Top 10 Easter Movies About Christ

Sunday is Palm Sunday and starts Holy Week. It’s a good time to pull out your Easter movies.

10. Demetrius and the Gladiators

1954 Director: Delmer Daves Starring Victor Mature and Susan Hayward Cheesy sequel to “The Robe” but fun to watch.

9. King of Kings

1961 Director: Nicholas Ray Starring Jeffrey Hunter If you can get past Jeffrey Hunter’s blue eyes and blond hair, it’s a good movie.

8. The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John

2003 Director Phillip Saville Starring Christopher Plummer and Henry Ian Cusick It follows the words in the Bible. Good, but not as good as Matthew.

7. The Greatest Story Ever Told

1965 Director: George Stevens Starring Max Von Sydow Great movie about Christ’s life.

6. Jesus of Nazareth

1977 Director: Franco Zeffirelli Starring Robert Powell Miniseries on the life of Jesus.

5. The Robe

1953 Director: Henry Koster Starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons This movie takes some liberties with the story, but it’s a great movie to watch and doesn’t change the essence. It’s also a touching love story. The line I remember most was when Richard Burton with his wide eyes glaring said. “Were you there?” It gave me the creeps.

4. Ben Hur

1959 Director: William Wyler Starring Charlton Heston Also one of my favorites. Who can forget Charlton Heston in the chariot race?

3. The Visual Bible: The Gospel of Matthew

1993 Director: Regardt Von Den Bergh Starring Richard Kiley, Bruce Marchiano, and Gerrit Schoonhoven This is my all time favorite portrayal of Jesus.

2. Son of God

2014 Director: Christopher Spencer Starring Dioga Morgada, Amber Rose Ravah, Sebastian Knapp Read my review of this movie at this link.

1. The Passion of the Christ

2004 Director: Mel Gibson Starring James Caviezel When I watch this movie, I feel like I’m watching the real event. It chokes me up every time.

Top 10 Cary Grant Movies

Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors of all times. Here’s my top 10 Cary Grant Movies.

10. Penny Serenade

Director: George Stevens

Year: 1941

Grant plays Roger Adams

Also starring Irene Dunne

This is an early Cary Grant movie that many don’t know about. It’s a touching story. But be warned. You’ll need plenty of tissues. It’s a real tear jerker.

9. North By Northwest

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1959

Bogart plays Roger O’Thornhill

Also starring Eva Marie Saint

Not my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie, but still well worth seeing.

8. To Catch a Thief

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1955

Grant plays John Robie

Also starring Grace Kelly

You can’t go wrong when you put Alfred Hitchcock, Grace Kelly, and Cary Grant together.

7. That Touch of Mink

Director: Delbert Mann

Year: 1962

Grant plays Phillip Shayne

Also starring Doris Day

This classic Doris Day movie is even better because Cary Grant is in it.

6. Indiscreet

Director: Stanley Donen

Year: 1958

Grant plays Phillip Adams

Also starring Ingrid Bergman

Sparks fly when a man pretends to be married so his girlfriend won’t expect him to marry her.

5. I Was a Male War Bride

Director: Howard Hawks

Year: 1949

Grant plays Henri Rochard

Also starring Ann Sheridan

The funniest Cary Grant movie ever made.

4. People Will Talk

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Year: 1951

Grant plays Dr. Noah Praetorius

Also starring Jeanne Crain

Grant plays a professor who often does the unexpected especially when he marries a college student who is pregnant by her boyfriend who died in combat. This movie is funny and touching but also shows the hypocrisy in some societal conventions.

3. Notorious

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1946

Grant plays T.R. Devlin

Also starring Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains

Another Alfred Hitchcock thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

2. Suspicion

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1941

Grant plays Johnnie

Also starring Joan Fontaine and Nigel Bruce

This is Cary Grant’s first Alfred Hitchcock movie, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire movie.

1. An Affair To Remember

Director: Leo McCarey

Year: 1957

Grant plays Nicky Ferrante

Also starring Deborah Kerr

This is the best movie Cary Grant ever made. The way Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr played off each other was brilliant. There were two other versions of this story made with other actors, but they aren’t even in the ballpark with this one. It’s one of my top three romance movies as well.

There are many more Cary Grant movies I love that didn’t make the list. What is your favorite Cary Grant movie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Classic Movie Musicals

Today I’m listing my top 10 Classic Movie Musicals in order. This is a hard one. I love every one of these, and there’s some of my favorites that didn’t make the list. But since I limited myself to ten, here they are.

10. Mary Poppins

Director: Robert Stevenson, Produced by Walt Disney

Music by Richard and Robert Sherman

Year: 1964

Favorite Song: A Spoon Full of Sugar

Stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke

The second best children’s movie ever

9. Shall We Dance

Director: Mark Sandrich

Music by George and Ira Gershwin

Year: 1937

Favorite Song: They Can’t Take That Away From Me

Stars Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

This is the best Fred Astaire movie of them all, and it doesn’t hurt that Ginger Rogers is in it too. Besides the fabulous dancing and great music, it’s a very funny movie.

8. My Fair Lady

Director: George Cukor

Music by Loewe and Lerner

Year: 1964

Favorite Song: I Could Have Danced All Night

Stars Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison

A musical based on Pygmalion.

7. South Pacific

Director: Joshua Logan

Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Year: 1958

Favorite Song: Tie between Some Enchanted Evening and I’m In Love With a Wonderful Guy

Stars Rosanno Brazzi, Mitzi Gainer

This movie confronted prejudice when it wasn’t politically correct to do so. When it came out, it was banned in many movie theaters in the South.

6. The Wizard of OZ

Director: Victor Fleming

Music by Arlan and Harburg

Year: 1939

Favorite Song: Over the Rainbow

Stars Judy Garland

Greatest children’s movie ever made.

5. The King and I

Director: Walter Lang

Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Year: 1956

Favorite Song: Shall We Dance

Stars Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr

Deserves to be a classic.

4. Gigi

Director: Vincent Minnelli

Music by Frederick Loewe

Year: 1958

Favorite Song: I Remember It Well

Stars Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold

A wonderful love story with terrific music.

3. The Music Man

Director: Morgan DeCosta

Music by Meredith Wilson

Year: 1962

Favorite Song: Tie between 76 Trumbones and Til There Was You

Stars Robert Preston and Shirley Jones with a very young Ronnie Howard

Great story with love, redemption, and Americana.

2. West Side Story

Director: Jerome Robbins & Robert Wise

Music by Bernstein and Sondheim

Year: 1961

Favorite Song: Tie between Somewhere, Tonight, and I Feel Pretty

Stars Natalie Wood and Richard Beemer

Romeo and Juliet love story set in the gangs of New York City.

1. The Sound of Music

Director: Robert Wise

Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Year: 1965

Favorite Song: The Sound of Music

Stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer

This is not only my favorite musical, it is my favorite movie of all time.

So what’s your favorite movie musical?

10 Top Jimmy Stewart Movies

Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite classic movie actors. Every one of these Jimmy Stewart movies is one of my favorite all time movies.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Director: Frank Capra

Year: 1938

Stewart plays Jefferson Smith

Also stars Jean Arthur and Claude Rains

This is my favorite Jimmy Stewart movie where Stewart plays a David who goes up against the Goliath of corrupt politics in Washington D.C.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Director: Frank Capra

Year: 1946

Stewart plays George Baily

Also stars Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore

This isn’t just a Christmas favorite. In this movie, Stewart shows that we have a great influence on others without knowing it.

Rope

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1948

Stewart plays Rupert Cadell

Also stars Brandon Shaw and Phillip Morgan

This is my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie and the first Hitchcock movie that stars Jimmy Stewart. It is a chilling reminder of the philosophy that allowed Hitler to rise to power.

The Man Who Knew Too Much

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1956

Stewart plays Dr. Benjamin McKenna

Also stars Doris Day

This is my next to favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie. Stewart has the choice of saving his son by allowing another man to die or saving the man and risking his son’s life. Every time I watch this movie, I still am on the edge of my seat.

Rear Window

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1954

Stewart plays LB Jeffries

Also stars Grace Kelly

Another Alfred Hitchcock favorite that explores the question of what would you do if you witnessed a murder outside your window and nobody believed you.

Harvey

Director: Henry Koster

Year: 1950

Stewart plays Elwood P. Dodd

Also stars Josephine Hull

I love this movie about a giant invisible rabbit.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence

Director: John Ford

Year: 1962

Stewart plays Ransom Stoddard

Also stars John Wayne, Vera Mills, and Lee Marvin

This is one of the best westerns ever made and the best western Jimmy Stewart was in.

Vertigo

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1958

Stewart plays John “Scottie” Ferguson

Also stars Kim Novack

I love Alfred Hitchcock movies, and when Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart get together, it’s always good. This isn’t my favorite because, at times, the pace is too slow, but it’s a good one.

Shenandoah

Director: Andrew V. McLaglen

Year: 1965

Stewart plays Charlie Anderson

Also stars Doug McClure

A great western. When Charlie Anderson tries to keep his family out of the Civil War, it comes to him.

Take Her, She’s Mine

Director: Henry Koster

Year: 1963

Stewart plays Frank Michaelson

Also stars Sandra Dee, Audrey Meadows

Jimmy Stewart is hilarious as a father raising a teenage daughter who is in over his head.

Top 10 Patriotic Movies

1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Released 1939

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Jimmy Stewart is the underdog fighting corruption in Washington D.C.

2. Independence Day

Released 1996

Directed by Roland Emmerich

Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell

What’s not to love about this film? Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum have the funniest lines, and Bill Pullman is the president who fights for not just the US but for the world. In this movies, the United States saves the day.

3. Air Force One

Released 1997

Directed by Wolfgang Peterson

Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close

The president of the United States will not negotiate with terrorists, and in this movie, he takes them down.

4. 1776 The Musical

Released 1972

Directed by Peter H. Hunt

Starring: William Daniels, Howard da Silva, Ken Howard

Great musical comedy about the founding fathers of America. William Daniels plays John Adams who is so passionate about independence, he ends up being a jerk.

5. State of the Union

Released 1948

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Van Johnson

Another movie taking on corruption in Washington D.C. What’s not to love about Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn?

6. Apollo 13

Released 1995

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon

This is the true story of the Apollo 13 space mission where 3 astronauts almost didn’t make it home. This shows the true heroism and enterprise of Americans.

7. National Treasure

Released 2004

Directed by John Turtelbaub

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight

A wonderful movie laced with historical trivia that makes the point that sometimes you have to do what others consider wrong to do what’s right.

8. National Treasure: The Book of Secret

Released 2007

Directed by John Turtelbaub

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight

This sequel is as good as the original.

9. The Patriot

Released 2000

Directed by Roland Emmerich

Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger

This movie gives us a taste of what people endured to fight for the independence of the United States of America.

10. Sergeant York

Released 1941

Directed by Howard Hawks

Starring: Gary Cooper

This is a true story about the reluctant hero of World War 1 and the part his faith played in his heroism. 

Top 10 Humphrey Bogart Movies

Here’s my top 10 favorite classic movies starring one of my favorite actors, Humphrey Bogart. Some of the results may surprise you.

1. To Have and Have Not

Director: Howard Hawks

Year: 1944

Bogart plays Harry “Steve” Morgan

Also starring Walter Brenan and Lauren Bacall

My all time favorite Humphrey Bogart movie and the first movie he made with his future wife. You can see the sparks between them jump off the screen especially when she tells him how to whistle.

2. Casablanca

Director: Michael Curtiz

Year: 1942

Bogart plays Rick Blain

Also starring Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains

This is most people’s favorite Humphrey Bogart movie, and it’s my second favorite, but nothing beats the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall. Still this is one of my all time favorites and one of the most quoted movies of all time.

3. African Queen

Director: John Huston

Year: 1951

Bogart plays Charlie Allnut

Also starring Katherine Hepburn

John Huston direction and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn? How can it not be good?

4. Key Largo

Director: John Huston

Year: 1948

Bogart plays Frank McCloud

Also starring Lauren Becall, Edward G. Robinson, and Lionel Barrymore

Another great John Huston movie with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. This is the last movie Bogart and Bacall made together.

5. Sabrina

Director: Billy Wilder

Year: 1955

Bogart plays Linus Larimore

Also starring Audrey Hepburn and William Holden

A great romantic story about a girl who believes she loves one man when she really loves another.

6. The Left Hand of God

Director: Edward Dmytryk

Year: 1955

Bogart plays Jim Carmody

Also starring Gene Tierney

A movie based on the novel by William Barrett. This movie isn’t that well known, but it’s one of my favorites about a priest who finds redemption in China.

7. The Maltese Falcon

Director: John Huston

Year: 1941

Bogart plays Sam Spade

Also starring Mary Astor

This is the original Sam Spade private eye movie that all the others copy. The beginning of a movie genre and a great flick.

8. Dark Passage

Director: Delmar Daves

Year: 1947

Bogart plays Vincent Parrey

Also starring Lauren Bacall

A man is convicted of the murder of his wife. He didn’t do it and on the way to prison to be executed, he escapes. This is the original Fugitive movie, only Bogart is lucky enough to have Lauren Bacall help him solve the mystery of who killed his wife.

9. Across the Pacific

Director: John Huston

Year: 1942

Bogart plays Rick Leland

Also starring Mary Astor

This movie was made during World War 2. Rick Leland is court martialed and hints that he’s for hire to the highest bidder.

10. High Sierra

Director: Raoul Walsh

Year: 1941

Bogart plays Roy Earle

Also starring Ida Lupino

This movie is when Humphrey Bogart became a star and started the genre of the bad guy as the sympathetic main character.

The Devil Movie Review

The Devil

A group of people are trapped in an elevator and the Devil is mysteriously amongst them.

Director:  John Erick Dowdle

Writers:  Brian Nelson (screenplay), M. Night Shyamalan (story)

Stars:  Chris Messina, Caroline Dhavernas, and Bokeem Woodbine

My Review:  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

THE DEVIL, a M. Knight Shyamalon movie, is a sleeper that didn’t get that many great reviews at the box office. You might remember Shyamalon movies of the past like SIGNS, SIXTH SENSE, and THE VILLAGE. The movies he’s made over the last six years have not done well. This movie doesn’t have any big stars in it. The actors are all unknown.

So considering all that, why would I rate this horror flick so high? It’s because this movie surprised me. It had a Christian worldview of the devil that was more accurate than some of the Christian movies I’ve watched. There is so much to like about this movie.

First, the symbolism is great. A suicide gives enterance to the devil to come and torment a group of people bound for Hell before he kills them. The suicide victim falls on a “Bethel Bakery” truck. The building is located at 333 Locust. Then there’s the cop whose family was killed by a hit and run driver on Bethlehem Road. I’m sure I missed some of the symbolism. There’s a lot of it there. But I plan to watch it again, and I’ll keep my eyes open to it.

Next, there’s a lot of doctrinal truth in this movie. The movie begins with the Bible verse 1 Peter 5:8. The last line in the movie is brilliant. “If the devil exists, than so does God.” I also love that the way the devil gains access to a person is because that person decieves himself about how bad his sin really is. There’s no man is basically good garbage in this movie. While I don’t want to give it away, there is also a thread of redemption running through this movie.

I also loved that the movie was able to surprise me. It shouldn’t have. When it happened, I had a moment of “Of course”. But I got so involved in the movie, I didn’t see it coming. That doesn’t happen often, but M. Knight movies seem to be able to do that to me.

This movie is great for adults who don’t mind some violence and a little language (a couple of S words), but I wouldn’t recommend it for children or young teens.