#45 Citizen Kane (1941)

The first thing I want to point out about this film is that it had such an emotional appeal with the cinematography. There were these quick scenes (which must have been expensive). There was flashes, screams (from a bird), and a general ominous feel to this movie. It is hard to explain, but this movie certainly stands head and shoulders above its peers of the time. The movie is all about trying to find out what Kane's last words, "Rosebud," means. It is also nonlinear, which was apparently an innovation.
The next thing I want to mention is the historical context. In 1941, America was just getting out of the shadows of the Robber Barons. The movie actually goes over a lot of that time period. Without going into too much, the movie was basically about the pursuit of power and if it is all really worth it. There is a point in the movie where Kane tries to use his power to push his opinion on the people. Apparently Kane was based on Hearst, a newspaper magnate. Ironically, when this movie came out, Hearst tried to use his power to kill the movie. This of course confirms that he is the kind of guy.
It is funny that I went from a movie that threatens to call people communist to ruin a political career (Manchurian Candidate), and then I went to this movie where people are threaten as anarchist. I guess today's equivalent might be a terrorist?
Overall, this was an excellent movie. It was done very well. It makes you think; it has a point. I remember watching Family Guy (don't watch if you don't want spoilers) but I couldn't remember the joke, so luckily the movie wasn't ruined. If you haven't seen it, watch it. AFI claims this is the greatest movie of all time.
And the last thing I wanted to say is that the movie starts off in Florida (not Miami, but somewhere on the Gulf coast) at a place called Xanadu. I thought Jesse Roskovich might like that or at least +Leslie Roskovich.

"Rosebud..." -Charles Foster Kane

Have you seen this movie? What movie should I watch next?

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