temmons-908-283115 Reviews

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957)

so its bad.... what did you expect?

[5/10 · 7 May 2014]

Honestly, for all the hate this movie gets, and the title it has received as the "worst movie ever made" I can honestly say that I have seen worse. I mean give poor Ed Wood a break! Movies like the room and birdemic exist and you are still picking on a guy who made films decades ago? come on, there are definitely worse movies out there. Not that I am saying Plan 9 is particularly good but there is worse. Bela Lugosi is in it, that is a plus how bad can it really be if Bela is in it? Still pretty bad considering that the quote that opens the movie does not make an ounce of sense. The plot is like 5 plots all at once. There are grave robbing aliens, zombie vampires, horrible special effects, and lines that don't make any sense but that all makes this ultra campy and kind of fun to watch.

The Killing (1956)

Stan is the man

[10/10 · 7 May 2014]

Stanley Kubrick is my favorite director of all time, every one of his films I consider to be close personal favorites, the killing is no exception. What the killing has that many other Kubrick film's have is the technical perfection, every scene and shot is so perfect they seem almost clinical. Edges are sharp and framing is a huge consideration you can see he really goes out his way to make sure everything is just right. Kubrick was a perfectionist as a film maker and even though the killing isn't my top favorite Kubrick film (only because I cant decide because they are all great) I do think that if I had to choice his best film it would be this one because it is a technical masterpiece.

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Whaaaat.......

[9/10 · 7 May 2014]

Mildred Pierce is awesome because of tough female protagonist Mildred who doesn't take complaints from anybody even her spoiled daughter Veda. I was shocked at how many times Mildred let Veda slap her around and still go back and want to love her though, Veda just seemed bad from the start. There were times when I wanted Mildred to really just go off and forget her daughter all together, she was doing completely fine without her. I was absolutely shocked when I found out Veda was getting with her mom's ex husband... that made me actually mad. The soft facial shots of all female characters from movies in the 40s are absolutely stunning, the head shots have a soft glow to them that just cant be replicated anymore. I also think that Joan Crawford was an excellent casting choice because she has enough range of emotion in her to play the tough, put together business woman, and desperate mother willing to do anything for her child's love.

Touch of Evil (1958)

perfect example of Well's style

[8/10 · 7 May 2014]

Here again we have Orson Wells, daring to be rebellious. This movie opens with a long tracking shot, typical of Well's style, however this shot is different because it is widely considered to be the longest shot in the history of cinema. Quite an accomplishment to choreograph and organize everything to work how it is supposed to in that long of a shot things can go wrong and they usually require multiple takes. Another controversial point that Orson Wells brings to light in this film is the concept of interracial couples, with a Mexican husband and his new American wife. Overall this movie is an exciting thriller, that is very well planned and executed.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

colorful and expressive

[10/10 · 7 May 2014]

This movie has so many enchanting aspects from the charming witty humor, to the colorful abstractions and an adorable love story. This is one of my favorite films not only because it is a musical and I love stories told through song, but because it was one of the first movies to really experiment with abstract representations of what a character was going through, up until this time things seem so black and white (literally) but we have this song expressed in color and motion and shapes and even though it is not realistic in any way, the scene brings its point across to the audience ushering in a new wave of cinematography to play with inspiring lots of more unconventional approaches to story communication.

The Birds (1963)

birds are scary

[8/10 · 7 May 2014]

My mother always told me that this movie really actually scared her because she is allergic to birds, I can honestly say after watching that allergies are the least of your concern if this actually started to happen in real life. Hitchcock is an amazing director and he creates a perfect example for us of his amazing talent every time he made a movie. There is no wonder why he is called the master of suspense, The Birds has suspense building right from the start of the movie all the way to the climax and even in the falling action we see compounded horror and suspense of these birds. The special effects are considered "campy" now and that takes away a little bit of the intended horror that the audience is supposed to be in shock at. With movies like Saw and super real body horror gore created by CGI and make up its easy to look back on the birds and call it a mild horror movie actually.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Wells has amazing directorial control

[10/10 · 7 May 2014]

Citizen Kane is one of those movies, that from the very opening scene, has atmosphere so immersing that it draws you in to the scene as if the whole audience is now sitting inside the the shot with the characters. The same can be said for only a small handful of special movies, but Citizen Kane is definitely on the list. In the first twenty minutes we see a documentary presented on the life of Charles Foster Kane, and when the documentary has finished we pan over to a dark room full of reporters. There is smoke in the air highlighted by small square windows, and the actors are silhouetted as they pass by creating an almost star burst like effect. Kane's control over these small details is what keeps the film interesting and the viewer interested in watching what visual nuances will be captured next.

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

classic example of John Ford's work

[5/10 · 7 May 2014]

Grapes of Wrath is a book to movie adaption. John Ford is famous for his westerns and his beautiful extremely wide angled shots of the western landscape. Ford infuses his love for wide angled shots in Grapes of Wrath and shows off the barren landscape of the dust bowl during the Great Depression. Ford's use of these wide shots gives the viewer a great idea into depth of field and is very easy to make the viewer feel like they are part of the scene. Character development is on point, we as an audience can become attached to these characters because we understand what they are going through. John Ford was the best director to capture the Joad family's journey across desert from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life.

Casablanca (1942)

one of my favorite films

[10/10 · 7 May 2014]

Casablanca, as a movie has so many brilliant points to bring up. First off is the cinematography, done by Arthur Edeson, the same man who was behind the brilliant and groundbreaking cinematography of Frankenstein, we can see some similarities in his style from Frankenstein to Casablanca. He took influence from German Expressionist films of the 20s and this influence is definitely well represented with all of the beautiful lighting and shadows and every range in between that he was well in control of. The cast was perfectly picked for these roles, each of them seems very natural in their expressions and reactions. Each of the sets are extremely detailed, and the special effects like the airplane would have been a big deal at the time. Curtiz is a great director and shows off his unique style here as well as in his other films from this era such as Mildred Pierce.

Stagecoach (1939)

Interesting

[5/10 · 12 March 2014]

I've never really been a huge fan of westerns because I think the opportunities for the plot to go somewhere different are not extremely broad by any means, each western follows virtually the same or similar plot, though I suppose that is what really defines it as it's own genre. Stagecoach is still charming despite this, with memorable characters, and a great cast. My favorite part was definitely the chase scene, up until that point everything seemed fairly slow paced. What I do love is John Ford as a director, his huge sweeping shots and wide angles that really focus on the scenery is an amazing addition to the film, so much visual language is communicated in these dynamic shots. Also the cinematography of the chase scene is absolutely brilliant.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

One of my favorite movies!

[10/10 · 12 March 2014]

I absolutely love the wizard of oz! Such a fantastic story with a great message and strongly developed characters that really touch your heart. The cinematography is great, I enjoy seeing this early use of effects such as when Glinda appears from the bubbles, the twister scene, and Oz himself. The costumes are a noteworthy aspect, with each one being so different and so detailed it deserves some praise. Somewhere over the rainbow is beautifully iconic as well as many other aspects of this film, spawning many years of tributes, remakes, spin offs, and parodies even. This movie has secured a huge part of American pop culture in the 20th century. It's got so much heart, and it was a huge step in the beginnings of fantasy as a genre. Definitely worth watching if you have never seen it.

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Witty

[7/10 · 4 March 2014]

This movie, is a personal favorite of mine now. With charming and witty humor, fused with a moral lesson, and top notch acting, it certainly is a movie that deserves the title "timeless classic". The entire story of the movie is historically relevant to the socioeconomic time period in which the movie both takes place and was released. It addressed the issue of the impact of the Great Depression on middle class working Americans and brought the issue front and center to the cinemas where mass amounts of people could become more aware of what was happening to the country at the time. Some of the humor that is used in the movie is subtle, because it is a witty humor, that one would have to think about for a while to understand, much unlike today's humor which is very blatant and in your face.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

passionate

[10/10 · 4 March 2014]

Tennessee Williams famous play is brought to life, but instead of on a stage is now in this beautiful work of cinema. I think the play to screen adaption does the story a lot of justice because of more of the small nuanced intimate emotional scenes where Blanche is crying, and having her breakdowns it is much more effective to see on screen because of all that can be done to highlight the emotions on her face and the words she is saying. Marlon Brando is a hugely gifted actor and both Brando's character Stanley and Leigh's character Blanche were both exceptionally well cast in their roles, they both have enough passionate emotion that they bring to their lines that makes the characters pop out and appear as real human beings, which is difficult considering the many layers of motives and emotions Tennessee Williams wrote into them in the play.

The Devil Bat (1940)

Genius

[10/10 · 15 February 2014]

Bela Lugosi is one of my favorite actors of all time. His voice is slow and dense with an accent that gives all his characters many more layers of texture than just what meets the eyes. The Devil Bat has a great plot almost reminiscent of a cult film. I love the small absurdities like when Lugosi gives his lotion to his friend for him to try, he tells him to put it on his neck and Lugosi gives this creepy smile and laugh and delivers his lines so well I find myself laughing. The story is really well written as well and the plot is consistent throughout. The lesson behind the story is well enforced through the terrifying murders of the people who have taken advantage of a mad scientist.

Dracula (1931)

Absolute Favorite

[10/10 · 15 February 2014]

I am in love with Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula, for years and years after the film has been produced Lugosi's voice has set the standard for what every vampire should sound like, from the Count in Sesame Street to people dressed up for Halloween. Bela's portrayal is incredibly iconic and he is a truly talented actor. Dwight Frye is also an amazing actor and I would have liked to see more of a presence of his character in the film. The shots of just Bela's face are so creepy but yet effective in reinforcing the horror in the mind of a viewer. Van Helsing and Dracula have a character dynamic that is unparalleled in any piece of film or literature even now into 2014.

Frankenstein (1931)

Classic

[8/10 · 15 February 2014]

I have often heard of this movie, it's famous quotes, and seen all the influence it has had upon today's film makers. I myself had not seen it until a few days ago, and now that I have I can absolutely say that it deserves the years of praise it has been afforded. A beautiful work of cinema, at it's time a sheer masterpiece. The cinematography is edgy and progressive lending itself to the fast paced horror theme the plot line includes. While I do think it is an absolute classic, the plot lacks a little in really explaining the monster like he is articulated in the book. Boris Karloff has the perfect structure to fit the monster makeup, being that he is tall and broad-shouldered with a sharp rectangular face.

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)

Engaging

[10/10 · 5 February 2014]

Paul Muni is an incredible actor as with many old black and white film actors of this era, and so under rated. The lighting in all of the scenes gives a texture that works amazingly with the texture provided by the cameras of that time. For one of the first movies to feature sound, the story does not lack in any way it still seems well written and consistent. The last scene where Muni is leaving and he yells "I steal!" is an absolutely beautiful ending that keeps the audience guessing. The blackness at that point when he says the line only serves to further implant the importance and memory of the line forever in the minds of the audience. Not only that but it shows the digression of our main character from when at the beginning of the movie we find a man who wants more excitement from his mundane life and he surely finds it as after that point his life is never settled again.

Girl Shy (1924)

Underrated

[10/10 · 28 January 2014]

Many black and white silent movies have gone by the way side. As far as appreciation goes in this day and age they deserve a whole lot more than we give them credit for. Mostly because these movies require a lot more effort into consideration of the plot and witty humor. They are so simple at their core though... like this movie for example is so beautifully done because its so innocent. No pretentious special effects or made up stars just a pure scene unedited and raw, giving it a lot of organic texture and feel. The scene where Harold Meadows is writing his book and begins his flashback with the "vampire" woman is absolutely adorable, such delicate lighthearted humor is a breath of fresh air in an entertainment industry beginning to rely on shock value, ratings and financial success. Harold Lloyd is an underrated silent film actor for sure, silent movies would not be complete without the star to make them even more endearing than before and Lloyd certainly articulates his charming warmth and melodramatic expressions to an audience young and old in a way that we can all understand how the character is feeling.

The Circus (1928)

Charming

[10/10 · 27 January 2014]

Charlie Chaplin is a staple of early cinema. In "the Circus" is widely regarded as his most famous work as it should be, it's such a large production considering how early this piece was made. Despite their technological restrictions the cinematographers still catch all of Chaplin's talent. But even from early on we see thought going into such things as visual effects and space such as in the mirror fun house scenes and the time when Charlie sits in front of the poster of Stella and then references the poster later on in the scene goes to show they were thinking about composition. Also music is a key component of the movie, here we have a work that can only be communicated limitedly through inter titles and actors expression and movement but the music expands and allows for another dimension of understanding. The inter titles almost act in place of an establishing shot for when they want to shift gears to another key point of the plot about to take place. Chalpin's ability to emote as well as any other silent film stars are also large components of what makes this movie so charming, endearing, and a pervading classic. Definitely something worth being watched and remembered to this day.