May Challenge: Shane; Blow Up

Shane (George Stevens, 1953)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Western, Father/Son, Frontier, Action

Oh, Westerns. I love the comfy-ness and goodness of each story and relationship. Shane is a feel-good film about redemption, honor, pride, and all those other great noble dealings. I loved watching the relationship between Shane and little Joey. More films with curious and intelligent kids need to be made!

Blow Up (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1966)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1

 

Cult, Mystery, Art, Real vs. Unreal, Psychological, Intellectual

This film is way more than meets the eye and way more than anyone could write about. Antonioni created something quite powerful and intriguing, abstract and dream-like. It is hard for me to really like films of the "new wave" persuasion but I appreciate the layers of meaning and depth of artistry. Another viewing is in order but it might be a while...

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

May Challenge - 8 Classic Films I Still Haven't Seen

As you all know, I'm a huge fan of lists and film challenges. Several years ago, AFI came up with a list of 100 Years, 100 Movies. I, naturally, made it a goal to see them all eventually. I'm still working on the list and decided to designate May as my month for some classic film watching. Here's what I'm planning...though I have seen parts of most of these, never the entire film. Once I see it, as usual, I will post my impressions!

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)


The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)


The African Queen (1951)


An American in Paris (1951)


Shane (1953)


The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)


The Defiant Ones (1958)


Ben-Hur (1959)