Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Posted on April 6, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Teresa Wright, and directed by William Wyler, this film tells the touching if not sad story of an English family. We follow their life from the happy moments before World War II to the hardships in the midst of it. Through it all Mrs. Miniver is a quietly strong wife and mother who holds her family together. Whether she is waiting in a bomb shelter, capturing a German parachutist, or simply taking care of her family, she exhibits amazing courage and fortitude. She is a testament to those fighting on the home front Mrs. Miniver is not a part of Dunkirk like her husband. She is not flying like her son but her role is just as important. Even in the closing when tragedy has hit Britain, the country and its Mrs. Minivers stay resilient. First used as a propaganda device in the 1940s this film is till moving today. When you see any of these people rejoice or suffer you too are moved.

4/5 Stars

The Little Foxes (1941)

Posted on April 6, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring a cast including Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, and Teresa Wright, the film opens in the South circa 1900 and it revolves around a greed woman and her two conniving brothers who hope to make millions off mills. Regina sends her innocent daughter Alexandra to bring her ill father home so the deal can be settled. He returns very worn down and he will not take part in the venture. It leaves his wife angry and her brothers dishonestly acquire the rest of the funds they need. Horace inadvertently finds out but he will not let Regina tell on them. However, Regina coldly looks on when the sick man needs her most and very soon after he passes away. Now she has her brothers where she wants them, allowing her greed to show through completely. She has gained so much and yet in the process she loses something so valuable in her daughter. The title comes from the book of Songs of Solomon and it perfectly describes these greedy people. I felt the main actors did a wonderful job in this film under the direction of the great William Wyler.

4.5/5 Stars

Stalag 17 (1953)

Posted on April 3, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Headlined by William Holden and directed by Billy Wilder, this is a great POW World War II film with its dramatic and comedic moments. Holden is the cynical camp scrounger Sefton and after some men are killed following an elaborate escape. everyone believes he is an informant. Tempers rise when two new prisoners arrive and one is questioned for his part in sabotage. Again the camp believes Sefton squealed and eventually they beat him up for being a traitor. However, Sefton himself finally figures out who the real informant is and tips off the barracks before another escape attempt. Sefton goes along and ironically the spy is used as their diversion so they can escape. This film has a lot of great characters including Cookie, Animal, Harry, and don’t forget Schultz who is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be and a predecessor to Hogan’s Heroes own. Along with the Great Escape and the Bridge on the River Kwai, this is one of the best POW films.

4.5/5 Stars

Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Posted on April 2, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Alec Guinness and William Holden with director David Lean, this is a World War II film that follows the exploits of British POWs and also Allies on a secret mission. Guinness is the proud and principled British Colonel who leads his men in a memorable entrance. With stubbornness he wages a war of wits against the Japanese camp overseer. He inspires his men and eventually reaches his goal of personally leading them in the completion of the bridge. At the same time an American soldier (Holden) attempts escape and somehow winds up alive and safe. However, all too soon he is sent right back with specialized commandos to destroy the bridge. In a chaotic and tragic finale, the British colonel puts a wrench in the plans and the implications are costly even though the objective is achieved. This is a magnificent and enjoyable film with good cinematography, interesting characters, a two-sided story, and of course whistling!

5/5 Stars

Inherit the Wind (1960)

Posted on March 5, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring two battling greats in Spencer Tracy and Frederic March, with Gene Kelly as well, the film chronicles a fictitious version of the controversial Scopes Monkey Trial which acted as an allegory for the McCarthy era. March is the prestigious prosecutor on the side of Creationism and Tracy is the famed defense attorney fighting for a young schoolteacher (Dick York). The two spar back and forth on the touchy subject while staying friends outside the courtroom. The whole town backs Brady, condemning Cates and Drummond as evil. However, despite all that is against them, Drumond saves the case by bringing Brady to the stand. The two stars have commendable performances if not their best. Gene Kelly proves he can be a serious actor, playing the cynical newspaper man. The cast is rounded out nicely by Harry Morgan and Claude Akins. Here Stanley Kramer puts together a respectable movie version of the stage play.

4/5 Stars

The 400 Blows (1959)

Posted on March 1, 2013 by 4 Star Films

This French New Wave film directed by Francois Truffaut, more aptly titled The Wild One or Raising Hell, is about a young boy named Antoine. He comes from a working class family and his parents are struggling and frustrated. In school he gets poor grades and his teacher often punishes him. Annoyed with his life, he runs off for a time committing petty crimes and exploring the streets with a friend. That ends when he is caught stealing his father’s typewriter. Fed up for the last time his parents send him away to an observation center for boys. After he arrives Antoine escapes and runs to the ocean a sight he has never seen. With that the camera zooms in and we clearly see the face of this troubled, young boy. It is easy to appreciated this film because it does not glamorize the situation but tries to deal with it sensitively. Truffaut made a very good one here reflecting on his own experiences.

5/5 Stars

Gladiator (2000)

Posted on February 25, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and Connie Nielsen, with director Ridley Scott, this film is set during the waning days of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelias. General Maximus is a great and loyal warrior who the old man wants as his successor. However, his jealous son will not have it, killing his father and then ordering the execution of Maximus. He escapes but is mad a slave and then a gladiator. Through this he gains the respect of the masses and is able to defy Commodus. Over time, Maximus is part of a plot to remove Commodus. Once again the enraged emperor wishes to quash the legend of Maximus forever. He does not win in the end and Maximus has aided Rome. This action-epic had a lot of exciting scenes and a good hero. The score was good too but sometimes it seems as if the cinematography could have been better. This film is reminiscent of the classic epic Spartacus and it was a pretty good in it’s own right.

4/5 Stars

The Artist (2011)

Posted on February 24, 2013 by 4 Star Films

With a cast of all nationalities and backgrounds, this film is a breath of fresh air for many reasons. Ironically, this freshness comes in a contemporary age thanks to a look back at a former age. In black and white and almost completely silent, the movie begins in 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a Hollywood star of the silent era. Quite by accident he makes an up and coming star out of Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). Soon she makes the transition to stardom in talkies as Valentin slowly fades away. However, Peppy never truly forgets him and in different ways she tries to help him. Unfortunately, George is a proud man who loses his wife, sends his loyal chauffeur away, and will not accept the charity of Peppy. Eventually her kindness pays off however and George is no longer forgotten. All the cast including John Goodman and James Cromwell do a wonderful job at expressing emotion since this film is so unique. Because there is hardly any spoken dialogue, the score takes center stage and I think it succeeds wonderfully in setting the scene whether it is playful, dramatic, or simply silent. There are also many devices used by the director Michael Hazanavicius that help convey the story without a need for words whether it is staircases, sinking quicksand, or a trampled film poster. Furthermore, he draws great influence from films like Sunset Boulevard and Singin’ in the Rain to give this new film a touch of nostalgia. In fact, The Artist brings up so many names and films in my mind it’s wonderful. Douglas Fairbanks, Jean Harlow, the dog from The Thin Man and The Awful Truth, The Dueling Cavaliers and Lena Lumont, just to name a few. Perhaps most importantly of all the film causes me to be empathetic towards the forgotten stars like Buster Keaton and Norma Desmond. It makes Chaplin’s ability to make silent pictures during the talkie revolution seem even more impressive as well. In a year that also gave us Midnight in Paris, this film also revels in the past history of the 1920s, but perhaps more importantly it too is able to suggest a certain hopefulness in the future. In a world that is often loud and busy this film was a nice respite.

5/5 Stars

Lincoln (2012)

Posted on February 23, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Directed by Steven Speilberg and starring Daniel Day-Lewis with Sally Fields, and Tommy Lee Jones, the film focuses on Lincoln’s 2nd term as the Civil War comes to a close and he fights to pass the 13th amendment.

At home Lincoln deals with his temperamental wife, argues with his older son about joining the war, and plays with his younger boy Tad. At the same time he must work behind the scenes to get enough representatives while also facing the prospect of a Confederate surrender. His life is beyond stressful, with cabinet meetings, speeches, inspections, and tough decisions to make day in and day out. However, despite the toll, he copes and in the process does great things. Within the film we also become familiar with William Seward, Thaddeus Stevens, and other leaders who must make their own difficult decisions on the issue of slavery.

Ultimately, the landmark amendment is passed but it is short lived with the assassination of Lincoln. He truly was “a man for the ages” and Lewis does a wonderful job of portraying his every aspect. His voice, his features, his parables, his political savvy, and even his frailty give us a crystal clear picture of the man. The supporting cast and the cinematography were both very good. It proves that a film full of drama and some humor does not need action to make it excellent. It is all about the characters and more importantly our very history.

4.5/5 Stars

The Rules of the Game (1939)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by 4 Star Films

This French film directed by Jean Renoir is a light comedy that turns into a critique of the Upper classes. The film involves the superficial events and racy love affairs as only the French can have. It opens as a famous aviator lands his plane only to be disappointed that his married lover did not come to see him. Soon we learn that her husband has a mistress of his own. Put these four together, Renoir in his jolly role of Octave, all the other guests, then the many servants, and soon you have a major spectacle. They dine, hunt, gossip, put on a show, quarrel, and above all fall in love. It is all fun and games however until someone gets hurt. Although this film is not what we may be accustomed to in our present generation, it is easy to appreciate the satire, cinematography, and ensemble cast. Kudos to Renoir for making a very intriguing film.