Jaws is the quintessential blockbuster horror movie, and yet is completely different from what that would seem to entail. It isn't the usual jump out and scare you movie. Although there are a few moments later in the movie, for the most part Jaws is built off suspense. Whether accidental, or on purpose, the result is the same. We know it's a shark, and yet the movie revolves around a fear of the unknown. When it will strike, what it will look like, etc... The boat becomes a cage, leaving the passengers completely at the mercy of a monster. Quint being as much the monster as the shark, becomes a character to be feared. The story is as much about a killer shark as it is the breakdown of the man hunting that shark.
The director clearly focuses on the characters inner struggles as he does on the creature just below the water. Visually the movie is stunning as well. The shots from below the water look fantastic. My favorite being the the first scene as the shark looks up at the girl as she eclipses the moon.The set design and special effects, although corny to our eyes, were state of the art at the time, and shouldn't be taken lightly.
The real standout of this movie, to me at least, is the sound. All the other elements in the movie are noteworthy, but the score and soundscape are perfect. The ambient sound itself adds quite a lot to the movie. The sounds of the ocean. The gentle breezes. The shark cutting through the water. On top of that, Jaws has one of the most brilliant and memorable scores ever written for a movie. It makes this movie an absolute classic. When we think of horror film scores, the Jaws theme is up there with movies like psycho. The heart stopping bum bum will keep people away from beaches and crazy harpoon wielding shark hunters for years to come.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Singin' in the Rain
What isn't there to love about this movie. It's probably the finest musical ever made, has an allstar cast, and can make me laugh even when I'm in the worst of moods. Singin' in the Rain is a comedy/musical parodying the difficulties, set backs, and some of the new possibilities of sound on film. While being so historically accurate it could nearly be a documentary of the times, it really excels in it's singing and dance numbers. The hilarious Donald O'Conner makes the movie for me. His spot on dance routines and absolutely perfect comedic control of his body (see: make em laugh skit) define the film. Kelly and Reynolds are also fantastic of course with more chemistry than you can shake a stick at. I can't praise the musical portions of the movie enough. Flawlessly executed and beautifully written and choreographed. The way the movie is told as a story from the now even more famous Lockwood also creates an interesting style. On top of that, Singin' in the Rain is absolutely hilarious. The dialogue is genius, every line an instant classic. Lina Lamont's voice makes me laugh the first time I hear it on every viewing. The characters, music, and style create a near perfect movie.
Children Of Men
Children Of Men is a griping post apocalyptic story. Clive and Julianne seem to be the final stand in whats left of humanity. The world has turned a desolate and hopeless fight between bandit groups and a corrupt and violent government faction. It handles some of the best cinematography I've ever seen. Although I'd seen the movie once before, it's been long enough that I forgot how much I liked it.
The dark undertones of the entire film, and the gritty feel of almost every visual is stunning. It seems almost impossible that it's live footage. The colorlessness is almost vibrant in a way. Every object seems to stand out as if highlighted. The surreal lifeless world absolutely rockets an already interesting story into a wholeheartedly engrossing adventure from start to finish. The tracking shots thrown in through out create massive senses of movement, bringing us further into the story. The camera is treated almost as a character in the film (blood flying onto the lens etc...). We follow Julianne and Clive almost as a third member of a group only we are aware of. The senses of hope and hopelessness for the future are soon as much a burden of the characters as it is of the viewers. It hits somewhere not far from home.
Everything seems to be working for this movie. The score works wonders for scenes, and the soundscape is phenomenal. The explosions and gun fire suck you into the story as well as anything else. That's what truly makes this film a classic for me. It's engrossing. Every element is intended to bring you further into the movie not only as a viewer, but as a part of the story. With Children Of Men, you half watch, and half do.
The dark undertones of the entire film, and the gritty feel of almost every visual is stunning. It seems almost impossible that it's live footage. The colorlessness is almost vibrant in a way. Every object seems to stand out as if highlighted. The surreal lifeless world absolutely rockets an already interesting story into a wholeheartedly engrossing adventure from start to finish. The tracking shots thrown in through out create massive senses of movement, bringing us further into the story. The camera is treated almost as a character in the film (blood flying onto the lens etc...). We follow Julianne and Clive almost as a third member of a group only we are aware of. The senses of hope and hopelessness for the future are soon as much a burden of the characters as it is of the viewers. It hits somewhere not far from home.
Everything seems to be working for this movie. The score works wonders for scenes, and the soundscape is phenomenal. The explosions and gun fire suck you into the story as well as anything else. That's what truly makes this film a classic for me. It's engrossing. Every element is intended to bring you further into the movie not only as a viewer, but as a part of the story. With Children Of Men, you half watch, and half do.
The Princess Bride
How to describe such a lovable movie? It's nearly impossible for me to put into words what a fun movie it is. It is probably one of the best love stories ever told, one of the funniest movies I've ever watched, and one of the best adventures to ever unfold. I can't heap more praise on this goofy thrilling film. The Princess Bride's characters I think is what really sets it apart though. Ever person (and I don't use that word lightly) is fleshed out to the point of being almost a complete entity. At the same time they are all so over the top, you can't help but love/hate every single person in it. Whether it's Andre the giant as a lovable but immensely strong oaf, Carey Elwes as the ridiculous but intensely cunning hero, Mandy Patinkin as the drunken revenge driven swordsman, or Chris Sarandon as the worlds biggest asshole, there isn't one character I feel indifference towards. The adventure they undergo is made all the sweeter by it. The personalities take the world and make it something I care about. That's what makes this movie so wonderful. Every time, good or bad, is felt by the audience in a way that I believe will be timeless.
Dr. Strangelove
To call Dr. Strangelove a classic is to severally undersell what a truly fantastic movie it is. A black comedy among black comedies. It absolutely trashes governments never ending lust for power, satirizes generals, ambassadors and presidents alike. It's themes are dark to the point of being vicious, and yet I find myself rolling on the floor by the end. On top of that, the movie handles elements of dramatic story telling rarely seen in the comedy genre. The brutally funny and serious characters played by Peter Sellers seem to steal the show (His spastic right arm as Dr. Strangelove being my personal favorite) and yet he's accompanied by a cast that deserve an Oscar a piece.
The sound and visuals that accompany this are easy to overlook, but bring a lot to the film. The war room is a brilliantly created set. Completely silent other than the screaming of the men inside it, along with the dark brooding feeling you get from it visually, is a wonderfully laid backdrop for the dry and dark comedy it houses. The drone of the airplane and it's confined space lend to the feeling of isolation. Cut off from the rest of the world except through a few coded numbers.
Dr. Strangelove houses one of my favorite cinematic moments in history as well. The perfectly placed "We'll Meet Again" overtop the explosions lends a sense of surrealism, beauty and majesty that never accompanies the horrors those images should instill. I think what makes Dr. Strangelove such a must see is it's ability to blend. It takes deep thought provoking problems mankind has faced since far before recorded history, and makes it into an absolute farce. Something that we can enjoy, laugh about, and then years later, think about.
The sound and visuals that accompany this are easy to overlook, but bring a lot to the film. The war room is a brilliantly created set. Completely silent other than the screaming of the men inside it, along with the dark brooding feeling you get from it visually, is a wonderfully laid backdrop for the dry and dark comedy it houses. The drone of the airplane and it's confined space lend to the feeling of isolation. Cut off from the rest of the world except through a few coded numbers.
Dr. Strangelove houses one of my favorite cinematic moments in history as well. The perfectly placed "We'll Meet Again" overtop the explosions lends a sense of surrealism, beauty and majesty that never accompanies the horrors those images should instill. I think what makes Dr. Strangelove such a must see is it's ability to blend. It takes deep thought provoking problems mankind has faced since far before recorded history, and makes it into an absolute farce. Something that we can enjoy, laugh about, and then years later, think about.
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