West Side Story
Watching West Side Story (1961). It’s long and not thoroughly captivating, but I very much like how it has “neutral flow” in that I don’t want to pause or rewind at any point, as I want so often with any media these days. I think it also implies good pacing.
Many of these songs sound familiar, probably for a reason.
I’ve came to respect ballet once I understood how physically tough it is and how much of the “silliness” than can be cast away by stopping to be a normalfag. There is still some silliness in some performances, and I’m also feeling it from this film, which is why I wouldn’t call it a favorite.
The Jets main guy has pretty awesome moves. Throws backflips and other gymnastic stuff all the time.
That tomboy who wants to be with the guys but can’t because of norms — even the hoodlums have their own.
Tony comes into the “war council” taking of his yellow coat to show he doesn’t side with the Jets.
HAHAHA, everybody pisses their pants when a police officer comes into the store. “Rival gangs” faking it together :D Probably it’s intentional but really makes you not take the street rivarly too seriously.
Wow, there is an intermission in the film. That’s how old it is. Although, at 2:40 running time, and considering how I remember the Lord of the Rings at 3 hours running used to uncomfort people, maybe it’s just common sense now forgotten.
That “rumble” was awesome. It’s hard to understand how little emotional impact fight scenes have these days and this one does it so well, really making you fear those switchblades. Because, you know, when there’s a realistic chance of dying, almost anything can kill you. Most films these days don’t have that.
I think there is real and meaningful difficulty in appreciating something like Shakespeare or the Greeks in these modern days. It is flawed to say much of modern art is based on these works and therefore one should be able to understand them or be labeled stupid. But in fact, social values and language have changed so much that it is actually not reasonable to expect people to really understand the originals. Because then you would have to understand the changes in values and language as well. The modern times are not an strictly improvement on the past, but merely different.
Beings of each time would have difficulties understanding each other. Also, it’s not obvious if a person of this age should even try to understand the people of the past, or their products of entertainment. For what gain? I think the skill and ability to honor the past works is something one can work for only with no ulterior motives. I guess I like old works because their differences can inspire me or pleasure my rational mind with understanding the connections to the present. But sometimes I do fall into the trap of watching something for the sake of having watched it.
The change in values affects a lot what you can write in the given time. Forbidden love between two races is not that a strong story these days. The modern writer would do badly to not learn what are the hot topics in his day. And I’m not saying the topics today are any better than they were in past. If humans were truly rational, there would be nothing to make a story about. To be a writer is to capitalize on the humanity and limits of the audience. And to be a good writer, often you need to be able to put yourself in that position, even if you don’t truly feel it. But what is perhaps most exciting, is the chance to lead the audience somewhere they haven’t been yet. Change their expectations, but not too much so they don’t reject you outright.
Still, I have to say it. Dancing and singing among the serious stuff makes no sense :D Musicals are a totally lunatic genre.
That last song by Maria cut by Tony dying, the saddest thing ever. Good film, although I don’t think I’ll watch it again on purpose. Maybe some day I’ll even challenge myself with Romeo and Juliet.