1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Top Gun

#780- Top Gun
Starring: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer
Directed by: Tony Scott


Plot Summary: In the world of Navy fighter pilots, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and his Radar Intercept Officer Nick "Goose" Bradshaw are selected to enroll in the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, also known as "Top Gun." Maverick is a loose cannon pilot with a chip on his shoulder, thanks to the infamous reputation of his father, but hopes to be the best fighter pilot. His biggest opposition is in the form of Tom "Iceman" Kazanski, who is just as cocky as Maverick but plays by the rules. Maverick falls for a civilian contractor with a Ph.D. in astrophysics, named Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood. With Charlie's support and Goose by his side, Maverick is confident to take on any challenge at "Top Gun," become the best pilot and a future instructor at the academy.


Now we've come to one of my favorite decades in all of pop culture, the '80s. Within this movie list, there are tons of movies I've always wanted to see from this gloriously cheesy decade. One of the films from the '80s I've wanted to watch the most was Top Gun. Like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, or anything starring Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger, Top Gun is one of those '80s action movies that are necessary for most moviegoers to see because it summarizes a lot of what the genre is about. Sure, the characters are unoriginal and you can map out every plot detail a mile away, but that doesn't mean the movie isn't good. While it is predictable, Top Gun does the one thing that most blockbuster movies strive to do: entertain the viewer.

The main protagonist of the film is Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise. Maverick is exactly what his nickname would suggest, a hot shot pilot who doesn't play by the rules, and Cruise does a spectacular job of giving Maverick all those qualities by still making him likable. I think Cruise's biggest selling point in his charm is through that smile (which he flashes almost every time the camera is on him). The audience is able to see the amount of dedication Maverick has in being the best, so we are able to respect his ambitions and hope that he can accomplish his dreams, a very strong formula for a well-developed and memorable hero to follow. If Risky Business was the movie that put Tom Cruise on the map as a star, then Top Gun is definitely the movie that has cemented his status as one of the most iconic leading men of our generation.

Maverick's main competition at "Top Gun" is Lieutenant Tom "Iceman" Kazanski, played by Val Kilmer. Iceman is really only a bad guy because he is as good, if not better, than Maverick. He's a bit cocky of his abilities, but then again, so is Maverick. He really is like a mirrored image of Maverick, except he plays by the rules, and perhaps that is why he gets under Maverick's skin as well as he does. He is given the nickname Iceman because of his cool demeanor in flight, yet does show some moments of humanity when the situation is appropriate (thank goodness he wasn't your stereotypical '80s bully). Not everyone is a threat to Maverick, as is evident through his Radar Intercept Officer, Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, played by Anthony Edwards. Goose adds many fun moments to the narrative, as he is the stereotypical comedic best friend character to our main protagonist. The best part of Edwards playing Goose is that I never found myself annoyed at Goose's antics, which can be a VERY big problem with modern-day sidekick characters.

The stereotypical character archetypes don't end there however. Maverick's main love interest is Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood, played by Kelly McGillis. While she is described as a woman with a Ph.D. in astrophysics, it's very much glossed over. Most of her time is spent being pursued by Maverick. Even though she is supposed to be his superior, she throws all forms of professionalism away for a romantic relationship with Maverick (in a very awkward sex scene for an PG film in the '80s). Luckily, Maverick is able to seek professional guidance from his chief instructor, Commander Mike "Viper" Metcalf, played by Tom Skerritt. Skerritt plays Viper the way he's supposed to be, a no-nonsense mentor figure for Maverick, but is also kind and compassionate when he needs to be.

Every cheesy '80s movie needs an equally cheesy '80s theme song, and Top Gun has one of the absolute best in "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins. A lot of people think about "Danger Zone" when Top Gun is brought up and the two are mostly used together in homages and parodies (my personal favorite being with Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother) and it's not difficult to see why. It's a great song that knows how to energize an audience and sets a perfect tone for the action that takes place on-screen. The song is used so perfectly in the film, that it is used THREE different times. I'm sure there are millions of people who have driven down a highway and get hyped up when "Danger Zone" plays because it feels like an appropriate song for some feels the need for speed.

By this point, EVERYONE has pointed out the homosexual undertones in Top Gun. Admittedly, there are a lot of scenes and moments that people could point out, but I think I'll give the movie and plot the benefit of the doubt and say it was unintentional. Think about it from these two perspectives, the first being that there are only a handful of female characters in the film, and the second being that these are adolescent male characters bonding and joking around with each other (don't pretend that high school and college guys don't act this way). If anything, the recruits at "Top Gun" are like a fraternity of fighter pilots. What this film should REALLY be remembered for is that it is an action classic from the '80s in every sense of the word. There are certainly many moments that are over the top, but it is still a fun and exhilarating film from start to finish.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Top Gun is one of those '80s movies that are a perfect representation of the decade. The entire movie is corny and clichéd, but it is darn entertaining. I strongly recommend checking the film out at least once, and would even say it's worth owning in your collection, especially if you love all things '80s.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Top Gun and movie images are copyrighted by Paramount Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Saturday Night Fever

#651- Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Starring: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller
Directed by: John Badham


Plot Summary: Tony Manero is a 19-year-old Italian American living in Brooklyn, New York. Tony works a low-level job and puts up with his dysfunctional family life, and is rewarded every Saturday night when he is able to go to 2001 Odyssey disco club with his friends. As "king of the dance floor," Tony is looking for the perfect partner for an upcoming dance contest. At first, Tony settles for Annette, who constantly hangs around Tony and his friends, but is captivated by a woman at the club named Stephanie Mangano. Stephanie agrees to be Tony's partner, but only if they keep it professional. At the same time, Tony's brother, Frank Jr., comes home to let the family know that he has left his profession of being a priest. Encouraged by his brother and no longer feeling like the black sheep of the family, Tony believes he can do great things as a dancer.


As far as '70s pop culture goes, there is nothing more important than disco (except for Star Wars, but I'll review that later). In the world of film, no disco movie is more important than Saturday Night Fever. I was really hoping to get an overall enjoyable experience here, but instead I got a movie that can be more classified as "hit and miss." The things I expected to like, I did, and the things I knew nothing about I found absolutely distracting from the entirety of the film. Does that mean that I didn't like the movie? Or were there enough positives to keep the movie stayin' alive (you know I couldn't pass up a joke like that)?

John Travolta has one of the defining roles of his career as Tony Manero. There's not much I can say about this role that many others haven't said. It's John Travolta putting on a stellar performance as Manero, who is vain mainly from his lack of confidence and his insecurities. Most of that stems from his dysfunctional relationship at home and his pinhead friends (we'll get to them soon). He channels a lot of his insecurities and focuses his frustrations on his roller coaster relationship with his dance partner, Stephanie Mangano, played by Karen Lynn Gorney. The best thing he knows how to do is dance, and everyone tells him that, but he has no confidence in himself to take it seriously. The only real time I was ever against Tony was in his treatment of women, particularly Annette, played by Donna Pescow. It's clear to see that Annette is into Tony and that he does not feel the same, but man does he string her along for most of the movie. You feel completely sorry for her because she's actually pretty harmless and all it is is a game of "he's just not that into you," but you would hope it could be done with a little more compassion. Despite all that, Tony is still a very sympathetic character, amplified by Travolta's likability and charm.

His friends, on the other hand, are anything but likable and charming. Joey (played by Joseph Cali), Double J (played by Paul Pape), and Gus (played by Bruce Ornstein) feel completely interchangeable. Gus is taken out by a gang early on in the film, and I didn't even realize he was missing until they actually address it near the end of the movie. Joey and Double J really feel like they could have been the same character (Double J could probably stand for "Joey Junior").  The biggest exception in Tony's group of guys is Bobby C, played by Barry Miller. You can tell that he's the punching bag of the group and he's sick of it. All he wants to do is show his worth and have friends that genuinely care for him. When he gets a girl pregnant, he's sincerely looking for help, but no one is taking the issue seriously. The only person Bobby C trusts is Tony, which admittedly is one of the stronger relationships in the film.

The biggest problem with Saturday Night Fever is that it is full of distractions. I hear a lot of people cite the film as a "feel good" movie, which left me scratching my head by the end of the movie asking "how am I supposed to feel good?" Aside from Tony's dysfunctional relationship with his family and his struggling relationship with Stephanie, we have two scenes where rape is implied (only attempted in one scene, but the second scene has it happen back to back), a large story arc dedicated to pregnancy and abortion, and to top it all off we have a suicide near the end of the film. HOLY COW! It's a good thing Travolta is charismatic and the Bee Gees are catchy or else this movie would be depressing film from start to finish.

The biggest impact through Saturday Night Fever is in its music and dance sequences. Nowadays, it's common for people to mock the disco era, but when you see a movie like this dedicated to depicting the movement, you can't help but enjoy the style of music that might appear "cheesy" in modern discussions. The Bee Gees were arguably the biggest names in disco, and their biggest hit "Stayin' Alive" is used in the film's opening sequence (which is also arguably one of the most iconic opening scenes in film history). The rest of the songs are used fantastically to create a time capsule of the popular music movement occurring during the film and at the time of its release.


Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The most memorable qualities of Saturday Night Fever are Travolta's star making performance and the quality of the soundtrack, and it's probably best to keep it that way. The rest of the characters and dysfunctional themes that occur are not worth direct association to this film. Give it a weekend rental if you like John Travolta and the Bee Gees.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Saturday Night Fever and movie images are copyrighted by Paramount Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Rocky

#636- Rocky (1976)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers
Directed by: John G. Avildsen


Plot Summary: World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Apollo Creed is set to defend his title in Philadelphia on New Year's Day, but his scheduled challenger has backed out of the match due to injury. Desperate to find a new challenger for the fight, Creed selects Philadelphia native and small-time boxer Rocky Balboa. In preparation for the fight, Rocky undergoes a rigorous training regimen under the guidance of his trainer, Mickey Goldmill, who wants to help unlock Rocky's true potential as a boxer and go the distance in the ring with Creed, something no other boxer has done. While training for the fight, Rocky is also courting Adrian Pennino, a clerk at the local pet shop and the sister of one of Rocky's good friends, Paulie. With not many expecting Rocky to win, he enters the fight an underdog but intends to fight like a champion.


When it comes to sports movies, the biggest story told is that of the underdog. You see these types of movies all the time to the point where they seem overdone. But in 1976, when Rocky was released, there weren't too many movies like it. In fact, Rocky is one of the most influential films in the genre, with many of its plot details laying the foundation of the "overdone" sports film stereotypes that we have today (so do we owe this movie a "thank you"?). Whether or not you have actually sat down and watched this movie, I'm sure you have a pretty vivid impression of what happens in this movie. Rocky's a boxer, who runs up the steps to epic music, and is the ultimate underdog who must overcome all his adversities to win the match at the end of the movie...you get the idea. Even though, I had a pretty strong impression of what happened in the movie, I was still surprised by the amount of good acting performances in the film as well as the tremendous pacing and storytelling to make this underdog story one of the top contenders to be the champion of sports movies (see what I did there?).

Sylvester Stallone stars as the titular character, Rocky Balboa. One thing that I absolutely loved about this movie is that it doesn't really feel like a boxing movie, but is instead a film about a character that boxes (see the difference?). Usually, sports movies establish the conflict that the team or athlete that is considered the underdog by having them lose their first game or match. Rocky doesn't need to have any of that happen to him, and instead, we spend the movie getting to know Rocky as a person before he needs to step into the ring at the end of the film. Little subtleties in storytelling like that really help the audience connect with the character of Rocky, instead of just him being just a boxer. Also, I know nearly EVERYONE likes to make fun of Stallone's voice while quoting Rocky (I'm guilty as well), so there's some extra fun to be had while watching the movie.

The biggest challenge in Rocky's boxing career is in the form of the World Heavyweight Champion, Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers. I wouldn't say that Creed is an antagonist, because he isn't a stereotypical villain doing dastardly things. He's over the top only in terms of his charisma to entertain his fans (his star spangled attire is enough to have everyone's eyes rolling), and only proposes the match with Rocky as a marketing strategy (what he thinks will get the public to rally behind the match). Admittedly, he doubts that Rocky will be a legitimate threat, but he learns very quickly into their fight that Rocky is the real deal and a legitimate threat to his title. Weathers provides just the right amount of charm into this role, but is also flashy enough for viewers to side with the more relatable.

Rocky's main love interest is Adrian Pennino, played by Talia Shire. Her relationship with Rocky develops very naturally, with the clichéd love that can be classified as "opposites attract." I'm not sure if it's strange to call their relationship "cute," but I do think it is a very charming relationship to watch unfold throughout the film, and it feels realistic enough to believe that these two characters would be in love throughout these events. Adrian's brother Paulie, played by Burt Young, is also one of Rocky's close friends and helps train him for the big fight. Paulie is a very complex character to find "likable" since he's a drunk who berates his sister and openly criticizes her relationship with Rocky. However, he gets some sense knocked into him by Adrian when she finally grows the confidence to give him a verbal tongue lashing (which is VERY entertaining to see). Afterwards, they're all on the same page heading into Rocky's fight.

In order to train for the match against Apollo Creed, Rocky seeks training from Mickey Goldmill, played by Burgess Meredith. Mickey's one of my favorite characters in the movie for one reason and one reason only: his one-liners are PHENOMENAL. He says arguably the best line in the entire movie "you're gonna eat lightning, and you're gonna crap thunder," and has a very compelling relationship with Rocky that stems far more than comedy. It's almost awkward to see Rocky and Mickey dance around agreeing to work together, as you get neither man wants to show "weakness," but you can also see they know that they'd make a very formidable team.

The training montage in Rocky is arguably the greatest montage in film history, accompanied by the equally iconic "Gonna Fly Now" composed by Bill Conti. The running on the steps in Philadelphia, punching large amounts of meat in a freezer, drinking raw eggs, and the overall training for a big fight with the accompaniment of epic music are used in nearly every type of sport movie that is either paying tribute or satirizing this famous scene. It's the perfect type of scene that belongs in a film like this, because it gets the viewer pumped up and inspires them that if Rocky Balboa can go the distance, so can they.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Even if nowadays the sports underdog story has been done to death, Rocky was one of the earliest forms of this genre, and is easily one of the best films this genre has to offer. Thanks to the development of one of film's most legendary character, I'll give this movie a solid recommendation, and worth owning in the collection of all moviegoers.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Rocky and movie images are copyrighted by United Artists

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Planet of the Apes

#499- Planet of the Apes (1968)
Starring: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter
Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner


Plot Summary: Astronaut George Taylor and his crew are in deep cryogenic hibernation when they crash onto an unknown planet in the year 3978. After abandoning their sinking spacecraft, they explore the planet and realize they are not alone. Taylor and his astronauts, Dodge and Landon, discover a group of mute and primitive humans, when they are captured by a group of intelligent, talking apes and taken to Ape City. Taylor, having been shot in the throat, is unable to speak but still finds a way to communicate with animal psychologist Zira, who saved his life after he was captured. Zira and her fiance, Cornelius, are fascinated by Taylor, whom they have nicknamed "Bright Eyes," and listen to him intently to discover the origins of where he came from. Taylor finds out that not all apes are this compassionate, however, as many of his attempts to prove of his origins are swatted away by one of the most respected elders in Ape City, Dr. Zaius.


With Dawn of the Planet of the Apes being released next Friday in theaters, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to look at the original Planet of the Apes film. Often looked at as one of the most influential science fiction films ever made, it took the world by storm when it was released, spawned a handful of sequels, a crappy Tim Burton remake, and is currently in a new, rebooted franchise. Thanks to the star power of actor Charlton Heston, a groundbreaking idea adapted from a French novel by Pierre Boulle, and a famous twist ending, Planet of the Apes is one of the most iconic films in history, but all icons have their fair share of problems and this film is no exception.

Charlton Heston stars in one of his most iconic roles, astronaut George Taylor. This wasn't the greatest of introductions to Heston as a leading man, as his portrayal of Taylor in the beginning had him come off as either creepy (thanks to some really bizarre sequences of his laughter) or antagonizing as he bullies his fellow astronauts after they've landed. I also found it very confusing why Taylor would be calm that they traveled 2000 years into the future (he accepts it REALLY quickly). Once he's amongst the apes, he becomes our window into this mystifying world. We understand what Taylor knows, and his proof of where he came from (such as knowledge of flight, writing, and speaking) makes sense to us, but not to the apes. Still, I can't help but feel that there's something off about Heston's portrayal, and I know there are better roles out there that he has played that I just haven't watched for myself yet.

Of course, what's a review of a movie called Planet of the Apes without talking about the apes? In looking at the key characters, there are really three worth mentioning. The first is the main antagonist, Dr. Zaius, played by Maurice Evans. Perhaps the most intriguing part of his character is found in his motivations to preserve the history of the apes (making him a hero in his own mind). Zaius is the kind of generic, intolerant villain the audience would expect in a film like this, so he's nothing TOO spectacular to discuss. The ape that helps Taylor the most is Dr. Zira, played by Kim Hunter. There's playfulness in Zira's curiosity about the human and her sympathy and compassion towards him is very genuine. Her fiance, Cornelius, played by Roddy McDowall, is my favorite character of the film. Cornelius serves as a character that is torn between loyalties. He wants to remain loyal to Zira (and by extension Taylor) based on the proof that he has seen, but remains reluctant for the first half of the film and sides with Dr. Zaius out of fear and respect. He is responsible for a number of fun zingers toward Taylor (many of which caused me to respond with a "HA!").

Remember when I said this film had its share of problems? Well the biggest is that a majority of the effects haven't aged the greatest, particularly in the sets and the ape effects (most of the mouth movements don't sync up). Because of this, Planet of the Apes has the look and feel of a cheesy science fiction film from the '60s. Most film enthusiasts would disagree with that claim of course, but if you were looking at the film purely on an effects budget, this film would just BARELY be greater than your SyFy Channel movie of the month (ok, that's a pretty BIG exaggeration, but you get my point). Thankfully, the story and interactions between the main characters make up for some of the goofy (and I'd dare to say cheap) production quality.

The most appealing facet of the film is its contributions to the science fiction genre. Right off the bat, we are put into the normal world that Taylor and the rest of the astronauts are in. Then, after the opening credits, we are transported directly into this bizarre world that is ruled by apes. Nothing is explained and it is up to the audience, through Taylor, to figure out how this planet came into existence. Obviously, the answer comes to us at the end, in one of the most iconic twist endings in film history (I won't spoil it, but you probably already can guess what happened). Even if some of the effects are campy, they still add to the allusion of this unfamiliar world, and give the film a form of sincerity and charm, as you can tell they are doing their absolute best to make bring this unique story to life.


Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I think for a movie like Planet of the Apes, you really need to be in the right mindset for it. With a new one on the way, this seems like a perfect opportunity to give the original a watch out of curiosity. If you can accept that a lot of the original hasn't aged well by today's film standards, then this should be a fairly entertaining DVD rental.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Planet of the Apes and movie images are copyrighted by 20th Century Fox

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- To Kill a Mockingbird

#405- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford
Directed by: Robert Mulligan


Plot Summary: In the town of Maycomb, Alabama, lawyer Atticus Finch is asked to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, a white teenage girl. Atticus, with a strong morality toward doing what is right no matter who the person is, accepts the case. Atticus is also a widowed father, raising his children Scout and Jem on how to properly treat others. Scout and Jem also spend their childhood making a new friend named Dill Harris, tackling the day to day issues at school, and spying on Maycomb's most secluded personality, the mysterious Boo Radley.


I can honestly say that up until this point during the summer, I hadn't been as excited to watch a movie for this blog as I was for To Kill a Mockingbird. I originally saw this movie in high school, as a tie-in to reading the novel by Harper Lee, and really enjoyed it, but that was from the point of view of a freshman in high school. Seven years later (WOW...time files), I found myself wanting to go back and watch the film from an older perspective. Fortunately, it not only held up to how I remembered it, but it got BETTER. This film really rejuvenated a funk that I felt I was in with the films I was watching this summer and has made me very hopeful that I'll have the same amount of energy for the rest of my summer review series (knock on wood).

Gregory Peck stars as Atticus Finch, in one of the most celebrated acting performances in the history of film. From the way Peck carries himself, to his commanding and booming voice, Peck is able to make Atticus Finch one of the most respectable characters you will ever see in your life. I love that Atticus is a man of perspective and what he teaches is not only told to his kids, but to whomever he feels needs to hear it. He really is the definition of a role model character, and he never comes off as preachy because there's a lot that he is still learning through other people (he's able to bring information in, process it, and applies it to his life). Not to mention, he gives one heck of a speech in the powerful courtroom scene (that itself is worth checking the movie out for).

To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming of age tale, which means that the narrative follows a handful of child characters. Atticus has two children, Jean Louise (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus (Jem), played by Mary Badham and Phillip Alford respectively. Scout and Jem are also accompanied by their friend Charles Baker "Dill" Harris, played by John Megna. All three child actors are solid, well-developed characters that never range on the obnoxious side. All three have understandable motivations and personalities that all feel like a part of being a kid and maturing into young adulthood. Nowadays, it's RARE to find kid characters that are this well done, so I very much appreciate the efforts put forward in casting and directing these young actors (and of course give credit to the actual actors for their acting abilities).

Of course, one of the most controversial and heavily discussed issues in To Kill a Mockingbird is the role of race in the form of the character Tom Robinson, played by Brock Peters. Based on the court case, EVERYONE can tell that Tom is OBVIOUSLY not guilty, and when Atticus is the only one to defend him, it's just infuriating. The real rage factor in all this is through the accuser, Bob Ewell, played by James K. Anderson. He really knows how to get under the audience's skin, and thanks to that, we root for Atticus and Tom all the more. Brock Peters is so powerful in his delivery in the court scene, that his testimony is one of the film's strongest highlights. The role of race is realistic given the time period, so it's not an issue that I can really find fault with in its execution.

Arthur "Boo" Radley is a very interesting plot point and figure (and metaphorical reference to the title according to Scout), that really could have been played by anybody. A lot of people remember Boo, however, because he is played by a young Robert Duvall (in his feature film debut). He's an important character already, and having a future screen legend like Duvall play him is the cherry on top of a stellar cast of characters.

I remember that I enjoyed reading Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in high school. In order to appeal to the young "let's just watch the movie" crowd, we were shown this film to go along with the book. Needless to say, I was blown away with BOTH mediums. It's a great story whether it is told in the form of a novel or a film and because of that, many refer to the film version as one of the greatest book to film adaptations of all-time. There's a lot of competition there, and even some of the more popular adaptations alter key plot and character elements (I'm looking at you Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter), but To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those rare occasions where I don't recall too many key things being changed, if anything some elements are more subtle and implied than anything else. Then again, I haven't read the book in about 7 or 8 years, so maybe it's time I read the novel again (I'd certainly be willing too after seeing this fantastic movie once again).


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This movie really has it all. Great story, well-developed characters, important issues of morality, and it captures all the quality of the novel and brings it to life on film. It's just overall a masterpiece, and I would definitely recommend To Kill a Mockingbird as a film that everyone should watch and own in their DVD collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

To Kill a Mockingbird and movie images are copyrighted by Universal Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Some Like It Hot

#354- Some Like It Hot (1959)
Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon
Directed by: Billy Wilder


Plot Summary: In the city of Chicago, saxophone player Joe and his double-bass player friend Jerry are down on their luck, looking for gigs to hire them. After witnessing a murder by the gangster Spats Colombo, the jazz performers need to find a way to get out of town and take a job with Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopators. The only catch is that it is an all-girl band, so Joe and Jerry pose as Josephine and Daphne to get into the group. It is in the band that they meet and befriend Sugar Kane, with Joe displaying stronger feelings towards her. When they get to Miami, Daphne finds herself pursued by millionaire Osgood Fielding III, and Joe assumes the identity of Junior, the heir to Shell Oil, and uses Osgood's yacht to win Sugar over, while both he and Jerry try not to give their true identities away. To make matters worse, Spats and his gang arrive in Miami for a conference that is hosted in the same hotel that Joe and Jerry are hiding in.


After reviewing such film powerhouses as Gone With The Wind, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and A Streetcar Named Desire, I said to myself "I need a comedy." I've done so many monumental movies over the last 2 months (particularly dramas) that I wanted my next review to be something "lighter" in content. For years, I had a friend back in my home state of California (you know who you are) tell me that I would enjoy Some Like it Hot. He had introduced me to Tony Curtis through The Great Race, which also starred Jack Lemmon, but I was familiar with him thanks to my grandmother's love of the film Grumpy Old Men. As if those two weren't enough to peek my interest for this comedy, it also stars Marilyn Monroe, one of the greatest icons in pop culture history. The pieces were there for an enjoyable viewing experience, and I understood why this was so revolutionary in 1959, but a LOT of the comedy hasn't aged well. But there are also a lot of noteworthy elements that work in the film's favor.

Tony Curtis is the leading man as Joe, who disguises himself as Josephine. Tony Curtis is an actor that I would describe as the "total package." He had the looks, acting and musical talent, he was charming, and he was funny (which is very important to have in a comedy). In theory, Joe should be the "straight man" for a lot of the comedic bits, but a lot of the time, he's the one who draws these hair brained schemes. One of the better parts of the movie is when Curtis has to play Joe masquerading as Josephine AND as Junior (the heir to Shell Oil). The genius of this is that Curtis is playing a character that needs to play two other characters without revealing himself, which leads to a lot of hilarity. A lot of fun also comes in the voices that Joe gives to his alter egos. Josephine has a very stingy accent, but sounds very feminine and accurate, and his accent for Junior is so over the top that it is laughable that anyone would buy it (but they do).

Jack Lemmon plays Jerry, who disguises himself as Daphne. Lemmon has great delivery and plays a lovable sidekick to Joe. He has a smugness to him that definitely paints Jerry as a bit of a "creep," but Lemmon has so much charisma that Jerry is still found likable (something that is greatly missing in comedic characters nowadays). While, Joe blends into his disguise more in terms of looks and performance, I think I like Jerry as Daphne more because Jerry finds himself succumbing to the role and being "one of the girls" with the rest of the band. Of course, there's also a decent amount of time where Jerry wants to nail a bunch of the girls, but his biggest storyline is when Daphne catches the eye of Osgood Fielding III, played by Joe E. Brown. The millionaire has a strong love for Daphne, and Jerry wants to exploit that and marry him, only to divorce him and take half his fortune. There are so many times where Joe catches Jerry being TOO invested in the character, that it really does make it seem like something's wrong with Jerry.

This might sound weird, but the weakest performer in the main cast is the cultural icon Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane. I understand that the world was in love with Monroe during this time, and she was bubbly in her personality and had those pin-up looks, but I'm sorry to say that she was a horrible actress. Thanks to some online trivia (thanks IMDB), they had her lines taped all throughout sets, had cue cards that you can see her read from, and it took 50 or so takes for her to say simple lines like "It's me, Sugar." Her singing isn't awful, and it's understandable why both Joe and Jerry would try to make passes at Sugar (in all honesty, the character is likable through Monroe's charm), so her character is not a complete failure (just when she has to say a good majority of her lines).

Overall, the comedy works thanks to the timing and chemistry of Curtis and Lemmon. There are a lot of jokes that work simply though the gender bending concept (which was somewhat new in terms of mainstream films at the time), but a lot of the jokes are also outdated. The film itself offers a lot of charm in what it's doing, whereas nowadays cross-dressing comedies go more for shock value to distinguish the humor of impersonating the opposite gender, and I'm glad Some Like It Hot played it safe, but also had enough "risqué" humor to make the audience delve deeper into what has been said (the last line of the film had me in stitches, then got me thinking of the implications).


Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Maybe jokes about different genders were more groundbreaking in the '50s, but I felt I was missing something involving the humor. Some Like It Hot definitely has great delivery from Curtis and Lemmon, but some of the jokes have gone flat over the decades. I'd still recommend this as a rental for any fans of comedy though, as it is one of the most critically acclaimed comedies in film history, so that should say something for its impact.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Some Like It Hot and movie images are copyrighted by United Artists

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- A Streetcar Named Desire

#245- A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Starring: Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kim Hunter
Directed by: Elia Kazan


Plot Summary: Blanche DuBois is a southern belle with delusions of grandeur who pays a visit to her sister Stella Kowalski and her husband Stanley in New Orleans. Blanche comes with bad news that her family's plantation, Belle Reve, was lost. Blanche also says that she's taken a leave of absence from her job as an English teacher to clear her nerves. Stanley doesn't believe Blanche and is determined to find out the truth at any cost. Blanche is not thrilled about Stanley's "common" behavior, including his verbal and physical abuse towards Stella, who, unknown by Stanley, is pregnant. One of Stanley's friends, Mitch, takes a liking to Blanche, even though Stanley disapproves of it. When Stanley finally learns the truth about Blanche's past, he uses it to his advantage in order to bring Blanche's extended stay in his home to an end.


And now for a film choice that was inspired through school (perish the thought considering it's summer). During the Fall semester last year, I read "A Streetcar Named Desire," a critically acclaimed play written by Tennessee Williams that was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Marlon Brando. I really enjoyed reading the play, so I was very excited to watch the film version when the semester was coming to an end. Unfortunately, we didn't finish the entire movie (we had about 20 minutes left when class ended on the final day), so I knew I needed to re-watch A Streetcar Named Desire soon in order for the proximity of my thoughts to make it in review form.

Marlon Brando stars as Stanley Kowalski, in one of the most important roles of his career. Stanley is an absolutely detestable character, with an aggressive personality and violent temper that leads to many moments of abuse within his home. An important theme used with his character is that he is labelled common, and that the attraction to him is primal, which is definitely notable once you have him played by an amazingly charismatic actor like Marlon Brando. Brando is one of acting's all-time greats, so it's almost frustrating to see a character this despicable have a natural charm to him. It doesn't excuse any of his actions, but you can't help but notice that intangible quality to him that an actor like Brando can give Stanley. Plus, he knows how to win the heart of his wife back, by screaming her name out in the rain.

Blanche DuBois, Stanley's sister-in-law, is played by Vivien Leigh. Leigh was the only cast member out of the four leads that did not reprise her role from the original stage adaptation, but you wouldn't get that impression watching it. Leigh has natural chemistry with each of the main characters, and does a fantastic job of playing Blanche as a woman who looks to have her head in the clouds, but means well in the process. Of course, there's a lot more to Blanche than meets the eye (no, she's not a Transformer), which many of the other characters find out along the way. Stanley doesn't trust Blanche for a second and so their tension is a crucial aspect of the film. It doesn't lead to the greatest of endings for Blanche (I'll give you a hint and say that it basically happens to her when she played Scarlett O'Hara), but it allows her to serve as a martyr-like character, with the event being an important catalyst that leads to some karma-heavy resolution for Stanley.

Kim Hunter plays Stanley's wife, Stella. Like Blanche, Stella is the kind of character who is a natural free spirit, but feels confined where she is thanks to her controlling husband. Hunter does a fine performance, but there's something that's somewhat irritating about the character of Stella (most likely the annoyance of how often she goes back to Stanley when she clearly shouldn't). The audience knows what's best for Stella, and the baby that she's pregnant with, and it isn't with Stanley, so we want her and Blanche to get out of there. But I guess if that were to happen, we wouldn't have that iconic scene of Stanley yelling "Hey STELLA!"

Harold "Mitch" Mitchell is Stanley's friend and Blanche's love interest, played by Karl Mulden. Mulden's performance is pretty good, as he is able to make Mitch feel genuine when he's with Blanche, but also cowardly whenever Stanley is around. It's clear that he wants to be happy, but also doesn't want to step on his friend's toes, especially with the temper that Stanley has. I think almost everyone has a friend like Mitch, and in many cases are like Mitch himself. At least, that's how his character is for majority of the film. Once Stanley gets involved in unraveling Blanche's past, Mitch reacts with bitterness towards Blanche, which is understandable since he's the kind of character to wear his heart on his sleeve. He loved and trusted what Blanche was putting out there as the "real" her, and when her past conflicted, he didn't know how to react to this version of Blanche.

For the first time in a while, I have done a review where I actually analyze all the crucial main characters in depth. Part of that comes from the fact that this is a character piece adapted from the stage to the screen. Since my biggest passion is film and I spent all four years of high school in the theater program, I have a large appreciation for a film like A Streetcar Named Desire that is able to make its film adaptation resemble the stage production. Not only are all four main characters performed well, but the entire film is primarily set within the tight confines of their apartment, making the whole film feel like a "bottle episode" (go look it up, or watch the Community episode where they define the term). The use of space creates a tense area, and accentuates the performances that much further. I would love to go see an actual stage adaptation of "A Streetcar Named Desire" to compare which version, stage or film, was able to do it better.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

This is a film that should be remembered through the quality of acting performances, primarily through Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. A Streetcar Named Desire is a film that I recommend for all fans of movies, particularly good acting, to check out at least once.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

A Streetcar Named Desire and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.