Sunrise

Sunrise (F.W. Murnau, 1927)

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Rating: Q=6, P=7 / Comfy Old Standard

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Silent, 1920s, Complex Relationships, Suspense/Thriller

"The more you consider "Sunrise" the deeper it becomes -- not because the story grows any more subtle, but because you realize the real subject is the horror beneath the surface." -Roger Ebert

While the majority of modern audiences might find silent films tedious, it is hard to feel that way about this one. This film is a classic--it was one of the first films to employ the use of so many artistic film techniques, it is truly beautiful to watch, and the story is timeless. There are moments that will make your heart beat fast and make you hold your breath. Loved it.

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Broken

Broken (Rufus Norris, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Coming of Age, Complex Relationships, Drama,

This film is a little gem. I enjoyed the complexity of the narrative, the quirky characters, the subtle artistry, and the superb acting. Well done Eloise Laurence! It has some pretty rough subject matter that stays with you, as all good coming of age stories do, but it is also incredibly heart-warming. You'll want to hug your children and your parents and your best friends after this.

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Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon (Sidney Lumet, 1975)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

True Story, Bank Robbery, Hostage, Crime, Complex Relationships

The incredibly bizarre story of the bank robbery that actually happened in Brooklyn 40 years ago (really, that long?) is still as interesting, tense, and uncomfortable to watch today. I had to get up more than a few times just because all the yelling and sweaty-ness was getting to me. Al Pacino is phenomenal, undoubtedly due to the superb directing of Sidney Lumet.

Humans are prone to get in too deep, to not think things through. They become torn between self-interest and "the right thing to do" and get carried away in schemes, lies, and dreams. And we will watch them in fascination because...well, it's us.

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Once Upon A Time In The West

Once Upon A Time In The West (Sergio Leone, 1968)

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Rating: Q=8, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Western, Complex Relationships, Drama

Spaghetti westerns have always felt so slow, to me, but if you can get passed that, they are absolutely marvelous gems. This one is classic--quiet and eerie with artistic long takes and strange angles, beautiful score, and interesting faces to watch. Charles Bronson is fantastic. When you watch you really feel like you are in the movie, sweating and listening carefully to every creak of a windmill or shuffle of a foot. This is astonishing film making.

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