The Film Genie's Universe

You may have noticed that the last remark on my review of "The Kid" is a rating out of ten for 'movie' and 'film.' This is something I devised back in my radio days when I had a half hour slot on Radio Hampshire reviewing new releases, posing trivia quesions and giving various top tens in my 'movie trailer' voice. I am by no means the first person to differentiate between a movie and a film but I can almost certainly lay claim to be the creator of the movie/film rating system.

Michael Bay's "Transformers" - Movie 10, Film 3

But first, for those lost by this point, let me explain what I mean by movie/film. Of course I am working in generalisations, but a 'movie' is something that you go to watch at the cinema with a group of mates, lots of popcorn and with the expectation of being entertained, be that through Ryan Reynold's new comedy, The Rock's current blow-everything-up-but-has-no-plot movie or Meryl Streep singing with three actors attemping to do the same on a Greek Island. It can be fun, silly and is usually directed by Michael Bay or produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Afterwards you'll be chatting about how hot Megan Fox was, how awesome the fight scenes were or how you can't wait to see the sequal, prequal or remake (Hollywood does enjoy milikng a cashcow). It rarely wins any OSCARs outside of the Sound Design or Visual Effects categories.

Chaplin's hilarious and heart-wrenching dramedy still resonates 90 years on..... beautiful storytelling.


The Kid's opening credits advise that this is "A picture with a smile, and perhaps a tear..." and it certainly does not disappoint. I find it fantastic that a film made in the adolescence of Hollywood, even before the advent of sound, can still induce laughter in a reviewer who has been desensitized by the innumerable comedies of Stiller, Carrey and Sandler. Or perhaps that is the reason why it was so refreshing. It needs no profanity, no Farrelly-Brothers vulgarity; only some clever slapstick, witty characters and wonderfully timed set-pieces. It's second claim also does not fall short as the fear eminating from Coogan, Chaplin's fledgling co-star, when he is being dragged off to the orphanage is hard to watch. Consdering the age of Coogan, his repertoire of emotions, comic timing and cheeky-faced charm is exceptional. Actually, ignoring his limited experience he is Chaplin's equal.

Welcome to the new blog by The Film Genie, previously just 'Genie', created partly to encourage my film consumption and partly to share my opinions with those who want to hear, chat about, agree with, contradict and demolish them. If all goes well, I'm starting a Masters in Film this October so I thought I'd brush up on my film experience and knowledge, as well as my critical and analytical skills by watching the current (Jan 2011) IMDB Top 250.

Seems like a big challenge, well thanks to a new website I discovered (http://www.listsofbests.com/person/Jon_Hunter) I can keep track easily - I didn't realise I was already on 40% so there's a time-saving bonus straight away. I'll be reviewing each film as I watch it too so look out for the 150 or so reviews arriving, optimistically, by the start of my first term. I'm also working through them chronologically as my current expertise spends way too much time in the Bay/Rodriguez sector, skims through Spielburg, Tarantino and Burton and falls particulary short around Ford/Hitchcock/Eisenstein and most other names relevant to a true understanding of the film industry.

Anyway, Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" (1921) coming soon.....

The Film Genie