haha, ok then ill adopt those to future reviews
As everyone already knows, a basic rule of photography says how you compose the subject suggests how you want the viewer to feel about it; Villains tower above you, cute little dogs look up at you. Be careful when you take a snap of your partner! Do you worship them, own them, or consider them equal? Welles took this to a new level in film that is rarely used even now.
You're right, the ending isn't really open... (click to show/hide)In fact it is explicit. The snowglobe represented his lost childhood. Only we know that Rosebud is his favourite toy, left behind (emotionally) when his mother signed him over. It is both a tragic end (Kane has died misunderstood) and an uplifting one (we do understand).
There are so many layers to the screenplay that there are also many themes to that ending too... (click to show/hide)Kane was such a bastard to the people around him during his life because his childhood happiness was sacrificed by his mother for the sake of wealth. Hence, the thought that money would buy him happiness. Rosebud burning in the incinerator can also be interpreted as being a metaphor for Kane's post-childhood life which led him down the path to eternal damnation for the sins he committed. His innocence burning alongside his material acquisitions. The ultimate Greek tragedy.
Sorry to be quoting such an old response, but I love talking about great old films, and I just stumbled upon this review.
Oh no! He's resurrected the Kane debate! Thank you though, because you're right and more effort should be made to remember people like Toland. It was Welles' charisma and vision that got Kane made, but you have to remember, he came from radio. You don't just pick things up like that. I've wondered before that although Citizen Kane seems technically perfect, much of it smacks of Orson refusing to follow the accepted rules. I bet when he laid out what he wanted, he'd have been told to stop being silly because they can't dig up the studio floor and how can the camera possibly move through a solid set? Quote from: Antares on December 09, 2009, 02:10:30 AMThere are so many layers to the screenplay that there are also many themes to that ending too... (click to show/hide)Kane was such a bastard to the people around him during his life because his childhood happiness was sacrificed by his mother for the sake of wealth. Hence, the thought that money would buy him happiness. Rosebud burning in the incinerator can also be interpreted as being a metaphor for Kane's post-childhood life which led him down the path to eternal damnation for the sins he committed. His innocence burning alongside his material acquisitions. The ultimate Greek tragedy.That's nice, I like that... Quote from: Antares on December 09, 2009, 02:10:30 AMSorry to be quoting such an old response, but I love talking about great old films, and I just stumbled upon this review. Don't be sorry. In fact, catch up with our Hitchcock marathon. Plenty of reading in there and it continues for a few weeks yet!
I also failed to mention that I was glad to see you use Ikiru in your argument as well. A seldom seen film that it is every bit as good as Kane.You know, for years I've been searching for a forum where film appreciation is discussed from a viewers, not film students point of view. I sometimes venture onto the Criterion forum, but they can be so pompous it drives me away. How many times can you belt out platitudes about Eisenstein and Godard before the dung's waist deep.I think I've found my Film Valhalla.
I think I've found my Film Valhalla.
Quote from: Antares on December 09, 2009, 02:48:12 AMI also failed to mention that I was glad to see you use Ikiru in your argument as well. A seldom seen film that it is every bit as good as Kane.You know, for years I've been searching for a forum where film appreciation is discussed from a viewers, not film students point of view. I sometimes venture onto the Criterion forum, but they can be so pompous it drives me away. How many times can you belt out platitudes about Eisenstein and Godard before the dung's waist deep.I think I've found my Film Valhalla. I'm really glad you said that because that's exactly why I like it here too. We've got a really good bunch of people and some of us drone on for hours (JON) and others (ME) just say whether they liked it or not, and we all gel pretty well, keeping each other balanced.
Quote from: Antares on December 09, 2009, 02:48:12 AMI think I've found my Film Valhalla. We are glad to have you here, and a welcome addition to see such informed reviews of some older films that I for one was not too aware of. Maybe you could think of joining our marathons at some point??
And probably the best part of what I have taken from the reviews is having my eyes opened to different genres than I tended to opt for, ie Petes influence compelled me to watch a month of horror films, Rogers influence is leading me towards a Western marathon, and I am now seriously considering stocking up on some Bollywood films
Author
Topic: Emma's Film Reviews (snowcat) (Read 112470 times)
