Blogcritics

Classic Cinema Corner: Amadeus

Michael Clayton — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:36:34 EDT

This Best Picture winner presents a compelling murder mystery against the world of classical music.
When the American Film Institute released their updated list of the 100 Most Important American Films ten years after the original list, there were a number of alterations that I felt were worthy of my attention. I was pleased to see the inclusion of some films that were absent from the first list (such as Blade Runner, Titanic, and Sophie's...

Classic Cinema Corner: Touch of Evil

Michael Clayton — Sun, 4 May 2008 12:25:46 EDT

This latter-years Orson Welles masterpiece further proves the master filmmaker never lost his flair for celluloid brilliance.
In this column my objective is to present films that are considered classic and/or culturally significant, in order to analyze them and attempt to understand their lasting appeal. Ultimately, any emphasis on the influence and lasting appeal of classic film would not be complete without mentioning the name of Orson Welles. His 1941 satire on...

Classic Cinema Corner: A Night to Remember

Michael Clayton — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:16:56 EDT

You've seen the 1997 blockbuster Titanic; now watch the classic British film from which it lifted much of its content.
Having appeared as the focal point of the highest-grossing film of all time, the Titanic has certainly had its share of silver screen fame. Not only did James Cameron's 1997 epic succeed in becoming the highest grossing film of all time, but it also garnered massive critical claim, and triumphed at the Academy Awards with a record-tying 11...

Classic Cinema Corner: The 39 Steps (1935)

Michael Clayton — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:50:08 EDT

This film is a joy to watch, whether you're a fan of Hitchcock, spy films, or the art of film in general.
This series is devoted to considering the classics of cinema, both the well-recognized and the overlooked.I have chosen to begin this column with the work of a director who has truly earned his timeless reputation: Alfred Hitchcock. This would seem like a very logical choice; outside of perhaps Orson Welles, there are few directors who can claim...