You Can't Take it With You (1938) - 4 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: Romeo and Juliet, but with out all of the drinking of the poison and the stabbing.

Starring: Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, Edward Arnold, Mischa Auer, Ann Miller, Spring Byington

Best of: This is Jimmy Stewart's breakout role. Damn, he is engaging. Especially compared to the other actors I've been watching, he is just head and shoulders above the rest. He is one of several solid acting performances in the film. This is also the first best picture winner to have black characters that aren't entirely stereotypical which was refreshing (don't worry though...they're still pretty stereotypical).

Worst of: Given how common a story it is (rich boy meets poor girl, etc), the movie took longer than it needed to with the set up and felt a bit too strong a need to hit you over the head with its message.

I would have liked it better if: it were about 20 minutes shorter.

The Life of Emile Zola (1937) - 3 stars

One sentence plot summary: A biopic focusing on french author Emile Zola's literary support of Alfred Dreyfus, who had been falsely imprisoned for treason.

Starring: Paul Muni, Gale Sondergaard, Joseph Schildkraut

Best of: Strong lead acting performance by Paul Muni. Tightly focused screenplay.

Worst of: Entertaining and well executed, but ultimately a bit forgettable.

I would have liked it better if: it left more of an emotional impact on me.

The Great Ziegfield (1936) - 1 Star

One sentence plot summary: A biopic about the life of musical producer Florenz Ziegfield.

Starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Luise Rainer


Best of: The end credits.

Worst of: Dear sweet Lord this is a long movie. I suppose all of the musical sequences were seen as elaborate and impressive in 1936, but now they just come off as overlong distractions from an already meager plot. I never really cared, but I stopped caring even a little bit halfway through the three hour film.

I would have liked it better if: they cut out every single musical feature.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) - 3 Stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: A mutiny, oddly enough, on a ship called the Bounty.

Starring: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone

Best of: Charles Laughton makes a fantasic villain. Slowly building tension. In the most graphic on-screen violence I've seen yet from the early best picture winners, a hand gets stabbed with a knife and it's 100% believable.

Worst of: It's all a bit over the top at times.

I'd have liked it better if: it were longer, oddly. I felt like the final half hour was somewhat rushed and it was the most engaging part of the storyline.