bmbdsm Reviews

Pollyanna (1960)

Charming piece of Americana from Disney...

[10/10 · 27 January 2015]

Eleanor Porter's novel about a young orphaned girl who brightens the lives of a whole town with her sunny disposition makes for charming film entertainment. The film could easily have become sappy and saccharine, but is saved by the sincerity of the performances by an impressive cast- Jane Wyman, Richard Egan, Karl Malden ("DEATH COMES UNEXPECTEDLY!"), Agnes Moorehead, Donald Crisp, Adolphe Menjou, Nancy Olson, to name a few. And then, of course, is Hayley Mills in the title role. Mills is natural and unaffected in the role, and makes Pollyanna feel like a real girl. The film is a bit on the long side, but the running time is used well, allowing Pollyanna's relationships with the townsfolk to fully develop, and to allow the audience to see just how much her presence contributes to the town. The film also displays some immense and richly designed period sets and costumes. With a whimsical musical score by Paul Smith, this easily becomes one of the best Disney films ever produced and makes for some high-quality family entertainment. The film is sweet, but not overbearingly so. We could use a little more sweetness in films today. A feel-good film, if ever there was one.

Ziegfeld Follies (1945)

Lavish, eye-popping spectacle!

[10/10 · 23 December 2014]

The motto for the MGM studios was: "Do it big, do it right, and give it class!" MGM also boasted that it had "more stars than there are in the heavens!" This 1946 musical certainly lives up to both of those statements. A film without plot, ZIEGFELD FOLLIES is more of a film revue, which has been organized from the legendary Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld (William Powell) from Heaven, who, yearning for the good old days of Broadway, wishes to put on just one more of his legendary Follies. The segments mix both comedy and music, with so many great MGM stars. Fred Astaire stars in four segments; in "The Babbitt and the Bromide," he shares the screen with Gene Kelly, then an MGM newcomer, and it's a treat to see these two dance legends in one of only two screen pairings. In "The Interview" (my favorite segment), Judy Garland proves what an expert comedienne she is when she plays an actress grandly giving a press conference. Lena Horne sings a stunning and sensuous performance of the song "Love." Hilarious comedy is provided by Fanny Brice, Keenan Wynn, and Red Skelton, among others. In addition to the performers, the film is a showcase for the technical elements, with rich Technicolor, and lavish sets and costumes. The music is beautifully played by the MGM orchestra (brought to life by a gorgeous stereophonic soundtrack on the DVD). Think of this as a live-action FANTASIA (Disney's 1940 classic). For those who want a sampler of what MGM could do, this is a good start. Recommended.

Fantasia (1940)

Disney's finest; a true masterpiece!

[10/10 · 25 November 2014]

This is one of the most unusual films ever produced. It is also one of the most beautiful. Walt Disney took a risk producing this film (it was his third), coming hot on the heals of SNOW WHITE and PINOCCHIO, and it was a risk that paid off (albeit several years after the initial release). Made up of several short animated films set to classical music, FANTASIA has many highlights too numerous to mention within the confines of a review. There's Mickey Mouse in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," sure, but there are many more memorable moments: abstract imagery set to Bach's "Toccata and Fugue"; the nature ballet set to "The Nutcracker Suite" (my personal favorite); "The Rite of Spring" depicting the origins of life on Earth; the depiction of good vs. evil in "Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria", among others, this film offers something for everyone. FANTASIA is also a showcase for special effects (there are some stunning images in the film), color (the Technicolor is just exquisite, considering this was so early in the days of color film), and sound recording (this was the first film produced in what is known today as stereophonic sound). Although the film failed when it was first released in 1940, FANTASIA is rightfully acclaimed as a classic. I don't think this can be called a movie- it is an experience. One of my theater professors from college once told me of when he was taken to see a reissue by his father when he was young. My professor remembered seeing his father crying, then leaning down to him and whispering: "This is what we can do with imagination." I can't think of a better testament to the sheer beauty of this film than that story. Once you see it, you will never forget it. HIGHLY recommended. 10/10.

Snow White and the Three Stooges (1961)

Pleasant, light-weight film!

[10/10 · 7 August 2013]

After the king of a far-off land dies, his second wife, the Evil Queen, locks up his beautiful daughter, Snow White, because she fears that Snow White will become more beautiful than her, and become Queen. A huntsman is then ordered to take her into the forest and cut out her heart as proof that she is dead. But the huntsman cannot bring himself to kill her, and orders her to run far into the forest and never come back. She eventually happens upon a small cottage. Also taking up residence in the cottage is a team of strolling players, the Three Stooges, in addition to Quatro, the ventriloquist. The team is borrowing the cottage from the Seven Dwarfs, who are off mining gold. Quatro and Snow White slowly start to fall in love; unfortunately, the Queen finds out about Snow White's whereabouts, and orders her men to search the kingdom and find her. It is revealed that Quatro is Prince Charming, who was ordered killed several years earlier, as he posed a threat to the Queen's reign. Quatro is kidnapped, and it's up to the Three Stooges to save the day and bring Snow White and the Prince back together.

This film has been unfairly panned by critics over the years, which is a shame. It is a charming little film. True, the Stooges' trademark comedy is played down in this film. However, they do manage to sneak in a few funny moments (they ARE the Stooges, after all), and they prove themselves to be fine dramatic actors as well, such as when they find Snow White poisoned by the Queen. What makes this SNOW WHITE unique is that Snow White is played by Olympic ice skater Carol Heiss, whose skills are put on display in several lovely fantasy sequences. She is a pleasant fairy-tale heroine, and is fine in the role. Edson Stroll, as Prince Charming, is clearly having the time of his life and also turns in a fine performance. Patricia Medina and Guy Rolfe, as the Queen and her henchman, are fun to watch, as they chew up the scenery. The sets and costumes are quite lavish and add the appropriate fantasy to the film. Leon Shamroy provides excellent CinemaScope cinematography, which is put to good use in the skating scenes. The fight scenes are exciting, and surprisingly grisly (for 1961); Rolfe dies when he falls in a pot of hot oil, and Stroll almost dies when he is hit by an arrow. The songs help get the job done, and the script is co-written by Noel Langley, who helped bring THE WIZARD OF OZ to the screen. All in all, the film is not bad as some might think. Just give it a shot. Recommended for the whole family. 10/10.

Gypsy (1962)

Excellent, underrated adaptation of a classic Broadway musical!

[10/10 · 9 January 2013]

Rose Hovick is a mother to two young girls: June and Louise. Rose is determined to get her girls into the footlights of the theater, and tries to drive her daughters toward success, much to the consternation of her long-suffering beau, Herbie Sommers, a candy salesman, who wants to settle down with Rose and live a happy family life. However, Herbie tries to assist Rose as best as he can, while Rose continues to ignore his marriage proposals. Tired of all the attention, June, who Rose pushes the hardest, elopes with one the chorus boys in the act Rose has put together. Hurt at first, Rose then works on Louise, the less-talented of the girls. With vaudeville dying, they unknowingly book a job into a burlesque house. Through a succession of events, Louise then becomes the world famous burlesque artist Gypsy Rose Lee. Jealous of the attention Louise is getting, Rose becomes more pushy and interfering, and argues with Louise, who demands that Rose leaves her life forever. Left alone, Rose finally realizes what she has done, and reconciles with Louise.

This excellent film should be used as an example of how to rework a stage musical for the screen while retaining what worked in the original. Director Mervyn LeRoy clearly loved this musical, and working with cinematographer Harry Stradling, stages the scenes as though they are being performed on a stage, giving it a theatrical and cinematic look at the same time. The performances are broad enough without being too overdone for a film production. Rosalind Russell gives a fine performance as Rose, one of the greatest roles ever written for a musical (she was dubbed in this film by Lisa Kirk, who matches Russell's speaking voice quite well). Russell gives Rose a toughness and a vulnerability that works well. Natalie Wood is excellent as Louise, and sings well here (she was dubbed for WEST SIDE STORY). Her dressing-room confrontation with Russell at the end is a powerful piece of acting. Karl Malden, whose role is usually overshadowed in stage productions of this piece, gives a performance equal of Russell's, and does everything to make himself stand out. The screenplay by Leonard Spielglass is extremely faithful to Arthur Laurents' original stage libretto, with only minor changes here and there (one song was shortened, and one was cut, which can be seen on the DVD). Those iconic songs by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim are given the grand treatment by the Warner Bros. Orchestra. Fun entertainment. RECOMMENDED. 10/10.

There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)

Splashy, colorful, underrated movie musical!

[10/10 · 3 January 2013]

This movie tells the story of the Five Donahues, a vaudeville family, and their trials and turmoils. Their eldest son, Steve, leaves the act to become a priest; although Terry and Molly, the parents, object, Katy, the daughter, gets them to change their mind, because Steve could eventually become something bigger than a priest. The youngest son, Tim, meets a beautiful blonde hatcheck girl named Vicky, who is trying to further her career and become a Broadway star. Unfortunately, Vicky isn't all that interested in Tim, as she is focused on her career. This leads to trouble for Tim and the family. Fortunately, in a big splashy finale, everything works out for the best.

This is one of the best movie musicals (in my opinion), and it is a shame that this movie is not more well-known as it should be. It has several wonderful Irving Berlin songs expertly performed by the 20th Century Fox orchestra under the baton of Alfred Newman, and it sounds glorious in a rich stereophonic soundtrack. An all-star cast, featuring Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Marilyn Monroe, Dan Dailey, Mitzi Gaynor, and Johnnie Ray, sing those classic songs to perfection, and provide energy to their songs, dances, and scenes. The musical numbers make good use of the wide CinemaScope screen. Seeing Ethel Merman perform the legendary title song (which she had earlier performed in Berlin's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN) is a thrilling moment, and Monroe displays sadly under-utilized musical talents. I wish she had done more musicals (her last one, LET'S MAKE LOVE, would come in 1960, and she had earlier done the more famous GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES in 1953). It also has one of the happiest of endings in any movie. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 10/10.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Spellbinding Disney masterpiece!

[10/10 · 7 December 2012]

Everyone knows the classic fairy tale of SLEEPING BEAUTY. A beautiful princess is cursed to a long sleep by a wicked fairy, and can only be awakened by the kiss of true love. Luckily, a prince comes, kisses her, and lives happily ever after.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best films ever put out by Disney. Every time I watch it, I am bowled over by the film's artistry. The film was the first animated film to be photographed in 70mm, and it was well worth it. Evyind Earle's legendary background styling is quite magnificent, and makes good use of the widescreen. The characters are wonderful, particularly the three good fairies who try to rescue Princess Aurora, and the self-proclaimed "Mistress of All Evil," Maleficent, brought chillingly to life by Eleanor Audley (who previously portrayed Cinderella's stepmother for Disney). The highlight of the film, for me, is the background music, adapted from the famous ballet of the same name by Tchaikovsky. This is easily Disney's best score, an exquisite piece of work. The quality of the recording is so crystal clear, it sounds like it was recorded yesterday, giving the orchestra a pure, lush sound. Some wonderful lyrical songs appear, enhanced by excellent choral work and the voices of Mary Costa and Bill Shirley as the Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip. I could go on and on about this movie. HIGHLY (and I do mean highly) Recommended. 10/10.

The Seven Year Itch (1955)

Silly and delightful comedy!

[10/10 · 13 August 2012]

Richard Sherman, an executive at a paperback publishing house in New York, sends his wife and son away for the summer in Maine while he stays behind for work purposes. Before they separate, his wife makes him promise that he will look after himself and not go wild over the summer. But when a beautiful and sexy blonde moves into the apartment above him as a house sitter, he finds himself failing at that promise. Meanwhile, he lets his imagination get the best of him, as he imagines what his wife is doing in Maine.

This film has entered the realms of popular culture for the scene where Marilyn Monroe stands over the subway grating as the hot air causes her skirt to flare up. This charming movie is so much more than that. Billy Wilder and his co-screen writer George Axelrod (who adapted his successful Broadway play for the screen) found themselves battling with the infamous censorship board the Hays Office, who prohibited them from showing adultery on the screen. Yet, somehow, the film manages to be ahead of its time. This is due to the casting of Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe in the leading roles. Pairing the world's most popular superstar (Marilyn) against this average John Doe (Ewell) made the material racy without ever being dirty (Sherman returns to his wife in the end). With this film, Marilyn proves why she is still one of the most popular movie stars in the history of cinema. She conveys sexiness while retaining a childlike innocence. Ewell is especially fine, recreating his stage performance. He makes his character the average Joe without ever being over-dramatic. Also impressive is the use of the widescreen CinemaScope format. Cinematographer Milton Krasner and director Wilder manage to make the apartment set spacious, while maintaining the cramped sensibility of an apartment. Wilder always finds things for his actors to do in the set. A bouncy musical score and Saul Bass credit sequence add to the proceedings. Recommended. 10/10.

Psycho (1998)

Watchable but completely pointless remake of Hitchcock's classic...

[5/10 · 25 July 2012]

Remakes are nothing new in the film industry. Ever since the beginning of cinema, filmmakers have been turning to vintage films to create their own works. Gus Van Sant's remake of Hitchcock's 1960 masterwork "Psycho" takes a different approach. This one is a "shot-for-shot" remake. Van Sant uses Joseph Stefano's screenplay, Bernard Hermann's iconic score, with a new cast of actors, color photography, and attempts to copy the original's camera shots and editing. This is an interesting idea that, unfortunately, doesn't work. Hitchcock purposefully shot "Psycho" in black-and-white in order to give the film a gloomy atmosphere and to make sure that it didn't come off as too gory. While Van Sant's "Psycho" isn't gory, it certainly isn't gloomy. Shooting this story in color takes away the edgy quality of the original, and this movie plays it too safe. Van Sant mentioned that some audience members don't like black-and-white, which I understand, but complete color doesn't work for "Psycho" (maybe if the color scheme was more subdued, it would have worked).

The performances of the four leads are quite bland. Vince Vaughn, attempting to put his own spin on Anthony Perkins' iconic performance, falls flat. Right off the bat, he comes across as creepy (Perkins made the audience unaware of what lurks beneath Norman Bates' surface, which made him all the more effective). Anne Heche plays Marion Crane as if the film were a romantic comedy, which it certainly isn't (Janet Leigh gave Marion a sympathy which Heche doesn't even attempt). Julianne Moore's Lila is annoying, and seems to think that shouting all of her lines make her sound angry (Vera Miles took a more subdued approach which showed Lila's fury and tiredness). Viggo Mortenson is completely boring as Marion's boyfriend, and is forgettable (John Gavin was more memorable). William H. Macy is the only one who comes off well as Arbogast, the private detective.

Is the film really bad? Well, not really. Danny Elfman's adaptation of Hermann's score sounds great in stereo, but lacks the edge Hermann gave in the original. Some of the supporting cast comes off well, but the whole affair comes across as flat and tired. If you don't compare it to the original, I guess it could be slightly better, but when you try to copy an excellent original shot-for-shot, it becomes hard to do. This film is similar to going to see a hit Broadway musical, and getting the understudies at your performance.

Jaws (1975)

One of the most terrifying films of all time...

[10/10 · 18 July 2012]

When a small New England seaside town becomes victim to several attacks from a Great White shark, the police chief, a grizzly seaman, and a young shark expert go out to sea in order to try and stop the shark from attacking.

Based on the Peter Benchley novel, this film manages to take the relatively simple plot and make so much more out of it. This movie's insane success supposedly jump started the type of film known as the summer blockbuster. With this film, Steven Spielberg became a household name and one of the world's most famous directors. Spielberg manages to create a Hitchcock-style thriller while putting his own unique touch on it. Indeed, just like how Hitchcock's PSYCHO made people afraid to take a shower, Spielberg made people afraid of going swimming. Spielberg doesn't show the shark on screen for a great deal of the film, which works to the film's advantage. When he does show the creature, he gives it the right amount of menace and terror to make it believable. Besides being incredibly frightening, Spielberg creates a fascinating character study. He sets the last third of the film on-board a small fishing boat, which allows the three main actors to play off of each other and create natural performances. Roy Scheider gives a natural performance as Chief Brody. Schieder makes Brody feel like Everyman, a person you'd know in real life. Robert Shaw gives an incredibly intense and raw performance as Quint, the grizzled seaman. His intensity matches the film's tone perfectly. Richard Dreyfuss has some funny moments as Hooper. What review would be complete without mentioning the music by the legendary John Williams? His main theme for the film is one of the most recognizable in film history, and right up there with Bernard Hermann's score for PSYCHO as one of the best scores for a horror film. Followed by three sequels, but the original is by far the best of the lot. Highly recommended. 10/10.

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

One of the loveliest of all movie musicals...

[10/10 · 29 June 2012]

This simple and charming musical centers around the life of the Smith family of St. Louis, in 1903-1904. There are the parents, 4 daughters, 1 son, the grandfather, and the family maid (hilariously played by Marjorie Main). We watch the Smith family throughout their adventures: the two eldest daughters have romances, and the youngest two go through childhood traditions such as Halloween. But then, the father gets a job in New York, which threatens the family's peaceful existence in St. Louis. Fortunately, everything turns out for the better, and the family heads out to the World's Fair.

One interesting point to this film is that the plot is relatively simple. This allows for multiple opportunities for the family to be developed. This film had multiple problems in its production: multiple scripts with rather silly plot points, and the majority of the cast took sick at one point or another. The fact that this film turned out as well as it did is a miracle, for none of the problems showed up on screen. What makes the film work is the relationship between the family members. Everyone looks like they could have been a real family at one point, thanks to Vincente Minnelli's superb direction. Although all the performances are excellent, the two standouts are the adorable Margaret O'Brien and the one and only Judy Garland. O'Brien naturally steals every scene, and Garland proves why she was (and still is) the beloved performer she is today, with that marvelous voice and expressive face. Another standout to the production is George Folsey's warm Technicolor cinematography, which captures the lushness of the sets and Irene Sharaff's costumes (Minnelli films depend on their visuals). Let's not forget those songs, which make this film the classic it is today ("The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," among others). Quaint and simple fun. HIGHLY recommended. 10/10

That's Entertainment! (1974)

The title is correct...

[10/10 · 27 June 2012]

Created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer studios in 1974, this film was a tremendous hit, and inspired two followups. The premise is that simple: show excerpts from the famous musicals of MGM, the studio that created the best of them! The film is broken up into several segments, each one introduced by some of the stars of these marvelous films: Liza Minnelli introduces one on her mother Judy Garland, as does Mickey Rooney. Donald O'Connor introduces one on Esther Williams, etc. This is full of so many goodies, that it would be impossible to name them all within the confines of this review. So many great stars are here: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, June Allyson, Lena Horne, Ann Miller, and on and on and on and on. Wonderful film, and a reminder of an era when stars and films had class. I was born in the 90's, and I would rather watch any of these gems featured in this film than some mindless action flick or the dime-a-dozen horror films of today. I truly wish we could go back to this kind of film-making today. As Frank Sinatra says in the film, "You can wait around and hope, but I'll tell you; you'll never see the likes of this again." Until that does happen, watch this exuberant film, and bask in the glory of the MGM musicals. Recommended. 10/10.

Cinderella (1997 TV Movie)

Beautiful retelling of classic musical fairy tale...

[10/10 · 1 June 2012]

I first fell in love with this classic Rodgers and Hammerstein score through the Lesley Ann Warren version, which my mom had on VHS. I watched it and the Disney cartoon religiously. The Warren production probably influenced my love for musicals and theater. I was 6 years old when this premiered on TV, and I was entranced from the beginning to the end. This enchanting musical (my favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein piece) has been given a fresh coat of paint in this third remake (it was first done in 1957 with Julie Andrews).

A lot of money went into this production and it shows. The sets and costumes are simply beautiful. The special effects are impressive and hold up well. The multi-cultural casting is an interesting touch and not a distraction (IMO; all I saw was the classic fairy tale when I was little, and that's all I see today). The whole cast is excellent, from Brandy's innocence to Whitney Houston's power; Bernadette Peters' villainy to Jason Alexander's hilarity, to name but a few. The score mixes pop and R&B with the classic Broadway without ever being distracting (there are some sublime orchestrations in this show; "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Impossible" being standouts), while adding some additional songs. Rob Marshall's choreography is energetic. Special mention must also go to the cinematography of Ralf Bode, who beautifully captures the romance and magic of this fairy tale. This is highly recommended for the whole family. 10/10.

The Happiest Millionaire (1967)

Charming, underrated Disney musical!

[10/10 · 12 May 2012]

A young Irish man, fresh off the boat, immediately scores a job as the butler in the home of millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. The Biddle home is no ordinary home- Biddle runs Bible classes in his home, keeps alligators in the conservatory, and is preparing to help with the war. His lovely young daughter, concerned that the goings-on in the home are keeping her from finding a beau, announces her desire to go to boarding school; reluctantly, Anthony lets her go. She comes back with a fiancée-Angier Duke, of the New York Dukes. Biddle gradually warms up to the engagement, and make plans for an elaborate wedding. But the young lovers didn't count on their families having a bitter argument between them. Will they ever find happiness amidst the troubles? This fine musical (somewhat reminiscent of "You Can't Take It With You", IMO) is known for being the last film produced by Walt Disney before his death. With the success of MARY POPPINS, Disney decided to gather some of the POPPINS team to try and recreate it's success. Unfortunately, the film didn't do as well as hoped, and the film was cut to try and make it more popular (the complete roadshow print is available on DVD). That is unfortunate, because the film is a pure delight from start to finish. The score by the Sherman Brothers is a lovely one, full of showstoppers (my personal favorite being the love song "Are We Dancing?"). An all-star cast delivers great performances, including Fred MacMurray, Greer Garson, energetic and ever-grinning Tommy Steele, Geraldine Page, and Lesley Ann Warren (CINDERELLA) and John Davidson in their film debuts. The production and costume design is impeccable, and remind one of the classic MGM musicals of the day. Check this one out; it is fun for the family, and you are guaranteed a great time! Recommended. 10/10.

Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

Beautiful from the first frame to the last...

[10/10 · 30 April 2012]

Is there a fairy tale better known in the world than Cinderella? So many adaptations have been done (Disney, Rodgers and Hammerstein, etc.), and this is one of the finest versions out there. The Grande Dame, disappointed with the Brothers Grimm's telling, invites them to her home, and she tells them the 'real' story: a feisty young woman, trying to rescue a house servant while in disguise, attracts the attention of the prince and falls in love with him. Meanwhile, her wicked stepmother schemes to get her eldest daughter wed to the prince.

What makes this film work is the performance of Drew Barrymore (probably her best performance, IMO). She can make you laugh, cry, and cheer. She is spirited without being over-dramatic. She should have been nominated for an Oscar. Angelica Huston plays an extremely nasty stepmother superbly. Dougray Scott is well-matched with Barrymore, his Prince showing a spirit similar to Drew's Cinderella. Megan Dodds is also loathsome as the eldest stepsister. My favorite aspect of the film is George Fenton's exquisite musical score, which helps add emotion to the scenes. Cinematographer Andrew Dunn's wide compositions beautifully showcases the location filming of the French countryside. Beautiful sets and costumes also contribute to this film's success. I could go on and on about this film, but I am limited in review space. If you haven't seen it, do. You won't be disappointed. 10/10. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days (2001 TV Movie)

Fascinating look at a screen icon's last days...

[10/10 · 17 January 2012]

Growing up, I never really knew enough about Marilyn Monroe. I saw parts of "The Seven Year Itch" on TV as a little kid, and I later saw "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "Some Like It Hot" and liked them, but that was my extent of Monroe knowledge. Then, one day in college, bored out of my mind, I randomly decided to look up this documentary on YouTube. I was instantly intrigued. This caused me to realize that there was more to the beautiful woman who graced movie screens with her presence than meets the eye; it also caused me to become a fan.

"The Final Days" takes a look at the troubled production of Marilyn's last work in front of a movie camera, the romantic comedy "Something's Got to Give." From interviews from those who knew Marilyn and from those who worked on the production, it presents a day-to-day account of "Give"'s making. The most fascinating aspect of this piece to me was the footage from "Give." This documentary concludes with a reconstruction of the film from the available footage, beautifully restored and edited together, and surprisingly easy to follow, despite the fact that the film was never finished. The interviews present a balanced account of what went wrong behind the scenes and with Marilyn during this time (screenwriter Walter Bernstein's comments are extremely negative and annoyed me greatly). Despite that minor caveat, I enjoyed this look at a person who is deservedly famous and talented. Marilyn Monroe is a star. A legend. An icon. And above all... utterly human. Marilyn, we love you.

Psycho (1960)

True horror classic that has not lost the ability to scare.

[23 October 2011]

When this film was released in 1960, it literally took the world by storm. It was received with mixed reviews but tremendous profits at the box office. The world in 1960 had never seen a film like this, and everyone was taken off guard. Watching the film today, I can see why.

Alfred Hitchcock wastes no time in setting up the proper mood for the film, starting right from Saul Bass' title sequence in combination with Bernard Hermann's legendary score. This mood is accomplished by John Russell's eerie black and white cinematography and the seedy set design, in addition to the razor sharp editing by George Tomasini. Anthony Perkins- what else can I say? He manages to make Norman Bates both sympathetic and truly frightening. Janet Leigh also creates a sympathetic character who meets a grisly demise in the legendary shower scene, one of the most recognized scenes in the history of film. Special mention must go to Martin Balsam as the detective who also meets a horrifying death, and Vera Miles and John Gavin as Leigh's sister and boyfriend, respectively, who go to look for her.

I'm not a huge fan of horror films, but this is one I can watch without getting tired of. HIGHLY recommended. 10/10. Followed by three sequels and a shot-for-shot remake (only for the curious).

Hello, Dolly! (1969)

One of my favorite movies...

[10/10 · 10 September 2008]

Dolly Levi is a professional matchmaker who can't seem to stop meddling in the lives of everyone she meets. She arranges an engagement between Horace Vandergelder, a wealthy Yonkers, New York grain merchant and Irene Molloy, a ladies' hat shop owner, but Dolly then realizes that she wants to marry Horace herself. So she convinces Horace's two young employees, Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker, to travel to New York City, and Horace's niece and her artist boyfriend to elope to NYC. Horace is there to propose to Irene, and accuses her of seeing another man. Cornelius and Irene fall in love. Although Horace is mad when he finds them in NYC, everything turns out for the best: Cornelius marries Irene, and Horace marries Dolly! I absolutely love this movie, and I am shocked that this didn't do well on its original release. I first saw this movie on DVD, and I loved it! Barbra Streisand is excellent in the role of Dolly, although she was accused of being too young for the part. Walter Matthau is funny as Horace, and although he and Streisand didn't get along off-camera, they play their scenes with witty comedy. It is great to see musical theater legends Michael Crawford and Tommy Tune in the movie. Beautiful sets and costumes, melodic orchestrations, wonderful songs and great performances contribute to the charm of this MGM-like musical! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 10/10.

West Side Story (1961)

One of the all-time great musical films EVER!!!!

[10/10 · 10 August 2007]

This movie is excellent! Based on the hit Broadway musical, which is a modern update on the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, it still is a hit, even after its premiere 46 years ago. Natalie Wood (singing by Marni Nixon) and Richard Beymer are the two star-crossed lovers, and they are great (even though they didn't get along off-screen). Rita Moreno is AMAZING as Anita, Maria(Wood)'s friend, as are Russ Tamblyn as Tony(Beymer)'s friend Riff, and George Chakiris as Anita's boyfriend Bernardo (both Moreno and Chakiris won Oscars for their performances). Jerome Robbins' choreography is a highlight of the film, as are those wonderful songs (AMERICA, TONIGHT, COOL, and GEE, OFFICER KRUPKE). The direction is by Robert Wise (who won the Best Director Oscar for THE SOUND OF MUSIC) and Robbins (who shared the award for this film with Wise).

This Best Picture winner is one of the greatest films ever! Recommended. 10/10.

The Sword in the Stone (1963)

This movie is Disney magic at its best!

[10/10 · 25 December 2006]

In medieval England, a magic wizard named Merlin meets up with a scrawny young boy named Arthur, who has been nicknamed Wart by his family. Merlin knows that the boy has a great future ahead of him, so he starts schooling the boy. He is turned into a fish, a squirrel, and a bird to learn about what life is like for them. He later meets Merlin's enemy, a ugly old witch named Madame Mim, and watches Merlin beat Mim in a wizard's duel. While at a jousting tournament, Arthur notices that a sword has been embedded in a stone. When he pulls it out, he learns that it is a magic sword and that whoever pulls it out would be named King of England.

The legend of King Arthur has been retold many times, and Disney's animated musical THE SWORD IN THE STONE is one of the best. The Sherman Brothers have provided excellent musical scores for many Disney films, and this is one of their best. The "wizard's duel" between Merlin and Madame Mim is one of Disney's most memorable scenes. This magical film is fun for families everywhere! 10/10.

The AristoCats (1970)

Charming!

[10/10 · 24 December 2006]

Duchess is a pretty white cat who lives with her three kittens in her wealthy owner's mansion in Paris. When the evil butler hears that the rich old lady is leaving everything in her will to the cats first, the butler is angered, because he wants to get everything first. So he puts them to sleep and abandons them off the side of the road. When the cats wake up, they start on a long trek home. A street wise cat named Thomas O'Malley meets up with them and offers to help them. When Edgar sees them arriving home, he is furious, and starts to mail them to Timbucktu. But Thomas' friends arrive to help save the day. The wealthy lady decides to leave her home for every alley cat in Paris.

This is a charming film. The songs, including "Everybody Wants to be a Cat", are lively and upbeat. The voice cast is excellent, with Eva Gabor(who would later play Miss Bianca in Disney's THE RESCUERS films) as Duchess, Phil Harris(Baloo in THE JUNGLE BOOK, Little John in ROBIN HOOD) as Thomas, giving interesting personalities to their characters. Supposedly Walt Disney, before he died in 1966, gave the go-ahead to this film. Recommended for Disney fans or cat lovers everywhere! 10/10.

Aladdin (1992)

True Disney masterpiece!

[10/10 · 25 November 2006]

In a far off city called Agrabah there lives a young thief named Aladdin who wants people to respect him for who he is. But when he meets the princess Jasmine, his life is turned upside down. Jasmine is tired of people telling her how to live her life, and her father the Sultan wants her to choose a bride by her birthday, which only gives her 3 more days. Jafar, the Royal Vizer to the Sultan, wants to overthrow the Sultan and rule over Agrabah himself. So, disguised as a beggar, he asks Aladdin to go into the Cave of Wonders and retrieve a magic lamp. Aladdin winds up with the lamp instead, and unleashes a magic Genie, who grants him 3 wishes. This gives Aladdin the chance to win Jasmine's heart. Jafar is angered, and tries to stop Aladdin. But, Aladdin wins, and marries Jasmine.

When Disney struck gold with their excellent BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, they tackled the classic Arabian Nights story and wound up with another winner, which was a box office hit, and 2 Academy Awards (Best Score and Best Song for "A Whole New World"). The voices are excellent, with Scott Weinger (TV's "Full House") as Aladdin, Robin Williams as the hilarious Genie, and Gilbert Gottfried as Iago, Jafar's pet parrot (also hilarious). The backgrounds are well-rendered, and the songs by Howard Ashman, Alan Menken, and Tim Rice are some of the best songs in a Disney film ever. Followed by two direct-to-video sequels and a TV series. Recommended. 10/10.

Mary Poppins (1964)

This movie is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

[10/10 · 29 August 2006]

Jane and Michael Banks live in a large house on Cherry Tree Lane. When their nanny quits her job out of exasperation, their parents decide to hire a new nanny. The next morning, dozens of possible nannies show up for a job interview, but a strong gust of wind sends the nannies flying away. Then, a woman named Mary Poppins come floating down out of the sky on her umbrella. She is hired for the job, but Jane and Michael realize that their new nanny is a rather unusual one. She has a carpetbag which never seems to be empty, she makes their medicine change colors, she takes them for adventures in chalk paintings with a energetic jack-of-all-trades named Bert, and she can float up and down staircases. The parents, who never seem to have enough time for their children, realize that their children are the important things in their lives. Mary Poppins, feeling that she has done her job, floats away into the skies.

When Walt Disney's MARY POPPINS was released in 1964, it was a box-office hit, taking critics and audiences by storm. This film has an excellent cast. Julie Andrews, making her film debut, is a superb Mary Poppins, winning a Best Actress Oscar. Dick Van Dyke is hilarious as Bert, channeling all his energy into the role of Bert. Ed Wynn is hysterical as Mary's Uncle Albert. Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber are fine as Jane and Michael Banks. The Sherman Brothers provided POPPINS with one of their best scores, with songs such as "A Spoonful of Sugar", "Jolly Holliday", "Feed the Birds", and, of course, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"! The special effects are just AMAZING! The Disney studio outdid themselves making this awesome movie! 10/10. NOTE: The 2-disc 40th anniversary edition DVD is the BEST way to view this movie!

Bambi (1942)

A True Disney Masterpiece!

[10/10 · 13 August 2006]

In the forest, dozens of animals gather to see a young deer's recently-born baby, whom she calls Bambi. The mother teaches Bambi everything he needs to know about the world. Bambi makes some friends: the shy skunk Flower and the boastful rabbit Thumper. After winter is over, Bambi and his mother are eating the spring grass, when the mother senses that Man, a real danger to the animals in the forest, is near, she and Bambi run for the safety of their home. Bambi is heartbroken when he discovers that his mother was killed. Bambi is taken in by the Great Prince of the Forest, a deer that all the animals look up to. Bambi later grows up and falls in love with Faline, a childhood friend. When the forest is put in danger by Man's campfire, Bambi must save the animals and Faline. Bambi and Faline safely flee the burning forest, and that spring, Faline gives birth to two fawns. The story ends on a shot of Bambi, who was crowned as the new Prince of the Forest.

When SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS was still in production, Walt Disney discovered a book called BAMBI by Felix Salten. Disney loved the book so much that he decides that it would make an excellent film. The Disney artists studied the characters' real-life counterparts to make their animation as real as possible. Disney intended for BAMBI to be released after SNOW WHITE, but instead, PINOCCHIO followed SNOW, and soon later, FANTASIA, and then, DUMBO in 1941. BAMBI was finally released in 1942. This is one of the Disney Studios' best films. The backgrounds are beautifully drawn, using a lot of pastel colors. The characters are ones that stay with you long after you see the film, especially the show-offy rabbit Thumper, who steals every scene he's in. It has a wonderful music score (the theme for Man later inspired John Williams for the shark's theme when he was writing the score for JAWS). BAMBI was followed by a direct-to-video sequel in 2006, which takes place after the death of Bambi's mother. Recommended. 10/10.

NOTE: The Platinum Edition DVD is highly recommended, with galleries, feauturettes, games, and a digitally restored print of the film!

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Entertaining Disney classic!

[10/10 · 28 July 2006]

On a warm summer afternoon, Alice is playing with her cat when she spots a white rabbit complaining that he is late for something. Curious, Alice follows the Rabbit and falls down the rabbit-hole. When she reaches the bottom of the hole, she finds herself in a crazy world where everything is topsy-turvy. She meets Tweedledee and Tweedledum. She discovers that certain foods can make her grow taller or smaller. She meets the ever-grinning Cheshire Cat. She joins the Mad Hatter and the March Hare in their crazy tea party. Alice finally meets the loud-mouthed Queen of Hearts, who challenges her to a croquet match, which is stopped short when Alice is accused of playing a prank on the Queen. After causing a disruption in her court trial, Alice wakes up, realizing that she had dreamed the whole thing.

Walt Disney, ever since the 1930's, had always wanted to adapt Lewis Carroll's classic books to the screen, but had problems with the story. When he finally got the chance, he was disappointed with the result, and the film, unfortunately, was a box office failure. But the film is entertaining nonetheless. The characters are wonderfully brought to life, just the way Lewis Carroll wrote them. Wonderland is beautifully drawn, with the Disney animators giving it just the right amount of fantasy. The songs (some of which are adaptations of poems found in the ALICE books) are fun, especially "A Very Merry Unbirthday"! The voice talent is perfect, with Kathryn Beaumount (later to become Wendy in Disney's PETER PAN) as Alice, Jerry Colonna as the March Hare, Ed Wynn (at his best) as the Mad Hatter, and Verna Felton (the fairy godmother in Disney's Cinderella, Aunt Sarah in LADY AND THE TRAMP) as the Queen of Hearts. Overall, this is one of Disney's best! Recommended. 10/10.