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Taxi Driver (1976)
wow
Amazing. I guess the plot is a bit basic, but I think it is able to very accurately portray Travis. Camera-work is solid, with nice variation of mounted cams, etc. It goes in for CUs of Travis more often than other people, making you feel like you're really in his head. Editing was superb as well, keeping the pace going it what's actually kinda a slow film. It doesn't feel slow at all. Even with the awkward moments, there's enough tension there, like where he is in the political crowd, or introducing himself to the girl at the office, or just walking up the stairs to the apt. rooms, that I'm not bored in the slightest. It's peppy. THe city feels alive, but Travis is not so much alive at the same time.
The ending felt a bit off, but I think Travis would agree.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
slow, plot isn't much, but well done
I love it's use of long takes. It just feels so natural, for the camera to be right there with them, effortlessly tracking them through the apartment, city, wherever. The plot was meandering, not doing much of anything more large chunks of the movie. Rosemary feels like an impossible character, just with the way she speaks and thinks. I don't think they could have made a more innocent, naive sounding person if they tried. Lighting and set was great, that apartment really felt like a real place to me.
I wish we got to see more of Rosemary's friends, I didn't even know she had any until the party.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Basic, but amazing
The camera work and editing here was amazing. They vary the shots up a lot, and know just when to cut and when to keep it on one shot. Great dramatic but realistic lighting, and the sounds of the tommy guns really made this feel like a true "gangster" film.
I would have liked to see more variation within the plot, as what happens is pretty straightforward, but I suppose they wanted to keep it somewhat true to the way it happened.
This film nailed the action, but also used the slower portions well to deepen character.
The last scene was also done really well. I was expecting a long shootout like happened earlier, but the way they did it was fresh and made for a fitting ending.
The Naked Kiss (1964)
not interesting
This movie just isn't for me. It was difficult for me to focus on it, so I probably missed details that would have helped me understand the story better, but for me the story didn't seem that great to begin with.
I did really like the opening, especially the opening credits, and the more active scenes.
I also liked the screwball comedy elements.
I think it was trying to emulate film noir elements, but didn't achieve that on any level. The camera framing was generally uninteresting, and it lacked the drama.
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Tedious, written more like a flow chart than a movie
I feel like the premise of this is good, but the execution is not. Just about the whole movie is about everyone meeting everyone, with a much bigger focus on her parents than his.
Even though most of the running time is spent in conversations or debates between characters, they don't raise up many points. They repeat the same kinds of ideas constantly to each other. I really think the running time could be cut in half without missing anything important.
I also don't like how the characters have to announce every time they leave the scene, it's not necessary to proclaim, "I'm going to go upstairs now!"
Lastly, we know almost no back story about the character's, odd for a movie that should be driven by that. I'd like to see how their past colors their opinion of the matter at hand.
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Really amazing
Starts off a bit slow, but once it begins to pick up pace it doesn't slow down. Harry is amazing, great southern way of speaking that isn't over the top, and the way he morphs from an evil stepfather to basically the Devil is interesting.
We don't have a lot of extra information that isn't needed, for example we don't know a lot about the home they are in at the end, their neighbors, etc. It's really quite simple in how it tells the story, which I like. I think it does a great job of telling the story from the kid's point of view, so it doesn't deal so much with things that they wouldn't be affected by. It does deal with what it's like for families when the mother marries another man, who is abusive, which is an adult theme for sure, but one that the kids were able to understand more or less. The part where he tells the mother what sex is to him isn't really relating to the kids at all, more just to the mother, and it says a lot about his character.
I did not like the acting of the boy. I think his character is cliché (stubborn, loyal, smart but impulsive). I've just seem that kind of character and acting from children in movies too often.
Some truly amazing looking scenes, such as the one underwater, or where Harry slowly rides across the horizon singing. Just his singing, and how his intentions relate to who he is, in different parts I think makes the overall feel of the movie really special.
All About Eve (1950)
Well done, but the plot isn't for me
I understood the basic ideas of the plot, and the motivations of each character. However, in most of the scenes I wasn't feeling drawn in, and it often became difficult to watch. I think a substantial amount of content could have been cut, and it would make for a tighter and more concise film. Karen (I think that's her name, the person who first introduces Margo to Eve), I can't remember almost anything about. Some scenes, like the ones between Addison and Eve, were really great.
I originally thought I was going to have to write that Eve seems like a fake character, too happy and childlike, etc. but that changes. She goes through an excellent character arc. Margo was amazing, and really seemed to be a genuine, weary star.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Over the top at times, but fun to watch
I think some of the songs could have been cut. The dream-like sequence at the end didn't really seem to fit in, and also there are parts I think could have been cut out. The Good Morning song I guess makes sense (it was morning), but I think it could have been cut, for example.
Regardless, it is an excellent example of a comedy, and of a musical done well. I just don't like it when they begin dancing spontaneously, as it takes me out of the world within the movie. That's just me though.
The ending was fantastic as well, with the tension building up, and then the grand reveal behind the curtain, and everyone lives happily ever after. That didn't even feel contrived to me, and I think it's difficult to pull of a happy ending like that while making it feel natural.
Mildred Pierce (2011)
Great, but easy to follow
I found this story to be surprisingly good. I understood how the mother only wanted to be able to please her daughter despite her lack of money, but I also understood the daughter's position. Yes, she was spoiled and extremely ungrateful, but I think what she really wanted was a mother who had a backbone, who she could be proud to call her mother.
Each character plays a part that makes sense within the story, and I can't think of anything or anyone that seemed extraneous.
The opening scene was shot especially well, but also throughout it was shot and edited well, not staying on one shot for too long like some other old films.
Scarlet Street (1945)
Starts out slow, but with a nice story of being trapped, and just gets better
Wow. This was amazing. That feeling of being trapped like he is at first makes him an easily identifiable character, and the way he is taken advantage of is really great to watch.
I wish Kitty was a little more mature and scheming, as it is it seems the film isn't quite sure if she is evil or just in a twisted relationship with Johnny.
Johnny is fun, though I wish we had more back-story on him, and how he became the man he is.
The ending may have been over the top, but I loved it. Maybe it was a bit overdone, but it pulled off being creepy in a way that I haven't yet seen other old films do.
Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
Lincoln is a cool guy, disliked just about everything else.
Lincoln has good character appeal. He is smart, but is able to explain things for the average guy. He seems to know he's really great, but is humble. He still isn't very developed though. We know he struggles at the beginning with faith in his abilities, but that's it. He overcomes obstacles with relative ease.
The town I hated, I normally do dislike those small, quaint kind of towns shown in westerns. The mob is out for blood with very little reason. To me, it doesn't make sense that they'd be all that angry over the murder, and then at the end they are actually happy the hanging didn't happen, even though many of them actually said they enjoy hangings.
One thing that particularly irritated me is how often it used, "crowd noise." Every chance they could, the crowd begins yelling and hollering.
Lastly, it needs better characters. I can't remember one person who actually seemed like a person. They were all extremely basic.
Stagecoach (1939)
Not engaging, good for a western
The struggles they face are basic. The interaction between characters wasn't bad, but being that it seems to have been the focus of the film, I was hoping for better. I think they should have culled the less rounded characters from the movie, the banker for instance didn't add anything to the meat of the story, yes there's a reason he's there, for the plot, but he just doesn't add anything interesting.
I did really enjoy Doc and Dallas, they were well rounded characters who face conflict, but are both great people at heart who just haven't had life turn out well.
The action towards the end was pretty good, but not exactly imaginative. They shoot. Bad guys shoot back. All the bad guys die.
His Girl Friday (1940)
Amazing, would have liked more sets, and for more characters to be developed
The frantic busyness throughout kept me engaged throughout. I never thought dialogue could be this exciting, in the past even good dialogue gets boring after a while for me.
She is a strong female character who wants to convince herself that she can live a normal life, but her passion for the newspaper is keeping her away from a normal life, and she isn't willing to admit that. I feel she shouldn't have continued to fall for his plans however, she should know him better.
Nice tracking shot going through the office. Great references even I could get.
Casablanca (1942)
Good themes, could be shorter
Casablanca is a good film, however to me it isn't a film I'm going to remember as something great. For people who are more emotionally attached to the events of WWII, I am sure this film provides much more enjoyment.
It feels like it drags on too long. It has a lot of scenes that just feel to me like filler, as they don't contribute in any truly meaningful way. The action, especially the shooting, felt stiff and unnatural. Also the way that the officer calls for backup, but then helps Rick after all seems contrived to just show some conflict at the end. He changed his mind for no apparent reason.
Dracula (1931)
Set the standard for the monster genre, but feels forced, with little backstory or interesting plot
I feel like this movie could have been pretty good if it had a longer running time, and used it's time more efficiently. As is, it spends a lot of time showing scenes with very little happening in them. I suppose those are supposed to increase tension, but all it did for me was make it less engaging.
I hated the close ups of Dracula in which he has a small amount of light on just his eyes. The effect is painfully obvious in those shots, and then when it changed to a wider shot the light is just gone, and his eyes are actually in shadow.
I liked the Count's accent. It does seem a bit forced, but it is still interesting, and when you talk with fangs it can't be easy.
I'm not given any reason to care for any of the characters. All they do is move the plot along. They are all very shallow seeming.
The climax at the end felt last minute with very little buildup. I was hoping to at least see his final moments, or maybe a last second struggle, which I believe happened in the book, but it was just a quick shove off screen.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
Carried mainly by Godfrey himself.
This film is what it is because of Powell's portrayal of Godfrey. If a different, less skilled actor had played him, this film would have been mediocre at best. The family he works for seem rather one dimensional, and not much like actual people. I realize they are supposed to seem spoiled and shallow, but we still don't know much about them, their past, or true motivations. They are supposed to be rich and rude and loud, and they are, and that's about it.
I didn't like the ending, because it mirrors too much the classic story of a couple who have issues but end up OK. It also doesn't feel appropriate. Godfrey had no plans to marry her, and wanted to drop off contact with the family. But when the daughter tracks him down, he allows himself to be wed right then. It's obvious that he was at least a little interested in her, but his character should not have allowed him to marry her.
Fascinating to watch Godfrey, all else is OK, family is amusing sometimes.
Frankenstein (1931)
Nice, raises some moral questions
I like Frankenstein. When you think about the implications here, it makes you wonder what you would have done. Give the monster a chance at life, or kill it before it can do harm (meaning before it escaped). Would it be wrong to give something like this life? That's an issue today in regards to human cloning, in a way. Something else of note is the way the crowd became a mob who simply wanted the monster to die, at any cost. Of course that was really the only option they had at that point, but the way they became a mindless mob out for blood was wrong. They were panicky and scared, and lashed out without proper thought. When you think about it, the monster was no worse than an untreated, mentally ill person.
Hell's House (1932)
Contrived plot, OK to watch
I found the whole, "Gosh, I don't like this darn place, Mr. Kelly sir," way that Jimmy spoke to be distracting. I don't know if kids spoke like that or not, but it felt very out of place, and took away from Jimmy's character.
Mr. Kelly was interesting, but I don't think he was developed well. By the end of the movie, all we know is he was a bootlegger with a weak conscience that needs to be poked into action. His decision at the end felt artificial.
Jimmy's insistence that Mr. Kelly would save him is based on fact, that victims often deny obvious truth, but until the very end Jimmy didn't seem to struggle with this at all. I think he should have been unsure.
In summary, I simply didn't feel drawn into Jimmy's plight. He faced difficult circumstances, but it didn't seem like he struggled much facing them. Even the escape was quickly done with hardly any buildup.
I liked Shorty though.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
A little hard to watch at times, but amazing
This film is amazing. Nearly the whole way through, it feels unfair. Unfair that he can't get support to do what he wants to, then that he can't find a job, then that he is convicted for a very small lapse in judgment that I think many people in that position would make, the entirety of the conditions at the camp, the list goes on. It is most apparent at the end when he is forced to steal to live, or go back to the brutal conditions at the camp, where he would more then likely be killed "by accident," anyway.
Put in his position, I think almost anyone would have felt very similarly to how James Allen felt.
The only part of the film I didn't wholly like is the second escape. I think in relation to the rest of the film, it required more suspension of disbelief to watch. That's not to say it wasn't great, just that him being able to escape twice is pretty unlikely.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Nice, seems divided
I like the idea of this film. A somewhat poor, unhappy boy wants a girl, faces competition, and tries to best him, while he uses morally wrong methods to win her to him. Pretty standard, but at least done pretty well. I do really like how the protagonist gives up his only chance of buying a nice box of chocolates to help some other people. He seems like a pretty nice guy, and he has a stroke of bad luck. I think we can all identify with that on some level.
My issue with it is that the only interesting parts of it happen in his dream. The first sequence involving the chocolate and various schemes goes on for too long. It needs more real scenes to develop the girl and their relationship.
The parts of the dream in which he is surprised by each of the scene changes seem completely unneeded, and only done to show off the effects. It makes no sense for these scenes to be shown like this in an actual movie.
Finally, at the end when he is imitating the actors on screen with his girlfriend, it seems funny. But it made me realize, at what point is he going to show her who he really is? He was constantly trying to win her over, but doesn't really seem interested in a genuine relationship. For me it made him significantly less likable.
The Circus (1928)
Amusing, and with a simple heartfelt story, but some scenes don't tie into the plot
This was the first time I had watched a full Charlie Chaplin film, and I have to say I'm surprised how good it was. The plot was basic, and has been more or less in thousands of other movies, but it works.
Chaplin's character goes through a great arc, and the how he ultimately ends the same way he started seems appropriate. He overcomes what he wants for the happiness of others.
One thing I have against the film is how shallow the characters are. The father is very demanding, the girl is being held back, the boyfriend is nice, but each one of them do not have a backstory. The clowns seem generic, but I think they are somewhat interesting in that they aren't very good, but they are desperate for some kind of job, and so this is their job.
Many of the humorous scenes were rightly called for by the plot, however others just felt unneeded, and done only for some cheap laughs. They could have been thrown anywhere in the middle of the movie and they could have fit pretty much.