tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128401155527497521.post790782113936543700..comments2024-01-04T04:01:35.574+08:00Comments on Wandering through the Shelves: Thursday Movie Picks #169: Halloween Edition - MasksWandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942463921185187112noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128401155527497521.post-75514477696735212982017-10-06T19:32:27.443+08:002017-10-06T19:32:27.443+08:00I have seen Scream and I liked it although I got n...I have seen Scream and I liked it although I got nightmares...typical of me. I haven't seen the other 2 and I probably won't...too scaryBirgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128401155527497521.post-66422079332695190472017-10-06T08:14:03.072+08:002017-10-06T08:14:03.072+08:00I've only seen Scream. I'm not enough of a...I've only seen Scream. I'm not enough of a horror/slasher fan to say that I loved it but at least with the first one I got a kick out of many of its in jokes. I watched the second which was less successful at that mix of humor and horror and stopped there. <br /><br />I can't imagine watching the other two but The Purge certainly is popular today.<br /><br />As I said horror isn't my thing but I made it work this week by going with a theme within the theme and choosing three versions of a classic horror tale that I do like.<br /><br />The Phantom of the Opera (1925)-Moody, expressionist original version of the Gaston Leroux novel tells the tale of a disfigured man (Lon Chaney) who resides under the Grand Opera House of Paris and becomes enamored by a young singer (Mary Philbin). He becomes obsessed with making her a success resorting to extremes to bring that about. Contains a most impressive color sequence which considering it’s almost 100 years old is beautifully composed from the primitive elements available at that time. There have been many versions but this remains a singular experience thanks to both Chaney’s self-designed makeup hidden for most of the running time behind a mask and skill at expressing emotion through it. <br /><br />The Phantom of the Opera (1943)-Rejiggering the origin story somewhat this version starts with opera violinist Erique Claudin (Claude Rains) hopelessly in love with raising soprano Christine DuBois (Susanna Foster) who is also pursued by baritone Anatole Garron (Nelson Eddy) and police inspector Raoul Daubert (Edgar Barrier). Claudin secretly sponsors Christine’s vocal training until he is dismissed due to arthritis in his hands. Having submitted a concerto to an unscrupulous publisher Claudin discovers his work stolen and in a fit of anger strangles the man just as his assistant enters and throws a tray of acid in Claudin’s face. Permanently scarred he dons a mask and haunts the cellars of the opera house pursuing his goal to make Christine a star at any cost. Incredibly lush looking film was nominated for four Oscars. Unsurprisingly Rains is excellent and both Eddy and Susanna Foster were major opera stars of their day so the performance sequences are solid. <br /><br />The Phantom of the Opera (2004)-Filmed take of the enormously successful Andrew Lloyd Webber version does not capture the magic that was present onstage. Curiously inert considering the entire thing is sung and staged for movement with the mask once used to hide the phantom’s disfigurement far more aesthetically pleasing now that he has been transformed into some sort of romantic stud ideal. Considering he’s not a trained singer Gerard Butler does well enough in the lead but you’ll miss Michael Crawford soaring power on the songs. The rest of the cast is efficient but unmemorable except for Minnie Driver who has fun as the bitchy diva Carlotta, though her voice is dubbed.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128401155527497521.post-85520830232687262022017-10-06T03:48:49.738+08:002017-10-06T03:48:49.738+08:00I love Scream! Easily one of my favorites slasher ...I love Scream! Easily one of my favorites slasher movies. I haven't seen your other two picks. Brittani Burnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07975067259283007280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1128401155527497521.post-40429749714968198602017-10-06T03:04:59.646+08:002017-10-06T03:04:59.646+08:00I loved The Purge and I also picked it. I saw Scre...I loved The Purge and I also picked it. I saw Scream ages ago but I don't remember much about it. Sonia Cercahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07313734872038610058noreply@blogger.com