What is it about some movies?
Posted By admin on April 5, 2012
I’m a visual person so I probably already know the answer to this. If a movie is pretty, I’m glad to watch it again and again.
This thought came to my mind as I was settling in for an uncomfortable summer’s sleep. (Sure, it’s still April, and the temperature reached only 87 today, vice yesterday’s 90. It’s 67 right now, at 1:06 a.m. on Thursday morning, and it’s summer.)
Sorry. I may have digressed. Or ranted.
Anyway, I can’t sleep when it’s hot, and the house takes a bit of time to cool under the influence of our air conditioner, so I’m watching a nice, relaxing movie.
Jaws.
Maybe it’s not totally relaxing. And my unfortunate delight in the 70s Roy Scheider (Have you seen Still of the Night?) doesn’t explain it all. I think it’s because it’s beautifully filmed. Or photographed. Wonder which term is right in a movie?
I’m not counting the hideous parts that I watch from behind my hands with my eyes closed. (Have never seen them, thanks to the warning notes.)
Another movie that I didn’t love first time around–Gosford Park. I’m so grateful that I’m seduced by beauty because Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame, worked some great characterization in Gosford Park. I probably wouldn’t have noticed that if the movie hadn’t been so beautiful to watch, I couldn’t resist watching it again and again. So–come to Gosford Park for the setting, but stay for the characters.
Finally, there’s The Big Clock. Charles Laughton is terrifying–a literal, cold-blooded reptile. Ray Milland is resourceful and terrified, a character-building combination. And Elsa Lanchester makes the movie worth watching if you only watch her scenes! I would have watched this one again, without the gorgeous cornucopia of art deco delight in every frame.
Hmmm. Characterization features in each of these films. But I know I wouldn’t have watched Jaws again (not good with gore) if I hadn’t loved the beach scenes, and the skies, and the sweet house Chief Brody lives in.
Anyway, just pondering. I think my own abode is beginning to cool, and Chief Brody is about to comment on Harry’s bad hat. I must go now.
What are the unexpected things that draw you to a movie?
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