God bless Mama, Papa, Captain Midnight, Veronica Lake, and the President of the United States

Average rating: 7.75 - yay!

Shadow of a Doubt (1943) - "Young Charlotte 'Charlie' Newton not only shares a name with her favorite uncle, but a special bond. At times, she feels the charming man is the only one who understands her need to be extraordinary, and that she is better than her tiny hometown. So when life is too dull, she invites him to visit. But two detectives also arrive in town, and a series of unusual clues concerning the mysterious 'Merry Widow Murderer' seem to change Uncle Charlie's behavior. Young Charlie starts to suspect that the man she once idolized is not what he seems, and as her world shatters she realizes that her life might be in danger."
length: 1 hour, 48 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD through the public library
I watched it because: it was recommended on a film noir best list
IMDB: 7.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 100% Audience: 89%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: PG

notable quote: "Go away, I'm warning you. Go away or I'll kill you myself. See... that's the way I feel about you."

directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

my notes: menacing, ominous, a little funny, and well done. I especially liked Macdonald Carey as Detective Jack Graham.

Academy Award nominee: Best Writing, Original Story—Gordon McDonell
overall:  recommended

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - "Andy Dufresne is a young, successful banker, wrongfully convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover, despite maintaining his innocence. Sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary, a harsh and unforgiving prison, Andy must navigate the brutal realities of life behind bars. He encounters a colorful cast of inmates, including Red, an experienced and wise long-term prisoner. As Andy adjusts to prison life, he faces unimaginable challenges and experiences the cruelty of corrupt prison guards and the oppressive nature of the system. However, his unyielding resilience and quiet determination shine through, gradually earning him respect and admiration among his fellow inmates."

length: 2 hours, 22 minutes

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: it's been too long since I've seen it, and I was looking for something heartwarming
IMDB: 9.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 89% Audience: 98%
my IMDB: 10/10

AFI: 100 Years…100 Cheers (2006) #23

    100 Years…100 Movies - 10th anniversary edition (2007) #72

MPAA rating: R

notable quote: "Bad luck, I guess. It floats around. It's got to land on somebody. It was my turn, that's all. I was in the path of the tornado. I just didn't expect the storm would last as long as it has."

directed by: Frank Darabont

my notes: a wonderful story, brilliantly told. I admire everything about this movie. I even love the law parts, which are surprisingly and completely correct, and this film includes some excellent estate planning advice. That's entertainment!

Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture—Niki Marvin

• Best Actor—Morgan Freeman

• Best Writing, Screenplay based on material previously produced or published—Frank Darabont

• Best Cinematography—Roger Deakins

• Best Sound—Robert J Litt, Elliot Tyson, Michael Herbick, Willie D Burton

• Best Film Editing—Richard Francis-Bruce

• Best Music, Original score—Thomas Newman
overall: most highly recommended

Black Mask (1996) - "Simon appears to be a mild-mannered librarian, but he's actually a genetically enhanced solider who feels no pain. His team of super-soldiers, code-named Squad 701, was disbanded after some of them had psychotic episodes and exhibited mental instability. Simon thinks his fighting days are behind him, but when members of the squad, led by his ex-commander, Hung, start murdering drug dealers, Simon dons a black mask and searches the streets for his former comrades."
length: 1 hour, 39 minutes

source: I own the DVD (also reviewed here)
I watched it because: it came up in the rotation of my favorite martial arts films
IMDB: 6.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 50% Audience: 50%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "Stop talking and just kick the motherfucker's ass, would you?"

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Daniel Lee

my notes: it's a little silly, unreal, and totally wonderful. Jet Li as a librarian... sigh.

overall:  recommended

Dr. No (1962) - "In the film that launched the James Bond saga, Agent 007 (Sean Connery) battles mysterious Dr. No, a scientific genius bent on destroying the U.S. space program. As the countdown to disaster begins, Bond must go to Jamaica, where he encounters beautiful Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress), to confront a megalomaniacal villain in his massive island headquarters."
length: 1 hour, 50 minutes

source: streamed
I watched it because: I find Sean Connery hard to resist. Has there ever been a more handsome man? I doubt it.
IMDB: 7.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 95% Audience: 82%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "'Moneypenny! What gives?'

    'Me, given an ounce of encouragement. You've never taken me to dinner looking like this. You've never taken me to dinner...'

    'I would, you know—only "M" would have me court-martialed for ... illegal use of government property.'

    'Flattery will get you nowhere—but don't stop trying.'"

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Terence Young

my notes: dumb story, beautiful, and classic.

overall: mildly recommended

 

[the title quotation is from Shadow of a Doubt]