Movie Review #14: High Noon, 1952
Generally, I'm not a big western movie fan. But, as luck would have it, this movie was not a typical big western movie.
Let me explain for those of you who have not seen this all-time best western movie. It's just Gary Cooper, who plays the marshal, expecting his nemesis to arrive on the noon train, fresh from prison with a bone to pick. The entire film takes place over one hour, with the sun getting hotter by the minute and the townspeople turning their backs on Cooper. It's just Cooper. He's in a town full of people, but he's never been more alone in his life.
Haven't we all felt like that at times?
In the end, good wins over vengeance, and Cooper is saved. Or, is he redeemed? Well, he rides off into the sunset with his new wife, played by an unlikely Grace Kelly (who i believe looks out of place in this black and white hot movie) and leaves that for which he fought and almost died, behind. He doesn't look back. Sometimes it's best to know Shen it's time to go.
I'm glad to have seen this as I'm not very familiar with Cooper's work. It's also good to get a sense of what makes this movie stand out over others...I'm not sure I can fully understand the scope of it all yet. But, perhaps once I've seen all 100 movies I'll have a better idea! Only 86 more to go!
What's your favorite western? Blazing Saddles, True Grit or another?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Still Lessons To Be Learned in the "Graduate"
Movie Review #13: The Graduate, 1967
I continue to be amazed by the stories in these wonderful movies that I've been watching from AFI's 100 Movies list.
Although I'm sure you've all watched The Graduate before, I had not. I only thought I knew it. After all, it's a well known, classic film. Why wouldn't I think I know it?
Besides the obvious things like the interesting camera angles...how they were used to help exaggerate the Dustin Hoffman character's alienation from his parent's world and his need to discover himself...and of course the controversial subject matter, this movie spoke to that restless part of me who wants to be her own person, breaking the mold and stepping outside of society's norms to be my own person, thoughts and all. The scene in the movie that illustrated this the most for me is when Hoffman first enters the hotel and is trying to decide what to do. There is a scene where he ends up holding the door for a rather long string of white-haired ladies and their dutiful husbands followed by a group of younger couples going the opposite direction. So, he doesn't seem to fit with the old or the new...he's somewhere in between.
Overall, I am not a big fan of movies from the 1960s, but this one is a must see for classic movie lovers. It has great music too.
On a side note, this is the second movie in a row that one of the characters has advised us to "invest in plastics...it's the future!" maybe they are trying to tell us something!
I continue to be amazed by the stories in these wonderful movies that I've been watching from AFI's 100 Movies list.
Although I'm sure you've all watched The Graduate before, I had not. I only thought I knew it. After all, it's a well known, classic film. Why wouldn't I think I know it?
Besides the obvious things like the interesting camera angles...how they were used to help exaggerate the Dustin Hoffman character's alienation from his parent's world and his need to discover himself...and of course the controversial subject matter, this movie spoke to that restless part of me who wants to be her own person, breaking the mold and stepping outside of society's norms to be my own person, thoughts and all. The scene in the movie that illustrated this the most for me is when Hoffman first enters the hotel and is trying to decide what to do. There is a scene where he ends up holding the door for a rather long string of white-haired ladies and their dutiful husbands followed by a group of younger couples going the opposite direction. So, he doesn't seem to fit with the old or the new...he's somewhere in between.
Overall, I am not a big fan of movies from the 1960s, but this one is a must see for classic movie lovers. It has great music too.
On a side note, this is the second movie in a row that one of the characters has advised us to "invest in plastics...it's the future!" maybe they are trying to tell us something!
Friday, December 23, 2011
It's a "Giant" of a Picture
Movie Review #12: Giant, 1956
I loved seeing Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean in this big Texas soap opera! Although I'd watched this movie, or portions of it in the past, I underestimated how much I enjoyed the acting of these big stars. They have such charisma on the screen that it is a pleasure to sit through the three and a half hour film.
My favorite parts are the smart dialog between Taylor and Hudson, where Hudson is always one step behind, and doesn't even know he's lost the battle until it's too late. Although Hudson is bound and determined not to give up any of his rancher ways, Taylor manages to smooth out some of the rough edges, making him a little more human, while not diminishing his Texas pride.
This movie was #86 on the original AFI Top 100 Movies List, but fell off the 10th anniversary edition of the list. I recommend it just for the sheer size!
I loved seeing Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean in this big Texas soap opera! Although I'd watched this movie, or portions of it in the past, I underestimated how much I enjoyed the acting of these big stars. They have such charisma on the screen that it is a pleasure to sit through the three and a half hour film.
My favorite parts are the smart dialog between Taylor and Hudson, where Hudson is always one step behind, and doesn't even know he's lost the battle until it's too late. Although Hudson is bound and determined not to give up any of his rancher ways, Taylor manages to smooth out some of the rough edges, making him a little more human, while not diminishing his Texas pride.
This movie was #86 on the original AFI Top 100 Movies List, but fell off the 10th anniversary edition of the list. I recommend it just for the sheer size!
It Is "Wonderful" at This Time of Year
Movie Review #11: Its a Wonderful Life, 1946
I first watched this movie only 10 years ago, and it's been one of my favorites ever since. Maybe it's Jimmy Stewart, or Clarence--the unlikeliest angel you've ever seen, or the concept that angels have to earn their wings...it is full of heart and forgiveness.
What impresses me most is this idea that our lives are so entangled with all those lives we touch through our work, play and love. This Twentieth Century Dickens telling twists the plot a bit, putting the emphasis on Stuart's Bob Cratchet-like character who comes close to losing his soul because of Mr. Potter's Scrooge-like hatred. In the end, the town is saved because of the little man doing the right thing.
Here at Christmas, it makes me feel that we all make a difference in more ways than we can ever understand. It means that life is wonderful, and should be lived to the fullest. This movie makes the list at #20, and is worth another look if you haven't viewed it for a few years.
What movie speaks to you at the holidays?
I first watched this movie only 10 years ago, and it's been one of my favorites ever since. Maybe it's Jimmy Stewart, or Clarence--the unlikeliest angel you've ever seen, or the concept that angels have to earn their wings...it is full of heart and forgiveness.
What impresses me most is this idea that our lives are so entangled with all those lives we touch through our work, play and love. This Twentieth Century Dickens telling twists the plot a bit, putting the emphasis on Stuart's Bob Cratchet-like character who comes close to losing his soul because of Mr. Potter's Scrooge-like hatred. In the end, the town is saved because of the little man doing the right thing.
Here at Christmas, it makes me feel that we all make a difference in more ways than we can ever understand. It means that life is wonderful, and should be lived to the fullest. This movie makes the list at #20, and is worth another look if you haven't viewed it for a few years.
What movie speaks to you at the holidays?
"Waterfront" Is an Impossible Love Story
Movie #10: On The Waterfront, 1954
Raw and cold, the waterfront location sets a bleak scene for this hard and impossible love story. Yes, I said love story. I wasn't expecting a love story!
The movie opens with a murder, a cover up, and an uneasy conscience. It's the latter that starts the plot rolling, and causes the unravelling of our main character played by Marlon Brando. It's this unravelling that allows him to open his heart. And, as often is the case, he finds that the road to find true love is a rough way to go. Although I find it hard to believe that our female heroin could fall for this good-for-nothing punk, who stood by while his thug friends murdered her brother, their relationship mirrors the difficult situation Brando's character is in with the union mobsters.
I was struck by how the whole thing sent a chill throughout my body as I watched this film. It was cold, through and through. The only warmth came from how love took a boy and turned him into a man...one who stands up for himself and those who cannot stand on their own. That part was warm and beautiful.
This movie was a new one for me, and I'm not sure that it is one I would enjoy watching over and over again.
Raw and cold, the waterfront location sets a bleak scene for this hard and impossible love story. Yes, I said love story. I wasn't expecting a love story!
The movie opens with a murder, a cover up, and an uneasy conscience. It's the latter that starts the plot rolling, and causes the unravelling of our main character played by Marlon Brando. It's this unravelling that allows him to open his heart. And, as often is the case, he finds that the road to find true love is a rough way to go. Although I find it hard to believe that our female heroin could fall for this good-for-nothing punk, who stood by while his thug friends murdered her brother, their relationship mirrors the difficult situation Brando's character is in with the union mobsters.
I was struck by how the whole thing sent a chill throughout my body as I watched this film. It was cold, through and through. The only warmth came from how love took a boy and turned him into a man...one who stands up for himself and those who cannot stand on their own. That part was warm and beautiful.
This movie was a new one for me, and I'm not sure that it is one I would enjoy watching over and over again.
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