Monday, March 19, 2012

What I've Been Watching

Silent Film Edition: Part III


      D.W. Griffith and F.W. Murnau, two names featured prominently in my blog, are titans of cinema's past. The purpose of highlighting their work; therefore, is to underline their importance, to inspire an interest however mild in their exceptional work. Any film buff could comfortably laud their accomplishments. Such a statement presupposes that every consumer of film is desirous of the "buff" distinction. The box office receipts for films like Jack and Jill and New Year's Eve confirm my suspicions that a voracious awareness of film history, for the average moviegoer, is unnecessary. Well, I am not the average moviegoer. And I'm here to tell you, loyal readers who frequent my blog, neither are you. My commentary presumes your attentiveness for, yes, cinema's history. Presumptuous as it may be, this Silent Film segment, which will continue in perpetuity, is designed to fulfill your curiosities. Well, mine, too. So please enjoy. By the way, any paragraph that manages to invoke the names of Griffith and Murnau whilst identifying cockamamie cinema, for which Adam Sandler is routinely a fixture, is a paragraph that is about as inessential, as well, Sandler's next terrorizing tour through planet boredom. 

Sunday, March 4, 2012

What I've Been Watching

Silent Film Edition: Part II


      In Part II of my Silent Film Marathon, I discuss two groundbreaking German films, their style reflective of the highly influential German Expressionist movement and their function emblematic of the horror/surreal/fantasy genres. Enjoy. And please feel free to impart some wisdom below. I'm eager to engage discussion.