352. Rio Bravo

Rio Bravo
1959
Directed by Howard Hawks

The one remarkable thing about this movie is that we get a great song by Dean Martin.  Other than that, this movie kind of represents a dying breed of film.  John Wayne beats the baddies (usually Native Americans) and every thing works out for the good guy.  Of course, in the fifties there have been notable exceptions in the western genre.  Still, I feel like this was a bit of a swan song.

Like I said, John Wayne is fighting the bad guys once more in Rio Bravo.  This time, however, we get some great characters who are a lot more interesting than your average western guy.  It is quite obvious throughout the film that this is a Hawks movie, so the focus is on great dialogue and character development rather than scenery and shoot outs.

So overall not a great western but hearing Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson sing is always a treat.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Only two close ups in the entire movie.

Gary Cooper apparently hated the film.

262. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
1953
Directed by Howard Hawks

This is one of my favorite musicals, if not one of my favorite films.  It is pure fun from start to finish.  Even if I believe that sometimes gentlemen can prefer brunettes (full disclosure: I am a brunette).

Marilyn Monroe plays a gold digger who is planning on marrying her man in Paris.  Her fiancé's dad sends a detective after her to try to prove that she is only marrying him for his money.  Marilyn is traveling to Paris with her best friend Jane Russell, who then has feelings for the detective.

So first off, the musical numbers are fantastic.  Of course, everyone knows about "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" but I have always preferred "Bye Bye Baby".  All the songs, though, are extremely catchy and well choreographed.  It is also really funny and of course, for lack of a better word, cute!

It is fun and fluffy!  Check it out.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Jane Russell accidentally fell into the pool during "Ain't There Anyone Here For Love" but it was kept in.

Monroe and Russell's only film together, despite getting along exceedingly well.

Jane Russell was the only one who could get Marilyn Monroe out of her trailer in the morning.

249. The Big Sky

The Big Sky
1952
Directed by Howard Hawks

I have about forty five minutes before I have to leave for the day and I am still in my pajamas.  Instead of getting ready now and not feeling rushed, I am choosing to write this review and then run around in a rage because I will be late.  Maybe I will take it out on fellow drivers.  Who knows?

Anyway, I have mentioned this before but for some reason, early fifties films have been really hard to find.  I could only find this one on xfinity on demand.  I chose to watch this with my parents.  Shut up; I know I do this a lot.

The Big Sky opens with this really weird narration about the events.  I am still not sure who it was.  Anyway, the film centers on Kirk Douglas and Dewey Martin as they travel a river with a bunch of misfits.  Of course, a dame gets in the way of their camaraderie.  Women suck.

I hated this film.  It was extremely long and boring.  I think we were supposed to grow really attached to the characters but I found myself wishing they would all drown.  Sick, right?

Then, of course, the question is why a sucky western is listed in the top 1001 movies of all time.  For one thing, the girl is Native American and is actually shown in a somewhat positive light, which is refreshing.  Half the cast speaks French and the story is about a river trip, which I suppose is unusual for westerns.  Still, totally not worth the $2.99 that my parents paid for it.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

John Wayne was originally supposed to do the finger scene in one of his earlier films.

The part of Boone was originally supposed to go to Montgomery Clift but he turned it down.  Instead, we were stuck with Dewey Martin.  Ugh.

206. Red River

Red River
1948
Directed by Howard Hawks

The entire genre of westerns is not made for women; in fact, all the women seem to either get killed or are just really stupid in these movies.  Or both (excepting True Grit of course).  While the sexism is a source of annoyance for me, I still really like westerns. And no, not just because Montgomery Clift is smoking hot.

Say what you want about John Wayne as a person; westerns just aren't as fun without him. This story centers on a daring cattle drive.  Clift is Wayne's adoptive son but soon begins to resent Wayne's slightly tyrannical ways.  Will Wayne let him get the better of him without a fight?  Guess!  Go on, guess!

It certainly is a fun story with all the elements of a great Western: gunfights, beautiful scenery, and a compelling story line.  Oh yeah and of course, the whole racism and sexism element…

Still, a pretty fun movie if you can get over the more upsetting elements.  Which is something you have to do for a lot of the 1001 movies.
RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

John Wayne and Montgomery Clift had radically different political views, but filming went smoothly since both agreed not to discuss politics.  They both hated each other anyway.

Said to be a western remake of Mutiny on the Bounty.

John Ireland and Montogomery Clift's conversation about revolvers was said to be a reference to Clift's homosexuality.

189. The Big Sleep

The Big Sleep
1946
Directed by Howard Hawks

So I saw this maybe eight months ago and was utterly confused.  I have no idea what happened.  I even contemplated watching it again with a notepad to try to keep track of all the plot twists but then I would have to pause it every ten seconds and it really wasn't worth it.  Now that time has elapsed since I saw it, I am even more confused.

All right, so I can't give you a plot summary here.  But does plot really even matter in a Bogie and Bacall film?  No, all that matters is the sexual chemistry and sexy innuendoes.  I am getting a bit sick of it to be honest.  Okay, so they make a sexy couple.  Yes, it can be interesting to watch, but really, a movie needs more than that.  Like a plot.  Hell, Raymond Chandler famously declared he didn't even understand the twists and he wrote the book!

So collectively I have watched about eight hours of Bogie and Bacall together.  Impressive? Absolutely.  Tiresome?  Absolutely.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Humphrey Bogart had an affair with Lauren Bacall during filming and they were married three months later.  Because of his marital problems, however, he would often drink heavily and was unable to film.

Saved Bacall's career after her performance in the movie Confidential Agent was panned.

Bulk of the film was shot during war time.

167. To Have And Have Not

To Have And Have Not (Casablanca 2: This Time It's Personal)
1944
Directed by Howard Hawks

Don't get me wrong, I love a good Bogie movie.  However, when we continually watch unique, innovative movies and then see the same Bogie picture over and over again (The Big Sleep, Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, etc.) it gets a bit old.


What is truly amazing about this film is the chemistry that Bogie and Bacall have.  You know immediately that it goes beyond what they do in front of the cameras.  I actually like this movie more than Casablanca; although it is basically the same plot, the dialogue definitely heats up with this one (you do know how to whistle, Steve?).


A forgettable film but it works well in the genre and can satisfy a certain kind of mood.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:


Bacall and Bogie fell in love during this film.  It was afterward said that Bogie fell in love with her character, one that she had to keep playing for the rest of her life.  It is also said that Hawks was jealous that fell for Bogie and not him.

Bacall was only 19.


Bacall put a whistle in Bogart's coffin when he died.

145. Sergeant York

Sergeant York
1941
Directed by (who else) Howard Hawks

I never thought I would say this but I am getting sick of Gary Cooper and his Johnny Everyman routine.  Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for this movie but it seemed to me to be like Mr. Deeds Goes to War.  Also, I am not really into being preached to and also it is Monday.  These are all factors that led to me not enjoy this film.


This movie is about a young "pacifist" who becomes a war hero.  Actually, if you look as this film in context it is rather interesting because it was released just three months before the US entered WWII but while the war was going on in Europe.  I looked up the tagline and it said "timelier today than ever." Still, the interesting historical context doesn't make up for over two hours of boredom.  A really good war movie is rousing and inspiring but at the end of the day, why was York even a hero?  What the hell was he fighting for???!?!?


RATING: **---


Interesting Facts:


First movie that Clint Eastwood ever saw.


York insisted that Gary Cooper play him.


America was mostly isolationist at this point so the studios were worried that the film would not be successful. By the time of the film's release, however, Hitler had taken over most of Europe and that was that.


First part:

132. His Girl Friday

His Girl Friday
1940
Directed by Howard Hawks

Ah, the 40s.  To be honest, I am a bit nervous.  Some huge snores come out of the forties even though some of my favorites are here as well.  I don't think anything can beat 1930s cinema, though.


I first saw this film during a family vacation in Maryland.  It brings back great memories of laughing hard with my family all around me.  My sister and I still use the line "I've got a hot lead on a cool blond!".  It rarely makes sense when you say it but it is still a lot of fun.


This movie plays out like a farce; most of the acts committed by the characters are ridiculous.  The jokes fly thick and fast, even faster than in Bringing Up Baby.  I love the special memories associated with certain films.  Make one with this movie by watching it with your family!


RATING: ****-


Interesting Facts:


This is one of those films that has tons of entertaining trivia.  Click here to read all about it (little bit of newspaper humor).


Trailer:

125. Only Angels Have Wings

Only Angels Have Wings
1939
Directed by Howard Hawks

Disclaimer: I am not a big fan of flying films.  Top Gun was just atrocious.  I am trying to think of other flying films that I have seen.  Does The Aviator count?  Because that was as boring as Napoleon.

Like in most 1939 films, the acting is incredible, with Jean Arthur and Cary Grant having palpable chemistry.  The story is about a group of fliers.  Each one has a really interesting back story which makes this more of an ensemble film than one that just centers around the famous couple.  This is also an effective technique because you actually care about what happens to the characters.

Pretty amazing airplane scenes, even for me.  Check it out!

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

"I am hard to get, Geoff, all you have to do is ask me."  Great line, one that was later used in To Have and Have Not.

Richard Barthelmess also was in Broken Blossoms.

Trailer:

118. Bringing Up Baby

Bringing Up Baby
1938
Directed by Howard Hawks

This is another film that I saw a very long time ago.  I remember really liking it, though, and it only took a quick glance at the plot synopsis to flood back into my memory.

It is hilarious enough to see sexy Cary Grant portray a bumbling paleontologist (think Ross from Friends).  Enter Katharine Hepburn, the Queen of witty comedy, and you have got yourself a show!  Hepburn wants Grant badly (who wouldn't?) and pursues him, along with her leopard, Baby.  Now, usually films where a character continually messes things up for another character annoys me, but Katharine Hepburn couldn't get on my nerves if she tried.  This comedy is in the same style as The Awful Truth.  Everyone talks quickly (sometimes over each other) and comes up with some real zingers.

This film bombed upon release, but I really liked it.  Of course, it cannot compare in my book to movies like The Thin Man, but it is still up there with great comedies.  Also, it was in a language that I can speak!  Always makes things easier...

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Hepburn was called "box office poison" after this film released and Howard Hawks was fired.

Grant modeled his performance after Harold Lloyd.

AFI's #88 film of all time.

First use of the word gay (meaning homosexual) in a film.

Trailer:

66. Scarface: Shame of the Nation

Scarface: Shame of the Nation
1932

This is the movie everyone has already seen a hundred times.  So to continue with the repetitive theme, you can either look at Little Caesar or Public Enemy for a review for this movie.  My only comment would be that I have never seen the remake of this movie.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Howard Hughes directed this film.  I knew that from The Aviator.

Al Capone owned this movie.  Kind of missing the point, Al.