Movie Review: "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (1964)

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Movie: "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"

Director: Jacques Demy
Year: 1964
Rating: NR
Running Time: 1 hour, 31 minutes

A young woman is forced to make a tough life decision about her romantic future when her boyfriend is drafted for military service and is forced to go fight in a war in another country for two years, leaving her home alone and pregnant.

Movie Review: "The King of Comedy" (1982)

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Movie: "The King of Comedy"

Director: Martin Scorsese
Year: 1982
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes

An aspiring standup comedian goes to the extreme to get a slot on the talk show of one of his comedy idols.

"A guy can get anything he wants so long as he pays the price." (Image Source)

It just goes to show that toxic and delusional fans who think celebrities owe them something simply for the virtue of being devotees aren't limited to our modern social media age. "The King of Comedy" is directed by legendary director Martin Scorsese, who has helmed films like "Goodfellas," "Gangs of New York," and "Taxi Driver." The screenplay is written by Paul Zimmerman, who has worked on movies like "Lovers and Liars" and "Consuming Passions," as well as the made-for-TV short "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown." This story is about an aspiring comedian named Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro). Rupert is an autograph hound and suffers from delusions of grandeur despite the fact he lives in his mom's basement. One evening while outside the television recording studio of his favorite talk show, his idol and show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) is accosted by a crazed groupie. Rupert takes the opportunity to help with the overzealous admirer and is able to slide into a limousine with Jerry where he promptly tells him he is an aspiring comic who would like a spot on Jerry's program. Jerry humors Rupert for a while, but as Pupkin gets more and more invasive, Langford finally tells him off. Pupkin, however, is not deterred and is determined to get on Langford's show at any cost and is willing to go to every extreme to make his dream a reality.

"Jerry and I have a real relationship going on, no fantasy world." (Image Source)

We weren't all that familiar with "The King of Comedy," especially since it is often overshadowed by many other more popular films in Scorsese's repertoire. Now that we've seen it, we believe this is both one of his best films and is one of his most underappreciated gems. This may be blasphemy for some movie lovers, but we wound up liking "The King of Comedy" more than some of Scorsese's other De Niro-led films like "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull." SORRY, NOT SORRY. This is a completely enthralling dark comedy that left us rightfully uncomfortable and squirming in our chairs at the deluded nature of Rupert Pupkin. Where we feel some of Scorsese's past movies are a bit dated, this one is almost prophetic as the issues it addresses remain as pertinent now as they were in 1982. This may even be truer in today's day and age considering how the communication barriers have decreased between fans and celebrities. With the explosion of social media, your favorite stars are just a click away, which is both a very positive and a very negative thing. Plus, now that everyone hopes to make it big and take a shortcut to fame via platforms like YouTube or Instagram instead of getting gigs on television as many needed to do in the past, people are willing to do anything and everything, guilty or innocent, to achieve notoriety, buzz, fame, and sometimes infamy, just like Rupert did.

Robert De Niro is absolutely fantastic in this film as the self-deluded but tragically sympathetic and somewhat pathetic Rupert Pupkin. He is the epitome of "fake it until you make it." He lies and talks a big game about all of his celebrity friends and how they've made promises to him that they never actually made because they don't actually know him. Sounds like a horror movie waiting to happen. His attitude leads to many moments of cringe-comedy and lots of secondhand embarrassment, which impacts the audience a lot more than it seems to affect Pupkin. Another tremendous performance is given by Sandra Bernhard as Masha, a fellow Jerry Langford-enthusiast who is a little more manic and extreme than Pupkin. Bernhard gets the single most awkward and intense scene when Jerry is taped to a chair at the mercy of her demented fanaticism. The acting really helps elevate this movie to near-masterpiece status.

"Why didn't you just listen to the tape when I asked you to?" (Image Source)

We loved "The King of Comedy." Not only is it funny, but it is devastatingly thought-provoking as well, especially in this day and age. Let's be honest, we all know somebody like Rupert Pupkin, even if they don't go to his extremes. This movie showcases director Martin Scorsese at his best and is something every fan of his should seek out immediately. It is relevant, important, excellently acted, and darkly satirical.

My Rating: 9.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 9/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.8/10
RT Rating: 90%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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Movie Review: "Oklahoma!" (1955)

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Movie: "Oklahoma!"

Director: Fred Zinnemann
Year: 1955
Rating: NR
Running Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

A few cowboys try to woo a some local Oklahoma ladies, all of whom have other prospects.

Running cattle and farming land is hard work. If you watch the cowboys and farmers in "Oklahoma!," you might think their lives revolve around romancing women with an occasional song and choreographed dance number thrown in for good measure. "Oklahoma!" is directed by Fred Zinnemann, who directed other films like "High Noon," "From Here to Eternity," and "A Man for All Seasons." It is written by Sonya Levien and William Ludwig and is based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical of the same name. It stars Gordon MacRae as cowboy Curly McLain, who has his eye on a farm girl named Laurey Williams (Shirley Jones). Laurey likes Curly as well, but she doesn't let on and plays hard to get. Laurey's farmhand Jud Fry (Rod Steiger) also has feelings for her, and this creates a bit of conflict because Jud is a person willing to act out violently in such cases. This is not the only love triangle in the story. Another cowboy named Will Parker (Gene Nelson) wants to marry another local farm girl named Ado Annie Carnes (Gloria Grahame) even though she doesn't have very strong monogamous tendencies. Ado Annie is courting a peddler named Ali Hakim (Eddie Albert) who clearly wants a fling and not a commitment...unless his hand was to be forced into such a thing.

Old school musicals are so grandiose in their presentation. This is not a complaint, we totally dig it. Musicals are very focused on keeping a stage play type of spectacle, but with more detailed sets and a less intimate scope. There is a certain part of the movie-going public that will write musicals off entirely because they feel 'too unrealistic.' Well, they're not always supposed to be realistic. If anything they are meant to be a little more surreal. We will say there is one massively surreal dance number here brought on by Laurey's fever dream while she's high on smelling salts. We honestly could have done without this scene because it drags on for far too long. That being said, the rest of the movie is mostly pretty fun and is relatively engaging despite its old-fashioned sentiments and subject matter.

Of course, the most important part of a musical is the music. "Oklahoma!" has some really great songs. With numbers like "Oh What a Beautiful Morning," "The Surrey with a Fringe on Top," "Kansas City," and the titular "Oklahoma," this picture is full of great music that will stay stuck in your head for days and will keep your toes tapping. Apart from the tunes, "Oklahoma!" has a solid cast and features a lot of excellent voices. The notable exception is Gloria Grahame, who can't exactly hold a tune but finds a way to make it work. The people behind the scenes had to Frankenstein her songs together from tons of recordings, but it doesn't matter because the end result is still decent.

"Oklahoma!" is a good time and provided us with an entertaining viewing experience despite being a little dated.

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My Rating: 7.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 8/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

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Movie Review: "In the Heat of the Night" (1967)

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Movie: "In the Heat of the Night"

Year Nominated: 1968
Director: Norman Jewison
Rating: NR
Oscar Nominations: 7
Oscar Wins: 5
Running Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes

When a murder occurs in a small southern town, the police go looking for possible suspects. They arrest a black man at a train station, a man who turns out to be a Philadelphia police officer and a very experienced homicide detective. Once learning this, police release him and ask for his help to solve the murder.

It's always interesting to go back and watch movies like "In the Heat of the Night" decades after its release. It was so socially poignant in its day, and the fact that it remains historically and even socially relevant is a testament to its importance. The film is directed by Norman Jewison, who has directed other wonderful movies such as "Fiddler on the Roof," "Moonstruck," and "Rollerball." The screenplay is written by Stirling Siliphant, who has written other notable films like "The Towering Inferno" and "The Poseidon Adventure." It is based on the novel of the same name by John Ball. "In the Heat of the Night" is a socially conscious crime mystery that takes place in a small southern town. When a prominent businessman is murdered, it is up to Chief Gillespi (Rod Steiger) and his deputies to solve the case quickly and accurately. The first man they finger for the murder is a black man named Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier), who was waiting at the train station for his ride out of town. The cops accuse him of being the murderer because that was the only reason they could figure that a black man could possibly have as much money as Virgil had on him. Once they learn Virgil is a homicide detective from Philadelphia, they quickly change their assumption. They even reluctantly ask Virgil for help since Gillespi knows his deputies are in way over their heads. Now, Virgil must conduct his investigation in a town full of bigots who have no respect for him or his authority, making his task that much harder.  

It's hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for an African American living in the south in the 1960's. Movies like "In the Heat of the Night" serve as a snapshot of the social climate of the times. It had a message then, and it is a message we still desperately need to hear today. The film deals with subjects like racism, police brutality, and abortion, among other things. That being said, messages are all well and good, but if the story isn't interesting, the message becomes far less effective. Luckily, "In the Heat of the Night" is an engaging, brilliantly acted crime drama. We become very enthralled with Virgil's investigation of this murder, as well as the strength and resolve he must show while conducting it. We see the resistance he faces from his fellow officers and from the local bigots who try to literally slap him down. We found ourselves cheering when he literally slaps them right back. The shock on that old racist's face when Virgil smacks him back is utterly priceless. Chief Gillespi also has a solid arc to his character. He is the one character who is changed the most over the course of the film. He starts off as the typical southern good ol' boy with his own bigotry and bias. As the movie continues, he learns to respect Virgil and maybe winds up a better person than who he was at the start. Steiger earned an Oscar for his performance as Chief Gillespi, and we can see why. Sidney Poitier, however, was severely overlooked for his performance, as he often was during his career, and we are shocked to see he didn't get a nomination for his efforts here.

"In the Heat of the Night" is a fantastic movie that has held up well through the years and remains very entertaining and poignant. It isn't hard to see why it won the Oscar for best picture.

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My Rating: 9/10
BigJ's Rating: 9/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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Movie Review: "L.A. Confidential" (1997)

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Movie: "L.A. Confidential"

Director: Curtis Hanson
Rating: R
Oscar Nominations: 9
Oscar Wins: 2
Running Time: 2 hours, 18 minutes

Three cops with very different ways of doing business look into a mass murder that took place at a late night diner. As they look further into the incident, it may turn out to be more than just a simple robbery gone wrong.

Ah, the 1950s, a time when the police didn't let pesky little things like civil rights get in the way of finding their perp...or at least their scapegoat. "L.A. Confidential" is directed by Curtis Hanson, who has helmed other films like "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle," "River Wild," and "8 Mile." He also helped write the screenplay along with Brian Helgeland. It is based on the novel of the same name by James Ellroy. It stars Guy Pearce as a straight-laced career-climbing cop named Ed Exley, who does everything by the book and will not hesitate to rat out fellow officers who bend the rules. Joining him is Russell Crowe as Bud White, a violent cop who is willing to bend or straight-up breaks the rules whenever necessary in order to find a perpetrator. Lastly, we have Kevin Spacey as Jack Vincennes, a narcotics cop-turned-vice agent who is a consultant on a television cop show and enjoys the fame and limelight that comes with it. Jack tends to make deals with tabloid reporters to keep his name in the papers. These three cops, who each have an entirely different approach to their job, all wind up looking into a robbery and mass murder at the Night Owl Diner. One of the victims of this crime was Bud's partner Dick Stensland, played by Graham Beckel. Also in the film are Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, James Cromwell, and David Strathairn.

This neo-noir crime thriller is not only set in the 1950s but also somehow captures the very essence of 1950s filmmaking. It is modern in many ways when it comes to its levels of violence, sex, and language, but there is still a very "classic film" feel to the way it looks, to the way characters act, and to the way dialogue is delivered. "L.A. Confidential" is a movie with a lot of characters and a lot of threads that eventually all come together, though the road to get to its conclusion is a little bumpy and disjointed at times. That being said, the overall story remains very compelling. The film explores themes like police corruption and abuse of power, especially how prevalent they were back in the day...if you follow the news, it's painfully clear that practices such as planting evidence and abusing suspects are things that still happen way too frequently today.

The acting in the film is very good. Russell Crowe plays the raging ball of fury character quite well. Hard-nosed brute is a role he has revisited numerous times in his career (and has also revisited outside of it... what? We are already blocked by the guy on Twitter, so we might as well get our digs in, right?). This movie also served as a breakout role for Guy Pearce here in the states. He would use this as a launching pad to get much more work stateside, and we think this was the perfect role for him. Pearce is great as Exley even if he's a narc. Though this film is very focused on the men and the police officers in the story, it was Kim Basinger who took home an Academy Award for her best-supporting-actress role as celebrity lookalike prostitute Lynn Bracken. She is very good in her part, but we aren't sure it was an Oscar-worthy performance, especially considering the caliber of talent nominated that year.

In the end, there is a lot of intrigue in "L.A. Confidential," along with some solid performances, some interesting dialogue and plot points, and a helluva lot of blood.

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My Rating: 8/10
BigJ's Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 99%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

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Movie Review: "Atlantic City" (1980)

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Movie: "Atlantic City"

Year Nominated: 1981
Director: Louis Malle
Rating: R
Oscar Nominations: 5
Oscar Wins: 0
Running Time: 1 hour, 44 minutes

When a woman's estranged husband returns home looking for a way to unload a stash of stolen drugs, he hooks up with his wife's neighbor, an old small-time gangster who sees this as an opportunity to relive his glory days. Since the drugs were stolen, it brings trouble to everyone involved.

When we look back at many of the movies that have been nominated for Oscars throughout history, sometimes we scratch our heads and wonder what the social climate was like at the time that allowed this or that particular film to be nominated for Best Picture. This is what happened when we were finished watching "Atlantic City." It is directed by Louis Malle and is written by Jon Guare. It stars Susan Sarandon as Sally, a woman who works at an oyster bar inside a casino in Atlantic City and has dreams of becoming a card dealer in Morocco. When her no good, estranged husband Dave (Robert Joy) shows back up after running away with her sister Chrissie (Hollis McLaren), it throws Sally's life into chaos. Dave recently stole a stash of drugs and is looking to earn a quick buck before he and Chrissie's baby is born. He eventually approaches Sally's neighbor Lou (Burt Lancaster), who was once a small-time gangster, to help him unload the drugs. Lou happily accepts as he is looking to relive his youth. When the people Dave stole the drugs from come looking for them, it puts everyone's lives in danger.

There is a lot going on in "Atlantic City." In some ways, it is this crime drama. In other ways, it is a romance. It is also a bit of a slice-of-life film about a woman trying to follow her dreams and make her life right. Despite the fact that Susan Sarandon's Sally seems like the main character of the story, she is actually little more than a bystander and footnote in the majority of the film. Most of the meat of the narrative is allocated to Lou and Dave. Sally is merely the catalyst that brings the two of them together due to Lou's obsession with her and because Dave is her estranged husband/new brother-in-law of sorts. This situation enables Lou to become the bigshot he never got to be in his youth, allowing him to pursue a relationship with Sally despite being 30+ years her senior. The plot can be a bit meandering at times and it isn't always completely engaging. It isn't a long movie but sure feels much longer than it is. Luckily, the acting is solid from Sarandon and Lancaster, both of whom were nominated for an Oscar for their performances in the film. We can't really say either of their roles are all that layered, and neither of their characters or their portrayals of them elicited much emotion from us.

"Atlantic City" is one of the most forgettable Best Picture nominees we've seen. This film will likely be tucked away in our memories until a decade down the road when we realize, "oh yeah, we did watch that one."

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My Rating: 6/10
BigJ's Rating: 6/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Do we recommend this movie: Sure, why not?

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Movie Review: "Mildred Pierce" (1945)

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Movie: "Mildred Pierce"

Year Nominated: 1946
Director: Michael Curtiz
Rating: NR
Oscar Nominations: 6
Oscar Wins: 1
Running Time: 1 hours, 51 minutes

After her husband is murdered, Mildred Pierce is brought in for questioning. Once she is at the police station, she recounts the events in her life that led her to her current predicament.

Our culture has changed a lot since the days of "Mildred Pierce." Though many ideas about a woman's place in the world have changed, the overall themes and the murder mystery at the center of the film still remain compelling even today. "Mildred Pierce" is directed by Michael Curtiz, who has over 170 directorial credits to his name including "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "Casablanca." It stars Joan Crawford as the titular Mildred Pierce, who has been brought into her local police station to be questioned about her husband's murder. Once there, she tells a story of the events that led to her current husband's murder starting with her separation from her first husband all the way to being picked up by the police. Joining Crawford are Jack Carson, Anne Blyth, Zachary Scott, Bruce Bennett, and Eve Arden.

"Mildred Pierce" opens with a literal bang as Monte Beragon, played by Zachary Scott, is shot while uttering the name 'Mildred' just before his death. Early on in the movie, all signs point to Mildred being the culprit, including her actions right after the event. This story, however, isn't so much about a murder, but rather about the life of Mildred Pierce. It is about how a one-time housewife and mother raising two daughters got into this position in the first place. It is about a woman who has become a self-made business person, someone who has built her own empire from the ground up, all for the sake of her narcissistic sociopathic daughter Veda, played by Ann Blyth, a girl who only cares about money and things, not people.

Looking at a movie like "Mildred Pierce," the strangest thing is how so many people look down on her for working, Mildred becoming a wealthy business owner is seen as disgraceful by her daughter. The fact that Mildred runs a restaurant and smells of grease is somehow below the Beragon family name to her second husband. Oh, how times have changed. This film is steeped in drama, and we often wonder why Mildred puts up with so much crap from such an ungrateful daughter and from the condescending men in her life, but we have to chalk it up as "those were the times" and "that's what was expected of women" or it'll drive us crazy. This part of the story only works in a setting before the women's liberation movement, and the murder mystery aspect only works in a pre-cell phone, pre-internet world.

The best part about this movie is the acting. It is spectacular. Joan Crawford took home an Academy Award for best actress for her part here, and we think she absolutely deserved the accolades. The film was nominated for six awards total, but Crawford is the only one who took home the gold. One person who we believe really deserved an Oscar is Eve Arden as the manager of Mildred's restaurant, Ida. Though she was nominated, she lost to Anne Revere from "National Velvet." Arden offers up some much needed comic relief and delivers many of the best, sharpest lines in the movie.

This was a first-time watch for Lolo and me, and we really enjoyed "Mildred Pierce." We found it to be a very engaging film noir despite the fact that it is loaded with so many unlikable characters.

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My Rating: 8.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

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Movie Review: "Gangs of New York" (2002)

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Movie: "Gangs of New York"

Year Nominated: 2003
Director: Martin Scorsese
Rating: R
Oscar Nominations: 10
Oscar Wins: 0
Running Time: 2 hours, 47 minutes

The son of a Five Points gang leader seeks vengeance against the man who killed his father, the leader of a rival gang named Bill 'The Butcher,' who controls the neighborhood.

Every actor has a transformative role that can change how the audience perceives and what they are capable of performing. In BigJ's opinion, Amsterdam Vallon in "Gangs of New York" is that role for Leonardo DiCaprio. Of course, starring in a film directed by Martin Scorsese might do that for an actor. DiCaprio plays Vallon, who is the son of the leader of an old New York City gang called The Dead Rabbits and is made up mostly of Irish Catholic immigrants and their descendants. His father 'Priest' Vallon, played by Liam Neeson, was killed in battle by Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. Bill 'The Butcher" is the leader of a rival gang known as The Federation of American Natives, an anti-Catholic, anti-immigration, anti-Irish street gang who are descended from those who lived in the United States since a time before the Revolutionary War. Years after his father's death and fresh out of reform school, Amsterdam starts in motion his plan to get revenge on Bill 'The Butcher.' Of course, this means he will need to get very close to his target, which will require him to infiltrate his gang and earn his respect.

In case you were wondering, no, "Gangs of New York" is not based on a true story. That being said, many of the characters are inspired by actual people, and many of the gangs are named after genuine gangs found in New York City in the mid-1800's. The main story itself is a simple tale of revenge, but bubbling in the background of this exaggerated version of the Five Points in lower Manhattan is an interesting look into the politics of New York in the Civil War era. We find this aspect in the movie very gripping.

While the story is interesting on its own, the acting elevates the entire project into something brilliant. Daniel Day-Lewis's performance as the film's antagonist is absolutely marvelous, but then again, when is a Day-Lewis performance not fantastic? With a greasy hair-do, a huge mustache, a deep-seeded hatred in his belly, and a glass eye emblazoned with an American eagle where his pupil should be, Day-Lewis is a masterful, menacing, despicable villain. We have said it before and we will say it again, Mr. Day-Lewis sure plays a good asshole. His role as Bill 'The Butcher' earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor, though he did not take home the golden statue that year and lost to Adrien Brody for his equally riveting performance in "The Pianist."

Another fantastic thing about "Gangs of New York" is its overall look. The art direction and costuming are visually compelling and very beautiful, even though the story takes place in a mostly dingy part of the city. We love how the look of the overly tall top hats, the colorful waistcoats, the fluffy dresses, and the oily hair come together to create a brilliant, cohesive aesthetic.

Unfortunately, this film is not without its flaws. The biggest problems for us come from its length, its pacing, and the casting of Cameron Diaz. The movie is way too long, it is way too slowly paced, and Diaz doesn't quite fit her role and has a distractingly bad accent that immediately took us out of the film.

"Gangs of New York" is an amazing spectacle of American cinema, one absolutely worth seeing at least once in your lifetime, though you may need a 1860's American slang dictionary to fully understand what people are saying.

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My Rating: 9/10
BigJ's Rating: 9.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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Movie Review: "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951)

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Movie: "A Streetcar Named Desire"

Year Nominated: 1952
Director: Elia Kazan
Rating: PG
Oscar Nominations: 12
Oscar Wins: 4
Running Time: 2 hours, 2 minutes

Blanche DuBois, a woman from a formerly wealthy respected family, goes to live with her sister Stella and her brother-in-law Stanley in the slums of New Orleans. While Blanche tells favorable stories about her past, Stanley tries to do what he can to uncover the history she is trying to hide.

"Stella! Stella! Hey, Stella!" Even if you haven't seen "A Streetcar Named Desire," chances are you are familiar with this quote and probably a few others from the movie well. This is a film that has become ingrained in the popular culture of America and has been the subject of various parodies and homages since its release. The picture is directed by Elia Kazan, who went on to direct other films like "On the Waterfront" and "East of Eden." It is adapted from a stage play of the same name written by Tenessee Williams, whose other film adaptations include "The Glass Menagerie" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." The film stars Vivien Leigh as Blanche DuBois, a former school teacher from an upper-crust family who has recently fallen on hard times due to a scandal in her past. Joining her is Kim Hunter as Stella, Blanche's sister. Stella takes Blanch into the rundown single room apartment she shares with her husband Stanley Kowalski, played by Marlon Brando, who is a loud, violent, abusive man who doesn't take kindly to Blanche and her hoity-toity mannerisms. Blanche often tells grand accounts of her past. She spins and builds a facade of prim and proper in her look and attitude. She seems to look down on her sister's lifestyle and their living situation. Stanley takes an immediate offense to this and makes it his mission to dig up all the dirt he can on Blanche and her past in order to ruin her once and for all.

At the time of its release, "A Streetcar Named Desire" was considered very provocative. It was called indecent and was threatened with a rating of 'Condemned' by The Catholic League of Decency, which would have killed its box office returns. This is what we would equate to an NC-17 rating today. It came out in the early 50's and was one of the few films to actually acknowledge the fact that people were having sex or were even talking about it. It raised the notion that husbands could be abusive and that some people might have indelicate and salacious relationships. It dealt with many subjects that were looked seen as taboo at the time. Today, it might not be all that edgy, but it is still far from wholesome. The acting is tremendous all around. Marlon Brando plays a loudmouthed asshole wonderfully, even if he mumbles his lines and it's hard to completely understand what he's saying. Vivien Leigh took home an Academy Award for her portrayal of Blache Dubois, and rightfully so. She has the right mix of vulnerability, mystery, self-doubt, sass, confidence, and southern charm to carry a character of this caliber. She loves spinning tall tales and has a penchant for the dramatics. Karl Malden and Kim Hunter also took home Oscars for their performances as supporting characters in the film.

Watching "A Streetcar Named Desire" today, it admittedly doesn't have the same impact it did 67 years ago. It is an interesting slice of life film that explores the human condition, so it still has plenty of moments that remain effective. That being said, we weren't completely taken in by the film. We had a bit of trouble fully connecting with the characters as they all have rather despicable traits and very few redeeming qualities. Such is life. We still found enough to enjoy and appreciate it for the most part.

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My Rating: 7/10
BigJ's Rating: 7/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Do we recommend this movie: Sure, why not?

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Movie Review: "Captains Courageous" (1937)

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Movie: "Captains Courageous"

Year Nominated: 1938
Director: Victor Fleming
Rating: NR
Oscar Nominations: 4
Oscar Wins: 1
Running Time: 1 hours, 57 minutes

After falling off a steamship, a spoiled rich brat learns to be humble when he is rescued by a fishing boat and forced to work for his supper.

Have you ever run into a little kid so arrogant, spoiled, and ungrateful for what they have that you just want to smack them? That perfectly describes the kid in "Captains Courageous." It is directed by Victor Fleming, who has directed a couple of little-known films called "Gone With the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz." It is based on a novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling. It stars Freddie Bartholomew as Harvey Cheyne, a spoiled, upper-crust rich kid who thinks he can do whatever he wants because of his influential father. After Harvey gets suspended from school, his father decides to take him on his business trip overseas. While on a steamship crossing the Atlantic, Harvey falls overboard. He is rescued by a Portuguese fisherman named Manuel, played by Spencer Tracy. Nobody on the fishing boat believes Harvey's stories about his rich father and the promise of a big reward for his swift return, so the captain of the ship, played by Lionel Barrymore, puts Harvey to work to pay for his meals, passage, and safe return once the ship makes port again, which won't be for some time.

This is a film BigJ grew up watching. He would watch it on numerous occasions with his father, and it was one of their favorites to enjoy together. He will admit, he has a bit of a nostalgic connection and bias towards the film despite the fact that it came out more than 40 years before he was born and even a few years before his dad was born. Even without that connection, this is still a great piece of classic cinema with elements for the whole family. It is about the importance of hard work, honesty, and humility, a lesson every kid should learn. It shows that growing up with everything you want and not having to work for it doesn't allow a person to learn the value of a dollar. It shows how hard some people work for everything they have while others have everything handed to them. It is also about the importance of parents being there for your child and to be present in their lives and to show them right from wrong. The character of Harvey didn't have this since his father was always too busy with work to spend time with him despite loving him very much. Over the course of the film, Harvey develops a sincere father/son type of relationship with the man who rescued him, Manuel. Spencer Tracy won an Oscar for his portrayal of Manuel, though even he will admit he doesn't do a Portuguese accent very well, which is one of the worst parts of the movie. "Captains Courageous" was nominated for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Editing, though Tracy was the only one who took home a trophy. Overall, this is an engaging film that is both funny, heartwarming, and even a little exciting at times. There are some elements that are certainly of their time, but it mostly holds up even after decades.

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My Rating: 8/10
BigJ's Rating: 9/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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Movie Review: "Network" (1976)

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Movie: "Network"

Year Nominated: 1977
Director: Sidney Lumet
Rating: R
Oscar Nominations: 10
Oscar Wins: 4
Running Time: 2 hours, 1 minutes

When a career news anchor's on-air breakdown gets massive ratings, the network exploits it and tries to cash in on his continued unstable mental state.

Revisiting a movie like "Network" can really make you think. What once was a satirical indictment of the dangers of sensationalizing the news for entertainment and ratings has now come to fruition. 40 years ago, the idea of a crazy old man raging about the state of the world, espousing wild conspiracy theories sold as truth was unthinkable. Now, it's just another Tuesday.

"Network" is directed by Sidney Lumet, who has made such iconic films as "12 Angry Men," "Serpico," and "Dog Day Afternoon." It stars Peter Finch as Howard Beale, a man who has worked as a news anchor for over 20 years. When he learns he is about to be fired, he has a breakdown on air and even threatens to kill himself in an upcoming episode. When his breakdown returns huge ratings for the company, ambitious young programmer Diana Christensen, played by Faye Dunaway, has the idea to give Finch his job back and allow him to freely rant about whatever he wants, turning him into the mad prophet of the airwaves. She turns what was once a well-respected news program into a sensationalized outlet of punditry for the sake of entertainment and ratings. That would never happen in real life.....right? Also in the film are William Holden as the old-school head of the news department, who holds integrity in higher regard than profits, Robert Duvall as Frank Hackett, the eventual head of the network who only cares about money and ratings, and Ned Beatty, who plays the corporate overlord who owns the network and runs things behind the scenes.

Sidney Lumet has a knack for making films that remain relevant even decades later. Sure, television is not the powerhouse it once was. No show is getting a 60 share of the audience, but that doesn't change the general ideas of "Network" that have absolutely come to fruition. Cable news shows, the internet, and radio are all loaded with Howard Beale-type people espousing opinion as if it were absolute truth. Sensationalism has overtaken every aspect of what once was news. Cable news shows and talk radio do whatever they can to get ratings. The internet is full of misleading clickbait headlines from websites that only care about how many clicks, views, shares, likes, and retweets they get rather than whether or not their content is actually worthwhile or even accurate. Though it is not a perfect representation of the future of the news and media, the ideas behind it are very poignant. "Network" explores how people aren't all that concerned with learning new information. It shows how they are more worried about having someone vocalize their own frustrations, and instead of seeking out unbiased content, they find a place where their already preconceived notions can be validated through an echo chamber of like-minded people.

The fact that it remains so relevant in 2018 makes this movie even more riveting today. We are drawn in by the sharp, satirical, darkly humorous truths espoused here. The acting is fantastic from everyone involved, in particular, William Holden and Peter Finch. "Network" received nine Academy Award nominations and took home four, including Best Original Screenplay from Paddy Chayefsky, Best Supporting Actress for Beatrice Straight, Best Actress for Faye Dunaway, and Best Actor for Peter Finch, who actually beat out William Holden as they were nominated in the same category.

There is no time like the present to watch a movie like "Network." Its relevance astounds us. If you haven't already seen it, you must do so immediately.

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My Rating: 9/10
BigJ's Rating: 10/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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Movie Review: "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938)

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Movie: "The Adventures of Robin Hood"

Year Nominated: 1939
Director: Michael Curtiz and William Keighley
Rating: NR
Running Time: 1 hours, 42 minutes
Did It Win?: No.

With King Richard off fighting in the Crusades, his wicked brother Prince John tries to seize control of the throne for himself. While he is in power, he oppresses Saxon peasants in favor of Norman nobles. Meanwhile, a Saxon noble named Robin of Loxley becomes an outlaw to fight for the oppressed.

Very few characters capture the idea of a swashbuckling hero quite like Robin Hood. He has that certain bravado about him and has a flair for challenging the ruling class. This character has been brought to the silver screen numerous times throughout history, but no other portrayal is as memorable as the one found in the Oscar-nominated 1938 classic "The Adventures of Robin Hood." This movie is directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighly. It stars Errol Flynn as the titular Robin Hood, a Saxon nobleman-turned-outlaw after he rallies against Prince John's oppression of Saxon peasants and his usurpation of his brother Richard from the throne. Joining Flynn is Claude Rains as the aforementioned Prince John, Basil Rathbone as John's right-hand man Sir Guy of Gisborne, and Olivia de Havilland as Lady Marion Fitzwalter, the eventual love interest for the story's hero.

This is a classic Hollywood adventure story. It deals with themes that appealed to a widescale 1930's American audience including gallantry, chivalry, and the fight against tyranny. It is a big and colorful film full of lots of action and plenty of laughs, especially for the characters themselves. Hardly a scene goes by where Robin Hood and his merry band of men aren't belting out large guffaws. Errol Flynn has the proper look, swagger, and charisma to play such a roguish outlaw, and Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone do splendid jobs as his wicked adversaries. Olivia de Havilland fits the role of Maid Marion very well. She delivers a solid performance as the conflicted Norman who grows to respect and then love a Saxon outlaw.

This film likely doesn't carry quite the same impact now that it did when it was first released. There are a few very noticeable and atrocious cuts in its editing. There are a couple of moments that feel far goofier than they likely did when this picture came out in 1938. The entire cast is dressed in bright green tights, and with multiple parodies coming out in the decades that followed poking fun of this fact, looking back at it now, the costuming looks ridiculous rather than era-specific. We look back on these errors now and marvel at how far Hollywood has come. We can be a little forgiving of these problems because of the period in which the film was made. Despite these flaws, "The Adventures of Robin Hood" is still a fun, dashing, vibrant, quotable movie that is enjoyable to watch even now, 80 years later.

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My Rating: 8/10
BigJ's Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

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Movie Review: "There Will Be Blood" (2007)

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Movie: "There Will Be Blood"

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Year: 2018
Rating: R
Running Time: 2 hours, 38 minutes

Daniel Plainview has worked his way from the bottom to become a self-made oilman. He is willing to step on anyone who gets in his way and will go to great lengths to succeed.

Movie Review: "Pulp Fiction" (1994)

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Movie: "Pulp Fiction"

Year Nominated: 1995
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Rating: R
Running Time: 2 hours, 34 minutes
Did It Win?: No.

A look at the interactions of a gangster, his wife, a pair of hit-men, a boxer, a few perverts, and a pair of low-level criminals over the course of a few days in Los Angeles.

"Pulp Fiction" is the second feature film from writer/director Quentin Tarantino. It stars an ensemble cast including John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Tim Roth, and Amanda Plummer, just to name a few. The film is made up of a series of interconnected shorts that tell a larger story and revolve around a pair of hit-men named Jules Vern and Vincent Vega, played by Jackson and Travolta. Even though every segment involves Vincent Vega in some way, he is not the primary focus of every section. Much like its predecessor "Reservoir Dogs," this movie is told in a non-linear fashion, jumping back and forth from one day to the next and then back again depending on which character the story focuses on for that moment.

We are huge fans of Quentin Tarantino's work, and it doesn't get much better or more classic than "Pulp Fiction." This is a movie that oozes cool. From its aesthetic to the story to the dialogue, it is an amazing film. Samuel L. Jackson is absolutely brilliant as Jules, who gets two of the best exchanges in the whole film. He brings such a sense of gravitas to these scenes that it's hard to imagine anyone else delivering these now-classic lines with the same effectiveness. This performance earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor, though he lost out to Martin Landau for his performance "Ed Wood" in what was a very stacked field that year. Speaking of Oscar nominations, "Pulp Fiction" received a bunch more, including recognition for both John Travolta and Uma Thruman, who both put on stellar performances in their respective parts. This is probably Travolta's career-best performance. The film was also nominated for its editing, directing, and the cream of the crop, best picture. Quentin Tarantino got to take home a gold statue for best screenplay along with co-writer Roger Avery in what we think is a very deserved win.

We absolutely love "Pulp Fiction." We have seen it dozens of times and it never gets old. We love the way the story is told as it jumps back and forth along its timeline. It probably would have been just as effective if it were told in a normal fashion, but this way it ends on the perfect high note in such an iconic way. Add this excellent storytelling to tons of fantastic performances, a memorable soundtrack, and quippy, excellent dialogue, and you've got a recipe for success.

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My Rating: 10/10
BigJ's Rating: 10/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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Movie Review: "12 Angry Men" (1957)

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Movie: "12 Angry Men"

Year Nominated: 1958
Director: Sidney Lumet
Rating: NR
Running Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Did It Win?: No.

A jury debates the fate of a young man on trial for murder. If he is found guilty, he will face the death penalty.

"12 Angry Men" is the first feature film made by legendary director Sidney Lumet. He would go on to direct other memorable films such as "Serpico," "Murder on the Orient Express," and "Dog Day Afternoon."  We have to wonder if Lumet knew the issues discussed in this film back in 1957 would still be so relevant in 2018's current political climate. We still encounter racism, both passive and overt, as well as socioeconomic discrimination and xenophobia. We see these 12 unnamed jurors, played by Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, Jack Warden, E.G. Marshall, and John Fiedler, just to name a few, debate whether or not a young man is guilty and whether or not to send him to the electric chair. These jurors say phrases like:

"Look, you know how these people lie! It's born in them."

And, "They don't know what the truth is! And lemme tell ya: they don't need any real big reason to kill someone, either!"

And, "They're sending people that have lots of problems...They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists."

And, "I've known a couple who were OK, but that's the exception, y'know what I mean?"

Alright, so maybe one of those phrases wasn't from the movie, but with all the generalization going on, it's hard to tell which quote is not from the film and which one was uttered by a real person. That's scary as hell, especially considering the character that spoke the majority of the above lines is meant to be a despicable bigot.

We remain supremely enthralled by the debates that rage on in the jury room in "12 Angry Men." The sharp dialogue leaves us hanging on every word. It's all about one man standing up to immense social pressure when encountering something he knows is wrong and demanding that the issues at least be discussed. We will admit, the actions taken by the jury aren't exactly accurate as they essentially retry the case themselves with Henry Fonda's Juror #8 acting as a makeshift defense attorney for the accused. He regularly presents new evidence not offered by the defense and debates that instead of what's already been presented. We suppose this may be to point out the regular failings of the overworked public defender's office, but we digress. The film does point out that those who cannot afford their own attorney often don't get competent representation due to public defenders being overworked and understaffed. Apart from the enthralling nature of the film, the acting here is fantastic as these 12 men each represent different ideologies, mindsets, and backgrounds. We have to admit though, every single time John Fieldler started talking, we couldn't help but imagine Piglet from "Winnie the Pooh" debating this murder case.

"12 Angry Men" is one of the most important films ever made. This is a movie that should be shown in every school, at every grade, all across America, from kindergarten through law school. It holds up very well and it is still just as good today as it ever was. Stunning work by Sidney Lumet!

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My Rating: 9/10
BigJ's Rating: 9/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

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Movie Review: "Breaking Away" (1979)

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Movie: "Breaking Away"

Year Nominated: 1980
Director: Peter Yates
Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Did It Win?: No.

A group of townies hoping to show their worth get an opportunity to compete against the more well-off college kids in the Little 500 bike race. 

"Breaking Away" is directed by Peter Yates, who is known for films like "Bullitt" and "Krull." It is written by Steve Tesich, who took home an Oscar for his original screenplay here. The narrative focuses on a group of 'Cutters,' which is a nickname given to the blue-collar townies from Bloomington, Indiana. Dave, played by Dennis Christopher, is a cyclist who is obsessed with Italy and its people thanks to its extraordinary bike riding heritage. Mike, played by Dennis Quaid, is a former high school quarterback with a chip on his shoulder. Cyril, played by Daniel Stern, is a bit of a goof and is an underachiever. Finally, Moocher, played by Jackie Earle Haley, is a temperamental guy who is a little touchy about his height. These local boys often have conflicts with the local university students, who come in from out of town and look down their noses at those who choose not to pursue higher education. However, this year, the Cutters have a chance to show the college kids what's what by competing in the annual Little 500 bike race against them.

This film is part coming-of-age story, part exploration and dissection of classism, and part classic underdog sports tale. It also looks at the changing times and the diminishing opportunities for a blue-collar career. The nickname 'Cutters' is in reference to the stone cutters, who used to work the quarry in Bloomington. Of course, the quarry has now laid off most of its workforce due to the dwindling demand for new stone structures. This leaves those who used to work in these industries forced to search for jobs outside of their previous field of employment or seek out higher education and become one of the college elitists the Cutters used to despise. This issue continues today as more and more blue-collar industries dry up as technological advancements make these jobs more obsolete. 

The character of Dave is the primary focus of the movie as he tries to find himself as a person, come to an understanding with his father, and make a decision about what he wants to do with his life. He is smart enough to go to college and is a skilled cyclist, giving him a potential collegiate athletics opportunity. The other boys play a much more minor yet integral part of the story. The acting is great across the board. Jackie Earl Haley is excellent as Moocher, who is a bit of a goofball but will go off on anyone who makes fun of his height or his size. Dennis Quaid is also good as the bitter jock reminiscing about what could have been. Barbara Barrie earned an Oscar nomination for her understated, small-scale performance as Dave's supportive mother. Performances like this don't happen very often nowadays. There is a good amount of humor here, as well as some more touching and dramatic moments between Dave and his father, played by Paul Dooley. Dave's dad is an old-fashioned kind of guy who has trouble grasping his son's eccentricities and obsessions with Italians. He frequently belittles what Dave loves in his confusion.

"Breaking Away" is nearly 40 years old, but is still quite relatable, fresh, and entertaining. It touches on a few topics that are still very relevant today and it holds up in terms of its quality. If we are being honest, we don't think a film like this would get nominated for an Oscar today, but the late 70's were different a time.

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My Rating: 7.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 8/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!

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Movie Review: "Django Unchained" (2012)

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Movie: "Django Unchained"

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Year: 2012
Rating: R
Running Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

A German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz buys and frees a slave named Django, who he takes on as a partner in exchange for pointing out the identities two lucrative bounties.

"Django Unchained" is a pre-Civil War western written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, who is known for his films "Pulp Fiction" and "Inglorious Basterds." It stars Jamie Foxx as the titular Django, who begins the movie as a slave, but is bought and freed by a German dentist turned bounty hunter Dr. King Schutz, played by Christoph Waltz. Dr. King Schultz is looking for two bounties of whom Django knows the identities, and in exchange for pointing them out, Schultz gives Django his freedom, makes him his partner, and agrees to help him free his wife Broomhilda, played by Kerry Washington, from slavery. Broomhilda is owned by 'Monsieur' Calvin J. Candie, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a wealthy plantation owner who is obsessed with French culture and regularly puts on 'Mandingo Fights' for sport.

Quentin Tarantino brings his unique, character-driven vision to the western genre in "Django Unchained." He dabbled in this genre a little bit making "Kill Bill," but here, he goes all out. First off, Robert Richardson's cinematography in the film is stunning and amazing. The shots are expertly crafted and can be brutally breathtaking. There are some scenes that are downright violent, but at the same time, they are artfully crafted as the deep red color of blood is juxtaposed against white cotton, and white horses, and white walls. It's oddly gorgeous. And what would a Tarantino film be without his sharply engaging dialogue? And who better to deliver it than Christoph Waltz? Both times Tarantino has employed Waltz, it has produced an Oscar-winning performance. He is absolutely brilliant as Dr. King Schultz. Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson present two characters at the opposite end of the spectrum for those held in slavery pre-Civil war. Foxx's Django is a freed slave ready to stick it to the man acting as a beacon of hope for what is possible. He starts out as a timid man, but as King Schultz trains him in his bounty hunting ways, his inner menace comes out in full, brutal force. Jackson's Stephen is a vocal and vociferous personality and gains a small amount of power by endearing himself to his owners and aiding in the oppression of his fellow slaves. Two glorious and different performances that juxtapose one another nicely. Another actor here giving an amazing performance is Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays an utterly despicable character but does so exceedingly well. He has some of the most memorable scenes in the film, even though he's only in the latter portion of the film.

Cunning, brutal, perverse, and darkly humorous, "Django Unchained" is an intense, bloody, engaging movie with stunning cinematography. It is one of Tarantino's best films.

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My Rating: 10/10
BigJ's Rating: 10/10
IMDB's Rating: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%
Do we recommend this movie: ABSOLUTELY YES!!!

Movie Review: "The Fly" (1986)

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Movie: "The Fly"

Director: David Cronenberg
Year: 1986
Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Scientist Seth Brundle has just developed a matter transporter, but when he tests it on himself, a fly gets in the transport chamber with him, causing their genes to unintentionally splice in the process.

Just recently, we watched and reviewed Kurt Neumann's 1958 horror classic "The Fly," which was more of a slow-paced drama with a little horror thrown in to keep it interesting. We decided to watch David Cronenberg's 1986 version of "The Fly" for comparison's sake. It just goes to shows all remakes aren't inherently a bad idea. Much like the original, this is a film about a scientist who is working on developing a matter transporter. Once he tests it on himself, his genes get spliced with the genes of a fly when it sneaks into the transporter with him. The major difference is, in the more modern version, the scientist becomes a single, slowly evolving hybrid version of the two creatures instead of two separate ones. This remake stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, the aforementioned scientist attempting to perfect matter transportation. Joining him is Geena Davis as Veronica Quaife, a reporter for a tech magazine who is trying to get a scoop on the story of Seth's discovery, but winds up falling in love in the process. The final major player in the film is Jon Getz as Stathis Borans, Veronica's editor and former lover who becomes a point of contention throughout the movie.

We're not always fans of remakes, but in some cases, they actually wind up being an improvement on an old story or concept. Such is the case with Cronenberg's "The Fly." He has taken a classic story and truly made it his own bizarre, disgusting, engaging and entertaining story. Jeff Goldblum is the perfect casting choice as the rambling, somewhat hyperactive scientist Seth Brundle. Goldblum would go on to play similar roles many more times throughout his career, but this is one of his best performances. Geena Davis does a great job as a driven reporter who is put in an extremely worrisome situation later in the film, which leads to a very unnerving visual moment.

Speaking of unnerving moments, you can't talk about "The Fly" without talking about the insane visuals. They are brought to life by some impressive makeup work and tremendous creature effects by Chris Walas and Stephen Dupuis. Their work on the fly creature is astounding and utterly disturbing. These visually unsettling images help make the film the success that it is, and they took home a much deserved Acadamy Award for their efforts. These aspects still hold up extremely well today.

Though the story of "The Fly" is a fairly simple and effective horror story, it also deals with personal identity and explains a tale of one man's Icarus Syndrome. It demonstrates our desire to fly but shows how someone flying too high too quickly without taking proper precautions will cause them to get burned. David Cronenberg is known for making weird and unnerving films, and "The Fly" is certainly one of his best and one of our favorites. We love Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis here, and when all of these aspects are combined with its incredible visuals, you've got one hell of a horror for the ages.

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My Rating: 8.5/10
BigJ's Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB's Rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%
Do we recommend this movie: Yes!