They call me Mister Tibbs!
Well, actually–no they don’t. They call me Nikolai Adams. How did a history major become so obsessed with the world of film? If you think about it, the transition is pretty natural. Movies represent a specific moment in time; a flash from the mind of a screenwriter, director or actor. If done right, a motion picture leaves us with an imprint of a time in history. From fashion, to politics, to morality and beyond, films represent an interpretation of our world through the eye of the camera.
It sounds simple, yet so many different threads must be woven together to create a truly memorable and exceptional film. Clearly, the storylines, actors, and directors are of obvious importance to the final product, however, things such as cinematography, lighting, costumes, setting, and music are just as necessary to its success. For instance, Alfred Hitchcock originally wanted the famous shower sequence with Janet Leigh in Psycho to have no music as he thought it would make more of an impact. Composer Bernard Herrmann disagreed. Fortunately, test audiences were not scared by the silence, so Herrmann’s screeching string section won out and one of the most iconic horror scenes was born. Or, would John Huston’s unforgettable film The Treasure of Sierra Madre be as impressive if it had not been shot on location (one of the first films to do so)?
Moments like this stick with us long after the final credits have rolled. An emotional response, be it laughter, tears, fear, angst, anger, or empathy, is desirable, for what a film should do is establish a connection with its audience. What is the point of a movie if we do not care about the characters or the outcome?
My website will review classics, hidden gems, foreign films, and modern masterpieces in an attempt to introduce the viewer to films that should be seen in one’s lifetime. So many motion pictures, both past and present, are overlooked in favour of the studio promoted blockbusters that are often movie tragic rather than movie magic. I hope that you will join me on this adventure as we travel through the reels of movie history.