49. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Directed by Elia Kazan
Written by Tennessee Williams from his Play
Starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden
Oscar Nominations: 12 Oscar Wins: 4 (Best Actress Vivien Leigh, Best Supporting Actress Kim Hunter, Best Supporting Actor Karl Madden, Best Set Direction)
This movie is brutal. I say this with no irony whatsoever. For coming out in 1951, some of the scenes are very brutal and real. The movie is truly sad. The characters are the strongest part of this movie which should come as no surprise. Blanche is a flawed character but that doesn't change that she is sympathetic. Stanley isn't completely a monster but he's practically there and that one little sliver of humanity keeps him as a person that seems wholly real. Their interactions, the crumbling of Blanche's sanity, and that final act of cruelty ensure that there will be no happy ending. This is a true tragedy where everyone comes out shattered. Even Stella, who takes refuge from Stanley upstairs at the end, swearing never to go back, will have to come downstairs and the abuse will continue. It's a sad fact of a sad movie.
48. A Christmas Story (1983)
Directed by Bob Clark
Written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark
Starring Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, and Melinda Dillon
So many of my thoughts about this, my second favorite Christmas movie of all time, can be found by reading hours 1 and 2 of the 2007 Christmas Experiment. I can wait. It's even tagged at the end of the post. Anyway, what I love about this movie is that it captures so much of the spirit of Christmas and family. I remember being a kid and getting the occasional cruddy gift. More than that, it captures a lot of what being a kid is. You do stupid things, you never quite get over being awkward, and you have really gay fantasies. If you had went and read Hour 1 and 2, then you know that I think Ralphie is gay. But beyond that, the story is a classic and one that endured to this day. Try watching it three or four times on Christmas and try denying it then.
47. The Sound of Music (1965)
Directed by Robert Wise
Written by Ernest Lehman from the stage play
Music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, and Richard Haydn
Oscar Nominations: 10 Oscar Wins: 5 (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Music, Best Sound)
I'm going to say it now: I root for the Baroness. Maria is perhaps one of the most saccharine film characters of all time but then you have this tart, snarky character like the Baroness and it makes it awesome. Really, if anyone but Julie Andrews had played Maria, I probably would run screaming when I saw her open her mouth. Regardless, this is one of the few Rodgers and Hammerstein films that I can stand and not just stand but enjoy. There are moments where the characters really just work. The scenery is also just majestic throughout. As I said about a prior film, this is the kind of movie that demands to be remastered into Blu-Ray because it would just be so enjoyable. I can't believe I haven't mentioned the music. The music is great here and some is just so beautiful like "Edelweiss." I just realized how many musicals are on this list.
Next Time: "He was the patron saint of quality footwear." "How can you avoid a man you've never met?" "Don't you see, you'll be a patron of the opera. You'll get into society. Then, you can marry me and they'll kick you out of society, and all you've lost is $200,000."
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