The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Genres

Comedy | Romance

Director

George Cukor

Country

USA

Cast

Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey, John Howard, Roland Young, John Halliday, Mary Nash, Virginia Weidler, Henry Daniell, Lionel Pape, Rex Evans, David Clyde

Storyline

In the days before her second wedding, her ex-husband (Cary Grant) and a reporter (James Stewart) show up at Tracy Lord's (Katharine Hepburn) doorstep and force her to choose among her past, her present and her new love.

Opinion

I can't stand romantic comedies; they are cheese, predictable and just not my thing. There's a thing, however, with old movies that makes me love the genre, and "The Philadelphia Story", as the brilliant and sophisticated comedy it as, falls exactly into that category.

The story is one of the reasons it works so well. Light-hearted and fun, it is partly a comedy, partly a character study and partly a romance, and it's all well blended together and, although there are some minor plot twists only at the end, it is very interesting and engaging. I couldn't help but wonder for the entire time whether she would go back to her ex-husband, marry the new man or run away with the newcomer. I was really hoping the last. What I'm trying to say is that I'm pretty sure it's impossible to watch the film and not find yourself rooting for one of the guys.

The film is also provided with such a great and fast-paced dialogue that every single romantic comedy out there would or maybe should envy. It is so witty and fascinating, it will keep you entertained.

And then there is the comedy. It's not fun in a silly way but in a rather smart one, and that's because of the film's leading trio who deliver it beautifully. It sure wouldn't be the same without the beautiful and charming Katharine Hepburn whose comic timing is simply superb, or without the elegant and funny Cary Grant who has a fantastic chemistry with Hepburn making this romance so much better, or without the hilarious James Stewart who steals the show and rightly won and Oscar for it.

Nosferatu (1922)

Original Title

Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens

Genre

Fantasy | Horror

Director

F. W. Murnau

Country

Germany

Cast

Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Alexander Granach, Georg H. Schnell, Ruth Landshoff, John Gottowt, Gustav Botz, Max Nemetz, Wolfgang Heinz, Heinrich Witte, Guido Herzfeld, Karl Etlinger, Hardy von Francois, Fanny Schreck

Storyline

A young, German real estate agent (Gustav von Wangenheim) is sent to Transylvania as the Count (Max Schreck) wants to purchase an house in Germany and soon realises the evil he is dealing with.

Opinion

Almost a century ago, before vampires were portrayed as the cool kids, Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau brought to the screen Bram Stoker's legendary vampire, Dracula, for the very first time with "Nosferatu", a brilliant and quite disturbing masterpiece of silent cinema.

As mentioned above, the film is based on Stoker's novel, but, due to some copyright problems, the names of the characters and places were changed which is definitely not a big deal because the story remains the same, that story we all know by heart.

The story is well told, well, most of it is. Some parts look a little confusing because the titles don't really explain what is going on. Also I have to admit that at some point the story turns into something really weird that is nothing like "Dracula". 

Other than that, I have nothing to complain about. The sets, environments and photography are perfect and give the film a fantastic, unique and unforgettable atmosphere that is terrific and creepy, still nowadays. Some of the special effects are laughable, but they still deserve respect because this film was made before computers were even a thing.

And yes, this film is actually scary and Max Schreck has to be thanked for that. He plays the part of Count Orlok/Nosferatu to perfection, and with his long fingernails and gaunt appearance he delivers the best vampire performance ever, bringing such a presence to the role that cannot be equaled. 

I would have never imagined a silent film to still be this powerful nowadays, but I get why some people may find it too slow or boring. 

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Genre

Drama

Director

Elia Kazan

Country

USA

Cast

Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Mickey Kuhn, Peg Hillias, Rudy Bond, Nick Dennis, Karl Malden, Wright King, Edna Thomas, Richard Garrick, Ann Dere

Storyline

Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh), a fragile, neurotic and disturbed woman, moves in with her sister Stella (Kim Hunter) in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law (Marlon Brando) while her reality crumbles around her.

Opinion

Given the great reputation that precedes the film, I went into it with high hope, and I was left disappointed.

While it wouldn't be fair calling it awful, I can't even say it is great. "A Streetcar Named Desire" indeed is a fine, but uneven drama, at times very interesting, at times very dragged on and boring.

I haven't had the pleasure - or displeasure - to see Tennessee William's play, but the way Kazan turned it into a movie didn't make the story particularly interesting for me, and never managed to impress me. 

The slow-moving and neurotic plot makes it hard to pick someone to root for. Everyone seems to be the "bad guy", and just when you start feeling something for one of the characters they let you down. One is probably supposed to sympathize with Blanche against the rude Stanley, but I didn't feel anything for any of the characters, not until the end, when, even though Blanche's mysterious history emerged, I couldn't help but feel commiseration for her.

Also it seems a bit too dated. I'm sure nothing could have been done differently because of the time's censorship, but 60 years later the film really suffers from that as it diminished the intensity in some scenes, and the powerful shocking value the story seems aiming for lacks completely.

What makes the film worth watching are the performances. While Vivian Leigh gives a tremendous performance as the emotionally fragile Blanche, and really convinces with her descent into madness, Marlon Brando stands out. The power of his presence is obvious, and his portrayal of Stanley Kowalski is sensational. The supporting cast could have done a better job, but I guess they have been overshadowed by the leads.

Rebecca (1940)

Genre

Mystery | Thriller

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Country

USA

Cast

Joan Fontaine, Laurence Olivier, Judith Anderson, George Sanders, Reginald Denny, Gladys Cooper, C. Aubrey Smith, Nigel Bruce, Florence Bates, Edward Fielding, Melville Cooper, Leo G. Carroll, Leonard Carey, Lumsden Hare, Forrester Harvey, Philip Winter

Storyline

Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier), still troubled by the death of his first wife Rebecca, falls in love with a shy ladies' companion (Joan Fontaine). They get married, but the second Mrs. de Winter discovers that Rebecca still has a strong hold on everyone in the house, particularly on Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), the housekeeper, who begins driving the young wife to madness.

Opinion

I have heard anything but great things about this film. To my surprise, I have found it just average. It is not bad, but it is neither a masterpiece.

Hitchcock’s only feature to ever win an Academy Award, Rebecca not only is the less Hitchcock of Hitchcock’s films, but it’s probably his most over appreciated film.

The film is based on Daphne du Maurier novel of the same name, and since producer David O. Selznick insisted the film to be as faithful as possible to the source material, I get that Hitchcock wasn’t able to turn the whole thing into his kind of film.

But the problem is another one. Born as a melodrama, grown as a thriller, and died as a judiciary drama, the story isn’t very thrilling, mostly due the fact that I didn’t know if I was supposed to be scary, or what I was supposed to feel about the events that took place.

Newbie - at the time - Hitchcock has that extraordinary ability to build an atmosphere that defines and characterize the psychology of the characters, hovering between guilt, obsession with personality cult and devotion. The lack of any real thrills and ambiguity are a real shame.

Luckily there is the acting to lift up the film a little. Joan Fontaine is perfect as de Winter’s new bride, a role that evolves from a frightened, weak girl to a strong, mature woman. Laurence Olivier is flawless in the role of Mr. de Winter, a broken man who still lives haunted by the past. Judith Anderson gives a wonderful performance as one of the most cold and sadistic figures in cinema history, Mrs. Danvers. The rest of the cast also pull off good performances.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Genre

Adventure | Drama | War

Director

David Lean

Country

UK | USA

Cast

William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, James Donald, Geoffrey Horne, André Morell, Peter Williams, John Boxer, Percy Herbert, Harold Goodwin

Storyline

After settling his differences with Japanese POW camp commander Saito (Sessue Hayakawa), British colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) cooperates to oversee his men's construction of a railway bridge for their captors, oblivious to a plan by the Allies to destroy it.

Opinion

I start by saying I've seen this film only once, yesterday, and my opinion might change on a second view, but I don't think this movie is as flawless as people say. Hard to believe but even though a lot of people complain about its historical inaccuracy, this is not what I disliked about the film.

Indeed a great anti-war film, The Bridge on the River Kwai's weaknesses are the way the story develops, and the slow pacing. 

The film starts off well, showing how British prisoners of war were treated by Japanese - even though I don't think they were that friendly and solidary. It is quite brave I'll give it that, especially for its time. But then, it becomes a battle of wills between a Japanese commander and a British captive colonel, and the war vanishes to make room for pride. After becoming almost soporific, and dragging out everything, the film comes back to life with the William Holden side plot, that raises the interest and provides some relief. Ultimately, however, the film stumbles again with an overlong jungle crossing.

However, the film is an excellent critique of war, and instead of turning people, especially commander Saito and colonel Nicholson, into villains, the film does make a powerful statement on the madness of war. That's it, madness, not horrors, or monsters, just madness.

Alec Guinness delivers a tremendously powerful performance as Nicholson, and helps us to understand his character's motivation. Sessue Hayakawa gives a brilliant performance as Saito but he is overshadowed by Guinness. William Holden does a good job but frankly he pales when compared to the others. 

Quotes

Major Clipton: Madness! Madness!

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Genre

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Director

David Lean

Country

UK

Cast

Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Omar Sharif, José Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Donald Wolfit, Michel Ray, I. S. Johar, Zia Mohyeddin, Gamil Ratib, Ian MacNaughton, Hugh Miller, Fernando Sancho, Stuart Saunders, Jack Gwillim, Kenneth Fortescue, Harry Fowler, Howard Marion-Crawford, John Ruddock, Norman Rossington, Jack Hedley, Henry Oscar, Peter Burton

Storyline

The film follows brilliant, flamboyant and controversial British military figure Thomas Edward Lawrence (Peter O'Toole), who blazed his way to glory in the Arabian desert, then sought anonymity as a common soldier under an assumed name.

Opinion

I've heard nothing but great things about this film and Peter O'Toole's legendary performance, so yesterday, when I've finally seen it, I was not surprised at all at the beauty - quite reductive word - of this masterpiece.

Breathtaking and exciting, Lawrence of Arabia truly is one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time, as well as the definition of epic.

In almost four hours of pure cinema, David Lean has managed, through images, rousing music, and exceptional performances, to tell the story of a man and of a people in such an engaging way that it is impossible to look away from the screen.

The film can claim wonderful scenes in the desert, the only clean place, with its dunes, oases and meager villages of transition, that add magic, and also shows the great diversity in Arab culture that answers to the various factions.

The attention to the detail of the characters is impressive: they all are beautifully written and interesting. But of course there is one that stands out: Lawrence. Every single thing is shown of this man, from his shameless exhibitionism, to his intelligence, from his eccentricity to his possible sexual orientation, how he managed to become an Arab, and to be accepted as one of them. 

And now Peter O'Toole. I know it may sound cheesy, but I can't not mention his eyes, probably the most beautiful ever seen. And now his intense, and heartbreaking performance. Peter O'Toole did a marvellous job as T.E. Lawrence, that, with his hundreds of shades of expression and his angelic appearance, will always be remembered as Lawrence, the man who loved the desert. The rest of the performances are also terrific, especially those of Alec Guinness in the role of cynical Prince Feisal, Anthony Quinn as Auda Abu Tayi, and the unforgettable Omar Sharif as Sherif Ali.

A must seen for all moviegoers. 

Quotes

William Potter: Ooh! It damn well 'urts!

T.E. Lawrence: Certainly it hurts.

Officer: What's the trick then?

T.E. Lawrence: The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Genre

Adventure | Fantasy | Musical

Director

Victor Fleming

Country

USA

Cast

Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Clara Blandick, Charley Grapewin, Pat Walshe, Mitchell Lewis, Charlie Becker, Meinhardt Raabe, Jakob Gerlich, Jerry Maren, Billy Curtis, Harry Monty, Mickey Carroll, Karl Slover, Olga C. Nardone, Margaret Pellegrini, Ruth Duccini, The Doll Family, The Singer Midgets

Storyline

Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog Toto are caught in a tornado's path and somehow end up in the land of Oz. Here she meets some memorable friends and foes in her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan) who everyone says can help her return home and possibly grant her new friends their goals of a brain, heart and courage.

Opinion

"We're off the see the Wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz. We hear he is a whiz of a wiz, if ever a wiz there was..." is still stuck in my head - and now hopefully in yours too - as I'm trying to find the words to describe this classic.

Full of heart, life, and energy, "The Wizard of Oz" is an excellent, enchanting, timeless masterpiece for everybody to love and enjoy.

I've never seen this film as a kid - I've actually watched it last night for the first time - so I won't be able to make comparisons of what I liked then, and what I'm able to appreciate now, considering all the stuff - sets, costumes, special effects, etc. - kids usually take for granted.

I still can say I've been completely shocked by the sheer quality of the sets, the costumes, the make-up and... drumroll... special effects. The film does look old but you'd never say it's almost 80-year-old. Also, going from black and white to colour when Dorothy enters in the land of Oz is pure genius. 

Hidden behind the esthetic delights of this masterpiece there is a deep meaning. Dorothy represents a naive American public, the yellow brick road is the gold standard, Emerald City is the money factory aka Washington, the Wizard is the selfish acts of elites, and so on.

There are many hidden messages of friendship, loyalty, love, and hope, and some satire to criticize medals and certificates.

Along with a remarkable soundtrack there is Judy Garland, whose performance is extraordinary and singing is unforgettable.

Quotes

Dorothy: How do you talk if you don't have a brain?

Scarecrow: Well, some people without brains do an awful lot of talking don't they?

Wizard of Oz: A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.