Max Hechtman is a New York-based filmmaker. He grew up in East Meadow and attended the Film & Media program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). His goal is to use the art of film to bring attention to issues that challenge his and other generations, through subject matter and stories that impact our lives. His films have screened at festivals nationally, including Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide (Best Documentary - 2019 LI International Film Expo), and the narrative short Abigail. As of 2024, he is developing his first feature film.
He has also been working as a video editor for the past 5 years and hopes to continue his work in production/post-production and pursue narratives/documentary film projects, both short and feature-length, that get people to think, question and open conversations about difficult subjects, but can lead to change and positive outcomes. An avid enthusiast of musical theatre, he also hopes to adapt Broadway musicals for film.
I agree that the rooftop is more compelling. It’s intimate and sexy. It’s in character. The huge production number is amazing technically, but it’s too big. Not sexy and the tease back and forth is utterly lost. Too bad because the performance is wonderful, the dancers are fantastic but the director had a Cecil B DeMille obsession. The same was true of the dance at the gym.
The takes on 1961 movie are just breathtaking, the 2021 version I think lacks so much details like when they begin dancing the mambo, the take of both women beginning to move are just magical. Also the bodies were built so different back then, more elongated which made the dance look more aesthetic and elegant. Love both, but 1961 version is just out of this world, and don’t get me started on Rita Moreno’s effortless dancing scenes
Spielberg version is too current and pastel pretty which doesn't bring Spanish Harlem of 50-60s at all. And too much cutting (editing) throughout the number. This number calls for more street filth kind of darkness because of ironic lyric. I didn't care much of anything of his version.
I've seen lots of movies in my life, and I've seen lots of remakes. But I've never before seen a remake that was exactly as magnificent as the original. Both of these films are spectacular!
My original LP of this wonderful musical has stood the test of time. Guess what, the more it scratchier it becomes, the better it sounds . The originals are always the very best. Peggy Wood (Aotearoa)
I actually think the Spielberg version is hand down the better of the two. Just more emotion and the vivid colors only adds. I've watched the original for over 40 years so, it's a classic, but if I had to watch one version over and over, it would be the most recent.
I’ve done the show twice and played Winnifred both times and it has been a wonderful experience. I’m so glad I get to do it again. This spring fingers crossed I can go through for three with Winnifred, I love herrrrrr. Top tier princess.
I still prefer the 1961 I felt it was more polished, dance routines were crisper and better choreography ! I had the LP of the music from the film it was my first one played on our new record player I was 9 years old, learnt all the words in not time, I had a good memory then🤣💖
I've seen the original stage version of WSS on Broadway in New York before the original movie was made. Usually I like the thearter version better than the movie version but not so with WSS. The 1961 movie was much better.
@@joewhitehead3 Yes, of course I knew this when I first saw the movie in 1961. Members of the Puerto Rican gang had dark makeup applied to them. Rita Moreno who is Puerto Rican and played Anita was pissed off about having this darkened makeup applied to her face. George Chakaris who played Benardo was Greek. He also played Tony from the Jets in the London stage show
Sorry , I’ve always been a big fan of the film Westside story and I prefer the film version . Every single actor and actress back then as we called them was brilliant and superb and fabulous acting skills . Ha ha had a crush on Bernardo too ❤
you can't get more beautiful than Rita and George. HANDSOME couple! they sure as hell could dance.
Месяц назад
En Colombia decimos: "Eso es pelea de tigre con burro amarrao". La versión de Spielberg tiene fugaces destellos de genialidad, pero la versión de Wise es perfecta de principio a fin. Estas dos escenas solo podrían compararse desde lo fílmico, pero hasta ahí. Son dos películas diferentes, cuentan historias diferentes. Spielberg tomó los nombres de Bernardo, Anita, Riff, Tony, María, Sharks, Jets, pero no son los mismos personajes. Ariana DeBose no está interpretando a la misma Anita que interpretó Rita Moreno y eso es más evidente aún en el caso del Bernardo interpretado por David Alvarez y George Chakiris.
Sinceramente prefiero la versión de Wise, pero la de Spielberg es muy buena, cuestión de tiempo para que sea valorada como merece. Rita es maravillosa ( aun cuando le pinta el rostro ) y Ariadna tambien lo es. David A es un grandísimo actor y bailarín ( Tony Award ) y por supuesto, y por fortuna, no le pintaron el rostro y seguro que hablaba un español que tu podías entender!
