OccasionalPoster Reviews

The Locked Door (1929)

Barbara Stanwyck's first talkie

[7/10 · 16 October 2019]

I was fortunate enough to find this movie thanks to YouTube. It was nice to see an early twenty-something Barbara Stanwyck in not only her first talkie but her first leading role in a film. Barbara was extremely young here with hints of the talent she would develop further on into her career.

"The Locked Door" (1929) isn't a perfect film. Like a lot of early talkies, this film suffered from the transition of silent films to talkies. Some of the dialogue was hard to understand. I'm not sure if that is due to the sound equipment being used at the time or just the copy I had of the movie. The picture wasn't great either but I'll give the benefit of the doubt since this movie is ninety years old. The year 1929 was an awkward stage for film at the time. Silent films were still around but would go obsolete by the following year. The film industry was still trying to grasp how to master the art of this new medium - sound. However, it was nice to get a glimpse at a movie made and set towards the end of the Roaring Twenties. I've always wondered how the film industry was able to get away with portraying alcoholism and drinking during Prohibition.

I was shocked by the way Frank, played by glamorous leading man Rod La Rocque, treated the waiter at the beginning. Having worked in the food service industry, I kept thinking, "Jeez! Treat the waiting staff with respect!"

The secretary, played by Zasu Pitts, had to be my favorite character and role in the movie. She had some of the best lines, I swear.

I felt the ending was abrupt and very open-ended. Nonetheless, "The Locked Door" was still worth the watch just to see Barbara Stanwyck's first talkie appearance and watch a film made during an evolving period in cinema.

Lady Bird (2017)

Makes for a nice late Friday evening movie

[9/10 · 3 March 2018]

I finally got the chance to see this movie after hearing all of the accolades and buzz. I really enjoyed "Lady Bird." Watching some of the scenes between Lady Bird and her mother made me think of my own relationship with my mother (and I'm a guy). I can see why a lot of people can relate to this movie and why it hits so close to home for them as well.

I liked the earlier scenes especially and how they basically set the tone for a coming-of-age story about a Catholic high school teenager and her senior year of high school in 2002-2003 Sacramento.

I thought the acting in "Lady Bird" was really good. I enjoy watching Saoirse Ronan act and with her performances in "Brooklyn" (2015) and now "Lady Bird" (2017), she proves to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

There were too many memorable scenes from this movie such as:

I loved the scene when the football coach takes over the theatre department, controlling the rehearsal like it is one of his own football matches. That part was too hilarious.

I also enjoyed the scene with the pro-life speaker and how Lady Bird bashes her presentation in front of the whole female section of girls. That part was so outrageous.

Laurie Metcalf, who played Ronan's mother, gave an excellent performance. I loved how Metcalf portrayed her as tough and realistic but also gave her some heart especially during the second half of the movie when she picks up her daughter following Lady Bird's disappointed sexual encounter. It is nice to see a mother onscreen who, ultimately, understands what her daughter is going through at her age.

Like mentioned in the title, "Lady Bird" sure makes for a nice late Friday evening movie.

Call Me by Your Name (2017)

"Call me by your name and I'll call you by yours."

[10/10 · 5 February 2018]

I saw "Call Me by Your Name" a week ago as part of a Saturday double feature. I loved it and thought it was a beautiful film.

The acting in the film was exquisite. Timothee Chalamet gives an incredible breakout performance as Elio, a Jewish teenager questioning his sexuality after developing feelings for Oliver, played by Armie Hammer, a colleague of Elio's father staying over at the family's summer villa in 1983 Italy. I liked Armie Hammer and I thought that he gave a great performance as the (also) Jewish, twenty-something New Englander relenting to his infatuation and attraction to his colleague's seventeen year-old musical son.

One cannot forget about Michael Stuhlbarg, Chalamet's onscreen professor father, who like Hammer, was snubbed of an Oscar nomination. Stuhlbarg's moving monologue about his unconditional love and acceptance for his bisexual son towards the end of the film had me in tears. A tear went down my right cheek twice as I watched his monologue. That is how moved I was. Maybe because I could relate to Elio and his budding feelings and sexual development is why that later scene between father and son hit me close to home.

Chalamet's final scene, as the end credits roll, is heartbreaking, as he sits there by the fireplace at Chanukah-time, saddened after learning that Oliver, the love of his life, is now engaged to a woman. The film finally ends with Elio looking directly into the camera, in European film fashion, as he faces his parents with the woe that has now overcome him. The camera goes to black.

The closing shot reminded me of Celia Johnson at the end of "Brief Encounter" (1945). The affair may be over but the memories will subsist (whether good or bad).

Having read the book, I can say that "Call Me by Your Name" is one of those rare cases where I enjoyed the movie just as much as the book. They go hand-in-hand. They really do.

The book and this movie will stay with me for years and years to come.