Directed by: Preston Sturges
Released: 1941
Country: United States
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Lady Eve'' stars Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck. Stanwyck plays a con artist, Jean Harrington. She works with her father to swindle money from wealthy people in various ways, particularly through tricks in card games. Jean and her father decide to make a wealthy young man- Charles Pike (played by Henry Fonda)- their victim. Charles is an ophidologist who is on his way back to the United States from South America, where he had been researching about snakes. Although she initially aims to trick Charles, Jean finds herself falling in love with him and feels guilty for what her intentions have been. Charles also falls in love with her but once she gets to know about Jean's real identity, he breaks their relationship. Several months later, Jean decides to take revenge on Charles for having ended their relationship and assumes the (fake) identity of the aristocratic Lady Eve to perplex Charles. What will this lead to?
''The Lady Eve'' is a fast-paced, highly entertaining screwball comedy. Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda deliver excellent performances. Memorable supporting characters are played by Charles Coburn (as Jean's father) and William Demarest (who plays Charles' valet). The film is an absolute delight from the beginning to the end. It is very funny- although never goofy (I really like goofy comedies too, though)- and a very intelligent comedy. The romance, too, is well balanced and very sweet. I really enjoyed it.
Directed by: David Fincher
Released: 2007
Country: United States
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''Zodiac'' tells the true story of the Zodiac killer, who committed murders from the late 1960s through the 1970s. The killer sends letters to newspapers and sometimes coded, ciphered messages that, he tells them, will contain hints to what his motives are. Two employees of the San Fransisco Chronicle, Robert Graysmith (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) and crime reporter Paul Avery (played by Robert Downey Jr.) become interested in the case and work to solve the puzzling mystery.
''Zodiac'' is a very effective thriller. I really liked the suspenseful atmosphere that prevails in many of the scenes. I liked the way the mystery keeps getting puzzling. It is a well written, well directed and well-acted film and the performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo and Chloë Sevigny are really good.
THE SECOND ANNUAL OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND BLOGATHON+ ERROL FLYNN is being hosted by In The Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Phyllis Loves Classic Movies.
It will be taking place from July 1, 2017 to July 3, 2017. On July 1,
2017, the great Olivia de Havilland turned 101 years old. For the
blogathon I will be reviewing ''To Each His Own'', the film that won de
Havilland her first Academy Award.
To Each His Own (1946 film)
Directed by: Mitchell Leisen
Released: 1946
Country: United States
Genre: Drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Olivia
de Havilland delivers a magnificent performance in ''To Each His Own''
as the protagonist, Jody Norris. Jody Norris is a very strong character,
a character with great depth.
During
the World War I, Jody is a cheerful, 17-year-old girl living with her
father. She falls in love with Captain Bart Cosgrove (played by John
Lund). However, Bart has to go to the war. Shortly after his departure,
Jody comes to know that she is pregnant. However, she soon comes to know
that Cosgrove died in the war. Devastated, but still hopeful about her
child's future, Jody gives birth to a boy. However, due to
circumstances, she is forced to give her child up for adoption. As the
child grows up, Jody retains in her heart her great love and deep
affection for him. She deeply cherishes her love for him and longs to be
near him. Her love for her son becomes the main focus of her life, in
spite of the fact that her son doesn't know that she is his mother. Time
flies by: will Jody ever get what she has always longed for?
''To
Each His Own'' is an emotionally overpowering film depicting the
enduring power of a mother's love. The way Jody longs for her son for
years is deeply moving, extremely touching.
Olivia
de Havilland shines in her role as Jody. In 'The Heiress'', the film
that won her a second Oscar, she played a woman whose experiences make
her transform from someone meek and timid to a mature, strong woman. In
''To Each His Own'', too, we see her character go through a lot, we see
her character develop and strengthen. This is definitely an ideal
example of great character development.
The
supporting characters are well-developed too, particularly the
characters played by Ronald Culver, John Lund, Phillip Terry, Mary
Anderson, Bill Goodwin and Victoria Horne. I also loved Jody's father,
played by Griff Barnett. He loves her daughter. He does not get mad at
her when she reveals to him that she is pregnant. Rather, he tells her
that he has never judged her. He supports her through everything. I
loved the character. The scene in which he consoles Jody and tells her
that he has never judged her really moved me.
''To Each His Own'' is a very powerful film, emotionally intense film.
