Well I just watched Citizen Kane

[Shaister]

I thought it was alright but anyone want to explain why it is regarded as a classic?

[equipe]

You have to have a knowledege of what came before Citizen Kane to really appretiate what a departure it was from the Hollywood standard.

[Jaydawg]

Decent movie, but highly over-rated.

[Fanible]

It would of been better if you were alive durring the time it came out theatres. :D

[asterdis]

It is overrated. The truly comical thing happened ten years ago or so when the american critics hailed it as the best movie of all time.

[Mat]

The special effects were very revolutionary at the time. It's loaded with symbolism and great direction. I still consider it A great film if not THE great film.

[sunflower03]

why do you think it would have been better to see it at the time it was made, when it was first out in theatres it was a financial disaster.

[Gandollum]

I think its a great film, a classic, if you still think its overrated listen to Roger Eberts commentary on the dvd, he gives a lot of information and its very interesting.

[Macbane]

Citizen Kane is one of the greatest movies ever made, I love it. Look it up on Google or something, and read into the story, and what makes it concidered by some the greatest movie of all time.

[Jaydawg]

I don't listen to what other people say about it. I like to form my own opinion on a movie and not be swayed by critics or actors. It was an average film.

[Bigee04]

It's A Wonderful Life was a bomb when it came out in theaters too, but that's not to say that I wouldn't have liked to see it when it originally came out.

[Warren]

Asking why Citizen Kane is a classic is asking why Celine Dion sucks.

The answer is too obvious.

[trevaine]

The cinematography is groundbreaking. Camera angles and the use of shadows as a character of the movie make this light years ahead of its time. If you do not know the history of Orson Wells and the difficulties he faced while making the movie.. then you are missing a huge part of what makes this a cinematic masterpiece.

If this movie were made yesterday... it wouldn't mean much because we would have seen it all before. The ending wouldn't really have any sort of novelty. That may be the problem many younger people have to overcome. It is very much a piece that has to be judged with what was available prior to and during its release.

[LadyFireFly]

I think this movie was groundbreaking for its time and now it's a bit dated. It's not a bad movie but I've certainly seen better.

[Shaister]

I must agree it does have groundbreaking makeup/special effects the directing is very good as well.

[adt100]

Originally posted by sunflower03
why do you think it would have been better to see it at the time it was made, when it was first out in theatres it was a financial disaster.

That's because Heart's power over the Press at the time ensured that it was not a box office success!

Have you got the Special Edition DVD with the extra features, or just the standalone film?

I feel sorry for people that simply see it as an 'average' film. Mostly it seems by people brought up with SFX and explosion driven action flicks that Hollywood churn out day after day, without a trace of intelligence, originality, plot, dialogue, anything.

[Shaister]

Originally posted by adt100
That's because Heart's power over the Press at the time ensured that it was not a box office success!

Have you got the Special Edition DVD with the extra features, or just the standalone film?

I feel sorry for people that simply see it as an 'average' film. Mostly it seems by people brought up with SFX and explosion driven action flicks that Hollywood churn out day after day, without a trace of intelligence, originality, plot, dialogue, anything.
I agree with you adt, my fav movie is Shawshank Redemption other favs of mine are Ocean's Eleven(new version), Rocky and The Matrix. But I am a sucker for Van Damme action flicks which lack dialogue and plot. But my favs have a good blend of your above listed attributes. Later tonight I'll have a Well I just watched the Godfather thread. I'm trying to watch all these classic movies. My school has a nice video collection which I take advantage of for free.

[sunflower03]

i don't own citizen kane on dvd. someone made a post saying that they wished they could see it in theatres when it was first released, and i was just curious as to why someone would rather see it then, then now because at the time i am sure if it was a flop it would have been hard to find in theatres.i am sure it probably looks better now then it did because it would have been restored for the dvd release.

[QUINNtheESKIMO]

Citizen Kane is an explosion of Genius.

True, part of the reason that is held in such high esteme is because it shattered so many conventions of filmaking. And because Orsen was seemingly taking on the most powerful media man in america. But the film still holds up incredibly well. The story is good, and its construction is still unique, yet elegant. The acting is great, especially considering that non of them had even been on film before-no other major film would dare attempt this.

The cinematography is still daring, and beautiful. And most of the scenes in the film run with one or NO cuts-more evidence of how great a job these actors did. Orsen's performance was tremendous as well, as he plays a character and several different stages of their life. Some of the transitions and montages are the best ever in film. And the compositions of the shots are near perfection.

Oh, and this was Orsen's Directorial and screen acting debut. It was his first attempt, and he did both, as well as acted as co-cinematographer.

The film is so fun to watch, its just electric, and you can see the toches of genius everywhere. All you have to be is attentive. yes a knowledge of what films were like before Kane would only enhance you appreciation, but if only while watching it you would think of films that are made today, and how very few even approach the level of daring and creativity and percection that is to be found in Citizen Kane; I think you will be more appreciative of this masterpiece if you only were more attentive.

[QUINNtheESKIMO]

I guess I get the final word on this, huh?

[Riddle]

Everything about this movie was revolutionary....
just because a bunch of punks don't realize that, doesn't make it over-rated.

[Citizen Kane]

Originally posted by sunflower03
i don't own citizen kane on dvd. someone made a post saying that they wished they could see it in theatres when it was first released, and i was just curious as to why someone would rather see it then, then now because at the time i am sure if it was a flop it would have been hard to find in theatres.i am sure it probably looks better now then it did because it would have been restored for the dvd release.

You have to understand that Citizen Kane was a distinct departure from what came before it. It was the film that basically changed the way everything was done, and we're all the better for it today. To see it when it debuted would be to see an explosion of brilliance the likes of which had never been seen ebfore.