An update on Citizen Kane (1941)

Brilliant film reviewer, CinemaScope Cat, has a new review of Citizen Kane up. After praising the film, he states:

"Attempts have been made in certain quarters that KANE is overrated or that it's boring but I've invariably found that those who claim it's boring are usually boring people."

Well, I don't know about that.  In addition to Igmar Bergman, I've known any number of  *interesting* film buffs who think Citizen Kane is NOT the Greatest film of all time.  Personally, while I respect the film and think its incredibly well-made, I don't find it that enjoyable - the number of unlikable characters is rather high, and Kane's rise/fall has never touched MY heartstrings.  The problem (best delineated by NR Critic Otis Ferguson, read it online) is the STORY isn't that good. Between the dramatic highlights, there's a lot of talk, but not much plot.  That doesn't make it bad film, just one I wouldn't include on my "100 Films for a Desert Island" list.

But it does have some great lines/scenes including:

• Kane takes over the Newspaper 
• Opening scene: In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree.
• The song and dance number - Good Ol' Charlie Kane
• Kane: You're right, I did lose a million dollars last year. I expect to lose a million dollars this year. I expect to lose a million dollars next year. You know, Mr. Thatcher, at the rate of a million dollars a year, I'll have to close this place in... 60 years.
• Bernstein: A fellow will remember a lot of things you wouldn't think he'd remember. You take me. One day, back in 1896, I was crossing over to Jersey on the ferry, and as we pulled out, there was another ferry pulling in, and on it there was a girl waiting to get off. A white dress she had on. She was carrying a white parasol. I only saw her for one second. She didn't see me at all, but I'll bet a month hasn't gone by since that I haven't thought of that girl.
• Bernstein: "Girls delightful in Cuba. Stop. Could send you prose poems about scenery, but don't feel right spending your money. Stop. There is no war in Cuba, signed Wheeler." Any answer?Kane: Yes. "Dear Wheeler: you provide the prose poems. I'll provide the war."
• Bernstein: Well, it's no trick to make a lot of money if all you want is to make a lot of money.