BradWesley123's Movie Journal- January 2017

Too stilted and stagy to be a great film, but littered with too many strong scenes to be dismissed outright, The Crucible is a true mixed bag. The story has been adapted for the big screen, but much of the power of the original stage play has been lost; enough remains to keep things afloat, but not too much. The most surprising thing about it though is that the cast is a bit split; Allen and Scofield are exceptional, but Day-Lewis and Ryder feel miscast (though he does get a couple of decent scenes). Seemed like a sure thing, couldn't make it.

Monthly Wesley AwardsBest Makeup
Worst Picture

A too-leisurely pace and a multitude of cliches prevent The Accidental Tourist from reaching the upper echelon of "overcoming grief" pictures. It's still an often solid viewing; the cast is quite good, several scenes do contain admirable restrained, and John Williams gets to show off one of his finest musical scores (even if it doesn't really fit with the movie). If the film could've only found a way to trim the fat and make a leaner, less meandering film.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Actress- Geena Davis

When 3 Days of the Condor is good, its great, but when it isn't, its fairly dull. The first 45 to 60 minutes of the film aren't that great; intriguing, but not great. The second half of the film, when the story really starts coming together, is the highlight, with several well-executed scenes and thrilling storytelling. The biggest issue with the film I had involved the romantic subplot with Dunaway and Redford, which felt crazily misguided and somewhat gross. By contrast, every single scene we get Max von Sydow, the movie soars; it's a great character for the film, coming from an actor doing great work. Overall, the film is an effective paranoia-tinged thriller that, more often than not, works.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Supporting Actor- Max von Sydow

The tone is a bit frazzled, it'll go from slapstick to mild comedy to minor drama and back again, and the story loses steam the longer it goes on, but Working Girl still manages to be a fun and, occasionally, insightful look at female ambition in the work force. The cast is strong, the direction assured and the script, despite the opening criticism, is perceptive.

The script is rather basic, and it has the wrong lead character, but Glory still often manages to be a strong Civil War epic that actually engages in racial discussions, and features several thrilling action set pieces. It's all lavishly made; there's no technical department where the film is lacking. What really makes the movie work is the cast, especially Denzel Washington in his Oscar-winning breakout role. He, and the rest of the cast, elevate the perfunctory script with every word.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Editing- Steven Rosenblum

Arthur is a mostly funny, often soulful comedy. It can become grating at times, thanks to the lead character, but that's mostly just the surface. Like the title character, there's more here than you see at first. Dudley Moore really nails the character here, capturing the humor and loneliness of his character, and the affectionate bond he shares with his butler Hobson, a strong John Gielgud, feels genuine. The story isn't particularly original, but it's got enough humor and timing that it's enough to overcome the occasional bloat; in short, it is a 1980s comedy.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Original Screenplay- Steve Gordon

The Verdict often soars thanks to the power of Paul Newman's performance, but can't help but feel dated today. So many stories have taken from, and the story just isn't all that original to begin with. However, it's more a character piece that true courtroom drama, following Newman's character through a number of setbacks and triumphs. The ending is a bit of a disappointment, but the acting is so good that it's forgivable.

Monthly Wesley AwardsBest Actor- Paul Newman

I really don't know what to say about the film that hasn't already been said; Singin' in the Rain is just a genuinely fun cinematic experience. The songs, dance numbers, the performances, the story; it elevates the movie musical in ways that few have come close to reaching.

Monthly Wesley AwardsBest Picture
Best Directors- Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly
Best Supporting Actress- Jean Hagen
Best Cinematography- Harold Rosson
Best Costume Design- Walter Plunkett
Best Production Design- Randall Duell & Cedric Gibbons and Jacque Mapes, Edwin B. Willis and Harry McAfee
Best Score- Lennie Hayton
Best Sound

Bad Day at Black Rock would've easily won the month if Singin' in the Rain hadn't. An engaging suspense/mystery film that handles racism in a way that, sadly, still feels prescient even today. Tracy leads the film with aplomb, controlling every seen, despite heavy aid by an excellent supporting cast. With the help of some superb storytelling, the film takes classic status.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Adapted Screenplay- Millard Kaufman