It Happened One Night (1934)
3.25 out of 4stars
“A renegade reporter trailing a young runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York, and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops.”
A great pre-code romantic comedy that is as enjoyable as it is historic. From fantastic chemistry and energy between Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, the great script and snappy banter come to life with well directed sequences by Capra. It’s a charming, opposites attract tale that is never dull with some tender moments. Has some famous scenes, including a few skits that are belly laugh funny. The film has influenced, revolutionized, formatted, and created cliches for the rom-com genre in seemingly countless ways. Continuing on that, the film was also a pioneer in the screwball comedy and road trip subgenres as well. Why not one step further, it had an impact on the offscreen populous which was sometimes funny, including a supposed drop in the sale of undershirts due to the main actor Gable not wearing one in a specific scene. Historically noted for being the first film to win 5 Oscars in the major categories of Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
The Killing (1956)
3.20 out of 4stars
“Crook Johnny Clay assembles a seven-man team to plan and execute a daring racetrack robbery.”
A great noir that is a well cast, stylish, and well written heist caper. Very lean and tightly told, while being heavy on good fast talking dialogue and some simmering drama until the complex plan gets into motion upping the thrills and tension. Has this sort of “Ocean’s Eleven'' feel to it but with a more serious tone. Directed and edited with flair and some good twists. The theme here seems to be about variables, inconspicuous and visibly aberrational. I’m a bit surprised to see audiences were confused by its non-linear structure as it all feels fairly straightforward and fluid to me, and not quite a puzzle of a story to put together either. I am not feeling the film’s title though, I feel it doesn’t do justice to the material or film’s appeal.
Hombre (1967)
3.00 out of 4stars
“As a white man raised by American indians, John Russell finds that the world is not so welcoming when he returns to his home town to collect his inheritance. But when the stagecoach Russell is riding in is held up by a gang, it falls to Russell to defend the passengers, the very people who have insulted him.”
A great western with socio-political themes and a tough tight-lipped protagonist. Very clearly about Native American racism and White Man corruption during that time (late 19th century). Nimbly and frequently ironically gets its message across about the injustices and ignorances, large and small, that occurred alongside savvy resilience present and learned of those peoples. A good bit of women’s roles/rights and class differences/inequalities commentary as well. Newman and Cilento are the standouts in this slow and steady thoughtful drama.
3.25 out of 4stars
“A renegade reporter trailing a young runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York, and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops.”
A great pre-code romantic comedy that is as enjoyable as it is historic. From fantastic chemistry and energy between Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, the great script and snappy banter come to life with well directed sequences by Capra. It’s a charming, opposites attract tale that is never dull with some tender moments. Has some famous scenes, including a few skits that are belly laugh funny. The film has influenced, revolutionized, formatted, and created cliches for the rom-com genre in seemingly countless ways. Continuing on that, the film was also a pioneer in the screwball comedy and road trip subgenres as well. Why not one step further, it had an impact on the offscreen populous which was sometimes funny, including a supposed drop in the sale of undershirts due to the main actor Gable not wearing one in a specific scene. Historically noted for being the first film to win 5 Oscars in the major categories of Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
The Killing (1956)
3.20 out of 4stars
“Crook Johnny Clay assembles a seven-man team to plan and execute a daring racetrack robbery.”
A great noir that is a well cast, stylish, and well written heist caper. Very lean and tightly told, while being heavy on good fast talking dialogue and some simmering drama until the complex plan gets into motion upping the thrills and tension. Has this sort of “Ocean’s Eleven'' feel to it but with a more serious tone. Directed and edited with flair and some good twists. The theme here seems to be about variables, inconspicuous and visibly aberrational. I’m a bit surprised to see audiences were confused by its non-linear structure as it all feels fairly straightforward and fluid to me, and not quite a puzzle of a story to put together either. I am not feeling the film’s title though, I feel it doesn’t do justice to the material or film’s appeal.
Hombre (1967)
3.00 out of 4stars
“As a white man raised by American indians, John Russell finds that the world is not so welcoming when he returns to his home town to collect his inheritance. But when the stagecoach Russell is riding in is held up by a gang, it falls to Russell to defend the passengers, the very people who have insulted him.”
A great western with socio-political themes and a tough tight-lipped protagonist. Very clearly about Native American racism and White Man corruption during that time (late 19th century). Nimbly and frequently ironically gets its message across about the injustices and ignorances, large and small, that occurred alongside savvy resilience present and learned of those peoples. A good bit of women’s roles/rights and class differences/inequalities commentary as well. Newman and Cilento are the standouts in this slow and steady thoughtful drama.
