1967
In the Heat of the Night
My rating: 4.5/5
Average rating: 4/5
The characterization and mocking of racism is really good. The acting, especially from Sidney Poitier, is wonderful. The only major quibble is the crime being investigated plods a bit.
I'm suing Grammarly over its paid AI feature that presented editing suggestions as if they came from me - and many other writers and journalists - without consent.
State law requires consent before someone's name can be used for commercial purposes.
www.wired.com/story/gramma...
“Good news, guys, more fan service!”
i keep saying it because it's true. execution aside lucas had a vision and something he was trying to say about the failure of liberalism to deal with rising fascism in the prequels which is far more cohesive than anything disney makes now with the franchise
1966
A Man for All Seasons
My rating: 3/5
Average rating: 3.8/5
It starts out dreadfully boring, with droning dialogue and mundane plotting but, eventually, finds its way toward the end. Also, again, a court drama unfolds at the end and really grabbed me.
I barely recognized a young John Hurt.
I see the trump wife movie is on prime. Do not watch it, even on a lark. Do not give them streaming numbers.
1965
The Sound of Music
My rating: 5/5
Average rating: 4.2/5
Julia Andrews is phenomenal, the music is phenomenal, the sets and costumes are phenomenal. The only quibbles I have with the film is when it goes a bit too silly, such as the puppet show sequence. Still, it’s a wonderful film.
1964
My Fair Lady
My rating: 3.5/5
Average rating: 3.6/5
This film has amazing sets, costumes, and music clashing with a problematic and mundane plot. I found it difficult to care about any of the characters besides Eliza and was very frustrated that she returns to her abuser at the end.
I was unfairly opposed to this film. It starts quite mundanely but found its way in the second half.
To each their own but I am having a difficult time slogging through the dialogue in 1966’s winner for the best picture Oscar, A Man for All Seasons.
I’ll admit, I have personal bias that I have always found the politics around royalty to be dreadfully boring but tell me this isn’t boring as shit.
1963
Tom Jones
My rating: 2/5
Average rating: 2.9/5
How many jokes do you need to put in a film to classify it as a comedy? I’m asking because I don’t understand how this is one. I don’t recall laughing at all and smirked maybe twice. At least some of the acting was fine and the visuals were nice
I’m relieved to say the case did go to trial. I haven’t looked it up to see what happened at that point, but I’m glad I did what I could.
Point is, to hell with child abusers and those that enable them.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t lose my temper and yell. I was so very confused that a room full of people all were pro child abuse.
At one point, the DA heard us arguing and presented more photographic evidence and reiterated the fact that the boyfriend and child were unrelated.
…one of the guys literally quoted “spare the rod, spoil the child”.
I had to repeatedly explain to them that:
1. The boyfriend was not the child’s parent. No, I don’t care that the mother allowed it.
2. You don’t hit people. Children are people.
3. He’s mentally handicapped. Hitting him? Wtf?
There were photos of the injuries and testimonies from the mother, the boy, and a CPS counselor.
So, color me shocked when, as we began discussing whether it should go to trial, the rest of my fellow jurors all took the stance of “parents should be allowed to discipline their child” and…
One of the cases that was presented to us was of child abuse. A single mother had been allowing her boyfriend to lead the way on disciplining her mentally handicapped ten year old son. At some point, the discipline went too far, and the mother objected and called the whole thing off.
A few years ago, I was on a grand jury. A grand jury, in concept, is a jury that the state attorneys present cases to to determine whether they can go to trial. Hypothetically, this is to stop the government from being able to bring charges against citizens without proper evidence.
Well, gas is expensive, and food is expensive, and we’re doing a war nobody wants, but at least there are no jobs
Look at this mean guy. So scary.
On and off, very off, I make a podcast with a friend about every Billboard #1 hit, chronologically. If you've seen my Best Picture posts, you'll notice I like chronology.
Anyways, the podcast has very few listeners but I think it would be swell if you gave it a listen. Its rough, but...thank you.
Felt like I was going insane watching people accept an AI model's explanation for why that same AI model committed a war crime.
1962
Lawrence of Arabia
My rating: 4/5
Average rating: 4.4/5
This film is too long. Counterpoint, I have no idea what you could cut. This is a grand piece of cinema that sweeps you away. Just gorgeous.
It’s a shame that Peter O’Toole got nominated for best actor 8 times and never won.
Thoughts & prayers to the EPA :(
1961
West Side Story
My rating: 5/5
Average rating: 3.8/5
I know, I know. Dancing gangs, racist casting, and…this is one of the most beautiful and wondrous films ever created. The music, the heartbreak, the foolishness. I could watch this one for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it.
1960
The Apartment
My rating: 5/5
Average rating: 4.4/5
The love story is a bit cludgy at times, especially at the resolution, but the charm and beauty of the overall story makes up for it. The performances of Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine is just superb. Also, tennis racket spaghetti!
Bernie Sander’s 2028 litmus test would strangle America’s golden goose
Surprise! The Jeff Bezos-owned Washington Post is against my 5% billionaire wealth tax. I wonder why?
If enacted, Bezos would owe $12 billion in taxes, and an average family of 4 would receive a $12,000 direct payment.
Poor Jeff would be left with just $224 billion to survive.
I adore the film and was surprised with the negative backlash on its release. As this article states, it’s beautiful and fun. What’s wrong with that?
1959
Ben-Hur
My rating: 4/5
Average rating: 4.1/5
Can you imagine poorly installed roof tiles ruining a man’s life this bad? Anyways, It takes nearly 4 hours to get there but the chariot race is still breathtaking.
Also, I couldn’t help but to think of Life of Brian with the Jesus cameo.
1958
Gigi
My rating: 2/5
Average rating: 3/5
This film is gross. I know defenders will roll out the “it was a different time” song and dance. I don’t care, the sexualization of children is gross.
The costumes, acting, and sets are fine and keep this movie from being the bottom of the list.
