The 50's was really when films started to blossom. Sure the silent films were wonderful predecessors and the 40's had a handful of great movies, but movies became more of an art form in the 50's. As I am only 40, all of these films were made at least 11 years before I was born, thus I have a different view of them than those who saw them when they first came out. While I admire greatly the work of the 50's I only had nine 5-star movies in this decade. I did however have a ton of 4-star movies from which I had to dwindle down to a sole survivor. The list was so difficult. How do I pick The Asphalt Jungle over Sunset Boulevard? Is East of Eden better than Rear Window. How do I take the cinematic artistry of Touch of Evil and cast it aside to pick the sultry Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? Well none of those films made it. Neither did Moby Dick, Houseboat, with my first true love, Sophia Loren. Throne of Blood was not on the final ten, nor was the magnificent Anna and the King of Siam (aka The King and I). The Top nine was set in stone, but I knew exactly what the tenth was.
10. Pickup on South Street - Richard Widmark is one of the most underrated actors ever. In this he plays a petty thief who steals some film from a woman's purse. It just so happens the woman was selling secrets to the Russians.The cops are after him, the woman is after him, along with her boyfriend. Widnmark's trademark swagger sells the film and the adorable Jean Peters is wonderful as his mark and then possible love interest.
9. Rebel Without a Cause - One of the most famous movies of all-time, James Dean's starring debut as a troubled youth still resonates today. Between the shy Sal Mineo, the alluring Natalie Wood, the punkish Dennis Hopper and the conflicted Dean, this movie is as powerful as they come as it deals with teen angst. Jim just wants what every kid wants - acceptance, from society and his father. Don't miss Jim Backus' portrayal as Dean's father. It is so quietly perfect, you almost forget that you're watching Thurston Howell and the voice of Mr. Magoo.
8. Bridge on the River Kwai - This is how great the 50's were. This is 8th on my list. Alec Guinness and William Holden play British and English colonels engaged in a battle over the building of a bridge while POW's in a Japanese camp. From the whistling theme to the grand final, this is one of the greatest war movies ever made.
7. A Streetcar Named Desire - Even the title sounds juicy. Take a Tennessee Williams' play. Get Elia Kazan to direct. Then throw in Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Vivien Leigh and Karl Malden and you've pretty much guaranteed yourself perfection. One of the best plays to read, but even better on the screen. Brando is absolutely perfect and the sexuality exuded by Leigh is so incredible for this time it's amazing this was allowed. Is there anyone who orders a Stella Artois and doesn't hear some jackass (like me) yell "Stella!" My personal favorite is when Stanley say "she is as respected in (whatever the name of her town is) as the President of the United States, yet she isn't respected by any party."
6. On The Waterfront - One again Kazan, Brando and Malden team up, but this time co-starring Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam and Eva Marie Saint. The story of a down and out ex-boxer who is working as a dock worker. He is offered a deal, but questions it when a fellow worker is killed and his sister pleads with him to stand up to the mob boss. Two of the greatest scenes in movie history, especially at that point happen in one film. Absolutely amazing film. Even those who don't like Brando, have to appreciate his chops in this one.
5. Giant - Quite simply the best movie James Dean ever made. Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor co-star in this story about a Texas cattleman who tries to take the tough-minded Taylor back to his ranch. Newly rich Jett (Dean) has other ideas and this sets off a battle in which the movie spans multiple decades. The acting is tremendous and there is a shot at the ending which I can't help but catapulted the idea for one of the most famous Prime Time dramas and maybe it's most famous character, in Dallas. I want to note, that despite only making three major films (Rebel, Giant and East of Eden), I feel that James Dean is not only great, but one of the most under appreciated actors of our time. I know a thousand people who have seen Rebel, but know only a handful who have seen the other two. Giant is the best!
4. The African Queen - the quintessential buddy film. Until I was about 15, this was my favorite movie of all time. That being said, the difference between this and the first film of this decade is so minute, it was nearly impossible for me not to have a four way tie for first. Katherine Hepburn (the greatest actress of all-time - sorry Meryl, love you too) and Humphrey Bogart have chemistry like no other couple there has ever been on screen. Coupled with the genius direction of John Huston this tale of a drunk riverboat captain, a prudish missionary and a German gun boat which follows them is intriguing and a lesson on adapting to one's surrounding, even if at first you think there may be no chance.
3. The Seven Samurai - Without question, the greatest Japanese film ever made, this Samurai tale about a band of warriors who decide to help a friend who has agreed to defend a village. The battles are intense and the movie makes so many points about so many topics, it's an absolutely thrill ride for the eyes and the mind. I was lucky enough to see this in a revival theatre and this was the first movie I ever saw with subtitles. I'm still as amazed watching it today as I was when I was a teen.
2. The Seventh Seal - Max Von Sydow plays a medieval knight who has returned from the crusades and while laying half dead on the beach, death comes to take him. He challenges Death to a game of chess and if he should win, he lives. Death agrees and follows him throughout the film. Ingmar Begman's classic is so incredibly thought-provoking, this is another one of those movies, where upon it's completion, I started it right back up again. To describe anything would give scenes away, but this is a must see, especially for anyone who is not completely consumed by religion. On a side note: If you have never seen a Bergman film, and you are male, you are in for a treat. He typically cast some of the most beautiful and talented women ever to grace the screen. I've got a little fetish for Gunnel Lindblom.
1. 12 Angry Men - A courtroom drama directed by Sindey Lumet. The story is about a jury that must decide the fate of an 18-year-old boy charged with murdering his father. Every juror has a secret agenda but one, who wants to rationally go over the evidence. The cast is one for the ages, with Henry Fonda playing the protagonist, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, and five other's who aren't household names, but play important roles. This movie, is one of the most compelling stories ever. Lee J. Cobb steals almost every scene he has at least one line in. It's truly one of the greatest pictures of all time and at 90+ minutes, it feels like a tidal wave.
10. Pickup on South Street - Richard Widmark is one of the most underrated actors ever. In this he plays a petty thief who steals some film from a woman's purse. It just so happens the woman was selling secrets to the Russians.The cops are after him, the woman is after him, along with her boyfriend. Widnmark's trademark swagger sells the film and the adorable Jean Peters is wonderful as his mark and then possible love interest.
9. Rebel Without a Cause - One of the most famous movies of all-time, James Dean's starring debut as a troubled youth still resonates today. Between the shy Sal Mineo, the alluring Natalie Wood, the punkish Dennis Hopper and the conflicted Dean, this movie is as powerful as they come as it deals with teen angst. Jim just wants what every kid wants - acceptance, from society and his father. Don't miss Jim Backus' portrayal as Dean's father. It is so quietly perfect, you almost forget that you're watching Thurston Howell and the voice of Mr. Magoo.
8. Bridge on the River Kwai - This is how great the 50's were. This is 8th on my list. Alec Guinness and William Holden play British and English colonels engaged in a battle over the building of a bridge while POW's in a Japanese camp. From the whistling theme to the grand final, this is one of the greatest war movies ever made.
7. A Streetcar Named Desire - Even the title sounds juicy. Take a Tennessee Williams' play. Get Elia Kazan to direct. Then throw in Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Vivien Leigh and Karl Malden and you've pretty much guaranteed yourself perfection. One of the best plays to read, but even better on the screen. Brando is absolutely perfect and the sexuality exuded by Leigh is so incredible for this time it's amazing this was allowed. Is there anyone who orders a Stella Artois and doesn't hear some jackass (like me) yell "Stella!" My personal favorite is when Stanley say "she is as respected in (whatever the name of her town is) as the President of the United States, yet she isn't respected by any party."
6. On The Waterfront - One again Kazan, Brando and Malden team up, but this time co-starring Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam and Eva Marie Saint. The story of a down and out ex-boxer who is working as a dock worker. He is offered a deal, but questions it when a fellow worker is killed and his sister pleads with him to stand up to the mob boss. Two of the greatest scenes in movie history, especially at that point happen in one film. Absolutely amazing film. Even those who don't like Brando, have to appreciate his chops in this one.
5. Giant - Quite simply the best movie James Dean ever made. Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor co-star in this story about a Texas cattleman who tries to take the tough-minded Taylor back to his ranch. Newly rich Jett (Dean) has other ideas and this sets off a battle in which the movie spans multiple decades. The acting is tremendous and there is a shot at the ending which I can't help but catapulted the idea for one of the most famous Prime Time dramas and maybe it's most famous character, in Dallas. I want to note, that despite only making three major films (Rebel, Giant and East of Eden), I feel that James Dean is not only great, but one of the most under appreciated actors of our time. I know a thousand people who have seen Rebel, but know only a handful who have seen the other two. Giant is the best!
4. The African Queen - the quintessential buddy film. Until I was about 15, this was my favorite movie of all time. That being said, the difference between this and the first film of this decade is so minute, it was nearly impossible for me not to have a four way tie for first. Katherine Hepburn (the greatest actress of all-time - sorry Meryl, love you too) and Humphrey Bogart have chemistry like no other couple there has ever been on screen. Coupled with the genius direction of John Huston this tale of a drunk riverboat captain, a prudish missionary and a German gun boat which follows them is intriguing and a lesson on adapting to one's surrounding, even if at first you think there may be no chance.
3. The Seven Samurai - Without question, the greatest Japanese film ever made, this Samurai tale about a band of warriors who decide to help a friend who has agreed to defend a village. The battles are intense and the movie makes so many points about so many topics, it's an absolutely thrill ride for the eyes and the mind. I was lucky enough to see this in a revival theatre and this was the first movie I ever saw with subtitles. I'm still as amazed watching it today as I was when I was a teen.
2. The Seventh Seal - Max Von Sydow plays a medieval knight who has returned from the crusades and while laying half dead on the beach, death comes to take him. He challenges Death to a game of chess and if he should win, he lives. Death agrees and follows him throughout the film. Ingmar Begman's classic is so incredibly thought-provoking, this is another one of those movies, where upon it's completion, I started it right back up again. To describe anything would give scenes away, but this is a must see, especially for anyone who is not completely consumed by religion. On a side note: If you have never seen a Bergman film, and you are male, you are in for a treat. He typically cast some of the most beautiful and talented women ever to grace the screen. I've got a little fetish for Gunnel Lindblom.
1. 12 Angry Men - A courtroom drama directed by Sindey Lumet. The story is about a jury that must decide the fate of an 18-year-old boy charged with murdering his father. Every juror has a secret agenda but one, who wants to rationally go over the evidence. The cast is one for the ages, with Henry Fonda playing the protagonist, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, and five other's who aren't household names, but play important roles. This movie, is one of the most compelling stories ever. Lee J. Cobb steals almost every scene he has at least one line in. It's truly one of the greatest pictures of all time and at 90+ minutes, it feels like a tidal wave.
Comments
Post a Comment