Dr. Lecter for example, and perhaps Movies35 has yet to see it?

Well, I'm warning them not to.

You guys are crazy. This film is a classic. Just the use of shadows, deep-focus angles, low-angles, it's all amazing. Welles' transformation from young Kane to older Kane is brilliant. So many filmmakers have been influienced by this it's impossible not to call it a classic. The way the script starts with him dying then goes to flashbacks back to the present day and the audience finding out what Rosebud actually is...is mezmerizing. I implore all of you to go out immediatly and rent this if you haven't seen this...it's a truly spellbinding classic.

Rosebud was something that even though Kane was a rich, powerful man, it's something so innocent and childish that he would never be able to have again.

A+

This thread saddens me - that some others have not experienced the same joy at seeing this movie's movie as I have on each of my viewings of this true film masterpiece...

yeah, i just read this a couple weeks ago...almost threw up.

Yeah, stupid Citizen Kane. And his stupid Rosebud. What the fuck was THAT about?

If you guys want to watch a *real* movie, watch Saw. Or it's brilliant sequel, Saw II!

Citizen Kane was a technical masterpiece for it's time. For that, I will give it all the credit in the world. It accomplished things nothing before it did. But my god, is it one of the most boring films I have ever seen. Sorry. But, for me, it just is. Rosebud could have been used for firewood and I could have cared less.

No, I have nothing against "old movies" either. I am sure someone will want to use the lame based excuse that i like nothing before 1990. I enjoy many movies of the 30's-50's. Just not this one.

Personally, I think Citizen Kane looked dated by 1941 standards, considering that Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of OZ both predated it by two years, and I don't think it's a coincidence that both of those films hold up much better to anybody that isn't a film snob and thinks they have to like Citizen Kane to prove they're smart...

Smart generalization.

When I hear one person give me an example of why the film is so great, I'll let you know, but as long as their heads are up their asses, I'll always have trouble hearing what they say.

But they aren't as "revolutionary" as people say. In fact if 'M' wasn't German I bet people would be praising THAT instead.

Do you put any blame on Lucas for borrowing from other films?

Kane is dated? How so? To the extent that it's not in color? It doesn't require the technicolor or special effects of Oz or GWTW. I have never found anything dated about the revoluitionary makeup effects, the groundbreaking narrative structure, the unsparing nature of the story in a period marked by light escapist fare, the editing and cinematographic breakthroughs....

Also, Star Wars, I don't know if you're, like, Fritz Lang's great-grandson or something, looking to keep the value of the estate up, but I'm sick of hearing you cry "M!" everytime Citizen Kane gets mentioned. Yes, M (have you even actually seen it?) was groundbreaking as well. Certainly, you can see rough versions of a few (a FEW) of Welles' techniques in there. And you know what he did? IMPROVED them, took them to the next level. And not every new technique from Kane can be found in M. What a silly argument. Furthermore, dude....*whisper* Citizen Kane is just a LOT better than M *whisper*

I'm sure you're familiar with the praise D.W. Griffith gets for changing cinema with Birth Of A Nation. Well, pretty much every technique he used had already existed in one form or another, be they close-ups, dissolves, etc...he just put them all together, making something no one had ever seen before. Doesn't lessen his achievement, or his influence.

Personally, I love it as a movie, I didn't throw the whole film theory analysis at it. I've probably seen it 5-6 times and every time it has enthralled me with it's style and story. I don't kneel in front of the screen and worship it as an icon of film history - I buy my popcorn and enjoy the show. It really is one of the best movies ever made. And this is from someone who honestly believes that Bubble Boy is one of the best comedies of the new millenium - so you can forget about pullin' that film snob stuff on me...

Yeah, I agree. I'm an 18 yr old white male, and while I am probably much more 'into' film than most kids my age, I don't think I'd say I'm 'snobbish' about it. I watch movies for entertainment first, just like anyone else. I've seen this movie 2 or three times since the first about 1.5 yrs ago, and it has NEVER failed to entertain me. People always say 'technical masterpiece, but boring,' but personally I've never been anything less than completely enthralled by Citizen Kane.

I have a friend taking a class on film at his college. They were shown Kane and, apparently, the mood at the end was one of "shocked enjoyment" (his words). Excellent. Maybe hope isn't lost for this generation.

Indeed, I know a surprising number a college-aged kids who, despite not being movie buffs in any traditional sense, just love the shit out of Kane. It's exciting.

Add me to the "technical masterpiece, but boring as hell" category.

Brilliant use of shadows and camera angles, especially for when this film was made. Orson Welles is pretty much fantastic in the role of Kane. It's a performance that would look great even today.

But, seriously, the movie felt like it was never going to end.

Supremely overrated. Technically brilliant, with its use of extremely low camera angles and chiaroscuro lighting. A great performance by Welles drives the piece. But that's about all it's got. The story is far from compelling and I never felt involved in the character's tale. The use of flashbacks doesn't paint a very interesting or complete picture of Kane, as there is far too much devoted to overlong anecdotes and not enough to the overall story. The Rosebud twist is a nice way to end the film, but I can't judge how surprising or shocking it was, as I had been spoiled long ago. Oh, and way too long, even at only two hours. It just drags on and on. I can see why it's a technical masterpiece, but other that that, it's nothing special.

In terms of script, this has the most unique and most unusual story structure. It starts at the end, then it breaks down the table of contents, then goes through each chapter in the story. Very unique story and technically brilliant filmaking makes this probably the most original movie of all time.

Grade: A.

I don't get it when you guys say that because this film is technically brilliant, and innovative, that it makes it a brilliant film. Doesn't boredome count for something?

I guess stilted dialogue and stiff acting doesn't count, either. (unless someone wants to bash George Lucas)

It's cool to hate on the Kane!!!

Sorry it doesn't have massive asteroids or meteors to keep your attention.

I like Citizen Kane, but I don't think it's the greatest film ever made. Not even sure if it would make my Top 20.

I think some people just react to it because of the reputation -- they're supposed to like it so they try hard not to...and then of course they don't.

It annoys me that people think the fact that it always tops the all time lists is enough to bash it to kingdom come. I certainly don't agree that it's the all-time greatest, but I don't think the people that make those lists feel that way either. When you're going to make a list of the greatest films of all time, you should include a film that is great in every aspect, gave something to the movement of movies yet also has its own unique feel. I can think of very few films that are in that catagory.

And I've seen the movie 3 times, and never found it boring. :shrug: