1956 Movies
OSCARS Won/Nominated
Bigger Than Life
Dir: Nicholas Ray Stars: James Mason, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Oh my God!!! It's CORTISONE!!! This is one of those medical paranoia movies where a timid family man takes Cortisone for a life-threatening disease, only to turn psychotic. I guess this is because the drug was discovered only a few years before th film, because today, people inject Cortisone pretty readily to help sore knees. The whole movie reminded me of the Simpsons episode where Bart takes Focusyn, and goes a bit bonkers, but wants to protect his regiment. It is a bit silly, but I can't say that I wasn't entertained. Oh...and is that Walter Matthau?? C+ |
The Searchers
Dir: John Ford Stars: John Wayne. Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die As I began watching The Searchers, I was immediately focused on how AWFUL the acting is. It is so stagey and lines are so poorly delivered, it felt like an elementary school play. I thought to myself, this is going to be a BIG disappointment...and this movie is in the top 20 of AFI's 100 greatest films of all time. However, I was won over, by the infectious, saturated technicolor, the wonderful direction by the legendary John Ford, the complex, racially charged story, and even John Wayne. I think John Wayne is one of the worst actors ever...and this movie did not change my mind, but he has an oddly attractive quality that makes him enjoyable. Not only that, but the man can do stuntwork, ride horses, and gunsling in ways that make him see ultimately authentic. In the end...I got why people herald this film as a masterpiece. A- |