[metternich1815]

Originally Posted by neverending

I wouldn't say Gone With the Wind is over-rated, but it hasn't aged well. It's conspicuously absent from the top nominations, and I suspect that's why.

Casablanca, is a phenomenal example of a troubled production that managed to become one of the most popular films of all times. Amidst the wartime background is the steamy story of an ill-fated romance, rekindled with such passion that little else matters, and yet Rick's innate morality wins out, as he sacrifices his own happiness in order to make sure Ilsa and her husband make it to safety, ensuring the success of the war resistance. Add to that the sparkling dialogue, with many examples of witty exchanges, contrasted with the stark emotion of Rick's pain.

Bogart's sociology brings a tear to my eye every time. "Of all the gin joins in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine..." You SEE the tears he's holding back. It's the performance of his career.

Add to THAT, the many memorable characters such as Claude Rains' duplicitous police chief, Peter Lorre's slimy toadie and Sidney Greenstreet's masterful turn that made him a star and resulted in a series of films teaming him with Lorre.

Citizen Kane is hard for many viewers to relate to today, I think, because it's a very cold film, and everything today passion and emotion, where everything must be FELT. It's an intellectual film chronicling the downfall of a corrupt powerful man, who sacrificed everything for money and power, especially his emotions , and anyone who got close to him. Quite a daring film in its day when William Randolph Hearst was still very much in power, its impact may be somewhat lessened today when many don't even know who he is. However, it's superbly crafted, impeccably shot, and it makes its point with a savage force.

I could not have said it better.

Originally Posted by neverending

Yah, I got that. You might have noticed I said "Yes I know I just cherry picked a single sentence from your entire post, ignoring the rest." Did you see that? I also ended the entire thing with a wink -

I'm going to take a lot of pot shots at various statements throughout this entire process. I hope people don't take them too seriously. I'll endeavor to keep things somewhat lighthearted. wink wink

Yeah, I saw that, but I figured I would clarify, just in case.