Get ready for a glorious feeling of song and dance as musicals go Technicolor

Contrary to the title, Singin’ In the Rain is hardly a film that should be watched during a storm, curled up with a blanket and cup of hot chocolate. As comfy as that sounds, this movie musical will have you up tapping your toes to the festive beats. Set in 1927, Singin’ In the Rain follows Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), one side of Hollywood’s power couple of the silent films.  His seemingly better half and co-star, Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), and best friend Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) join Don through the transition from silent films to talkies; a time the film parodies with mass chaos and jumbled mix-ups.  Enter Don’s real-life love, aspiring Broadway actress, Kathy Seldon (Debbie Reynolds) and trouble begins to brew with nasally voiced, conniving Lamont.

Singin’ In the Rain was one film from the long stream of movie musicals from MGM Productions; specifically the Freed Unit. The Freed Unit was a powerhouse in the making of musicals for film, led by Arthur Freed, who not only produced the shows but also wrote compositions as well. This legendary unit consisted of classics such as Vincente Minnelli, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. A few examples from the multiple musicals produced include The Wizard of Oz, Easter Parade and An American in Paris.

While the obvious explanation for what makes a musical different than any other type of movie is the song and dance element, I encourage viewers to not to just see Singin’ In the Rain as any typical musical.  The production of each song and synchronized choreography is full of life.  Magnificent colors represent the film so vividly it is not only entertaining to dance along to, it is a marvel to see. From the stark contrast of yellow slickers against the shimmering rainy streets to the glittering costumes of the era, even viewers not keen on musicals will be immediately drawn in.

However, Singin’ In the Rain is not only spectacle. The precision of each dance step is a wonder. The way Don and Cosmo’s feet match up perfectly together like there is only one dancer on camera is every dancer’s dream. This type of precision helps tremendously with pulling off the slapstick humor throughout the film. Cosmo, the jest of the film, shows just how much precise dancing helps create the humorous situations in the clip below:

Even if you are not a musical fan, I strongly encourage you to give this movie a chance. Filled with situational irony, romance and laughter, this parody of the transitional years from silent films to talking pictures is sure to give you a glorious feeling. We all know with the identical breakout choreography, musicals are not always the most realistic. But take a break from reality to enjoy a film with the intention of making you smile in the golden age of cinema.

As modern day movie viewers do you believe the movie musical has changed?  If so, is it a good thing, or has current movie musicals strayed from their true purpose of entertainment? If you liked Singin’ In the Rain or are interested in more information on the Freed Unit and the other movie musicals created check out Musicals Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM; a documentary on the making of Freed’s musicals.

Coppola, “Godfather” makes you an offer you can’t refuse

 

You’ve probably heard the phrase “sleepin’ with the fishes” or heard about a horse head ending up in someone’s bed. It’s also almost impossible not to have rolled around in a chair, stroking a cat, while playing the villain in childhood games. For all of these things, we have AFI’s No. 1 gangster film, The Godfather, to thank. Set in the 1940s New York, the film follows the organized crime Corleone family, with patriarch Don Vito, played by Marlon Brando, in the role of Godfather. While filled with the beautiful Italian music composed by Nino Rota, The Godfather also contains hot heads, harsh threats and gruesome violence. As a warning, this film is not for the faint of heart.

Filmed in 1972, The Godfather is not the first gangster film of its time. Movies portraying organized crime began to really grow around the ‘30s, the era of Prohibition and the emergence of big time gangsters like Al Capone. Most films made during this time would be based off the daily newspaper’s headlines. Premiering in 1932, Scarface: The Shame of a Nation, shocked audiences with its ruthless violence and gruesome tactics of the leading men. This film was the first land-marking Italian-American gangster film. However, after the audience reaction to Scarface, production studios created the Hays Production Code. This was a censorship code for studios to de-glorify the crime and show viewers that gangsters were psychotic criminals, not the “tragic hero” films portrayed them as. To dodge the code, films shifted to seeing FBI agents, police officers and typical good guys trying to stop the gangs, usually resulting in same ruthless violence.

The Godfather came out in 1972, and the original gangster crime flick was back to where it began. A film with an overall emotional tone, this movie does more than just show organized crime and action; it shows a strong sense of family. I believe the overarching theme is to do anything you can for family; the film features strong moments like hot head Sonny Corleone protecting his sister’s well-being to simple moments of Vito patiently waiting for son Michael to take a family photo. While a central plot of The Godfather is the evolution of the character Michael, played by Al Pacino, Michael’s motivation in the film all stems from his family- first attitude.

 

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather won three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Brando) and Best Writing of a Screenplay based on material of another medium. The musical score was nominated until the Academy discovered Rota used some of the music in a previous Italian film, Fortunella. The nomination was withdrawn.

How do you feel about gangster films like The Godfather? Do you think that films such as these glorify crime, or do you think it is purely for entertainment purposes? Share your thoughts in the comments!

When romance meets comedy, I’ll have what she’s having

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, there is no better week than this to present the best classic romantic comedy. While the winner isn’t exactly deemed an “older” film, this movie had all the aspects of a champion. When Harry Met Sally only made the No. 6 slot on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Laughs list; however, I believe this romantic comedy is the most enjoyable for both men and women.

This 1989 classic broke the icky unrealistic-love stereotype romantic comedies are almost always doomed with. The plot revolves around Harry Burns and Sally Albright, a mismatched pair who end up driving from Chicago to New York together after college graduation. Throughout a span of 12 years Harry and Sally try to answer the age-old question: Can men and women really be friends?

Filled with witty dialogue written by the late Nora Ephron, Harry and Sally partake in the ultimate battle of the sexes. What works so well in this movie is the fact neither the male or the female is favored in the fight. While written by Ephron, the movie is directed by Rob Reiner. By having a female writer and male director, gender balances each other out. There is no moment where it is clear the female is right or vice versa. This creates a movie relatable for both men and women, the perfect Valentine’s Day date night.

Another great aspect of the film is the precise characterization of not only the leads, but the supporting cast as well. In typical film cliché fashion, the lead character’s best friend is goofy and eccentric, providing mainly the comedy in the genre romantic comedy. However, in When Harry Met Sally, comedian Billy Crystal plays the leading man, delivering a load of laughs with Harry’s pessimistic charm.  Meg Ryan, queen of romantic comedies, doesn’t back down to Crystal as Sally, uptight “thinks she’s low maintenance but really is high maintenance” working woman. The added quirkiness to this film is that the best friends are also just as humorous. As shown in the clip below, Sally and Harry’s friends Marie and Jess shine right next to Crystal and Ryan.

I highly recommend this movie, if not for Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, then with a group of friends, or alone with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Finally a romantic comedy with the perspective of both genders, this film is not one to miss. I dare you to watch it and try not to quote it in everyday situations afterword.

What do you think? Is When Harry Met Sally the greatest romantic comedy of all time? Can men and women be friends? What are some of your Valentine’s Day favorites?

Prepare for a fright and a bump in the night as horror movies become truly psychotic

One of the more controversial genres of film, horror movies seem to be around for one purpose: to bring our deepest darkest nightmares into the light of reality. The worst feeling after viewing a horror movie is the shock of thinking it could happen to you. The best horror movies are the ones that make us check behind our shoulder in a dark parking lot or peek out our window when things are getting just a little too quiet. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho creates such a reaction out of us. This 1960s horror flick filled with suspense and conspiracy tops AFI’s scariest films of all time.

Beginning on a typical Friday afternoon, Psycho follows Marion Crane, a Phoenix secretary filled with anxiety over the stolen $40,000 lying in the purse next to her, as she travels to California. Along the way she checks into an isolated Bates Motel, run by a strange young man and his controlling mother.

The way the audience can relate to themes and aspects present in Psycho helped this film reach the No. 1 spot. Before the 1960s, horror films rarely or never touched on real-life situations such as murder, conspiracy or human behavior. Instead, horror films consisted of werewolves, Frankenstein, Dracula and other creepy-crawly monsters. By the ‘50s, horror films adapted to the growing interest in “outsiders,” specifically aliens. Films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers became popular thrills.

But with Psycho, filmmakers took inspiration from both real-life occurrences, such as the serial killer Ed Gein, and modern-day issues. Audiences respond better to scare when they connect with the situation. Having common characters in common locations causes the audience to picture themselves in the movie. For instance, the iconic shower scene takes a regular everyday task and causes movie viewers to think twice about what’s behind the shower curtain.

My view on the film is similar to those of many past critics. Even watching it today, with the black-and-white cinematography and quick camera shot changes, Psycho presents a suspenseful edge-of-your seat thriller with a twist ending for all to enjoy. I appreciate a film that gives me the chance for an “A-ha!” moment, and Psycho’s startling ending did just that. Using themes such as dominance over others, trust and conspiracy, Hitchcock guides the audience through twists and turns, and it does indeed get bumpy. Through a notable score of screeching music chords played on various string instruments, viewers will literally jump in their seats at the surprises that await them at the Bates Motel.

While not currently available on Netflix, Psycho can be rented from your local library. If you haven’t seen it, give this dark thriller a chance. If you have, I’d love to know your thoughts on the film. And for anyone dying for a more inside look at the Bates, check out the TV series Bates Motel. The second season premieres March 3 while the first season is now available to stream on Netflix.