I Watched An Old Movie – Charade A bit of context before my review, I’m a massive Hitchcock fan and have nearly exhausted his whole filmography. Mainly using Reddit and IMDB, I started looking for films considered “Hitchcockian”.

Charade consistently made the recommendations as “The Hitchcock film Hitchcock never made”. Naturally, I was excited to see this especially as it was made in the 60s when the Master of Suspense himself was still directing, although I know he didn’t have anything to do with this. I did struggle to judge this film on its own merits given its lofty comparisons.

I must say, I was disappointed. Which is a real shame because I wanted to like it as I enjoy the 60s spy/thriller genre.

The plot was convoluted to say the least, to the point where, by the film’s third act the usual tension, was sadly filled with indifference due to the excess of characters and ridiculous plot twists. We’re used to a plot twist from the Hitchcock genre, but they usually don’t affect the cohesion of the film.

The dialogue had plenty of wit within the first half hour, especially between the two main characters, but this soon dissipates as most of the film is the actors explaining the ludicrous twists.

Which brings mean to the leads. It’s always nice to give Cary Grant and he gives as usual a dependable performance, despite the material. I may be predisposed as I do find Audrey Hepburn to be overrated as an actress, her performances are too light and roles which require some eccentricity she comes across as irritating. However, I must disagree with a common criticism with the film. I did think there was chemistry between the two of them and wasn’t really bothered by the age gap.

Finally, the location, you’d think Paris would be an ideal fit with the era and genre of the film. Especially given that Hepburn’s name and image is synonymous with the chic of the French city. Grant’s usual typecasting would make him well placed in this respect. Instead, we see little of the French capital and are left with a grey apartment block, but with none of the intimacy of claustrophobia of say Psycho and are left with a dull soap opera style setting.

Ultimately, as I’ve said in the introduction this film didn’t meet my expectations sadly. I think had the plot been tightened and the film itself trimmed down a bit the film would’ve worked. Leaning more into the location and a fun tone, this would’ve happily sat alongside North by Northwest or To Catch A Thief. Instead of a poor copy, we could’ve ended with a film Hitchcock wished he had made.

Smooching boochie?

This is a well known and popular flick, and Gere and Roberts are often cited in this film, but it has a rich number of smaller performances that really set the tone, style and fun of this movie. Hector Elizondo as the manager of the Beverly Wilshire is a standout, as is Jason Alexander as the slimey lawyer. But many smaller parts really make this film, like Ralph Bellamy as the shipbuilding mogul, Larry Miller as the sycophant store owner ("I like him so much!"), Eleanor Donahue as Bridget, friend of Bernard Thompson from a woman's clothing store, Patrick Richard as the elevator operator Dennis. Hank Azaria has his film debut as a detective.

Trivia: Elizondo got the role after Al Pacino turned it down. As much as I am a fan of Pacino, Elizondo was the better pick.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and wonder why so many people dislike it?

I watched Michael Clayton for the 30th time last night. Most def in my top four films of all time!

One of the best heist films I've ever seen, with an epic cast. This was Stanley Kubrick's third major motion picture, and his first with an all-pro production crew. This isn't your "Ocean's 11 (2001)" bad-guy-as-good-guy kind of movie. The characters are greedy, unscrupulous, violent, nasty people. The caper itself is presented in a non-linear fashion that caught the eye of Quentin Tarantino and heavily influenced "Reservoir Dogs." Very worth the 1:24 it takes to watch it.

This was a film that was recommended to me via some automated suggestion, and I liked it. I've been watching the Thursday and Sunday Night Noir series on Movies! and have really enjoyed those films so I gave this a try too.

The actors did a great job. I feel like the movie was very frustrating and had plot holes that didn't make sense to me. It also featured a protagonist that was not very capable, which seems to be a trend in some movies. Overall, it's like Fargo, but if it was written on a series of napkins and pieced together hurriedly.

Really good cast, not a good movie in my opinion.

At the twilight of the silent picture era and the dawn of the Golden Age of Hollywood, silent film star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is faced with transitioning into making talking pictures. While he and his best friend, studio musician Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor) work to turn their latest picture, The Dueling Cavalier from a silent film into a talking picture, Don pursues a romance with aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). However, complicating both the film and Don and Kathy’s burgeoning relationship is Don’s longtime costar Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), who is jealous of Kathy both because she has captured Don’s affection and because her beautiful voice is far better than Lina’s grating, high pitched screeching and will spell the end of Lina’s career.

Of all of Gene Kelly’s works, and believe me when I say there’s plenty, this is my favorite and also quite possibly his finest. He brings his trademark charm and his quick stepping dance routines to a wonderful film. On top of that, though, is his equally talented supporting cast. Donald O’Connor really gave his all in this film, particularly during the “Make ‘Em Laugh” sequence. O’Connor, who was a habitual smoker, had to be hospitalized for several days following filming the number due to the intense physical exertions he made during the scene. Also of note is Debbie Reynolds, who was not known for her dancing talent. Legend has it that Gene Kelly was rather rude to her for her lack of experience, which upset her. Fortunately, another known dancing talent, Fred Astaire, came to Debbie’s rescue and coached her. She would go on to say that this movie and childbirth were the two hardest things she’d ever done.

Daniels (Pam Grier) a former drug runner, and Karen (Margaret Markov) a revolutionary, escape a woman’s prison camp. With Daniel’s being chased by a drug dealing gangster, Karen by her revolutionary pals, and both of them by the police and criminals in the pay of the police, the two women, chained together, must work together to survive.

The Defiant Ones (‘58) this is not. Instead of issues of race, and uniting together, you have two scantily clad women running around the Philippines in an exploitative flick that is a mish mash of bizarre ideas and performances.

Sid Haig as criminal Ruben, hunting down the women, dressed as a garish cowboy who seems to have been jettisoned in from another film is a particular highlight. Pam Grier, whilst very amateur in this, is still Pam Grier, dominating scenes with her toughness and sex appeal, alongside the statuesque Markov.

The majority of the film is wall to wall breasts, with topless nudity appearing in quick succession, scene to scene. Oh, getting bogged down by clunky dialogue and terrible acting?, here’s some breasts.

The opening sets you up. The director, Eddie Romero, filming a female prison shower scene whilst an aggressive lesbian guard watches secretly. Things don’t get better as women are used throughout as fodder and play things of the male characters. But it’s credit to Grier and Markov who aggressively embrace their characters, fighting and surviving as the men hunt them down.

Unintentional/ intentionally amusing scenes such as the women mugging nuns for their clothes where the nuns are seemingly played by men! Karen placing her underwear around the neck of a small dog to throw off the scent of the larger dogs hunting them, foley sound of people walking outside seemingly recorded inside… I could go on.

Badly acted, directed and very cheaply made with amusing bouts of over the top violence, watch if you want some peak Pam Grier, then fire up Coffy (‘73).

I loved this movie! I have found other reviews out there that describe it as cringe and problematic, and I agree, but still enjoyed it. Even the fake show in it that some people found problematic I think was meant to be a parody.

Michelle Pfeiffer plays a tv writer and single mom that may or may not become the love interest of Paul Rudd, a younger actor. But she's an older woman and he's just a young man!! *gasp* Since this was made after Clueless part of me wonders if the writer, Amy Heckerling, is projecting a little crush maybe she had on Paul Rudd? Or after Clueless I am sure she realized what a loveable actor he is.

Overall it was fun with several cameos, and the weird role Tracy Ullman plays is so random and only something she could do. I think it's worth a watch, at the very least to reminisce about the good ol' early aughts when Paul Rudd and Michelle Pfeiffer were still so young and problematic content abounded.

Notable stuff -

• Baby Saoirse Ronan plays the young precocious daughter. Does a great American accent
• Jon Lovitz plays a silly ex-husband
• Other cameos - Graham Norton, Olivia Colman, Stacey Dash, and more!
• PS yes the classic "I Could Never Be Your Woman" by White Town plays in the movie

"King Kong ain't got nothin' on me!"

Cracking movie.

This week, I made my co-host watch Ridley Scott’s piercing debut about some finely aged beef. Keith Carradine & Harvey Keitel play out a deranged grudge over the course of decades and Ridley does his best Barry Lyndon-impression on a budget.

Obviously, Ridley goes back to re-examine many of the themes here in his later work (Gladiator, The Last Duel, Napoleon) and it would be interesting just to see how one of the most influential directors riffs on his own ideas with a little experience under his belt, but The Duellists absolutely deserves to be seen by a wider audience than just cinephiles and film students. After all, intense action, interesting story structure, & signature cinematography are never out of style.

​

https://preview.redd.it/jmegkbxuq1wc1.jpg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c118a3b0515940d85f3c1649aa72b8fbb92b8c3

Whats to say about this movie. Just great watching. The cast is one of the best casts ive seen. From the creepy serial killer, to the comedic relief from Steve Buscemi and ofcourse the 10/10 Frances McDormand.

The only thing that bugged me was that it is NOT actually based on a true story as the movie makes to claim at the start. I can always go back and watch this movie.

This film is one of all time favourites, something one of my oldest friends opened my eyes to & led me down the road of "alt" films... Clarence and Alabama's romance & plot is a Tarantino gem of writing, there's the perfect amount of space for impeccable dialogue without feeling forced met in equal parts violence and humour. Surely this is Brad Pitt's most revered role? Not to mention the palpable tension between Christopher Walken & Dennis Hopper, as he calmly "debates" the Mafia knowing his fate is sealed. The casting is sublime, it's a true cameo-fest, and in the True Romance universe we would have a 31 year old Elvis. Can it get much better?

Absolutely heartbreaking movie. I wouldn't know what to classify it besides drama but I put it in the "Hood Movies" category up there with Boyz in da Hood and Blood in Blood out. I really like how before the "fight" at the house party you kinda like the main guy. He's a loser but he's also cool and everyone loves him, and then as the movie progresses you realize he's just a complete and total dirt bag. This movie will stick with me for a long time. For some reason I can't get the "what's the time mr wolf" song out of my head. I don't know if it's supposed to be a melancholy song but something about it makes me ache a little. I don't want to spoil the end for anyone who hasn't seen it but UFB! What a slime. 10/10 movie.

After a lightning strike scrambles his circuits, prototype robot Number 5 (voice of Tim Blaney) suddenly finds himself sentient and curious about the world. As he sets off on a journey of discovery, he meets local woman Stephanie (Ally Sheedy) and enlists her help, along with that of his creator Newton (Steve Guttenberg), to stay one step ahead of the robotics company that built him.

This movie holds a ton of special memories for me. Watching Number 5 discover the world is always a magical experience. Ally Sheedy truly shines in this movie as the funny, feisty Stephanie. And,of course, the genius of casting Steve Guttenberg alongside G.W. Bailey. They were great together in Police Academy and they’re great together here. And, while Fisher Stevens in brown face may have aged poorly, he still has a few scene stealing moments as Newton’s partner Ben.

The 27th Day is a thought-provoking small-budget film that deals with big ideas and concepts.

Five different individuals separated by geography, artificial boundaries and a combination of somewhat dissimilar cultures, languages, political and ideological belief systems and values, are about to be forcibly united in a shared purpose by forces beyond their control.

The film refects the fears of the Cold War of its time and holds up a mirror to them for viewers to think about.

It also refects the preoccupation with UFO's in the 50's, and recycles stock footage from Earth vs. The Flying Saucers.

Although made in the 50's, and some of the dialogue and acting is somewhat stilted and awkward it poses ideas worth thinking about today.

Roxanne (1987)

MLZ MAP (Score): 82.01 / Zedd MAP (Score): 75.90 / Score Gap: 6.11

Our Collection

IMDb Summary: The large-nosed C.D. Bales is in love with the beautiful Roxanne; she falls for his personality but another man's looks.

Starring Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah, Shelley Duval, and Rick Rossovich.

C.D. is just one of those really nice guys. Everyone in town knows him. He’s friendly, congenial, and always there to help out a townsperson.

He’s also incredibly lonely. His physical persona does not match who he is inside. I mean, heck, he should be the most handsome man in town with that amazing personality. Unfortunately, his physical stature is just too much to get over for the women he meets.

Around the same time Chris and Roxanne move into town, not together you understand, it’s just a coincidence. Roxanne is a beautiful and intelligent woman who is in town to study what she believes is an undiscovered comet she has found.

Chris is in town to work as a firefighter for C.D., who is the town’s fire Chief. He is dumb as a bag of hammers, but pretty handsome, by the standards of the day, and I guess, to Roxanne.

Roxanne thinks Chris is very much someone he is not. In fact, Roxanne falls for Chris’ body, and C.D.’s mind. We are just the lucky watchers in this comedy of errors, which is based upon Cyrano de Bergerac.

Steve Martin is of course amazing. Daryl Hannah was somewhat of an “it girl” of the time, and fits the part well enough (she’s just never been a favorite of mine, not sure why.) Rick Rossovich plays Chris so well I am not sure he is smart enough to dress himself.

We are blessed with a small part for Shelley Duvall, who plays C.D.’s friend and the local bar owner. Fred Willard has a small part as well, and Zedd mentioned he probably supplied his own wardrobe for the part.

Of course we want it all to work out. We want Roxanne to love C.D., not Chris. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say that attractiveness and love is not always what the “nose knows”, sometimes it is way more than skin deep.

Movie On!

This was one of a group of films that I had purchased for my VUDU/MA collection as part of their rolling 3 films for $15 sale (still ongoing and highly recommended. It also appeared on Movies! in recent months.

I didn't know what I was getting into, but all involved do a very credible job in what amounts to a psychological thriller in a chamber film.

The finale has definite "Rear Window" vibes.

2.5 from 4 stars.