Classics: Three Modern Movies to Cure Your Classic Film Craving By Lauren Ennis

Over the course of the last century cinema has become one of the surest signs of the times through its ability to act as a visual chronicle of changes in fashion, technology, and social norms. Films have related stories that explore a myriad of social and political issues as well as all of the conflicts and emotions of the human experience. In spite of the ways in which cinema brings people together, film fans remain divided as many movie buffs maintain a firm focus upon modern releases while others cling to the classics. Fortunately for film fans everywhere, a number of recent releases have combined the magic of movies past and present to create a uniquely universal viewing experiences that truly have something for everyone.

Move over Fred and Ginger

La La Land: After experiencing a decline in popularity during the 1960's, movie musicals were back on the cinematic map starting in the early 2000's. While the majority of these modern musical films subverted and added twists to the genre, 2016's La La Land used classic musical conventions to tell a thoroughly modern tale. the story follows an aspiring actress and struggling jazz musician (Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling) as they follow the road to both romance and stardom in modern L.A. Even as the couple navigate the pitfalls of life and love in contemporary Tinseltown, they still sing and dance their way into audiences' hearts in a style befitting Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Whether they are sharing a fantasy dance sequence worthy of Gene Kelly or singing jazzy tunes that would be at home in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the film's leading couple exude classic cool. The film even includes references to a diverse array of classic films ranging from Funny Face to Jules and Jim. Wile the film pays apt tribute to cinema history, La La Land remains firmly planted in the fast paced and fickle world of modern showbiz. In this way, the film tells a universal tale of the struggle to find love and success that will resonate with audiences of any generation. For a timeless story tat is guaranteed to get your toes tapping pay a visit to La La Land.

Sometimes words just get in the way

The Artist: Cinema's silent era reached its end with the rise of talking pictures in the late 1920's...or did it? In 2012 moviegoers partied like it was 1929 with the release of the surprise critical and commercial hit The Artist. Filmed in glorious black and white with just one line of dialogue, The Artist that a picture is worth a thousand words even in the new millennium. The film chronicles the parallel careers of a fading silent star (Jean Dujardin) and the budding 'talkie' starlet who loves him (Berenice Bejo). The film poignantly explores the struggles of silent stars at the dawn of the sound era with an eye towards the fleeting nature of fame in an industry that is always on the lookout for the next big thing. The vintage cinematography combined with eye-catching costumes and sets transports viewers to the razzle dazzle of the roaring twenties. Simultaneously the intelligent script and nuanced performance ensure that the film has just enough of a modern feel to engage today's viewers. At once a contemporary commentary on aging and celebrity and a celebration of classic cinema The Artist is a silent film with a lot to say.

Round up the usual suspects!

The Good German: Film noir is a genre that while difficult to define is easy to recognize and tempting to imitate. Decades after the genre's heyday in the 1940's and 1950's, studios around the glob have continued to release films that showcase a dark sensibility and grim charm that is directly reminiscent of classic noir. The 2006 film The Good German takes its homage to noir a step further and relates its gritty post-war tale of greed, corruption, and betrayal using authentic post-war production values. The film follows a Humphrey Bogart-esque American war correspondent (George Clooney) as he searches for a former flame (Cate Blanchett) amidst the wreckage of post-war Berlin. The closer that he comes to reuniting with his lost love, however, the further that he is drawn into a convoluted web of state secrets, war crimes, and murder. The film accurately portrays the desperation of a haunted post-war Europe with an added grit that would have been strictly verboten under the restrictions of noir era censors. As a result, the film is able to explore such issues as sexual exploitation, post-war poverty, and the horrors of Nazi Germany with a frankness that films like Casablanca and The Third Man could only hint at. In this way, the film captures both the dark spirit of noir and the bleak reality that fueled it. For a Valentine to vintage noir guaranteed to thrill modern audiences, make a date with The Good German.