Comments | xmomentofzen: Four more

xmomentofzen

Four more

Dec 22, 2009 20:07

Is it just me, or are Jimmy Stewart movies severely overrated?

I watched Mr. Smith Goes To Washington last night because it was on TCM and I thought I might as well get it over with ( Read more... )

movie, politics, eddie izzard, robert redford, music, mystery science theater 3000, trailer, review

Comments 4

deborahkla December 23 2009, 02:04:18 UTC

Depends upon the Jimmy Stewart film. I happen to like his later, darker work much better than the Mr. Smith and that ilk. He's fantastic in "It's a Wonderful Life", which is an incredibly dark movie (think about it - a Christmas movie about suicide!)and in Hitchcock's "Vertigo", probably his very best performance (also good are "Rear Window" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much"). And he did several westerns for Anthony Mann like "Winchester 73" where he's this barely-contained cauldron of seething rage and violence. Check out his later films in the fifties and sixties and you'll find a very complex and interesting actor. :-)

xmomentofzen December 23 2009, 03:32:06 UTC

I think I didn't like It's a Wonderful Life because I knew they wouldn't let him commit suicide so I felt like I was just waiting for him to get talked out of it and that I already knew how the movie would end--not that I'm advocating suicide in any way. I'm sure it was edgy for its time but I suppose I've just been spoiled by modern TV and movies.

I don't want to give the wrong impression. I honestly don't hate Jimmy Stewart or anything. I just love semi-sarcastically reviewing classic films in modern terms. Hence the extremely informal language. :)

Thank you so much for the recommendations! I really need to watch more Hitchcock movies. I absolutely loved Psycho and North by Northwest, but I hated The Birds so much that I took a break and I don't think I've rented any of his other movies since--and it's been quite a few years now. :\

deborahkla December 23 2009, 20:55:26 UTC

No, I understand completely! Definitely rent Vertigo. It's both Hitchcock's and Stewart's best film.

I admit to having a weak spot for "It's a Wonderful Life". I love what film critic David Thomson called it: "the American dream nipped at by the hounds of hell." :-)

xmomentofzen December 23 2009, 21:05:01 UTC

Will do. :)

I'll have to re-watch It's A Wonderful Life. I'll admit I tend to get a little bah humbug when it comes to Christmas movies sometimes. Haha.