Citizen Kane

Now, Citizen Kane is hailed as the best movie ever created. Under this title, it has gained much notoriety and even has references in pop culture. Cartoons like the Simpsons and Family Guy have mentioned it multiple times; it was even shown on the Sopranos. Unfortunately, these references spoiled most of the movie for me. (I've known what rosebud was since I was 10, even though I have never actually watched the movie.)
However, even after being spoiled and enlightened, I understand why this is a great film. As Mr.Bennett said, the acting is superb; people bounce off one another with amazing accuracy. The plot is both intricate and mysterious at the same time. Characterization is progressing, yet I can't form my opinion on it until the movie is over. Metaphors and symbolism is in pretty much every scene.
So far, I like this movie a whole lot more than All Quiet On the Western Front. The main difference for me is that Citizen Kane has a movie score. I'm not sure if All Quiet On the Western Front had a score, yet even if it did, Citizen Kane does it much better. The music adds much to the scenes, like at the very beginning, where creepy ambiance is played to portray Kane's house as scary.
Overall, this movie blows All Quiet On the Western Front out of the water. While both movies are notable classics, Citizen Kane is much more entertaining.

Windows and Doors

The windows and doors in this film serve a very important purpose. Every time the film shows a window or door, it is at a first-person viewpoint. It's like we are actually there, looking through the window. Whenever we see a door or a window, it is always at a different setting. For example, a window is our viewpoint  when seeing the school for the first time. A door is opened when Paul is about to be taken away for surgery. These viewpoints are coincide with existentialism in the film. You are given a distant look into someone else's life. A person could be dying, eating or even contemplating life. You can watch these instances but cannot do anything about them. Each person is responsible for his or her life. Even if you don't like the way things turn out for them, you cannot change or do anything about it.

The Butterfly

The final scene of All Quiet On the Western Front is depicted with the main character, Paul reaching for a butterfly. This gesture eventually leads to the demise of Paul.
Now, this ending really ties everything together. Paul, who has lost everything, his old life, his friends, tries to reach out for a butterfly. The butterfly itself represents the ability to move on, to change. A butterfly's life is to reach the age where it is forcibly changed, going through several stages of transformations. Paul's life reflects this butterfly, turning from a young recruit into a hardened battle warrior. They have both been changed, learning life lessons and becoming more mature. Paul can now have something that he can share his experiences, although it can't talk back to him. Unfortunately, when Paul sees this, he is shot right before he can grab it.

All Quiet on the Western Front

When we first viewed this movie, I was not impressed. The movie was in black and white, the acting was strange, and I was not a fan of the plot. As time passed however, I started to like it. Paul, Kat, and Franz are all likable characters. The camera work is ahead of its time, and the black and white isn' t all that bad. I hope to enjoy this film ever more as time goes on.