Ice Breaker: Your Favorite Classics

[B-Independent.com]

Just a few of mine....

THE SEARCHERS
THE WILD BUNCH
VERTIGO
THE PALM BEACH STORY
SWING TIME
REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE
AIR FORCE
MURDER MY SWEET
THE MAGNIFICIENT AMBERSONS

[maryhatchbailey]

How do you say, "I bow to you" in Latin? I should've taken your statement literally -it's not that you're not familiar with Italian cinema, it's just that you don't like it. Ferris Bueller and the Bicycle Thief, wow, I'm going to have to think about that and get back to you. I haven't seen FB in a while...You were brave to admit to finding Antonioni and Fellini dull. I'll admit that I'm not a fan of Antonioni either, and I the only recent Fellini I like is Fred and Ginger. But I love early (pre 1960) Fellini: I Vitelloni, La Strada, Notti di Cabiria, La Dolce Vita. Roma, Cita Aperta is my favorite. Anna Magnani was the mold for the tortured but resiliant Italian woman. I adore her dark circled misery filled eyes.
I'll try to relate and thereby accept your dislike of Italian movies to my dislike of horror from any country...

[B-Independent.com]

You were brave to admit to finding Antonioni and Fellini dull.

Lol! Thanks. That's kind of like saying "Orson Wells is an idiot." All three are respected filmmakers for a reason, but there's something about the Italian approach to filmmaking that keeps me from getting past my hang-ups and appropriately appreciating the work. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I'm at a complete loss.

As for FERRIS and BICYCLE THEIF, i will admit it's a bit of a stretch, but the core of the films are the same. While BT's plot is about the search for a stolen bike, it's really an exploration of Italian culture, and presents an example of various social types. FERRIS is about a boy showing his friend a good day, but it also allows Hughes the opportunity to display the various cultures and social types the comprise the city.

[maryhatchbailey]

Maybe it's because the Italians (filmakers) are so obvious about it all. For example, DeSica's frequent shots of children crying because of the desparateness of their situations is not subtle. We know that they're in these impossible situations, but he overwhelms us with their grief so that we have no choice but to feel it. I think it's controlling and that adds to making them such powerful filmakers and memorable films. They take (me) to such highs and lows. Does that make any sense? Also, I think the long takes magnify the emotions - we're able to see the changes the actor emotes in natural time. (Hitchcock might disagree with this piece of the argument.) Of course, the older I get, the more I find myself tearing up at the most ridiculous things.

the opportunity to display the various cultures and social types the comprise the city
As for Ferris and the Bicylce Theif, I agree with you -I never made the comparison myself, but I do see it. Good one!

[SoRefined]

Like I said, I'm trying REALLY HARD to like them.

I'd give both My Darling Clementine and Stagecoach a second watch, but I only barely made it through The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. The one that really left me scratching my head was The Searchers--I just didn't "get" the "this is a great meditation on racism and genocide" angle that I gather is supposed to be central to the film.

In retrospect, I really shouldn't have restricted it just to John Ford westerns, because he also made The Grapes of Wrath and How Green Was My Valley, two films that are on my personal movie hitlist. I also had a tough time with They Were Expendable.

Right now, Mister Roberts is laying next to my DVD player. I've been a little hesitant to watch it.

Now that I've gone a fair piece towards alienating everyone on my second day here, I shall go back to eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lawrence of Arabia, which I somehow haven't seen before.

Cheers.

[B-Independent.com]

SoRefined. Look at the thread on THE SEARCHERS, I've posted a number of articles there that might help you out with that one.

I loooooooooooove THEY WERE EXPENDABLE. For me, it's like the greatest Howard Hawks movie that Hawks never directed. What exactly didn't you like about it?

I've never seen MISTER ROBERTS, but I've heard from friends who love it that Jack Lemon does some of his best work.

For what it's worth, I fell asleep during LAWRENCE OF ARABIA the first time I tried to watch it and haven't been back since.

[SoRefined]

Thanks for the mention of the thread on The Searchers, though to be honest I don't intend to revisit it any time soon. I think part of the overall problem is that I don't particularly care for John Wayne. (Exception: True Grit.) Also, there are so many films out there I still need to see for the FIRST time.

I had the same problem with They Were Expendable as you had with Lawrence of Arabia... it put me right to sleep.

Cheers.

[maryhatchbailey]

Hi. Mr. Roberts is great. It's like Operation Petticoat with meat, although it is one of Ford's lighter works. Both Cagney and Lemmon give their typical fabulous performances -they play both vibrant and memorable characters.
I recently saw Lawrence of Arabia for the first time - I don't like to start watching a movie after it has started, especially a long one like this, that has long silent stretches. But I recently saw it from start to finsih in letterbox on a huge new tv and it was truly beautiful. I couldn't tear my eyes off the screen, the scenery, peter o'toole, omar shariff...but I probably wouldn't watch it again b/c I found it a bit long and slow. I like the handful of David Lean movies I've seen - most of them seem to capture that landscape beauty, except for Brief Encounter, which, if I recall, is shot mostly in small cafes and trains - enclosed, intimite shots. But I suppose it fits the plot. Let us know what you think after you watch.

[SoRefined]

I watched both Lawrence of Arabia AND Mister Roberts yesterday.

Definitely enjoyed Mister Roberts more than any other Ford film I've seen so far. (Whew, not sure what I would do if I came across a Jack Lemmon film I didn't like.)

Lawrence of Arabia certainly was epic. I am glad I watched it. I enjoyed it, but I'm not envisioning a lot of repeat viewings. That's a lot of movie.

Cheers.

[maryhatchbailey]

Glad you liked Mr. Roberts. Don't think I've ever come across bad Jack Lemmon either.

I also agree with you about not sitting for Lawrence of Arabia again. Sounds like a good topic for a new thread - movies you liked or appreciated, but probably won't watch again.

[B-Independent.com]

hey buddy! if you want to start a poster thread, go right ahead.

[EmeraldIsle828]

Brief Encounter
My Man Godfrey
All About Eve
The Kid
The Heiress
The Magnificent Ambersons
The Thin Man
The Shop Around the Corner
The More the Merrier
Sunset Blvd.