The Exorcist, a film more than forty years old, still holds up today as one of the definite greatest horror masterpieces ever. It left audiences shaking and in cold sweats, never sure what was coming next. The special effects are still superb, blending reality into fiction with the dedicated craftsmanship of the production team. The dialogue is absolutely bone-chilling, especially when such despicable words are uttered out of a girl's mouth in a demon's raspy voice. And something that may fall by the wayside in a viewer's conscious mind but absolutely was a key component in making the movie great was the cinematography; shots of chilling streets and spinning heads. The Exorcist is a movie any film buff should see and an absolute delight for any horror fan.
Reviews
12 Reviews
Bonnie and Clyde
(1967)
A good example of new times' new wave!
2 May 2018
This adaptation of the classic true story of two outlaws joined together didn't shy away from making the famous two dastardly, but touchingly human. A brave film for the times in the fact that the production crew did not shy away from guns, blood, and violence. The tone is different from what could be expected, many would anticipate a tense race from the police, but Bonnie and Clyde offers up a mix of human drama and lighthearted, more comedic times, reminding the audience that despite everything they'd done, these were two people in love.
Rebecca
(1940)
A classic Hitchcock film
18 April 2018
It says something to the credit of Rebecca when out of all of Hitchcock's masterpieces, this was the only one to win an Oscar for Best Picture. Rebecca has all the hallmarks of Hitchcock's love of directional and linear storytelling, with his mastery of the ominous and unnerving. A film classic with a nice blend of romance, intrigue, mystery and suspicion that could only be delivered as masterfully well-done as it was during the Hitchcock 40s era.
The Wizard of Oz
(1939)
A delight for all!
11 April 2018
Who doesn't have fond memories of watching The Wizard of Oz at some point in their lives, young or old? It still holds up beautifully after all these years. Wonderful and immersive cinematography, likable and memorable characters, and absolutely beautiful colors. The fact that not only a film this old is still known this well today, but that it's still just as beloved as when it first came out (if not even more) is amazing. I can only imagine what the audience thought back then when they first saw it. A movie literally everyone should see.
Sunset Boulevard
(1950)
Iconic in and of itself.
4 April 2018
The influence and everlasting effect of Sunset Boulevard is beyond doubt. A film made about a starlet from a dead era, but the movies she starred in hadn't even been cold in the ground yet! The bold, brash lines, and of course, the undeniably dynamic and purely iconic acting of Gloria Swanson. This is a film where the supposed main character, in this case Joe Gillis, is just a backdrop, a segue into the true protagonist and star of the show, Norma Desmond. The lighting to show mood and tone, the snappy and emotional dialogue. Not many movies like Sunset Boulevard are both a hit when they come out and a classic more than 50 years after, but this film nails it on the head.
The Stranger
(1946)
Intrigue and drama!
4 April 2018
Though not Orson Welles' most famous piece, it's important to note that when The Stranger made its debut, it was his highest-grossing film to date. The Stranger deserves more recognition and attention than it gets, overshadowed often. A wonderful blend of human emotion, drama and mystery. A town full of genuinely kind and unassuming people is a deliciously dreadful backdrop to serve as a foil for the true evil that is Franz Kindler. Loretta Young and Welles each display their respective prowess; Young with her talent for drama and emotion shining through and Welles does well playing a snake who tries to deceive everyone, maybe even himself too. A great film and one that any self-respecting Welles fan needs to watch!
Laura
(1944)
Wonderful script!
21 March 2018
I didn't expect to enjoy Laura as much as I did, I thought it would be a cliche humdrum 40's thriller, but what I got was wonderful! This script is witty and amazingly snappy, and the way it's delivered is expressive and never falls flat. I could re-watch this film again just after I've finished watching it to absorb every quick word spoken with such conviction. Nice costumes and a superb use of lighting to convey tone and character as well.
Young Mr. Lincoln
(1939)
Calm but classic
9 March 2018
Young Mr. Lincoln was not exactly what I expected from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised. I anticipated a tense, political story of Lincoln's rise to president status and his difficulties in office. But the story is much more humanistic and calm. I did not know much of anything about Lincoln's early life entering the film, and I think it did a good job of displaying his aspirations and character. It has a very good atmosphere, feels like you're back all those years ago on the 4th of July, celebrating Independence Day. Henry Ford delivers a commendable performance as Lincoln, a rather soft-spoken man who rises to meet challenges and face them head on. Without this film I think we would have had a much different view of the man, forgetting his humble beginnings as a lawyer who eventually changed our country forever.
His Girl Friday
(1940)
A masterpiece!
21 February 2018
I did not expect this movie to be the way that it was, but I was blown away! A beautiful, hilarious mix of comedy, drama and heart. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell were masters of their craft, with a palpable chemistry between their characters due to their proficiency in acting. The side characters were wonderful as well, enhancing the story without taking focus away from the main players or the plot. The cinematography was excellent, they managed to do so much within the newspaper room, where a majority of the movie takes place but it manages to never make the audience feel like they're stuck there. I didn't expect the drama but I think it very much enhanced the film, adding stakes to what was already a seat-gripping story. This truly elevated the screwball comedy genre and both Cary and Rosalind's career to new heights, delivering a sucker-punch of a performance that leaves you breathless.
Dracula
(1931)
A classic
7 February 2018
If there was to be a list of the most influential and well-loved films of all time, 1931's Dracula would very certainly be on it, if not near the very top. The main thing that sticks out in my mind is the atmosphere; the lack of music or background noise. Somehow, the lack of atmospheric sound makes for a wonderfully unnerving and creepy feeling. The acting is also well done, an oozingly charming but disconcerting Dracula and a manic and crazed Renfield, where much of the acting is expressed through the face, excellently portrayed in the latter. The lack of any actual blood or biting forces the terror to be explained verbally or seen through the characters and their actions, which actually heightens the experience of fearing the vampire man himself. A film that has lived on through history and seen countless retellings and reiterations, truly a film that has had and will have immense effect and influence over movies and for a long time.
City Streets
(1931)
Very nice!
31 January 2018
This film was slower and calmer than I expected from a gangster flick, especially one that was pre-Code, but it was very good nonetheless. The importance and pull of this film comes from the cinematography techniques and allusions. I found myself noticing creative usage of angles, one that especially comes to mind is when you see characters talking to someone out of the shot (which I had not seen in a movie from this era before). Scenes faded and transitioned well, not jarringly, which other films from this time have a tendency have a tendency to do. And using inner monologue to display what someone is thinking, so innovative! Overall, a fine movie with innovative techniques used.
Sherlock Jr.
(1924)
Marvelous!
24 January 2018
"Sherlock Jr." by Buster Keaton was a film revolutionary for its time and still holds up well today in many aspects. The significance of this film very clearly lies in its use of special effects and stunts, many of which are still impressive in this day, and make you wonder aloud, "How did they do that?" Methods not yet seen before or had not truly come into their own yet, one that stands out to me is the effect of Buster's "dream self" rising out of his body once he is asleep. The emphasis of the film is clearly on the action and the physical components, which is a win-win, considering how wonderfully the special effects were pulled off. Things like splicing and film editing were still being toyed with, but with this bold new addition to film, it was made apparent that these things could be pulled off to make a spectacular film.
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