The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 2, 2011

“She was the greatest of them all. You wouldn’t know, you’re too young. In one week she received 17,000 fan letters. Men bribed her hairdresser to get a lock of her hair. There was a maharajah who came all the way from India to beg one of her silk stockings....   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on January 1, 2011

“My name is Addison DeWitt. My native habitat is the theater. In it I toil not, neither do I spin. I am a critic and commentator. I am essential to the theatre.” Mr. DeWitt may be a bit conceded, but with that ego comes the ability to see one’s true...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 31, 2010

“I would like to say a few words about weddings. I’ve just been through one. Not my own. My daughter’s. Someday in the far future I may be able to remember it with tender indulgence…” Weddings are everything a daughter dreams of and a father dreads.  With  so many bridal...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 30, 2010

Everything about this film is full of fun adventure.  Allan Quatermain (Stewart Granger) is an experiences hunter and safari guide in the heart of Africa.  He is sought out by Mrs. Elizabeth Curtis (Deborah Kerr), who wants to go on safari to search for her lost husband who was out...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 29, 2010

Harry (Broderick Crawford), a junkyard tycoon, and his fiancé, Billie (Judy Holliday) are both less than refined.  They shout to each other from across halls and through open windows.  While in Washington D.C., Harry is trying to “make new business connections” and realizes Billie’s rough behavior a   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 28, 2010

I think most people are embarrassed by their family at one point or another.  It’s almost natural at some ages.  But when we grow out of that and can step back and see that we love our folks for all the odd things we used to be shy about, what...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 27, 2010

In 1917, Father Edward Flanagan founded and built Boys Town, a nonprofit orphanage for boys between 10 and 16, just outside of Omaha Nebraska.  The orphanage led a new wave of youth care methods by emphasizing the importance of social preparation and letting the boys run the facility’s day-to-day op   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 26, 2010

Out of the ten nominated films from 1938, three cannot be found at the moment:  Test Pilot, Four Daughters and The Citadel.  I must say, I’m especially upset at not finding Test Pilot, which stars Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy.  These three actors have become new favorites of...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 25, 2010

Ah, now this is classic Robin Hood.  It’s not gritty action and realistic CGI arrows whizzing by, nor is it overtly cute and turned our heroes into singing cartoon animals.  The Adventures of Robin Hood is probably the best story told on film featuring the legendary outlaw of Sherwood Forrest....   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 24, 2010

Before we talk about the film, I’d like to shine some light upon the director, Jean Renoir.  Born in Paris, he was the son of the impressionist painter Pierre Renoir.  In World War I, he fought in the French army, and earned a Croix de Guerre for his heroism that...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 23, 2010

Many times, vanity is the driving force behind the poor decisions young women make.  In today’s society, it seems that women are supposed to constantly primp and flaunt what they’ve got.  Makeup is generally expected all the time and breast implants are perfectly acceptable cosmetic surgery. Everyon   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 22, 2010

We first see Roger (Tyrone Power) having just finished conducting a classical concert.  The ladies try to get near him and his proud old professor tries to give the young man some advice, but he brushes them aside.  He and his band pals Charlie (Don Ameche) and Davey (Jack Haley)...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 21, 2010

In the first month of this blog, I watched My Fair Lady, the musical remake of Pygmalion, for the first time in my life and simply ripped that film a new one.  I still stand behind what I said, but realize now that all I needed to enjoy the same...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 20, 2010

In today’s society, people give the privilege of drinking many purposes.  You can learn to taste the subtle differences in fine wine or crafted beers, it can lighten the atmosphere of a party, provide liquid courage, lubricate celebration or just let you feel numb at a loss.  Sadly, there are...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 19, 2010

Alfred Hitchcock called this film, “just another manhunt wrapped up in pseudo-psychoanalysis.”  While that sums it up pretty well, adding in fun details like a murder-mystery, a love story to cloud judgement and a Salvador Dali inspired dream sequence sets Spellbound apart from Hitchcock’s oth   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 18, 2010

There’s always been a soft spot in my heart for nuns and Catholic schools.  All those stereotypes about nuns being the strictest teachers armed with rulers was just a myth in my experience.  And though my Catholic school of the early ‘90s had no air conditioning at the time, which...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 17, 2010

Usually, I don’t use the phrase “It’s cute” as as praise in my reviews, but Anchors Aweigh is different.  There’s a charming mix of fantasy, romance, song and dance in this story about two sailors, their quest for dames and the obstacles that help them find love.  With all the...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 16, 2010

Throughout WWII women had stepped up, taken factory jobs and realized the joy and accomplishment of working and providing.  In 1945, men were returning from war and pushing Rosie the Riveter out of her job and back into the home, where she was to get to work on creating the...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 15, 2010

Right away, it’s established that this is going to be a quirky movie.  The opening scene works like a silent film, with the actors being extra expressive and the all important dialogue (“aaaah!”) cut in to read.  A plucky piano provides a quick and light accompaniment as we watch Squire...   read more

The Best Picture Project Posted by Alyson on December 14, 2010

Many times, movies about religion just leave a bitter taste in my mouth.  Their agenda simply becomes preaching, converting the non-believers and depicting the punishments of the unholy.  I don’t care to watch someone give my soul an ultimatum.  Movies are meant to be an escape, that safe place wher   read more