MovieChat Forums > On the Waterfront (1954) Discussion > I just can't get into old movies!

I just can't get into old movies!

posted 15 years ago by coolbrett
26 replies | jump to latest

I'm definitely not the type of movie-goer to only like big special effects and stuff like that but I've tried watching older movies lately, like this, Seven Samurai, The Red Shoes. But I did like 12 Angry Men and Psycho. I bet if I was around in that time I would have appreciated them more and would still be a fan today, but being born in the 80s I just can't relate to that generation at all. The acting and music USUALLY seem so tacky and just crap. It's obvious film has come along long way since then in every aspect. The older generation just refuse to let go of older movies and still think they are the best, but I for one just cant get into them. Apart from Psycho and 12 Angry Men, my next fave movie is 2001: A Space Odyssey, and then probably Taxi Driver and a few more from the 70s. Movies in colour, with actors who I know outside of the films they are in, with better picture quality and sound are just much more relatable to me. I know Marlon Brando was great in this, not because everyone told me so, I can see that, but maybe I would be even more impressed if I knew more about him, but I don't. So how can I judge his performance fully if I know nothing about the real him. But his transition from this, to The Godfather, to Apocalypse Now is enough to know that he was a great actor in his time

If you piss in your pants you can only stay warm for so long

[–] Ryan1981 15 years ago

Funnily enough, I wanted to expand my knowledge of films and decided that I had watched far too few older films i.e. those from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s and so have been building up quite a collection of them of late. I'm actually pleasantly surprised about how much I like them, regardless of whether they are b&w or not (in fact, it's sometimes a better thing imo)

Just received On the Waterfront today and I am looking forward to watching it.

[–] Blondfashionisto 15 years ago

It's sad to hear today's youth doesn't like 'classic movies'. I've always loved them and it started when I was younger.

I guess, though, as part of the gay community, I have more of an affinity with them - Such great stars and wonderful dramas/costumes/dialogue. I grew up watching 'The Wizard of Oz' and went from there...I introduced classic movies to my nieces and they loved them.

So, hopefully, before making a definitive decision, young people will try and view a variety films first.

'This isn't a smile. It's the lid on a scream.' - Bet Lynch, Coronation Street

[–] EnjoyablePresence 15 years ago

I didnt like black and white films when I was younger- I love them now. Most kids would rather watch an Adam Sandler film than an Oscar winner from the 50s. Hopefully theyll grow out of that.

[–] korners 15 years ago

I dont know if I am digressing from the topic but for me this movie was an eye opener as 'On the Waterfront' has inspired 2 (as far as I know) Bollywood films (which I was not aware of until now). Although loosely based Ghulam (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190419/) and Hum (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102071/) would have never been close to what they are if not for this movie.
I have come to like B&W films after watching few absolute classics made in Indian languages by Satyajit Ray and Bimal Roy.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] bradford-1 14 years ago

I don't understand what the point is when people come to a thread and talk about how much they DON'T like "old" films or b&w movies, etc. Why don't you go to the HANGOVER, PART 2 site and discuss that? I assume it looks "modern" enough for you and has lots of people you recognize. Leave old "crap" like WATERFRONT to dinosaurs who actually like it.

"We're fighting for this woman's honor, which is more than she ever did."

[–] hfsargeant 13 years ago

Just wanted to say, I am nineteen years old, and I would prefer to watch a classic film over The Hangover, Transformers, or most of the other tosh that comes out nowadays.

[–] ryanthomasmcgill 13 years ago

I love me some classic movies, but I was surprisingly not impressed with this one. I will say, Brando did a marvelous job. I still think it is better than most box office releases today.
7/10

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Zuider_Zee 13 years ago

That's a melodrama for you, both the acting and the music are usually a bit over-the-top.

[–] GoodSOVeryVeryGood 13 years ago

Like olives they are an acquired taste ... Big Macs however are designed to be universally consumable without any danger of taste ...

[–] coolbrett 13 years ago

I know. In this case; The Hunger Games, Twilight, Clash of the Titans, Immortals, Spiderman etc, are Big Macs. I however like good quality (olive) movies but most of them made today or at least from the 70s. I think it's obvious by watching movies like this one, how far movies have come since then. I find the level of corniness in movies like this too much to stomach, and cant believe how they're STILL regarded so highly even today. Back then, when audiences were easier to please, maybe. But I think generations of film-makers appreciate how these were good in the day and take the good, but learn from the bad, and make movies so much better today.

[–] summeriris 13 years ago

The Hunger Games is a fine sirlion steak served rare with a fresh green salad on the side. The rest of your examples don't even qualify as Big Macs. But this film is Fillet Mignon.

Never say Never.

[–] simplemines 13 years ago

I probably wouldn't start with Seven Samurai or the Red Shoes if I was going to get into classic movies!

The thing about classic movies is that you have to understand some history in many of them before they make sense to you. You have to see how the world looked at the time the movie was made in order to understand how the movie was relevant to the people who first saw it.

A lot of classic movies are so good, though, because the themes are timeless. Take for example OTW.

OTW has to do with union corruption, but it's also an allegory about standing up for what's right, even when everyone is against you. Who can't relate to that?

[–] mjr1114 13 years ago

Sorry to hear that you have such obstacles when it comes to enjoying film. You'll be missing out on quite a lot of great storytelling. I, personally, enjoy movies from the silent era through to today's era, including foreign films. Not every movie ever made is great, but I still watch movies to see if I will find those that are. Trust me, there are a LOT of silent and early 30 films that you'll find have many parallels to things from today. (especially the pre-code types) You may shock yourself if you open your mind, and love some really 'archaic' films.

[–] 13 years ago

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