I am a film nut. I have wasted more hours in my life than I dare imagine watching movies, tracking down movies, and talking about film. I also am only 23 years old, and as such, was born after the classic or golden (or whatever cliche you choose) era of filmmaking. So I have gradually over the years managed to the majority of the more famous classics. Some have lived up to their billing, some not so much. So I ask you GAF, which classics lived up to the hype, and which did not? Keep in mind Im not saying any of these are bad films, so save the flames. I guess I'll define "classic" as roughly 25 years or older, so roughly anything from 1980 or earlier. As for myself, theres a ton I could do, but Ill just simply start with 6 and 6 (chronologically):
Films I felt lived up to the hype:
Casablanca (Curtiz, 1942) - I avoided this one for years, hating both romances and period dramas. On a whim I finally gave in and watched it, and it quickly became one of my favorite films ever, and made me a Bogart fan. This is as close to perfect as a movie gets in my eyes. Great screenplay, pacing, direction, and fantastic lead performances. Definately a timeless flick.
Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958) - Easily my favorite film Hitch ever did, I find it haunting and unforgettable. One of the greatest character studies about obsession and the descent into madness I have ever seen. Jimmy Stewart gives a performance that ranges from upbeat to melancholy to chilling. Fantastic score from the great Bernard Herrmann to boot.
2001: A Space Odyssey (Kubrick, 1968) - I think I loved this movie instantly (from the Strauss, man!), and yet I still dont understand, nor will I probably ever. But it does what all great cinema does, sticks with you and makes you think. Another masterful piece of direction from Kubrick, also features great cinematography, and effects that hold up surpisingly well today, 38 years later.
The Godfather (Coppola, 1972) - Not much really needs to be said about this one, as its maybe the greatest American film ever, and one of the greatest films from anywhere, at any time. Great acting, writing, cinematography, music, direction, etc. Just a pure masterpiece, plain and simple.
Taxi Driver (Scorsese, 1976) - The ultimate character study of isolation and loneliness in a big city. Easily my favorite Marty film, and De Niro is absolutely chilling as Travis. Ive never been able to fully voice what it is that this film does for me, but holy hell does it ever work. Kudos to Scorsese for his cameo in which he was completely convincing as a sociopathic cab rider. Another great Herrmann score here too.
Apocalypse Now (Coppola, 1979) - To my eyes, the greatest war film ever shot, and Coppola's fourth and final masterpiece. The imagery is just breathtaking, and I almost felt myself losing my sanity along with Sheen. I also cant end this without mentioning Duvall's great scenery chewing, and the legendary "Ride Of The Valkyries" scene, which has been often mimmicked and never topped.
Films I didn't feel lived up to the hype:
Citizen Kane (Welles, 1941) - The film is technically immaculate, and still stands as one of the greatest pieces of cinematography ever. Unfortunately, the film itself bores me to tears.
Rashomon (Kurosawa, 1950) - Perhaps its the fact that this has been copied so many times that it loses its effect. Or perhaps its because Kurosawa made so many films greater than this one. Either way, it just didnt do it for me like Throne Of Blood or Ran did.
North By Northwest (Hitchcock, 1959) - Dont get me wrong, I love this film. However, I was told many times when I was still a Hitch virgin that this was his greatest film. The fact that I see the films he made directly before (Vertigo) and after (Psycho) this one to be superior left me a bit disappointed.
The Wild Bunch (Peckinpah, 1969) - Ill just say that I'll take Leone's gritty version of the west over Peckinpah's any day of the week. Illl also take Leone's cast of characters too.
The Exorcist (Friedkin, 1973) - Perhaps its that I had seen a slew of more recent and scarier films before I saw this that led to it not clicking with me. However, I tend to think its the fact that I am not religous and therefore have no deep faith that the film could have questioned.
Raging Bull (Scorsese, 1980) - I find this film to be almost a spiritual successor to Taxi Driver, yet it fails for me on every level that Taxi Driver worked. Sure, its another technical masterpiece from Marty, and De Niro gives a legendary performance, but the film just feels like its about *nothing* to me. Every time Ive seen it Im left with a "well, that was... something..." type feeling.
Films I felt lived up to the hype:
Casablanca (Curtiz, 1942) - I avoided this one for years, hating both romances and period dramas. On a whim I finally gave in and watched it, and it quickly became one of my favorite films ever, and made me a Bogart fan. This is as close to perfect as a movie gets in my eyes. Great screenplay, pacing, direction, and fantastic lead performances. Definately a timeless flick.
Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958) - Easily my favorite film Hitch ever did, I find it haunting and unforgettable. One of the greatest character studies about obsession and the descent into madness I have ever seen. Jimmy Stewart gives a performance that ranges from upbeat to melancholy to chilling. Fantastic score from the great Bernard Herrmann to boot.
2001: A Space Odyssey (Kubrick, 1968) - I think I loved this movie instantly (from the Strauss, man!), and yet I still dont understand, nor will I probably ever. But it does what all great cinema does, sticks with you and makes you think. Another masterful piece of direction from Kubrick, also features great cinematography, and effects that hold up surpisingly well today, 38 years later.
The Godfather (Coppola, 1972) - Not much really needs to be said about this one, as its maybe the greatest American film ever, and one of the greatest films from anywhere, at any time. Great acting, writing, cinematography, music, direction, etc. Just a pure masterpiece, plain and simple.
Taxi Driver (Scorsese, 1976) - The ultimate character study of isolation and loneliness in a big city. Easily my favorite Marty film, and De Niro is absolutely chilling as Travis. Ive never been able to fully voice what it is that this film does for me, but holy hell does it ever work. Kudos to Scorsese for his cameo in which he was completely convincing as a sociopathic cab rider. Another great Herrmann score here too.
Apocalypse Now (Coppola, 1979) - To my eyes, the greatest war film ever shot, and Coppola's fourth and final masterpiece. The imagery is just breathtaking, and I almost felt myself losing my sanity along with Sheen. I also cant end this without mentioning Duvall's great scenery chewing, and the legendary "Ride Of The Valkyries" scene, which has been often mimmicked and never topped.
Films I didn't feel lived up to the hype:
Citizen Kane (Welles, 1941) - The film is technically immaculate, and still stands as one of the greatest pieces of cinematography ever. Unfortunately, the film itself bores me to tears.
Rashomon (Kurosawa, 1950) - Perhaps its the fact that this has been copied so many times that it loses its effect. Or perhaps its because Kurosawa made so many films greater than this one. Either way, it just didnt do it for me like Throne Of Blood or Ran did.
North By Northwest (Hitchcock, 1959) - Dont get me wrong, I love this film. However, I was told many times when I was still a Hitch virgin that this was his greatest film. The fact that I see the films he made directly before (Vertigo) and after (Psycho) this one to be superior left me a bit disappointed.
The Wild Bunch (Peckinpah, 1969) - Ill just say that I'll take Leone's gritty version of the west over Peckinpah's any day of the week. Illl also take Leone's cast of characters too.
The Exorcist (Friedkin, 1973) - Perhaps its that I had seen a slew of more recent and scarier films before I saw this that led to it not clicking with me. However, I tend to think its the fact that I am not religous and therefore have no deep faith that the film could have questioned.
Raging Bull (Scorsese, 1980) - I find this film to be almost a spiritual successor to Taxi Driver, yet it fails for me on every level that Taxi Driver worked. Sure, its another technical masterpiece from Marty, and De Niro gives a legendary performance, but the film just feels like its about *nothing* to me. Every time Ive seen it Im left with a "well, that was... something..." type feeling.
