Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939 Directed by Frank Capra Netflix says... When idealistic junior senator Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) arrives in Washington, D.C., he's full of plans and dazzled by his surroundings--qualities he retains despite widespread corruption among his cynical colleagues. Jean Arthur puts in a sharp performance as Smith's streetwise secretary, who helps … Continue reading AFI #26 – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Movies
Pointless Remakes
It's absolutely no secret that I love movies. I love sitting at home on a rainy day and seeing what's on Netflix or popping in a DVD. I love buying a ticket and mooching off a friend's bucket of popcorn to see a movie in a darkened theater. What I don't love is a pointless … Continue reading Pointless Remakes
AFI #27 – High Noon
High Noon 1952 Directed by Fred Zinnemann Netflix says... Retiring Marshal Will Kane insists on defending his town from a gang of hooligans who are due on the noon train--but he faces the task alone as the cowardly townspeople flee like rats from a sinking ship. You don't see the word "hooligans" enough these days. … Continue reading AFI #27 – High Noon
Stand Up
Remember a few weeks ago when I came to the blogging community for advice? I was about to take the stage as part of the entertainment for a thing with a group from my church. And I had no idea what I would actually be doing. I settled on a stand-up comedy routine. And Kristen … Continue reading Stand Up
AFI #28 – All About Eve
All About Eve 1950 Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz Netflix says... Writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's sharp script anchors this story about New York City theater life, with Bette Davis playing an aging Broadway diva who employs a starstruck fan (Anne Baxter) as her assistant, only to learn the woman is a conniving upstart. The now-classic … Continue reading AFI #28 – All About Eve
AFI #29 – Double Indemnity
Double Indemnity 1944 Directed by Billy Wilder Netflix says... Smitten insurance man Walter Neff plots the perfect murder with femme fatale client Phyllis Dietrichson: staging her husband's "accidental" death to collect double indemnity on his life insurance and absconding with the loot. It seems my fate to catch up on all the great film noir … Continue reading AFI #29 – Double Indemnity
AFI #30 – Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now 1979 Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Netflix says... Francis Ford Coppola's timeless epic adapts Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness to the Vietnam War, where special operations Capt. Willard (Martin Sheen) must travel deep into the Cambodian jungle to locate and kill the mysterious -- and insane -- Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). I really … Continue reading AFI #30 – Apocalypse Now
AFI #31 – The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon 1941 Directed by John Huston Netflix says... Humphrey Bogart stars as private eye Sam Spade in this Oscar-nominated noir classic that finds the sultry Miss Wonderly (Mary Astor) seeking out protection from a man named Thursby. Spade's partner (Jerome Cowan) takes the case--but he winds up dead, along with Thursby. Spade's subsequent … Continue reading AFI #31 – The Maltese Falcon
AFI #32 – The Godfather, Part II
The Godfather, Part II 1974 Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Netflix says... The Corleone family roots are explored, tracing Don Vito's journey from Sicily to a life of organized crime in New York. In a parallel story, his grown son Michael extends operations to Cuba and contends with more betrayal and murder. Y'all. This movie … Continue reading AFI #32 – The Godfather, Part II
AFI #33 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 1975 Directed by Milos Forman Netflix says... While serving time for insanity at a state mental hospital, rabble-rouser Randle Patrick McMurphy inspires his fellow patients to rebel against the authoritarian rule of head nurse Ratched. Milos Forman's masterpiece won all five major Oscars. This is one I've never seen … Continue reading AFI #33 – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Confusing Middle 