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February 2, 2010

578

The crowd (1928)

Isn't it depressing that »ordinary« equals »substandard«? Why are we uncapable of appreciating everyday life? In this social satire on the american dream, basically decent people are tossed around by fate, hoping for that chance that might never come. Or if it does, may turn out to be more curse than blessing.

It starts as farce, changes abruptly to terrible tragedy and finally lands in some kind of weirdly humiliating reconciliation. And it would probably have been in my book even without the swift pace, effective cutting and expressionist aesthetics.

Filed under  //   1920s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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February 1, 2010

577

The big parade (1925)

At first, this is more or less pure comedy, with boy-scoutish soldiers and silly frenchies gesturing incomprehensibly. What follows, however, is an unexpected and increasingly grim war-is-hell scenario. Strangely enough, the peculiar combination works fairly well. The portrayal of both love and warfare is handled in an unususally multifaceted and thoughtful way, with sensitive attention to detail.

In my book.

Filed under  //   1920s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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January 31, 2010

576

The color purple (1985)

Sisters are doing it for themselves! Unusual mainstream blockbuster on afro-american history where male brutality, not racism, is the main issue. Delicate subject matter – incest, lesbianism, family violence – are dealt with too lightly, and the movie unfortunately turns into an ill-fitting combination of the profound and the burlesque, with an ending too good to be true.

Not in my book despite lavish production, classy acting and ambitious story.

Filed under  //   1980s   no   seen  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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January 30, 2010

575

Foolish wives (1922)

Actor/director von Stroheim is disgustingly perfect as foppish, ruthless swindler in russian aristocrat garb. His compulsory womanizing stops at nothing, not even trying to molest a retarded girl. Conventional but well-executed story, intriguing postwar settings.

In my book.

Filed under  //   1920s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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January 29, 2010

574

Docks of New York (1928)

Should the downtrodden even dare to hope? Is there any use in struggling for change? This is a sensitive portrait of outer strength and inner vulnerability with atmospheric scenography, beautiful lighting, nuanced story and lovable acting.

A pinnacle of the silent era – definitely in my book.

   
Click here to download:
574.zip (228 KB)

Filed under  //   1920s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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January 28, 2010

573

Intolerance (1916)

Herculean in ambition – glorious sets, overwhelming mass scenes, surprising story twists and some unusual main characters. The four separate yet crosscut storylines are not at all convincing, though – illogical, pompous, incoherent, moralizing, complicated, uneven and partly almost incomprehensible. The ending, supposedly meant to be inspiring, only feels silly.

Fascinating in parts and details, an epic failure as a complete film. Not in my book.

         
Click here to download:
573.zip (441 KB)

Filed under  //   1910s   no   seen  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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January 27, 2010

572

Greed (1924)

An abundance of unlikely and highly unlikable characters with grotesquely expressive faces act out a bizarre and sickening descent into avarice, madness and death. Far too long and meandering social satire/tragicomedy/morality that left me slightly confused by aimless subplots, more or less dumbfounded by strange character behaviour and strongly unsympathetic to the degenerating »heroes«.

Interesting, but not in my book.

Filed under  //   1920s   no   seen  
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January 25, 2010

571

Der letzte Mann (1924)

Clothes make the man, and a nice uniform is apparently what it takes to keep him in position both physically and socially. The first part of this uncomplicated symbolist saga is a joy to behold, all wonderful visuals and grandiose acting. Unfortunately, someone slapped on an embarrassingly contrived and ill-fitting happy end that effectively degenerates the experience, from poignant if exaggerrated elegy to moronic meta-farce.

Could very well have been in my book, but not in this version.

Filed under  //   1920s   no   seen  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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January 22, 2010

backtrack; King Kong (1933)

When seen today, the top-notch special effects of this thirties horror movie looks like a low-budget 70s tv show for children. And a lot of the storytelling is mainly long parades of action scenes tucked to each other.

Despite this, something resonates within me. Boyhood nostalgia regarding lost worlds and dinosaurs, of course. But also the moody atmosphere and the impossible love affair of the big clumsy ape. In my book.

Filed under  //   1930s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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January 21, 2010

570

Les vampires (1915)

This ten-part serial has everything you could ask for in suspense – and more! Severed heads, poisonous rings, coded messages, people rising from the dead, murder on stage, car chases, gun fights, bondage, wild partying, hypnotic criminal masterminds, femme fatales, rivaling gangs, dangerous stunts, secret passageways and identities, impossible escapes, gas attacks, burglars disguised in tight black suits, seedy nightclubs, unexpected story turns, executions, kidnappings, blackmail, fraud, investigating reporters, hidden treasure and cannons, suicide, incredible coincidences, treachery, bombs, algerian penal colonies, hair pin stabbings etc. The list can go on more or less forever.

And weird, desolate wartime Paris! In part almost medieval with strangely-clad maids, creaking horse carriages and lowly garbage collectors. Contrasting sharply with the modernity of telephones, taxis and electricity.

Dated in tempo, acting and technique of course. But the creative storyline alone keeps it in my book.

                   
Click here to download:
570.zip (1210 KB)

Filed under  //   1910s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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