52. GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014)
As much as I normally love Wes Anderson films, I didn’t really warm up to this one. It’s not that I wasn’t entertained by it, or didn’t enjoy it. Ralph Fiennes was quite brilliant in the lead, but it was as he was performing in an antiseptic void. I wanted to love it, but couldn’t.
Verdict: A rare Anderson disappointment, even though it’s supposed to be his best movie. Not to me it wasn’t. Rushmore rules!
53. SOLARIS (1972)
I’d always heard about this legendary science fiction film, but had never seen it, so I finally decided to take it on. It was as brilliant, profound, ponderous, and pretentious as everyone says. Although the question has to be asked: was that random 5 minute section of driving in Tokyo traffic really necessary in this very Russian space flick? Sure, because that’s the kind of movie this is. Duh.
Verdict: It was quite good in its aggressively art-house way, but I had to break it into 30-minute chunks. Glad I watched it, but I doubt I will again.
54. RED RIVER (1948)
Has there ever been a film whose ending betrayed virtually everything that came before it so utterly? All it takes is the unnecessary presence in the final reel of the smirking, always irritating Joanne Dru to destroy what was shaping up to be a classic, containing arguably Wayne’s best work (in a rare villainous role) and a fine debut performance by Montgomery Clift. Grr.
Verdict: I’ve never been made more angry by a movie.