Reviews of movies with Marilyn Monroe.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008
Grade: A-
Synopsis: An aging actress (Bette Davis) grows increasingly wary of the young woman (Anne Baxter) who seems to adore her.
All About Eve is a near-perfect story of fame, and the ambition it takes to achieve it. It’s also the most nominated film in Academy Awards history, with 14 nominations, including writer/director Joseph Mankiewicz and most of the cast.
Bette Davis gives a fearless performance as an aging actress refusing to acknowledge the bitter truth that her best days are behind her. Though it mirrored Davis’ career at the time, the role isn’t a flattering one, but Davis gives it her all, fleshing out Margo Channing into a talented, but nonetheless flawed, human being that you come to care about despite her rants and tantrums. No small feat. MORE »
Posted at 1:58 PM in Movie Reviews and Marilyn Monroe.
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Wednesday, February 27th 2008
Grade: A+
Synopsis: After witnessing a mob hit, two Chicago musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) disguise themselves as women and join an all girl band bound for Miami.
Some Like It Hot is frequently voted the best comedy of all time and for good reason. Despite being almost 40 years old, Billy Wilder’s gem is every bit as funny today as it was the day it opened, loaded with classic dialog, great scenes, and memorable performances.
The script by director Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond is near perfect, doing a great job of blending drama, comedy and romance, without dating itself, or dragging on repeat viewings. Further, the closing line remains one of the greatest in movie history. MORE »
Posted at 6:29 PM in Movie Reviews, Billy Wilder and Marilyn Monroe.
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Wednesday, August 1st 2007
Grade: B
Synopsis: A recently divorced woman (Marilyn Monroe) gets involved with a cowboy (Clark Gable) struggling to maintain his lifestyle in early 60’s Nevada.
Without knowing the history behind it, The Misfits is a frustrating movie to watch. None of the characters are really likable, and the ending doesn’t really resolve anything.
But when you consider this history behind the movie, it’s really something special.
First, as the movie was filmed, screenwriter Arthur Miller was constantly rewriting the script, even as the marriage between himself and Monroe was falling apart. As the movie progresses, the line blurs between Monroe’s character and Monroe herself, until we’re left watching Monroe through Miller’s eyes, a beautiful woman unable to find happiness in a world where everyone’s offering it, for a price. Within a year and half of the film’s premier, Monroe died. MORE »
Posted at 1:04 AM in Movie Reviews, John Huston and Marilyn Monroe.
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Wednesday, July 18th 2007
Grade: B
Synopsis: The story of a heist, from the planning to the execution to the fallout.
The Asphalt Jungle would lay the blueprint for scores of films to come after it. Films like Heat (1995) and Reservoir Dogs (1992) can all trace their roots to John Huston’s groundbreaking effort.
The ensemble cast is solid, if a little underwhelming. Granted, Marilyn Monroe has a memorable part, but it’s an ancillary character, and it’s Sterling Hayden who’s the de-facto lead. Hayden’s about as good as he can be in the role, but lacks the presence to carry the film, especially since his character doesn’t really shine until late in the film. MORE »
Posted at 2:29 AM in Movie Reviews, John Huston and Marilyn Monroe.
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