City Lights (1931) This is considered by many film buffs to be Chaplin's best film. I am not here to either confirm or argue with that, instead I am just going to say what a great movie this is. This film is the prefect blend of comedy and romance. The humor is absolutely hilarious and no matter how many times you see this movie it never gets old. The boxing match scene is about as great as a comedy set-piece can get. However none of this takes away from simply how touching the romance is. This romance is fully realized and perfectly developed. You believe the relationship between these two characters perfectly, and all this is done so subtly you don't even notice yourself become more attached to them. Also what can I say about the ending that hasn't already been said, it is powerful and unbelievable moving.
The Big Sick (2017) If this movie feels more real than most current romantic comedies that is because it is a true story, written by those who lived this story. Kumail Nanjiani (who is also the star of the movie) and Emily V. Gordon wrote this script based on their own lives and their own romances. It took them three years to write this script and the effort clearly shows on screen. Every second of this film is filled with a powerful sense of honesty. Even with all the great emotional moments of this film, the comedy is often times laugh out loud funny and the whole movie is a delight to watch.
Priceless (2006) This French romantic-comedy is completely and utterly delightful. One reason for this is that the main characters feel so real. Neither are simple and phoned in as too many characters in bad romantic comedies seem to be. They have various facets to their personalities. They don't always do the excepted, but everything they do feels completely natural and believable. This is because their personalities are much more than the one note characters we see too often in these type of movies. Adding to this is the fantastic performances by Audrey Tautou and Gad Emaleh, who bring so much conviction and likeability to their characters. Director, Pierre Salvadori and writer, Benoit Graffin also know how to balance the humor and sweetness needed for this picture. Nothing feels forced here and every element comes together to create a truly sweet and charming movie.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) F.W. Murnau's first American film is one of the finest romances ever put on film and one of the greatest dramatic films of the silent era. This movie is perfectly executed. Each shot looks absolutely incredible. Not only does it look great but as in many of the best silent movies, the look of the movie perfectly enhances the story, as it brings us further and further into the minds of these characters. There is not a wasted moment in this film as each moment brings us a touch of real raw humanity that even many of today's greatest filmmakers would envy. The scene where the main couple wanders into a church and sees a young couple stating their vows is one of the most powerful scenes in movie history. Adding to this is that George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor give some of the best performances of their careers.
Casablanca (1942) What can I simply say about this movie that hasn't all ready been said a thousand times. This is a movie that offers everything for everybody. There is action, drama, suspense, comedy and of course romance. Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman light up the film, each time they appear together. Their chemistry is so powerful, that all they have to do is look at each other and we are already moved by their romance. One of the greatest movies of all time and a film that will never be overrated.
Flesh and the Devil (1926) There is no doubt about it this silent film is sexiness personified. The looks Greta Garbo and John Gilbert share are the sexiest moments ever put on film. Much more is accomplished with a look than can ever be seen in any nudity or graphic sex scenes seen in movies today. There has never nor will their ever be another screen couple like them. The chemistry is some of the finest ever seen in the movies. The story may be a little corny, but it too has a real charm to it. One of the must watch silent films.
Jules and Jim (1962) This is one of the finest films of the French New Wave movement and one of director François Truffaut's best. The power and beauty of this movie is unbelievable. Truffaut brings us one of the most lyrical films ever made. The intimacy felt between the characters is also fully felt by the audience watching. I don't want to go much more into this film because it is definitely that has to be watched to be experienced and any description will fail to do it justice. I will say though this movie is one you will do much more than watch you will experience it instead. The images and characters will live on in your mind long after watching.
Lady and the Tramp (1955) This movie amounts to one of the finest animated features to come from the Disney studio after the 1940's. Everything just works in this classic film. The music is great. The characters are great. The animation is amazing and the whole film just has such a lovely perfect feeling to it. This is just such a great film to look at. The animation and backgrounds are just lovely all the way throughout. The romance is one of Disney's best, it is fully believable and perfectly handled. Of course the songs are also great, and they enhance every scene they are in.
The Awful Truth (1937) This is one of the most laugh out loud funny romantic comedies ever made. The humor is perfectly written and executed and there is never a moment in this film that does not entertain fully and completely. Leo McCarey is one of the finest American directors and this movie perfectly shows why. He not only makes an unbelievably funny screwball comedy here, but the romance is actually quite fun and engaging. Having Cary Grant and Irene Dunne does hurt the film at all and Ralph Bellamy is perfect in his supporting role. To say they don't make them like this any more is an understatement and how any one could resist this film's charm is beyond me.
Waking the Dead (2000) This is a real rarity. It is a film that is both extremely touching and intelligent. You never know where this movie's story is heading. Yet the film perfectly pulls you into the power and beauty of what you are seeing. This movie is told in a rather interesting way. Though it was shot in chorological order, the movie itself jumps back and forth from the past and the present. It was shot to make the relationship between the couple all the more real and natural. From looking at the movie this worked like a charm. What really makes this movie so powerful is that every scene these characters share is so real and believable. You feel the compassion between the two characters in a way you do in too few movie romances.This film also has an incredible look to it. On a fairly low budget the filmmakers created something that looks more powerful than many of the big budget CGI-heavy movies out there. All in all this is a fantastic movie and simply a must watch.
-Michael J. Ruhland
No comments:
Post a Comment