547. Sleuth

Sleuth
1972
Directed by Joseph Mankiewicz

This is a fantastic film.  It is hard to feel completely saved from the slew of bad movies we have been dealing with lately, since after this we are back in the same nightmare with Deliverance.  This great movie merely feels like a mirage.

Andrew Wyke invites Milo Tindler, his wife's lover, over to his manor to "sort things out."  For some reason, Milo agrees to come (it's probably a British thing).  Andrew proposes that Milo takes his wife and some jewelry, because apparently he is very giving.  Andrew explains that he will report the jewelry stolen and collect the insurance money.  Could it just be an elaborate hoax?  Are they both underestimating each other?  Am I really this many questions in a plot summary?

What an entertaining movie and a fun break from the violence monotony.  It's just a bonus that two of the greatest actors of all time are the stars.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Remade with Michael Caine and Jude Law.  Anyone have any thoughts on the remake?

Apparently, Michael Caine fangirled extremely hard when he met Laurence Olivier.

285. Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls
1955
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

So we go from the worst to the best with this delightful musical.  When I first saw that Marlon Brando was going to be singing and dancing, I was understandably frightened.  But this is the best film I have seen in awhile; it was simply magnificent.

I had never seen any production of Guys and Dolls so I really had no idea what to expect.  Most people are probably familiar with the story but I will bore you all with the summary anyway.  Frank Sinatra bets Marlon Brando that he could not get the hot Christian dame to come to Havana with him.  Brando takes the bet, but as in all romances, he gets more than he bargained for!

This film is completely flawless.   In real life, Brando and Sinatra absolutely hated each other, but they have great chemistry in the movie.  The songs are catchy, particularly "Luck Be A Lady Tonight" sung by Brando which did something for my lady parts, not going to lie.  This film is over two hours, which I think normally would be too long for a musical, but I was entertained the entire time.  Highly recommended; one of my favorite musicals of all time (after Moulin Rouge! and West Side Story).

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Frank Sinatra protested against Brando being cast, largely because he wanted the part of Sky Masterson for himself.

Sinatra's nickname for Brando was Mumbles.

Excellent song:

276. The Barefoot Contessa

The Barefoot Contessa
1954
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

I watched this film a little while ago and still can't really decide if I liked it.  On the one hand, it was beautifully shot and Humphrey Bogart was entertaining.  On the other hand, I just don't like Ava Gardner and I found the parts of the  movie rather dull.

Humphrey Bogart plays a washed up director who is reduced to working for a businessman/asshole, played by Warren Stevens.  Stevens decides he wants to find a new star and discovers Ava Gardner, who is a free spirit (she walks in her bare feet!  She must be really deep!).  She makes it big but fame and money don't buy happiness.  This whole rags to riches to rags story is a common theme lately.

Like I said, I found parts of the movie quite dull but the ending is so exciting and unexpected that it made it all worth it.  Unfortunately, Hollywood tried to portray another culture in this film and that always ends in offensiveness and awkwardness.  Ava Gardner plays a Spanish women who seems like she can't really speak Spanish.

Worth it for the ending but definitely not a favorite.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The character of Maria Vargas was based on Rita Hayworth.

228. All About Eve

All About Eve
1950
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Surprisingly enough, Bette Davis does not play the title character.  Eve is actually played by Anne Baxter but when you are talking about this film Eve is quite inconsequential.

This movie is about…well, it is kind of hard to pin down this movie's plot summary in a couple sentences.  I will do my best.  A young ingenue becomes part of a group of showbiz friends.  Lies, betrayal, ruthless ambition, etc.

This is an extremely quotable film (most notably, of course, the bumpy night line) and the acting is flawless.  Shout out to Marilyn Monroe, though she is only in it for a few minutes, is extremely radiant and talented.

This is one of those movies that is so famous and critically acclaimed that it is hard for me to do a good review of mostly because so many people that are more talented than me have already written in depth analyses that my review couldn't touch.  I have never even taken a film class!

It is a dark film but a brilliant one.  Go to Roger Ebert's blog if you want depth!

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Bette Davis' croaky voice was due to the fact that she burst a blood vessel yelling at her soon to be ex husband.  Yikes.

14 Academy Award nominations.

#28 in AFI's top 100.

Davis fell in love with costar Gary Merrill during filming.

199. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
1947
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Oooo, now here is one I really like.  It is a beautiful mix of Ghost and well...something else.  Sorry, I have been doing this for over an hour.  My analogies are suffering.

Well, in any case, it is great.  The story centers on a widow who goes to live in a haunted house.  It is haunted by a sexy sailor (what luck; I would probably get some creepy twins) who wants her to write his story.  They fall in love, of course, and the romance is one of the best I have seen.

The acting, pacing, and plot are all great.  Pull out the tissues though; or if was my sister, you might just want to situate a bucket in front of yourself and just let it out.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Muir means the sea in gaelic.

Gene Tierney originally played the role playfully but then decided to add more depth to the character by redoing her scenes.