Singin' In the Rain

Singin' In the Rain is one I hate to even give my thoughts on because I wish I could have all the fun everyone else seems to have when watching this film. It just does not work for me, and I find the whole flamboyant tone, only amplified by having Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly as the leads, quite tiresome. I even commit cinematic blasphemy by not finding Jean Hagen's loud mouthed performance very funny. This is a film you probably need to love really to like, and I don't love it though I wish I did.
2.5/5

THX 1138

THX 1138 is definitely worth seeing just as an example of George Lucas throwing out a unique world of science fiction for all to see. Unlike Star Wars this is of the 1984 variety in terms of futuristic setting. He has some interesting ideas and there are individually great moments. The film ends up feeling just like a series of scenes that are held together by plot that always seems to have a lack of urgency to it. As with other science fiction films it excessively sits upon imagery to ensure that the audience sees it. The problem is though you're wowed by it for the first thirty seconds but then it just continues. It definitely presents something intriguing in terms of its set up, but it does very little with it in terms of providing an engaging story, or at least compelling characters.
3.5/5

Klute

Klute has two things in its favor Gordon Willis's great cinematography and Alan J. Pakula's atmospheric direction. The problem with the film is its noir plot line never becomes terribly interesting, and when the killer was revealed you kind of forget that there was even suppose to be a killer. It tries for more with its central character but there is only so much you can do with an absolutely wooden Donald Sutherland, who I usually rather like. There is something there with Fonda's character and the examination of her life as a prostitute but even that is largely ignored in order to focus on that plot which is frankly a bore.
2.5/5

McCabe & Mrs Miller

McCabe & Mrs Miller is a rather fascinating experiment of sorts by Robert Altman, as he does his usual large cast of colorful characters whose stories intertwine in one way or another, yet here there technically is a more direct moving plot involving McCabe trying to keep his property despite threats from a powerful mining company. It needs to be said that it's a downright beautiful film as the production design and cinematography are both outstanding. As one would expect from Altman it certainly gives its time to the characters and actually makes the plot developments surprisingly emotional particularly in the film's last act when things turn violent. It's one of Altman's best, perhaps his best, and also features some of the best work by Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.
5/5

Splendor in the Grass

Splendor in the Grass, despite its name, is not really about the scandalous relationship between two teenagers. It focuses much more on the reaction towards just a general romance between two young people who are not expected to be together. The most "scandalous" elements really only result from Natalie Wood's being driven slightly mad from being expected to be a proper lady despite its desires. The film works less as a romance, its not one really, and far more of the way something seemingly normal can be blown out of proportion to the point that it grips an entire community. It's an interesting and engaging examination of that. I won't say it ever becomes anything too notable, except really Beatty's and Wood's final scene which is rather memorable. 
4/5

Babel

Babel is basically a film of telling four separate manipulative stories. Now all films technically are manipulative, or at least try to be, however this film seems particularly obvious in intentions with every story focusing on extreme emotions. The only thing that can really save it are some performances to provide at least a bit of nuance making their characters into people rather than just puppets to be wrong through a wringer. Well they don't all pull it off, some do very well, but that even can go only so far, and the film's whole attempt in finding some sort of understanding of a troubled connected world feels wholly inadequate and simplistic. It's not a terrible film, but it's not a very good one. Also it won best score for a song from the Last Emperor since that's the only part of the score that stands out.
2.5/5

The Lady Eve

The Lady Eve is for the most part an enjoyable screwball comedy, in that all the comedic scenes basically work more or less. I'll admit the conceit of the film does annoy me, as the Lady Eve fools everyone except the best character in the film played by William Demarest. Barbara Stanwyck does not really pull off the illusion though to be fair to the film, it point that out. I don't know it just does not all come together. It's funny though and sometimes that's more than enough.
4/5