Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 5:54 pm
Orson Welles:
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)-
Expect the review to be up here next week. I've recorded it last week and still need to watch it.
Citizen Kane (1941)- 7
Maybe it's a low grading for such an acclaimed masterpiece, but it simply hasn't aged well. It's rather slow and honestly, a bit boring when watched through modern day eyes. That doesn't take anything away from the innovative way Welles has set up this classic. And he's brilliant in his role of Charles Foster Kane.
Cecil B. DeMille:
The Ten Commandments (1956)- 5
This has to be the most overrated film of all time. To me, it was the wooden performances and cardboard characters that killed it for me. That, and the laughable 'effects'.
Oh, I wish I could give brother Bill his great thrill
I would send him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille
He could die happily ever after
- 'Tombstone Blues' (1966), Bob Dylan
Howard Hawks:
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)- 6
Average, much overrated comedy. I had to laugh several times, but it's not by far the comedic masterpiece people make it out to be. Oh, and Marilyn can't act. There, I said it!
To Have and Have Not (1944)- 5
I've seldom seen a Bogart-movie that's horribly boring, but this is one of them. (The other one is 'Beat the Devil'.)
His Girl Friday (1940)- 9
Now this is the way all comedies should be: great pacing, clever dialogue, impeccable delivery, smart jokes, likeable characters. Cary Grant was never in better form.
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)- 7.5
Unexpected winner. I didn't expect much starting this one, but it took me by complete sursprise just how good it was. I just like the general tensed atmosphere that lies over the entire movie; that feeling was very well communicated to the viewer.
Frank Capra:
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)- 5
Despite Jimmy Stewart, this is vastly overrated melodramatic second-rate cheap drama. I also don't like the message it sends: 'sacrifice your life and your dreams and live a crappy life that you never wanted, because it might make somebody else happy'.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)-
Sadly, I haven't had the chance to watch this classic yet.
Lost Horizon (1937)- 8.5
The best Capra I've seen yet. It's an exciting tale of a a group of unrelated travelers who happen to strand in the utopian Shangri-La, but it remains a mystery whether or not its leader can be trusted for a large part of the movie, which creates great suspense. It misses the thickly layed-on morality and preaching that has made other Capras so unbearable.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)- 5
I think Gary Cooper is miscast and I hate the overdone, horribly exaggerated saccharine-sweet ending in the courtroom.
It Happened One Night (1934)- 9
By far the best 'romantic comedy' I've ever seen. It's amazing how fresh it still is after 76 years! I was also amazed to learn Gable and Colbert both didn't want to do this movie; you totally can't tell from their performances and great chemistry.
William Wyler:
Ben-Hur (1959)-
I'm always putting off watching it, because it's sooooo long... and I'm sure it can't possibly live up to my expectations, based in its reputation.
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)-
Expect the review to be up here next week. I've recorded it last week and still need to watch it.
Citizen Kane (1941)- 7
Maybe it's a low grading for such an acclaimed masterpiece, but it simply hasn't aged well. It's rather slow and honestly, a bit boring when watched through modern day eyes. That doesn't take anything away from the innovative way Welles has set up this classic. And he's brilliant in his role of Charles Foster Kane.
Cecil B. DeMille:
The Ten Commandments (1956)- 5
This has to be the most overrated film of all time. To me, it was the wooden performances and cardboard characters that killed it for me. That, and the laughable 'effects'.
Oh, I wish I could give brother Bill his great thrill
I would send him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille
He could die happily ever after
- 'Tombstone Blues' (1966), Bob Dylan
Howard Hawks:
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)- 6
Average, much overrated comedy. I had to laugh several times, but it's not by far the comedic masterpiece people make it out to be. Oh, and Marilyn can't act. There, I said it!
To Have and Have Not (1944)- 5
I've seldom seen a Bogart-movie that's horribly boring, but this is one of them. (The other one is 'Beat the Devil'.)
His Girl Friday (1940)- 9
Now this is the way all comedies should be: great pacing, clever dialogue, impeccable delivery, smart jokes, likeable characters. Cary Grant was never in better form.
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)- 7.5
Unexpected winner. I didn't expect much starting this one, but it took me by complete sursprise just how good it was. I just like the general tensed atmosphere that lies over the entire movie; that feeling was very well communicated to the viewer.
Frank Capra:
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)- 5
Despite Jimmy Stewart, this is vastly overrated melodramatic second-rate cheap drama. I also don't like the message it sends: 'sacrifice your life and your dreams and live a crappy life that you never wanted, because it might make somebody else happy'.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)-
Sadly, I haven't had the chance to watch this classic yet.
Lost Horizon (1937)- 8.5
The best Capra I've seen yet. It's an exciting tale of a a group of unrelated travelers who happen to strand in the utopian Shangri-La, but it remains a mystery whether or not its leader can be trusted for a large part of the movie, which creates great suspense. It misses the thickly layed-on morality and preaching that has made other Capras so unbearable.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)- 5
I think Gary Cooper is miscast and I hate the overdone, horribly exaggerated saccharine-sweet ending in the courtroom.
It Happened One Night (1934)- 9
By far the best 'romantic comedy' I've ever seen. It's amazing how fresh it still is after 76 years! I was also amazed to learn Gable and Colbert both didn't want to do this movie; you totally can't tell from their performances and great chemistry.
William Wyler:
Ben-Hur (1959)-
I'm always putting off watching it, because it's sooooo long... and I'm sure it can't possibly live up to my expectations, based in its reputation.














