressed me about him is how he was able to infuse his own brand of suspense and storytelling into whatever genre his movie was set in. After first watching "Vertigo", I was initially rather critical of it. I specifically felt that a significant section of the second act dragged and slowed the film down before finally building in intensity again, just in time for the films conclusion. However, in hindsight I believe that my earlier criticisms were misplaced. I think that the biggest objection I have to "Vertigo" was it was used in class as an example of film noir. "Vertigo" does employ some of the technical hallmarks that were first popularized in noir, such as low key lighting, extremely high and low camera angles, and forced perspectives. However, to me "Vertigo" does not qualify as a film noir. Rather, I consider it strictly a thriller, which I believe does trace its roots back to film noir. So while there certainly is a noir influence, "Vertigo" is not a noir film. I still believe "Vertigo" is not the best Hitchcock film I have ever seen. Having said that, a Hitchcock film that does not quite live up to the expectations people have of Hitchcocks work is still much better than most of the thrillers that have been released since "Vertigo" first premiered.
Grade, "Vertigo": A-
"The Last Picture Show"
Here is a movie that is as beautiful as it is sad and tragic. It is an extremely well-crafted portrait of the loss of innocence teenagers go through, as well as the loss of the agrarian ideals America had held on to for so long. What could easily have become an overly melodramatic story was elevated thanks to great performances from the entire cast, notably Cybill Shepard, Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, Ben Johnson, and Cloris Leachman. Director Peter Bogdanovich and his camera crew excellently captured the beauty and the desperation of rural America in fictional Anarene, Texas, as well as the people who live there and have nowhere else to go.
Grade, "The Last Picture Show": A-
"Cinema Paradiso"
I can understand why American audiences have little patience for foreign films, particularly when subtitles are involved. Reading the subtitles in order to understand the dialogue can distract the viewer and prevent them from seeing the action occurring in the film. With that said, their impatience causes them to miss out on many enjoyable films, and "Cinema Paradiso" is a great example of that. Because it is a coming of age story, many of the events that take place in the film can be quite predictable. However, the journey director Giuseppe Tornatore takes the audience on is very enjoyable and worth going on, regardless of how predictable it may be. I would recommend "Cinema Paradiso" to people who are self-described film buffs, because so much of the film serves as a love letter from Tornatore to classic cinema.
Grade, "Cinema Paradiso": B+
"Raging Bull"
Martin Scorsese has been one of my all-time favorite directors for many years. Prior to taking this course, my favorite Scorsese movie was "Taxi Driver". After watching "Raging Bull", I now not only have a new favorite Scorsese picture, but I also agree with Roger Eberts assessment that it is Scorseses greatest film. This is an incredibly intense movie that can be hard to watch at times, particularly during the brutal boxing matches Jake LaMotta goes through. The only thing that was more uncomfortable to watch was the incredible fall from grace and downward spiral Jakes personal and professional life went through in the final act of the film. Regardless of how difficult it may be for some people to watch, there is no denying that "Raging Bull" is an incredible achievement in filmmaking for everyone who was involved in the picture. How Scorsese did not win the Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture with "Raging Bull" I will likely never understand.
Grade, "Raging Bull": A+
"The Band Wagon"
I have never been a particularly big fan of movie musicals, but I must admit that I was looking forward to seeing "The Bandwagon" when I learned it was a Fred Astaire film. I had never seen any of Astaires movies prior to taking this class, and it was a treat to finally see the incredible talent he had. The film as a whole was enjoyable, but it does have its weaknesses. The plot is formulaic and predictable, and the characters are rather one dimensional for the most part. Additionally, some of the musical numbers are downright bizarre. But this is often the case with musicals, and these drawbacks do not hurt "The Bandwagon" as much as they could have. In fact, some of the character archetypes that are seen in "The Bandwagon" end up being among the films strengths. This includes Astaire as the aging, washed up veteran actor, and the scene-stealing performance from Jack Buchanan as Jeffery Cordova, the supposedly genius Broadway director.
Grade, "The Bandwagon": B
"Blade Runner"
Science fiction as a genre can be an acquired taste for many people. Therefore, I was not terribly surprised when I heard most of my classmates say they did not care for "Blade Runner", or even hated it. Personally, I think that "Blade Runner" is a great film that deserves to be seen for the stunning visuals and special effects alone. Ridley Scott made quite the technical achievement with this film, and these achievements deserve to be studied and acknowledged by film students. Another important reason why films like "Blade Runner" deserve to be shown in film classes is the larger philosophical questions the movie challenges its audience to ponder. In the case of "Blade Runner", those questions are what does it mean to be human? and are we, as humans, losing our humanity? Neither question is easy to answer, nor can any individual film answer either question definitively. However, they are questions that are worth exploring, and science fiction is a great medium to use for exploring these philosophical questions.
Grade, "Blade Runner": B+
"The Conversation"
Of all the films we watched in this class, "The Conversation" was probably the most frustrating for me. Here is a movie directed by a filmmaker I greatly respect (Francis Ford Coppola), with a tremendous actor (Gene Hackman) leading a very talented ensemble, telling a compelling story that still has social and political relevance today in the format of a thriller, a genre that I enjoy very much. So why do I have such mixed feelings about "The Conversation"? Because Harry Caul, the main character of the film, is supposed to be this expert of surveillance and spying on others, yet in reality he is terrible at his job. He is highly skilled in the technical elements of his occupation, but he is unable to keep himself anonymous, even when he thinks he has, and is incapable of keeping his apartment secure against intruders. Additionally, he blindly trusts his competitors, who would not think twice about taking advantage of Harrys trust for their own personal gain, which is exactly what happens. I realize that Harrys ineptitude is a key component to the movie and is needed for the surprise twist at the end of the film, but it doesnt make it any less frustrating. What was especially frustrating about "The Conversation" is that I could accurately predict what happens in the film long before that point in the plot was reached. As a result, "The Conversation" is a film with a good overall story, terrific acting performances, and a great showcase of cinematography, sound recording and editing that are ultimately severely hampered by a predictable, frustrating plot.
Grade, "The Conversation": C+
"City Lights"
While I have seen a number of silent films, "City Lights" was the first Charlie Chaplin movie I have had the pleasure of watching. The incredible pantomime skills and comedic timing Chaplin possessed were as impressive to see for the first time as it was to see Fred Astaires singing and dancing talents for the first time in "The Bandwagon." Both men were masters of their respective crafts, and deserve to be recognized as such. What impressed me most about "City Lights" and Chaplin himself, however, was how talented he was in so many areas outside of his comic performance. In addition to starring in "City Lights," Chaplin wrote the script, directed the film, and even composed the musical score. The man is a great example of the auteur that we spent so much time in class talking about.
Grade, "City Lights": A
The Best Movies
I enjoyed most of the movies I saw in this class, so picking just three that I consider to be the best is a bit difficult. With that in mind, I would have to say that the three best films I saw this semester are "Raging Bull," "City Lights," and "The Searchers." Honorable mentions would have to go to "Citizen Kane" and "The Last Picture Show." While I gave "Citizen Kane" the same grade that I gave "City Lights" and "The Searchers," an A, I enjoyed "City Lights" and "The Searchers" a little bit more than "Citizen Kane." For me, "Citizen Kane" is a great film because of its incredible technical achievements and a daring, unconventional approach to a movies narrative structure. "City Lights" and "The Searchers," on the other hand, are just a bit better-rounded as an entire film in my opinion, with strong technical elements, compelling stories, and great acting performances from their respective casts.
Well, that wraps up this lengthy blog. If you reached the end, thank you for reading my thoughts on these films. I'm going to try to make posts on a much more regular basis, and I hope to hear from some of you regarding this blog. Also, please feel free to add me as a friend. I know very few people on the site, and would like to become more involved here on Suicide Girls than just reading cool interviews and looking at all of the beautiful women the site has to offer! Take care, and I'll catch you on the flip side!
With that said, I think what I may do is use this blog as a platform to give updates on school and professional projects I'm working on, as well as sharing my thoughts or reviews on music, movies, sports, TV shows, etc. Today's blog post will be a series of short film reviews.
I just finished taking a class at school last month called Film Arts. In the class we learned about the Hollywood studio system, film making techniques, major genres, and important filmmakers, producers, actors, writers, etc. We watched about a dozen films in the class and at the end of the semester had to write an essay with a short review of each film we watched and grade the movie (ie A, B, C, D, etc.) We then had to pick our favorite films from the semester. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on the movies I watched in this class. Hope you enjoy reading my thoughts, and I apologize in advance for the length of this blog!
"Citizen Kane"
I first saw "Citizen Kane" almost ten years ago, for a humanities class in high school. I recall being impressed by the incredible camerawork then, and as a college student learning about film technology I am even more impressed by it now. Knowing more about the film and Orson Welles as a filmmaker, I believe what I am most impressed by is the sheer ambition he had as a first time film director. I am equally impressed with the faith and confidence that RKO Pictures seemed to put in him as a director, actor, and playwright. While the films story clearly centers on Kane, its interesting to see how "Citizen Kane" is more of an ensemble piece than a star vehicle for Welles. By using multiple narrators and offering several points of view into the life of Charles Foster Kane, Welles gave all of his supporting players their moment to shine in the spotlight, something that unfortunately doesnt seem to happen very often in film.
Grade, "Citizen Kane": A
"The Searchers"
I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge fan of Westerns, and have never held John Wayne as an actor in particularly high esteem. He always seemed to play the same character type, with the same alpha male attitude, speech pattern, and gait. My opinion of Wayne was changed drastically after watching John Fords "The Searchers". Wayne was downright frightening, a true force to be reckoned with as an embittered Civil War veteran hell bent on revenge for the massacre of his family. John Ford filmed Monument Valley beautifully, capturing all of the vibrant blue skies and deep orange-red mesas that outline the desert. The scenery helped provide an interesting contrast to the very dark and dramatic subject matter that is the focus of "The Searchers". The only drawback to the film for me was some of the rather silly antics we saw from the townspeople. I understand that much of it was used as a form of comedic relief from the intensity of the primary story arc, but some of it simply felt forced and unnecessary. Still, that is a minor complaint about what is otherwise an excellent film.
Grade, "The Searchers": A
"His Girl Friday"
I have always enjoyed a good screwball comedy, and "His Girl Friday" certainly does not disappoint. It was a treat seeing Cary Grant in a comedic role, and I was pleasantly surprised at how funny he was in the film. Rosalind Russell more than held her own as the films leading lady, often acting as the straight man to Grants antics. The rapid fire dialogue heard from the journalists lent itself well to a plot that moved nearly as fast. "His Girl Fridays" larger story, concerning the ethics in journalism, still has relevance today. This relevance makes the film feel less dated than many other screwball comedies from its era. The movie may not be the best comedy from Hollywoods golden era, but it is quite good and very enjoyable. Personally I think I would have selected for the class a Marx Brothers film, such as "Duck Soup" or "A Night at the Opera". Having said that, I am glad I had the chance to see "His Girl Friday", and would recommend it to anyone interested in seeing a classic screwball comedy.
Grade, "His Girl Friday": B+
"Vertigo"
I have been a fan of Alfred Hitchcock for many years now. What has always impressed me about him is how he was able to infuse his own brand of suspense and storytelling into whatever genre his movie was set in. After first watching "Vertigo", I was initially rather critical of it. I specifically felt that a significant section of the second act dragged and slowed the film down before finally building in intensity again, just in time for the films conclusion. However, in hindsight I believe that my earlier criticisms were misplaced. I think that the biggest objection I have to "Vertigo" was it was used in class as an example of film noir. "Vertigo" does employ some of the technical hallmarks that were first popularized in noir, such as low key lighting, extremely high and low camera angles, and forced perspectives. However, to me "Vertigo" does not qualify as a film noir. Rather, I consider it strictly a thriller, which I believe does trace its roots back to film noir. So while there certainly is a noir influence, "Vertigo" is not a noir film. I still believe "Vertigo" is not the best Hitchcock film I have ever seen. Having said that, a Hitchcock film that does not quite live up to the expectations people have of Hitchcocks work is still much better than most of the thrillers that have been released since "Vertigo" first premiered.
Grade, "Vertigo": A-
"The Last Picture Show"
Here is a movie that is as beautiful as it is sad and tragic. It is an extremely well-crafted portrait of the loss of innocence teenagers go through, as well as the loss of the agrarian ideals America had held on to for so long. What could easily have become an overly melodramatic story was elevated thanks to great performances from the entire cast, notably Cybill Shepard, Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, Ben Johnson, and Cloris Leachman. Director Peter Bogdanovich and his camera crew excellently captured the beauty and the desperation of rural America in fictional Anarene, Texas, as well as the people who live there and have nowhere else to go.
Grade, "The Last Picture Show": A-
"Cinema Paradiso"
I can understand why American audiences have little patience for foreign films, particularly when subtitles are involved. Reading the subtitles in order to understand the dialogue can distract the viewer and prevent them from seeing the action occurring in the film. With that said, their impatience causes them to miss out on many enjoyable films, and "Cinema Paradiso" is a great example of that. Because it is a coming of age story, many of the events that take place in the film can be quite predictable. However, the journey director Giuseppe Tornatore takes the audience on is very enjoyable and worth going on, regardless of how predictable it may be. I would recommend "Cinema Paradiso" to people who are self-described film buffs, because so much of the film serves as a love letter from Tornatore to classic cinema.
Grade, "Cinema Paradiso": B+
"Raging Bull"
Martin Scorsese has been one of my all-time favorite directors for many years. Prior to taking this course, my favorite Scorsese movie was "Taxi Driver". After watching "Raging Bull", I now not only have a new favorite Scorsese picture, but I also agree with Roger Eberts assessment that it is Scorseses greatest film. This is an incredibly intense movie that can be hard to watch at times, particularly during the brutal boxing matches Jake LaMotta goes through. The only thing that was more uncomfortable to watch was the incredible fall from grace and downward spiral Jakes personal and professional life went through in the final act of the film. Regardless of how difficult it may be for some people to watch, there is no denying that "Raging Bull" is an incredible achievement in filmmaking for everyone who was involved in the picture. How Scorsese did not win the Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture with "Raging Bull" I will likely never understand.
Grade, "Raging Bull": A+
"The Band Wagon"
I have never been a particularly big fan of movie musicals, but I must admit that I was looking forward to seeing "The Bandwagon" when I learned it was a Fred Astaire film. I had never seen any of Astaires movies prior to taking this class, and it was a treat to finally see the incredible talent he had. The film as a whole was enjoyable, but it does have its weaknesses. The plot is formulaic and predictable, and the characters are rather one dimensional for the most part. Additionally, some of the musical numbers are downright bizarre. But this is often the case with musicals, and these drawbacks do not hurt "The Bandwagon" as much as they could have. In fact, some of the character archetypes that are seen in "The Bandwagon" end up being among the films strengths. This includes Astaire as the aging, washed up veteran actor, and the scene-stealing performance from Jack Buchanan as Jeffery Cordova, the supposedly genius Broadway director.
Grade, "The Bandwagon": B
"Blade Runner"
Science fiction as a genre can be an acquired taste for many people. Therefore, I was not terribly surprised when I heard most of my classmates say they did not care for "Blade Runner", or even hated it. Personally, I think that "Blade Runner" is a great film that deserves to be seen for the stunning visuals and special effects alone. Ridley Scott made quite the technical achievement with this film, and these achievements deserve to be studied and acknowledged by film students. Another important reason why films like "Blade Runner" deserve to be shown in film classes is the larger philosophical questions the movie challenges its audience to ponder. In the case of "Blade Runner", those questions are what does it mean to be human? and are we, as humans, losing our humanity? Neither question is easy to answer, nor can any individual film answer either question definitively. However, they are questions that are worth exploring, and science fiction is a great medium to use for exploring these philosophical questions.
Grade, "Blade Runner": B+
"The Conversation"
Of all the films we watched in this class, "The Conversation" was probably the most frustrating for me. Here is a movie directed by a filmmaker I greatly respect (Francis Ford Coppola), with a tremendous actor (Gene Hackman) leading a very talented ensemble, telling a compelling story that still has social and political relevance today in the format of a thriller, a genre that I enjoy very much. So why do I have such mixed feelings about "The Conversation"? Because Harry Caul, the main character of the film, is supposed to be this expert of surveillance and spying on others, yet in reality he is terrible at his job. He is highly skilled in the technical elements of his occupation, but he is unable to keep himself anonymous, even when he thinks he has, and is incapable of keeping his apartment secure against intruders. Additionally, he blindly trusts his competitors, who would not think twice about taking advantage of Harrys trust for their own personal gain, which is exactly what happens. I realize that Harrys ineptitude is a key component to the movie and is needed for the surprise twist at the end of the film, but it doesnt make it any less frustrating. What was especially frustrating about "The Conversation" is that I could accurately predict what happens in the film long before that point in the plot was reached. As a result, "The Conversation" is a film with a good overall story, terrific acting performances, and a great showcase of cinematography, sound recording and editing that are ultimately severely hampered by a predictable, frustrating plot.
Grade, "The Conversation": C+
"City Lights"
While I have seen a number of silent films, "City Lights" was the first Charlie Chaplin movie I have had the pleasure of watching. The incredible pantomime skills and comedic timing Chaplin possessed were as impressive to see for the first time as it was to see Fred Astaires singing and dancing talents for the first time in "The Bandwagon." Both men were masters of their respective crafts, and deserve to be recognized as such. What impressed me most about "City Lights" and Chaplin himself, however, was how talented he was in so many areas outside of his comic performance. In addition to starring in "City Lights," Chaplin wrote the script, directed the film, and even composed the musical score. The man is a great example of the auteur that we spent so much time in class talking about.
Grade, "City Lights": A
The Best Movies
I enjoyed most of the movies I saw in this class, so picking just three that I consider to be the best is a bit difficult. With that in mind, I would have to say that the three best films I saw this semester are "Raging Bull," "City Lights," and "The Searchers." Honorable mentions would have to go to "Citizen Kane" and "The Last Picture Show." While I gave "Citizen Kane" the same grade that I gave "City Lights" and "The Searchers," an A, I enjoyed "City Lights" and "The Searchers" a little bit more than "Citizen Kane." For me, "Citizen Kane" is a great film because of its incredible technical achievements and a daring, unconventional approach to a movies narrative structure. "City Lights" and "The Searchers," on the other hand, are just a bit better-rounded as an entire film in my opinion, with strong technical elements, compelling stories, and great acting performances from their respective casts.
Well, that wraps up this lengthy blog. If you reached the end, thank you for reading my thoughts on these films. I'm going to try to make posts on a much more regular basis, and I hope to hear from some of you regarding this blog. Also, please feel free to add me as a friend. I know very few people on the site, and would like to become more involved here on Suicide Girls than just reading cool interviews and looking at all of the beautiful women the site has to offer! Take care, and I'll catch you on the flip side!
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
That said, you can't go wrong starting off with "Citizen Kane." There's a reason why so many critics have named it the greatest film of all time. Personally I think that's over-hyping it a bit, but it's still an excellent film.