Casablanca

This week, we saw the classic WWII period love story Casablanca.

I hadn't seen this film since I was very young and didn't remember much, but loved every minute of it.

I really enjoyed how much humor I found that would have eluded my grasp even a few years ago. I find that to be the case even in movies I've seen time and time again. Captain Renault's dialogue was hilarious. It is often said that parody is the most sincere form of flattery; I believe this is why so many aspects of Casablanca have become such recognizable iconography in American entertainment. How many movies, television shows, songs etc. have invoked Bogart with "here's looking at you kid," or versions "all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine"? Even the archetypal love story is rich for parody, i.e. Out Cold, a story of a young man in Alaska who was left by his love at first sight in Cancun, only to discover she was engaged to a crippled ex-pro snowboarding pilot/doctor all along... cheesy? yes. Funny? Absolutely. Consider this; if Casablanca had been made in 2009 just as it was in 1942, it would be a terrible movie. It would be a corny ("are those bombs, or is that my heart beating?") un-creatively cast, hack movie. But in 1942 it's a box-office smash. In all honesty, I found some of the dramatic elements a little overused, especially Rick's bitterness about Ilsa, the "As time goes by" motif, even how many characters seemed a little too femme for their role, or maybe that was just military submissivism, I don't know. All in all Casablanca is one of those movies you want to watch over and over again for reasons you can't really explain.

Speaking of musical motifs, I found the combination and flow of the North African music, with French patriotic tunes, and American jazz and bar-tunes, all of which you hear within the first few moments of the movie. I think this subconciously sets the tone for the connection between the setting of the story, the patriotism that that eventually shined to protect the protagonists, and the freedom that was everyone's ultimat goal. That freedom could be seen as America, the "Cause" of Victor Laszlo, or just the freedom to love the one you want.

Jesse's movie suggestions this week:

Out Cold - Just for kicks, mostly just wanted to recommend you watch. I probably watch it at least 3 times a month.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit - A film Noir/Cartoon Escapade and in many ways the great last hurrah of cell animation. Cameos from many of the great cartoon characters of the last fifty plus years, and an excellent "solo" performance by Bob Hoskins.

The Incredibles - In my opinion the pinnacle of Computer Animation from Pixar Studios. The constant clash between extraordinary and mundaine stirs something incredible in anyone who sees it. I frickin love this movie.

Box of Moonlight - For something you probably haven't seen, but will definitley enjoy, try this movie. Turturro's journey to happiness is the ultimate in feel good stories. This is a diamond in the rough.