The First 5 Films

So far, I've made it through the first 5 of the 100 movies of all time. Though watching them in order is tricky, so I might stop that after tonight's viewing.  

1. Citizen Kane- **- I had to work up to watching Citizen Kane, and even after I did, it only recieved two stars. It was hard to follow, and the action was confusing and subtle. I'm willing to admit that possibly it was a film written, filmed, and edited for a classier audience than my self and my bag of Popsecret, but if I had not listened to the Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast "Who was the real Citizen Kane?" I absolutely would not have understood this film.  Though having said that, I have to agree that from a cinematography point of view, this film was light-years ahead of its time. The shots, light, and framing are all beautifully done.

 2. The Godfather- ***- I gave this three stars, partly because it's hard to get four or five stars from me. I really enjoyed the film but I have to confess that it took two tries to watch it from start to finish. (Though that might be because I tried to watch it during finals week and I was just exhausted.) The movie takes a little long to establish its characters and its premise. However, the person who did the scores did a fantastic job. The music and sound in this film stays right with the action the whole time. The second time I watched this film I really enjoyed it, though part of me wonders how much of that enjoyment was derived from realizing how many quips are said in other films that make allusion (2 pt Literature word) to the Godfather. Every joke about horse heads in beds and going to the mattresses, every time we've made someone an offer they can not refuse, every time either your name or your blood will be on the line- we're making a reference to the Godfather. My student hated the week after I watched this film because I don't think I made it through a block without doing the worst Godfather impressions ever. 

           

3. Casablanca- ***- I watched this film for the first time during my Junior year of college with my mother over Christmas break. I believed then, as I believe now, that it is one of the most heart- wrenching love stories ever told on film. The costuming is perfect, the acting is great, and the writing is far above the quality we see in theaters currently. Even in black and white, it's very easy to get swept up into this world of almosts and not-quites, and hard choices that speak to what it's like to be human. The music and shooting leave something to be desired (especially if you watch it within days of having watched the Godfather and Citizen Kane) but the story is completely worth 2 hours of your life.

 

4. Raging Bull-*- I hated this film. It was literally torturous to watch it. I didn't find the plot engaging. I didn't care about the characters, whom I felt to be flat and almost stereotypical. And I felt like the cinematography left a lot to be desired. Don't tell the boys, but I hated "Raging Bull"

5. Singing in the Rain- ****-Maybe it's because it was so different from Raging Bull, but I loved this movie. My mother used to sing the "Good Morning" song to us when we were little, and I never knew this was where that was from. With the exception of the Broadway Melody Ballet, which I just felt ran a little long, I love all of the music in this film and the dancing is incredible. The villain in this film is perfect, and without giving anything away, justice is extremely poetic. Needless to say, I think I just smiled for about 103 minutes straight.



If I continue to go in order, the next films up will be Gone with the Wind, Lawrence of Arabia, Schindler's List, Vertigo, and a re-watching of the Wizard of Oz.