And then there were none (1945)

Plot: Ten people are invited for a weekend on an island by a Mr U. N. Own, but he isn't on the island. At dinner a record is played, by that all the people are accused of murder, suddenly the first of them is dead, then the next...
Stars: Barry Fitzgerald and Walter Houston.

The important thing in a fun-murder mystery of this kind is that the characters are likable, but shallow and silly enough that you don't feel sorrow if they get bumped off. Barry Fitzgerald, Judith Anderson and Louis Hayward stand out as particularly delightful and aloof from the carnage around them, but everybody contributes nicely in the ensemble. The cast is comprised of actors who normally are supporting performers, and it works for this film because if there was a well known star, that person would be less suspect due to the audiences expectation that person will have more screen time. The film neglects dramatic considerations of the book and plays the story more for laughs. 

Based on the Following Rhyme:


Ten little Indian boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.
Nine little Indian boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.
Eight little Indian boys travelling in Devon;
One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.
Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in half and then there were six.
Six little Indian boys playing with a hive;
A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.
Five little Indian boys going in for law;
One got in Chancery and then there were four.
Four little Indian boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
Three little Indian boys walking in the zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
Two Little Indian boys playing in the sun;
One got all frizzled up and then there was one.
One little Indian boy left all alone;
He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.

Murder on the Orient express (1974)

Director - Stan Lumet
Stars: Ingrid Bergman, Bacall, Widmark, Tony Perkins, Martin Balsom, Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, Albert Finney. Wendy Hiller, Gielgud

Story: When a passenger is murdered, Belgium Detective Poirot must find the Killer using only his wits. Based on the 1934 Agatha Christie Novel.

Even with low expectations this was a disappointment. The movie took too long to get started (the first murder occurs 25 minutes in) and seems a lethargic 2 hours and 8 minutes. The acting was uneven, Bacall was a mediocre, lifeless Mrs. Hubbard (Hepburn, Davis, or Page would've done wonders with the role), Balsam sports an absurd French accent (Balsam was always unbelievable as a non-American, cf: Hombre), and Perkins was very bland. As usual, the ensemble's British and foreign actors outclass the hapless Americans, the only exception being Widmark. Since there's no real suspense or sense of danger the dialogue and direction needed more zest. Bergman is good, but her Oscar win is inexplicable. The endless shots of the train were very dull.

Summary: A flabby, mediocre adaptation of a very enjoyable whodunit. I say with sadness, read the book instead. **1/2

The Furies (1950)

211. The Furies (1950)
Mann directs Stanwyck and Walter Houston in the story of a egoistical Rancher struggling with his fiery, headstrong daughter. They battle throughout over the Dowry, the ranch (The Furies) and Judith Anderson. The B&W cine-photography is excellent, and Mann shows his usual flair in the action scenes. Walter Houston never gave a bad performance and Stanwyck always shines in these kind of roles. But as for the story itself - too much of a melodrama. And the supporting cast except for Judith Anderson is barely adequate. I can understand why this film was overshadowed by "Winchester '73" - Rating **

The Unconquered (1947)

182. The Unconquered (1947) - a surprisingly good movie directed by DeMille starring Goddard and Gary Cooper. Follows Goddard as she goes from London to the American frontier, then Western Pennsylvania. A little long and sluggish at times, but still above average. The critics called it the "Perils of Paulette" since she's threatened with rape, torture, execution, and slavery. The story brings up the forgotten fact that whites were brought to North America as indentured servants (Slaves). Also does a good job on costumes , muskets, etc. from the time period - 1760. Rating **1/2

Cheyenne Autumn

206. Cheyenne Autumn (1964) - Great photography, an all-star cast and some good action scenes can't save this from being one of the dullest Westerns I've ever seen. None of the characters seem real, and having Ricardo Montalban play a Cheyenne didn't help. And what the heck was Wyatt Earp and Jimmy Stewart doing in this movie? Even Ford needed a good story and script. Rating - **

The Way we Were

The Way We Were (1973) Pollack. 118 minutes. Communist Streisand and Bourgeois Redford have a romance during and after WW II. Pros: Streisand is well cast. She plays the obnoxious, mouthy, plain-faced Jewish Stalinist from New York to perfection. Second, Redford is also well-cast as the empty headed, apolitical, passive, pretty boy who falls in love with her. Third, the movie is lushly photographed and Streisand doesn't look awful all the time. And any physical contact between Redford and Streisand is minimized. Cons: Streisand character is charmless and constantly rants and nags. Unbelievable love story, phony looking 1940s sets, no memorable dialogue, weak supporting characters - except for James Woods, pace slow at times.

The movies politics are interesting. The producers were brave to make an outright Stalinist the heroine. But then they fudge the facts and make Streisand a "good" commie. The film only shows her talking about fighting fascism and HUAC and how she's "Late for her Young Communist league meeting". We don't see her talk in Communist jargon, breathe hatred against the bourgeois and Trotsky, attack religion and patriotism, defend Stalin and the 1939 Nazi-Soviet pact, help spies funnel Government secrets to the USSR or campaign to keep the USA out of WW II from Sept 1939-June 1941. So, even though Babs has a picture of Lenin on her wall, she's really just an 'intense' liberal.

The movie's portrait of 1946-1948 Hollywood and HUAC is also interesting. Evidently, Hollywood back then was run by wealthy WASP Ivy-league producers that looked like Patrick O'Neal and Bradford Dillman while left-wing New Yorkers - like Babs - felt out of place. And -per the movie - anti-communist mobs roamed the streets attacking any Hollywood celebrity brave enough to protest HUAC.

Conclusion: Seen with Mrs. RC as a favor - it wasn't as awful as I expected. No doubt its target audience - Communists and Streisand fans - will enjoy it more.Rating **

Torn Curtain & Topaz

Torn Curtain (1966) - Hitchcock. Co-stars Paul Newman and Julie Andrews. 128 minutes. An American scientist-spy (Newman) defects to East Germany to steal a scientific formula. But his fiancee (Andrews) upsets his plans by following him. Pros: The killing in the farmhouse, Gromek, Lila Kedrova. Cons: Sluggish pace, lack of humor and romantic chemistry, mediocre script, Chilly distant acting by Newman and Andrews, too much back projection Summary: Second-rate Hitchcock - the beginning of the end for Hitchcock Rating **

270. Topaz (1969) - Hitchcock. Co-stars Frederick Stafford and Dany Robin 143 minutes. A French intelligence agent becomes embroiled in the Cold War politics first with uncovering the events leading up to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and then back to France to break up an international Russian spy ring.Cossack. Cons: Sluggish pace, mediocre script, no big stars, an abrupt emotionless ending. Incredibly Hitchcock wanted an even worse ending - a duel! Pros: The Russian defector's escape and interrogation, the stealing of the documents (Roscoe Browne), the entire Cuba sequence, Phillipe Noiret (Jarret)Summary: Second-rate Hitchcock but still better than "Torn Curtain" or "Saboteur" Rating **1/2

Gosford Park (2001)

Altman. In 1932 a gathering of Aristocrats at an English Country Estate turns to murder. Scotland Yard investigates and finds everyone had a motive. Actually, the movie is more Galsworthy than Agatha Christie - not really murder mystery more of recreation of 30s English society with a great ensemble cast. The film is well acted - standouts include Helen Miren and Maggie Smith. Further pluses include high production values and some good period music. Negatives: Too many shallow characters with too many subplots, too much time-wasting,chit chat, Its a two hour movie and I counted at least 20 major/minor characters. Summary: Some great acting, great individual scenes and funny one-liners but there's no real story and the characters are underdeveloped and not very likable. In other words, its like many Altman movies. The scriptwriter commentary fleshes out the characters and makes the story more clear - but a move should stand on its own. Rating **1/2

The Fountainhead (1949)

The Fountainhead (1949) Vidor. Gary Cooper and Patrica Neal star in the film version of the Ayn Rand's novel Pros: Cooper and Neal heat up the screen. B&W cine-photography, Lavish production values Cons: Silly Rand story, too many speeches. Cooper and Neal's love affair was quite good and Neal looks fantastic. She also plays her over-the-top character as well as possible. The photography and art direction are also good. The story however is absurd with Cooper as the uncompromising architect who blows up his own building rather than change them. Lots of blather about the 'individual' and the evil villain is a power-hungry architect newspaper critic (!). Summary:Enjoyable only for the Neal - Cooper love affair. Watch the rest of the movie with the sound off Rating **

The Strawberry Blonde (1941)

72. The Strawberry Blonde (1941) Walsh. A 1890s romantic comedy. Cagney plays a struggling dentist who meets Oliva De Havilland while pursing Rita Hayward (the Strawberry Blonde”) Pros: Musical Score, Cagney, De Havilland, acting in general, script, charming characters Cons: Slight story Analysis:. An amiable, low-key, charming period piece that gives De Havilland and Cagney a chance to play two likable and romantic characters. The script contains some funny lines and situations. Jack Carson, Hayworth, and Alan Hale shine as supporting players. Summary: The leads make this slight but charming movie a delight. Rating ***

The Last Metro (1980) - Truffant

Plot In German occupied Paris, a Jewish Theater owner is forced to hide in the theaters basement while his wife (Catherine Denuve) stars in the latest production and tries to find a means of escape.
Pros: Story, acting, direction
Cons: Story could have been more suspenseful.

Analysis: An excellent movie - more about life during the occupation than a melodrama about the horrors of Nazi occupation. Some good acting and memorable characters - especially Gérard Depardieu as the leading man.
Summary: Enjoyable - but could have been great with some sharper writing and more tension. Rating ***

This Gun for Hire & The Glass Key

The Glass Key (1942) Based on the Hammett Novel. Ladd tries to save his Boss (Brian Donleavy) from being framed for murder Pros: William Bendix, Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake Cons: Script, flat direction. Analysis  Ladd is enjoyable as the tough-guy who's one set ahead of everyone else and Lake is sultry and beautiful. And the film really comes alive when Bendix's sadistic henchman character comes onscreen. Bendix's love of violence is so excessive its actually uncomfortable - wonder how it got past the Hayes code. But the story and other characters are un-engaging and like the "Maltese Falcon" - its mostly drama and discussion. Unlike the "Maltese Falcon" the script lacks memorable dialogue. And who cares about a crooked politician anyway? Plays much longer than its 85 minute run-time. Summary: Mediocre although Bendix, Ladd and Lake have their moments. Rating **

This Gun for Hire (1942)  Ladd plays a Hitman who’s been double-crossed and is now out for revenge. Pros: Acting, Lake, some good action scenes Cons: Standard story and shallow characters
Analysis: The movie that made Alan Ladd a star. A standard film-noir but Ladd and Lake make the film interesting by their chemistry and charisma. Except for the evil old coot in a wheelchair, the other actors and the story in general are rather dull. Note: Robert Preston is actually the hero and leading man.. Summary: Good when Ladd is onscreen – otherwise mediocre. Rating **1/2

Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)

Stars Garfield and Turner.

Story: A drifter falls in love with the wife of a roadside diner and murder ensues. Based on the James Cain bestseller.

Pros Lana Turner, some good plot twists, Leon Amers and Hugh Cronyn.

Cons: No chemistry between Turner and Garfield, Characters, bad story structure. slow pace and mediocre direction.

Another classic film noir that fails to live up to the hype. Postman isn't bad - its just OK. First, Garfield is solid but lacks charisma. His part (Frank) cries for a Mitchum or Lancaster – even a young Bill Holden would’ve been better. Garfield seems more like Lana Turner’s brother than her passionate lover. Turner looks fantastic & is the movie’s prime asset. She’s often back-lit, well-dressed, and her acting is more than adequate. While her character isn't smart, you can understand Garfield's falling for her.

The supporting players are mostly forgettable except for the legal beagles - Hugh Cronyn and Leon Ames. Cronyn shines as the conceited, shady defense attorney while Ames is smooth and convincing as the DA. The trial portion has some excellent plot twists. The story structure is a problem. The last third of the movie refuses to end - it just goes on and on. Various episodes (the blackmail fisticuffs, the Death row conversation, Frank’s Affair) seem pointless. The whole post trial portion could have been told in half the time. Finally, the lead characters -Cora and Frank - are rather stupid and pathetic. No doubt realistic, but not very enjoyable. Summary - Not bad - but with significant flaws. See the movie for Lana Turner. Rating **1/2

Force of Evil (1948) - Polansky

Plot John Garfield stars as a Mob Lawyer caught in the middle between his brother (Thomas Gomez) a small-time numbers racketeer, and his Gangster boss.
Pros: The last 15 minutes is excellent – its action packed with a tense and suspenseful Kidnapping and murder. Good NYC location shots & Garfield is solid.
Cons: Too talky, verbose script, no real plot movement, unlikable characters and forgettable supporting actors. Looks Low-budget

The popularity of Force of Evil is puzzling. Except for the last 15 minutes, I found it boring. Its flaws are numerous:

• Thomas Gomez.  First, Garfield as Gomez's brother ?  The two look nothing alike.
• Unlikable Leads. Neither brother is particularly likable or interesting. Why are a mob lawyer and a numbers racketeer the “good guys”? And why are we supposed to care about them? Polansky fails to make it clear. The casting of Tom Gomez compounds the problem since Gomez’s forte was playing slobs and villains. 
• Supporting cast. The Good girl & femme fatale generate no excitement. The rest of the supporting cast are merely adequate. 
• Verbose talky Script.  Until the last 15 minutes, almost every second of  film is filled with forgettable banter & chatter, most of it about a boring plot to bankrupt the small-time racketeers. The story has no real drive or movement. The “good girl” wants to leave the rackets, blah blah. Gomez doesn’t want to join the combination, blah blah. Garfield argues with the Mob boss, blah blah. 

Summary - Except for the last 15 minutes – a bore. Rating **

Alexander Nevsky

Alexander Nevsky (1938) Eisenstein Soviet propaganda movie about the invasion of Russia by the Teutonic Knights in 1242. Aimed clearly at Nazi Germany the movie ends with the defeat of the Knights and the warning that "Those who come to us in peace will be welcome as a guest. But those who come to us sword in hand will die by the sword.!" The analogy with Nazi Germany is made obvious as the Teutonic Knights wear Nazi style helmuts and have banners very similar to Germany's . The film is also Anti-Christian as the evil Knights (who literally throw live babies into the fire and kill small Children) have crosses on their uniforms, are constantly shown praying and attending their tent Church. The catholic priests are numerous, old and ugly. At the end of the battle, the victorious peasants destroy the Church and smile as they cut down priests with axes and swords. Pros: score by Prokofiev, acting by Cherkassov (Nevsky), some well directed battle scenes. Cons: The battle is half the movie, characters are propaganda points not people, not much dialogue and most of its simplistic. Summary: Some interesting and well directed battle scenes but Nevsky is a 1930s Soviet propaganda film short on character and human interest. Film buffs and those interested in 1930s Soviet Union will enjoy it, everyone else will be bored. Rating **

Night of the Hunter (1955)

219. Night of the Hunter (Charles Laughton)

Pros - Robert Mitchum, Lilian Gish, Some interesting scenes, Photography, Shelly Winters dies again.
Cons - Uneven direction, slow pace at times, Shelly Winters talks too much, Awkward mixture of realism, fantasy, horror, and Macabre humor.

Summary - Not really my kind of movie -odd but interesting. Mitchum does an excellent job as a murderous, phony preacher but is even better (and much more chilling) in "Cape Fear". Gish shines as the good woman who provides a refugee for children. Rating - ***

Lolita (1962)

Lolita. (Kubrick) Pros - James Mason, Peter Sellers Cons-Everything else.

Plot and Story Kubrick's "Lolita" is a perfect example of a great novel making a poor movie. What makes "Lolita" a great novel, ( the use of an unreliable narrator, the beauty of the language, Nabakov's puns, jokes and literary allusions, our seeing Lolita as fantasy of Humbert's mind , etc.) can't be translated to the screen. The story - by itself -isn't particularly interesting. And the characters, shown externally & in a straightforward manner, are somewhat unpleasant and boring. Kubrick's adds some "black comedy" but not enough.

Direction: Lolita has few of the dazzling visuals you'd expect from Kubrick. The movie was shot cheaply in England in B&W - with a few 2nd unit shots from the East Coast. A lot of back projection.  The pace is slow and at 152 minutes its way too long. 

Acting Mason is excellent.  But I found Sue Lyons too old. Shelly Winters is Shelly Winters. And we get a LOT of shelly winters. She pretty much dominates the film for about 45 minutes. 

Peter Sellers:  Hit and miss.  Sellers has a ten minute (mostly dull) opening scene and at least 10 more minutes later in the film. While one scene is my favorite, too often Sellers over-acts and his scenes (adlibbed?) go on far too long. 

Best Scene:  Sellers as "Clare Quilty" questions Mason about his relationship with Lyons "“It’s good for us normal guys to get together and talk about normal things.  One normal guy to another". 

Overall: Controversial and "edgy" in 1962, I found the movie tedious. Rating **

The Awful Truth (1937)

11. The Awful Truth (McCarey). Irene Dunne and Grant star in a romantic comedy about a high class NYC couple facing divorce. The script is witty, Grant is in top form and the classy Irene Dunne is the perfect partner. While Grant was the ultimate romantic comedy lead, Dunne never gets the props she deserves. She really could do it all, comedy, drama, and sing. She was five 5 years older than Grant, so while he went on to co-star with Ingrid Bergman and Audrey Hepburn - she went into retirement. As for the supporting cast Mr Smith (Asta) and Ralph Bellamy are very good. Despite its reputation as "wacky" and "screwball" - I found the movie more sophisticated/witty than farcical or zany. However, Dunne's turn as "Lola" Grant's vulgar '"sister" - had both of us rolling with laughter. Another highlight is the surprisingly large amount of well done slapstick. Flaws: The story drags at times - particularly in the middle. The cabin scene takes 5 minutes too long to get the famous cuckoo-clock finish. Rating ***1/2

A Woman is a Woman (1961)

267. A Woman is a Woman (1961) - Godard. 84 Minutes. A comedy-satire staring Anna Karina as a stripper who wants a baby with her unwilling Boyfriend. Its Karina picture all the way, she's in every scene and shown at her most attractive. Shot in five weeks with no script, and it shows. An empty story, no character development and interesting and dull scenes alternate. Summary: Forgettable Godard, Karina makes it bearable. Rating **

Despicable Me (2010)

 Despicable Me (Coffin/Renauld) - Rating ***Animated story, Steven Carell is the lead voice actor, 95 minutes. When a criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds himself profoundly changed by the growing love between them Aimed at small kids, Despicable me is a harmless, funny little movie that entertains and is more or less forgettable. The real stars are the minions, little yellow characters who reminded me of the talking M&Ms and who should have been given more screen time. The story is unoriginal, but has some good jokes, is warm-hearted and well (voice) acted.

Ruby Gentry

295. Ruby Gentry (1952) - Vidor Rating ** Co-stars Charlton Heston, Jennifer Jones, and Karl Malden. B&W 82 minutes. Trashy "Falcon Crest" type story about a beautiful, strong-willed girl from the wrong side of the swamp, who falls for young Heston but marries wealthy Karl Malden. Surprisingly, Heston is good as the romantic lead - no doubt because its Jones (who's very good) does the chasing. Summary: Well directed (except for some bad narration) and well-acted but the low budget, routine script, and soap opera story sink it.

Julius Caesar -1970

291. Julius Caesar (1970) - Burge. Rating **1/2 

Co-stars Charlton Heston, John Gielgud, Jason Robards, Richard Johnson and Robert Vaughn. 119 minutes. Another try at Shakespeare's famous play, This ones more cinematic, lively and action packed than the 1953 version. Highlights include Heston as Anthony and Richard Johnson as Cassius. Also, Gielgud is a vast improvement on Calhern's 1953 Caesar (although the role cries for Oliver). Surprisingly, Vaughn and Diana Riggs are quite good in their small roles. Heston's funeral oration is excellent and quite unlike Brando. Whereas Mankiweitz and Brando solemnly underplay the whole thing to focus attention on the dialogue, Burge makes the oration into an action packed scene with Heston moving and interacting with Crowd, sometimes even yelling his words. But all these good points can't make up for Robard's awful Brutus. Everyone - including Robards - agrees his zombie like performance was terrible, leading me to wonder why he was cast in the first place? Its unfortunate that the director didn't see the disaster coming and have Robards and Richard Johnson switch parts.

South Pacific

38. South Pacific (1958) (Logan) The film version of the famous R&H musical. In general, I prefer energetic musicals like "Top Hat" or "Singing in the Rain" over the operetta R&H shows. But even with my lower expectations this was a major disappointment. Not all bad, it did have some good songs and great location shots (Kauai). But the direction is slack, the dancing seems perfunctory, and story just drones on and on for two and half hours. The cast has a FEW high-spots - Hall is excellent, Brazzi adequate, and Mitzi Gaynor good (Doris Day would have been perfect) but Kerr is a complete zero and nobody else seems believable or compelling. The supporting cast list is full of nobodies. Even Ray Walton is unfunny and far too old. No doubt R&H thought "South Pacific" was a guaranteed box office hit - so why spend money on Stars? Summary: Another Josh Logan disaster. The songs are good and so are the shots of Kauai - otherwise a heavy footed ponderous bore. Rating **

Three Women (1977)

Plot: Story of "Pinky" (Spacek) who moves from Texas to work at a small-town California health resort. She meets, and then becomes roommates with, "Millie" (Duvall) a would-be sophisticate.The film explores their relationship.

Pros: Acting by Shelly Duvall and Sissy Spacek, some interesting scenes.
Cons: 

• One of the ugliest films I've seen (not talking the actresses). The location shots are ugly, the sets are unattractive, the men look like hairy apes, and it has that cheap 1970s TV look. Everyone outside the "Three Women" are unattractive.
• Altman pads the movie to an absurd extent. "Persona" is 85 minutes, Three Women is 124 minutes, yet Persona has more plot/dialogue. We get endless shots of people doing mundane everyday things. Conversations are desultory and banal - humor almost non-existent. 
• The story itself was meaningless and focused on two pathetic people with nothing uplifting/enlightening to say about them.

Summary: Not my kind of movie.  Pretentious, dull, and very, very long. Rating **

The Long Goodbye

The basic plot is from Chandler's novel, but the film is more a parody of Chandler's Private Eye than a faithful retelling. Gould plays Marlowe as a bumbling, stumbling, rip-van-winkle - good as bumbler/cynic, he's less good at cracking-wise or being serious.. The plot is threadbare and confusing, and Altman emphasizes the atmosphere and characters. The supporting characters are a mixed lot. Hayden steals the movie as the suicidal, drunken author - while Van Pallandt is excellent as his wife. Gibson, and Rydell are unconvincing. The cinematography is very good.

Summary: The lackluster story, meandering pace, and Gould's limited acting skills sink a movie with promise. Good scenes alternate with bad. Not recommended for Raymond Chandler fans. Still some memorable scenes: Hayden and Gould talking on the Beach, the opening Cat food scene, and the ending. Rating **1/2

2nd Viewing Post Script:  A re-watch confirms my previous opinion. Gibson, for example, is simply awful as the Doctor.  The man can't act.  As for Rydell, he's borderline adequate, any decent character actor would've had 10 times the impact.  However, my main impression was the sluggish pace. Wow, this thing really drags, and we get far too much "padding".  There too many shots of people walking around, driving, eating, drinking, or engaging in meaningless small talk.   Its really too bad, because there are many good scenes, including:

- The Cat demanding to be Fed
- Driving Terry to Mexico
- The Killing
-Rescuing Hayden from the Sanitarium
- The Dog with Hayden's Kane
-Hayden and Gould talking at the beach

Seven Days in May (1963)

 One of the first Liberal paranoia films about the US Military. A military aide (Douglas) to four-Star General Scott (Lancaster) uncovers a plot by the JCS to overthrow the President (March). Ava Gardner, Edmund O'Brien, and George Macready lend excellent support. Filmed in a subdued, realistic manner, the film tries hard to make an absurd story believable but fails. The idea that the JSC (all appointed or approved by March) would disregard the will of the American people and 2/3 of Senate and overthrow a President is ridiculous. The story itself is primitive - the action and suspense almost non-existent. The narrative loses steam halfway through after Douglas uncovers the plot (the FBI/CIA don't seem to exist). After this, Douglas almost disappears and focus shifts to March and his political maneuvers. The last half is full of stilted speeches, talking heads, and civic discussions.

Pluses: The acting is first rate with Lancaster shining as the cool, arrogant General Scott while March is totally in command as the wise liberal President. John Houseman is the only clinker - he's simply too fat, too English, and too un-military to play a US Admiral.

Summary: Some good acting can't save this gabby talk-fest that's short on suspense and action. Starts out strong but ends up as a long two hours. The movie's serious political points are dated and undermined by the absurd story. Rating **1/2

Last Year at Marienhead

Last Year at Marienbad (1961) (Resnais)  Mr X purses Mrs. A at an old-fashioned luxury resort hotel. An arty arts film, an experimental film that divided the critics. Nominated for an Oscar on one hand, while Kael called it "an aimless disaster." Excellent cinematography and technically well-done, its interesting on an intellectual level. But the pace is too slow - even at 94 minutes - and the music very annoying. Summary: Well acted and photographed but too repetitive and slow. Rating **1/2

No Direction Home (2005)

47. No Direction Home (Scorsese)  Documentary that follows Dylan from his birth in Minnesota to his ascent to pop stardom in 1966. Although I Fast-forwarded through a lot of Dylan's songs I found this documentary fascinating. It seems Dylan started as a folk sing in Greenwich Village, then "betrayed' his left-wing fans by changing to an electric guitar and Rock and Roll. While enjoyable, I would have loved to hear more Johnny Cash, Chester Burnett, Clancy Brothers, and Odetta. Funniest moment - Pete Seeger can't understand a Dylan Rock and Roll song & demands an Ax to cut the cables.Side note: Dylan illustrates a time honored truth. Even the most obnoxious girly-man can be a chick magnet - as long as he sings well. Summary:An interesting and well directed documentary on the young Bob Dylan Rating **1/2

Across the Pacific (1942)

Plot: After his Court-Martial for theft, former Army officer Rick Leland (Bogart) boards a Japanese ship for the Orient in late 1941. Also on board is Japanophile Doctor Lorenz (Greenstreet), his Nisei Sidekick (Victor Sen Yung), and globe-trotter Alberta Marlow (Mary Astor). But is everyone what they pretend to be?
Stars: Bogart, Sidney Greenstreet, Mary Astor, Victor Sen Yung

A follow-up to the popular "Maltese Falcon"; ATP reunites Astor, Greenstreet, and Bogart. Sen Yung stands in for Peter Lorre. All have wonderful chemistry with each other, and Astor shows the her flair for comedy (see also "Palm Beach Story"). Sen Yung is good as the phony "Joe College" Totsuiko . Sadly, the thin standard story keeps it from being anymore than an enjoyable 97 minutes.

The movie seems to have attracted a large number of dubious stories including (i) Astor claiming the production has hurried to completion before the Japanese-American actors were interned (unlikely since all the Asian actors were of Chinese-American) (ii) Houston claiming that - as a prank - he set up an impossible to film ending and then left for the the Army (unlikely given how WB micro-managed film production or (iii) the film was originally about a plot to attack Pearl Harbor (hence the title "Across the Pacific") but had to be changed after December 7th, 1941 (possible).

Best Quote: Leland: "Ah, there's a Canadian for you! Let them take their clothes off, and they're happy."

Summary: An enjoyable Bogie movie with a thin story, wonderful chemistry between the main actors, and some good one-liners.  Not first-tier Bogart, but still good. Rating ***

The Last Detail

89. The Last Detail (1973) Jack Nicholson stars as Petty Officer "Bad-ass" Buddusky detailed along with Petty Officer "Mule" (Otis Young) to take 18 year old Randy Quaid to Naval Prison. Quaid's character is being imprisoned for petty larceny. Partly a Road Picture, partly a buddy picture, but mostly a chance for Jack Nicholson to overact shamelessly and be very entertaining. The story really doesn't amount to much, but its a interesting slice of life, and despite the non-stop profanity the characters are well drawn and interesting. Compared to "Cinderella Liberty" it seems true to life (except for Jack & Young being 10 years too old). Young and Quaid are excellent - one of Jack's best performances. Rating **1/2

Virginia City

213. Virginia City (1940) - Union intelligence officer Flynn fights with Randolph Scott and mustached "Mexican" Humphrey Bogart over a shipment of Virginia City Gold. While Bogie's accent ranges from Manhattan to Mexico City and back again - he's actually quite acceptable. The movie is too long, but still good. Rating - ***

Man of the West (1958)

Man of the West (1958) - Mann. Rating **1/2
Stars: Gary Cooper, Julie London and Lee J. Cobb. 100 minutes.
Plot: A reformed outlaw becomes stranded after an aborted train robbery with two other passengers and is forced to rejoin his old outlaw band.

My 3rd viewing & my opinion is lowered. Good action scenes, Mann was always great at that, but a lot of dislikable, boring characters, not much of a story. No humor and I can't remember one line of dialogue. Lee J. Cobb hams it up and is way too young to be Coopers Uncle (!). Plus, the London strip scene was sleazy and the film lacks the great Western scenery of "The Far Country"and "Bend in the River"

Summary: OK - watchable for the Cooper-Lord Fistfight, the train hold up, and the bank robbery/Town shootout.

Major Dundee (1965)

Peckinpah Extended version.
Stars/Plot: Heston and Richard Harris. star as a Confederate POW and his Union Jailer chasing the Apache in Mexico.

Background: Heston made the movie to fulfill a contractual obligation and had no creative control over the movie except a veto over the director. With a script only 2/3 finished and with a budget of $3 million, Peckinpah was hired. Production difficulties almost got Peckinpah fired but Heston saved him. Peckinpah would later blame the studio for destroying his "masterpiece," but from reading his biography and Heston’s Diary its obvious the film was doomed from the start. After Dundee, Heston would insist on a completed script BEFORE filming. 

Pros - Acting, Direction, First 110 minutes.

Cons – Last one third of the movie. Having set up two great conflicts between the Calvary vs. Apaches and Harris vs. Heston, Peckinpah drops both to concentrate on the tepid Dundee and Sandra Berger romance including a terrible Heston/Berger skinny-dipping scene which ends with Heston's wounding. The movie then becomes even more digressive as it follows Heston into alcoholism and his ultimate recovery and rescue. The film ends with a well-filmed but pointless French vs. Americans battle.

Summary: The first two-thirds is great but the digressive last part makes the film just an above average western. Rating ***

That Hamilton Women (1941)

4. That Hamilton Woman (1941) - Korda. The story of Lord Nelson (Oliver) and his mistress in Naples Lady Hamilton (Vivien Leigh). Oliver and Leigh have great chemistry together (naturally) in this combination romance, period piece, and British propaganda film. Oliver makes an excellent, believable Nelson and Leigh never looked better or more attractive. A little long at 125 minutes (20 minutes could have cut easily) and the sea battles are obviously models but the star power, acting, production values and the story kept me interested. Rating ***

Diamond Head

Diamond Head (1963) 104 Minutes Stars: Charlton Heston, Frances Nguyen and Yvette Mimieux. Plot: A Rich Hawaiian Pineapple Planter (Heston) must deal with his racial prejudice when his sister falls in love with a Native Hawaiian and his Chinese mistress bears his son.

An amazingly bad Pineapple Soap Opera. The actors aren't to blame but the writing and supporting cast are simply awful. James Darren and George Chakiris are supposed to be Hawaiian. Mimieux and Heston are supposed to be brother and sister. And Heston is supposed to be head over heels in love with supposedly "Chinese" France Nguyen. Note: even if she wasn't "Chinese" I found it hard to believe a Hawaiian millionaire who looks like Chuck Heston couldn't do better than France Nguyen. But then maybe Rich millionaire Pineapple growers are easy to please. The scenery was good to look at, but it couldn't overcome the silly "Not with my My Sister you don't" racial subplot and the ham-fisted "Wow, white racism sure is bad" message which the movie constantly pushed.

Summary: Rated only a 5.7 at IMDB - I'd rate the script even lower. And too bad they couldn't have gotten some real Hawaiian actors to play the roles. Heston doesn't say much about the movie in his Biography, but I assume he did it for the money, the Hawaiian shoot, and a chance to make an anti-racist movie. Rating *

Tin Star

Stars: Henry Fonda, Anthony Perkins. 

Plot: A Bounty hunter (Fonda) helps a Small Town Sheriff (Perkins) and a Lonely Widow

Pros: An excellent Liberal "Town Western". Well acted and cast, especially by John McIntyre as the Wise Ol' Doc and Brand/Van Cleef as Villains. All these old pros do a very good job with some familiar material. Mann's greatness at action scenes still amazes me. 

Cons: (1) I don't like "Town Westerns" in general (2) the movie was very low budget (3) the story was VERY familiar and cobbled together from other Westerns. We get all the familiar scenes: the sheriff facing down a lynch mob, the old hand teaching the young guy how to be sheriff, the girlfriend not wanting to be a widow, the little sermons on racial tolerance and respect for the law, the lonely widow meets wandering hero and wants him to settle down, etc. 

And of course, since this is a 50s Western, the town-people (except for our heroes) have to be shown as rather unlikable. Obsessed with money, cowardly, alternately hot-headed or cruelly indifferent, tolerant of bigotry, suspicious and rude toward outsiders, and generally incapable of anything positive without some strong sheriff, mayor, or hero type protecting them and guiding them. However, Tin Star's treatment of the townspeople is fairly subtle compared to some other 50s movies most of which follow the "High Noon" template. 

Summary: An excellent telling of a familiar story.Rating **1/2

Gone with Wind is NOT racist - for the millionth time

So shut already.  It now seems impossible to discuss Gone With the Wind (GWTW) anymore without some ignorant, 21st century SWPL knucklehead trying to drag "racism" into the discussion.  But let’s take their dull, left-wing talking points one by one: 

1) GWTW shows slaves as happy and contented.  -  Actually it doesn't.  When Scarlett returns from Atlanta, she's told all the slaves have run away except for a few old house servants.  And Prissy doesn't seem too happy or concerned with helping the white folks either.  Later, when Ashley complains about white convicts being mistreated at the Sawmill; Scarlett responds “Well, what about the Slaves?”  and then looks skeptical as Ashley states that “at least we didn't beat and starve them”.

2) GWTW shows reconstruction as a bad thing - Not really. It doesn't really address reconstruction.  It shows the 'scalawags' trying to get Tara for back taxes (true enough), but that's about it.  The whole attack on Scarlett and the "cleaning out" of the criminal’s camp by Frank, Rhett, and Ashley is shown as a "law and order" issue. – having nothing to do with postwar Black-White relations   And when Scarlett is attacked, its by a white criminal with "Big Sam" saving her.  Mammy stays on as a domestic servant, but then why wouldn't she?

None of the other Slaves return to Tara.

3) GWTW reinforces the Racist Confederate view of the Civil war. - Not really. GWTW, at bottom, isn't a history lesson or even a movie ABOUT the Civil War or Reconstruction. Those things are just in the background.  We see everything through Scarlett’s eyes and GWTW is about her struggles, triumphs, and heartbreaks and feelings toward Rhett Butler, Ashley and Melanie.

4) GWTW shows the Yankees in a bad light - This is actually correct. Sherman is wrongly blamed for burning Atlanta during its capture (the fire in the movie was actually set off by the Confederate Army blowing up ammunition trains), Union troops vandalize Tara, a Union bummer shows up to rob Scarlett and we’re supposed to cheer when he’s killed, and Union officer (Ward Bond) tries to arrest Rhett and Ashley for "taking the law into their own hands".  There’s not one good Union soldier in the whole movie.