Movie #47: West Side Story. Or really, just watch Romeo and Juliet.

Title: West Side Story

Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer

Directed by: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise 

Year: 1961

Number on the AFI List: 51 (why)

Y’all. I couldn’t get into this movie. At all. Maybe its because I’ve been spoiled on the modern day method of musical movies. I couldn’t handle the break of character types into a song and dance number in full falsetto. Gangsters don’t sing like that. Juliet…wait, no, Maria got over the fact that her brother was dead way too easily. I know he was a jerk. But have some respect and don’t sleep with his killer an hour after it happened. And for the love of all that is holy, can everyone PLEASE stop over acting? Tony and Maria were boring. The gangsters at least played their stereotypes well and were a bit more entertaining to watch. Doc was touching.

The only fully redeemable character was Anita, played by Rita Moreno. She was awesome, from beginning to end. I believed her. I rooted for her. I struggled with her. She stole the show.

I wish I had more to say. The dancing and singing were both great, I can’t deny that. I just couldn’t handle the concept.

Ok. Back to listening to Hamilton.

Favorite moment: every time Anita was on screen.

Will I watch it again: only if I absolutely have to.

Movie #46: Spartacus. Or really...I AM SPARTACUS

Title: Spartacus

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick

Number on the AFI List: 81

Year: 1960

I'm not a huge fan of Roman era movies, but it seems like they were all the rage in the 50s and 60s! I enjoyed Ben Hur better than Spartacus; Charleton Heston (as Ben Hur) seemed to grapple with his experiences and his place in life better than Kirk Douglas (as Spartacus), who was always proud of himself and remained proud of himself from the beginning. I wanted to see more struggle rather than a strong man just doing strong man things (great for Westerns...not so much a slave-freeing-slaves story). That being said, the supporting cast was SUPERB. By the end of the movie, I was in awe of Peter Ustinov as Batiatus- his arc from being the enemy to friend was beautiful to watch. I read he won an Oscar and rightly so! Laurence Olivier was of course flawless as Crassus; his paranoid spiral into jealousy and rage over Spartacus was compelling and convincing. I also have to give a shout out to Tony Curtis-this was the first dramatic role I've seen him in (I'm sure he did others), and he was amazing as the slightly flamboyant and strong Antonius. Jean Simmons as Varinia held her own against the primarily male cast, not being overshadowed or pushed to the side as just the damsel in distress, but fighting for her husband. The scene between her and Crassus is probably my favorite scene of the film-she doesn't let him get away with anything! "You think by threatening to kill my child you'll make me love you?" YES GIRL. GET HIM.  

I now know what inspired every battle sequence in subsequent films like Braveheart and Lord of the Rings. The long, drawn out choreography of the battle scene was a bit tedious, but well shot. (I also know why marching bands do what they do. Could it be a stretch to say that football players are our new gladiators and marching bands are our new soldiers? Just a thought I had.) I loved the speeches by Spartacus and Crassus interwoven together before the battle. It heightened the tension and struggle between the two men, both trying to overthrow the other. 

The ending was beautiful but again, with Ben Hur having been released a few years prior, it was a bit cliche.  And I didn't believe Spartacus was dying on that cross. (I did, however, believe that Varinia was looking at the love of her life dying on a cross). Kirk, if you happen to be reading this, I mean no disrespect, seeing as you have had quite the epic film career and well, I haven't. I did love the imagery of a man dying to set the captives free, but thats the Christian in me :)

Favorite moment:

I AM SPARTACUS

Will I Watch it again: Only if I must :)