"Vertigo" (1958) - RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #9

Synopsis (according to AFI)
Stewart's fear of heights, Novak's woman of mystery, Bernard Herrmann's haunting score, and the city of San Francisco provide Hitchcock with a great love story and sexual obsession on a grand psychological level.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
First of all, this was my favorite movie out of the 8 or 9 that we watched in my American Film class. Even though I thought the majority of it was slow, I was literally on the edge of my seat toward the end because I had no idea what was going to happen. And it was because of this that I thought it was a great movie.

Having said that, I was quite surprised to see that this is considered the 9th best film of all time. This surprises me because this really isn't the type of movie that makes me say "how can anyone NOT like this movie?!" For one thing, it's a complex movie, and the ending is so unconventional that not everyone really likes it. But, since this was my third time seeing it, I'm convinced that it's one you need to see multiple times to really begin to appreciate how well the story is put together. That was my experience, anyway.

I'm also really surprised that this is the highest rated Hitchcock film because I don't think it's the most well known of his movies. Most people I know have heard of and/or seen Rear Window, Psycho, and "The Birds", but practically none of them have even heard of "Vertigo".

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
According to the production notes on the DVD, "Vertigo" is one of the most discussed and debated films in history because of its dark and deep venture into the human psyche. This is probably the reason it's considered the 9th best film ever made in American history: it might not be the most entertaining Hitchcock movie, but I certainly think it's the most intriguing and thought-provoking of the Hitchcock films I've seen.

Complaints:
Before this third viewing, I thought the bulk of the movie was too slow and boring. After this time, however, I only think a couple scenes had a little bit of unnecessary footage. Another "complaint" would be one of the supporting roles didn't seem to have much of a purpose other than to be the vehicle in giving the audience tidbits of information to help the story make more sense.

LET ME SUM UP...
This is considered Hitchcock's deepest delve into the complexities of the human psyche, and that is what makes this movie so critically acclaimed. Not everyone will enjoy this movie or appreciate it, but I certainly do. It may seem a little slow, or the ending may put you off, but if you're anything like me, you'll love the ending and, in turn, love this movie.

MY RATING: 8.5/10 (0.5 higher from my previous rating)

"Tootsie" (1982)

Rank on AFI's List: #69

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Only that it was a comedy with Dustin Hoffman dressing up like a woman.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
I never realized just how unoriginal Mrs. Doubtfire was until I watched this movie. While many of the plot points differ between these two films, the comedy is practically the same, but "Tootsie" did it first and, in my opinion, did it very well.

It felt a little slow in the middle, as if the need to move the story along got in the way of the comedy, but the rest of it had me laughing a lot. I wouldn't mind watching this one again.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
In my opinion, comedies are the most debatable films on the AFI List, so it's difficult to answer this question. However, I will give three possible reasons "Tootsie" is considered one of the best films ever made:
1) It's about actors and their struggles of finding work. Since the AFI List is voted on by people in this industry, I'm sure they found this story relatable.
2) "Tootsie" is really a very funny movie and was even nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning one (Jessica Lange, Best Supporting Actress).
3) This list seems to enjoy cross-dressing comedies (such as this one and Some Like it Hot).

Complaints:
1) This movie was a bit formulaic. In fact, while watching practically every scene, I felt like I already had a general idea of what was going to happen in the upcoming scene because a lot of comedies follow a similar formula.
2) It felt very 80's-ish in both style and music.

LET ME SUM UP...
Overall, this is a very funny movie. I laughed quite a bit and had a great time watching it. It seemed a little bit slow in the middle, but the rest of the movie was funny enough to make up for it. And with a story about struggling actors trying to land roles in theatre, TV, and film, it's pretty easy to understand why the members of AFI voted this one of the best movies of all time.

MY RATING: 7/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 65

"The Philadelphia Story" (1940) RE-WATCH

Rank on the AFI List: #44

Synopsis (according to AFI)
Sophisticated and screwball all at once, Hepburn's cool, icy heiress really belongs with Grant, her ex. It takes tabloid newsman Stewart to bring out the fires buried deep inside her. This is a comedy of manners and class distinction. "The prettiest sight in this fine, pretty world is the privileged class enjoying its privileges."

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This was one of the first "classics" I watched after taking my American Film class in college. The reason being? I wanted to see Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart in a movie together. Add in Katherine Hepburn, and you've got a star-powered comedy.

Not only does "The Philadelphia Story" have the actors to make it successful, but it's full of great comedic moments and quirky situations. Plus, my wife thought this was a really cute movie, so I have to add that it's a well done romantic comedy, too.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
I was curious to watch this film again during My Quest to figure out why it's considered the 44th best movie ever made. The aforementioned star power certainly doesn't hurt. And while I'm discovering that comedies seem to be the most subjective, debatable inclusions on AFI's list, this is simply a classic comedy. It has a little bit of upper-class disfunctionality which I felt was a fun way for the "common folk" audience to get a peak into the glitz and glamor of the wealthy and feel good about seeing them acting just as goofy and stupid as the rest of us. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if this was one of the first movies to capitalize on the fact that drunk people tend to say and do funny things.

Complaint:
For a good chunk of the movie I felt it was similar to Some Like it Hot in that it had funny parts but wasn't consistently funny. However, as it gets closer to the end, it gets more consistent.

LET ME SUM UP...
This is a funny movie. It takes the audience into the inner circle of the wealthy and showcases their lives as just as screwy as everyone else's. It does this with class, with drunkenness, and with some of the biggest stars in the history of film. The comedy of the film feels a little inconsistent in the first half, but it ends strong.


MY RATING: 7/10 (No change from my previous rating)

"A Night at the Opera" (1935)

Rank on the AFI List: #85

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Nothing, but once I picked it up from the library, I saw that it was a Marx Brothers movie.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
Every once in a while I will watch a comedy that endears itself to me. One I can watch countless times and still crack up at the same jokes and comic situations each time. One that seems to get funnier every time I see it. One I love to randomly think about and laugh quietly to myself. And I can say, without equivocation, that "A Night at the Opera" is not and will never be included in this category.

This was one of the worst, most unfunny "comedies" I have ever seen. The humor was so far beyond cheesy and ridiculous that I can't even fathom how anyone could possess a sense of humor that finds this movie entertaining (and my deepest apologies to anyone who may have just said "Hey! I think this movie is funny!" I'm sorry I don't understand you.).

On top of that, there was singing of opera music. Now I happen to like musicals, but I am NOT a fan of the opera. I simply find that musical style to be very unappealing. I think I was optimistic that, even with a name like "A Night at the Opera", there would just be comedy and not any opera singing. Unfortunately for me, the opera singing was there, and the comedy was missing.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
There are other movies on the AFI list that I don't like (Easy Rider, The French Connection, and Nashville), but I can somewhat understand why these made the list. "A Night at the Opera", on the other hand, is just baffling to me. While trying to figure out why this is considered one of the best movies ever made, I first thought "maybe this is on the AFI list because the Marx Brothers were a very famous comedy team that needed to be represented on the list, and perhaps this was their best movie." However, I reminded myself that Duck Soup, at #60 on the list, is also a Marx Brothers movie. Not only did that revelation depress me because it means I have to sit through another Marx Brothers production, but it also left me unable to answer this question about why "A Night at the Opera" is considered a Top 100 film.

Complaint:
This movie.

LET ME SUM UP...
This movie is terrible. In fact, I think every movie that did not make it onto the AFI list got short-changed because practically ANY OTHER FILM deserves a place on the list before "A Night at the Opera".

MY RATING: 1/10

TOTAL # OF FILMS WATCHED: 64

"Sophie's Choice" (1982)

Rank on the AFI List: #91

WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Absolutely nothing, but after picking it up from the library, I learned it stars Meryl Streep and has something to do with Jews and World War II.

LET ME EXPLAIN...
This was a very interesting movie to watch, and I'm not quite sure how to give an organized critique because my thoughts on it are a bit how the movie seemed: scatter-brained (that's not to say I thought the movie was bad). Therefore, I will make random points in short paragraphs.

I'll start by saying this almost seemed like two different films. It was certainly two different stories being told which didn't seem to fit together at all until the end (however, my wife didn't think the ending brought the stories together, so I guess it's up to the viewer to decide).

This movie was intriguing to watch because it slowly unveils the two main characters' stories in such a way that I wanted to keep watching to find out who they really are. This made the movie enjoyable for me to watch once, but I don't think I want to watch it again.

Meryl Streep's performance (in which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1982) was amazing. Her Polish accent seemed spot on, and all the German and Polish she had to learn to speak was incredibly impressive. Plus, she IS regarded as arguably the greatest actress of her time.

Then of course, there's "the choice" Sophie makes. Through the entire movie I was trying to figure out what the choice would be, but I certainly did not predict what it actually was. All I will say is it's so surreal and incredible that I just can't fathom making the choice and living with the consequences.

What makes this a "Top 100" Movie?
I can't really tell you why "Sophie's Choice" is considered one of the best films ever made.  I'm certain a major reason it's on the list is because of its portrayal of the Holocaust.  Another feather in its cap is the terrific acting all around (particularly Streep and Kevin Kline).  But even with all that said, I'm just not sure what makes this a Top 100 movie.

Complaints:
"Sophie's Choice" is a bit strange. The friendship between the main characters was quite peculiar, and how and when the film revealed things about each character seemed random. This is what made my wife really not like the movie, and while I didn't really appreciate its randomness either, I don't think it bothered me as much.

LET ME SUM UP...
As a one-time view, I enjoyed this movie. I thought the casting was very good (Meryl Streep was brilliant, and Kevin Kline was a great choice to play Nathan), the concentration camp scenes were the most gripping (as you'd expect), and I thought the ending was very powerful and really brought two seemingly separate stories together (at least somewhat). However, the way the movie revealed things seemed very random, and the central friendship was odd. But I'd recommend this movie just to see Streep's performance and to wrestle in your own mind with the choice Sophie makes.

MY RATING: 6.5/10

TOTAL # OF FILMED WATCHED: 63