I just finished watching the 1933 version of “Little Women,” and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the film did an excellent job portraying each of the central characters accurately; especially Katharine Hepburn as Jo. The only thing that was a little off-putting was the fact that the actresses were quite obviously older than the characters they were playing. However, I can understand the film makers desire to choose talented actresses over ones that simply looked more the part. Although the film was definitely corny in parts…so was the book, so I suppose that isn’t a legitimate critique. I think it’s very easy to take a not so great book and turn it into a film; however adapting a classic such as “Little Women” for the big screen is no small feat, and I think that overall the 1933 version was quite impressive. I look forward to viewing the other two versions and comparing…
The clinking of the ice cubes in the prologue, or the symbol of friendship, and love exhibited by Tom’s hat throughout the film…
These are elements of “Miller’s Crossing” that certainly didn’t stand out to me upon my first viewing; however, the importance of these aspects are undeniable.
The beauty of the Coen Brother’s is the way they can so eloquently tell their story by intricately weaving these elements into their films without making it obvious to the viewer.
Each frame fits together perfectly to create a masterpiece. The only other Coen Brother’s film that I have seen besides “Miller Crossing” is “The Big Lebowski.” I must admit that I thought the film quite odd, with no real point except for maybe the fact that Jeff Bridges’ character was adamant about people calling him “the dude.” But after seeing Miller’s Crossing, and discussing the film in class, I will definitely go back and rewatch “The Big Lebowski” as well as the other Coen Brother’s films mentioned in class…
Yesterday’s class discussion brought me to my local Blockbuster. It was interesting to observe the layout of the store, and how the aspect of categories, or genre really does play a big part in the films that people choose to see. The categories for this particular Blockbuster consisted of New Release, Comedy, Drama, Action, Horror, Foreign Films, as well as a Family/Children’s section. I suppose that there are benefits to limiting the amount of categories used, but I couldn’t help but wonder how it might be nice to have a section just for Westerns, or perhaps film noirs. I can understand how that may be difficult considering that so many films contain a plethora of different elements; and it’s probably easier for everyone invoved to say, “well, this one is more likely to make people laugh, so it’s a comedy; or this one has more depressing elements, so we’ll call it a drama.”
Overall, I guess I would call my Blockbuster experience a positive one. I was able to find “Miller’s Crossing,” and the 1933 version of “Little Women” with quite ease. I was however, a little dissapointed to find that one of my favorite films “Annie Hall,” which Dr. Campbell has referred to a few times in class missing from the Blockbuster collection. I’ve noticed recently that classics such as “Annie Hall” seem to slowly be dissapearing from existence. It saddens me that the newer generations, unless they are fortunate to take a couple of film classes in college, will probably never be exposed to some of the great films of all time. Now I realize, that movies are being made at a rapid rate, and video stores have to prioritize (once again, back to the marketing aspect-which films will sell more); but I must say that it’s a little disconcerting when “Annie Hall” is dismissed, yet the store contains all three of “The Terminator” films. 🙁
Watching “Yojimbo” for the first time gave me the chance to witness, in my opinion, one of the finest actors of any generation; and for that I am grateful. This class forces us to strip down films, and analyze parts of it that wouldn’t normally be obvious to the average film buff. I have to say, that it was very difficult to do so for me, simply because I sat fixated on the acting of Toshiro Mifune. It’s funny how more often than not we are so inclined to dub a performance a “great acting performance.” However, after seeing Mifune’s portrayal of Sanjuro, other performances, which I once thought “great” seem average in comparison. A simple facial expression by Mifune can convey so much emotion…(or a lack of emotion for that matter). I think that when Dr. Campbell said that by watching a movie without the sound, you can notice so much more about a person’s acting, this is absolutely true; especially of Mifune’s performance. I was trying to think of a modern, American actor that I could compare to that of Mifune’s callabor, however, I am at a loss. If anyone comes up with one, please share 🙂
Here is a link to a youtube tribute video of Toshiro Mifune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIeb51do6GI
Also, in reading a little about Mifune, I found out that George Lucas considered Mifune for the role of Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. I thought that was quite interesting. Here’s the site:
I think it’s very interesting to examine just how much of an impact a simple hairstyle can have on a nation. From Veronica Lake’s “hair over the eye” technique in the 1940’s, to what was so creatively dubbed “The Rachel” (Jennifer Ansiton’s do on the hit 1990’s sitcom “Friends); these stars have influenced women across the country to tear out their photos from a magazine (or now a days, print it off the internet), rush to their favorite salon, and say “give me this look!”
Here is a list of some other Hollywood starlets who have also made their mark:
~”1931 Jean Harlow starred in the movie “Platinum Blonde.” This hair color then swept the nation.”
~ “In the 1940’s, Rita Hayworth began the hairstyle trend of side-parted finger waves the sexiest style of that time. Veronica Lake and her cascading blonde hair defined glamour.”
~”The 1950’s brought a trend of highlighting and Lucille Ball’s flaming red hair. Also Doris Day had a helmet like hairstyle that inspired her fans and Audrey Hepburn started the pixie cut.”
~ “During the 1960’s people were letting their hair down after the very conservative times of the 1950s and the rock group The Beatles, wore their hair long.”
~”The 1970’s the musical “Hair” came out during a time of a sexual revolution. Angela Davis’s afro became a symbol for black pride. One of the most copied famous hairstyles of the 1970’s was the Farrah Fawcett feathered back hairdo.”
~”The 1980’s were a time of economic plenty, and so the hairstyles began to show that “bigness” as well. Poodle perms and mall bangs were all the rage.”
~”The 1990’s brought about Jennifer Aniston hairstyles. Jennifer Aniston’s character on the popular TV show “Friends,” had women everywhere heading to the hair salon to make the famous “Rachel Cut” their own. Her hair at the time was an angled, layered, shag haircut. And the millennium brought Sarah Jessica Parker’s flowing curly hairstyle back into style.”
Internet Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Famous-People-and-Hairstyles-through-the-Years&id=334965
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