Or shall I say galloping. We're on horseback rescuing the King! We are surprised at how tight the story is, and have diagnosed it as a byproduct of having to make quick decisions. We aren't leaving the time for "inspiration to strike" or a good story beat to present itself. We have to quickly … Continue reading Clipping Along
Category: Classic Film
Henchmen (muahahaha)
Film 37: Modern Times
Modern Times (1936) dir. Charlie Chaplin. USA. So it goes, and mighty pleasantly, too, with Charlie keeping faith with his old public by bringing back the tricks he used so well when the cinema was very young, and by extending his following among the moderns by employing devices new to the clown dynasty. If you need … Continue reading Film 37: Modern Times
Film 36: The Only Son
The Only Son (1936) dir. Yasujiro Ozu. Japan. Now turn to Yasujiro Ozu, who is one of the three of four best filmmakers in the world, and certainly the one who brings me the most serenity. I've seen 14 of his films, four of them with the shot-by-shot approach. That doesn't make me an expert, … Continue reading Film 36: The Only Son
“Off the Record”
Alright, boys and girls. So it’s difficult to say whether it’s any good, but here it is! If you’re curious, click the link below for a PDF of the script. We’ll post longer thoughts on the whole thing tomorrow, but right now we’re going to bed. Off the Record
Film 35: Swing Time
Swing Time (1936) dir. George Stevens. USA. When you see anyone--an athlete, a musician, a dancer, a craftsman--doing something difficult and making it look easy and a joy, you feel enhanced. It is a victory for the human side, over the enemies of clumsiness, timidity and exhaustion. The cynical line on Astaire and Rogers was, … Continue reading Film 35: Swing Time
WE’RE BACK!
Film 34: Mutiny on the Bounty
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) dir. Frank Lloyd. USA. The weird and wonderful history of H. M. S. Bounty is magnificently transferred to the screen in "Mutiny on the Bounty," which opened at the Capitol Theatre yesterday. Grim, brutal, sturdily romantic, made out of horror and desperate courage, it is as savagely exciting and rousingly … Continue reading Film 34: Mutiny on the Bounty
Film 33 (a): Frankenstein
Frankenstein (1931) dir. James Whale. USA. NB: This wasn't on our docket, but we inserted it upon realizing that "Bride of Frankenstein" is a direct sequel. Picture starts out with a wallop. Midnight funeral services are in progress on a blasted moor, with the figure of the scientist and his grotesque dwarf assistant hiding at … Continue reading Film 33 (a): Frankenstein
Film 30: The Scarlet Empress
The Scarlet Empress (1934) dir. Josef von Sternberg. USA. Von Sternberg (1894-1969) was one of the true Hollywood characters, sometimes a great director, always a great show. He dressed in costumes appropriate to the films he was directing, made his assistants remove their wristwatches because he could hear the ticking, and calmly claimed he did … Continue reading Film 30: The Scarlet Empress
Movie in a Weekend 