Apr. 25, 2002 - 11:09 pm
excellent. Dr. Maland came through with a copy of Cavalcade for me. like i was talking about in a previous entry, this movie seems to be one of the hardest Best Picture winners to find. Why? i'm not sure. i thought it was very well done. i'll give it an 8/10.
the plot of this film has a very Forrest Gump (1994) feel to it. (which also won Best Picture i might add.) it follows the ups and downs of a British family from the years 1899 to 1933. lots of amazing things historically coincide to important events in their lives. for example when one of the sons is proposing to a girl that he has grown up with during the course of the film, they notice Louis Bleriot has just crossed the English Channel in his airplane (the first man to do it). And then later when the two are on their honeymoon cruise ship talking about how they wouldn't mind dying now because they will never be happier, we notice that they are sailing on the Titanic.
the movie starts and ends on New Year's. aren't i glad i taught myself the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne"?
the cinematography in this film is also very interesting for the day. lots of craning shots that have a feel like in some of Alfred Hitchcock's work from the 40s and 50s. some very innovative editing here too. there is this one amazing montage of shots and sountracks which are overlayed to recreate the splendor and horror of WWI. i wasn't expecting much from this film, but it was actually quite well done. see it if you get the chance.
only 20 Best Pictures to go...