All The King's Men (1949) - 3 stars

One sentence plot summary: Candidate runs for Governor as a man of the people and falls in love with power once he is elected.

Starring: Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Joanne Dru, Mercedes McCambridge

Best of: Strong lead performance by Broderick Crawford. Engaging story.

Worst of: The script leaves me wanting more by the way of political subtleties and supporting character development.

Notable: John Wayne turned down the lead role, insisting that the script "smears the machinery of government for no purpose of humor or enlightenment" and insults "the American way of life."

Hamlet (1948) - 2 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: Everyone in Denmark dies.

Starring: Laurence Olivier, Basil Sydney, Eileen Herlie, Jean Simmons

Best of: The extensive cuts to the play were necessary to make the film a watchable length. Some interesting, if occassionally distracting, camerawork.

Worst of: I've have seen/read this story too many times for it to possibly be fresh. Olivier didn't bring much to it that I hadn't seen before. Also, codpieces.

Notable: This was the third attempt to bring Shakespeare to the silver screen (1937's As You Like It was the first)

Also nominated: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Gentleman's Agreement (1947) - 3 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: A magazine reporter pretends to be Jewish for 8 weeks in order to realize and report on the full impact of anti-sematism.

Starring: Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, John Garfield, Celeste Holm, Anne Revere, June Havoc, Dean Stockwell

Best of: Gregory Peck is superb.

Worst of: While it has an important message for 1947, it seems preachy today. Also, I couldn't help but think of 1986's Soul Man.

I would have liked it better if: I weren't so sick of watching really forced 1930s and 40s romances. I'd like some recognition that it takes more than just "hello" to fall in love.

Also nominated: Miracle on 34th Street

The Best Years of our Lives (1946) - 3 stars

One sentence plot summary: 3 men returning from WWII struggle to assimilate back into American life.

Starring: Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo, Harold Russell

Best of: Quite moving at times and surprisingly modern.

Worst of: Occasionally corny.

Notable: Best Supporting Actor winner Harold Russell was a real vet who had lost both of his hands in the war. Knowing this, it is hard not to find his performance powerful and memorable.

Also nominated: It's a Wonderful Life

The Lost Weekend (1945) - 2 stars

Plot summary: Alcoholic ruins his life and the life of those around him.

Starring: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman

Best of: I suppose its message was particularly needed post WW2. Some interesting camera work.

Worst of: Extraordinarily overdramatic. Resembled an after school special more often than not.

I would have like it better if: I wasn't kind of rooting for the lead character's suicide.

Going My Way (1944) - 2 stars

One Sentence Plot Summary: A singing priest comes to save a struggling parish.

Starring: Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald

Best of: Bing Crosby, Bing Crosby, Bing Crosby.

Worst of: The plot is wandering and nearly absent at times. Largely forgettable.

I would have liked it better if: it were just a Bing Crosby CD.