1148. Mrs. Miniver

Mrs. Miniver
1942
Directed by William Wyler

I think I have seen all the Best Picture winners to date, with the exception of Green Book. I really don't like a lot of the movies on that List, though, Mrs. Miniver included. 

Mrs. Miniver tells the story of a British housewife whose life is touched by World War II. Her son, Vin, falls in love with Carol and enlists in the Royal Air Force. This can only end in tears.

Can propaganda ever be art? It's not an easy question to answer. There is a manipulative element inherent in propaganda that doesn't allow for much personal interpretation. Also, all of these characters had such a stiff upper lip that I had trouble relating to them. It just felt like everybody was supposed to be the ideal English person. Like if we had a movie now about a family who all wear masks and limited their social gatherings to five people. Actually, I'd probably watch that too. 

A true classic, but not one I want to revisit again and again.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Winston Churchill said that this film had done more for the war effort than a flotilla of destroyers.

First movie to be nominated for five acting Oscars.

349. Ben-Hur

Ben-Hur

1959

Directed by William Wyler

I was absolutely convinced I would hate this film.  Heston is a pretty awful actor, there are heavy religious undertones, and the movie is almost four hours long.  However, I was pleasantly surprised and this film is definitely worthy of its hype.

This is the story of Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince, who is betrayed and sent into slavery by his closest friend.  Now, he's on a mission for REVENGE.  Dah dah dah!

I love a good revenge story and this is certainly a great one.  Of course, the most famous scene from this film is the chariot race.  However, there were many scenes that I found way more memorable, such as the first time Ben-Hur sees his mother and sister again.  I also enjoyed any scene between Heston and Stephen Boyd.  I haven't seen that much sexual chemistry between two men since Top Gun.

Of course, I do have a couple grievances.  The religious stuff in this film is completely unnecessary and felt tacked on.  And, like I said, Heston is one of the hammiest actors of all time.

Still, a great, exciting movie that is well worth the length.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The cameras were too big to fit on the boat, so the crew had to cut the boat in half and use it as a soundstage.

Won 11 Academy Awards.

First movie remake to win Best Picture.

Chariot race scene:

258. Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday
1953
Directed by William Wyler

I am not a huge Audrey Hepburn fan.  I don't hate her.  She is just so cute and fragile that she sometimes gets on my nerves.  That being said, my best friend growing up and my sister were huge Hepburn fans so I have seen a large portion of her films.  I don't even know how it happened sometimes but I have seen Breakfast at Tiffany's at least six times and Wait Until Dark at least four times.  And I don't even like those films!

Anyway, all that being said, Roman Holiday is probably my favorite Hepburn movie.  It has been parodied to death but it is still always going to be a fun storyline.  Audrey Hepburn is a princess who is tired of her duties and goes out for a day under the guise of a normal girl.  She comes across Gregory Peck, who is a journalist that attempts to use her for a story.  That is until they….FALL IN LOVE????

I am pleased, once more, that I chose to do this blog in chronological order.  It is easy to forget what a different type of heroine Audrey Hepburn is in this movie.  If you put it in cinematic context, though, she is a revolutionary.  She is not sexy, fast talking, or mysterious but rather adorable and, for lack of a better word, normal.

Audrey and Gregory have fantastic chemistry, which is always essential for a good romcom.  A fun film with an ending that makes you think.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Ranked #4 in AFI's top 10 romantic comedies.

Audrey Hepburn had trouble crying when she said goodbye to Joe. William Wyler yelled at her for it she promptly burst into tears, which were used for the take.

The role was originally offered to Cary Grant but he considered himself too old for Audrey.

214. The Heiress

The Heiress
1949
Directed by William Wyler

Olivia de Havilland is definitely one of my favorite actresses of all time.  I have mentioned this before but I love that she doesn't need to be the prettiest person in the room during her performances.  This is pretty unusual for actresses during this era (here's looking at you Joan Crawford).  She is fantastic at playing emotionally damaged women.  On a entirely separate and shallow note, I never really care what Montgomery Clift is up to.  He is just so nice to look at.

Anyway, this film is follows Olivia de Havilland, who is a plain spinster who is constantly verbally abused by her father.  Montgomery Clift comes along to woo her because of her large inheritance.  If this was a movie now, he would probably fall in love with her along the way, she would find out about his motives, a sad song would play during their estrangement, then he would make a big speech at the end and they would fall into each other's arms. Spoiler: none of this happens.

In addition to the outstanding actors, you also have William Wyler directing who almost never disappoints.  This film is flawless; even the score is amazing.  Watch it!

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Montgomery Clift thought de Havilland was a horrible actress and didn't want to work with her.

Olivia de Havilland won an Oscar for her performance.  Take that, Clift (I really can't get mad at you).

182. The Best Years of Our Lives

The Best Years of Our Lives
1946
Directed by William Wyler

All right, here is one of those movies that everyone is supposed to like.  However, when you look at what the film is about (war veterans returning home) you can see this is one of those movies that is rather dull outside it's rather dull, at least for me.


Like I said, this is film is all about the plight of war veterans returning home and not being able to adjust.  It also happens to be three hours long.  This is unacceptable for any film outside of The Lord of the Rings.  The acting, however, is phenomenal; some of my favorite actors are in this movie.


I would have more to say about it but I am afraid my battery is dying and I want to get these finished.

RATING: **---


Interesting Facts:


#37 in AFI's top 100 movies.


Myrna Loy received top billing.


All the of the cast were real World War II veterans.

131. Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights
1939
Directed by William Wyler
 
First of all, I am a huge fan of Emily Bronte's works.  I loved Wuthering Heights; rarely have I read a book that is so packed with emotions.  That being said, I knew that any adaptation of the novel would probably be extremely over the top which is why I have avoided seeing it.  But the list wants what the list wants.


For those of you who don't (I am glaring in disgust right now), this is a love story between Heathcliff and Catherine.  The two have a deep connection that almost seems violent at times, so passionate is their love/obsession for each other.  Anyway, these cooky kids just can't get it right.


I have never been too fond of Laurence Olivier but after seeing this movie, I think I am in love.  Seriously, will you look at him?  He is so sexy but I can't find anyone that agrees with me.  He is not the best actor in the world but by Darwin, he is nice to look at.  Like I said, the movie is really melodramatic but if that is something that you are in the mood for, it is pretty well done.  I loved the score most of all; better than Gone With the Wind's!


RATING: ****-


Interesting Facts:


Force male entities to watch this film at your own risk.


Vivien Leigh wanted the main role so that she could be in a movie with her husband.  She got rejected!

Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier hated each other.


Available on YouTube.  First part:

113. Jezebel

Jezebel
Directed by William Wyler
1938

The book listed this as the second most famous film about a Southern belle, the other, of course, being Gone With the Wind.  I prefer Gone With the Wind, though Jezebel is a bit more socially conscious.  Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh have a lot more chemistry, than Henry Fonda and Bette Davis.

This film centers on Bette Davis who is a real hellcat and causes men to be completely miserable.  For instance, she wears an embarrassing dress that scandalizes society to get back at her boy toy for misbehaving.  Like I said, unlike Gone With the Wind, the Mammy character is absent which makes for a less inaccurate and offensive film.  Also, the heroes of the movie don't join the Ku Klux Klan  for the common good which is always a bonus.

 Bette Davis acts her tiny ass off in this film and won a well-deserved Oscar for it (take that Joan Crawford!).  This was a pretty interesting movie but a very uncomfortable one.  During the dress scene, I was cringing so much that I probably looked like I was having a seizure.  Still, it is worth watching just to Bette Davis' performance.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

It is a myth that this role was offered to Bette Davis after she was rejected from playing Scarlett O'Hara. IMDb acted really upset about this rumor but I have never heard it.

Julie's red dress was actually bronze.

Filming was interrupted frequently because Henry Fonda's wife was giving birth to their daughter, Jane Fonda.  She went on to star in some real classics...like...ahem...Monster-In-Law.

Trailer:

101. Dodsworth

Dodsworth
1936

I am behind on this blog and I have to write like five reviews after this.  It is also 9:41 so I excuse the subtle crankiness that is probably going to radiate from these posts.


This is a great film that feels like a Hemingway novel.  A couple goes off to Europe.  The husband stays strictly American while the wife gets swept up in the world of glitz and playboys.  This is one of those movies that stays pretty neutral (even though the wife makes the most mistakes) which reminded me of Kramer vs. Kramer.


The Book describes this film as a movie for adults.  I agree; this film felt very mature and everything wasn't black and white.  An interesting and obscure movie, but one that should be watched.


RATING: ****-


Interesting Facts:

I love the thirties!!!

Mary Astor was going through a very public divorce during the filming of this movie.  She said that she kept her head held high by embodying Edith.


Available on YouTube, though it looks quite shady.