Directed by: James L. Brooks
Released: 1983
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy-drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
'Terms of Endearment'' left me emotionally overwhelmed. This gentle film explores the complexities of human relationships and the unpredictability of life with sublimity and perfection.
Aurora Greenway (played by Shirley Maclaine) is a strict, no-nonsense middle-aged woman who hasn't had a romantic relationship in years. Her daughter, Emma (played by Debra Winger), falls in love with Flap Horton (played by Jeff Daniels), although Aurora disapproves of the relationship because she thinks Flap has no ambition. Emma, however, gets married to Flap and they move to Iowa. Time flies and Emma finds that her relationship with Flap is getting strained with the passage of time. Aurora, on the other hand, starts a relationship with Garrett (played by Jack Nicholson), a quirky astronaut living next door. The film follows the lives of these people, of the twists and turns, joys and heartbreaks, happiness and tragedies that they go through and how their relationships stand the test of time, misunderstandings, problems and tragedies.
''Terms of Endearment'' does not tend to sugarcoat anything. It presents a realistic portrayal of life. It shows just how strong human relationships can be, how unpredictable life can be. . Although it initially appears that Aurora and Emma are not really close, over the course of the film we get to discover just how much they love each other, just how important they are to each other. They share the tiniest details of their lives with each other; Aurora is Emma's biggest confidant and vice-versa.The characters we see are fleshed out and realistic. As for the performances, they are great: Shirley Maclaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson and Jeff Daniels are magnificent in their roles.
''Terms of Endearment'' made me smile with the characters, laugh with them, sympathize with them. Some parts were truly heartbreaking. This is exactly why I loved this film so much. It took me right into its own world, making it possible for me to fully understand the characters and appreciate them. This is a simple yet breathtakingly beautiful film.
Directed by: Norman Jewison
Released: 1967
Country: United States
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Crime
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
When, one night, an industrialist is found murdered in Sparta, Mississipi, a policeman suspects Virgil Tibbs (played by Sidney Poitier), an African-American man who was waiting for a train at a nearby station. However, when it is revealed that Tibbs is actually a highly successful policeman from Philadelphia, the racist police chief, Gillespie (played by Rod Steiger), asks Tibbs to help him solve the case. Although initially reluctant, Tibbs eventually agrees to help Gillepsie, and in a town shadowed by racism, he manages to discover clues that will help him solve the mystery.
While ''In the Heat of the Night'' is an excellent mystery film- with clues surfacing from unexpected places, culminating in an unpredictable solution to the mystery- there is a great focus on the subject of racism. In spite of the fact that Tibbs is a well-known homicide expert, he is subjected to racial prejudice and racist remarks over and over again. You can see how humiliated and indignant he feels when he is suspected by the police of Sparta and when he is subjected to prejudice. His indignant response to a racist remark- ''They cal me Mr. Tibbs!''- is possibly one of the most famous quotes in film history.
It is really sad the way he is often treated, but, no matter how indignant and humiliated he feels, he does not budge from his stance, from his determination to solve the puzzling, complicated mystery.
Another important character is, of course, Gillespie, played by Rod Steiger. Although initially unpleasant and prejudiced, he eventually learns to respect Tibbs and overcome his prejudices. Both Poitier and Steiger deliver excellent performances.
To sum it up, ''In the Heat of the Night'' is a very powerful film. Besides being an excellent mystery, it also explores a very important social issue.
Directed by: George Seaton
Released: 1954
Country: United States
Genre: Drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Theater director Bernie Dodd (played by William Holden) hires actor Frank Elgin (played by Bing Crosby) for his new play, and because his (Frank's) alcoholism bothers him, he pays a visit to his home. Bernie comes to think that Frank is manipulated by his wife, Georgie (played by Grace Kelly). There was a time Frank used to be a well-known actor but his career has declined, his alcoholism making it particularly hard for him to find work. Bernie is concerned and is prepared to help Frank at any cost. Over the course of time, however, Bernie comes to realize that everything is not what meets the eye.
''The Country Girl'' is indeed a powerful, emotionally raw film. The characters are very realistic. Grace Kelly's performance is phenomenal, while William Holden and Bing Crosby are great in their roles as well. The secrets revealed over the course of the film make the characters stronger and layered.
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Released: 2001
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy-drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''The Royal Tenenbaums'' is such a lovely film! It is warm, gentle, moving and funny.
Royal (played by Gene Hackman) and Etheline Tenenbaum (played by Anjelica Huston) have three children: Chas (who becomes an expert in financial matters and starts his own business in his childhood), Margo (who is adopted and starts writing brilliant plays before reaching her teens) and Ritchie (who is a famous table tennis player). After Royal and Etheline separate, the latter takes all the responsibilities of bringing up and educating their children. Years pass and the successes that the Tenenbaum child enjoyed in their childhoods do not follow them into adulthood. They are visibly depressed and have had traumatic episodes in her lives. For various reasons, Chas (Ben Stiller), Margo (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Ritchie (Luke Wilson) find themselves under the same roof after years and when Royal tells them that he has cancer, things take a different turn and might help the family members settle their mutual differences and problems.
While the film is witty and enchanting, it also strongly addresses dysfunction. The characters are realistic and lovable in their own ways. The distance that has been created among the members of the Tenenbaum family is very understandable. It is evident that they love one another, but past incidents have caused them to hold grudges against one another.
Hackman, Huston, Stiller, Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson (who plays Ritchie's childhood friend, Eli), Danny Glover (who plays an accountant who falls in love with and proposes Etheline) and Bill Murray (who plays Margo's husband) are all brilliant in their roles. Hackman is so cute and I loved the way he tries to make up for everything, how he comes to understand that he has never fulfilled his responsibilities towards his family. Besides Royal, I really, really, really loved Margo. Gwyneth Paltrow shines in her role. I loved the character. I could understand the mess she was in. Although one of the calmer characters in the film, she is a very powerful character in her own right.
Overall, I loved ''The Royal Tenenbaums''. It is such a heartwarming film, beautifully written and directed.
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.
