Older Movies That Seem Current
and those that seem dated. How even with similar plots one movie can feel "present" and another is like a glimpse into a hard-to-get world. A combination of acting style, direction, cinematography ("and possibly hairdressing," to quote Hitchcock - Name That Quote!), and point of view, I guess. And use of irony, wit, quick humor and acute observation.
Even with the 1930s-1940s banter, the costumes, the sets and all, the whole THE THIN MAN series with Powell and Loy feels contemporary. The Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell films are similar - always connected and current.
But nothing that Joan Crawford, Miriam Hopkins, and even Bette Davis, did, with all the directors involved, has that timelessness. As great as many of their movies are, they're dated in a way that is beyond ice boxes, theatrical gestures and bobbed hair. They're fixed, not flexible.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | May 14, 2021 4:43 PM
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A Face in the Crowd is more timely than ever
by Anonymous | reply 2 | April 20, 2021 12:34 AM
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"Meet John Doe" is a warning to this day.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | April 20, 2021 1:05 AM
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It’s not that old, but Idiocracy.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | April 20, 2021 2:42 AM
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Soylent Marjorie Taylor Green.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | April 20, 2021 2:46 AM
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I think The Best Years of Our Lives still holds up remarkably well, from Dana Andrews' PTSD (before it was a common term) to Harold Russell's prosthetic arms (even given modern advancements, it still hits hard when you see members of the military with missing limbs and other parts) and their family, friends and strangers struggling to connect. This is one movie I hope Hollywood never tries to update or recreate.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | April 20, 2021 3:34 AM
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“Do the Right Thing”, which is 32 years old feels very current.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | April 20, 2021 4:47 AM
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