So I studied abroad in London in college (and used to go back once a year, but now it’s been like five years since I’ve returned and I’m totally in withdrawal and this is all beside the point) and British friends used to make fun of me for saying things are “the best ever.”
To be fair to myself, sometimes when I say things are the best ever, it’s because they actually are. Like Coldplay. Or flannel sheets. Or a certain television show that may get mentioned in this week’s episode of Classic Movie Gush.
But look, I’m not the only who declares things the best! For seventy-some years, most movie critics have been declaring Citizen Kane the best movie ever. And it really is an amazing piece of cinematic artwork. So it was the obvious choice for Clay’s and my tenth movie chat. So get a “happy tenth episode!” piece of cake, watch and enjoy…
Comments 13
So I have heard of Citizen Kane for forever but I actually have no clue what it is about (and even after this I’m not entirely sure!) so I can’t really say whether or not it is the greatest movie ever and I’m not even going to try to pick a movie to take that title! I’ll have to add this to my list of movies to check out at some point. Though personally I’m a bigger fan of TV shows! Sadly, Melissa, I have yet to see 24 though it’s been on my radar for awhile now! If you say it’s the best I’ll have to try to watch it sooner rather than later! Also so excited that you are working on finishing up your book!!! I can’t wait to read it!!
Author
Haha, okay, here’s a concise overview: It’s about a man in the newspaper business who accumulates all kinds of wealth and prestige, but never really gets the one thing he wants. Which would be love. Which sounds sad. And it is sad. But it’s also poignant and so artistically done and impacting.
24!!! I love it so much. It’s not even generally the kind of show I’d get excited about–like, I’m not into any of the crime dramas everyone else loves. But I got hooked on it when some guys showed up at my apartment door in college asking if they could watch the season premier on our tv since theirs was broken. A roomie and I ended up watching it with them and I was addicted within the first 10 minutes. 🙂
I remember the first time I heard about Citizen Cane. I was in a theater and film class in college and the professor went on and on about the movie…but, we never watched it. We watched a lot of films in that class, but never Citizen Cane. I’ve yet to see it. After listening to you two gush, I’m even more intrigued to watch it. 🙂 I can’t possibly say which movie is the best ever, but I have to say Gone with the Wind has to be up there on that list.
Two things: love your necklace. 🙂 And, there were some words on the bottom right hand of your screen that kept catching my eye, Melissa. I giggled when I read Tim Tebow’s name. 🙂
Author
Gone with the Wind IS a good one. What’s amazing to me about GWIW is how much it prompts you to root for Scarlett even while she’s doing these horrible things…and it’s so epic.
Yeah, a really cool friend gave me that necklace. 🙂
I have never seen it, and ***gasp*** don’t really want to. I know. I’m missing out. I’ve heard it’s the best movie ever, but it’s just never snagged me. However, after listening to you too, maybe I will finally take the plunge. LOL
Author
True story: First time I watched Citizen Kane was in a college class and I fell asleep multiple times. (I also had mono…so, mono or movie,who knows.) But this time I went into it with a different mindset…looking for why it’s so acclaimed. And by the end I really was just completely awed.
Haven’t ever seen it…how’s that for cultured? 😛 But now perhaps I need to dive in as well! I love how excited you guys get about movies. hehe.
Author
Movies are a good thing to get excited about. Stories in general are a good thing to get excited about.
As for being cultured, it’s okay…but now that you’ve been educated about it, you should probably watch it.
Citizen Kane is wonderful movie making but not what I would consider the best film ever made. I respond to content & character more than the technique of telling a story through film. But as you both said, this film does make me appreciate what talent can do for a story. I find myself wondering “what if” Orson Welles had directed some of the stories I love best!
Author
I get what you’re saying about content and character…some movies that I looove character-wise are probably some of the most simply made. There’s one–Holiday–with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn (no surprise there, I’m sure) that would never win any kind of filmography award. Everything–staging, lighting, etc–is pretty simple and straightforward. Yet the characters and dialogue and overall feel get me every time. And that’s going to be the kind of movie I return to over and over. But still, something like Citizen Kane makes me super appreciative of film-making as an art and as something I really don’t fully understand, but can be awed by all hte same.
Love your “what if” pondering too!
I just now finished catching up on all of the classic movie episodes, and I’ve really enjoyed them! It’s so nice to see that other people love classic movies, too.
I watched Citizen Kane for the first time last year, because I knew it was supposed to be one of the best movies ever. Overall, I enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty depressing…Kane’s life was so sad and shallow. But the movie itself was *gorgeous.* I loved the lighting and the cinematography and how nearly every shot looked so dramatic. I will watch it again sometime. I understand why it’s so important and famous, but I wouldn’t call it the best film ever by any means. =)
I can’t wait to see more episodes of Classic Movie Gush! Some of the films I’d love to see you guys talk about are The Thin Man (love that entire series), Sunset Boulevard, Arsenic and Old Lace, His Girl Friday, Charade (I’m a big Cary Grant fan, too), and How to Steal a Million. And more musicals and Hitchcock films. =) And in December, Christmas in Connecticut! (I love Uncle Felix.) It’s my favorite Christmas movie ever, even more so than It’s a Wonderful Life, though I feel bad for saying that…
Author
Woohoo, yay for catching up on episodes. 🙂 I agree that Citizen Kane is a little depressing…but it’s like, I still walk away from it feeling sorta happy because of the amazingness of the movie itself. Like you said, gorgeous and dramatic. It really does feel like watching art.
Okay, you mentioned some of my movie faves! LOVE the Thin Man series…William Powell and Myrna Loy are one of my favorite Hollywood duos, that’s for sure. And I could watch His Girl Friday over and over and over for the dialogue alone. I just saw How to Steal a Million for the first time a couple years ago–loved it. So witty. My book was partially inspired by Christmas in Connecticut. AND one of the other movies you mentioned may just be next up on our list…
So basically, I think we may be movie kindred spirits. 🙂
Author
Although, the one area we may differ is on liking Christmas in Connecticut better than It’s a Wonderful Life. I’m not sure I like any movie better that IAWL, actually. Ahhhh, so good. 🙂