The Amateur Film Critic

Duck Soup

2012-01-02T18:25:00.003-05:00

The first Marx brothers film I've ever watched and I wish it was the last, but Night at the Opera is also on the list. I can't tell if this was supposed to be a musical or slap stick--it did a pretty poor job of being either. It was intriguing to see the original mimed mirror sequence but the rest of the film was pretty absurd and painful to watch, particularly the scenes with the lemonade vendor.

Shane

2012-01-02T18:19:00.002-05:00

Not much to say, the acting was stilted all around. Alan Ladd just walked around looking smug while Jean Arthur made glanced pensively out the window a lot. I did enjoy the stereotyped Norwegian homesteader family. Some sweeping shots, but nowhere near as beautiful anything David Lean or The Searchers. My nightmares are filled with the sound of the son yelling Shane.

The Philadelphia Story

2011-10-18T00:42:00.003-04:00

I generally like Katherine Hepburn, James Stewart, and Cary Grant but I found them all grating in this story. Stewart relies a bit too much on his jovial, street smart persona and his mannerisms which might have been appropriate for the stage are excessive on screen. Hepburn lacks empathy and is not relate-able (even for a rich girl); I simply don't understand how all three male leads would fall in love with her. Cary Grant just seem smug. I find it odd that instead of having Hepburn's Samantha Lord chose the rich man over the self made man or the poor(ish) writer; the rich girl choosing the rich boy doesn't show particular depth on either of their parts and my guess is a return to alcoholism and philandering on both their parts within a few months of remarriage.

Apocalypse Now: Redux

2011-10-18T00:32:00.005-04:00

This movie had moments of greatness, but none of the tightness of exposition that The Godfather had. The rediting in of the French plantation scene in particular, which glancingly related to the themes of colonization and what constitutes a native/homeland, dragged when juxtaposed between the high action and tension scenes of Lawrence Fishbourne's death and the fight at Do Lung bridge. I'm not sure if I liked Marlon Brando's interpretation of Kurtz, but Martin Sheen was good and Robert Duvall was outstanding.

Midnight Cowboy

2011-10-17T23:53:00.005-04:00

Mixed feelings about this one. I do in general tend to like New Hollywood films from that period such as Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown but the collage-like scenes and inter-cutting for the rave and flashbacks felt too disjointed. The Jon Voight character came across as a bit of a caricature to me; I don't know how believable the idea of an army dischargee who dresses like a dude ranch worker coming to New York to be a gigolo is. On the other hand I think Dustin Hoffman did a great job as Rizzo, the wise-cracking, smarmy con-man--in fact it's the thing that convinced me to give this three stars. The MacGuffin of Hoffman's unexplained could have been better thought out (was he supposed to have AIDS?) but the tuberculosis-like illness was better for dramatic physicality than something more believable like cancer.

Double Indemnity

2011-08-09T03:08:00.004-04:00

Don't really have any strong feelings about this film--it's your typical film noir--but then again it might have been one of the films to define the genre (1944). Aesthetically I can't warm to Barbara Stanwyck and her character seems vapid when she should be more, well for lack a better word, Bette Davis-like. Fred MacMurray was similarly forgettable, only Ed Robinson as Keyes, the paternalistic and blustery insurance investigator. Not one of Billy Wilder's best films.

All About Eve

2011-06-28T00:45:00.004-04:00

Waited a bit to blog about this, but overall I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think it may be the most natural role Bette Davis has ever played and I am shocked she didn't win an Oscar. On that note I was surprised at the depth of the female cast in this film with strong performances by Anne Baxter, Thelma Ritter, and Celeste Holm. The cameo by Marilyn Monroe wasn't bad either. The male acting with the exception of Gary Merrill left a bit to be desired. I did find certain portions, such as the Sarah Siddons award presentation, voice overs, and end shot of the new ingenue standing in the mirror a bit stilted but overall it was a tightly edited film.

The Last Picture Show

2010-09-26T20:41:00.004-04:00

What to say? The film starts out slowly and is a bit stitlted, such as the pool party scene and first few confrontations between Cloris Leachman and Tim Bottoms but the characters do develop nicely. The Ellen Burstyn as Lois Farrow in particular was stand out. I have to admit I did want to smack Jeff Bridges across the face a few times, but the role did call for that sort of cockiness and Cybill Shepard is a stunner, and a bit of a bitch. The film was good, but I don't know if I could watch it again.

The French Connection

2009-11-30T23:49:00.003-05:00

I'm a sucker for gansta films, though I suppose this doesn't quite fall into that genre in the way that The Godfather and Bonnie & Clyde are. I enoyed Gene Hackman's portrayal of Doyle, but wish that Roy Scheider had been given a bit more to do since his subtlety and inner struggle to play by the rules or stick by his partner added a nice depth that Hackman's 'a man apart' attitude didn't have. I liked the New Hollywood camera angles during subway chase and the two scenes where Doyle's car rolls by the bicycles with a mounted stationary camera. Overall a better role for Hackman than Bonnie & Clyde was.

Psycho

2009-08-26T02:56:00.005-04:00

Not my favorite Hitchcock offering. Maybe because it lacked Jimmy Stewart. I do have to say, in the scene in which Anthony Perkins is climbing the stairs to visit 'mother', he is oddly graceful. I dislike this move in that in uses slasher-esque techniques instead of Hitchcock's usual methods of building suspense such as in Vertigo and Rear Window. The former two films also had a plethora of visual eye candy and interesting framing techniques of the shots which this one simply lacked.

High Noon

2009-08-26T02:45:00.005-04:00

I'm officially in love with Katy Jurado, she's like a dusky Sara Ramirez. Gary Cooper is okay, but a bit too stolid, however Grace Kelly is a run little treat. I loved the music and the extended shots of the scenery which helped portray the sense of anxiousness and isolation that Will Kane feels after being abandoned by the villagers. I dislike how Helen Ramirez's character is seen as being 'weak' and leaving Will Kane to face Miller by himself, and how she is apparently the town whore. The film was made in 1952, but the anti-Mexican sentiments are a bit too obvious, especially when contrasted with the fair-Anglo, unwavering Quaker faith of Amy. My favorite quotation is Katy Jurado's declaration "I don't let any man touch me unless I want him to."

Some Like it Hot

2009-08-26T02:36:00.005-04:00

Another Billy Wilder offering (he directed It Happened One Night) and is similar in that it has outrageous situations, disguises, mistaken identity, slapstick, and the like. Marylin Monroe is actually enjoyable in this (more so than in Seven Year Itch but I don't care for Jack Lemon, nor his curious mimicking of Cary Grant's accent. Tony Curtis is forgettable.

Rocky

2009-08-26T02:26:00.005-04:00

Ever since I saw this, I can't get the theme music out of my head. I can't tell if Stalone is actually a good actor (to be fair, he did get an Oscar nom) or if he's really as stupid as he plays Rocky Balboa to be. He does have a lanky grace about him which is nice, and he was the screenwriter, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. A decent movie, but Rocky is too likable and his 'flaws' of being uneducated and physical are not fatal like De Niro's Jake La Motta in Raging Bull. In Raging Bull you really did detest his alcoholism, violence, and womanizing which gave the character a depth that Stallone's two dimension portrayal of Balboa lacks. This movie also reminds me a lot of On the Waterfront: down on his luck boxer, works for a mafia loan shark, likes the quiet bookish girl, takes a beating in the final scene without triumphing but manages to preserve his dignity.

Annie Hall

2009-03-11T19:44:00.004-04:00

This movie is generally described as 'everybody's favorite Woody Allen film'. I don't know that I'd agree with that, I liked Match Point far more, mostly because due to The Tudors I have an obsession with Johnathon Rhys Myers. Also, I find Allen's self-pleased smugness with his own sense of humor and New York City to pervade the entirety of Annie Hall, and smugness in a director is something I detest, especially when in someone as deplorable as Allen. There is no way that sleeping with your step-adopted daughter is ever appropriate; likewise he is the most irritating type of Brooklyn-born Jew. I'll grant him directorial style points on the cutaways, long takes, and breaking of the fourth wall, but that is not enough for me to overlook his vanity. Diane Keaton is fresh, and I thoroughly enjoyed Carol Kane's (rather minor) character and Jeff Goldblum's cameo. Paul Simon was not well utilized.

Tootsie

2009-02-27T03:26:00.003-05:00

I like Dustin Hoffman, but this movie just didn't impress me. It feels very dated. I know, I know, yes it's a movie from the 1980's about women in the workplace, so by nature it should feel dated, but I recently watched Nine to Five (also with Dabney Coleman in another role as a 'sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot' boss-type role), and that felt much more relevant, and at the very least was still humorous. Jessica Lange was good, but I don't know that she deserved the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, there wasn't much depth and growth to the character. On a side note, Lange was also nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for Frances that year as well, but did not win (Meryl did for the forgettable Sophie's Choice). Overall, I just felt it was bland.

Bonnie and Clyde

2009-02-27T03:06:00.003-05:00

What can I say? LOVED it. I'm now in love with Faye Dunaway; she was good in Chinatown but she was simply captivating as Bonnie Parker. Warren Beatty's Clyde Barrow has just enough swagger and casual sexual appeal to make you care and just enough smarmyness to make you remember he is a criminal. Estelle Parsons (whom I had the pleasure of seeing in August: Osage Co.) won an Oscar for her role as Blanche Barrow, but honestly I just found her irritating. The extent to her acting was screaming at Bonnie and sobbing at being blinded. Regardless, I love the idea that fact that they took a 1950's era gangster flick and shot it in a very modern approach, with innovative camera angles, not glorifying the violence, and showing the emotional dynamic between Bonnie and Clyde. I think the best scene in the movie is when, while on the run, Bonnie asks Clyde, who is in bed next to her, what he would do if they could do it all over again. Clueless to Bonnie's dreams, Clyde responds he'd continuing robbing banks, but to do so in states they didn't live in. The next shot is a broken, tired Bonnie finally realizing that the end of the road has come, trying hide her disappointment from Clyde. Kudos to Beatty who produced the movie.

Do The Right Thing

2009-02-02T18:55:00.004-05:00

Okay before people yell at me for only giving this four stars (I think it has a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes) let me explain. I am not a fan of Spike Lee's work--I do think he is a talented filmmaker--just not my cup of tea. The message of the movie is political, and relevant, &c. but I just don't understand some of his choices as a director. Mainly, why after he was defending Sal and the pizzeria is he (Mookie) the one to throw the trash can, thereby starting the riot. He didn't have as a strong a motive as Martin Lawrence's character or Buggin' Out, who would have been more logical choices. Likewise, the full frontal nudity was just out of place. The whole scene of Mookie playing hookey and rubbing his girlfriend with ice was just out of place and disjointed the flow of the screenplay. However, this is one of the most socially relevant movies of the 1990s and is a good representation of Spike Lee's work, so I suggest watching it all the same.

Rear Window

2009-02-02T18:25:00.006-05:00

Another Hitchcock classic with Jimmy Stewart. I was surprised that I didn't notice any color themes considering how prevalent they were in Vertigo, nonetheless the storytelling is engaging and innovative; the fact that all the action takes place within the apartment or can be seen from the window of the apartment. The audience is in the same position as James Stewart, stuck (presumably) seated inside the apartment and therefore with little agency over what is happening. The same plot has been used over and over in such modern pictures like the forgettable Suburbia, yet none have been able to reach the level of the original. I only give this four stars since Grace Kelly looks gorgeous, but I didn't really connect with her, and Stewart's character is just a bit of tool towards her for no reason.

On the Waterfront

2009-01-11T23:23:00.004-05:00

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

2009-01-03T21:41:00.002-05:00

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.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

2008-12-28T14:29:00.004-05:00

I do love Jimmy Stewart, and I was fun to see him so young in this film. Likewise, I do adore Claude Rains, so this film had two advantages off the bat. I believe that most American civics students are shown this film as a sort of lesson about filibustering and the process of how bills go through the houses of Congress, etc., etc., but for those who don't know, it's a moralistic tale about a green Jr. Senator who singlehandedly takes on the Washington political machine, and a graft bill sponsored by his Sr. Senator. David vs. Goliath in the senate, and instead of a slingshot we have the filibuster. The movie does seem like a guise to be a civics lesson and tends to be preachy about political corruption but it's a fun watch. It does have a major plot hole in that no one moves for a vote of cloture, which would be the legal, and plausible way to end Jefferson Smith's filibuster, however that wouldn't make for a good Hollywood story.

Yankee Doodle Dandy

2008-12-28T14:18:00.003-05:00

The movie literally made me want to vomit with all the Jingoistic display. I realize this movie did come out right after Pearl Harbor was bombed so there was a lot of patriotic fervor, but all the brash flag waving, and celebration of American bullyism was just too much for my post-colonial, post 9/11 stomach. The movie was made to be a tribute to George M. Cohan, 'the man who owns Broadway', whom, I'll admit I've never heard of till now, despite being a Broadway fan, yet the movie was entirely too much of a caricature to be any sort of a meaningful dedication. I don't know if it was Cohan's dance style, the manner in which James Cagney mimicked it, or even Cagney's own style of dance, but it looked ridiculous when compared with the grace and class of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Generally I love movie musicals, but I found myself almost fast-forwarding through all the songs in this. I'm sorry, I just can't say anything positive about this as have no idea why it is even on the list (even if it is #98).

The Searchers

2008-12-08T21:00:00.003-05:00

Wasn't overly fond of it. Beautiful sweeping shots of the landscape, which I hear was David Lean's inspiration for many of the shots in Lawrence of Arabia and some shots in Star Wars. John Wayne is the begrudging hero who embarks on a quest to find his long lost niece Debbie, played by Lana (younger) and Natalie (older) Wood. It makes one wonder if Natalie Wood is the female version of Jimmy Stewart--she is in so many movie 'classics'. I don't really fancy Westerns, and this didn't really change my mind. They say it is director John Ford's greatest masterpiece but, as I said, I wasn't wowed (then again I haven't seen any of his other movies). See it if you decide to see every movie on the the AFI list, otherwise, don't bother.

2001: A Space Odyssey

2008-12-07T23:59:00.004-05:00

So as a Computer Science major I am sort of embarrassed that I only just now saw this movie. AWESOME!!! Oh my god, Stanley Kubrick is fricking awesome--the visuals in this movie are simply amazing. For those of you who haven't heard, this movie is revolutionary in the realism Kubrick used in picturizing his version of the future. Likewise, the soundtrack is primarily compromised of classical pieces, such as Strauss' legendary "Thus Spake Zarathustra", and to say the spoken dialogue is 'sparse' would be an understatement. All I can say is go (re)watch this on an HD tv with blu ray. Considering this was shot in the late 1960's the special effects on this movie are awesome. They are seamless and believable without the spectacle and obvious use of CG that features in the Star Wars trilogy.

On a side note, as a CS major, the whole idea of HAL 9000 being programmed into a mobius-loop is a cool idea. Kind of like an unending loop but in more than on dimension.

All the President's Men

2008-11-23T01:43:00.002-05:00

WOW! This movie is stunning. If I could, I'd give it six stars, but sadly I don't have a graphic or label for that. Both Redford, Hoffman, and Robards are amazing in this and compliment each other well, between Redford's more introspective cautious style, Hoffman's disarrayed eagerness, and Robards as the unwitting editor-in-chief who is at the helm of the paper that breaks the Watergate Scandal to the public. I loved the sound direction and parts of the art direction. In particular there is a scene in which Redford is just about becoming aware of the fact he is being followed--the soundtrack is a slow ringing thudding like a clock's pendulum while Redford starts walking slowly and then increasing his gait into a run away from the garage in which he had met deep-throat. The shots alternate between his dark frame being projected against the white wall of the garage or his body front lit the dark of night. Worth watching for the acting and historical significance. I never realized that the Watergate scandal was essential broken by two newsman while the rest of the news world and justice department dragged their feet unwilling to either believe the magnitude of what had happened or afraid to stake their reputations on it. Makes me want to go pick up the book and give it a read. In a side note, the Washington Post's office reminded me of 9 to 5.

Sophie's Choice

2008-11-17T22:30:00.003-05:00

While I do love Meryl Streep, this movie really didn't wow me. Meryl does look gorgeous in this, and its refreshing to see the younger Meryl, before she became a multiple Oscar winner and the force that she is now. Kevin Kline is a bit of a caricature and Peter MacNicol's character is too flat (though I do adore the accent). For a movie about the Holocaust, this is sort of flounders and isn't able to capitalize on the innate sympathy it should be able to draw. Streep's character is the only one that has any depth of chance for development, but that alone is not able to save its meandering plot, weak script, and unmemorable music and cinematography.

PASS!

Sunset Boulevard

2008-09-20T22:28:00.004-04:00

Holy moly! What a movie. I admit it is a slow starter, but once you get done, you will now be a fan of the film and Gloria Swanson. This is classic film noir piece by which all are judged by. Even if you've never watched another film noir piece in your life, this is one of those icons that you will recognize by the mere fact it is the base that all parodies such as bugs bunny cartoons are created off. I love the fact that Gloria Swanson is playing a figure so much like her real life and that the dramatic lighting angles (the projection light on her face, the studio lights on set at Paramount, and the mirror reflection in the final scene--to name a few) all focus on her. That, coupled with her over the top acting show that she truly does blend film life with real life. I think the best scene in the whole film is when she is melodramatically begging William Holden's character not to leave her while he cynically brushes her aside--as though even in this significant moment in her own life she still cannot drag herself out of her film-fantasy daydream. The last scene in particular is a scathing indictment of Hollywood and the masses, who allow a member of their own, to lead themselves to their ruin, solely for the sake of their own perverse enjoyment. It is the fans who created Norma Desmond, and in abandoning her, force her into this sad fantasy. Extra kudos to Billy Wilder for creating an engaging story, despite the fact the audience knows how the story ends--in the first scene we see Joe Gillis dead body in the pool, so we know he must die, yet Wilder still is able to create suspense surrounding what is going to happen to William Holden all they way up to Gloria Swanson physically pulling the trigger.

Needless to say, one of my new favorites.

Goodfellas

2008-09-16T00:47:00.003-04:00

What can I say? I like Scorcese (especially when he works with Pesci and DeNiro, however I did enjoy Raging Bull more). A classic in it's own right that does a good job of stepping out of the shadow of The Godfather series. I have to say, Paul Sorvino and Ray Liotta really do shine in this film. I like the use of music and cut scenes that Scorcese employs since it kind of emmulates Henry Hill's 'wiseguy' persona--albeit breaking the fourth wall.

City Lights

2008-09-15T01:49:00.003-04:00

While I am not giving this five stars, I reccomend that everyone go and watch this film just so they have the experience of watching a well-made silent film. Also, so that they can say they have actually seen a Charlie Chaplain picture. The plot moves along at a nice place alternating between the rich benefactor and blind flower girl subplots. The music, which Chaplain wrote himself is enjoyable and quite memorable, likewise, however the true genius of the movie is that Chaplian truly is one of the greatest physical actors of his generation. Also like many people who have seen this movie, I'd have to say the ending scene is perhaps one of the greatest moments committed to celluloid proving to be both satisfying but not overly saccharine for the audience.

Who knows, maybe I'll even go watch more silent films due to this?

Status Update

2008-09-03T16:06:00.002-04:00

Hello lovely readers, it's been slightly over a year since I embarked on this quest and I've been making decent progress (IMHO). I am currently at 38/100 movies with the goal of 50/100 by the end of the year. It's much easier now that Netflix has their download service so I can watch while waiting for the DVDs to turnaround on Blockbuster Total Access. Now I don't want to criticize Blockbuster too much since they actually have the AFI lists as featured lists. They have all Top 10 categories (animation, epic, fantasy, gangster, etc) in addition to the one I am working on, the AFI 100 years top 100. Very nice since it doesn't make me have to search individually for the film titles. I think once I finish this endeavor I may start working on the top 10 lists (shouldn't take nearly as long since many of the films in each also represented in the top 100 list). Till then, take care, and leave comments.

The Maltese Falcon

2008-08-31T21:59:00.004-04:00

Yay San Francisco! Seems like San Fran is the setting of a lot of Femme Fetale/ detective/ film noir type movies (Vertigo being the other). Anyway Humphrey Bogart is good as Sam Spade (seems that Bogart and Gable were the inspiration for bugs bunny, ironic since the last movie I reviewed was It Happened One Night) as is Mary Astor. I do have to say my favorite character is Peter Lorre as the effeminate Joel Cairo (who until today I did not know was in Casablanca also). I like the movie because Spade is sort of the anti-hero, always fighting for the good but leading the police and criminals to think he is also a crook. While he does in the end prove to be an idealist, turning in Brigid O'Shaughnessy, it is sort of hallow since all the while, the audience (and Sam) knows that he had an affair with his partner's wife.

It Happened One Night

2008-08-30T03:03:00.002-04:00

Proof that Clarke Gable can only ever play the same role. Essentially Peter Warne is Rhett Butler in the thirties and instead of a southern belle he has a blue-blood socialite. It's hard to believe this won the "big five"--I know I wasn't too hot on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest but wow, comparing the acting of Gable to Nicholson and Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs being the other film to will all five, and consequently my favorite of the lot) is sort of ridiculous. It may be because Nicholson and Hopkins won for sublime acting while nothing about Clarke Gables is ever subtle. Entertaining to watch, but not in my list of the best films I've ever seen.

Forrest Gump

2008-08-19T02:48:00.002-04:00

The reason this only gets two stars is that I don't really like Tom Hanks and his attempt at acting mildy retarded is just pedestrian in comparison to Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape and Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. Also, if possible, the movie seemed better in the small spurts I saw of it on t.v. then when I sat down to watch it fully. Also I don't quite understand the message of Robin Wright-Penn's (does she still use the Penn?) character. Jenny, while traumatized by sexual harassment as a child continues to wander in and out of Forrest's life in a rather irresponsible manner and ends up using him. Sort of out of sync with the theme of Forrest's significance in major historical events despite his handicap and inability to comprehend what he is experiencing.

Shawshank Redemption

2008-08-10T22:12:00.003-04:00

How can you not love Morgan Freeman? Also the music is breathtaking. A good movie, but not great. It didn't really strike me as being anything more special than say The Green Mile which was also directed by Frank Darabont. Does anyone else think that Tim Robbins and Tom Hanks look a lot alike? I think Darabont has a penchant for historical prison dramas with white protagonists with a black sidekick. Freeman and Robbins are standouts, particularly Robbin's ability to remain silently stoic. The movie serves as as sort of good "Christian-style" parable. The ending is fun.

Cabaret

2008-08-08T02:06:00.002-04:00

This film got three stars for two reasons: Liza Minnelli's voice, most particularly in the song "Mien Herr", and also because Joel Grey is a genius. The movie is entertaining on the same level as West Side Story in that I can appreciate why it did well back when it was released, but fails to suspend my disbelief. When this first came out it swept the Oscars minus best film, which consequently went to The Godfather; I don't know that Grey deserved the supporting actor Oscar over Pacino, nor Fosse over Coppola, but Minnelli is remarkable. Her voice is a spitting image of her mothers, except her singing voice has more power. Anyway, the Fosse choreography is amusing (especially since I just saw the A Chorus Line revival).

West Side Story

2008-07-12T20:26:00.003-04:00

Well I guess this is as 'American' as you can get both in terms of movies and musicals. In watching this with a critical eye I noticed two things: first, that the songs, while classics in their own right, are not well worked into the flow of the movie (which is no doubt why so many people have parodied the constant breaking into song and dance issue i.e. Family Guy). Second, they manage to take the Romeo and Juliet story line and make it modern. The decision to not kill Maria in the end was genius since it makes it more poignant to have the protagonist live and suffer the loss of her beloved instead of dying in order to tie up the loose ends. Rita Moreno is genius as is George Chakiris. Natalie Wood is a bit off, and overall I feel she was better in Without a Cause.

A Streetcar Named Desire

2008-07-03T00:59:00.007-04:00

I've never been a huge Tennessee Williams fan, however I enjoy Marlon Brando, and am in love with Vivien Leigh (no really, I would go gay for her). The film seemed a bit muddled, but from what I understand, it was simply the Broadway production put in front of cameras--with the notable substitution of Vivien who had done the West End production (even more interesting since the only Tony award the production was nominated for, and won, was Best Actress for Jessica Tandy in the role of Blanche DuBois). Overall a well made movie, but as I said, I've never been able to wrap my head around Williams (ironic since I want to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). It swept the acting Oscars (Best Leading and Supporting), with the exception of leading male, although Brando was nominated. It was Brando's second film ever.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

2008-06-26T18:59:00.003-04:00

A good movie but I don't know that it is one of the all time greats. It won the big 'five' in terms of Oscars: Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Director, and Film, but I felt at times it was a bit unfocused and could have used a bit of tighter editing. Jack Nicholson is great but it's the same role he plays in all his movies--I prefered him in Chinatown better. I did finally get the relevance of the poem and the movie: One flew east, one flew west, and one flew over the cuckoo's nest wherein the two character who died, Billy and McMurphy, are the ones that flew east and west, and Chief is the one who flew over the nest.

The Godfather: Part II

2008-06-23T15:34:00.004-04:00

I loved the first Godfather because of Al Pacino, but in the sequel it was De Niro and John Cazale who really sparkled. This film is much darker than the first since it shows the decline of the Corleone dynasty which is odd, since at the end of the first film, one has the feeling that Michael is going to take the family to new heights. Tom Hagen's likening of the Roman Empire is astute in noting that both empires are brought to slow ruin by inside politics, jealousy, and decadence. I do like how slowly we see Michael become like the stoic Vito, while at the same time we see a more innocent and less somber side of Vito (during his childhood and rise as the Don). Liked it, but not as good in the first, hence the four stars.

Singing in the Rain

2008-06-23T15:28:00.003-04:00

So originally I was going to give this four stars, but then I came to the realization I only liked it because of the dance numbers (c'mon, I'm Indian, Hindi movies only work because of the song and dance sequences) and then it dawned on me, this really had no plot except for to give Gene Kelly a showcase. The only character that really stood out was Donald O'Connor as the sidekick to Kelly's arrogant and overly self-assured Don Lockwood. Debbie Reynolds is decent but under-used.

Vertigo

2008-06-18T20:54:00.004-04:00

Overall a great film and probably one of the best mystery movies ever made (actually yesterday it was named top mystery movie of all time on the AFI 10 top 10). I love the way Hitchcock uses San Francisco to give the movie atmosphere as well as his genius use of colour--the green signifying Madeleine and the red his obsession. I don't care much for Jimmy Stewart (but then again, I never did) but Barbara bel Geddes is memorable despite her small amount of screen presence.

The Graduate

2008-06-16T17:44:00.004-04:00

I've watched this movie quite often in broken snippets on t.v. so I was surprised to find I'd actually seen all but the first 25 minutes or so unbroken, and the beginning really does set up the rest of the film. I'm not particularily a fan of Dustin Hoffman's acting, but Anne Bancroft does have a standout performance. Also as far as editting and cinematography go, this film is steller, plus is has arguably one of my all-time favortie scores (I'm a S&G fan).

Chinatown

2008-02-01T15:16:00.000-05:00

I love Jack Nicholson. Period. Faye Dunaway is likewise a star in her own right, but Nicholson's charisma carries this movie completely (as it does in so many of his other projects such as The Shinning). I find the tone of this film very interesting in comparison to Polanski's other projects such as The Pianist and Macbeth, however one notices the common thread of focusing on the personal struggles of the protagonist (anti-hero in the case of Macbeth), especially given the situation of the hero is based so much on the environment and events out of his control (the Holocaust, the witches prophesy, being hired into a burgeoning political-social scandal).

Lawrence of Arabia

2008-01-16T16:52:00.000-05:00

In general, this film is considered one of the great epics, in the same category as Ben Hur and Gone with the Wind, but in my opinion falls short. Yes, it has Peter O'Toole in his tour de force performance, as well as Omar Sharif, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn. Realizing that to my present day sensibilities the film is dated, it really has no conflict. Yes, Lawrence must 'fight' against the desert and unite the Arabs, but there is no personal growth in the character or Lawrence after the rape at Daraa. The film is saved by a spectaculor score and cinematography.

Schindler's List

2008-01-16T16:35:00.000-05:00

I, for some inexplicable reason, greatly dislike Stephen Spielberg, but I concede he is a good director--Schindler's List proves this. The film is very stylistically shot and which dealing with a highly sensitive issue keeps from resorting to outright sentimentality. Ralph Fiennes is at his hateable best and in my opinion out acts Liam Neeson. Ben Kingsley is commendable and carries the film with his subtlety, which is a foil to Fiennes villany. The film was criticized with being sensationalist with it's gratutitous use of nudity and gore, but I feel that a topic such as this should be presented as it is, and quite simply this is, and should not be a children's film (or even an aide for teaching the Holocaust, which it often has).

Pulp Fiction

2007-09-27T01:13:00.000-04:00

What can I say? I love Quentin Tarantino and Sam L. Jackson is a BAMF. John Travolta I wasn't too impressed with, but Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis had strong cameos. It's difficult to write about this movie since it has become such an icon of 90s pop culture and was the first real hit that put Quentin Tarantino on the map (Resovoir Dogs really only became famous later). Anyway, it's stylized, violent, and like all Tarantino movies filled with witty one liners. As with his other movies, the plot seems to be born out of series of odd coincidences that all coincide to make sure the good guys win after a bit of pain. I still think I liked Kill Bill Vol. 1 better, though.

Raging Bull

2007-09-27T00:56:00.000-04:00

Well, there is no denying Scorsesse is one of the greatest directors of our generation, but undoubtedtly Raging Bull ought to have won him a Best Picture Oscar than The Departed, which in its own right was a good movie. I liked the cinematographers decision to shoot in black and white since it evoked the feeling of old boxing reel footage (much as was done in Good Night, and Good Luck. Everyone loves de Niro, but in my opinion Cathy Moriarty steals the show. In addition to looking gorgeous she gives the character depth beyond being a simply Jersey/ Brox girl. And of course Joe Pesci is funny, though I kept thinking about My Cousin Vinny.

Citizen Kane

2007-07-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

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'.

The Godfather

2007-07-30T19:34:00.001-04:00

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.

Seriously, go watch this again, and again. It gets better everytime.

Grapes of Wrath

2007-07-30T19:02:00.000-04:00

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.

The Challenge

2007-07-14T18:55:00.001-04:00

Hello all. I have considered myself something of an entry level film connersiur for awhile (I've never formally taken a film course or undergone any education in either directing or acting). As some of you know, I famously landed my internship with MSN Video last summer when I told the interviewer that 'watching movies' was a hobby (proof that lying and saying doing community service is your hobby doesn't always payoff). I watch a lot of movies, by virtue of having a Blockbuster Total Access account, as well as copious amounts of free time.

I have a tendency to pick odd tasks to do over the summer--one year I decided to try to become ambidexterous, but that ended when I broke a finger on my left hand, and the following summer I tried to read all of the Lemony Snicket books. Anyway, this summer I have decided to watch all the movies listed on the AFI 100 Greatest Movies list. At current I have watched 20/100 movies (I've seen more, but I am discounting those movies that I can't decently recall the plot of, or saw in fragments). In the next post I will list all the movies and keep a running tally of the movies I have seen. In this blog I will attempt to review as many of the movies as I can as I see them (however I am will slip up, I imagine).

Wish me luck.

AFI 100 Years - 100 Movies a.k.a. The List

2007-07-14T18:38:00.041-04:00

The List (copyright 2007 the American Film Institute):

~~Citizen Kane~~
~~The Godfather~~
~~Casablanca~~
~~Raging Bull~~
~~Singing in the Rain~~
~~Gone with the Wind~~
~~Lawrence of Arabia~~
~~Schindler's List~~
~~Vertigo~~
~~The Wizard of Oz~~
10/10

~~City Lights~~
~~The Searchers~~
~~Star Wars~~
~~Psycho~~
~~2001: Space Odyssey~~
~~Sunset Blvd.~~
~~The Graduate~~
~~The General~~
~~On the Waterfront~~
~~It's a Wonderful Life~~
10/10

~~Chinatown~~
~~Some Like it Hot~~
~~Grapes of Wrath~~
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
~~To Kill a Mockingbird~~
~~Mr. Smith Goes to Washington~~
~~High Noon~~
~~All About Eve~~
~~Double Indemnity~~
~~Apocalypse Now~~
9/10

~~The Maltese Falcon~~
~~The Godfather Part II~~
~~One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest~~
~~Snow White and the Seven Dwarves~~
~~Annie Hall~~
Bridge on the River Kwai
The Best Years of Our Lives
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
~~Dr. Strangeglove~~
~~The Sound of Music~~
7/10

King Kong
~~Bonnie and Clyde~~
~~Midnight Cowboy~~
~~The Philadelphia Story~~
~~Shane~~
~~It Happened One Night~~
~~A Streetcar Named Desire~~
~~Rear Window~~
Intolerance
~~Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring~~
8/10

~~West Side Story~~
Taxi Driver
The Deer Hunter
M*A*S*H
North by Northwest
~~Jaws~~
~~Rocky~~
The Gold Rush
Nashville
~~Duck Soup~~
4/10

Sullivan's Trouble
American Graffiti
~~Caberet~~
Network
The African Queen
~~Raiders of the Lost Ark~~
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Unforgiven
~~Tootsie~~
A Clockwork Orange
3/10

Saving Private Ryan
~~The Shawshank Redemption~~
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
~~The Silence of the Lambs~~
In the Heat of the Night
~~Forrest Gump~~
~~All the President's Men~~
Modern Times
The Wild Bunch
The Apartment
4/10

~~Spartacus~~
Sunrise
~~Titanic~~
Easy Rider
A Night at the Opera
Platoon
~~Twelve Angry Men~~
Bringing up Baby
~~The Sixth Sense~~
Swing Time
4/10

~~Sophie's Choice~~
~~Goodfellas~~
~~The French Connection~~
~~Pulp Fiction~~
~~The Last Picture Show~~
~~Do the Right Thing~~
Blade Runner
~~Yankee Doodle Dandy~~
~~Toy Story~~
~~Ben-Hur~~
9/10

Total Seen...68/100