Happy Birthday Fred Astaire

Posted on May 10, 2013 by 4 Star Films

So today would have been the birthday of the legendary dancer Fred Astaire and I want to just remember him briefly. I heard it said once that certain people are pioneers in film but Astaire was both revolutionary and simply the best film dancer that there has been to date. He pioneered his art form and even to this day he is the best to ever come from it. That is a testament to how good he was at his trade. I don’t know much about tap dancing but there certainly is something impressive about him whether he is going solo or dancing cheek to cheek with Ginger Rogers. Some of the things he does with his feet or using props, I didn’t even know were humanly possible. I would recommend Swing Time and Top Hat if you want to see some of his work and a sequence worth seeing is Royal Wedding when he dances on the ceiling (Yes, it’s possible)!

The Sting (1973)

Posted on May 9, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Robert Shaw, the film follows a small time con man (Redford) as he joins forces with an old pro (Newman) to pull an elaborate Sting on a shady banker (Shaw). The two meet after the death of a mutual friend and they set up a complicated plan. With the help of their friends, the two of them make contact and thus begins the adventure. Soon the con man gains the trust of the victim. However, the plan gets even more complicated when a heartless cop and the feds come onto the scene. The double-crossing con is then forced to cross his partners he and faces the consequences. Then, one final twist and you have the worlds greatest Sting. With its ragtime music, 1930s setting, and ensemble cast including Ray Walston, Harold Gould, and Dana Elcar, this film is full of excitement and certainly worth seeing.

4.5/5 Stars

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Posted on May 7, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Adapted from the Tennessee Williams play, the film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives, with Jack Carson, and Judith Anderson. The film opens with Brick Pollick (Newman) injuring himself while he is drunk one night. The next day he is still constantly drinking and cold to his wife Maggie (Taylor). We learn this is because of the death of a friend. At the same time Big Daddy (Ives) arrives to celebrate his birthday with his family. The evening is full of angst and conflict over Big Daddy’s health, lies, truth, power, and love. Maggie wants Brick to look out for his interests based upon the conniving actions of his brother’s wife. Brick wants nothing of it and eventually tells his father so. They reconcile and Brick makes up with Maggie ending this film on a positive note. This film was certainly full of unrest and drama showing people struggling in love and figuring out their lives.

4/5 Stars

Paul Newman

Posted on May 7, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Paul Newman is considered one of the coolest actors of all time, however he also had a range of acting ability that others did not. He could do drama and comedy, be likable or rebellious. He showed this skill in films like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, Hud, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and The Verdict. He came in the wave of young actors including James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Monty Clift. However, importantly his long career lasted well into the 2000s with performances in films like The Road to Perdition and Cars. Furthermore, his Hollywood marriage to actress Joanne Woodward lasted over 50 years which is almost unprecedented in that community. I think the reason Paul Newman was so successful in film was due partly in his good looks and skills as an actor. He also played some characters that were simply hard to dislike and we just wanted to root for a Luke Jackson or Butch Cassidy.

Happy Birthday Audrey!

Posted on May 4, 2013 by 4 Star Films

It is better late than never so I want to briefly acknowledge that today would have been the birthday of everybody’s favorite actress Miss Audrey Hepburn! She was a film and fashion icon with an elegant grace that radiated from her. From Roman Holiday to Breakfast at Tiffany’s she lights up the screen with her memorable portrayals. I doubt there will ever be another who could match the likes of Audrey.

Star Wars (1977)

Posted on May 4, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Arguably one of the most successful franchises ever, it is easy to understand how Star Wars became so popular. This galaxy far far away and the characters that graced the screen were so intriguing. You had Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C3PO, R2D2, and of course Darth Vader. The idea of George Lucas which seemed laughable at first, quickly became a hit. I have always been enthralled with Star Wars like many others before me. However, after watching the original saga again it became clear how wonderful these films were because the tales they told were so fun and entertaining. The relatively simple story of this small time farm boy deciding to fight against evil in the galaxy has always been enjoyable. On top of that the action was great and the characters were even better. This is still one of my favorite films all time easily.

5/5 Stars

http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/9gvqpFbRKtQ&source=uds

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Posted on April 29, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Directed and starring Clint Eastwood, with Hilarly Swank, and Morgan Freeman, the film begins with boxing trainer Frankie (Eastwood) who has a girl come into his gym to train. He gives her no attention but she consistently trains by herself and then gets some help from the former boxer and janitor Scrap (Freeman). Frankie finally gives her some tips but when his best fighter leaves him, he agrees to make this spirited girl into a boxer. Soon Maggie gets her chance and wins fight after fight with knockouts. At the same time, boxer and trainer grow close since they have no strong family connections. However, in the biggest fight of her life Maggie is dealt a cruel break and her life will never be the same. I have to say that I felt Eastwood’s character did the wrong thing in the end but it shows his humanity. The acting was very good, the story was moving, and Freeman’s narration was a nice touch.

4.5/5 Stars

The Bicycle Thief (1948)

Posted on April 26, 2013 by 4 Star Films

This Italian post-war neo-realist film, directed by Vittorio De Sica, is about a man who has his bicycle stolen and then must find it in order to continue working. Antonio Ricci is a man desperate for a job and he is fortunate enough to get an opportunity. However, he needs a bike and he sold his trying to provide for his family. He gets enough money to buy it back and he starts his days work pasting posters up in Rome. While his back is turned his bicycle is stolen and the culprit gets away. Because it is his livelihood Antonio desperately searches first with his friends and then with his son Bruno. After much looking he believes he has found the thief but with no proof the boy gets off. As the day ends Antonio chooses the one option left with no avail. This film is wonderfully simple and beautifully realistic. You feel deeply for this man who is by no means perfect, in fact he has many faults. But he is simply human. In a sense we are left with a cliffhanger ending that leaves us anxious for him.

5/5 Stars

The Social Network (2010)

Posted on April 22, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake, this film follows the rise of Facebook as well as its creator Mark Zuckerberg.

The film opens with the nerdy Harvard man getting dumped by his girlfriend and it sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The story flashes forward to two lawsuits where Zuckerberg is being simultaneously sued by two twins from Harvard and his former partner Eduardo. The plot shifts back and forth showcasing Zuckerberg’s programming skills as well as his difficult personality.

He then takes the initial idea of the facebook and launches it at Harvard, helping it to quickly become a trend. However, with the help of his acquaintances, he works to expand his idea to other campuses all the way to Stanford. After a falling out with Eduardo, Mark takes his team and heads out to Cali on the urging of an entrepreneur named Sean Parker. Facebook has begun to take off across the globe but not without a cost.

After coming to California, Eduardo learns his share of the company has been diluted while Sean is busted for having cocaine in his possession. We leave Zuckerberg in the present as he sits in front of his lap top, the world’s youngest billionaire, but utterly alone. I cannot attest to how much truth there is in this depiction but I do think it is highly pertinent to this generation. It is impressive that a subject that could potentially be dry, is quite engaging thanks to a great script and solid acting. More than anything I felt sorry for Zuckerberg because he wasn’t really a jerk, he just tried too hard to be one.

4.5/5 Stars

William Holden

Posted on April 17, 2013 by 4 Star Films

One of the great leading men, William Holden was born on this date back in 1918. With his good looks and recognizable gravelly voice, Holden can be remembered for such films as Sunset Boulevard, Born Yesterday, Stalag 13, Sabrina, and The Bridge on the River Kwai. He would make several prominent films later in his career including The Wild Bunch and Network. If you want to see him in a funnier performance catch him at the Brown Derby in the 1955 episode of I Love Lucy. However, out of all the work of his that I have seen I would say my favorite role would have to be Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard. In order not to spoil the plot I would just tell people they should see it. I doubt you will regret it!