What Movie Did You Just See?

[aMillionDreams]

Citizen Kane.  I didn't really get what all the fuss was about.

You realize it was made in 1941, right? It was the first movie to do a lot of things, weird camera angles, non-linear plot, two stories being told at the same time, lighting and editing techniques that were new to times and influenced the entire medium for decades.  It's like how Star Wars looks like child's play now but was crazy advanced in it's time, only Citizen Kane actually is a good movie.

Mark's pretty stupid, you've read some of his posts, right? He probably had no idea it was made in 1941  ;)

& for the record, Star Wars is a fucking excellent movie!

Mark usually seems like a thoughtful guy, that's why I couldn't believe he "didn't know what all the fuss is about" with Citizen Kane.  One would think if he knew that, he would understand what all the fuss is about.

I never got Star Wars.  But I've never been into any film that relied on action and special effects.  I think Citizen Kane will stand the test of time better than Star Wars, which was my point. I knew I might strike a nerve by taking a shot at Star Wars.  ;D

[mjkoehler]

I got your back Mark. I thought it was just boring as hell when I watched it a couple years ago. I never understood how it is so high on critics list when they rate greatest movies of all time.

[MarkW]

Citizen Kane.  I didn't really get what all the fuss was about.

You realize it was made in 1941, right? It was the first movie to do a lot of things, weird camera angles, non-linear plot, two stories being told at the same time, lighting and editing techniques that were new to times and influenced the entire medium for decades.  It's like how Star Wars looks like child's play now but was crazy advanced in it's time, only Citizen Kane actually is a good movie.

I thought the lighting/camera work/sets were highlights, particularly for the era.  My problem was with the one-dimensional characters and plodding dialogue.

Anyway, if it had been any good, "How Green Was My Valley" wouldn't have picked up 5 Oscars in the same year...  ;)

[dragonboy]

I never got Star Wars.  But I've never been into any film that relied on action and special effects.  I think Citizen Kane will stand the test of time better than Star Wars, which was my point. I knew I might strike a nerve by taking a shot at Star Wars.  ;D

Yeah where's Angry when you need him?  

Seriously, I miss his 'thumbs-up' in the member's pics thread...

[xmascriminal]

Citizen Kane.  I didn't really get what all the fuss was about.

You realize it was made in 1941, right? It was the first movie to do a lot of things, weird camera angles, non-linear plot, two stories being told at the same time, lighting and editing techniques that were new to times and influenced the entire medium for decades.  It's like how Star Wars looks like child's play now but was crazy advanced in it's time, only Citizen Kane actually is a good movie.

I thought the lighting/camera work/sets were highlights, particularly for the era.  My problem was with the one-dimensional characters and plodding dialogue.

Anyway, if it had been any good, "How Green Was My Valley" wouldn't have picked up 5 Oscars in the same year...  ;)

Yeah, cause the Academy is always right. Like when they gave it to Dances With Wolves over GoodFellas and Titanic over L.A. Confidential.  ::)

[capt. scotty]

Citizen Kane has got to be the most overrated movie of all time. I realize it set all these precedents, but just because it changed things like lighting and storylines doesnt mean its a Top 5 movie of all time. I watched this in a film class (which I totally understand and think its great for that) and as someone who really enjoys the little details of movies and moviemaking, this movie just felt like it was tooting its own horn before it even knew how historic it would be.

As for Star Wars - yes, the effects look extremely dated but the movies are still excellent and hold up

[capt. scotty]

Terminator: Salvation

Went in with moderate to low expectations, and enjoyed it. I thought the opening seqeunce was pretty bad (why is the human savior risking his life for not much in return in this instance??), but it got better. Still, it was missing something though. Mood? Story? Dialogue? I dont know, but what T2 had perfected wasnt really going on here. That said, I think it was better than Rise of the Machines in basically every aspect except storyline. I bet Sam Worthington wishes he made this movie now instead of before Avatar. He'd probably be like $8 mill richer

3.4/5

[Jaimoe]

Terminator: Salvation

Went in with moderate to low expectations, and enjoyed it. I thought the opening seqeunce was pretty bad (why is the human savior risking his life for not much in return in this instance??), but it got better. Still, it was missing something though. Mood? Story? Dialogue? I dont know, but what T2 had perfected wasnt really going on here. That said, I think it was better than Rise of the Machines in basically every aspect except storyline. I bet Sam Worthington wishes he made this movie now instead of before Avatar. He'd probably be like $8 mill richer

3.4/5

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV series is fucking great and a better time than the new movie.

I love Citizen Kane's subversiveness and I love the fact that the acting isn't in the least bit dated. Brilliant film.

[mjkoehler]

As for Star Wars - yes, the effects look extremely dated but the movies are still excellent and hold up

I feel the effects look better in the old SW then any computer animated shit that is out in the last 10 years, Avatar not included since i have not seen it to judge.

[Jaimoe]

As for Star Wars - yes, the effects look extremely dated but the movies are still excellent and hold up

I feel the effects look better in the old SW then any computer animated shit that is out in the last 10 years, Avatar not included since i have not seen it to judge.

There's something to be said about building ships, planet models and moving cameras to suit your effects - the old Star Wars films look great because of this. However, I despise the new Star Wars films since Lucas is a hack (but with great ideas) and he relies far too much on cheesy CG.

[capt. scotty]

As for Star Wars - yes, the effects look extremely dated but the movies are still excellent and hold up

I feel the effects look better in the old SW then any computer animated shit that is out in the last 10 years, Avatar not included since i have not seen it to judge.

There's something to be said about building ships, planet models and moving cameras to suit your effects - the old Star Wars films look great because of this. However, I despise the new Star Wars films since Lucas is a hack (but with great ideas) and he relies far too much on cheesy CG.

Lucas is saying now he wants to redo Star Wars with the new camera technology Cameron used for Avatar.

Well, the last 3 movies probably should be remade, but still.

[capt. scotty]

I love Citizen Kane's subversiveness and I love the fact that the acting isn't in the least bit dated. Brilliant film.

Agreed on the acting. Although it wasnt a movie I enjoyed, I can still respect it and see why so many view it as brilliant. I just dont understand why people in this day and age still believe its 1 of, if not, the greatest movie(s) ever. Even I would say its the best film from the 40's, and maybe even 50's, but after that absolutely not. Almost everything except acting has advanced and surpassed Citizen Kane, and for these advancements, I dont see it being as special as it once was. 20-30th best movie ever I can see, higher than that, no.

Still considering Citizen Kane as the best movie ever is like people considering Louis Armstrong the greatest jazz musician ever. Yes, in his time he was, but when he was at his peak Coltrane, Miles, Bird, Monk, Dizzy, Mingus, Hancock, etc were barely born.

[Jaimoe]

I love Citizen Kane's subversiveness and I love the fact that the acting isn't in the least bit dated. Brilliant film.

Agreed on the acting. Although it wasnt a movie I enjoyed, I can still respect it and see why so many view it as brilliant. I just dont understand why people in this day and age still believe its 1 of, if not, the greatest movie(s) ever. Even I would say its the best film from the 40's, and maybe even 50's, but after that absolutely not. Almost everything except acting has advanced and surpassed Citizen Kane, and for these advancements, I dont see it being as special as it once was. 20-30th best movie ever I can see, higher than that, no.

Still considering Citizen Kane as the best movie ever is like people considering Louis Armstrong the greatest jazz musician ever. Yes, in his time he was, but when he was at his peak Coltrane, Miles, Bird, Monk, Dizzy, Mingus, Hancock, etc were barely born.

Innovation, imagination and skill should always weigh heaviest when comparing movie-making and music etc... Louis Armstrong is still regarded by many as not only the greatest jazz musican ever, but the greatest musician of the 20th century. I know that some of his followers have surpased his chops, but even Wynton Marsalis revers the man as the greatest. It's like Hendrix is the most important rock guitarist, which he will always be, at least in our lifetimes.

[capt. scotty]

Okay, not the best analogy (although I prefer all those other Jazz musicians to Armstrong), and innovation is clearly why it is still so highly regarded, but I just think there are so many movies that are better at this point

[capt. scotty]

Zombieland

Liked this a lot, as I expected. The 4 leads basically play the type of character theyre best known for, and it works perfectly. Woody was great, Murray's cameo was hilarious. I loved how they did the "rule" thing, very creative. Had great pace and humor, almost reminded me of a Sega or SNES zombie video game moved to the big screen. I still havent seen very many movies from 2009, but this was the best one Ive seen outside of Basterds, Avatar, and maybe Up!

4.3/5

[Jaimoe]

Okay, not the best analogy (although I prefer all those other Jazz musicians to Armstrong), and innovation is clearly why it is still so highly regarded, but I just think there are so many movies that are better at this point

An era or eras have to be taken into account when comparing things. But remove Citizen Kane out of the equation (and even Touch of Evil) and the film landscape would be a whole lot different worldwide, and probably not as good. Chops and songwriting aside, Armstrong was the first real improvisor in jazz and he certainly made it acceptable to think outside the box and be more individually expressive.

[dragonboy]

A Timothy Spall double bill - The Fattest Man in Britain (very sweet TV movie that premiered over Christmas) & The Damned United (excellent performances by Spall & Michael Sheen)

[CC]

was at the premiere of The Sentimental Engine Slayer last night. truly amazing movie. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez wrote it, directed it, did the soundtrack and had the lead role. must-see.



http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/en/films/the-sentimental-engine-slayer/

[dragonboy]

was at the premiere of The Sentimental Engine Slayer last night. truly amazing movie. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez wrote it, directed it, did the soundtrack and had the lead role. must-see.



http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/en/films/the-sentimental-engine-slayer/

Was Omar there? I pity anyone sitting behind him in the theatre  ;)

[MarkW]

The Damned United (excellent performances by Spall & Michael Sheen)

What did you think?  I love Peace's books (although I couldn't read them back-to-back due to his dense writing style), and The Damned United was a great effort.  My fear is that the film would just be an extended Sheen-does-Clough sketch...

Watched Amelie again last night.  I never get tired of the film.