shamanhector Reviews

Casablanca (1942)

the perfect model of classic design narrative

[10/10 · 4 December 2020]

Its no secret that Casablanca is a great film.its a near perfect movie in every aspect. Passing through all those reasons though, its core is how authentic it is concerning the classic design model of narrative and how it uses that devotion to a tight plot in its advantage.in spite of that its not at all standard.But how so?Well ,it puts in the bin many elements that would later become the standard but somehow never a given.First of all plot and themes go along fro the start.The motives that make the characters act are very clear no matter how complicated or simple they are.They are not a mystery as it is the case with many films nowadays.In that way it achieves real substance,which of course is combined with impeccable style. The dialogue is very discreet and full of subtext.That way the film spices up and it becomes more clever than most films today.All the lines seem really suited to the characters and thus organic. Acting is of course top notch and very ahead of it time.Bogey gives Rick a poetry between the lines just with his eyes.He really keeps the balance between the suave and confident guy and the beaten dissapointed in romanticism man.The way he performs is not typical of that era its more suited to the the realism of the seventees.Ingrid is perfect in playin a beautiful but very deep young woman.She really does justice to this great,conflicted character who wants who of course has the beliefs of a mature individual.She doesnt just seat around thinking about the way to make the world better,she acts on it.At the same time she is very conflicted about her feelings.Ilsa is one of the first truly strong but real female characters to come out of hollywood.As far as the other actors are concerned they all give great supportive performances from Petter Lorre to claude rains and Dooley Wilson as Sam. Now that i have fineshed talking about the obvious greatness of the movie i wanna adress the thing that struck me the most in my last viewing of the film.All that devotion to the classical model and the clear application of the structure on the tree act model allows the movie to flirt with some elements that transcend it.The cinematography for instance is very similar to noir fimls which adds an extra layer to the film.That element progresses the themes in the sense that it compliments the characters at any given moment.That being said the story doesnt have many of the usual tropes of noir film but it really makes it more complex.The flashback sequence is anther thing which is less convential than usual.Flashnacks dont always work but in this instance its really reavealing and it comes in the right moment.Its a film that crosses genres and with the very unique and iconic elements such as the ending or the screenplay overall for that matter it deserves a place in the hall of fame of masterpieces. In this review i wanted to avoid literary language because i wanted to talk about the things that really hit me in this last viewing i had the other day.The gist of what i talked about is that its a film that really made an impact because its not typical in its conservative narrative.In other words ,although its a perfect example of the strengths of the classical model it turns around or it uses many elements that a true piece of art.

Inherent Vice (2014)

a mess or a well stractured wacky critique?

[10/10 · 8 December 2018]

Paul Thomas Anderson knows how to write a script .He understand structure and how themes should move hand to hand with the characters and plot.THIS IS NO EXCEPTION!!!!!!Most of the haters of this film comlain about the script .It has been called aweful and ineffective.It most certainly is effective.If you pay attention from the beginning (as it is the case with many movies)you wiil not be lost .Chill out blaze your joint up and experience....for example ;the firs scenes introduces the two main characters .You get right of the bat the right idea about the relationship and both of them individually.This allows the plot to start and the next time we get insightfull information about thei relationship is one hour and a half into the movie exactly before the third act begins.this is the first element of many that this great script consist of.the script works. the acting is phenomenal as it is the case with most pta films(this is the guy who extracted a good performance from Adam sandler).Direction is effective , never too loud but ballsy and it certainly makes a statement.Cinematography is raw ,realistic colours and very seventies like.Basically a department from the sunny and hopeful woodstock era and the entrance to the grim and not very pleasant political landscape of the seventies(again a case when technicallity in filmaking serves the themes).Editing is smart and it lets the direction to breathe in the smoke from the burning full of thc californian marijuana. the music by jhonny greenwood is atmospheric representative of the era.Now lets descent into the thematic blilliance of the movie.Its a deconstruction of the deconstruction of the noir genre with a witty sattire on how capitalism and the realization of its involvement in our lives.The watergate scandal makes us want to go back in the simplicity of the sixties and indulge in our nostalgia old love and carelessnes.Even the repressed people who were a crucial part of the puppet game of capitalism start to envy the free spirit of those with no responsibility and while the free man can now grow and become a better person and the dog of the media is emotionally immature and in search for redemption.And while i could decorate this essay with many fancy and beautiful words and metaphors i should not .Because yes this movie is purposefully a mess and you have to experience it to get it .And if you dont like it it does not matter you will not hurt yourself by watching it soo watch it.Inherent vice refers to the mortal and perishable nature of human beings.chocholate melts ,glass brakes ....so lets make up the best of it......