After his entire family is viciously wiped out, hardened war veteran Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) embarks on a long journey to find his only surviving niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), who has been captured by hostile Comanche Indians. Director John Ford's richly scenic -- and controversial -- Western also stars Vera Miles, Hank Worden, Ward Bond and Jeffrey Hunter, as Edwards's riding companion, Martin Pawley.
I watched this movie and now I'm scared of the Comanches. Those are some bad dudes.
I've never watched a John Wayne movie, despite the fact that my mother is a HUGE John Wayne fan. So I watched this movie and enjoyed the actor that was John Wayne. I've been amazed during this project about the under-acting that the greatest actors did. The over-the-top acting is almost always unwarranted, and actors like John Wayne knew it. Watching this movie, you BELIEVED that he was fighting the Comanche, you BELIEVED that he hated them, you BELIEVED that he would kill his niece if she had become too assimilated. It was great to see him in this movie and I'm putting other John Wayne flicks on my Netflix queue immediately.
If nothing else, this project has given me a glimpse of the greatest actors in the history of Hollywood, and I'm grateful. I would give this movie five out of five popcorn bowls, which is saying a lot since I'm not a fan of Westerns... watch this movie and enjoy it.
Next up, Pulp Fiction. I have avoided this movie for years... I watched it up until the scene where those men were being violated and that was it for me. I can't take violence like that... luckily for me, the hubby is going to watch it with me as it's one of his favorite movies. I'll report back soon...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
#97 - Bringing Up Baby
Love runs wild for a hapless scientist and an unstoppable heiress in Howard Hawks's classic screwball comedy that ranks high on the American Film Institute's list of the funniest Hollywood films ever made. With her eye on paleontologist David (Cary Grant), heiress Susan (Katharine Hepburn) lures him to her home. But the hilarity begins when Susan's dog steals David's prize dinosaur bone and her pet leopard, Baby, is mistaken for a zoo escapee.
OK, this is a stumper. I think I've become de-sensitized to dry comedy. Listen, I can watch "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and wet myself laughing; I love a good comedy (if that is considered a good comedy... and I think it is, which should tell a bit about my sense of humor). This movie didn't do much for me. I think that in 1938, which is the year of this film, this was probably a riot... but today, it was just OK.
There were several parts that left me laughing, parts that I could see in a modern-day movie, so it certainly wasn't a total wash. And Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn (especially Katharine Hepburn) were phenomenal... their timing was great, the delivery was great, and the acting was great. I'm just not sure the material really holds up to modern-day films.
Ah well... they can't all be winners for me. I give this one a 3 out of 5 bowls of popcorn... I'd watch it again, but I won't buy it on Bluray.
OK, this is a stumper. I think I've become de-sensitized to dry comedy. Listen, I can watch "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and wet myself laughing; I love a good comedy (if that is considered a good comedy... and I think it is, which should tell a bit about my sense of humor). This movie didn't do much for me. I think that in 1938, which is the year of this film, this was probably a riot... but today, it was just OK.
There were several parts that left me laughing, parts that I could see in a modern-day movie, so it certainly wasn't a total wash. And Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn (especially Katharine Hepburn) were phenomenal... their timing was great, the delivery was great, and the acting was great. I'm just not sure the material really holds up to modern-day films.
Ah well... they can't all be winners for me. I give this one a 3 out of 5 bowls of popcorn... I'd watch it again, but I won't buy it on Bluray.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
#98 - Unforgiven
Retired gunslinger William Munny (Clint Eastwood) reluctantly takes one last job -- and even more reluctantly accepts a boastful youth (Jaimz Woolvett) as a partner. Together, they learn how easily complicated truths are distorted into simplistic myths about the Old West. Gene Hackman (who won an Oscar) and Richard Harris stand out as old foes who have an unhappy reunion. The film also earned Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (Eastwood).
I've never watched many movies in the Western genre, so I couldn't say how this compares to those... but this movie, compared to other movies, is pretty darn good.
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this movie and he's extremely talented, to say the least. He is not an over-actor, which I find frequently in movies, the star who is trying REALLY HARD to convey emotion. Clint can go from happy to miserable to jovial to devastated without changing the look on his face in any way. Truly. The man doesn't have to un-squint his eyes and you still know what he's supposed to be feeling. I love the under-acting actor.
I will watch anything with Morgan Freeman in it. That's one of my rules for life. He was amazing in this movie. All of his scenes were terrific in the way that only Morgan Freeman can make them terrific. There are often scenes in movies where you can predict where the character will end up; the flow of the movie lends itself in certain ways so that you just know where the plot is going. Even in those predictable scenes, Morgan Freeman can make the unexpected happen. I don't know how he does it... he just does.
Gene Hackman... what can I say about Gene Hackman? I almost hate it when he plays the villain because he's so convincing that I start to hate him. And I want to like him. This is another one of those instances where I just wanted him to get the crap kicked out of him. But I really wanted to like him. Oh Gene Hackman, when will you and I see eye-to-eye?
I would rate this movie 4 out of 5 bowls of popcorn. I probably would have given it 5 out of 5 if I was more familiar with the genre... but I calls 'em as I sees 'em.
I've never watched many movies in the Western genre, so I couldn't say how this compares to those... but this movie, compared to other movies, is pretty darn good.
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this movie and he's extremely talented, to say the least. He is not an over-actor, which I find frequently in movies, the star who is trying REALLY HARD to convey emotion. Clint can go from happy to miserable to jovial to devastated without changing the look on his face in any way. Truly. The man doesn't have to un-squint his eyes and you still know what he's supposed to be feeling. I love the under-acting actor.
I will watch anything with Morgan Freeman in it. That's one of my rules for life. He was amazing in this movie. All of his scenes were terrific in the way that only Morgan Freeman can make them terrific. There are often scenes in movies where you can predict where the character will end up; the flow of the movie lends itself in certain ways so that you just know where the plot is going. Even in those predictable scenes, Morgan Freeman can make the unexpected happen. I don't know how he does it... he just does.
Gene Hackman... what can I say about Gene Hackman? I almost hate it when he plays the villain because he's so convincing that I start to hate him. And I want to like him. This is another one of those instances where I just wanted him to get the crap kicked out of him. But I really wanted to like him. Oh Gene Hackman, when will you and I see eye-to-eye?
I would rate this movie 4 out of 5 bowls of popcorn. I probably would have given it 5 out of 5 if I was more familiar with the genre... but I calls 'em as I sees 'em.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
#99 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star as wealthy Californians who consider themselves progressive until their only daughter (Katharine Houghton) brings home her African American fiancé (Sidney Poitier) in this snapshot of race relations in the late 1960s. The film earned two Academy Awards (for Hepburn's performance and William Rose's screenplay) and eight other nominations. Stanley Kramer directs.
This movie is borderline brilliant.
I was excited about this movie, hearing my entire life what a wonderful and gifted actor Sidney Poitier was. I was not only floored by his screen presence, but his delivery and emotional output. Not to mention that the entire screenplay was so well-written, full of wit and humor about a topic that was certainly not humorous during the era in which it was filmed. I wanted to include so many quotes in my review, but they are many and vast in their context... but this quote, spoken by Katharine Hepburn, have never been truer:
"We told her it was wrong to believe that white people were somehow essentially superior to black people. Or the brown or the red or the yellow ones, for that matter. People who thought that way were wrong to think that way. Sometimes hateful, usually stupid, but always wrong."
I didn't grow up in the era that first saw this movie, which was evident when I did a spit-take the first time the words "negro" and "colored" were uttered during my viewing. I felt violated, like I had gone back to a time when the term "colored" was a perfectly acceptable way to describe African-American people. They said it with such nonchalance that I felt squeamish, as if the politically-correct-police would burst into my home at any moment and take away my subscription to Netflix.
Once I got over the verbage (did I get over it? Not sure...) I sat back and enjoyed the dialogue. It was brilliant and delivered brilliantly. Sidney Poitier was gifted and anyone who hasn't experienced his acting is missing something wonderful.
After watching the movie, I started to think of what my reaction would be if my children (white) brought home a date of a different race. If I was put in the Drayton's position today, I would be less concerned with the race of their betrothed and more concerned with the speed with which they have come to this rash decision. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but what's wrong with just shacking up? (That was sarcasm... sort of.)
The romantic in me (admittedly a VERY tiny piece), wanted them to run off together and show the world what love was. I wanted to scream at the television that opposition would raise itself no matter the circumstances, and they needed to hold tight to each other and brave through it. The practical mother in me wanted to ask them "YOU HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER 10 DAYS? GOOD GRAVY, GIVE IT A MINUTE BEFORE YOU RUN OFF TO GET MARRIED." In the end, the right decisions were made and the movie left us wondering if they really did live happily ever after.
Watch this movie. Spencer Tracy was amazing along with Katharine Hepburn and it was his last movie. Enjoy the movie and put yourself in their shoes. If we all cared more about love and less about pigmentation, this world might be a happier place.
Coming up next, #98: Unforgiven.
This movie is borderline brilliant.
I was excited about this movie, hearing my entire life what a wonderful and gifted actor Sidney Poitier was. I was not only floored by his screen presence, but his delivery and emotional output. Not to mention that the entire screenplay was so well-written, full of wit and humor about a topic that was certainly not humorous during the era in which it was filmed. I wanted to include so many quotes in my review, but they are many and vast in their context... but this quote, spoken by Katharine Hepburn, have never been truer:
"We told her it was wrong to believe that white people were somehow essentially superior to black people. Or the brown or the red or the yellow ones, for that matter. People who thought that way were wrong to think that way. Sometimes hateful, usually stupid, but always wrong."
I didn't grow up in the era that first saw this movie, which was evident when I did a spit-take the first time the words "negro" and "colored" were uttered during my viewing. I felt violated, like I had gone back to a time when the term "colored" was a perfectly acceptable way to describe African-American people. They said it with such nonchalance that I felt squeamish, as if the politically-correct-police would burst into my home at any moment and take away my subscription to Netflix.
Once I got over the verbage (did I get over it? Not sure...) I sat back and enjoyed the dialogue. It was brilliant and delivered brilliantly. Sidney Poitier was gifted and anyone who hasn't experienced his acting is missing something wonderful.
After watching the movie, I started to think of what my reaction would be if my children (white) brought home a date of a different race. If I was put in the Drayton's position today, I would be less concerned with the race of their betrothed and more concerned with the speed with which they have come to this rash decision. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but what's wrong with just shacking up? (That was sarcasm... sort of.)
The romantic in me (admittedly a VERY tiny piece), wanted them to run off together and show the world what love was. I wanted to scream at the television that opposition would raise itself no matter the circumstances, and they needed to hold tight to each other and brave through it. The practical mother in me wanted to ask them "YOU HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER 10 DAYS? GOOD GRAVY, GIVE IT A MINUTE BEFORE YOU RUN OFF TO GET MARRIED." In the end, the right decisions were made and the movie left us wondering if they really did live happily ever after.
Watch this movie. Spencer Tracy was amazing along with Katharine Hepburn and it was his last movie. Enjoy the movie and put yourself in their shoes. If we all cared more about love and less about pigmentation, this world might be a happier place.
Coming up next, #98: Unforgiven.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
#100 - Yankee Doodle Dandy
James Cagney won the Best Actor Oscar for his lively portrayal of "Mr. Broadway", George M. Cohan, in this lavish screen biography that highlights Cagney in some of his finest song-and-dance routines. Cohan, a playwright, entertainer, composer and patriot, made his mark on the vaudeville stage and penned countless memorable tunes, including "Over There", "It's a Grand Old Flag", "Give My Regards to Broadway" and the film's rousing title number.
I watched the 1942 movie "Yankee Doodle Dandy" with a bowl of popcorn and an appetite for a movie dripping with history and humor. I had never heard of this movie previously and I don't have much of a taste for musicals... I don't dislike them, mind you, but they aren't on my list of favorite movie genres (although the movie "White Christmas" is a favorite). I was surprised that this isn't as much a musical, as a biography with musical numbers included. The movie went through the life of George M. Cohan, from his birth until his meeting with the President of the United States. From what I've read since watching the movie, there were many facts left out of the film itself, but I don't think it takes from the experience.
Now then... James Cagney. I admit, I haven't watch many movies with Mr. Cagney, but after seeing this one, I'm loading up the Netflix queue as soon as possible. His acting wasn't acting at all... it was effortless, determined... he was George Cohan. His Oscar win for this movie is not surprising in the least, and anyone who doubts his acting chops should watch this movie and be silent. The last scene has him walking down a long staircase only to have him break out into a dance. ON THE STAIRCASE. I know people who can't even walk on a staircase without stumbling, yet this man glided gently and then danced on his journey down the steps. In my small amount of research on the movie, I found that this was ad-libbed by Cagney, further proof to his dedication to this role.
Also, and I'm not sure many people know this, but as evidenced in this movie, James Cagney had hairy hands. It was like they were wearing little fur jackets. Awesome.
The supporting cast were all terrific as well... and I love the period this movie was filmed in: patriotism as common as morning coffee, men who wore hats all the time, women who wore demure dresses and seemed subservient all the while pulling the strings behind the men. I didn't get to live through that part of American history, but with movies like this one, I can escape to it for a few hours.
I give this movie 4/5 bowls of popcorm, my rating system for this project... because the more I like a movie, the more popcorn I eat. I recommend watching this one. On to the next!
I watched the 1942 movie "Yankee Doodle Dandy" with a bowl of popcorn and an appetite for a movie dripping with history and humor. I had never heard of this movie previously and I don't have much of a taste for musicals... I don't dislike them, mind you, but they aren't on my list of favorite movie genres (although the movie "White Christmas" is a favorite). I was surprised that this isn't as much a musical, as a biography with musical numbers included. The movie went through the life of George M. Cohan, from his birth until his meeting with the President of the United States. From what I've read since watching the movie, there were many facts left out of the film itself, but I don't think it takes from the experience.
Now then... James Cagney. I admit, I haven't watch many movies with Mr. Cagney, but after seeing this one, I'm loading up the Netflix queue as soon as possible. His acting wasn't acting at all... it was effortless, determined... he was George Cohan. His Oscar win for this movie is not surprising in the least, and anyone who doubts his acting chops should watch this movie and be silent. The last scene has him walking down a long staircase only to have him break out into a dance. ON THE STAIRCASE. I know people who can't even walk on a staircase without stumbling, yet this man glided gently and then danced on his journey down the steps. In my small amount of research on the movie, I found that this was ad-libbed by Cagney, further proof to his dedication to this role.
Also, and I'm not sure many people know this, but as evidenced in this movie, James Cagney had hairy hands. It was like they were wearing little fur jackets. Awesome.
The supporting cast were all terrific as well... and I love the period this movie was filmed in: patriotism as common as morning coffee, men who wore hats all the time, women who wore demure dresses and seemed subservient all the while pulling the strings behind the men. I didn't get to live through that part of American history, but with movies like this one, I can escape to it for a few hours.
I give this movie 4/5 bowls of popcorm, my rating system for this project... because the more I like a movie, the more popcorn I eat. I recommend watching this one. On to the next!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I'm at the movies
I have a bucket list. That's right, I admit it and I'm not ashamed. One of the goals included on my bucket list is to watch the top 100 American movies as rated by the American Film Institute in 1998. There is an updated list from 2007, but I'm sticking with the original to start with. I live in the past and I'm OK with it.
I'm giving myself a year to watch all 100 movies, so that's an average of about two movies a week. Since I hardly have time to schedule sleep into my day, this is quite a challenge. So I'm blogging about my viewing experiences to keep me on track.
Here's some honesty: I have avoided several movies on this list, for various reasons. There are a couple of movies that I just plain don't want to watch. However, since these movies have been rated the best for a reason, I am determined to get over my apprehensions and just watch them. As a side note, any one interested in a stock tip should invest in microwave popcorn-- I see a lot of it in my future.
I'm starting at #100 and working my way to #1. You can find the entire list here, but the first two on the list are 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' from 1942 and 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' from 1967. I haven't seen either of these movies, so I'm going in fresh... I'll start the watching on Sunday and blog my review.
I'm giving myself a year to watch all 100 movies, so that's an average of about two movies a week. Since I hardly have time to schedule sleep into my day, this is quite a challenge. So I'm blogging about my viewing experiences to keep me on track.
Here's some honesty: I have avoided several movies on this list, for various reasons. There are a couple of movies that I just plain don't want to watch. However, since these movies have been rated the best for a reason, I am determined to get over my apprehensions and just watch them. As a side note, any one interested in a stock tip should invest in microwave popcorn-- I see a lot of it in my future.
I'm starting at #100 and working my way to #1. You can find the entire list here, but the first two on the list are 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' from 1942 and 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' from 1967. I haven't seen either of these movies, so I'm going in fresh... I'll start the watching on Sunday and blog my review.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
