Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
I was introduced to Akira Kurosawa movies like most people were, with Seven Samurai, which I loved. I didn't realize the genius of the man until I watch Rashomon. The story is fairly simple; four characters describe a brutal rape and what followed after. One of the characters is dead, by the way...it makes perfect sense when you watch it. As we get to see each version, we start to make our own conclusions as to what really happened. All is gorgeously captured by Kurosawa so that the movie seems like a great play. I remember being totally rapt while watching this film for the first time. Action, drama, heartbreak, brutality, even a little humour, it's all there and it's all great!
- Often credited as the reason why a "Best Foreign Film" category was created at the Academy Awards.
- Possibly the first movie to have a shot where the camera is directed straight at the sun.
Starring: Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, Patricia Hitchcock
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
The first time I saw this movie was in a film class in college. We were dissecting the "criss-cross" motif and how it plays out in the film...something that would usually bore the crap out of me. But as I watched, in that dark room, I became riveted by the craziness of the story being played out. Granger was the perfect "everyman" that is present in almost all of Hitchcock's thrillers; a character that finds himself in a very extraordinary situation. But even more compelling was Robert Walker as the nut who comes up with the "perfect murder". I couldn't take my eyes off of him every time he was on screen. One of Hitchcock's most thrilling, and daring, finales makes this one of his best and a definite must see for anyone that claims to be a fan of "The Master".
- This was Robert Walker's last film, as he died suddenly only eight months after filming completed from an allergic reaction to a drug.
- Hitchcock bought the rights to the novel the movie is based on anonymously to keep the price down. He paid only $7,500.
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen
Directed by: Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
I've said it before, I'll say it again, and I'll keep saying it 'til the day I die, this is the BEST musical ever made!! I have seen this movie probably 40 times and I still love every minute of it. Gene Kelly is absolutely phenomenal to watch; acting, singing, dancing like I could only dream! O'Connor matches him step for step and adds some great humour. Reynolds is as cute as a button; I can't NOT watch her when she's on screen. The extended sequence with Cyd Charisse; hubba hubba! Come on!! Gene Kelly magically dancing with the rain....it's AMAZING!! Oh, what about Jean Hagen's performance? "And I caaaaan't stand 'im". I want to watch it right now!
- Judy Holliday was first thought of for the role of Lina Lamont. The role went to Jean Hagen, who just happened to be Holliday's understudy during the Broadway run of Born Yesterday.
- The scene where Kelly actually sings and dances in the rain was pretty much done on one take as Kelly reportedly had a fever of 101 that day.
- Reynolds has said the two toughest things she's ever done were giving birth and working with Gene Kelly, who was known as a perfectionist and a bit of a tyrant on set.
Starring: Marlon Brando, Lee J. Cobb, Karl Malden, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint
Directed by: Elia Kazan
IMDB Rating: 8.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
He coulda had class. He coulda been a contendah. He coulda been somebody, 'stead of a bum, which is what he was, let's face it. Paraphrasing the most famous line from this movie should be enough for you to want to see it, but there is so much more going on. Brando is simply amazing to watch, showing all his inner turmoil with just his eyebrows at times. The supporting roles are just as great; Karl Malden as the priest who needs to do away with the mob influence on the docks, and Lee J. Cobb (who I think was one of the most underrated actors ever) as the big, ruthless boss. Elia Kazan takes a harsh, cruel story and makes it look beautiful. A great film to watch if you ever want to study acting.
- Frank Sinatra was offered the role of Terry Malloy while the studio was still trying to entice Marlon Brando. When Brando signed, Sinatra sued.
- Grace Kelly turned down the role of Edie in order to make Rear Window.
- Producer Sam Spiegel forgot to pay for rear-projection equipment which is why there are blinds in the back of the cab during the famous scene.
Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Most film buffs like Hitchcock movies. Most have a favourite, be it Vertigo, North By Northwest, Psycho. Rear Window is my favourite from Hitch! James Stewart is the perfect mix of tough and paranoid. Raymond Burr is great as the suspected killer. Grace Kelly is so ridiculously beautiful that's it hard to watch sometimes. A great mix of humour, suspense and action only the way Hitchcock could do. Technically speaking, it's so precise, and has to be, that it just boggles my mind how "The Master" kept it all together and made it flow so smoothly. Fantastic fun!
- All but three shots originate from James Stewart's apartment.
- At the time, this was the largest indoor set built at Paramount Studios.
Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima
Directed by: Akira Kurosawa
IMDB Rating: 8.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
I saw The Magnificent Seven way before I saw this film. I loved The Magnificent Seven, so how could I not love the inspiration for that film?!? To watch a Kurosawa film is to understand how most American action movies were developed in the 1950's and 1960's...everything was stolen from this genius. Great action sequences, high drama, some humour, the movie has it all, and it looks so good in black & white that I don't think I could EVER watch a colourized version.
- Kurosawa created a "family tree" for all the citizens of the village so the actors could get more into their roles.
- Possibly the first time an approaching horde is seen coming over a hill is shown in cinema.
Starring: Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehart
Directed by: Federico Fellini
IMDB Rating: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Fellini films are hard to explain sometimes. They contain more "feeling" than "observing". This, in my opinion, was Fellini's most accessible film. Masina plays a girl who is sold to a strongman in a travelling circus. She, after time, becomes his faithful "pet", even when circumstances warrant against that. Masina is the star of this film! She conveys every emotion through her enormously big eyes. Her portrayal is absolutely heartbreaking at times, but she's able to rouse your spirits at the most inopportune times. Fellini manages to capture all of this gorgeously with his use of music, and, at times, absolute silence. I've seen only a few Fellini films, but I can't imagine there being a better one than La Strada.
- Winner of the first Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards.
- Anthony Quinn signed a deal that would have paid him a percentage of the profits from the film. His agent decided to change it to an upfront salary. That decision cost Quinn millions of dollars.
Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, Jack Klugman, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, Ed Begley
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
IMDB Rating: 8.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
How is it possible that a movie taking place in one room turns out to be one of the best thrillers of all time? Take a fantastic story written by Reginald Rose, steady and able directing from Lumet, and a cast of some of the best actors working, mix it all together and you have your answer! "Is it Possible?" yells Fonda...absolutely. This was Lumet's first feature film and although he went on to make some glorious movies, I still name this as his best. Just a phenomenal film that will keep you interested in every word uttered.
- The entire cast of jurors are now deceased after the death of Jack Klugman (juror #5) on Dec. 24, 2012.
- Henry Fonda, who acted as co-producer, personally asked Lumet to direct.
Starring: Alec Guinness, William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa
Directed by: David Lean
IMDB Rating: 8.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Before I saw this movie I thought it was just another war film. Boy, was I wrong! There is so much going on in this film, and it all comes to a head in the final scene, which is so tragic and heartbreaking it has to be rated as one of the best scenes in the history of cinema. Alec Guinness is perfect as the head of the British regimen being held as POW's in charge of building a bridge for a very important train. Holden plays the typical American hero, brash, brazen, bronzed, one can't help but cheer for him when he makes the decision to "go back in". Maybe forgotten is the remarkable job by Hayakawa as the leader of the Japanese POW camp. Fantastic film making with some unbelievable scenery.
- The role Alec Guinness plays was offered to Charles Laughton and Laurence Olivier.
- Based on a real life incident, over 12,000 POWs died during the construction of the real bridge.
Starring: Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Marlene Dietrich
Directed by: Orson Welles
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
As I watched the beginning of Robert Altman's "The Player", a character was talking about an magnificent opening tracking shot (moving camera, no edits) that lasted eight minutes. They were talking about "Touch Of Evil". When I finally got to see the movie years later, I watched in awe during those opening eight minutes. Leave it to Orson Welles to construct that mind-boggling achievement. But then the movie was great, too! Charlton Heston as a Mexican?? Yup, it works! Janet Leigh as the tough and sexy ingenue? For sure! Orson Welles as a corrupt cop?? Of course it works! Not only is he corrupt, but his size and slovenly look adds to what may be his best role ever. Sex, intrigue, plot turns, this film has it all, in spades. Great fun!
- Janet Leigh broke her left arm before filming started. She wore a cast through most of the film, hidden from the view of the camera. For the hotel scenes, the cast was removed then reapplied.
- Orson Welles was not supposed to direct the film. Through a misunderstanding, Charlton Heston signed on to act thinking Welles was directing. To keep Heston happy, the studio asked Welles to direct.
Starring: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, George Raft
Directed by: Billy Wilder
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
A couple of musicians need a job. The only thing available is an all-woman band. The two witness a murder. Bring out the dresses!! So starts one of the funniest comedies ever filmed. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon dive head first into their roles as Josephine and Daphne with hilarious results. Marilyn Monroe was perfect as the beautiful musician that they both fall for, for a time. What could have easily been a silly, immature romp is handled with grace and elegance by Billy Wilder, making this film number one on most Best Comedies Of All Time lists. And the final lines of the movie are enough to make you watch it again and again.
- Marilyn Monroe was famously hard to work with during filming. She would hold up production for hours, refusing to leave her dressing room. She took dozens of takes to say very simple lines.
- Originally banned in Kansas. The state didn't like the idea of "cross dressing".
That's the 1950's. Eleven out of 55 movies rated 10 out of 10...pretty good percentage! Some movies I'm still looking to see from that decade include:
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Bad Day At Black Rock (1955)
Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)
I Want To Live! (1958)
Ben-Hur (1959)
The Wrong Man (1956)
Wild Strawberries (1957)
The Ladykillers (1955)
Ikiru (1952)
Tokyo Story (1953)
The Wages Of Fear (1953)
