Network (1976)

Posted on April 17, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, and Robert Duvall, this film satirizes the television industry. Howard Beale (Finch) is being fired as a news anchor for the struggling UBS network. On one of his final days on air he begins to rave madly and his industry friend Max (Holden) does not cut him short. At first there is uproar but then a shrewd business man (Duvall) decides to use Beal to boost ratings with the backing of one of the network staff (Dunaway). With her great ambition she moves up and takes Max’s place while becoming romantically involved with him. For a time the network thrives off the rants of Beale. However, he begins to change his tune and ratings begin to plummet. With everything in a shambles, they can him literally. This is a biting satire of television with intense performances and some moments that leave you pondering who the real nutcases are.

4/5 Stars

The Aviator (2004)

Posted on April 14, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio with a good ensemble cast, this biopic chronicle the life of Howard Hughes. The story begins when the ambitious young man begins to direct an epic movie that is nearly a disaster. After his success, we witness the life of this director, playboy, and above all aviator. He makes Scarface and then later The Outlaw. He has relationships with Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchet), a young teenage girl, and Ava Garner (Kate Beckinsdale). Then during the war he designs new planes and afterwards Hughes faces his greatest challenge. He is on the brink of disaster in his competition with Pan-Am and he is the subject of a near-damaging senate hearing. All the while his obsessive compulsive disorder gets worse. I found this film fascinating because I knew very little about Hughes. As a director himself, Scorsese also seemed to have sympathy for the man and also admiration for the olden days.

4.5/5 Stars

Titanic (1997)

Posted on April 13, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Leonardo DiCapprio with Kate Winslet and director James Cameron, the film opens with an exploration of the submerged Titanic. An interesting discovery puts the explorers in contact with an elderly woman who was there in April 1912. Rose recounts her arrival as a newly engaged 1st class passenger. She felt trapped in her life until she accidentally met Jack, a 3rd class drifter who won his ticket in a poker game. After he saves her life, their forbidden relationship continues as they spend more time together. Jack, who is an artist, even does a charcoal drawing of Rose. However, all too soon the unsinkable ship hits an iceberg and chaos ensues in the following hours. Heroically, once again Jack keeps Rose alive although he himself perishes in the cold. Back in the present Rose now keeps him alive with her memories. This epic romance is fairly good with a semi-autobiographical story, special effects, and a decent score.

4.5/5 Stars

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Posted on April 12, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Max Von Sydow and directed by Ingmar Bergman, this Swedish film revolves around a knight who returns from the Crusades with his squire. He begins a chess match with Death which parallels his travels across a land infested with the Black Death. Along the way he is joined by a pair of married actors and a blacksmith. However, he is tired and disillusioned with his life. To make matters worse he witnesses some terrible things and finally loses his game against Death. He returns to his wife with some of his friends and they face their fate when the time comes. This film was an interesting blending of a Medieval setting and modern disillusionment. Besides being very metaphorical, the cinematography is stark, while the title alludes to the events in the biblical book of Revelation.

5/5 Stars

Skyfall (2012)

Posted on April 8, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond and Judi Dench as M, this was the 50 anniversary installment of the franchise. The film opens as Bond is on assignment to track down a mercenary who stole a vital computer hard drive. However, before he can complete his assignment Bond is wounded and seemingly falls to his death. Meanwhile M is under political pressure and she also receives a threatening message that culminates in a giant explosion. Bond comes back from the dead and must struggle to pass his examinations to be cleared for duty. Finally, he goes out again to track down the mercenary and his investigation leads him to a shady casino. He helps out a women in trouble and accompanies her to a remote island. However,, they are captured and Bond comes face to face with the mastermind behind all the chaos. Bond is able to save himself while capturing Silva to take back to England. But Silva has one last trick up his sleeve allowing himself to escape. Realizing M is in danger, Bond rescues her and heads for his childhood home. There he prepares for the final showdown with Silva and his henchmen. Although he prevails it was not without sacrifice. This film was intriguing because both Bond and M had to set out and prove they were not washed up. Also, Adele’s title song is probably the most memorable Bond theme in quite sometime.

4/5 Stars

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Posted on April 7, 2013 by 4 Star Films

This psychological thriller starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford with Victor Buono, opens with the bratty vaudeville star Baby Jane Hudson. Her sister Blanche lives in her shadow but begrudgingly agrees to watch out for her sister. Now in the 1930s Blanche is the movie star and Jane is all but forgotten. After a mysterious accident, the film moves to the present where Blanche is confined to a wheelchair and Jane vengefully takes care of her. Because of Jane’s psychotic and often cruel behavior, Blanche tries getting help several times but to no avail. She is at the mercy of her sister, when Jane is not trying to renew her career with the help of a young accompanist. Ultimately the truth is revealed and the film ends on a pitiful note. This film is full of suspense and Davis is absolutely creepy; never was one staircase so integral to a story either.

4.5/5 Stars

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

Bette Davis

Posted on April 6, 2013 by 4 Star Films

In honor of what would have been the birthday of Bette Davis yesterday, today I thought I would release posts on two of her films I have seen. Besides being known for the classic All About Eve, Davis made many popular films spanning from the 30s into the 60s with The Petrified Forest, Jezebel, Dark Victory, The Letter, The Little Foxes, Now, Voyager, and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Davis was one of the biggest box office draws during the 40s but she could also be combative when she dealed with others. Later in her career Davis continued guest starring on many television programs. She may not have been the favorite actress of every audience (including me) but there is no denying she was very successful and her persona is larger than life.

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

Happy Birthday Spencer Tracy!

Posted on April 5, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Today would have been the 113th birthday of the famed leading man Spencer Tracy. His career spanned from the 30s well into the 60s and he starred in numerous classics, many of which co-starred the equally great Katharine Hepburn. Of his films a few of my favorites would have to be Judgment at Nuremberg, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?