Saturday Night Feverrrr

I am actually glad I've waited for this post. I had the pleasure of going to New York this past weekend. I was my first time there and I now completely understand the whole 'new york scum/dirty/hole of a place vibe' that comes across in several of the films we've screened.

Granted, these films were New York 30-40 years ago, when New York, from what I've heard, had an entirely different feel. Nonetheless, a remanence of that scum still remains.

I visited my old roommate who lives in brooklyn, and got a feel for his neighborhood and the borough in general. I couldn't help but think back to John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever who is confidently cruising down the street checking out women as they pass him, and he, inevitably being shot down by them.

This film created mixed feelings for me. I kept asking myself, "Do I like Tony's character, or do I hate him? I liked his suave, exquisite dance moves and oftentimes envied his skills. Because I mean, Damn....he can groove. Then on the other hand, Tony is completely unfair to Annette and misogynistic to many. Tony falls under the category of characters you hate to like.

After seeing the environment that these characters live and thrive in, I've developed a new understanding and empathy for them. Seeing this 'scum' of a place and dense character that IS New York, I have a new found respect for it's inhabitants.

Taxi Driver

This was the first viewing of Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver for me and I felt mediocre after it.

This same effect has happened to me before when a movie is hyped up by many people. I get the idea in my head that the film I'm about to see is going to be the most influential, thought provoking piece of cinema ever conceived. To a degree Taxi Driver was hyped in this fashion.

Honestly, the only thing I knew about it was who directed it and who stared in it. I hate going into a movie with expectations, but for some reason with this film I had high hopes. I wouldn't say I felt let down afterward, but rather it was a feeling of 'meh.'

There were definitely some beautiful camera movements and metaphorical choices that propelled the unique story of Travis and his downward spiral, but in the film as a whole, those moments didn't stand out to accumulate into a film that I really enjoy.

Perhaps this is one that needs a second viewing. Netflix baby.

Shaft

If I hadn't read the passage about black cinema in the 70's I wouldn't have the respect for Gordon Parks' blaxploitation film Shaft

By understanding the culture at the time of its release and its effects on the black demographic, I enjoyed Shaft much more than if I hadn't read anything prior. Richard Roundtree, who played Shaft in the film was an aggressive, cool cat that provided a face and character for many black men to relate to. I can see why it was so well received amongst this community and raised $12 million in ticket sales.

Hearing Charles' experience with Shaft as a young child really put the film into perspective as well. His account of seeing it in theaters for the first time at the Chicago Theater and the feelings it evoked after viewing it was very, very cool. He felt empowered by this movie and by the character he just witnessed. This movie had an impact that very few films have achieved.