Caine Mutiny (1954)
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Writers: Herman Wouk, Stanley Roberts, Michael Blankfort
Main Actor: Humphrey Bogart, Jose Ferrier, Van Johnson, Fred MacMurray
Set on a U.S. Naval ship, the story follows the officers struggles with a eccentric captain. The captain is wonderfully played by Humphrey Bogart in one of his finest performances deserving an oscar. The mutinous officers lead by Fred MacMurray's sleezy character is also great. The question will then be will there be a mutiny, and if so are they doing the right thing. Can something be done to work with the captain?
It's a Wonderful Life (1945)
Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Philip Van Doren Stern, Frances Goodrich Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, Jo Swerling, Michael Wilson
Main Actor: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." It also seems that every time Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart collaborate something special is becomes of it. This movie is where it all came together to make simply a masterpiece that pops up every Christmas to make it a little more special. Do I really need to to explain the plot? This I doubt. If you have not seen this movie, you have to plain and simple.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Lewis R. Foster, Sidney Buchman
Main Actor: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains
This one is James Stewart's and Frank Capra's first collaboration and just as good as the movie I describe above. Its just a simple movie about political corruption and a naive yet strong willed young man who raises cane in Washington. All Capra movies that I know of are good hearted, make you feel good movies. Its hard to find anything similar today. Want a good feel good movie? Go no farther. Washington could use a bit of Capra today.
The Apartment (1960)
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: I.A.L. Diamond, Billy Wilder
Main Actor: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray
A small little film about an apartment and of course the man who lives in it. Well he does not live in it at all times. Lets just say that his employers/upper management use it for their unscrupulous purposes. Then throw in this girl who is nice to the renter and our renter takes a liking to her. Since this is a movie, nothing is as easy as that. This movie is better than it sounds I guarentee it. Mostly this is because of an excellent script paired with the perfect actors for their roles and a great director that can pull this type of movie off. Jack Lemmon plays the title role wonderfully. It almost seems like this movie was written with him in mind to play his part.
The Big Night (1996)
Director: Stanley Tucci, Campbell Scott
Writers: Joseph Tropiano, Stanley Tucci
Main Actor: Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, and many others
The one movie that will make you hungrier than you ever thought you could be watching a movie. The movie revolves around two Italian brothers and their troubles trying to run an authentic Italian restraunt. Business is going so bad it comes down to a single night. The hope is to generate enough buzz to save the restraunt. It is a bit slow setting everything up, but it is worth it.
Twelve Angry Men (1957)
Director: Sidney Lumet
Writers: Reginald Rose
Main Actor: Henry Fonda with an amazing supporting cast
The best courtroom drama that is not in a courtroom. It would still be among the best if it was. Set in a rather warm jury deliberation room, this movie takes you through one of the most unlikely jury deliberations that you will ever see. You probably will not see many but this one is definately worth your interest. Henry Fonda leads an ensemble cast through the deliberations of an boy who is accused of murdering his father. Everything that takes place in the trial (that you never see) points to the guilt of the boy. During the deliberations the evidence of the trial is displayed and by the end there is no need to have actually seen the trial. This is by far my favorite Henry Fonda film and rightfully so.
Casablanca (1942)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writers: Murray Burnett, Joan Alison, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, Casey Robinson
Main Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Ingred Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." It is Casablanca another movie I should not have to say any more for. Rick (Humphrey Bogart) owns a little saloon in Casablanca, Morocco during WW2. Casablanca happens to be under Vicchi French control. In other words, the Nazis have control. Casablanca is a place where people try to get to so they can then try to get to Portugal and then America. It is also a place of treachery and corruption. Throw in Rick's former love and her husband and you have a nice love triangle. Then add a touch of evil because the Nazis want her husband. What will happen? I know of course, but you will not if you do not watch this movie. Also considered one of the greatest romance movies of all time. The movie full of the best one liners that you have no doubt already heard.
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