DonRocks Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 1 hour ago, The Hersch said: That it derives in large part from Sunset Boulevard, with which it shares the terrain of High Camp, should be obvious, but that in no way diminishes it as a work of film art. Baby Jane is a great film; Sunset Boulevard is not, despite its larger reputation. I'm glad you mentioned this. Rotten Tomatoes led me to Sunset Boulevard, and I was thinking of watching it - would it be a complete waste of time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 11 minutes ago, DonRocks said: I'm glad you mentioned this. Rotten Tomatoes led me to Sunset Boulevard, and I was thinking of watching it - would it be a complete waste of time? No, not at all. I don't think it's a great film, but it's very good and remarkably entertaining. Many consider it great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 30, 2016 Author Share Posted October 30, 2016 4 minutes ago, The Hersch said: No, not at all. I don't think it's a great film, but it's very good and remarkably entertaining. Many consider it great. One review called the two films "companion pieces." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIShGo Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I love this movie. I laughed out loud, while at the same time, I was moved by its tale of love and devotion. It is campy fun. It is the ultimate movie about movie-making. "Sunset Blvd." is a must-see for anyone who loves old Hollywood films. My only knowledge of this film before seeing this was a spoof I saw of it, on the Carol Burnett show. Because of that spoof, I thought "Sunset Boulevard" was a serious, over-the-top, drama. Over the top? Yes! Serious? No! I think this film falls into the category of today's black comedies. About 48 minutes into the film, there is a reference to Judas Priest. To a person of my age, that is a rock band and not a filtered-down way to take the Lord's name in vain. Betty is a refreshing young 1950's heroine, and I have to say, Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond looks pretty darn good for a "washed-up old woman" of 50! William Holden is excellent in the role of Joe Gillis, as is Erich von Stroheim as Norma's faithful servant, Max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 9 hours ago, DIShGo said: I love this movie. I laughed out loud, while at the same time, I was moved by its tale of love and devotion. It is campy fun. It is the ultimate movie about movie-making. "Sunset Blvd." is a must-see for anyone who loves old Hollywood films. My only knowledge of this film before seeing this was a spoof I saw of it, on the Carol Burnett show. Because of that spoof, I thought "Sunset Boulevard" was a serious, over-the-top, drama. Over the top? Yes? Serious? No! I think this film falls into the category of today's black comedies. About 48 minutes into the film, there is a reference to Judas Priest. To a person of my age, that is a rock band and not a filtered-down way to take the Lord's name in vain. Betty is a refreshing young 1950's heroine, and I have to say, Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond looks pretty darn good for a "washed-up old woman" of 50! William Holden is excellent in the role of Joe Gillis, as is Erich von Stroheim as Norma's faithful servant, Max. I *really* wasn't in the mood for another old film, but I'm so glad I watched this. I don't think I'll ever be entirely satisfied that I know exactly what "film noir" is, but I am entirely certain that the term is overused, and I'm pretty sure that this shouldn't fall into that category - for example, there's *so* much character development here, and really not all that much of a story line. Black Comedy? For sure, and I hadn't even thought about that. And melodrama, almost to the point of being a farce (but not quite) - it's so desperately serious that it can't possibly take itself that seriously, and yet, it somehow avoids looking campy - it's a very well-done film that almost defies classification with a single term, the only exception being the obscure, short-lived, sub-genre: psycho-biddy, of which this is a prototype. The person who says "Judas H. Priest" is none other than a young Jack Webb (of Dragnet fame), definitely before cigarettes lowered his voice to that classic rasp. There are some important cameos in here, too: Cecil B. DeMille as himself: Hedda Hopper as herself: And three other silent-movie stars around the bridge table: Anna Q. Nilsson, H.B. Warner, and none other than Buster Keaton: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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