1941 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
IMDB Top 250
IMDB Top 250
OSCARS
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Citizen Kane
Dir: Orson Wells Stars: Orson Wells, Joseph Cotton 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die IMDB #72 Amazing cinematography, brilliant acting, PERFECT screenplay...but the Best Movie Ever Made?? I don't quite agree with that, but I can completely understand why it is usually chosen as such. The legend about Orson Welles, only in his mid-20s, having carte-blanche from his studio, came up with this Masterpiece.It is interesting that a movie without sex or violence, about a media mogul and his life, can hold such interest. The flashback nature of the screenplay is its brilliance, and I'd be pressed to find a better photographed film, EVER. I get it. I finally get the hooplah over Citizen Kane. A |
OSCARS
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Dumbo
Dir: Ben Sharpsteen 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Disney back in the 30s & 40s was amazing. It was a brand new way of storytelling and they were unlike anything else you could see at the movies. Dumbo is Disney royalty...where cute talking animals have adventures and present themes of adversity and believing in yourself. It is archetypal and wonderful and will never get old. B+ DVD |
OSCARS
Best Story
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The Lady Eve
Dir: Preston Sturgess Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This movie isn't nearly as funny as it thinks it is...or even what it is heralded as. I had a conversation with my friend and fellow cinephile recently about these old movies and how sometimes...we just don't get the popularity. I think a great movie is timeless...and there is no such thing as good for its time. I can appreciate significance and historical relevance...but a bore is a bore is a bore. Countless articles about The Lady Eve talk about how it is one of the comedy greats, and Barbara Stanwyck's performace is one of the best all time. Nope. The whole movie is man falls in love with woman. Woman is a con artist. Man falls in love with the woman again later when she shows up in a new personna and man believes it CAN'T be the same woman, because they look EXACTLY alike. Meh. Some parts are silly fun and I DO like how Stanwyck and Henry Fonda play off eachother...but a classic? I don't buy it. C |
OSCARS
Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor Best Adapted Screenplay |
The Maltese Falcon
Dir: John Huston Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I watched this film after my complete adoration of Casablanca, and it can certainly be considered as a kind of unofficial prequel to that film. Bogart plays the same kind of bitter man and Peter Lorre plays basically the same part. The characters speak like they are poets, the film noir feel is more than tangible, and the danger of double/triple-crossing is apparent throughout. It isn't quite as magical as Casablanca, but it further shows me why Bogart is such an acting icon. A- |