The second movie that I decided to watch was AFI's #50 pick; Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I will tell you all that this movie did not disappoint me, as if anything with Paul Newman could disappoint me. It had a mix a everything, action, drama and humor. The chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford is so much fun to watch.
As the movie begins we see a little short film of the "Hole in the Wall Gang". Then the opening of the story begins with Paul Newmans eyes; well I was hooked. Right away you are charmed by his humor. Then you see Robert Redford playing cards in a local saloon. A man accuses him of cheating without knowing who he is. When he finds out he backs off and Butch and Sundance leave town. Upon return to their hideout Butch is challenged for leader because the gang is upset about the long absenses. Needless to say it doesn't go so well for the challenger. Upon winning the challenge, another gang member informs Butch of the plans to rob the train....twice. Butch decides that is a good idea.
The first robbery goes as planned. The second one was not as successful. Upon blowing up the train car; they are met with an odd looking small train. The door opens and out jumps a gang of lawmen. These men track them all over the place through the valleys; up mountains, through towns and rivers. They finally lose them. Upon returning to a friends home they learn that the head of Union Pacific has hand selected men to track and capture them. Sensing that they can't stay Butch convinces them that they need to go to Bolvia.
Bolvia turns out to be a disappointment as they do not speak spanish and they have to learn how to speak the language in order to rob the banks. They get a repuation and one night Butch sees the hat of the main lawman that hunted them in the states. The decided to go straight, but that doesn't work out to well. Upon robbing a band of men with the payroll for the mines they take a mule. The mule is marked and as they stop in the town a boy noticed the mule who is branded. They are then ambushed by the local policia.
I love the way this movie ended. It left you with a since of hope...maybe just maybe they made it. This is a movie that I am truly glad I watched. It was entertaining all the way through.. and really....how could you go wrong with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It is a MUST on your movie list.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
AFI's 100 Greatest Movies - #1 Citizen Kane
As I was exploring my new Kindle Fire, I decided to take a gander at the movies I can stream for free...well free being through my membership to Amazon Prime. I came across a movie that I have heard so much about, but never seen. Citizen Kane. After all, I have heard people talk about how great it is and how it is a "must see". If you don't know what "rosebud" is then obviously you don't pay attention to popular culture. Not having anything else to do, I decided why the hell not. So, I put my earphones on and had at it.
As the movie begins it is classic Orson Welles. The cinematography alone is captivating. The concept is a little intriguing. A boy is given away by this mother to a man who, she has entrusted with the money she has acquired from a land deal. Of course, the boy doesn't want to go but, he does and has the best of everything. But as he ages, the things that he longs for elude him. Love and happiness.
It begins with his dying words of "rosebud". Then all the sudden you are thrown into this newsreel of his life. His mansion in Florida is the at the center of the newsreel. Then the news men are in the viewing room, the head guy is saying that he wants a different spin on Kane's life. A more human story. So he enlists another to go in search of the meaning behind "rosebud". So, Mr. Thompson sets off to discover the meaning of it. He interviews several people; the ex-wife, the business manager and then the best friend. Reads the memoirs of the man who raised him. All through the process Kane's life is discussed but no mention of "rosebud". The people who knew him best really didn't know him. At the end of the movie, Mr. Thompson speaks to his butler and the butler tells him that he had only heard him utter that word once before and that was when his second wife left him. Mr. Thompson decides that no one knows what he meant by his dying words and the camera pans out over the vast collection of things that Kane has acquired through out his life. As the movie ends, you see the house staff throwing the "junk" in the furnace. They toss a sled into the furnace it is only then that you realize what it meant.
I am on the fence about this movie. I really don't know if I like it or not. The story of his life was interesting to watch unfold, but the ending left me unsatisfied. I felt like..."ok, I waited for this?" Do I agree with the number 1 status. No, I don't. I guess it is just a matter of opinion. Would I recommend it? It depends on the person.
As the movie begins it is classic Orson Welles. The cinematography alone is captivating. The concept is a little intriguing. A boy is given away by this mother to a man who, she has entrusted with the money she has acquired from a land deal. Of course, the boy doesn't want to go but, he does and has the best of everything. But as he ages, the things that he longs for elude him. Love and happiness.
It begins with his dying words of "rosebud". Then all the sudden you are thrown into this newsreel of his life. His mansion in Florida is the at the center of the newsreel. Then the news men are in the viewing room, the head guy is saying that he wants a different spin on Kane's life. A more human story. So he enlists another to go in search of the meaning behind "rosebud". So, Mr. Thompson sets off to discover the meaning of it. He interviews several people; the ex-wife, the business manager and then the best friend. Reads the memoirs of the man who raised him. All through the process Kane's life is discussed but no mention of "rosebud". The people who knew him best really didn't know him. At the end of the movie, Mr. Thompson speaks to his butler and the butler tells him that he had only heard him utter that word once before and that was when his second wife left him. Mr. Thompson decides that no one knows what he meant by his dying words and the camera pans out over the vast collection of things that Kane has acquired through out his life. As the movie ends, you see the house staff throwing the "junk" in the furnace. They toss a sled into the furnace it is only then that you realize what it meant.
I am on the fence about this movie. I really don't know if I like it or not. The story of his life was interesting to watch unfold, but the ending left me unsatisfied. I felt like..."ok, I waited for this?" Do I agree with the number 1 status. No, I don't. I guess it is just a matter of opinion. Would I recommend it? It depends on the person.
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