In response to the seeming lack of interest of today's youth in things that are more than 50 years old I have started this thread. Here I shall post some reviews/recommendations of true classic movies I've watched. Movies that should be watched by everyone at least once in their life (although I may cover a couple marginal and/or modern movies later). Feel free to give opinions/reviews of the movies I pick if your brain isn't decayed by CGI. As a supplement here is a link to my free old movie thread http://www.cgalliance.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21777 ,however , unlike those movies the ones here are Netflix rentals so they will probably be of a higher caliber.
Without Further Ado my first review...
Mr. Deeds goes to Town (1936)
When a small-town tuba player (Gary Cooper) lands a $20 million inheritance and moves to the big city, the sharks begin to circle. Jean Arthur is the sassy reporter who'll do anything for a scoop on Deeds -- until she falls for him. Director Frank Capra (It's a Wonderful Life) delivers a heartfelt romantic allegory about daring to stand for principles in the face of greed and malice.
Been done before? Not in 1936. This the first time and certainly any remake after pales in comparison. Actors of that era were known for their personalities. Gary Cooper plays his part in his own distinctively earnest and wonderful way which no modern actor could match. Jean Arthur with her distinctive voice and ability to emote believably is equally outstanding. It's fun watching the subtleties of her face alone. The dialog is fast and clever too so you won't find yourself in any boring moments, after shaking a shady lawyer's hand Mr. Deeds comments "even his hands are oily". As this is a depression era film you can expect the prerequisite happy uplifting ending, but, since when is that a bad thing? Director Frank Capra's movies often feature honest, likable, little guys, and many have become classic movies, this in one of them.
Possible Positive and/or Objectable Content: Mr. Deeds punches a couple people (all of which needed it IMO). Mr. Deeds in his innocence's gets drunk, but, later repents. One reporter mumbles something under his breath, then when asked by his boss what it was he replies "I said you have dirty plaster". Many people lie or attempt to deceive Mr. Deeds, but, all either repent or are thwarted.
If you liked this film a similar film is "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" (1939) with Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur, which is perhaps even better. Both films remain as relevant and riveting today as then.
I give it 9 out of 10 Gerbil paws up!
Without Further Ado my first review...
Mr. Deeds goes to Town (1936)
When a small-town tuba player (Gary Cooper) lands a $20 million inheritance and moves to the big city, the sharks begin to circle. Jean Arthur is the sassy reporter who'll do anything for a scoop on Deeds -- until she falls for him. Director Frank Capra (It's a Wonderful Life) delivers a heartfelt romantic allegory about daring to stand for principles in the face of greed and malice.
Been done before? Not in 1936. This the first time and certainly any remake after pales in comparison. Actors of that era were known for their personalities. Gary Cooper plays his part in his own distinctively earnest and wonderful way which no modern actor could match. Jean Arthur with her distinctive voice and ability to emote believably is equally outstanding. It's fun watching the subtleties of her face alone. The dialog is fast and clever too so you won't find yourself in any boring moments, after shaking a shady lawyer's hand Mr. Deeds comments "even his hands are oily". As this is a depression era film you can expect the prerequisite happy uplifting ending, but, since when is that a bad thing? Director Frank Capra's movies often feature honest, likable, little guys, and many have become classic movies, this in one of them.
Possible Positive and/or Objectable Content: Mr. Deeds punches a couple people (all of which needed it IMO). Mr. Deeds in his innocence's gets drunk, but, later repents. One reporter mumbles something under his breath, then when asked by his boss what it was he replies "I said you have dirty plaster". Many people lie or attempt to deceive Mr. Deeds, but, all either repent or are thwarted.
If you liked this film a similar film is "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" (1939) with Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur, which is perhaps even better. Both films remain as relevant and riveting today as then.
I give it 9 out of 10 Gerbil paws up!
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The film hides some very real skill as well. Every time an arrow hits a person it's really being fired by archery legend Howard Hill into a metal plate on their chest. Think the arrow's sound is fake? Nope. The sound Howard Hill's special custom arrows made was recorded to become a stock sound effect for countless films. Think no one can split a arrow? Hill could (although the arrow in the film is split via special effect because it did not look right on film when he did it). It's true the staff fighting scene could have been a tiny bit better and there was a bent sword at one point but overall the fencing scenes are superb and were choreographed by expert Fred Cavens (the classic fencing shadows trick is wonderful). It's not all action either. The supporting character actors are likeable and the romance has both chemistry and believability which gives a depth that isn't always present in pure action films. If there is anything bad about Robin Hood it's the fact that it only reminds us we will probably never see anything like this legend made again.