Citizen Kane (1941)

This is considered by many to be the best movie of all time. I'd definitely vote for Casablanca over this, but watching it in film class and keeping my eyes open to the sorts of technique Welles used to make this movie was certainly fascinating. The story is only moderately compelling - more so if you're into epic biographies - but when I was actually paying close attention to the cinematography and the lighting (things I don't usually pay attention to) it was one of the most visually beautiful films I've ever seen. The visual aspect of it was WONDERFULLY executed. The story as a whole... eh. Okay. The acting... pretty good, but nothing that made me sit up and say, "Wow, that was incredible." However, this movie is probably worth seeing. Just keep an eye out for technical stuff. There's a lot of chiaroscuro effects that are simply gorgeous. 3.5 stars.

Un Chien Andalou (1929)

Okay. I'll grant you that this movie was important in forming surrealism. That doesn't mean I have to like it. Most of the people I watched it with didn't like it, either, but that's because they just thought it was stupid. I found it profoundly disturbing. I really, really dislike movies that feel like dreams - I like recording my dreams but hate being in the middle of them - and so I was truly uncomfortable throughout this entire film. That's quite possibly the reaction Bunuel was going for... but, man. Didn't like this at all. 1 star.

Chicago (2002)

There are very few musicals done as slickly or as magically as this. Yes, I've decided to use the word "magical" to describe this movie, despite the dismal setting and morbid plot. But there just are very few other words for it. Every musical number captured my attention, despite the fact that I am not crazy about the show in general. THIS is how movie musicals should be made. Take a look, people working on Hairspray. Don't let the movie musical follow down the path of The Producers or Phantom of the Opera as sub-par representations of good shows. The movie musical does NOT have to be dead, not with gems like this just waiting to be made. 4.5 stars.

Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003)

I accidentally ended up seeing most of this when my family decided to rent it. I didn't care for the first Spy Kids - didn't feel it was at all interesting as a spoof - and this was about 10 times worse. The dialogue is ridiculous, the characters are idiotic, the plot is terrifyingly inane. And I'm not even going to touch on the 3-D thing. 0.5 stars.

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

I was so ready to like this movie. *So* ready. So what happened? No one in it made sense, is what happened. Yes, it had a few nice images, and it had a nice premise, but character shifts happened abruptly. Plot points were glossed over. I got the feeling that someone went through, said, "Oh, this isn't scary, let's toss it," and edited out every single transition moment. It could have been a truly great movie, but mostly I just found it laughable because of its complete abruptness and lack of real characters. 1.5 stars.

Sherlock, Jr. (1924)

I got to sit down and watch this in my film appreciation class, and it was a total blast! I don't usually get into the older slapstick comedies, but this had several moments where I literally laughed out loud. Even a few of the moments that last a little longer is necessary for the viewers to get, don't last *too* long - after all, the film's only 45 minutes total. Overall, this is a wonderfully crafted movie from the early days of comedy. Makes me want to go and hunt up some more Buster Keaton movies. 3.5 stars.

The Rules of the Game (1939)

I sat down and watched this from beginning to end (musing often on how it reminded me of Sondheim's "A Little Night Music") and yet I'm not sure it left any sort of impression on me. It was an interesting story, told in an interesting way, but it meandered perhaps a bit too much. I kept thinking we were at the climax of the film.... but not yet. Because of this, the last 20 minutes felt incredibly anticlimactic. Still, a fascinating piece of filmmaking. I'm going to have to continue thinking about it and see if my thoughts on it change. 3 stars.