Brando, Marlon Brando

Still recouping from my birthday and Cubs outing yesterday I finished off On the Waterfront (1954) before heading to the Quad Cities for my class reunion activities. Man, Brando was such a stud in his day. This film, a blindspot, is terrific, raw and natural. A shame it took me this long to finally sit down with it but highly recommended for any film buff. 8 / 10

• July New: 19
• July Re-watch: 3
• July '11 MTD: 22
• July '10 MTD: 54
• 2011 YTD: 408
  

Murder, Yes.

Another smaller project I committed to starting was watching all my unseen films on Carolee's (@leiabox) awesome ABC's of her favorite documentary films. There are 26 listed, natch, and I had only seen 8 of them. The Yes Men (2003) I plopped in and enjoyed it immensely. Kinda insane these guys were able to pull off what they did but good on 'em. 7 / 10

Back to my primary blindspot project of Flickchart Top 500 unseen, I spun Dial M for Murder (1954) - ranked 368 overall. This is also another Hitchcock I haven't seen so it also works toward my Hitchcock project that I haven't officially started. Really, really like this film. More than I expected. The suspense is palpable. 8.5 / 10

• May New: 11
• May Re-watch: 2
• May '11 Total: 13
• May '10 Total: 68
• 2011 Total: 281
  

First Grave of Godzilla

Final night of G-Fest was the film that started it all, the original Gojira (1954). I have always wanted to see the original version on the big screen and it really was an awesome evening! Amazing how terrifying the original Japanese version is compared to the neutered US version. Nice to close out G-Fest on a high note!

Finished up Five Graves to Cairo (1943) thanks to TCM & my DVR. This is Billy Wilder's second major feature film and he really shows the signs of brilliance. The story revolves a British soldier who becomes a reluctant spy disguised as a waiter at desert inn in Egypt currently housing Rommel & his German soldiers. Film offers plenty of suspense as well Erich von Stroheim as Rommel. Solid.

• July New: 15
• July Re-watch: 6
• July Total: 21
• 2010 TOTAL: 408