Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Featuring: Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives. Director: Richard Brooks.

Warning: This movie is only supposed to be available for streaming until Jan. 1st. Act fast!

With Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor joining forces I think Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, hands down, wins the award for prettiest eyes in a movie. Taylor is smoking hot as the neglected wife who is completely desperate to get her husband into bed and Newman plays opposite her as a stubborn drunk who has given up on life. Somehow, I think only Paul Newman could play that role sexy. And yes, I am feeling very secure in my masculinity as I write this review.

Despite the bad southern accents (as twitterer @Tny8 pointed out, because being a Chicagoan I can't tell a bad one from an authentic one), I found myself getting all wrapped up in the drama of this movie. When I wasn't busy thinking about how bad I wanted Liz (yes, we're on a first name basis), I found myself relating to the troubles of Newman's character. I understand high expectations, and I understand not living up to them. Particularly now that my 30th birthday is just around the corner (same age as Newman's character). That sort of pressure can be hard to escape, it can be hard to find yourself, and I suppose it could make you even do something as insane as neglect a woman as foxey as Liz Taylor in her prime.

That sort of depression can only come from complexity. The complexity in this movie, and Newman's character, is born from his insanely dysfunctional family, the suicide of a best friend, and the pain and suffering young love can bring about. Over the course of the 24 hours portrayed in this movie Newman is able to work through his issues with his father (interesting performance from Burl Ives) and his wife. Were the answers satisfactory? I won't spoil that, but I will say that in life, they rarely are.

Click here to add this to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 1/1/12. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor. Do I really need any other reason?

Is it artsy? No, but it is based on a Tennessee Williams play and my understanding is he was a bit of an artist with that sort of thing..

What stood out the most to you? Paul Newman gave a great performance, Taylor was f***** hot.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for conflict and sizzle.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars.  
 

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Slap Shot (1977)

Featuring: Paul Newman, Michael Ontkean. Director: George Roy Hill.

Warning: This movie will only stream until April 30th so act fast!

There aren't many great actors that can do both comedies and dramas. Comedic and dramatic timing just seem to be on different wavelengths. Paul Newman, however, can pull it off. He's always had a sort of mischievous look to him and provided a sense of humor to most of the roles he's played. Plus, it's friggin Paul Newman, he can do whatever he wants.

Slap Shot is a raunchy sports comedy about an awful minor league hockey team that is going to fold unless they turn their season around. Really cliched, right? Yea, it's your average underdog sports movie plot, except that they don't start winning because of hard work and stick-to-it-iveness. They start winning because they decide to just start beating the crap out of the other team.

If you're looking for a foul-mouthed sports movie filled with guy humor this is your best bet. This movie wrote the blueprint for movies like Major League and holds up really well. This is still a very funny movie, the only thing dated is all the polyester.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue. 

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 4/30/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Paul Newman.

Is it artsy? Not in the least.

What stood out the most to you? The Hansons. No, not the band.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for crude humor that is very well done.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is the story of the famous wild west bank robbers of the same name. It stars legendary actors Paul Newman and Robert Redford who have a silly romp through the old west and Bolivia. Newman in particular is awesome as always and you can tell he had a really good time making this film. Redford seemed a little stiff to me and he didn't really have the comedic timing Newman did. Of course, that could be because the writers gave him some pretty corny jokes.

This is a hard movie to categorize. It isn't really a western, it isn't really a drama and it really isn't a comedy but somehow it is all three of those things. It worked sometimes but at others I thought to myself, what the hell is the director thinking with this movie? Apparently the score won an Oscar but in my opinion it is one of the most bizarre scores for a movie I've ever heard (and not in a good way). Overall, I think the movie felt pretty dated and a little bit confused but it is worth watching because anything starring Paul Newman is.

Click here to add this movie to your queue.

Movie will stop streaming on Netflix 2/11/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Paul Newman is one of those actors I'll watch in anything.

Is it artsy? No, but I think the director might have tried to make the score seem artsy. It wasn't.

Best thing about the movie? The weird ass bicycle riding scene, didn't get that at all.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Looking for a good silly time.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 
 

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