Film Critic Badge

It's A Wonderful Life

I had never watched this movie before, and as it was on in December I thought I would view it for my Christmas Challenge Badge. This is a gentle tragi-comedy from 1947, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The acting was pretty good as was the scenery, and I had forgotten how atmospheric black and white film was. James Stewart made a great lead as George Bailey, and was backed up well by Donna Reed as his wife, Mary.

George was a building society owner in a small American town, whose nemesis was the rich and cantankerous banker Mr Potter; Potter made George's life difficult at every turn, eventually threatening to ruin him and causing him to seriously consider suicide. Obviously at this point, George was saved by his guardian angel, Clarence, and made to see what a difference he made to everyone's lives.  All ended well with the townspeople saving George from ruin. Lovely, and not a bit cheesy!

Odette

Biographical drama from 1950 about Odette Sansom, a French woman who spied for British Intelligence during WW2. I found the film interesting but rather stilted, but then it was made 73 years ago and manners and film techniques have changed somewhat! The only actor I knew was Peter Ustinov, and I hadn't seen him in a film so early in his career before. I had heard of Trevor Howard but not seen him act before. 

The film did not hold back on the brutality of war, and in particular the torture methods of the Gestapo, and did not romanticise the role of a spy. The scenes in the concentration camp near the end portrayed the prisoners as rather well-fed and healthy, which I am sure was not the case, but would have been very difficult to portray without starving the actors for some months. 

Chicken Run

A classic animated movie from Dreamworks, Pathe, and Aardman Animation. This film is beautifully made, with excellent characterisation and humour. It makes you believe that chickens can organise themselves into a work gang with an aim to escape their prison! The bad guys are properly bad and get their comeuppance and the side characters are well scripted. An excellent film!

Easter Parade

A musical film from 1948 starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. I have not watched a Fred Astaire film in a very long time - he is not a great actor but he does dance very well. Judy Garland acted well and danced and sang well. There wasn't much of a plot but it all hung together well and was lovely to look at with very glamorous costumes, make up and hair dos. I was surprised that I recognised so many of the songs.

Shotgun Wedding

I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this film, but needed to watch an action movie. The film started fairly well, and improved as it went on. I found Jennifer Lopez's character compelling and well-acted, less so Josh Duhamel's character. Luckily there was a good supporting cast including the magnificent Jennifer Coolidge, D'Arcy Carden, and Lenny Kravitz. The plot was predictable but funny, and it is a film that I would watch again.