Taxi Driver (32)

Well there certainly were a lot of familiar faces in Taxi Driver! I sometimes forget that the "older" actors I see today did get their start much earlier than I was around for. Jodi Foster blew me away, I can't believe how young she was.

This movie is another one of those that I know there is more to than meets the eye. I know there is some "point" that I'm missing.

I believe it's a top 100 just for the way that the film really makes you understand the main characters angst and loneliness. In terms of cinematography it was only ok. Again, it's hard to judge from today's movies.

I very much liked seeing Robert DeNiro in this roll. It was much different than anything I've seen him in and this roll seemed to "fit" him well.

Not a bad movie, but also not my favorite.

From Here To Eternity (31)

The poster/cover of this movie says "The original Pearl Harbor story." I disagree. Not that it's not original, but that this isn't really a story about Pearl Harbor. Only the last 10 minutes of the movie have anything to do with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The rest of the movie is a story about 2 different army guys and their relationships with 2 women. Obviously that's a very generalized "lump" review...but my point is that this is not a movie about Pearl Harbor, which I sort of expected given the claim on the movie cover.

From Here To Eternity is a nice movie. That's it though, just a nice movie. I'm having a hard time understanding why some of these are top 100 of all time. It was patriotic and had a decent love plot, but really there was no climax that I could find and it ended with the start of the war.

Glad I saw it, but it didn't leave any impressions.

A Street Car Named Desire (30)

Wow...it has to be said that even portraying an abusive and vulgar brute, Marlon Brando still made me a little hot!

I was pleasantly surprised to see Ms. Vivian Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara) as a blonde, and quite psychotic! It was very interesting since I've only ever seen her in Gone With The Wind. She had a few monologues that I might steel when I start my acting classes! She's so timeless.

A Street Car Named Desire was actually very good. Overall it had a pretty good message, although I'm not sure if I'm getting the right message.

If you're following along the movies with me, the priest in On The Waterfront is in this movie as Brando's friend/co-worker turned enemy after he falls for Leigh's character who plays Brando's sister in law.

Even if you don't get into the movie, nothing will make up for it better than seeing Brando in a torn, wet tee shirt with all of his muscles pouring out...yum.

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (29)

Eh...If James Stewart hadn't been in this movie I probably wouldn't have had near the interest. It was ok. Clearly Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is on the top 100 for it's patriotism and inspirational speeches. This movie was kind of a behind the scenes look into what really goes on in Washington DC...sort of. Perhaps this is one of the first movies to really address the corruption of congress, and that earned it a spot in the top 100. I don't know. It had a couple of funny moments, but otherwise wasn't my cup of tea.

Psycho (28)

Everyone goes a little crazy sometimes, right?

Other than the nostalgia of the classic murder movie, Psycho doesn't really offer a lot in the way of horror. Perhaps I'm too de-sensitized from today's horror movies, but for me Psycho doesn't really make me even the tiniest bit afraid. The music is great, that is probably the only part of the movie that adds suspense. The stabbing scenes are just laughable. I think that a re-do with today's special affects would be awesome.

Having said my negative part, I do, however, agree that Psycho should be on the top 100 list because it really is the classic murder movie. I'm sure for it's time it haunted the minds of teenagers who saw this in the drive through. I know my own mother said she couldn't take a shower for a week after seeing the movie. I have to remember to watch these movies for their value at the time, and not compare it to movies today.

I think this is one of those movies that everyone should see at least once.

Amadeus (27)

Wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, and wow. I watched this movie last night and my mind is still trying to fit pieces together. Amadeus is a masterpiece! It's about Mozart as a young man, and his arch rival, being told from the arch rival's point of view. He first is curious about Mozart, then realizes what a perverted and annoying person he is, then he grows to hate Mozart, then in the end, his respect and admiration overcome his hatred and jealousy. This movie shows a side of Mozart that (may not be historically accurate but) is younger, funnier, and a little more insane.

The costumes and scenes were wonderful! The acting was quite flawless. And although this movie was LONG (2 1/2 hours!) it kept me laughing and entertained the entire time, always wanting to know what happens next.

I know that there is a lot that I didn't get, so I will be watching this movie at least a couple more times. It's not stressful confusing, it's just little things that I know I probably didn't pick up on. WONDERFUL movie with great music, costumes, and plot!

It Happened One Night (26)

I am still laughing at "the walls of Jericho are tumbling!" Rhett Butler, I mean Clark Gable, while perhaps a bit controlling and verbally abusive at times, was just as charming as he was in Gone With The Wind. It Happened One Night is easily predictable, but heart warming none the less. Half way through the movie I realized I've actually seen part of this before, but hadn't realized what it was.

Why is this movie on the top 100? Well besides the flawless acting, perhaps the story was the first of its kind. The proprietary boundaries were smudged more in this movie than most of it's time. While it didn't bring me to tears, it was a good emotional ride.

Overall I really enjoyed this movie and might own it someday. But good or bad, it has Clark Gable and so it's a must see!

The Third Man (25)

Well this movie was a let-down. I was excited to do another Welles movie since I liked Citizen Kane so much, but The Third Man really disappointed.
I was bored through most of the movie. I could follow along just fine but the end got a little confusing. Why is this movie a top 100? No really, I'm asking. There was nothing extraordinary about it at all. The acting was only sub-par. There were no special effects. The plot twist wasn't all that surprising or interesting.
Hmmm...I just don't see it I guess.

All About Eve (24)

What a wonderful "what comes around, goes around" movie! All About Eve is surprising and leaves you liking the wrong people in the end. With huge plot twists, and some that you can see coming a mile away, this movie kept me interested the entire time. Whatever I expected to happen, didn't, and I what I didn't, did. I could feel the betrayal and the hurt just like it were happening to me. Yet at the same time, I could feel the hunger and craving that Eve so clearly felt.

This movie really captured, what I assume, to be the real life of up and coming actors/actresses and what young dreamers are capable of to obtain stardom.

In the end I really had a soft spot for the older actresses who are a bit beyond their prime.

On The Waterfront (23)

I would like to start by admitting that I now have the biggest crush on Marlon Brando. I know he died in 2004, but I really wish I was a couple generations younger! The entire time I was watching this I was planning a more modern re-do of it in my mind.

Anyway, On The Waterfront (1954) was another one of the movies that I've been putting off because I didn't think it would be good, and lo and behold, it is another one of my favorites. It's hard to come up with an actual reason why this made the top 100, but I can completely understand why it did. My only two complaints were (1) the music was much too "big" in many of the scenes. The music seemed to be what you would expect a huge finale to play, when the scene itself wasn't even that pivotal to the plot of the movie. It made you feel like the movie was about to end for no reason. (2) I did not feel that there needed to be a pigeon massacre. That made me very sad and a little uncomfortable. My sadness isn't just for the death of the birds (which I will ASSUME were props) but because of the way it so deeply effected Terry (Brando). I suppose maybe that was partly the point, but I didn't like it at all and wish that hadn't been in the movie. Why couldn't the kid have just released them all?
Besides that, the movie was just a really great mob movie. I loved that the lead female was so sweet and innocent and that she fell for the bad guy. A classic mob; good girl likes tough guy; little people standing up for themselves; bad guys getting the justice kind of movie!