REALLY BAD MOVIE! - Modern Times (1936) Discussion

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] nafbm 17 years ago

well.. i think all generations can love Modern Times.
but you think this movie is really bad...really? how pitiable.

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People in my age group (14-18) really need to pick up this film. I'm serious. It's one of Chaplin's best. I personally believe that those who do not find this movie good at all (I can understand if you didn't think it was the greatest movie ever, but bad? Really?) really need to take a good look at themselves. No offense, but our generation of people find sex jokes, guys in drag, and falling down funny. You know, the bare minimum. we really can't understand intelligent humor. Modern times is intelligent humor disguised with slapstick.

It's pitiful really.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYs_qCGWHJ8 A tribute to John I made

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[–] fibbovan 17 years ago

I'm 16, and I thought it was hilarious. It is one of those rare movies that we need to cling to if we are ever going to take film and comedy seriously as not only an art, but also part of our culture.

*I was talking to myself.*

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[–] Trevorgant 17 years ago

It’s not about it being hilarious I just had to watch this movie too. Its about its social ties to the silent era. All the sound effects and voices were done in post. Its about Chaplin making fun of the new talkie movies of that time. Notice how the evil boss talks notice how the new machine is made to eliminate the work week. The two main characters that are struggling just to get by never make a sound. Also when Chaplin does finally speak he signs a song to Americans in another language and they love it. Actions speak louder than words and that’s what this movie is about. Chaplin pokes fun at new films and makes a silent movie when they were all but over.

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[–] fibbovan 17 years ago

Well said.

*I was talking to myself.*

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[–] PhrenicGermal 16 years ago

When I first heard him singing I thought that maybe the DVD had the audio tacks for the different languages mixed up. I had to play it again and switch through the audio versions to convince myself. Do you know what he is singing?

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[–] Doctor-Feitlebaum 17 years ago

Guys in drag has always been popular. :p In a couple of Chaplin's shorts, he dresses in drag.

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[–] Its_a_me_Enzo 13 years ago

Guys in drag seems to be timelessly funny. Shakespeare was a huge fan.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] rootbeerlover730 17 years ago

I'm 17 some parts of this movie were so funny i was crying. i also hate reality T.V. and mtv so I'm not normal when it comes to movies and my age.

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[–] Mr-You 16 years ago

Yes, but you love root beer which compromises your whole personality ;)

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[–] CDyk 17 years ago

>REALLY BAD MOVIE!

NO! REALLY GOOD MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[–] roypower 17 years ago

Although I loved City Lights and really liked The Kid and The Gold Rush, I really disliked Modern Times. I thought it was just repetitive, dull, and unfunny.

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[–] CDyk 17 years ago

>Although I loved City Lights and really liked The Kid and The Gold Rush, I really disliked Modern Times.

I haven't seen "City Lights", "The Kid" and "The Gold Rush" yet and I'd like to watch those movies. Hopefully I'd like to enjoy watching those movies too.

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[–] edos_91 17 years ago

im 19 and i thought modern times was in my top 10 ever. that list also includes stuff like zoolander and old school. i think our generation is perfectly capable of liking both mtv and this if we just gave it a go. REALLY BAD MOVIE is the last way i would ever describe modern times. chaplins a hero.

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[–] Foot_Freakin_Master 17 years ago

I love City Lights, The Kid, and like The Gold Rush. But for me, Modern Times is the best of the bunch.

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[–] BelleCBelle 17 years ago

I hope that you develop the intellect to critique this movie in a different way when you become an adult. A truly great film has many layers, and all of Chaplin's films should be viewed many times, and studied, because perhaps then his brilliance will shine through for you. As with any form of intelligent and creative expression (painting, architecture, literature, music. etc.), trying to understand all a film has to tell you in one viewing would be as if you were eating a fast-food cheeseburger. What would be the point? Give yourself time to get to know a film and YOU will benefit in many ways! Forget the "fast-food world" way of thinking! Good luck.

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[–] kirby-37 17 years ago

My sentiments exactly. Not only is the film hilarious but it presents an irrefutable, frightening and deeply moving portrait of early modern society, its dehumanization and exploitation. Chaplin's brilliance has virtually no limitations.

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[–] Mithol 17 years ago

I think it has something to do with the fact that you watched it in school. I find some movies great, and then my friends see it for the first time in a school atmosphere and they just hate it.

~Formerly known as "eowynmaiar".

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[–] BelleCBelle 17 years ago

For the majority of students peer pressure is very strong in school. I was one of the lucky or unlucky ones (depending on how you view abuse from peers for not fitting the "mold") in that I appreciated Chaplin even then. However, with an adult's perspective I have gained insight into several of the deeper layers of the film! Enjoy - and YES, how fortunate to have been exposed to the film in school!

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[–] jamc100 17 years ago

I was actually first exposed to this film in school as well, and I loved it. I loved it so much, that I have seeked out other Chaplin movies, as well as other movies in the "classic" genre.

Of course, I do believe the majority of my class also disliked it, and that would certainly fit into the peer pressure category as well. In fact, my husband also saw the film in class and said he just used the time to fall asleep. But then again, I never did quite fit the "mold" when it came to popular opinion, or my views on pop culture then, or even now (I'm 22). I just can't understand music and movies that are popular right now (nor the last 15 years for that matter), and maybe I sound like an old lady saying it, but frankly I don't care. I'd take a Chaplin film over an Adam Sandler one anyday!

Visit my website @ http://www.freewebs.com/defleppardart/

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[–] macgeek2004 17 years ago

This is one of the greatest films ever made.

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[–] supersonnic 17 years ago

Yes indeed! How can someone say that this movie is bad, seriously? There is no comedian today that can even come close to Charlie, he started it all!

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[–] brandomarlon2003 17 years ago

Well I am from the younger generation and I can appreciate the importance of Chaplin's films as well as Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, etc. I am presently watching one of Chaplin's few sound films, "Monsieur Verdoux" and it is a great film. Just because a movie is old and in black and white doesn't mean it is a bad movie. I can rattle off at least 10 old classic black and white movies that are better than modern fare like "The Good Shepherd".

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[–] DD-931 17 years ago

Wow. At first I was depressed at yet another classic movie dismissed by teenagers with no clue. Then I read all the other positive comments by kids probably around the same age as the original poster, and how much insight they had into films in general and this movie in particular, and this message thread ended up making my day! Thanks, guys.

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[–] halfbreed_angel 17 years ago

I post what I said on the last thread:

Sorry it doesn't have the dirty sex jokes, grotesque violence and language you might have been looking for. Maybe things in the comedy business have gone so far these days to where those are the only things in movies that make people laugh. I don't know, I love silent reels and I love Charlie Chaplin. I think he is brilliant in this film. I believe he put the Tramp to rest in a blaze of glory. This movie in itself has everything from drug use, political scandal, jail breaks, satire. I honestly don't see how someone can't love this film upon seeing it. They say that only the older generation can enjoy it, but I'm still a teenager and I love films like this.

There you go.

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[–] guiltyascharged-1 17 years ago

It's unfortunate a big chunk of this generation were raised off utter garbage, and therefore looks torwards garbage as a standard for films. It's too bad. Go back and keep watching you MTV and Family Guy.

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[–] jmcnamara-1 17 years ago

I'll agree with you on MTV, but Family Guy shouldn;t be plumped together with it.

Great film BTW.

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] elizabeth-kelso 17 years ago

I don't think it has to do with generations, just taste. My 8 year old thinks Chaplin is fantastic. She will watch his stuff with me over and over.

It is all about what you are exposed to. My daughter is exposed to a lot of movies from the 40s so it wasn't a leap to watch a silent film. She actually said she liked them better and that they were funnier. I think she laughed harder than me.

But if you are a person who prefers lots of visual stimulation and/or fast action, Chaplin might not be for you. Nothing wrong with that.

Busy

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[–] voodoo1194 16 years ago

It's a generational thing.

I can enjoy it as a piece of history, but for people who want to compare it to the latest piece of crap out there they aren't going to get it.

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[–] satishnaidu2000003 16 years ago

I'm not sure it is a generational thing. Great films always stay great. That is why they are great.
Chaplin and his films for me have aged badly. I never laughed once during Modern Times and City Lights, but the latter was touching.

I would say consider the genius of Buster Keaton. There wouldn't be a time and age when his films wouldn't be funny. I might never have enough of The General, one of the funniest films ever anc certainly one of the greatest films of all time. And then, Sherlock Jr.

The thing with Keaton is he doesn't hammer us with a joke. He has faith in us getting it. Not Chaplin, and even in a sequence that potentially might have humor, he spoils it completely by his antics which take the focus away from the narrative and pin it squarely on him.

Take for instance the scene in City Lights, where his millionaire friend is pouring him a drink. When Chaplin is drinking it, and the millionaire is drinking himself, the 'joke' is the bottle wetting inside Chaplin's pants. But the film isn't content with that. It gives us a single shot with focus on the bottle assuring itself we did "get" the joke.

And of course, today's unfunny guys - Atkinson and co. do hail from the Chaplin school. I guess we know why they are so damn irritating.

Regards,
Satish Naidu
http://movie-place.blogspot.com

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[–] SnorrSm1989 16 years ago

The thing with Keaton is he doesn't hammer us with a joke. He has faith in us getting it. Not Chaplin, and even in a sequence that potentially might have humor, he spoils it completely by his antics which take the focus away from the narrative and pin it squarely on him.

Take for instance the scene in City Lights, where his millionaire friend is pouring him a drink. When Chaplin is drinking it, and the millionaire is drinking himself, the 'joke' is the bottle wetting inside Chaplin's pants. But the film isn't content with that. It gives us a single shot with focus on the bottle assuring itself we did "get" the joke.

The purpose of that joke was to show Charlie's incompetense in "high society," to give us a clearer understanding of his character. Unlike Keaton's humor, Chaplin's humor is to a much larger degree based upon characterization; unlike Keaton, his jokes get much funnier when they are seen in context to the story and the Tramp himself. Both styles are great, they are just different.

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[–] Foot_Freakin_Master 14 years ago

Well, to me Modern Times is the true classic of the group, though I have seen it so very much I don't watch it much now. I still love Chaplin, especially The Kid and The Circus.

I do also really like Keaton. The General is an all time classic. I enjoy The Cameraman. I want to see more.

Hey, what about Harold Lloyd? In some ways I feel more like Harold. The Freshman and Girl Shy are great, Speedy good. I need to see Safety Last and others.

To me, all of these three still have a firm place.

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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