patti-m Reviews

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Pretty Good

[6/10 · 10 May 2013]

I found this movie pleasantly surprising although there were some things that I did not enjoy. One great thing about the movie was the comedy. The film had some extremely funny moments. All of the different characters had starkly different personalities yet they all had amazing chemistry on screen. The actors in the film had perfect comedic timing and the cast really meshed well together. Other than the funny moments though I found the film kind of boring. There were just some moments that seemed to carry on much longer than necessary. There would be a very funny part and then for a while nothing funny would really happen. For a screwball comedy it felt very serious at times, in fact it got a little too serious in some moments. Despite that fact I still enjoyed it and for me the good outweighed the bad.

Annie Hall (1977)

So Funny

[8/10 · 10 May 2013]

This was the first Woody Allen film I had ever seen and I really enjoyed it. Everybody always says that his films were funny and they were right because I laughed extremely hard at some points. I really liked Woody Allen's directing style too. I loved when he would place his adult self into moments in his childhood and interact with the past versions of people that he knew. I also really loved the short animated scene that mimicked Snow White. It was unexpected yet fit perfectly into the film. The only thing that I didn't like was the ending. I don't usually need a happy ending but I was really hoping that these two would end up together. Besides the ending I loved the film and it definitely made me want to see more of Woody Allen's films.

The Little Foxes (1941)

Didn't enjoy this movie

[4/10 · 10 May 2013]

The only thing that I really liked about this film was Bette Davis. Her acting was amazing which is not really surprising. She was very good at playing an evil woman. Other than that though I just did not like this movie. The majority of the time I was very bored. In part I think the bored came from the confusion because I had absolutely no idea what was going on. The entire plot of the film was just overly complicated. There was way too much going on between all the characters, and none of them were even likable. I felt no connection to any of the characters. I didn't want to root for any of them and I did not feel bad for any of them. I'm not sure if the acting was to blame or if the writing was to blame but either way I still didn't like it.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

Good Message

[8/10 · 10 May 2013]

I really enjoyed this film. It was the perfect blend of comedy and drama. There were some very funny moments yet some very serious moments and the actors had no problem naturally going from one to the other. Katharine Hepburn was marvelous. Her character really shined in this film. You could tell her character was uncomfortable at first with her daughter's relationship but you could also tell that she loved her daughter and really tried to support her. Spencer Tracy was also wonderful in this film. You could really see his character's internal struggle throughout the film. The entire message in the film about interracial couples was also wonderful especially considering when this film was made. I think everybody really needs to see this film because it so wonderfully shows so many different sides to one story and the good that can come from just opening up your mind and heart and accepting people for who they are and not how they look.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Loved it

[8/10 · 10 May 2013]

I absolutely love musicals yet this was one I always heard about but never took the time to watch. I'm glad I finally saw it because I really enjoyed it. The music in it was amazing, I was humming the songs the entire day after watching. The dancing was phenomenal, obviously, with Gene Kelly being the star. The only complaint that I really had with this movie was the 15 minute dance routine that had absolutely nothing to do with the plot. Visually it was stunning, but it was way too long. Other than that i loved every minute of it. It was extremely funny. I laughed multiple times during every scene. The comedic talent of all of the leads was amazing. I especially loved Jean Hagen's performance as Lina Lamont. She was the perfect villain. You really loved to hate her character. I really enjoyed this movie and cannot wait to watch it again.

The Killing (1956)

Very Enjoyable

[7/10 · 10 May 2013]

Watching this movie after watching The Shining, also directed by Kubrick, I was very surprised. The style of this movie is vastly different from The Shining but in a good way. I really enjoyed this movie because it was so unpredictable and surprising. Although at times I was confused I really loved the way that the story was told out of order. It was much more interesting to see certain bits and pieces and have to kind of put everything together in your mind. I really loved the entire ending. I don't know why but for some reason I was really upset for the main character at the end, even though he was technically the bad guy. I actually wanted his plan to work and as that money flew around the airport I really felt bad for him. I think the reason that I felt that way was because Sterling Hayden's performance was so genuine. You could literally see all hope drain from him in the very last two scenes.

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Very Good

[9/10 · 10 May 2013]

I typically don't like watching old films but this one really blew me away. It was the first Film Noir I'd ever seen and it certainly made me want to see more. The acting was amazing, especially Joan Crawford. The love her character felt for her children really came across as genuine. You were definitely always rooting for Mildred and I think that's because Joan did such an amazing job. The plot of the film was also very gripping. I couldn't believe all the shocking twists and turns that it took.It was very interesting the way the film started out because you thought they showed you the end but it was some clever trickery. I was completely surprised by the ending, I never even saw it coming. The best kinds of films are the ones that keep you guessing and Mildred Pierce definitely kept me guessing. I loved it.

Frankenstein (1931)

It was good but...

[6/10 · 18 March 2013]

Frankenstein is one of the most famous movie monster movies ever and although it was an O.K. movie, it left me wanting more. Perhaps because the movie is so notorious, I was expecting something super scary with many twists and turns but unfortunately it isn't very frightening and the plot is pretty straight forward. Maybe I completely missed the point and there was a much deeper meaning but the story and the characters all felt very shallow. The protagonist in the film, Dr. Henry Frankenstein, is barely even likable. I was actually rooting for the monster to win in the end because I was so unimpressed by Dr. Frankenstein's character. The acting was so-so but Boris Karloff was definitely the stand out. Even though the story could have been better there were certainly many wonderful things about this film. For one, the costume, makeup and set design are absolutely fantastic. The laboratory in the castle is extremely elaborate with many huge metal machines and lots of electric effects. The Monster makeup is great but I think they could have maybe made him a bit scarier. Overall the movie was good but I was definitely expecting something amazing.

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)

Very Intriguing

[8/10 · 18 March 2013]

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang is a fantastic movie with a gripping plot that keeps you guessing. The movie is paced pretty well although some parts seem to drag on with nothing really happening to advance the plot. Though there are some dull moments, the rest of the film is exciting and full of tension. When he escapes the first time it's so sudden and not too far into the movie. The whole time that he was out I was overcome with anxiety just wondering when and how he was going to get caught and how bad his punishment would be. Paul Muni's acting is extremely sincere and raw. He really makes you sympathize with his wrongly accused character. Muni makes you want to root for him so much that you get wrapped up and almost feel like it's you that has escaped from the chain gang. This movie is the perfect gangster/drama film with the perfect ending that leaves you as troubled just as you are for most of the film.

The Circus (1928)

Excellent Silent Film

[8/10 · 18 March 2013]

The Circus was the first silent movie I had ever watched and it certainly exceeded all my expectations. This movie was not only extremely funny but it was also enjoyable. The plot was very understandable and the movie was paced very well with hardly any dull moments. Although it was a silent film it was extremely easy to understand what was going on. Charlie Chaplin's acting was amazing, as was the acting of the rest of the cast. Even though it was a comedy there were some dramatic moments that felt sincere and moving and the actors had no trouble playing it a bit more serious when needed. For being made in 1928 the movie seems extremely advanced. There were some stunts and effects such as the room of mirrors and The Tramp walking the tightrope that were just absolutely amazing. This movie is definitely worth watching.