why is it, people who need the most help won't take it?

Average rating: 7.5

Night Passage (1957) - "Former railroad worker Grant McLaine (James Stewart) is hired by boss Ben Kimball (Jay C. Flippen) to help transport the railroad's payroll. The train carrying the payroll has been robbed multiple times in the past, and Kimball hopes that McLaine can successfully guard the money from the robbers. But matters are complicated for McLaine when he finds out that one of the robbers is his brother, who is now going by the name of the Utica Kid (Audie Murphy)."
length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I'd seen it before but could not recall it (no prior review)
IMDB: 6.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 50% Audience: 53%
my IMDB: 6/10

MPAA rating: Approved

notable quote: "Maybe I like to see what people will do when I take it away from them."

directed by: James Neilson

my notes: one of Stewart's better performances—neither the stammering affectation or ridiculous overplaying—and Audie Murphy is always a treat. Alas, the two are wasted with this crap script and ridiculous casting. Also, this movie is more degrading and dismissive of women than even most Westerns; neither of the two leading female roles is at all complimentary, and each is mercenary and stereotypical in its way. 

    The film is kind of entertaining, but it's not good.

overall: mildly recommended

 

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1947) - "Nicholas Nickleby (Derek Bond) must try to support his family now that his father has died. He lands a job working at a school, but doesn't get along with Wackford Squeers (Alfred Drayton), the brutal headmaster he works under. Nicholas eventually flees from the school and reunites with his mother (Mary Merrall) and sister, Kate (Sally Ann Howes). Unfortunately, Nicholas learns that his callous uncle, Ralph (Cedric Hardwicke), has mistreated Kate and his mother, and he must defend their honor."
length: 1 hour, 48 minutes

source: streamed on Fawsome
I watched it because: Dickens was a terrific writer of basic human weaknesses, as well as deep loyalty and generosity
IMDB: 6.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: N/A% Audience: 58%
my IMDB: 7/10

MPAA rating: Approved

notable quote: "No use! No good! Nothing can help you now, money or lawyers!"

directed by: Alberto Cavalcanti

my notes: whoa, there's a lot going on here. Overall, it's an entertaining film that kept me captivated throughout. In the specifics: some of the roles are meaty and fun (uncle Ralph, his man Newman Noggs, and of course Nicholas), but some are on the lifeless side (Mrs. N, Kate, and poor Smike). There is a terrific sub-villain who teeters on the edge of mustachio-twirling nonsense but manages to just seem menacing and awful. 

overall:  recommended

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) - "Bored with his wife (Janet Gaynor), their baby and the dull routine of farm life, a farmer (George O'Brien) falls under the spell of a flirtatious city girl (Margaret Livingston) who convinces him to drown his wife so they can escape together. When his wife becomes suspicious of his plan and runs away to the city, the farmer pursues her, slowly regaining her trust as the two rediscover their love for each other in this award-winning silent classic."
length: 1 hour, 34 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I've seen it a couple of times before and keep coming back to the deceptively simple story

    (previously reviewed here)
IMDB: 8.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 98% Audience: 92%
my IMDB: 9/10

AFI: 100 Years...100 Passions (2002) #63 

    100 Years...100 Movies (10th anniversary edition, 2007) #82

MPAA rating: Passed

notable quote: "They used to be like children, carefree, always happy and laughing. Now he ruins himself for that woman from the city...."

directed by: F.W. Murnau

my notes: simple, emotional, charming, and thought-provoking. Moody and expressive. Modern filmmakers could learn a lot by studying it. I like it very much.

    Roger Ebert's marvelously detailed review is here.

Academy Award winner:
• Best Picture, Unique and Artistic Production

• Best Actress—Janet Gaynor (shared)

• Best Cinematography—Charles Rosher, Karl Struss
Academy Award nominee: Best Art Direction—Rochus Gliese
overall: highly  recommended

A River Runs Through It (1992) - "The Maclean brothers, Paul and Norman, live a relatively idyllic life in rural Montana, spending much of their time fly fishing. The sons of a minister, the boys eventually part company when Norman moves east to attend college, leaving his rebellious brother to find trouble back home. When Norman finally returns, the siblings resume their fishing outings, and assess both where they've been and where they're going."
length: 2 hours, 3 minutes

source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I've seen it several times and never reviewed it, and wanted to rectify that
IMDB: 7.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 80% Audience: 83%
my IMDB: 8/10

MPAA rating: PG

notable quote: "I'll never leave Montana, brother."

directed by: Robert Redford

my notes: it always makes me cry. I've got a soft spot for it, having seen the theatrical release. Redford's voiceover works perfectly. The cast is wonderful, with no wrong choices. Tom Skerritt stands out as the Reverend Maclean.

    Roger Ebert's wonderful review is here.

Academy Award winner: Best Cinematography—Philippe Rousselot
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Writing, Screenplay based on material previously produced or published—Richard Friedenberg

• Best Music, Original Score—Mark Isham
overall: highly recommended

 

[the title quotation is from A River Runs Through It]