North by Northwest (1959)

4.9/5

Hitchcock's North by Northwest is a genuinely satisfying movie from start to finish. It is probably not one of Hitchcock's best, but it is certainly one of his most enjoyable. The plot follows everyman Roger Thornhill (Grant) after getting kidnapped by Mr. Vandamm (Mason) and his goons. They have confused him for a spy named George Kaplan and thus attempt to murder him. But he escapes (in an exhilarating and hilarious getaway) and then retaliates by trying to find out who his assailants were and who the real George Kaplan is. But they are one step ahead of him and frame him for murder! He leaves town on a train that is crawling with cops, but he gets to Chicago undetected with the help of Eve Kendall (Saint), who we later learn is not at all the stranger she appears to be.

The plot is surprisingly complicated in its typed-out retelling, but it's actually quite easy to follow when you're watching the movie. That is one of Hitchcock's strengths: to think in the shoes of someone watching the movie for the first time, to tell it exactly according to what they are thinking, and to engage the audience every step of the way. The acting is pitch-perfect as you can expect from the stellar actors. Cary Grant is witty in his jokes and charismatic in his delivery. Eva Marie Saint is just the right amount of sexy in her subtle innuendo without being slutty and just the right amount of hurt in her furious indignation without being melodramatic. The special effects are a bit dated, but they still work because they're not essential to the story/experience--they just add to it. Hitchcock flexes his suspense muscles and puts them to good use in this film. Overall, this is an incredibly engaging and stimulating movie by the true master of suspense.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053125/

On the Waterfront (1954)

5/5

"I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody. Instead of a bum, which is what I am. It was you, Charlie." These immortal words spoken by Marlon Brando remain in the memory of anyone who has seen this unforgettable film. I think it's hard to realize Brando's screen presence shrinks all supporting actors' performances that they seem laughable, where in any other film they would be lauded. That's not all that's diminished by Brando's strengths. The cinematography is crisp, well-composed, and very often evocative of a mood derived from the angle from which it's shot. Kazan's personal history with the subject matter presented no doubt elicited a more intense involvement with the film, allowing it to surpass most directorial efforts. The symbolism is so obvious when you look for it, but because you are taken in with every word the actors speak, every evolution of the story, you don't realize it until after multiple viewings. And believe me, you'll want to see this movie again.
IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0047296/