Mary Poppins (1964)

Posted on March 21, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, this Disney musical permeates joy and acts as a window to enchantment. Mary Poppins is a practically perfect nanny who begins to take care of two children. They grow fond of her when she helps them clean their room, takes them through a chalk drawing, and above all sings to them. Through their adventures they meet the Chimney sweep Burt (Van Dyke). However, their actions also cause their father to lose his job. However, as Mary had planned they grow closer to their parents as Mary herself moves on. This film is full of delightful characters, funny quips, and memorable tunes. Disney put together a nice production of animation, choreography, and of course singing. Get ready for some supercalifragiliticexpialidocious (Please don’t check my spelling here)!

4.5/5 Stars

Singin’ In the Rain (1952)

Posted on March 21, 2014 by 4 Star Films

This movie is a comedy, a romance, and above all a musical. However along with the immortal dance routines there is a plot and characters that are memorable as well. It helps to glorify a very different time in Hollywood and delivers a film that is funny and full of excellent song and dance.

There is something about this film that makes it extremely special. Even after seeing it many times I am still captivated by every joke and every unforgettable song. What can beat the brilliance and antics of Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor backed by Debbie Reynolds? There is a touching love story to go along with these great actors and songs. Gene Kelly’s sloshing about in the title song is timeless and O’Connor delivers a hilarious performance in such songs as Make ’em Laugh. There are a few dance sequences that are drawn out but the rest is top notch and keeps the audience enamored the entire time. This truly is a classic movie and musical that is both funny and heartwarming.

5/5 Stars

“Dignity. Always, dignity”
~ Don Lockwood

The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

Posted on March 19, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Directed by Jacques Demy and starring an ensemble cast including Catherine Deneuve, Francois Doreleac, Gene Kelly, Michel Piccoli, George Chakiris, Grover Paul, and Danielle Darrieux, this is a whimsical French musical.

The film opens with a group of performers coming into the town of Rochefort to get ready for a big outdoor show. They become acquainted with the local hangout that includes a kindly matron and many locals including an idealistic artist and sailor, who is searching for his ideal lover.

Nearby her two adult twin daughters hold piano and ballet lessons as they two get their little prodigies ready for the big show. Delphine is fed up with her suitor and desires a new love while Solange on her part hopes to advance her career as a pianist. She goes to the proprietor of a local music store to see if he can introduce her to a prestigious American friend.

The dramatic irony sets in, and the plot is constantly moved forward through song. Yvonne at the café is still depressed over a split with a lover 10 years prior because he had an unfortunate name. Solange has a chance encounter while stopping to pick up her kid brother Booboo, and Delphine becomes curious about an artist, who painted a portrait that looks strikingly like her. All of these events reach their apex on the Sunday of the big performance and in need of some performers, the Carnies enlist the help of the twins. They are a huge success and things wind down.

The next morning the performers get ready to leave for Paris, and the girls decide to follow suit. However, Solange has another encounter that changes her plans, and then Yvonne is reunited with her love. That leaves only Delphine to go with the boys to Paris, but not to worry. She would be united with her love soon enough.

The singing is an integral part of this film, and sometimes there seems to be so much that it gets tiresome. However, the light and very French-sounding tunes are hard not to like. Demy pays homage to the Hollywood musicals of old going so far as casting Gene Kelly in his film. The film takes place in a real location, but it truly is a fantasy world that the characters inhabit, full of perpetual dancing and most of the talking comes out in song. The real-life sisters do a wonderful job in this film, and most of the characters are pleasant in this comedic musical of renewed and new found love.

4.5/5 Stars

Swing Time (1936)

Posted on March 5, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers with director George Stevens, this light film is like a screwball romance with a lot of added dancing. Astaire is a man who has missed his wedding and he agrees to go off to the city with a friend so he can make money to bring back. There he meets a fiery dance teacher accidentally and then they begin to perform together. As “Lucky” (Astaire) and his friend try to survive by gambling with the little money they have, he begins to fall for Penny (Rogers). However, she does not find out until later that he already has a fiancee. When she realizes the situation she goes to marry another. In the end everything is all a big mistake full of laughter and of course everything is made right again. There is no denying that Astaire and Rogers are not only good dancers but good performers. Many of the numbers they dance and sing are memorable like “The Way You Look Tonight,” Pick Yourself Up,” and of course “Waltz in Swing Time.”

4.5/5 Stars

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

Posted on December 4, 2013 by 4 Star Films

A Hard Day’s Night directed by Richard Lester and starring the Beatles, showcases the eponymous album and plays out rather like a documentary more than a full-fledged movie.

The opening sequence has the Fab Four running frantically away from a mob of fans as they try to get to their train without being carried off. On the train we get a bit more acquainted in a day in the life of the Liverpool Lads. Paul’s clean but crafty grandfather has come along for a change of pace and the boys try to pick up girls, while their manager attempts to keep them in line. They get to their destination, but would rather dance, talk with girls, and frolic in an open field rather than answer fan mail and attend a press conference. They find themselves in trouble a number of times in between rehearsals for their show. It might be Paul’s grandfather getting in trouble at a casino, George taking a wrong turn, or John being cheeky and childish. Then, thanks to Paul’s grandfather they lose Ringo when he decides to get out and live a little! Time is running out and so they try to run him down with the police hot on their trail. They make it to their performance in time and Beatlemania takes over as they perform complete with swooning girls and deafening noise. The Beatles are a success and then they quickly head off in a helicopter, stopping one of Grandad’s schemes in the process.

We can only assume they were heading to American and as we all know the rest was history. I read an interview with Bob Dylan once and he said the true 1960s did not really start until about 1965. With Marx Brother antics and their challenging of authority you could say that the Beatles led this change. They may have looked like four clean cut boys, but their music, hairstyle, and nonconformist demeanor, at times, reflected a new generation. If you like the Beatles’ music this film is for you, and it also gives an interesting representation of 1960s London.

4.5/5 Stars

Walk the Line (2005)

Posted on October 2, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, this biopic opens with Johnny Cash recalling his past as he gets ready to perform at Folsom prison. JR is the son of an abusive share cropper and his brother Jack dies when he is just a boy. He goes off to Korea and comes back with a few songs under his belt. Cash marries his girlfriend and they move to Memphis where Cash tries to get work. On a whim he tries to form a gospel band to audition at Sun Records. Initially it goes poorly until Cash begins to Sing Folsom Prison Blues. Soon Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two are signed and touring with many different artists. There Cash meets the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley and of course June Carter. Cash begins to fall for the recently divorced Carter but she rejects his initial advances leading Cash to go to drinking and drugs. They part ways but then later on they begin to tour again. His music is a success but his relationship with June causes his marriage to go down the tubes. He continues to takes more pills. This is the low point in his career but June gives him a second chance. They perform together at Folsom in 1968 and then after one rejection of marriage, June finally accepts while they are performing a duet. The two of them continue to perform and raise a family together. Phoenix was commendable as Cash and Witherspoon’s vivacious performance gave life to this film. One things is for sure, johnny Cash had a hard life that was full of mistakes. That’s what made his music so good. It was often personal and most importantly human. Because humans make mistakes. Thank you Man in Black for giving us what you did. 4/5 Stars

Top Secret! (1984)

Posted on September 29, 2013 by 4 Star Films

From the creators of Airplane! comes this uproarious comedy that parodies everything from Elvis musicals and surf music to spy thrillers and action movies. Nick Rivers is an American pop star known for his surf music and he is invited to the closed off nation of East Germany to perform at a cultural festival. He is advised not to cause any trouble since he is a guest, but pretty soon he meets a pretty girl who is in way over her head. Soon he finds himself involved and they must attempt to rescue her father who is a scientist forced to work for the East Germans. They gain help from the French Resistance and Nick begins to fall for Hillary only to find her long lost boyfriend is leading the resistance. Together they devise a daring plan to get her father out, but unfortunately there is a traitor among them! As would be expected they get away and Nick gets the girl with a bellyful of laughs along the way. If you are looking for a deep plot you won’t find it here. If you want laughs you have come to the right place. I honestly do not remember Airplane! so well, but after seeing this film I want to go back, because this was genuinely hilarious. There are so many great sight gags, slap stick moments, quirky characters, parodies, and verbal jokes. Many pop up when you least expect them making them even better and by the end of the film you begin to expect the unexpected laugh. It’s great. The film includes skeet surfing, a talking horse, a scene played in reverse, cows, and much, much more. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did.

4/5 Stars

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Posted on September 27, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder with Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, and Teri Garr, this comedy films parodies old horror films like the original Frankenstein. However, it also functions as a drama in its own right much like the original Frankenstein films. Wilder is a professor and the grandson of Victor Frankenstein. The thing is, he wants nothing to do with his infamous relative, even going so far as pronouncing his name differently. However, when he inherits the family estate he must face his ancestry head on. There temptation takes over and he begins to build a creature of his very own, with horrifyingly funny results. This film has memorable moments including “Putting on the Ritz” and the Inspector’s arm. I still cannot believe that Feldman’s eyes get that big either! Wow. Wilder plays well off his Creature and Garr and Cloris Leachman both have important roles in Mel Brooks’ comedy.

4/5 Stars

The Producers (1968)

Posted on September 26, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Directed and written by Mel Brooks and starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, this satirical comedy revolves around a producer and a lowly accountant who scheme to produce a flop so they can run off with the production money. The plan quickly develops thanks to the enthusiasm of Max Bialystock because he is fed up with romancing elderly women for money. They wade through numerous scripts finally settling on one titled “Springtime for Hitler.” They get the rights from the deranged writer, find their equally odd director, and a groovy hippie is cast as Hitler. Everything seems set for failure on opening night when the audience appears aghast. However, when the two producers go to celebrate the reaction changes and the crowd misinterprets LSD’s portrayal of Hitler as satire. The show is a success so in one last ditch effort they destroy the theater. Bialystock and Bloom finds themselves injured, arrested, and finally tried in court for being incredibly guilty. Despite an impassioned entreaty by Bloom the two men find themselves in jail but it isn’t so bad because they go back into the production business and they are up to the same old tricks again. This film was important as Mel Brooks’ first great triumph. True it is vulgar, irreverent, and in bad taste but I think that is exactly what Brooks was going for to get a laugh. And I have to say “Springtime for Hitler” has to be one of the most annoying songs I have ever heard. Aside from that I suppose this movie does have some funny parts.

4/5 Stars

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Posted on September 2, 2013 by 4 Star Films

I have to say there were parts of this rockumentary that were very enjoyable. For every rock fan it salutes every group from the Beatles, Led Zepplin, and onward. Rob Reiner gives it a seemingly realistic feel, going so far as casting himself as the interviewer Marty DiBergi. As far as the band goes, Spinal Tap probably could be passed off as a real band as well, with real songs, album covers, and instrumentation. I think that makes the film so funny because we are seemingly the only ones who realize how silly they are. In their rock world amps that go up to 11 make sense and their everyday interactions are not even a bit funny. They didn’t mean them to be but for the audiences watching this epic failure of a U.S. tour unfold, we cannot help but smile at Spinal Tap. There was quite a lot of strong language but I thought the concept of the film was clever and there were some decently funny moments such as Stonehenge.

4/5 Stars