there's always a girl in the picture—haven't you ever been to the movies?

Average rating: 8.75. Four great movies!

Our Town (1940) - "For the residents of Grover's Corners, daily life proceeds at a predictable pace. The milkman (Stuart Erwin) arrives like clockwork, the neighbors perpetually gossip about nothing and children contemplate their future. Two of these children, George (William Holden) and Emily (Martha Scott), fall in love as adults and, despite last-minute nerves, get married. Their happiness does not last, however, as Emily dies during the birth of a child. Returning as a ghost, she ponders her existence."
length: 1 hour, 30 minutes    

source: streamed on PlutoTV
I watched it because: it's been on my watchlist, and I was in the mood for William Holden
IMDB: 6.5/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 86% Audience: 47%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every, every minute?"

MPAA rating: Approved

directed by: Sam Wood

my notes: keeping in mind that this very simple story is a stage play, and for that matter one that is typically produced in a very minimalist manner, this film is astonishing. The characters aren't people, really, but representatives of time (early 20th century) and culture (small town). The setting is not New Hampshire so much as the United States. It's a pleasant slice of life. 

    Also, Thomas Mitchell, who played Dr. Gibbs (George's father), is becoming a real favorite.

Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Actress—Martha Scott

• Best Art Direction, Black and White—Lewis J. Rachmil

• Best Sound, Recording—Thomas T. Moulton

• Best Music, Score—Aaron Copland

• Best Music, Original Score—Aaron Copland
overall:  recommended

Hero {Ying xiong} (2002) - "In this visually arresting martial arts epic set in ancient China, an unnamed fighter (Jet Li) is being honored for defeating three of the king's most dangerous enemies. When Nameless recounts his battles with the assassins—Broken Sword (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk) and Moon (Zhang Ziyi)—the king begins to question some of the details. As Nameless goes on, the king challenges the tales, interjecting his own take on these perhaps suspect version of events."

length: 2 hours

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I was in the mood for something violent!

    (last seen in 2017; no review)
IMDB: 7.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 94% Audience: 87%
my IMDB: 10/10

notable quote: "If you died, how could I live?"

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Zhang Yimou

my notes: I love Jet Li, and I adore Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and I really like Donnie Yen. This is one of the most visually stunning, beautifully filmed, and exquisitely acted movies I have seen. It is painfully good.

Academy Award nominee: Best Foreign Language Film
overall: most highly recommended

North by Northwest (1959) - "This classic suspense film finds New York City ad executive Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) pursued by ruthless spy Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) after Thornhill is mistaken for a government agent. Hunted relentlessly by Vandamm's associates, the harried Thornhill ends up on a cross-country journey, meeting the beautiful and mysterious Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) along the way. Soon Vandamm's henchmen close in on Thornhill, resulting in a number of iconic action sequences."
length: 2 hours, 16 minutes

source: streamed on TubiTV
I watched it because: it's been forever since I've seen it
IMDB: 8.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 97% Audience: 94%
my IMDB: 8/10

AFI: 100 Years…100 Movies (original list 1998) #40

    100 Years…100 Thrills (2001) #4

    100 Years…100 Movies - 10th anniversary edition (2007) #55

    10 Top 10 (2008) Mystery #7

MPAA rating: Approved (TV-G)

directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

notable quote: "...there's no such thing as a lie. There's only expedient exaggeration."

my notes: better than I remembered, even!

Academy Award nominee:
• Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written directly for the screen—Ernest Lehman
• Best Art Direction - Set Decoration, Color—William A. Horning, Robert F. Boyle, Merrill Pye, Henry Grace, Frank R. McKelvy

• Best Film Editing—George Tomasini

overall:  recommended

Sullivan's Travels (1941) - "Successful movie director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to 'know trouble' firsthand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion (Veronica Lake), he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang."
length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it got good reviews (see below) and was recommended on a list I watch
IMDB: 7.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 89%
my IMDB: 10/10

AFI: 100 Years…100 Laughs (2000) #39

    100 Years…100 Cheers (2006) #25

    100 Years…100 Movies - 10th anniversary edition (2007) #61

notable quote: "'Nothing is going to stop me. I'm going to find out how it feels to be in trouble. Without friends, without credit, without checkbook, without name. Alone.'

    'And I'll go with you.'

    'How can I be alone if you're with me?'"

MPAA rating: Approved (TV-G?!)

directed by: Preston Sturges

my notes: Wow! This is a crazy movie and goes in every direction. Is it comedy? Drama? Farce? Romance? Yes, all of that and then some. It works on every level, it's smart and laugh-out-loud funny and thoughtful and romantic. Joel McCrea is terrifically handsome (and very tall!), Veronica Lake is ethereally gorgeous while also embracing physical comedy with gusto, and so many of the characters in this film are masters of their craft. It's a wordy, fast, fascinating film.

overall: most highly recommended

 

[the title quotation is from Sullivan's Travels]