1959

BEST PICTURE NOMINEES

*The Defiant Ones
*Cat On a Hot Tin Roof
*Auntie Mame
*Gigi
*Seperate Tables

AND "MY" WINNER IS...The Defiant Ones
AND "THE" WINNER IS... Gigi

The Defiant Ones (1958) Directed by: Stanley Kramer
Main Cast: Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier

Joker Jackson (Curtis) and Noah Cullen (Poitier) are two convicts on a prison chain gang who hate each other. After a prison truck accident, they flee and are persued by the police. While they are chained together the two are dependent on each other. Once the chains are broken the two learn a whole new respect for each other. Will the two get away, or will they be caught?

I have never heard of this movie before, I must say I was extremely glad I got a chance enjoy it during my journey through this project. I very highly recommend this one! Will be a definate to add to my collection.
RATING: 9/10

THE ACADEMY'S PICK

Gigi (1958) Directed by: Vincente Minnelli
Main Cast: Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier and Hermione

Growing up in Paris Gigi (Caron) is being raised by her grandmama and Aunt. One day Gaston (Jourdan) a wealthy scion decides he wants to take care of Gigi, so he goes and discusses this with her Grandmama who agrees. Gaston realizes he has fallen in love with Gigi and wishes to marry her. Does Gigi feel the same way?

I am still not exactly sure why, but I hated this movie. I was so bored and just not interested at all. If I gave zeros in my rating this would definately be the one to get it! I can not believe this movie won Best Picture, I completely disagree with that decision!
RATING: 1/10

BEST OF THE REST

Auntie Mame (1958) Directed by: Morton DaCosta
Main Cast:Rosalind Russell, Fred Clark, Jan Handzlik and Roger Smith

Mame(Russell) is an unconventional party girl from the roaring 20's. When her brother suddenly dies she is forced to take in her nephew Patrick(Handzlik). Patrick's father has designated an executor to his will, that would protect Patrick from absorbing to much of Mame's rather unconventional perspectives. Will Mame and Patrick be able to bond inspite of these restrictions?

I thought this one needed to be just a little bit longer. What was there was great, but it just left me with the desire for more.
RATING: 8/10

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) Directed by: Richard Brooks
Main Cast: Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor and Burl Ives

Alcoholic ex-football star Brick Pollitt (Newman) can't forgive himself for the death of his best friend Skipper. All the while he is ignoring his wife Maggie (Taylor) whom he believes had an affair with Skipper. At the same time Brick is also dealing with the illness of his father Big Daddy(Ives). Will Brick ever be able to forgive himself for turning his back on Skipper when he needed him most? Will he be able to mend his relationship with Maggie, and Big Daddy before it is to late?

I really enjoyed this movie the only problem was it did drag from time to time. Also there was some VERY serious overacting!
RATING: 8/10

THE REST

Seperate Tables (1958) Directed by: Delbert Mann
Main Cast: Deborah Kerr, Rita Hayworth, David Niven, Wendy Hiller and Burt Lancaster

The movie takes place at the seaside Beauregard Hotel in Bournemoth. Where all the guest have their meals at seperate tables. John Malcolm (Lancaster) is an alcoholic that is engaged to the hotel owner Pat (Hiller) His life is turned upside down when his ex-wife Ann (Hayworth) shows up after she hears he is engaged. Ann wants him back, but John sees nothing positive that can result from them being together. There is the dominating, highly opininated Mrs. Railton-Bell, her sex-less meek daughter Sybil. Finally we have Major Angus Pollock (Niven), whom Sybil has fallen in love with, but her mother warns her to stay away from the Major. Which turns out to be warranted when they read about the Major being arrested. Will this make a difference to Sybil?

Seperate Tables was kind of average for me. It had its good parts and bad parts. The good unfortunately was not enough to deserve a higher rating.

RATING: 5/10

1959 started off as being good then took a major nosedive and I ended up being highly disapointed.

1959 as a whole: 6/10

NEXT UP: 1949; which included - Hamlet, Johnny Belinda, The Red Shoes, The Snake Pit and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

October 31, 2009 7:01pm