030. The Magnificent Ambersons (United States - 1942)

The Magnificent Ambersons is Welles' adaptation of the 1918 novel of the same name by Booth Tarkington. Welles finds interesting ways to set his arguments forward with an entertaining voice-over narration at the start, letting the audience familiarise with the historical background under which the film's premise is established. Habits of the time, the advent of automobiles, clothing and properties: everything is purposefully displayed at the start, and referred to as the film goes. A very well delineated narrative with the rise and downfall of a family due to natural deaths and the subsequent inability of an heir to cope with the financial difficulties at hand. Great actors (special commendations to Joseph Cotten's performance), polished linearity, nice soundtrack and continuity.

Score:
Cinematography: 8.0
Acting: 8.5
Editing: 8.5
Sound: 7.5
Text: 8.5
Concept: 7.0
Premise Execution: 8.5


Average Score: 8.0

029. Touch of Evil (United States - 1958)

One of the last of its kind (the film noir kind, I mean), Touch of Evil can surprise in many aspects. It may be the innovative cameras (who in the world hasn't talked about the film without mentioning the nearly 4-minute-long shot at the very beginning?) and sound effects, or the illustrious cast of fine actors/actresses for top-drawer performances. There is something in this Orson Welles' pearl that tickles everybody's fancy, and drags them close to the screen to keep them there all the way till the solving of the crime and Hank's decadence. It may be the 1950s charm, or the nostalgic accents, or the feeling of intricate plot. It got me. At last.

Director: Orson Welles.

Score
Cinematography: 9.5
Acting: 9.0
Editing: 9.0
Sound: 8.5
Text: 8.5
Concept: 8.0
Premise execution: 9.0

Average Score: 8.7