Time Capsule: “Juxtaposition”

Juxtaposition – two objects placed close together, revealing a stark contrast between the two objects. Black and white. Short and tall. They’re very clearly opposite when they’re put next to one another.

STORY TIME:

Yesterday I went out with a few friends, and – I don’t know if you’ve ever watched Parks and Recreation but – we had a Treat Yo Self day. We went shopping. I bought some new shoes, new pants, new shirts. We had dinner at Copeland’s, which is a pretty fancy place. I had a drink; we had some laughs; I ate some tasty chicken parmesan; and then we each had some cheesecake. It was a great day.

But I realized when buying my new clothes, in some way it always makes me feel like a different person. Weird that clothes can have that effect on people. And now that I’ve heard Jane Greenwood in person – the most amazing costumer ever – and we’ve been studying her in class, I see it ever more clearly.

TIME CAPSULE:

Back when I was a sophomore in college, I had the pleasure of living with my best friend of the time. He was a psychology major, and I was a theatre major. He loved to test social norms. I loved to play a part. One day, when we were meeting a mutual friend’s father, we decided to trade clothes for a one-day experiment. It was fun to learn the effects our outer change had had on others, as well as the feelings it created within us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLASH FORWARD:

All that to say, clothing, in some ways, can make a person. What a cool concept. We had become our opposites for a day, simply by dressing differently.

Best Picture: “Gone with the Wind” of 1939

GONE WITH THE WIND

Rating: 10/10

         

For most of my life, I had heard of “Gone with the Wind,” and it always seemed boring to me. I’d either hear of people being in love with the story or I’d hear of people who dread it, because it’s so lengthy. And, honestly, after my first viewing, I’m glad I ended up watching it because I actually enjoyed it, but I doubt I’ll watch it again anytime soon. Parts of it were romantic, and a majority of it was tragic.

The story was phenomenal. I hated Scarlett every second of the film because she’s manipulative and selfish, but then again a part of me really loved her. (If she were categorized into a house from Hogwarts, she would definitely be Slytherin. And I would marry her. . . And then die. . . Oops, too soon.) I despised how much she used people to attain status; I despised her love for Ashley and that she clung to him in spite of everything. I guess that makes me Rhett Butler in a way. I have hardcore sympathy for Rhett. All that to say, the story was great.

Once again, Clark Gable has a fanatic in me. I’m a Clark Gable fanboy now. And the rest of the cast did a wonderful job, especially Vivien Leigh.

I shout a warm, “Hello!” to the first technicolor film on this list. The music was pleasant. The natural scenery of this film sparked a tenderness in my heart; I may have fallen in love with Tara because of it. The costumes were gorgeous, but one downside about the makeup and a bit of casting: I could not tell how fast the storyline progressed or how old some of the characters were from beginning to end.

So much about this production surprised me and impacted me cinematically. It was moving. I’d say to anyone, give it a chance, at least once, but be prepared to make an event of it.

Best Picture: “It Happened One Night” of 1934

IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

Rating: 9/10

        

“It Happened One Night” is freakin’ adorable. While watching, I literally gushed, “Awwwwww!” (See above photo.) This movie is a clever romantic comedy in which one constantly wonders, Who the hell is she going to end up with, or is she just going to make a run for it?!

Throughout the film, the writers drop cute little jabs at the characters; by the end of the film, all the minuscule plot points are tied together successfully. And the ending actually works.

Clark Gable (The King of Hollywood) and Claudette Colbert have the most believable on-screen chemistry that I’ve seen up-to-date in Best Picture. From the first minute of the movie to the last, I was rooting for Claudette. When Clark Gable showed up, I immediately fell in love with the both of them. (To be true, I was starstruck.)

The only thing that bothered me technically was a line spoken by a bus driver who simply says, “I haven’t got a hat!” while he’s wearing a hat. That confirms poor direction in consistency; I’m actually surprised that a costumer would miss that note.

Anyone looking to watch a romantic comedy should watch “It Happened One Night” at least once; it’s pure, well-thought-out, clean, and enjoyable.