Pixar Films

Okay, so I just got back from the midnight showing of WALL-E and it was FANTASTIC! Although the Pixar films are obviously new, I wanted to devote a post to these films since they are classics. WALL-E was completely endearing and had a very strong message throughout. While some will probably complain that this message is too blatant and obvious, I think that since it is rated G, simple and honest is best. Plus, there are plenty of subtleties that may escape children for those snobs who may find this movie too simple. Ratatouille is one of my all-time favorite movies. It is sweet and hopefully and very clever. Monster's Inc. (along with the other two I just mentioned) is my other favorite. It is one of the most unique and creative movies I have ever seen. It is hilarious and if I had to choose, it would be at the top of my Pixar list. I also thoroughly enjoyed A Bug's Life and of course Finding Nemo was incredible. Both of these films featured loving and determined characters who never give up. While I was not really impressed by The Incredibles, I thought Toy Story II was even better than the first. Cars is also very humorous and includes some lovable characters. All in all, these are some of my favorite films; Pixar continues to impress me over the years. I remember seeing Toy Story in theaters with my dad and sister when I was young. Ever since, I have eagerly anticipated each new Pixar endeavour. I was so touched by Wall-E that I actually cried. If you have not seen these films, I urge you to do so. They reach a level that traditional animation failed to touch.

Cool Hand Luke

This is the ultimate tough guy movie. Cool Hand Luke is a tragic, yet inspiring look at life in a rural prison. Paul Newman (who is quite dreamy and very tan and muscular in this film) plays Luke, a man who refuses to play by the rules. Newman faces extreme adversity and punishment at the hands of the prison guards. He lifts the spirits of the other inmates. He presses on throughout the film, despite the hardships and the clashes with authority: "What we have here, is a failure to communicate." Everyone should see this film; it's Newman at his best.

Blade Runner

This is one of the most beloved science fiction films of all time. Ridley Scott directs this very technologically advanced adventure. For 1982, Blade Runner was way ahead of its time. It is a futuristic story featuring Harrison Ford as the protagonist. If you appreciate it for what it is, I am sure you will enjoy this film.

Born Yesterday

This movie was a lovely surprise. Judy Holliday plays dim girlfriend to an "old-school" businessman who uses muscle over brains. Broderick Crawford plays her boyfriend and patron; he determines his girlfriend's lack of class and education is hurting his business prospects. He hires William Holden to educate her. Holliday and Holden form a beautiful friendship through their studies. The film is very funny and I am so glad I came across it. Holliday won an Oscar for her brilliant performance.

It's a Wonderful Life

Another Capra classic and possibly his most famous, It's a Wonderful Life is one of the most inspiring movies of all-time. This is one you will definitely want to keep watching every Christmas. But even if you don't celebrate Christmas, this is the ultimate feel-good movie. Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, a man who cannot seem to change his luck. Watch as he learns the value of a single life. You will not be disappointed!

High Society

If you like The Philadelphia Story, you will love this musical version of the story. Instead of Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Katharine Hepburn, you get Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly. These three form a wonderful trio which certainly lives up to the original film. Crosby and Sinatra's duet is simply beautiful. These are two of the greatest male voices of all-time, right here in one film. Make sure you see the original first, or you will not enjoy either picture nearly as much.

You Can't Take It With You

This is a lovely Frank Capra classic and an earlier Jimmy Stewart film. Stewart and Jean Arthur struggle to make their relationship work despite clashing families. Stewart comes from a wealthy family of business, and Arthur from a family headed up by a grandfather who values life and happiness more than money. It has all the elements of a typical Capra film and is therefore very uplifting and worth seeing.

Planet of the Apes

I of course am referring to the 1968 original version of the film. Planet of the Apes was one of the most surprising delights I have ever discovered. I had heard the film was hokey, mostly due to costuming, but I was completely blown away by this film. Charlton Heston lives up to his tough guy image. He lands on a strange planet sometime in the very distant future to find that the Apes are the intelligent beings performing experiments on humans. If you like Sci-fi at all, you will really enjoy this film. The score is also enchanting and Kim Hunter's performance, endearing.

A Streetcar Named Desire

While I actually prefer the play, this film portrayal of Tennessee Williams's classic is very powerful. Marlon Brando is hard to hate as the brooding, aggressive Stanley Kowalski. (In my opinion, he is one of the most attractive people to ever appear on screen; I almost find it hard to concentrate when he is in the shot.) Vivien Leigh gives an impressive performance, but Kim Hunter really steals the show as the wife and concerned sister. The film is oozing with subtext, typical of any Williams production. Definitely worth seeing for Brando and Hunter alone. Their chemistry is amazing.

Arsenic and Old Lace

In case readers have not already realized, I am a huge Cary Grant fan. This over-the-top physical comedy is hilarious. Grant discovers that his sweet old aunts are poisoning men and burying them in the cellar. This film makes use of all the classic comedy unities. It is simply delightful, although slightly frightening at times. Do not miss this silly, eerie comedy.

Labyrinth

If you are a David Bowie fan at all, you absolutely must see Labyrinth. It is definitely one of the best Jim Henson movies of all time. It's a little scary when you are a kid, but now it is just hilarious. It includes great music and funny 80s fashion. This is a childhood favorite that should not be missed.

That Touch of Mink

The Cary Grant/Doris Day combo is pretty fantastic in this comedy. Day and Grant want very different things from their casual relationship, making for some very interesting consequences. That Touch of Mink follows a typical Day film plot, but the combination of her and Grant is of course too enticing to pass up.

Empire Records

This is obviously a much more recent classic, but a classic nonetheless. This film is the story of a group of misfits working in a record shop that is potentially going under. Their combined efforts to save Empire Records are the basis of a funny and quirky look at what it's like to be a teenager.

It Happened One Night

This Clark Gable classic is hilarious. It's a sweet early romantic comedy. Gable discovers a young woman running away from her problems. At first, the two do not get along well, but soon they develop witty banter as their journey of mishaps continues. Gable fans will definitely appreciate this critically acclaimed comedy.