boeseadamj Reviews

Notorious (1946)

Captivating thriller/ love story about Ingrid Bergman infiltrates a Nazi group in Brazil.

[8/10 · 7 December 2016]

This is the only Hitchcock film I have seen other than Psycho. I have heard many times about the 'Hitchcock style' and I am still trying to identify exactly what this is. Overall I think stylistically this film hold up well other than some obvious antiquated techniques and technology, such as the projected background. It is always very clear to a contemporary audience that these people are not actually in Brazil. Despite of this, it is still a very enchanting story. I spent a year in Brazil so I particularly enjoyed seeing and hearing a fairly accurate representation of Rio. I have also grow particularly attached to Cary Grant and Alicia Huberman and I think this was another great addition to their acting repertoire. And although the style may be very different than contemporary actors I think it holds up pretty well to any one who wants it to.

Taxi Driver (1976)

An isolated NYC taxi driver gets fed up with the apathetic city he lives in.

[9/10 · 7 December 2016]

This film is madly interesting. Its examination of Travis makes me examine my own morals. The murder of the pimps in itself is less problematic than Travis's motivations. Travis's loneliness reaches the audience on some visceral level as well as his disgust with society to some extent. But their is still something unnerving about him as a character and I feel uncomfortable condoning his actions even though I sort of do. And that is a really powerful struggle that this film conveys. A disturbing and alienating view of this character that the audience still understands. I also appreciate the very strong visual storytelling that this film contains. Martin Scorsese is a master behind the camera, especially during scenes like the classic mirror scene, or alka seltzer close up. The decision to hold the camera just a little longer than perhaps some other directors is very bold, not to mention effective.

Out of the Past (1947)

A former private investigator works at a gas station until the past comes back to pull him back in.

[8/10 · 6 December 2016]

A terrific film noir. The dialogue was very sharp and impressive, as is typical for this genre. The visual story telling was terrific in this film. Everything from the blocking of a scene to the classic film noir lighting was terrific. The actors themselves were well chosen for their roles. I very quickly developed an attachment to the characters, even the unlikable ones. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an introduction to the film noir genre. I particularly appreciated the use of backgrounds and overall "misé-en-scene" juxtapositions to emphasize the differences in Jeff's internal state. The non linear narrative was a powerful tool to capture the audiences attention. Really Great!

The Bad Seed (1956)

A chilling thriller about a psychopathic child and her murderous tendencies

[7/10 · 6 December 2016]

A great film about the psychopathic Rhoda. Although some acting leaves something to be desired, the film still holds up well. It is surprising how suspenseful some scenes are 60 years later. I would think that it would not hold up well to a contemporary audience, and although some aspects don't, the film as a whole really does. Perhaps one of the more memorable scenes is when Monica and Christine both incoherently talk to themselves after seeing a man burned alive. The overlapping sound was just unnerving. The ending of this film shows evidence of the production code of the time. The clear good coming out better than evil felt bland. Although I still enjoyed the film, I would love to have seen the unhampered result.

Citizen Kane (1941)

A news team investigate a newspaper tycoons life to understand his dying words

[9/10 · 2 November 2016]

Citizen Kane is the classic of American cinema. Wells's debut film shows his mastery of the visual medium by using innovate and dynamic staging and shooting. He created a visual motif of isolation throughout the film which added so much to the film. Wells also wrote (and acted) Citizen Kane which is perhaps why he was able to have such a mastery over both the form and content of the film. The writing and development of Charles Foster Kane was also incredible. Even after my second viewing I am uncertain on my opinion on the life of Charles Foster Kane. Likable of course, but I found myself questioning his motivations and then questioning why I questioned him throughout the film. The words complex character don't do him justice. One of my favorite films of all time.

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

The biopic tale of how through the strength and morality, Abe Lincoln is able to save the lives of two wrongfully accused men.

[7/10 · 19 October 2016]

A good movie in which Fonda plays the character of Lincoln. What really struck me was the films ability to convey the sense of American individualism AND community through the morality and character of Abraham Lincoln. The scene in which he prevents the lynching is very powerful. However, one way in which it attempts to do this is to show connection Lincoln has to his family and first love which appear flat as the audience has spent most the film getting attached to Lincoln and the community and not the few forced scenes between Lincoln and his loved ones. The film also expertly transitions from the peaceful small town to dangerous and violent through a mixture, parallel editing between the murder and the town competitions, and the lighting and cinematography. With that being said, the narrative pacing is quite slow at the beginning spending too much time on conveying the small town feel.

Fantasia (1940)

Micky Mouse, an magicians apprentice, accidentally uses his masters magic that he cant control.

[6/10 · 19 October 2016]

The audio in this film consists completely of classical music. Despite this, I would not classify this as a silent film even though many silent films were the same way because of the advantages animation has in this aspect. The animators can perfectly turn every single sound into a visual representation in the narrative that silent films cannot do. The film is masterpiece of visual storytelling in this regard since it can tell the whole plot through visuals without any dialog or inter- titles which is an impressive feat. Perhaps another reason why I enjoyed this film so much is because it is the first of its kind and a representation of the potential that a modern audience knows animation has.

His Girl Friday (1940)

A newspaper editor tries everything to win back his ex wife. While getting the story of the century of course.

[9/10 · 13 October 2016]

This film is a great film for the time period. It is very fast paced and requires the viewer to try actively pay attention in order to keep up. The fast paced and witty dialogue is a rarity today and is very funny and enjoyable. However, this may be one of the few times where I would have preferred a non-traditional, sadder Hollywood ending. The the suspense that builds during one of the final scenes in which the killer is hiding in the desk, would have really paid off if the squabbles ended in an accidental killing of the insane killer instead of everything working out. Although that may sound gruesome, it would have been a perfect way to resolve the petty bickering between the characters during such an intense scene as it would have put the whole situation in perspective. I guess that would have made it a different film. The film we do have is still very enjoyable, even to a modern audience.

King Kong (1933)

A film company goes to an unmarked island to find the legend of skull island...

[8/10 · 8 October 2016]

Wow. King Kong is a film I knew before I even saw it so I was shocked to find how much I loved this film and how well it still works. Right off the rip they start building up the suspense with the ship yard scene and the captains discussion about the film makers oddities. The fact that I knew everything that was gonna happen and I still felt the suspense is a testament to the quality of the film. What was interesting about the 2005 remake is they really sold the misunderstood monster angle very early on. In this original version, it felt like a lot less clear. For most the film I did not empathize with King Kong. Despite that, at the end of the film, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth, as if I realized too late that I had taken things too far. The the emotion I get from this film is proof of the quality of the story telling.

Scarface (1932)

Tony Camote rocks the city of Chicago with a wave of violent crime in the hopes of becoming the biggest bootlegger in Chicago.

[9/10 · 30 September 2016]

Scarface is a testament to the power of visual story telling in early films. Although the technical work isn't on the same level as modern films, the film still stands up to a modern audience because of the quality of visual elements. However, I can't help but think the purpose of the film is lost, if not when it was released, then absolutely on a modern audience. At the beginning of the film, title cards explicitly state the purpose of the film is point out how out of hand crime is at the release of the film as a result of bootleggers. Tony Camote, the protagonist, is the exemplification of the out of control nature of crime. He has no honor, enjoys violence and has no bounds, going as far to recklessly attack other gangs which creates a literal war between the gangs. Many people are caught in the wake of this violence, including children. Instead, of deterring me from this objectively awful character, I enjoyed watching him destroy the city. Perhaps it would have a different effect on the people of the 1930's but the film definitely glorifies Camotes action when viewed from a modern lens. This doesn't however detract from the film. If anything it adds to the enjoyment of the film.

Wings (1927)

Two men, who are in love with the same girl, are drafted as fighter pilots during WWI. Their love causes a rivalry, however, they end up becoming friends during the war.

[6/10 · 23 September 2016]

Wings was one of the first silent films that I've seen that was not done by Charlie Chaplin. Although I enjoyed this film, the number of inter titles drew me out of the film. What really distinguished Chaplin was his gift for visual story telling. Although a great film, the reliance on inter titles prevents it from aging as well as other silent movies from the era. Perhaps the most cinematically impressive part of this film were the dog fights. The air fights were totally believable, if you were able to look past some of the minor out of date effects. Overall, they added to the visual drama of the film. Definitely a historical piece of art.