Cape Fear (1962)

Posted on April 21, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, and Polly Bergen, the film is an ominous and intense thriller.Peck is an attorney in a small town and he has a beautiful wife and young daughter. However, Max Cady (Mitchum), a man he helped put away, is now out. He makes it clear he wants revenge and he will bide his time to get what he wants. He constantly torments, stalks, and plays mind games with Peck and his family. All the police and private investigator can do is keep him under surveillance. Desperate, Peck decides to set a trap, moving his wife and daughter to a house boat on Cape Fear river. Sure enough Cady comes and shows his animalistic and brutal side. In the final showdown, Peck and Mitchum face off in a tense confrontation. Cady gets what is coming but not without doing damage. Following the Night of the Hunter, Mitchum plays an even greater villain here because he fills you with anxiety without doing anything.

4.5/5 Stars

The Big Country (1958)

Posted on April 17, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Directed by William Wyler and starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Charlton Heston, and Carroll Baker, this pacifist western revolves around a feud between two ranching families. A gentleman sea captain comes out west to be with his fiancée on her father’s ranch. After his arrival, he encounters a jealous farmhand (Heston), the beautiful schoolteacher friend of his fiancée, and of course the Hannasseys, who are sworn enemies of the Terills. In a sense he is a fish out of water because he never feels a need to try and prove his bravery to others. The schoolmarm is caught between the two families since she owns the vital watering hole “Big Muddy.” Mckay buys the land as a wedding present but when the wedding ties are cut now he is the one in the middle of it all. In order to stop the imminent bloodshed, he bravely rides into the Hannassey’s territory in order to get both sides to reason. Whether it be the score, the cinematography, or the dialogue, you will certainly come to realize that this is a Big Country.

4/5 Stars

The Gunfighter (1950)

Posted on April 10, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring Gregory Peck, this enjoyable western is about Jimmy Ringo, a gunfighter who has gained notoriety over the years. He rides his horse into a town and enters a saloon for a quiet drink. A cocky kids eggs him on and Ringo kills him with the boys brothers soon on his tail. He scares them off and heads to the town of Cayenne to see his estranged wife. Most of the film has Ringo resting in the saloon where the bar tender waits on him and the whole town crowds outside to peek at the legendary killer. Ringo is met by the marshall who turns out to be an old friend. He tries to help Ringo, including contacting his wife who is now a schoolteacher. Finally, Ringo is able to see his wife and their young son. Exuberant, he is about to leave town when his assailants are spotted. In the end his name was too big. This film had a striking opening score, good characters, enjoyable dialogue, and some major plot twists.

4.5/5 Stars

Twelve O’Clock High (1949)

Posted on April 8, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring Gregory P b181c-twelve_o eck, the film follows a strict brigadier general who takes command of a group of bombers who fly precision daytime missions during WWII. Frank Savage is sent to relieve his friends because the group has suffered a great deal of poor luck. From the get go this tough leader is at odds with his men. They all want to be transferred and yet with the help of the camp adjutant, Savage is able to lead them effectively. His touch tactics lead to success in the air and a pride in his men develops. However, after one good mission Savage is incapable to go up the next day. He becomes a lifeless man and only when his men return does he revert back to normal. All this is remembered by Major Stoval as the film concludes. Peck and Dean Jagger were both very good and the bombing mission was certainly exhilarating to watch. It is more about the people then the war and that still makes it a good film.

4.5/5 Stars

Roman Holiday (1953)

Posted on January 6, 2014 by 4 Star Films

Starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn with direction by William Wyler, this movie has one of the greatest romances ever depicted on screen. Hepburn is a young princess named Ann on a trip to a foreign country. However, she is constantly bored from the rigidness of her life. On a whim she escapes in the night and finds herself sleepily wandering the streets of Rome. An American journalist (Peck) happens upon the disorientated princess and eventually decides to take her in since she seems lost. Soon enough he figures out just who she is and decides to take her through Rome with a friend (Eddie Albert) so they can get a scoop. Together they take her through the city to explore and secretly take candid photos.

However, Peck soon finds himself falling in love and he cannot bring himself to submit the article. With the thanks of the princess, they are left with the simple satisfaction that they were able to spend the day together. Peck and Hepburn are both wonderful in this one and the story is heartwarming and funny.

I tried to figure out why it is always so enjoyable coming back to this film. Was it the romantic chemistry of Peck and Hepburn, the timeless setting of Rome? Or perhaps is it the direction by William Wyler, the screenplay by blacklisted Dalton Trumbo, or the support work of Eddie Albert as Irving? Undoubtedly all of these wonderful occurrences play some part in making this film a classic.

Most of all it struck me that much like Jacques Tati’s Mr. Hulot’s Holiday, this is not just a film. It is quite like a vacation for the audience and we get to enjoy it along with all the main players. We get the privilege of taking part in all the adventure and the laughs. By the end we don’t want it to end but like any holiday we must say goodbye and wait until our next vacation comes around. Thus, it seems that Roman Holiday never gets old because the audience is constantly looking forward to the time away in 1950s Rome with our romantic stars.

5/5 Stars

Spellbound (1945) – Alfred Hitchcock

Posted on October 16, 2013 by 4 Star Films

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman, the film follows the complicated story of an intelligent lady doctor skilled in psychoanalysis. Bergman’s character is very focused on her work and often withdrawn. That soon changes when she meets the new doctor (Peck) whom she falls for. However, soon Bergman realizes he is not the real doctor and further uncovers his state of amnesia used to forget his past. Trying to keep him out of the hands of the police, she takes Peck to her former colleague and they try to delve into his dreams. When Bergman finally seems to have all the answers unexpected complications arise. Now she must save her patient and lover before it is too late. Hitchcock’s directing, a great score, collaboration with Salvidor Dali, and good acting make this film worth seeing. Michael Chekhov is certainly good for a laugh or two as well.