My Faves:
10. Rear Window (1954)
A psychological mystery thriller that stands out on it's own not just because of it's distinctive formula (particularly for it's time), but also because of Hitchcock's ability to make the most of it's "limited" theme. The story of a man who can't walk, is stuck in his apartment, but with good observational instincts, honed by his job, that all end up putting him in a situation where his immobility makes for a simple, yet in Hitch's hands, an excellent plot device that incrementally builds & builds on it's suspense towards it's finale.
9. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
It's the famous play by Tennesse Williams adapted onto the big screen, featuring an in-his-prime Marlon Brando. Watching Streetcar, even today, it's easy to see how the character of Stanley Kowalski is the one that became famous for Brando, as his portrayal has the actor shuffling the landscape of method acting styles (specifically, the styles up to that time) & burns up the screen in a performance that can only be described as "stellah".
8. African Queen (1951)
A different kind of romance, particularly at it's time of release, as this film focus is the developing relationship of two people from different worlds coming together for a common cause.
7. North By Northwest (1959)
Cary Grant gets chased across America by villainous spies, government agents, & the most dastardly of 'em all, a crop-duster!
6. Marty (1955)
A small movie that, even though it tends to hit you with it's easy point over the head like a hammer at times,
features engagingly warm & down to earth performances by Earnest Borgnine & crew.
5. Roman Holiday (1953)
Audrey Hepburn's American film debut as a European princess who, overstressed by the demands of her royal duties, decides to unwind by going "slumming" about all over Rome. And not once throughout the entire journey, does she fail to exude the radient beauty that not only contributed to forever mark her place in film history, but also, that epitomizes the phrase "Lighting up the screen".
Therefore, as a result, I find that, even with it's well-written script, direction, supporting cast & chemistry,
at least 80% of the success of this movie's depiction of romance still belongs to Hepburn's presence alone.
4. High Noon (1952)
Real time in the Old West.
A simple tale of suspense building tension, as a newly wed marshall must make a decision between a new life by flying the Coop, or staying and standing as a "lone star" until the strike of twelve, in a town that has turned its back against him.
3. Seven Samurai (1954)
Considered Akira Kurosawa's most accomplished work, Seven Samurai is a black & white classic whose story has inspired many a film afterwards, most notably (& one of my favorites) the Magnificent Seven.
It's a story of the Old East, which coincidently enough, runs themes which will eventually become staples in movies dealing with the Old West.
Here, the heros are truly heroes, but each is shown as a distinctive individual, with human traits & flaws that allow for the empty space to be felt whenever a warrior falls, in battles that, as the movies states, are never truly won.
2. Some Like It Hot (1959)
With it's screwball comedy centering on the now-over-used theme of cross dressing men, you'd think that Some Like It Hot would've gone cold by now.
And yet, in large part due to Billy Wilder's sharp-edged yet still slapstick script, it hasn't.
And let's not forget that adding fuel to fire, as always, is Marilyn Monroe. Even through modern eyes, the way she seems to always melt perfectly into her dress throughout the entire film is still an important contribution to the movie's enduring high heat factor.
1. 12 Angry Men (1957)
12 Angry Men is such a good courtroom drama, that for me, it simply blows the majority of every other film in this genre out of the water (okay, technically this isn't really a "courtroom" drama because the entire film happens in the jury-room. But let's face it, the plot's purpose is one that leads into the most important part of the courtroom process, the verdict).
The combination of a tight script with a solid ensemble cast (oh, & lets not forget a big screen directoral debut for Sidney Lumet) make for a tense, compelling movie that even though it keeps 99% it's entire length within one room, a viewer can't help but to be spellbound.
Reply to Topic
