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Bus Stop (1956)
I expected the worst...and was surprised!
I will start by saying that I am not a fan of Marilyn Monroe and never have been. So, when I decided to sit down to watch this, I was a bit skeptic. However, I was delightfully surprised! This was Monroe's first film after her year long break to attend acting school and one can definitely see the improvement. Although not an Oscar winning performance, the depth of her character surprised me. On a whole, the film itself is quite interesting. The first twenty minutes were a bit rocky for me, but it steadily improved. The last two scenes of the picture were worth waiting for. So beautifully done, with so much tenderness. Again, the film is not a "ten out of ten" but is worth a try...even if you aren't normally a fan of Monroe.
P.S. The theme, which is sung by "The Four Lads," is extremely catchy.
Frenzy (1972)
From a filmmaking standpoint it's great. However, I wasn't a real fan.
I give this mediocre review out of my own deeply personal opinion of the film. There are some subjects I cannot handle; a story of a psycho rapist is one of them. Hitchcock's name is synonymous with edgy suspense films and until I had seen the this, I hadn't met one I did not like. From a professional standpoint the film has many, many great points. The long pan from the second murder victim's doom to the busy street outside, the scene that shows just how hard it is to deal with a dead body while bouncing around in the back of a truck, etc. Great filmmaking. However, I couldn't enjoy the film. For some reason, the subject matter struck a horrific chord with me and I couldn't stomach it. The rape scene was all too realistic and as a woman it was like watching a nightmare on screen; the line of a "good scare" had be crossed by yards. Cinematically Hitch is still at the top of his game...however, I will say that this is my least favorite film of his. Not really bad; I just could not enjoy it.
Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)
A cynical film that somehow manages to make you laugh.
From the time to film opens to the end credits; it oozes with the Wilder touch. The plot of this '60's picture was very edgy for it's time...and it turned out to be rather edgy for me too. It has a deeply cynical aspect to it; making it a little hard for me to take in. Dean Martin's performance was very Rat Pack-y and plays up the swinger image to quite an extreme; "...there couldn't be enough of you...baby." Novak, who was planning on a retirement, took a part in this picture for the sole purpose of being able to work with Wilder; I'm glad she did. Her character made me want to crawl up in a ball and cry my eyes out, all the while remaining delightfully funny. In a nutshell? It's really a rather vulgar film. It has moments of brilliance...yet, doesn't even start to compare with Wilder's own "The Apartment." Yes, it deals with basically the same subject matter, but the writing was more brilliant and much more subtle. I recommend only if you are a Wilder fanatic (like myself) or a Novak connoisseur. I enjoyed the film overall; I just felt that the writing was lacking.
My Favorite Brunette (1947)
Wise cracks and wacky situations; a definite watch.
This film in one word? Hilarious. The good natured Bob Hope humor is in rare form. Dorothy Lamour, as always, is perfectly cast in this kind of comedic role. I've always thought that she and Hope make a great team on the screen. Although not joined with Bing Crosby in a starring role, the two still manage to pull out a swell comedy along the lines of the "Road" pictures. The story is extremely zany and contains everything from foreign conspirators to a mixed up murder charges. Alan Ladd and Crosby join in the fun for short cameo appearances; with a wisecracking Hope making appropriate notice. Needless to say, if you like a fast talking, joke cracking comedy, this Hope classic is a definite must see.
Marnie (1964)
Not quintessential, yet very worthwhile.
I would first like to say that I'm a sucker for any Hitchcock film and haven't seen one that I don't halfway enjoy. "Marnie" is no different. I think I'm one of the very few people who, when one thinks of Sean Connery, associates him first with his role in this film and not with his "Bond" appearances. Hedren's performance? Good, but nothing extremely outstanding. The film on a whole tends to be picked apart by quite a few, but I personally find it quite entertaining. Hitchcock's method of telling a story visually is showcased very well throughout the film; especially within the scene with cleaning woman in the "empty" office building...the suspense definitely comes from the master himself; no dialog needed. And, like many of Hitch's films, the psychological aspect is probably one of the best parts; the color motif is haunting. No, this is not my favorite of Hitchcock's films. Yes, I thought it was rather good. All in all, I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good and proper psychological thriller.
Designing Woman (1957)
A beautiful film with some great laughs.
If you're in the mood for a lighthearted movie, I definitely recommend! Peck is extremely delightful in his role as the passionate sportswriter. Bacall, as always, is perfectly marvelous and shows a real flair for comedy. However, as much as I adore these two, it didn't feel like there was too much chemistry between them. But, this is probably due to the fact that I'm used to seeing Bacall teamed with her beloved husband; and they DRIPPED with chemistry. The banter and physical comedy was quite hilarious; the look on Peck's face when the ravioli "slips" off the table? Priceless! All in all, a worthwhile film.