82) No Country for Old Men (2007)
I admired it a bit without really liking it. Almost all the speaking characters are white men. Lots of Mexicans get killed without a chance to do anything much. The law enforcers never do anything wrong. I found it quite shockingly racist. I also did not care for the fetishisation of violence.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/no-country-for-old-men-film-and-book/
81) A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A story of romance triumphing over adversity, but you won’t learn much from it, or indeed you may learn the wrong things from it, about mental illness, mathematics, John Nash, or Alicia Nash. A lot of Truth here has been sacrificed for Art, leaving only a basic glurge plot.
80) Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
Laughton is one-note, and there are some other shaky performances and set-up. But the Pacific filming is spectacular.
79) The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
Main characters melodramatically written, unimaginatively acted, heaving bosoms and glowering glances (supporting roles better). Circus well filmed and portrayed (but much animal cruelty and cultural appropriation).
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-greatest-show-on-earth-1952/
78) Crash (2005)
Terrible music, cinematography and acting. Also, racism. But, however ham-fisted the presentation and leaden the acting, it’s not actually boring, and I did keep watching to see how all the various different plotlines would tie up.
77) Tom Jones (1963)
As the director said, it is “incomplete and botched in much of its execution”. Lots of brilliant scenes, but doesn’t come together. Also most characters are not very nice. Grotesques can be funny to watch but difficult to relate to.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/tom-jones-film-1963-and-book-1749/
76) Gone with the Wind (1939)
Could easily have lost an hour and been better. First half has a tremendous impetus, but once the war is over, the narrative thrust has gone, and we slip into a series of somewhat disconnected episodes. Also, racism.
75) The Departed (2006)
2.5 hours long. Lots of people get killed. None of the characters is especially likeable. But the central theme of identity, involving two double agents operating in opposite directions, is fascinating and well executed.
74) The Hurt Locker (2009)
Iraq is a real country, with real people, but not in The Hurt Locker. Much unpleasant gore. I liked the fact that the protagonist is a real asshole. I think most of us have worked at some time or another with people like him.
73) Ordinary People (1980)
A story of father/son growth with the mother walking out. To be honest they are not just "ordinary" people, they are rather dull people as well. But the leads are all strong, even if I did not think all that much of their material.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/ordinary-people-1980-film-and-1976-book/
71) Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)
Anti-semitism is a serious issue, but this is not a very good film about it. In the year when the state of Israel was created, there might be more than being barred from posh hotels? Wooden performance from Gregory Peck.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/gentlemans-agreement-1947-and-book-by-laura-z-hobson/
70) Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Central character is unattractive and it’s difficult to sympathise with his (self-inflicted) problems. Maybe I’ve read too much sf not to find it all a bit glib. Good cinematography and music.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/birdman-or-the-unexpected-virtue-of-ignorance-writerjonleaf/
69) Annie Hall (1977)
A few *very* funny lines, but protag thinks he is more interesting than he is, and his failed relationships are largely his own fault. We are supposed to find this sympathetic and interesting, but I found it sad and rather boring.
68) Going My Way (1944)
Harmless; I guess the wartime mood in 1944 helped this feelgood escapism went down well with the public for reasons that we can understand. I didn’t find any of it awful, but I didn’t find any of it terribly memorable either.
67) The French Connection (1971)
It’s an unsophisticated story of two not very interesting policemen biffing the bad guys and occasionally also the good guys with whom they disagree. Admittedly it does have a couple of really brilliant moments.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-french-connection-film-1971-and-book-by-robin-moore/
66) My Fair Lady (1964)
Higgins’ misogynistic treatment of Eliza is awful – constant negging, and pretty close to gaslighting. But there are some wonderful songs, and one or two utterly stunning visuals. My absolute favourite sequence is the Ascot scene.
65) Gladiator (2000)
It’s great to look at, especially if you like to see acres of rippling male flesh (limited appeal for me). Core performances are all solid. The filmography is good and the music *really* good. But there isn’t really much there there.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/gladiator-2000-and-those-about-to-die/
64) How Green Was My Valley (1941)
Infamously, beat Citizen Kane. The tone is emotionally uneven. The various tragic events of the film seem to just happen and then life moves on to the next tragic event. Music good, looks fantastic.
63) Mrs. Miniver (1942)
A heartfelt, uplifting story of ordinary upper-middle-class English folk caught up in the Second World War. Wholesome enough, propaganda perhaps too obvious. Dodgy accents, working-class comic relief. But several good set-pieces.
62) On The Waterfront (1954)
Brando completely magnetic: portrays a not terribly bright kid who is compelled to raise his game and do the right thing. Music really impressive. Plot obvious as nice characters move along different arcs of redemption.
61) The Godfather, Part II (1974)
1950s-1960s: Not gripped. Michael is fundamentally unpleasant. The Senate hearing scenes lack oomph.
1917-1920s: Much better. Vito generates some empathy despite his violence.
Good cinematography, fantastic music.
60) In the Heat of the Night (1967)
White men with harsh accents yell at each other, and occasionally get thrown into jail, or take a break from yelling at each other to yell at the black guy. Unlike GWTW, tackles race from the right side of the issue.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/in-the-heat-of-the-night-film-1967-and-novel-1965/
59) Grand Hotel (1932)
Ensemble piece showcasing Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore - all fantastic. Impressive use of the hotel set as performance space. Some great lines as well. A little bit stagey (and rather white).
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/grand-hotel-1932-film-and-1930-book/
58) The Life of Emile Zola (1937)
We all hate injustice, and love to see someone standing up for what is right. Nothing spectacular or innovative about the way the story is told (decent music), but if it’s a good story you don’t really need that.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-life-of-emile-zola-1937-zola-and-his-times/
57) Nomadland (2020)
These folks are making the best of the disruption caused by capitalism in a crumbling USA. Was it necessary to bring in an A-list Hollywood actor to help them tell their story? But it looks really good and sounds really good.
56) Marty (1955)
The story of Marty, a New York butcher who thinks he will never find love, and then actually does. A charming character study, beautifully shot. The chemistry between Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair is very watchable.
55) The Deer Hunter (1978)
Looks very good and convincing. Crowd scenes particularly effective - wedding, Vietnamese bars, last days of Saigon. The hospital scene where Mike finds Steve is gut-wrenching. But it's too long, and hugely racist.
54) Rocky (1976)
A charming character-driven film (I still don't like boxing). Talia Shire becomes sexy when she takes her glasses off. (Try it, girls.) The music is not obtrusive, and the theme ridiculously catchy. And the cinematography is effective.
53) Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Pulls its punches on social commentary. Music is annoyingly upbeat. Morgan Freeman is always watchable and delivers a solid and convincing performance here. But it belongs to Jessica Tandy.
52) The Last Emperor (1987)
This is a gorgeous film to look at. The core narrative is sound - a little boy who has incomprehensible power thrust upon him. But the plot is delivered more in spectacle than in emotion.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-last-emperor-and-puyis-autobiography/
51) Titanic (1997)
I don’t think Leonardo di Caprio is a particularly good actor. The music manages not to be annoying. Kate Winslet has a great part and does it well. The narrative is not original but competently executed. The effects are spectacular.
50) Out of Africa (1985)
This is about white people in Africa; actual Africans are scenery. Plot rather dull. We are told the Blixens' marriage will be a disaster in the 3d of 160 minutes. Meryl Streep good; landscapes breathtaking with suitable music.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/out-of-africa-film-1985-and-book-1937/
49) Dances With Wolves (1990)
The exploitation, displacement and mass murder of the original inhabitants of the Americas by European-descended settlers was a terrible thing. But it might be possible to tell a more interesting story about it.
48) Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Character study of how Lawrence transforms himself, a damaged person bringing that damage to others. Amazing scenery and superb music. There is not a single woman among the credited cast.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/lawrence-of-arabia-and-the-seven-pillars-of-wisdom/
This marks the halfway point of this crazy project.
47) Gigi (1958)
Actually subversive of gender politics; Gigi and her relatives navigate a world ruled by men, but at their own pace and by their own rules. Isabel Jeans, Hermione Gingold, and esp Leslie Caron all adorable.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/gigi-1958-plus-original-book-and-bonus-cat/
46) Slumdog Millionaire (2007)
I did not like the torture scenes. But the interrogation of poverty and social division is a crucial driver of the narrative. Dev Patel is great. It looks fantastic and colourful. And the music is good.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/slumdog-millionaire-and-qa-by-vikas-swarup/
45) Green Book (2018)
True, it’s a white man’s education about racism; but it’s also a witty buddy movie, of two men who are different in many ways coming to a joint understanding of their common humanity, and each humanising the other.
44) It Happened One Night (1934)
Gable and Colbert are a great double-act. Her plot line is emancipation and personal choice, ending with (tastefully implied) glorious sex. The bus is brilliant early 20th-century creaky technology. (And the autogyro!)
43) You Can’t Take It with You (1938)
The charming chaos of the Vanderhof household is tremendously attractive. The comic punchlines of the fireworks explosion, the drunk tank and the court room are beautifully set up. A great discovery for me.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/you-cant-take-it-with-you-1938-and-play-by-moss-and-hartman/
42) The Lost Weekend (1945)
About alcoholism, and the mess that it makes of the lives of alcoholics and of the people around them. The scene in the hospital ward stands out for its bleakness. Ray Milland thoroughly compelling. Jane Wyman very good too.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-lost-weekend-1945-and-book-by-charles-l-jackson/
41) Hamlet (1948)
Olivier stripped the original 4h down to 2½. Behind the camera he convinces as much as in front of the camera as the lead character. 19-year-old Jean Simmons impresses as Ophelia. Stanley Holloway’s vignette is glorious.
40) From Here to Eternity (1953)
3 soldiers, and the women who love 2 of them, in the suffocating environment of Hawaii immediately before Pearl Harbour. Very impressive use of buildings and landscape. Standout performance by Frank Sinatra.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/from-here-to-eternity-1953-film-and-book-by-james-jones/
39) Around the World in Eighty Days (1956)
Phileas Fogg bets that he can travel around the world in 80 days. He brings his manservant and acquires an Indian princess. Lots of exotic settings. Not deep, but entertaining.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/around-the-world-in-80-days-1956-and-book-by-jules-verne/
38) Ben-Hur (1959)
It’s long. The spectacle on the screen is just about enough to keep you interested. It's rather queer. The music is extraordinary, expressive, convincing. The chariot race is just fantastic.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/ben-hur-movie-1959-and-book-1880/
37) The English Patient (1996)
I confess that the film as a whole didn't grab me by the feelings as I had expected it might. But it has lots of Juliette Binoche, so I'm giving it extra marks.
36) Chicago (2002)
The film is not at all subtle in calling out the celebrification of criminals and the flaws of a justice system driven by showmanship.
35) Spotlight (2015)
Pretty good. Hugely sensitive topic, but concentrates on the shoe leather worn out by the journalists in pursuing the story, illuminating it with the details of the crimes that had been committed. It’s a subtle approach which works.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/spotlight-oscar-winning-film/
34) The Sting (1973)
On first time of watching, I was genuinely shocked by the ending; it's one of the greatest twists I can think of in movie history. The second time round, even knowing what was to come, I was on the edge of my seat.
33) Parasite (2021)
It’s very funny and very well done. The Jungian theme of buried secrets is nicely executed. The chutzpah of the Kims is also class struggle. I found the violence at the end jarring after an hour and a half of solid laughs.
32) The Godfather (1972)
The script is lucid and the cinematography adds. "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" is an unforgettable line. The acting nominations were all well deserved. And the music is just tremendous.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-godfather-film-and-novel/
31) Unforgiven (1992)
A violent film. Plot is driven by women who collectively plan and fund a mission, even if the focus of the story is on the men who implement it. Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman superb. (Less sure about Hackman.)
30) 12 Years a Slave (2013)
There is no sugar-coating the horrors of slavery, or its shameful endorsement by the forces of the state and the church. There is little Hollywoodisation of the facts. The costuming was superb. The acting is top-notch.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/12-years-a-slave-and-twelve-years-a-slave/
29) Oliver! (1968)
Looks very convincing, the music is very catchy and the choreography is spectacular. But the portrayal of Fagin is anti-Semitic. Also the title character is a bit of a drip.
28) The Apartment (1960)
Stolen by Shirley MacLaine, whose Fran knows perfectly well that she is being exploited by Sheldrake and is working through the consequences for herself. For a comedy, it’s a heart-jerking performance. Jack Lemmon, always watchable, is brilliant here
27) All About Eve (1950)
An aging actress is flattered by attention from a young fan, but then alarmed when the younger woman starts to infiltrate her professional and personal life. I liked it immensely.
26) The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Three servicemen, demobbed after the war, return to their home city and face agonies of readjustment, as do the women they love. I was really impressed.
25) Amadeus (1984)
The whole thing looks gorgeous. Sustained throughout by the music of Mozart, glorious two hundred years ago and glorious now. Salieri is fundamentally a monster, but knows it and struggles with the guilt of it.
24) Moonlight (2016)
The first of the three sections is outstanding, while the other two are merely very good. The story is a simple one told well. Although it’s fundamentally about the protagonist and the men in his life, the women get decent screen time too.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/moonlight-oscar-winning-film/
23) Gandhi (1982)
Just four years after the racist Deer Hunter won the Oscar for Best Picture, here we have a film which is unambiguously about racism, oppression, and the ultimate defeat of white supremacy. A convincing portrait of a remarkable man.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/gandhi-film-and-fischer-biography/
22) West Side Story (1961)
Much of the plot is taken from Romeo and Juliet, including duels and balcony scene; but what makes it justly famous is the music and dancing. Really spectacular.