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Thread: I purchased this for my office about a month ago, and have since then been making my way through the films I haven't seen yet on the list. As I watch them, I'm going to update this thread with short reviews and my rating of the film. #IMDbTop100 https://smile.amazon.com/Official-IMDb-100-Movies-Professional/dp/B08PJM51F8
I'll try to avoid any spoilers, but when I can't, I'll label the tweet accordingly. If you've seen the films, I'd love to hear your thoughts on them!
We'll start with last night's viewing: Parasite. I've been wanting to watch this since it came out, and am so glad I finally did. Phenomenal story telling with unexpected twists and turns, and complex characters that you both love and hate. 8/10 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6751668/
Next up, American History X. Hard to watch, but a powerful film. Excellent performance by Norton. Some all too familiar themes make this film is as relevant as ever, and remind us that hate of the "other" and "outsider" is nothing new in America. 8/10 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120586
Tonight’s flick: Modern Times. This was Chaplin’s last (mostly) silent film, and it’s a delight. His physical comedy is brilliant, and the social commentary on class and power, while cloaked in satire, is earnest and erudite. 8/10 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027977/
Brief explanation of how I choose a score: For me, a good movie starts at about 6/10. That’s the “I like it” number. After that points are +/- based on things like performance, cinematography, plot, etc.
10-star ranks are rare for me, even for movies I consider favorites.
10-star ranks are rare for me, even for movies I consider favorites.
Staying with Chaplin, tonight was City Lights. What a charming film. I mentioned with physical comedy with Modern Times, but what struck me in this film was the choreography. Some of the movements were so subtle, it was like watching slight of hand. 9/10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021749/
I’ve enjoyed these last few Chaplin films so much that I decided to start this biography, and it’s fascinating. I knew he was an actor, director and innovator, but I had no idea he had such a difficult start in life. What a Legend. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20587906
Number 46 on the #IMDbTop100, this film was a tear jerker. Beautifully animated and heartfelt, this told a war story too often overlooked - that of the civilians trying to survive at home. Well worth the watch. 7/10 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/
Here’s a fun Chaplin fact I assume most people don’t realize (I certainly didn’t). While the lyrics were not written until 1954 (the year Nat King Cole recorded the song) by Turner and Parsons, the music for Smile was written by Charlie Chaplin in 1936 for his film Modern Times.
It was one of the most delightful moments for me while watching the film. I heard the melody and thought, “wait, I know that tune. But this was filmed in the 30s - didn’t this song come out in the 50s?” Those truths turned out to not be mutually exclusive.
Another from the #IMDbTop100: The Intouchables. Funny and feel-good, with great performances. Leaned a bit on stereotypes at times, but overall I enjoyed this one. 7/10 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1675434/
Tonight's film, Sunset Blvd. (1950). This one was a surprise, as I found it to be a bit of a let down. Powerful characters and some great performances, but the story never quite got off the ground for me. Good? Yes. Top 100? No. I give it 6/10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043014
