Shannon B. Chenoweth

The 1930s were a neat decade. No, they weren’t easy times for a lot of folks, but there was definitely a good deal of creativity around. This is especially true for films of that time. I already consider myself a fan of old, classic movies, but I honestly haven’t seen a good deal of them. That is going to change though this year. I am planning on watching as many classic old films as I can this year.

The way I plan on doing this is by decade. This makes sense to me for two reasons. For one, it allows me to semi-organize my film viewing escapades, and secondly, it gives me a chance to see the evolution of the film from the 1930s onward. I believe this will really allow me to appreciate the movies even more. It’s a very “film school” line of thinking.

Here is just a partial list of the films of the 1930s I plan on watching:

1. M
2. City Lights
3. Modern Times
4. Dodsworth
5. It Happened One Night
6. Trouble in Paradise
7. One Way Passage
8. Downstairs
9. Bringing up Baby
10. Angels with Dirty Faces
11. King Kong
12. Top Hat
13. The Thin Man
14. The Big House
15. I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang
16. Night After Night
17. The Old Dark House
18. The Invisible Man
19. Morning Glory
20. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Popularity: 65% [?]

I LOVE the Back to the Future trilogy. In my mind, Back to the Future is one of the best movies of all time. It is my favorite movie, hands down. I have seen all three, but especially the original, part one more times than I can count on two hands. Each year, I watch the trilogy at least three times, more than likely it’s more times than that. Just popped in the dvd last night as a matter of fact.
There is no one like Michael J. Fox. He was born to play Marty McFly. While Eric Stotlz is an okay actor, the movie wouldn’t have been half of what it is with him in the role if the studio had kept him on as Marty. And, who doesn’t love the Doc? Christopher Lloyd is awesome as the Doc.

Popularity: 20% [?]

“Paramount’s shocking, suspense-filled masterpiece of love…and murder.”

While I have been a film noir lover for years now, somehow, I had never sat down and watched Double Indemnity. Of course, after finally renting it, I saw how spectacular of a film I had been missing all these years.

Visually, Double Indemnity is amazing, it is absolutely the king of film noir classics. The use of the venetian blinds to continually cast their shadows upon each scene as well as the femme fatale using the protagonist insurance salesman to do her will is all signature noir style.

The story itself that was the basis for the picture is a 1927 crime committed by a married Queens women and her lover. The scandal was turned into fiction by author, James Cain. Later, Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder co-adapted the tale into the screenplay. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, but didn’t take home any statues.

Fred MacMurray, who portrays the insurance salesman, Walter Neff is first-rate in the role. He is likable, and makes you feel sorry for him even after he has committed murder and is deserving of whatever the fates throw at him. His narration throughout the film is fantastic, I enjoyed it just as much as his moments with the conniving wife and his boss, Keyes.

Barton Keyes, Neff’s insurance investigator supervisor was played by the excellent Edward Robinson. Robinson was well known for his spectacular performance as the title role of the ambitious criminal Rico in the movie, Little Caesar in 1931. He does an amazing job as the determined Keyes in Double Indemnity whose gut instincts seem to never fail to lead him to the truth.

Our femme fatale, Phyllis Dietrichson performed by Barbara Stanwyck puts on a stunning portrayal. She is alluring and convincing in the role as the motivated wife. It isn’t difficult to see why she is nominated for her third Academy Award for Best Actress in the picture, as she more than deserved the honor.

All in all, I would recommend the movie highly to anyone who is wanting to see some of the best Hollywood has had to offer through the years. Double Indemnity is easily one of the best films ever made, without hesitation, without a doubt one that should be a part of any movie buff’s collection.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Bonnie & Clyde (1967)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061418/

Being a big fan of old classics, especially crime films, it’s pretty obvious I would want to see this movie. Of course, one would have assumed I would have taken in it’s greatness long ago, but alas, you would be wrong. Unfortunately, there are many a film on my “must-see” list that have gathered dust through the years. Thankfully, a brief day of sickness from work gave me just the opportunity to sit down and take in “Bonnie & Clyde.”

Right off, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway are magnificent in the movie, no question. The duo perform their roles as the outlaws superbly. It’s no wonder the picture took home two Oscars as well as numerous other awards and nominations, as everything about it is amazing.

The film starts right off with the odd introduction of Bonnie and Clyde. Their first encounter is as bizarre as their relationship would continue to be right up until their death, each being hit by forty bullets a piece during the ambush. We get to see their relationship grow throughout their rampage through six states, Clyde’s love for Bonnie never wavering one bit. Their romance was truly like no other.

Definitely worth mentioning is Gene Hackman. He puts on a great performance as Clyde’s brother, Buck Barrow. Buck is as menacing as his brother Clyde, having already been involved in his own criminal endeavors before the Barrow gang days. Hackman, who rarely disappoints in a role, is in my opinion, is best when he is portraying bad guys. He is just one of those actors who you want to see as the villain.

I highly recommend checking out this classic film for anyone who is a crime fan or just curious about the Barrow gang’s rampage during the Great Depression. The movie broke many a “rule” during the 60s when it was made, with all the sex and violence it portrayed, thus making it a landmark accomplishment in film making.

Popularity: 6% [?]