In Which They Serve (1942)

It would be too easy to call this one propaganda, even if it was used to help bolster British pride during WWII.  This is a well-crafted story about the British Navy and the men who protect an island.  Noel Coward's artistic tribute to the Navy is told in flash backs from different point of views.  In the beginning the HMS Torrin is hit and then we are invited to meet those of the crew that will die and those that will live.  Wives and children of the crew are introduced and family's forever changed.  It's a beautiful and moving film and while a tad bit sentimental you can't help but understand why.  I can only hope someday someone will properly restore this film and return it to his glory for unfortunately the version I saw was worn and washed-out.  Regardless I'm glad I was able to see it not matter the quality.  Grade: A 

Bed and Board (1970)

The fourth film in the Antoine Doinel Cycle directed by Francois Truffaut is a delightful continuation as well as a beautiful story about marriage.  Antoine and Christine are married yet both are about to be confronted by a series of challenges to test their relationship, one of which will make you smile and another that will break your heart.   With clever writing and pitch-perfect characterizations this might be my favorite.  It's amazing to think how simple these movies feel and yet there's a lot of wonderful aspects of it that keep it from being farce or over-the-top drama.  This treasure is a real work of storytelling goodness; no one should skip this one.   Grade: A  

They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Sydney Pollack would earn his first Oscar nomination in directing for this bleak adaptation of Horace McCoy's novel about various strangers who join up for a dance marathon contest during the Great Depression.  Jane Fonda stars as Gloria who teams up with a young man played by Michael Sarrazin.  As this grueling contest goes on, seeming forever, it's clear that those running the spectacle don't really care about the contestants and that what the dancers are supposedly striving for isn't worth all the pain and humiliation.  I didn't think I'd like this one, being it's such a downer, but it really does dig under your skin and stay with you like thought provoking art should. Grade: A-

And another thing, two Red Button performances in a row.  I didn't plan it, really.  Yet I will say I think his work in this one is much more surprising. 

Sayonara (1957)

Marlon Brando and Miiko Taka star in an interracial love story between a white Air Force pilot and a Japanese dancer.  Based on James Michener's novel and directed by Joshua Logan (who would go on to make another Michener-inspired film a year later with the musical South Pacific), this is typical '50s melodrama with Brando giving it a splash of merit.   While there's still a lot of racism in our world, this one is pretty out-of-date, only a few idiots out there still think it taboo for different races to marry but you can bet when this film came out there were many people uncomfortable with the subject.  In historical context one can appreciate it as a film of its time.  Red Buttons costars as Brando's friend who gets married to a Japanese women too.  His performance won him an Oscar and while it's a decent and memorable character I'd have given the award to Sessue Hayakawa for The Bridge On The River Kwai.  Grade: A- 

Angel's Share (2013)

Ken Loach's surprise feel-good movie of the year might not seem like it in the first ten minutes but trust me when I say it slowly ups the comedy and the suspense to become the Ocean's Eleven of  whiskey-tasting capers.  To avoid jail Robbie, a young father in love with a woman who might as well be named Juliet to his Romeo, must volunteer for community service where he is introduced by the man running the program to the art of whiskey.  Soon he realizes he has a knack for tasting and that's when what might seem like a Scottish version of Sideways goes Mission Impossible.  This really is an impressive film with brilliant performances.  There's one particular scene where Robbie must confront a young man he beat up so bad he almost killed.  It's gut-wrenching and impressive for a film maker to so easily go from great drama to comedy.  So far this is the best film of the year.  A

Monsieur Verdoux (1947)

If anyone still needs proof that Charlie Chaplin was a great film maker and storyteller then here you go, another example of this artist's genius.   Gone is the lovable Little Tramp and instead we're treated to the strange but likable wife killer Verdoux.  Inspired by a real case, Chaplin is able to take what is a sinister story of a man marrying multiple wives and killing them for their money and make a darkly funny experience.  Sixty years before Dexter Morgan, Chaplin makes serial killing fun.  My favorite scene in the movie is the part where he's about to kill the girl he met on the street, in order to test out his latest poison, only to change his mind after hearing her story.  There's also a fantastic series of gags where he tries to kill his obnoxious wife Annabelle played hilariously by Martha Raye, only to constantly be thwarted.  Don't miss what is probably, in my view, one of Chaplin's best if most inventive work.   Grade: A  

Shadows in Paradise (1986)

This love story from Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki really surprised me.  It's a perfect little film about a garbage man and a shy young woman with strict parents.  This is the first of a thematic trilogy and I must say if the others are as good as this one, I'm in for a treat.  Probably the aspect I loved the most about this film was how the actors look like your average low-income worker instead of some uber attractive model.  There's no attempt to wow the audience with stylish lighting or distracting camera tricks.  It's just good honest storytelling about two unique people.  This is one of those films that will stay with you for years to come. Grade: A