I’m in the pink with the bevy of streaming classic films making their way to the tubes. I recently cut the cable, in an effort to squeeze more money out of the budget. [I’ve been adding cash to my cookie jar for furthering my collection of belts - can’t get enough of them.] There isn’t a ton of options on Netflix, but it’s a lot more than there was just under a year ago. Then there was recent news of Hulu+ gaining the Criterion collection. Could my ultimate dream of TCM as a per diem channel going to come true one day? With the expansion of home based, internet-enable solutions, it’s around the corner. There are some great flicks to catch and add to your queue all in the 40s – which is my most favored decade of film for sure. These aren’t in any particular order: 7. 1940’s “The Grapes of Wrath” – penultimate technical movie, with gorgeous lighting and direction by John Ford. Of course, he understood the beauty of sparseness and how to tone down actors. Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell are brilliant. The best of a Steinbeck rendition. 6. 1941’s “I Wake Up Screaming” – there aren’t many movies I can say I love Betty Grable in, but here it is – and a very pleasant surprise of a movie. Victor Mature is framed by a crooked cop for the murder of a model. It’s actually pretty dark and, supposedly, the touchstone ‘film noir’ movie. 5. 1949’s “The Third Man” – Carol Reed directs a top-of-his-game (read: understated) Orson Welles. Like “Citizen Kane”, this is a highly constructed picture that carries the art forward. Plus, the music just locks into your psyche. 4. 1946’s “Gilda” – Rita Hayworth, yes. Yes! A great morality play where no one is clean, but there is a bit of redemption at the end for two lovers caught beneath the wicked boss of a South American casino. No ‘clean’ ending: which would have driven me nuts. 3. 1941’s “That Hamilton Woman” – no offense to my sister, but I’m not a bit Vivien Leigh fan. Not until I patiently sat through this one. Luckily I was rewarded. The drama doesn’t begin until about half way into this historical biopic for the fractured Lord Nelson. Laurence Olivier gets better near the end, trust me. The first half is a bit rough to get through. 2. 1948’s “The Red Shoes” – if you are a fan of “Singing in the Rain”, you’ll find appreciation in this little known dance film. This early British foray into color is simply gorgeous. The dance sequences and production numbers make up for a so-so cast. But, despite a hard premise to expand on, it really just comes together. 1. 1948’s “David Lean’s Oliver Twist” – Lean is just a tremendously technical director. Shot direction and blocking are like dance sequences. This is the best take on the Dicken’s novel for sure. My kids were quiet during the harsh opening piece. The interplay of anguish on the boy is rough, and the movie beautiful. More lists to follow! Happy President's Day!
Friday, February 18, 2011
list of 7: 7 great pre-50s movies on netflix stream...
I’m in the pink with the bevy of streaming classic films making their way to the tubes. I recently cut the cable, in an effort to squeeze more money out of the budget. [I’ve been adding cash to my cookie jar for furthering my collection of belts - can’t get enough of them.] There isn’t a ton of options on Netflix, but it’s a lot more than there was just under a year ago. Then there was recent news of Hulu+ gaining the Criterion collection. Could my ultimate dream of TCM as a per diem channel going to come true one day? With the expansion of home based, internet-enable solutions, it’s around the corner. There are some great flicks to catch and add to your queue all in the 40s – which is my most favored decade of film for sure. These aren’t in any particular order: 7. 1940’s “The Grapes of Wrath” – penultimate technical movie, with gorgeous lighting and direction by John Ford. Of course, he understood the beauty of sparseness and how to tone down actors. Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell are brilliant. The best of a Steinbeck rendition. 6. 1941’s “I Wake Up Screaming” – there aren’t many movies I can say I love Betty Grable in, but here it is – and a very pleasant surprise of a movie. Victor Mature is framed by a crooked cop for the murder of a model. It’s actually pretty dark and, supposedly, the touchstone ‘film noir’ movie. 5. 1949’s “The Third Man” – Carol Reed directs a top-of-his-game (read: understated) Orson Welles. Like “Citizen Kane”, this is a highly constructed picture that carries the art forward. Plus, the music just locks into your psyche. 4. 1946’s “Gilda” – Rita Hayworth, yes. Yes! A great morality play where no one is clean, but there is a bit of redemption at the end for two lovers caught beneath the wicked boss of a South American casino. No ‘clean’ ending: which would have driven me nuts. 3. 1941’s “That Hamilton Woman” – no offense to my sister, but I’m not a bit Vivien Leigh fan. Not until I patiently sat through this one. Luckily I was rewarded. The drama doesn’t begin until about half way into this historical biopic for the fractured Lord Nelson. Laurence Olivier gets better near the end, trust me. The first half is a bit rough to get through. 2. 1948’s “The Red Shoes” – if you are a fan of “Singing in the Rain”, you’ll find appreciation in this little known dance film. This early British foray into color is simply gorgeous. The dance sequences and production numbers make up for a so-so cast. But, despite a hard premise to expand on, it really just comes together. 1. 1948’s “David Lean’s Oliver Twist” – Lean is just a tremendously technical director. Shot direction and blocking are like dance sequences. This is the best take on the Dicken’s novel for sure. My kids were quiet during the harsh opening piece. The interplay of anguish on the boy is rough, and the movie beautiful. More lists to follow! Happy President's Day!
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1 comment:
Don't forget about "How Green Was My Valley" circa 1941.
http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi4204043033/
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