Film Review: How Green Was My Valley (1941)

I love those moments where having never intended to watch a movie, you get sucked in by accident. Flipping through the channels one night with my mother, this film was the only thing on. She’d seen it, I hadn’t.

Directed by the infamous John Ford and based off a 1939 novel by the same name, this film paints the tale of a coal mining Welsh family, the Morgans, during the turn of the century. Their struggles are told in retrospect  through the eyes of the Morgans youngest son, Huw.

It could be thought of as a “coming of age” story in a way, watching Huw go through dramatic changes in his life and the way it matures him. But it’s main focus is on that of the family, and how they can pull together or completely fall apart through different circumstances. There are many sub-plots that give you an idea of who these people are and what they strive for.

Over all, I’d say it’s a character-driven piece, one of my personal favorites. One of the many reasons I love classic film is because of their focus on people, not incidences. Though so many powerful, heart-breaking and sometimes humorous things happen to these people, you’re more interested in how they deal with it on a personal level and not the out-come of the actual situation.

I was entranced from the very moment the movie began, pulled in with its tides. It’s imagery is striking; dark and gritty when it needs to be and light and beautiful when it also calls for it. The only warning I’d give is that it’s definitely a tearjerker and something that will send you on an emotional roller coaster.

More film festivals: Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

Rated one of the best outdoor events of the summer, the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival (COFF) celebrates 10 years of bringing you great classic American films. Join us under the celestial bodies as we watch the legendary stars of the silver screen for seven consecutive Tuesdays in Grant Park, July 14 to August 25, 2009. Via

More info.

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All About Hitchcock

I must admit, until very recently my knowledge of Alfred Hitchcock’s work was limited. Sure, I had seen the typicals, the ones almost everyone has seen. Psycho, The Birds, and Strangers On A Train to name a few.

It wasn’t until I sat down for a back to back marathon of some of his greats that I really got a feel for the essence of what makes him the master of suspense. With each new film I viewed, I feel like I understood a little bit more about his vision and the way he wanted to tell a story. I can see now why so many of his films are thought of as iconic.

The first thing that struck me was the point of view. No matter the subject matter or plot, the overall view seems to be the same.

With the many movies I have seen over the years, I had gotten used to having this sort of privileged outlook of what is going on. I was granted access to things the characters could not know. With Hitchcock, you are right there with the character the entire time, seeing the world as they see it.  If something is in shadow, it will remain there until visible by everyone present. If someone is whispering you will not hear it any louder than anyone else on the screen. You are left to guess, ponder, and analyze along.

You are also subject to the surroundings of the characters. Often it seems background noises infiltrate and interrupt scenes, especially those of dialogue, much like they do in reality. This is not a magical place where the entire world stops until the protagonist is done speaking, it reminds you that there is still a world existing despite the importance of these peoples situations. And often times these natural, worldly sounds are enhancing the emotions and actions of those on-screen, in a very subtle yet still impacting way.

It is also his use of soundtrack in combination to these noises that makes every little thing hold its own atmosphere. The well-known suite from Psycho emphasizes feelings of paranoia and anxiety, two things I found very prominent in almost all his films.

As mentioned previously, seeing the world through the characters eyes is also something I quite enjoyed about his films. It wasn’t constant, which is good, because if it were it would leave the viewer slightly dazed and probably annoyed or nauseated (Cloverfield, anyone?) but little moments that draw you in to the story. Seeing the neighbors through the camera lens in Rear Window, the tire at the edge of a cliff in North by Northwest, paint coming off the face of the dead man and onto the hands of Dr.McKenna in The Man Who Knew Too Much. These small perspective shots flash quickly, and just as quickly make you feel more involved.

All of these observations are just examples of the overall reason I am now a Hitchcock fan. When watching these films, you do not feel like you are an audience member, peacefully observing from home. No, as soon as the film began you  were there, feeling as if you are subject to the same dangers, confusion, and affection as the characters. You know you will not be able to rest until you have found a resolution to the tale, and even when it comes you’re still not sure if it’s safe.

Hello world!

So here it is, my new blog.

I am an avid viewer of classic film. Sometimes, I can see where my regular ol’ friends would get sick of my constant gushing about this film or that actor, yet I knew someone, somewhere would be able to appreciate my rambling.

My previous blog failed, due to having a small audience. I thought, “what else could I write about that I feel passion for? That other people feel passion for as well? And enjoy reading about?”

Film, of course! And not just any film, but those of the silver screen era, the classics, the essentials, the golden years.  Whatever you call it, I think you know what I’m talking about it.

What you can expect out of me is reviews of favorite films or recently viewed ones, news pertaining to said films and the actors in them, as well as fun bits of trivia and spontaneity.

So that’s it for my little introduction. I hope you enjoy the coming attractions as much as I do.