J-Hargett Reviews

Psycho (1960)

The best classic horror film to date

[10/10 · 6 May 2016]

Psycho is without question in my mind, the most intrigued and best display of a thriller/horror film to date. Beginning with Alfred Hitchcock's iconic style, Psycho is a classic Hitchcock film in its anxious, innovative, voyeuristic, and suspenseful camera angles and movements. The film also has a great twist ending that Hitchcock often favored in his films. The voyeuristic camera angles gives the film suspense and anxiety as you feel like you're there watching the violence unfold. Hitchcock pushed the envelope of the time with Psycho and its inherent sex and violence which aids in its timelessness. The story is riveting and kept me engrossed through the films entirety. The events unfold in true Hitchcock fashion leading up to a brilliant climax with a compelling twist. Anthony Perkins' adept performance as the charismatic yet suspicious Norman Bates only aded to the film's grace and tact. Norman Bates' character development is amazing to watch as it is slowly fed to us little by little; as well as other characters such as Marion and Lila Crane, or Norma Bates. Psycho is a classic horror movie that defined the very essence of the horror and psychological thriller genre. It is a film i throughly enjoyed and will continue to enjoy as it is highly re-watchable to me. The film is just simply, perfectly executed.

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Pleasantly Surprised

[9/10 · 6 May 2016]

I was first hesitant to watch Michael Curtiz's Mildred Pierce and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly i was involved and absorbed into the its seamless story. Some would argue the story "lacks conviction" but i felt as though the story was engaging and interesting. The story features a few overarching themes such as the familiar theme of the "American Dream" and it is all centered around a woman instead of a man which i could appreciate. The woman being Mildred Pierce played by a highly competent Joan Crawford who delivers a knockout performance, in my eyes. Mildred Pierce climbs the proverbial ladder throughout the film and with each knockdown rises with grace in social standing. Her daughter Veda, who was portrayed marvelously by Ann Blyth, undermines and belittles Mildred throughout, but Mildred is no ordinary woman. Throughout the story we encounter drama, betrayal, and love that weave together perfectly. The cinematography was simply brilliant and beautiful. Shots such as the the one we see at the films climax of the mysterious shadows in the dark as they slowly come to light only add to the drama and tension. The story is told through flashbacks and the audience is slowly fed throughout the movie which is a refreshing change from some of the chronological and mundane movies i've seen. I've always appreciated Curtiz's Mildred Pierce, and to put Mildred Pierce in simple perspective; i hold it in higher regard than Curtiz's earlier work, Casablanca

Citizen Kane (1941)

Timeless

[8/10 · 6 May 2016]

Citizen Kane is one the most analyzed and interpreted movies of all time. Thousands upon thousands of reviews have been written about Citizen Kane and its praise goes beyond that of a "good movie." The cinematography is above reproach and is unlike any other movie i've seen. The lighting, camera angles, camera techniques, and the use of space such as background and foreground are amazing and really captured my attention. The acting is marvelous and stands the test of time. Even watching it today as a younger movie enthusiast the acting is still inviting. The plot and direction of the movie keep you interested although some have said they find it to be "slow" or "boring." Orson Welles created a real masterpiece with this movie, even if it didn't see initial wild success. There isn't much more to say about this classic that hasn't already been said, discussed, and reviewed so i will only say this; watch this movie because it is a timeless classic that you will enjoy if you are a fan of, and can appreciate, classic cinema.

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Amazing Movie

[9/10 · 9 March 2016]

John Huston's "The Maltese Falcon" is a beautiful film with an excellent story arc and captivating cinematography. The story told in "The Maltese Falcon" captured me from beginning and became quickly intriguing. At times, the movie can seem dialogue heavy, in my opinion, but that is also a reason why it can become so interesting from scene to scene. The most significant aspect of "The Maltese Falcon" has to be its cinematography. I enjoy a film's cinematography and particularly look for it when watching movies, especially the marvelous movies released during this time in history. In "The Maltese Falcon" the camera angles were slick and beautifully shot. The usage of light, and lack thereof paints a noir film masterpiece that I highly respect and revere. In addition, the cast played their roles perfectly and I especially enjoyed Humphrey Bogarts portrayal as the slick and savvy Sam Spade. He wasn't a traditional hero but was a relatable one that knew what it took to play ball with the best of them. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is interested in a masterfully crafted film.

The Women (1939)

Better than I Expected

[8/10 · 8 March 2016]

After choosing George Cukor's "The Women" I was skeptical of its premise at first. I became quickly surprised at how often I found myself enjoying each catty scene or insult along with the characters' prima donna behavior. The story was two hours of hilarious female innuendo's and clever insults along with a deeper story between Mary, her daughter, and the familiar intricacies of divorce. The cast was perfect in their roles, each one bringing their own flair to the script. The all-female cast molded well gabbing amongst one another in a relentless barrage of gossip. I enjoyed this movie much more than I thought and I especially liked the end scene where all the women go at it. I recommend this movie to anybody who enjoys the genre.

King Kong (1933)

The Eighth Wonder of the World

[9/10 · 8 March 2016]

Merian Cooper's "King Kong," in my opinion, has been and will be revered as one of the greatest horror movies ever for its time. As Hollywood ages, movies can become better looking, have better acting, and more complex story lines but I will always view 1933's "King Kong" as the best of its time. It is a timeless classic. The storyline was one of the first of its kind and drew me in from beginning to end. The story was laid out in a way in which the viewer feels the suspense the characters might feel. Each scene leads you to wonder at the next, nothing is given away too soon or too late, the storytelling is precise and suspenseful. The acting, I felt, was good acting for the time. The characters were cast well and I do not agree with critics who feel as though the acting is lackluster. The cinematography was beautiful but the sound was what caught my attention most when watching this film. The score was magnificent, each scene was enhanced and given even more depth when listening to the score. It captivated my attention even more than the brilliant stop-motion live-action scenes. Kong himself is, and always will be, the greatest monster of all time and his 1933 debut will forever be known as one of the greatest horror movies of its time.

Casablanca (1942)

The G.O.A.T

[9/10 · 7 March 2016]

Michael Curtiz's "Casablanca" was, to me and to many people in the world, one of the greatest movies ever created. What made the movie so amazing in my eyes had to be the story, dialogue, and cinematography throughout the film. The story was a relatable one, disenchanted lovers who meet again one day but seemingly cannot be together. The movie is magnificent at showcasing the highly interesting story of Rick, Ilsa, and all the dynamic characters they continue to meet along the way. Every main and supporting character in the movie was interesting and had depth beyond the surface. The story wasn't predictable and it kept me engaged throughout. The dialogue is one of my favorite aspects of Casablanca. Famous quotes such as "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the worlds, she walks into mine," sum up the characters' feelings, emotions, thoughts, and the type of person they are all through their dialogue. The cinematography is also a key to success for Casablanca. The attention to detail with shadows and soft lights creates beautiful scenes that convey tenderness in characters such as Ilsa or sadness in Rick. The movie, overall, is a piece of art that has and will continue to stand the test of time in cinema, and rightfully so.

Stagecoach (1939)

Spectacular Movie!

[9/10 · 7 March 2016]

This movie was absolutely spectacular. It is hard to believe that John Wayne wasn't taken seriously before this movie after knowing the mega star he became. However, he realized this was his chance and he took it. I have always been a John Wayne fan and anybody who enjoys The Duke should definitely watch this movie. He is a much younger spritely John Wayne but his performance is still inspiring. Aside from John Wayne's always superior casting, each and every character in this motley crew was cast perfectly. The doctor, the prostitute, the gambler, the socialite, the driver, the sheriff, and the "outlaw" come together to form a movie that is truly culturally significant. The beautiful and amazing shots of Monument Valley and of the American Southwest inspire your inner rancher or cowboy and projects the feeling of the open Southwest. John Ford's "Stagecoach" truly stands the test of time and is a must see for anybody who enjoys movies due to its highly revered reviews and its gripping plot that i couldn't get bored of even if i tried.

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Quality Screwball Comedy

[8/10 · 16 February 2016]

"My Man Godfrey" was my first exposure to a screwball comedy, and I'm not disappointed. The comedy was funny at most times and somewhat routine during other scenes. I found this movie humorous but sometimes over the top which is common for the screwball comedies of the time, but it isn't my favorite genre of movie. The over the top scenes were meant to be over the top but i didn't find them as humorous as others might. I also found some of the characters to fall a bit flat and uninteresting whereas Godfrey was a quality and likable character. The characters who lived in the dump and the backstory of Godfrey made him a standout, round character that i was rooting for, William Powell played him brilliantly. The plot was interesting but somewhat cliché and unbelievable; however, i enjoyed this movie's plot and many who enjoy this genre would as well. The ending, without giving anything away, was a high point for me i found it captivating and Irene's final line to Godfrey is brilliant and quite comedic. Overall, i would recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of earlier screwball comedies i only scrutinized it because it isn't a genre I'm particularly fond of.

Frankenstein (1931)

An Iconic Classic

[8/10 · 10 February 2016]

"Frankenstein," just its title word is enough to encompass its impact on society. "Frankenstein" created by Universal, riding high on their wave of profit from "Dracula" (1931), is one of the greats when it comes to monster movies in cinema. It shows the best intentions of man going awry due to science going too far. It steps into the realm of mans inner desire and feelings of a god complex, with unforeseen and terrifying circumstances. The photography within the movie is brilliant with dim footage and the manipulation of shadows throughout creating an overarching sense of dread, fear, and suspense. My favorite example is the night scene with the torches, that to me was truly a magnificent scene. The misunderstood monster is a character that i was rooting for but my perspective consistently shifted from supporting Dr. Frankenstein to supporting his creation. The movie is distinguished in its characters, photography, and plot and remains one of the best monster movie horrors i have ever seen.

Scarface (1932)

The World is Yours

[9/10 · 10 February 2016]

"Scarface" is one of my favorite and one of the best gangster film plots in the history of cinema. A single man, Tony Camote, rising to power from his lesser position of society truly embellishes the American Dream's darker path to success. Scarface was a successful film targeted at mainstream audiences of the time and geared towards a very real and despised gangster industry that had swept through the nation. It was a masterpiece to watch, as well as Brian de Palma's remake. They are truly supplemental and if you've seen one, you should see the other as well. Scarface remains one of my favorite old gangster crime dramas for its brilliant depiction of the life of gangsters in 1930's Chicago. It is a roller coaster ride of betrayal, revenge, and love that is action packed from start to finish. Humor also drives the characters such as Tony and especially his secretary who's humor further adds to the cinematic masterpiece of Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson. Paul Muni brings a certain depth to an anti hero that the audience finds themselves rooting for despite his illegal intentions. The audience wants to see him accomplish the American Dream as well as see him stopped due to the nature of the film that was both socially conscious and genuine about the world of 1932. The audience back then saw these shootouts and gangsters in the big cities and this movie portrayed the openness and fearlessness in which these gangsters operated well. One powerful and recurring element of the story is the quote "The World is Yours" which Tony adopts as a sign to take what is rightfully "his" and, to me, that was very interesting and symbolic throughout. The action is packed into this 93 minute film and always around every corner. The plot is one of my favorite gangster plots and remains to be rivaled to this day. A man rising to power and achieving his goal of "The American Dream" through illegal means and facing the music for his pride and greed. The ending, which i will not reveal, is poignant as well as thrilling and it had me on the edge of my seat rather than the alternate ending, spawning due to censorship issues of the time, which just doesn't do the movie justice. This film was subsequently influential to American Cinema and spawned a brilliant remake and soon will spawn another Scarface title in the next few years due to its brilliant plot and acting as well as its social and historical significance.

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)

"I Steal"

[8/10 · 10 February 2016]

"I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang" is a culturally and historically significant piece of film that highlighted the problem of injustice in its time. It also projects the story of James Allen in a relatable way that can be gauged to modern day. The "American Dream" of Allen's rise to prestige from nothing is conveyed as well as other lesser themes that can go unnoticed such as the struggles for returning veterans then and still today. The struggle to find a job and cope with the new world that a veteran returns too is briefly presented through James Allen's job hunt that only produces low paying odd jobs here and there across the country. Another relatable theme, or even cliché, that is often seen in even today's cinema is the main characters strive to do something more with their lives rather than fall into the familiar role of a cookie cutter pencil pusher that outside influences pressure the protagonist to become. Our protagonist James Allen eventually reaches the Chain Gang system in the south which is where the movies main overarching theme is realized. The corruption, misconduct, and legitimacy within the system at the time was brilliantly questioned and exuded within the film to give the audience an overall sense of what the chain gang was like. Paul Muni was brilliant in his role and i found many of the other in-depth characters to be likable as well. The film is a great work of film that i found enjoyable in each and every scene, especially the scene with the chain gang singing while they work as well as the poignant scene at the end which encompasses the overall message or lesson and provides cinema with one of its famous closers "I Steal."

The Circus (1928)

One of Chaplin's best comedies.

[9/10 · 10 February 2016]

The circus, being my first exposure to silent movies, was surprisingly hilarious and even emotional. The comedy and hilarity is so easily projected by Chaplin in each zany and inadvertent moment after another. The comical chaos is very amusing to me, i never gave silent movies a chance before watching this movie and i was happily surprised at how easily i was engaged. The Circus' camera shots were inventive and unique, such as the mirror maze scene, and the movie gave the characters depth in a way i thought a silent movie couldn't. Chaplin's performance is true Chaplin, brilliant and hilarious. I even identified with his character and was completely drawn in especially during the end which was surprisingly emotional and for me, relatable.

Sherlock Jr. (1924)

Keaton's Magnum Opus

[9/10 · 3 February 2016]

Sherlock Jr. has become one of my favorite silent movies to date. The movie itself was funny, witty, and overall everything positive that gave Buster Keaton such a big name at this time. The movie displays effects in 1924 cinema that were far ahead of their time such as the film within a film scene that displays perfect continuity despite the hilarious changing of scenery. The slapstick and deadpan humor is perfectly portrayed by Keaton and kept me laughing throughout all 45 minutes of this film. The entire cast fell into their acting roles impeccably but to me, Keaton was the shining star. A real original stuntman, Keaton performed the stunts himself on screen which could become quite dangerous such as the ladder scene underneath the water basin on the railroad tracks which, according to Dennis Schwartz, fractured his neck and often gave him migraines in the subsequent years. Keaton also performed stunts from his vaudeville days that i was truly marveled by. The use of these vaudeville acts and new camera tricks created, in my unofficial opinion, Keaton's magnum opus for an early silent film despite its original success being lackluster. Keaton was quintessential in Sherlock Jr. and i would recommend it to anyone even if they are indifferent to old movies or silent films because after i watched it, my opinion on old cinema in America was drastically altered.