Well we are going to start this movie review blog off with a bang, because I know this review is going to cause a good bit of controversy and discussion. Even before I started watching movies and really developing my love for cinema and films, I always heard about how much of a masterpiece Citizen Kane was. Such bold statements as “the best movie ever made” and “all other films answer to Citizen Kane” were always unconsciously linked in my mind to this film. I even remember watching pieces of it in psychology class in high school, but never really gave it the time or dedication to sit down and give it a chance. As I began this journey to watch as many “movies that matter” as possible, I started off where I thought was the best place to start, the AFI (American film institute) top 100. Sure enough, sitting there at the number 1 spot was Citizen Kane. I respect the Afi, they have many of the greatest actors and actresses in history supporting them, and, along with the academy of motion picture arts and sciences, provide the most support in securing both the history and future of the film industry that we know and love today. Simply put though, they got it wrong this time. Citizen Kane being in the number 1 spot of this list is like saying Ben Stiller is the greatest dramatic actor of all time, simply a laughable statement. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate certain aspects of this film, considering this film was made way back in 1941, it does take many unique and trailblazing steps in the world of filming and symbolism. The creative ways the camera films upwards when trying to make Charles Kane seem more powerful or important is, admittingly, genius. But in my world, special effects or visuals are not enough to make a movie; you need a good plot, good direction, and good acting. The best way I can describe this film is this way, it is an intellectual puzzle that does not have a solution. Maybe I am just too young and I just don’t get it, but this film seemed to be something meant to have a secret involved, and unless you figured it out, you were simply left there waiting for that popular “OOH!” Moment…, where every little question and every little mystery comes together and everything is explained and makes sense, it never comes. Even when the major “surprise” comes at the end of the film, you are left there saying to yourself “that’s it” after all that, that’s it? Reading this blog, you will realize that the number one way I judge a movie is how many times I find myself pushing the “time” button on the remote, the display on the screen telling me how much more time is left before this movie is over, If I am enjoying the movie, it will end and I will find myself thinking, that went fast, but if it’s bad and I am not enjoying it, I will find myself pushing that button over and over saying “oh my, I still have 1 hour and 33 minutes of hell left” , and it becomes a countdown until the torture is over. There have been some BAD ones on my quest of movies, but simply put, I had to replace the button after watching Citizen Kane. I cannot remember another movie that I have pushed the time button so many times. It seemed like time was standing still and, even though it seemed as though 30 minutes or so have gone by, I click the button again, and only 2 or 3 minutes have passed. I was, as my wife says, sooo homesick, and I was sitting, at home! Lol. It is very weird for me to do this, but even though this is one of my all time most hated films, I have to recommend that you see this movie sometime before you die. With all the talk and such a wide range of opinions on it, if you have any interest what so ever in films, you have to sit down, watch this film, and make your own judgment. Afi, Entertainment Weekly, and many other respected film industries consider this one of the best films ever, I however feel as though Orson Welles should have stuck to scaring people on the radio about aliens, and left this story of “Rosebud” off of his resume’!
Plot- 2/10
Acting-4/10
Visuals-8/10
Sound-5/10
Overall Entertainment-2/10
Final -21/50
Chux Flix Final Rating: 42/100
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