Billy Wilder was a genius. He is a legend. I personally think that the fact that he has practically conquered many a different genres and it is a truly marvelous achievement. I am ranking my favorite ten films of Wilder. If someone is unfamiliar with his line of work, I would highly recommend this master of the film making art. So, forget Michael Bay for a few days and revel in with the genius of a movie maker who knew what real movies are supposed to be like.
10. Irma La Douce
The team from The Apartment comes together for another romantic comedy. Sadly, the result isn't that great but it is still quite good, especially the first 80 minutes or so. The things start to go a little haywire in the third act and the movie is a little rough around the edges, a little too over the top for its own good. That said, Shirley Mclaine is awesome and so is Jack Lemmon, though it appears as if Lemmon is repeating his The Apartment persona.
9. The Front Page
Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathua are a great team together and it is proved here again, in this comedy of words. Newspaper men gather to cover a huge story in the 1930s Chicago. Words are used like swords, and schemes are devised for one purpose or another. It is essentially a remake of His Girl Friday, and doesn't hold a candle against the original but for viewing pleasure of fans of Wilder, Lemmon and Mathua, it is a great watch.
8. Sabrina
William Holden, Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart star in this romantic drama, with almost a cartoonish-fantasy turn of events. But Wilder has enough skill and austerity to make it believable and turn this into a truly delightful movie full of romance. Hepburn shines and so does Bogey. Holden isn't given much to do, but as always he makes his presence felt.
7. Witness for the Prosecution
Based on an Agatha Christie play, this is one hell of a courtroom drama. It is a new territory for Wilder and he plays his cards very carefully. He uses his noir experience in bringing sleazy characters to life. The acting shines in this one, and anyone who is familiar with Miss Christie's work will know that a surprise is coming at the end.
6. Stalag 17
A prison camp movie with a lot of heart. William Holden won his only Oscar for this film and it is just worth the watch for it. The plot is simple: it is World War II and American Soldiers are imprisoned. They try to find hope amongst the war. But there is a mole in the group and all the fingers point towards Holden. There's two men in this camp who know I didn't do it: me and the guy who did do it.
5. The Fortune Cookie
It was the first time pairing up of Mathua and Lemmon and it remains their best. Plot is awesome, characters are awesome, end is awesome and the acting is just brilliant, especially from Mathua. I miss the comedies of those days. That was real comedy, made you laugh. Not the poop jokes we get now.
4. Some Like it Hot
Do I need to say something about this movie? The title is a legend itself. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are impeccable as goofy every day guys stuck in an all girl group, which includes Marilyn Monroe. Nobody's Perfect.
3. Sunset Boulevard
What a movie. Holden again stars in this Noir classic about the fall of silent films and the way Hollywood makes a person sell his soul for money (metaphorically speaking). A must see. It's the pictures that got smaller, not me.
2. Double Indemnity
Famously been dubbed as the pioneer of Film Noir. Stars Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyk. Sparks fly. Murders ensue. The voice over narration has become legendary. This movie has inspired dozens of similarly themed movies: Body Heat, A Perfect Muder, etc.
1. The Apartment
I am not gonna say anything, but just one thing: That's the way it crumbles....cookie-wise.
10. Irma La Douce
The team from The Apartment comes together for another romantic comedy. Sadly, the result isn't that great but it is still quite good, especially the first 80 minutes or so. The things start to go a little haywire in the third act and the movie is a little rough around the edges, a little too over the top for its own good. That said, Shirley Mclaine is awesome and so is Jack Lemmon, though it appears as if Lemmon is repeating his The Apartment persona.
9. The Front Page
Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathua are a great team together and it is proved here again, in this comedy of words. Newspaper men gather to cover a huge story in the 1930s Chicago. Words are used like swords, and schemes are devised for one purpose or another. It is essentially a remake of His Girl Friday, and doesn't hold a candle against the original but for viewing pleasure of fans of Wilder, Lemmon and Mathua, it is a great watch.
8. Sabrina
William Holden, Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart star in this romantic drama, with almost a cartoonish-fantasy turn of events. But Wilder has enough skill and austerity to make it believable and turn this into a truly delightful movie full of romance. Hepburn shines and so does Bogey. Holden isn't given much to do, but as always he makes his presence felt.
7. Witness for the Prosecution
Based on an Agatha Christie play, this is one hell of a courtroom drama. It is a new territory for Wilder and he plays his cards very carefully. He uses his noir experience in bringing sleazy characters to life. The acting shines in this one, and anyone who is familiar with Miss Christie's work will know that a surprise is coming at the end.
6. Stalag 17
A prison camp movie with a lot of heart. William Holden won his only Oscar for this film and it is just worth the watch for it. The plot is simple: it is World War II and American Soldiers are imprisoned. They try to find hope amongst the war. But there is a mole in the group and all the fingers point towards Holden. There's two men in this camp who know I didn't do it: me and the guy who did do it.
5. The Fortune Cookie
It was the first time pairing up of Mathua and Lemmon and it remains their best. Plot is awesome, characters are awesome, end is awesome and the acting is just brilliant, especially from Mathua. I miss the comedies of those days. That was real comedy, made you laugh. Not the poop jokes we get now.
4. Some Like it Hot
Do I need to say something about this movie? The title is a legend itself. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are impeccable as goofy every day guys stuck in an all girl group, which includes Marilyn Monroe. Nobody's Perfect.
3. Sunset Boulevard
What a movie. Holden again stars in this Noir classic about the fall of silent films and the way Hollywood makes a person sell his soul for money (metaphorically speaking). A must see. It's the pictures that got smaller, not me.
2. Double Indemnity
Famously been dubbed as the pioneer of Film Noir. Stars Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyk. Sparks fly. Murders ensue. The voice over narration has become legendary. This movie has inspired dozens of similarly themed movies: Body Heat, A Perfect Muder, etc.
1. The Apartment
I am not gonna say anything, but just one thing: That's the way it crumbles....cookie-wise.
