Take 4: Classics by Request

A couple new things have been happening at Take 4. First of all, as I was getting tired of just doing random movie reviews, I've decided that each entry should have a theme. This edition of Take 4 kicks off this new direction.

Since I began this venture, I have received several recommendations of movies from folks, most of which I have never seen, but have definitely heard of. Below you will find the first official Reader Request Review, which contains my take on four classic films.

Oh, and nifty new graphics.

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Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Recommended By: James Noonan, co-worker at Rapp Collins, and producer of the independent film Working Stiff (www.workingstiff.org)

In the Beginning: Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter living in Hollywood, finds himself dealing with collections agents who want to repossess his car and just can't produce any scripts that the studios are interested in filming.

The Plot Thickens: Fate connects Gillis with the reclusive Norma Desmond, a former silent film star, who is working on a screenplay of her own. She takes him under her wing and employs his help in editing the screenplay, but becomes a little possesive in the process.

I Know Them!: William Holden (as Joe Gillis), who was also in Network; Gloria Swanson and Cecil B. DeMille, two names I connected with older films, but don't know if I could have put faces to the names (now I can)

Favorite Character: Norma Desmond - Swanson did a bang-up job as the aging silent film star, creating simultaneous feelings of pity and loathing. She does an excellent job of slowly losing grip with reality and sinking into her own little movie world.

Random Trivia: In 1998, the American Film Institute selected this as the 12th greatest film of the 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time.

Great Quotes: Joe: "You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big." Norma: "I AM big. It's the pictures that got small."

Curt's Take: 8.5 out of 10 - Will likely be some outrage that this didn't get higher, but note that, so far, this is the highest rating I've given a film (with El Mariachi getting an "8"). Sure there are other films I've seen that I would rate higher than this (which aren't in my Netflix list), but this does get boosted because of the AFI rating mentioned above, as well as the fact that, well, it's a classic. While I wouldn't call this an "entertaining" film, I would say it is an "engaging" film. I kind of wish I wasn't familiar with the musical that was based on this, as I pretty knew the key plot points going in...but still...good. And slightly creepy.

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The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Recommended By: Bradford "Doctor" Love, one of my former co-students back at MSU, and biggest Red Sox fan I know (and the second biggest Gators fan)

In the Beginning: Detective Sam Spade and his partner are hired by a woman looking for her missing sister. Their only lead is a meeting that their new employer has set up for later that evening with the man the sister supposedly ran off with.

The Plot Thickens: Multiple murders, mysterious personalities with their own individual agendas, and a priceless statuette of a falcoln all come crawling out of the woodwork, leaving Spade with no idea who he can trust.

I Know Them! Humphrey Bogart (as Sam Spade) is an obvious one, but I also knew of Peter Lorre, who plays the weasely little Joel Cairo (you'd know him if you saw him). Knew a couple other names, too, although wouldn't have been able to attach them to any faces: Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet.

Favorite Character: Kasper Gutman, played by Sydney Greenstreet. While Sam Spade goes through the entire movie as if he wasn't accountable to anybody but himself (including local law enforcement), it was amusing to watch Gutman just be...well...amused by how Spade acted. Kept referring to him as an interesting character...as if he was some omnipotent narrator. Only loses his cool one or two times, but quickly recovers it.

Random Trivia: Word-for-word and scene-for-scene, the movie is virtually identical to Dashiell Hammett's novel, on which it was based.

Great Quotes: Detective: " Heavy. What is it?" Spade: "The stuff that dreams are made of."

Curt's Take: 5.5 out of 10 - Unlike Sunset above, this doesn't necessarily stand the test of time. The acting style is largely dated and does stick out quite a bit. Plus, not only did it not have the "entertaining" factor, it lacked the "engaging" factor as well. While it may be an important part of the film history, it just wasn't all the interesting. I'm not saying it's not landmark and important...just not what I'm looking for in a movie (this, coming from the guy who still has never seen Forrest Gump). Still, had to rate it higher than Bulletproof Monk.

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All About Eve (1950)

Recommended By: Honey Parker, former freelance copywriter where I work, improv comedy virtuoso, and reality television viewing compatriot

In the Beginning: Eve Harrington's dream of meeting her theater idol, Margo Channing, is finally realized when Channing's best friend introduces them backstage after one of her performances.

The Plot Thickens: Eve becomes Margo's personal assistant, but (as is so often the case in films), as she insinuates herself deeper into Margo's life, things get a bit out of hand.

I Know Them!: Bette Davis, who played Margo Channing, as well as a small role for Marilyn Monroe

Favorite Character: Here's the kicker...this is probably the first film I've reviewed where I couldn't pick just one. For starters, there's Margo Channing...excellent role for Bette Davis, and a character you come to like quickly, who has little or no filter between her mouth and her brain. Also really liked Channing's best friend Karen, played by Celeste Holm...as the only person in the movie outside the theater world, she's easily the one you relate to the most. And finally, Addison DeWitt, the theater critic, played by George Sanders...at first his manner of speaking in the opening narration took me aback a little (very dramatic), but came to realize he pretty much just speaks as he writes in his columns, with a lot of formality and metaphor. Great characters.

Random Trivia: In real life, Bette Davis had just turned 42 as she undertook the role of Margo Channing, and Anne Baxter (who played the title role of Eve), still an up-and-comer, not only vowed audiences with her performance, but (ironically, given the plot of the film) successfully pressured the powers that be to get her nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category rather than Best Supporting Actress. This is thought to have split the vote between herself and Davis. The winner for the 1950 Best Actress ended up being Judy Holliday for her role in Born Yesterday, so Baxter's actions in effect blocked Davis' chances for the win.

Great Quotes: Margo: "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!"; Margo: " Bill's thirty-two. He looks thirty-two. He looked it five years ago, he'll look it twenty years from now. I hate men."

Curt's Take: 9 out of 10 - Was very surprised by this, but not knowing anything about it going in, I guess that's not unusual. Easily falls into the "must watch" realm. Was trying to think if this rated on par with or above Sunset Boulevard, and what put it ahead were the mass of interesting characters. Possession of the role of power shifted so often that the 140 minutes largely flew by. The Single White Female aspect of the film became very apparent early on, but it worked well. I'm also not usually a fan of "flashback" movies (almost the entire movie is a flashback from an awards ceremony for Eve), but that didn't detract from things in the slightest.

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White Chicks (2004)

Recommended By: Matt Owen, Michigan State buddy, recent political science grad, and East Lansing bar star

In the Beginning: Shawn and Marlon Wayans play FBI agents who volunteer to transport two spoiled rich girls (who are in danger of being kidnapped) to a weekend at the Hamptons

The Plot Thickens: The girls get injured on the way to the Hamptons, so, with the help of a LOT of make-up, the Wayans pose as the brats in order to 1) keep their director from finding out about the accident and 2) to investigate the kidnapping threat.

I Know Them!: Besides Shawn and Marlon Wayans, recognized John Heard (the father from Home Alone) who plays the father of the arch-enemies of the rich girls

Favorite Character: Latrell Spencer, played by Terry Crews...the very large and intimidating black man who takes a romantic interest in Marlon Wayans. Very well-played.

Random Trivia: The original title was the "The Miltons"

Great Quotes: Latrell: "Once you go black, you gonna need a wheelchair"

Curt's Take: 6 out of 10 - Was hesitant coming into this, but Matt said it was hilarious. Well, will go so far as to say I was amused. There were some laugh-out-loud parts every so often...and it was just damn funny to watch the White Chicks bust a move during an impromptu Hamptons dance-off between warring factions of rich girls. Still, some better movies out there I'd recommend before this one (sorry, Matt!). And for those of you keeping track at home, yes, I rated this higher than The Maltese Falcon. What can I say...it was more entertaining and engaging.