So instead of doing it the way prescribed, here's what I'm gonna do: I'll post a bunch of my recommendations, and then post my favorite for the month. You know, first the nominations, then the winner. I'll be sure to list them in they order they air.
Word?
Word.

For some reason unbeknownst to me, TCM does an awesome job scheduling good movies in February. As weird as it sounds, February is my favorite month to watch TCM - all winners, all day. And 2011 is no exception. I've seen 70-80% of what they're showing this February, and they're all great. Here are some of my personal favorites.


WORDMAN'S TCM MOVIE OF THE MONTH - The Runners Up

THE THIN MAN (1934) - 1 February 11:15am
Hilarious husband and wife detective team. You wanna talk about great onscreen chemistry? William Powell and Myrna Loy are literally perfect together. The writing is sharp, the pacing fast, the action fun. Spawned three sequels. Oh, and for all you crossword fans: the dog's name is ASTA, it shows up on damn near every crossword puzzle.

Z (1969) - 9 February 11:00am
Perfectly executed political thriller. The prototype for every '70s socio-political flick, but few if any top how well this one is made. Great music too.

ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS (1964) - 10 February 5:00am
My favorite Rat Pack movie, because it includes the incomparable Bing Crosby. You know what you're in for when you watch a Sinatra/Martin/Davis flick, but come on - how can't you love it? They only make the movie so they could hang out, and it's worth every minute.

CAT BALLOU (1965) - 12 February 2:45am
One of the more underrated westerns. Jane Fonda's not as bad in it as you might think, but eff her - watch it to see the incomparable Lee Marvin play two different roles to great effect.

THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940) - 14 February 4:00pm
One of the ten funniest movies ever made. A young Jimmy Stewart is a reporter at Katharine Hepburn's upcoming wedding when her ex-husband Cary Grant shows up. They just don't make movies this perfect anymore - and after watching it, you'll agree. One of the best scripts ever written, wonderfully performed.

AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999) - 18 February 2:15am
The last great movie of the 20th century - arguably one of its best. Every performance in this movie is Oscar worthy. Sam Mendes, in his directing debut, displays the kind of sure-handedness envied by filmmakers with twice his resume. And you probably won't find a better script in the past 10-15 years, and there definitely hasn't been a good script to get better performances.

THE THIRD MAN (1949) - 20 February 3:15pm
My favorite movie of all time. There isn't a post big enough for me to explain all the reasons I love this. Suffice to say, Orson Welles has never been better, Joseph Cotton never more endearing, and the cinematography is THE BEST BLACK & WHITE CINEMATOGRAPHY IN ALL OF CINEMA - I defy you to find better!

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (1935) - 22 February 4:30am
From a film history perspective, this movie was HUGE. Was probably the first Hollywood movie to really display what the medium can do. The visuals are quite sincerely some of the best ever filmed, and you would be suprised to see just how much of the movie holds up and exceeds current standards.

AMADEUS (1984) - 22 February 10:00pm
Those who know me have a pretty good idea on why I like this movie, but that notwithstanding - it's a great movie. One of the very few films worth all the accolades it received and more. You don't have to be fan of classical music to enjoy it. The performances are pitch perfect, and it has to be one of the most gorgeous movies ever shot.

YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER (1942) - 23 February 12:30pm
A fun little musical-comedy, it's one of the very few to feature South American big bands, in this case the legendary Xavier Cugat. Fred Astaire's as charming as ever, and Rita Hayworth - as the title suggests - has never been lovelier. This movie also features what I call "the most important cane toss in film history", see it for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr99S312kD4&feature=related

8 1/2 (1963) - 24 February 6:00am
I'm really hard pressed to explain the genius of this movie, it's one of the few that escape me. I'll say this: like the best films, it finds a way under your skin and stays there. It's a Fellini movie, so explaining its plot is sort of a moot exercise. I really think his work is best seen with as little knowledge as possible. I'll say this: the movie has earned its reputation.

THE MALTESE FALCON (1941) - 26 February 3:30pm
Oh man, what a fun movie! I'd argue it is the quintessential hard-boiled detective film. So many great performances, such great writing. After watching it, you'll know why it's one of the greatest. There's just too many great components to pick just one.


But all that said, Wordman's pick for TCM Movie Of The Month is...



"Your current frequencies of understanding outweigh that which has been given for you to understand." Saul Williams