Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Brandi Callanta 07.06.13 / 7pm

   I agree with this film review, I haven’t seen this film in a long time, but it was one that definitely stuck in the mind. I agree that this was a great film with the cinematography, especially for the era it was filmed in. The sound was great, especially in the musical scenes of the film. I agree that the film had portrayed early Hollywood greatly and that the directors, producers, and especially the actors had worked very hard to execute the scenes with music, dancing, and the humor that had all been involved. I agree that this film was a great film of the era that appealed to many people and had become considered a Hollywood classic.
2. kyaldayialbir 10.29.13 / 9pm

   I can only imagine how exquisite those vintage Hollywood sets are. And in Technicolor they must pop. I have been tempted to see this film in the last 2 weeks about 17 times. We’ve been taking a look at sound in film in class, particularly 1927’s The Jazz Singer, and this film seems to be a fictional narrative of just those times, but with a lighter modern twist, and now that I’ve read your glowing review, I’ll probably break down and finally watch it. Hollywood films about Hollywood films are always fun. The Player, Tropic Thunder, Entourage, just to name a few, but I’ve stayed away because of the musical numbers. Your review seems to give the musical montages a thumbs up, though the comment about the sequences running long because film stock was really expensive in the 50’s made me growl and mumble a bit under my breath. I can’t believe the film is only #87 on IMDB like you said it’s not only a film, but a part of film history. I wonder who would win in a fist fight Astaire or Kelly? All in all, if this film is half as good as Woody Allen’s Everyone Says I love you (though I fast forwarded trough the musical numbers in that) then I’ll be in for a fun movie night. Good review. Cheers!
3. Corona Yu 07.03.17 / 11pm

   I, too, also heard so much about Singin’ in the Rain before watching and this is the film that truly holds up to its hype. It’s fantastic! I never even noticed how long the dance numbers were because I was enjoying them so much! Even La La Land copied from one of the long musical numbers, especially with all the bright colors. Likewise, this film opened up and made me interested in older films. I think there are a lot of old musicals that are absolutely lovely. What I like about this movie is that it has artistic merit but it’s also entertaining to watch.
4. Hailey Yates 07.21.18 / 8pm

   My main reason for watching this movie was also because of its reputation as a classic musical. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped but agree with the author about how impressive the dancing numbers were and the complexity of the sets. The amount of practice they needed to make each scene as perfect as it was is admirable. I agree that this film demonstrates the era of Hollywood with a lot of physical humor and the typical romance narrative. I think the simple and bright lighting gave the film a happy-go-lucky appeal to it which pulled in a lot of audiences. The plot itself is not complex or unique but the singing, dancing and bright lighting are what contribute to making it really amazing.
5. Angeliki Smirniotis 06.08.19 / 12pm

   I really enjoyed your review of Singin’ in the Rain. When I watched the film I was surprised it was the first time I had watched it as I have heard about this film my whole life. While watching the film the sets seen throughout the film were astonishing. They felt so glamorous and extravagant as we don’t see those kinds of sets today. The dancing throughout the film amazed me as well as all the actors were in sync throughout the whole number. I definitely understand why it’s a classic, it’s a must see film!
6. meholle15 06.08.19 / 6pm

   This movie definitely does give a great look into the history of film production that we sometimes forget about. The precision and work that the actors had to put in to practice not only their acting, but in this film, their singing and dancing is astounding because there was no technology that we have available today for editing, so the scenes had to be perfected in order to preform the scene as desired. I think this film captures the effort put into old Hollywood films as well as the simplicity that is conveyed in the best way possible. Singin’ in the Rain does include the magnificent dance and song numbers in great sets, but is not over-embellished with extras like editing, 3-D, or green screens that we use today in Hollywood. This goes to show how even with little technology, great films can be made that will be watched endlessly.
7. Emma Soflin 02.25.20 / 8pm

   I usually don’t like musicals too much but I really enjoy watching this film. Growing up I watched this film a ton and to this day it has never gotten dull. This is by far one of Gene Kelly’s best performances. It in fact, shows the history of audio being incorporated into films but it is executed with dance, singing, love, humor, and visually pleasing sets. The actors were definitely well rehearsed with there intricate dance routines and singing. I do agree with you, the huge sets definitely put off a huge Broadway feel, which was visibly pleasing and energetic. Also, they are very artistic and demonstrate create the mood for that scene. The costumes and makeup perfectly fit the setting and the props used were very well placed. I was intrigued the whole time watching this film. It is highly recommend to watch this film, it is a classic.
8. Megan Peterson 03.02.20 / 9am

   I really liked that you brought up the complexity of the sets. I, too, noticed that they were very impressive and there was a variety of unique sets in the film, however it also gave the audience an understanding of how film making used to be. It is easy nowadays to use a green screen or something similar (with technology, pretty much anything is possible), but it required much more effort back then. I also agree that the dancing was very pleasantly surprising. The dance numbers were lengthy and clearly took tremendous amounts of talent- especially when Don’s sidekick, Cosmo, danced. His strength was incredible and his technique was beautiful. It goes to show how certain movies can still stand the test of time, Singing in the Rain being one of them.
9. Megan Peterson 03.02.20 / 9am

   I really liked that you brought up the complexity of the sets. I, too, noticed that they were very impressive and there was a variety of unique sets in the film, however it also gave the audience an understanding of how film making used to be. It is easy nowadays to use a green screen or something similar (with technology, pretty much anything is possible), but it required much more effort back then. I also agree that the dancing was very pleasantly surprising. The dance numbers were lengthy and clearly took tremendous amounts of talent- especially when Don’s sidekick, Cosmo danced. His strength was incredible and his technique was beautiful. It goes to show how certain movies can still stand the test of time, Singing in the Rain being one of them.
10. Giancarlo Fajota 11.05.20 / 9pm

    The Singin’ in the Rain is most definitely acting as a tribute to silent film production companies transitioning into making talkies, considering how this was highlighted through the introduction of talkies during R.F. Simpson’s party. Each musical scene makes great use of mise-en-scene to accentuate the music and the choreography for a profound musical impact.

    In fact, the characters doing the dance choreography, specifically Cosmo and Don; in the “Supposes Moses” scene, they have shown their brotherhood with another through playful moments and mischievous handling of the items around the set, stacking them upon the speech dialect teacher. Moreover, even non-musical sets are diverse and dynamic enough to make each scene unique for the audience to recall it vividly once watching this film once more.

    For instance, the part where Don had to run away from his crazy fans and jumped from the car to the bus and finally to Kathy’s car to establish a vivid character introduction.
11. Cameron Black 03.05.21 / 7am

    “Singing in the Rain” is an extravagant blend of dancing, comedy, and acute observation as Hollywood takes a look at itself. The notion of a movie within a movie is handled with grace and confidence, utilizing jokes, old props, and inconspicuous remarks that established the transition from silent movies into a new era of “talking pictures”. I felt that the whole movie had a great dance between so many different elements. Specifically, I enjoyed the character relationship between the protagonist and the love-interest as it was developed very well and did a good job engaging me as the viewer. I also observed how the music used in the scenes held such importance in my experience watching the film. In this way, I thought the music became its own distinguishable character. I noticed it added an entire emotional element to the scenes, including spunky sarcasm, comedic support, and more.
12. Natalie Paler 10.27.21 / 7pm

    Singin’ In The Rain has been on my list of movies to watch for a while now and I am so glad I finally got the chance to watch it. I am a fan of movie musicals but this was the oldest movie musical I’ve seen so I was skeptical at first on whether I would actually enjoy it. This movie surprised me in so many ways from the music, the choreography, the set design, and overall plot, I really enjoyed this movie. I love that you mention how the set is similar to a broadway set in the way that we are able to see how certain scenes and props play out. It had such an interesting take on the glamourous Hollywood life by showing these behind the scenes details that we normally would not know about. This also strays from your typical Hollywood narrative. It was such a unique way of displaying how films were shot during that time by also incorporating romance and comedy into the mix.
13. Addie Tuttle 10.19.22 / 3pm

    I completely agree with you that everyone should see this film. Not only is it entertaining, but it shows the behind-the-scenes of how films were made during that time. I find it very interesting to see all the extra things they had to do without the technology we have today. I have a lot of respect for this movie, and I believe everyone should give it a chance.
14. Ana Rodriguez 06.21.23 / 11pm

    After watching this film, I immediately put it among my top 15 films that I love. The choreography was incredible because of how it was shot nonstop. As you had mentioned that it is impressive they were able to pull this off due to their technology in the 50s. A lot of people aren’t into musicals and I can agree. There are some musicals out there that are just way too much with the singing and dancing at every single scene. Singin’ in the Rain had a perfect mixture of a musical and just a regular film. There were also a lot of colorful visuals in this film and the costumes were breathtaking. Most of the inspiration for the costumes was taken from the Flappers Era in the 1920s.

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