Classic Movies

Me son Charlie and I exchanged a series of text messages last night talking, basically, about the classic holiday specials and movies. It reminded me that, like the many books I haven't read, there are many great movies I'd like to see.

I love what I've seen by Frank Capra of It's a Wonderful Life fame. Among my standards of what makes a film classic is that it needs to leave a lump in your throat at least once, and Wonderful Life does that several times. When George Bailey is begging for his life back and it begins to snow, signaling that he's alive again, wow. That's how you make movies. Still, Capra's made many highly regarded, even legendary, films which I have yet to see. It Happened One Night, Lost Horizon, and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town head that list.

Stanley Kubrick is one who's made some solid movies, although he tends to excess. But unless and until I see something better 2001: A Space Odyssey will be my favorite movie. Of his movies which I haven't seen, I want to see Spartacus.

After seeing Metropolis (I wrote about that here) I'm open to silent films, yet nothing comes to mind as I write. Any suggestions?

Charlie and I agreed we need to make lists of what movies we need to see. Perhaps this will serve to start.

You Can't Beat the Classics

There are movies, and then there are great movies. One great movie is Fritz Lang's Metropolis.

My son and I watched it Sunday. It is an epic of the silent film era, and now considered a standard in science fiction. Originally released in 1927 to rather bland reviews, it has overcome that rank evil and achieved classic status. I can't say enough about it. When it ended, I was left speechless.

Indeed I didn't want it to end. The sets were remarkable. Many scenes were no less than spectacular. The cinematography was awe inspiring. Much of the special effects rank with the best modern CGI can offer. The actress who played the female lead, Brigette Helm, absolutely nailed her complex character. I should say characters, and I will let that hang as something of a tease.

I don't want to get into the story; even the lamest spoilers would simply be immoral. It's so good you must see it for yourself. I've never watched a silent film in its entirety before, but now I hope to find more as spectacular.

You really can say a lot without words. Metropolis does it very, very well.