A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

What is there to say about the best black and white movie ever made? Well.... Masterpiece. My first Marlon Brando movie was a tremendous success, my second Vivien Leigh movie has made me ask myself a question: Is this better than Scarlett? (From Gone With The Wind [1939])Well, that was a tough question, they are both so different, but they share some similar traits (selfishness for instance haha)

In the first scene we see Blanche DuBois (Leigh) arrive in New Orleans, so far removed from the youthful glamour of Scarlett that i was taken aback at first. I watched the parts of the film on youtube (mostly 2-3 minute clips) and thought that Leigh was over the top, but everyone praised her so i decided to give the movie a chance. Afterwards i came to a realization. It isn't Vivien Leigh who is being OTT it's Blanche. Which makes the performance even more remarkable. Blanche's descent into madness was amazing and often times i forgot it wasn't real. Which is exactly what a makes a great performance. Speaking of great performances...

Brando is.... Phenomenal. He is Stanley Kowalski who we should all hate because he's a mean brute, but do we? No. Brando had this weird charisma about him where he could make you people understand and even sympathize with 'bad' people.. Which is why i think he was such a great actor.

The supporting cast is great. Kim Hunter as Blanch'es sister Stella (the subject of Stanley's now iconic plea) is perfectly refined and turns in an underrated performance. Karl Malden (another underrated actor) is superb as Blanche's would-be Romeo. I have to say that i was thoroughly engrossed in the film within minutes which doesn't happen as often as i would like it to.

The cinematography is excellent (and i mean EXCELLENT) particularly later on in the film. The film was brilliantly directed by Elia Kazan (East of Eden [1955], Splendor In The Grass [1961])

Sorry about the short review but yes it was a really good movie. (i had to rush)

"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh), A Streetcar Named Desire

Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)

This film was made as follow up to Bette Davis' success in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? Alongside Joan Crawford. The two were going to be reunited for this one too, but Crawford fell 'ill' and dropped out. Olivia De Havilland is better anyway.

In this one Davis plays Charlotte Hollis, who has been a recluse in her mansion for 30 years because of s terrible tragedy (her married lover was murdered). Then de Havilland comes along as her cousin Miriam. A level headed woman to contrast with Charlotte's supposed madness. Things unravel from there. But what we (and Charlotte) want to know is if it's all real or if it's just crazy old Charlotte Hollis.

The performances are standouts, but how can they not be when when we have Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Agnes Moorehead (Endora!!!) and Joseph Cotton? Mary Astor was also in it as Jewel Mayhew, i didn't know it was her at first (i had only seen her in Little Women before this) but yes a nice little tidbit for you. Davis is her usual 'i'll steal this scene even if it kills me' self and de Havilland subtly fights Davis for control, leading to a brilliant clash. Both brought out the best in each other that's for sure.

Personally i think that de Havilland has always been a better actress than Davis (but that's just me) but both are good. One part that i really enjoyed (and believe me there were a lot of parts) was where a police officer is looking over an old newspaper clipping of Charlotte and Miriam's family and mentions that they were 'good looking youngsters.' This made me think of the show Gossip Girl, i don't know why but it did, haha. i guess the whole 'privileged kids with lots of drama' angle.

It took a while for the movie to grow on me (i thought Davis was OTT when i first began it) and the effects are not very good, but the parts with the bodies (in my opinion) wouldn't work if they looked real, maybe they look better but that's about it. The music is okay but overused, instead of adding menace to the scenes it sometimes makes them appear horribly dated. However the theme song is excellent.

In short: Good movie. One of my favourites in my Davis collection (i have 5 of her movies: All About Eve, The Nanny, The Anniversary, The Virgin Queen and this one). Strong performances and an interesting plot keep it from going under. I liked it.

"What do you think i asked you here for? COMPANY?" Jewel Mayhew (Mary Astor) Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

I've just finished watching Tim Burtons masterpiece. Edward Scissorhands is a divine feast for the soul and imagination, Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder are matched perfectly in this tale of a man (Depp) with scissors for hands.

the film takes place in a rather nondescript 'perfect' town. So perfect it looks looks satirical, animated, or from a snow globe, which i think was meant to the effect. The movie stars Johnny Depp as the title character, Winona Ryder as Kim (his love interest), Diane Wiest (who, although she has won two Oscars, is quite underrated) as Peg (Kim's mother) and it even has Vincent Price as Edward inventor. The movie boasts impressive visuals , strong direction, great music (courtesy of Danny Elfman) and a great plot. What's not to like?

While i have never really called Winona Ryder a great actress, i would call her capable of holding her own in a movie. However, given the right material she is capable of good- and great- performances. (see: Black Swan, Heathers, Girl Interrupted). In this movie, she is believable if not exceptional. Johnny Depp is so well suited to the role of Edward that it's unbelievable. I may be a little biased because i LOVE Johnny Depp in just about anything. Anyway i think this is one of his best movies and it has just become one of my favourite movie romances of all time.

Thank You Tim Burton.

Overall this is a warped fairy tale that is heartbreaking, endearing, funny and so surreal it is dream like. Everyone involved in the making of this movie should be proud. the entire movie can be put down to basic fact: It's about a person trying to fit in, despite the fact he can't. And we can all relate to that. That is why the movie is so special, it is warped and strange but it is rooted in real life, because in real life it is hard to fit in.

I must apologise.....

I haven't been posting lately due to how busy i have been, but it may interest you to know that i have recently acquired a lot of movies to watch (most of which i have never seen before) these are:

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The father of the bride (original)
The Lucy Show Vol 1
The picture of Dorian Gray
Edward Scissorhands
Giant
Hot Shots 1 and 2 (Seen)
Dumb and Dumber (seen)
An affair to remember
Cat on a hot tin roof
Bye Bye Birdie

I would like opinions on which to watch first! or recommendations or whatever, okay, expect reviews on these at some point point!