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Reviews
In Name Only (1939)
Classic Tearjerker...A Great Movie
I had someone tape this for me when it was on TCM a while back, but I never got around to watching it. I finally did come upon it again today and popped it in my VCR. I wasn't expecting anything great. I had heard that is was an overly soap opera-ish mess. I was happily proved wrong.
The movie begins with Alec Walker, a man who is unhappily married and Julie Eden, a widow with a young daughter. They meet while Julie is "fishing" and they fell in love. When Alec gets into a car crash outside of Julie's house, his wife, Maida, finds Julies sketchbook that Alec had borrowed. Maida assumes that the two were out on a date together, which is untrue.
Alec asks his wife for a divorce, but Maida refuses to go to Reno to get one and thinks that going to Paris along with Alec's parents would be best. While Maida is away Alec buys Julie a house and they are anxiously awaiting the day they can be married. Maida on the other hand refuses to let Alec go and runs in to numerous "difficulties" while in Paris. Therefore Alec never gets his divorce. Time passes and Julie becomes more and more discouraged, thinking that this will never work out.
Ill stop here so I don't give more away. The movie was a little melodramatic, but I like those kinds of movies. Carole Lombard gives an excellent performance as Julie Eden, and Cary Grant is as suave as ever playing Alec Walker. The whole cast gives excellent performances. Fabulous movie with a heart wrenching, yet good, ending. Don't forget the tissues
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Fabulous Movie, A Real Gem!
I was so excited when I found out that Bette Davis and Joan Crawford made a movie together. I ended up getting it at the library, not expecting anything all that great. I was extremely wrong! This movie is fabulous. Bette Davis plays Baby Jane Hudson a child vaudeville star. During her childhood, her sister Blanche is ignored and pushed aside while Jane gets all the glory. When they get older Blanche gets a movie contract, but in her contract it says that for every movie that Blanche makes, her sister Jane must make a movie as well. Blanche become a big star and a great actress. Jane on the other hand, does not. One night there is a car accident and Blanche becomes paralyzed and is in a wheel chair. The movie then moves forward to when Jane & Blanche are in their mid to late 50's. Jane has become a little crazy, and an alcoholic and does awful things to scare her sister who she keeps upstairs in her room all the time. I don't want to say much more and give away the movie, so ill stop there. The acting in this movie is really marvelous. Bette received an Oscar nomination, but I think Joan should have gotten a nomination as well. This movie shows no blood, or guts, like so many modern movies. It relies of the talent of its actors to convey the sheer horror and panic that Blanche is going through, and the personal demons that are affecting Jane. This movie is a true classic.
The Aviator (2004)
Best Movie I've Seen In A Long Time
I've been very excited about seeing The Aviator for quite a while, and today I finally got the chance to do so! Its the best movie of 2004, no doubt about it! Its simply brilliant! Everything about it was great, the cast, costumes, sets, just everything.
Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best performance so far. He does a fabulous job as Howard Hughes, his performance is intense, and mature, proving that he has enormous talent. He has definitely proved that he is one of Amercias greatest actors. He really nails the role, and even puts thought into the smallest details. He deserves an Oscar for his wonderful performance.
Cate Blanchett gives a simply marvelous performance as the legendary Katharine Hepburn. Her performance is not an imitation, you really believe that she is Katharine Hepburn for 3 hours. When I first heard that Cate Blanchett was going to play Katharine (one of my favorite actress's) I was very skeptical, thinking that she looked nothing like Kate. I was wrong,very very wrong, she doesn't look that much like Katharine but she masters her mannerisms and voice, and is totally believable. She and Leo have great chemistry together as well. I have no doubt in my mind that she will win an Oscar, she is more than deserving.
Kate Beckinsale also does a great job playing the beautiful Ava Gardner, who has a very love/hate relationship with Hughes. She comes and goes in the film, but when she is there, she does a wonderful job. She does a wonderful job of portraying a woman who sometimes hates, but ultimately loves Howard.
Scorsese is one of the best directors today and he too deserves Oscar gold. Despite the films 3 hours, it never once drags, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The movie should and hopefully will win the Best Picture Oscar. I went into the theater today hoping for a great movie, but the Aviator isn't just a great movie, its a masterpiece
A Star Is Born (1954)
One Of My Favorite Movies Of All Time!
This is really one of my favorite movies ever! Judy Garland was robbed at the Oscars in my opinion. This was one of her very best preformances! Her voice, was at imo her best! It was so thrilling and strong! It has some really good songs, The Man That Got Away, Born in A Trunk, Loose That Long Face, all of them are just great! The movie is about Esther Blodget (Judy Garland) a singer who is trying to make it in film. And one night her and the band she is with are singing at a charity event when in stumble a drunk Norman Maine, and actor (played wonerfully by James Mason). She has to cover, and makes Norman look like part of the act, saving him from public humiliation. Anyways, that night (or the next) he goes out looking for Esther. He tells her that he can get her a contract at a studio if she leaves the band she sings for. Well one thing leads to another, and Esther becomes Viki Lester a movie star, who eventually marries Norman Maine. Im not going to go any further, but I reccomend it to anyone who likes a good movie. Very dramatic and moving.