Singin' in the Rain

And yet another chapter of classical movie education completed. :)

Slept at 2, but it was worth it.

It seems that comedies during that era would be what we consider slapstick now. The vaudevillian style of standup, the pies and the hooked canes. In my opinion, "Singing in the Rain" would have been better off advertised as a musical with a side of comedy, rather than a musical comedy. The comedy didn't quite strike me as rather fascinating, while the musical numbers were quite good!

Gene Kelly is a fantastic tap-dancer though. His routines mesh fantastically well with the tunes, almost as if every note was triggered by his individual steps. Very precise, very smooth.

It seems that every actor in these old films like acting as debonair rich people - Maybe it was easier to pull off? I guess noone wanted to see a scruffy bugger in the 1950s. Then again, that was the age of Sinatra et al, the coat and tie was the norm.

Comparing Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire - From what i see now, Gene Kelly is a better tapdancer, Fred Astaire has more emotion in his varied styles (and more ballroom oriented). Kelly has fantastical cheerful and vibrant movements, while Astaire moves more emotionally and vividly. Or perhaps it's the mileau of the background movie that dictates their styles? Top Hat and Singing in the Rain do have different themes. I guess i'll have to watch more of their movies to tell ( haha i just made myself a reason to find more movies)

One strange thing - I recognised one of the dance sequences from a parody in Family Guy. Sadly, I had to watch the parody before I saw the actual sequence. Shouldn't that be a good reason to enjoy the classics?

Cheek to Cheek

As Time Goes By.

Casablanca

A new friend of mine told me I should watch Casablanca.

And so I did.

And I was blown away.

There's a certain pace and rhythm to the movies of those times, and it is a calming one. Following the ebb and flow of the plot is simple, and pleasantly relaxing. One thing i'm really taken in by is, as i have previously mentioned before, the gravity of the actor's screen presence, and the way they steal the scenes everytime they step on. Humphrey Bogart plays the jaded owner to cynical perfection, while Ingrid Bergman steals the limelight in soft focus black and white. She looks like she's GLOWING.

Well, maybe not this one. But you get the idea.

Black and white cinema is a style unto itself - Lacking colours, it seems that either the actors are forced into being more in focus. Or is it that with a lack of colour, we, as the viewers are more entranced by the actors than the scenes?

And of course, amazing one-liners and quotable quotes.

"Play it, Sam."

"Here's looking at you kid."

"Of all the gin joints of all the towns in the world she has to walk into mine."

And possibly one of my favourite jazzy songs:

"You must remember this. A kiss is still a kiss. A sigh is just a sigh. The fundamental things apply, as time goes by. And when two lovers woo, they still say "I love you". On that you can rely. No matter what the future brings, as time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs, never out of date. Hearts full of passion, jealousy and hate. Woman needs man, and man must have his mate. That, noone can deny.

It's still the same old story, the fight for love and glory, a case of do or die. The world will always welcome lovers, as time goes by."

Pleasant days and pleasant nights. I'm learning a bit more of myself everytime I open my eyes. Life is moving. :)

Glee!

A conversation in a car on a road, moving on.

S: Hey cool car. *cues red convertible to drive past*

X: Yeah, it's a Saab.

S: Then the sporty ones they make for old men are called the hum-Saab right?

*The silence of the lambs*

X: You know, they used to make a lot of those cars. They called it the Saab-Standard.

S: Yah man yah man. Then the replacement for that model is called the Saab-stitute right?

*The sound of people not laughing*

X:  You know the company makes boats too. They're called Saab-marines.

S: Then their trains must be called Saab-Ways.

*The sound of more people not laughing*

X: Did you know they have a range of cars for lawyers?

S: No, do tell.

X: Its called the Saab-poena.

S: *mmmmph* Have you heard about the one that they like to drive out to eat late at night? Its called the Saab-per.

------------------------------

(Note - This part is completely fiction)

X: You know why they're not so popular?

S: Why ar?

X: Because if they did, they would cause a Saab-prime crisis.

*End*

OD'ing on Jap Cinema

Woah. The Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo, Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Dreams. All in the last 2 weeks. I'm really starting to develop a taste for this. It's actually quite good, if anyone wants to try can come get it from me.

Oh and I was right, there is always a mad guy running around in his movies. It's Toshiro Mifune, and he's apparently one of the most well known actors in Japanese cinema in that period.

Seven Samurai

Somehow, I think my expectations of it was too high. It didn't quite elicit the response that i thought it would. Perhaps its due to the fact that its a bloody 3.5 hour long show, and the viewing was disjointed.

But still, it is interesting to see the development of the the panning screen technique (often used in Star Wars, and George Lucas has credited it to the influence of Akira Kurosawa), as well as the social commentary of the time.

In war, the conflict resolution often is said to be biased against the common people. In this take on conflict though, Kurosawa presents another point of view - The village who hired the seven samurai managed to escape relatively unscathed, while of the original seven, we see three in the end credits looking at a mass graveyard, topped with the four katanas of their fallen comrades. While in peace, the villagers live a comfortable, meaningful life. However, during war, they are helpless, and rely on these samurai to provide them with safety and security. And as soon as the need disappears, they go about their tasks, thankless to those who have given their life to the sword, and who in times of peace, as exemplified by the scene of the samurai watching the people at work planting next season's crops, are useless.

Is it a natural contrast in purpose? Where do the warriors go when there is no war? I doubt that it is a new issue. On one hand, we cannot deny the helpfulness of those who defend us, but in times of peace, they can seem all too useless, or unnecessary.

This is taken from a view of a feudal society, where the castes are well defined, and cross caste relationships are unapproved. Once a farmer, always a farmer. Perhaps the discrimination is less apparent in an open world, where there are no strict caste restrictions. But is it still there?

What use have we of a military force when peace is prevalent?

Does the threat of future conflict warrant a maintenence of a defence force?

Well, there is always the Singapore model. But we can see the roots of dissatisfaction kicking in already. Goodness knows how many people I know have many comments about it.

Well, I still prefer Dreams. Perhaps its the episodal format, keeps it sharp and thoughtful. Seven Samurai is a little long in the buildup, but I think it builds rapport for the characters.

And Kurosawa always seems to like having a wild man running around in his movies...... I wonder why.

Dial M for Murder

Had the opportunity to catch the above-mentioned film with the USP people. FYI, it's made in 1950, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Pretty good, the style and pace was a refreshing change from the usual hollywood trash that comes out nowadays.

Something that struck me about the early days of cinema - The movie is driven solely by the well thought out plot and the gravitas of the actors. The scene is simple, with the majority of the movie played out within the same room. Perhaps it is to save on the budget, but the sparseness of the sets emphasize the effective dialogue and convoluted plot lines.

And who can forget the seriously hot actress, Grace Kelly. Or rather, Princess Grace, ex-queen of Monaco. I can't believe I actually found that out from my mom. :p

Next up - more Kurosawa. Done with Rashomon and Dreams, now watching out for Seven Samurai, Derusu Uzara and Yojimbo. Anyone has the Hidden Fortress? Apparently Star Wars was inspired by it... Time to see what all the fuss was about.

Vividly.

I cannot help but think about this. It has been a week since it has passed, but it remains stained in my mind.

It is a dream, yes I know it. One night as I lay sleeping, I dreamt a dream of you and I, walking together. Friendly, yet hesitant. Talking about everything and nothing, the little bits of the days that passes us by.

And suddenly, all of a moment, you turn and hold my hand, hesitantly. And my heart leaps into my mouth, and I am all agog. The pounding of my heart increases, and I look deeply into your eyes. I see a shy laughter, and a twinkling of a star. And then you lean over and give me a peck on the cheek. A shy peck, but it embarasses you so. And we laugh and carry on gaily as if nothing had happened, and everything had happened, all in a flash of vivid life.

We walk on, secure in the knowledge that we have shared something so ephemeral, so sudden, so beautiful. And i wake up with a smile on my face and a spring in my step. For in that one moment of unconscious awareness, I was happy, I was content, I was overjoyed. I had tasted the fruit of love, albeit in Morpheus's realm, and it was good.

Everyday, we go about the same routines. Everyday, we walk past the same sights and sounds. Everyday we may stroll and pass, sometimes glancing, sometimes engaging in meaningless chatter, sometimes searching, in each other, the meaning of this exchange. Everyday, I walk on, hoping against hope that this day, it would be different.

And someday it might. And for that one chance, I hold on.

Got to get you into my life