The Classic Film Thread

[Bright Eyes]

Something of Value (1957) - This awfully generic title has no business being put upon this striking, horrifying film about the Natives of Kenya fighting back against their colonizers. The movie doesn't waste time showing you the ugliness of racism, having to concede that Britain bought the land "fair and square." Sidney Poitier is overwhelmingly soul crushing in his performance, and Rock Hudson is a strong, beautiful lead. It's the film's heavy emotional stakes that keep you invested, especially the relationship between Hudson and Poitier's characters. The horrors of war are not shied away from, but shown even more brutally when in a more suburban setting. There's a raid scene where Wendy Hiller's character comes down the stairs bloodied that revolts you, but none more than the ending which makes you want to throw up, exasperated.

[Bright Eyes]

Avalon (1990) - Has there ever been a more melancholic film than this one? The cast was superb. I loved Joan Plowright, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and little Elijah Wood. This movie isn't melodramatic, hysterical, or gritty, but even in it's simple grounding of reality, you watch every moment glued to the screen. There's not even some major emotional release, but the characters are so rich and familiar it doesn't matter. Some of the point of view being through Elijah Wood's child character, Michael, was especially effective for me during the big family scenes because I knew exactly how he felt. I've lived (not literally in the same house mind you) with that big family, but as time passed as it does in the film, I connected even more to Grandfather Sam who subtlely experiences his big loving family slowly dissipate. It was a bit jarring when Elijah Wood's character is aged, but I think that was part of the point because like Sam, who now is fading away himself, living a life he doesn't recognize, grown up Michael feels unrecognizable to us. Again, just a beautiful film that anyone that has lived any sort of life can connect with.

Edited July 4, 2024 by Bright Eyes

[DRW50]

Thanks for your mini-reviews. I just saw them and am appreciating them.

[Bright Eyes]

That's really sweet of you. I can watch films all day long if given the chance, so to know at least one person doesn't think I'm just blathering on is comforting.

[Faulkner]

[Bright Eyes]

It's funny, the only thing I've seen Eva Marie Saint in is the random episode of The Brighter Day that was/is online, but kudos to her for making 100! The currently oldest living Oscar nominee!

Father of the Bride (1950) - Not too much to say about this one. I grew up with the Steve Martin version, which was a more outright comedy so it was interesting to compare the two. The energy in this one is a lot more subdued. Spencer Tracy is perfectly cast, though I wish Joan Bennett had gotten a little more to do. And just because of the huge star I know her to be, it's strange to see Elizabeth Taylor in such a secondary role.  Still,  I lap up any Billie Burke I can get, and it was cool to see a young Russ Tamblyn. All in all, it was a perfectly good picture, but nothing outstanding.

[Maxim]

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Truly sublime movie.

After an ambitious actor insinuates himself into the life of a wealthy middle-aged playwright and marries her, he plots with his mistress to murder her.

I've watched it more than 20 times and each time I am in awe of the script, the beautiful shots, the suspense and of course - Joan Crawford in her later Prime. One of the scenes in which she has a long-shot without pause or cut, she goes throw all human emotions possible in 5-6 minutes without stopping. A true MASTERWORK in acting. Sadly most of her films after this period were not good and she made some really bad acting choices in her later career.

This movie... though... is just... PERFECT.

 

 

[Bright Eyes]

Barton Fink (1991) - This may be strange to some, but this was actually my first foray into seeing the work of the Coen brothers. It was fascinating to see John Goodman in this movie knowing it came out during the height of Roseanne. He was the best part of it, IMO. Michael Lerner getting an Oscar nomination over him seems strange to me.

I had no idea where the film was going, so the twist with Judy Davis' character and the way the rest of the movie plays out really jolts you to pay attention to the craziness that then unfolds. And who knew this was the original "what's in the box?" A facetious remark referencing "Seven" that amuses me. Writer's block is no joke, man.

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[Maxim]

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The amazing Shannen Doherty in Striking Poses. 

[Bright Eyes]

The Misfits (1951) - This film was right up my street. Of the few Marilyn Monroe films I've seen, this one seemed most close to home to who she was and what she had to deal with from men and society. Clark Gable should be proud this was his swansong, though how eerily impactful that he died so shortly after a film about characters who've lost their way in life. There's a scene in the film where he's drunk and publicly cries out desperately for his grown children who by chance saw him at the same bar and immediately escaped him when they got a chance because he'd always been a deadbeat that is really confronting and disturbing because of how one usually conflates the idea of Clark Gable, the ultimate leading man, to being strong, dependent, but turned into a reckless, worthless, fool. The ending is a relief. Highly recommend.

[Bright Eyes]

The Crying Game (1992) - Only three things take away from this film for me: 1) My ignorance about world issues regarding the IRA. 2) The casting of Forest Whitaker. I don't know if that's an unpopular opinion, but his horrible accent partly took me out of his scenes.  And 3) I already was vaguely aware of the twist because AdamTGhani has posted about it before on his Insta, and I watch everything he posts. And not for nothing, I kind of clocked Dyl right away anyway. Still, the action mixed with the sincere tenderness was inspired. Having both the worlds of Fergus/Jimmy be so separate until they crash into each other was perfectly timed. Stephen Rea and Jaye Davidson deservedly got nominated for Oscars, and Miranda Richardson was sexy, dangerous, and unlike Whitaker, her change of accent is flawless. 

Edited July 25, 2024 by Bright Eyes

[Bright Eyes]

Farewell My Concubine (1993) - The first and only Chinese language film to win at Cannes! The first quarter is seeped in child abuse, but somehow the film engages you to keep watching past it all by latching on to the main characters' journey of getting lost in the character he's being poised to play for his entire life. A movie that transgresses through decades, the great, yet tragic as I would grow to learn after watching, Leslie Cheung portrays Douzi/Cheng Dieyi, whose emotional rawness hooks you and breaks your heart. Gong Li as his pseudo romantic rival is fantastic as an ex-prostitute who knows Douzi is a threat to her marriage. Friendship is the strength of this movie, and betrayal the dramatic explosion that makes this film fascinating and painful. 

[SoapDope]

A couple of clips from 2 classics.

Mr. Blanding's Builds His Dream House (1948): Starring Cary Grant , Myrna Loy, and Melvyn Douglas.

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Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967): Starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, and Katharine Houghton. Hilary is played by actress Virginia Christine who starred as Mrs. Olson in the Folgers coffee ads for 20 years (1964-1984).

 

 

 

 

[Paul Raven]

To my mind, Bette was just too old and frumpy for this role.

I could see Joan Crawford pulling this off in her Mildred Pierce era.

The original with Dolores Del Rio, La Otra is a must watch. I think it is on YouTube.

[Maxim]

I kinda agree, but I still love the movie. Something about the atmosphere... I like to watch it when I'm alone... in a dark room, under the covers. Makes me feel cozy. I looove the original too.