Movie #17: The Grapes of Wrath. Or really, this is the opposite of Wizard of Oz.

Title: The Grapes of Wrath

Directed by: John Ford

Starring: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine 

Number on the AFI list: 23

Year: 1940

There's no place like home...unless the man comes and takes it away from you. Thus began the long, arduous journey of moving an entire family West with a promise of work and wealth. Death, struggle, and lost dreams follow this family all the way to California, and the story ends with the hope that man will survive if he has the willpower to do so. I've heard the ending of the film is more hopeful than the ending in the book. I wouldn't know. I think I skipped the John Steinbeck classic in high school. 

The movie, despite its depressing tone, was well acted and the story was captivating. I especially loved Jane Darwell as Ma Joad. She represents strength and compassion in the midst of struggle, feeding starving children and caring for her dying parents. She is a rock for her whole family, especially Tom Joad, played by Henry Fonda. His farewell speech at the end was one of my favorite moments of the film. 

This movie depicts how easy it is to take advantage for those in poverty; if you have no where else to turn, you'll work for the smallest of wages. However, the hope at the end, which I'm sure inspired many of its original audience, is to keep fighting for what's right. Keep going, and eventually, the hope for tomorrow will turn into a better today. 

Favorite moment: When the children see running water for the first time in the showers at the government-run camp. 

Will I watch it again: Probably not. 

Movie #16: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Or really, everyone is evil except Jimmy Stewart!

Title: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 

Directed by: Frank Capra

Starring: Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur

Number on the AFI List: 26

Year: 1939 (which must have been quite the year for great movies-this is the third movie on the list released in 1939!)

I'm going to go ahead and say it-I wasn't blown away by this movie like I thought I would be. Maybe I wasn't in the mood to watch one man struggle against everyone else persecuting him. The whole thing seemed rather cynical. The movie explores the question of how does someone with pure intentions get anything done in government that is positive for the American people. The conclusion: they don't; not without a relentless fight (not too far from the truth, even today!).

However, that doesn't negate the wonderful acting done by Jimmy Stewart (*swoon!*) and Jean Arthur. Stewart, as Mr. Smith, had many wonderful monologues throughout the movie that sparked patriotism and belief in the goodness of mankind. Arthur, as Saunders, also had great monologues about how the government works, from the senate to passing a bill...a great refresher for my memory! Her character arch, spanning from annoyance of Mr. Smith to accepting and falling in love with him, was fun to watch. And I couldn't help but join in Mr. Smith's awe of Washington D.C. and being inspired by his forefathers, primarily Lincoln. 

I probably need to give this movie another shot. I can tell that this was the foreground to It's a Wonderful Life- Capra loves the use of Auld Lang Syne and stories of common man being placed in circumstances they didn't ask to be placed in and struggling with the powers that be. He also loves concluding his movies with excessive props representing either gain or loss (money in It's a Wonderful Life, paper telegrams in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). I'm not saying it was a bad movie by any means, I just couldn't get with the story. 

Favorite moment: The greatest quote of American patriotism of all time:

Will I watch it again: I should. :) 

Movie #15: The Wizard of Oz. Or really, life is all smoke and mirrors!

Title: The Wizard of Oz

Directed by: Victor Fleming

Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley

Number on the AFI List: 10

Year: 1939

Another movie I watched over and over again as a child, The Wizard of Oz never fails to capture my attention and imagination. Now that I'm older, I can clearly see the ways director Victor Fleming subtly alludes to Dorothy's trip down the yellow brick road and the friends she will meet while still in Kansas, and the transformation that needs to take place for Dorothy to be content with the life she leads. I also noticed while on the yellow brick road journey, all four characters already have what they are seeking within themselves: the scarecrow makes wise decisions along the way, the tin man cries in sad and difficult situations, and the lion finds courage within himself whenever he needs to rise to the occasion to save Dorothy. And of course, we learn at the end that all Dorothy needed to get home were the ruby slippers on her feet. What a beautiful picture of life; in order to discover all that is great within us, we need to go through difficult journeys, face the "wicked witch" that would seek to destroy us, and fight for what we need with our friends supporting us. The man behind the curtain is someone we think we need when we really don't; we can easily follow people who promise us great things as long as we do what they want. In reality, we don't need them, we just need contentment in the love that we already have for our family and friends at home. 

Another thing I noticed as I re-watched the film was a very subtle almost break in character by Dorothy when she meets the Cowardly Lion. Go to 1:00 and watch her slight smile as the Lion wipes his face with his tail for the first time:

A quick note on the director: Victor Fleming had a few huge years of filmmaking considering that he directed BOTH Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. Both released through MGM in "glorious Technicolor," these two movies set a high bar for filmmaking in full color, and they're both in the top 10 of the AFI top 100 list! Kudos, Mr. Fleming. You're a mastermind at storytelling, proven by these films continuing to be two of the most well loved films of all time. 

Favorite moment: Always and forever will be when Dorothy opens the door of her house and sees Munchkinland for the first time: 

Will I watch it again: Absolutely! 

Movie #14: Gone with the Wind. Or really, he's just not that into you-civil war style!

Title: Gone with the Wind

Directed by: Victor Fleming
Starring: Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh
Number on the AFI List: 6
Year: 1939

Before I get snarky with my remarks, I will say that this movie is a beautiful masterpiece, thoroughly entertaining and captivating with beautiful cinematography and direction. The costumes and set design were amazing! The costumes made me almost wish we still dressed like the ladies of the late 1800s. Almost.

I was lost in the movie from the first scene, and even though the it was four hours long (not three, like I had anticipated), I was rarely bored. However, I can tell this movie was made before sequels or mini-series were a thing. I personally think the first and second acts were different enough in storyline (save for the Butler/O'Hara "romance") to split into two movies. The first act was spectacular- from the whimsy of the old south to the horrors of war, it flowed beautifully and realistically depicted the struggles of changing times. The second act, while entertaining, was a little overdone. The last hour shifted in style from romance to melodrama with so many tragedies happening one after the other to the point of it being too much drama. I was also waiting for Scarlett to have a change in heart and attitude much sooner. Her character brought the movie down with her selfish manipulation; it's hard for me to stay completely engaged in a movie when the lead is so unforgiving. Thankfully, Melanie (Olivia de Havilland) made up for Scarlett's heartlessness with her gracious, gentle demeanor, as did Mammie (Hattie McDaniel) who did a great job of constantly putting Scarlett in her place. The very end was a bit of a disappointment, but it ended as all proper tragedies should (don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it!).


Now, here's what I REALLY want to say:

Dear Scarlett,

He's just not that into you.
Also, stop marrying men just to hurt other people.

Love,
Jodi

Dear Rhett,

She's just not that into you.
Also, please stop forcefully kissing Scarlett.

Love,
Jodi



Favorite scene of the movie: I don't have a moment, but I have a line:
"You need kissing badly. Thats what's wrong with you. You should be kissed, and often, by someone who knows how."

Will I watch it again: Sure. If I ever have time again :)

Movie #13: Bringing Up Baby! Or really, a wonderful screwball comedy with a leopard!

Title: Bringing Up Baby

Directed by: Howard Hawkes

Starring: Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant

Year: 1938

Number on the AFI List: 88

Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch this movie in one sitting-I kept getting interrupted! But over the course of three days, I was continually anticipating finishing it. I must say, I naively thought Katharine Hepburn was a dramatic actress and Cary Grant was a dramatic actor, so I was surprised to find them both hysterical, yet sometimes a little annoying, in this movie. Cary Grant as David stole the show from the beginning as the eager straight man who continually found himself in unfortunate circumstances. Katharine Hepburn as Susan admittedly drove me a little crazy at the beginning with her lack of listening (not the actress-the character), and I couldn't believe she continually got away with stealing other people's belongings! I didn't know cars could be easily stolen back then. I also thoroughly enjoyed the addition of the tame leopard, Baby, who loved listening to "I Can't Give You Anything but Love." That created multiple opportunities for misunderstood conflict when David and Susan were searching for Baby towards the end of the film. Quirky and fun, this comedy of errors was entertaining from beginning to end. 

Favorite moment: I can't find a clip online, but the initial scene where we discover the leopard loves "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." 

Will I watch it again: yes!