Film Reviews
Dracula
If one were to write a list of classic movies that can be enjoyed over and over. Dracula, the creepy and thrilling tale of a modern day vampire, would be very high on the list. Dracula came out in 1931 and starred Bela Lugosi. This movie cam out towards the beginning of the great depression: only 2 years after the stock market crash of 1929. Though the great depression mostly signified great loss to many industries, the movie industry was one that flourished. Dracula is a spooky story based on the book by Bram Stoker that has been beautifully adapted into a film. Though the entire movie is filmed in black and white and the scenes are obviously painted cardboard, the story is captivating and fun to watch. After watching modern day scary movies, some may think it silly to say that Dracula is in the slightest bit scary. I would have to disagree. Lugosi’s work as the dark count Dracula is actually quite terrifying. His character is cold and sinister and whenever you see the close-up of his dark features and grotesque smile, chills pour down your spine. Even though the special effects are not really all that special, this movie is awfully fun to watch. The roles are all overacted and the random pauses to evoke meaning are silly and somewhat annoying. But for this film everything works beautifully together to create a remarkable classic. Movies like these are probably a huge reason why the movie industry flourished so much in the thirties. All of the elements of a classic come together to create pure entertainment that everyone can enjoy.
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz is a fantastic tale about a young girl named Dorothy that gets taken a way from her farm home in Kansas to a colorful extraordinary land called Oz. This movie is absolutely delightful to all audiences. The characters are simply adorable and the plot is terrific to watch. This movie, unlike many of the thirties, really displays effects and a set that lasts in our memories. Aside from the fact that the movie is mostly filmed in color, the images and lands that the audience witnesses are beautiful and fun. Judy Garland did a fantastic job at creating a fun innocent character that we all related to a loved. This movie presents you with every detail you would find in a good fairytale. There is a terrible green colored witch, little munchkins, and of course a group of random and exciting friends to help our young antagonist along the way. This exciting adventure from 1939 still stays with us and remains one of America’s favorite films. It is another fine example of the capabilities of good old-fashioned Hollywood magic.