An American in Paris 1951

My Quick Thoughts:  I first saw An American in Paris when I was in high school and first fell in love with Gene Kelly.  Although this movie is good, it is not my favorite Gene Kelly movie.  I much prefer Singing in the Rain and Summer Stock.  Watching this movie now as an adult, I do think I appreciated it more than I did when I was a teenager.  It is an epic romance that gives Gene Kelly's dance moves a chance to shine.  What might not make this my favorite is two things.  In Gene Kelly's other films I love when he spoofs with his goofy sidekick.  There was a little bit in this, but not a lot.  Also, it has always bothered me in musicals when they break out into 15-20 minute dance montage for no apparent reason.  There is a really long one of those in this movie.  I got the purpose of it, to express the emotions the main character was going through, but it was a little too long.  Having said that, it's Gene Kelly and it's hard not to enjoy anything he does and An American in Paris should be on the watch list of anybody into musicals, dance, or simply movie history.

Favorite Quote:   "The more beautiful everything is the more it will hurt without you."

                                 

Overall Rating: A-

What I Was Doing That Year:  I wasn't born yet.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  An American in Paris

Spotlight 2015

My Quick Thoughts:  Spotlight is about a four man team of journalists at The Boston Globe who think they are reporting on a story about a couple of priests in the Catholic church who are secretly abusing children, but they end up discovering that it is 90 priests in the Boston area that the church is covering up for.  This movie, based on a true story, is fantastic.  It is what a movie should be.  It is a good story with good acting that doesn't involve any gimmicks or special effects.  The story, no matter how disturbing and how hard to swallow, was good enough to turn into a great movie that will get you thinking, and make you angry.

Favorite Quote:   "I'm not crazy.  I'm not paranoid.  I'm experienced."

                                 

Overall Rating: A

What I Was Doing That Year:  I was in my 10th year of teaching.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Spotlight

Chicago 2002

My Quick Thoughts:  This movie is good, but there is one huge thing that really bothers me.  Back to that in a moment.  The writers of this musical have found away to make a story about murder fun and funny.  The movie is filled with memorable musical numbers, funny moments, and is very clever in its storytelling.  John C. Reilly as the poor sap of a husband is my favorite performance in this movie, and I love how they tie in Taye Diggs' narration as the band leader to the telling of the story.  Now back to that thing I hate.  I think almost everybody has that one actor that they can't stand.  For me that is Renee Zellweger.  She is a fine actor, but there is something about her that drives me nuts.  I would have probably enjoyed this movie a little more had she not been in it.

Favorite Quote:   "I guess you could say we broke up because of artistic differences. He saw himself as alive and I saw him dead."

                                 

Overall Rating: A-

What I Was Doing That Year:  I was 22, going to college, and working at Barnes and Noble.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Gone With The Wind 1939

My Quick Thoughts:  Finally a movie that is worthy of the title of an American classic.  Today was the first time I watched all of Gone With The Wind, although I have seen bits and pieces over the years because well how can you not?  This movie had everything, love, war, betrayal, characters that you love, characters that you love to hate, and one of the best movie lines of all time.  It was a powerful love story without the traditional love story ending, which I loved.  At four hours in length this movie can be a little hard to get through (after the first disc I took about an hour break) but it's Gone With The Wind, an American classic, so you kind of get over that.

Favorite Quote:   "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

                                 

Overall Rating: A

What I Was Doing That Year:  I wasn't born yet.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  The Wizard of Oz