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Reviews
In Cold Blood (1967)
Chillingly Violent Story
This adaptation Of Truman Capote's classic book, by Director Richard Brooks is a sad and chilling tale of a violent, callous murder of a family and the eventual execution of the men that committed it. Robert Blake and Scott Wilson play Perry Smith and Dick Hickock two criminals that go to the country home of the Clutter family in Kansas looking to rob them. Dick and Perry were misinformed and the Clutters didn't have the $10,000 they were after, just a mere $40. The two heartless killers murder.l Herb Clutter, his wife and two children to avoid being identified, and do so in a violent, and merciless way. The story follows them on the run, and their eventual capture, trial, and execution. The story is a sad one, and it is hard to believe that anyone could be so heinous and callous, but the film was excellent. Blake and Wilson play the criminals perfectly. Their performance make you think they are in fact cold blooded killers, not just actors. The suspense built through the film by not actually showing the crime until later on in the movie via flashback. That was a smart and powerful way to keep the crime somewhat mysterious until you knew the men that committed it. Brooks did a wonderful job directing such a sad tale, by using flashbacks, a good score, and filming in black and white. This film was excellently done.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Great Film
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was one of the best, if not most depressing films I have ever seen. Jack Nicholson is superb as McMurphy, a charismatic man that fakes mental illness to get out of jail, and instead ends up in a mental hospital. The head nurse in the hospital, Nurse Ratched, played wonderfully by Louise Fletcher is a hard, vindictive woman that is McMurphy's constant antagonist. Nicholson and Fletcher won the Oscar's for best actor and actress for this film, which also claimed Best Picture, and Best Director. The supporting cast was equally strong, especially Danny DeVito, Christopher LLoyd, and Will Sampson as Chief. McMurphy's different views and easy way begin to help the other patients progress. McMurphy grows more and more frustrated with Ratched's strict ways and defies her more and more until things come to a head and Nurse Ratched wins out. She has him lobotomized and turned into a vegetable. Chief mercifully kills his friend and escapes the hospital. The film is a sad, but important look into mental illness, the difficulties in treating it, and the failures of the system we had in place at the time. It is easily one of the best films of all time and despite the serious subject matter, it is a must see film.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Thought Provoking
Spike Lee's film was an odd one to watch. Most of the movie is following a mundane day in the life of a bunch of very flawed characters, and centers around all of the people on a street in Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood on the hottest day of the year. The characters are generally rude, lazy, and ignorant, and very real in a way. Lee didn't sugarcoat anything in this movie, and the effect was real and powerful. The last sequence of the movie shifts from an aimless day to a race, and police brutality fueled riot that rocks the neighborhood. It was an odd turn for a movie to take so rapidly, and the violence, hate, and destruction that resulted leaves you full of sorrow, and questions. How things went so bad so fast is unsettling, and Lee does a great job of provoking the questions, and not giving you any answers. He showed you who the characters were, and what they did, but he won't hold your hand on why it happened. Even the title begs the question of what the right thing was and who could've or should've done it. This film was exceptional because Lee lulls the audience to sleep with normalcy, then shocks you with events that are very real and difficult to watch. That combination will leave you thinking about this film and searching for answers long after it ends, which I believe was Lee's plan all along.
The Graduate (1967)
I Didn't like Hoffman's Performance
The Graduate is the story of Benjamin Braddock played by Dustin Hoffman. Braddock recently graduated college and is feeling lost in life when he is seduced and has an affair with Mrs. Robinson a sexy older woman played by Anne Bancroft. Ben has known Mrs. Robinson his entire life and the affair sours when he falls in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter. The film follows his pursuit of the daughter and the backlash from his affair. Bancroft was great as the sexy Mrs. Robinson, and the use os Simon and Garfunkle's music complemented the film perfectly. To me the film was not as good as advertised because I didn't find Dustin Hoffman's character believable. Hoffman's portrayal of Ben as lost and naive was overdone and unbelievably, specifically when it came to his interaction with Mrs. Robinson. The gee shucks Mrs. Robinson schtick didn't jive with someone mature enough to be having an affair that was so dangerous. Hoffman only seemed real when he was fervently trying to win over the daughter, Elaine. The story was entertaining, and most of the actors did a good job, but Hoffman's failure and lack of realism made this film very average to me.
The Naked Kiss (1964)
A little bit of everything
Director Samuel Fuller covered a lot of ground in this unintentionally diverse film. Fuller took chances by addressing issues such as prostitution and child molestation, which were largely taboo in the 1960's. Fuller also showed mainstream small town America with characters that fit the mold perfectly, for example Griff's tough police officer. The acting was at times outstanding, and at others laughably bad, and campy. Constance Towers performance as Kelly, the hooker who reformed herself, and found a happy life was solid, and as Kelly's world collapsed Towers performance grew stronger and stronger. The Naked Kiss was entertaining, with a good suspenseful plot, and was worth watching, however the unevenness of acting and camera work made it nothing more than a B movie.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Good old shoot 'em up gangster flick
Arthur Penn directed this violent gangster film that returned Hollywood to its violent roots of the 1930's. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway star as Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker two misunderstood, but unflinchingly violent bank robbers that cut a path across the country, with the law always just a step behind. Beatty was the only famous actor in this film, but Dunaway's performance as well as Gene Hackman's performance as Barrow's brother Buck propelled them all into stardom. Gene Wilder also turned in a hilarious performance in a sheer comic relief role.Penn shot most of this film outside, and in the sunshine which gave the film a very light, and real feel. It didn't seem heavy like previous gangster movies. The film humanized the criminals and justified their brutality by allowing you to see their rationale, and know their motivations. Penn did an outstanding job of telling the story of Bonnie and Clyde, and the actors did an even better job of bringing them to life.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
A strange film
Stanley Kubrick directed "A Clockwork Orange" a very strange film. The film tells the story of the narrator, Alex DeLarge, a charming and scary criminal thug who rape and violence come naturally to. Alex is caught, convicted, and undergoes an experimental "cure" at the hands of the government that changes who he is. The film doesn't glorify or renounce violence, it shows it very matter of factly. Kubrick instead forces you to look at the criminal's role in society, and the ideas of free will, and individual rights versus overall benefit to society. The film starts out very fast and slows down as the story develops. This film takes many strange twists and turns, and although it wasn't something I enjoyed, Kubrick did a wonderful job of telling this strange story, and the movie will stick in your head long after you see it. That is a testament to Stanley Kubrick's ability, and Malcolm McDowell's hauntingly good performance.
The Killing (1956)
Fast Paced Thriller
The Killing is a fast paced thriller that was ahead of its time.Stanley Kubrick directed this and it is considered his breakout film. The story is about a ragtag group of would be robbers that plan an elaborate heist of a racetrack. Kubrick keeps a very fast pace in this film and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Kubrick also used parallel editing to show the film non-sequentially, meaning that the story jumped around and you would see the same stretch of time shown repeatedly, but each scene was focused on what a different character was doing during that time. Kubrick was way ahead of his time with this idea. The acting was solid in this film lead by Sterling Hayden. The story was interesting and entertaining, and enough humor was sprinkled in at random intervals to make it a very enjoyable crime film/ B movie.
Psycho (1960)
Classic Thriller
"Psycho" is perhaps the best horror film of all time, directed by the best horror director of all time, Alfred Hitchcock. It has a simple plot, and to describe the events that take place would be quick work, but the suspense and fear the film creates can not be described. Hitchcock was masterful. His direction of this film made something as pedestrian as a police officer approaching a car, or taking a hot shower fill you with a sense of fear and trepidation. Hitchcock let the suspense build throughout the film, while the plot twisted and turned until the shocking climax, that I'm sure no one saw coming. Anthony Perkins was wonderful as the quiet Norman Bates, and the rest of the cast was solid. This film was Hitchcock's magnum opus, that embodied movie making at its finest. From camera work, to acting, to plot, Hitchcock made a film that defines what quality is, while tantalizing and scaring you more than you would think possible.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Superb Entertsinment
The best compliment for any form of entertainment is to say that it put you in a great mood, and no film I have ever seen did this more than Singin' in the Rain. This film had it all. It was a great comedy, a great musical, and a great love story perfectly intertwined. The cast was flawless. Gene Kelly's leading man was perfect. I could write forever about how charming, funny, and likable he was, but simply put he was just perfect. Debbie Reynolds also turned in a stellar performance, and Don O'Conner's character, Cosmo Brown, stole the show. When he was on screed I literally could not take my eyes off of him. His great dancing, quick jokes, and boyish exuberance were mesmerizing. This film was so entertaining and fun to watch that my only regret is that I didn't see it sooner. An absolute must see film that will leave you smiling.....and singing!
Out of the Past (1947)
Depressing but entertaining
Robert Mitchum stars in this film noir as Jeff Bailey, a man that can't catch a break. Bailey is living a new life as a gas station owner when his troubled past catches up to him. The film goes on an exciting ride with many twists and turns from there. A young Kirk Douglas turns in a strong performance, along with Mitchum, as Whit Sterling a gambler looking to track down an old flame that robbed him. The old flame, Kathy, is played by Jane Greer. Greer's performance dominated the film despite the strong cast, and defined her career. Greer played to perfection a beautiful woman with an agenda that was horrible. Greer's character left you in stunned disbelief throughout the film, and her ability as an actress made the negative feelings very real for the audience. The film as a whole was well done, and like many film noir left you with a sense of despair. The charms of an evil woman in this film lead to a series of bad events for the leading men, and one very entertaining film for the audience.
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Enjoyable Story
Mildred Pierce is a rare film noir with a woman as the star of the film. Joan Crawford's exceptional performance as the title character, Mildred Pierce, shows why the film was willing to go against the grain. Crawford's ability to act with a great range of emotion was the strength of this film. She is at various points vulnerable, strong, stern, ruthless, determined, warm, funny, and lovable. Crawford's performance was the best, and most recognized of her long, successful career. Ann Blythe also turned in a strong performance as Pierce's daughter Veda. Blythe was the embodiment of an innocent looking beauty with a heart of stone. The film was true to the film noir style, and fairly formulaic, but it was highly enjoyable all the same. The men in the film were sharp, and the women, specifically Crawford, made this a movie that should not be missed.
Citizen Kane (1941)
Superb
Citizen Kane is at or near the top of any all time great movie list ever assembled, and for good reason. It is a true masterpiece by Orson Welles who directed and starred in the film. Welles character, Charles Foster Kane, exudes charisma and confidence. Welles as an actor created one of the deepest, most complex, and memorable characters in movie history. He is impossible to take your eyes off of throughout the film. Welles was surrounded by a strong supporting cast, and benefited from an engrossing story. The only thing that surpassed Welles as an actor was his superb directing of this film. Welles use of lighting was wonderful. From back lighting to spot lights to beautiful natural outdoor lighting, Welles used every tool at his disposal. The camera work was even better. Every scene was crisp, clean and expertly shot. Welles work behind the camera and in front was so noticeably professional, above grade, and frankly perfect that even a novice to film can't help but notice and appreciate it. Simply put this is one of the best films I have ever seen, surpassed only by "The Godfather" in my humble opinion.
Foreign Correspondent (1940)
Fine Hitchcock thriller
" Foreign Correspondent" is a suspenseful Alfred Hitchcock thriller full of excellent camera work, attention to detail, plot twists, and overall intrigue. Joel McCrea stars as John Jones a news reporter from New York sent to Europe as a correspondent to uncover information surrounding the outbreak of WWII. Jones ends up uncovering spies, secrets, and a lot of trouble. McCrea's easy going performance was enjoyable, as was Hitchcock's infusion of humor throughout the film. The film's action sequences and their accompanying camera-work were its biggest asset. Hitchcock seamlessly fit a variety of thrilling scenes together. These scenes were suspenseful and shot with a great attention to detail. The camera work was flawless and added to the sense of adventure. Many action films feel like a weak plot wrapped around action scenes, but Hitchcock's action scenes seemed to further and accentuate his story. From the windmill scene to the climactic plane crash, Hitchcock's "Foreign Correspondence" will keep you on the edge of your seat with your eyes wide open to take it all in!
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Very Slow Film
"The Grapes of Wrath" as a film was very similar to the novel in one unfortunate way, it was very slow to develop. It is the story of the Joad family in the dust bowl of the western United States, during the Great Depression of the 1930's. The Joad's are destitute and heading west in hopes of finding a better life. Henry Fonda's portrayal of Tom Joad was the lone bright spot in this film. The plot was very slow and deliberate, by design. The film is meant to portray a struggle, and the fight against hopelessness, which it does well, unfortunately it does it at the expense of keeping the interest of the viewer. The sad, drawn out tale is, plainly put, not very interesting or fun to watch. As a documentary it would have worked by telling such a fine story, but as a film that is meant to entertain an audience it fell flat on its face. Watching this film felt like work more than entertainment, and although it may be understandable because of the subject matter, the end result is a film that is not enjoyable.
Casablanca (1942)
Great Film
Casablanca is generally regarded as one of the top films of all time, and with good reason. This film works perfectly on every level. The film takes place in Casablance a free French run city in the early stages of WWII. Casablanca is a stop on the best escape route from Europe to the United States,and is therefore home to a diverse group of people from all of Europe. While the events, and people in the film are historically significant, at its core the film is a love story. It is a story about Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart, an American bar owner in Casablanca. He is a no nonsense man's man who sticks his neck out for no one. Rick finds himself in the middle of a political mess when he is secretly entrusted with valuable documents that are sought by the authorities, and desired by many. The story turns when Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) shows up at Rick's bar. Ilsa had loved Rick and broke his heart turning him into the hard man we see. Rick, Ilsa, and the other characters are entertaining as the plot twists and turns to its unpredictable finish. Bogart's performance is the best I've ever seen on film. As a viewer you feel his emotions deeply, and relate to him wholeheartedly. His character is a complicated one, which makes his performance that much better. The story, characters,acting, lighting, and camera work all combine to make this one of the best films you will ever see.
Stagecoach (1939)
Great Character Development
Director John Ford's "Stagecoach" is an excellent film that helped propel John Wayne into the Hollywood legend we remember today. The film tells the story of a group of unlikely travelers as they travel through dangerous Apache territory together. The characters are diverse, well written, and superbly acted. The strength of this film was in the development of deep characters and complex relationships in a relatively short amount of screen time. The dialogue and interaction help you feel for the characters in a very real way. You feel the scorn of the prostitute, the nobility of the gentleman, the aloofness of the drunk, the determination of the sheriff, and most of all the pain and grit of the misunderstood outlaw, Ringo. John Wayne's portrayal of Ringo Kid is undeniably real and heartfelt, and is without a doubt the strength of this film. The story is a good one, if not wholly unique, but the reason "Stagecoach" is a classic is the development of deep, and unforgettable characters, specifically John Wayne's Ringo Kid.
Frankenstein (1931)
Heartbreaking Horror
Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" novel has been adapted to the big screen many times, but none better than this. Boris Karloff's performance as the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein is perhaps unparalleled in film history. Karloff brings to life the lost and hopeless feelings the monster is experiencing as he tries to understand the life he was given, but did not ask for. Although the film is slow, the sense of menace and danger are palpable. Frankenstein's monster experiences a brief and confused life after his creation. The characters are all well written and expertly acted. The film is short, but that is a benefit as no scenes are wasted to fill time. Each scene serves a purpose and progresses the story to its sad end. The monster is chased to an old mill by the town's people after he unwittingly kills a young girl that had befriended him. The mill is set ablaze with the monster inside left to a horrible death by the thing he feared most in the world, fire. The film tells an excellent story and leaves viewers with a sense of compassion and sorrow for the monster. An excellent all around movie.
Dracula (1931)
Interesting
Tod Browning's film based on Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was in interesting movie that had some bright spots, as well as disappointments. The best aspect of this film was the performance of Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. His unique and graceful movements, speech, and mannerisms brought Dracula to life, and has been the standard since. Lugosi, along with Dwight Frye as Renfield were the films true bright spots. The film moved at a very deliberate pace that succeeded in building suspense and horror, but also made the film which was very predictable feel drawn out. While the fear this film generated in 1932 was probably strong, it was not very scary by today's standards. The attempts to make environments scary with things such as spiderwebs and creaking sounds are pedestrian by today's film standards and hard to ignore. The film while well acted, seems predictable and slow. While it is easy to appreciate this film for its historic significance and solid performances, it is difficult to characterize it as entertaining or scary.
His Girl Friday (1940)
Whirlwind Comedy
This fast paced whirlwind comedy is unforgettable. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell steal the show. The story revolves around Russell's character Hildy Johnson who has divorced Grant's character Walter Burns, and is set on leaving him and their fast paced lives as newspaper reporters in her rearview mirror. Burns doesn't want to let Hildy go and pulls every trick he has out of his hat to keep her from getting remarried. All of this is taking place the day before the controversial execution of an innocent man. The fast paced dialogue is non stop in this film with the newsroom, and press room at city hall serving as perfect backdrops. The script is tailored perfectly to show off Cary Grant's charm and presence, as well as Rosalind Russells perfect amount of sass and vulnerability. As the film advances and the stakes get higher in the storyline the characters and actors are all at their very best. Grant's swagger and Russell's ability to steal every scene make this one of the best comedy/caper movies I have ever seen.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
A Must See
My man Godfrey is a wonderful screwball comedy. Godfrey is a vagrant that is hired as a butler by a rich family that is genuinely insane! Every character in this film contributes in their own way to a great overall finished product. Godfrey ( William Powell) is the star of the film with his wit, dry delivery, and impeccable comedic timing. He delivered a few lines that had me reaching for a pen so I could write down what he said while it was still fresh in my mind. His performance was that memorable. The strength of My Man Godfrey was that it was more than just a comedy. It also delivered a strong social message about the have's and have not's in society. The film demands that you look beneath the situation people are in and try to see who they truly are as individuals, and how they came to be in their present situations, rich and poor alike. This film is timeless in the truest sense. The jokes feel fresh, the characters familiar, and the message is a strong one that is as relevant today as it was in 1936 when it was filmed.
Scarface (1932)
Original
This film was enjoyable, but for me contained many highs and lows. It is the story of the rise to power of a brutal gangster Tony Camonte. Tony is a ruthless murdering thug in Chicago during prohibition. He is the enforcer for crime boss Johnny Lovo, and is always pushing the limits. His violent ways spark Gang Wars that continually add to his wealth and power. As the film develops Tony makes too many moves, and puts a bulls- eye on himself that is just too large to miss. Tony meets a bitter, sad end, after alienating and destroying everything he loved on his relentless path to the top. While the story is enjoyable, at times it felt overdone. The plot was very predictable, and the actors seemed to brood, and overact at times. The pace of the film was continually switching from a dead stop to full speed, and I feel it detracted from the overall quality. It lacked flow for me. George Raft, and Paul Muni turned in excellent performances, and the story was a memorable one, that I feel could have delivered much more. I feel it was a 10 star story with some excellent actors that ultimately fell short of its potential.
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)
Gritty Hard Luck Story
This film is a look at the dark reality of James Allen. Allen, played perfectly by Paul Muni, is a decorated veteran from World War I that returns from the war a changed man. He isn't happy returning to his mundane life, so he strikes out to follow his passion, engineering. Life on the road, looking for work is tough on Allen and leads him into a bad situation. He is the unwitting accomplice in an armed robbery, and gets arrested, convicted, and sentenced to a hard labor prison camp despite his innocence. The film does a wonderful job of conveying the brutality and desperation of Allen's life as a prisoner, with great lighting and sound effects. Against all odds Allen narrowly escapes the chain gang, and starts a new life. He follows his love for engineering, turns his life around, and becomes a great man in Chicago. Unfortunately for Allen his troubled past is always lurking just around the corner, and it eventually catches up to him. He is exposed by his wife to authorities and arrested as a fugitive. His stature as a businessman affords him the right to negotiate a conditional surrender and he returns to the prison camp to serve a symbolic portion of his sentence until a full pardon is granted as promised. The deal Allen made was not fulfilled, it was actually a ploy to get him back in camp and let him rot. He will be in prison camp for a long time. As reality sets in for Allen it drives him over the edge. He makes a second escape, and is free from prison camp, but he is a changed man once again. His second escape leaves him broken, and ever fearful that he is about to be caught again and sent back. Allen's life is doomed to be a dark and dangerous one. The film is very well done, and the desperation and feelings of compassion for the main character are palpable. A very gritty, dark, well told story.
The General (1926)
Very entertaining film
Buster Keaton 's performance in "The General" was purely enjoyable. The story takes place during the civil war on centers on Johnnie Gray (Keaton) a train operator in the South. Johnnie is not accepted for service in the confederate army because of his value on the railroad, and suffers the shame of being home while the other men are fighting a war. When his beloved engine is hijacked by Union soldiers the unpredictable story goes into overdrive. Johnnie's adventure includes train chases, rescuing the love of his life, a daring escape, and a climactic battle. This film has a distinct action/adventure aspect, but at its core it is a brilliant comedy/drama. Keaton's performance is superb. He has the ability to effortlessly change your mood, and the mood of the film with his facial expressions and physical comedy. Keaton's character seems to make endless mistakes that work for the best, and good decisions in dangerous situations. It is easy to imagine Keaton as a major influence for a future comedians, and I personally felt like I was watching the Mel Brooks of a previous generation. "The General" was a fun film to watch with a true star Buster Keaton turning in a timeless heartfelt performance.
The Circus (1928)
Entertaining 8 decades later.
If you are unfamiliar with silent films and Charlie Chaplin, this is the perfect film to introduce you to an era and an actor that are worth remembering. The story is very simple. It centers on a down on his luck Tramp, played by Chaplin. Chaplin's nameless character is hired by the circus because of his unintentional ability to make the audience roar with laughter. The story follows the Tramps experience in the circus, which includes a love interest, performance issues, and a lot of hilarious twists and turns. The strength of the film is quite simply Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin has the rare ability to make you laugh out loud repeatedly with a schtick that you have surely seen hundreds of times before. Simply put, Chaplin is masterful in this film and his timeless performance is a treat. Despite the simplicity of the plot by today's film standards, "The Circus" is a fun film to watch thanks to Charlie Chaplin's comedic genius.