Post by CMF Newsman on Jul 1, 2009 12:45:40 GMT -5
Three things make a great movie. The first is acting: A great cast of actors can make any film enjoyable. The second is writing: An intriguing script can propel any movie to greatness. The third is cinematography: This doesn’t necessarily mean eye candy (and usually doesn’t). It just means good old filmmaking. The film’s score can make a big difference as well—just ask John Williams or Danny Elfman.
An enjoyable movie only needs one of those things. Comedies can usually rely on the timing of the starring comedian to make the movie work, while dramas have a harder time of it. Movies centered on comedians (Adam Sandler, I’m looking at you!) can be fun, but they’re not great. However, this is the dominion of the action movie. Bruce Lee’s movies weren’t the most beautifully shot films, nor were the stories that captivating, but his gravitas and charisma elevated Enter the Dragon above the other kung fu schlock of the day.
A good movie has two of those things. Take a look at your DVD collection—you’ve got a lot that fall into this category. I know I do. I’m looking at it right now. M Night Shyamalan’s The Village is staring back at me. Here’s a movie with a nonsensical storyline, elevated by Shyamalan’s real skills as a cinematographer, combined with great performances from Joaquin Phoenix and William Hurt. They may not have had much to work with, but they acted the hell out of it.
More often than not, movies with adapted screenplays get a free pass on the scriptwriting. Transforming a piece of history, or someone else’s idea, into a visual medium is difficult, but less so than creating a universe out of thin air. Movies like The Hunt for Red October and Thirteen Days are good examples.
More at chattanoogapulse.com/film/film-feature/film-feature-public-enemies-takes-it-to-the-bank/