Movies Watched--2012-2013
I am pulling this list together from multiple places for multiple reasons.
If I ever have a wrong take on a movie or you want to propose an alternate viewpoint, PLEASE do. I'm watching these in a vacuum (aka missing discussion/classroom discussion, even occasionally).
Also, Please don't mistake any "snarky-ness" that sneaks in for my total opinion of a picture. I am looking at multiple aspects of a picture. Even if I don't care for a movie, often I notice how well written it was, or the great camera shots, or what they've chosen to do with the music that works well (etc.). Nor does negative comments about a picture automatically mean I didn't enjoy myself, or that positive comments mean there was nothing to critique.
Note: To see more of my movie reactions/reviews than what I have posted here, see http://stilldeepwater.blogspot.com/
If I ever have a wrong take on a movie or you want to propose an alternate viewpoint, PLEASE do. I'm watching these in a vacuum (aka missing discussion/classroom discussion, even occasionally).
Also, Please don't mistake any "snarky-ness" that sneaks in for my total opinion of a picture. I am looking at multiple aspects of a picture. Even if I don't care for a movie, often I notice how well written it was, or the great camera shots, or what they've chosen to do with the music that works well (etc.). Nor does negative comments about a picture automatically mean I didn't enjoy myself, or that positive comments mean there was nothing to critique.
Note: To see more of my movie reactions/reviews than what I have posted here, see http://stilldeepwater.blogspot.com/
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- StarsRichard E. ByrdClair D. AlexanderBernt BalchenAccount of Admiral Byrd's 1928 expedition to the South Pole. Academy award winning cinematography.It's a documentary that won a cinematography academy award. Picture-wise, I can see why. There's a brief shot from the top of a mast looking down at the boat. Then the shots from the plane itself as it headed to south pole. Plus all of the shots across snowscapes. My descriptions sound so dry; it really was a fascinating piece. I'd willingly watch it again. The music was...appropriate but cartoonish; definitely shows the attempt of music to influence mood. I have yet to read music film history--but sound to film was still pretty recent at this point.
- DirectorWesley RugglesStarsRichard DixIrene DunneEstelle TaylorA newspaper editor settles in an Oklahoma boom town with his reluctant wife at the end of the nineteenth century.1st Western to win Best Picture. Definitely a picture made at a time of different cultural values--both in the characterization of the story, in the story line, and in the story telling/filming itself.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsAnne ChevalierMatahiHituOn the South Pacific island of Bora Bora, a young couple's love is threatened when the tribal chief declares the girl a sacred virgin.Sort of a "Romeo and Juliet" story--only it's love vs. a cultural taboo instead of family vs. family. Tragedy ending. Music seemed to be in the spirit of Berlioz. Starts with a lady vs. lady fight. No fights between the guys--well, unless you count the shark. I suppose this gives away a lot of the story, but it doesn't seem like this film is really about the story. Kind of like Greek Tragedies--everybody already knows whats going to happen (even though I didn't), you go to see the story portrayed.
- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsRichard GereBrooke AdamsSam ShepardA hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune.repeated use of Saint Saens's "Aquarium". ? I don't have anything else about this film figured out--not without being snarky--except the nature shots. Yeah, they're close to gorgeous; nothing snarky about that.
- DirectorJames LapineStarsBernadette PetersJoanna GleasonChip ZienIn this Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim, several fairy tale characters learn the hard way that the 'Happily Ever After' they sought isn't necessarily so happy after all.a recording of a staged version of the musical "Into the Woods" [personal choice, not list generated] LOVED IT!!!! LOVED IT, LOVED IT!!!
- DirectorWilliam A. WellmanStarsJames CagneyJean HarlowEdward WoodsAn Irish-American street punk tries to make it big in the world of organized crime.Gangster movie. Subject matter aside, it had pleasant pictures tones and arrangements of the set to look at.
- DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsPaul MuniGlenda FarrellHelen VinsonWrongly convicted James Allen serves in the intolerable conditions of a Southern chain gang, which later comes back to haunt him.Movie's argument = state government's with chain gangs make honest people crooked.
- DirectorJack CardiffStarsTrevor HowardDean StockwellWendy HillerA young man with artistic talent lives in a close-knit coal-mining town and finds himself inhibited by his emotionally manipulative mother.Filled with strong women--so strong they "ruin" lead male's life. What?!
- DirectorErnst LubitschStarsMiriam HopkinsKay FrancisHerbert MarshallA gentleman thief and a lady pickpocket join forces to con a beautiful perfume company owner. Romantic entanglements and jealousies confuse the scheme.Loved it. In fact, cracked me up in places--partly because those places reminded me of Boss Hogg and his nephew Huey--only this movie was definitely a different setting. Lots of opportunity for showing glamour, romance, and plush luxury. Music was definitely much more integral to telling what's going on then the movies earlier than this. That was nice--integral music for storytelling and light music for a light-hearted movie.
- DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsWarren WilliamJoan BlondellAline MacMahonA wealthy composer rescues unemployed Broadway performers with a new play, but insists on remaining anonymous.(1933--surprised?) Delightful, fluffy musical with a will-the-boy-get-the-girl-will-the-girl-get-the-boy romance. Happy story ending. Ended with a somber (sort of) musical number. So, after all the fluffiness, the ending was meant to make you think.
Ever heard the song/sung phrase "We're in the money. We're in the money."? That song's from this movie.
There was a chorus sung in Pig Latin. Pig Latin. How long has pig Latin been around? - DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLillian GishMae MarshHenry B. WalthallThe Stoneman family finds its friendship with the Camerons affected by the Civil War, both fighting in opposite armies. The development of the war in their lives plays through to Lincoln's assassination and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan.While an argument can be made for the appropriateness one way or another for watching, "Birth of a Nation" on Independence Day, my thoughts aren't so deep. Today's a working holiday. Festivities themselves continue this evening. And it's not evening yet.,
There must be another set of words for the tune I know as "O Tannenbaum"/"O Christmas Tree". Has to be. I can not figure out what the tune has to do with battle scenes otherwise.
Also, I'm not rating this movie. My movie rating sites can just deal with that. The battle scenes alone--for such an early movie (1915)--shows quite the undertaking. - DirectorMark RobsonStarsKirk DouglasArthur KennedyMarilyn MaxwellBoxer Midge Kelly rises to fame...mainly by stepping on other people.Kirk Douglas plays a good boxer who's a jerk. Kind of a mixed ending. Won an Oscar for film editing--I'm still learning what to watch for there.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsRudolf Klein-RoggeOtto WernickeThomy BourdelleA criminal mastermind uses hypnosis to rule the rackets after death.German film. Well-written. Creepy--mentally creepy. Kind of a psychological detective bit. Still creepy. My film history book said this director was doing stuff with sound that Hollywood didn't do for quite awhile. Yeah, there's some interesting sound bits.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.I normally don't care for war movies (understatement)--especially modern-day anything-after-color ones. Knowing this was an adaption of the novel "Heart of Darkness" set me up better, I guess, because I liked this movie--or at least as much as one can "like" war. In theater, plays are adapted to different times and places all the time, so the shift with this story didn't bother me. An adaptation of "Heart of Darkness" set during the Vietnam War. It fit and it was Done very well.
Guess I have one musical comment. You want to put a loaded piece of music into a film, than they certainly did it with this one. "Ride of the Valkyries"--and not as background music. One of the commanders deliberately plays this music out of a helicopter as they attack. Yeah. That choice has some loaded connotations with it. - DirectorBarry SonnenfeldStarsAnjelica HustonRaul JuliaChristopher LloydCon artists plan to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who claims to be their long-lost uncle.This one's from my "my choice" list. And it was a rewatch. :)
- DirectorPatricia BirchStarsMichelle PfeifferMaxwell CaulfieldLorna LuftA British student at a 1960s American high school must prove himself to the leader of a girls' gang whose members can only date greasers.
- DirectorNick SanfordStarsDerek LoftonNicholas ToscaniShawn LagunaBlack Lightning is recruited as an undercover cop to infiltrate Ricky Rodriguez, also known as 'The Mexecutioner', and find out where a major drug deal is about to happen. Meanwhile, Twist Jackson, a past nemesis of Black's, treks across the state in pursuit of him with his own agenda.a Russian teen-save-'em sorta-sci-fi flick
- DirectorRobert RodriguezStarsAlexa PenaVegaDaryl SabaraAntonio BanderasUsing high tech gadgets, two kids have to save their reactivated OSS top spy parents when they're taken by an evil, high tech enemy.A nice fluffy movie. :) Lots of fun gadget fun. And nice to a see a Latino family as the (super)hereos.
- DirectorMike NawrockiStarsTim HodgeMike NawrockiPhil VischerThree vegetable friends seek the roots of true heroism during a 17th-century adventure.Another "my choice"--Veggie Tales!!! (I love Veggie Tale humor. LOVE it!) :D
- DirectorJosef von SternbergStarsMarlene DietrichJohn LodgeSam JaffeA German noblewoman enters into a loveless marriage with the dim-witted, unstable heir to the Russian throne, then plots to oust him from power.I recognize the actress name Marlene Dietrich, but I'm not sure why. I think this movie would be a costumer's feast to watch. Accept for the very last minute, the music liked taking just enough from "Overture of 1812" to tease you and then it would veer off. Kind of like a Fantasy on Overture of 1812--reminiscences of it, but never the whole snatches of the piece. The last 30 seconds/1 minute actually played several coherent bars of the piece--except no cannons. But there were enough church bells ringing, the cannons would've been a detraction.
- DirectorStuart GillardStarsBritt RobertsonGregg SulkinJoey PollariA teenage girl moves to a new high school where she slowly discovers herself involved in the reincarnation of King Arthur.Watched the beginning and ending of this movie. Liked the twist they gave to the King Arthur & the knights of the round table.
- DirectorHank RogersonTwenty male inmates in a Kentucky prison form an unlikely Shakespearean acting troupe.a "my choice" film, documentary. FAScinating. I like Shakespeare, and I like hearing how it is used in different ways, beneficial ways. This was a 90 minute documentary. In that whole time, you only hear one question asked by the interviewer(s)--and that really was because the question was needed--the reaction wouldn't have made sense otherwise, and you needed to see the space of time between the question and the answer. Fascinating documentary.
- DirectorAlan ParkerStarsGene HackmanWillem DafoeFrances McDormandTwo F.B.I. Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.Well-written. Keeps you hooked. Not what I'd consider "entertaining", but it's a drama. So, what do you expect.
- DirectorEdgar G. UlmerStarsTom NealAnn SavageClaudia DrakeThe life of Al Roberts, a pianist in a New York nightclub, turns into a nightmare when he decides to hitchhike to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.a "'20 reasons' (that get out of hand)" why you shouldn't hitchhike. Short (63 minutes). Slow. I did appreciate having a label this time going "This is Film Noir" so I could know what I was looking at.
an example of "film noir"--so real chipper stuff (not). Anyways, they must have the film in backwards??? Otherwise, how did we get so many British style cars in America and start driving down the left side of the road? (It's a film from 1945.) - DirectorDavid LeanStarsJohn MillsValerie HobsonTony WagerA humble orphan boy in 1810s Kent is given the opportunity to go to London and become a gentleman, with the help of an unknown benefactor.I haven't read the book yet. I normally prefer to read the book first, but there's not time this time--and since it was Dickens, I don't anticipate there being any problem doing them in reverse this time. I very much enjoyed this piece. Nice sets.
- DirectorMichael HoffmanStarsRobert Downey Jr.Sam NeillDavid ThewlisThe exiled royal doctor to King Charles II devotes himself to helping Londoners suffering from the plague, and in the process falls in love with an equally poor woman.Definitely a change for the better from some of the heavier dramas I've watched recently. Definitely R-rated, and not from violence. Aside from the R-rated stuff--which I'm sure is accurate, but not my thing--it is an excellent movie.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardHenry BergmanThe Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.I've long enjoyed Gidon Kremer's "Smile." Tonight I got to put it with the movie. Nice job, Charlie Chaplin.
- DirectorGene KellyStarsBarbra StreisandWalter MatthauMichael CrawfordMatchmaker Dolly Levi travels to Yonkers to find a partner for "half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder, convincing his niece, his niece's intended, and his two clerks to travel to New York City along the way.This musical made me grin from ear to ear. Very much enjoyed it. Definitely a musical with spectacle, but the music was delightful and the choreography fun to watch.
- DirectorBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonKathryn McGuireJoe KeatonA film projectionist longs to be a detective, and puts his meagre skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch.I loved watching this silent film. It was very enjoyable. The ending was nice. There were some neat visual stunts in it--which amazed me considering this was an early film.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsGeorge O'BrienJanet GaynorMargaret LivingstonA sophisticated city woman seduces a farmer and convinces him to murder his wife and join her in the city, but he ends up rekindling his romance with his wife when he changes his mind at the last moment.Has a long tracking shot. Interesting early camera movement choices. The middle section--where he and she are re-getting to know one another--gets kind of long, and there are a few storyline elements introduced that seem to have less bearing on the story than what you might think, but it has some nice moments and the ending is nice.
- DirectorSam PeckinpahStarsKris KristoffersonAli MacGrawErnest BorgnineTruckers form a mile-long "convoy" in support of a trucker's vendetta with an abusive sheriff - Based on the country song of the same title by C.W. McCall.A trucker movie. So, I should've known I was in for a puzzle when in the OPENING CREDITS it advertises the music as by Chip Davis. Not in the end credits. The opening credits.
and Chip Davis.
As in Mannheim Steamroller composer, Chip Davis.
I'd read some film theory book summaries talking about music as a key component/integral part of movies. I believe it. But I couldn't imagine a more mismatched pairing than a smash 'em up trucker-talking action flick visual and Mannheim Steamroller style are-you-sure-there-isn't-a-Christmas-tree-in-there music. And the pairing worked. Kinda. I think.
And then there's the fact the there was an original song to begin with. The movie was based on the song.
Not sure I've conveyed exactly how strange the music was at times. And how it kinda fit at others.
I'm going to like this field.
Sure makes an interesting puzzle. - DirectorFrank BorzageStarsGary CooperHelen HayesAdolphe MenjouAn American ambulance driver and an English nurse fall in love in Italy during World War I.Once I started watching this movie, I realized I'd seen it once before for a class. In that class, they'd pointed out the symbolism of the rain--rain for the leading lady--when the rain stops, she's dead. I wasn't crazy about the film. The "best friend" was a crummy friend and a bittersweet ending.
- DirectorVictor SjöströmStarsVictor SjöströmEdith ErastoffJohn EkmanA stranger comes to work at widow Halla's farm.Also known as "The Outlaw and His Wife"--movie directed by Victor Sjostrom. Swedish.
The special extra with this was very interesting. Bergman talks in an interview about how Sjostrom influenced him and showed clips of some of the other visual effects and neat stuff that Sjostrom filmed. Amazing for something so early. - DirectorRobert WieneStarsWerner KraussConrad VeidtFriedrich FeherHypnotist Dr. Caligari uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders.This was a filmed stage play. Crazy, wonky sets. Sometimes they shaded the film for scenes (pink, green, etc.). Ending is unanticipated--can leave you puzzling over the story as a whole, and sometimes places in the middle. The on screen words are in German.
- DirectorMichael PowellEmeric PressburgerStarsDeborah KerrDavid FarrarFlora RobsonA group of nuns struggle to establish a convent in the Himalayas, while isolation, extreme weather, altitude, and culture clashes all conspire to drive the well-intentioned missionaries mad.There's a phrase from the play "Our Town" that seems fitting to describe my experience in watching this movie: "I can't look hard enough." Not necessarily for the same reason as in the play, but a fitting phrase. Is a part of the time when the newness of color films was still something embraced with a zest through much of the film. Fascinating film in it's color and mood. Fascinating/Look hard film in it's story line. The film title and as it applied to the movie would be a study in itself. "I can't look hard enough." It's a film that needs a microscope.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsClaudette ColbertWarren WilliamHenry WilcoxonThe man-hungry Queen of Egypt leads Julius Caesar and Marc Antony astray, amid scenes of DeMillean splendor.Another 30s spectacle movie. One of the music bits seems reminiscent of "Bolero". Seems to have a lot of "you were undone by a woman?!" sentiment parts, but I can't tell if that's indicative of the story, of the 30s, or both.
- DirectorVittorio De SicaStarsLamberto MaggioraniEnzo StaiolaLianella CarellIn post-war Italy, a working-class man's bicycle is stolen, endangering his efforts to find work. He and his son set out to find it.Italian movie with English subtitles. Entire world against one man and man loses. (Everyone else catches a break.) Then the movie gets depressed. Then the depression gets depressed. After that, the movie ends on a down note. So, why am I watching this? Because it's an example of Italian Neo-Realism (which means times after war are depressed and we're going tell about it in real time [aka "slow" by today's standards]) and because it was one of the 1st movies to teach Americans how to watch movies with subtitles.
Do me a favor. If you have the chance to do a "1st", pick something at least slightly upbeat for posterity, will ya? - DirectorJules DassinStarsBarry FitzgeraldHoward DuffDorothy HartA step-by-step look at a murder investigation on the streets of New York.A Jack Webb/Dragnet type detective story, only it wasn't Jack Webb, so the voice-over narrator that broke the 3rd wall actually had expression to it. I haven't looked yet to see which/who came first. Lead detective had an Irish accent; that was kind of fun. I enjoyed this movie. yay.
- DirectorWilliam DieterleMax ReinhardtStarsJames CagneyDick PowellIan HunterTwo couples and a troupe of actors have an encounter with some mischievous fairies in the forest.Part 30s spectacle film, part stage production, part ballet. Assuming it's part of 30s style comedy acting, but acting seemed put on/stylized/overdone. Music: Korngold adaptation of Mendelssohn's Midsummer music.
- DirectorGeorge StevensStarsAlan LaddJean ArthurVan HeflinA weary gunfighter in 1880s Wyoming begins to envision a quieter life after befriending a homestead family with a young son who idolizes him, but a smoldering range war forces him to act.Western. Nice movie. Typical story line. Good low-lighting scenes--catching the sight of a gun out of a dark window, sculpted face close-ups. The ominous string bass and muted trumpets for the lead up to the big gun fight scene. Camera shots under prancing agitated horses.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsVictor McLaglenHeather AngelPreston FosterIn 1922, an Irish rebel informs on his friend, then feels doom closing in."Modern re-telling" isn't quite accurate. Maybe "modern adaptation" would be closer. Speculates (or modern adaptaion) of Judas Iscariot from the Bible. The setting works. Movie is set in Ireland. What doesn't work (if they were trying to adapt the story all the way): They miss part of the context of Judas's story. Also, if they were trying to adapt it all they way, then they would be calling Judas a brute idiot who didn't know what he's doing and is forgiven by the mother of the person he betrayed. Also (this sentence spoiler alert), he's killed by someone else at gunshot instead of himself by suicide. No music under any dialog, but it is used very effectively under the non-dialog scenes. I can see why it won an award. This movie would be a great study/example for music setting tone, for communicating what is mentally going on within the character(s) minds. Also included a number of Irish songs (sung bar song style), but the copy of the movie was watching I had trouble understanding any of the words; so, I can't make any assessments on what they did or didn't contribute.
- DirectorRichard BoleslawskiStarsMarlene DietrichCharles BoyerTilly LoschThe star-crossed desert romance of a cloistered woman and a renegade monk.Movie: "The Garden of Allah" (1936) A story about a Catholic spiritual struggle with a Sand Diviner foreshadowing events under an Islamic movie title and watched by a Lutheran reviewer...slight viewpoint warp there. Aside from the multi-faceted viewpoint, good movie. The movie won an honorary Oscar award for color cinematography--so in my chronological watching of movies, I've reached color films. And I can see why the award. I may be momentarily out of the loop for more recent films, but this film seems to prompt something missing from current day. It's not just a film in color. It's a film enjoying the sheer lusciousness of color. Every scene rolls in it. It's much like looking forward to the flavor of a favorite bite of food when you're hungry and haven't had it for awhile. Only, the whole film's that way. "Let's enjoy color! Just for the pure wonderfulness of it" There may be some hints still of 30s spectacle, but compared to the other movies, it's much more subdued. Music still seems slightly overdone compared to today--so still "dramatic" in places, but not as bad as before. The one surreal bit--women in the desert always look drop dead gorgeous every day of the week. It's the desert. Hello! But, it's not a depressing drama, so I don't mind. :)
- DirectorJean NegulescoStarsClifton WebbDorothy McGuireJean PetersThree American women working in Rome, Italy share a spacious apartment and the desire to find love and marriage. Each one experiences a few bumps in her journey to romance.Movie: "Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954) Nice simple 3-couple romance. Actually, this movie should be "Look, a travel guide of sights in Rome with a little Venice mixed in. We'll throw in a romance story, just so we can count it a movie and not a a documentary." You want pleasant and fluffy, it will do very nicely. Definitely the romance/dating ideals of the 50s. And assumed ending. Not as warm a color in the shots as the "Garden of Allah," (maybe "Garden of Allah" is singular in that respect)--but nothing to complain about. The song "Three Coins in the Fountain" is sung at the beginning, then themes from it are repeated throughout.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsRonald ColmanJane WyattEdward Everett HortonWhen a revered diplomat's plane is diverted and crashes in the peaks of Tibet, he and the other survivors are guided to an isolated monastery at Shangri-La, where they wrestle with the invitation to stay.It is folly to believe that it is an external government or belief system that is the cause of all our troubles--that if we just had the right system of governance, that everyone will be happy and crime will be nearly non-existent. It's an idea expressed by Plato ("Republic") and was the thought of some of the early founders of this country--that if you just get the right external system, all your problems will be solved. The problem isn't with the system. We live in a fallen and sinful world because humans are fallen and sinful. It is not the external system at fault, it is the internal sinfulness of humans. The perfect system only exists after this life in heaven. So, Shangri-La (the place in this film), is pure myth--not possible. THAT being said, this was a film I very much enjoyed. It is a restored film--so that was interesting in itself. There were occasional places where still photos had to be used, because the film no longer exists. The whole process of restoring this would be fascinating to follow much closer. One of the implied questions posed by the story is: If a person was confronted with a perfect society, what would they do with it? How would they react? One character knew more of what to do with dead things than live people. More directly: Could diplomatic relations be carried out and done with no weapons of any kind? If so, what would that look like? Is that possible? I watched just a snitch of the special features--long enough to see a couple of examples of before and after film restoration bits, and to see one of the only existing actual film footage made off of negatives. (The film is otherwise almost entirely made off of other prints.) It showed me I was definitely missing out what the experience could've been like. The music when they were traveling originally to Shangri-La reminded me of the music we played at ABC from Kazakhstan--the style chording, the instrumentation. Since it's set in Tibet, that's not too far off. But that style music seemed to be just in that place in the film. It showed me how far the use of models have come in seeing this early example. Guess I had something to say about this one.
- DirectorWilliam A. WellmanJack ConwayVictor FlemingStarsJanet GaynorFredric MarchAdolphe MenjouA young woman comes to Hollywood with dreams of stardom, and achieves them only with the help of an alcoholic leading man whose best days are behind him.This movie is one of those that it's how you spin it. The main view that the movie emphasizes is about the cost and heartache that comes along with getting your dreams. They do accomplish this, but the movie could easily be said to be about something else due to the amount of screen time it gives to other matters as related as they might be. I'm not sure, but I think one of the original novelties of this picture is the idea of shooting one scene with three cameras--so you only have to shoot it once, then you have options to edit from. Music was (obviously) still studio orchestra--but seemed to fit what I now have associated as the "older movie" style of music; so, the music is past the "beginning".
- DirectorMichael CurtizWilliam KeighleyStarsErrol FlynnOlivia de HavillandBasil RathboneWhen Prince John and the Norman Lords begin oppressing the Saxon masses in King Richard's absence in 1190s England, a Saxon lord fights back as the outlaw leader of a resistance movement.When I was in high school, I watched the movie "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves". While I wouldn't call the movie a "I gotta rewatch it" movie, I loved the music from it enough to buy the sheet music. I played that music for a long time and it still ranks among the music I like playing (as I get to it). A few years ago, I read the Robin Hood stories. I liked them even better then the "Prince of Thieves" movie. Don't get me wrong--the "Prince of Thieves" is a quality action movie--but the spirit of the book was more one of jest. Maybe closer to the original "A-Team" series. This multiple award winning version (1938) is of a spirit of the book--laughter in the face of danger, fanciful rescues, and, while no campfire songs as the book documents, the soundtrack is rousing enough to qualify. The spirit of the book--just fun, good-guys-get-the-bad-guys, good-guys-win fun, wrapped up in a movie. I very rarely rank a movie I'd watch multiple times. This is one of them.
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsKatharine HepburnCary GrantCharles RugglesWhile trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard, Baby.Romantic comedy with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. I have wanted to watch this movie since reading the short story it was based on. Very much enjoyed the movie. I think it's on the list as an example of "Screwball Comedy".
- DirectorJulien DuvivierVictor FlemingJosef von SternbergStarsLuise RainerFernand GraveyMiliza KorjusIn 1845 Vienna, Johann Strauss II (Fernand Gravey) - 'Jonahi' to his friends - would rather write and perform waltzes than anything else, this at a time when a waltz is not considered proper society music. After he is fired from his clerical bank job because of his preoccupation with composing, he decides to follow his passion and form an orchestra. After some famed opera singers, including Carla Donner (Miliza Korjus), hear his music, they expose Johani's music to the masses, to royalty and to music publisher Julius Hofbauer (Hugh Herbert). As such, Johani becomes the toast of Vienna. With his new found musical fame, Johani's life, which includes his work in the European Revolutions, changes. He becomes torn for his love for his loving and faithful wife Poldi Vogelhuber (Luise Rainer) and his more emotionally passionate but somewhat destructive love for Carla Donner, who herself is involved with Count Anton Hohenfried (Lionel Atwill)."We have dramatized the spirit rather than the facts of his life, ..." I'm hung up on this phrase...
It took me watching the movie to understand this quote. And only watching this movie clarified it ...
A marching bassoon?????
And I stand corrected. They were dancing. Or waltzing. And there were two of them.
Once upon a time, there was a pair of horses pulling a cart. From this cart was heard an argument. "I'm a musical." "No, I'm not." "Yes, I am." "No, I'm not." Meanwhile, from the other direction came another pair of horses pulling another cart. This cart, too, had an argument. "I'm an operetta." "No, an opera." "An operetta." "An opera." Suddenly, with a great Depression spectacle crash, the two carts collided. All four horses ran away with a big chunk of the plot leaving a confusion of two carts and no solution to the arguments. "Well," said one voice, "we have part of the plot left anyway. Let's make it a romance." "Oh," said another voice, "we must make sure it's okay with the censor board, or our audience won't come to see it." "We've got enough pieces of cart here to put a light movie together. Let's see--a smattering of silly from musicals, plenty of high soprano cadenza's to make a piccolo player sigh in delight, and an impressive camera shot following a pair of waltzers in a circle around a garden gazebo to help nail an academy award." "I know! We'll call it...'The Great Waltz'." - DirectorHenry KingStarsTyrone PowerAlice FayeDon AmecheThis send-up of ragtime song and dance begins in 1915 San Francisco when society boy Roger Grant decides to pursue popular rather than serious music.Loved this movie. It's a musical. Since the story's about a band, there were a lot of natural places to add songs; and unlike "The Great Waltz" (where the instrument playing was so clearly mimed--which was how they could dance playing bassoons), if they mimed this, they did a good job of it. And not only were there tons of quality songs, a number of them I knew because they've become standards: "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (of course), "Blue Skies", "We're Having a Heat Wave", "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning", and "Easter Parade" are the one's I recognized for sure. Had a young Ethel Merman. (After the days of "I Love Lucy," I was sure I'd know her. The whole movie I thought I knew. When the end credits rolled, I found I was wrong. Whoops.) Still 30s spectacle--but all dance numbers, and not too overdone, but still lavish. Several music styles as the band's story traveled through time--ragtime, big band, blues, swing. Story was strong enough to pull through all the songs. Overall: Win.
- DirectorJean RenoirStarsMarcel DalioNora GregorPaulette DubostA bourgeois life in France at the onset of World War II, as the rich and their poor servants meet up at a French chateau.French movie. With time for only one watch through and subtitles, I wasn't able to watch camera shots much, especially for the "long shot" that Renoir added as a new idea. Movie was originally banned and not re-shown until 1965. I'm actually glad I watched the Renoir introduction that was included with this movie. It at least shared what inspired the movie, what he was aiming for, and how he had seen carrying it out. As far as carrying out his ends, I'd say he did, accomplished his aims/ends well. This is not a "feel good movie". Spoiler alert: Loose morals (or no morals, take your pick) and shooting the national hero by accident is not exactly a rousing story with a "hip hip hooray" ending.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneClaire TrevorAndy DevineA group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo and learn something about each other in the process.Western. Opening credits advertise music based on American folk songs--"I'm leaving Cheyenne", "I'm going to leave old Texas now" "I dream of the Jeannie with the light brown hair" are some of the ones I remember catching, but I'm sure that's not all of them. Story has a major theme of social class tensions in it. Also plays with questions of right and wrong--at least a little. The black cat was a nice touch. This is the John Wayne movie with the Apache who is shot off a lead pair of horses (of 3 pair) and is driven over by the stagecoach. Music was nice, yes. Nice flesh and blood characters.
- DirectorDorothy ArznerRoy Del RuthStarsMaureen O'HaraLouis HaywardLucille BallWhen a troupe of danseuses becomes unemployed, one of them takes up burlesque dancing while another dreams of performing ballet.Director Dorothy Arzner. Lucille Ball. Quite the statement--especially the character Judy O'Brien's speech to the burlesque audience near the end. I can see why folks discuss this one.
- DirectorRobert Z. LeonardStarsGreer GarsonLaurence OlivierMary BolandThe arrival of wealthy bachelors in town causes an uproar when families with single daughters aggressively seek engagements, including the Bennet family, with five eligible daughters.Very nice adaptation. I quite enjoyed it. :) The actors playing Darcy & Elizabeth (Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson) were wonderful to watch. Very nice sets. (Black & white picture)
- DirectorLudwig BergerMichael PowellTim WhelanStarsConrad VeidtSabuJune DuprezAfter being tricked and cast out of Bagdad by the evil Jaffar, King Ahmad joins forces with a thief named Abu to reclaim his throne, the city, and the Princess he loves.Okay, I've not read the original Arabian tales--not the complete lot. And I'm afraid my knowledge of them is limited--filled in part by Disney--which are good and interesting movies to watch, but can be quite free with original sources--as ANY moviemaker can be. With my rambly intro, what I'm trying to say is this movie is loosely Aladdin (what I know) except it's pretty much not. There's not even half a dozen things that are the same between the two (let's say Disney's Aladdin), but those near-half-a-dozen much enough to wonder. Color film. It's not a comedy, but the music is "ham-y"--more suitable for a comedy. Maybe trying to keep the story light? Maybe not sure how one scores for a movie that's not dread-dark and not comedy either. Pre-computer special effects. I like some of the twists of the story--had to go back and watch an early scene again because I liked it. Spoiler Alert!: How "cheap" is it for a Father to trade his daughter for a toy! The early scene I had to rewatch: the beginning bit with the beggar and the dog. I like the beggar's wit, and I liked the dog's performance. :)
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsLaurence OlivierJoan FontaineGeorge SandersA self-conscious woman juggles adjusting to her new role as an aristocrat's wife and avoiding being intimidated by his first wife's spectral presence.Alfred Hitchcock. Cinematography award--indeed! Music definitely crucial. A number of amazing film tricks. [I did find the bonus bit "Making of 'Rebecca'" most interesting--or at least what I watched of it] Okay, and in spite of my earlier complaining, the movie was well done. Apparently also the only Hitchcock movie to win an Oscar?--or maybe it was Oscar for Best Picture??? And, oh yes, creepy housekeeper indeed.
- DirectorNorman FergusonT. HeeWilfred JacksonStarsDickie JonesChristian RubMel BlancA living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.This was a re-watch for me, but I can see why I didn't like it as a kid. If this was intended as a movie for kid audiences, then it was for a much different idea of kid entertainment than today. I lean more towards either a clearer mixed audience or one heavier on the adult side. And the music score really is masterful for its time--and not just the feature songs. You have to picture the studio orchestra playing this--especially some of the clock features--but the other places are good too because they are appropriate and not overdone.
- DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsTyrone PowerLinda DarnellRita HayworthIlliterate peasant Juan Gallardo rises meteorically to fame and fortune in the bullfight arena only to sow the seeds of his own fall.The setting in Spain bridges "30s spectacle" with a more realistic flavor to it. Music is also richly woven in--not over done, but easier to give a flavor of exotic Spain than with America (because of America's unique musical history problem). Bull-fighting story line, and that was what the story was about. But, for once, it was the female characters that were the more interesting to look at. It was the male characters that were "flat" this time. Not that the story was or wasn't about the females, and they wouldn't get either of my "interesting" or "intriguing" labels, but they were the deeper characters. Color cinematography award--and who wouldn't want to film Spain in color. Rita Hayworth was the one actor/actress name I recognized. Besides the female characters, there are story things that could be analyzed--maybe in connection with another movie.
- DirectorWilliam DieterleStarsEdward ArnoldWalter HustonJane DarwellA nineteenth-century New Hampshire farmer makes a pact with Satan for economic success, then enlists famed orator Daniel Webster to extract him from his contract.Original Release title "All That Money Can Buy" An Oscar for music--but, it was hard to hear it in this edition real clear in order to say anything about it. A story line descendant of "Dr. Faustus". Daniel Webster's jury speech is mighty interesting in the context of 1941. Once the story got rolling, the story moved along pretty well and had me watching pretty closely.
- DirectorSamuel ArmstrongNorman FergusonWilfred JacksonStarsSterling HollowayEdward BrophyHerman BingRidiculed because of his enormous ears, a young circus elephant is assisted by a mouse to achieve his full potential.This was a re-watch, but it also had been awhile. The movie really could be a story concert (Romantic Programmatic music) by itself, without the visuals. Variety of musical styles. Communication of emotion and "talking" for Dumbo himself. Quite enjoyable. I also watched the extra feature "The Making of Dumbo". Even in the bit where they talk about the music of the film, they almost exclusively focus on talking about the lyrics. Certainly the sung songs are a significant part of the movie, but there were also the solo oboe moments, the fun tuba intro, an interesting transition or two, and the sound used when the mouse clangs the watch before talking in the ringmaster's ear. I mean, when they were talking about the visual parts of that scene, they mention borrowing from German Expressionism. So, what was the sound borrowed from? "The Making..." was interesting--don't get me wrong--but I continue to hear the need for a more solid music education.
Good food for thought. - DirectorJohn FordStarsWalter PidgeonMaureen O'HaraAnna LeeAt the turn of the century in a Welsh mining village, the Morgans, he stern, she gentle, raise coal-mining sons and hope their youngest will find a better life.If a rating of 10 meant that a movie was completely overwhelming, I think I would rate this movie a 9, or almost so--and I don't meant emotionally. Welsh movie--rather, it is set in Wales. About a Welsh mining family. Movie generates questions. At the start of the movie, and every so often throughout, I would ask Why was this movie made? Why did they decide to make this movie? Why this story? I don't know why I ask the question--I certainly don't typically ask it--but it was a question the movie begged. Black & white. Lots of visual detail. Lots of singing--I'm assuming the songs were in Welsh because I didn't understand any of them, but I recognized the melodies of several of the hymns since they are in our Lutheran hymnal. I wouldn't call the movie a musical. But I wouldn't not call it that either. Is there such thing as a narrative musical (as opposed to a singing musical)? That's a me-coined phrase, but it seems to fit. The lead character--a boy narrator--gives a call through the coal mines near the end--the kind of sound that sticks in your mind. It's a movie with lots to think about--but I'm hard pressed to come up with any more questions than what I've been able to formulate. It's a movie worth watching. I certainly liked it, and I have no idea why, but I'm okay with that, at least for now.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsGreer GarsonWalter PidgeonTeresa WrightA British family struggles to survive the first months of World War II.A sweet war movie--even though that's a paradox. Not in the realm of the realism that will be staged in later decades, but represents war maybe as it might appear on the Dick Van Dyke show? No comedy, but the same sweetness. Early on, one repeated musical theme is the hymn tune I know as "God Our Help In Ages Past". I suspect it is the same, though maybe with some verse differences. Besides hymn singing at church, one minor character is a church bell ringer, and the story line works in hearing planes overhead both for somberness (going to fight, fighting itself) and in communication to the mother (leading lady). What would be interesting to examine this film would be for identifying which characters were dynamic and which were static. End credits included a statement asking Americans to by war bonds etc.
- DirectorAllan KenwardStarsJohn LitelDouglas FowleyStephen McNallyThis Crime Does Not Pay short shows how cooperation among all the nations of the Americas helps the war effort. In this case, a US government agent travels to Chile and Colombia. He works with local authorities to try to thwart an Axis plan to ship stolen ammunition.One of the bonus features on the "Mrs. Miniver" DVD--short film of 20 minutes. Framed as a documentary about how police forces cooperate among nations. The main part of the film is a dramatization, like a crime show.
- DirectorHenry KingStarsTyrone PowerMaureen O'HaraLaird CregarAn ex-pirate contends with rowdy buccaneers and a love/hate relationship with an aristocratic woman who's tougher than she seems.Pirate movie. The beginning felt like a strange tussle between fluffy and serious, but it soon settled down into a steady mood for the movie. It's a rare movie that I actually give a Netflix 5 rating to. This one is a 4 and 3 quarters, if I could give that. It's mighty close. The ending is a happy ending with no resolution, if that makes any sense. I liked it, other than the ending in that the ending was a bit short. I would love to rewatch/relisten to this movie for the music it employs. Color movie. And a nice looking male lead.
- DirectorAnatole LitvakStarsTyrone PowerJoan FontaineThomas MitchellAlthough she comes from an aristocratic family, beautiful Prudence Cathaway defies convention by joining the WAAFs and becoming romantically involved with an AWOL soldier.Middle of the war romance. Set in England. Other than the story question of "What are we fighting for" (romance perspective), not much else stands out of this film for me. Straightforward story and movie. Another Tyrone Powers film.
- DirectorWalter LangStarsTyrone PowerLoretta YoungStuart ErwinNewly remarried woman finds her businessman husband boring and runs into her wealthy playboy first husband.Romantic comedy. Not my style of comedy--but I don't usually find movies with my comedy style, so that's nothing to discount the movie for. a Tyrone Powers flick. Interesting camera shot of a harpoon hitting a giant ray. Enough twists to the plot for a general romantic comedy movie.
- DirectorTony RichardsonStarsAlbert FinneySusannah YorkGeorge DevineThe romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted bastard Tom Jones in 18th-century England.A most excellent adaptation of the novel. I like it. I want to watch it again, although, I must confess that’s largely because of the music. The music is in the same class as “Convoy” was—seems to fit, in a manner of speaking, but at the same time, makes you cock your head to one side in delightful puzzlement. Intriguing instrument choices. One well-placed dog whine. Calliope style music using a harpsichord of all things—at times clownish. A great puzzle, the music is. I want to analyze it. A couple of characters break the audience wall on occasion, and the narrator sings—sings, what, a ministral song? A bar style song? I don’t know. Did I mention I want to analyze it?
I was away from my notes when I wrote the review above. It was the music that won the award. Really? That was the top dog of its category in 1963? Now I want to analyze it even more. - DirectorSidney FranklinVictor FlemingGustav MachatýStarsPaul MuniLuise RainerWalter ConnollyAlthough married Chinese farmers Wang and O-Lan initially experience success, their lives are complicated by declining fortunes and lean times, as well as the arrival of the beautiful young Lotus.I did not like the first 20 pages of the novel (I could get no further). I do not like the movie. I do not know why. I do like the importance of the land, and the leading lady, but that's about the only consistent threads I liked the whole movie through. I do understand why it got the cinematography award. Other than the appeal of the exotic (China), I do not understand the appeal of this movie. However, I will grant that it is well-written, so it is a decent enough story. Also, story-wise, it's a predecessor to the movie "The Days of Heaven".
I will admit that my attitude here might be colored a bit of the season of the month. Perhaps in a lazier time and day, I would have a different opinion. - DirectorFrank CapraAnatole LitvakStarsWalter HustonVictor Bulwer-LyttonKai-Shek ChiangThe official World War II US Government film statement defining the various enemies of the Allies and why they must be fought.American war propaganda film. I'm almost of the notion this should be required college viewing--and anyone who would think that the notions stated here are only applicable to the WWII time in history is kidding themselves. This film needs discussing--more in light of today than back then. I have more thoughts about this film, but that's all I'm saying here. Most of the music fit with what Capra was trying to do, with the exception of the piece of circus music that's used early on.
- DirectorFrank CapraAnatole LitvakStarsEduard BenesNeville ChamberlainClementine ChurchillThe official World War II US government account of Nazi international aggression leading up to the British and French declarations of war."Prelude to War" and "The Nazis Strike" are the first two films of a series by Frank Capra called "Why We Fight". "Prelude to War" was on my list. The second film was watched because it was on the same DVD. I think I've learned more about WWII from these two films than I did my previous history studies. I don't know that I'd completely fault my education as much this is a slowed down look at events. One school's curriculum took one event (they happened to pick the American Civil War) to show how any history event can be gone into so much more depth than what a survey course can do. The idea is that you survey everything, but show one event in-depth to show the immense possibilities. So, these films are a sneek peek at the in-depth possibilities of this part of history.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsColin FarrellBokeem WoodbineBryan CranstonA factory worker, Douglas Quaid, begins to suspect that he is a spy after visiting Rekall - a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led - goes wrong and he finds himself on the run.I think I watched the original version on TV. IMDb says 1990, but that doesn't sound right. It wouldn't have been anything I'd have gone to the theater to see. Original had Arnold Schwarzenegger in it. I liked the original enough to keep watching, but not sure I ever formed and opinion about it--which is why it seems to me that it should be an older movie than 1990. Anyways, this remake--I LOVED it!!! Thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it even qualifies as "a movie Sherry would watch again". In fact, I know it would. Very nice!
And the piano was a very nice touch! :) - DirectorTony GilroyStarsJeremy RennerRachel WeiszEdward NortonAn expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.Setting aside the lead character change (because that's a separate matter), I'm not sure this is at the same level as the other Bourne movies. As an action film, it's fine. IF it is a transition film in the Bourne series, then it accomplished that. I watch the 1st 3 Bourne movies pretty regularly. The types of things I watch for and enjoy weren't exactly in this one. Again, as an action film, they did fine. Suspense, fine. Transition film, decent enough. It's just not getting added to the "purchased Bourne" collection. As for its place in the Bourne series (again, aside from the lead character change), I'm thinking that just needs to remain to be seen. We'll see what the next film brings. Sometimes you need the one film before you can make the next--and the next is better.
As for the lead character change, I know what couple factors I like about the Jason Bourne character and I don't think it fair to hold those enjoyed pieces against the character of Aaron Cross. From what I heard (I'll call it press rumor), I don't fault either side there (the Matt Damon vs. Bourne producers part)--I don't fault either side, I see both sides, that makes me indifferent. I do say that they didn't give me any comparable "enjoyed pieces" to make up the difference--attempted, but they fell slightly short. - DirectorIrving RapperStarsBette DavisPaul HenreidClaude RainsA frumpy spinster blossoms under therapy and becomes an elegant, independent woman.Bette Davis. Max Steiner, music. Psychology takes a forefront in pictures. I loved this picture. It's one of the few that will get a high rating from me. The music does a fine job of underscoring instead of being so pretentious or concert-like. Interesting story line and Cinderella character development (which I'm partial to). I would enjoy watching it again just to listen to the music; in fact, the DVD among its special features allows for just the music to be listened to--something I would love to do, but don't have time to. Fine picture!
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsJames CagneyJoan LeslieWalter HustonThe life of the renowned musical composer, playwright, actor, dancer, and singer George M. Cohan.Well, this review is for everything but the last 5 minutes of the movie. Will have to TRY AGAIN to watch this. :/ Will adapt the review if needed when I finally get to finish it. I was ready to see it last Thursday and didn't get to see but the first 5 minutes. I was determined to see it today, but suspect my mind may be more tired than it could appreciate the movie? Not thrilled to have a 2nd version of this not work. The only thing I can figure is it is so popular that our musical (?), democratic nation has worn out two copies.
Movie: "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (1942). Musical Biography of George M. Cohan. Dramatized concert of his music, mostly. Unless the ending changed that, which is possible.
Well, I finally got to see the ending of "Yankee Doodle Dandy". I know attitude can make a difference when watching the arts (not that that's a new idea to me). I liked the ending. In fact, it makes me want to watch the whole thing again. I don't have time to do that (especially with having to ask for the movie 3 times), but perhaps I'll remember it the next time I wonder what a good 4th of July movie would be good to watch. The movie also makes me want to read a biography or autobiography of George M. Cohan to see how much of it is true. - DirectorSam WoodStarsGary CooperTeresa WrightBabe RuthThe story of the life and career of famed baseball player Lou Gehrig.The story of Lou Gehrig. Sweet story. Sweet, sweet story. Of course the ending, was (sniff, sniff, sob, sniff). It was nice to have something more to the story than just "Lou Gehrig's disease". I knew he played baseball, but nothing else. Did I mention it was a sweet story? I didn't realize until the credits that it wasn't look-alikes playing a couple of the characters--it was the characters themselves--2 ball players, Bill Dickey and Babe Ruth--wow. High rankings, this.
- DirectorArthur LubinStarsNelson EddySusanna FosterClaude RainsAn acid-scarred composer rises from the Paris sewers to boost his favorite opera understudy's career.Previously, I was more familiar with more recent versions of this tale. In some ways, I like this one better. It really is a nice version to LOOK at. Pleasant to watch, pleasant to listen to. It starts a little earlier in the story and takes a slightly different tack to the story line. I actually really like the ending (several pieces of the story line and one of the scene's visual compositions). (I do have to admit I like some of the Phantom's screams/laughs better in later versions.)
SPOILER ALERT: I like the visual composition of the dusty violin and mask in the rubble. - DirectorHenry KingStarsJennifer JonesCharles BickfordWilliam Eythe14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, living in a small town in the south of 1850s France, claims to have seen a divine vision, prompting extreme skepticism, concern from her family, and religious and political turmoil.Definitely a Catholic story line. Alfred Newman music. It's not a fast movie, but I found me watching pretty steady all the way through. One of the longer films--2 hrs. and 36 min. Black & white.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsGeorge MurphyJoan LeslieGeorge TobiasA soldier wounded in the War (WWI) becomes a producer and stages a show for the forces.Started with a couple of explanations--one was the origin and purpose of the film (money raiser), the other involving the historical/cultural context of black face. Even with the forewarning, black face seems strange to me. That's probably a good thing. Aside from that, a lot of numbers I really enjoyed--"This is the Army, Mr. Jones", the acrobatics (I guess you call it that--different handstand formations), and other bits. I liked the generational tie-in with WWI. The movie is mostly a dramatized concert. And the music--tap dancing, men's' chorus, barbershop/multi-part men's harmony, wonderful music. I miss having music like this show up today. One of the early numbers echoed a piece I saw and a different movie ("Yankee Doodle Dandy"? but that doesn't sound right).
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsJohn GarfieldJohn RidgelyGig YoungThe crew of an Air Force bomber arrives in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, and is sent on to Manila to help with the defense of the Philippines.WOW. WOW. I've seen bits (movies, TV shows, etc.) do Pearl Harbor centered stories. This movie uses that as a starting point instead of an end. About Pacific war theater from an Air Force bomber perspective. Not only was this a great movie, but I'm thoroughly impressed with a movie in the air from 1943. 1943. I'm sure one or two bits were models, but there was a lot of real deal footage--or sure looked it to me. A movie in the air from 1943. Wow!
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsCharles BoyerIngrid BergmanJoseph CottenTen years after her aunt was murdered in their London home, a woman returns from Italy in the 1880s to resume residence with her new husband. His obsessive interest in the home rises from a secret that may require driving his wife insane.Came with the 1940 version on the flip side, but didn't have time to watch it too. ss-ll-ooo-www psychological thriller. Well-written, but slow. Art design (as I understand it), was indeed well done. I liked the ending, actually. That fit well. Leading lady--Ingrid Bergman. Supporting actress--a young Angela Landsbury. I like the ending.
- DirectorJohn CromwellEdward F. ClineTay GarnettStarsClaudette ColbertJennifer JonesJoseph CottenWith her husband away to fight in World War II, a housewife must care for their two daughters alone.3 hour movie--had to watch it in two shifts. On the one hand, nothing particularly unique about the movie--except maybe the dog. On the other hand, it was a very nice movie. I watched the first 2 hours last night--up to the intermission screen. In the second shift, (the ending) there was a lot of sniff, sniff, sob, sob sad and happy parts. "Soda" the bulldog was one of my favorite parts, and the music that accompanied his bits helped make the part--the instrumentation of the bits & the timing of them in the story line--very nice, big grin. Shirley Temple plays a young, young teenager. Story is the war on the home front and home sweet home.
- DirectorCharles VidorStarsRita HayworthGene KellyLee BowmanRusty Parker wins a contest and becomes a celebrated cover girl; this endangers her romance with dancing mentor Danny.Musical featuring music by Jerome Kern and George Gershwin including the song "Long Ago and Far Away" which I really love. Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. Gene Kelly dances a number with himself bringing back an early film special effects technique--amazing. The story conflict (multiple working places--conflict of interests? men/women working roles?) has me a little mixed--but I'm attributing it either to the culture of the time or what they needed to do to actually have a conflict in the story. More likely it's the latter one. Romance conflicts in a theater work setting I'm sure are limited.
- DirectorFrank LloydStarsJames CagneySylvia SidneyPorter HallA dedicated American reporter in 1930s Japan is determined to expose that government's plan for world domination.Won an academy award for art direction of a black and white movie. An award for art direction of a black and white movie. The version I watched was colorized. :/ James Cagney. I wondered if I would see any transition movies. I think this was one of them. Part war movie (story line), part action movie, though early. Set in pre-WWII Japan, so the story's "bad guys" are all Japanese. The fight scenes are a mix of martial art and fist fight--makes me wonder what the first "martial arts" movie is. This certainly is an early, early, EARLY one. Slightly confused about one part--leading lady--calm and cool entire movie, then goes hysterical during the crucial ending ... ??? Not sure if that makes the movie "just a generic war/action flick" or if that means "must have been a man who wrote it". I just know it was a bit ... odd, even for considering the culture of the time. But, maybe I'm wrong and it wouldn't have stuck out back then. Ending was kind of strange, too--Japanese officials kept quoting morals and sayings from the Bible. [Not that Japanese folks wouldn't know it, but the context for all the "bad guys" continually referring to it, struck me as strange.]
- DirectorAlbert LewinStarsGeorge SandersHurd HatfieldDonna ReedA corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.SPOILER ALERT-- ... uhm ... I'd not read the book previous. I'm sure a lot of that should speak for itself. Intriguing. Okay, one "well duh" moment--when Dorian kills Basel, the movie's voice over narrator says, "He had a sense that he'd done something that couldn't be undone." Yeah. It's called murder. Definitely can see the Romantic pieces of this story (and I don't mean--love/romance). Am trying to imagine this as a book. Some of it would be easier--the character of Lord Henry talks so fast in the movie, it was hard to absorb--reading the book would be easier 'cause you could read it slower; then again, I'm a little tired, so not exactly at tip top thinking power, but that's okay because this was just the first view of the movie anyway. As I was saying, was trying to picture this as a book. I can see the picture descriptions working fine in words, but the music was integral in places in the movie--I'm trying to imagine written song. Doesn't do the story justice. In Romantic Music, the melody and accompaniment are integral to each other; you can't separate them. This seems like a movie go at the same thing--you can't have this story with out the music or the painted picture. Cinematography award--so lots of interesting things to look at--both camera shots and set. Black and white picture, mostly. It actually has some spliced in color movie bits revolving around the portrait. Young Angela Landsbury. I suspect anything else I'd have to say would be a reaction to the story--and I'll save that for a novel review. I do wonder if this would be considered creepy sci-fi, or mild thriller, not that the label matters, but the question interests me.
- DirectorJohn M. StahlStarsGene TierneyCornel WildeJeanne CrainA writer falls in love with a young socialite and they're soon married, but her obsessive love for him threatens to be the undoing of them both as well as everyone around them.I had my 1st break-down refusal to watch. I've groused about movies before. I groused through the first hour of this one. I made it that far by telling me view the first leading lady as a fangless vampire. That helped some. Then I reached the point where I just flat refused to watch any more. Unless you're viewing the story as wonderful because it's "original" (if there is such a thing) or not used much, I see this as a lousy, horrible story that I suppose was to made acceptably enjoyable because it was set in beautiful scenery. Or maybe they were trying to do a modern day reverse Oedipus--female version (she marries her father and "kills" her mother). Whatever the view, I fast forwarded through 30-some minutes of the last parts of the movie. Likely food for an analysis feast, I suppose. I didn't like and I couldn't stand it.
May have to go on a walk on this lovely day before I grade papers to dispel the movie's awful effects. - DirectorGeorge SidneyJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsFrank SinatraKathryn GraysonGene KellyA pair of sailors on leave try to help a movie extra become a singing star.Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra. Kelly does a dance number with Jerry of Tom & Jerry. I grew up with Tom & Jerry, but Jerry didn't talk. Seems I also remember from a long time back hearing that it was tough dancing with cartoons (mixing cartoons with live action) with the way they had to do it in some of this early stuff. Very nice movie. :)
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsIngrid BergmanGregory PeckMichael ChekhovA psychiatrist protects the identity of an amnesia patient accused of murder while attempting to recover his memory.Alfred Hitchcock. Very nice. :) Music Oscar. Psychoanalysis as huge part of story line. Music of bathroom scene adds to the suspense of the scene--heart beat rhythms?
- DirectorClarence BrownStarsMickey RooneyElizabeth TaylorDonald CrispA jaded former jockey helps a young girl prepare a wild but gifted horse for England's Grand National Sweepstakes.Horse movie. Angela Landsbury (minor character, teenager). Mickey Rooney. Elizabeth Taylor (12 year old character). Fun to watch the mother and father relationship--that was half of what made the movie. Not sure why a tune reminiscent of "Molly Malone" was used for the coming home victory bit. Very good movie.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsHenry FondaLinda DarnellVictor MatureAfter their cattle are stolen and their brother murdered, the Earp brothers have a score to settle with the Clanton family."Pre-Release Version". Lead character--Wyatt Earp. Other than you know there's going to be a shoot-out (What's a western without one?), you can't see exactly which way the story's going to go. Not bad.
Released version was on the flip side of the DVD, but I didn't have time to watch it too. I did watch the comparison special feature illustration--most interesting. - DirectorJohn CromwellStarsIrene DunneRex HarrisonLinda DarnellIn 1862, a young Englishwoman becomes royal tutor in Siam and befriends the King.I thought this would be one of the other versions that I had already seen. I was wrong. So, now I have seen 3 of the 4 versions of this story. This one was black and white. If I had to rank the 3 I've seen, this would be #2, more on the side of "like". At the same time, there are parts of this that I would place closer to the #1 spot. So, maybe it's tied for first.
This particular DVD also included a 45 minute documentary on the real story of Anna. I didn't watch the whole bit, but did snitch a few selections of it. It would be interesting to watch the whole thing. - DirectorClarence BrownStarsGregory PeckJane WymanClaude Jarman Jr.A boy persuades his parents to allow him to adopt a young deer, but what will happen if the deer misbehaves?Well, letting me off the hook last Thursday and not watching the whole movie has broken the chain of "stick it out." I think this movie probably is a fine movie. I was too tired to watch it last night and have too much on my mind today to settle in and watch it. So, I didn't watch the whole thing. I sat through the first half hour, and a couple of the later scenes that looked interesting. I can see why its color scenery and film shots won stuff--its nice movie to look at. Looks like maybe a decent family film. Not entirely sure of the definition, but might be considered a coming of age story/movie. Set in Florida aka deep in the wilderness. Gregory Peck. The dad is the likeable character. The mother is the one with the inside hurtin'. Ah, life is rough.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsMyrna LoyDana AndrewsFredric MarchThree World War II veterans, two of them traumatized or disabled, return home to the American midwest to discover that they and their families have been irreparably changed.Captivating movie. Well-written. The transition back to civilian life for 3 military men--one higher Major who society considers a nobody, one mid/lower Sargeant who points out the discrepancy with what would've happened if civilian rules would've applied to military situations, and one sailor who has to work through the social and romantic adjustments without having two hands. Hoagy Carmichael as Butch, a piano player. I actually saw about a minute of this movie from flipping channels--or maybe it was Dad flipping channels--a long time back. Black & white film shots. Long movie--nearly 3 hours. But very worth it--hooks ya pretty good.
- DirectorAlfred E. GreenStarsLarry ParksEvelyn KeyesWilliam DemarestThis movie shows the idealized career of the singer Al Jolson, a little Jewish boy who goes against the will of his father in order to be in showbiz. He becomes a star, falls in love with a non-Jewish dancer, and marries her. In the end he chooses success on the stage.Most of this movie I had huge grins and thoroughly enjoyed it--early story had lots of "never been done before, but I'm doing it" story, lots of great music, the ending was bittersweet--but you shouldn't let that detract you from watching a great movie. A number of familiar songs, but I think most were maybe from early Bugs Bunny cartoons?? (where I knew them from). Blackface still seems really strange to me. Lots of people dynamics going on here. A lot of similarities to "Yankee Doodle Dandy" ("life" of George M. Cohan). So this was the "life" of Al Jolson (stage name).
- DirectorRobert RossenStarsJohn GarfieldLilli PalmerHazel BrooksA talented boxer's young career hits difficult terrain when an unethical promoter takes interest in him.Review for first 40/45 minutes of the movie. This was a film editing award winner--and it is clearly evident why. The mother of the lead was the same actress who played the mother in "National Velvet". I could hear in the opening credits the musical clip of the song "Body and Soul" but the song wasn't in the start of the movie. Biggest reason for not finishing this movie: I'm tired. But doesn't look like a bad movie otherwise--just a "typical" boxing movie.
Oh, and this is a boxing movie. Started with the first part of a frame story. Makes me wonder, is it possibly to have any other story line for boxing movies--is that part of the definition? Underdog makes it to the top as champ, but is a lousy chump on the way. I am assuming some of this because of beginning of the frame. So, it seems to me that this movie would be quite similar to Kirk Douglas's boxing movie "Champion". Maybe that means "that's what's in a boxing movie"--and to not have those elements there would be like having a western without a gun fight. I'm guessing here. And I didn't watch the ending this time. So, I can't say what I think of that. - DirectorMichael PowellEmeric PressburgerStarsAnton WalbrookMarius GoringMoira ShearerA young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina.Tragedy. Ballet-Concert included--foreshadowing/parallel storying the ending. Different style of story telling. Lots of French. Stravinsky/Kronos Quartet kind of music. Didn't watch the last 45 minutes of the movie. Interesting set with the internal 'Red Shoes' Ballet.
- DirectorLaurence OlivierStarsLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsJohn LauriePrince Hamlet struggles over whether or not he should kill his uncle, whom he suspects has murdered his father, the former king.Very interesting camera angles. The visuals and camera angles would create quite the worthwhile study. Low-tech special effects, but allow for the time period of movie creation. Other than the heart beats and perhaps a bassoon to show sneaky and sinister, the music isn't anything "special". Still pretty stagey in places in how some lines are delivered, but not as bad as the 1935 "Mid-summer Night's Dream". In many other places, the delivery isn't bad. Some of the monologues are done as voice overs and at times pretty seamless over into actual delivery. Laurence Olivier--partially stylized delivery and melancholy character portrayal. Hamlet and Ophelia both blonds--not quite my picture--although, I can see why for a black and white picture. Only blonds in the whole cast. All the more to seem out of sync with the picture in my head. Castle is almost all arches and stairs, very little of textile texture in castle. Costumes a different story. Lots of texture there.
- DirectorVictor FlemingStarsIngrid BergmanJosé FerrerSelena RoyleThe abbreviated life of the 15th-century French heroine.Not sure why the cinematography award--maybe because color pictures was still a scattered thing? Story line well done--although, I would've liked a trailer or tag or words or something to cover the fall out--but that's just my normal reaction. I'm sure the ending the chose was the best. Music actually was really good--but I'm also pretty partial to French horns and the music did a good job making use of them. I think they character acted this well.
- DirectorCharles WaltersStarsJudy GarlandFred AstairePeter LawfordA nightclub performer hires a naive chorus girl to become his new dance partner to make his former partner jealous and to prove he can make any partner a star.Fred Astaire. Judy Garland. Love Square. Do the guys get the girls they want and the girls settle? or do the girls get the guys they want and the guys settle? Music to dance numbers was just fine. One disconcerting moment--when the trio of extras are sitting in the back of Judy Garland's first vocal number miming the instrumentals, they were pretty close to doing it well. Why they didn't use REAL musicians instead of choosing to mime it is beyond me. What's more, you saw a regular trombone, but you heard a trombone with a mute in it. It is a bit disconcerting to hear one instrumented sound while watching a mimed different one. One lick in a later number had jazz timpani. The other female lead wore dogs with her dresses; she picked which pet dog to hold depending on the color of her outfit.
- DirectorYasujirô OzuStarsChishû RyûSetsuko HaraYumeji TsukiokaSeveral people try to talk 27-year-old Noriko into marrying, but all she wants is to keep on caring for her widowed father.Japanese movie. Post-war (so, current for the time filmed). A low-key movie without being slow. A relaxing movie without being boring. The phrase I read "The celebration of every day life" is apt. Also about how life heart-changes are tough. Music was very fitting. 2 short music phrases of "Here Comes the Bride" surprised me. A lot of marriage wisdom shared by the father to his daughter that I wish could be shouted loud. Bittersweet but true (as in straight). Had to pause movie once for tears so that I could keep reading the subtitles, but don't let that deter you. This is a movie I recommend.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsOlivia de HavillandMontgomery CliftRalph RichardsonA naive young woman falls for a handsome young man her emotionally abusive father suspects is only a fortune hunter.1st Half--Night 1: Interesting in a puzzling way characters--but seeing as the movie is based on a Henry James novel, I probably shouldn't be surprised at all. And likely if it is true to Henry James, I won't like the ending. The music is very very good. Reminiscent of Aaron Copland--some parts more than others--yet his sound keeps ringing within the movie scoring. Considering I didn't like the one Henry James novel that I've read, I'm not real optimistic that I'm going to like the ending of a movie that is Henry James-esque.
2nd Half--Night 2: I was right. I didn't care for the ending. Though I suppose if you were a misandrynist--or a Henry James fan, you might love the movie. So, the movie music score was really good--and a study of the characters would give somebody a hey day. I'm still not a Henry James fan. I will admit this was a smidge better than "Portrait of a Lady", but not by much. Based on his "Washington Square". Rain to wash away the delusions was true to form. - DirectorMervyn LeRoyStarsJune AllysonPeter LawfordMargaret O'BrienThe four daughters of a New England family fight for happiness during and after the Civil War.This book was a childhood favorite, one that I read over and over numerous times. The 1994 adaptation was the first adaptation I saw--and it has its merits. However, this adaptation captures all of the "best parts" that I loved as a kid--all of them. I love the colors chosen for this adaptation and I love the selections they chose to include. And the parts that made me cry for joy when reading the book did the same for the movie. :) I have a movie that has hit the top score.