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l-seidel
Reviews
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
interesting concept
This movie was an interesting look back at a time when color of your skin meant more than ANYTHING else about you. of course, this is not a completely foreign concept today, but I think most people would agree that if a parent met someone as upstanding as John they would be throwing a party. I really enjoyed how much the film allowed you to sit with these ideas and hear it from all of the sides. It wasn't rushed, and it was more important to hear from these characters than to wow the audience with effects and plot twists. When we see that the contempt at the idea of an interracial marriage is not so one sided, we realize just how deep the institution of racism goes and the message of the film becomes even more essential.
The shape of the movie reminded me a lot of The Birdcage(La Cage Aux Folles), though I wonder if that is mere coincidence given that it was a French play before it ever made it to The United States.
Some of the acting was a little stale for my taste, but the message is strong and one that should continue to be discussed.
Psycho (1960)
Not my favorite Hitchcock
This one was really hurt for me by knowing all of the twists and turns. While a lot of Hitchcock films can stand up even with knowing what happens, I don't think this one does. It's such a pure horror film, there to shock and disturb. If you know where it's going, how can you be shocked? I also wasn't overly thrilled with the concept of a boy who loves his mom that much. I get that was part of what was unsettling for the viewer, but it unsettled me past the point of enjoyment.
That being said, I really loved the use of location. It's a film that stays in mostly one place, and yet never feels stale. Hitchcock did a brilliant job turning that motel into something to be feared. The actors also did a fantastic job projecting the sense that something was just slightly off, a feeling that built the farther into the film you got.
I can only wonder how I would have felt about this film had the penultimate shower sequence and reveal of the mother not been so ingrained in my memory.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
good stuff
Bonnie and Clyde, while a classic, is not without flaw. Maybe it's my position of having knowledge decades into the future, but I felt like the movie was struggling to figure out exactly what it wanted to be. I saw inklings of what was done in later films in the same genre (the idea of rooting for the criminal, the mix of comedy with callous killing) but I felt like for each moment they embraced these things, they took two steps back somewhere else. The ending certainly doesn't match up with how we were being made to feel about our protagonists, which could have everything to do with the time it was made. You could almost feel like the movie didn't want to fall into the narrative of Bonnie, Clyde and the other characters deserving death and an unhappy ending, yet that is what we got. It left me rather confused in how I was supposed to feel, but it was a fun film that I definitely enjoyed watching all the same.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Heavy and political
This film made me think quite a lot about race relations and all of the ways they have and haven't changed over the last 25 years. What Spike Lee gives us with this film is a window into the extremely troubling divide based on color of the skin and ethnicity. We don't just see anger against blacks; we see anger against everyone. Everybody has someone they hate, and that is what is destroying us. Like the DJ says, it has to stop somewhere.
This movie reminded me a lot of West Side Story in how it used characters to symbolize specific types of people and frames of mind. Spike Lee did a brilliant job showing us the different mentalities in each character, changed by their family life or age or any other factor.
The ending isn't satisfying for anyone, because there is still a war to be waged one way or the other. The symbolism of putting up the images of MLK and Malcolm X at the end tell us that we don't know what the answer is, and neither does Spike Lee. We are left as an audience feeling entirely unsettled, and that is what Lee wanted us to feel.
Definitely a film I need to see again to get the full impact.
The Graduate (1967)
Poetry brought to life
Every once in a while you see a film that embeds itself beneath your skin. Whether it's the movie itself, or just happening to see that film at exactly the right time in your life. The Graduate for me, is one of those films.
The beauty of this film is how the mood and feelings of the main character dictate everything else. The lighting, sound, editing; everything is all about Benjamin and how he is relating to this world he lives in. When he feels suffocated by the world he is in and isolated from everything that surrounds him, we too feel it in the absolute silence the director allows. In fact, the most poignant moments of the film for me were when the character didn't speak at all. The blank look on his face tied in with music that so brilliantly conveyed everything going on inside him that he just could not get out said more about his character in a single scene than some movies can pull off through their entire course.
The plot itself mirrored the turmoil and confusion going on inside Benjamin. How indecisive and unsure he was about what he wanted to be and how he fit into the world. He wiles his time away with Mrs. Robinson (his feelings on this relationship can be summed up in the scene where his father asks him what he is doing and he responds, 'I'm drifting') while trying to find himself and understand just exactly who Benjamin is. When he happens across Elaine, he finally feels that rush that comes with having a sense of purpose. She is someone he can connect to and can feel like himself with. He has an identity with her as opposed to with her mother where he nothing more than a fake name. On that note, I adored the scene where he entered the hotel with Elaine, everybody calling him by this other name he has gone by for ages now; a reminder of how lost he has been with Mrs. Robinson. But this is taken away from him by Mrs. Robinson when she lies about what he has done and turns her family against him. His time drifting is now his undoing.
The ending scene was perfection because it wasn't a clear cut happy ending. Benjamin made his decision to go after Elaine; to claim his identity in her outside of Mrs. Robinson and his own family, but the expressions on their faces as soon as the adrenaline wears off speak of the fact that they don't quite have things figured out yet. The world is not a cut and dry place, and because of that, the ending of The Graduate could not be cut and dry.
Double Indemnity (1944)
film noir
It was interesting watching this movie having already seen so many movies that clearly used this as source material. The fast talking, witty dialogue, woman with a money making scheme, and the use of romance/feminine wiles to achieve those means are all things that became the cornerstone of film noir. It's easy to see why this movie had such an impact given how perfectly each was executed. It was interesting to watch their so called perfect scheme unfurl bit by bit, especially in regards to how the characters reacted to this.
The only thing that I wish is that I had gotten a little more invested in the romance and the characters themselves. Some later film noir films really nailed making me care about the plot through the eyes of the characters, which is my favorite approach to film. That is just my personal preferences though, and setting that aside, this was an incredibly well constructed film.
Mildred Pierce (1945)
A bummer of a film
I basically hated every single person in this movie except for Mildred. Mildred was so strong, and worked so hard to give her daughter everything she could ever want, but she always wanted more. The men in Mildred's life were horrid. They mistreated her and used her. I loved Mildred though. Her strength and ability to survive were so admirable. I came to the ending wishing Mildred would have killed them all, but I am pretty cool with Monte being dead and Veda going to jail.
From a movie stand point, this was an excellent film. Great build up to the ending, and a fantastic cast of characters, even if I did hate most of them. There was no happy ending here, as so often there isn't in life.
The Killing (1956)
Plot driven story telling
I enjoyed this movie, but it wasn't my favorite of the Kubrick films I have seen. What this film has going for it is a really well put together plot in the midst of non-linear story telling. I was absolutely intrigued to see how everything linked together and wasn't disappointed with the ending.
That being said, I never found myself drawn to any of the characters. This was a pure plot film, and that is not really to my taste. To feel like there are stakes in what is happening, I have to be interested in the people I am watching, and that didn't translate for me here. The one scene where I really found myself engrossed in the back and forth between characters was the scene with the sniper and the car lot attendant. I also really liked the way they touched on social issues in that moment.
A good film, especially for being who like suspense and plots.
Rebecca (1940)
Less is more
Rebecca is a beautifully made film that, every time I watch it, sticks with me for some time after. Hitchcock masterfully uses the medium of film to mirror the story he is telling. The way the images flow across the screen is haunting, beautiful and adds so much to the emotional resonance of each moment.
I think what I love most about Rebecca is how many scenes revel in the quiet and in sparse dialogue. Words are being said, but you can hear the characters holding back torrents of emotions and thoughts. This is especially true in scenes between Mrs. Danvers and the new Mrs. De Winter. I can't say enough about the actress who portrays Mrs. Danvers. I found myself so drawn to her character while at the same time completely creeped out by her. This is how you do horror!
Definitely my favorite Hitchcock film.
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
A story led by characters
The film had a great mystery (Which I wasn't spoiled on!) and a really diverse and interesting set of characters. Usually movies of this variety use their main character as a moral center; I really enjoyed that the Maltese Falcon didn't quite do that. Sure, Sam was our protagonist, but he was rough around the ages and put his feelings before those around him. That being said, my favorite relationship in the film was between him and his girl Friday, Effie. They worked against each other seamlessly and I would have gladly watched an entire movie about them.
As film noir goes, this is up there for me in favorites.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
One of the best musicals ever
Given how much I love musicals, I really shouldn't have been surprised I dug this movie. Call it snobbery, but I rather was! I've had opportunities in the past to watch this before I actually sat down and did. That's years lost where I could have been rewatching!
This movie has everything I like in a musical. Incredible singing, and dance numbers that tie in beautifully to the plot being the chief thing I look for. I like the music numbers to mean something, and here they did. I found my face on the verge of breaking from how hard I was smiling and as soon as I finished the film, I was on youtube rewatching my favorite scenes.
I fell completely in love with the three lead characters and their relationships to one another. They are your classic story telling triumvirate, each adding something to the puzzle that the others couldn't. Good Morning was my favorite, not because of the song itself, but because I got to see these three let loose together and have fun.
It goes without saying how absolutely stunning the visuals were. The colors blew me away and the only film today that I think comes close to its beauty is Moulin Rouge. This film though had the room to play around with so much more color wise given how it was right on the edge of when color films were becoming the norm making it really stand out.
I'd rec this to anybody who loves musicals or feel good films. So glad I finally saw this.
Casablanca (1942)
Beautifully spoiled for me
I have spent years upon years being told that this is one of the greatest movies of all time in detail. And while, now that I have seen it, I can absolutely see where those feelings are coming from, they didn't translate for me personally BECAUSE of the detail in which people discussed this film. I knew the big ending and pretty much the entire plot going in. It made it a little harder for me to get emotionally connected to what was happening.
The best surprise for me was just how much I loved the relationship between Rick and Louie. I can see now why this is an iconic friendship. Tied to this, I loved the message that every ending has its own beginning as Rick and Louis walk off into the mist together. It's a nice change of pace in a day where the end of every film ends with the couple riding off into the sunset. Here, we have the opposite, but it didn't leave me feeling remotely sad or cheated. I was satisfied with knowing Rick had made the right decision and that he had Louis at his side.
Stagecoach (1939)
An intimate action film
Whenever I've heard people discuss this film, it's always been declaring it a western and not much else. A western it most certainly is, but I found it was much more than that. Stagecoach was a movie about a group of characters who had little in common, and through circumstances were forced together on a harrowing adventure. Much of the story takes place in the confines of the stagecoach itself, centered on conversation and how these characters relate. It tackles social norms, and even throws in an element of romance. Yes, there is an epic battle sequence that is intense and exciting, but what makes it so intense is you care about the characters experiencing it. Stagecoach serves as an example to all action films that would come after. This is how make your larger than life scenes matter to the viewer in a personal way.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
Out of focus
I wasn't a big fan of this film. While I liked the main character, and found the social exploration interesting, the shrill family annoyed me to no end. What to some may have been comedy was eye roll worthy for me.
That being said, I can't dismiss it completely due to the truly interesting choice of a main character. When I think of classic Hollywood, my mind goes to classy ladies and debonair male leads like Cary Grant. My Man Godfrey introduces their lead in a sorry state, living in a garbage dump and face full of scruff. The central importance to him is his hardworking nature and that he isn't too proud to work for people he once rubbed elbows with. Given that this movie was made at a time when the majority of Americans were experiencing hardship, Godfrey probably served as someone to relate to and look up to for many.
I also found the relationship between Godfrey and Cornelia fascinating. It made me wish that she was the main female love interest instead of her rather goofy and hysterical sister. Yes, there was a sweetness to the fact that Irene, even in her spoiled state, saw past what he was and looked upon Godfrey as a person. But all the same, I think there was a far more interesting story to tell in Cornelia and Godfrey if they had focused more on her journey to realizing he was more than just a bum, but an exceptional man. It almost felt like they were teasing me with what could be a great movie while instead giving me a ridiculous romance that ended in non-consent marriage.
King Kong (1933)
Sexism is gross
I came into this movie expecting to like it given its status as a classic. I was surprised by how much I didn't like it. I absolutely understand in looking at this movie how innovative it was, and how many movies it spurred. It's responsible for an entire genre of film, and that can't be taken lightly. The effects are for sure impressive, and the way they were able to weave Kong into the scenes at a time when they didn't have the benefit of computer animation is amazing.
The above is why I gave it a three. If it were on plot alone, I would give it a one. I absolutely detested this movie when it came to characters and the depiction of women. The entire first 20 minutes of the movie was such an insult to women. I understand men viewed women very much this way back in the day, but the fact is that this movie condoned that kind of talk, and I could never dig a movie that spent that much time expounding on the weaknesses of women and how useless they are. The lead female does nothing but scream and wait for the men to save her. In the end, I mostly just wanted Kong to eat everybody and cheered whenever he killed someone which is the opposite of what they wanted. Which is why for me, plot wise, this movie is an absolute failure.
I do appreciate the message in there about the ownership men claim over other beasts. At the superiority we feel over them. But I didn't feel like this film was purely anti that stance. The last line also left a foul taste in my mouth. 'Beauty killed the beast'. Because women do everything wrong. All in all, this movie is one I would choose to never ever see again.
Nothing Sacred (1937)
A surprise
Being as I am not all that big on screwball comedies, I didn't expect much from Nothing Sacred. I came away from this movie pleasantly surprised. There was a subtlety to the movie that leaned more toward my taste of dark humor than slapstick that I really appreciated. Hazel wasn't just a shrieking girl; she was much more than that. Her characterization had layers and depended on what she was going through or who she was with. I found myself really enjoying the romance which was only part of the movie, rather than the entire purpose. Much of this movie was devoted to discussing the world of media and the fascination with sorrow and melodrama that seems to be central to our media to this day.
Another thing that I really loved was how this was filmed. There were loads of interesting camera shots where the focus wasn't quite where you expected it to be. I loved the bit where Wally and Walter were discussing Hazel with a big bunch of flowers between them, each popping their head forward when they spoke. It took what could have been a throwaway conversation and made it visually interesting and appealing.
All around a really great movie that is steps above the screwball comedy genre.
Scarface (1932)
Still relevant today
It's easy to see why this movie was remade decades later. Even today, the message is absolutely relevant. From the media attention on colorful characters, to the police not having a handle on gang warfare; all of this is present in society today. Scarface holds nothing back, showing the effect gang society and violence have on families, love lives and innocent bystanders. As Tony gains power he proceeds to lose everything and everyone in his life until there is nothing left.
When it comes to the movie itself, I was particularly impressed by the lead actor who depicted Tony equally well at his very highest and lowest. The plot was tightly written and absolutely believable. Especially the reactions of Tony's sister from hatred for her brother to worrying for him. That final line of hers, "Because you're me and I'm you," really stuck with me long after I turned the movie off.
Truly an excellent film and one I won't be surprised if it is remade yet again.
Frankenstein (1931)
Classic
One of the chief things to keep in mind when watching this movie is the time it was made. If I didn't know that it was a scant four years into the age of sound in cinema, I don't know if I would be as impressed. That being said, it WAS made in 1931 and stands as a huge achievement in film history. I was especially impressed with the use of sound. The quiet moments, where the images were allowed to tell the story as well as the moments filled with sound, like when the townspeople are all in a panic, and the church bells can be heard ringing.
The visuals are also stunning. I loved the scene where Frankenstein was creating the monster. The severity of the thunderstorm outside matching the emotions of those horrified by what Henry is doing, and Henry himself who is lost in the chaotic joy of his success.
As for the story itself, it's one we all by now know in some form. All the same, I felt utter sympathy for Frankenstein's monster who was all but abandoned by his creator. It spoke of the selfishness of humanity, and our ability to completely ignore our responsibilities. Henry's insistence that he could have it all, even as the people around him protested was irritating. I felt so bad for Elizabeth, and the monster alike for being stuck with him.
In the end, I'll say this was a quality movie, and one that all horror and cinema fans should see.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
Brilliant lead steals film
There was a lot to like about this movie. For me, the main stand out was the social and political messages that permeated the film. They highlighted the corruption in government, as well as the horrible conditions in prisons, and though they may have technically toned it down from the reality of the situation, it still got the point across.
The lead actor did an admirable job at the helm of virtually every scene of the film, making it easy to feel how this character was deteriorating with every set back. The only real flaw I saw in this movie was that the supporting characters around him did not even come close to his level.
Best of all was the ambiguous ending. So often films feel the need to hit us over the head where the character/story will end up long after the film end. Instead, Chaingang allows us to feel just as bereft as the characters, as James Allen fades into the darkness.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
A fun time had
I thought this was a really fun movie and well made. One thing that stuck out to me most, is that it was almost the equivalent of a modern day action movie. A lot of the scenes were framed around showing what could be achieved, rather than servicing the plot. The first scene in the cinema when he falls asleep was so well done, especially when you compare it to the kind of effects seen in movies in the 70s and 80s. Proof that less can be more.
I loved how the entire movie/dream was a reflection of what the lead character was experiencing, except here he was a competent hero. This was his fantasy of the best that he could be within his own life. Ending it with him mirroring the actions of the characters in the film was so perfect, and leaves you with the thought that this character is still in a place where he can't quite trust in his own abilities.
While the music didn't originally accompany the film, I appreciated how perfectly it went with each moment. It was particularly effective in the pool playing scene.
Overall, an enjoyable movie, though not one I would feel compelled to see again and again.
The Circus (1928)
The Tramp at his best
I enjoyed this movie immensely. Granted, I came into the movie with a fondness for Charlie Chaplin and his character The Tramp which may have influenced my feelings. Generally, I am not overly fond of physical comedies. Though I did laugh, the appeal for me was the charm of Chaplin and the story being told.
One of the things that impressed me the most was the way they were able to convey such strong emotions without dialogue/sound. I found myself connecting strongly with Merna. Her relationship with her father made me ache, while at the same time endearing me to the Tramp as he showed her sympathy.
Though physical comedy may not be my thing, I did like seeing the inventive use of props and the minimal set. The entire movies takes place in virtually one setting, and yet as a viewer, I never felt bored.