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Post by idioticbunny on Sept 19, 2017 17:16:52 GMT
I think Simon is a great actor, but I totally understand how someone would hate him, as his acting style is certainly unique and somewhat unconventional and definitely not for everyone. I'm probably also one of the biggest fans of Frank Capra and he is definitely my favorite director of the decade (and just outside my top 10 of all time). I also highly recommend Fury as I consider it Lang's best film.  This is certainly true. I think he was a big reason why Jean Renoir's pre-1936 stuff failed for me. Like, Boudu Saved from Drowning is probably my least favorite film of the decade and it has a lot to do with whatever the hell Michel Simon was doing, but also because Renoir just said "fuck it" to narrative about halfway through after setting up this glorious plot. Happy to hear about Capra! He's probably one of my favorites as well, though behind quite a few others. I just love how humanistic he makes his films feel, despite being very Hollywood at the same time. It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite of his work, though, and is also my favorite Jimmy Stewart performance (though I've yet to see Harvey still). Lang has definitely been hit and miss for me. I think he's a brilliant director, but all of his collaborations with his ex-wife Thea von Harbou made a lot of his silent stuff almost unwatchable because of how much unnecessary dialogue there was to explain every single plot thread. Since it's the first (or second?) film without her, I'd be surprised if I didn't agree. Plus I love Spencer Tracy and wish I could see more of him. Can't wait to come back around to it. |
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no
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Post by no on Sept 19, 2017 20:09:57 GMT
no Funny you consider L'Atalante a short, though, as it was about 90 minutes long wasn't it?  Oops... Thanks for the catch. Fixed. |
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Post by themoviesinner on Sept 20, 2017 6:48:51 GMT
This is certainly true. I think he was a big reason why Jean Renoir's pre-1936 stuff failed for me. Like, Boudu Saved from Drowning is probably my least favorite film of the decade and it has a lot to do with whatever the hell Michel Simon was doing, but also because Renoir just said "fuck it" to narrative about halfway through after setting up this glorious plot. Happy to hear about Capra! He's probably one of my favorites as well, though behind quite a few others. I just love how humanistic he makes his films feel, despite being very Hollywood at the same time. It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite of his work, though, and is also my favorite Jimmy Stewart performance (though I've yet to see Harvey still). Lang has definitely been hit and miss for me. I think he's a brilliant director, but all of his collaborations with his ex-wife Thea von Harbou made a lot of his silent stuff almost unwatchable because of how much unnecessary dialogue there was to explain every single plot thread. Since it's the first (or second?) film without her, I'd be surprised if I didn't agree. Plus I love Spencer Tracy and wish I could see more of him. Can't wait to come back around to it. Your favorite film from Capra is probably one of my least favorite I've seen from him. It's still a very good film, with a fantastic performance from James Stewart, but I prefer many of his other works over it. My favorite film from him is Arsenic And Old Lace, which is among the funniest films I have ever seen. I'm also not very fond of Lang's silent films (not even Metropolis), but from the 30's and onwards I think he has made several fantastic films. Especially his film noirs are some of the best of the genre. |
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demille
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Post by demille on Sept 20, 2017 14:55:15 GMT
demille Thanks again for the lengthy lists. Always appreciated to help me seek out new things and compare to see what others love. Makes me very happy to see another fan of Story of a Cheat and A Nous la Liberte. Super underrated films that are probably more game-changing than anything else from the decade (save Chaplin's and Mamoulian's work). Was super disappointed in The Scarlet Empress. Especially as Josef von Sternberg was one of my favorite directors of the last decade, I was really disappointed with his output for this decade (save The Blue Angel which was good, but not great). Also pretty disappointed in the Garbo films as well. As I mentioned in another comment, royalty dramas aren't my thing most of the time. And Camille and Anna Karenina were just too dull and repetitive (especially the former) for my taste. Still decent movies, it's not as though they were bad (same goes for her performances in each), but just not my cup of tea. Otherwise, a great list and some performances/films there I will certainly seek out next time around. Especially if there's a Herbert Marshall performance that's lauded! is such a great film, I also like The Pearls of the Crown which you included in your list. Sacha Guitry style reminds me of Jacques Tati - not sure if you have seen his films. I am a Garbo fan and I really like her film from the 30s, in particular, Queen Christina, Anna Karenina and The Painted Veil. The thing with these films - and this goes for the Josef von Sternberg films with Dietrich too, to some extent - is that they are being informed by a European artistic tradition. They are less focused on plot in telling a story and more on the structure of the film and aesthetic construction - and, in particular, in the construction of an iconic image. Garbo's films of this period were a lot more successful in the European market than the American - I think this has a lot to do with American audiences of the 30s preferring plot focused films. Herbert Marshall great isn't he! I think he is really impressive in The Painted Veil, but also Trouble in Paradise and Blonde Venus. |
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Post by idioticbunny on Sept 20, 2017 18:51:56 GMT
Your favorite film from Capra is probably one of my least favorite I've seen from him. It's still a very good film, with a fantastic performance from James Stewart, but I prefer many of his other works over it. My favorite film from him is Arsenic And Old Lace, which is among the funniest films I have ever seen. I'm also not very fond of Lang's silent films (not even Metropolis), but from the 30's and onwards I think he has made several fantastic films. Especially his film noirs are some of the best of the genre. Shame you're not that big a fan of it. I actually had no idea it was Capra who directed Arsenic and Old Lace, but I've been dying to see it. I love Grant and I remember seeing a version of the play in high school and thought it was fantastic, so I have a feeling I'll really love it. To be honest, the only Lang I truly loved from the silent era was Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler. It's super long, but it actually feels like it has a nice blend of dialogue and action for once compared to the rest of his films with von Harbou. Plus it has my favorite acting ensemble of the era. Definitely need to get around to more of Lang's post-silent era stuff. It's just hard to track them down, but I hope to see more during this next decade. |
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Post by idioticbunny on Sept 20, 2017 19:06:40 GMT
Story of a Cheat is such a great film, I also like The Pearls of the Crown which you included in your list. Sacha Guitry style reminds me of Jacques Tati - not sure if you have seen his films. I am a Garbo fan and I really like her film from the 30s, in particular, Queen Christina, Anna Karenina and The Painted Veil. The thing with these films - and this goes for the Josef von Sternberg films with Dietrich too, to some extent - is that they are being informed by a European artistic tradition. They are less focused on plot in telling a story and more on the structure of the film and aesthetic construction - and, in particular, in the construction of an iconic image. Garbo's films of this period were a lot more successful in the European market than the American - I think this has a lot to do with American audiences of the 30s preferring plot focused films. Herbert Marshall great isn't he! I think he is really impressive in The Painted Veil, but also Trouble in Paradise and Blonde Venus. Glad you're a fan of Guitry! He truly needs to be talked about more. I can't imagine surviving the decade without his work, it would have fairly dull. I haven't seen Jacques Tati (though The Illusionist, which is based on an unused script of his, is one of my favorite animated films), but I have feeling I'd love his work. Especially if he follows in the footsteps of Guitry. I can certainly see that with Garbo and Dietrich's films. I can understand why they were such huge stars, but their performances rarely wowed me. I just felt like they too often didn't challenge themselves, but if Angel and Ninotchka were any indications, they do certainly have the talent when given the right material. Perhaps checking out more of their less-acclaimed work in the future will help me to see that talent even more. I actually didn't realize Marshall was in Blonde Venus as well, which was another I sadly skipped over this decade because all the spots were filled. But he truly is a fantastic actor. Had such suaveness and wit to play the coolest characters (i.e. Trouble in Paradise), but the vulnerability to play damaged ones (i.e. The Good Fairy). Underrated actor. Seems Cary Grant followed in his footsteps and then garnered all the fame (though Grant is an all-time favorite actor for me, so I can't complain). |
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