And the best Black and White movie ever is:

[ronmac]

Yes, of course. Did you have a particular technical point in mind, Ron?

No, I'm just wondering what Hal (Barry) feels made the movie imperfect. I don't think he was referring to how some may have reacted to it.

[Hal...]

Hal, what keeps "Psycho" from being a perfect movie? I suppose some kind of technical flaw?

I did, after all, give the movie 4 stars. What more do you want? Egg in your beer?

But to answer your question, off the top of my head, the way Norman's night gown and wig are pulled off him doesn't look natural.

The reason I say I've never seen a perfect movie is because perfection rarely exists... other than in math. Anything that pulls me out of the experience will mar a movie for me, even if it's slight. And the more times I've seen a movie, the more I notice things. Sometimes it's the dialogue. Sometimes it's the story. Sometimes it's the acting. And sometimes it's the editing. Usually it's the ending, but that's a lot more common with lower rated movies.

But think about this: I said earlier I believe 2001 is the greatest movie ever made and I wouldn't even call that perfect.

The thing is, though, while there may be something that keeps a movie from being perfect doesn't lessen my enjoyment of it.

[JKL2000]

^ What do you think of Rosemary's Baby, Barry?

[ronmac]

I did, after all, give the movie 4 stars. What more do you want? Egg in your beer?

But to answer your question, off the top of my head, the way Norman's night gown and wig are pulled off him doesn't look natural.

I knew it would be something like that. I was expecting you to mention the way Martin Basalm goes down the steps backwards on his heels unnaturally.

[Hal...]

^ What do you think of Rosemary's Baby, Barry?

Meh. Everything about that movie was fine except that Roman Polanski didn't provide any kind of creepy atmosphere. It's like champagne that's lost most of its bubbles. But maybe that's kind of the point: evil is hidden in plain sight. But there have been other movies Polanski has made that lacked something Hitch or another director would have provided. I remember reading about his debut, Knife in the Water, and how great it is. When I finally saw it I had the same reaction: "meh". The note at the bottom of the article about it on Wikipedia I think is telling:

Though some classify Knife in the Water as a drama due to its languid pace, it is more often described as a psychological thriller film. Film scholar Frank Bren describes the film in World Cinema: Poland (1986) as an "economic thriller." Film professor Charles Derry notes in The Suspense Thriller: Films in the Shadow of Alfred Hitchcock (2010) that, "although a suspense thriller, it has an art-house sensibility and almost no thrills whatsoever." (emphasis added)

And that's Polanski in a nutshell: almost no thrills whatsoever.

I knew it would be something like that. I was expecting you to mention the way Martin Basalm goes down the steps backwards on his heels unnaturally.

Yep. I thought of that, too, but couldn't picture the details in my head of what's wrong with that shot so I didn't mention it.

I will say this: the reason I regard that movie in such high esteem is due in no small part to Hitch's shot of Janet Leigh's eye after she's been murdered. My pick for the greatest shot in the history of cinema.

[nycsteve]

Its all subjective . Especially when ranking "the greatest" . For example , 2001 , a fine movie , but not even a remote chance of ending up on a list of my greatest. I prefer to rank movies on a scale of my enjoyment not some critics rating. I would allow points for a films place in film history to be a factor. For example , The Maltese Falcon. A fine movie. Other factors bolstering its status, one of the first , if not the first true A list quality noirs. Houstan and Bogarts legend maker. Perfect cast. Unbelievably excellent dialoge. Unique for its time. Sidney Greenstreet. Many levels . Greatest ? Well to be my greatest , how did it effect me , my enjoyment? I enjoyed It's A Wonderful Life more. Is IAWL greater? Probably not , but if flicking through channels and could only watch one , IAWL would likely be my choice. Key Largo , better than both the previous. IMO. When trying to pick a greatest , heavy consideration must be given to , its impact in its time and place , did the film break new ground vs be the finest example of an existing genre, its influence on subsequent films , its players , was it a career maker or another laurel in a list of wins ? Phsyco was a first of its kind for its time. Top notch in all catagories. Pushes all the buttons it tryed to. Excellent film. But I'de probably still watch IAWL if I could only watch one. Although if you threw in Key Largo into the mix.............

[Hal...]

Its all subjective.

Of course it is.

I prefer to rank movies on a scale of my enjoyment not some critics rating.

I do too. I don't rank 2001 as high as I do because of what critics or filmmakers think of it (I assume you're not implying I do). I rank it #1 because after the nth viewing, I realized what a brilliant masterpiece it is and because I haven't seen a better movie. But that's an objective viewpoint. Dr Strangelove is my favorite movie (which I rank 2nd), because I enjoy it more than any other movie I've ever seen. Like you, if all my favorite movies were playing at the same time, I'd likely watch Dr Strangelove. But it also depends on the last time I saw any of them and what mood I'm in. I may pick It's a Wonderful Life, Casablanca, or 12 Angry Men instead.

I'm glad you mentioned The Maltese Falcon and Key Largo. Along with Double Indemnity, I consider them sort of like the "Holy Trinity" of film noir.

Speaking of which, I saw Body Heat last week for the first time in a long time. It's obviously inspired by Double Indemnity. Other than a scene that kind of annoys me, I think it's one of the best neo-noir movies.

[Hal...]

Incidentally, I posted the results of the Sight & Sound poll to inspire you guys to post your top 10+ and also to inspire some conversation of great movies. And yet no one's posted their list of favorites. WTF are you guys afraid of?

[Hal...]

Here's something I learned the other day that I thought you all might find interesting...

I mentioned some days back I finally saw the Hitchcock comedy Mr and Mrs Smith and really enjoyed it. It stars Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery. Here's a still from the movie:



That same year he also starred with Claude Rains in Here Comes Mr Jordan (the first adaptation of the play Heaven Can Wait and remade later with Warren Beatty):



And I think I've seen They Were Expendable, which he starred in with John Wayne and Donna Reed:






Here he is with his daughter (click image to expand):

EM and RM.jpg

Recognize her?

[Staun]

Incidentally, I posted the results of the Sight & Sound poll to inspire you guys to post your top 10+ and also to inspire some conversation of great movies. And yet no one's posted their list of favorites. WTF are you guys afraid of?

I’m afraid, very afraid.

[ronmac]

I will say this: the reason I regard that movie in such high esteem is due in no small part to Hitch's shot of Janet Leigh's eye after she's been murdered. My pick for the greatest shot in the history of cinema.

You're not alone. I could never settle on one greatest shot, especially considering the distinctly different eras of film. But it is as good as any.

[nycsteve]

You're not alone. I could never settle on one greatest shot, especially considering the distinctly different eras of film. But it is as good as any.

Definitly up there , the final shot of Hayden in the Asphalt Jungle , close up of his dieing face with the horses in the background.

[nycsteve]

Speaking of Kubrick and noir , The Killing. Fabulous hiest film with Sterling Hayden in top form. Excellent flic.

[Staun]

One dozen irate adult males is on TCM this afternoon. Aren’t they overexposing this a tad?

[Hal...]

^ That's a good question, Staun. On the one hand, yes. On the other, no, if it means people will be seeing it for the first time.

[ronmac]

I true classic, the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) is on Comet right now.

I haven't seen this one in about 25 years. I have a betamax copy somewhere in this house.

[Staun]

^ That's a good question, Staun. On the one hand, yes. On the other, no, if it means people will be seeing it for the first time.

Well, for those who recognize a great film, I hope that line is getting shorter.

[Staun]

I true classic, the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) is on Comet right now.

I haven't seen this one in about 25 years. I have a betamax copy somewhere in this house.

I like everything about this flick. The story, the acting and it looks so good in B&W. Don’t think I’ve seen a bad print. Frantic drama. The simplicity is perfect.

[Hal...]

Interesting read: Why documentary horror Häxan still terrifies, a century on

[ronmac]

Interesting read: Why documentary horror Häxan still terrifies, a century on

Ooh, I'll have to check that out. That movie is trip.

[Staun]

Ooh, I'll have to check that out. That movie is trip.

Boy, Ron and Hal. I’ve tried with silent films and I know I’m missing a great deal. Will keep trying.

[Hal...]

Boy, Ron and Hal. I’ve tried with silent films and I know I’m missing a great deal. Will keep trying.

I get that. The acting in a lot of silent films is a little too melodramatic. Not to mention the unnatural movement of people due to the limitation of the hand cranked cameras at the time. But my main purpose for posting that article was for Ron's benefit. If anyone else gets anything from it, so much the better.

[ronmac]

I get that. The acting in a lot of silent films is a little too melodramatic. Not to mention the unnatural movement of people due to the limitation of the hand cranked cameras at the time. But my main purpose for posting that article was for Ron's benefit. If anyone else gets anything from it, so much the better.

As you know, the melodrama is both from theatrical training and to overcome the lack of audio. That being said, while I get your point, it's a bit unfair to mention the limits of camera equipment at the time. Those were not limits when viewed through a modern prism. In fact, it was just the opposite, opening a new frontier of artistic expression.

Painters were not limited by their canvasses. And some of the early cinematography is just as stunning. Some of the best film work ever was done during the silent era despite the lack of sound.

[JKL2000]

Here's something I learned the other day that I thought you all might find interesting...

I mentioned some days back I finally saw the Hitchcock comedy Mr and Mrs Smith and really enjoyed it. It stars Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery. Here's a still from the movie:



That same year he also starred with Claude Rains in Here Comes Mr Jordan (the first adaptation of the play Heaven Can Wait and remade later with Warren Beatty):



And I think I've seen They Were Expendable, which he starred in with John Wayne and Donna Reed:






Here he is with his daughter (click image to expand):

EM and RM.jpg

Recognize her?

Elizabeth Montgomery! I never knew she was his daughter.

[Hal...]

Elizabeth Montgomery! I never knew she was his daughter.

Yep. I didn't either.