I've never been a fan of Classic Film. Over the years, I've seen a few I fell in love with, like Jeremiah Johnson, The Trouble with Angels, and damn near anything starring Toshiro Mifune, but I never fostered any serious interest in the genre. I'm thinking it may have been the natural result of growing up in the movie theater of a town that offered little in the way of entertainment. Once you've grown accustomed to the stylized, fast-paced films of modern Hollywood, the subtler appeal of classic cinema seems a bit lackluster by comparison, and it can be a difficult thing to un-ring that bell.
In my early twenties, I developed the nauseatingly pretentious habit of denying myself the pleasure of viewing any movie that wasn't foreign. I exposed myself to a number of amazing films this way, and I did so at the expense of all those around me who were forced to listen to me opine on the sterility of mainstream cinema (in between clove cigarettes and swigs of *white zinfandel, of course). I'm certainly /facepalming in retrospect, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't developed some tenderness for the little asshat I so reveled in once being.
But I digress...
Classic Film is unchartered territory. Because I've spent such an inordinate amount of time watching movies, trying to find something to watch on a Wednesday night has become all the more difficult, and I'm being forced to branch out. In these last few weeks, I've seen Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Chinatown (1974), and The Seven Year Itch (1955). I enjoyed them all immensely, but I'm so biased that I continue to wonder if it's by sheer coincidence that I watched three classic films that happened to be entertaining. Apparently, my mind isn't yet ready to accept that American classics might actually be able to hold their own against modern cinema.
*White zinfandel is what classy people drink, right?
Plan of action for next week: 1 classic movie per day.
ReplyDeleteDeal. Bus Stop and Breakfast at Tiffany's are on the list.
DeleteUsing the word 'asshat' made me feel the need to write a reply. I do find myself watching older (classic) movies more so than anything modern. Perhaps that's the result of my mother who made sure TMC was a regular channel in my house as a child. Are older movies--from the 40s, 50s and 60--better? Maybe it some ways, if you realize that censorship in those times was over-intrusive so director have to use more creative ways to get their point across regarding sex, violence, homosexuality and etc. Of course plenty of bad movies were made too, however those are forgotten.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to foreign movies, the differences in American culture as compared to the rest of the world make foreign films harder to watch and to understand. For example, in the vast majority of Hollywood films good always wins over bad, and the good character who does something horrible must pay an ultimate price--usually death. For the most part foreign films don't end so cleanly.
Here are some films you may want to check out when your queue is low.
Shadow of a Doubt (Hitchcock)
Vertigo (Hitchcock)
Bad Day at Black Rock
A Long Hot Summer
Foreign:
Diabolique (France)
Insomnia (Norway)
Run Lola Run (Germany)
Thanks for the suggestions! A few of those titles have caught my eye on Netflix, so with the added allure of a recommendation...I'll definitely have to put them on the to-watch list.
DeleteI also enjoyed your observations on the appeal of foreign and classic films. It presented an interesting perspective for me, and that's always a plus.
P.S. This is probably the best effect the word "asshat" has ever had on anybody...
Thank you for the kind words, Miss Kirste.
ReplyDeleteHere is another must watch: A Clockwork Orange. Yes, the book is good too; but the movie is excellent. I used to get a lot of these movies on the old version of Netflix (mail), BEFORE they went to streaming. I think there was a better selection then; although the instant-on of streaming has benefits; one of which is that I don't have to rely on my painfully slow mail service.
If you want truly freaky mind-screw-fests with violence, try Japanese or Korean films. They do terror in a different way. One of the things that ticks me off about Hollywood that is they have to remake--ahem, American-ize--foreign films to appeal to American audiences, completely destroying the artistic feeling and intent. Apparently most people are too lazy to read a subtitle?
Here are some more (off the top of my head):
Oldboy (Korean)
Cure (Japanese)
Audition (Japanese)
Let The Right One In (Swedish)
Ichi The Killer (Japanese)
P.S. "Asshat" is one of greatest words ever invented and used. I have so many coded, inside-joke words and phrases that I could speak it like another language.
Hey, it looks like we have similar taste in movies! I've seen the ones you suggested, with the exception of Cure and A Clockwork Orange. No one ever has anything but great things to say about A Clockwork Orange, so it can't be a case of mass coincidence... :P
DeleteHave you seen Confessions (Japanese), or The Loved Ones (Australian)? Those are high up on my favorites list at the moment. I'm always down for a good horror movie...as long as it's not an overload of torture and violence for the sake of torture and violence (i.e. Saw, Hostel, etc.) I just don't have the stomach for that stuff anymore! :P To each his own, though...
I have to admit, sometimes I am too lazy to read subtitles lol. There have been times when I've put off watching a foreign movie for weeks because I just wanna sit slack-jawed in front of the television set.
My senior year term paper was based on A Clockwork Orange (book). It didn't go over well with the teacher, but it WAS on the list to pick from.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the violence part. Having a kid, I haven't been up to speed with movies the last few years. Now my life is consumed with Special Agent Oso and other cartoons. Is it too early to introduce him to South Park? I kid.
You have to get into the mindset of A Clockwork Orange. Try the book first. :)
I will have to read it! What's one more on an impossibly long list? :P
DeleteDo you only have the one boy? He likes quality television, as far as I can tell. You wouldn't believe the trash I watch...
Aka Iamme74 (formerly): Yes, one boy; he's three.
ReplyDelete