Move#34: Shane. Or really, I accidentally deleted this post.

I accidentally deleted this post, and that makes me sad. I didn't like this movie, however. So I don't want to bother with rewriting about it. I don't really like Westerns, and this one was a tough one for me to get through. Beautiful filmmaking, though.

Movie #35: On the Waterfront. Or really, standing up to the man.

Title: On the Waterfront

Starring: Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden

Directed by: Elia Kazan

Year: 1954

Number on the AFI List: 19

"You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am."

Y’all, this movie is FANTASTIC. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. The cast, the story, the cinematography, everything about this movie worked together beautifully. I would expect nothing less from the great Elia Kazan! On the Waterfront is about Terry (Marlon Brando), a longshoreman/former prize-fighter, who works for the union bosses in their schemes to keep control of the workers (i.e. kill people). He slowly begins to see the light through the help of a priest, Father Barry (Karl Malden), and the sister of one of the men killed, Edie Doyle (Eva Marie Saint). Should Terry remain loyal to the union gang in order to keep him and his family safe? Or should he do what is just? These questions and themes not only take place in Terry’s life, but in the life of Father Barry. Father Barry wakes up to his own hypocrisy early on in the film, after Edie points out that his rightful place is doing justice on the streets, not hiding inside his church. Once he wakes up to this, he is risks his own life in order to stand up for what’s right, and encourages Terry to do the same. Now that I’m writing this, I’m afraid the plot sounds cliché. I promise you, this movie is far from it.

Beyond that, realism is slowly starting to set in for film actors during this time, which makes for very moving yet subtle performances from the entire cast. I have to really hand it to Eva Marie Saint; she carried herself so well opposite Marlon Brando that there were times when I thought the movie was about her. This movie went on to in eight academy awards, including best picture, and it deserved every one of them. 

Favorite moment: Father Barry’s speech to the workers in the boat. So moving. So Christ-like."Some people think the Crucifixion only took place on Calvary. They better wise up!" "Boys, this is my church! And if you don't think Christ is down here on the waterfront you've got another guess coming!"

Will I watch it again: Yes, and with whoever wants to watch it with me!

Movie #33: High Noon. Or really, "24," western style.

Title: High Noon

Starring: Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly

Directed by: Fred Zinnemann

Number on the AFI List: 27

Year: 1952

Westerns seem to me to be the super hero movies of the past-one man, flawed yet strong, overcomes all inevitable odds to right the wrongs of injustice. I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan. Gun slingin', chaps wearin', horse ridin' adventures just don't quite cut it for me. However, High Noon is a cinematic achievement, with compelling storytelling, beautiful cinematography, and great acting. This movie poses a lot of questions of what is just and how far does one have to go to maintain peace for his people (even when they don't want help), what sacrifices must be made, and how does one right the wrongs of one's past. I love the dichotomy from the beginning of the wedding of former Marshall Will Kane (Gary Cooper) and Amy Kane (Grace Kelly) while the "bad guys" are coming back to town to enact their revenge. The intensity builds over an hour while Will Kane tries to rally troops to help him fight the returning Frank Miller and his gang of roughriders to no avail. He sacrifices leaving for his honeymoon with his pacifist, quaker wife, in order to make sure the town he currently is no longer in charge of remains safe. Unfortunately, no one in the town stands by him, and this marshall has to fight the battle himself (...or does he?). 

The cinematography of this film is fantastic. Zinnemann creates the feeling of aloneness not only in Kane's circumstances but also in showing how "alone" this town really is-the train is coming from miles away with no other town in sight. Also, the most powerful shot of the movie is when Gary Cooper is alone, walking the street in the middle of town, with no help in sight, and the camera pans out ever so slowly to reveal just how deserted the town really is. 

Favorite moment: My favorite moment would ruin the movie, so I'll just give a screenshot of Gary Cooper walking in town:

Also, here's a picture of Grace Kelly with Fred Zinnemann. Cause why not?

Will I watch it again? Hmm...probably not. 

Movie #32: Singin' in the Rain. Or really, singing in the milk!

Title: Singin' in the Rain

Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds

Directed by: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

Number on the AFI List: 5

Year: 1952

The only thing I knew about Singin' in the Rain before last night was that in order for the rain to show up on film, the production team used milk instead of water for the famous "Singin in the Rain" number. So I was kind of surprised there isn't a lot of singing in the rain in this film. It's only one moment. Maybe I'm the only person in existence who didn't know that (fact). 

HOWEVER, this movie is a fantastic musical comedy filled with great singing and TAP DANCING (that I ALWAYS love).  I consistently enjoy movies about making movies, and this one was no exception. I must say, Lina Lamont, played by Jean Hagen, was my favorite character. Her voice! So funny. The three leads were fantastic dancers and singers; I must say though, Donald O'Connor stole the show with his quirky and hilarious depiction of Cosmo Brown.  I also enjoyed the use of "special effects" in this movie; I don't think I've seen any sort of special effects since King Kong! Overall, Singin in the Rain was a funny and charming movie that I will be glad to watch over and over again!

Favorite moment:

Will I watch it again? Yes!

Movie #31: The African Queen. Or really, an awesome African jungle adventure with Bogart and Hepburn!

Title: The African Queen

Starring: Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart

Directed by: John Huston

Number on the AFI list: 65

Year: 1951

Wow, what an adventure! Filmed on location in Congo, The African Queen is a tremendous story about Charlie Allnut (Bogart) and Rose Sayer (Hepburn) travelling along a river in Africa after the outbreak of WWI in order to blow up a German ship. This unlikely duo-one a poor Canadian outcast and the other a British missionary who has just lost her brother-find love in the midst of hardship along the way. The acting of course is spectacular, with Bogart winning the Academy Award for his performance (beating out Brando in “Streetcar,” no less!) in 1952. Watching their love story unfold is endearing, with many humorous moments while Rose tries to resist the temptation of falling for Charlie. Of course, who can resist a man who takes you on an epic journey through the African jungle!

What makes the film more spectacular is the cinematography; even though there is nothing remarkable about the shooting style, the fact that they shot most of it in Africa (in glorious Technicolor!) is quite the achievement for that day in age. The Technicolor camera was HUGE, with three rolls of film being shot at one time. 

The crew had the arduous task of travelling along the river with the Technicolor camera, lights, and other equipment, all while suffering from any and all illnesses the African jungle had to offer. 

Overall, this movie is a treat to watch and one that will be remembered through the ages.

Favorite moment: The moment when Rose finally gives into Charlie and allows herself to fall in love!

Will I watch it again: Yes! 

Movie #30: A Streetcar Named Desire. Or really, a Streetcar Named "Blanche Dubois has Gone Crazy"

Title: A Streetcar Named Desire

Starring: Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Kim Hunter

Directed by: Elia Kazan

Number on the AFI List: 47

Year: 1951

Confessions of a bad former theatre major: I’ve never read, nor seen, Streetcar before, either in play form or film form, so this was my first experience with either. I know, I know. Express your outrage. But at least I’ve seen it now!

From all advertising, it seems like this movie belongs to Marlon Brando (considering it was his film debut, I understand), but let’s be honest: this film belongs to Vivien Leigh. She portrays Blanche Dubois with dramatic flare only closely matched by Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. Leigh fully commits to Blanche’s erratic behavior, manipulating flirtation, and spiral into insanity, all of which were riveting to watch. She was by far the most interesting character of the film. Brando was also fantastic as Stanley; I would never say anything negative about the greatest actor of all time. He has magnificent control and dedication to Stanley that never seems over the top or showy. While Blanche’s manipulation is more obvious, Stanley sucks those around him in-namely Stella- with his threatening anger and charm. I can’t forget Kim Hunter’s fantastic portrayal of Stella; she is the victim of everyone’s ills and yet the glue trying to keep everything together. Stella has also fallen from her former high society life but has been able to move on; her insistence to compliment her sister to keep her sane, coupled with being stuck with an abusive husband, is heartbreaking. Kudos of course goes to Tennessee Williams for writing such complex characters with dark secrets and troubled pasts. Tragically, not one character can break out of the downward spiral they're on. As Stella’s neighbor tells her at the end:

“We gotta keep on going, baby. No matter what happens, we gotta keep on going.”

Favorite moment: The final moment between Blanche and Stanley.

Will I Watch it again: Yes!

MOVIE 30! This means I get to update my own AFI list. This is getting more and more difficult as these movies get better and better!

1. City Lights

2. It's a Wonderful Life

3. Modern Times

4. Sunset Boulevard

5. Sunrise
6. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
7. Wizard of Oz
8. Gone with the Wind
9. A Streetcar Named Desire
10. Citizen Kane
11. All About Eve
12. Sullivan's Travels 
13. Double Indemnity
14. Casablanca
15. Bringing up Baby
16. The Gold Rush
17. The Best Years of our Lives
18. The Maltese Falcon
19. Yankee Doodle Dandy
20. It Happened One Night
21. A Night at the Opera
22. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
23. The Grapes of Wrath
24. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
25. The General
26. King Kong
27. The Philadelphia Story
28. Intolerance
29. Swing Time
30. Duck Soup

Movie #29: All About Eve. Or really, all about a manipulative biatch.

Title: All About Eve

Starring: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm

Directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Number on the AFI List: 28

Year: 1950

“Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.”

Way to go Joseph L. Mankiewicz for directing a film with great female characters back in the 50s. I knew something was wrong with Eve, played by Anne Baxter, from the moment I first saw her on screen. As suspected, she turned out to be a conniving wannabe actress looking to ride the coattails of an already successful actress, Margo Channing, played by Bette Davis. What’s infuriating about the movie is Eve becomes successful (not a spoiler-it’s the opening scene). What’s satisfying is that it’s not exactly in the way Eve had intended. I was captured by the story from the moment the movie began until it ended, and appreciated the discussion of theatre and what it takes to make it as an actor/actress. How far will one go to achieve fame and fortune? How many people will one manipulate, step on, or even blackmail in order to achieve their dreams? Unfortunately, this is done far too often in an industry where, one “gives so much for so little,” and yet is addicted to praise and applause-like Eve. 

I can’t express how great the acting is from every actress in this movie. Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, and Celeste Holm, dominated this movie with power, conviction, and believability. And get this- no need for overt sex appeal! All three leading women were distinct in their character work. Davis avoided stereotypical actress clichés with great control and beautifully carried the film. Baxter played Eve with wonderful poise and subtleties, feigning innocence and playing her hidden motives like a skilled poker player. Holm was a breath of fresh air as the kindhearted, matronly Karen Richards, whose sweetness and naiveté kept the others down to earth. None of these women got the Oscars they deserved, but I’m glad the movie won the well deserved best picture!

“All playwrights should be dead for 300 years!”

“That would solve none of their problems because actresses never die! The stars never die and never change!”

Favorite moment: The conversation on the staircase at Margo's house where they talk about what it is to be a theatre person. I can't find a clip online but it's a great moment! 

Will I watch it again: Yes!