177. Kind Hearts and Coronets

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

Director : Robert Hamer

Starring : Dennis Price

Alec Guiness

IMDb Rating : 8

My Rating : 8.5

"I made an oath that I would revenge the wrongs her family had done her. It was no more than a piece of youthful bravado, but was one of those acorns from which great oaks are destined to grow. Even then I went so far as to examine the family tree and prune it to just the living members. But what could I do to hurt them? What could I take from them, except, perhaps, their lives."

Synopsis

Louis Mazzini (Dennis Price) is the son of woman disowned by her family for marrying outside of their approved status. When her dying wish to be buried in the family tomb is not granted, Louis seeks out revenge on the eight living members of the D'Ascoyne family (each played by Alec Guinness). He plans to murder them all, and assume the title of D'Ascoyne Dukedom of Chalfont.

What's so great about Kind Hearts and Coronets?

In the grand tradition of dark comedies, Kind Hearts is one of the finest I have seen. Each of murders proves to be unique, with great twists and turns coming through out the film. It would be a shame not to mention Alec Guiness' excellent series of performances, as he is really where this film shines. He plays every character whether it be man, woman, young, or old absolutely perfectly.

Anything not so great?

It's not an absolutely perfect film by any means, but I can't pick out a thing wrong with this film. Although, Alec Guiness playing multiple roles could have influenced a few Eddie Murphy movies.

Best Scene

An exploding shed over tea and biscuits had me roaring with laughter.

Does Kind Hearts and Coronets belong in the 250?

Without a doubt. There are not many comedies finer than this film.

Final Words

I am a fan of British humor, so this film really appealed to me. It's subtle, but often quite hilarious. I am also a great fan of vengeance films, and while calling this film a "vengeance film" might be a stretch. It's is obvious that theme is present. Overall, Kind Hearts and Coronets is a really fun time that definitely should not be missed.

178. Casino

Casino (1995)

Director : Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro

Joe Pesci

Sharon Stone

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 7.5

"I think in all fairness, I should explain to you exactly what it is that I do. For instance tomorrow morning I'll get up nice and early, take a walk down over to the bank and... walk in and see and, uh... if you don't have my money for me, I'll crack your [bleep] head wide-open in front of everyone in the bank. And just about the time that I'm comin' out of jail, hopefully, you'll be coming out of your coma. And guess what? I'll split your [bleep] head open again. Cause I'm [bleep] stupid. I don't give a [bleep] about jail. That's my business. That's what i do."

Synopsis

Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is one of the best gambling handicappers around. So good in fact that he is called upon to oversee operations at Tangiers in Las Vegas. Sam attempts to run the casino legitimately as possible and live a normal life with his wife and daughter, although his ties to the Mob are deep. When Sam's childhood friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) comes to Vegas to assist him at the casino, Sam starts to see his life crumbling around him.

What's so great about Casino?

Casino is a great example of a director and his actors working in their element. Director Martin Scorsese excels with the "organized crime" genre, especially when you have gangster film professionals like Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in front of the camera. Also, the look of "Old Vegas" feels truly authentic. Gone are the family friendly areas on the strip. This is the true adult playground in the twilight of it's existence.

Anything not so great?

The thing that separates Casino from other films of it's kind, it the lack of a genuine feeling of love between De Niro and Sharon Stone. I never really feel sympathy for Sharon Stone's character, as I feel she is just along for the ride. She was a hustler, got pregnant, and their marriage was a result of that. So when she goes all batty, it's more laughable than emotionally affecting. Her turn in the film would have been stronger had there been something real between the two.

Best Scene

Without giving anything away, a cornfield and baseball bats.

Does Casino belong in the 250?

There are films that were left off the 250 that I do feel were better than Casino. While it is good, it's inclusion in the 250 seems to be riding on the coat tails of Scorsese and De Niro.

Final Words

While Casino is a good film, it's not on par with Scorsese's other gangster films like Goodfellas or The Departed. Don't get me wrong, I like this film. I would probably watch it again, but even I give it a little more credit than it probably deserves. Overall, Casino is a good film, but there are other films of it's kind I would seek out before this one.

179. Children of Men

Children of Men (2006)

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Starring: Clive Owen

Julianne Moore

Michael Caine

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 9

I can't really remember when I last had any hope, and certainly can't remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what's left to live for."

Synopsis

The year is 2027. Our world has been destroyed by war, women are unable to have children, and even the wealthy countries' economies that haven't crumbled are grizzled versions of their former selves. The center of the film's story follows Theo Faron (Clive Owen) and his ex-wife Julian's (Juliane Moore) journey to safely transport a girl, who is the first to become pregnant in eighteen years, to safety.

What's so great about Children of Men?

With the exception of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, which actually serves as a good companion piece to this film, no vision of the world's future on film has ever seemed as realistically grim. The film is paced absolutely perfectly, with the action and scenes of dialogue in perfect balance. As an ensemble, the cast excels as well.

Anything not so great?

There isn't one thing I would change about this film, including the often criticized ending.

Best Scene

There is a scene where Theo and company are being chased by gun toting motor bikers while in an SUV. A great deal happens in this scene and it leaves you barely having a chance to catch your breath.

Does Children of Men belong in The 250?

As one of the best films of the last decade, I believe it's inclusion in The 250 is well deserved.

Final Words

Children of Men is a film that I enjoy equally every time that I see it, as each time I grasp something new. It is a dark film, but never achieves that level of depression that makes some similar films almost unbearable. The film is also clear of cliches, which gives you a fresh and unpredictable viewing experience. If you enjoyed films like the earlier mentioned Blade Runner or even last year's The Road, Children of Men is a film not to be missed.

180. The Wild Bunch

The Wild Bunch (1969)

Director: Sam Peckinpah

Starring: William Holden

Robert Ryan

Ernest Borgnine

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8.5

"We've got to start thinking beyond our guns. Those days are closin' fast."

Synopsis

In what may be considered one of the "last great westerns", The Wild Bunch is the story of a posse headed up by Pike Bishop (William Holden) who have just failed in their supposed last great score. The bunch flee south to Mexico with their surviving members to hideout. Deke Thorton (Robert Ryan), the man hired to stop the outlaws, is released from prison to track them down. Thorton is promised a full pardon for his crimes if he tracks them down. While the basic plot isn't extremely original, the focus of this film really lies on a group of guys attempting to make their way in an ever-changing world, the only way they know how.

What's so great about The Wild Bunch?

What The Wild Bunch succeeds in doing is taking a genre and lifestyle we are familiar with, the wild west, and place it in a world where it is ultimately set up for failure. The addition of automatic machine guns and automobiles put the horse and rifle gang at a serious disadvantage in the beginning of the twentieth century. This refreshing take on the western genre ultimately serves as a last hurrah, as well as reminds us how great the wild west can be. The brutal violence of this film is presented in a non-gratuitous way that really adds to the realism and grit of this film.

Anything not so great?

While you can say that the film is original and refreshing, the group of corrupt Mexican military officials are portrayed rather stereotypically.

Best Scene

The opening "last score" scene not only sets the tone for the film, but is also extremely exciting to watch.

Does The Wild Bunch belong in the 250?

Yes. The Wild Bunch is one of the best films of all time within it's genre.

Final Words

I really enjoyed this film. Before I started this project, I was not a huge fan of the western genre. Films like The Wild Bunch and High Noon (to be reviewed later in the project) have really brought out a love of westerns. The gritty tone of the film sets a standard for films before and after it to be judged. This film comes highly recommended.

181. The Killing

The Killing (1956)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Starring: Sterling Hayden

Vince Edwards

Jay C. Flippen

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8.5

"You'd be killing a horse. That's not first degree murder. In fact, it's not murder at all, it fact I don't know what it is."

Synopsis

Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) has just been released from prison and he already is putting together his next big heist. The plan is a complex race track robbery with a combined payday of two million dollars. Johnny assembles what he thinks is a good team, but things get complicated when the wife of their inside racetrack teller becomes involved in the scheme.

What's so great about The Killing?

There is much to love about Stanley Kubrick's breakthrough film The Killing. The story is written so tight and fast paced you barely have the chance to take a breath. There are moments where you forget you are watching a movie and you feel like you yourself are part of the heist. No single performance stands out, as this is an excellent example of an ensemble piece.

Anything not so great?

You hear many complaints about films being entirely too long. Well The Killing has the opposite problem. With a run time under an hour and a half, the film could have taken a little more time to set up some parts of the heist. Although, the fast paced nature of the film is part of it's appeal. Some of the moments just feel that they shouldn't be rushed, but these moments are so few and far between you most likely will barely notice them.

Best Scene

Many films best scenes are their finales, but The Killings ending provides a twist that will leave you screaming at your television in frustration and complete joy!

Does The Killing belong in the 250?

It is certainly one of the better heist films I have seen. It ranks up there along side Heat and Dog Day Afternoon. For this film's influence on the heist genre, I would say that it's inclusion in this list is well deserved.

Final Words

A fun fact about The Killing is that Christopher Nolan's clown masks used in The Dark Knight were inspired from this films similar masks. I had never seen this film before, but it has found a home in my DVD library for sure. If you enjoyed films like the earlier mentioned Heat and any of the Steven Soderbergh Oceans films, you would greatly enjoy this often overlooked film.

182. Judgment at Nuremberg

Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)

Director: Stanley Kramer

Starring: Spencer Tracy

Burt Lancaster

Maximilian Schell

Judy Garland

Marlene Dietrich

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8.5

"What you suggest may very well happen. It is logical, in view of the times in which we live. But to be logical is not to be right, and nothing on God's earth could ever make it right."

Synopsis

American judge Dan Haywood (Spencer Tracy) is sent to Germany at the end of World War II to try four German judges. The judges have been accused of legalization of Nazi practices and executions. With the threat of the Cold War growing larger, both sides are becoming eager to forget the past mistakes. Judge Haywood must now decide whether the indiscretions of these men should be allowed to slip by. The film is based upon the actual events of the Nazi trials at Nuremberg.

What's so great about Judgment at Nuremberg?

Judgment at Nuremberg does an amazing job of telling a familiar story of world history with little bias, while still making it entertaining. Most impressive in this film is the unforgettable performance of Maximilian Schell, who plays Hans Rolfe, the defense for the four German judges on trial.

Anything not so great?

While the story is an extremely detailed one, it's three hour and six minute run time can feel a bit long winded at times.

Best Scene

Dr. Ernst Janning is one of the judges on trial. He refrains from speaking for a good majority of the film. Although when he finally speaks, it is both a powerful and thought provoking scene that really defines the performances of Burt Lancaster.

Does Judgment at Nuremberg belong in the 250?

I believe that it does. This film stands as one of the greatest courtroom dramas I have seen.

Final Words

While reflecting on this film, the thing that sticks in my mind the most is Maximilian Schell. He plays his role with a feeling of great intelligence. He is defending these four German judges for crimes that in our hearts we do feel are morally wrong. Although he finds a way to actually make you listen to his defense and not just write him off. It reminded me very much of Christoph Waltz's performance in Inglourious Basterds. Overall, the film is very well done and a benchmark of the courtroom genre.

A Letter To My Readers... All Four of You

Hello Readers.

As I am sure you have noticed, my posting has been quite infrequent as of late. That does not mean I have given up on the film watching project. I hope that what I have seen and written about has lead some of you to seek out some of the films. It has been one of the most rewarding projects of my life. It's lead me to seek out other works from the directors and actors that I've been exposed to. So far this year I have watched two hundred and sixty-nine films. Only one hundred and fifty-three are on the 250. So you can see that I have indeed ventured outside the lines a little. I am getting back to the reviews starting tomorrow, although the format is going to change. From the feedback I've received from friends and readers, I think this new way of writing will give you just the information you need to see the film. It's much more structured and is actually a much simpler to work through. My hope is that this allows me to focus more on the films and not just filling up a page. To those of you who have kept reading, thanks a million. As far as watching the films goes, I am actually ahead of schedule. It's been nothing short of a joy and I greatly look forward to sharing my thoughts with you again very soon.

THANK YOU EVERYONE !

Joey Wright