S 1921 Move notes

Grand Hotel is a classic film that brought together numerous MGM superstars. Although its historical standing is modest, the film still showcases significant entertainment value and star power. The plot revolves around the diverse guests of a luxurious hotel, each with their unique storyline, creating a film rich in drama and conflict. The film opens with a brilliant montage, depicting the daily lives of the hotel manager, staff, an entrepreneur, a dancer and her maid, and a baron. This scene concludes with Dr. Otternschlag’s line, “Grand Hotel. People come, people go. Nothing ever happens.” This sets the stage for the main storyline, providing a snapshot of the various states of life during the rapid economic growth after the war. Greta Garbo’s portrayal of the dancer Grusinskaya is one of the film’s most captivating performances. Her line, “I want to be alone,” was ranked 30th in the AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes. Although Garbo herself felt the line was misquoted, it eerily...

  "Freaks," a 1932 film directed by Tod Browning, tells a bizarre story set in a circus, making it one of the most unique films in cinema history due to its daring casting and shocking plot. The story centers around Hans, a dwarf who falls deeply in love with the tall and beautiful trapeze artist Cleopatra. Unbeknownst to Hans, Cleopatra doesn't love him; she plans to marry him to steal his inheritance. During the wedding feast, she and her lover Hercules openly mock Hans and the other sideshow performers. The tension and hostility at the wedding are palpable, and the audience can feel Hans's heartbreak while also being struck by the anger of the other "freaks." In retaliation for Cleopatra's deceit and humiliation, the sideshow performers band together to exact a terrifying revenge on her. On a stormy night, they capture Cleopatra and transform her into a grotesque figure with no limbs and covered in feathers. This scene, with its powerful visual effect...

"Das Blaue Licht," directed by Leni Riefenstahl in 1932, derives its story from her travels in the Sarnthal mountains of northern Italy. The film tells a mysterious legend: on nights with a full moon, a mysterious blue light shines on the cliffs, and a beautiful "witch" descends into the valley, luring men from the village to follow her up the mountain, only for them to fall to their deaths from the dizzying peaks. From the beginning, the film immerses the audience in a world brimming with mystery. Every time the full moon rises, casting blue light over the cliffs, the visual effects are stunning. The appearance of the witch adds suspense to the story; her beauty and mystery both captivate and terrify. This character design and plot development not only pique the audience's curiosity but also deepen the film's mysterious atmosphere. The decision to shoot on location in real mountain environments results in visually breathtaking scenes. The treacherous peaks,...

  "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...