Vampires. That is what this movie is about. It is a direct copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula. However they never attained the rights to the film and was therefore Prana Films one and only film. Bram Stoker's wife sued the company causing them to go out of business. Albin Grau was one of the founders of this company and it was his idea to make a vampire film. During his time in the military, in 1916, a Serbian farmer told him that his father was a Vampire and an Undead.
This film was released in 1922, but has since been updated with names of people from Stoker's book. Being a silent film there is no original score. So to make this a movie they took classical music and put in enough to fill the entire movie. There was no scoring involved, AKA, it didn't fit. At times when it should have been scary, light hearted music was playing making it almost comical. In real life there would be a piano up front, or some guys playing strings. So the music would have fit. It was later remixed with a Gothic Industrial soundtrack by Aleister Einstein. This soundtrack gives the film a much creepier feel, with indistict human voices and mysterious far away melodious that you might recognize, Silver Bells being on example. This soundtrack fits the movie much better, but is still somewhat dissapointing.
In short, it is what it is. A silent film. Being the beginning of the entire history of film there is a lot they can get away with. But there were some cool parts. Like Count Orlok/Dracula (the vampire) rising from his casket, and the shot of the caskets, from people dying of the plague, coming down the street was very poignant. It is much less morbid than this paragraph would lead you to believe, and is hardly what I, or others, would consider a horror movie.
I give it a six out of ten.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Children of Men
There are very few movies in this world that I will even consider watching more than once. There are even fewer movies in which I recommend, and even fewer that I, yes, cry in. Children of Men breaks all three of those barriers.
It is a movie of “what if?” Set in the year 2027, all women have ceased to give birth. The world is plunged into a state of chaos leaving all governments in ruin along with any glimmer of hope for the future. The British Isles stand alone as the only remaining intact government. With everyone in the world attempting to find a safe place, Britain is forced to forcibly remove any immigrants for fear of losing control to overpopulation.
In all of this, we see Clive Owen trying to live his life with machine gun police lining the streets and terrorist bombings an everyday occurrence. While attempting to live out his seemingly meaningless life, he gets caught up in the discovery of the first birth in 18 years and attempts to aid her in her journey to a boat safe haven in the Atlantic.
I love this movie. Indeed I love What If? films, and yes, I love Clive Owen, but what I love about this film is its willingness to not parade the future around you nor leave you asking questions about technology or history. It simply leaves you with humanity, people and their actions. We see people acting out of fear for their lives; we see people wallowing in the demise of their nationalities and even see a young spoiled generation who simply don’t care. The horror of all these people and their choices is what stuns viewers and makes them question themselves and their own priorities.
Not only were the performances of the film chilling, art direction and cinematography were worth study. Kyle noticed that there were cats in safe places while Jesse was annoyed at all the barking dogs. The most noticeable element of the film was the long takes, there were several. At one point there is a powerful war scene in which there was a six and a half minute take. You don’t even notice as you can’t take your eyes off Clive and the horror of his surroundings.
The club’s reception to this movie was warm, granted, as warm as a grotesque societal looking glass can be. Jesse was worried before watching the movie because he had read the book and found it even more horrifying and hopeless. Valerie spent the last five minutes of the movie and into the credits with her hand over her mouth.
All in all, this movie is fantastic, just one possible picture of a world without hope. Glad I don’t have to worry about that. Ten out of ten stars for me.
It is a movie of “what if?” Set in the year 2027, all women have ceased to give birth. The world is plunged into a state of chaos leaving all governments in ruin along with any glimmer of hope for the future. The British Isles stand alone as the only remaining intact government. With everyone in the world attempting to find a safe place, Britain is forced to forcibly remove any immigrants for fear of losing control to overpopulation.
In all of this, we see Clive Owen trying to live his life with machine gun police lining the streets and terrorist bombings an everyday occurrence. While attempting to live out his seemingly meaningless life, he gets caught up in the discovery of the first birth in 18 years and attempts to aid her in her journey to a boat safe haven in the Atlantic.
I love this movie. Indeed I love What If? films, and yes, I love Clive Owen, but what I love about this film is its willingness to not parade the future around you nor leave you asking questions about technology or history. It simply leaves you with humanity, people and their actions. We see people acting out of fear for their lives; we see people wallowing in the demise of their nationalities and even see a young spoiled generation who simply don’t care. The horror of all these people and their choices is what stuns viewers and makes them question themselves and their own priorities.
Not only were the performances of the film chilling, art direction and cinematography were worth study. Kyle noticed that there were cats in safe places while Jesse was annoyed at all the barking dogs. The most noticeable element of the film was the long takes, there were several. At one point there is a powerful war scene in which there was a six and a half minute take. You don’t even notice as you can’t take your eyes off Clive and the horror of his surroundings.
The club’s reception to this movie was warm, granted, as warm as a grotesque societal looking glass can be. Jesse was worried before watching the movie because he had read the book and found it even more horrifying and hopeless. Valerie spent the last five minutes of the movie and into the credits with her hand over her mouth.
All in all, this movie is fantastic, just one possible picture of a world without hope. Glad I don’t have to worry about that. Ten out of ten stars for me.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Casablanca
Before I revealed to the group exactly what we were watching this week, I told them I didn't expect everyone to like my pick. I knew it probably wouldn't be terribly popular. But, I told them, you can't be a true movie fan without seeing... "Casablanca."
This cinematic legend from 1942 tells the story of Rick and Ilsa, a sort of star-crossed pair of former lovers, who find each other in Casablanca after several years apart. The whole movie has a very film noir-ish quality to it, with lots of shadows, fog, cigarette smoke, flashbacks, and mysterious characters. This is the film that gave us such classic movie lines as "Here's lookin' at you, kid," "We'll always have Paris," and many, many more.
I warned everyone before the movie started that this is definitely a melodrama; you've got a guy standing in the rain at a train station morosely reading a letter, a leading lady who dramatically cries and turns away from the camera, young girls who implore our hero Rick for help, and everything in between.
But don't get me wrong, "Casablanca" has some amazing comedic moments as well. Claude Rains as Captain Renault in particular is an excellent character who gets to deliver some very fun and clever lines ("How extravagant you are, throwing away women like that. Some day they may be scarce. ").
After the movie ended, Jesse remarked that he expected to be bored at some point during the film, but that he really never was. I agree, it's a movie that you absolutely fall into and don't notice that time has passed until it's all over. It's somewhat a mystery, somewhat a comedy, and definitely a romance of sorts. It really has everything you might want!
"Casablanca" is one of the most celebrated movies of all time, if not the most celebrated. In addition to the Academy Award for Best Picture, it has been named one of the best movies of all time by countless magazines, film institutes, film critics, etc. And with good reason- "Casablanca" has stood the test of time and still maintains its humor, its poignancy, and even its relevance.
I own the movie, so of course I love it. Jesse and Stephen spoke highly of the film after it ended, both saying it was very "solid." Kyle kept up his reputation has the hard-to-please member of the group by not caring for the movie all that much. I suppose you can't win them all!
We ended the afternoon by watching "Carrotblanca," a very clever Looney Toons spoof of "Casablanca" from 1995. It's a great little cartoon made all the more funny as a direct follow-up to "Casablanca" itself.
Overall I would call this edition of movie club a success. "Casablanca" is a timeless classic that just gets better and better with repeat viewings. I give it 9 stars out of 10.
This cinematic legend from 1942 tells the story of Rick and Ilsa, a sort of star-crossed pair of former lovers, who find each other in Casablanca after several years apart. The whole movie has a very film noir-ish quality to it, with lots of shadows, fog, cigarette smoke, flashbacks, and mysterious characters. This is the film that gave us such classic movie lines as "Here's lookin' at you, kid," "We'll always have Paris," and many, many more.
I warned everyone before the movie started that this is definitely a melodrama; you've got a guy standing in the rain at a train station morosely reading a letter, a leading lady who dramatically cries and turns away from the camera, young girls who implore our hero Rick for help, and everything in between.
But don't get me wrong, "Casablanca" has some amazing comedic moments as well. Claude Rains as Captain Renault in particular is an excellent character who gets to deliver some very fun and clever lines ("How extravagant you are, throwing away women like that. Some day they may be scarce. ").
After the movie ended, Jesse remarked that he expected to be bored at some point during the film, but that he really never was. I agree, it's a movie that you absolutely fall into and don't notice that time has passed until it's all over. It's somewhat a mystery, somewhat a comedy, and definitely a romance of sorts. It really has everything you might want!
"Casablanca" is one of the most celebrated movies of all time, if not the most celebrated. In addition to the Academy Award for Best Picture, it has been named one of the best movies of all time by countless magazines, film institutes, film critics, etc. And with good reason- "Casablanca" has stood the test of time and still maintains its humor, its poignancy, and even its relevance.
I own the movie, so of course I love it. Jesse and Stephen spoke highly of the film after it ended, both saying it was very "solid." Kyle kept up his reputation has the hard-to-please member of the group by not caring for the movie all that much. I suppose you can't win them all!
We ended the afternoon by watching "Carrotblanca," a very clever Looney Toons spoof of "Casablanca" from 1995. It's a great little cartoon made all the more funny as a direct follow-up to "Casablanca" itself.
Overall I would call this edition of movie club a success. "Casablanca" is a timeless classic that just gets better and better with repeat viewings. I give it 9 stars out of 10.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Background
The Great Society of Movie Watchers came into existance in September of this year. Stephen suggested that a few of us get together every week to watch a movie, and the original idea was to fit the movies into a theme. This past fall we did a run of Hitchcock movies, and managed to make our way through Vertigo, North By Northwest, The Birds, Psycho, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, Rope, and Dial M for Murder.
After Christmas, though, we moved away from the constraints of a theme and decided instead to make our selections from a list of movies with great variety: the IMDb Top 250. Each week one club member picks a movie from this list and is in charge of not only procuring a copy of the film, but also debriefing everyone on the background of the movie. We've seen several of the IMDb Top 250 now: Trainspotting, Seven Samurai, Harvey, Duck Soup, Bladerunner, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Grave of the Fireflies.
From now on after we see each movie, the one who picked it will write about the film experience and what everyone thought of the movie. Here is a bit about each club member and the type of movies we enjoy....
Jesse
I always put myself into the shoes of the characters in movies, so I enjoy watching movies to see how characters deal with life. Movie club is cool because it exposes me to movies that I wouldn't usually pick out, but have something to say about the world.
5 all-time favorite movies: The Lives of Others, The Twilight Samurai, Big Fish, Gosford Park, Zoolander
5 all-time least favorite movies: Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, Dude, Where's My Car?, E.T., The Holiday, Seven
Movie I Refuse to Watch: Any Saw movie
Favorite Great Society of Movie Watchers (GSMW) film: Harvey
Least Favorite GSMW film: Arsenic & Old Lace
Kyle
I like to escape into the movies that I watch. So I don’t really like drama’s or war film’s. Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Comedy is my preferred favorite.
5 all-time favorite movies: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Harvey, The Incredible’s, Pirate’s of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and Elf.
5 all-time least favorite movies: King Kong (2005), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Batman (1989), Talladega Nights, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie.
Movie I Refuse to Watch: Titanic
Favorite GSMW film: Seven Samurai
Least Favorite GSMW film: Vertigo
Valerie
I love stories, especially when they are beautifully told. I love the immersion into a different world, whether it's realistic or not. I love the history of movies, movie stars, and everything in between.
After Christmas, though, we moved away from the constraints of a theme and decided instead to make our selections from a list of movies with great variety: the IMDb Top 250. Each week one club member picks a movie from this list and is in charge of not only procuring a copy of the film, but also debriefing everyone on the background of the movie. We've seen several of the IMDb Top 250 now: Trainspotting, Seven Samurai, Harvey, Duck Soup, Bladerunner, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Grave of the Fireflies.
From now on after we see each movie, the one who picked it will write about the film experience and what everyone thought of the movie. Here is a bit about each club member and the type of movies we enjoy....
Jesse
I always put myself into the shoes of the characters in movies, so I enjoy watching movies to see how characters deal with life. Movie club is cool because it exposes me to movies that I wouldn't usually pick out, but have something to say about the world.
5 all-time favorite movies: The Lives of Others, The Twilight Samurai, Big Fish, Gosford Park, Zoolander
5 all-time least favorite movies: Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, Dude, Where's My Car?, E.T., The Holiday, Seven
Movie I Refuse to Watch: Any Saw movie
Favorite Great Society of Movie Watchers (GSMW) film: Harvey
Least Favorite GSMW film: Arsenic & Old Lace
Kyle
I like to escape into the movies that I watch. So I don’t really like drama’s or war film’s. Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Comedy is my preferred favorite.
5 all-time favorite movies: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Harvey, The Incredible’s, Pirate’s of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and Elf.
5 all-time least favorite movies: King Kong (2005), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Batman (1989), Talladega Nights, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie.
Movie I Refuse to Watch: Titanic
Favorite GSMW film: Seven Samurai
Least Favorite GSMW film: Vertigo
Valerie
I love stories, especially when they are beautifully told. I love the immersion into a different world, whether it's realistic or not. I love the history of movies, movie stars, and everything in between.
5 all-time favorite movies: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, That Thing You Do, Singin' in the Rain, Newsies, A League of Their Own
5 all-time least favorite movies: Something's Gotta Give, Robin Hood: Prince of Theives, Donnie Darko, The Royal Tennenbaums, The Fifth Element
Movie I Refuse to Watch: Requiem for a Dream
Favorite GSMW film: Psycho
Least Favorite GSMW film: Blade Runner
Stephen (aka Stevox)
Another time, another place, another universe: I love to escape.
5 all-time favorite movies: Hook, Jurasic Park, The Matrix, Singin' in the Rain, Zoolander
5 all-time least favorite movies: Jurassic Park III, King Kong, The Mask, The Matrix Revolutions, Todo Sobre Mi Madre
Movie I Refuse to Watch: The Shining. I don't think I could handle it.
Favorite GSMW film: Harvey
Least Favorite GSMW film: Arsenic and Old Lace
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 Japanese anime film set just at the end of WWII. It is based on the autobiography by the same name. It centers on a brother and sister, Seita (say-ta) and Setsuko (set-sue-ko) who become orphans as the film progresses. The only goal they have in life is to survive, although we know that the protagonist is fighting a losing battle because the movie opens with him announcing that date in which he dies. The entire movie then becomes a flashback as the ghost of the main character relives the events just before his sister's death with his sister's ghost.
Now the movie is not as weird as this sounds. It's actually very depressing. You watch these kids lose their mother and then move in with their jerk of an aunt, who is not sad to see them leave, even when she does not know where they are going. And then they live in an abandoned shelter and scavenge nature for food.
The movie compares human lives to that of the short lived firefly. We come into the world and are only given so long to burn brightly and then our fire is extinguished. This point is made by comparing the grave that their mother was placed in with the grave that the little sister makes for the fireflies they capture one evening.
On a more interesting note, the film came out as a double feature with Miyazaki's My Neighbor Tototoro. According to Snoop this movie is very whimsical and fun, the complete opposite of the Fireflies. Many people went for Tototoro and left before Fireflies started because they didn't want to be depressed. Interestingly enough, Miyazaki's pitch for Tototoro failed initially until it was backed by the author of the book which Fireflies is based on.
It won the Blue Ribbon Award in 1989 and the Animation Jury and Rights of the Child awards in 1994 at the Chicago International Children's Film festival.
Overall, it is a very poignant film about the horror of war. I cannot recommend this film for the casual movie goer, or even the hardcore viewer. This film is best left to those who desire the intellectual stimulation, and the English classes who have a paper to write.
I give it a 6 out of 10.
Now the movie is not as weird as this sounds. It's actually very depressing. You watch these kids lose their mother and then move in with their jerk of an aunt, who is not sad to see them leave, even when she does not know where they are going. And then they live in an abandoned shelter and scavenge nature for food.
The movie compares human lives to that of the short lived firefly. We come into the world and are only given so long to burn brightly and then our fire is extinguished. This point is made by comparing the grave that their mother was placed in with the grave that the little sister makes for the fireflies they capture one evening.
On a more interesting note, the film came out as a double feature with Miyazaki's My Neighbor Tototoro. According to Snoop this movie is very whimsical and fun, the complete opposite of the Fireflies. Many people went for Tototoro and left before Fireflies started because they didn't want to be depressed. Interestingly enough, Miyazaki's pitch for Tototoro failed initially until it was backed by the author of the book which Fireflies is based on.
It won the Blue Ribbon Award in 1989 and the Animation Jury and Rights of the Child awards in 1994 at the Chicago International Children's Film festival.
Overall, it is a very poignant film about the horror of war. I cannot recommend this film for the casual movie goer, or even the hardcore viewer. This film is best left to those who desire the intellectual stimulation, and the English classes who have a paper to write.
I give it a 6 out of 10.
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