Jaws (1975) was directed by Steven Spielberg, and based on a bestselling novel inspired by the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916.
It is regarded as a watershed film in motion picture history, the father of the summer blockbuster movie and one of the first "high concept" films. It was the first time that a film was ever "widely released" (opened nationwide all at the same time.)
It stars Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary and Murray Hamilton.
Jaws was nominated for Best Picture, and won Academy Awards for film editing, music (original score) and sound. It is no. 2 on AFI's "100 years... 100 thrills" list, and no. 56 on the "100 Greatest Movies" list (down 8 from 1998).
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Easy Rider
Wow, I agree with Max. The film really was painful to watch. From the first frame, the protagonists (what were their names again?) were already taking drugs. It felt that not only the characters, but the filmmakers themselves, were pretty drugged up throughout the experience. I started to wonder if I had taken something myself... or wish I had...
Max mentioned the scenery of the film being beautiful, and I agree. Throughout the hour and a half, I could not help but wonder how much of the success and popularity of the film is due to the novelties it would have presented to an audience in the late sixties. I imagine that, before this, few films had been shot almost entirely in the outdoors, and with such freedom to explore America's terrain from a biker's perspective. There is also the cultural aspect; how did "Easy Rider" look by the end of the sixties? It was probably representative of a society that moviegoers recognized and identified with. Yet today in the 21st century, such distinctions are merely commonplace, and have even rolled into the category of "cliche."
"Easy Rider" is probably a good example of a film that doesn't hold up in its own right today. Being squeamish and overly timid, I found it difficult to watch the often explicit and downright disturbing drug and sex scenes; but even putting those personal reactions aside, I found little to enjoy as a viewer in 2008. The film's message of freedom and promotion of the hippie lifestyle is outdated, and its technical features are unspectacular too. A decent plot and universal values might have saved the film, but alas, here too, it fails to deliver.
Max mentioned the scenery of the film being beautiful, and I agree. Throughout the hour and a half, I could not help but wonder how much of the success and popularity of the film is due to the novelties it would have presented to an audience in the late sixties. I imagine that, before this, few films had been shot almost entirely in the outdoors, and with such freedom to explore America's terrain from a biker's perspective. There is also the cultural aspect; how did "Easy Rider" look by the end of the sixties? It was probably representative of a society that moviegoers recognized and identified with. Yet today in the 21st century, such distinctions are merely commonplace, and have even rolled into the category of "cliche."
"Easy Rider" is probably a good example of a film that doesn't hold up in its own right today. Being squeamish and overly timid, I found it difficult to watch the often explicit and downright disturbing drug and sex scenes; but even putting those personal reactions aside, I found little to enjoy as a viewer in 2008. The film's message of freedom and promotion of the hippie lifestyle is outdated, and its technical features are unspectacular too. A decent plot and universal values might have saved the film, but alas, here too, it fails to deliver.
Easy Rider- Not so easy...
In order to be cultured in todays world, it is essential to have knowledge of cinema. Movies have effected every aspect of our culture and to be ignorant of them is a profound mistake. At the risk of sounding like a philistine, it is just as important to expose yourself to Hitchcock as it is to Beethoven.
Thankfully, The American Film Institute has given us a valuable guide to viewing the "great" movies; Unfortunately, to do this, it involves watching movies like Easy Rider. I originally saw this movie back in 2000 when I was seventeen, then I thought the movie was boring and unenjoyable. After discussing it with my video production teacher I came to the conclusion that the movie was simply too advanced for my taste. Now, eight years later, after giving the movie another try, I have concluded that it is not only unejoyable but it is unwatchable.
The only way anyone could possible enjoy this movie is if they saw it in theaters back in 1969. But, its important to note, the film is not bad because it is dated; It is bad because there is no plot, no characters, no nothing...It is just two drug dealers riding motorcycles through the desert while stoned. All the events that take place in the 93 minutes of the film seem irrelevant.
In fact, the only meaningful part of the film, is Jack Nicholson (who joins halfway through) diauloge with Billy:
This paranoid style of thinking is prevalent throughout the film. All of the characters are either on the side of the free (ie. good) or the reactionaries (ie. nearly everyone else). The problem with this is not only does it make for uninteresting cinema, but it also plays into the fact that the film is so dated; when Hopper (who acts and directs the film) shows us a hippie commune that is presumably the "ideal" lifestyle , it looks absolutely ridicules to anyone who who is not on a hallucinogenic drug. In contrast to this, the villians are cardboard cutouts of every redneck stereotype imaginable. They prevent Captain America and Billy from staying at motels and throw them in jail for "parading without a license". When the bikers visit a roadside cafe, they are mocked and driven out by the square good ole boys; while it is hard to sympathize with them, how could any objective person really feel anything for Captain America and Hopper? Days before, they had just sold cocaine and used the profits to finance their trip to Mardi Gras. And, moments before being mocked, the riders openly flirt with underage girls. Although the rednecks are supposed to be bad for their prejudice against long hair- are they wrong? Do the bikers have any redeeming qualities? And, would you feel comfortable with your daughter bringing one of them home for dinner?
Easy Riders glorifies an abstract notion of "freedom" that is largely undesirable for anyone who who values sobriety. As a film, it has some beautiful scenery, and as a period piece it has some interesting qualities; but, like the late-sixties, the film is should be forgotten as a whimsical and ridicules moment in time.
Thankfully, The American Film Institute has given us a valuable guide to viewing the "great" movies; Unfortunately, to do this, it involves watching movies like Easy Rider. I originally saw this movie back in 2000 when I was seventeen, then I thought the movie was boring and unenjoyable. After discussing it with my video production teacher I came to the conclusion that the movie was simply too advanced for my taste. Now, eight years later, after giving the movie another try, I have concluded that it is not only unejoyable but it is unwatchable.
The only way anyone could possible enjoy this movie is if they saw it in theaters back in 1969. But, its important to note, the film is not bad because it is dated; It is bad because there is no plot, no characters, no nothing...It is just two drug dealers riding motorcycles through the desert while stoned. All the events that take place in the 93 minutes of the film seem irrelevant.
In fact, the only meaningful part of the film, is Jack Nicholson (who joins halfway through) diauloge with Billy:
George Hanson: You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it.
Billy: Man, everybody got chicken, that's what happened. Hey, we can't even get into like, a second-rate hotel, I mean, a second-rate motel, you dig? They think we're gonna cut their throat or somethin'. They're scared, man.
George Hanson: They're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent to 'em.
Billy: Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut.
George Hanson: Oh, no. What you represent to them is freedom.
Billy: What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about.
George Hanson: Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em.
Billy: Well, it don't make 'em runnin' scared.
George Hanson: No, it makes 'em dangerous. Buh, neh! Neh! Neh! Neh! Swamp!
This paranoid style of thinking is prevalent throughout the film. All of the characters are either on the side of the free (ie. good) or the reactionaries (ie. nearly everyone else). The problem with this is not only does it make for uninteresting cinema, but it also plays into the fact that the film is so dated; when Hopper (who acts and directs the film) shows us a hippie commune that is presumably the "ideal" lifestyle , it looks absolutely ridicules to anyone who who is not on a hallucinogenic drug. In contrast to this, the villians are cardboard cutouts of every redneck stereotype imaginable. They prevent Captain America and Billy from staying at motels and throw them in jail for "parading without a license". When the bikers visit a roadside cafe, they are mocked and driven out by the square good ole boys; while it is hard to sympathize with them, how could any objective person really feel anything for Captain America and Hopper? Days before, they had just sold cocaine and used the profits to finance their trip to Mardi Gras. And, moments before being mocked, the riders openly flirt with underage girls. Although the rednecks are supposed to be bad for their prejudice against long hair- are they wrong? Do the bikers have any redeeming qualities? And, would you feel comfortable with your daughter bringing one of them home for dinner?
Easy Riders glorifies an abstract notion of "freedom" that is largely undesirable for anyone who who values sobriety. As a film, it has some beautiful scenery, and as a period piece it has some interesting qualities; but, like the late-sixties, the film is should be forgotten as a whimsical and ridicules moment in time.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Easy Rider
Easy Rider (1969) is the quintessential sixties film! It deliberately breaks away from the traditional studio films, and chronicles the new generation of "anti-heroes". The film is considered one of the first- "post-classical Hollywood" productions, created by the "new" generation of directors, writers, and actors.
The film is directed by Dennis Hopper (who also stars in it) and was written by Peter Fonda (co-starring in the film), Dennis Hopper, and Terry Southern. It also stars Jack Nicholson.
It was nominated for two academy awards: Jack Nicholson for Best Supporting Actor and for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced.
This film is also ranked #84 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies, it has moved up four spots in the past ten years.
The film is directed by Dennis Hopper (who also stars in it) and was written by Peter Fonda (co-starring in the film), Dennis Hopper, and Terry Southern. It also stars Jack Nicholson.
It was nominated for two academy awards: Jack Nicholson for Best Supporting Actor and for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced.
This film is also ranked #84 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies, it has moved up four spots in the past ten years.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
I apologize for the delay in my response- real world issues have prevented me from focusing on my review. But, to be honest, I do not have much to add from Holly's review; having heard much about this film, it was a minor disappointment.
The film revolves around three vagabonds who attempt to strike it rich in the mountains of Mexico. The two primary treasure hunters are Americans named Curtin( Tim Holt) and Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart. Early on, they meet an old man named Howard (Walter Huston) who tells them of his previous adventures digging for gold. The three men form a partnership, and spend the rest of the movie searching for treasure arguing about their shares. Being the most experienced of the three, Howard warns the two younger fortune seekers about the negative effects of gold; and, as soon as the characters are warned of this, Dobb's transforms from bumbling vagabond to greedy monster.
This perhaps was the weakest part of the film, John Huston never casts Dobbs in a sympathetic light, and so his madness is never a shock the viewer. There is never a point where you can feel anything for Dobbs, other than boredom at his actions. Granted, this is partially because the film has been influential, but none of Dobb's characteristics are exclusive to film, anyone who has read literature can find similar instances of greed and paranoia. And, as Holly said, this is said to be one of Bogart's best roles, but for me it was quite forgettable.
And, one cannot review this movie without mentioning the line about the badges, which I have heard countless times; sadly that was even disappointing. But, again, I suppose this is because it has seeped so deep into our culture, sort of like: "Where's the beef?".
I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in seeing a classic. But, only if your Netflix queue is on the empty side, and you have a lot of time on your hands.
The film revolves around three vagabonds who attempt to strike it rich in the mountains of Mexico. The two primary treasure hunters are Americans named Curtin( Tim Holt) and Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart. Early on, they meet an old man named Howard (Walter Huston) who tells them of his previous adventures digging for gold. The three men form a partnership, and spend the rest of the movie searching for treasure arguing about their shares. Being the most experienced of the three, Howard warns the two younger fortune seekers about the negative effects of gold; and, as soon as the characters are warned of this, Dobb's transforms from bumbling vagabond to greedy monster.
This perhaps was the weakest part of the film, John Huston never casts Dobbs in a sympathetic light, and so his madness is never a shock the viewer. There is never a point where you can feel anything for Dobbs, other than boredom at his actions. Granted, this is partially because the film has been influential, but none of Dobb's characteristics are exclusive to film, anyone who has read literature can find similar instances of greed and paranoia. And, as Holly said, this is said to be one of Bogart's best roles, but for me it was quite forgettable.
And, one cannot review this movie without mentioning the line about the badges, which I have heard countless times; sadly that was even disappointing. But, again, I suppose this is because it has seeped so deep into our culture, sort of like: "Where's the beef?".
I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in seeing a classic. But, only if your Netflix queue is on the empty side, and you have a lot of time on your hands.
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