I found this film extremely enjoyable! It's just enough of a departure from Hitchcock's films, but still has a lingering imprint of his themes and craft. My favorite part of this film, and what really sold it in my opinion, was the outstanding chemistry between the two leads, Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. It has great scenery and shots throughout, especially the shots of the Monte Carlo, and has nice themes of Thriller and Mystery tied in with the Romance. It might not hold up in today's time, but remains a great classic nonetheless!
Reviews
12 Reviews
Young Mr. Lincoln
(1939)
Historical Reimagination and Lesson
12 May 2020
I found this film very entertaining and exciting. It has the themes of John Ford's other films, but in the best ways and in my opinion one of his best. I don't know much about Lincoln's early life, mannerisms, or behaviors, but Henry Fonda does a excellent job portraying. Visually he is very reminiscent with what I believe is a prosthetic nose and chin, but even his mannerisms are believable and accurate to what I think Lincoln would be. Second to Stagecoach as my favorite Ford film, but this delivers and then some!
His Girl Friday
(1940)
Okay Film, Just Not For ME
12 May 2020
I think it was shot well, I just didn't really enjoy the themes. For a movie that tries to play itself as a screwball comedy, it pushes a dramatic agenda that doesn't do the film justice, and I found a few plot holes that I didn't necessarily understand, like the end decision of the main character. I also found the killer's dialog throughout the film cringey, and I didn't find the film "funny", but I can see the appeal for the time and the dedicated fans of it today. Overall, it was an okay film, even though I'm pointing out the negatives, wouldn't watch again.
Gentleman's Agreement
(1947)
Ahead of its Time
12 May 2020
I think what this film did really well was the exposure of anti-semitism that was apparent at this time. I actually found it shocking how much there was during this time shortly after the World War that based around it. To showcase so much of this in America was shocking and new to me, considering that was what we had went to war about with Germany, and now post-war there was so much of it going on on our turf. What I didn't enjoy was the lingo and romance between Gregory Pecks character Dorothy Mcguire's character at times, especially the dialog of Peck calling Dorothy "my girl" throughout. I found that to be abit immature and cringey at times. All in all, it was a decent movie.
The Exorcist
(1973)
Holds true to what it once was even today
12 May 2020
For hold old this movie, it still holds up well with today's time and manages to still pack the frights and scare. Few times I jumped during this movie, and I love horror! Being almost 50 years old, it still manages to be one of the scariest movies of all time, in my opinion. Performances were good, lighting was great and cinematography was great. Not much else to say other than it stands well with time, and is solidified as a true Classic!
Bonnie and Clyde
(1967)
Compelling Story that Makes you root for the Mains!
12 May 2020
I had never seen this movie before, but it's one of those classics that everyone knows about and hears about but never actually knows what happens, just an overall plotline. I found this movie fun and exciting, as it had me rooting for the main characters in a way that I wanted them to get away with their crimes they committed. Both Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway do a flawless in the portrayal of their characters, and really established themselves after as great actors in their time. I think the casual comedy placed throughout helped break the film up a bit in a good way, which I really enjoyed as it took away some of the seriousness of the film. Would definitely recommend this film!!
King Kong
(1933)
A Classic Story that Everyone should know!
12 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Everyone should know this story by now, with how many times it's been remade and redone. Going back to where it all started with this one, I personally enjoyed it a lot. The cinematography was amazing for its time, and still remains to be a hit to this day. The story is fun and exciting, and keeps you engaged throughout. The acting was a little cheesy at times that I found to be a bit cringey, but I passed it off and let it slide as being representative of its time. The end scene with Kong on the building is by far its best, and showcases the movie really well and is its highlight, in my opinion. That shot alone is what made this movie great to me!
Pulp Fiction
(1994)
Iconic Film of Tarantino
12 May 2020
I personally loved this movie, as having never seen it before but heard plenty about it. I've heard of it a lot in pop culture as a controversial but very famous movie, I can see why after watching it. The photography and performances from the actors are exquisite, and the writing is very witty and well done. The overall plot of the movie is outstanding, but the overall rollaecoaster of this movie is what made it so good. One minute it's moody and dark, the next it's comedy, and the next it's bloody and gore-y. It's definitely for mature audiences with repeated use of drugs and nudity, but this is one of my overall favorites from the 90s. Great film!
Citizen Kane
(1941)
CITIZEN KANE- A Film for Decades!
9 May 2020
This was a powerful movie that really stands the test of time. It has held up extremely well, and is one of my favorite movies of the mid 20th century. There are so many powerful and memorable moments that occur throughout, like the famous series of takes and shots that lead up to the infamous "rosebud" scene. The meaning behind it and the emotion in the scene make it stand all the more. The acting is exquisite throughout, and the symbolism and theme of the movie are what make it really sell, especially with the closing statement of "anyway, it wouldn't have explained anything." This was a significant moment that shows how "Citizen Kane" used many powerful paradoxes throughout, signifying that nothing can truly be explained.
The Wicker Man
(1973)
Great movie with shocking twist!
30 April 2020
With a twist at the end that has to be one of the best & most disturbing in film history. Great performance from Edward Woodward, who played the Sergeant. The ominous camera cuts to just show the sun with eery sounds playing in the background is some of the creepiest moments in this movie, and the sound design is really well done in tense or dramatic situations. Really good movie that is super high-res for its time as well. Really well shot!
Flirtation Walk
(1934)
Okay Film
11 April 2020
Flirtation Walk was an okay film. It is about a private stationed in Hawaii who gets involved with the general's daughter. Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler gave fairly decent performances, but the screenplay is a little slow in places. I thought frank Borzage did an alright job directing this movie. This film back in 1934 was a big hit, mostly because of the popularity at the time of Powell & Keeler, but it's pretty predictable by today's standards. Overall, it has some very nice musical performances, and the photography was well shot, which is reflected by the film being nominated for two academy awards, one for sound and one for best picture. I wouldn't watch it again, and would only recommend to those who favor musicals and romances.
Imitation of Life
(1934)
Great Movie! American Cinema standout
10 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I thought this film was really great, and monumental for it's time. The acting was great, and the lighting throughout the film brought it to a whole other level. The overall feel for Imitation of Life is a darker drama that deals with very important and darker issues such as racism, passing of loved ones, and also maternal affection and rebelliousness. The scenes were almost all shot inside of buildings and sets, and the characters were rarely outside in a scene. The costumes also differed between the characters in that Delilah was often depicted in lower status clothing, being reminiscent of her race at the time, whereas Ms. Bea was shown as wearing higher fashion, more expensive clothes, and shown as being above Delilah socially.
This film also has major cultural and social significance because it was ahead of it's time as far as some of the messages it shows, such as the way it depicted a single woman as being a successful entrepreneur and business owner during a time where businesses were traditionally only run by men. It not only had powerful scenes depicting segregation and racial tensions like the final scene where Delilah descends downstairs to a dark area as Ms. Bea goes upstairs to a brightly lit floor, but also conveyed the message of a single woman being able to successfully run her own business by herself during a time where it was unheard of and were mostly men that ran businesses.
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