"Listen. No one could teach you to dance in a million years. Take my advice and save your money!" -Penny
Oh MAN does it feel nice to get back on the movie watching circuit. This is the story of a dancer by the name of Lucky who is an amazing dancer, and an even better (or shall I say... "luckier"? hahahahahahahaha) gambler. He leaves his hometown after his dance troupe (or crew as people today would know them) played and he proposed to a woman he grew up with. He leaves to earn $25,000 as she is from a wealthy family. True to musical tradition, he falls in love with somebody else AND SHE IS A DANCER AS WELL. He tries his best to avoid it at all costs but eventually gave in and what we get is singing, dancing, and some loveable secondary characters.
My mom and I agreed that this movie was probably so-so but every song and dance are now classic pieces of entertainment. I found myself humming this song (below) where Lucky, his new flame (Penny) his friend (Pop) and her friend (Mabel) go to the country for the day. Lucky told Pop to not let him be alone with Penny because they will inevitably fall for each other and break the heart of his fiancee back home. It's also in this scene Penny discovers the true reason behind Lucky's cold ways.
Oh my goodness! This video reminded me! The cinematography was superb for a 1936 film! Dance scenes ran as one long continuous shot, crane shots, and a bit of what appears to be green screen technology... but its probably advanced camera trickery. I love that abouit old movies, they didn't just say, "Oh we'll just get special effects on that and add it in later" they had to plan these things out extensively and went to huge lengths, an almost magical process.
I love how people used to sing back then, Ginger Rogers seems to have this really rich voice and its just... aw man =F
I'm not really going to tell you all to get off your computer and watch it, but if you have nothing else to watch and its between this and Sophie's Choice... pick Swing Time.
Watching progress note: Our disc skipped a bit so we had to fast forward through some scenes but I don't think we missed anything. Only had to watch this one twice because of how late we started watching it the first time.
Next Movie: The Swing Time (1999)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sixth_Sense
8.24.2009
7.24.2009
Winter project sees the sun.
This project is still going on. School did throw a wrench in the machine, but I will finish this eventually. The plan was to finish before 2010, but I must say once more I do not think that will happen.
I will NOT make this project a driving force. I'm going to go about my normal life and not plan a movie each week like I intended. I adore movies, don't get me wrong. The reason I don't see the Top 100 as often as I'd like is that I'm watching other movies.
I want to make this blog more informal though. Formalities never were my style, and I believe you reach more people with a casual approach.
I will do my best to keep coherent thoughts in here because I am bad to ramble in my head faster than I can type.
Stick with me kids, we're going to keep going places. Excited about watching Swing Time, I would also love to keep the ritual of watching these with my parents which is another scheduling obstacle. In the meantime, I recommend reading the graphic novel, Watchmen... then watching the movie Watchmen. you'll get more out of it, trust me.
I will NOT make this project a driving force. I'm going to go about my normal life and not plan a movie each week like I intended. I adore movies, don't get me wrong. The reason I don't see the Top 100 as often as I'd like is that I'm watching other movies.
I want to make this blog more informal though. Formalities never were my style, and I believe you reach more people with a casual approach.
I will do my best to keep coherent thoughts in here because I am bad to ramble in my head faster than I can type.
Stick with me kids, we're going to keep going places. Excited about watching Swing Time, I would also love to keep the ritual of watching these with my parents which is another scheduling obstacle. In the meantime, I recommend reading the graphic novel, Watchmen... then watching the movie Watchmen. you'll get more out of it, trust me.
4.11.2009
91. Sophie's Choice
In Progress: If it says anything... I dozed off while watching this movie and it is still on as I type this. I'd rather be working on my Botany paper. Here's hoping it eventually proves me wrong when I come back to finish this post.
Left this hanging from April.
Re-watching as of July 9, 2009.
If it says anything, I have watched it 3 times now. All 3 times I have yet to update this blog. Let's get this going here...
"I've barely saved enough money to write my novel, for I wanted to be and hoped or dreamed to be a writer. But, my spirit had remained locked, unacquainted with love and a stranger to death." -Stingo.
As far as Holocaust films go... I think Steven Spielberg has spoiled me with his masterpiece we know as Schindler's List. It's good... but I just didn't like it. Ever have that film where you recognize its greatness and see is strengths... but really just don't care enough to like it? I tried. I tried my damnedest to get into this movie. First time I watched this, my mind continually drifted to other things (See the Botany paper reference.) The second time I watched this, I fell asleep. The third time I let this movie grace my television, I just flat out didn't want to finish it, so I chose The Village instead. (If you don't know me, I can watch The Village 9000 times and never get tired of it.) I'll give you all an outline.
Stingo = southern writer
Sophie = Meryl Streep
Kevin Kline's batshit insane character = batshit insane.
All set in BROOKLYN. I have expressed my views on the state of New York in this blog already, so I believe nothing else needs to be said here. I can't tell you all about the only good part in the film because that is probably the one pivotal scene that makes this movie eligible for AFI's Top 100. Actually, screw it I am telling you all.
Sophie (the wonderful Meryl Streep who played a phenomenal role) is a Holocaust survivor. Not Jewish, just at the wrong place at the wrong time... not 100% sure on this because all 3 times I just didn't care enough to watch it. She is in line to the Concentration Camp and a Nazi asks her to choose which one of her children to save or he will kill both. After some struggling, she gives up her daughter.
I'm not going to lie.
GROUNDBREAKING.
This was the only part that REACHED me, that actually made me feel any emotion other than boredom. It is a choice that nobody would dare ponder, but this woman had to make and lives it with it to the present day.
Then she goes to Brooklyn and shacks up with Kevin Kline who is some weird Holocaust fanatic. I blame Kevin Kline, he was just too eccentric. Not funny eccentric, boring eccentric.
That is it for this review.
I blame Kevin Kline for being too crazy.
I did not care enough for Stingo, regardless of his southern roots.
I wish Meryl Streep narrated the film and centered around her life in Poland.
Screw Brooklyn.
I'm actually kind of mad at how much I did not like this movie.
Not saying this is a bad movie... but there will be no 4th viewing. That is all folks.
Next Movie: Swing Time (1936)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Time_%281936_film%29
Left this hanging from April.
Re-watching as of July 9, 2009.
If it says anything, I have watched it 3 times now. All 3 times I have yet to update this blog. Let's get this going here...
"I've barely saved enough money to write my novel, for I wanted to be and hoped or dreamed to be a writer. But, my spirit had remained locked, unacquainted with love and a stranger to death." -Stingo.
As far as Holocaust films go... I think Steven Spielberg has spoiled me with his masterpiece we know as Schindler's List. It's good... but I just didn't like it. Ever have that film where you recognize its greatness and see is strengths... but really just don't care enough to like it? I tried. I tried my damnedest to get into this movie. First time I watched this, my mind continually drifted to other things (See the Botany paper reference.) The second time I watched this, I fell asleep. The third time I let this movie grace my television, I just flat out didn't want to finish it, so I chose The Village instead. (If you don't know me, I can watch The Village 9000 times and never get tired of it.) I'll give you all an outline.
Stingo = southern writer
Sophie = Meryl Streep
Kevin Kline's batshit insane character = batshit insane.
All set in BROOKLYN. I have expressed my views on the state of New York in this blog already, so I believe nothing else needs to be said here. I can't tell you all about the only good part in the film because that is probably the one pivotal scene that makes this movie eligible for AFI's Top 100. Actually, screw it I am telling you all.
Sophie (the wonderful Meryl Streep who played a phenomenal role) is a Holocaust survivor. Not Jewish, just at the wrong place at the wrong time... not 100% sure on this because all 3 times I just didn't care enough to watch it. She is in line to the Concentration Camp and a Nazi asks her to choose which one of her children to save or he will kill both. After some struggling, she gives up her daughter.
I'm not going to lie.
GROUNDBREAKING.
This was the only part that REACHED me, that actually made me feel any emotion other than boredom. It is a choice that nobody would dare ponder, but this woman had to make and lives it with it to the present day.
Then she goes to Brooklyn and shacks up with Kevin Kline who is some weird Holocaust fanatic. I blame Kevin Kline, he was just too eccentric. Not funny eccentric, boring eccentric.
That is it for this review.
I blame Kevin Kline for being too crazy.
I did not care enough for Stingo, regardless of his southern roots.
I wish Meryl Streep narrated the film and centered around her life in Poland.
Screw Brooklyn.
I'm actually kind of mad at how much I did not like this movie.
Not saying this is a bad movie... but there will be no 4th viewing. That is all folks.
Next Movie: Swing Time (1936)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Time_%281936_film%29
3.14.2009
92. Goodfellas
"Paulie may have moved slow, but it was only because Paulie didn't have to move for anybody." - Henry Hill
Martin Scorsese (who will be referred to as "Martin" because... come on, that name) hit gold. Pure cinema gold with this film. He does that with most of his movies, but this one is quite fantastic. I'm pretty sure he got things rolling for The Sopranos producers while making this (which is a series I highly recommend.)
It all follows Ray Liotta's character, Henry Hill, and how he became a gangster at the age of 13. He doesn't become a boss or anything higher up though because apparently only full blood Italians are allowed to, and he is half Irish. There's not too much plot besides that but it goes into detail all the heists they pulled off and how he made his money. Robert De Niro was fantastic and Joe Pesci supplied numerous memorable lines that have been spoofed for as long as I can remember (You think I'm funny? Do I amuse you?).
I can not begin to describe how exciting it was to see all the young Sopranos actors in this movie though! Not only that, I recently watched Repo! The Genetic Opera and saw Paul Sorvino go from greedy organ CEO to father figure mobster and I loved every second. Samuel L. Jackson also plays a small role. Come on, SAMUEL L. JACKSON playing a minor role has to tell you just how many big names are in this film.
It uses a narrative throughout the movie, which I love because the narrator can let you in on things that normal dialogue would do no justice and lets the imagery do most of the talking.
Now, don't get me wrong, they were all vicious mobsters, but they were so good and pretty badass that you couldn't help but root for them and hope nothing bad happens. The soundtrack follows a timeline so that wherever the plot is taking place (or, whenever) the music matches it. This is a pretty well known technique, but it really strengthens the film's intent and makes sure that you are pulled into the movie. THAT is what makes a great movie. If you are sitting on the couch, watching a movie, and you notice your television is crooked, or check your cell phone from time to time or space out and halfway listen... the movie is not doing its job. You can not be aware that you are currently watching a movie in your living room, you have to really feel the movie and be really involved with what your watching.
It keeps you entertained.
I recommend Goodfellas.
Next Movie: Sophie's Choice (1982)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_Choice_(film)
3.10.2009
93. The French Connection
"You put a shiv in my partner. You know what that means? Goddammit! All winter long I got to listen to him gripe about his bowling scores. Now I'm gonna bust your ass for those three bags and I'm gonna nail you for picking your feet in Poughkeepsie" - Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle.
ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTIONATOIANASOIASDOINOINSDFJNHDSF
That sort of sums up my thought process while watching The French Connection. Let's get the plot ball rolling here...
It is the semi-true story of two undercover cops who work in narcotics and bust pill poppers on a daily basis. For fun one night, they trail a guy who has connections to drug dealers and ultimately leads them to his FRENCH CONNECTION (haha! get it? The dealer is from France and he is their connection and.....yea). The movie then follows them as they follow the small fish and ends following the main French fish.
I feel pretty guilty for not enjoying it more... and it was only after Wikipedia-ing for a while did I get to understand just what made it stand out, and that was the car chase.
That exact car chase. The song is called "Black Magic Woman" and it didn't play in the film. But this was the song the entire chase was edited in time with it. Again, it didn't play in the film, so it was like WATCHING the song. (For anyone not really familiar with movies in the 70's, they rarely used music. Coincidentally, this time period has been deemed as the greatest era of film mainly because of these huge periods of silence. I think I discussed this in an earlier post, but when you think about it, compared to modern film, we need something happening nonstop but all sound is taken away when something is emphasized or important, it helps concentration... coincidence? I think not.)
In any case, this chase set a higher standard for action films because it is still good to this day. It may even look familiar as Christopher Nolan based a good majority of his chase scenes in the new Batman series on this one scene. You can find tons of fun facts about it too, because who doesn't eat them up?
- They did not have permission
- They hit one or two civilian cars but paid for the damage.
- An actor in the film actually performed the stunts in the car surrounded by mattresses
- Traffic was NOT under control, hence the wrecks which were unintentional, but left in the film
THIS is what happens when you get creative folks, and it does leave an impression for action films today. That being said, I... sort of like action movies, but not really. I probably won't watch it again but if you are an action buff, I believe this would be one of those things you're required to watch. If you do feel the need to watch, here are a few more fun facts to help ya out:
- A straw hat in the back window means undercover cops are on duty.
- The "Do you pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?" line is just...a line.
- Don't expect too big of an ending.
- Based on a true story but not TOO true.
Next movie: Goodfellas (1990)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodfellas
ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTIONATOIANASOIASDOINOINSDFJNHDSF
That sort of sums up my thought process while watching The French Connection. Let's get the plot ball rolling here...
It is the semi-true story of two undercover cops who work in narcotics and bust pill poppers on a daily basis. For fun one night, they trail a guy who has connections to drug dealers and ultimately leads them to his FRENCH CONNECTION (haha! get it? The dealer is from France and he is their connection and.....yea). The movie then follows them as they follow the small fish and ends following the main French fish.
I feel pretty guilty for not enjoying it more... and it was only after Wikipedia-ing for a while did I get to understand just what made it stand out, and that was the car chase.
That exact car chase. The song is called "Black Magic Woman" and it didn't play in the film. But this was the song the entire chase was edited in time with it. Again, it didn't play in the film, so it was like WATCHING the song. (For anyone not really familiar with movies in the 70's, they rarely used music. Coincidentally, this time period has been deemed as the greatest era of film mainly because of these huge periods of silence. I think I discussed this in an earlier post, but when you think about it, compared to modern film, we need something happening nonstop but all sound is taken away when something is emphasized or important, it helps concentration... coincidence? I think not.)
In any case, this chase set a higher standard for action films because it is still good to this day. It may even look familiar as Christopher Nolan based a good majority of his chase scenes in the new Batman series on this one scene. You can find tons of fun facts about it too, because who doesn't eat them up?
- They did not have permission
- They hit one or two civilian cars but paid for the damage.
- An actor in the film actually performed the stunts in the car surrounded by mattresses
- Traffic was NOT under control, hence the wrecks which were unintentional, but left in the film
THIS is what happens when you get creative folks, and it does leave an impression for action films today. That being said, I... sort of like action movies, but not really. I probably won't watch it again but if you are an action buff, I believe this would be one of those things you're required to watch. If you do feel the need to watch, here are a few more fun facts to help ya out:
- A straw hat in the back window means undercover cops are on duty.
- The "Do you pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?" line is just...a line.
- Don't expect too big of an ending.
- Based on a true story but not TOO true.
Next movie: Goodfellas (1990)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodfellas
1.28.2009
94. Pulp Fiction
"The night of the fight, you may feel a slight sting. That's pride fucking with you. Fuck pride. Pride only hurts, it never helps" - Marsellus Wallace
I'm not going to lie, I have been looking forward to this one since we started the list. I've seen this film again and again and I can't love it less. This was not only a step for visuals but also for screenwriting. Quentin Tarantino seems to just have ideas and make them all his. He IS a trademark (and a Knoxville native I might add).
Review best I can because he uses an out of sequence timeline. It intertwines about 3 or 4 different stories and how they all show up in each other's lives. There's the two hit men, the crime boss, the boxer and his wife, the small time crooks and the wife of the crime boss. I could go into more about the individual stories but then I'd tell you the entire movie. Just keep in mind it'll be gritty and raw to keep true to the title and you will actually see CHARACTERS. Not regurgitated copies of the same protagonist/antagonist.
Fun trivia that does not pertain to the actual movie, but to Quentin Tarantino. He is known for long continuous shots, a barefoot scene and a reference to Knoxville in all his films. It was actually on the set of this film that him and Uma Thurman began to talk about Kill Bill (whch isn't on the list, but I do recommend it....my dad actually found my Kill Bill lunchbox and it's sitting across from me).
Comedy galore in this film, but you sort of have to have no mercy. The intimidation tactics employed by the hitmen Jules and Vincent are a good example of this.
I can't really write a long review of this because if I summarize it I'll tell you the whole movie. If I sing its praises, it'll just build it up too much and you may be disappointed.
All I can say is to see it.
Next movie: The French Connection (1971)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_French_Connection_(film)
I'm not going to lie, I have been looking forward to this one since we started the list. I've seen this film again and again and I can't love it less. This was not only a step for visuals but also for screenwriting. Quentin Tarantino seems to just have ideas and make them all his. He IS a trademark (and a Knoxville native I might add).
Review best I can because he uses an out of sequence timeline. It intertwines about 3 or 4 different stories and how they all show up in each other's lives. There's the two hit men, the crime boss, the boxer and his wife, the small time crooks and the wife of the crime boss. I could go into more about the individual stories but then I'd tell you the entire movie. Just keep in mind it'll be gritty and raw to keep true to the title and you will actually see CHARACTERS. Not regurgitated copies of the same protagonist/antagonist.
Fun trivia that does not pertain to the actual movie, but to Quentin Tarantino. He is known for long continuous shots, a barefoot scene and a reference to Knoxville in all his films. It was actually on the set of this film that him and Uma Thurman began to talk about Kill Bill (whch isn't on the list, but I do recommend it....my dad actually found my Kill Bill lunchbox and it's sitting across from me).
Comedy galore in this film, but you sort of have to have no mercy. The intimidation tactics employed by the hitmen Jules and Vincent are a good example of this.
I can't really write a long review of this because if I summarize it I'll tell you the whole movie. If I sing its praises, it'll just build it up too much and you may be disappointed.
All I can say is to see it.
Next movie: The French Connection (1971)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_French_Connection_(film)
1.25.2009
95. The Last Picture Show
"He was sweeping you sons of bitches! He was sweeping!" - Sonny Crawford
So sorry for the gap, school started back up and I'm already struggling to balance assignments, work and time to retain sanity and step back from it all. This past weekend we finally got back to the list and watched The Last Picture Show. According to the DVD case, it is a tale of teenagers in a small Texas town who face "sexual and social mores." I had to use the cover slip's words because no amount of paraphrasing could say, "The movie is about everyone wanting to get it on." Then again, I'm also putting it quite blunt, but each character's sexual life directly influenced their public lives. Let's get a summary going here:
The plot revolves mainly around Sonny Crawford while his best friend Duane follows as a second, but minor, main character. The two are fairly popular and well-liked in this community set in the 1950's. Of course, the community was closer then those portrayed today. (Small towns in movies today seem to harbor nothing but novelty serial killers or right wing religious fanatics. I'm looking at you, Silent Hill movie.) Getting off that tangent, the people are nicer and trust each other more which really allows for more characters to be involved and more is known about them. This is pretty awesome for the audience of course because we are really just nosy neighbors as these characters' personal lives are revealed. Every detail they know, we know about sooner, such as the affair between 18 year old Sonny and 40 year old Ruth Popper*. The women in the movie were pretty intriguing really. The film really revolved around sexual freedoms and taboos, so to have these young girls with the ideals of the 1950's and these older women who are wanting to just break free. The teenagers seem to WANT to go all bases, but they are still reluctant or want to use sex as a gateway to marriage. Taking Duane's girlfriend, Jacy, for example, she just wanted to lose her virginity and have everyone know it. I'm going to be blunt again and tell you all she was a slut.
The rock in this movie was Sam "The Lion" who owned a few businesses in town. You could really tell that he was a constant and strong character, but I am going to use Wikipedia's description (I know, I know) of him as the conscience of the town. He knows what is right and wrong and he sticks with his morals, and serves as a father figure to some of the boys of the town. He was just one of those necessary characters that really balanced the plot out.
I really did enjoy this one. I don't think this movie helped usher in an age where sex is featured more prominently in cinema, but I would not be surprised if it helped greatly. I was pretty excited though to see one from the 70's. My screenwriting teacher talked about how this decade was considered to be one of the greater eras of film, and really utilized the power of silence. I'm hoping the 1970's don't let me down along the way of the list though, so far, so good.
*It was awkward to write. It is awkward to read. You better believe it was awkward to watch.
Next movie: Pulp Fiction (1994)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fiction_(film)
So sorry for the gap, school started back up and I'm already struggling to balance assignments, work and time to retain sanity and step back from it all. This past weekend we finally got back to the list and watched The Last Picture Show. According to the DVD case, it is a tale of teenagers in a small Texas town who face "sexual and social mores." I had to use the cover slip's words because no amount of paraphrasing could say, "The movie is about everyone wanting to get it on." Then again, I'm also putting it quite blunt, but each character's sexual life directly influenced their public lives. Let's get a summary going here:
The plot revolves mainly around Sonny Crawford while his best friend Duane follows as a second, but minor, main character. The two are fairly popular and well-liked in this community set in the 1950's. Of course, the community was closer then those portrayed today. (Small towns in movies today seem to harbor nothing but novelty serial killers or right wing religious fanatics. I'm looking at you, Silent Hill movie.) Getting off that tangent, the people are nicer and trust each other more which really allows for more characters to be involved and more is known about them. This is pretty awesome for the audience of course because we are really just nosy neighbors as these characters' personal lives are revealed. Every detail they know, we know about sooner, such as the affair between 18 year old Sonny and 40 year old Ruth Popper*. The women in the movie were pretty intriguing really. The film really revolved around sexual freedoms and taboos, so to have these young girls with the ideals of the 1950's and these older women who are wanting to just break free. The teenagers seem to WANT to go all bases, but they are still reluctant or want to use sex as a gateway to marriage. Taking Duane's girlfriend, Jacy, for example, she just wanted to lose her virginity and have everyone know it. I'm going to be blunt again and tell you all she was a slut.
The rock in this movie was Sam "The Lion" who owned a few businesses in town. You could really tell that he was a constant and strong character, but I am going to use Wikipedia's description (I know, I know) of him as the conscience of the town. He knows what is right and wrong and he sticks with his morals, and serves as a father figure to some of the boys of the town. He was just one of those necessary characters that really balanced the plot out.
I really did enjoy this one. I don't think this movie helped usher in an age where sex is featured more prominently in cinema, but I would not be surprised if it helped greatly. I was pretty excited though to see one from the 70's. My screenwriting teacher talked about how this decade was considered to be one of the greater eras of film, and really utilized the power of silence. I'm hoping the 1970's don't let me down along the way of the list though, so far, so good.
*It was awkward to write. It is awkward to read. You better believe it was awkward to watch.
Next movie: Pulp Fiction (1994)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fiction_(film)
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