Singin' in the Rain

Genre: Musical/Comedy/Romance
Year released: 1952
Director: Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly

I am not really one for musicals however this is an exception. This cheerful movie could not be not liked. Gene Kelly is amazing his acting, his singing and his dancing I could not believe how amazingly talented he was. Cosmo was funny as hell, some of the stuff he did I am sure will have me in laughter even weeks later. I enjoyed a lot of the music as I said I am not one for musicals and the reason being I do not really like how everyone learns the words as soon as the song begins. Singing' in the rain only possessed this feeling in about 2 songs and even then it wasn't a whole crowd on the street like I really hate it was simple two or three people. The famous Singing in the rain scene was wonderful the cinematography was so amazing. This is one of those movies you have that strange looking smile on your face throughout the entire film.

Gene Kelly what can I say from the first moment I saw I was amazed. The first time he tap dances I couldn't believe it and he was as well a great singer. The time we see him properly perform in the flash back at the beginning had me laughing the whole time how him and Cosmo could have pulled that violin duet thing is beyond me. His character was constantly awesome as he was very humerus and natural in every scene he was in.

Donald O'Connor was originally my favorite character however now it might be a tie with Gene Kelly his funny lines and songs were very cool. Donald played Cosmo who probably was one of the most talented in this film however in it he never gets recognized Cosmo does more of the back stage type of things. His personality is always cheerful and happy even in the bad situations and he possess a likable charm to him. Although slightly cheesy in parts of the songs, possibly due to the movie aging slightly, he is still one of the coolest characters in this movie.

Lina Lamont was a great character I didn't like her much which was the point. Her high pitched voice was so annoying and I loved watching the studio try and sort it out when the time came to make talkie movies. Lina was a real pretty, snobby and bitchy character she added to the movie with through her actions and because of her voice.

The Singing in the rain song I liked, it might not be my type of music (oh yea Iron Maiden coming to Christchurch) but I was still able to enjoy it as it is not crappy hip hop, rap, techno or pop music of the now day genre which I despise. The scene with Gene Kelly in the rain singing this song is amazing the way every shot is created is amazing the scene with him on the lamppost should be considered a piece of art and should hang in art galleries. The policeman part was very funny as well as how he gives his umbrella to the stranger and walks in a strange way into the distance.

In conclusion a great musical one of the best I have seen, out of about 5 maybe. Singin' in the Rain should be remembered forever because of the talent put in through the music, cinematography, acting, story and dancing. It should be remembered for its great characters, comedy, it is a heart full piece of art.

9 - 9.5/10

Gone with the Wind

Genre: Epic/Drama/Romance

Year of release: 1939

Director: Victor Fleming

I quite enjoyed this very long movie and it somehow kept me reasonably interested throughout the movie. I went in with high expectations and was not disappointed.

Gone with the wind is a true classic, however it has major flaws that it makes up for. I did not like a lot of the acting done by Vivien Leigh (yes that who that actress was from streetcar that makes me feel a heap better) I felt she often did her emotions way over the top and it was quite annoying. At times I got use to it and at times it badly annoyed me however the acting was made up by Clark Gable, Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland who were all very wonderful. The cinematography was great and the fire scenes truly were amazing, the fact they used all the color cameras in the world at time is shocking and the scenes really benefited from it. The story keep me interested epically at the start and end the middle just after you flip the disc falls slightly apart.

Gone with the wind is a huge tale of Scarlett O'Hara's story thought the civil war, she through out the movie is in a childish crush over Ashley a man already married and a solider in the War. This fantasy puts her in very bad situation and in a way is cause for much of the troubles she has with her life. Scarlett goes from being very rich to very poor and we see a change in her character.

Scarlett was a true bitch of a character she is selfish and cares only for herself and Ashley. To spite Ashley she even marries a young man obsessed with her when he dies in the war she does not morn as she does not care. Her character was a bonus and I do admire her courage, optimism and determination. At times I cringed at Vivien's performance as the acting sometimes seemed way over the top in a way that was annoying, I am sure if I watched it again I would think less of it and be even more drawn into its amazing story.

Clark Gable played Rhett Butler who was selfish and crazy about Scarlett. His acting was pretty amazing and every scene he was in was improved because of his presence. I felt slightly similar in his scenes to how I felt in Streetcar when Marlon Brando was on, even thought there was not much happening the acting seemed so casual it felt like real life. Rhett was enjoyable from start to finish however he is not in the about the 3rd quarter after the disc is turned over maybe this is why this quarter was easily the least enjoyable and had the feeling it was falling apart. Best character in this movie.

Olivia de Havilland was also very good as well as me liking her caring, good matured, nice person character her acting was not as outstanding as Clark Gables and stood slightly in his shadow however after I thought about it a little I realized how good her performance was. Her character Melanie was so good to all the others around her I could not help but like her. Even though Scarlett acted badly in some scenes it feels like it makes up with it with some great acting.

The scene with the city burning was amazing and had me on the edge of my seat going "Wow" that looks so great. The use of shadows and silhouette is quite good in this movie and creates some good scenes epically when a shadowy silhouette of a horse and riders rides fast past and flaming building that slowly reduces to the ground. Scenes like this I believed to be impossible in the 30's and was astounded to find myself completely wrong.

Gone with the wind is a real privilege to cinema through its amazing story of love and hardships, it great acting and its amazing shots. In conclusion it is for all movie lovers and does not get dull apart from maybe a small part during the middle, which for a 3 and half hour romance movie I was quite surprised. It has great characters and great character developments. Gone with the Wind made $200 000 000 in the box office in 1939 making it at least one of the most grossing movies of all time (since two hundred million was a lot more back then) and I can see why.

9/10