Citizen Kane
I feel like it's difficult to write about this movie in the present time since the sensibilities of this movie are a bit antiquated, but here is my attempt. As the number one movie on the AFI list it certainly does represent all that is revered in film-making. The acting by the second wife is a bit stiff but in keeping with the mode of acting seen in pre-WWII films. Based loosely on the life of William Randolph Hearst it follows the story of a hero who rises from poverty into a life of luxury which leaves him utterly isolated. The story is told completely in flashback as different familairs of Kane retell his life to a reporter looking to uncover the meaning behind Kane's last words, 'rosebud'.
Labels: citizen kane, four stars
Well, what can I say about The Godfather that hasn't already been said. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino are effing scary and I'd never want to cross them. The ultimate, and best mafia film ever made--the height of Coppola's work. The music is pretty good as well. Al Pacino makes a convincing transformation from unwilling hitman to the don who will do anything for the sake of la familia. 
I was a bit hesitant about watching this since, I've read the book and the book which is an achievement in subtlety which would appear to be hard to translate to celluloid. I was right for the most part, many of the memorable vignettes are left out or adapted to fit the Joad family. The movie works solely on the strength of Henry Fonda's ability to play the troubled rebel who ends up on the wrong side of things. John Carradine as the preacher Casey is stilted and many of the episodes of the book (the book is heavily episodic) become caricatures of the poor man fighting against odds, the government, and his fellow man. The movie is watchable, but I suggest reading the book instead.