Woody Allen shows what a masterful artist of directing, script writing, and acting he is in this romantic comedy drama. The script is honestly so funny, clever, and witty I could read it as a book over and over again. This movie is not for the dim witted as they wouldn't understand many of the jokes. You have to stay on your toes to keep up with this film, but you won't have any trouble paying attention with one joke rolling in after another. The cinematography and use of shadow in this film add to the artful and quirky feeling of the film, while also adding deep meaning to it through shadows. The plot portrays two unique and different people who are struggling to find their way in life and both completely over analyze they lives which makes for a funny comedy and drama about life, love, and being Jewish in NYC.
Reviews
19 Reviews
Do the Right Thing
(1989)
Sick like the Heat
13 May 2015
This film made my stomach turn the whole time. It was a well made film but the characters upset me so much that I could not enjoy it. Mookie, played by Spike Lee is a lazy young man who needs a good lesson in responsibility and the value of work, his girlfriend however isn't any better. The film is about the struggle to find work, keep work, and do work. Da Mayor and Mother Sister are my favorite characters in the film as they add some sturdiness and gravity to the situation. They are well developed characters who I both wish had had more screen time. The three losers, ML, Coconut Sid, and Sweet Willie were the black man version of Greek chorus and added some humor to the film. The material was very deep and much darker than it was portrayed. This movie made me feel sad, sick, and disgusted.
The Graduate
(1967)
Quirky, Confused, and Cute
13 May 2015
"The Graduate" (1967), was a surprisingly good film to watch, but I don't know why I was so surprised considering Dustin Hoffman is the lead. The music in this film was so unique and so perfect for each and every scene. The music led you into how to feel and then BAM hit you with the rest of it. Dustin Hoffman does an excellent job at portraying how confusing and overwhelming young adult life and graduating college can be. I honestly couldn't stand his parents though, but the actors who played them, William Daniels and Elizabeth Wilson did a fantastic job at playing the clueless, annoying, and embarrassing parents. The cinematography and the editing in this film were award winning in my opinion and the film is well worth the watch just to see the unique and artful use of the camera and editing techniques. The plot is new, fresh, and ground breaking so you won't get bored watching it, I know I didn't it.
The Killing
(1956)
Oh The Irony
13 May 2015
"The Killing" (1956) certainly deserves its title. It is honestly "Ocean's Eleven" before there was an "Ocean's Eleven", but it is not nearly as good. The use of shadow in the film added to the mystery of it all and the flashbacks helped tie everything together without giving too much away. This movie wasn't horrible to watch but, it's certainly not my favorite. It had the potential to be really good, but the lack of humor, depth, and drama held it back. The plot was decent, but it could have been flushed out more. I honestly wonder if the costume designers and makeup artists created Sherry's look based off of Betty Boop. George Peatty, played by Elisha Cook Jr., was such a sucker. I felt bad for the guy at the beginning, but when you see how he has no back bone you just wanna smack the guy and tell him to wake up and smell the coffee.
Out of the Past
(1947)
From the Past, but Not Irrelevant
13 May 2015
"Out of the Past" (1947) was a fun film to watch. The film was witty, interesting, and filled to the brim with cigarettes. The main male character, Jeff, played by Robert Mitchum, is a very likable character and a stand up guy. You can like him almost immediately. His former co-worker who comes to town looking for him though is a different story. I honestly want to sock the guy after he made his debut. The cinematography was well done, sometimes having the camera takes shots through fences and cars which I thought was cool. The shadows added to the mystery of the film. Kathie, played by Jane Greer, reminded me an awful lot of the Kathy from John Steinbeck's "East of Eden". This girl flip flops more than a fish out of water, but it does keep you on your toes throughout the film, which is good. I honestly loved Kirk Douglas as Whit, his sly smile and charm were perfect for this film. The overall plot is interesting and relevant enough that I wouldn't mind watching it a second time.
Singin' in the Rain
(1952)
Had Me Singin' for Joy
13 May 2015
This movie is a classic and deserves all the credit it gets! I honestly could not believe what a wonderful film it was as I was watching it. The sets were mesmerizing and so beautiful. All of the colors were spectacular. I could honestly watch the movie without the sound just to see the dancing and the sets. That being said the singing was amazing and the lyrics were so thoughtful and funny. I've had this music stuck in my head since I watched it, but I love it. I could listen to the soundtrack of this film over and over again. The script was well written and the characters were believable and enjoyable to watch. I was honestly laughing throughout the whole film. It's the perfect film; a musical, a drama, a comedy, and a romance all wrapped into one. The casting for this film was perfect; Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Jean Hagen, and Debbie Reynolds were all funny, talented, and skilled actors who greatly added to this films success.
Mildred Pierce
(1945)
Some People You Just Can't Please
13 May 2015
"Mildred Pierce" is a unique film noir in that it features a woman as the main character, but the movie pulls this off very well and stays true to the film genre. Joan Crawford is a good actress who portrays her character very well. She is believable and likable, but at times you just want to shake her for the mistakes she makes. The film uses shadow in a very artful and beautiful way, the way most film noirs do. The script was well written and the dialogue wasn't corny. This movie felt like real life and sucked me in the moment I began watching it. I found myself getting frustrated with some of the characters though as they blindly made the same mistakes over and over again. It's not always your job to make your spoiled brat of child happy. This made them more relatable though and I enjoyed that. The plot was able to keep my attention and made me excited about what was going to happen next. Overall it was a good drama and I'm glad I had the pleasure to watch it.
Notorious
(1946)
If Only People Said What They Actually Mean
13 May 2015
This film literally annoyed me the entire time I watched it. Almost no one in the film says what they actually mean. The script writing drove me insane. The main male character, Devlin, played by Cary Grant, is a hardball throughout the entire film. He almost never says how he feels or what he really thinks, making the film more complicated and confusing than it has to be. The main female character, Alicia, played by Ingrid Bergman isn't much better, although she does appear to be stronger emotionally. Together they make quite the dysfunctional couple and this greatly distracted me from the rest of the film. The editing between scenes was cool as the old scenes would fade away and the new ones would appear. I personally do not see the great appeal of Cary Grant and I feel like another male actor, one with a more emotional side, would have played Devlin better.
The Women
(1939)
The Women - A Bunch of Crazy Women
11 March 2015
The Women was released in 1939 and was directed by George Cukor. The film had a good story and plot, but was just a tad too long. Mary Haines was played by Norma Shearer who is the most level headed character in the whole film besides her young daughter. Unfortunately it is the kind, respectable Mrs. Haines who has her world fall apart. Her nutty friends make the movie feel more like a screwball comedy than a drama, but there is certainly a lot of drama too. The movie has substance and it is easy to connect with Mrs. Haines as she embarks on her troublesome journey. The sets are beautifully done and add much visual appeal to the film. The fashion show scene done in color is truly memorable and distracts from the main theme of the film, but does make it a more artistic experience. The costumes were well done and I don't think Sylvia's hats could have been any more ridiculous. The film was enjoyable to watch but dragged on towards the end.
Fantasia
(1940)
Fantasia - A Truly Amazing Fantasy
11 March 2015
Fantasia was released in 1940 and was directed by multiple directors for specific parts. It was a truly amazing musical and cinematic experience. The combination of color and music, without the use of talking except for narration made for one of the most amazing films ever made. The way the use of color was combine with music to make the viewer feel and see the story the music was trying to tell. Much like a silent film the music speaks for the film, aiding to tell the story. Each individual piece of music has its own story to tell. The Nutcracker's Suite tells a unique story of the beauty of nature and the natural, fantastical artistic value it possesses.
White Zombie
(1932)
White Zombie - Not a Fan of Lugosi or His Zombies
11 March 2015
White Zombies was released in 1932 and directed by Victor Halperin. Even though the movie was low budget the sets were still well done and detailed. Both the mansion and the castle help to set the moods they are responsible. The mansion was airy, bright, and elegant giving a cheery and rich feeling, while the castle was dark, dusty, and barren giving a gloomy and eerie feeling. Charles Beaumont played by Robert Frazer is one of the most spineless and pathetic male characters I have ever seen, however Beaumont does a good job of portraying this through his desperate facial expressions and display of fear for "Murder" Legendre. The film was certainly creepy, especially when Legendre explains how he has created his zombies and what their purpose is. He is truly disturbing and helps to make the film that much more strange. The eerie tribal music adds even more to the films strangeness. Overall the film succeeds in being creepy, but it lacks backstory and meaning.
His Girl Friday
(1940)
His Girl Friday - He'll Do Anything
11 March 2015
His Girl Friday was released in 1940 and was directed by Howard Hawks. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell have great chemistry on screen and do a fantastic job at making the crazy relationship between Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson a reality. The fast pace of the film makes the hour and half fly by, although the insanity between Burns and Johnson does get a little tiring after a while. It becomes obvious after a short period of time Johnson divorced Burns, but his antics makes him a lovable fool. The script writing is fantastic! The jokes range from witty puns to very clever political cracks. The costume design was good. The only notable costume pieces were Burns' suits and Johnsons hats. Overall the film is a successful screwball comedy, but I could have done with less shouting and people talking over the top of each other. It made the film difficult to understand at times and took away from the films quality.
Baby Face
(1933)
Babyface - One of the First and Best Feminist Films
11 March 2015
Babyface was released in 1933 and was directed by Alfred E. Green. This was movie refreshingly good and I fell in love with Lily played by Barbara Stanwyck. Her character's strength and determination were beautifully portrayed by Stanwyck's tone of voice, body language, and charisma. Lily made the movie what it was, a film about a determined young woman who has to deal with the confusing and complex problems of getting the things you want in life. The story's message was conveyed so effortlessly it seemed, no doubt through the combined efforts of the excellent costume and set design, along with the cinematography. The costumes were accurate for time period and the more extravagant ones were beautifully done and very stylish. The sets were detailed and elaborate, they felt real and not out of place. Everything was right where it belonged. This film was truly an enjoyable visual and emotional experience.
Casablanca
(1942)
Casablanca - I've seen better
11 March 2015
Casablanca was released in 1942 and was directed by Michael Curtiz. Casablanca is known for being one of the best films of all time, but personally I found it very bland. The plot was good in theory, but the emotional connection and feeling was not there. I could not connect to the characters or their story. Rick, the main character was the most interesting out of the characters and I enjoyed watching his relationship with Captain Louis Renault more than any other part of the movie. Their relationship was the most dynamic and interesting part of the film. The cinematography of the film was decent enough. The cinematographer, Arthur Edeson, use of light and dark added to the films fluctuating mood and helped to portray it in an easy manner.
My Man Godfrey
(1936)
My Man Godfrey - A Stellar Film
11 March 2015
My Man Godfrey was released in 1936 and was directed by Gregory LaCava. It was a stellar film with a stellar set and shining main man, William Powell. Powell's seriousness throughout the film helps to break up the insanity of the rest of the characters and in turn actually makes the film funnier. He is the foil to the rest of Bullock family. The cinematography of the film was flawless, as characters walk up the stairs the camera glides with them effortlessly. The script was clever, witty, and humorous without being over the top as far as screwball films goes. The set was bright, elegant, and beautifully detailed and accurately portrayed the financial status of the Bullock family. It was a pleasure to look at and easy on the eyes. The costumes were done beautifully and matched the time period accurately. The film as a whole flowed so smoothly that I barely noticed the transitions between scenes. Carole Lombard who played Irene Bullock was a pleasure to watch and worked well alongside Powell. Overall the film was elegant, funny, and enjoyable to watch.
Stagecoach
(1939)
Stagecoach - A Not So Bad Western
11 March 2015
Stagecoach was released in 1939 and was directed by John Ford. While Westerns are not a favorite film genre of mine, this movie was well made. The stunts were one the most memorable and remarkable parts of the film. They were truly dangerous and extravagant and added much excitement to the film. Thomas Mitchell who plays Doc Boone and George Bancroft who plays Marshall Curly Wilcox both add some much needed humor and good nature to the film as Louise Plat's character Lucy Mallory was such an uptight, serious snob. The friendship between the Ringo Kid and Dallas feels very real, as does their concern, acceptance, and affection towards one another. Claire Trevor's character Dallas adds a lot of spunk, fire, and good nature to the film, but she is wrongly judged by most people, except Doc Boone and the Ringo Kid. It is this mistreatment that keeps your rooting for her and the Ringo Kid throughout the whole film.
Frankenstein
(1931)
Frankenstein - A less than "monster" film
11 March 2015
Frankenstein was released in 1931 and directed by James Whale. It is a film about a mad scientist Henry Frankenstein who creates a living being from dead parts. He is unable to control the monster and chaos ensues. Boris Karloff who played the monster did an excellent job and was very convincing as an unintelligent and bewildered new life. His use of grunts, staggering body movements, and facial expressions relay to the viewer that the monster is truly helpless. The lack of music made the movie less suspenseful than it could have been. Colin Clive's acting was annoying and unoriginal. In my opinion Frankenstein could have been portrayed much better by another actor, one with more conviction and emotion. The use of cinematography is what made the film memorable, as the camera is able to capture beautiful views of the mountains, cliffs, and ocean.
Good Concept, Poor Film
2 February 2015
I strongly dislike I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang. This is solely because of personal opinion based off of a negative emotional reaction to the film. It was depressing and dark with no hope in sight for the main character James Allen. The use of sound did add to the film's story telling ability though, and without the use of sound and voices the story would have been difficult to understand. I found Rev. Allen to be an annoying, stiff, and dry character that reduced the films quality. James Allen was dynamic though and the actor who portrayed him, Paul Muni, did a decent job at expressing the plethora of emotions that Allen experienced throughout the film. The plot was complex enough to be interesting and it was a suspenseful film. It could have been greatly improved with better acting and portrayal of emotions. It could have also gone more in depth into how Allen was feeling and what he experienced as a soldier and as a member of the chain gang.
The Circus
(1928)
The Circus - An Artform
27 January 2015
Charlie Chaplin does an excellent performance in The Circus. His physical humor made me laugh over and over again. The film had a good plot with a clear conflict, climax, and resolution. It was easy to follow and understand, while also being interesting and suspenseful. The soundtrack was exciting and beautiful and helped to set the mood and tone of the film. The opening song "Swing Little Girl" sung by Charlie Chaplin is beautiful and is foreshadowing for what is yet to come. I did not think I would like silent films, but this film changed my mind. The actors were able to display their emotions so well through facial expressions, body language, and physical gestures. This movie shows what an art form it was to act in silent films and has made me truly appreciate the beauty of silent films.
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