S 1921 Move notes

  "The Public Enemy" is a classic gangster film that tells the divergent life paths of two brothers, Tom and Mike. From a young age, Tom shows no interest in a legitimate career and joins the underworld with his friend Matt, making money through illegal activities. In stark contrast, Mike pursues education, working during the day and attending night school, eventually enlisting when the country calls. The film excels in its plot structure and character relationships. Tom and Mike's choices not only reflect their individual personalities and fates but also represent two extremes of society. Tom's descent into crime ultimately leads to his tragic end, while Mike symbolizes hope and the force of justice. The film's ending is particularly striking. Tom's mother joyfully tidies his room, unaware that Mike is downstairs, facing Tom's lifeless body in a mix of anger and helplessness. This scene, with its sharp contrasts and conflicts, powerfully conveys the compl...

Little Caesar is a pioneering gangster film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Edward G. Robinson. Robinson's passionate performance as the title character created an unforgettable role that not only achieved great success at the time but also influenced future gangster films. His final line, "Is this the end of Rico?" is both humorous and thought-provoking, showcasing the complexity of his character. The film tells the story of a small-time hoodlum who climbs to the top of the gang world through violence and cunning. With a fierce, wolf-like nature, Little Caesar spends his days hacking and slashing his way to power, only to meet a tragic end on the streets. Through his fate, the film explores an important theme: choice. Little Caesar chooses the life of a gangster, enduring endless bloodshed in his quest to become a feared mob boss, ultimately paying the price with his life. In stark contrast is his friend Joe, who chooses to leave the underworld behind and pursue hi...

 M is a pioneering work in the film noir genre, with many gangster film techniques tracing their origins back to this movie. The film showcases advanced investigative methods of its time, such as fingerprint analysis, area searches, and note analysis. The story begins with the chilling revelation that several little girls have been murdered, and soon, the murderer emerges. While the characters in the film remain unaware of the killer's identity, the audience's attention shifts to the process of capturing him rather than identifying him. When M is finally caught by the gangsters, the focus of the story shifts to the confrontation between the police and the gang, though this confrontation is portrayed in a single scene. The film reaches its climax in the last ten minutes with the gang's trial of M, elevating the narrative to new heights. One striking sequence depicts the simultaneous efforts of the gang and the police to arrest M. Through seamless time-space editing, the dire...

Cimarron, a classic film that chronicles the development of the American West, won the 4th Academy Award for Best Picture, establishing the concept of the "American Western." The story unfolds in Oklahoma, a land that transforms from desolate prairie to a bustling oil city in just 40 years. The protagonist, Yancey, is an adventurous lawyer who, along with his wife Sabra, journeys from the East to this land of opportunity and peril. The opening land rush scene is unforgettable. Thousands of people scramble for land, with the thunderous sound of hooves, dust flying, and shouts echoing. Despite the lack of aerial photography technology at the time, the director masterfully captures this historical moment with exceptional staging and cinematography. Yancey is not only a lawyer but also a sharpshooter. He publishes newspapers, battles outlaws, and comments on current affairs, embodying the bravery and justice of the Western pioneers. He advocates for the rights of Native Americans...

 "Frankenstein," a classic black-and-white film released in 1931, remains captivating and influential despite some performances now appearing exaggerated. The brief introduction at the beginning sets an intriguing tone, immediately immersing the audience in a world full of grotesque wonder. The scene where Frankenstein is created is surreal, with the setup of three normal viewers and one madman adding an element of absurdity. When Frankenstein flips the switch, the corpse slowly rises, revealing the mysteries of life and death, symbolizing the birth of Frankenstein. This moment is both shocking and symbolic. Frankenstein's encounter with the woodcutter's daughter is particularly poignant. The little girl, unafraid of the monster's grotesque appearance, invites him to play, symbolizing human kindness and innocence. As the girl tosses flowers into the lake, Frankenstein feels joy and, in a tragic turn, throws the girl into the lake. This heart-wrenching scene unders...

 "City Lights," a classic silent film released in 1931, stands out even as sound films had been developing for three years. Despite the industry's shift towards sound, Chaplin chose to stick with silent cinema and even humorously mocked talkies at the film's beginning. With his iconic top hat, cane, ill-fitting suit, and distinctive walk, Chaplin crafted the character of an unrefined gentleman, greeting everyone with a tip of his hat, filled with drama and humor. The story revolves around the life of a small, ordinary man. The boxing scene is particularly brilliant; what should be a powerful and passionate boxing match is turned into a stage for the boxers to "dance." Chaplin's light-footed pace and clever movements showcase his exceptional comedic talent, making audiences marvel at the silent film's charm. It's worth mentioning that the soundtrack for "City Lights" was composed by Chaplin himself, adding emotional depth to the film. Th...