My Journey Into Classical Films. - Page 7

NoGoodNames · 07-31-2012, 06:30 AM

I am a huge fan of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Jimmy Stewart is great in this movie.

Surminga · 08-02-2012, 08:26 AM

I watched a classic film the other day on Sky Movies and was pleasantly surprised I enjoyed it - it was an old UK car film from the 70's can't remember the name

Deexan · 08-17-2012, 05:10 PM

**JBond** · 08-17-2012, 05:43 PM

"Oh ****, I'm late."

Deexan · 08-18-2012, 06:33 AM

Ha.

MovieBuff801 · 10-29-2012, 06:53 PM

From the CS Film Club:

The Bridge on the River Kwai

David Lean's "The Bridge on the River Kwai" is a WWII story set in a Japanese prison camp and details the efforts of the American POW's being held there as they construct a bridge over the River Kwai that's meant to give access into Burma for an invasion. Lt. Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) is put in charge of overseeing said construction by the camp commandant, Colonel Saito, but immediately protests against Saito's methods. Meanwhile, American prisoner Commander Shears (William Holden) successfully escapes from the camp, but soon finds himself recruited for a mission to destroy the bridge.

I liked this much better than the other David Lean film I've seen thus far: "Lawrence of Arabia." Both movies have long running times, but I felt this film made better use of of its screentime, and not once while watching it did I feel my attention wander in any way. Perhaps because the script seems very tight, but also because the film does an incredible job of getting us to sympathize with all three of the main characters: Nicholson, Saito and Shears. As the film progresses, we get to understand what the building of this bridge means to all three of these men, and as a result, we're put in the very interesting position of wanting to see all three of these guys succeed. At least, that's how I felt.

I really don't have much more to say, other than I thought the film was very well-acted and directed on top of all that. This was definitely one of those classic films that lived up to its reputation, and I could see myself watching it quite a few more times.

****/****

PG Cooper · 11-13-2012, 08:55 PM

Okay, some quick updates on some classics I watched recently.

The Wild Bunch (1969): Certain streches were a bit boring, but there's also a lot of awesome stuff here too. I really dug William Holden's performance, I like the themes, and the ending is badass. A-

Army of Shadows (1969): I found a lot of parts really interesting, but I also found long stretches kind of boring. Though I'm willing to give it another shot in the future. Still, a good movie and I'm glad I saw it. The ending is very powerful. B+

Nosferatu (1927): I admire this movie a lot. The visuals are nice and creepy and Max Schreck's Count Orlock is a great villain. But I found some of the story telling weak and the other performances lackluster. B

The Pink Panther (1964): The storytelling is messy and there were parts that irritated me, but Peter Sellers and David Niven are so entertaining it's hard not to enjoy. B

Notorious (1946): Disappointing. That isn't to say it's a bad film, but considering this is one of Hitchcock's most praised films, I expected more. All the performances are good, especially Claude Rains who steals the show from Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. There's also some really nice technical details here, but at the end of the day I did not buy the love story between the two leads and a feel a lot of the film's effectiveness comes from that. I might be especially hard on this film because I expect a lot from Hitchcock, but I still feel my criticisms are valid. This is a very good film, just not the great one I'd heard about. B+

Being There (1979): A bit too silly, but I really like the performances, especially Peter Sellers. B-

The Sting (1973): Great performances, colourful characters, and an interesting story. This is a great film, but I think it lives in the shadow of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which accomplishes all The Sting does and then some. I wasn't crazy about the musical choices made and one of the film's subplots had a really abrupt ending I didn't care for. There is a lot to love here though and my complaints aren't really that big a deal. A-

Days of Heaven (1978): Like all other Malick films I've seen. Respect and admiration: extremely high. Personal investment in story and characters: relatively low. B

Funny Face (1957): In some ways I find this film better than Singin' in the Rain, and in other ways worse. Better in that I like the musical numbers more and on the whole I like the cast more. Worse in that the story to Singin' is better and some of the musical numbers in Funny Face feel a bit contrived. Overall, they shake out to being about equal. This isn't a great film, but it is highly enjoyable and fun. B+

Justin · 11-13-2012, 08:57 PM

Good stuff. Love Days of Heaven, The Sting, Nosferatu, Army of Shadows, and The Wild Bunch. Honestly I don't remember Notorious too well. Obviously not my favorite Hitchcock, I guess.

MovieBuff801 · 11-13-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PG Cooper

Notorious (1946): Disappointing. That isn't to say it's a bad film, but considering this is one of Hitchcock's most praised films, I expected more. All the performances are good, especially Claude Rains who steals the show from Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. There's also some really nice technical details here, but at the end of the day I did not buy the love story between the two leads and a feel a lot of the film's effectiveness comes from that. I might be especially hard on this film because I expect a lot from Hitchcock, but I still feel my criticisms are valid. This is a very good film, just not the great one I'd heard about. B+

I first saw this in the Hitchcock class I took in my Sophomore year in college. Not one of my favorites from Hitchcock's either (I still like it), but what I found interesting/amusing is that this is the movie that Mission: Impossible 2 borrowed some of its plot from.

Neverending · 11-13-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PG Cooper

The Wild Bunch (1969): Certain streches were a bit boring

Yeah, I've had my issues with this movie because of that.

PG Cooper · 11-13-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviebuff801

I first saw this in the Hitchcock class I took in my Sophomore year in college. Not one of my favorites from Hitchcock's either (I still like it), but what I found interesting/amusing is that this is the movie that Mission: Impossible 2 borrowed some of its plot from.

M: I 2 is the only one I haven't seen. Interesting.

MovieBuff801 · 11-13-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PG Cooper

M: I 2 is the only one I haven't seen. Interesting.

It uses the whole "seduce the villain's girlfriend, then get her to work as a double agent for us" angle that Notorious had.

PG Cooper · 11-13-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviebuff801

It uses the whole "seduce the villain's girlfriend, then get her to work as a double agent for us" angle that Notorious had.

I'd say sounds good, but based on what I've heard about M: I 2, I have my doubts, lol.

MovieBuff801 · 11-13-2012, 09:53 PM

As well you should.

**JBond** · 11-13-2012, 10:53 PM

The Sting's great.

If you like The Pink Panther, try A Shot in the Dark.

Dracula · 11-13-2012, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PG Cooper

Notorious (1946): Disappointing. That isn't to say it's a bad film, but considering this is one of Hitchcock's most praised films, I expected more. All the performances are good, especially Claude Rains who steals the show from Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. There's also some really nice technical details here, but at the end of the day I did not buy the love story between the two leads and a feel a lot of the film's effectiveness comes from that. I might be especially hard on this film because I expect a lot from Hitchcock, but I still feel my criticisms are valid. This is a very good film, just not the great one I'd heard about. B+

Notorious isn't necessarily the kind of Hitchcock film that's going to wow you the first time you see it. It's reputation has more to do with how well it's stood up to scholarly analysis and theorizing. There's a lot written between the lines. It's a bit like Vertigo in that regard.

Justin · 11-13-2012, 11:44 PM

Vertigo is without a doubt my favorite Hitchcock.

MovieBuff801 · 11-14-2012, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

Vertigo is without a doubt my favorite Hitchcock.

Seconded.

Doomsday · 11-14-2012, 01:07 AM

The Pink Panther is my least fav of the Clouseau movies. A lot of the others are really funny.

**JBond** · 11-14-2012, 01:51 AM

They weren't trying to be too funny with that one, I feel.

But if it's your least favorite then you haven't gotten past the third one.

Deexan · 11-14-2012, 06:31 AM

The Sting and Butch Cassidy... make for a heavenly double-feature. I think the former slightly edges it though, mainly due to the horrendous 'Teardrops Keep Falling on my Head' sequence...

IanTheCool · 11-14-2012, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deexan

The Sting and Butch Cassidy... make for a heavenly double-feature. I think the former slightly edges it though, mainly due to the horrendous 'Teardrops Keep Falling on my Head' sequence...

Yeah, that is not a good sequence.

PG Cooper · 11-14-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

Vertigo is without a doubt my favorite Hitchcock.

I'm a Psycho man, myself.

Doomsday · 11-14-2012, 02:51 PM

Rebecca, Strangers on a Train and Psycho are my three Hitchcock flicks of choice.

iv3rdawG · 11-14-2012, 03:02 PM

Still have a few to go through but Dial M for Murder and Psycho for me.

08-17-2012, 05:10 PM	#153
Deexan Integral Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 10,326	__________________ What's the law but a leash? SoundCloud Twitter

08-17-2012, 05:43 PM	#154
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,497	"Oh **, I'm late." __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013.** 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

08-18-2012, 06:33 AM	#155
Deexan Integral Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 10,326	Ha. __________________ What's the law but a leash? SoundCloud Twitter

10-29-2012, 06:53 PM	#156
MovieBuff801 Fringe Division Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Walter's Lab Posts: 10,882	From the CS Film Club: The Bridge on the River Kwai David Lean's "The Bridge on the River Kwai" is a WWII story set in a Japanese prison camp and details the efforts of the American POW's being held there as they construct a bridge over the River Kwai that's meant to give access into Burma for an invasion. Lt. Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) is put in charge of overseeing said construction by the camp commandant, Colonel Saito, but immediately protests against Saito's methods. Meanwhile, American prisoner Commander Shears (William Holden) successfully escapes from the camp, but soon finds himself recruited for a mission to destroy the bridge. I liked this much better than the other David Lean film I've seen thus far: "Lawrence of Arabia." Both movies have long running times, but I felt this film made better use of of its screentime, and not once while watching it did I feel my attention wander in any way. Perhaps because the script seems very tight, but also because the film does an incredible job of getting us to sympathize with all three of the main characters: Nicholson, Saito and Shears. As the film progresses, we get to understand what the building of this bridge means to all three of these men, and as a result, we're put in the very interesting position of wanting to see all three of these guys succeed. At least, that's how I felt. I really don't have much more to say, other than I thought the film was very well-acted and directed on top of all that. This was definitely one of those classic films that lived up to its reputation, and I could see myself watching it quite a few more times. **/ __________________ AFI Top 100 Movies (1998) Seen: 67 out of 100**

11-13-2012, 08:55 PM	#157
PG Cooper Raging Bull Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 6,135	Okay, some quick updates on some classics I watched recently. The Wild Bunch (1969): Certain streches were a bit boring, but there's also a lot of awesome stuff here too. I really dug William Holden's performance, I like the themes, and the ending is badass. A- Army of Shadows (1969): I found a lot of parts really interesting, but I also found long stretches kind of boring. Though I'm willing to give it another shot in the future. Still, a good movie and I'm glad I saw it. The ending is very powerful. B+ Nosferatu (1927): I admire this movie a lot. The visuals are nice and creepy and Max Schreck's Count Orlock is a great villain. But I found some of the story telling weak and the other performances lackluster. B The Pink Panther (1964): The storytelling is messy and there were parts that irritated me, but Peter Sellers and David Niven are so entertaining it's hard not to enjoy. B Notorious (1946): Disappointing. That isn't to say it's a bad film, but considering this is one of Hitchcock's most praised films, I expected more. All the performances are good, especially Claude Rains who steals the show from Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. There's also some really nice technical details here, but at the end of the day I did not buy the love story between the two leads and a feel a lot of the film's effectiveness comes from that. I might be especially hard on this film because I expect a lot from Hitchcock, but I still feel my criticisms are valid. This is a very good film, just not the great one I'd heard about. B+ Being There (1979): A bit too silly, but I really like the performances, especially Peter Sellers. B- The Sting (1973): Great performances, colourful characters, and an interesting story. This is a great film, but I think it lives in the shadow of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which accomplishes all The Sting does and then some. I wasn't crazy about the musical choices made and one of the film's subplots had a really abrupt ending I didn't care for. There is a lot to love here though and my complaints aren't really that big a deal. A- Days of Heaven (1978): Like all other Malick films I've seen. Respect and admiration: extremely high. Personal investment in story and characters: relatively low. B Funny Face (1957): In some ways I find this film better than Singin' in the Rain, and in other ways worse. Better in that I like the musical numbers more and on the whole I like the cast more. Worse in that the story to Singin' is better and some of the musical numbers in Funny Face feel a bit contrived. Overall, they shake out to being about equal. This isn't a great film, but it is highly enjoyable and fun. B+ __________________ PG Cooper's Movie Reviews Our Youtube Channel CS! Recod Holder: Quickest Review in the Film Club (2 hours 19 minutes). April 18th, 2013, 9:24 PM-???? "Terminator 2's a pretty awesome movie."- Paul Thomas Anderson

07-31-2012, 06:30 AM	#151
NoGoodNames Grip Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 5	I am a huge fan of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Jimmy Stewart is great in this movie.

08-02-2012, 08:26 AM	#152
Surminga New User - Level 0 Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 15	I watched a classic film the other day on Sky Movies and was pleasantly surprised I enjoyed it - it was an old UK car film from the 70's can't remember the name

11-13-2012, 08:57 PM	#158
Justin Executive Producer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 11,896	Good stuff. Love Days of Heaven, The Sting, Nosferatu, Army of Shadows, and The Wild Bunch. Honestly I don't remember Notorious too well. Obviously not my favorite Hitchcock, I guess.

11-13-2012, 09:53 PM	#164
MovieBuff801 Fringe Division Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Walter's Lab Posts: 10,882	As well you should. __________________ AFI Top 100 Movies (1998) Seen: 67 out of 100

11-13-2012, 10:53 PM	#165
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,497	The Sting's great. If you like The Pink Panther, try A Shot in the Dark. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

11-13-2012, 11:44 PM	#167
Justin Executive Producer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 11,896	Vertigo is without a doubt my favorite Hitchcock.

11-14-2012, 01:51 AM	#170
JBond Feed me Join Date: May 2000 Location: SR388 Posts: 67,497	They weren't trying to be too funny with that one, I feel. But if it's your least favorite then you haven't gotten past the third one. __________________ The due date for Round 135 of the CS Film Club is Monday, May 20th, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

11-14-2012, 06:31 AM	#171
Deexan Integral Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 10,326	The Sting and Butch Cassidy... make for a heavenly double-feature. I think the former slightly edges it though, mainly due to the horrendous 'Teardrops Keep Falling on my Head' sequence... __________________ What's the law but a leash? SoundCloud Twitter

11-14-2012, 03:02 PM	#175
iv3rdawG Oh My Glob! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Land of Ooo Posts: 15,455	Still have a few to go through but Dial M for Murder and Psycho for me. __________________ Marina: "How had hate come to take the place of love?" - Olga Kurylenko in To the Wonder Tumblr \| Twitter \| Letterboxd