Chinatown (1974)

This is a great piece of film history and an entertaining introduction into classic cinema. I won't claim to be an expert on Bogart or Hitchcock, in which this film draws inspiration, but I really do enjoy watching this movie. I believe it's a timeless achievement. The film opens with the old 70's title card and overture and that's probably the only time it shows it's age. I imagine myself being at the premiere with Nicholson and Dunaway. What a time that must have been to be alive and thriving in Hollywood (for good and for bad). As a modern young man I can't help but draw connections between this an L.A. Noire. A popular video game about the 1930's Los Angeles noir that this film explores. It's obvious this film was a big inspiration for that game and there's not been many modern pieces of media that explore this time period, which is ultimately fine. Chinatown is here if you want to dive into this time period where all the men wore suits, everyone drove convertibles, and the Hollywood Hills bask in dreamlike sunlight. Jack Nicholson is without-a-doubt one of the all time greats and he's in every single scene of this movie as private detective J.J. Gittes. This film is an exploration of a time period but also of the noir detective himself. Gittes mainly works on infidelity cases, which makes him a man to be feared and perhaps despised (depending on what you do away from home). Unlike many popular noir detectives made famous by Humphrey Bogart, Mr. Gittes is polite and usually nice. Deep down he's a romantic and he's got a keen understanding of people. I cannot forget to mention the incredible score by Jerry Goldsmith. The music really pulls the experience together. Last time I watched this I sat with the DVD menu open just soaking in the treat of it's sound on repeat. 

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