Home
»
Movies & TV
»
Movie & DVD Reviews
»
Best Movies Alphabetically M Movies beginning with the letter M ...
»
ChrisJarmick's Review
More Great M movies to enjoy, share, give as gifts, watch again
a movie connoisseur, into movies that tell a great story, a Movie Guru, a lover of quirky unique films, a cult film connoisseur, very picky about kids films, a fan of movies that take chances
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
DEC
18
2008
The Meaning of Life(1983) ...aka Monty Python's the Meaning of Life Directed by Terry Jones
The Python troup delivers an absolutely outrageous, irreverent collection of sketches with plenty of memorable songs that trace ‘life’ from sex and child-birth through death and after-life. We get the obese man who stuffs himself until he starts vomiting all over the francy patrons of a posh restaurant, the teacher who demonstrates LIVE SEX to his students, the prophet in the refrigerator who sings about life, the protestants versus Catholic all singing and dancing revue ala OLIVER about how sacred sperm is, the organ donor who isn’t ready to give up his vital organs yet, the grim reaper showing up at a quaint English country house dinner, the talking fish, the battling pirate buildings and more. Rude, over-the-top, not for the squeamish and absolutely hilarious.
Metropolis (1927 - German)
Fritz Lang’s 120 minute Classic silent-film meditation on technology set in a futuristic city with an advanced mechanized society is considered one of the most innovative and still hip science fiction films of all time. It’s plot revolves around a young man of high society who abandons his luxurious life to join the oppressed worked in a revolt. It’s dated and the pacing at times will not completely enthrall modern viewers but its set design and special effects are still appealing. It was restored to its most complete version in 2002. A lot of people know all about this movie and swear they have seen it--but they haven't. Their loss. Avoid all shorter prints and especially the 87 minute 1984 color tinted version produced by Giorgio Moroder that featured songs by Bonnie Tyler, Queen and Pat Benatar. It doesn’t do the film justice to say the least.
Le Million (1931), France, directed by Rene Clair
Rene Clair created this early sound comedy/musical light farce that’s a delightful gem. We focus on young lovers, an artist and his lady searching for a winning lottery ticket throughout Paris. If you haven’t discovered it yet, don’t wait any longer.
Modern Times (1936) Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Charlie attacks the age of industrialization with sharp pokes at the inhumanity of assembly line factory work and additional satires aimed at other social ills and the day to day struggle of modern survival. Paulette Goddard is his stunning co-star who became his partner in real life. It’s still almost a silent film besides sound effects, a few lines of dialogue, a gibberish song and the song ‘SMILE” which he also wrote. It’s one of the funniest movies ever made and despite its age remains timeless and easy to like. Chaplin was sued for plagiarism by the French production company Films Sonores Tobis, who produced Rene Clair's A Nous la Liberte (1931). The conveyor belt sequences of the two films were very similar. Director Clair insisted the lawsuit be dropped because he went on record as saying he was honored to have rendered assistance to Chaplin. "God knows," Clair is reported to have said, "I have certainly borrowed enough from him." The lawsuit was dropped.
Mr Deeds Goes to Town (1936) Directed by Frank Capra
Gary Cooper plays Longfellow Deeds, who has inherited 20 million dollars and decides he wants to give away his money to needy people. Jean Arthur is the hard –boiled cynical reporter who tries to figure out what this guy is all about. Capra won his second Oscar for this appealing likeable film, written by Robert Riskin (from Clarence Budington Kelland's play "Opera Hat").
Murders in the Zoo (1933) Directed by Edward Sutherland
Here's a film which was released just before the code went into full effect. It's a nasty (for it's day) low budget film. Lionel Atwill plays a very jealous , and we soon find out, quite sadistic zoo-keeper. He's throwing people to snakes, and alligators and leaves one man to die after he sows the poor chap's mouth shut. Kathleen Burke (who played the Panther Girl in Island of Lost Souls) is the wife and a very young Randolph Scott is the hero here. Try it. Directed by Edward Sutherland. Scott wouldn't become a star for several more years after a boost from Mae West in her film, Go West Young Man.
Murmur of the Heart (1971), aka Le Souffle au Coeur or Dearest Love, Italy/W. Ger./France, directed by Louis Malle
Malle was also responsible for the worthwhile Pretty Baby, My Dinner with Andre, Vanya on 42nd Street and others. but this quiet comedy about the coming of age of a jazz obsessed 14 year old boy is among his best. There’s a realistic and delicate sensuality to be found here. After his older brothers take him to a prostitute, a teenager comes down with Scarlet Fever and travels with his mom (the beautiful Lea Massari) to a health spa. Charlie Parker is featured prominently on the soundtrack. The controversy regarding this film is over-blown and has little to do with what the film is about. See it.
MY ARCHITECT (2003) directed by Nathan Kahn
Nathaniel Kahn is the illegitimate son of famed architect Luis Kahn. He has made this poignant, touching documentary. It doesn’t merely give us a portrait of a great architect but shows us a journey in which a son tries to connect and understand the father he never really knew. The story is full of fascinating twists and turns, struggles and betrayals and we also get the sense of discovery and opening up of wounds as well. One of my very favorite documentaries and movies.
My Darling Clementine (1946) Directed by John Ford
It’s not completely accurate (though Ford supposedly knew Wyatt Earp) but this is one of the best Westerns, one of the best Ford’s and certainly the best movie about the events leading up to the gunfight at the OK Corral. You might call it corny at times…but it doesn’t matter. Henry Fonda is Wyatt Earp, Victor Mature is Doc Holliday. With Walter Brennan, Linda Darnell, Tim Holt Ward Bond, John Ireland. Wonderfully detail, one memorable scene after another all beautifully lensed by Joseph P. MacDonald from screenplay by Samuel G. Engel and Winston Miller, from a story by Sam Hellman And a book by Stuart N. Lake.
MY DINNER WITH ANDRE (1981) Louis Malle’s talk-fest of a film challenges what a movie is and gives us a nearly two hour conversation between two friends over a dinner table. The conversation is fascinating and compelling, the actors Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn interesting and quirky enough to hold our interest.
Last edited on Jan 28, 2009
Best Movies Alphabetically M Movies beginning with the letter M PART 2 another 10 great M movies is recommended by ChrisJarmick
 |
Search Amazon.com for Best Movies Alphabetically M Movies beginning with the letter M PART 2 another 10 great M movies prices |
Comments about ChrisJarmick’s Review
More reviews by ChrisJarmick
JCVD Review - "Off-beat, risky, flawed, low budget Van Damme movie"
Color of Paradise Review - "Beautiful, moving, endearing, unforgettable...Norton Juster - The Phantom Tollbooth Review - "one of my favorite books,...Bogart Movies Turner Classic Movies Vintage Movies December 1 & 2,...
'60s Movies
Turner Classic Movies, Best Movies, Goldie Hawn, Political Thrillers, Screwball Comedies, Cult gems October 7 to 9
4.33 overall from 3 reviews
4.33 overall from 3 reviews
Best Movies, Turner Classic Movies, Muni, Romance, Caron, & two masterpieces October 10 to 12, 2009
5.00 overall from 1 review
5.00 overall from 1 review
