With so much hype surrounding this movie, the first time I watched it I was kind of ... eh. But, after listening to the commentary and the documentary, then watching the movie again, my appreciation was much greater, as well as my enjoyment.

This was one of those movies I would never watch when my dad rented it when I was younger ... boring black and white, right? Amazing how much taste can change over the years. BTW, I've shown it to several of my friends who have never enjoyed any black and white movie except Clerks, and amazingly enough liked this movie, too.

That movie was just a rip-off of the episode of the Simpsons where Mr. Burns wanted his teddy bear Bobo back.

How true. I'd hate to think someone would skip a chance to see The Third Man or The Lady Eve because he or she believed all older movies are not entertaining.

I absolutely believe this film is one of the more over-rated films of all-time. That being said, it is a good film - and one that certainly did have an impact on the way that films were made, in narrative and cinematography.

But just because a film is "ground breaking" technically - does that make a film "great" or "one of the best ever"? No.

I feel that this is a film that has been pushed down our throats by critics, historians and film elitists for ages. I kind of equate this to how we are forced to digest Shakespeare as the "greatest writer" ever - how we are forced to study his work, and peel back the layers (many of which I believe are fabrications by over-zealous lit. buffs anyway) ad nauseum.

Of course, in the end it's all subjective. But all I can do when I see "Top 100" lists (in any genre or medium) is roll my eyes. Why we feel the need to select what is the "best" or "worst" is beyond me. It just comes across as incredibly arrogant to me when someone (or a group of someones) attempts to tell the "unwashed masses" how we should rank films/music/literature.

(wow, I'm really in a ranting mood today! )

-matt

All you have to do is watch a film made before it and a film made after it. Its a little more than just "technically" groundbreaking. It really did change the way stories on film were told.
When you are told your whole life that a certain thing is the best ever, especially when it is of an older ilk, then it's easy to dismiss it. The natural inclination when finally viewing such is, "ok, impress me." No film can stand up to that. Plus, you either like 40s films or you don't. I've been fortunate enough to see it on the big screen, which helps any movie. If you haven't seen it, keep an open mind. It might take a viewing or two over the years to fully appreciate it. Viewing other 40s movies might even help to give it context. I'm sure folks here have lots of suggestions. Me, I love Bogart movies. But, anyway, it's easy to appreciate its artistry without having to put it at the top of your own personal list.

I've seen Citizen Kane a couple of times. It's one of my favorite movies. I even occasionally use the Citizen Kane stamp as my desktop wallpaper.

what's the big deal with Citizen Kane?

why is it considered to be one of the best movies ever?

i personally saw it and it was okay, and imho, it was quite far from being one of the greatest movies ever

I first saw this film with my dad in the early 90's when I was about 14 and it was playing in a D.C. theater. I liked classic films very much but found this film rather dull and boring at the time. Since then I've seen it several more times and think it's certainly one of the most exceptional films every made. I find it hard to proclaim any film the greatest of all time, however. It would certainly have to contend with some other notable favorites: Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Charade, Vertigo, The Godfather, etc.... Personally I'd probably place Maltese Falcon in the number 1 position if I had to make a choice but Citizen Kane is very much in one of the top slots.

Michael

Did you read this thread?

okie, i read the thread again, and i am still not impressed, i guess to each his own or maybe charlie brown just ruined it for me. hehehe

Does "definitely not underrated" = "definitely overrated"?

.

dhmac. no.

As did Metropolis. As did any number of films. You can't pin down one movie as the "end all, be all" of film history. The catalyst among catalysts...

Is it? I think you've got that backwards. I believe in the power of media manipulation - when you're told something is good, usually you're inclined to believe that something is probably good. This philosophy of course doesn't encompass the entire population - but I believe that in most cases people don't necessarily think or critique for themselves. This is one of the reasons why "critics" are given such respect.

I think most people go into a film that is deemed a "classic" not thinking, "ok, impress me" - but the opposite. Because if everyone else thinks it "great" - why shouldn't you too?? That's a powerful motivator.

I think that Citizen Kane is a wonderful film - but I'll take Rashomon, Metropolis, et al. any day over it.

It's personal preference. It's subjective. I just feel that ranking one movie above all others is, in itself, a pointless and highly volatile excercise.

Cheers!

-matt

Both of you can be right, in your case Media Brain-Washing and in his case reverse psychology, it just depnds how we see stuff.

In the immortal words of Ben Kenobi: "Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."



-matt

How did Charlie Brown ruin it for you? Just curious, cause I obviously don't get the reference.

Yes indeed.

there was a scene in the Charlie Brown comic where Lucy ruined the film for Linus by telling him the ending and thus "ruined" it for me, too. hehehe

this is one of those classics that just leaves me cold.
i've watched it twice, and both times, i understand and appreciate the technical achievements, the cojones wells had to take on that s.o.b, and the impact the film had on other creators in hollywood.
but still, it just leaves me cold.

the disc looks like a wonderful package, and someday i would like to hear eberts commentary, but my past experience with it tells me i wouldn't be pulling it off the shelf much, if at all, and most likely would never feel like watching it the whole way thru.

i think citizen kane will be one of those movies
i'll be watching again and again
till i get it

but i probably won't

It's a great movie. Lots of fun and high energy. The new Special Edition DVD is fantastic with a bright, crisp transfer and two great commentary tracks by Ebert and Bogdonavich. And for the casual viewer, listening to Ebert's commentary will shed much light on why the film is such a technical achievement. But it's ironic that the AFI would honor a movie that would probably have no chance of getting made today.

Citizen Kane



- see Groucho's response

Cool, I never saw that strip. Love PEANUTS though.

im bumping this thread up since the movie comes on tomorrow night (friday) at 11:45 pm et on tcm. this is for all dvd talkers who have yet to see the movie and have always wanted to, but never got the chance to (or dont want to spend 30 dollars on a dvd). and also, the print is really bad so you can also aww in how good the dvd restoration of this movie was.