*MOVIE INSERT*

HUGO a filme by Martin Scorsese 

If by any chanceyou are watching the films I’ve been watching for my film studies ‘class’ in the same order and succession as I have done so, I highly recommend you do the same movie insert that Rina did for the ‘class.’

Rina wanted to show how these silent films influenced some modern day films. One of them, as you may have already guessed, is Martin Scorsese’s HUGO.

The only thing I will reveal or comment about this film is that the colors are to die for. The treatment was just delicious!

For the rest I shall leave it up to you :)

II. Silent Avant Garde films

3. Le Voyage dans la Lune a film by Georges Melies

(Le Voyage dans la Lune | A Trip to the Moon)

I was quite amazed by this film and its astounding effects that were really ahead of its time, the time being 1902. It was such an ambitious film in a sense that it was very well produced. The set, the costumes and the effects were very detailed and well crafted!

It may be an interesting fact to know that Milies and his wife acted in this film :)

I highly do recommend this film! Especially if you want to see and learn the growth of film. If you’re a fan of effects and snazzy camera tricks then this film is for you! The Grand daddy of it all! 

II. Silent Avant Garde films

2. Le Retour a la Raison a film by Man Ray

(Le Retour a la Raison | Return to Reason) 

So Le Retour a la Raison is a film that dates back to 1923. It consists of abstract elements that makes use of animation, photograms and a little misplaced realism, like the breasts you see above.

I would definitely describe this short film as I would an abstract work of art. It was erratic and open. Free of one emotion and a play of ones own imagination.

I liked it actually. A lot. It was well made and just open for opinion and representation. 

Strangely enough this made more sense to me than Dali’s Un Chien Andalou. I’m not entirely sure why but maybe because it was abstract enough for me to put my own interpretation into it without being hindered by specific images and symbolisms like that of Un Chien Andalou. 

But then again, I may be over thinking things. It is abstract, it is surreal, it is dreamlike.  It’s not supposed to make sense.

I do recommend watching this (as I always seem to do). Be wary though, it is abstract so it may not make sense to some.

Just be open and just go with it :D

Stare into the nipples half drowned in shadow, half drowned in light and dream~

II. Silent Avant Garde films

     1. Un Chien Andalou a film by Luis Buniel and Salvador Dali 

(Un Chien Andalou | An andalusian dog)

When is comes to the strange and the surreal, none can do it better and stranger than Salvador Dali. 

It is definitely strange, I’ll give you that. VERY.

But it was so amusing to watch! It’s so interesting to realize that this came out in 1929 and was popular enough to last 8 months! The ideas and the concepts are so bizarre and strange even today that I can’t imagine what people thought of it back then!

I’m very pleased to have finally watched a film of Dali’s! I’ve seen his art, I’ve seen his photographs, and most especially, I’ve seen his insanity!

But this was such an unnerving pleasure to see :)

I suggest you go and see it! Anyway it won’t take 30 minutes of your time! 

I just warn you. It is Dali. It will be strange.

I. SILENT FILMS

     2. City Lights starring Charlie Chaplin

So City Lights is a romantic comedy written, directed and starred by the Charlie Chaplin back in 1931. Rina said that it won best film after the talkies (films with voices, not silent films :P) started popping out in the industry. 

I was pretty excited to see the film not only because it won best picture, but, one, because the first silent film we watched was really good (The General) and two, because I’ve never seen a Charlie Chaplin film. Charlie Chaplin is a comedic icon. One proof of that is one could still see his face around today, whether it be in merchandise or possibly films that try to copy his iconic look and comedic style.

As much as I wanted it to, I can’t exactly say the film lived up to my excitement. The plot line was simple but there were details in the film that seemed quite off and forced. Slapstick maybe? Plus I didn’t really see the connection with the title and the movie itself. 

To give it it’s two cents worth, it did deliver a couple of laughs here and there, but there were more awkward moments of waiting than that.

I guess one must keep in mind the time in which this film went out, OR maybe I just don’t quite fancy Charlie Chaplin’s style :P So I either blame it on time or taste (probably the latter).

I found Dusty Keaton’s The General SOO much more enticing and funny. 

BUT

I do recommend people to watch it, especially those who haven’t watched the Charlie Chaplin in his natural habitat: in front of the camera with a patch under his nose and a top hat on his head.

(Oh and just to add, my sister and I were so amused on how Charlie Chaplin looked. I mean today you see many copies and imitations of his look so you begin to think that that is how he looked liked. It was surprising to see that he looked rather different than what I thought him to be :P His face was narrower and more, hmmm, less comedic? normal? haha I don’t know how to put it really :P Well that’s it haha)

So yeah, watch it and conjure up your own opinion about the film :)

I. SILENT FILMS

     1. The General starring Buster Keaton

The General is a brilliant comedy! It displays film as a craft not only due to the period that this film was shot, or the perfectly executed stunts and pitch perfect comedic timing, it is due, I think, to Dusty ‘Stone Face’ Keaton himself. His commitment to a role is astounding! I mean doing his stunts alone is a feat to behold! And all this he does with humor! Oh the brilliance of him!

Another thing I am truly amazed of is the whole circus of the film itself! The plot, the humor, the athleticism, the romance, the action and so many more dizzying feats for a film that was debuted in 1926! 

Sadly it didn’t do so well in its time :( It took a few years for it to be recognized as the gem that it is.

I won’t brief you with the story as I was not briefed before hand. I think if one were interested to watch it, spoiling him/her would be only detrimental to the comedic roller coaster ride that is The General.

Watch it! You won’t regret seeing comedy at its purest and most silent.

And yes, all pun is intended :)