The Petrified Forest 1936 review

Right off the bat, I was sucked into that desolate Arizona desert. In this middle-of-nowhere joint, we've got Leslie Howard playing Alan, this down-on-his-luck writer, who bumps into Gabrielle, a waitress itching to ditch the desert, played by Bette Davis. The way these two dance around each other emotionally? Man, it's sweet and heartbreaking all at once.

Just when I'm getting cozy with this romantic setup, bam! The movie throws us a curveball. Enter Humphrey Bogart as Duke, this on-the-run crook, crashing the party with his gang. Holy smokes, Bogart's eyes are scary as hell! Every time he shows up on screen, you can cut the tension with a knife.

But get this - even with all this danger going down, the movie still finds time to chew the fat about social issues. All that talk about gender equality and women's consciousness? Must've been pretty cutting-edge back in the day. I'm totally vibing with Gabrielle when she says, "I want to live, not just exist." Feels like she's speaking straight to my soul.

Leslie Howard? The guy's a knockout. His acting is so understated yet packed with emotion, I bought into Alan hook, line, and sinker. Especially in those face-offs with Bogart - the way he mixes smarts and guts? Absolute boss move! No wonder Bogart named his daughter Leslie.

And Bette Davis? Hot damn, it's like Gabrielle's role was tailor-made for her. Those eyes of hers, full of longing for freedom and hope? I totally get why Alan falls head over heels.

After the credits rolled, it hit me - maybe we all have our own "petrified forest" inside us. We might feel stuck somewhere, dying to break free, but scared to make a move. But like Alan says in the movie, "Maybe death is a great adventure." That line got me thinking hard about what life means, what love's really worth.

"The Petrified Forest" isn't just your run-of-the-mill romance or crime flick. It's like holding up a mirror to how complicated people are and how life can throw you for a loop. The fact that it still gets us thinking and feeling all these years later? That's the magic of classic movies right there.

Bringing Up Baby 1938 review

This film is packed with fun and surprises from start to finish. Katharine Hepburn as Susan is simply an incredible character. Her wit and vivacity keep you glued to the screen. Her antics to keep her "baby"—that adorable leopard—lead to a series of laugh-out-loud moments. Cary Grant completely breaks away from his usual suave image in this film. Wearing glasses, he transforms into a wooden-headed paleontologist, and his excitement over dinosaur bones makes him seem like a big kid. Every time he and Hepburn cause chaos together, you can’t help but think they’re the perfect duo. One scene that really stuck with me is when Susan, trying to hold onto David, gets herself covered in mud and loudly declares she wants to go on an outdoor adventure with him. Her persistence and charm are simply irresistible. Then there's the scene where they’re both drenched from the rain, running through the mud, and despite everything, they’re just so happy. It perfectly captures the innocence ...

Angels with Dirty Faces 1938 review

After watching "Angels with Dirty Faces," I gotta tell ya, I'm still reeling. This 1938 gangster flick hits home even today, and it's crazy how relevant it still is. James Cagney's Rocky Sullivan? Man, that street kid turned tough guy is like a mirror, showing us all those forgotten corners of our society. Watching him bust heads on screen, I can't help but wonder: if we gave kids like that a real shot, would they end up on a different path? Then there's Pat O'Brien as Father Jerry. Same rough start, totally different outcome. It really makes you think, doesn't it? How our whole lives can change in just one moment, one decision. But what really got me was the friendship between Rocky and Jerry. A gangster and a priest - talk about opposites attract! Their bond, man, it's complicated. Isn't that just like the battle we all fight inside? Good vs. evil, right vs. wrong. We're all Rocky, in a way, wrestling with our demons. That ending, th...

Gone with the Wind 1939 review

"Gone with the Wind" immediately draws me into the elegance and grandeur of the Southern plantation life. Scarlett O'Hara's willful and headstrong personality initially put me off. However, my perception of her began to change when she decided to care for Melanie. Despite having the option to follow Rhett and escape Atlanta, she chose to stay and face the brutal realities of war. This decision wasn't just about her promise to Ashley; it was her innate kindness and sense of responsibility that compelled her to take care of Melanie. The moment that truly changed my view of Scarlett was when she returned to Tara. Confronted with the desolation and ruin of her home, she did not succumb to despair. Instead, she stood tall with courage, rationality, hard work, and intelligence. Her declaration, "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again," showcases her indomitable spirit. She forgets what she can't solve and lets nothing stand in her way of su...

You Can't Take It with You 1938 review

Watching You Can't Take It with You, I was truly touched by the warmth and humor of this film. It's filled with laughter and the essence of human connection, making it incredibly heartwarming. The story revolves around Tony, the son of a wealthy banker, who falls in love with Alice, a girl from an eccentric but close-knit family. This family is full of quirky characters who pursue their own interests and dreams, free from societal constraints. I particularly loved Alice's grandfather, the patriarch of this unique family. He gave up a lucrative business to live a simple, happy life, encouraging his family to follow their passions and find joy. His philosophy, "You can't take it with you," resonated deeply with me. We spend our lives chasing wealth and status, but in the end, we can't take these things with us. What truly matters is how we live and love. Tony's father initially looks down on Alice's family, seeing them as oddballs. But as the story...

The Life of Emile Zola 1937 review

This 1937 flick still shines with wisdom even today. It reminds me of that unwavering pursuit of justice in "Lawrence of Arabia," but Zola's fight? Man, it hits closer to home. Paul Muni's Zola, with those eyes that seem to see right through all the world's BS - that's some next-level acting. The courtroom scene where he's defending Dreyfus? Every look, every gesture is dripping with this hunger for truth. Watching him go off like that, my heart was racing. It's like I was right there in that courtroom, throwing down against injustice. It got me thinking - in this age of information overload, how many of us are willing to risk our cushy lives for the truth like Zola did? Everybody's rushing to post their hot takes on social media, but how many are really thinking things through? Zola's "J'accuse" - isn't that the kind of guts we all should have? Director William Dieterle's got some tricks up his sleeve, weaving Zola's...

Jezebel 1938 review

When watching Jezebel, I was completely captivated by Bette Davis's portrayal of Julie. Julie is so willful and confident, as if the entire world revolves around her. Her decision to wear that red dress to the ball, blatantly ignoring Southern societal expectations, was both shocking and mesmerizing. She seems like a spoiled princess who believes she can do anything without considering the consequences. At the same time, I could understand her pain and struggle. Julie truly loves Preston, but her ways of expressing that love are so misguided. Her demand that Preston stop his bank meeting to spend time with her seems outrageous in the context of Southern society. But to Julie, it's just her way of showing love. She craves attention and affection, yet Preston is always preoccupied with work, neglecting her feelings. The dialogue in the film left a deep impression on me, especially the exchange between Julie and Amy. When Julie speaks to Amy, you can sense her frustration and se...

Marie Antoinette 2006 review

Watching Marie Antoinette, I was captivated by the visual feast this film offers. The movie is filled with vibrant colors and exquisite costumes, making every frame look like it could be a wallpaper. The life of Queen Marie is vividly portrayed in the film, both luxurious and tragic. Queen Marie grew up in the court and was forced to marry into France, becoming the wife of the Dauphin. When she first arrived at Versailles, she was full of hopes for the future, but quickly realized that things were not as wonderful as she had imagined. Dauphin Louis XVI was aloof and lacked initiative, only interested in hunting and trivial matters, leaving Marie feeling lonely and disappointed. Although Marie's life was incredibly luxurious, it could not fill the void in her heart. She indulged in lavish parties, exquisite dresses, and delicious pastries. These material pleasures might temporarily distract her from her troubles, but they could never bring true happiness. Watching her extravagan...

S 1921 Move notes

Search This Blog