Sing'in In The Rain, a film directed and starring Gene Kelly was definitely a musical. There aren't many things I have to say about this movie. I didn't hate it but I didn't really enjoy it that much either. First off I have never really enjoyed the other musicals that I have seen in the past so my perception of musicals is tainted.
Sing'in In The Rain is a very ascetically pleasing movie. The costumes are nice and the sets are interesting, because of the musical within a musical plot line. The acting in the normal scenes were everyone didn't break into song were not the greatest. But the musical numbers were choreographed nicely and were actually the best parts of the film.
One of my biggest gripes with other musicals is that characters seem to pour out of the woodwork and randomly join in the dance numbers that they would have no way of knowing. The only scene that does this is a scene from the musical within Sing'in In The Rain. But the actual sing'in in the rain scene only has Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) jumping around in the rain by himself. He is confronted by a policeman which brings his dance to a halt which I think is a neat idea and gave an element of realism to the characters and the musical itself.
If fun, nonsensical musicals are the thing you enjoy most in the film world then I would have to recommend this one. It incorporates musical numbers from older musical gives the film some historical content even though it isn't meant to be analysed that much.
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Modern Times Film Review
Modern Times, a film directed and starring Charlie Chaplin, is a testament of how good films can holds up over time. To expand, Chaplin made this film in 1936 and it focused on the events of the time.
Not only did the comedy stand the test of time but the message Chaplin was trying to convey held up as well. Chaplin focused on the issues of dehumanization, unemployment, hunger, police brutality, and industrialism to name a few. All of which can be applied to today. I feel, however, that without Chaplin's acting style the message would have been, not necessarily lost, but certainly less powerful. Chaplin has the ability to make someone laugh while conveying a different and in most cases serious message while using on or two or even no dialogue titles and his body.
The film was made several years after talking films where released but Chaplin decided to keep the actors in the film silent, only allowing them to talk through televisions or radios and various other technologies. This makes the film appeal to people who appreciate a good silent film yet it is not boring for someone who normally needs dialogue to enjoy a film. Chaplin also gave his character the little tramp the leading role in the film. Modern Times was also the final film that the tramp appeared in. The tramp is what gave the film it's fun and comical bits. Without the funny and whimsical acting of Chaplin's tramp character I don't think that the film would have been so widely accepted among most viewers today.
The camera techniques and directing style of Chaplin make the film seem like it is ahead of its time. For example, Chaplin's use of tracking and crane shots during the protest scene gives it a look that I think is ahead if its time.
In my opinion if you enjoy black and white film or really any genre of film and have a chance to view this film you should. It is a great example of how old film can still be watched and enjoyed.
Not only did the comedy stand the test of time but the message Chaplin was trying to convey held up as well. Chaplin focused on the issues of dehumanization, unemployment, hunger, police brutality, and industrialism to name a few. All of which can be applied to today. I feel, however, that without Chaplin's acting style the message would have been, not necessarily lost, but certainly less powerful. Chaplin has the ability to make someone laugh while conveying a different and in most cases serious message while using on or two or even no dialogue titles and his body.
The film was made several years after talking films where released but Chaplin decided to keep the actors in the film silent, only allowing them to talk through televisions or radios and various other technologies. This makes the film appeal to people who appreciate a good silent film yet it is not boring for someone who normally needs dialogue to enjoy a film. Chaplin also gave his character the little tramp the leading role in the film. Modern Times was also the final film that the tramp appeared in. The tramp is what gave the film it's fun and comical bits. Without the funny and whimsical acting of Chaplin's tramp character I don't think that the film would have been so widely accepted among most viewers today.
The camera techniques and directing style of Chaplin make the film seem like it is ahead of its time. For example, Chaplin's use of tracking and crane shots during the protest scene gives it a look that I think is ahead if its time.
In my opinion if you enjoy black and white film or really any genre of film and have a chance to view this film you should. It is a great example of how old film can still be watched and enjoyed.
Thursday 10 April 2014
Battleship Potemkin Review
For the time period, it was a great technical achievement. In my opinion the content of the movie isn't relevant today, but the techniques used certainly were. For the average person in 21st century North America the content of the film would be lost. The meaning and basic story line may still come through but the back story and history of the film may be lost. However, the effects and techniques used in Battleship Potemkin can still be seen in current films. That was my favorite aspect of the movie. Eisenstein was one of the first filmmakers to successfully use montage in his films. He used montage throughout Battleship Potemkin, but it is most effective during the opening, the rebellion on the ship and the Odessa steps scene. His use of cuts also give the movie a sense of unity. In my opinion it was a good film but not great seeing as the content did not resonate with me and most of the characters were weak.
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