Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane
(1941)
Drama
Produced by: Orson Welles
1.5/5 Stars





Orson Welles himself produced, wrote, directed and acted in this Critics Choice #1 film of all time. The movie is based loosely off the Newspaper Tycoon William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951).

Taking place in what I believe was the mid to late 1930's we are introduced to a dead Newspaper Tycoon named Charles Foster Kane. On Mr. Kane's deathbed the word "rosebud" slips from his lips and a columnist from his department, Mr. Thompson, goes on a trek to determine what exactly Kane means by the word. Through interviews of Kanes ex-friends and ex-wife (his other ex-wife and child died in an accident) we view what type of man Mr. Kane was.

As a child Mr. Kane is signed over to a man known as Mr. Thatcher and becomes heir to the world's 3rd largest gold mine. Kane grows older with this Mr. Thatcher and decides that all he wants to control is the newspaper company. He becomes one of the most powerful news man in the entire country controling many firms, and cashing in a lot of money. He marries a couple times, first wife and Mr. Kane have a cild together but they both end up dead after a car crash. The second wife is rewarded a theatre in Chicago and has a 'good' career. They later got divorced after some troubles arose. After Kane's death and the search behind the meaning of 'rosebud' ends we view a scene within the basement of Kan's huge mansion. His servants are burning many of his possesions and as the camera pans the scene it stops infront of the blazing fire which is engulfing the sled Mr. Kane received one Christmas from Mr. Thatcher.

I felt the movie was very slow moving and quite boring. I do however give wonderful credit to the producers in how they staged and lighted the entire movie, I felt it was high quality for such an early made movie. This was another movie that I felt lacked action and adrenaline pumping scenes. My last little rant about this movie comes from my high school thoughts... There was no ending to this movie. You watch the sled get thrown in the fire, you learn that "Oh! Rosebud was a sled" but then it leaves you with no idea of what it means except that your suppose to figure it out yourself...and that is not what I'm good at. I'd rather have a movie that has a clean sweeped and given ending such as the bad guys get caught, we find out why they commited the crime, and then sentenced for punishment.

Until next time, this is T signing out.

Gone With the Wind (1939)

Gone With the Wind

Margaret Mitchell

Romantic Drama

(1939)


My Rank: 3.5 Stars

The movie follows the character of Scarlett O'Hara [played by Vivien Leigh] as turmoil strikes in the south with the beginning of the Civil War. Scarlett is a very promiscuous lady. Throughout a four hour movie she is married 3 times and we should add in the number of men that she flirts with (while even married already or in mourning) but there would be to many to count. Naughty Naughty. Throughout the movie Scarlett feels a strong sense of love and wanting towards an already married man named Ashley Wilkes [Leslie Howard]. Her first two husbands were just random people that would either help her plan to get Ashley or to help better her possessions which was the second husband. Scarlett changes however when the Civil War strikes at home. She gets a view of reality and the seriousness of this war when in Atlanta while she is helping nurse. When the Yanks reach Atlanta she is forced to return to her broke down home at Tara with the help of Rhett Butler [Clark Gable]. Scarlett later marries Rhett with hoom she has a young girl named Bonnie. They don't always get along very well and they have some outings which leads to a divorce. Scarlett returns to Tara and the story ends.


Now my opinion and reasoning behind the 3.5 Stars:


ACTION! Where is the action? I am an action movie person and this did not hit my action movie senses. However this movie was not all bad. It gave you a deep idea of what life was like in the Civil War era. The movie does carry on a lot! These days i do not think this movie would do as great as it had done back in the day when people had time to sit and take a few hours to watch a movie.
I gave this movie 3.5 stars due to the fact there are moments in the movie that will keep you watching, and some scenes you can't help but watch. Also that it truely does give you a wonderful sense of life at their time. However I feel that it was quite long and lacked the action for my male senses.

There is one line that I will forever remember... "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Said by our friend Mr. Rhett Butler

Rating Scale and Sources

My rating scale is going to be out of 5 stars:
5 = Absolutely Amazing movie required by law to be seen by every person!

4 = Very Good movie but lacking in a few areas.

3 = OK. Lacks quite a bit.

2 = Well.... its pretty bad but there are a few scenes that will get you going.

1 = I laugh at its crappiness! But hey its better then a 0

0 = BURN IT!!! at this point I feel that anyone involved should have been fired and declined payment for its production.


My Sources:
When rating a movie or posting any information regarding the movie it will be from the following websites:
* http://Wikipedia.org
* http://www.imbd.com