After a friend told me how much they loved to watch old black and white movies I thought I might give an oldie a try. I remembered seeing The Thin Man on a list of somebody’s favorite movies and it has gotten pretty stellar reviews over the years so I figured why not. After all movies don’t get too much older than 1934 without being silent.
Plot: The story begins when Clyde Wynant is informed that his daughter will be married just before the New Year and he wants to prepare her wedding gift, $50,000 in government bonds, before he leaves town. However, he finds that the bonds are missing and knows that Ms. Wolfe, his secretary, has taken them. When he tries to retrieve them he realizes that she had an accomplice so he goes after the accomplice before he leaves town. When Ms. Wolfe is found dead shortly afterwards the murder mystery begins.
Twist: A former detective and now very wealthy man named Nick Charles is vacationing in the city at the same time as the murders. Everybody, including his wife Nora, wants him to take the case and help the police catch the killer. Nick has no desire to be involved and is more concerned with drinking and having a good time on his vacation.
Memorable Line: Nick Charles) What’ll you have to drink?
Herbert MacCaulay) I’m not drinking.
Nick Charles) That’s a mistake.
My Thoughts: The playful and quick witted exchanges between Nick and Nora Charles make up many of the best scenes in the movie. I was also shocked at times because I never thought people in the 1930’s fooled around on their significant others as much as this movie would have you believe. The story moves pretty quickly and there are a lot of characters to keep up with. Some of the acting resembles that of a high school play, but what can you expect from that time period. Overall, I would say it was very good.
Who Would Like This Movie: My mom and anybody who likes to watch old black and white noir films.
Rating: 9 out of 10 (as far as old movies go)
Categories: 9's · Comedy · Mystery
Here’s a good one to get things started. I convinced myself to rent this movie because of the great reviews that it had received. It was still a tough decision because the movie is subtitled so to me it’s equivalent to reading a short story with really detailed storyboards. Since I’m lucky to read one novel per year, convincing me to read my way through a movie is like talking me into a fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Plot: The story is told by Rocket, a young boy growing up in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. He tells a story about how two hoods, named Lil’ Ze and Benny, took over the drug trade in the slums and became the major crime lords of the city. The installation of a new boss in the slums brought with it a period of peace because everyone knows they will have to answer to Lil’ Ze if they break the law and bring the police around.
Twist: When Lil’ Ze’s friend Benny is killed, the only bond between the slum’s two drug lords dissolves as well. This begins a long war in the City of God and a new hood emerges.
Memorable Line: “I’m a playboy now!”
My Thoughts: Although I had to rewind several times due to the fact that I read at a third grade level, I really enjoyed this movie. It also helped that story is based on actual events, which was verified by small clips at the end of the movie.
Who Will Like This Movie: Almost anyone will enjoy it, but lovers of gang, mob, and crime stories will love it.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Categories: 9's · Foreign
Tagged: foreign film
