Casablanca

1942 Drama directed by Michael Curtiz. We watched the 2008 blu-ray version that also contained a 1955 Casablanca television episode (awful) and a Bugs Bunny parody cartoon Carrotblanca (genius).

Casablanca was never supposed to be a great film. Just one of a dozen films released by Warner Bros. that year, but featuring Humphrey Bogart in his first romantic lead role. It has become one of the most beloved (and quoted) films of all time, and for good reason.

Casablanca takes place in Morocco during WWII and centers around Rick's Café Américain where everybody knows your name. Rick (Bogart) runs the joint, and mostly keeps his head down. That all changes when an ex-lover Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) breezes through the door. All hell breaks loose, and at the end nearly everyone has sacrificed something.

First off, the blu-ray looked amazing. I've never seen the film look or sound so good. Casablanca a fanastic film with great characters that all grow and change throughout the film. The ending is satisfying, despite the fact that the US Production Code wouldn't allow it to end any other way.

I give it an 8.5, and here's why.

I love this film, but it could have packed a much more emotional punch with the ending. I think it missed a great opportunity to highlight the sacrifices made by all. The ending seemed a bit rushed.

Plus...the most corny line ever was hidden in the middle of the film. As artillery guns fire off in the distance, Ilsa rattles off, "Is that cannon fire, or is that my heart pounding?" Actually, its big blocks of cheese falling on the floor.

The one thing I did learn, is that there is no correct way to pronounce the title. They all say it differently in the film. When in doubt, go with the spanish accent...it just sounds cooler.

The Godfather, part II

Not a new movie, just the second part of our post for The Godfather. My random thoughts:

1) I want to note that Blockbuster failed us by sending a disc that was cracked so bad you could smoke it. Our local library saved the day! In fact, so far the public library has supplied us The Third Man and Casablanca, our next film on the list.

2) I realized early on that I had seen parts of this movie before on TV. How could I only watch parts of such an epic movie? Let's try to let that go. ...but come on, it's almost three hours long without considering commercial breaks.

3) I fell asleep for about 5 seconds, after Carlo's luggage is placed in the truck, but before he kicks out the windshield. I'm happy with that effort.

4) I thought Connie looked like Jenny from The Muppets take Manhattan. Silly me, those films were made 10 years apart. But I was interested in learning that Talia Shire is a Coppola; Francis Ford Coppola's sister.

5) I discovered The Godfather is also #2 on IMDb's Top 250. A future list to tackle?

6) Fantastic film. Everything about the early 1970s production rocked. 9.5. The minus .5 is for the poorly choreographed street fight when Sonny beats the crap out of Carlo. Concept, awesome; obviously fake punches, not so awesome.

The Godfather

1972 Drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola. We watched the 2004 widescreen DVD.

"I believe in America..."

And so begins one of the best films ever made. The Godfather follows the Corleone family from 1945-1955, and was one of the first films that looked at the mafia from the perspective of those inside. The all-star cast includes Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan and Robert Duvall.

Assassinations, double crosses, and shoot outs all take a back seat to the main story line, which revolves around Michael Corleone (Al Pacino). Michael's slow burn from a "civilian" to the new Godfather is incredible to watch, with the hinge of that transition brilliantly captured in one dolly move about 73 minutes in.

This film clocks in at 175 minutes, with the opening scene alone taking 26 minutes...but Joy stayed awake for all but a 10 second nod off. The pacing is beautiful, the characters are dynamic, the music is classic, and the movie is a must see.

I give it a 9.5.