Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world...

Of all the films ever made, there's one which I seemed to know the story of off by heart, despite the fact I'd never seen it. It's probably the film which is referenced the most, and spoofed the most. Casablanca.

It's generally regarded as one of the best films of all time. I'm watching it as I type, and it definitely lives up to that standard! The acting is phenomenal. The characters and story are great. It's an extremely well made film!

It really makes me think about the state of modern cinema. Nowadays films seem to have two main goals. To make the audience laugh, and go make them go 'ooh, what a big explosion!' Casablanca has so far had no explosions, no action scenes, and no comic relief. Instead it concentrates on great characters. Actors who can actually enunciate. Women who are naturally beautiful, rather than being plastered with make-up. Actors who actually speak with the accent they're supposed to! (Ever see Leo Di Caprio as King Louis XIV?!)

Am I the only person who loves a good film these days, rather than just seeing the token black guy blow something up and say "damn!"? In Casablanca, the film was made totally without political correctness. Obviously the Germans are portrayed as the enemy, since the film was made during the war. But Sam, the black piano player, is not portrayed in any kind of politically correct way. He's treated exactly like a normal person. There's no "Daym nigga! That Ilsa beeyatch you nailed in Paris just walked in!" I'm actually overwhelmed with how great cinema can be, when done right.

It really makes me mourn, however, for the films of today. One can only watch Adam Sandler lose his cool so many times before all you can give him is a weak chuckle out of habit. But hearing Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart ask Sam to play 'As Time Goes By' sends a shiver down my spine. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she had to walk into mine." "Here's looking at you, kid." "Louis, I think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship." "We'll always have Paris." All lines I've heard so many times. But it doesn't lessen the impact of any of them.

I'll definitely start watching other classic films. The next one I'll watch is Gone with the Wind. Any other suggestions?