166 of 1001 Movies: The Burmese Harp (1956)

The Burmese Harp is more of an impressive film than I expected. It resonates with you after watching and is difficult to forget.  It creates characters that are some of the rarer ones in movies, and that is the ones that drive the plot and are the core of the story instead of the action. If you're looking for a movie showing the action of World War 2 then this isn't it. It is more so showing Japan's various recovery for the soldiers after finding out they had surrendered during World War 2.

Summary: After Captain Inouye has found out that the war has ended  in World War 2 he surrenders himself and the troops to not risk their lives continuing to fight for a cause that is shut down. There are other Japanese units though that do not know the war has ended, so the British troops allow for one Japanese soldier to leave and communicate to them that it has stopped. Mizumshima takes on the task not knowing the other unit will have different feelings and not surrender. After witnessing their deaths he leaves and begins the lifestyle of a Buddhist Monk, and leaving his fellow Japanese soldiers who have surrendered to wonder if he is still alive.

123 of 1001 Movies: Bob Le Flambeur (1956)

Bob Le Flambeur is so beautifully filmed, and the setting of France makes it that much more interesting. On top of that you have the casino lifestyle it's based in, and a lot of dramatic scenes all led by a very charming character. It grabbed me for reasons beyond comprehension. Jean Pierre Melville has a way with directing that builds upon the character, and even the surrounding ones. While the transitions are a little rough and the story a little stretched it's got a good little twist in it.

Bob is a gambler who is running out of money, and he is also running with other people that are in need of money. He seems to view Paolo as a son, and he has taken on a girlfriend, but since he doesn't have money he is struggling to keep her attention. Bob hatches a plan along with other men to bring into the casino and steal the money they keep in the safe. Things go awry when word gets out about their plan though.

101 of 1001 Movies: Bigger Than Life (1956)

The 50s has darker movies, but let's be honest that isn't what the 50s are known for. We think of Leave it to Beaver families where the dad is the breadwinner, and the mother stays home as the housewife to raise the perfect child that is male. Bigger Than Life has that exact stereotype, but instead of playing into it it showcases a dad stressed out about the pressures of being the man who wants to be the sole provider, the woman who is concerned about letting her husband be the head of household as he descends into madness, and a son who is less than stellar at his work.

Ed Avery begins having odd symptoms that hint something is seriously wrong with his health. His wife convinces him to see a doctor, and he is prescribed a new pill to help him stay alive. Things begin to get strange and even dangerous for his family though when the pill begins changing his personality. Beginning with him quitting his extra job, and spending frivolously the things he does become crazier especially as his belief that his son will grow up to be a failure spirals out of control.