March 16, 2007
[classics for a reason] 1:45 PM
Unlike Boy, I have to work with noise. Music, TV, a movie...just something. I've made a little office for myself back in the bedroom where I can make a racket and be productive.
Yesterday I had Jesus Camp on. Afterwards, I had to re-inflate and save my own soul, so I put on Singin' in the Rain. It really is a cure-all, and holds up freakishly well.
In fact, unlike Pillow Talk (which requires knowledge of party telephone lines), Singin in the Rain and It Happened One Night hold up completely, and contain universal humor that still makes me laugh out loud. Classics for a reason, folks.
Another Classic-for-a-reason is Casablanca, which I find infinitely more re-watchable than Citizen Kane. Sure Kane is a marvel, but so much of its technical luster has been disseminated over the decades that I don't think its "fun" to watch. Meanwhile, almost every line in Casablanca is a quotable quote, yet it remains fresh. Just a stronger narrative I suppose.
This is where I'm going to tell you that you need to own both films, but you'll be more inclined to watch the extras on Kane, and watch the feature on 'Blanca.
Bah. Citizen Kane is overrated. I don't think it's nearly as good as many people make it out to be, although I admit the technical aspects are a turning point. I believe that most of my personal distaste of the film is because of the story that Orson Welles has crafted. It's just so stuffy and pompous, and I really don't like Charles Foster Kane.
Casablanca I like more, but...
I have a hard time watching Casablanca, because all I see are other movies that have stolen so much from that film. It drives me up the wall.
I did like It Happened One Night, but haven't ever managed to see all of Singing in the Rain.
