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Bienvenido Mister Marshall (1953)
Spanish classic movie
This movie is well considered all over the world and it is not difficult to see why. It was made in 1952 but it still remains as one of the truly classic movies of Spanish cinema.
Of course its cinematographic values are impressive. From the very beginning the techniques used in this film are different from those used in American cinema of the same time, a narrator introduces the small town and the characters to the audience, he seems to know everything about them, he is capable of stop the movement and take out the people of the screen. An audacious resource from one of the main directors in Spanish cinema history, Luis García Berlanga. This beginning is modern for the time and it can be linked to the European cinema of the era.
On one hand, we are about to see a description of Spanish traditions and characters depicted with lots of humor and irony. On the other hand, we see a critic of some of these statements and mentalities of Spanish people and institutions. This critics is plenty of melancholy in some cases and plenty of humor in other cases. Just about the end of the film, there are several dream scenes that satirizes some of the American cinema of the era and some American traditions and characters (as those of the Western movies).
The script is superb, the actors are very well chosen for their roles, the cinematography is excellent and so is the photography, direction is extraordinary taking into account that this is one of the first movies by Berlanga.
Finally, I have to say that this is a Spanish classic movie and one of my must sees.
Calabuch (1956)
Edmund Gwenn in his last performance
This title might be remembered as the last movie starring Edmund Gwenn who was a beloved character actor. The beginning is quite seductive: a professor of Physics who had been working for a government in several researches involving atomic bombs vanished. After the introduction we appreciate that the plot is quite different than the expected search for the professor... We are looking the movie from the view point of the professor who is in a small Spanish village enjoying himself with the people of the town. It is an excuse for depicting some of the traditions of the Spanish people at the time the film was shooted and it includes several critics to the Spanish government and way of life of those times. This fact may be a disadvantage for international viewers; however, the movie posses a lot of funny moments which deserve a wide range of public consideration.
This is a funny movie by one of the main directors in Spanish cinema history, Luis García Berlanga and it may be regarded as one of the truly Spanish cinema classics.
The Kid (1921)
The little tramp and the ragged boy
A classic. One of the most important films in American Movie History. Everything is superb.
Chaplin wisely combines drama and comedy in the same story and he gives to Jackie Coogan (whose acting is great) the role of his life.
You may think that the plot is out of fashion, but the film strong narration make it atemporal. I dare to say that this is a silent movie that would like to people who does not like silent cinema.
It proved to be highly influential on several films which combined, drama, comedy, reality and fantasy.
I am not going to say more about it because I believe that little can be added about this movie except that is an obligation for everybody who is really interested in good cinema. Another one of my must sees.
The Others (2001)
Hitchcock influenced suspense
Since his first feature, Amenábar has been characterized for liking the plots with suspense and a great commercial success. For this film, he fronted a minimalistic story but with lots of suspense.
Highly influenced by Hitchcok imagery and visual style, this film suggests more than it really shows. The atmosphere is extremely well created, the international actors are very well selected and the fit very well to their characters, Amenábar was able to create a very suggestive atmosphere with the soundtrack and the script do not have any fissure.
This film is clearly influenced by several masterpieces such as Robert Wise's THE HAUNTING or Hitchcock's REBECCA.
In my opinion, THE OTHERS should be considered as the best Amenábar film (up to date).
White Heat (1949)
Cody Jarret on top of the world
WHITE HEAT is admitted to be the last gangster film released during classic Hollywood era, but it is much more than that.
I have seen this film several times, first of them dubbed to Spanish (things that happen in Spain), later I could enjoy it in its original version which made it a lot more interesting.
Despite its quality, I would like to point out only a sequence (avoiding to be boring), it is when Cody Jarret (Cagney) was in jail working in the iron smelting and a guy tried to kill him. First, we see a general shoot to open the sequence and allow us to locate the place; next, a series of detailed shoots reveals the essential elements of the plot (Cagney, his "killer", the engine which is going to be thrown at him, O'Brien who realizes what is going to happen, etc.), the editing is superb and so is the setting.
I would like to point out the impressive interpretation of a psychopathic gangster by Cagney (who else would have been better for this role?), the superb interpretation by Margaret Wycherly as Cody's mother and the rest of the cast (O'Brien, Mayo), the great direction by Walsh, the terrific script and screenplay and the very well fitted soundtrack. As a matter of fact, everything is perfect!!! A highly influential film which trace you can smell on other gangster-like films such as Goodfellas, The Godfather, Chinatown, etc.
Finally, the final scene when Cagney claims "Made it ma, top of the world!!!!" is an excellent ending for this film. Anything more to say
Yes, this film is it: TOP OF THE WORLD.
An obligation, one of my must sees.