308. Giant

Giant
1956
Directed by George Stevens

All right, I know I said earlier that James Dean was not that great of actor but was a pretty face who died too soon.  I still stick by that, but in this film, he definitely showed some great potentially.  If it wasn't for his untimely demise, he might have become a great actor.  I still haven't seen East of Eden (which isn't on the list) so I suppose I will make my final decision on him then.

Still, there is no question that Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson are both great actors and I think they give their best performances here.  There, that is everything I liked about the film.  As for what I didn't like…

Man, that was boring (no oil pun intended).  I cannot even give a good plot summary since the film was over THREE HOURS LONG!  They are not fooling around with that title (okay, there a pun was intended).

Now, I can stand really long movies as long as the action keeps on coming and the plot keeps me entertained.  However, the film is pretty dull.

So great performances but that didn't stop me from being out of mind bored.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Usually, epics like this movie would take older actors and put make up on them to make them look younger.  However, this film did the opposite, which would become the standard practice later on.

James Dean died during the making of the film.

Dean's nickname for George Stevens was "fatso".

267. Shane

Shane
1953
Directed by George Stevens

This is possibly one of the cheesiest films I have probably ever seen.  That is probably why it is so iconic.  And that is really the only reason you would watch this, to say you have and then move on.

So the acting is quite awful and the kid is so annoying.  I hate him even more than the Home Alone guy.  That is saying quite a lot.

And, of course, it is aimed more at children than adults, hence the cheesiness factor.  Overall, I can see why it has a place on the list but it still sucks.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Last film of Jean Arthur.

"Shane.  Shane!  Come back, Shane," is #47 in AFI's top 100 movie lines.

#45 in AFI's top 100 movies.  Come on.

240. A Place in the Sun

A Place in the Sun
1951
Directed by George Stevens

I didn't realize there were so many classics in the early fifties but this is another film that would win you a game of David Lodge's Humiliation if you have not seen it.  Thankfully, it is constantly playing on TCM so you can make up for your error quickly.

This is a weird movie; it seems to be divided into three different films (which is why it is so goddamn long).  The first film seems to be a romance between hotties of different classes.  The second part is like  a murder/suspense movie.  Finally, it concludes with a trial film.  Although it may seem like it wouldn't flow well, it is actually really entertaining and coherent from start to finish.

This film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift (*mouth waters*).  Clift falls in love with Taylor but his stupid girlfriend gets in the way with her stupid pregnancy, which is obviously her fault.  He then plans on killing her to get rid of her.  All hell breaks loose.

This is a really great film; the chemistry, acting, and directing are all great.  Just fantastic.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Mentioned in Lily Allen's song "Who'd Have Known". Well, that is interesting to me at least.

Shelley Winters felt inferior to Elizabeth Taylor for years after making this film.

Based on the true story of Chester Gillette.

128. Gunga Din

Gunga Din
1939
Directed by George Stevens

This movie is based on a poem by Rudyard Kipling so you know you are in for a real politically correct treat. I think some time last year I popped in The Jungle Book to bring back fond childhood memories and was so disgusted by the "I Want To Be Just Like You" scene that I had to turn it off.


This movie is just as offensive.  Just look at the premise. There is a massive cult uprising in British India and it is up to the British soldiers (who all have American accents) to quell it.  Indians are treated as horrible savages.  Strangely enough, this is easier to watch then when the soldiers (including Cary Grant) have a patronizing friendship with a "water bearer".


This is an adventure story.  I usually love swashbuckler movies and escape literature.  I love feeling like I am seeing characters live their lives to the limit.  This movie, however, was cringe-worthy and boring.  Part of the 1001 journey, I think, is to place yourself in another time period and place.  Still, in 1939 we were not that far away from the Indian Independence Movement.  Skip it!


RATING: **---


Interesting Facts:


Howard Hawks was going to be the director of this film until Bringing Up Baby did terribly at the box office and he was fired.


Sam Jaffe, who played Gunga Din, was actually a Jewish-Russian American.  So pretty close!

Joan Fontaine fell in love with George Stevens during filming.  At least something good came out of this.


Only Gone With the Wind earned more money at the box office in 1939.

Trailer:

96. Swing Time

Swing Time
1936

This film is basically the same as Top Hat only there were better songs and sets.  Like any sane person, I love the song "Way You Look Tonight" and had actually watched the clip from this movie many times just to see different versions.  The song "A Fine Romance" is also phenomenal.


The plot to this movie and the plot to Top Hat are completely blurred in my mind at this point.  However, I think that this film is superior for the reasons mentioned above.  These movies aren't deep or thoughtful, but they are fun!

I realize that the black face number is really racist.  At this point in American history, you have to look at intentions and it certainly wasn't meant to be offensive.


RATING: ****-


Interesting Facts:

Ranked #90 in AFI's top 100.


Barrack Obama made a reference to this movie in his inauguration speech.


Cutest montage ever: