Citizen Kane: A Cinematic Argument - Page 2

**CosmicPal** · 05-07-2006, 11:27 AM

OK...I have to admit, I've never seen this classic film- regarded by some honchos to be the greatest film ever. I did have my chance in high school journalism class when the class was forced to watch it. I, ahem, fell asleep during the movie. (Hey, high school, vaps a lot of energy out of you.)

Anyways, I am thinking of watching it again. But, before I do, I wanted to know what those who have seen it- think of it. Why is it such a great film? Please, share your thoughts and arguments. I'll get a bowl of popcorn.

Eleazar · 05-07-2006, 01:00 PM

It's a good movie, but I don't hold it in as high of acclaim as some do. I think it may have been better understood by the public at the time, when people like Hearst were more commonly known.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-07-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicPal

OK...I have to admit, I've never seen this classic film- regarded by some honchos to be the greatest film ever. I did have my chance in high school journalism class when the class was forced to watch it. I, ahem, fell asleep during the movie. (Hey, high school, vaps a lot of energy out of you.)

Anyways, I am thinking of watching it again. But, before I do, I wanted to know what those who have seen it- think of it. Why is it such a great film? Please, share your thoughts and arguments. I'll get a bowl of popcorn.

If you're going to rent CK, I suggest you also rent RKO 281 which is the story behind the making of CK. It stars Liev Schrieber as Orson Welles (along with a lot of other great actors, including John Malkovich) and really details William Hearst and his power. You'll also find out the true meaning of "Rosebud", and it's definitely not a sled.

**cdcox** · 05-07-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If you're going to rent CK, I suggest you also rent RKO 281 which is the story behind the making of CK. It stars Liev Schrieber as Orson Welles (along with a lot of other great actors, including John Malkovich) and really details William Hearst and his power. You'll also find out the true meaning of "Rosebud", and it's definitely not a sled.

Never knew this. RKO 281 definitely goes on my "to see" list. Thanks, Mr. Movie Industry Expert®.

FAX · 05-07-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

It's a good movie, but I don't hold it in as high of acclaim as some do. I think it may have been better understood by the public at the time, when people like Hearst were more commonly known.

I think you're right, Mr. Cochise. Modern audiences can't really engage with this movie on the basis of "entertainment" anymore. Mainly because it's so dated.

I read once that Steinbeck claimed that you could read Grapes Of Wrath on 7 different levels. I'm certain few, if any, people outside of academia ever attempted to do that. This movie is sort of like that, I suppose.

You don't watch it for entertainment, you watch it for other reasons. One of those is to admire the filmmaking skills employed. Like breaking down a football game into it's parts, it's interesting to see how the film was constructed and why. Then, there's the allegory, the impressionistic symbolism, etc. If you're not into that, it's probably a waste of time.

FAX

Eleazar · 05-07-2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

You don't watch it for entertainment, you watch it for other reasons. One of those is to admire the filmmaking skills employed.

I thought there were some cool subtleties involved, like how the camera looks up at some characters and down at others. But mainly I watched it to see what all the fuss was about. I thought it was good, but I wouldn't say it was all that remarkable, to me.

JohnnyV13 · 05-07-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

It's a good movie, but I don't hold it in as high of acclaim as some do. I think it may have been better understood by the public at the time, when people like Hearst were more commonly known.

Its interesting that this topic comes up now. I only saw CK a few days ago for the first time when Turner Classic Movies played it.

Its a good movie. I didn't "blow me away", but it does have a certain emotional power. I missed the beginning scene where he dies alone, so I went online to figure out what the hell the burning of the sled at the end meant.

Anyway...that led to to reading quite a bit about it, and I found out that CK was a BOMB at the box office in 1941. It won 9 oscars (or was nominated for, i don't remember), but every time it was announced as a contestant the oscar audience booed it.

**MahiMike** · 05-07-2006, 01:36 PM

Boooorrrriiiiinnnnngggg!

listopencil · 05-07-2006, 06:18 PM

"The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) was better.

listopencil · 05-07-2006, 06:18 PM

In fact, Casablanca was better as well.

listopencil · 05-07-2006, 06:19 PM

I bet we could fill a thread with movies that were better than Citizen Kane.

stevieray · 05-07-2006, 06:27 PM

Maybe it's because it epitomizes the art of making a film, rather than the actual storyline?

Moooo · 05-07-2006, 08:11 PM

I didn't see any analysis of it, and I still haven't, but that movie rocks. Also, I know I'm not the best analyst (Just a 22 year old Psych major), but I saw a great story about a guy losing his innocence throughout his life. I thought Rosebud was the symbol of this, its burning in the end showing how he had gone from a sweet, innocent child who loved his sled, to a unhappy, bitter old man who lost everything he had except for a massive amount of statues and other various effects.

Between this and King Kong, I have come to the conclusion RKO made a lot of good movies. I don't know why it isn't still around.

Moooo

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-07-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moooo

I didn't see any analysis of it, and I still haven't, but that movie rocks. Also, I know I'm not the best analyst (Just a 22 year old Psych major), but I saw a great story about a guy losing his innocence throughout his life. I thought Rosebud was the symbol of this, its burning in the end showing how he had gone from a sweet, innocent child who loved his sled, to a unhappy, bitter old man who lost everything he had except for a massive amount of statues and other various effects.

Between this and King Kong, I have come to the conclusion RKO made a lot of good movies. I don't know why it isn't still around.

Moooo

Collapse of the studio system in the postwar years...

Miles · 05-07-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moooo

Between this and King Kong, I have come to the conclusion RKO made a lot of good movies. I don't know why it isn't still around.

Moooo

Howard Hughes bought it sometime in the late 40's when it was still very stong and supposedly mismanaged it. I think he sold it a few years later to some company that made a half assed attempt to run the studio and eventually it just died off.

Frazod · 05-07-2006, 08:58 PM

I've seen Citizen Kane once and thought it was good but overrated.

I think I've seen Gone With the Wind three times over the years. There won't be a fourth. Yuck. Fran Drescher + Southern Accent = Scarlet O'hara.

Both of these films are Casablanca's bitches.

05-07-2006, 11:27 AM
CosmicPal Learn it. Know it. Live it. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Casino cash: $10004900	Citizen Kane: A Cinematic Argument OK...I have to admit, I've never seen this classic film- regarded by some honchos to be the greatest film ever. I did have my chance in high school journalism class when the class was forced to watch it. I, ahem, fell asleep during the movie. (Hey, high school, vaps a lot of energy out of you.) Anyways, I am thinking of watching it again. But, before I do, I wanted to know what those who have seen it- think of it. Why is it such a great film? Please, share your thoughts and arguments. I'll get a bowl of popcorn.
Posts: 10,840

05-07-2006, 01:00 PM	#16
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	It's a good movie, but I don't hold it in as high of acclaim as some do. I think it may have been better understood by the public at the time, when people like Hearst were more commonly known.
Posts: 80,659

05-07-2006, 01:36 PM	#22
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	Boooorrrriiiiinnnnngggg!
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05-07-2006, 06:18 PM	#23
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $1665880	"The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) was better. __________________ Good friends we have had, oh, good friends we've lost...along the way. In this great future, you can't forget your past. So dry your tears, I say.
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05-07-2006, 06:18 PM	#24
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $1665880	In fact, Casablanca was better as well. __________________ Good friends we have had, oh, good friends we've lost...along the way. In this great future, you can't forget your past. So dry your tears, I say.
Posts: 56,073

05-07-2006, 06:19 PM	#25
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $1665880	I bet we could fill a thread with movies that were better than Citizen Kane. __________________ Good friends we have had, oh, good friends we've lost...along the way. In this great future, you can't forget your past. So dry your tears, I say.
Posts: 56,073

05-07-2006, 06:27 PM	#26
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2025273	Maybe it's because it epitomizes the art of making a film, rather than the actual storyline?
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05-07-2006, 08:11 PM	#27
Moooo Seeking Enlightenment... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Springfield Casino cash: $10004900	I didn't see any analysis of it, and I still haven't, but that movie rocks. Also, I know I'm not the best analyst (Just a 22 year old Psych major), but I saw a great story about a guy losing his innocence throughout his life. I thought Rosebud was the symbol of this, its burning in the end showing how he had gone from a sweet, innocent child who loved his sled, to a unhappy, bitter old man who lost everything he had except for a massive amount of statues and other various effects. Between this and King Kong, I have come to the conclusion RKO made a lot of good movies. I don't know why it isn't still around. Moooo
Posts: 3,405

05-07-2006, 08:58 PM	#30
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $2565085	I've seen Citizen Kane once and thought it was good but overrated. I think I've seen Gone With the Wind three times over the years. There won't be a fourth. Yuck. Fran Drescher + Southern Accent = Scarlet O'hara. Both of these films are Casablanca's bitches.
Posts: 119,586