I'm back! I finally have gotten a chance to sit down and watch "City Lights" starring Charlie Chaplin and Virginia Cherrill. This was the first time I have watched a truly silent film. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, or that it might be difficult to follow but it actually captured my interest from start to finish.
With a heartwarming tale of love and hijinks, Charlie Chaplin steals the show as the lovable tramp who meets a blind girl selling flowers in the big city. She mistakes him for a wealthy gentleman and after the tramp learns an operation can restore her sight, he befriends the actual wealthy man and through some wacky adventures, including a boxing match. he finally is able to do so.
I think it's amazing how much that actors back then had to convey their characters without talking or sound. Charlie Chaplin was wonderful at this with his facial expressions and gestures. He truly was a master of the slapstick as well. I was worried that I would get bored or lost with the film, but I was actually quite involved and noticing all of the little reactions and humorous antics.
There is a quality about this film that still holds true today. There's humor, friendship. hope, despair and then at the end, absolute joy and love.
I've seen numerous reviews saying that this is one of the best films ever produced. One person in the comments mentioned that in Charlie Chaplin's hands, this story was able to move his audience and make them laugh without ever saying a word. There's many a film out there right now that struggles to do that with all of the technology and "witty" dialogue we possibly can get thrown at us.
Really looking forward to checking out more of his films in the future!
Watching the Movies Everyone Should: My Journey of Watching the Top Movies from AFI and IMDb
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Side Notes: Rush
I had heard when this film was starting to be developed and I was instantly excited about it. I really enjoy what Ron Howard can do with a film and being a Formula 1 fan, I was interested to see his take of the 1976 Niki Lauda and James Hunt "rivalry"
First off I think Daniel Brühl was right on point with his portrayal of Niki. I had read a bit about how he was very determined and very good at the mechanical aspects of driving and how his approach to Formula 1 was very methodical and precise. He was a good counterpoint to James' non chalance and I love how Ron used these two as a ying and yang of each other. I also liked how he bounced between the narrative of each character as well. It wasn't just the telling from James' side or Niki's. I liked the balance and I felt the flow of the film was absolutely smooth.
The biggest part I loved about the film was the cinematography. Very cool shots of the mechanical bits, the pedals and the shifters and a pretty good viewpoint of what drivers saw back then. It's interesting to see just how much less they had in terms of safety and how simple everything was back then as opposed to now. I could totally get into how back then drivers were more of a part then they are now, but that's for an F1 forum post. I think Niki got it too with a few of his quips to James in the film and the constant reference to how much risk and how "close to death" drivers were at that time.
Anyways, being an F1 fan and a Ron Howard fan I really liked this movie and all of it's parts. I saw a little more edge and growth as a film maker from Ron in this and am really excited to see what he has in store next. I'm disappointed that Rush didn't make it into the awards circuit but sometimes the community will help bring light the great films that don't get as much national attention.
First off I think Daniel Brühl was right on point with his portrayal of Niki. I had read a bit about how he was very determined and very good at the mechanical aspects of driving and how his approach to Formula 1 was very methodical and precise. He was a good counterpoint to James' non chalance and I love how Ron used these two as a ying and yang of each other. I also liked how he bounced between the narrative of each character as well. It wasn't just the telling from James' side or Niki's. I liked the balance and I felt the flow of the film was absolutely smooth.
The biggest part I loved about the film was the cinematography. Very cool shots of the mechanical bits, the pedals and the shifters and a pretty good viewpoint of what drivers saw back then. It's interesting to see just how much less they had in terms of safety and how simple everything was back then as opposed to now. I could totally get into how back then drivers were more of a part then they are now, but that's for an F1 forum post. I think Niki got it too with a few of his quips to James in the film and the constant reference to how much risk and how "close to death" drivers were at that time.
Anyways, being an F1 fan and a Ron Howard fan I really liked this movie and all of it's parts. I saw a little more edge and growth as a film maker from Ron in this and am really excited to see what he has in store next. I'm disappointed that Rush didn't make it into the awards circuit but sometimes the community will help bring light the great films that don't get as much national attention.
Updates and Oscars
Well once again I prove to myself how flighty I get and sometimes can't stick with something. I have every intention of sitting down and completing my task to watch these movies but I find myself waffling about it. I WILL get back on task.
I was discussing the movies that have been nominated for the Academy Awards (Tomorrow!) and realized that I have seen exactly 2 of all of the films in all of the categories, Star Trek: Into Darkness and as watched last night, Rush. That's pretty sad for me. I find myself every year not getting to at least watch a few of the best picture or actor/actress nominated films. I shall do better next year, I promise!
My good friend and fellow movie understander/lover, Heather and her husband are hosting their 4th annual Oscar party tomorrow night so I'm really excited to share the excitement with some good friends and yummy food.
I was discussing the movies that have been nominated for the Academy Awards (Tomorrow!) and realized that I have seen exactly 2 of all of the films in all of the categories, Star Trek: Into Darkness and as watched last night, Rush. That's pretty sad for me. I find myself every year not getting to at least watch a few of the best picture or actor/actress nominated films. I shall do better next year, I promise!
My good friend and fellow movie understander/lover, Heather and her husband are hosting their 4th annual Oscar party tomorrow night so I'm really excited to share the excitement with some good friends and yummy food.
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