This was a short feature included on the Ring Two Unrated DVD. This short totally measures up the The Ring. It has the same level of creepiness and fear instilled in it, probably since it has the same central plot....but with a big twist.
If you have not watched The Ring or don't know the solution Rachel discovered at the end, then this will spoil it. If you have seen it, don't care to, or don't mind knowing, consider yourself warned and read on.
As a result of having to make a copy and make someone else watch it and so on, these Ring clubs have developed around the country. Well, this kid watches the tape for someone else he know to save their life, but they dare him to last until Day 7. They tell him to video everything he sees and diary everything that happens so they can know too. Well, as he goes through the week, he has someone to show the tape to so he can live.
Watching it all play out and knowing the consequences of his dangerous game makes this short a wild ride to watch. If you haven't seen the Ring, though, it won't make any sense at all. He surfs other internet Ring groups and learns more about what he is in for.
I won't give it away, but this short lead directly into the teaser of The Ring Two, so you can watch this short first and lead it into the Ring Two and it fits perfect. This short is worth the acquiring of the DVD.
Showing posts with label Unrated. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unrated. Show all posts
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Frankenstein -- 1931 -- NR
The 1932 version of the film is nothing but plot. Boris Karloff definitely established the visual look and feel of the legendary monster, the sets are ominous enough, and the effects solid for 1931, but the script just had a plot and ran through it with no attempt to create any kind of characters or their relationships with one another.
Again, I am surprised at comments about these classics when they are purported to be the "greatest of all time" in respect to their genres. I suppose in that aspect that is true. Most monster movies have no characterization, and this one is no different.
Again, I am surprised at comments about these classics when they are purported to be the "greatest of all time" in respect to their genres. I suppose in that aspect that is true. Most monster movies have no characterization, and this one is no different.
The Bride of Frankenstein -- 1935 -- NR
As with all horror movies, Frankenstein got itself a sequel in 1935. However, where Frankenstein was all plot and no character, the Bride of Frankenstein has a paper thin plot leaving the writers with no choice but to fill their 75 minutes developing the characters. This results in a film that is far more satisfying than the first, creating a real sympathy for the monster and those around him.
Most of the development time was spent on the monster in rounding him out (they wisely gave him the ability to speak), and the movie could have been further improved by spending some time with Dr. Frankenstein and his wife. This aspect was lightly explored near the end, and I feel that conflict could have been much deeper had they taken just a little more time with it.
A vast improvement over the original.
Most of the development time was spent on the monster in rounding him out (they wisely gave him the ability to speak), and the movie could have been further improved by spending some time with Dr. Frankenstein and his wife. This aspect was lightly explored near the end, and I feel that conflict could have been much deeper had they taken just a little more time with it.
A vast improvement over the original.
Citizen Kane -- 1941 -- NR
This 1941 Best Picture winner definitely earned it. Most people are familiar with the infamous last word of Kane ("Rosebud"), and while I had an inkling I knew exactly what it was (thanks to a song from Animaniacs), I learned that unlike most films where knowing the goal spoils the movie, this word was not so much about Rosebud, but what Rosebud represented in Kane's life. Through the film, we learn all about Charles Foster Kane and his take on life and money and politics. We know what he likes and dislikes and wants and doesn't want. All of this was not to build to finding out what or who Rosebud is, but to explain why that was so important to him.
A modern film might spend 20 minutes at the end of the film explaining the meaning of Rosebud, but this film allows the audience to (gasp!) think for themselves and ponder just how deep the meaning goes outside the theatre. This is an amazing film for just that aspect; it was some amazing writing and ponders whather money (for Kane was the richest man in America) is really all it was cracked up to be. In fact, what Rosebud is is not known in the film until the last 30 seconds before the final fade out.
My only complaint was the old Jed Leland. When he as an old man chattered, I was bored to death. Fortunately, he wasn't allowed to talk for long and we got back into the history in short order.
This is an amazing film with an amazing script. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it.
A modern film might spend 20 minutes at the end of the film explaining the meaning of Rosebud, but this film allows the audience to (gasp!) think for themselves and ponder just how deep the meaning goes outside the theatre. This is an amazing film for just that aspect; it was some amazing writing and ponders whather money (for Kane was the richest man in America) is really all it was cracked up to be. In fact, what Rosebud is is not known in the film until the last 30 seconds before the final fade out.
My only complaint was the old Jed Leland. When he as an old man chattered, I was bored to death. Fortunately, he wasn't allowed to talk for long and we got back into the history in short order.
This is an amazing film with an amazing script. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it.
D.O.A. -- 1950 -- NR
This is a 1950 film noir movie that was remade several years later. It involves a man who was unknowingly poisoned giving him only a week to track down the guy who killed him. Like a lot of old thrillers, this was a fun ride. I think it skirted some believability when the main character (who is little more than a banker) was at home with a gun in his hand and chasing the unknown bad guy through an abandoned warehouse only to have him escape. He also as observant as Sherlock Holmes in nearly everything that went on. Some of this can be put down to the fact that he knows he's dying, so he has nothing to lose. This aside, like I said, it's a fun movie to watch, and kicks off real quick for the short attention spanners.
Climax! Mystery Theatre -- Casino Royale -- 1954
Full Title: Climax! Mystery Theatre presents Ian Fleming's Casino Royale
In 1954, the television show Climax! produced a 60 minute TV version of Fleming's first Bond novel shifting the characters a bit for American audiences. It had Jimmy Bond of the "Combined Intelligence Agency" who was working with Clarence Leiter of the British Secret Service (He was Felix Leiter of the CIA in the book). This was filmed Live in 1954 and had 3 basic sets: the casino, Bond's hotel room, and LeChiffre's hotel room. This is included as a bonus feature on the DVD of 1967's Casino Royale.
For what it was, this show did a phenomenal job of portraying Bond and his habits. It showed him as a competent agent with little humor and just there for the job. I enjoyed the drama infused and hardly noticed the international shift on Bond to an American agent. He was a strong character and well-developed along with the other characters.
This bonus feature alone is worth getting the DVD for that horrible "send-up."
Casino Royale -- 1967 -- NR
This "send-up" of the James Bond films to date (those being Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball) was not as good as I imagine the filmmakers were hoping for.
Having seen all of the other Bond films released now as well as read several of the books, this film failed to even make a mediocre Bond film. It had its share of silliness, but most of it wasn't funny. It spoofed very little of the Bond empire and made only passing references to its nature of women and gadgets. The majority of its comedic attempts fell absolutely flat; several scenes had no bearing on plot, character, nor did they produce any laughs; at several points in the movie, there were glaring holes in the structure as if there were supposed to be scenes, but they don't exist.
If you want a good spoof of the James Bond empire, try Austin Powers.
I can now say, however, that I have seen every Bond film that has been released. Yay for me.
Having seen all of the other Bond films released now as well as read several of the books, this film failed to even make a mediocre Bond film. It had its share of silliness, but most of it wasn't funny. It spoofed very little of the Bond empire and made only passing references to its nature of women and gadgets. The majority of its comedic attempts fell absolutely flat; several scenes had no bearing on plot, character, nor did they produce any laughs; at several points in the movie, there were glaring holes in the structure as if there were supposed to be scenes, but they don't exist.
If you want a good spoof of the James Bond empire, try Austin Powers.
I can now say, however, that I have seen every Bond film that has been released. Yay for me.
Audition -- 2002 -- NR
This was a Japanese film with English subtitles. Had it been reviewed by the MPAA, then it would have an R rating for violence and sexuality.
Seven years after a man loses his wife, both his son and best friend encourage him to try to marry again. His friend, who is a producer, stages an audition to help the guy find the perfect wife. He centers on one girl, and even though his friend says she is wrong for him, he goes for her anyway.
This whole film is a slow creepy build to the final scenes where the girl's true intentions become clear. This definitely qualifies as a psychological thriller as the man learns more and more about the girl's spotty and almost non-existant past and the horrors she leaves behind her. The characters were well rounded and believable, and it had a fair share of truly freakish moments to make your skin crawl. It really is a worthwhile viewing of a film, even though you have to deal with subtitles.
There are some odd points. One was when the guy wanted to know where the girl lived, but he had no address for her. He had her phone number, and his son was seen on the internet. What one thought popped into my head? Reverse phone number lookup. Did anyone mention it? No.
The other point was a big one. This guy was never put forth to be psychic or anything else other than a normal guy. Yet as he explored, he got flashes of what went on in various places, and right before the climax, there was this long dream-ish sequence where the girl's backstory and life is almost completely filled in. He was even in the girl's house, a place he had never gone to. In a movie as strong as this was, this seemed like a cop-outish way to deliver a large amount of exposition in a short time frame, since it felt so clairvoyant in nature.
This aside, the flm was very good, and worth watching if you don't mind disturbing images. Some of the final scene even made my stomach turn.
Seven years after a man loses his wife, both his son and best friend encourage him to try to marry again. His friend, who is a producer, stages an audition to help the guy find the perfect wife. He centers on one girl, and even though his friend says she is wrong for him, he goes for her anyway.
This whole film is a slow creepy build to the final scenes where the girl's true intentions become clear. This definitely qualifies as a psychological thriller as the man learns more and more about the girl's spotty and almost non-existant past and the horrors she leaves behind her. The characters were well rounded and believable, and it had a fair share of truly freakish moments to make your skin crawl. It really is a worthwhile viewing of a film, even though you have to deal with subtitles.
There are some odd points. One was when the guy wanted to know where the girl lived, but he had no address for her. He had her phone number, and his son was seen on the internet. What one thought popped into my head? Reverse phone number lookup. Did anyone mention it? No.
The other point was a big one. This guy was never put forth to be psychic or anything else other than a normal guy. Yet as he explored, he got flashes of what went on in various places, and right before the climax, there was this long dream-ish sequence where the girl's backstory and life is almost completely filled in. He was even in the girl's house, a place he had never gone to. In a movie as strong as this was, this seemed like a cop-outish way to deliver a large amount of exposition in a short time frame, since it felt so clairvoyant in nature.
This aside, the flm was very good, and worth watching if you don't mind disturbing images. Some of the final scene even made my stomach turn.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -- 1931 -- NR
This early screen adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's perenially adapted novel of good vs evil plays out very, very well in this early incarnation. The initial change was well setup, the character relationships were well defined, the actual change played out realistically rather than cheesy, and the Jekyll/Hyde struggle was very well done.
Some complaints: the silly complaint is that because this is an early talkie version of the story, the pronunciation of the name was not as standardized as it is today. In this version, Jekyll's name is pronounced "Jeekle". Made me nuts.
On a more relevant note, I felt that Hyde was occasionally too rational. He is supposed to be Jekyll's dark side, and it makes perfect sense for his dark side to have some rationale, just as his rational side has some darkness, but Hyde gave a very rationale speech and was very much Jekyll in Hyde's clothing on a scene near the end when he had to convince a friend to get the antidote for him. I can see a little rationale, but that was really too far. I had trouble believing that Hyde would be THAT rational, regardless of the situation.
That aside on a first watching, I really enjoyed it, and felt it was a worthwhile film. The version I watched on DVD also has the 1941 version, and the qualty of the recording is quite good and clear.
Finally, as a bit of trivia, this is not the first screen version of this story. There have been over 50 screen versions of the story dating back to 1908. Before this version in 1931, there were 9 different silent versions of the story, three of them in 1920.
Some complaints: the silly complaint is that because this is an early talkie version of the story, the pronunciation of the name was not as standardized as it is today. In this version, Jekyll's name is pronounced "Jeekle". Made me nuts.
On a more relevant note, I felt that Hyde was occasionally too rational. He is supposed to be Jekyll's dark side, and it makes perfect sense for his dark side to have some rationale, just as his rational side has some darkness, but Hyde gave a very rationale speech and was very much Jekyll in Hyde's clothing on a scene near the end when he had to convince a friend to get the antidote for him. I can see a little rationale, but that was really too far. I had trouble believing that Hyde would be THAT rational, regardless of the situation.
That aside on a first watching, I really enjoyed it, and felt it was a worthwhile film. The version I watched on DVD also has the 1941 version, and the qualty of the recording is quite good and clear.
Finally, as a bit of trivia, this is not the first screen version of this story. There have been over 50 screen versions of the story dating back to 1908. Before this version in 1931, there were 9 different silent versions of the story, three of them in 1920.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari -- 1919 -- NR
This was a weird and interesting film. It involves a Dr. Caligari who has a somnambulist (someone who sleeps all the time) named Cesare that can tell your fortune. Meanwhile, while he's in town, murders are occurring. A man who lost his best friend to the murderer works to unravel the mystery of Caligari and Cesare before more deaths occur.
For a silent film, it was interesting to watch, and easy enough to follow. The intertitles, though long in nature, were done in an interesting to read font that fit with the character of the piece. The sets were really bizarre to look at as well (I believe this film was classified as German expressionism). It even had a decent twist at the end.
For some weak points, the characters were hardly delved into at all beyond their basic function in the story, and we weren't even told the name of the girl until near the end. Almost no relationships were established between the characters -- only a thin one between the main character and his best friend who was murdered -- so I believe that made the story a little thinner than it could have been.
For a film that was still falls under the experimental time of filmmaking, it managed to age very well over the years. Despite its weak points, we did get some change in the characters, and something good to watch.
For a silent film, it was interesting to watch, and easy enough to follow. The intertitles, though long in nature, were done in an interesting to read font that fit with the character of the piece. The sets were really bizarre to look at as well (I believe this film was classified as German expressionism). It even had a decent twist at the end.
For some weak points, the characters were hardly delved into at all beyond their basic function in the story, and we weren't even told the name of the girl until near the end. Almost no relationships were established between the characters -- only a thin one between the main character and his best friend who was murdered -- so I believe that made the story a little thinner than it could have been.
For a film that was still falls under the experimental time of filmmaking, it managed to age very well over the years. Despite its weak points, we did get some change in the characters, and something good to watch.
Casablanca -- 1942 -- NR
Recognize these quotes?
Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she had to walk into mine.
- Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time.
- Round up the usual suspects.
- Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
- Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.
- Play it, Sam.
- Here's looking at you kid.
Cape Fear -- 1962 -- NR
This is the original version with Gregory Peck. I also read this movie got 161 cuts from the British censors, and they still wanted an X rating for it due to themes of sadism and child endangerment. Interesting.
This film was very, very good. It started out with a curiosity of this guy looking for someone else who is a lawyer. It escalates into stalking and then worse. The suspense is tight right from the get go. Things just keep getting worse as our hero tries to protect his family, but with every turn, the villain has the upper hand. Even in the final masterplan, things go horribly wrong.
If you like suspense flicks, this one definitely has it where it counts. We really care about the man and his family, and have some concern for what the bad guy is going to do. Recommended.
This film was very, very good. It started out with a curiosity of this guy looking for someone else who is a lawyer. It escalates into stalking and then worse. The suspense is tight right from the get go. Things just keep getting worse as our hero tries to protect his family, but with every turn, the villain has the upper hand. Even in the final masterplan, things go horribly wrong.
If you like suspense flicks, this one definitely has it where it counts. We really care about the man and his family, and have some concern for what the bad guy is going to do. Recommended.
The Apartment -- 1960 -- NR
At its base, this film is a formulaic romantic comedy following the old form faithfully from beginning to end. However, this film does this very, very well.
Although the running time is over 2 hours, I barely noticed the time passing, it was paced so well, and the plot and development continued moving effortlessly from scene to scene, each of which was remarkably well written. A few scenes started running a little unnecessarily long, but they were very few and still served a purpose by doing so.
This film had a very clever plot to begin with, and it continued twisting into something equally clever and heart-wrenching with the girl hung up on someone else, and the boy doing his best to deal with his secret feelings for her.
Everything tied up real nicely without a cheesy line around. Very excellent movie. It did earn itself a best picture for its work.
Although the running time is over 2 hours, I barely noticed the time passing, it was paced so well, and the plot and development continued moving effortlessly from scene to scene, each of which was remarkably well written. A few scenes started running a little unnecessarily long, but they were very few and still served a purpose by doing so.
This film had a very clever plot to begin with, and it continued twisting into something equally clever and heart-wrenching with the girl hung up on someone else, and the boy doing his best to deal with his secret feelings for her.
Everything tied up real nicely without a cheesy line around. Very excellent movie. It did earn itself a best picture for its work.
Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper -- 2004 - NR
Figured I've been subjected to this video about a hundred times, I might as well post something on it.
This is a musical film starring (yeah, you might have guessed already) Barbie blonde and Barbie brunette as Anneliese and Erika, the twins born to different sets of parents and who end up switching places. And that's where the similarities to the Mark Twain story end. Where the prince and the pauper switched places by choice, the princess and the pauper switched by circumstance and drama -- a better way, in my opinion.
The music was actually quite good, and I do find myself humming the tunes. The composer is obviously quite talented. The lyrics, on the other hand, are lacking a bit in the talent arena. The most glaring example or poor lyrics is the reference of "calico" to a male cat. The lyrics occasionally served to move the story, but on the whole, just were there to give the actors something to sing. One of the more popular songs (I say so, because I've been subjected to it through matching dolls -- girls are fun), "A Girl Like You," made little sense in the context of the plot, although parts of it worked to establish a little character.
As for the film, the plot, itself, was solid enough, but jam packed with contrivances. It is painfully clear that this movie was made for children since even the premise of the whole thing is contrived -- a kingdom is bankrupt because the mine ran out of gold. Let's think about this. This kingdom is positioned in the mountains and isolated. This means it should be economically self-sufficient, for the most part. Even if we consider that it trades with other kingdoms, trade is a two way street. If they are bankrupt, that means either poor management of assets or that the kingdom has nothing to offer for trade except gold. If that is all the kingdom has, though, it wouldn't be a kingdom. What we are supposed to accept from the very beginning to accept any portion of the story is that this kingdom's sole provider has been their gold mine as opposed to ANY exports, and rather than practicing good economics among their own people of this isolated kingdom in the mountains, the monarchy just bought stuff from other kingdoms and gave away all the kingdom's assets. Since the kingdom has clearly been in place long enough to build an ostentatious castle, this seem unlikely, but if the movie is to make any sense, we need to accept it.
Another contrivance was Preminger ordering that the princess be seized once he learned the truth. Let's be honest: can anyone other than the queen order that her daughter be seized. I mean, Preminger can suggest it, but if I were a guard and he said to seize the princess, I'd have some serious reservations.
The movie also implied that Preminger's gold was iron pyrite, but while this was interesting, it was never pursued.
So, overall we have good music, shaky lyrics, good plot, but bad believability. I've been subjected to a few of these Barbie videos, and this was the start of a downhill slope for the films.
This is a musical film starring (yeah, you might have guessed already) Barbie blonde and Barbie brunette as Anneliese and Erika, the twins born to different sets of parents and who end up switching places. And that's where the similarities to the Mark Twain story end. Where the prince and the pauper switched places by choice, the princess and the pauper switched by circumstance and drama -- a better way, in my opinion.
The music was actually quite good, and I do find myself humming the tunes. The composer is obviously quite talented. The lyrics, on the other hand, are lacking a bit in the talent arena. The most glaring example or poor lyrics is the reference of "calico" to a male cat. The lyrics occasionally served to move the story, but on the whole, just were there to give the actors something to sing. One of the more popular songs (I say so, because I've been subjected to it through matching dolls -- girls are fun), "A Girl Like You," made little sense in the context of the plot, although parts of it worked to establish a little character.
As for the film, the plot, itself, was solid enough, but jam packed with contrivances. It is painfully clear that this movie was made for children since even the premise of the whole thing is contrived -- a kingdom is bankrupt because the mine ran out of gold. Let's think about this. This kingdom is positioned in the mountains and isolated. This means it should be economically self-sufficient, for the most part. Even if we consider that it trades with other kingdoms, trade is a two way street. If they are bankrupt, that means either poor management of assets or that the kingdom has nothing to offer for trade except gold. If that is all the kingdom has, though, it wouldn't be a kingdom. What we are supposed to accept from the very beginning to accept any portion of the story is that this kingdom's sole provider has been their gold mine as opposed to ANY exports, and rather than practicing good economics among their own people of this isolated kingdom in the mountains, the monarchy just bought stuff from other kingdoms and gave away all the kingdom's assets. Since the kingdom has clearly been in place long enough to build an ostentatious castle, this seem unlikely, but if the movie is to make any sense, we need to accept it.
Another contrivance was Preminger ordering that the princess be seized once he learned the truth. Let's be honest: can anyone other than the queen order that her daughter be seized. I mean, Preminger can suggest it, but if I were a guard and he said to seize the princess, I'd have some serious reservations.
The movie also implied that Preminger's gold was iron pyrite, but while this was interesting, it was never pursued.
So, overall we have good music, shaky lyrics, good plot, but bad believability. I've been subjected to a few of these Barbie videos, and this was the start of a downhill slope for the films.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington -- 1939
Now here was an impressive piece of work. I've started watching the best of the best when it comes to movies and this one fell right in line.
The plot involves the death of a senator and Jefferson Smith being appointed to replace him. The general feeling in Washington of Smith is of a stooge who will just vote when he's told to vote what he's told to vote and that's that. His secretary is told to keep him out of politics entirely. Well, instead Smith drafts a bill with bits that conflict with another bill that some big business guy wants passed and when Smith stands against him, all hell breaks loose.
I guess the only weird part on this one was Smith wandering off when he first arrived in Washington. Based on his character so far, it seemed unlike him to do that. He tried to explain why later, but it never really sat right with me.
The characters were awesome; the situation is heart-wrenching; the conclusion was satisfying; the plot worked perfectly; the structure was great. You not only felt for Smith in this one, but the supporting characters around him. Just an overall great film and completely worth putting on if you want to watch a good one.
Nights of Cabiria -- 1957
This was an odd little film in regards to structure and whatnot. It followed a woman who, in the first scene, had her purse stolen and was tossed into the river to drown. She was rescued and the first thing she displayed was a bad attitude. Turns out that Cabiria is (never explicitly stated) a prostitute and she hangs with other prostitutes who live in her area of town and not always in a house. Cabiria is not proud of her life, but she is content with what she has. Through these episodes, we learn about her and what she does want out of life.
It took me a while to figure out what was good about this film because it seemed to drag on for awhile without much of anyhting happening, but this film was all about character and developing this girl of Cabiria. This development was never totally clear until the end when we got a repeat performance of the beginning and our heart gets torn out of our chest. Turns out if you're paying attention, you do care about Cabiria and what happens to her.
Not a 100% satisfying ending, but it leaves you thinking about Cabiria, and what she's going to do next.
The Lost World -- 1925 -- NR
The is the 1925 silent film based on Arthur Conan Doyle's novel. This film is famous for its dinosaurs which tend to show up as archive footage in a ton of other movies and such. Its dinosaur special effects and the combining of the dinosaurs with the live actors is still very good, so in 1925, it probably blew everyone away. This was one of the first movies that showed that when making a movie, the only limit is your imagination.
Plot wise, it takes off pretty good but once they reach the plateau of the dinosaurs, it really drags. I nearly fell asleep, and that's rare during a film of any kind. Once we got back to London with the dinosaur, the movie picked back up again to a decent finish. The interactions between the dinosaur and the town and people of London was very well executed effects-wise.
It's an iconic movie in film history, and the version I watched had a good 30 minutes of footage restored to it. Still worth watching for the history, but I think they maybe should have left those 30 minutes out.
Plot wise, it takes off pretty good but once they reach the plateau of the dinosaurs, it really drags. I nearly fell asleep, and that's rare during a film of any kind. Once we got back to London with the dinosaur, the movie picked back up again to a decent finish. The interactions between the dinosaur and the town and people of London was very well executed effects-wise.
It's an iconic movie in film history, and the version I watched had a good 30 minutes of footage restored to it. Still worth watching for the history, but I think they maybe should have left those 30 minutes out.
It Happened One Night -- 1934 -- NR
This 1934 Romantic Comedy starred Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. It was directed by Frank Capra, famous for It's a Wonderful Life and was a big director in the 30's and 40's. It was the first film to win the 5 major oscars: Best Picture, Screenplay, Director, Actor, and Actress.
It deserved them. This film was amazing. It was very funny, had a solid believable plot, good characters, good drama, and really tugged at the heart strings at several points. If you like romantic comedies, and have seen every Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan film, then grab this one. It puts modern romantic comedies to shame.
It deserved them. This film was amazing. It was very funny, had a solid believable plot, good characters, good drama, and really tugged at the heart strings at several points. If you like romantic comedies, and have seen every Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan film, then grab this one. It puts modern romantic comedies to shame.
Genuine: Tale of a Vampire -- 1920
I watched the 43 minute condensed version included on the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari DVD. Apparently the full version can only be viewed in the German film museum in Munich.
This was a really strange story that I really didn't "get." I understood the following: it was about a girl who was captured by a violent tribe, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery when the violent tribe was defeated, and subsequently bought by some rich old guy to live in his house as...whatever. Never understood why he bought her. Anyway, her experiences make her violent, but not a vampire in the sense that we understand today (1920 predates the earliest Dracula film, and the book itself was just over 20 years old by this time).
She entices a nephew to kill his uncle and wants him to kill himself to prove his love. He disappears, but shows up later, so he apparently didn't do it. The next guy she's with freaks out, and I don't understand why.
The intertitles in this film were waaay too long, and delivered too much information for a silent film. To make this point worse, they never gave the right kind of information to get the film to make sense. A lot of the scenes appeared to be dialogue scenes, also completely wrong for a silent film since, well, the dialogue cannot be recorded in 1920.
Overall, while I was curious enough to watch the movie, the questions the movie was raising in my mind never ended up answered, so when it ended, I was left kind of confused.
This was a really strange story that I really didn't "get." I understood the following: it was about a girl who was captured by a violent tribe, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery when the violent tribe was defeated, and subsequently bought by some rich old guy to live in his house as...whatever. Never understood why he bought her. Anyway, her experiences make her violent, but not a vampire in the sense that we understand today (1920 predates the earliest Dracula film, and the book itself was just over 20 years old by this time).
She entices a nephew to kill his uncle and wants him to kill himself to prove his love. He disappears, but shows up later, so he apparently didn't do it. The next guy she's with freaks out, and I don't understand why.
The intertitles in this film were waaay too long, and delivered too much information for a silent film. To make this point worse, they never gave the right kind of information to get the film to make sense. A lot of the scenes appeared to be dialogue scenes, also completely wrong for a silent film since, well, the dialogue cannot be recorded in 1920.
Overall, while I was curious enough to watch the movie, the questions the movie was raising in my mind never ended up answered, so when it ended, I was left kind of confused.
King Kong -- 1933 -- NR
This film was an array of clever special effects, especially in combining live action with maquette stop motion animals.
The story follows a filmmaker who has a map leading him to a secret island. Once there, his star is kidnapped and given to an overgrown ape.
Kong, himself, is portrayed as a monster and is hardly playing the "beauty and the beast" storyline they tried to imply. Ann was constantly afraid of him throughout the film. There was really no connection between them as she screamed EVERY SINGLE TIME she saw him. There was a romantic subplot between Ann and Driscoll, but it seemed to move too fast to be very believable. I understand WHY it moved that fast, but it didn't help.
Other things that were a bit of a bother: Jack Driscoll managed to climb down a vine and just the right time: right before everyone died, saving himself alone...and then Denham reveals he escaped too. How? So it seems the main characters are allowed miraculous, if a bit unfeasable, escapes. Jack and Ann take this leap off a high, high, high cliff and manage to survive their dunk into the river...about 6 inches from the cliff side -- sorry, folks, there'd be rocks there. And of course, Ann Darrow was cool with running through the jungle barefoot.
The final determiation of the film was that "beauty killed the beast." That is really hard to swallow in this version of the film.
These are more or less nitpicky things in a film that delivers a horrific monster story with cutting edge special effects (for 1933), and it is likely the plot was crafted around delivering these effects. I will grant, however, that the film was fun to watch, easy to follow, and had its share of great moments. Kong on the Empire State Building is a legendary shot. For at least the sake of momumental films in history, I recommend.
The story follows a filmmaker who has a map leading him to a secret island. Once there, his star is kidnapped and given to an overgrown ape.
Kong, himself, is portrayed as a monster and is hardly playing the "beauty and the beast" storyline they tried to imply. Ann was constantly afraid of him throughout the film. There was really no connection between them as she screamed EVERY SINGLE TIME she saw him. There was a romantic subplot between Ann and Driscoll, but it seemed to move too fast to be very believable. I understand WHY it moved that fast, but it didn't help.
Other things that were a bit of a bother: Jack Driscoll managed to climb down a vine and just the right time: right before everyone died, saving himself alone...and then Denham reveals he escaped too. How? So it seems the main characters are allowed miraculous, if a bit unfeasable, escapes. Jack and Ann take this leap off a high, high, high cliff and manage to survive their dunk into the river...about 6 inches from the cliff side -- sorry, folks, there'd be rocks there. And of course, Ann Darrow was cool with running through the jungle barefoot.
The final determiation of the film was that "beauty killed the beast." That is really hard to swallow in this version of the film.
These are more or less nitpicky things in a film that delivers a horrific monster story with cutting edge special effects (for 1933), and it is likely the plot was crafted around delivering these effects. I will grant, however, that the film was fun to watch, easy to follow, and had its share of great moments. Kong on the Empire State Building is a legendary shot. For at least the sake of momumental films in history, I recommend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
