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Film & TV

Film & TV
MadamClutter's avatar

Oh I love a good black and white film! I grew up with older parents and grandparents and was

lucky to be exposed to these older movies. Some of the best adaptations of popular stories, in my opinion, are the black and white versions. Especially when it comes to the spooky genre. I find what lurks in the shadows and the atmospheric noises to be more haunting than many contemporary horror films. That black and white aesthetic just adds to the mystery and suspense. House on a Haunted Hill comes to my mind as an example. My favorite though? That would be Jane Eyre with Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine from 1943. It's the perfect look for a gothic literary classic. I can't leave out Pride and Prejudice- 1940, Sir Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson.. It's still my favorite rendition if that classic novel. And, to bridge to the full comedic genre- Laurel and Hardy movies! They're hilarious! I'm not very good at "pick just one" as you can see. I think the moral of the story here is, take the time to watch black and white movies because they are amazing and they bring an element that you don't find in technicolor!

Alex Sinclair's avatar

My grandmother introduced me to Laurel and Hardy by taking me to a cinema where they had a piano player at the front playing the accompaniment live throughout. It was very special!

MadamClutter's avatar

Oh that is so cool! What a great memory to have as well!

Stella's avatar

I am Cuba (Soy Cuba)

This film definitely springs to mind first. The camera work has aged very well and it's easy to forget that this film was made in the early 60s during the Cuban Missile crisis!

The stories within this film are incredibly poignant and the narrator's monologues (who is meant to represent 'Cuba') have some very interesting messages within them.

I came across this film in my endeavour to watch a film from every country (slowly working my way through haha) and it is third on my list so far! (Followed by Wild tales from Argentina and then City of God from Brazil).

Alex Sinclair's avatar

That's a fantastic project! How many countries have you covered so far? City of God is an excellent movie.

Stella's avatar

I have covered 14 countries! On letterboxd I have a list with my rankings and reviews! https://boxd.it/kiBXG

I have covered 14 countries :) still a long way to go hahahah

I made a letterboxd list where I add films with rankings and reviews!

Alex Sinclair's avatar

When it's a fun project, it's best to be at the beginning rather than the end though, right? I really love this; please keep us updated on your progress! If you're ever short for ideas for different countries, I suspect you'd get a flood of them if you posted about this in the Film & TV feed. As for my two cents, a few that spring to mind are:

Iran: A Separation South Korea: Parasite Mexico: Roma

Stella's avatar

I've been meaning to watch A seperation and Roma for a super long time! I'll add them to my list :) As for Parasite... one of the best films I've ever seen!

Posting about it is also a good idea - i'll definitely be doing that later today :)

AlexGra 's avatar

The B&W film that love more is:

"It's a Wonderful Life."

Its heartwarming story about the impact one person can have on the lives of others and the importance of gratitude and perspective is universally relatable. Also People have really connected with the hopeful and redemptive message of the film throughout the years.

L

Some like it Hot

The comedy still stands up today. The jokes are hilarious the whole way through. Its a compelling story.

The gender swapping jokes probably would have offended various people over the years but it was impressive to see those kinds of jokes being made without bigotry or hatefulness for a movie of its age.

Sturmer's avatar

Ni vu, ni connu (1958) This one is my favorite!

  • Lead Performance by my favorite French actor Louis de Funès (and he is so young there!)

  • French countryside, the film features beautiful landscapes and a small-town charm that adds a visual appeal and a relaxed atmosphere.

  • Beneath the surface comedy, there's a layer of critique about the pettiness of local authorities and the class distinctions.

  • Despite being released in the 1950s, the humor in Ni vu, ni connu has a timeless quality. The themes of individuality, rebellion against authority, and the clever underdog outwitting his opponents resonate with me even in 2024.

Makster's avatar

12 Angry Men (1957) Despite the title, it isn't 12 men shouting at each other for 90 minutes. Nor is it a comedy about the little irritations of life that would make men in the 1940's blow a casket. It's actually a more cerebral and quieter film about a jury of 12 men from all walks of life debating on whether to sentence a young foreign boy for a crime. All but one juror had decided to vote guilty but one man (Juror 8). It's fascinating deep give into the human psyche, how they all grew up, their experiences as to why they voted guilty and it's only Juror 8 that wanted to re-examine the evidence and slowly he begins to convince all the other jurors.

It reminds me a lot of Phoenix Wright. Against all odds and armed with only critical thinking you can poke holes in the arguments and explore the alternatives to not only create doubt but also slowly reveal the truth.

It's a formative film that I watched in a general studies lesson at High School that made me think critically about everything before weighing up the evidence.

Alex Sinclair's avatar

I've heard people talking about 12 Angry Men, but I had no idea that this was the plot. It sounds excellent. Thank you very much for the explanation and recommendation!

Limal's avatar

Some like it hot

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0053291/

It a comedy i remember from my childhood. There are many funny moments, good music and great acting.

Sturmer's avatar

I cant believe it is so old! What's your favorite moment?

Limal's avatar

the moment they desided to disguise as women

EveOnlineTutorials's avatar

So I've waited to reply to this because my mum and dad used to watch black and white movies and such, and I will say for me:

Charles Chaplin better known as Charlie Chapman, was a very funny man and also a director, he, essentially kicked off what was called the "silent film" era. If you have ever seen his work, it was hilarious, he played a character called "The Tramp" and it was just one silly thing after another.

"Chaplin's later film The Great Dictator (1940), which was his first "talkie", also created a stir. In the film, Chaplin plays a humorous caricature of Adolf Hitler. Some thought the film was poorly done and in bad taste. However, the film grossed over $5 million and earned five Academy Award Nominations."

Why does it resonate? He like me pursued his career and interests with very little regard for what people think, I do the exact same thing when I'm working on YouTube or building my own personal client list IRL.

I relate to him a lot because despite the scandal and so on, he just kept ploughing ahead and I know a little something about that.

Sturmer's avatar

The reason (one of) why I love JA - every day I learn something new, awesome post m8!

Alex Sinclair's avatar

Great choice. It's going to get a shoutout in our upcoming 'best movie monologues' article, thanks to this marvel of a speech:

https://justabout.com/film-tv/share-your-favourite-movie-monologue-for-dollar4#post-14453

FrostySomething's avatar

Oh my, definitely It’s A Wonderful Life! I absolutely love that film, definitely one of my favourite Christmas time films.

I think it works so well is because George very relatable. A nice guy trying to do his best but feels like he’s succeeding at nothing, eventually contemplating the value of his own existence.

It’s a great eye-opener to all the little ways we postively influence people’s lives every single day. In a way, it’s a very mindful film.

https://youtu.be/iLR3gZrU2Xo?si=EVxwACPcH7whTIrN

Alex Sinclair's avatar

I really love this film and had it in mind while I was writing the bounty. I only watched it for the first time a few years ago, but I've watched it every Christmas since. It's truly a timeless classic.

MURRRAAAAY's avatar

One classic black and white film that sticks in my mind is "Casablanca" whichy was set during World War II, the film follows the story of Rick Blaine (who was played by Humphrey Bogart, which is the reason I remember this as my Gran went on about him being great haha and its a name most know even if they have never seen him in a movie) who is a nightclub owner in Casablanca!

Despite being shot in black and white, the film's universal and timeless themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice relate well with audiences even today and with no colour palette!

You may have actually heard a classic line from"Casablanca" and not even know it such as the famous line "Here's looking at you, kid"!

Now this classic is over 75 years old! Like WOW, closing in on 100 years old! Check out the trailer if you fancy a look as they are suck time capsules of the movies back then also i think the editor of the trailer has just figured out scene transitions and has used every single one in this trailer haha Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/BkL9l7qovsE?si=aEMTZpguLPge6BuR

Alex Sinclair's avatar

To my great shame, I've never watched Casablanca. But as you point out, it's such a classic that I think I must know half a dozen lines regardless.

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world..."

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