Tips for Watching Silent FIlms

When someone mentions Silent Films to a typical modern crowd, their reactions usually consist of eye-rolling and shudders as they think about the 'goofy acting and cheap sets.'

As for me, I enjoy silent films. I consider them the foundation of films of today: without them, we wouldn't have the films we have today. I'll admit that silent films are a acquired taste. But like most relationships, audiences need to see past the imperfections of silent films in order to find the beauty underneath.

So for those who're interested in watching silent films, I have a few tips to make their silent film experience better

1. Remember that these films were made in a different time with different equipment and expectations: They didn't have computers or sound mixing to make stories come to life: they had to rely on their actors and whatever set they could build.
2. Remember that silent films originated the genres and cliches you see today: It can be fun to watch a silent film and discover "Oh, that's where the twist ending came from," or "So this is where the sci-fi genre came from."
3. Make sure that the film you're watching has appropriate music: Since Silent Films had 'mood music' played at movie theaters, Silent Films don't have their own unique soundtrack. So often, cheap DVDs will place any music with the film - and often times, the music has nothing to do with the action of the scene. So invest in a film with a score specifically written for the movie.

Here are some silent films I recommend for beginners:

• The General with Buster Keaton
• The Phantom of the Opera with Lon Chaney
• The Patsy with Marion Davies
• The Wind with Lillian Gish

5 (Unjustly) Underrated Films

As I mentioned in my review of Freaks, I love watching underrated films. It feels like I'm giving recognition to someone's hard work that mainstream audiences have ignored or forgotten. It's also fun showing these films to friends and to see their reactions to these films.

So I've decided to write a list of films that I think are unjustly underrated. Since I'll want to write more in-depth articles about most of these films, these reviews will be brief. I'll also be uploading a Picasa file so that you can see the posters and stills from the films I mention.

With that said, let's get started:


1. The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

It's a shame that this film is often overlooked because it was the critical and commercial success of this film that set the stage for the 'Disney Renaissance.' The Great Mouse Detective is essentially "Sherlock Holmes" with mice instead of humans. But what makes this film stand out are the hero and the villain. Both Basil and Ratigan are egocentric geniuses who are equally matched intellectually. Throughout the film, they have go back-and-forth in their battle to one-up each other, having the time of their lives. The animation and atmosphere are also good and while the story doesn't offer many surprises, it's still offers a great viewing experience.

2. Shadowlands (1993)

This film covers C.S. Lewis relationship with Joy Gresham, which goes from a platonic friendship to a strong feeling of love and devotion that faces Joy's terminal illness and death. What I love about this film is the relationship between Jack (Lewis' nickname) and Joy. This isn't a Hollywood 'Happily Ever After' romance. This is a bittersweet love that confronts questions like, "why love if losing hurts so much?" Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger give wonderful performances and the rest of the cast are great as well.  I'll admit, this is one of the only films to make me teary-eyed. And in my book, a film isn't worth recommending unless it leaves me emotional.

3. Strangers on a Train (1951)

One of the first Alfred Hitchcock films I ever saw, I'm amazed that this film doesn't have the recognition that Hitchcock's other films have; i.e. Psycho and North by Northwest. The film's premise is very unique. While the other actors do a good job, it's Robert Walker who steals the show as the antagonist Bruno - a mentally unstable man who feels so degraded by his father that he's willing to kill a complete stranger in order to ensure his father's death. Walker portrays him as both a sympathetic victim and creep.The build-up to the climax is great, I remember watching this film for the first time being so engrossed in. Indeed, I don't think I've ever seen a more intense tennis game ever since! So if you're looking for a film with an interesting premise with fascinating characters, this film's for you. 

4. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

This is another Disney film that flies under the radar. But while The Great Mouse Detective has a growing fan base, The Rescuers Down Under is still unknown to the general public. Admittedly, the story isn't anything too spectacular - mice heading to Australia to save a boy. But what makes this film stand out is the animation. The animation has such an epic feel to it that it's hard not to get swept up by the scenery. Cody and the eagle's flying scene alone sends chills down my spine. So in my opinion, this is the best Disney sequel and deserves to be recognized with the other films that were released during the Disney Renaissance.

5. Beauty and the Beast (1976)

OK, I know I'm cheating here because this is actually a Hallmark TV movie. But it's still a full length motion picture, so it counts in my book. The film is basically a basic adaptation of the classic fairy tale. But what makes this adaptation special are the lead actors. George C. Scott and Trish Van Deare give excellent performances. Scott's portrays him as someone who's on the edge between him human and his animal self. And Van Deare portrays Belle as a strong-willed woman who's not afraid to stand up the Beast. I'm sure that there wasn't a whole lot of money put into this film, but the sets and costumes look great. Unfortunately, the DVD is extremely hard to find, but in my mind, it's well worth the search.


So that's it for this review. Please check these films out, it well worth finding and watching these hidden treasures. 

The Importance of Moving Pictures: Theories on Why People Love Movies.

 For as long as I can remember, I've had a huge love for films. In my early years, I would memorize scenes from movies and reenact them out with my toys. As a fifth grader, I  knew who Shirley Temple was and convinced my teacher that candy needed to be passed out to celebrate her birthday. As I got older, I've discovered that not only is it fun to watch a movie, but it's fun to study and critique it.
 
So why am I rambling about my love for films? It's because to me, movies are more than a pastime - it's a passion. And I'm not the only one with a passion for films. According to a chart from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) shows that in the last year, 67% of the U.S. and Canadian population were considered moviegoers and movie theaters sold 1.3 billion tickets in 2011.

And this chart doesn't even begin scratching the surface of International Cinema, DVD ownership and the countless film blogs. The point is, millions of people around the world share an interest in. So what is it about films that? I have three theories:

1. Escapism. This is probably the most typical reason people watch films. But there's no denying that films - even bad ones - have the power to make people forget about their everyday life.
2. People love to analyze. While people don't want to admit it, we critique everything - from church services to brands of dish soap. People truly enjoy looking at why they like or don't like in a film and see what others have to say about that film. That's why so many film review blogs exist.
3. Films are a 'snapshot' of life. Films are way for filmmakers to create human experiences - even if the plot is far-fetched (i.e. Back to the Future). Audiences ask themselves when they see characters in various scenarios questions like, "How would I react in that situation? What do I like about this character? How are the characters handling the situation?"

In the end, it doesn't matter whether one thinks films are entertaining or time-wasting. What matters is that films do effect people; from budding filmmakers to stay-at-home moms to a small-town autistic Minnesotan. 

(Please feel free to leave a comment below. I'm curious to know what impact have movies had on your life?)