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Notorious (1946)
Notorious
this film is another masterpiece as you would expect from the always great Alfred Hitchcock. A beautiful love story of trust and jealousy. This film is the first Hitchcock movie we see him use this theme of expressing his mother issues, a theme that he makes very popular especially in his most famous work psycho (1960). Hitchcock is never afraid to make a statement and he surely showed that with the love scene in this film. Possibly the most memorable and most revered scene by critics is the kissing scene in this film. This scene was purposely extended cleverly just to make a point. The cinematography in this film is remarkable and is held as one of Hitchcock's most beautifully shot films. This movie is full of vibrant fabulous set and brilliant acting.
The Naked Kiss (1964)
The Naked Kiss
This later Noir style film has so many memorable scenes. So many of these scenes were truly daring for the time. This movie like many others in the Noir genre tries to show us that women can be the killers or violent ones. We see this in one of the most memorable and most talked about scenes in the film, the opening scene. This may actually be the scene that you take away from the film if any, and is certainly the most memorable to critics. The acting is nothing special in this film and many characters seem to be lacking. However this film is packed with exciting new scenes that really pushed the limit. The visual work and cinematography in this film take you over and really draw you in. Samuel Fuller is never afraid to be experimental or take risks and this film is no exception.
The Killing (1956)
The Killing
This film is a fantastic Noir and its no surprise from a Stanley Kubrick Film. This movie set the foundation for so many classic crime stories to come. This movies roots can be clearly seen in so many classics of our time. This movie sets the tone for films such as Goodfellas, the Oceans series and so many other crime dramas. We really see Kubrick take off and find his style in this film. The filming style is so experimental, something never yet seen before that Kubrick would turn into his own form. This movie gets a bit of a dated feel from the dull narrators voice and the horrible way they show the passage of time using this narrator. Many of the characters were one dimensional but that is something typical of a crime heist type movie such as this. To say Kubrick is a perfectionist is an Understatement and that can be seen in The Killing.
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
In the Heat of the Night
This movie had a point and it drove it home hard. Such an inspirational story that is not out dated in the least bit. This films entire message is 100 percent relevant to our day and age and seems to only grow in relevance to our society. This movie was clever and witty in presenting its point. Much of this film seemed to drag on though as the film drew to an end. This film clearly wanted to say a lot to society at the time and for the world to come but they did not know when to quit. There was to much back and forth in the plot and there were several points where you would have wanted the film to end. However the film did not end when or how i expected at all and left me very displeased. This film made a whole bunch of noise but really didn't accomplish much. On a good note Sidney Poitier and the sheriff had fantastic performances.
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Mildred Pierce
This film brought something exciting and new to the crime drama film or film noir period, although i would not consider this a noir. It features not one but two women at the forefront of the action and crime in this film , something both exciting and revolutionary to film. This movie wanted to show a woman could hold a main role in a film such as this and proves this through the strong minded women characters that Michael Curtiz created. Joan Crawford specifically was exceptional while the rest of the characters felt some what dull and flat. The tone of this film darkens more towards the end in true noir fashion. There seems to be noticeably more night scenes and anticipatory music. All and all this film brings fresh ideas to the noir genre and film in general.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Bonnie and Clyde
This film hits all the bases. A wonderful love tale, crime, action and witty comedy. This is a wonderfully shot classic film with many fast paced action scenes, car chases and shoot outs. This movie carries along with it a beautiful message as well. In the end as tragic as it is we see love conquers all. This film is still so relevant in its message . It does a fantastic job relating to so many issues in man and woman's relationship, and its message to society. This film standardized the glorification of the crime couple, and crime families. This film is edgy violent and definitely pushed the envelope for its time period.
Psycho (1960)
Psycho
This is a wonderfully made horror classic that laid the ground work for the slasher movies of our time, which have become so common. This film is filled with creepy in-harmonic sounds that we have becomes so used to in horror and suspenseful films. The build up in the suspenseful scenes really have feeling uncomfortable. Hitchcock knows how to get his viewers on the edge of their seat and we see that in full effect in this masterpiece. This film is one of the greatest written story lines and has such a fantastic dialog. This is an art that has been completely lost in our modern genre of "horror". Character's seem to have no depth and the killing takes priority over the plot in our more recent slasher type films. Psycho has done so much for the genre of horror. Horror movies need to step up their game because this film set a crazy high standard in 1960 that may not have been toped.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver
This film is a Cinematic masterpiece and is told like a beautiful dramatic poem. This is the feel we get from the narrating of the main character played by Robert De Niro. This movie is shot so elegant and dramatically right from the opening scene. We start out in this brilliant long cut that gives us a first person drive through New York City in a taxi. The blurry rainy streets of the city at night were portrayed so well in these scenes.The Music gives this movie a real old style new york feel as well, with the class orchestral music constantly breaking up the scenes. Even the opening credits had such great lighting and special effects. The way this film give us a look through the mind of our main character and makes the viewer feel a part of the film is its greatest accomplishment. There are so many beautifully dramatic long takes as we zone out with the main character and the camera wanders along with his eyes giving us the feel of seeing exactly what our protagonist sees and feels.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction
This is hands down one of the most interesting films you will ever watch. It earns an easy spot on almost all top movie lists. There is never a dull moment in a Tarantino film and this movie comes through with a crazy amount of plot twist as he has done in so many other great films. This movie will filled with power packed cast that all really delivered. This film is witty,gory, and yet still can warm your heart at times. This movie has so many memorable quotes mainly due tot the superb acting job by the always great Samuel L. Jackson. The action is off the charts and this film is full of Tarantino's typical gory and dramatic cinematic effects. Tarantino is truly one of the masters of expressing realistic violence on film. This movie is a bit confusing the first time through but after you grasp whats going on and how this story is being haphazardly told to you it is one of the most thrilling cinematic experiences. This mish-moshed story telling is common for a Tarantino. It would not even be fair to label this movie in a genre because this movie does so much. It takes you on a ride through every emotion and movie genre you can imagine. A true masterpiece.
Annie Hall (1977)
Annie Hall
I thought this film was very pleasing to the eyes and had a great message that can some what relate to everyones love life. At some point in our lives we have all been Alvy Singerand i think thats why this movie is so appreciated by many. However Woody Allen is way to much of a personality actor for me. While his humor certainly has its moments and can get me to laugh pretty hard, it becomes old and stagnant throughout this film. Woody Allen is strongly opinionated and he makes it clear by force feeding his thoughts about society to you countless times in his films. It almost feels like getting stuck at a stand up act that you didn't sign up to go see. Another thing that held this film back was purely the amount of times he steps out of character and acknowledges that this is a film. I think thats a clever method in film making and can be hilarious, however this technique was beat to death in this film.
Scarlet Street (1945)
Scarlet Street
I enjoyed this movie in most of its aspects. I think it was a well done film that was not exactly your typical Noir film from this period. For a good part of this film it had more of romance drama type of feel. The scenes were bright and cheery, something very unusual in a regular film noir. That is until the climax of the film where it fully jumped to a creepy almost horror like feel. There were noticeably more night scenes and shadowy sets noticeably crammed into the ending. What didn't work for me in this film is the main character, and thats disappointing because of how big of an effect that role can have. Many other aspects worked and the story was beautifully designed but the main character pulled this film down so much. I know his character is meant to be a boring spineless kind of pushover but i felt no progression or development what so ever. He was a completely one dimensional , flat character only really showing one emotion.
The Graduate (1967)
The Graduate
This film surprised me in so many ways. This movie was so beautifully shot with its crisp colored scenes and amazing widescreen format. There was so many creative personal perspective shots where we are taken in to the mind of Benjamin Braddock , played by the brilliant Dustin Hoffman. His performance was what made this film , something somewhat necessary you would hope out of your main character. His performance was so awkwardly hilarious , her truly captured the persona of the post college young buck with hesitation to perfection. Right along side him Anne Bancrofft, Mrs. Robinson, was sensational as well. I think this film was comedically ahead of it time and set the tone for plenty of our greatest modern comedies such as American Pie(1999) and such films in that genre.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Singin' in the Rain
This movie is a colorful up beat type of musical. This film is full of classic tunes that they will have stuck in your head for the rest of the week. However some songs and dance sequences can drag on and seem a bit dramatic.Speaking of dragging out I feel that is all the ending was , a big drawn out symphony of dance and song that didn't seem to fit or really feel necessary. The title song is popularized in a more recent film a Clock Work Orange(1971), and having seen that film first i think gave me the wrong preconceived feeling about the song maybe causing me to enjoy it less in this film. However this film definitely leaves your foot tapping and has its own type of hilarity in its dance routines.
His Girl Friday (1940)
his girl Friday
This was hilarious. All of the humor in this movie still hit right home and played along so well with the same goofy situations we come across today. age is no fault to this comedic piece of film. The costumes and movie sets were really impressive for a black and white film, both very well done. The acting and joke were wild. The women in this film spoke so fast barely letting the other finish there line. This was comically done well though , these women were spot on. this movie was packed with dialog because of how fast the actors were speaking. This was creatively funny and definitely fits the category of a classic screwball comedy .
The Circus (1928)
the circus
I enjoyed very much about this film. This is by far the oldest movie I have seen to date and is the first silent film I have ever seen. That being said I was very surprised by how enjoyable and well done this film was. Charlie Chaplin is one of the most talked movie actors of all time, so much so that I already had heard of him multiple times. I now understand why , Charlie is hilarious and really puts on a show despite lacking sound. Charlie is truly great at being a clown but this movie had a great script with some serious aspects at points.There is also a romantic theme in the movie as well. I thought the film was also a little long especially for a silent.
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath really had a great message to get across to America. This movie is full of political and social meaning. Its a very emotion packed film taking place during the depression in the 1930's. THis movie is till very much relevant to this day in its economic message to a struggling country. This film touches your heart and you truly feel for the poor farmers. This movie had great cultural significance but is not aesthetically pleasing. The acting and dialog are shaky and do not keep you interested. I would find myself straying off because some of the rants seemed irrelevant. The whole film has a gloomy feel to it.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Sherlock Jr.
What I really enjoyed most about this film was the use of the soundtrack. The music was very interesting and easy to listen to. The soundtrack is what made some of the scenes for me. It helped make the scenes feel okay with the lack of dialog or noise for that matter. It was impressive how they used the soundtrack for every little change up in a scene or to show you the emotions each character was trying to express better. The actors movements and interactions with one another in this movie were hilarious. I found them to be so entertaining the was they have to dramatize every last detail to get their point across. This was an overall very shot film but got its point across. i think the actors were excellent in expressing everything they had to without sound, making this movie still watchable and entertaining to someone like me.
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Maltese falcon
Humphrey Bogarts acting was superb as always in this film. His character Sam Spade was played to a tee. It seems to come natural to Bogart playing this hard headed, I don't play by the rules private eye. I really liked seeing Humphrey Bogart take on one of his good guy roles. He proves his great diversity in character roles in this movie. The rest of the actors were brilliantly cast as well. While the acting and dialog in this movie was well done I really did not enjoy the storyline. It seemed very dull and the parts that were supposed to be exciting seemed uneventful. Not to say this movies plot did not have enough to its storyline. There was still enough turns in the plot and suspenseful parts the movie attempted to make thrilling. This movie is a classic Detective film that I believe Bogart saves with his acting and character once again.
King Kong (1933)
king kong
I was somewhat disappointed by this classic monster film, being it was my first time seeing the original King Kong. The movie felt like it was dragging on way too much in the beginning build up scenes leading to a climax not worth the wait. The action the crew encounters on skull island is however an entertaining storyline. Given the restraints of the time and what not I was still extremely disappointed with the special effects. Everything from small things like the gunshots to the horrible robotic like creatures on the island. All these creatures motions and appearance were unrealistic, some of it painful to watch. Other films around this time period still had much better special effects for simple things such as gun shots. This film deserves credit however for trying to tackle the task of giant monsters in their film in the year 1933. The storyline of King Kong is truly and American classic that i think still deserves a proper remake. To this day I don't think any of the versions have done it justice.
Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca
Humphrey Bogart plays an amazing character as Rick Blaine in this film. He is a mysterious business man who 's character you fall in love with. This movie had a great exotic feel to it. All the different countries of the world came together in Casablanca. The actors really portrayed each culture very well with they're accents and costumes. The rest of the costumes for the movie were well done also. I loved how Humphrey Bogart was always looking as classy as possible with his suits and bow-tie. The music was very cool in this film as well, especially the character Sam who played for Rick in the saloon. He was really talented. The middle eastern singers and musicians in the bar also helped to give the movie this exotic feeling that worked really well.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
my man Godfrey
I think this movie took on more of the romance movie role, but did it well in a goofy way. I really enjoyed this movies well put together storyline. This movie was kept very interesting throughout with its dry sarcastic jokes. I really like all of the plot twist as well, and the way they shroud Godfrey's character in mystery for most of the film. For the longest time we do not know his intentions or his past. I think the most comedically successful characters in the film were the women in the Bullock family. The way each of their characters would just ramble on and on without taking a minute to breathe was just hilarious. The actresses did a great job of showing you they were all from the same dysfunctional family. All of they're quirky antics and mannerisms were acted out perfectly. I really liked this film for its originality and dry humor. It feels like a classic version of what has become such a huge modern genre, romantic-comedy.
Stagecoach (1939)
Stagecoach
I really liked John Wayne in this movie. His acting was on point. The way he portrayed his bad boy with a few words to be spoken role was unbelievable. This was a breakout movie for Wayne as well. This movie surprised me because i typically find most westerns to be boring or follow the same basic plots. This movie had a great storyline building off of a classic motif, piling people of all different walks of life into one stagecoach and seeing what comes about! The sets in the movie were awesome because John Ford actually shot them in the desserts of the Midwest. This gave the movie such a realistic western feel. This movie did stick to many of the same ideas of westerns like outlaw cowboys, and the danger of Native Americans that all these westerners faced.
Scarface (1932)
Scarface
Scarface is one of the classic gangster films. This movie set a tone for the brilliant crime dramas we have today. This movie had a point to make to society about the gang troubles in crime ridden cities such as Chicago, in this time period. I really liked seeing where the modern version of Scarface got a lot of its main plot sequences and major lines from. This movie did a great job with its special effects in the action scenes especially for its time. The dialog was some what choppy and was unclear at times. I was not a fan of the Awkward Spanish accent Paul Muni and many other characters put on for their role. It made the dialog indecipherable and seem unrealistic. Overall this film had a strong plot line that set the way for gangster films to come.
Frankenstein (1931)
Dr. Frankenstein dreams of one day creating life but did not know what he got himself into
I thought Frankenstein(1931) was a real staple horror movie. The acting was not the greatest, but it definitely did the job for a movie from the 30's and told the classic story of Frankenstein. For a black and white movie they did a great job with the effects from the lightning in the storm shocking alive the monster or the huge fire in the cabin at the end. The lighting and effects did a great job of helping this movie have a creepy eerie feel. There was a great use of light and dark contrast with the shadows in Dr. Frankenstein's lab to create this effect. This movie is truly a horror classic and one of the first original monster movies. However i felt it could have done a better maybe more elaborate job of explaining the plot. I wanted to see more of the monsters rampage through the town, Blissfully ignorant as it may have been. I wanted more of a build up of the towns peoples rage leading to that great ending. All in all this movie was a trend setter and the one of the first greats of its genre.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
Paul Muni struggles with the justice system in a 1931 chain gang
This movie impressed me down to every last detail. Everything about this movie seemed so modern and relevant to our time and it honestly surprised me. I think the special effects and filming quality were way ahead of its time. Paul Muni as always was an incredible actor and played his role perfectly. His humor and sarcasm was far from out dated and had me laughing more than a few times. This movie had a definite impact on society helping rid the south of its terrible chain gangs. I think the movie made a good point of poking fun at that society that we live in. The character James Allen finds out the hard way that people don't always keep there word. In this movie the good guy who makes the right choice doesn't make it out happy in the end.
This movie wanted to point out the corruption in the justice system of the time. It was put in place to turn convicts into people ready to be respectable members of society. As soon as we see our main character achieve that ,the justice system throws him right back. This creates the lifestyle we see James Allen living by the end of the movie. I like how the humor and the points this movie pokes fun at in society are all still very relevant. I like how we see the justice system fail to change Muni into a moral member of society. This can be seen in our own world when the corruption of our own justice system is exposed forcing normally good moral people to turn to a life of crime or evil. We see this in an eerie, dark scene where James is creeping through the shadows and only whispers for a few moments before running off like a thief in the night. A great cinematic ending but it left me wanting more!