The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)

Nominee

Whelp seems I am accidentally stalking Anthony Quinn...but it was fun to jump 20 years backward! 

I have never read this book so I am not sure this notion is entirely founded, but I don't believe it was translated well to the screen. It certainly encompasses a compelling situation, where the mob mentality results in the execution of three innocent men and the repercussions of such actions. However the film was almost entirely horse riding scenes with blatant moral debates which do grow tiresome. In addition, they market Henry Fonda as the protagonist and his character has no real purpose in the entire film, and his love plot even less so. 

However the film was not without some saving graces. Although I knew going in that the three men were going to be killed I found myself still some how believing that they were going to be saved, the film certainly drew out the suspense. And, I was also amused to see Margaret Hamilton as something beside the Wicked Witch of the West which caused me to sing the Miss Gulch biking song. Similarly, I had not seen Jane Darwell outside Mary Poppins in a while but she certainly wasn't feeding the bird this time.

Overall: It lost to Casablanca (1943) and to me it is almost unfathomable that that film, one of the greatest works of all time, and this one were made in the same year. If you choose to watch it, its only 75 minutes, but you can certainly skip it. 

Zorba the Greek (1964)

Nominee

This film is interesting to me because it does what I usually fault most 60's films for not doing, and fails at what most 60's films usually do best. That is to say, it found it's own visual creative niche, and had a very laudable performance from Anthony Quinn, yet came up short when it came to the plot itself.

I was impressed by the narrative motif of dance that was echoed back in some of the handheld camera motions throughout the film. It was surprising to see the camera sweeping with reckless abandon in some of the sequences and I appreciated it greatly. This sort of self awareness in the shooting was not very common in the time. 

In addition, I found that Anthony Quinn's performance as the vivacious and spirited Zorba was one that truly stood the test of time. He found a nuanced realness to this caricature of a person, and seemed to celebrate his flaws as what makes him accessible to an audience. 

My two qualms? The plot line was this sort of  muddled love story/failed entrepreneur pursuit. It never really found its footing in either, and perhaps only found a glimmer of success at the end when both stories end in failure. The other thing the film focused on is the relationship of Zorba and Basil, an English writer who is trying to revitalize his career. Yet while Zorba is extremely compelling, Basil is completely helpless and incompetent making his character completely foreign to me, and just not worthwhile.

Lastly, although the story itself was flawed, the screenplay had some true depth to it and set up some very human moments. And who doesn't love Greek Music? I mean really. 

Overall: Have you ever seen a more splendiferous film? Well maybe yes. But the risk taking the cinematography took and Anthony Quinn's performance make the film worth the watch. And it will certainly make you want to dance no matter how you feel. Opa! And Happy Watching! 

Becket (1964)

Nominee

Well we have another 60's costume drama. And it certainly has costumes and drama. As this screenplay is bellowed by Peter O' Toole we are taken back to the time of King Henry the II where his tumultuous homoerotic friendship with one Thomas Becket unfolds. 

The beginning is full of what I would call medieval "bro" banter, it is full of fast paced witty dialogue; which I must say is on the whole enjoyable. The film then turns from establishing this ill-fated friendship to problematizing it. And as soon as it takes this turn the film is suddenly riddled with repetitive conversations, and one existential crisis after another. Peter O'Toole will continue to bellow but now the only phrases are "I LOVE BECKET!", and "I NEED TO LEARN TO BE ALONE!!!". Where as Richard Burton is busy spiking candles to the ground to excommunicate sinful lords in his new found position of archbishop of Canterbury. 

The shooting is straight forward, although occasionally going in for the emotional close-up, but these shots feel awkward amongst the rest of the film. And although I love watching Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole this is not necessarily their best.

Overall: It is an average film, and very much a product of its time period. Some of the early dialogue is fun, but it fizzles out at the end. It's okay to skip this one.