Rent It!
Released in 1941 this film was based on the play "Birthday" and was the subject of remakes for decades. Most people would recognize it as "Heaven Can Wait" which was remade under that same title several times along with the original sequel "Down To Earth". "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" is the film that started it all telling the compelling and very entertaining story of Boxer Joe Pendelton who crashes his plane. Assuming Pendelton could not have possibly survived the crash an angel takes his soul to heaven only to find he was wrong. Pendelton was supposed to live another 50 years. In the confusion Pendelton's earthly body is cremated so it's up to the angels to find him another body to live out his years. If that plot line sounds familiar you may be thinking about the Eddie Murphy remake or perhaps the Warren Beatty remake. The first remake was released in 1947 with Don Ameche and Gene Tierney. The original film is charming and funny starring Robert Montgomery and Claude Rains.
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Artist
OWN IT!
This is a film for actors and those who appreciate how much care went into using the "language" of 30's style film making. If you were to watch a film produced in those days and held the opening title and credits up side-by-side you can see how total immersion played a big role in The Artist. There's something else interesting about this film. Since there is no dialogue until that very end the story is told by expression alone with the addition of few old style dialogue cards that are more necessary to the style than the plot. This is a film to own because it's something you can watch many times and it's worth owning just because of the unique nature of it's production. It's not the first retro-silent film. Mel Brooks produced "Silent Movie" which was released in 1976. Brooks concept was to have some fun with the ridiculous idea of looking for actors and financial backing to make the first silent film in 40 years. "The Artist" presents a serious look at the dilemma faced by silent film actors when the disruptive technology of sound came to film. Overnight people who had been big stars in the silent era were suddenly out of work. Few made the transition because often silent film stars did not have voices that fit the personas they displayed on screen. Rent this one certainly. Collectors should own it.
This is a film for actors and those who appreciate how much care went into using the "language" of 30's style film making. If you were to watch a film produced in those days and held the opening title and credits up side-by-side you can see how total immersion played a big role in The Artist. There's something else interesting about this film. Since there is no dialogue until that very end the story is told by expression alone with the addition of few old style dialogue cards that are more necessary to the style than the plot. This is a film to own because it's something you can watch many times and it's worth owning just because of the unique nature of it's production. It's not the first retro-silent film. Mel Brooks produced "Silent Movie" which was released in 1976. Brooks concept was to have some fun with the ridiculous idea of looking for actors and financial backing to make the first silent film in 40 years. "The Artist" presents a serious look at the dilemma faced by silent film actors when the disruptive technology of sound came to film. Overnight people who had been big stars in the silent era were suddenly out of work. Few made the transition because often silent film stars did not have voices that fit the personas they displayed on screen. Rent this one certainly. Collectors should own it.
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