Unless you're a confirmed Chaplin fan, you might want to give second thoughts to whether you want to see the new restored version. The print looks gorgeous, but the film itself seemed surprisingly dated. The humor, mostly physical, also seemed dated.
I'm extremely disappointed, and I've enjoyed nearly all the Keaton comedies.
There were movies made last year that seem dated today, because "dated," is a subjective concept! I recently watched Modern Times and found it fresh, relevant, and histerical. Brilliant! Spinali, you're the minority here, that's all, but there's nothing wrong with giving the movie your two cents.
share[deleted]
[deleted]
Dated? Well it is a (almost-)silent black and white movie from the 30s. Of course you won't get CGI or flying cars.
Lots of scenes actually aged very well (the roller skating scene, the cocaine scene), some shots are still amazing even by today's standards (the boat scene) and the themes are very much relevant today (the food machine is a joke, but it's aimed at increasing productivity - no lunch break - for the company to be more competitive).
To think it's overrated, dated, or that the message is obsolete, you're obviously a spoiled bourgeois who's never worked in a factory. Factories, unemployment, poverty, class struggle, hunger... These things still exist, you know.
- A point in every direction is the same as no point at all.
I know everyone's entitled to an opinion, but that is just an idiotic thing to say. Chaplin has always concerned himself with universals rather than particulars. Such profound humanism doesn't date because human nature never changes. And oh yeah, if the physical comedy is so dated, how come this film is one of the highest rated comedies on imdb? Clearly it still resonates with audiences...
/dumbass
[deleted]
For the last time, Humor. Is. Subjective. Please! How many times does this have to be repeated in this thread for it to sink in? You don't have to like Modern Times, but you have to recognise that a lot of other people do, for a reason.
I am not a film scholar or a critic. I can enjoy modern action movies as well as silent comedies. The reason why I like Modern Times is because I find it funny and moving, and yes, relevant. Can I be allowed to enjoy an old movie without being called a snob? Can you perhaps get it into your head that a movie doesn't have to be dated and un-funny just because you don't happen to like it?
Don't worry, in 60 years from now when he's looking at movies on www.imbd.com, he'll be getting pissed at some kids saying "Jim carrey moves are not even remotely funny by todays comediens", it will probably sink into his head that the kids nowadays don't appreciate real tallent when they see it. That's if any will even know who jim carrey is that far in the future... I bet they will know who Chaplin is though.
shareYou're right, bluefalcon, this site is overrun by film snobs who can't give poor working stiffs like you a break. I guess that's why the top ten is overrun by Bergman and Fellini whereas pop-culture classics like The Godfather and Shawshank Redemption can't get within a stone's throw. I guess that's why males under 18 have accounted for Modern Times' highest rated group on IMDB. You know those teenage boys and their elitist tendencies.
OK, Man, you're entitled not to laugh at a film, just as I'm entitled to laugh at you. But whether or not Modern Times is funny, or whether it still resonates with audiences, is not open to debate. Have you ever sat in a movie theater where it was being screened? I have. People just can't stop laughing at the feeding sequence. Have you ever watched this movie with children? Or as a child? I have. They love it. So shut up, and stop pretending you're the voice of God on this matter.
Also, if you think you're too smart or too sophisticated for this movie, I assure you it's because you're not picking up on any of the subtlety or brilliance this movie has to offer. Chaplin has been widely acclaimed as a genius, and his work has not suffered over the years any more than Shakespeare. Of course, people who don't respect movies as an art form always think they go out of date in a decade or two. Oh well, it's their loss.
"Don't think there are too many people around who identify themselves as a scruffy street tramp with a heart of gold. His quirky mannerisms and slapstick comedy (which mainly consist of him getting hit on the head or getting his clothes stuck in something) don't really speak to me (and I'm sure many more) as the everyman.
Yes, there are certainly not too many people around anymore with a heart of gold ... :oP
First of all one needs to learn to look beyond physical appearances and grasp the true meanings behind Chaplin films and what this tramp really means...
His outter physical appearance is the least thing that matters, it's rather the message of what he does and what he goes through that's important... THAT's what should speak to viewers, the message this film is trying to get across... the ending sums it up pretty well.. "NEVER give up, never say die, we'll get along.."
That type of message is always present in all of his films... this little tramp who has nothing, ABSOLUTELy nothing always finds humor and hope ... he's not lying on the street getting drunk feeling sorry for himself... he keeps trying and trying to survive in his harsh little world...... and that's what makes a WINNER, someone who never gives up... a loser is just someone who doesn't do crap...
To kage4
Dated doesn't mean that. Speaking about movies, to be dated, means that the original ideas are not as strong as they were. I mean, if it's not funny as it was, or if the message got old somehow. That kind of stuff. But it's not related to cars o clothes.
And in this particular case, being an objetive opinion of course, Chaplin's movie still got it. As well as Keaton's material. They still make people laugh after a lot of years. If some of you don't find them funny or emotional, those are particular cases.
I choose not to run.
Totally disagree. I'm 44 and I just watched it for the first time and I found it extremely funny.
shareHow can a movie called 'Modern Times' be dated?
shareAll of Chaplin's output is overrated.
shareWeirdly enough, I found the movie anything but dated. Its themes are quite relevant even now.
As for the slapstick, well, that's up to taste. I'm more a Keaton person than a Chaplin person, but I still think the gags in this were great-- especially that hilarious (and also horrifying) feeding machine.