My Journey Into Classical Films. - Page 8

MovieBuff801 · 11-14-2012, 03:13 PM

My top three Hitchcocks are: Vertigo, Psycho and Strangers on a Train.

PG Cooper · 11-14-2012, 03:19 PM

1.Psycho
2.Vertigo
3.Rear Window
4.Strangers on a Train
5.Shadow of a Doubt
6.North by Northwest
7.The Lady Vanishes
8.Notorious
9.The Birds

**JBond** · 11-14-2012, 06:18 PM

Psycho, The Birds, Rebecca and Dial M for Murder, for me.

Neverending · 11-14-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deexan

the horrendous 'Teardrops Keep Falling on my Head' sequence...

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanTheCool

Yeah, that is not a good sequence.

Haters.

IanTheCool · 11-14-2012, 06:31 PM

Hey, I love the movie. But that song is terrible, and isn't made better by two people riding a bike around in very small circles.

Deexan · 11-14-2012, 07:22 PM

I'm sure it made some semblance of sense, somehow, at the time but it has not aged well.

Neverending · 11-14-2012, 07:50 PM

Butch & Sundance is like the anti-Bonnie & Clyde. It relies on charm and the likability of the cast. And that scene has all of that. It's goofy and fun and sets the mood.

PG Cooper · 11-16-2012, 07:29 AM

I finally saw Akira Kurosawa's Ran. Easily the best on-screen Shakespeare adaptation I've seen and another masterpiece for Kurosawa.

Doomsday · 11-16-2012, 04:26 PM

Ran is another one of my all time favs. Such a great film. Have you watched a lot of Kurosawa, PG?

PG Cooper · 11-16-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomsday

Ran is another one of my all time favs. Such a great film. Have you watched a lot of Kurosawa, PG?

Only four films; Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, and Ran.

Doomsday · 11-17-2012, 06:28 PM

He's got some other great films.

Throne of Blood is based off King Lear. Not as good as Ran but it's up there. I tried watching it with my dad though after he loved Seven Samurai. We had to turn it off though because there's a scene where the two main characters get lost in a forest and ride around quite literally for ten minutes. Riding, stopping, changing direction, riding again...over and over and over. He started complaining so I watched the rest later. That aside, great movie.

High and Low is another movie of his that's a crime movie released 50 years ago but could just as easily have been released today.

Hidden Fortress is a fun movie, not his greatest but people claim Star Wars was based on it. Not entirely sure how accurate it is but it's worth a watch for sure.

PG Cooper · 11-17-2012, 06:52 PM

I'm looking out for those. I've also heard great things about Ikiru.

Justin · 11-17-2012, 07:44 PM

Definitely check out Ikiru. Red Beard and Drunken Angel are also very good.

Dracula · 11-18-2012, 06:33 AM

Stray Dog and Dersu Uzala are also really good.

PG Cooper · 12-20-2012, 08:47 PM

Just saw Ikiru. The downside is it's my least favourite Kurosawa film so far, the upside is it's still really damn good. The story is engaging, Takashi Shimura is excellent, the way Kurosawa tells the story is riveting. Also, the scene with Watanabe on the swing set is one of the most moving scenes I've come across in a long time.

My only problems are small; the few bits of narration felt unnecessary, some scenes could have been trimmed, and I think the film should have ended at the swing set scene.

On the whole, another great Kurosawa film. Further proves himself to be one of my favourite directors.

Rating: A

MovieBuff801 · 01-19-2013, 12:24 AM

A couple that I've seen recently:

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944): A very fun, macabre comedy with an energetic and very funny performance by Cary Grant and very nice usage of one location so that it never feels strained. ***1/2 /****

Sunset Boulevard (1950): Very interesting and engrossing film noir, even though we see at the beginning how it ends. The performances are effective, the atmosphere palpable and the writing is tight. ***1/2 /****

The Gold Rush (1925): My first Chaplin film and overall, I found it entertaining, but the first half more so than the second half. That's not to say it's BAD, just that these Chaplin films seem to be at their strongest when they focus more on the physical humor. **1/2 /****

City Lights (1931): Proving that point further is this film, which is more plot-driven. It started out good, but I quickly began to lose interest as the plot became progressively predictable and thin. It has it's moments, like the boxing match, but I can't say that this film ever got me particularly involved. **/****

Modern Times (1936): Easily my favorite out of these three Chaplin films. This one is more reliant on the physical humor, and it felt like Charlie Chaplin just wanted to make a fun film above anything else here, and he succeeded. A lot of the routines/scenes in this one are very entertaining. Plus, I love the various ways sound is incorporated throughout the film. ***/****

Frankenstein (1931): Definitely a product of its time. Watching this film today, it lacks any real sense of suspense or terror and as a result, is actually quite boring for most of its 66-minute running time. Speaking of, the story feels very rushed, and a lot of the things that are meant to have impact just...don't. All I can really say for it is that it has a good atmosphere and a good central performance. But that's it. *1/2 /****

Justin · 01-19-2013, 12:37 AM

Huge Chaplin fan. It's a shame you didn't enjoy City Lights more.

**JBond** · 01-19-2013, 02:54 AM

Ooo, becareful trashing Frankenstein. Trust me.

PG Cooper · 01-19-2013, 07:31 AM

I like Frankenstein, but I can see why you had issues with it.

Dracula · 01-19-2013, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MovieBuff801

The Gold Rush (1925): My first Chaplin film and overall, I found it entertaining, but the first half more so than the second half. That's not to say it's BAD, just that these Chaplin films seem to be at their strongest when they focus more on the physical humor. **1/2 /****

City Lights (1931): Proving that point further is this film, which is more plot-driven. It started out good, but I quickly began to lose interest as the plot became progressively predictable and thin. It has it's moments, like the boxing match, but I can't say that this film ever got me particularly involved. **/****

Frankenstein (1931): Definitely a product of its time. Watching this film today, it lacks any real sense of suspense or terror and as a result, is actually quite boring for most of its 66-minute running time. Speaking of, the story feels very rushed, and a lot of the things that are meant to have impact just...don't. All I can really say for it is that it has a good atmosphere and a good central performance. But that's it. *1/2 /****

VIDEO-CLick to Watch!:

MovieBuff801 · 01-19-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBond

Ooo, becareful trashing Frankenstein. Trust me.

Could it just be that people are too afraid to say anything bad about it?

Seriously, I found Kenneth Branagh's version to be generally more effective, and I didn't even like that version, either.

**JBond** · 01-19-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dracula

VIDEO-CLick to Watch!:

Hah, I actually do that to my sister sometimes. (It's important to do it to people who are familiar with the episode...)

Neverending · 01-19-2013, 12:53 PM

The Universal Horror Movies are tough to get into if it's not your cup-of-tea. I would recommend the Spanish version of Dracula since it's more lively and less conservative. OR if you really wanna watch something truly disturbing then check out Freaks.

Doomsday · 01-20-2013, 12:20 PM

I don't really get the Frankenstein hate on these boards either. Sure it's not going to be as scary but are we really comparing it to modern horror movies? At the time the Tod Browning/James Whale horror movies were massively popular. If any of those movies are stinkers it's the English Dracula. I'm a big fan of the Universal released horror movies though, Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man being the best in my humble opinion.

I'm with you though Neverending on Freaks. The very end of that movie is just....wtf? But in a good way haha. If you want another strange movie of that sort watch The Unknown starring Lon Chaney. That's another Tod Browning movie too.

Doomsday · 01-20-2013, 12:22 PM

And I also love Chaplin, I'm holding out for a Criterion release of City Lights, that's #1 on my wish list.

Moviebuff, when you get some time go check out Chaplin's The Circus, it's my second favorite of his. It's on youtube so you should be able to watch it quite easily.

11-14-2012, 03:13 PM	#176
MovieBuff801 Fringe Division Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Walter's Lab Posts: 10,928	My top three Hitchcocks are: Vertigo, Psycho and Strangers on a Train. __________________ AFI Top 100 Movies (1998) Seen: 68 out of 100

11-14-2012, 03:19 PM	#177
PG Cooper Raging Bull Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 6,179	1.Psycho 2.Vertigo 3.Rear Window 4.Strangers on a Train 5.Shadow of a Doubt 6.North by Northwest 7.The Lady Vanishes 8.Notorious 9.The Birds __________________ 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

11-14-2012, 06:18 PM	#178
JBond Beyond Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sol Posts: 67,676	Psycho, The Birds, Rebecca and Dial M for Murder, for me. __________________ The due date for Round 137 of the CS Film Club is Monday, July 1st, 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, 07:22 PM	#181
Deexan Integral Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 10,422	I'm sure it made some semblance of sense, somehow, at the time but it has not aged well. __________________ You know it is frightening, You know it's like lightning SoundCloud Twitter

11-14-2012, 07:50 PM	#182
Neverending sex Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 18,156	Butch & Sundance is like the anti-Bonnie & Clyde. It relies on charm and the likability of the cast. And that scene has all of that. It's goofy and fun and sets the mood. __________________ "Would you like some boob action?" -Conan O'Brien July 13, 2004 12:55 AM "We’re No. 1 in TBS’ key demographic: People who can’t afford HBO." - Conan O'Brien May 18, 2011 "I honestly don't know who gives me a bigger boner: Zoe Saldana OR Chris Pine. Star Trek Into My Pants!" - Kevin Smith February 24, 2013 The Batman Appreciation Thread

11-14-2012, 06:31 PM	#180
IanTheCool Executive Lego Producer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 13,483	Hey, I love the movie. But that song is terrible, and isn't made better by two people riding a bike around in very small circles.

11-16-2012, 07:29 AM	#183
PG Cooper Raging Bull Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 6,179	I finally saw Akira Kurosawa's Ran. Easily the best on-screen Shakespeare adaptation I've seen and another masterpiece for Kurosawa. __________________ 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

11-17-2012, 06:52 PM	#187
PG Cooper Raging Bull Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 6,179	I'm looking out for those. I've also heard great things about Ikiru. __________________ 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

11-17-2012, 07:44 PM	#188
Justin Executive Producer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 11,920	Definitely check out Ikiru. Red Beard and Drunken Angel are also very good.

11-18-2012, 06:33 AM	#189
Dracula Bloodgod Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 15,147	Stray Dog and Dersu Uzala are also really good. __________________ Check out my review blog

12-20-2012, 08:47 PM	#190
PG Cooper Raging Bull Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 6,179	Just saw Ikiru. The downside is it's my least favourite Kurosawa film so far, the upside is it's still really damn good. The story is engaging, Takashi Shimura is excellent, the way Kurosawa tells the story is riveting. Also, the scene with Watanabe on the swing set is one of the most moving scenes I've come across in a long time. My only problems are small; the few bits of narration felt unnecessary, some scenes could have been trimmed, and I think the film should have ended at the swing set scene. On the whole, another great Kurosawa film. Further proves himself to be one of my favourite directors. Rating: A __________________ 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

01-19-2013, 12:24 AM	#191
MovieBuff801 Fringe Division Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Walter's Lab Posts: 10,928	A couple that I've seen recently: Arsenic and Old Lace (1944): A very fun, macabre comedy with an energetic and very funny performance by Cary Grant and very nice usage of one location so that it never feels strained. *1/2 / Sunset Boulevard (1950): Very interesting and engrossing film noir, even though we see at the beginning how it ends. The performances are effective, the atmosphere palpable and the writing is tight. 1/2 /* The Gold Rush (1925): My first Chaplin film and overall, I found it entertaining, but the first half more so than the second half. That's not to say it's BAD, just that these Chaplin films seem to be at their strongest when they focus more on the physical humor. 1/2 /** City Lights (1931): Proving that point further is this film, which is more plot-driven. It started out good, but I quickly began to lose interest as the plot became progressively predictable and thin. It has it's moments, like the boxing match, but I can't say that this film ever got me particularly involved. /** Modern Times (1936): Easily my favorite out of these three Chaplin films. This one is more reliant on the physical humor, and it felt like Charlie Chaplin just wanted to make a fun film above anything else here, and he succeeded. A lot of the routines/scenes in this one are very entertaining. Plus, I love the various ways sound is incorporated throughout the film. /* Frankenstein (1931): Definitely a product of its time. Watching this film today, it lacks any real sense of suspense or terror and as a result, is actually quite boring for most of its 66-minute running time. Speaking of, the story feels very rushed, and a lot of the things that are meant to have impact just...don't. All I can really say for it is that it has a good atmosphere and a good central performance. But that's it. 1/2 /*** __________________ AFI Top 100 Movies (1998) Seen: 68 out of 100**

01-19-2013, 12:37 AM	#192
Justin Executive Producer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 11,920	Huge Chaplin fan. It's a shame you didn't enjoy City Lights more.

01-19-2013, 02:54 AM	#193
JBond Beyond Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sol Posts: 67,676	Ooo, becareful trashing Frankenstein. Trust me. __________________ The due date for Round 137 of the CS Film Club is Monday, July 1st, 2013. 59 out of 64 Hugo Award winners completed. "Die Hard 5 makes Die Hard 4 look like Die Hard 1" - Doomsday

01-19-2013, 07:31 AM	#194
PG Cooper Raging Bull Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 6,179	I like Frankenstein, but I can see why you had issues with it. __________________ 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

01-19-2013, 12:53 PM	#198
Neverending sex Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 18,156	The Universal Horror Movies are tough to get into if it's not your cup-of-tea. I would recommend the Spanish version of Dracula since it's more lively and less conservative. OR if you really wanna watch something truly disturbing then check out Freaks. __________________ "Would you like some boob action?" -Conan O'Brien July 13, 2004 12:55 AM "We’re No. 1 in TBS’ key demographic: People who can’t afford HBO." - Conan O'Brien May 18, 2011 "I honestly don't know who gives me a bigger boner: Zoe Saldana OR Chris Pine. Star Trek Into My Pants!" - Kevin Smith February 24, 2013 The Batman Appreciation Thread