best films: #47: CABARET (1972)

Previously ranked and blogged at #79
There's no denying the musical appeal of Cabaret. It takes an otherwise glum setting (Germany brimming with pre-World War II tension), throws a couple of talented performers in to spice things up (Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli), and tops it all of with Bob Fosse direction and songs by Kander and Ebb. It seems virtually unbeatable (except for it being released in 1972 and all). This one's really about the music, and Minnelli's chops are best served in the numbers "Maybe This Time," "Mein Herr," and the title song "(Life is a) Cabaret." Both winners of the Oscar that year, Grey and Minnelli do all the heavy musical lifting, with the exception of the daunting and harrowing, yet beautifully sung, "Tomorrow Belongs to Me," the stand-out scene in the picture. Despite its setting and surroundings, Cabaret is a feast for the ears and eyes, with quirky makeup and costuming choices and talented vocalists at the helm.

Standout Performance: Minnelli is the one to beat here. It's her iconic performance (though I'm kind of partial to Lucille Austero in Arrested Development, to be honest).