Movies That You Should All Sit Down and Watch Because I Said So: Part Two

Today I bring you part two of my-god-knows-how-many part series of movies that I recommend you watch. I am not a film expert, nor do I claim to know everything about the medium, but I do know the difference between a good and bad film. So, enjoy the list and if you missed part 1 take a gander, you will not be disappointed in any of my choices: that is unless you are a dork. If you don't agree with a choice of mine there is a comment field below where you can voice your opinions and I can ignore you, because, in the end, I am right and you are wrong.

Now enjoy the list, or don't. Really, I don't care.

His Girl Friday (1940)- Howard Hawks; Columbia Pictures Corporation

We will be starting today's group of ten on a light note with Howard Hawks' screwball comedy His Girl Friday. The forties was the last real decade for the true screwball comedy and this film is one of the best of the genre, Grant plays a wonderfully cunning, semi-crooked, newspaper man and Rosalind Russell plays his ex-wife who is trying to leave the newspaper business and at the same time her ex-husband. She is sucked back into the reporting game by a story of a death row inmate escaping. She risks her marriage to a lame-wad insurance salesman in order to cover the story. All sorts of lunacy ensues as one would expect in a screwball comedy.

Citizen Kane (1941)- Orson Welles; RKO Radio Pictures, Mercury Productions

Considered by many to be the greatest film of all time this was the first stab at Hollywood by Orson Welles. From a technical standpoint this film was so far ahead of its time, and from a story standpoint it was brilliant. Welles' portrayal of the main protagonist was fantastic and his work as director was genius. One would not be able to tell this was his first feature film. What sometimes goes unmentioned is the work of the makeup department who, spectacularly, aged the characters throughout the progression of the film.
The plot, which many felt was too close to mocking the life of William Randolph Hearst, caused the film to be blackballed and only winning on Academy Award (for Screenplay) though it deserved to win all of the 9 awards it was nominated for. Hearst ran the largest network of newspapers in the country and refused to put ads for the film in his papers. If you would like to see a film that looks at the behind the scenes of this situation watch RKO 281, though it is slightly fictionalized, it will provide you with a good sense of what Welles and RKO had to go through. Regardless of the films struggles at the time of its release it has grown into a classic, and dons many "best film lists" including my own.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)- John Huston; Warner Bros.

This is a film that takes a look at the mind of men when they are faced with greed and paranoia. Humphrey Bogart delivers a performance for the ages as we watch him break apart psychologically once the trio of prospectors find the gold they searched for. But Bogie wasn't the shining star of this film. That honor goes to director John Huston's father Walter who took home a well deserved Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. John Huston's brilliant screenplay and work behind the camera also earned awards from the Academy.

Touch of Evil (1958)- Orson Welles; Universal International Pictures

As you may or may not have noticed I have a thing for the genius of Orson Welles. This film, though the original release was cut and changed tremendously by the studio without Welles' input, is one of Welles best from behind the camera. Though not as revolutionary as Citizen Kane each shot in the film (the ones that Welles himself did) were wonderfully paired with the gritty cinematography of Russell Metty to set the backdrop for a noir powered by phenomenal performances Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Welles himself. When you watch this film make sure you watch the version make sure you watch the restored version that tried to return to Welles' original vision and eliminate the crap filler installed by the studio.

Vertigo (1958)- Alfred Hitchcock; Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

Hitchcock has created numerous classic films and I'm sure we will see more of his work in upcoming editions, but Vertigo is my favorite of his. Old confused Jimmy Stewart did what he did best and that is act confused. The movie follows Stewart who is a retired police detective who suffers from a case of vertigo. He is hired by an old friend to "investigate" his wife's activities, but the movie takes a few very Hitchcock turns before we get the entire picture of what is actually happening. Looking back for this film not to even be nominated for a major Academy Award seems blasphemous to me. A must watch for any fan of suspense films, or of movies in general.

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)- Otto Preminger; Carlyle Productions

Jimmy Stewart plays a lawyer who is brought a case by a rather promiscuous woman. Her husband, played by Jackie Treehorn. . . I mean Ben Gazzara,  has been arrested for murdering a man whom she claimed raped him. He creates a case of temporary insanity to try and get his client acquitted, but the prosecution brought in a big time lawyer to try and destroy the defenses case. George C. Scott does a fantastic job as the assistant state attorney general sent in to shot holes in the temporary insanity case. Since the case is ongoing I cannot speak much of the details, once you have watched the film we can speak about the courts findings.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)- Stephen Spielberg; Paramount Pictures, Lucas Films

Raiders of the Lost Ark is the start of one of the greatest film trilogies (though Temple of Doom isn't an above average film. And yes I said trilogy, as in three because I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever consider Kingdom of the Crystal Skull part of the Indiana Jones family I just won't: this sums up the reason. Harrison Ford plays the title character in search of the Ark of the Covenant and he is in a race with the Nazi's to locate it which creates a fun adventure for the audience. Meanwhile during his search Indiana Jones manages to make being an archaeologist look so fucking cool, when in reality it is nothing like this . . . or is it? Maybe I should change career directions? Maybe it was only cool when there was Nazi's to kill? Maybe you should watch this film if you haven't already and find out how cool archaeology could be.

Back to the Future (1985)- Robert Zemeckis; Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

GREAT SCOTT, this is a great movie. The crown jewel of the trilogy, the first Back to the Future has everything you could want from a comedy: Christopher Lloyd, a time machine made from a DeLorean, Libyans, a radical guitar solo, and incest. What's not to love? The follow up films don't compare to the first, as is the case with most sequels, but once you watch this one you have an urge to watch them all. Also, at the bottom of the page you will find a link so you can donate to save the clock tower. Please help to save this piece of Hill Valley history.

Jurassic Park (1993)- Stephen Spielberg; Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment

Watching this movie made me wish this was a real place, I mean until shit went down. It is great movie with a fantastic premise based off of the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton Sometimes the child actors annoyed the shit out of me and I wished they would have become raptor food, but besides that the acting is up to par for a film like this. And to think if John Hammond actually "spared no expense" and paid Newman a higher salary the whole damn thing could have been avoided. Remember, in real life when you claim to spare no expense do not forget about your employees, or else your dreams will be destroyed.

Gangs of New York (2002)- Martin Scorsese; Mirimax, Initial Entertainment Group, Alberto Grimaldi Productions

Not Scorsese's best film, but I'm a sucker for stories of old school New York. (if you are a sucker for such things go and read the book Gods of Gotham by Lindsay Faye). I am also a sucker for fantastic character portrayals by Daniel Day Lewis, and who doesn't love Dicaprio? This movie is just a fun ride through the slums of New York City, and a glance into the corrupt political landscape that shaped it.



How many of the first 20 have you seen? Keep on the look out for part 3!



*Donate to the Hill Valley Preservation Society and save the clock tower.
*All production credits came from IMDB.com