100 Years at the Movies;Review
As I gazed in childlike wonderment at the American film industry, from the humble beginnings on that 14th day of April in 1894 to the blockbuster titles of 1994, I felt the nostalgic caress of the silver screen once again. Looking backwards into the telescope, into a condensed nearly myopic vantage point where all of the true giants that every actor must walk in the shadows of reside. Reminded of the core of the movie experience. Back to a time where going to the movies was an event to look forward to and not an act to fill our empty lives.
As we progress and evolve with this short film we begin as a single cell. An infinitesimal point in the great abyss to anchor our imagination. Our mind is as a ship abandoned at the dock in light of the impending storm. Our imagination swells and tears at the ropes that is our reality. Finally as we allow imagination to break the ropes of reality, our minds are set free into the aqueous wonder that is our own wildest dreams.
This short film contains scenes from at least 225 American Films. Each one taking the raw elements of our emotions and molding it into a work of timeless art. From the single camera angle continuous scenes and the unforgettably inspirational monologues to the elaborate sets of that era and the actors that utilized them as not just an entertainers playground but a true and factual piece of land that existed if only the audience would let go and believe.
These humble beginnings laid the foundation by which an individual can build of off to judge and formulate an opinion for all films that would follow. Watching the skills of these giants of film, practicing the classic, if not proverbial, tricks of the trade makes the individual feel as if they had once been there. That no matter the age, you were there on that day in 1894. That you sat and watched the grand procession, that epic parade of imagination that is American film. The progression of vistas as the years of film stream past our eyes is truly a sight to behold.
This film does indeed hold a burden worthy of Atlas. It contains many of the great moments of Hollywood’s past. Heralding the actors, directors and writers that inspired our huddled masses to laugh, cry and jump out of their seats with the audible rip of shoes leaving a pop stained floor. I find it fitting if not comical that this short film was made, and therefore the chronological sequence ends, in 1994. It often seems that the technology of film and the skill of actors have had an inverse relationship.
As this film ends I can still hear the shuffle of shoes as they crunch upon the fallen kernels of our inspired emotions. It is my desire that all future filmmakers, writers, actors and film aficionados would watch this short film, so that we can bring back this golden era. To cease the mindless plots and overuse of technology to compensate the failure of acting and writing talent. In the words of Howard Beale in the 1976 film, Network, “ I want you to get up now, I want you to get up right now and go to the window and stick your head out and yell I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
