Wings (1927 Film) Review

For the first film to ever win Best Picture, this doesn't disappoint. It's epic, it's tragic, it's funny, it's heartfelt, it's just an all around great time. People sometimes criticize it for several reasons, like the bubble scenes, which we'll get to later, the fact that Clara Bow isn't in it long enough, it being to slow and/or melodramatic, but I didn't find any of those problems existent or major (Well, except for the bubbles. Oh the bubbles). The story is about two men who are in love with the same girl. They go off to war, and basically turn from rivals to friends. It's a very simple story, but executed amazingly with the acting and pacing. Clara Bow, Buddy Rogers, and Richard Arlen all did outstanding, and the Gary Cooper cameo was great, pretty unexpected too. Now, every movie has at least one flaw, right? Well, this movie is no exception. The comedy relief and simple story really should have been improved to make it deeper and less annoying. Now, because I can't think of much else to say, it's time for The Best and Worst of Wings. The best has to be the dogfight halfway through the film. This scene wasn't matched for years, and it's extremely entertaining and thrilling. You feel afraid for the main characters, but at the same time, you want to see airplanes do aerial flips and explode into a fiery explosion, and you don't have to worry, they do. The worst is... The bubbles. I know it's just one scene, but the joke drags on for over 10 minutes, and you're bored to death when it's over with. It starts with one of the main characters getting extremely drunk, and then he hallucinates, seeing a lot of bubbles, and the audience also sees the bubbles, showing the real effects of the hallucination. Besides the occasionally funny line from the characters slurring of words, this scene is boring and unfunny. Worst of all, when it's all done and over with, it's never mentioned again (I would make a Doug Walker joke here, but it would probably confuse most of you). Other than that though, I didn't find many flaws in this picture. It brings out plenty of emotions, makes you care for the characters and their interaction, and the action scenes are extremely intense and exciting. Overall, it's an epic film, worthy of it's Best Picture win. Unfortunately, this is the only Best Picture film never released on VHS or DVD (Cavalcade had a limited VHS release). Luckily though, the film WILL be released on DVD on January 24, 2012, so definitely pick it up when it comes out, it would definitely be a wise purchase.

5/5

Top 10 Historic Moments in the World of Film

You may have wondered to yourself time and time again, what is THE most historic moment in film ever? Whether it's a film itself, a big advancement, infamy, anything, I have come up with the Top 10 Historic Moments in the World of Film. Let's begin:

10. Walt Disney is Formed, 1937

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is the first film to be made by Walt Disney Productions, which would end up becoming the most successful film company ever. Their talent has now been spread out among live action films and TV shows.




9. First Horror Film, 1896

The Haunted Castle is known as the first horror film in history, although it was originally discovered the images were meant to amuse rather than disturb. However, it's still regarded as the first "Scary" film.


8. "Sequels" Introduced to Film, 1916

"Fall of a Nation, a sequel to the very popular "Birth of a Nation", was the very first sequel in the history of film making. Unfortunately, the film is now lost, and all that remains is a few stills that are unknown if they are from the movie or the original Birth of a Nation.


7. 3D First Introduced to Film, 1903

"L'arrivée du train" was shown using 3D glasses in 1903, and the tradition would continue for years, and getting popular in the 50s.


6. Color Introduced to Film, 1903 and 1912
  
"Vie et Passion du Christ" of 1903 was the first film to have color, but was stencil based color. The first natural color in film was in "With our King and Queen Through India" in 1912.


5. CGI Introduced to Film, 1973 and 1976


Computer Generated Imagery was rendered possible in 1968, but first used in a film in 1973, in "Westworld", where 2D computer animation was used. 3D computer graphics were first used in 1976's "Futureworld", and sequel to Westworld. Although CGI has it's flaws, it is a very important part in film history.


4. Animation Introduced to Film, 1906


Humorous Phases of Funny Faces is the first known film with animation. Though animation wasn't as popular back then, it would gain popularity later.


3. Academy Awards Introduced, 1929


The Academy Awards have become the ultimate film award ceremony, and winning one of these awards is basically like climbing Mount Everest without a scrape in under an hour. The two biggest awards that night were "Outstanding Picture", won by "Wings", and "Unique and Artistic Production", won by "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans".


2. Synchronized Dialogue Introduced to Film, 1927


The Jazz Singer was the first film to have the sound of spoken word coming from the actual actors mouths. Unfortunately, the sound era would start off slow, with 1929 said to be one of the worst years in film, as that was the year sound films became widespread.




1. "First Motion Picture Ever Made", 1888


Only 2 to 4 seconds long, depending on who you talk to, Roundhay Garden Scene has the distinction of being the first motion picture ever made. It is available on Youtube, and I highly recommend viewing it, as none of your favorite films would even exist without this.

Is there any I missed? Leave your ideas in the comments!

Top 5 Film Rules You Need to Remember

I'm not the best film critic in the world, not by far, but I noticed far to many films COULD have been good, but fall flat because of overlooked flaws in the film, or that a film critic calls a film good, because they don't notice the flaws the first time around. Sure, several film rules are well known, but others really needed to be expressed to people who want to create or watch films. So, without any further ado, let's begin:

5. When writing a female character, write them as characters before females

This is mostly evident is children's films. It's when you get a female character who has absolutely no personalty, and is just in the film either to get the plot moving, or to show girls aren't equal to guys, they're BETTER than them, which is a sign of intense feminism. Write a female character with personality, and don't make her perfect just to show off the male lead, who probably is annoying as well. Make them equal, or at least not annoying.

4. Subtlety is key

Did any of you see the 70s horror film, Black Christmas? It's about a murderer who calls several girls in a house. Basic stuff, but in the end, *SPOILER* you never discover who the killer is. There's a suspect, but nothing definite. You want to find out, but if you do find out, you'll most likely be disappointed. That's how subtlety works. 

3. Suspense and/or Surprise is often the biggest step to horror

A long walk through a scary hallway like in Shutter Island, that shadow before the shower murder in Psycho, the face in the window at the end of Eminem's "Stan", SOMETHING. And no, I'm not talking about jump scares. A good example of surprise that isn't a jump scare is Psycho's shower scene, as you see a shadow, you get nervous, you know something will happen, and THEN you're surprised. 

2. CGI shouldn't be used for EVERYTHING

CGI stands for Computer Generated Image(s). CGI has been used for films like Avatar, The Matrix, etc. The main problem with CGI is rarely does it ever look like the image is in front of the camera. Take Indiana Jones for example, the first 3 films had amazing action, but this was before CGI, so when the objects were in front of the camera, you knew it. The fourth film however uses CGI, and guess what? The action was not as good. It shows that CGI doesn't always make a film better, and should only be used when absolutely necessary. 

1. For suspense to exist, you need likable and developed characters to back it up

I... cannot stress this enough. If suspense involves a character or more, you need to care about the characters. You will be afraid for the characters, and hope nothing happens to them. This is why I think films like Rear Window and The Hurt Locker are horribly overrated. I don't know or like the characters, so I don't feel any suspense. 

What film rules do you think should have been here?

Top 5 Films With The Best Special Effects

Depending On:
Visual Appeal (Looks Colorful and Atmospheric)
Realism
Ground Breaking
Subtlety

5. King Kong (1933)


I know you were probably expecting the 2005 remake here, but no, I prefer this one. The attention to detail is fantastic, and all the hard work really pay's off, and makes for special effects not matched for years to come. Peter Jackson himself actually attempted to recreate King Kong's lost scene, featuring a giant spider, using the same crude techniques used in 1933. It didn't look close to as good as this.

4. Tron Legacy (2010)


It's not as subtle as the other films on this list, but good god is it awesome. Filled with color, detail, and spectacles that need to be seen to be believed, this movie revives CGI to make me enjoy it again.

3. Titanic (1997)


I'm still not sure if CGI was really used in this film or not.

2. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)


It's quick, it's detailed, it's realistic, it's just awesome.

1. Inception (2010)

Was there ever a doubt? Best Special Effects yet. Watch it and you'll see.

Honorable Mention: 2001: A Space Odyssey

I Will Never Include: King Kong (2005), The Matrix, Avatar (All Have to Much Overused and Unrealistic CGI)