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Reviews
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
disappointed with the digital transfer
as much as a story can be excellent and a legendary and highly regarded as one of the best in history a visual experience can ruin it for you... for some of the same reasons i panned easy rider i can look at and be disappointed with the grapes of wrath... the timeless story or a displaced family in the great depression is half enhanced by the grainy look of the film half inhibited by the light flickering and dark photography... some night and indoor scenes at least in the copy i saw was impossible to see the action... the sound however was excellent... i am aware of the age of the film but i would imagine they would do a better job cleaning up this classic film... which i feel was over rated by nostalgic idiots that praise things that were already popular... the story carries much emotional weight and the acting is all very good but if you cant see or are distracted by the visual presentation on an HD monitor something is wrong... its still an essential classic i just need to try and find a cleaner copy i guess
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
this is literally the most random and ridiculous and absurdly insane thing i have ever seen
how do i even start... a play critic comes home to his aunts after being married to find out his aunts are serial killers who bury bodies in the basement and that they have a body they are about to put in a fresh grave then he decides for some reason that i didn't catch he decides its time to put his brother? teddy in an asylum because he believes he is teddy Roosevelt then his long lost criminal brother comes home with his German accomplice Dr Einstein a plastic surgeon who isn't really a doctor and their own dead body who they also intend to bury in the fresh grave... all while our hero is scrambling around trying to get the asylum documents signed and neglecting his wife with the taxi still waiting outside... and thats not even the whole story thats like the setup for the story... the writing and editing job is fantastic to keep that many threads of story flowing its insane... LITERALLY so much is going on at once it feels like you are going crazy... and so is the main character not a spot of music in the whole picture but the sheer quantity of dialogue and racket more than fills the void... the acting is incredible at conveying the stupidity insanity and malice of the characters... by the end everyone is a little crazy... a decent mix of slapstick and Abbot and Costello style word humor its rapid fire and the jokes keep rolling... its crystal clear in picture and sound its hilariously scripted brilliantly acted and it will make you crazy.... im gonna force my friends to watch this you should too
Easy Rider (1969)
some interesting views on freedom counterculture and prejudice
I'm really on the fence about this movie... i didn't really know what to expect... and it got to the half way point and i found myself asking what is going on? granted they tell you they are going to new Orleans for Mardi gras so the point is clear... but the story meanders around aimlessly for a while... perhaps to reflect the lofty idea of freedom they are hunting... the acting was a little rigid peter Fonda had all of like 15 lines in the whole thing Dennis hopper strayed between over the top and kind of un natural... the 3 flash scene transitions were distracting and really took me out of it... the acid trip sequence i felt was really well done... its really only at the point they picked up jack Nicholson i felt like the story was advancing and an extra dimension was added to the group dynamic... the use of music that reflected the culture explored was good... the sudden harsh discrimination in the last 1/4 of the movie was a huge jump from the rest of it.. jack Nicholson's death that was basically brushed off seemed like a waste really... and the end with the characters deaths also seemed not necessary... the characters search for freedom they failed in was best concluded with the they blew it scene... no need to kill them in the really lazy way they did... have some stupid hick say I'm gon scare um... BLAM! what happened? oh nothing you just shot the guy... then the random exploding of the other bike and the inferred burning of the money... i don't know... this was probably poignant at the time but it seemed really half cocked to me
My Man Godfrey (1936)
all i can say is poor Godfrey
i feel as though Godfrey is somewhat like the audience... an observing party over the ridiculous nonsense of the rich...for a movie i had never heard of it did a fantastic job of winning me over... likable hero whacked out supporting cast... witty jokes and dialogue and more sitcom like antics than you can shake a stick at... the film has held up very well the picture is clean and crisp... the sound is fantastic the words are clear... the humor still holds up because of the heavy sarcastic nature of most of it... generally when it comes to old comedies... if its not the early dirty comedies of the 70s and 80s its the 3 stooges or another slapstick type comedy.... this has found a place in my comedy file... recommended for sure
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
slow day or slow film?
i like noir films... i like the look... like the feel... this movie had it all... beautiful women with a little danger in their eyes rugged hero smoking dramatically in the harsh light dark shadows mystery intrigue MURDER!!!!!!!! i sound like a one sheet poster... ha ha the film was beautifully shot the sound was clean the picture had very few scratches the story was solid the acting was sufficient... but i was falling asleep....i missed the blink and you'll miss her marilyn monroe appearance... i think burning the candle as both ends and sitting through more dialog character oriented films doesn't mix... I'm not saying it was bad because it wasn't... it just didn't interest me... perhaps another day ill appreciate it more
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
i watched 1/3 of the 80s version before i realized there were 2
so i went into this movie expecting the frank oz 80s film i had some vague knowledge of... instead i had stumbled upon a 1960s roger corman film that was a touch darker much cheesier and ultimately more streamlined because it didn't have to bend over backward to accommodate musical numbers... this movie was made for $20,000 if i remember right and it shows... the effects are extremely cheesy the actors are all wonderfully cartoony and the whole affair is so hilariously campy and messed up its begging for viewing at movie nerd parties everywhere... the ridiculous action in the film keeps it interesting and its all very fun... the film itself looks about 30 years older than it is... the perils of low budget i guess... its an essential for movie buffs... pure popcorn and cheese... there is a reason corman is a legend and this is some good evidence
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
i love Paul Newman i love this movie but i have always hated the music
i remember watching this movie when i was younger and frankly i didn't remember too much of it just the end and their first major escape... now the picture is pretty clear throughout and some of the on location photography is amazing particularly the mountains and valleys in the escape... the mostly true story carries itself well Newman and Redford ARE the reason to watch this movie... their hilarious on screen chemistry is the highlight... the visuals and ultimately basic photography capture the action perfectly... the use of montages to bypass slow spot in the adventure was interesting but i felt slowed the story down... the music unfortunately is atrociously weird and dates the film more so than knowing Paul Newman is long gone (a real bummer every time i think about it) the movie is a classic and is very good if music is my only concern id say thats a pretty small concern the action and characters carry you through and save the day... that is a testament to the acting... watch this film
The Exorcist (1973)
what a wonderful day for an exorcism
the movie the exorcist has a reputation as one of those horribly disturbing films that raised huge amounts of controversy upon its release causing people to become sick and mortified the religious and faint of heart. this starkly filmed picture boasts gruesome makeup effects and some insanely cool possession set pieces... the acting never felt like acting... perhaps the actors were just as horrified by what the girl was saying as their characters were... the lighting is a key factor here as some of the scenes the light borders on being a character... Regan's face is disfigured and contorted but the stark shadows is what really makes it demonic... the music is especially fitting i was surprised the iconic tubular bells only played twice in the whole picture... the picture itself is flawless the copy i have showed no signs that it is from the 70s no scratches no markers and the grain only helps make the picture look darker and more severe... watch as a very normal situation slowly goes mad and out of control... the entire look of the film is different by the time the credits roll... as a horror fan its an absolute essential as a movie buff... its still essential... definitely not for the faint of heart... highly recommended
Do the Right Thing (1989)
one of the most frustrating films i have ever watched
i watched Do the Right Thing recently and for having gone in mostly blind not knowing what to expect it did a good job of immersing me in its story... from the stylized intro credits to the final lines it had my attention... the characters were interesting and usually well written until the end when some characters did things with very little explanation... the editing kept multiple stories flowing throughout few characters went without attention...the picture was clean and the camera work slick... the direct to camera character specific anger rants were unexpected and pretty amusing... that and how some of the scenes reminded me of the first Clerks and i wondered if perhaps Kevin Smiths style was inspired in part by this movie... Spike Lee had a great character study film going until the very end when frankly his racist views bled through and made the apparent heroes of the film unrelatable for me...
*********HERE BE SPOILERS*********
the guy they painted a the villain Sal was more in the right than the martyr character raheem or the angry mob that burned down the pizzeria... i haver to call bullshit on Raheems death he would have been unconscious at that point not dead... you don't immediately die being strangled you pass out and then you die... they dropped him as soon as he went limp... he would have survived or at least been resuscitated... mookie i still don't understand why he threw the trashcan through the window... if that mob should have been angry at anyone it should have been the cops... Sal got the shaft and he was one of the most respectable characters in the film... anyway those are small complaints really it was a good movie and it still carries a lot of weight... i suppose if you aren't left frustrated and confused by the end you weren't watching closely enough... id recommend it
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
if you don't like this movie you are crazier than they are
i saw the last half of this movie years and years ago and didn't understand it... its a complex and compelling character driven drama that takes place for the most part in the plainly lit and shot angular world of a mental hospital... i was 8... nowadays i not only saw the film start to finish i could look at it as an aspiring film maker with a fresh appreciation for not only the powerful immortal characterizations portrayed but the brilliantly simple camera work. like i said the movie takes place in a hospital so the characters don't have far to run (the less disabled characters anyway some never move) instead the cameras job is simply to stay put and record the subtleties and nuances of each actors screen time... nothing more nothing less... the lighting is simple hospital lights daylight or dimly lit night... the technical aspects of the film are there to frame the acting not to dazzle or distract the audience... the acting is superb powerful and Oscar worthy... also worth mention is the fact i nearly died when i realized danny devito was in this movie... many actors i didn't realize were in this deliver some of the better characters notably christopher lloyd and brad douriff i wont say much of the story except that its a roller-coaster from start to finish and its worth watching a few times
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
there is a reason bonnie and Clyde are still referenced in pop culture
i don't have much to say about bonnie and Clyde... i could say a whole lot about the film but i wouldn't do it much justice... the story... a glossy version of the true story is compelling the actors are all on top of their game... the effects are especially worth mention... the violent effects showcased are very effective... the music a little quirky with the banjo and all... the inter- character relationships... with tensions sexual and otherwise are fully developed... though Clyde's issue is never explicitly explained... the photography was very clean... with a handful of car chases and driving scenes it was done very well... the light wasn't stylized or dramatic but rather a reflection of reality... the technical aspects aren't really noticeable or notable for any reason... just well done high caliber work... its really the acting and characters that carry it... its a great film you invest in the characters and follow them to the bitter end
The Killing (1956)
the lost Kubrick masterpiece?
looking at my review history some people may think me easily amused... its not my fault i have no negative reviews... i haven't reviewed any poor films... anyway i was very surprised to hear this was a Stanley Kubrick film... s a film buff i thought i had a handle on the essentials... i suppose this movie just needs a little more love... the story is great its more than just your average heist film... its more elaborate ahead of its time... the acting is great... the characters are all well conveyed never do they seem like they are acting... the narration is helpful but not necessary... maybe its because i have been to the race tracks and can figure things out without being handed the answer... thats beside the point though... the photography was wonderful... the use of shadows and light was dramatic where it was needed and clear when that was needed... Kubrick was/is something of a genius even then... some of the shots were noir-ish which i have a new appreciation for... really the star is the editing here... the multi layered non linear timeline in the story is fascinating and really has you riveted till the end... the end by the way is the most frustrating thing in the world... watch this movie
The Stranger (1946)
i had heard this was a boring picture... it wasn't so bad
now this review wont be the greatest i have ever written... ill attribute that to the fact that i was writing out a shot by shot map of it as i was watching so frequent pauses and scribbling really took me out of the experience... however i still managed to get to gist of the film and understood the plot very well. a war criminal living incognito in small town middle America is being tracked by our pipe smoking hero... the photography was well done in my opinion the angles were never boring frequent use of crane shots and dramatic lighting really weighed on my opinion in the matter... i cant remember the music... probably a good thing if i don't notice it it probably fit really well.. thats how i approach music in general... the acting was good nobody seemed like they were acting... Orson Welles i wish did something towards the end as he was exposed used more of a German accent.. the picture quality was pretty good until about 2/3 of the way through the movie where the picture looked awful for one scene... it looked like it was shot in super 8 as opposed to cinema-scope.... its a well done movie a little slow moving in places but for the most part its always moving
Psycho (1960)
Hitchcock presents THE horror film
as an avid horror fan getting to go back and watch Psycho not just because i felt like it but with the intent to examine it was an interesting proposition and one that gave me a greater appreciation for the film. Alfred Hitchcock has assembled some of the greatest psychological thrillers and cerebral horror films ever made... Psycho is no exception. superbly acted especially by the timelessly unnerving Anthony Perkins... this movie features great camera work and cinematography... the use of shadow and obscured vision really sells some of the tensest moments Hitchcocks semi surreal sensibilities add the mysterious air that keeps the viewer in a vice and squeezes till the buildup is too much to bear... the exposition takes a little while to get through but once its rolling there is no stopping it.... the score in this film is not only suer effective it is among the most recognizable pieces of music in history. the copy i saw was i think one of the cleaned up anniversary editions so the picture and sound were stellar... there isn't much i can say that hasn't been said to death about psycho
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
i loved this... did i mention i hate musicals?
today we are going to watch a movie... yay! its a musical... aw crap... *2 hours later* holy crap that was great! singin in the rain is one of the movies you always hear about as a movie buff... without exception it has been on all the top 20 lists i have ever seen for classic cinema... frankly i t deserves it... this film is hysterical from start to finish... chronicling a key period in film the transition from silent to sound films... all the characters are great even the ones we aren't supposed to like... my personal favorite being Cosmo he is just hilarious at all times... the coloring in the film is superb especially for the early days of color... the photography was beautiful only once was there a noticeable scratch and it was clearly the end of a reel or something but otherwise it went without issue the sound was great *the exception being where they made fun of sound quality* the dance numbers were choreographed amazingly (by Gene Kelly if i remember right) tap numbers peppered throughout the tapping well recorded... the only time the song and dance really wore on me was the Broadway gotta dance bit which dragged on a little... the make em laugh scene is my favorite number by far mostly because Donald o'Connor as Cosmo is a total boss... my favorite non musical scene is the problem ridden scene making the disastrous swordsman movie... that was too funny... an interesting bit of trivia is that the dubbed Lina's voice in the movie with Kathy's however in real life jean hagen "Lina" dubbed the singing for Debbie Reynolds "Kathy" so Lina dubbed Kathy dubbing Lina.... anyway if i keep going ill write a book... good movie HIGHLY recommended
Casablanca (1942)
one of the greatest films of all time for a reason and not what i expected
as its dawning on me that most of the reviews i have posted for the last few weeks never became public and in some cases simply disappeared i am attempting to recapture the magic of what i wrote the first time... i had known of Casablanca for years before finally seeing it just a few weeks ago i don't remember what my initial impression of it was past i figured it was dopey and romantic had something to do with a plane and was black and white... however now having seen it all my preconceptions of the movie have vanished i thoroughly enjoyed the film... Bogart is great in this i would watch more of his stuff because of this one film... i think what i liked most about it aside from the noir-ish look of the film is that it is a minimalist approach to a war film. the greatest villains of all time the Nazis fill the antagonist role the characters are brilliantly played particularly the lovably crooked police inspector who provides some comic relief... as per usual or seemingly so the photography and sound were pristine... i think that can be attributed to my time editing terrible quality video clips... however it doesn't matter nothing about the actual production was distracting... as a musician the fake piano playing was noticeable but it didn't matter i enjoyed the movie too much to care... i love the stark lighting in movies from this period... the mood is so thick you could cut it with a knife... and the message that you cant stay neutral forever rings true today... sadly i cant remember half of what i wrote originally but i think i made my point
Mildred Pierce (1945)
riveted till the finish
for a movie that is 70 years old the photography is nearly spotless the sound is clear the contrasts between light and shadow are well defined if it were in color id say it was a movie made in the 90s with retro throwback novelties to its a slick production the dialog which at times probably had that sanitized older film feeling to it didn't distract at all from the viewing experience the characters were brilliantly performed particularly the greasy Monty hateful Vida and poor Mildred in the middle... its just one thing after another for Mildred loss of husband loss of child started business distance between her and her daughter being leeched for money essentially losing another child marrying for money not for love it just goes and goes and goes... the story told almost entirely in flashbacks from an interrogation room at the police station is all in regard to how Monty came to be dead... if it were a true story the woman involved nowadays would get her very own Oprah special or something its that much of a journey... its an enjoyable film it still holds up even today
Dracula (1931)
THE Vampire movie.... the one and only Dracula
as far as the classic universal monster movies go Dracula is probably the most famous... Bela Lugosi delivers one of the most well known performances in movie history... while the film itself is very straight forward and simple on many levels its the scenery and charisma of Lugosi as Dracula that bleeds (no pun intended) through all other things to truly define the film... he has a dominant personality that really drives the film... the scenery and other actors really just compliment what he does on screen... the elaborate combinations of sets matte paintings and miniatures sell the darkest of the locations Castle Dracula as genuine... as usual my complaint with this old monster movie is the lack of music during the scenes... the dead silence perhaps leads more attention toward the actors but i feel tension could have been mounted more... Dwight Frye gives another great performance as crazed Mr Renfield... the only complaint i have with this movie i have because the film did not end the way i thought it did... i had watched these movies as a kid and i could have sworn Dracula's demise was ore dramatic... it was really anticlimactic... i guess a frivolous complaint i have is about the comically huge cobwebs in castle Dracula... and another interesting fact is i don't think we ever see Draculas fangs... it could just be that Bela Lugosi doesn't show his teeth much when he speaks or they simply didn't think it was necessary to show the fangs... they are more implied.... the film is well made and well shot... it deserves its place among the horror greats although i cant relate with the terror of the 1930s audience... still a favorite
Stagecoach (1939)
The Duke on an upswing in this 1939 classic
in my house you grew up knowing about people like Harrison ford Sean Connery Clint Eastwood and john Wayne and of course i was intrigued when i heard john Wayne was in stagecoach i always likes seeing him in old WWII movies and westerns always with his trademark swagger and drawl... with that in mind i was surprised the beginning of Stagecoach didn't feature him... it took a while for his character to be introduced... not a bad thing though... the story was fairly simple a group of strangers and acquaintances must share a stagecoach ride that ranges from awkward and uncomfortable to perilous and terrifying... within that trip in a claustrophobic coach we get a good amount good character development so where the film could have dragged we were instead being engaged by the eclectic group of people... from a technical standpoint the movie is top notch... it was shot in 1939 but the sound and picture are extremely clear... the camera work is fluid and smooth even in the roughest of its scenes specifically the Indian attack... my biggest complaints are minor things... one has baffled me for years as it occurs in many westerns... i never understood why when a horses rider is shot the horse falls over... the horse isn't shot it gets back up... just odd... and then that the brothers that the duke is after are built up to be these terrifying men and that Wayne didn't stand a chance... when we finally get to them they are beyond incompetent and cowardly... it only took 3 bullets to put all 3 of them down... ill chalk it up to the profound skill of the duke... its a good movie old westerns aren't really my thing but i liked this movie
Frankenstein (1931)
these classic monster movies still have some weight to them
when one thinks of the classic universal monster movies 3 most common to come up are Dracula wolfman and frankenstein... frankenstein is a terrific example of the growth of sophistication in horror.. elaborate set pieces laden with special effects and believable makeup... these are things that will eventually become paramount in the future of horror... a lot about this movie is small subtleties that really sell what is going on... the electrical effects an storm sounds build to a climax like a strange score of noise... everything in and around the monsters creation seems crooked and off kilter as if to suggest something is strange and wrong... the lighting is very high contrast further separating the dark from the light and by extension good from evil... the lack of actual score for most of the film leaving some of the action in odd discomforting silence... and of course boris karloff as the monster whos odd and stiff movements combined with an undefinable deranged humanity makes him a horrific yet sympathetic character... sometimes more human and sane that dr frankenstein who at all times seems to have an overshadowing madness and hunger in his eyes... the overall look of the film is great the scenery is well done... though the set backdrops appear to have wrinkles every now and then everything is flawless right to the firey finale... an excellent horror classic and a good guide for filmmakers highly recommended along with the rest of the universal horror lineup
The Usual Suspects (1995)
I am afraid of Keyser Söze
i only just saw this recently and really i wish i saw it earlier!... this is not your average ensemble cast crime film... really its a well acted scripted movie with a very ship shape Stephen Baldwin a hilarious baby faced Benicio Del Torro Kevin Pollock being a very angry man Kevin spacey as our crippled narrator and second protagonist and Gabriel Byrne as the persecuted dean Keaton... a man driven to crime by the police... loaded with action mystery and intrigue will keep you wondering till the end while not being hard to follow... and an ending that is sure to stay with you... if you aren't paying attention the jumps in time may lose you but its not easy to lose interest
POSSIBLY SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
Keaton a recently straight con is dragged into the police station to be a part of a lineup... before i tell you that i have to tell you this... the story is told in the form of flashbacks by Kevin spaceys character verbal... in the aftermath of a bloodbath and explosion the police are questioning the only living witness to the incident verbal... the cops seem certain that dean Keaton was responsible and believe him to still be alive despite verbals earnestly telling them he is dead... verbal outlines the events leading up to the explosion at the pier starting with the lineup... followed with a plot to get revenge against the police by exposing their shady dealings... which leads to their employment for more jobs... (back with the interrogation) when the police follow a lead and ask verbal about Keyser Söze everything takes a wild turn... (back to the story) the group is hired by a mr kobayashi who is and underling of soze... they have to do a job that borders on suicidal to earn their pardon from sozes wrath... the aftermath of the job is whats being investigated and the tale convoluted was Keaton behind it? is he alive?
gotta see it to believe it highly recommended
The Boondock Saints (1999)
overlooked crime thriller that may just move you to pick up an accent
i may be extremely biased about this movie... its an underground cult movie with pretty graphic violence irish protagonists and an idea to debate... this is one of my favorite movies and resides in my short list of crime movies to push on friends like the usual suspects and the Italian job... our story follows our 2 instantly likable unassuming irish catholic twin brothers... they following a run in with the Russian crime syndicate in boston... decide to go vigilante and clean the streets of crime by executing the criminals one at a time... its often brought up in reviews that this movie probably would have destroyed the box office had it not been overshadowed if not outright shunned by the columbine high school massacre... however the film is extremely well made very well written and iconic in its own right... the macmanus brothers with silenced pistols in hand uttering the prayer is now as much a cultural icon as tony montana or the rules of fight club... the acting is as good as you can find... neither of the brothers is actually from ireland i was very surprised to find out... the always fantastic willem dafoe is on his game i really hope the director troy duffey is feeling up to delivering us more adventures of "the saints" one of those films you have to just see for yourself... its an essential
Scarface (1932)
not as good as i expected it to be... no i didn't expect al pacino
i saw the 80's version of this movie years before this one... though i always knew this version existed... the base of the story is the same more or less as its slightly more contemporary counterpart... an outsider gets an in and climbs the ladder to the top of the criminal underworld... now i am a self described action junkie... i am the kind of person who would beat someone with a shoe for saying they 'dont get' the expendables... however this movie that is easily 80 years old has fantastic action in it... plenty of gangster action and sending of messages via the chicago typewriter... now the film did drag in my opinion in a few places... this may have been in part due to the hour at which i watched the film... but its remained very entertaining due once again to the scene chewing paul muni... the photography was pretty good especially for an era of film i associate with really high contrast black and white where shin tends to have a soft glow... worth the watch... and necessary if you think oliver stone came up with the idea himself
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
don't mind the title its actually really good
in my recently eclectic movie watch list one of the more enjoyable films i have come across is I am a fugitive from a chain gang... truly riveting something i cant say about a lot of movies... i was dying to find out what happens next... our hero james allen comes home from WWI with aspirations to apply his engineering corps training to a new career as an engineer... leaving his factory job... which nobody seems supportive of... off the bat i have identified with the character being a dreamer myself... his life slowly oozes into the gutter as he becomes a migrant worker and culminates in his injust incarceration... hes sentenced to serve on a chain gang it quickly dawns on him that its not only not going to be easy time... but a living hell in a corrupt system... he must decide attempt escape and risk being killed... or serve the rest of his sentence that could kill him... its hard to really summarize my feelings on this film without laying out the plot... its almost better to go in totally blind and just roll with the punches... the crushing ironies of the film become apparent once the twists start rolling... pretty good acting by the whole cast... especially paul muni who i believe to be one of the most committed actors of his era worth a watch despite its pretty blunt title
The Circus (1928)
a true classic never goes out of style
something i have found to be universally true about movies... is that a well made film can bypass the labels and limitations of its generation and still be likable in modern times... the better done it is the easier it it to overlook the flaws and nuances in its production... another thing is that comedies tend to do this well... a prime example of this transcendence is The Circus by Charlie Chaplin... Chaplin is certainly a legend in his own right you don't even need to know explicitly who he is to be familiar with him... he and his films are referenced regularly in pop culture.. his body of work remains powerful and relevant even today simply because i would say he was one of the first to explore slapstick comedy on film... and slapstick in itself appeals to all age groups but its fair to say that Charlie was one of the best... our hapless hero did stumble through life ups and downs in all his films and as much as it was about his shenanigans... the film was deeper than just the comedy... it had heart... if you can jump from the preposterous hiding among fun house decorations to one of the most genuinely somber endings i have ever seen... you have done a fantastic job as a filmmaker... a vast range of situations that never runs dull... all in all very enjoyable