Film Review 3 - North by Northwest

  North by Northwest, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a 1959 film starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint.  It is a thriller, typical to Alfred Hitchcock, telling the story of an average Joe who finds himself caught in the middle of government espionage and mistaken identites.

  The film stars Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill, an advertising executive who is mistaken for another man when at a meeting. Thornhill is kidnapped and taken to Phillip Vandamn, played by James Mason, who insists he is really a man by the name of "George Kaplan".  Able to escape after a life threatening encounter shortly after, Thornhill vows to find the real George Kaplan to clear his name.  The plot of North by Northwest is fairly intricate, and it has many interesting twists and turns throughout the film.  I believe the film slowed down during the middle, specifically around the train portion, in which Thornhill finds himself trapped inside of a train with the assistance of the film's female lead, Eva Marie Saint, while on the run from the police.  Even so, I thought the majority of the film maintained tension and kept the viewer on the edge of their seat.

  Cary Grant does a great job playing Thornhill.  His distinctly questioning and relentless attitude played consistent throughout the film, creating a very likeable and respectable character.  His skill at creating the change in Thornhill, from a boring businessman to his more courageous self nearer to the end of the film was excellent.  Eva Marie Saint also does an fine job playing the mysterious and bodacious Eve Kendall, who is as cunning as she is cute.  I found Kendall's relationship and chemistry with Thornhill during their first meeting to be almost unbelievable however, but it became better throughout the film.  The rest of the cast does well, specifically James Mason and his cunning and classy performance as Vandamn. 

  With such solid acting and a truly thrilling plot, North by Northwest has everything a movie-goer would want.  It stays entertaining throughout the film, and the story is enough to satisfy those who want a deep experience, and those who want something fairly straightforward.  If you haven't seen it already, I'd strongly suggest it. It's one of Hitchcock's best. 
  
 

Film Review 2 - Singin' In the Rain

  I had watched the majority of Singin' in the Rain before watching it in class, so I had a pretty good idea of it already.  I was very fond of it, with the numerous dance numbers and specifically Donald O'Conner's "Make them laugh" piece still with me.  However after watching it in class, I was able to get a proper viewing of the film, and I was able to notice the good and bad more clearly.

   The film was directed by Gene Kelly and Stanely Donen, and was made in 1952.  The film stars Gene Kelly, Donald O'Conner, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen.  The film revolves around fictional silent-film celebrities Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont as they're forced to adapt with the move from the silent film era to the 'Talkies'.  The story explores the technological issues, as well as the issues with the actors themselves, providing an honest and entertaining look at the movie industry during it's crucial advances to the use of sound.  I really enjoyed the plot, as it was insightful while also entertaining.

  The actors did a fantastic job, with some incredible choreography during the numerous songs; each do an excellent job to portray their character's distinct personalities.  Donald O'Connor definitely stood out to me, with his charisma and talent seeping through the screen.  One of the best scenes to me was when Cosmo (O'Conner) explains to Don (Kelly) his philosophy regarding film, insisting the best thing you can do is "Make them laugh!".  The scene exhibits O'Conner's talent as an actor, in both his comedic and athletic skills, making it unforgettable.  None of the actors stood out in a negative way, as they all truly did an excellent job in both their acting and their musical work.  The only complaint I had with the film was the habit it had of carrying things on too long.  The film seemed to drag on in a number of the songs, whether it been intentional or not; things just occasionally felt forced.

   Never the less, the film adds up to be something truly special.  The songs are incredibly catchy and iconic, almost giving the film an ironic feeling after watching it post Clockwork Orange and Viagra.  Still, it ends up being as entertaining as it is fascinating, painting a portrait of both the time of the silent film, and of the 'Talkies'. I'd suggest the film to any true fan of the medium, or to any person at all really; it satisfies everyone! 

Film Review 1 - The General

            The General, a 1926 silent film directed by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton, revolves around a train engineer who insists on enlisting during the civil war to satisfy his fiancée and her family. The film stars co-director Buster Keaton in an epic adventure, involving great stunt work from Keaton himself and awesome set pieces.

In the film, Buster plays Johnny, a train engineer who returns home to visit his fiancée. Upon arrival in his other love, his train ‘The General’, war erupts in town, forcing Johnny to enlist to satisfy his worried and honorable Fiancée. However, persistent as he is, he won’t be enlisted, disappointing his love and her father. This plot sets the basis for the film, acting as a nice background for the true stars of the show, the comedy, the stunt work, and Buster Keaton himself.

Buster does a fantastic job portraying Johnny, the brave but clumsy train engineer. Keaton’s stunt work during the latter half of the film is top notch, pulling off being funny as well as impressive. He is able to keep the audience entertained for the entire film, with his great physical gags as well as his distinct expressions and acting style. The supporting cast all do their jobs well, being neither impressive nor bland. Johnny’s fiancée however does do a good job adding to the comedy as well as acting as a major part of the plot, useful in her ability to keep things from being repetitive. The set pieces and stunts in the film cannot be understated, with Buster and his train keeping audiences on the edge of their seats for the majority of the film, thanks to the large budget and Buster’s bravery as an actor. The climax of the film is truly a spectacle as well, without trying to give it away I’ll just say that it again, involves a train.

 In closing, I can strongly say I enjoyed the film. It is very well done in its mixture of Comedy and Adventure elements, as well as its strong cast, score and direction. I never felt bored during the film, nor did I ever feel like it came off as trying too hard; it was just right.

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