1909 Part 1

Hello again! I know it's been awhile since I've posted...I started to write but I didn't really feel well so I stopped, and now i'm writing again. So today begins 1909...shall we get started? WE SHALL!

First up we have another D.W. Griffith film, go figure, titled A Corner in Wheat. 

For the most part I enjoyed the film. It resonates with me and my generation as far as the rich taking everything and leaving us to pick up the scraps (can you tell i'm a broke liberal college kid?). Regardless I'm sensing some issues that D.W. and I will come across in the future. His main problem is that almost every shot goes on for way too long. I hate films where the shots linger for like 10 seconds too long. We get it they're happy/sad/pissed! Now move on!! A recent super annoying example of this was in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 where Molly Weasley looks out toward the field when she hears someone arrive after the "Seven Potters". I could have sworn the shot lasted for like 20 seconds...probably not but still! Anyways I enjoyed the story and the titles in between scenes. Overall good film.

Next up we have another Griffith picture titled The Country Doctor

So throughout this film all I kept thinking was, "...this is a demon child!!". That kid barely, if ever, blinked and had raccoon rings around huge eyes. I was instantly terrified that this was an exorcist situation and I would be freaked out. Thankfully that didn't happen. A positive thing about this film is that the shots were (mostly) normal. There weren't any glaring long shots, that I can remember, so I'm happy about that. One thing that killed me was the fact that no one did their medical research. I understand its the early 1900s but the heart is definitely not in the same area as the stomach. Nor does listening to the pulse, putting your hand on the forehead, and putting rags on said forehead cure illness. When the doctor came back and was like "psh woman she's fine! I'll just touch her with my magic hands!"...yea not buying it. Other than that the film was pretty good.

Next we have The Curtain Pole by none other than D.W. Griffith

D.W. Griffith should never do comedy. This was all sorts of bad. I honestly can't say more because almost everything made me cringe.

And now The Golden Louis, another Griffith film.

Honestly all I have to say about this film is...huh? The girl is poor...she goes to sleep?...man drops coin...another man takes coin...gambles (without ever losing)...girl wakes up and leaves her stoop...man comes back to find her gone...girl goes back TO THE SAME STOOP (why is this stoop so special?!) and dies?...man finds her at the stoop (again) and then gives all of the other peasants the money...then laments her death??!?! How did this get greenlit?! Griffith is starting to falter.

Now is The Hessian Renegades...D.W. Griffith.

Yea...so America rules? That's what I got from that. Nothing remarkable to comment on although I will say that Griffith is losing me...maybe I just need a change of scene.

Last but not least we have The Lonely Villa. 

Why Griffith? I don't understand how this made any sense. There wasn't a real story here! All we see is some seedy people outside of a house and then the dad is gone and then the women are being attacked. Ok...why are they attacking that specific house?? There has to be a reason because they lured the big strong man away so they could take advantage of the family. Did they have some treasure? A secret bit of information? Were they from the mob? I WANT TO KNOW!

That's it for today folks! Next time we will be finishing up 1909 then I'll post my favorite films from this decade...should be a good time. Later!!