400 blows- This movie details the chronicles of a young adolescent who’s life in Paris spirals headfirst into criminal behavior. It is based off real-life experiences of our director Francois Truffaut, as he had at a point been split between a life of trouble or a life as a filmmaker. Our main character Antoine Doinel acts as a figure of a young Francois Truffaut, as Antoine struggles with his parents and teachers due to perpetual rebellious behavior. Due to being labeled a troublemaker at school, Antoine was more prone to be blamed for things than other students. Antoine crosses a line while he tells the school he is skipping because his mother had died. He got in severe trouble when they encountered her alive in the school not too long after. Antoine’s behavior is perpetuated by his parents holding busy lives that allow them little time to watch Antoine, basing their perspective on him off reports from others which are frequently not accurate. They did a great job showing the child’s reasoning for his outbursts and the emotion that he is feeling as he experiences a point in his life where nobody really trusts him or would be there for him. This silent sorrow runs through Antoine’s character even more emphasized by the black and white, and long shots of our main character running panning with him for whole minutes. The final scene stapled this emotion looming throughout the movie with Antoine running away from house detention and wanders miles ending up on a beach, as the movie ends with a zoom freeze frame of him looking solemn, lost, but free. This story is wonderful, a very intelligent depiction of youths emotions and their vulnerabilities. I rate this movie an 8/10 and I really believe an individual should consider watching this film. Its quality only falls short in its overall loftiness and slow pace which some viewers may find unpleasant.
Man with the moving camera- This Avant Garde piece of cinema exhibits techniques used years ahead of its time. These techniques include some of the first noticed usage of jump cuts, stop motion, and multiple exposure. This film depicts the city of Moscow from morning to night, with a still silent manner that was innovative at the time. The movie does not really follow a fixed plot, as there doesn’t seem to be any narrative or ulterior meaning behind the scenes and the abstract concepts. Though this film pushes bounties of comfort and normality, it seems to neglect a rich content to layer these techniques and skills on top of. The movie has seemingly applied all its efforts to creating a feeling within the viewer through the quite sounds, melancholic imagery, and never before seen filming techniques leaving the films actual script rather content-less. The viewer can derive very little from the actual events that transpire as the film moves on. The film presents itself in a very dreamy, loose fitting manner. Because of this, I would only recommend this movie to those who truly relish in this experience as they have excelled in creating a powerful emotional reaction from the viewer without even evoking any event or action with specific value. But for those who look for content filled movies with character development, a story, and a climax; this movie will feel like listening to elevator music for 69 minutes straight. I for one am one of the individuals who in fact enjoyed relishing this movies feats, and I would strongly recommend this to anybody who may what to profess in something film related, under the condition that they are here to soak in these techniques not the rather empty content. I rate this movie a 4/10 because though I praised these film techniques the abstractness is pretty entry level and the content is vague.
Metropolis- The movie metropolis came out surrounding the emerging unique film style that developed in Germany in the time between the first and second world war. This film style called German expressionism focused on visual aspects on the screen, trying to layer light and shadows in a juxtaposing manner. Metropolis’s story follows brilliant scientist and inventor Rotwang who has just begun finalizing his greatest achievement, a robot made in the form of a woman. The movie follows a plot free from restrictions and common sense as metropolis is presented as if it were some hallucinatory nightmare, setting a very interesting plot that still holds notes of direction and purpose. Though I will say that this abstractness is not exactly a good cover up from a very simple cookie cutter set up of there being pampered citizens on the surface of the city and slaves in the depths. Classic class hierarchy commentary that was probably a bit fresher at its time but certainly dried out in modern day. The story fleshes out as this robot is used in an operation by a revolutionary movement in the underground world to replace a worker and act in her place as she is smuggled from the depths. This movie is full of energy and action and content to were I cannot see someone disliking this movie. Charm pours from every scene as German Expressionism shines with the shadowy future like depiction of a hyper industrialized future. It meets every requirement for enjoyment and appreciating that a movie can hold, therefore I will be giving this movie a 10/10. I strongly suggest this to those who are interested in Avant Garde movies and thoughtfully built movies in general. Though some may not enjoy the pacing of this movie or simply how old it is.
Bicycle Thieves- The Bicycle Thieves follows the story of a poor father who desperately need to find his stolen bike somewhere in post-World War 2 Rome. Without this bike he will lose the job that he had acquired that he had hoped would be his salvation of his young family because of his two-year long unemployment streak. This film was released as an Italian neorealist drama film and it was directed by Vittorio De Sica. The Bicycle thieve is a rather simple story structure that reflects a lot of general messages of life being unfair and struggle and adversity are always on the horizon. This is shown through his perpetual search for his bicycle that was unfairly stolen from him before he could even bring it Infront of his employer. Life crushes down on our character and it is everything but his own fault that has put him on the brink of despair. I really enjoyed this story, the cinematography, and the scenery. All of it help assist in driving the feeling of despair and restriction conducted through the vessel of our main character and his desperate search for his bicycle. The message of this movie can be interpreted in several different ways, as you could view this as a mirror image of the idea that life is unfair, or one could view it as a commentary on the poor working class and the desperate struggle of finding meaning and comfort in a life that is working against you. Either way, this movie evokes great amounts of emotion, makes you feel for the main character, and accomplishes a canvas of imagery that resonates with the common man. I rate this movie a 9/10 merely because I factored my own enjoyment into the scale, which could potentially be the same with other viewers.
Seven Samurai- This movie is thrilling and one of the best action films in the realm of samurai I have seen in a long while. The movie is set in 16th century, when civil wars had reduced japan to rubble. Our plot begins when one of our samurai main characters answers a village request for protection of a village from bandits. He gathers 6 others to help him, and ultimately, they prepare for a gigantic battle. I found this movie so very empowering, the build up to the battle and the banding together of the weak to fight a stronger force is always a sign of a great action film. As a huge fan of samurai content I feel the 16th century Ronin style was perfectly captured in this film. I love the rawness of the brawn shown though the characters of this film that is so distinctively that of someone who would call themselves a samurai. And as the battle scene finally roles in it exhibits amazing choreographing for its time with very realistic speed and gore. You truly feel the chaos as the director manages to make you feel like your smack in the middle of this massive battle. One of my favorite action movies of all time, no stereotypical action tropes and organic and thoughtful scenes. The only flaws a person can really point to in this movie is its length and its rather unimaginative character personalities. Luckily character development brings flavor to their personalities and acts as a patch up for that flaw. Overall, I rate this movie a 9.5/10. Absolutely worth watching for just about anyone minding the watch time.
Panther Panchali- This film follows a poor Bengalese family as the father of the household leaves in pursuit of a writing career in the city, leaving our main character Apu his son, his daughter, his wife, and his aging cousin. The movie takes place in the gap of time Apu’s father Harihar is trying to find success. This movie exhibits some brilliant imagery and shading, creating a pretty dreamy cinematic experience. It also gives a painful realistic perspective on what a poverty-stricken Bengalese family might look like. Overall though, I feel the plot of this movie is loose. You finish the movie feeling as if nothing has really happened despite there being deaths in the film. It doesn’t seem like there was any higher point or purpose to this film as even calling it a tragedy film is a misconception because of its rather happy ending. You can see the influence of Italian neorealism throughout the movie as our setting is in a poor working-class home life, but I don’t see any real capitalization on the grander message of Italian neorealism. There was class commentary, but it was like it didn’t evolve from that, they didn’t use this platform to push any idea of liberating spirit, which is the purpose of a social movement in the first place. Despite this I absolutely recognize this film as excellent in terms of cinematic prowess and visual arts, but it truly falls short in content and purpose. I also feel this movie isn’t very entertaining to watch, but for the directors first film it is very impressive. Overall, I give this movie a 5/10.
In the Mood for Love- This movie follows two neighbors, one a husband and one a wife, who both suspect that their significant other is cheating on them. They grow to develop a romance but choose to maintain a friendship as not to exhibit the same behavior their spouses have been. This movie is wonderful, one of the most intense romances I have every seen that really strikes your heart strings and garners your respect for our main characters maturity. The dialog and banter are very well written and engaging which is always an impressive thing to see in a movie that relies to heavily on our character exchange. The movie has times of deep seriousness and times of lighthearted humor that are all delivered in a very impact compact way. The coloring and lighting throughout this movie are a constant amber hue with large dark borders and shading that really boosts the romance. Intensity and taboo are words that come to mind when I try and articulate this looming sensation throughout the movie. Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan’s potential relationship is taboo as they are both married, but their hearts push them to continue dancing the line between friendship and love creating a resounding intensity were you as a view just want to push their heads together and let them flourish into a greater comfort and happiness. They really make the scenes reinforce that they belong with each other as opposed to their current spouses and I really liked the direction they took with them being very cautious and almost opposed to their own love. I rate this movie a 9/10, It can drag at times but ultimately was a very good example of a quality love story.
The Crimes of Padre Amaro- This movie is a roller coaster of drama, religion, taboo and intensity as the Crimes of Padre Amaro follows Father Amaro as he assists the aging Father Benito. In a quest that seems mostly innocent turns itself upside down in sin and drama as secret affairs and collusions with drug lords are unveiled Infront of Amaro. The story unveils a though provoking message of a very realistic situation that ties to the church and the abuse of the position of a priest. It even garnered the attention of the catholic church which condemned the movie for its portrait of moral hypocrisy. Whether you see truth in the message behind The Crimes of Padre Amaro or an inaccuracy you cannot deny that the movie succeeds in making you question religious authority and validity. This movie succeeds in painting a struggling environment and a corrupt system that abuses it, but I believe the exaggeration of these scenes draws away from the reality of the scenes. It simply doesn’t build up these findings or shocking behavior, it merely presents itself in a casual manner. I personally feel this drew away from the whole impact of the story developments. Never really do you feel like the movie is at its climax, or really coming to any conclusion. I also see that some who are particularly religious most likely would see this as less of a criticism and more of a smear. This subtracts from the validity of this movie, a social message like this that aims to criticism should be more articulate, as most of the criticism shot at the church is situational and simply not really something that the church could change or grow form. This defeats the validity of the criticism and makes it more of a lame smear. Overall, I feel this movie paints itself well and was entertaining but wasn’t much of a message or a groundbreaking exposer of the catholic church. Overall, I would rate this movie a 4/10, It certainty can drag which doesn’t help its enjoyment quality.
Close-Up- Close up is a very interesting movie with a very particular presentation. It is considered a fiction documentary as it recreates the events with actors. It chronicles the arrest of a man who had been fraudulently posing as the filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf. In this movie, the real individuals from the case play themselves in order to recreate the events of the case. This movie is extremely special it is one of a kind and experimental. The boldness and trust that required allowing non actors that experienced the cases firsthand to act in an actor’s place was a leap that resulted in amazing benefits. The whole idea that these are the real individuals recreating this experience that they were in makes the documentary hold such a heavier impact. Though I feel the actual content of the film isn’t too impactful. I thought the individual posing as Mohsen Makhmalbaf wasn’t very meticulous in maintaining his persona, I feel the movie would improve heavily with some more focus on sacrifices or flexibility he would need to present in order to pose as this director during this time. It seems unlikely that the family accepted him into their lives to quickly just because of their love for Mohsen’s movies. So, the movie is incredibly interesting because of its reality and the fact that the characters are the real people who were involved with the case. But I feel the recreation of what happened is still framed in a rather unnatural manner and you can see that the individuals are not trained actors. Overall, I rate this movie a 5/10.
Faat Kine- Faat Kine is a very good-hearted piece that emphasizes the strength and everyday heroism of African women. The movie follows a very simple plot of a single mother with two children in west Africa thriving on her own while supporting her family. She earns herself a place as a successful gas station owner in a society that holds many taboos towards what women who are unwed. It’s a story of the strength of a mother in the face of opposition and sexism that is like treading against fates current. This movie drives the idea that Africa will never grow or evolve until the liberation of African women is complete and all can collaborate towards a utopian reality. The movie takes a good blend of comedy and drama, which is only slightly interrupted by some occasional stiff acting or repetitive flashbacks. On a Technical level I feel this movie was very successful especially coming out of West Africa in 2001, and extremely progressive in showing that a woman is just as capable if not more then a man. I liked the appearance of this movie a lot, it exhibits this vibrancy and really extenuates the colorful meticulous clothing worn by the women in this movie. This movie brims hope and determination deep from inside the self as our character exhibits wisdom and maturity in the face of discrimination. I would say the only real heavy draw back from the film is its length and the fact that I simply doesn’t need to be that long. Though I enjoyed the length it feels like more of a result of not shaving repetitive scenes then a deserved extension in film run time to fit more meaningful content. Overall, I believe this movie is important, and proves its point with expertise. 9.5/10
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