An American In Paris [59]

Jerry is an artist living in Paris who pretty much loves how everything is going. He’s pretty popular, he has no worries and just lives off his paintings. Ms.Roberts is intrigued by Jerry and his paintings and is willing to help him out by setting up a showcase for him. Problem is she’s falling for him and he’s just met the girl of his dreams.

Lisa is Jerry’s “love at first sight.” Problem is he doesn’t know anything about her and she’s not willing to let him in just yet. He tries really hard to grab her attention and to finally get her to agree on a date with him. Poor guy is heartbroken to hear she’s already engaged, even more to WHO she’s engaged to (I’m not telling). He’s ready to give everything up for her but it looks like he’s just going to have to settle for someone else.

Jerry sings, paints, dances and plays music. This movie just opened my eyes to all the different forms of art you can express yourself with. The way all the arts are combined so beautifully in this film just wow’s me. Apparently it caught the eyes of many others because this film won 6 Oscars. Surely a must-see for anyone who appreciates the arts.

She Wore A Yellow Ribbon [58]

Captain Brittles [Wayne] has just a few more days left until he can retire and he has a mission to take care of. He has to guide his troops and escort two women through Indian territory. He sets it upon himself to declare peace with the Indians before he retires.

The Indians don’t give into Brittles’ motions and the Calvary men are left awaiting war. Brittles’ doesn’t want to see any of his good men fall down at the hands of the Indians and he sets out another goal. All the while there is a love story forming in the sidelines. Miss Olivia, one of the women being escorted, has two men at her feet. “She wore a yellow ribbon” derives from a song that says that when a woman wore a yellow ribbon, it was because her love was in the Calvary. Olivia doesn’t tell them who she’s wearing it for and the men start picking fights with each other, when their minds need to be focused on arriving safely at the military fort.

John Wayne plays a calm and cool character. He’s a strong leader who cares for his men and will do what he can to avoid them getting hurt. His character was very inspiring to me because he was able to put others’ needs before his. He could have just called for the retirement sooner or not go on this mission but he knew he would be the only one who could save his men’s lives.

Mary Poppins [57]

  "A spoonful of sugar helps medicine go down, in the most delightful way"

Jane and Michael just scared off another nanny and their parents are looking for someone new that will actually stick around. Jane and Michael have sorted out their own guidelines for the new nanny and Mary Poppins fits the description perfectly. According to them she’s “kind, witty, very sweet and very pretty.” They start off thinking she’s nothing special but in the matter of a few hours they see how magical she really is.

Mary Poppins takes the kids on adventures through paintings, rooftops and songs. She just wants their parents to see what wonderful kids they are and to appreciate them a bit more. We never learn much about Mary herself just that she’s “practically perfect.” Mary is loving but firm and helps the kids and their parents’ bond flourish.

This is a very enchanting film and I was amazed at the special effects, they were corny but really good. Sadly Mary doesn’t stick around for long. Seems this was a mission she was sent out for and once it was complete she’s on her way. Her goal was to reunite the kids with their parents because the kids were becoming unappreciated and their father’s work was the only thing on his mind. The movie ends on a happy note, with summer on its way and parents outside with their children.

Troy [56]

Troy tells the story of the legendary Trojan War and of Achilles, the famous warrior who was son of the God’s. The Trojan War was initiated when Paris of Troy stole Helen, Queen of Sparta, from the King. This film portrays real emotion in such a way that I couldn’t back away from it; the warfare is gruesome but the way they loved… it was just beautiful.

The King of Sparta just wants his wife back but his brother wants to take over Troy. They join together but the Trojan’s aren’t scared of them. The Trojan’s are willing to fight for their Troy, their people, their wives and children. Things get out of hand because all the main figures in this war let their emotions get in the way of their thinking. Even Achilles, who seems to not care for anyone but himself, loses sight of what he’s doing and is overcome with mourning. And the king of Troy lets the love of his son’s blind him and leads his beloved Troy into war.

To me, this movie and story show how easily things could be avoided. All these actions lead to nowhere good, just to a downfall of a lot of great people and rise of more warfare. If everyone just sat down and talked about things reasonably everything could have been resolved without bloodshed. But when does anyone take that angle? And if they would have, there wouldn’t be such a great film, haha.

Serpico [54]

"Frank, let's face it. Who can trust a cop who don't take money?"

Serpico [Pacino] is an honest cop, which means all the more trouble for him. He finds out things he wishes he didn’t and is handed money being passed under the tables. He stands up for himself but no one really seems to care. The ones that do have no way of helping him so he doesn’t know where to go.

This film is based on the real life of a retired NY policeman and starts off with Serpico drenched in blood being driven to the hospital. We work back to where he just started his career and we witness how the corruption around him changed and worried him. He’s good at what he does but let’s others take credit for his work. Seems he can be walked all over but no matter what he doesn’t join in on the corruption and pay-offs.

Serpico’s trying his best to take a stand but the people willing to help either don’t have any connections are too scared to get involved. How far can you get if you’re not trusted within the department?

Move Over, Darling [53]

Ellen [Doris Day] has just been pronounced legally dead, she’s been missing for five years after being in a plane accident. Only one problem, she’s just been found alive. The same morning she gets back home, her husband re-marries and his new wife is doing everything possible to get him into bed with her.

This film is in the comedy section, but I found it hard to laugh sometimes. I mean she just wants her husband back and he wants her but it’s just really bad timing, haha. She doesn’t even know how to go about telling her daughters that she’s her mother and is alive. I was just totally feeling for her, I wanted things to fall back into place, but the odds were against us… I mean 5 years? A lot has changed.

That’s where the humor falls in, she’s trying to gain back her family and trying to understand all the changes that have happened in the world. She’s a very very charming woman with a very kind heart. You can’t help but want the best for her. But oh is she stubborn, she wants everything here and now. Can’t blame her, she’s been stranded on an island with a pervert for the past few years.

Come and See [52]

This has to be one of the most intense movies I’ve ever seen and I’m sure I could never sit through it again. The whole time watching it I kept repeating to myself that I shouldn’t be watching this. This is truly an epic, too bad for me that I can’t handle to see such things.

This film takes place during the Hitler’s “all out war,” so during the Holocaust. We follow young Florya through the horror of it all. We never step foot into the gas chambers, piles of dead bodies, or the real heat of war but we might as well have. Florya is taken from his family to fight against the Germans but then he’s left behind because it doesn’t seem he’ll survive.

Once he’s left alone, the Nazi’s attack and he’s left deaf. He’s slowly going insane throughout the whole film and you can’t help but feel bad for him. The stress he’s going through and all the trauma he’s soaking in slowly starts showing on his face. He’s clearly losing his mind.

We get to see some of the horrible things the Nazi’s did… I’ll let you see everything else by yourself because overall it’s a really good film and it’s bound to leave an impact.