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Oodipherus
Reviews
My Man Godfrey (1936)
Acting and Editing
William Powell delivered a powerful insight to the life of a lost soul. Transforming roles throughout, Powell convincingly becomes the most intriguing character to invest your time into. His clever witty wordplay and overall manner becomes lovable not only to the viewer, but to almost all the characters in the film. Dealing with the great depression delivered a conduit for Powell to expose the light at the end of the tunnel. In that, he will come out on top, even if viewed as if he's on the bottom. This movie was compelling from start to finish and is a classic screwball comedy that any movie lover should make to the time to watch, as it is one of the most heartwarming tales of a man who you'd never know has so much experience behind those eyes.
White Zombie (1932)
Acting and Editing
The overall acting felt so forced for this film. I know it's a movie with zombies, being alive today, i'm desensitized by all the high-quality zombie films out now so White Zombie seems more silly than scary. I'm sure for the time, people were creeped out by the film and the idea. But I was more creeped out by how slow and uneventful 70% of the movie was. Granted, it's definitely a classic horror film, but not one i'd ever recommend to anyone. However, I was pleasantly interested in the double expose scenes of the haunting eyes. When I think of this film, I think of those eyes and those bushy eyebrows.
All in all, not terribly interested in ever seeing this again.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
Acting and Editing
Paul Muni fantastically transforms on several accounts in this film. From war hero to vagabond to criminal to positive figure and so forth. His acting was amazing to watch and compelling to invest in. Muni comes across a bunch of different cardboard characters in the film too and they are also pretty important in helping transform Muni, for better or worse. The overall editing was incredibly well done too. The use of off screen digetic sounds of whipping parallel with the lack of sound coming from Muni is something I will never forget. But simply in the way time passing was shown was impressive. For every hammer hitting the a railroad spike an overlay shot of a calendar losing a month would pass to show how long Muni was in jail. Brilliant and perfect idea.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Acting and Editing
The film editing of the movie theater dream scene is still something I always end up coming back to in conversation about "good editing". However, Keaton's perfect acting style also attributes to how well executed the film was. The way he turns his body and the cut to different scenery feels almost flawless. And for that time, i'm sure was an amazing feat for any movie. Much like Chaplin, Keatin's slick and smooth style becomes so lovable you hate to see the misfortune that arises. The careful editing and camera work allows for the viewer to follow Keaton through these mishaps and misfortune in a playful yet painful manner.
All in all, wonderfully done.
The Circus (1928)
Chaplin's Circus Work
Chaplin's capacity for astoundingly strenuous physical and mental endurance never fails to excite and amuse me in his films. Some of the stunts appear relatively safe while others would make the Jackass crew say "no thanks!"
The overall filming of this was really well done, along with some nice effects and edits. There is a double exposure scene when Chaplin fantasizes about knocking out Rex the tightrope walker, to show how he would do it, all while he is still sitting where he originally was. I thought for the time, this was a genius idea to represent a fantasy.
Gotta love this man's work.