| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| demonic |
Posted - 09/16/2011 : 00:02:09
Wipe away a single tear as we come to the twelfth and, for the time being, final instalment of the 'Four Word Film Review' Movie Viewing Club...
From an idea originally suggested by TitanPa, we chose, viewed and discussed a new film twice a month - with each new round beginning on the 1st and the 15th.
Everyone is welcome to contribute if you have seen the film in question, and all the better if you have recently seen or rewatched the film. With all films chosen up to a month in advance it will allow those interested in contributing to source and view the film in question, either bought, rented or borrowed on DVD; through a subscription service or simply viewed online. You are also welcome to comment on any previous rounds at any time.
Each film is chosen by fwiffers in the order of initial interest shown on the discussion thread here. If you want to select a future title simply express interest on the thread linked above or send demonic or Se�n a message and we'll add it to the list.
The current line up is as follows:
01.04.11 - TitanPa - TEETH (2007)
15.04.11 - GHCool - DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
01.05.11 - demonic - THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC (1928)
15.05.11 - Se�n - MONSTURD (2003)
01.06.11 - benj clews - AMERICAN SPLENDOR (2003)
15.06.11 - bife - TURKISH DELIGHT (1973)
01.07.11 - Cheese Ed - ALPHAVILLE (1965)
15.07.11 - [matt] - A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (2004)
01.08.11 - ChocolateLady - BAGDAD CAFE (1987)
15.08.11 - BaftaBabe - WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE (1993)
01.09.11 - Randall - CITIZEN KANE (1941)
15.09.11 - Chris C - ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)
There's no commitment to watching and commenting on every round, but all reviews, comments and contributions will be very welcome from all comers. It goes without saying these threads will be a spoiler-heavy area, and anyone reading posts before viewing the film in question should be fully aware of this.
------------------------------------------
Our last film for the current MVC is Lewis Milestone's classic 1930 anti-war movie "All Quiet On The Western Front" based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque as selected by Chris C. A worthy way to round off our dozen selections. Open fire! |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| demonic |
Posted - 10/04/2011 : 23:26:20
We've called it quits for the time being - but hold on to your ideas. I'm hoping to resurrect when there's a few more people around.  |
| GHcool |
Posted - 10/04/2011 : 18:10:03
I've seen All Quiet before (and love the film), but haven't revisited it so I will refrain from commenting. Is this movie club still in operation? If it is, I have a couple of movies in mind for my pick. |
| Chris C |
Posted - 09/22/2011 : 22:00:18
Apologies one and all for the (very) late reply. I have finally dragged my thoughts together and here they are:
I read the book at school many years ago, and always wanted to follow up by watching the movie. Having now seen it, 30+ years later, I realise now what a great impression both the book and film must have had at the time. This film stands up really well even now, 80 years after it was made. The message remains as powerful as it ever did. The ending may look a little cliched now, but this is only because we have seen the same thing said so many times since AQOTWF was first released.
What was much better than I expected was the acting and direction. This was released only three years after The Jazz Singer. I'm not an aficionado of silent B&W movies, but I've had the impression that a lot of the acting, and particularly the facial expressions, were exaggerated for the benefit of the viewing audience in the silent movies. There is very little of this, apart from one or two small points in this film.
The subject matter was, obviously, ground-breaking, but it's the little things that make the movie what it is (the scene with the French girls is one of them). I can only imagine the audience reaction at the time.
I wonder what would have happened if this had been made five or six years later and the Hays Commission had got its hands on the film.
AQOTWF film undoubtedly deserved the Best Film and Best Director Oscars. For an 80 year old film, it has the feel of something a lot more recent. It strikes a lot more chords with me than a lot of the "Death-or-Glory" WW2 movies from the 1960s and 70s.
If you haven't seen it, please do. You won't regret it. |
| Chris C |
Posted - 09/16/2011 : 18:37:50
I shall pass my thoughts on over the weekend. But it's a great movie, and much much better than I was expecting when I sat down to watch it. |
| Sean |
Posted - 09/16/2011 : 01:00:28
Good pick. Seen it, so won't be re-watching.
8/10
BTW, there are only 4/12 in MVC so far that I hadn't already seen. Seen 12/12 now of course.
|
|
|
