There is no doubt about it, when many of us get sick, and there is nothing to do but lay around, we decide to watch movies all day. When this happens we pull out all the old movies we haven’t seen in a while. I know when I get sick I pull out all my old Disney movies. Walt Disney created many timeless tales, one of which is the unforgettable “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Like so many Disney classics, this film gets watched by millions of children and their parents around the world, especially in the U.S. When I watch any Disney movie, especially this one, I feel like a kid again. We all know what it’s like to be reminded of our childhoods, and that’s what this fantastic flick does for me.
The tale “Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs” begins with Snow White being the fairest (prettiest) one in the land, and the evil queen does not like that the magic mirror is telling her this. Thus she sends a man into the woods to kill Snow White while she is picking some flowers. He decides once he is there that he cannot do it, and tells Snow White to run far away and never come back. Meanwhile, the man brings the queen back a pig’s heart to convince her that he has killed the beautiful Snow White.
In the next scene some of the animals that Snow White sings to bring her to a cottage in the woods, away from everything; however, after she cleans up the house she discovers that seven little men live there, and decides to take a nap and wait for them to return. When the seven men come home later that night, they find food and a clean house. They think that Snow White is a monster at first, but then they discover she is not, and want her to stay.
During her stay at the house she teaches them good manners, and they all get crushes on her. (Who would have thought?) One day, while the men are at work in the coal mines, the evil queen uses a potion to make herself an elderly woman, because she found out that Snow White was not in fact dead and has been living with the men in the cottage. She makes herself old so that Snow White will invite her in to help her; but, she has an evil plan to kill her by getting her to take a bite of the poison apples that she made.
When Snow White takes one of the apples, the animals go to find the men to save her . . . but they were too late. She was lying on the ground, the queen nowhere to be found. So then the seven dwarfs went after the evil queen and she fell off a cliff to her death. During her funeral they laid flowers all around her, but little did they know that true loves kiss could wake her. When the prince, that she had only just seen and talked to once in the beginning of the film, arrived he kissed Snow White. When she awoke, she said goodbye to her friends and rode off into the distance with her prince. Everyone loves a happy ending right?
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is a timeless tale that will be seen for years to come. Almost all of us have seen this film when we were little, and I’m sure most of our kids and out kid’s kids will be seeing it as well. I love watching movies I have not seen in a long time. This is just one thing that many of us do to remind us of our past. I think it is always good to feel like a kid again. Watching movies, like Walt Disney created, helps us feel young.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Rear Window Meta Review
Janet Maslin
Published October 9, 1983 (newspaper)
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9403E2D7123BF93AA35753C1A965948260&scp=3&sq=Rear%20Window%20Reviews&st=cse
Bosley Crowther
Published August 5, 1954 (newspaper)
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE6DD113EE53BBC4D53DFBE66838F649EDE&scp=1&sq=Rear%20Window%20Reviews&st=cse
Jeff Miller
Published May 12, 2004 (website)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ae/movies/reviews/480322.html
Many people think differently about the film “Rear Window” by Alfred Hitchcock; however most people cannot deny that this film is surely entertaining.
Bosley Crowther tells us that this film focuses on the fascinating pastime of peeking into other people’s homes-a thing that New York apartment dwellers have a slight disposition to do. “Rear Window” is entertaining because of this fact; you, yourself feel like you are spying on the neighbors along with L.B. Jefferies . . . this allows for some suspense. Let’s be honest, not many people can actually deny that they haven’t spied on someone, especially a neighbor.
In Crowther’s review, he focuses on how Alfred Hitchcock uses brilliant camera angles to make the film entertaining, and suspenseful. He also states that because Alfred Hitchcock picked a terrific cast, he did not do much directing. He essentially is this way with many films, and I believe he does this to make the film seem more real. After all, James Stewart did get injured during the filming of the fall off the balcony scene, as stated in a review by Janet Maslin.
Like Crowther, Janet Maslin focuses her review on the unique way that Alfred Hitchcock directs (or lack thereof) the film. She also tells us that Hitchcock controlled the rights to all of his films and felt that their value would increase if they became rarities. Sounds like a smart idea right? This makes me believe that Alfred Hitchcock, although not always understood, was very cleaver with his tactics, and knew exactly what he was doing. Who wouldn’t want their film to become a classic for all time? Unlike Crowther, Janet Maslin also tells us that anyone that watches the film needs to keep their eyes open, or else you might miss something. This is very true, because “Rear Window” is a complicated thing, and much of the film is purely visual.
Jeff Miller, in a third review, explains mostly the setting for the film and the history of what life was like in the 1950s. He states that there is no airconditioning in the summer, and it is very hot. And because Jefferies is kept to his wheelchair, the world is his television, and he holds the remote. This is very true; when you are bored what else are you going to do? Much like the other two reviews, Miller explains how “Rear Window” and “Rope” (another Hitchcock film) relate in the sence that there is virtually no edits or cuts during the films. Miller furthermore, explains to us that this film should be watched on the big screen, because the small screen simply doesn’t give it justice, and you could miss important things.
“Rear Window” was very entertaining for me. I believe it would have to be in order to keep your eyes on the film so that you don’t miss anything. I would have to say that this was Hitchcock’s intent . . . to create a film that draws on what everyone secretly does from time to time, peep on others; and he does this in a way that makes you feel like you have to find out what happens next. Alfred Hitchcock makes his films entertaining by talking about real life, with some suspenseful adventure. He also makes people want to see his films by including some big name actors at the time such as James Stewart; and by withholding the rights to his films he attempted to make his films stand the test of time . . . and he did exactly that because people like you and me still watch them today.
Published October 9, 1983 (newspaper)
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9403E2D7123BF93AA35753C1A965948260&scp=3&sq=Rear%20Window%20Reviews&st=cse
Bosley Crowther
Published August 5, 1954 (newspaper)
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE6DD113EE53BBC4D53DFBE66838F649EDE&scp=1&sq=Rear%20Window%20Reviews&st=cse
Jeff Miller
Published May 12, 2004 (website)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ae/movies/reviews/480322.html
Many people think differently about the film “Rear Window” by Alfred Hitchcock; however most people cannot deny that this film is surely entertaining.
Bosley Crowther tells us that this film focuses on the fascinating pastime of peeking into other people’s homes-a thing that New York apartment dwellers have a slight disposition to do. “Rear Window” is entertaining because of this fact; you, yourself feel like you are spying on the neighbors along with L.B. Jefferies . . . this allows for some suspense. Let’s be honest, not many people can actually deny that they haven’t spied on someone, especially a neighbor.
In Crowther’s review, he focuses on how Alfred Hitchcock uses brilliant camera angles to make the film entertaining, and suspenseful. He also states that because Alfred Hitchcock picked a terrific cast, he did not do much directing. He essentially is this way with many films, and I believe he does this to make the film seem more real. After all, James Stewart did get injured during the filming of the fall off the balcony scene, as stated in a review by Janet Maslin.
Like Crowther, Janet Maslin focuses her review on the unique way that Alfred Hitchcock directs (or lack thereof) the film. She also tells us that Hitchcock controlled the rights to all of his films and felt that their value would increase if they became rarities. Sounds like a smart idea right? This makes me believe that Alfred Hitchcock, although not always understood, was very cleaver with his tactics, and knew exactly what he was doing. Who wouldn’t want their film to become a classic for all time? Unlike Crowther, Janet Maslin also tells us that anyone that watches the film needs to keep their eyes open, or else you might miss something. This is very true, because “Rear Window” is a complicated thing, and much of the film is purely visual.
Jeff Miller, in a third review, explains mostly the setting for the film and the history of what life was like in the 1950s. He states that there is no airconditioning in the summer, and it is very hot. And because Jefferies is kept to his wheelchair, the world is his television, and he holds the remote. This is very true; when you are bored what else are you going to do? Much like the other two reviews, Miller explains how “Rear Window” and “Rope” (another Hitchcock film) relate in the sence that there is virtually no edits or cuts during the films. Miller furthermore, explains to us that this film should be watched on the big screen, because the small screen simply doesn’t give it justice, and you could miss important things.
“Rear Window” was very entertaining for me. I believe it would have to be in order to keep your eyes on the film so that you don’t miss anything. I would have to say that this was Hitchcock’s intent . . . to create a film that draws on what everyone secretly does from time to time, peep on others; and he does this in a way that makes you feel like you have to find out what happens next. Alfred Hitchcock makes his films entertaining by talking about real life, with some suspenseful adventure. He also makes people want to see his films by including some big name actors at the time such as James Stewart; and by withholding the rights to his films he attempted to make his films stand the test of time . . . and he did exactly that because people like you and me still watch them today.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Diary of a Mad Black Woman Reveiw
Producer, writer, and actor Tyler Perry creates the ultimate story in “Dairy of a Mad Black Woman.” I enjoy how he allows for a mix of laughter, through characters like Madea, and tears, from intense and emotional scenes, to his viewers. For whatever the reason Tyler Perry plays the parts of Madea, her brother Joe, and himself in this film which adds a more personal touch for his fans like me. This is a story for all the women in the world who have ever been mistreated by men in their lives. This film more specifically targets the relationships between black men and women. The way Tyler Perry writes and creates this magnificent film has a direct effect on the women that watch it, allowing them to feel empowered.
This film tells the story of a woman named Helen. She writes in her diary about the struggles in her marriage to Charles. Not only does Charles mentally and physically abuse her, she discovers early on that he is having an affair with another woman named Brenda. On the night that Charles drags her out of the house and moves Brenda in, Helen also is told about their two boys. Helen is absolutely crushed, but also mad. In the beginning all she wants is to try to make their marriage work, mainly because she is to scared, but eventually she wants her revenge.
While she is apart from him, and living with the hilarious Madea (her distant relative), Helen asks her cousin Brian to handle their divorce. Brian agrees, and is later discovered as the link between Helen and Orlando. Orlando is a friend of Brian’s, that was there on the night Charles threw Helen out of the house. When he was driving Helen to Madea’s, Helen took her anger out on him and threw him out of the moving truck that had been loaded earlier that day with all of her things. As anyone can see in a romantic comedy such as this, Orlando and Helen begin to have feelings for each other.
Helen is so afraid of loving again, but Orlando tries to show her how to trust and let go of the past. Tyler Perry does a great job with the portrayal of a woman such as Helen, and any woman can relate to the feeling of betrayal that Helen has felt. The way that he directed and wrote the film, and always plays the nice guy in his features, leads me to believe that he is a hopeless romantic at heart . . . and what woman doesn’t want the good guy like from in the movies?
One morning Orlando proposes to Helen, but before she could say anything she notices that Charles has been shot and the story was on the news. Helen then leaves without a word, and tells the nurse, once she gets to the hospital, to resuscitate, even though Brenda tells them to let him die. Once Charles recovers from surgery to remove the bullet, Helen takes him home. Unable to walk, Charles begins bossing Helen around (like he always has), and this very moment sets her off. I cannot possibly explain in writing the adrenaline rush I get when watching this very scene. The acting and dialog makes this scene perfect. After weeks of torturing Charles emotionally, Helen meets with Orlando to tell him that she and her husband are back together. I believe she does this because Charles finally worked up a real heartfelt apology; but, Orlando then calls her out. He tells her that he knows she is afraid to leave Charles for good, but he also knows she wants to. Orlando walks out when she asks him to remain in her life, because he doesn’t want just half of her. This part is one that makes the audience frustrated, because everyone can see that she got over Charles, and wants to be with Orlando.
About a month or two later, when the family was eating Thanksgiving dinner, Helen tells Charles that they will always be friends and hands him divorce papers. Finally Helen came to her senses. She then went to look for Orlando. The film ends with Helen professing her love to Orlando, a big step for her, and Orlando proposing a second time. Helen obviously accepted.
Tyler Perry does a great job explaining how sometimes it is too hard to let go and let God. I like that this film teaches many lessons in love, and just about people in general. “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” teaches also how forgiveness will allow you to move on and not allow people to have power over you. This film is quite possibly the greatest out of all his movies. I would recommend anyone to watch this feature. Women get a lot out of the romantic crap that we all know we love, and men like the funny parts with Madea, and her brother Joe. I am not simply stereotyping; furthermore, there is something in the film for everyone to enjoy watching.
This film tells the story of a woman named Helen. She writes in her diary about the struggles in her marriage to Charles. Not only does Charles mentally and physically abuse her, she discovers early on that he is having an affair with another woman named Brenda. On the night that Charles drags her out of the house and moves Brenda in, Helen also is told about their two boys. Helen is absolutely crushed, but also mad. In the beginning all she wants is to try to make their marriage work, mainly because she is to scared, but eventually she wants her revenge.
While she is apart from him, and living with the hilarious Madea (her distant relative), Helen asks her cousin Brian to handle their divorce. Brian agrees, and is later discovered as the link between Helen and Orlando. Orlando is a friend of Brian’s, that was there on the night Charles threw Helen out of the house. When he was driving Helen to Madea’s, Helen took her anger out on him and threw him out of the moving truck that had been loaded earlier that day with all of her things. As anyone can see in a romantic comedy such as this, Orlando and Helen begin to have feelings for each other.
Helen is so afraid of loving again, but Orlando tries to show her how to trust and let go of the past. Tyler Perry does a great job with the portrayal of a woman such as Helen, and any woman can relate to the feeling of betrayal that Helen has felt. The way that he directed and wrote the film, and always plays the nice guy in his features, leads me to believe that he is a hopeless romantic at heart . . . and what woman doesn’t want the good guy like from in the movies?
One morning Orlando proposes to Helen, but before she could say anything she notices that Charles has been shot and the story was on the news. Helen then leaves without a word, and tells the nurse, once she gets to the hospital, to resuscitate, even though Brenda tells them to let him die. Once Charles recovers from surgery to remove the bullet, Helen takes him home. Unable to walk, Charles begins bossing Helen around (like he always has), and this very moment sets her off. I cannot possibly explain in writing the adrenaline rush I get when watching this very scene. The acting and dialog makes this scene perfect. After weeks of torturing Charles emotionally, Helen meets with Orlando to tell him that she and her husband are back together. I believe she does this because Charles finally worked up a real heartfelt apology; but, Orlando then calls her out. He tells her that he knows she is afraid to leave Charles for good, but he also knows she wants to. Orlando walks out when she asks him to remain in her life, because he doesn’t want just half of her. This part is one that makes the audience frustrated, because everyone can see that she got over Charles, and wants to be with Orlando.
About a month or two later, when the family was eating Thanksgiving dinner, Helen tells Charles that they will always be friends and hands him divorce papers. Finally Helen came to her senses. She then went to look for Orlando. The film ends with Helen professing her love to Orlando, a big step for her, and Orlando proposing a second time. Helen obviously accepted.
Tyler Perry does a great job explaining how sometimes it is too hard to let go and let God. I like that this film teaches many lessons in love, and just about people in general. “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” teaches also how forgiveness will allow you to move on and not allow people to have power over you. This film is quite possibly the greatest out of all his movies. I would recommend anyone to watch this feature. Women get a lot out of the romantic crap that we all know we love, and men like the funny parts with Madea, and her brother Joe. I am not simply stereotyping; furthermore, there is something in the film for everyone to enjoy watching.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Bride of Frankenstein Revised
“The Bride of Frankenstein” is, and will always be, considered one of the most classic horror movies of all time. I’m sure that in the 1930’s, this movie was without a doubt scary; but is now, due to far more advanced technology and picture quality, considered laughable. Watching the film for the first time myself, I too began to laugh at certain parts that were probably not meant to be funny; however, “The Bride of Frankenstein,” scary or not, will always be an undeniable classic. But what makes it a classic? I believe that because of the black and white quality of the film, and the fact that Frankenstein will always be known as one of the first major monsters in history, this film will always be considered classic. After all Frankenstein is one of the most recognizable Halloween costumes to this day. Let’s take a closer look at the film itself.
This story begins with many citizens trying to kill the monster, Frankenstein. After Frankenstein was unsuccessfully burned alive, he escapes killing anyone that tries to stand in his way. Meanwhile, Henry Frankenstein (creator of the monster), and who is thought to be dead during the burning of the monster, lives to marry Elizabeth. Shortly after the realization that he is alive, a doctor comes to the house. Essentially the doctor wants Henry to help him create more monsters like Frankenstein, specifically a bride for Frankenstein, because he believes that she will tame him. Henry, knowing how crazy Frankenstein is, is reluctant to help the mad doctor.
While the scheming begins to immense, and the citizens are still out for the monster, Frankenstein finds a friend. His friend teaches him to talk, and behave in a more civilized manner. We also find out in this scene that the monster likes music… a lot. After citizens realize that Frankenstein is in the woods they go after him. It doesn’t take long before the monster escapes from the chains the citizens had put him in, and runs away for the second time. After the doctor finds Frankenstein hiding out in a grave, he uses him to capture Elizabeth and persuade Henry to make him a bride. Now Henry is trapped, and must help the doctor in order to save his wife.
Finally the Bride of Frankenstein is alive; however, once she lays eyes on him, she (much like the citizens) is very frightened. During the excitement, Elizabeth finds her way to Henry and they escape as a fed up Frankenstein destroys the lab, killing not only himself, but his bride and the doctor.
As I watched, I went from thinking that Frankenstein was indeed a monster, to feeling sorry for him. Many things go unanswered. Why couldn’t the monster find anyone, other than the blind man, to care about him? How did Elizabeth escape to find Henry? Why was this tale written? What was the author’s intent? However you feel, this is a truly tragic tale, and will go down in history as one of the best in horror classics.
This story begins with many citizens trying to kill the monster, Frankenstein. After Frankenstein was unsuccessfully burned alive, he escapes killing anyone that tries to stand in his way. Meanwhile, Henry Frankenstein (creator of the monster), and who is thought to be dead during the burning of the monster, lives to marry Elizabeth. Shortly after the realization that he is alive, a doctor comes to the house. Essentially the doctor wants Henry to help him create more monsters like Frankenstein, specifically a bride for Frankenstein, because he believes that she will tame him. Henry, knowing how crazy Frankenstein is, is reluctant to help the mad doctor.
While the scheming begins to immense, and the citizens are still out for the monster, Frankenstein finds a friend. His friend teaches him to talk, and behave in a more civilized manner. We also find out in this scene that the monster likes music… a lot. After citizens realize that Frankenstein is in the woods they go after him. It doesn’t take long before the monster escapes from the chains the citizens had put him in, and runs away for the second time. After the doctor finds Frankenstein hiding out in a grave, he uses him to capture Elizabeth and persuade Henry to make him a bride. Now Henry is trapped, and must help the doctor in order to save his wife.
Finally the Bride of Frankenstein is alive; however, once she lays eyes on him, she (much like the citizens) is very frightened. During the excitement, Elizabeth finds her way to Henry and they escape as a fed up Frankenstein destroys the lab, killing not only himself, but his bride and the doctor.
As I watched, I went from thinking that Frankenstein was indeed a monster, to feeling sorry for him. Many things go unanswered. Why couldn’t the monster find anyone, other than the blind man, to care about him? How did Elizabeth escape to find Henry? Why was this tale written? What was the author’s intent? However you feel, this is a truly tragic tale, and will go down in history as one of the best in horror classics.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bride of Frankenstein
“The Bride of Frankenstein” is, and will always be, considered one of the most classic horror movies of all time. I’m sure that in the 1930’s, this movie was without a doubt scary; but is now, due to far more advanced technology and picture quality, considered laughable. Watching the film for the first time myself, I too began to laugh at certain parts that were probably not meant to be funny; however, “The Bride of Frankenstein,” scary or not, will always be an undeniable classic.
This story begins with many citizens trying to kill the monster, Frankenstein. After Frankenstein was unsuccessfully burned alive, he escapes killing anyone that tries to stand in his way. Meanwhile, Henry Frankenstein (creator of the monster), and who is thought to be dead during the burning of the monster, lives to marry Elizabeth. Shortly after the realization that he is alive, a doctor comes to the house. Essentially the doctor wants Henry to help him create more monsters like Frankenstein, specifically a bride for Frankenstein, because he believes that she will tame him. Henry, knowing how crazy Frankenstein is, is reluctant to help the mad doctor.
While the scheming begins to immense, and the citizens are still out for the monster, Frankenstein finds a friend. His friend teaches him to talk, and behave in a more civilized manner. We also find out in this scene that the monster likes music… a lot. After citizens realize that Frankenstein is in the woods they go after him. It doesn’t take long before the monster escapes from the chains the citizens had put him in, and runs away for the second time. After the doctor finds Frankenstein hiding out in a grave, he uses him to capture Elizabeth and persuade Henry to make him a bride. Now Henry is trapped, and must help the doctor in order to save his wife.
Finally the Bride of Frankenstein is alive; however, once she lays eyes on him, she (much like the citizens) is very frightened. During the excitement, Elizabeth finds her way to Henry and they escape as a fed up Frankenstein destroys the lab, killing not only himself, but his bride and the doctor.
As I watched, I went from thinking that Frankenstein was indeed a monster, to feeling sorry for him. Many things go unanswered. Why couldn’t the monster find anyone, other than the blind man, to care about him? How did Elizabeth escape to find Henry? Why was this tale written? What was the author’s intent? However you feel, this is a truly tragic tale, and will go down in history as one of the best in horror classics.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
