Hello my name is Steven Mellina I am currently a student but
and an aspiring filmmaker. Until that day I am just a self-proclaimed cinefile
who loves nothing more than to sit back watch a great film and, most
importantly, talk about them to any extent I can.
There are several reasons for why I am starting this blog
the first I already gave you; I love talking about films. Secondly I think it
is important to discuss or revaluate classic films. There are always new
reviews for new films but very seldom are there new reviews for old films,
which is unjust because classics should still be looked at and discussed in
detail today. So as a rule I will only discuss classic films, or films that were
released before the new millennium. This is not to say that classics have not
come out since the year 2000, in fact a few of my favorite films have come out
since then. But to keep life somewhat simplistic and rather than deal with
technicalities I will just make an official cut off year. My feeling is also
that critics and fans can speculate what a classic might be but it takes time
to truly be considered a classic. For example Buster Keaton’s The General when it first came out in
1926 was a complete bomb critically and financially. However as time progressed
it became more and more of a classic. Today it is ranked number 18 on AFI’s 100
Years… 100 Movies; aka their top 100 films. Though if you ask me he ranking is
a bit too high for that film, maybe it would be a different story if it were
replaced by my favorite of Buster Keaton’s work Sherlock Jr.
This blog is also a way for me to get my nerd out and to
meet other film aficionados and enthusiasts. I say this because this blog will
not be for people who know very little about the art of film or filmmaking.
Through this blog I am combining my personal film reviews along with talking
about theories. Philosophical discussions will transpire deriving from specific
shot scales, themes, motifs, symbols, auteur styles, etc.
Starting this week I will begin to put up weekly reviews of
films. There will not be much of a system to how I pick the films; I will just
watch what I am in the mood to watch each week and write about it.
Though true classic film buffs are a niche audience I hope I
can acquire some of your attention. I know that in todays world you can find
reviews to practically anything online, but personally I am tired of watching
wannabe classic film critics on YouTube. They all just prattle on about the
same films and the same obvious remarks are made over and over again. Just
because a classic is a classic does not mean everything in the film has been
looked at completely. My goal is to leave no stone unturned or if I do to have
you point it out to me. Like I said before I like to have conversations about
film.
I have been called a movie snob by most if not all my friends.
At first I took it as an insult until I realized that having high standards is
nothing to be ashamed of, when it comes to film. In fact we are at a cross road
in the film world. As each week passes by more garbage gets released into the
theaters and makes millions. Filmmakers should be held to a higher standard and
the best way to do that is to remind them of great classic films and the
reasons they are considered great.
Thank you.
