On the Waterfront

This movie is amazing! I haven't really been a fan of Marlon Brando up until now, but wow he is simply stunning in this film. At first I thought this was just an extension of his performance in A Streetcar Named Desire being broody and alcoholic, but this was much more subtle, owing in part of course to the famous 'I could have been a contender' scene in the back of the cab. This movie of course is layered with implications from the 'naming of names' by director Elia Kazan in the 1950s in Hollywood, but all political themes aside, it is a great story of the human spirit even in those who claim to have lost their way. I love how even in the end Terry refuses to play the good guy and hangs on the threads of his bad guy persona despite being completely abandoned by the mob and the other longshoreman--the scene in which Champ strangles all of Terry's pigeons is heartbreaking. It is said that Brando's performance was the inspiration for James Dean's Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause and if you think that was a good film, DEFINITELY go see this!

The General

Another excellent silent film that makes me want to see more of the genre. Buster Keaton is simply genius with his trademark deadpan and brand of extreme and demanding physical comedy, props to Marion Mack as well for all her stunts. I have to say that considering this film was made in 1927 the stunts are very impressive since they would still be dangerous to this day and most likely done with green screen. The scene of the train crossing the burning bridge and crashing into the river is similarly quite impressive given the considerable cost and the fact that it was not done using a model. The theme of a single man defending the south is a bit anachronistic given that the 'Great Locomotive Chase' it was actually a feat accomplished by Union soldiers, but the adaptation is funny and it was a clever choice to make the story a comedy instead of a drama.